UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 3, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

Western Balkan countries sign the three agreements at the Berlin Summit (Ekonomia)
Scholz: War in Ukraine is a danger for Balkans, conflicts must be overcome (Express)
Kurti meets Lajcak and Borrell: Decision on license plates, determination for the rule of law (Koha)
Borell: Setting cars on fire in the north is unacceptable (RTK)
Scholz: Process of normalising Kosovo-Serbia relations must be accelerated (media)
Kurti on Vucic’s absence at Berlin Summit: I did not miss him (Telegrafi)
Osmani: Agreements reached in Berlin contribute to regional cooperation (Koha)
Kurti at the energy session: Russia's cheap gas, costly for Europe's security (Koha)
Gervalla: The agreements must be implemented, including Serbia (RTK)
Von Cramon: The EU failed in the case of Kosovo (Koha)
IPK recommends suspension of the police director in the north (Kallxo)
Tahiri: No place for Vucic in a summit for peace and stability (media)
Shots fired at police station for border monitoring in Jasenovik (Telegrafi)
Clark, Walker and Kouchner to testify in Thaci’s favor at Specialist Chambers (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Brnabic: Borrell and Lajcak for neutral licence plates, but they say they can't do anything (RTS)
Vucic: We are not in conflict with anyone, but we cannot allow someone to spy on our army (Beta, media)
Scholz: It is time to overcome internal conflicts in the Western Balkans (Beta, Danas, N1)
Borrell met Kurti on the sidelines of the Berlin Process Summit: Agreements on dialogue must be respected (euronews.rs, media)
Djuric confirms police of region north will not issue reprimands (KoSSev)
Petkovic: Creation of new tensions (Radio KIM)
Dacic: Belgrade can’t let go of Moscow’s hand (N1)
Lavrov congratulates Dacic, says Russia ready to continue cooperation (Kosovo Online)
Serbian military downs drone near barracks (N1)
Sarazzin: Acceptance of Franco-German proposal up to Pristina, Belgrade (N1)
Pristina prosecution raises indictment for war crimes against D.A. (Radio KIM, KoSSev, RTS)
Council of EU to call on Serbia to align with bloc's foreign policy (Tanjug)
Trajkovic: I endure threats ever since I spoke about Ivanovic’s murder (Radio KIM, Nova, N1)

Opinion:

Wrong to think that re-registration is unsuccessful only because of intimidation, says Andric Rakic (Danas)
Radakovic: Decision of police officers in North was completely legitimate (Radio Mitrovica sever)

International:

Western Balkans Youth Forum 2022: Young people have potential for solving the crisis of today (EWB)
UN extends EU peacekeeping force’s mandate in Bosnia (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media

Kosovo and other Balkan countries sign the three agreements at the Berlin Summit (Ekonomia)

The heads of the six countries of the Western Balkans have signed today in Berlin, three agreements within the framework of the Summit that is being held for the countries of the Western Balkans, as part of the Berlin Process.

The agreements concern freedom of movement (with ID cards), recognition of institutions of higher education and the recognition of the professional qualifications of doctors, dentists and architects. The agreements were signed by the prime minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti, the prime minister of Albania Edi Rama, the acting prime minister of Montenegro Dritan Abazovic, the prime minister of Serbia Ana Brnabic, the Prime Minister of North Macedonia Dimitar Kovacevski and the representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

On the other hand, the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the opening of the Western Balkans Summit in Berlin, said that Europe can only be complete with the Western Balkans as part of it.

"You six countries of the Balkans belong to the free and complete Europe and your membership in the EU is in our interest. The promise of the European future for you is our job to turn it into reality and this has brought us together today," Scholz said.

Scholz also spoke about Kosovo-Serbia relations saying that the process of normalization of relations should be accelerated between both countries.

Scholz: War in Ukraine is a danger for Balkans, conflicts must be overcome (Express)

The Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz has described the signing of three agreements by the leaders of the six Western Balkans as a great success for the region.

Scholz, in a press conference after the summit on the Western Balkans held today in Germany within the framework of the Berlin Process, said that the war in Ukraine represent a danger for the entire region.

“The integration of these six countries in the European Union is of particular importance, especially now when Russia has attacked Ukraine, and this represents a danger for the entire region. Therefore, regional cooperation is important, so that inherited conflicts can be overcome,” Scholz said.

He mentioned the need for the countries of the Western Balkans to take “concrete steps for integration into the European Union,” stressing that Berlin Process is a connecting point for this.

Kurti meets Lajcak and Borrell: Decision on license plates, determination for the rule of law (Koha)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti met before the start of the Western Balkans Summit with the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell and the Special Representative of the European Union for the Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak.

A press release issued by the government announced that they discussed the relations between Kosovo and Serbia and the elements of the framework agreement for the full normalization of relations with mutual recognition at the center, the last decision of the government on illegal license plates, the issue of energy and other current issues.

Regarding the implementation of the decision on illegal license plates, Kurti said that through sequencing in three stages and degrees, the government of Kosovo has shown determination for the rule of law and commitment to maintaining peace and security in the country. Meanwhile, he called for the damage and burning of cars with RKS license plates in the north, to be condemned by all.

Kurti also spoke about the importance of the full and rapid implementation of the roadmap for energy, stressing that Kosovo and subordinate institutions have shown high responsibility by fulfilling obligations in record time.

Borell: Setting cars on fire in the north is unacceptable (RTK)

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borell made a statement about the meeting with the Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti. He said that he discussed with PM Kurti the situation in the north, stressing that disruptive actions, such as setting cars on fire, are unacceptable.

“Dialogue agreements must be discussed. We invite everyone to act in moderation,” Borell said. He added that they also discussed normalization of Kosovo-Serbia relations.

Scholz: The process of normalising Kosovo-Serbia relations must be accelerated (media)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has said that with the three agreements (for the mutual recognition of identity cards, diplomas and professional qualifications) that will be signed today, three big steps will be taken and will make the lives of the citizens easier.

"Today you are taking three major steps in this journey by signing three very important agreements. The common regional market will boost the economy and investment in your region, the agreements will enable your citizens to cross borders only with ID cards, and we will make sure that students from Sarajevo complete their studies in Belgrade, or architects from Tirana get a job in Skopje. This brings you closer to European standards," said the German chancellor.

Scholz also spoke about the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.

"It is time to overcome the regional conflicts, which keep you divided for a long time. The process of normalisation between Kosovo and Serbia must be accelerated, especially to produce results. The citizens of the Western Balkans can count on Germany and count on the Berlin Process," Scholz said.

Kurti on Vucic’s absence at Berlin Summit: I did not miss him - maybe he was afraid that he would be alone (Telegrafi)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti has commented on the non-participation of the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic in the Berlin Summit.

"I don't know why he didn't come and it's not that we missed him, maybe someone did, but certainly not me," Kurti said.

He stressed that all the speakers at summit today condemned the Russian aggression in Ukraine, and according to him this may have been the reason for the absence of President Vucic.

"It is possible that in such a situation, he was afraid to be present where he would clearly be alone and therefore, as he has done not infrequently, he sacrificed someone else instead of coming forward to the duty of the state where he is president ," Kurti said.

Osmani: Agreements reached in Berlin contribute to strengthening regional cooperation (Koha)

The President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani has said that the agreements reached on Thursday within the Berlin Process will contribute to regional cooperation and alignment with the European Union.

"President Osmani emphasized that the agreements on free movement with identity cards for citizens of the region, the recognition of university degrees, and the recognition of the professional qualifications of doctors, dentists and architects, will contribute to strengthening regional cooperation and removing administrative barriers between the states of the Western Balkans, bringing European values and practices of cooperation even closer together. In this regard, President Osmani has thanked the Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz, as well as the leaders of the European Union, for their commitment to the European integration of Kosovo and the Western Balkans, stressing that Kosovo will continue to remain a party fully committed to The Berlin Process and regional cooperation in the spirit of equality," the Presidency's communique says.

Kurti at the energy session: Russia's cheap gas, costly for Europe's security (Koha)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti participated in the energy session together with the leaders of the Western Balkans in Berlin. Kurti said that Russia's cheap gas is a high price for the security of Europe and the lives of the Ukrainian people.

“In the energy session I emphasized that Russia's cheap gas is costly for the security of Europe and the lives of Ukrainian people. We need both: green and sustainable energy, but the transition must be fair, and costs must be shared. Solidarity and financial support are needed," Kurti tweeted.

Gervalla: The agreements must be implemented, including Serbia (RTK)

Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Donika Gervalla took to Twitter to write about the agreements signed today by the six Western Balkans countries within the framework of the Berlin Process.

“Today's signing in Berlin of three groundbreaking agreements is another proof that the EU based Berlin Process is the way for real results, cooperation and EU integration of all our region. Now, the agreements need to be implemented by all signatories, including Serbia,” Gervalla wrote.

Von Cramon: The EU failed in the case of Kosovo (Koha)

The rapporteur of the European Parliament for Kosovo Viola von Cramon has said that the European Union has failed towards Kosovo by not liberalising visas.

"It is very frustrating that France and some other EU countries are still sceptical and have doubts as to whether visas should be removed for the citizens of Kosovo, although Kosovo has met the criteria. I am personally surprised by this scepticism, and I simply do not have an explanation," she said. "To me, democracy is a process where human rights must be respected and where law and order are respected. Therefore, I think that the message for the young people of the Balkans, who are asked to commit to reforms in their countries, is that the EU itself should be reformed."

IPK recommends suspension of the police director in the north (Kallxo)

The Kosovo Police Inspectorate has recommended the suspension from work of the director of the Kosovo Police for the northern region Nenad Djuriq. As the news website learns, this is because he is being suspected of calling for resistance when he said that the policemen in the north of Kosovo will not implement the government's decision to distribute reprimands to drivers who have cars with license plates issued by Serbia.

“We cannot implement that decision because it is political and directed mainly against the Serb community, to which we also belong,” Djuric said on November 2 and added that “traffic unit patrols from Pristina have been sent in the north, to exercise pressure.

He made these statements after the meeting with the representatives of Serbian List and the mayors of four municipalities in the north, inhabited by Serb majority (North Mitrovica, Leposaviq, Zvecan and Zubin Potok). He said that the General Directorate in Pristina as well as all international actors were informed in advance of the decision.

Tahiri: No place for Vucic in a summit for peace and stability (media)

Kosovo’s former chief negotiator in the dialogue with Serbia, Edita Tahiri, commented in a Facebook post today on the absence of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at the Berlin Process Summit. Tahiri argued that “Vucic, who openly threatens security and stability with military means, has no place in a Summit aimed at sustainable peace and stability in the Balkans”. She further said that the Open Balkan initiative failed today and that the Berlin Process for the Western Balkans prevailed. “For the supporters of the ‘Open Balkan’ produced by the weird duo of Rama and Vucic, this detrimental Serbian-Russian project is now over,” she said.

Shots fired at police station for border monitoring in Jasenovik (Telegrafi)

Kosovo Police officers who were on duty at the border police station in Jasenovik said they heard shots fired on Wednesday night. Police later found a bullet that hit the police premises. The Anti-Terror Department of Kosovo Police is investigating a possible terror act.

KP: Building of the police station for border surveillance in Zubin Potok, attacked (media)

The Kosovo Police, respectively police officers who were on duty at the border police station in Jasenovik, have informed that on November 2, 2022 at night they heard gunshots (two shots in a row), while they were carrying out their duties in the place called Jabuke. The relevant police unit has found a bullet shell which had hit the fence of the building of the police station for border surveillance in Jasenovik. Regarding the case, the Anti-Terrorism Directorate is conducting investigations on suspicions of committing terrorist acts, it is said in the communique of the Kosovo Police.

The Kosovo Police with police units will continue its commitments in the implementation of legal tasks and authorizations, in maintaining order and public safety, preventing crime and smuggling, as well as serving the Kosovo and all citizens without distinction.

Clark, Walker and Kouchner expected to testify in Thaci’s favor at Specialist Chambers (media)

Wesley Clark, Bernard Kouchner, William Walker, are just some of the names that will testify in favor of former president Thaci in the Special Court.

This was announced by Thaci's lawyer Gregory Keohe in a submission. In addition to the aforementioned, Steve Bennett, Jock Covey, Michael Durkee and Daan Everts will also appear as defense witnesses.

Keohe has said that all these witnesses are of advanced age, therefore he has asked the Preliminary Judge to take measures for their questioning and the deposition of their testimonies as of now.

Serbian Language Media

Brnabic: Borrell and Lajcak for neutral licence plates, but they say they can't do anything (RTS)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic stated that she is not optimistic after today's talks at the summit in Berlin, although three agreements on mobility in the Western Balkans region were signed, because, as she said, the EU allows the earlier agreements between Belgrade and Pristina to be disregarded, and which the EU has put its signature on it, and they still force us to respect and conclude some new agreements, reported Radio Television of Serbia.

She stated that she spoke in Berlin with Josep Borrell and Miroslav Lajcak about the re-registration of licence plates in Kosovo and emphasised that Kurti violated all agreements from 2011, 2016 and 2021, as well as that he unilaterally cancelled status-neutral KS licence plates.

They agree that this is so and that there should be status-neutral plates, but that they cannot do anything, added the prime minister. To me it is devastating, Brnabic said, reported RTS.

Brnabic, answering questions from journalists, said that she cannot find the strength to be optimistic when almost 10 years have passed since the signing of the Brussels Agreement and the Community of Serbian Municipalities has not yet been formed.

"The CSM (ZSO) still does not exist. Kurti said that he will not implement the Brussels Agreement, and on the other hand, they are pressuring us to go to other or final agreements, whatever you call it. How will you then, I asked, when the first agreement has not been implemented for 10 years... This is also about the credibility of the EU, because in addition to the signatures of Belgrade and Pristina, there is also the signature of the EU," emphasised Brnabic.

She asked how we should respect other agreements when the EU cannot guarantee the implementation of previously signed agreements.

She reminded that Kurti from the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine said that Serbia would take advantage of the situation, but that everything turned out to be the opposite, since it was Pristina that was doing everything to destabilise the region, as well as that it had abolished the basic human rights of Serbs in the north of Kosovo.

Brnabic noted that on the other hand, we have to be constructive.

"Certainly, everyone here understood, starting from Scholz to others, that Serbia was constructive here and that we showed flexibility in the negotiations on these three agreements, and we want to do our best to make this a stronger region," the prime minister stressed.

"Agreements are important, they do not derogate from the agreements of Belgrade and Pristina"

The Serbian PM, Brnabic, said that the agreements signed today by the leaders of the Western Balkans at the Summit of the Berlin Process are important above all for the youth in the region, and that Serbia has once again shown that it is absolutely in favour of regional cooperation.

"These are important agreements, above all for young people in the region, on the recognition of academic qualifications and on the recognition of professional qualifications, which now applies to three professions - doctors, dentists and architects, as well as on the recognition of identity cards," said Brnabic.

She said that it was important for Belgrade to show that it is always in favour of regional cooperation, that it is in the interest of Serbia and its citizens that the region is better connected, that it is safer, more stable, that we have guaranteed peace and stability, that we can progress.

She pointed out that such agreements are not too new for Serbia, because they have already been done on a larger scale as part of the "Open Balkans" initiative, with Albania and North Macedonia.

Brnabic said that it is particularly important that these agreements do not derogate from what was agreed or are agreeing within the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

"It was quite difficult to negotiate, but we succeeded. It has no influence on what we agreed on identity cards, which preserves the statehood of Serbia in KiM and makes life easier for Serbs in KiM. That is important," said Brnabic.

Vucic: We are not in conflict with anyone, but we cannot allow someone to spy on our army (Beta, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said today that Serbia is not in conflict with anyone, but that it cannot allow anyone to spy on its armed forces, reported Beta news agency.

On the occasion of yesterday's downing of a drone over military facilities near Raska, Vucic said that it was not the first time that such aircraft had been spotted above the barracks of the Serbian Armed Forces.

"We noticed them days before and then we warned them. This kind of reconnaissance and illegal intelligence work represents a kind of aggression against a sovereign country," Vucic told reporters at the Pasuljanske Meadow training ground near Cuprija where a demonstration of the capabilities of the Serbian Armed Forces was held, as part of a joint exercise "Manoeuvres 2022".

He assessed that on the occasion of that incident, "joint activity against Serbia is immediately visible".

"I wouldn't call it hostile because of the different connotations in which political actors in the country and region will appear, who on the one hand will start mocking why someone would use drones next to satellites, and on the other hand, they will ask who we are in conflict with. We don't clash, but do you want someone to spy on our army, to enter every hangar in the territory of central Serbia and count how many bullets and grenades we have," said Vucic.

He said that "we are working on it" to determine who sent the drone that was downed over Raska.

"They use commercial drones, thinking that in this way it will not be established who is the owner and the perpetrator of illegal acts. Everything else would be easily established, to whom it belongs, based on the military elements. I think the whole world knows who did what in the Baltic Sea regarding the Nord Stream, so everyone is pretending to be naive. So, let us pretend to be naive too," said Vucic.

He added that NATO Skylark drones "were flying around Brnjak and Jarinje all day yesterday".

"They were 200 to 500 metres away from the administrative line, NATO followed all procedures there. We saw them without any problems, but we have no right to downthrown them in accordance with Resolution 1244 and the Kumanovo Agreement," said the President of Serbia, reported the agency.

Scholz: It is time to overcome internal conflicts in the Western Balkans (Beta, Danas, N1)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said today in Berlin that all the countries of the Western Balkans are part of a free and democratic Europe and that it is the joint work of the European Union and the region to turn the promised European future into reality.

At the opening of the summit within the Berlin Process, Scholz said that today's meeting is an opportunity to discuss the many challenges that the Western Balkans are facing.

He expressed his belief that the Berlin process can not only release the region's potential, but also accelerate its path to the European Union.

According to the words of the German chancellor, at the moment of Russia's brutal war against Ukraine, it is time to overcome internal conflicts.

Scholz said that at today's summit of Western Balkan heads of government and EU officials, three agreements will be discussed that are extremely important for building and integrating a common regional market.

According to him, this is important for facilitating contacts in the region in the broadest sense and building an integrated future without internal borders.

He added that an important issue will be energy security, which, as he said on October 24 at the meeting of the Berlin Process, was also discussed by the energy ministers.

He reiterated that on October 20, in the format of the Berlin Process, the interior ministers also discussed important issues of illegal migration and people smuggling.

Saying that today promises to the Western Balkans are made with a sense of urgency, Scholz emphasised that the citizens of the region can count on Germany and the Berlin process.

The summit, which is being held at the invitation of Scholz, is attended by the heads of government of Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina, representatives of the EU countries that are members of the Berlin Process, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council Charles Michel as well as representatives of international organisations.

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic leads the Serbian delegation.

Borrell met Kurti on the sidelines of the Berlin Process Summit: Agreements on dialogue must be respected (euronews.rs, media)

The EU representative for foreign policy and security, Josep Borrell, met Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti on the sidelines of the Berlin Process Summit, euronews.rs reported.

"Discussed the situation in the north of Kosovo. Disruptive actions, such as burning cars, are unacceptable. Dialogue agreements must be respected. Call on everyone to act with restraint. We also discussed progress in normalisation," Borrell said on Twitter.

Karti’s cabinet announced that the topics of the meeting were the issue of licence plates, energy, and other topical issues.

"Regarding the implementation of the decision on illegal licence plates, Kurti said that through the sequence of three phases and levels, the Government of Kosovo showed determination for the rule of law and commitment to maintaining peace and security in the country. In the meantime, he called on everyone to condemn the damage and arson of cars with RKS licence plates in the north," the statement said.

Speaking about the issue of energy, Kurti emphasised the importance of full and rapid implementation of the road map for energy.

Vucic on Borrell’s statement on re-registration (Tanjug, Radio KIM)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said today he was shocked by the statement of the EU Security and Policy High Representative Josep Borrell regarding situation on re-registration of licence plates, adding he will address the nation in the upcoming days and talk about pressure on Serbia, but also about decisions of the state and how it will act when it comes to other important issues, Tanjug news agency reports.

He also said he may cancel some earlier planned visits abroad due to the current situation in the country.

Asked to comment on the fact that Pritstina’s request to join the Council of Europe was not on the agenda of the committee of ministers, Vucic said that “we are talking about some “not that bad tactic news”, if I may call it that way. I am much more concerned by the statement of Josep Borrell and some other people and I am shocked by their statements and that is why I will wait for Lajcak’s visit to pass and it may happen that I cancel some earlier arranged and important visits abroad because of the situation in the country”, Vucic is quoted as saying.

Djuric confirms police of region north will not issue reprimands (KoSSev)

Kosovo police of the region North cannot implement a decision on re-registration of Serbian licence plates to “RKS”, the director of the Region North Police Directorate, Nenad Djuric, said yesterday afternoon. Djuric, accompanied by the mayors from northern municipalities and the police leadership of the region north, addressed some media outlets in front of the North Mitrovica municipal building, KoSSev portal reports. The portal added it and some other Serbian media outlets had not received invitations to cover this event.

Djuric confirmed today that the Region North Police Directorate was also notified about implementation of Pristina government’s decision on re-registration of vehicles.

He also said they made it clear to the General Police Directorate in Pristina and all relevant international political and security actors in Kosovo, that the policemen from the region north cannot implement that decision.

“It is a political decision directed primarily against the Serb community to which we also belong and share our concerns regarding all unilateral actions”, he said.

Djuric also revealed that traffic units were deployed by the General Police Directorate in Pristina to the north of Kosovo yesterday. He alleged their role was to “put pressure on our police officers to carry out the required actions – issuing reprimands to drivers with KM plates“.

“We want to point out that the aforementioned patrols from Pristina were sent to the north of Kosovo without the knowledge and approval of the Region North Police Directorate. Also, we previously pointed out to the General Police Directorate in Pristina and the international community about the presence of special police units and the formation of bases in our area of jurisdiction, also without our knowledge and approval, which instil fear and distress in the people who live here“, he said.

He added that those actions “directly underestimate and marginalised“ the role of the Region North Police Directorate. He stated that the policemen of this region are there to protect and serve the people, regardless of ethnicity or religion.

“We stand for full compliance with the Brussels Agreement, which clearly defines our competencies“, Djuric emphasised.

Petkovic: Creation of new tensions (Radio KIM)

Presence of Albanian police traffic patrols sent from Pristina to northern Kosovo by PM Albin Kurti, represents a violation of the Brussels agreement and creates new tensions, Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic said, Radio KIM reports.

He added there is no doubt that “Kurti sent his patrols to northern Kosovo aiming at generating a new crisis, because he is getting nervous over the failure of his plan to “subjugate” Serbs and force them to give up on KIM plates”.

Petkovic also said Belgrade fully understands and supports conclusions from yesterday’s meeting of institutionalised representatives of Serbs in northern Kosovo, Region North Police Directorate, four mayors of northern municipalities and Serbian List who voiced a clear stance on the issue of illegal decisions of Pristina relating to re-registration.

“I will remind everyone, and in particular representatives of the international community, that point 9 of the Brussels agreement stipulates that Region North police directorate is exclusively responsible to carry out police activities in the four Serb majority municipalities in the north as well as that composition of the police must reflect ethnic structure of this part of the province, where Serbs make an absolute majority”, Petkovic underlined.

That is why members of traffic police from Pristina have no reasons, justification or grounds to be present in four northern municipalities, given that this is an exclusive area of responsibility of Region North Police Directorate, Petkovic added.

He also said he will inform EU mediator in the dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak about this violation of the Brussels agreements, as well as representatives of all relevant international missions in Kosovo and demand that “Kurti’s police officers” withdrew from the north.

Dacic: Belgrade can’t let go of Moscow’s hand (N1)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic told Voice of America that Belgrade can’t let go of Moscow because that is the only thing keeping it from falling into the abyss referring to the support the latter extends to Serbia on Kosovo issue, N1 reports.

Serbia wants to find a common language with the West as well as an agreement on Kosovo but can’t let go “of the only hand that is keeping it from falling into the abyss”. He said that integrating Serbia is the European Union’s vital interest but that the current policies of the West are pushing Belgrade towards Moscow.

“Why can’t they understand Serbia’s position. Russia also won’t understand Serbia’s position. The great powers think through the logic of their interest and we think through the logic of our interests”, he said, adding that Belgrade always votes against military intervention and the preservation of territorial integrity whether it’s about Kosovo, Ukraine or any other part of the world while the West and Russia have a selective approach.

“Right now, it suits Russia to say if Kosovo can, Donbas can but it’s not just Russia who will invoke that, because Catalonia may say ‘when Kosovo can, Catalonia can as well’. To be honest Republika Srpska could say that tomorrow”, he said.

Asked what a good offer from the West could be, Dacic said it could be a just offer to resolve the Kosovo issue.

“It can not be the offer to vote for sanctions on Russia, and then second item to say we will admit Kosovo to the UN and Council of Europe. We didn’t fall off Mars not knowing what our interest was. This now is a bad option for us. We want agreement, but no one would let the only hand off while over the abyss, until getting another hand, and this is what they exactly want – to let off that only hand left to us to hold onto it”.

He added that if Belgrade imposes sanctions on Russia, it will lose its support in the UN Security Council.

Lavrov congratulates Dacic, says Russia ready to continue cooperation (Kosovo Online)

Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov congratulated his Serbian counterpart Ivica Dacic on his appointment as head of the Serbian diplomacy, adding Russia remains ready to continue efficient Russian-Serbian cooperation, among other, in the context of preserving sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia and just solution to Kosovo issue, Kosovo Online portal reports.

Russian Ambassador Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko handed over a congratulatory note to Ivica Dacic. During the meeting Dacic and Botsan-Kharchenko discussed the advancement of bilateral relations and current geopolitical affairs.

They also discussed the situation in the region, with Dacic noting Serbia’s commitment to the peace and cooperation in order to preserve stability in Western Balkans. He also said Serbia remains committed to the dialogue as the only way to find a compromise solution.

Serbian military downs drone near barracks (N1)

The Serbian military said on Wednesday that it downed a drone in the Raska area in the west of the country, N1 reports.

“Units of the Army of Serbia neutralised a commercial drone moving from Mt Kopaonik towards Raska after discovering and monitoring it this afternoon. The drone was downed using electronic jamming measures in the immediate vicinity of military facilities in the Raska garrison”, the press release said.

It said that the Serbian military will continue to down all drones inside no-fly zones and in the vicinity of military facilities. Defense Minister Milos Vucevic said that the drone downed by the military was flying from the direction of Jarinje in Kosovo.

Sarazzin: Acceptance of Franco-German proposal up to Pristina, Belgrade (N1)

It is up to Pristina and Belgrade to decide if they want to accept the Franco-German proposal for the normalisation of relations, German government special envoy for Western Balkans Manuel Sarazzin said, N1 reports.

He told Pristina-based Kanal 10 TV that “the two countries” would not be punished if they opposed the Franco-German proposal because that is not how international politics work.

I cannot foresee the future, Sarazzin said, adding that France and Germany are just trying to facilitate solutions.

Regarding the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities in Kosovo, Sarazzin said that any proposal and agreement on this matter must be in line with the 2013 agreement and cannot violate the Kosovo Constitution.

Pristina prosecution raises indictment for war crimes against D.A. (Radio KIM, KoSSev, RTS)

Kosovo Special Prosecution has raised an indictment against D.A. for allegedly committing war crimes against the civilian population, Radio KIM reports. He is charged with “taking part in forceful expulsion and displacement of residents of Pristina and its surroundings”, “robbing the properties and burning houses of Albanians”, as well as “for murder”.

The prosecution also alleged that D.A. mistreated A.K. in the village of Butovac, 15 years old at that time and tortured him, both physically and psychologically.

RTS reports the indictment was raised against a Serb, Dusko Arsic, arrested on December 8, 2021, at Jarinje crossing point. His arrest was back then confirmed by the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, which said that Arsic often stayed in Kosovo and never had any problems.

The Office also said Arsic pressed criminal charges over usurpation of his property in the village of Maticane, near Pristina.

His defence lawyer, Jovana Filipovic said that a few days after pressing criminal charges over usurpation of his property, Arsic got arrested under war crimes charges. She said he was never a member of the army, police or any other paramilitary formation, and he does not know where the village of Butovac is because he has never been there.

Council of EU to call on Serbia to align with bloc's foreign policy (Tanjug)

In draft conclusions prepared for a December summit, the Council of the EU regrets that Serbia is not demonstrating sufficient commitment to its proclaimed strategic goal of EU integration and expresses deep regret over Belgrade's regression on alignment with the EU's common foreign and security policy, especially when it comes to sanctions on Russia and Belarus.

In the conclusions, seen by Tanjug, Brussels urges Serbia to deliver on its commitment as part of the negotiation framework and boost its alignment with the EU's common foreign and security policy positions and restrictive measures as a matter of the highest priority.

The document also calls on Belgrade to align its visa policy with the EU and welcomes the progress made in Serbia's EU accession talks.

Trajkovic: I endure threats ever since I spoke about Ivanovic’s murder (Radio KIM, Nova, N1)

European Serb Movement from Kosovo president, Rada Trajkovic told Nova media outlet that she is constantly exposed to threats and pressure ever since she said that Oliver Ivanovic, assassinated leader of Civic Initiative Freedom, Democracy, Justice, was threatened by a criminal group from northern Kosovo.

She added everything started when a group of Serbs was arrested under suspicion of taking part in assassination of Oliver Ivanovic. She said Pristina Special Prosecution interviewed many people to gather evidence, but they hid it, while Trajkovic gave a statement to the media regarding that.

She also said after that Serbian highest state officials attacked her and practically made her a culprit for the arrest of the group of Serbs in northern Kosovo. Soon after she started receiving threats and her son was fired from his job.

No one was arrested for those threats, and police protection that Rada Trajkovic had, as she said, “was cancelled the moment (Aleksandar) Vulin became (internal affairs) minister”. She also said she stopped reporting the threats because she realised that these authorities “are dehumanising her”, while Milan Radoicic, whom she marked as a leader of the criminal group in northern Kosovo “was allowed to progress, lead Serbian List and be often guest at Serbian President”.

Opinion

Wrong to think re-registration is unsuccessful only because of intimidation, says Andric Rakic (Danas)

In the Leposavic municipality, a municipality with a majority Serb population in the north of Kosovo, a car that was re-registered with RKS plates was set on fire, confirmed for Radio Free Europe the deputy director of the Kosovo Police for the northern region, Besim Hoti, recalled daily Danas.

RFE noted that the incident came on the eve of the deadline for re-registration of vehicles with city plates in Kosovo, issued by Serbian authorities. The media recalled that this was not the first case of burning property of people who decided to take RKS licence plates, and the Kosovo authorities characterised this occurrence as "intimidation".

Milica Rakic Andric from the NGO New Social Initiative from Kosovska Mitrovica, told Danas daily that the context within which this occurrence was explained was not true, because it tried to declare the re-registration in the North unsuccessful only because, as she claimed, of intimidation.

- This is a very bad, criminal practice that has been very characteristic of the North of Kosovo for decades. The rate of solving those crimes is very low, but they are widely attributed to the political actors dominant at that time. In the current context, where in the North there is an ongoing attempt by the Government of Kosovo to persuade citizens to re-register their cars with RKS markings, this practice is particularly harmful. It gives room for, from my point of view, completely wrong interpretations that the re-registration in the North is unsuccessful only because of intimidation, and a far more serious problems of the citizens were being overlooked - those that concern civil registration in the Kosovo system and obtaining Kosovo driver's licences, but also the practicality of KM and other Serbian registration relations, because of which the majority of citizens are actually not interested in re-registration - says the interviewee of Danas.

Thus, she added, these arson attacks distort the image of the international community, of the situation on the ground, and put too much emphasis on intimidation, and not enough on the community's essential aversion to integration.

- As a result, the measures that are designed and start from that wrong premise are ineffective and do not remove the potential for escalation - concluded Milica Rakic Andric.

Radakovic: Decision of police officers in North was completely legitimate (Radio Mitrovica sever)

Director of NGO Advocacy Centre for Democratic Culture, Dusan Radakovic told Radio Mitrovica sever that the decision of the Kosovo Police - Regional Directorate North from yesterday to refuse to implement Pristina’s decision to issue reprimands was completely legitimate for several reasons.

This decision was supported by the mayors of four municipalities in the north, as well as representatives of Serbs and the Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, recalled the radio.

“It is legitimate for the Kosovo police to cooperate with the mayors because it is a business cooperation that must function in the relationship between the mayor and the police director for the north and station commanders in general. This decision was made due to the violation of the rights of the majority community whose members are police officers themselves, and also due to cases where reprimands could be handed out to their closest relatives, brothers or sisters for licence plates that are completely legal and recognized throughout the world, not only on the territory of Kosovo,” Radakovic told Radio Mitrovica sever.

According to Radakovic, it was completely legitimate for the four mayors in the north of Kosovo to make a decision that was in the interest of the citizens living in this territory.

Radakovic said that things cannot be viewed from a political perspective, but from the situation on the ground.

“I am afraid that after November 21, we may have an escalation of problems in the form of barricades, conflicts... because with the decision that was made regarding re-registration, many things are still not clear, and many questions are still not answered. For example, I always take the example of health care, how a patient, who is in a grave condition and is being transported further, will reach medical institutions in central Serbia. Until the driver completes all the procedures and pays the fines, such a patient cannot wait. This is just an example, as a non-governmental sector, we pointed out more than thirty unresolved and unsolved issues. For now, the problem of driver’s licences being accepted has been solved, but a lot of problems remain. And the state institutions that function here and the people who have a Kosovo identity card, have licence plates of cities in central Serbia (KG, NS, RA...), what will happen to them? Because when you have a Kosovo identity card, they have to let you cross and then you can’t transfer a vehicle, for example. Many things are unclear...” he added.

“The entire situation regarding re-registration is becoming, to put it simply, morbid, there is no reality, there is no dialogue to solve the problem and a decision is made arbitrarily, in haste, without the support of the international community, and the USA is also against it. I am always in favour of dialogue of any kind, because a joint decision is something that is always better than a self-proclaimed one,” he said.

He gave another example of illegal behaviour and said that the border police have no right or authority to hand out reprimands, to collect fines, because that is not their domain of competence, but that of the traffic police.

“Knowing this, Pristina engaged members of special units, even anti-terrorist units, and transferred them to the border police, so that it could more easily achieve its goal, and at the same time illegally harasses citizens by detaining them at crossings for several hours at a time,” Radakovic said.

“On the other hand, since it was immediately said that the police officers from the four police stations in the north of Kosovo will not hand out reprimands, they sent traffic units from Pristina that will carry out control, reprimands, and fines at police stations and on main roads. And most importantly, nobody is comfortable being stopped by a fully armed and equipped special officer, for a traffic violation or a simple control of vehicles and documents,” he added.

Radakovis says that he felt this “on his own skin” when he was stopped and when officers performed control under full military gear as if he was the biggest terrorist, where he was not given any explanation for that, even though he asked for an answer in fluent Albanian language.

He opined that the big shortcoming of this situation is that there is no strategic approach, that there are no strategic ideas on the ground, there is no dialogue, citizens are confused, and added that was afraid that there was no solution in sight.

“Every day there is more and more pressure, the noose is tightening for the citizens in the north, both Serbs and Albanians, everyone who lives here, no one is comfortable, and there is no normal approach, for someone to sit down and talk to the citizens to see what the problem is,” Radakovic concluded.

International

Western Balkans Youth Forum 2022: Young people have potential for solving the crisis of today (EWB)

BERLIN — Building sustainable peace, fighting for the climate justice or creating resilient democracies won’t be possible without the contribution of the youth, but it is up to young people to demonstrate a strong will and use their specific power to make radical changes in their own societies, as was concluded by the panellists during the panel We remember better days at the Western Balkans Youth Forum 2022.