UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 27, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti calls again on Serbs to convert their licence plates to RKS (media)
Osmani: We fight against gangs, not citizens, we expect support (media)
Von der Leyen on licence plates: Very short and very clear, the rules must be respected (media)
Kurti meets Von der Leyen: Kosovo to apply for EU membership this year (media)
NATO: If stability is endangered, KFOR is ready to intervene (Klan)
Interior Ministry: Three incidents in the north related to RKS licence plates (RFE)
Serwer: Kurti wielding sovereignty; hope he is ready to face consequences (Express)
Rohde: Kosovars deserve visa liberalisation (RTK)
Bajrami: LVV ignores WJP report, goes to page 40 to find something to be proud of (Express)
A car burned in Leposaviq after the conversion of licence plates (Express)

Serbian Language Media:

Ambassador Hill: We are disappointed by Pristina's refusal to extend the deadline for re-registration (Blic, N1)
Stano: Kosovo's decision on the plates is legitimate, avoid increasing tensions and violence (N1)
Vucic: We fully stand by the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija (RTS, media)
New Serbian Government elected (N1)
Djuric urges international community to maintain peace in Kosovo (Tanjug)
Zarrazin: Kosovo to demonstrate flexibility on licence plates (Kosovo Online)
Vucic with Serbs from Kosovo, Rakic: “If Pristina starts violently, we will block the roads” (media)
Serbian Minister of Defense: Kurti’s threats undermine peace (Kosovo Online)
Office for KiM: Bus transporting Serbs pelted with stones in Mitrovica South (Kosovo Online)
COM KFOR meets Raska-Prizren Eparchy Bishop Teodosije (Kosovo Online)
Von Cramon: "The Kosovo government does not hold a dialogue with the Serbs, and it promised that" (Kosovo Online, Blic, Kallxo)
Moscow’s Kommersant: Serbia’s new Government turned toward East (N1)

International:

In Race to Lure Russian Talent and Capital, Serbia Emerges as Front-Runner (The Wall Street Journal)
EU announces €500 million energy support package for Western Balkans (euractive.com)
North Macedonia Pays Dear for Cancelled Power Plants (BIRN)
Kosovo will not delay Serbian car plate rule despite calls by the West (eureporter)

Albanian Language Media

Kurti calls again on Serbs to convert their licence plates to RKS (media)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti has called again on Serbian citizens to convert their licence plates to RKS. This statement was made by the head of government after laying the foundation stone of a kindergarten near the Green school in Pristina.

He added that the outdated licence plates should be converted by the Serbs.

"I invite all Serb citizens who have outdated licence plates to return them to those of the Republic of Kosovo".

Kurti will host today a meeting with the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

Osmani: We fight against gangs, not citizens, we expect support (media)

The President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani said during the joint press conference with the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen that it has been a long time since the Serb citizens of Kosovo are respecting the law and are converting the number plates to those recognized by law and removing those from the time of Milosevic.

"As a result of this, their houses are being burned, their cars are being burned. The last case happened last night," she said.

According to her, all these actions of illegal and criminal structures that are on the black list of the USA, in essence prove that the government is implementing the rule of law.

"Kosovo has been reconfirmed as the country with the biggest reforms in all of Europe in the field of the rule of law by the World Justice Project and the second reformer in the world. This proves that our actions were right".

She said that Kosovo's actions are for the rule of law and for the equality of all before the law and in no case against the Serb citizens of Kosovo. "The very fact that over 90 percent of Kosovo Serbs use legal Kosovo licence plates is evidence that this action is not against Serb citizens."

She said that the minority that has not yet converted these licence plates are acting so due to the threats that are being made to them, including the burning of cars and houses by illegal and criminal structures.

"Our war is a war against gangs and in this war for the rule of law, we expect to have the continuous support of our allies both in the EU and the USA."

Speaking about the issue of dialogue, President Osmani stated that this is a process in which Kosovo is extremely engaged and committed.

"And this commitment to long-term peace and stability will never be absent."

Von der Leyen on licence plates: Very short and very clear, the rules must be respected (media)

The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen together with the President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, held a media conference, after the meeting they had in the presidency.

The President of the European Commission made a brief and very clear statement on the issue of vehicle licence plates, which the Serbian citizens of Kosovo are reluctant to change from those KM to valid ones, RKS.

"Very short and very clear. I think it is very important that the rules are respected," said EC President Von der Leyen. "The rules are clear and must be respected in every state," she added.

The President of the EC stated that if there is a transitional period, then the transition must be inclusive and go properly. "I know that they are working to find a solution," Von der Leyen said.

"I also congratulate you for the efforts being made within the dialogue"

Asked by journalists about the issue of visa liberalisation, reiterated that Kosovo has met all the necessary standards. “We said it in 2018 and we repeated it this year as well, a few weeks ago. In the technical aspect, the standards have been met," Von der Leyen said.

"The commission is completely on your side, and we will try to convince the whole Council".

Regarding the ETIA security system, which has been mentioned as a proposal from France, when that system comes into operation in November 2023, Von der Leyen said that - "this system is independent from this process (visa liberalisation)".

"It is an important process for the EU. Everyone knows the ESTA system for the U.S. and it's practically the same system," Von der Leyen said.

"This system will be independent of visa criteria".

Kurti meets Von der Leyen: Kosovo to apply for EU membership this year (media)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti has welcomed the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in Prishtina.

Through a press release, the Office of the PM announced that Kurti informed Von der Leyen about the continuous progress that Kosovo is making in economic and democratic indicators, and about the work of the government in the reform of justice, the fulfilment of the European agenda and the fight against crime and corruption.

"As for the path of the Republic of Kosovo towards the European Union, Kurti said that Kosovo will apply for membership in the European Union before the end of this year. This decision comes as a result of the political and value orientation of both the Government and the citizens of the Republic, who massively and completely support EU integration. Meanwhile, regarding the liberalization of visas, Prime Minister Kurti said that Kosovo has met all the criteria and that the liberalization is already more than meritorious for the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo," the announcement states.

It was learned that the energy crisis facing the entire European continent was also discussed.

"In today's meeting, the immediate budget aid of 75 million euros for Kosovo in dealing with the energy crisis was confirmed. On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and the people of Kosovo, Prime Minister Kurti expressed his gratitude for this support, which will directly help minimize the effects of the energy crisis on our citizens," the announcement states.

NATO: If stability is endangered, KFOR is ready to intervene (Klan)

There are still a few days left until the deadline for the return of licence plates with the abbreviations of the cities of Kosovo from the period before the war, to those of the RKS, as October 31 has attracted the attention of America and the European Union, who have announced that they do not want an escalation of the situation.

A NATO official exclusively told Klankosova.tv that the KFOR mission is continuously monitoring the situation.

"KFOR remains alert and ready to intervene if stability is threatened," the official said.

The same says that the NATO mission operating in Kosovo continues its work every day to ensure free movement.

"NATO's KFOR mission continues every day to ensure that all communities in Kosovo are safe and able to move freely, according to its UN mandate based on Security Council Resolution 1244 United Nations of 1999".

Interior Ministry: Three incidents in the north related to RKS licence plates (RFE)

Kosovo’s Ministry of Interior Affairs said that in the last 24 hours in the north of Kosovo were registered three cases of burning of cars and properties related to the conversion of licence plates. A spokeswoman for the ministry told Radio Free Europe that Serbia and illegal structures in the north are trying to intimidate citizens that are converting their licence plates.

“The propaganda of the heads of the Serbian state, including Serbian President Vucic, and the actions of illegal extremist structures and criminal groups are coordinated and aimed at intimidating our citizens in the north,” the spokeswoman said.

“These illegal extremist groups now do not violate sovereignty in the north, but they also oppress the citizens and their will, and this has become an obstacle for the daily lives of our citizens there. They are faced with pressure, threats, violence, and attacks.”

Serwer: Kurti wielding sovereignty; hope he is ready to face consequences (Express)

Daniel Serwer, analyst on the Balkans and professor at John Hopkins University, said in an interview with the news website that Prime Minister Albin Kurti is wielding the sovereignty of Kosovo. “I hope he is ready to face the consequences. I certainly understand his impatience – I even suggested that even 10 minutes [to extend the deadline for the conversion of licence plates] are too long. But to be right functions only if the decision you take does not create bigger problems,” he said.

Serwer said that frequent visits by officials from Kosovo’s allies are an effort to advance the process of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia but that the results are not known yet. “Kosovo’s friends are trying to encourage progress in the dialogue. This is their job and I wish them success. However, it is not clear that they are producing the kind of reactions in Belgrade that would enable Pristina to move forward. Both capitals seem unwilling to reach a compromise,” he said.

Rohde: Kosovars deserve visa liberalisation (RTK)

The Ambassador of Germany in Kosovo Jorn Rohde through a post on "Twitter" has said that he fully agrees with the statements of the rapporteur of the European Parliament for Kosovo Viola von Cramon, that visas should be liberalised for Kosovars and that the wait should end.

"I completely agree," says Ambassador Jorn Rohde's post.

A few days ago, the rapporteur for Kosovo Viola von Cramon said that the visa liberalisation process will be finalised.

"I saw that this was for the first time on the agenda of the working group of the Council of the European Union, last Thursday. A clear decision has not yet been made, there will be another vote in mid-November or early December," Von Cramon said.

Bajrami says LVV ignores WJP report, goes to page 40 to find something to be proud of (Express)

Hykmete Bajrami, MP of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) has said that the Vetevendosje Movement (LVV) is "making propaganda and telling untruths,” regarding the World Justice Project's report on the rule of law.

The report ranks Kosovo 57th in the world, but with the second highest improvement in the world when comparing this year with the previous one.

"The ability of the government officials to read reports is unprecedented. They ignore the entire report, skip 39 pages and go to page 40, find something to praise, but the reality is different. The World Justice Project ranks Kosovo in the 57th position this year. Still far from the year 2020, where Kosovo was ranked 54th, while last year it suffered regression and was ranked 60th," Bajrami wrote on Facebook.

A car burned in Leposaviq after the conversion of licence plates (Express)

A car in Leposaviq, northern Kosovo, that had just converted the licence plates to RKS (Republic of Kosovo) was burned, said the Kosovo Police.

The Deputy Director of Police for the northern region Besim Hoti told Radio Free Europe that it is still unknown who set the car on fire.

"Kosovo police and firefighters have gone to the scene for their duties, but work remains to be done in the direction of the further investigation for the possible actors of this criminal act," Hoti said.

According to the 24-hour police report, the burning of the car in the village of Krajkove in Leposaviq, inhabited mainly by Serbs, happened at 04:00 in the morning.

Serbian Language Media

Ambassador Hill: We are disappointed by Pristina's refusal to extend the deadline for re-registration (Blic, N1)

American ambassador to Serbia, Christopher Hill, told Belgrade based daily Blic that ''he is disappointed and worried about the decision of the Prime Minister of Pristina, Albin Kurti, not to extend the deadline for re-registration of vehicles with Serbian license plates, despite the invitations of the USA, the EU and Quint'', wrote the daily.

The daily recalled that Kurti stated that the re-registration of RSK (Republic of Kosovo) license plates will begin on November 1st and that there will be no more delays, even though the USA and the EU have called on the Pristina authorities to postpone the process for 10 months.

On this occasion, the American ambassador to Serbia reacted, who in a statement to Blic, emphasized that the USA had repeatedly asked for an extension of the deadline.

- The Government of the United States of America, together with its international partners, has repeatedly asked the Government of Kosovo to extend the period of implementation of vehicle re-registration. We are disappointed and worried about the refusal of the Government of Kosovo to accept the requests and advice of its closest international partners on this matter - Hill said.

He added that he welcomes the continuation of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina under the auspices of Brussels.

- We invite Kosovo and Serbia to continue participating in the EU-mediated dialogue - Hill added.

Previously, Gabriel Escobar, the US Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, reacted the same way, who also called on the Pristina authorities to extend the deadline, reported Blic.

Stano: Kosovo's decision on the plates is legitimate, avoid increasing tensions and violence (N1)

EU spokesperson Peter Stano said in Brussels, commenting on the vehicle re-registration process in Kosovo and Metohija, that "it is extremely important to prevent any moves that would lead to an increase in tensions", reported N1.

"The EU has always been clear that Kosovo's decision to re-register licence plates is legitimate. However, according to the Agreements on Freedom of Movement in Dialogue from 2011 and 2016, it is important to give enough time for the implementation of this plan, and that it be prepared and implemented in close consultation with the affected citizens, and in accordance with European practice," Stano explained to N1.

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic stated, after the session of the National Security Council, that the Quint agreed on the position that the Kosovo action on the re-registration of licence plates is legitimate, but that the problem is in time and methods. Vucic pointed out that he informed the representatives of the Quint that they are deceiving the public, because, he added, the Kosovo side has no right to these moves according to any agreement.

"The 2016 conclusions on freedom of movement included deadlines for re-registration, which should provide guidance. Therefore, from the very beginning of this process, we recommended the Government of Kosovo to introduce a period of 12 months for re-registration. According to the same reasoning, we are now asking the Government of Kosovo to extend the existing deadline by 10 months. This extension would allow for a more meaningful and inclusive information campaign and consultation with the affected population. This would also allow Kosovo to enable all Kosovo Serbs in the north to obtain Kosovo identity cards and Kosovo driver's licences," Stano said.

The EU spokesperson says that tensions are something that "Serbia and Kosovo need the least".

"The two sides should work on continuing the dialogue, which will result in a conclusion, which is reaching an agreement on the normalisation of relations. The EU, together with its partners, is working with both governments to prevent any escalation of tensions, because that would go against the interests of both peoples. Their most important interest is to move forward towards Europe," he said.

He called on both sides for a constructive approach.

"By creating tensions and not solving problems, avoiding talks, without the will to reach a compromise, you will achieve nothing, and you are working against the interests of your people. Our message remains the same - we must act constructively, to find a solution to all existing issues and prevent unilateral moves," he said, reported N1.

Escalation of tensions and, potentially, violence in the north of Kosovo must be avoided, he emphasises.

"This is of particular importance in the current geopolitical context, considering the preservation of stability in the region," answered Stano to N1's question.

Vucic: We fully stand by the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija (RTS, media)

President Aleksandar Vucic said, following the session of the National Security Council, that ''we will fully stand by the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija'', and that Pristina's threats to implement the decision to change the number plates threaten the stability, peace, and survival of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, reported Radio Television of Serbia (RTS).

"We believe that there will be enough wisdom in Pristina as well"

As for our conclusions, we unanimously prepared an answer at the session for National Security, concluded Vucic.

"We are ready to continue talks and negotiations on everything, we agreed to do everything in our power to preserve stability, to do everything possible to de-escalate the situation, but that we will stand by our Serbian people if they are attacked, and that we believe that there will be enough wisdom and in Pristina and those who supported them in every criminal decision they made, not to go against the peaceful Serbian people who just want to be their own and live in their country of Serbia in accordance with the UN Charter , Resolution 1244 and its international public legal order," emphasised Vucic.

He pointed out that the situation in Serbia's armed forces was also discussed, and that adequate measures were taken that belong to the domain of confidential and top state secrets, reported RTS.

"According to what act they are making the Kosovo army"

''The role of NATO is being speculated daily, it is not NATO's role to be a switchman in the north of the province and to fight against the local Serbian population, who are fighting against both injustice and the collapse of the UN legal order'', said Vucic.

"The only ones who respect the UN charter and the proper order of the UN, including the resolutions as general legal acts, are the Serbs of Kosovo and Metohija and the state of Serbia," said Vucic.

"My question is, since everyone refers to the UN Charter and Resolution 1244, when will the NATO forces, in accordance with the UN Charter, allow the return of the personnel of the Serbian, and Yugoslav armies and the respect of the Resolution 1244, because their mouths are full of respect for the international legal order,'' Vucic said.

He also asked under which act the Kosovo army was formed.

"According to what act are they building an army for them, where did the UN allow it, when, which point of the resolution is it, declaration or any legal act, and I expect an answer from all of them from the international community to point me to only one act according to which they have the right to do so,'' Vucic said.

"We have considered the Franco-German plan, there are things we cannot accept"

Vucic said that the French-German plan, supported by the USA, was discussed at the session of the National Security Council.

He added that within 24 hours he would inform them of the answer they had drawn up.

"Within 24 hours, we will send that answer. We are ready to continue the talks and negotiations, but there are things that we cannot accept, and we have met the representatives of the highest countries about that plan," Vucic said and added that he would not enter in detail.

"We are looking for status neutral KS plates, they do not accept"

Aleksandar Vucic said that a few days ago, Belgrade received a demarche from representatives of the Quint countries and the EU, which refers to licence plates and energy. In the part about the plates, he explained, it is said that Kosovo's action regarding the plates is legitimate and in accordance with the agreements from the dialogue, but that the problem is in methods and time, and that causes concern, reported RTS.

That, he pointed out, is not true, as he stated at the meeting of the National Security Council.

"I informed the representatives of Quint and the EU that this is not true and that they are deceiving the public, that it is a matter of notorious lies, because such a thing they have nowhere according to any agreement," said Vucic.

He explained that the initiative to extend the deadline for re-registration by 10 months aims to show the Pristina side as good, but that, well, maybe now is not the best time for such an action.

"But of course, it is necessary that all Serbs have RKS licence plates and not some others, because we support independent Kosovo," said Vucic and asked on the basis of which international legal act this exists.

He notes that Belgrade insists all the time on KS - status-neutral plates, which they say they have abolished.

"They invented the legitimacy and legality of a non-existent decision, a non-existent paper, a non-existent paragraph and everything else. What Quint, the EU, Pristina are saying is not written anywhere, I know every paper, I participated in everything, it is not written anywhere, but they really do not care," Vucic said.

He explained that, according to the agreement from Brussels, it is envisaged that the issue of licence plates will be reconsidered, and not that KM licence plates will be abolished, which was done in September 2020, by the decision of the Kosovo Minister of Internal Affairs.

"They won't hear about status-neutral plates, all contrary to the agreements on freedom of movement that we had," said Vucic.

According to him, Pristina's plan is to let KM plates leave the territory of Kosovo and not allow them to return.

"I don't know what the world will hold against them, but they will certainly encounter the democratic resistance of the Serbian population. The state of Serbia will not allow the persecution of the Serbian people... There will not be a repeat of 2004 or any similar actions against the Serbian people," said Vucic.

"Pristina threats endanger the stability, peace and survival of our people"

President Aleksandar Vucic said that this morning they listened to the demands of the representatives of the Serbian people from Kosovo and Metohija, who informed them of their needs and everything they are facing before the deadline set by Pristina for changing the licence plates.

He added that there are about 9,000 and 7,000 vehicles.

He stated that so far, a total of 18 people, including three people from the North, have agreed to change their licence plates and do what Kurti and the Pristina regime asked of them.

"Threats by Pristina that they will continue with the implementation of an action that should show their firmness and strength, and completely threaten the stability, peace and survival of our people in Kosovo and Metohija," said Vucic.

He indicated that they had conveyed to the representatives of the Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija that they would be fully with the Serbian people, reported RTS.

New Serbian Government elected (N1)

With 157 votes in favour and 68 against, Serbian MPs elected Wednesday evening the new Serbian Government that will once again be led by Ana Brnabic as the Prime Minister. There were no abstentions, while 25 MPs did not attend the session, N1 reports.

Following the vote, the Prime Minister and the new ministers took oath of office, the text of which is as follows: “I pledge to be loyal to the Republic of Serbia and promise with my honour to obey the Constitution and laws, and to carry out the duty of a government member conscientiously, responsibly and diligently, committed to preserving Kosovo and Metohija within the Republic of Serbia“.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, diplomats and representatives of religious communities also attended the oath-taking ceremony, while the MPs of the Green-Left MP caucus left the Parliament Hall over Vucic’s presence.

“In these difficult and unstable times, Serbia needs a government that will know how to preserve peace, continue economic progress and defend our country’s independence and libertarian spirit”, Vucic wrote on his Instagram account.

“What I expect from you is for the interests of Serbia and our people to be your only goal, and that work, knowledge and honour always lead you to its realisation”, Vucic added and wished the Prime Minister and ministers much success on this path.

Djuric urges international community to maintain peace in Kosovo (Tanjug)

Serbian Ambassador to the US Marko Djuric said Wednesday Prime Minister Albin Kurti's announcement that there would be no postponement of an October 31 deadline for replacement of Serbian vehicle licence plates in Kosovo and Metohija has once again demonstrated Pristina PM's extreme political behaviour, and noted he expects international community to use its powers and resources on the ground to maintain peace and stability.

"I have expectations for the international community to use its powers and resources on the ground - political as well as economic ones - to maintain peace and stability because Serbia wants nothing but peace and stability", Djuric told Most TV.

"It is a fact that Kurti has been acting continuously in a manner that is contrary not only to principled and purported efforts towards peace and a stabilisation of the situation, but also directly contrary to open and public calls by states that support and sponsor the independence of the so-called Kosovo", Djuric said.

"I do not believe the international community should tolerate a flagrant and evident violation of existing agreements, refusals to implement them even theoretically and encouragement of the actions by the special forces of the so-called Kosovo police, which, as we have seen, are contributing to generation of instability on the ground", Djuric added.

Zarrazin: Kosovo to demonstrate flexibility on licence plates (Kosovo Online)

German special envoy for Western Balkans Manuel Zarrazin said Kosovo should be principled, but also demonstrate flexibility when it comes to vehicles’ licence plates, Kosovo Online portal reports citing Pristina-based Reporteri.

He added that Kosovo is right regarding licence plates, but should not undertake actions that cause unrest.

He said it is in the interests of everybody to have the month concluding without incidents and problems, only a few days ahead of the Berlin Summit Process.

He also confirmed the existence of the German-French proposal for Belgrade-Pristina agreement describing it as “an important and useful document”.

Vucic with Serbs from Kosovo, Rakic: “If Pristina starts violently, we will block the roads” (media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met representatives of Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija, just few days before the deadline for re-registration of vehicles to RKS licence plates, reported N1.

The president of the Serbian List, Goran Rakic, addressing the meeting said that "they have received assurances president (Vucic) will be with his people".

"We clearly told the president that if Kosovo Security Forces and special units start confiscating our properties (plates, vehicles), we will use all the means of the people's democratic resistance and it will be the resistance of the people. When I say peaceful democratic non-violent resistance of the people, we really want that, but we do not know what it will turn into if someone starts to take away our property, but no one knows what it will turn into if someone starts taking our property," he said.

And he emphasised: "If Pristina goes violent, we will block all the roads".

He also pointed out that the Serbian people were under a lot of pressure these days, and that the phone numbers of citizens have been handed over to the police, reported RTS.

A meeting of the National Security Council is scheduled for 10 a.m., after which President Vucic will address the media, Serbian media recalled.

Serbian Minister of Defense: Kurti’s threats undermine peace (Kosovo Online)

Serbian Minister of Defense, Milos Vucevic said in a post on Instagram that he took part in a meeting of President Aleksandar Vucic with Serb political representatives from Kosovo and Metohija, who “were reassured today that they are not and will never be alone”, Kosovo Online portal reports.

“All those threats by Albin Kurti to start confiscation of the properties of our citizens and vehicles with Serbian licence plates only undermine the peace and stability that Serbia maintains all the time and will continue insisting upon”, Vucevic said.

He added Serbia will never abandon its people in Kosovo and Metohija, but will do its utmost to keep them at their places of living.

Office for KiM: Bus transporting Serbs pelted with stones in Mitrovica South (Kosovo Online)

A bus transporting Serbs daily enroute Belgrade-Osojane-Klina-Gorazdevac owned by company 31. May from Osojane village was pelted with stones in Mitrovica South late last evening. The windows on the bus were broken and at the moment of incident around 30 passengers, including children were in the bus, Office for Kosovo and Metohija said in a statement.

Reacting to the incident Office for KiM said it has become clear “that this is not about a series of isolated incidents, but rather an organized terror, threatening Serbian citizens in the province”.

The Office demanded from both Pristina and the international community to prevent further deterioration of the security situation in Kosovo, as well as prosecute perpetrators of this and many other attacks and incidents targeting Serbs in Kosovo.

COM KFOR meets Raska-Prizren Eparchy Bishop Teodosije (Kosovo Online)

KFOR Commander Major General Angelo Michele Ristuccia during his meeting with Serbian Orthodox Church Raska Prizren Eparchy Bishop Teodosije in Gracanica Monastery highlighted impartial and efficient commitment of KFOR in supporting peace, cooperation and progress for all people living in Kosovo, as required by its mandate based on UN SC Resolution 1244, Kosovo Online portal reports.

In a post on Facebook following the meeting KFOR also said the interlocutors “agreed on the importance of all religious communities in promoting peace, tolerance and respect”.

KFOR added that “in the coming days, KFOR Commander is going to have a series of meetings with the representatives of the main religious communities in Kosovo. #KFOR stands fully committed to ensure a safe and secure environment and guarantees freedom of movement for the benefit of all communities in Kosovo, while maintaining its neutrality”.

Von Cramon: "The Kosovo government does not hold a dialogue with the Serbs, and it promised that" (Kosovo Online, Blic, Kallxo)

The European Parliament rapporteur for Kosovo, Viola von Cramon stated she had not seen a dialogue with the local Serbs, even though the Kosovo government had promised it, reported portal Kosovo Online, citing Kallxo.

Von Cramon stated that the Serbs were frustrated by the situation and that this was unfortunate, reported the portal.

According to her, if ''the government wants dialogue with its citizens, it needs a proper translation system''.

"So, if you take this seriously, if you really want to have a dialogue with your citizens, which I think is self-explanatory by itself, if you want to create a state and have at least two official languages, you need a proper translation system," said Von Cramon in an interview with Kallxo.

She emphasised that even if someone belongs to the Albanian nationality, he should make an effort to address the people in the Serbian language.

Viola von Cramon added that there are more people than the prime minister himself who speak the Serbian language and that the generation that learned the language is gradually leaving.

As she stated, Serbs should be encouraged to learn Albanian, and Albanians to learn Serbian, and added that she would like to see schools with bilingual branches, where people from both communities would be involved in learning.

"I know that Albanians are very, very talented when it comes to languages. Most of your people learn German, English, any language very quickly. So please make an effort and include Serbian as well," the MEP added.

Viola von Cramon stated that she wants such an initiative to be one of the government's policies.

"The prime minister has shown progress, they have shown progress in terms of translation, they have improved their personnel, now they have people in their team who speak the Serbian language. So, you can see that there is a little improvement. But in general, as a government, I think they should do more," added von Cramon.

The rapporteur for Kosovo in the European Parliament said that the proposal for an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia that has been circulating in recent weeks is quite good and emphasized that everyone in power should try to accept it.

"This comprehensive agreement or the first proposal that is now on the table, I would say that it is a pretty good deal for Kosovo, and I would recommend that everyone who is in power here try to accept that offer," von Cramon said, adding that she had heard that some parts of that document are crucial for the European integration of Kosovo.

According to her, that ''agreement would prevent fierce lobbying by Serbia against Kosovo's entry into international and European institutions''.

"I think this would be an important step forward," she stated and emphasised that this year there was progress in the implementation of several agreements such as identity cards and energy, and that the recognition of university degrees and high school diplomas is also expected during the year.

She assessed that the agreement on the recognition of Kosovo identity cards in Serbia was a great achievement.

"We are close to the agreement on energy, which was actually already signed in mid-June, and now it is up to the parties to speed up the procedural aspect a little bit. Maybe during the year, we will also see the recognition of university degrees and high school diplomas," said von Cramon, adding that on the table is also the issue of missing persons.

Von Cramon also said that she does not think that the Community/Association of Municipalities with a Serbian majority can be transformed into the Republika Srpska, as well as that there is federalization in Germany, where there are certain powers at some district level.

"I don't see this as the Republika Srpska. We have a lot of experience with the so-called federalization in FR Germany and we know from other countries when there are certain powers on, let us say, some kind of district. It is not the community level; it is the district level. Of course, we need to talk about it," von Cramon said.

According to her, in Kosovo, there are different options to solve this organisation.

"What we must certainly prevent is the creation of a completely parallel structure where things are not under the control of the national government. That is not what we have in mind," she added.

According to von Cramon, Republika Srpska can be prevented by giving Kosovo Serbs a sense of belonging to Kosovo, rather than making them feel like foreigners.

"So, make sure that their rights are guaranteed, that they have job opportunities and so on," von Cramon said, reported Kosovo Online.

Moscow’s Kommersant: Serbia’s new Government turned toward East (N1)

The creation of a new Serbian Government has been announced and it will have to resolve the issue of imposing sanctions on Russia, while its key figure will be Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) leader Ivica Dacic, who is considered a pro-Russian politician, N1 reports citing Moscow-based daily Kommersant.

In an article entitled Serbia’s Government Turned Toward the East, the daily said that Zorana Mihajlovic, who had accused Russia of “waging a war of conquest” and advocated alignment with European Union’s (EU) foreign policy, did not make it into the new Government. The daily added that regional analysts describe the new Government line-up as pro-Russian but do not believe this guarantees Serbia will refuse to join the European sanctions against Moscow.

Kommersant further wrote that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic nominated Prime Minister Ana Brnabic for the position of new Prime Minister Designate back in August and described Brnabic as someone who “zealously avoids the role of an independent political figure and fully follows the President’s policy”.

“Having this in mind, SPS leader Ivica Dacic becomes the key figure in the new Government. In addition to being the First Deputy Prime Minister, Dacic will also head the Foreign Ministry and coordinate all the country’s special services”, the daily says.

Kommersant noted that, following the April election, Vucic publicly reproached Dacic for his Socialists’ “improper behaviour” in the election campaign, unequivocally supporting Russia in the Ukrainian crisis.

Croatian foreign policy analyst Vlado Vurusic told Kommersant that the new Serbian Government will be one of “pro-Russia orientation.”

“Everyone talks about Dacic as being ‘Moscow’s player’, and Aleksandar Vulin’s transfer to the Security Information Agency means that the Russian special services, ironically speaking, will always have fresh information on Serbia”, Vurusic opined.

International

In Race to Lure Russian Talent and Capital, Serbia Emerges as Front-Runner (The Wall Street Journal)

The Balkan nation is a magnet for businesses and professionals escaping Western sanctions and Putin’s regime.

Among the countries that have opened their doors to the wave of Russians now fleeing their country, this small Balkan nation has emerged as a prime destination for tech firms and highly skilled professionals.

Up to one million Russians are estimated to have left Russia since Feb. 23, many taking their businesses with them. The flow increased after the Russian government began drafting men last month to replenish its troops in Ukraine.

Read more at: https://on.wsj.com/3N9o4gY

EU announces €500 million energy support package for Western Balkans (euractive.com)

The European Union has pledged €500 million to improve energy infrastructure in the Western Balkans, commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday (26 October) in North Macedonia on the first stop of a tour of the region.

The announcement comes as rising energy prices triggered by Russia’s war in Ukraine and the onset of winter send shockwaves through European economies already battling rising inflation.

According to von der Leyen the help starts with €80 million in immediate budget support for North Macedonia to “help address the impact of the high energy prices”.