Albanian Language Media:

• Vetevendosje appeals ECAP decision on Diaspora ballots (media)
• Certification of election results, focus of Thaci-Daka meeting (media)
• Mustafa confirms Haziri’s role in talks, but not as chief negotiator (Express)
• Thaci: Proud of Kosovo army (media)
• U.S. expert: Grenell cannot find solution for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue earlier than spring 2010 (Express, VoA)
• France: No visa liberalisation for Kosovo until all conditions are met (Express)
• “Any internationally-guaranteed Kosovo-Serbia deal is acceptable” (media)

Serbian Language Media:

•  Heritage Foundation expert says US should be cautious with Serbia over Kosovo (N1, Beta)
• US Senate idea: To solve BiH and Kosovo in ''a package'' (Kosovo Online, Sputnik)
• EU "launches" a new plan for Serbia: Forget membership? (Vecernje Novosti, B92, Kosovo Online)
• Detention of 28 persons arrested in Kosovo north extended, Office for KiM reacts (Radio KIM)
• CEPS warn of 'captured state' phenomenon in Serbia and Montenegro (BETA, N1)
• Rationale of the Central African Republic (CAR) on revoking recognition of Kosovo (B92, Sputnik)

Opinions

• Robelli: A justice-loving state or a region of thugs? (Koha Ditore)

International:

• Indictments Loom as Questioning of Kosovo Ex-Guerrillas Intensifies (Balkan Insight)
• Kosovo Town Files More War Crimes Complaints Against Serbs (Balkan Insight)
• Former EU top diplomat becomes security lobbyist (EU Observer)

Humanitarian and Development:

• Petition initiated against environmental degradation from hydropower plants (media)
• EU to grant 76 mln euro to curb pollution from Kosovo power plant - KEK (SeeNews)

 

 

Albanian Language Media

 

Vetevendosje appeals ECAP decision on Diaspora ballots (media)

Vetevendosje Movement has appealed to the Supreme Court regarding yesterday's decision of the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP) not to count ballots that have arrived from Diaspora after the expiration of deadline.

"We expect the Supreme Court in as short a timeframe as possible to decide in enabling the fulfillment of the right to elect in counting ballots of our citizens residing outside Kosovo," Vetevendosje said. 

"We reiterate once again that the ballot packages were mailed within the deadline by fellow-citizens and as such they should be counted and added to the final result of elections in the Republic of Kosovo," the party added. 

Certification of election results, focus of Thaci-Daka meeting (media)

President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci met today head of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Valdete Daka and discussed certification of election results that paves way for the formation of new Kosovo institutions. 

Daka briefed Thaci about steps necessary for concluding the counting of votes process and the certification of final results. 

At the same time, Thaci commended the CEC for its work, integrity and professionalism in managing the electoral process.  

Mustafa confirms Haziri’s role in talks, but not as chief negotiator (Express)

Isa Mustafa, leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) told the news portal that he is convinced that there are no people in his political party who do not support eventual coalition with Vetevendosje Movement (LVV). He added that the decision and will to negotiate coalition with LVV and not the Democratic Party of Kosovo was made at the General Council of this political party.

Asked about Lutfi Haziri’s nomination as LDK’s chief negotiator, Mustafa said they did not make special nominations on leading of the discussions, as the dialogue is represented by him. He said he saw it reasonable for Haziri to be involved as deputy leader of the party.

“I, as the leader represent LDK and nominate our representatives for this process,” Mustafa said. He added that after coordination of the working groups, there will be another meeting of the two leaders in order to decide on distribution of ministries.

“I, together with Vjosa Osmani, had the first meeting with Mr. Kurti after the elections. We will discuss on distribution of responsibilities on the level of the leaders of the two entities, as we reached accordance on governing program,” he added.

Mustafa did not comment on the possibility of including a third partner in the coalition.

“Detected weaknesses by the Central Election Commission on counting of votes which proceeded with recount, commissioners’ unallowed interferences to deform the voting as well as great number of conditional and invalid votes, shows that citizens commenced their duty with commitment and in an honorable manner, but the election system is bad and reform is necessary,” Mustafa said. 

Thaci: Proud of Kosovo army (media)

President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci met today a delegation from the Kosovo Security Force that participated in the international "Cambrian Patrol" exercise in United Kingdom and won silver medal.

"This is yet another success as this excellent team, these prepared soldiers, are continually scoring success across the world," Thaci said. "The Kosovo Security Force is very well-prepared, a multiethnic force, which is now ready to contribute to strengthening of peace anyplace necessary," he added.

U.S. expert: Grenell cannot find solution for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue earlier than spring 2010 (Express, VoA)

The U.S. political expert from “Heritage” foundation Luke Coffey, told Voice of America that the White House should be careful when dialogue with Serbia on Kosovo matter is concerned.

Coffey who is director of Alison Center for Foreign Policy Studies said he does not believe that the White House envoy, Ambassador Richard Grenell can find a solution very soon adding that it is not realistic to expect an agreement for normalization of relations prior to 2020.

“Seeing the political situation in Kosovo and elections which are expected to be held in Serbia, I realistically do not see that an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia can be reached prior to next spring. I hope that I am not right, and that we will have an agreement by then, but I am not optimistic,” Coffey said.

He added further that Washington should be careful with dialogue with Serbia due to the signals that are coming from Belgrade.  

“The President says one thing, Prime Minister another, and she usually speaks for European public. We should keep our eyes open. We should keep the door open for Serbia to integrate in the Euro-Atlantic community. But we should keep in mind historic, cultural and religious connections (that Serbia) has with Russia, and we cannot pretend that they do not exist,” he added.

Coffey mentioned Serbia’s recent signing of an economic agreement with the Euro-Asian Union, and joint military exercises with Russia.

He added that future generations in Serbia will understand that their future is Europe rather than Euro-Asia.  

France: No visa liberalisation for Kosovo until all conditions are met (Express)

The news website reports that there are no chances for Kosovo to get visa liberalisation before Christmas. Except for Germany, it seems that no other EU member state believes that Kosovo should get visa liberalisation soon, until it meets conditions related to the rule of law and the fight against organised crime and corruption. An unnamed diplomatic source in France told the news website: “Visa liberalisation requires the fulfilment of several conditions, including the rule of law and the fight against organised crime and corruption”. The source said that there are other member states that believe Kosovo has yet to meet all conditions and that Paris is closely following Kosovo’s progress in these two areas. “Positive developments in these areas, such as the adoption of several laws related to the rule of law at the Kosovo Assembly and the reform of the judiciary in particular, are insufficient to produce tangible results. The continuous implementation of reforms is crucial for laws to be implemented in a sustainable fashion,” the source added.

“Any internationally-guaranteed Kosovo-Serbia deal is acceptable” (media)

North Macedonia President, Stevo Pendarovski, said in an interview to Al Jazeera Balkans that he is against any changes to borders in the Balkans. Pendarovski said any agreement between Belgrade and Pristina is acceptable for North Macedonia “under the condition that there are guarantees from the international community that such an agreement would not have domino effects”. “In principle, any attempt to change borders, be it even in the U.S. and Canada, will cause political unrest. In principle, I am against the idea of moving borders. In the Balkans, this is a specific issue,” he said.

 

 

Serbian Language Media

Heritage Foundation expert says US should be cautious with Serbia over Kosovo (N1, Beta)

A political expert with the US Heritage Foundation told the Voice of America that the White House should be cautious in dealing with Serbia over the Kosovo issue.

The Foundation’s Luke Coffey, Director of the Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies, said that he does not believe White House envoy Ambassador Richard Grenell will manage to find a solution to the problem soon, adding that it’s not realistic to expect an agreement to normalize Belgrade-Pristina relations by the spring of 2020. 

“Looking at the political situation in Kosovo and the coming elections in Serbia. I really do not see how an agreement between Serbia and Kosovo can be reached by next spring. I hope I’m not right and that we will have an agreement by then but I’m not optimistic,” Coffey said.  

He said Washington should be cautious when dealing with Serbia because of the confusing signals coming from Belgrade. “The president says one thing, the prime minister another and she usually speaks for a European public. We have to keep our eyes wide open. We should keep the door open for Serbia to join the Euro Atlantic community but we must bear in mind the historic, cultural, religious ties (Serbia has) with Russia and we can’t pretend they don’t exist,” Coffey said and recalled that Serbia has signed an agreement with the EurAsian Economic Union (EAEU) and is staging a joint military exercise with Russian forces with the S-400 anti-aircraft system being deployed outside Russia for the first time.  

“The people in Serbia tend to look to Europe and NATO and I think that in time more people will realize that their future is in the European community rather than in the EAEU but that will take time and a change of generations,” Coffey said.

https://bit.ly/2MT2Dn1

US Senate idea: To solve BiH and Kosovo in ''a package'' (Kosovo Online, Sputnik)

Portal Kosovo online reports, quoting Sputnik, that at the recent debate on Bosnia and Herzegovina in the US Senate, the suggestion of a "parallel solution" to the problems in BiH and Kosovo should be considered. 

According to political scientist Andjelko Kozomara, this idea only aims to drawing BiH into NATO.

"If Serbia would be completely surrounded by NATO, it would mean there was no way out. I remind you that the border between BiH and Serbia is 650 kilometres long, which is the longest border that BiH has with a non-NATO country. The US believes that if BiH is drawn into NATO, then it will easily solve all other problems in the Balkans. That's their primary goal," Kozomara told Sputnik. 

This way, Kozomara said, the US would "with one stroke solve two problems in the Balkans", i.e. block the possible independence of Republika Srpska and open the way for solving the Kosovo issue according to their plan. At the same time, Kozomara adds, Russia is being accused of good relations with the RS, which he claims is a "kind of cover" for possible actions by the West and the Alliance, which, he said, is "nonsense" because the US has no evidence that Moscow in any way "undermines" anyone in the Balkans.

"Serbia is not offered anything for Kosovo except to recognize it. So, the US and the West are not thinking of drawing a parallel in such a way that Kosovo secedes from Serbia, and the RS also from BiH, but they want to bring the Western Balkans to NATO in order to expel Russia from these territories," Kozomara told Sputnik.

EU "launches" a new plan for Serbia: Forget membership? (Vecernje Novosti, B92, Kosovo Online)

Brussels is likely to "serve" new negotiating rules on accession to Serbia and other countries in the region seeking EU membership, reports Belgrade based daily Vecernje Novosti. 

That should happen at the next EU Western Balkans summit in May 2020, highlights the daily and ads that there are more models at stake, each heading towards offering a privileged partnership to candidate countries instead of enlargement, more precisely, economic integration without formal membership.

The new negotiating methodology, according to Vecernje Novosti, is largely being discussed directly between the two most influential EU countries, France and Germany, while the broadest circles of these agreements include, above all, the Netherlands and Denmark.

The agreement, according to the daily, is expected to be reached within the next six months and adopted at the European Council in March next year.

One idea is to introduce the so-called sectoral integration into the EU, that is, after the closure of each chapter, the state virtually fully enters the EU system in the relevant field, rather than waiting, as before, to become a full member.

For example, explains Novosti, when it completes negotiations in the field of transport, traffic or ecology, the candidate country would immediately have access to all EU funds, like any other member state.

"Norwegian model" is also on the table, according to which, instead of EU membership, Serbia and other countries of the region would be offered membership in two key European institutions - the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the European Economic Area (EEA), whose members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, which are not EU members, the newspaper finds out.

Brussels diplomats argue that France insists that the new accession rules be changed not only for the countries that have yet to start negotiations, namely North Macedonia, Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina, but also for Serbia and Montenegro, which have been moving forward in the process.

There are also those who believe that the EU would act contrary to its main principles and values if they change the rules for Belgrade and Podgorica in the midst of the race to membership, but Serbia and Montenegro are more likely to be covered by the new methodology, Vecernje Novosti concludes.

https://bit.ly/31VebdR

Detention of 28 persons arrested in Kosovo north extended, Office for KiM reacts (Radio KIM)

The Basic Court in Pristina has the extended detention of 28 persons arrested in May this year, in the action of Kosovo special police unites for one more month, lawyer Dejan Vasic said, Radio KIM reports.

Vasic stressed the detention has been extended unlawfully since defence lawyers were not given prosecution’s request for an extension, they are entitled to respond to.

Kosovo police special units have arrested early on May 28, 19 police officers and 9 civilians in the four Serb-majority municipalities in the north, Radio KIM recalled.

Meanwhile, Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija reacted by saying that extended detention to the Serbs arrested in May “is a demonstration of force, because if they hadn’t been the Serbs, they would not be arrested, and they would be enabled to defend themselves in freedom”.

“These people were taken from their homes as the most severe villains, under excessive use of force, and they are kept in detention now to serve as an example to their compatriots who could come under the attack of Pristina's judiciary,” the Office said in a statement.

The Office once again urged representatives of the international community in Kosovo “to prevent fabrication of a functional justice system on the expense of the members of Serbian people”.

CEPS warn of 'captured state' phenomenon in Serbia and Montenegro (BETA, N1)

The blockage of new entries to the European Union is damaging and unsustainable still, a new European Commission (EC) has to firmly focus on the reform of the enlargement process since the bloc is also to blame for allowing that the established ruling elites in the Western Balkan’s countries, privileged in comparison to wider social circles, lead the mechanism, the Brussels-based Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) says in an analysis, BETA news agency reports.

The Centre further noted that “since the outgoing EC saw many of its recommendations being ignored by some member states, new EC must put in lots of effort to regain the leading role in the accession process as well as the trust of those member states that the Union is capable of achieving results.”

The CEPS warned it should not be forgotten that the phenomenon of a “captured state” is one of the main reasons for failing to implement reforms in the region, “but also because the EU allowed that to happen, turning a deaf ear to many warnings coming from those countries for years.”

“The ongoing negotiations with Montenegro and Serbia are a typical example of such an attitude led by ruling elites when the political leaders are becoming more powerful at the expense of democratic institutions,” the analysts said.

The report summarized to a large extent the confusions related to the future EU policy about the admission of new members, warning that a halt in enlargement is impossible for the bloc itself and damaging for security and geopolitical reasons.

However, CEPS said the “reform of the accession process is necessary, but that it should not be at the expense of the Western Balkan’s countries that are queuing to join the EU… because there is no reason for the reforms not to go at the same time with negotiations”, BETA news agency concluded.     

See at: https://bit.ly/31WXTAU

Rationale of the Central African Republic (CAR) on revoking recognition of Kosovo (B92, Sputnik)

Belgrade and Pristina need to find consensus to resolve the situation in Kosovo, said the country's foreign minister

Sylvie Baïpo-Temon said in an interview for Sputnik that much has been said about it in the media. "The position of the Central African Republic is a very clear position because we are a country that has just overcome the crisis," she said.

"The solution to our crisis has been achieved thanks to a clear will to resolve the issue peacefully, i.e. through dialogue. However, whether the situation in Kosovo and Serbia or any other country is being discussed now, the CAR's position is that a consensus should be found. Along with this, an EU-sponsored process is underway, aimed at finding a peaceful solution for the two countries, so the CAR decision is aimed at stimulating both sides to dialogue, finding a solution that will benefit both nations," Baïpo-Temon said.

Just to recall that in July, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said the Central African Republic is the 14th country to revoke the recognition of Kosovo's independence or clarified its position on this issue.

Dacic told RTS back then that he received an official diplomatic note from CAR where it is said that this country does not recognize Kosovo. Therefore, "CAR strongly advocates the resumption of dialogue and support basic values and sovereignty of all states, particularly of the Republic of Serbia," Dacic said on that occasion.

https://bit.ly/32YAGQf

 

 

Opinions

 

Robelli: A justice-loving state or a region of thugs? (Koha Ditore)

Publicist Enver Robelli suggests in an opinion piece that the case of Astrit Dehari should be taken away from the Prosecutor’s Office in Prizren and be treated by “a special investigation committee led by an international prosecutor, preferably from Switzerland, Germany of the United Kingdom”. “A prosecutor from the Special Prosecution of Kosovo can be appointed as co-head of the committee and these two experts would set up a team that would investigate the circumstances of Dehari’s death. The team can include other foreign experts too. At the same time, Kosovo’s authorities would have to pledge that they would cooperate and be maximally transparent with this special investigation committee,” he suggests. Robelli further writes that there should be a new translation of the expertise conducted by the University Centre of Legal Medicine in Lausanne and that Swiss experts that drafted the expertise should be invited to provide additional information. “This case is a test for the Republic of Kosovo, because to die while under the watch of the state, is a fatal signal for all citizens. One might not trust politicians, professors, translators, maybe even reporters, but there are some instances where the people’s trust should be unwavering. These institutions are the Prosecution, the Police, the Correctional Service, etc. If there is no trust in these institutions, then the state loses its original meaning and it turns into a region of thugs,” he argues. According to Robelli, the expertise into Dehari’s death is one the most sensitive documents presented to the Kosovo public since the declaration of independence. He criticises the prosecution for contacting the translator of the expertise through Viber and also raises questions about the translator’s share of responsibility for errors in the translation. “Following the translation, the Prosecution in Prizren should have contacted a serious editor of Albanian and other experts that would have carefully gone through the text and correct logical uncertainties. But one cannot expect professionalism from a scandalous Prosecution, only dilettantism and amateurism. There is a colossal failure of many chains in the system of justice – the translator of is a more distant chain”. Robelli concludes by noting “Kosovo is not free yet. There are some killers among us. Killers with power who are supported by the social waste”.   

 

International

 

Indictments Loom as Questioning of Kosovo Ex-Guerrillas Intensifies (Balkan Insight)

Over 120 Kosovo Liberation Army ex-fighters have reportedly been summoned for questioning by Hague-based prosecutors, but it remains unclear which allegations from an explosive Council of Europe report on alleged wartime crimes might appear in indictments.

Over the last two weeks, Hysni Gucati, the head of the Kosovo Liberation Army War Veterans’ Organisation, has been posting a series of short notifications on Facebook about his former comrades-in-arms who have recently been invited for an interview by the Hague-based Specialist Prosecution, which is probing wartime and post-war crimes.

“He, like all the other invitees, will come out without a blemish,” is a common refrain at the end of Gucati’s posts.

See at: https://bit.ly/32ZMFNu 

Kosovo Town Files More War Crimes Complaints Against Serbs (Balkan Insight)

The municipal war crimes office in Gjakova/Djakovica in Kosovo filed a new batch of 102 criminal complaints about alleged violations including killings and destruction of property by Serbian forces during the 1998-99 conflict.

The Kosovo municipality of Gjakova/Djakovica’s Office for the Collection and Documentation of War Crimes submitted 102 new criminal complaints against alleged Serbian war criminals to Kosovo police on Monday.

This was the 13th batch of criminal complaints filed by the municipal office in Gjakova/Djakovica about war crimes by Serbs, bringing the total number to around 1,600.

“There are various cases including physical mistreatment, murders and the destruction of property,” the head of the office, Shkendije Hoda, told media in Pristina after submitting the complaints.

http://bit.ly/2plDpER  

Former EU top diplomat becomes security lobbyist (EU Observer)

Europe's first-ever foreign affairs chief, Catherine Ashton, recently took a job with a private security firm GardaWorld, which bids for EU contracts.

A second senior EU official has also joined the Canadian firm, as its British competitor, G4S, faces uncertainty over Brexit.

Ashton, a 63-year old baroness who now sits in the UK's House of Lords, became the "member" of an "advisory group" at GardaWorld Security in September, according to her parliamentary declaration.

See at: https://bit.ly/2PpQxDz

 

 

Humanitarian and Development 

 

Petition initiated against environmental degradation from hydropower plants (media)

Several media report that, starting from today Kosovo’s citizens can sign a petition calling on the highest institutions to stop further degradation of the environment from hydropower plants. Civil society organisations issued a press release noting that “the continuous destruction of our natural resources by all those that abuse or use the country’s resources for individual profit, be they decision-makers or investors, force us to protest and promise that we will not stop. The arguments that have been collected show that if we don’t act NOW and immediately, Kosovo’s rivers and the people living nearby, will be destroyed and degraded beyond repair”. The petition will last two weeks and will be organised in the seven biggest municipalities of Kosovo, including the surrounding municipalities. 

EU to grant 76 mln euro to curb pollution from Kosovo power plant - KEK (SeeNews)

Kosovo's power corporation KEK said on Monday it will receive a 76 million euro ($84.2 million) grant from the European Union’s Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) to finance a project aimed at reducing pollution from Kosovo B coal-fired power plant.

The project foresees the replacement of Kosovo B power plant's electrostatic precipitator, KEK said in a Facebook post.

After the completion of the project, Kosovo B power plant will operate in line with EU standards by 2021, the corporation said, adding that the EU office in Kosovo is in the final phase of project preparation.

The implementation of the project is expected to start within six months, the director of Kosovo B power plant, Luigj Imeri, said.

KEK has invested around 60 million euro in environmental improvement projects over the last ten years.

Some 98% of electricity generated in Kosovo comes from two old, inefficient and highly polluting lignite-fired power plants, Kosovo A and B. Kosovo citizens suffer power shortages due to insufficient output, ageing grids and thefts, according to a World Bank report on Kosovo's energy sector.

In May 2018, energy group ContourGlobal and Kosovo's government said General Electric has been selected as the preferred bidder for the construction and long-term maintenance of Kosova e Re, a 500 MW coal-fired power plant expected to cost around 1.3 billion euro.