UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 22, 2021

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti: We’ll remove measures on license plates, if Serbia does the same (media)
EU High Representative Josep Borrell meets with regional leaders (media)
Osmani: Kosovo met visa liberalisation requirements, EU must deliver (media)
President Osmani, Foreign Minister Gervalla meet NATO SG Stoltenberg (media)
Health Minister: 500,000 Pfizer doses will arrive by year’s end (media)
COVID-19: Five deaths, 160 new cases (media)
Nikola: Let’s come together so the world knows about Serbia’s crimes (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Varhelyi: Unilateral actions lead to unnecessary tensions and should be withdrawn (Kosovo Online)
Petkovic: Kurti plans to negotiate but with long barrels and armored vehicles goes against the bare-handed people (Kosovo Online)
Vulin: ''The situation in Kosovo and Metohija calm, but tense'' (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
The Kosovo government discussing the situation in the north; no translation for Serbian media (KiM radio)
Number of people gathering at Jarinje increases, no incidents (Kosovo-online)
Covic: Now international community is on move (RTS)
Representatives of WB with Borrell at a working dinner in NY (media)
Tanjug: EU proposes Vucic-Kurti meeting in Brussels, aiming at reducing tensions (Kosovo-online)
Selakovic met foreign ministers of Tunisia, Estonia and Bolivia in NY (RTS)
EU-Western Balkans Summit in Slovenia in October (N1)
Serbian Government to set up health care centers in north Kosovo (N1)
Novakovic: Kurti introduced reciprocity because of local elections also (Kosovo-online)
NADA for more decisive response of Serbia over ROSU units in north (Kosovo-online)
The issuance of trial plates in Laplje Selo started today (KiM radio)

Opinion:

Merkel’s Balkan Farewell More than Just Symbolic (Balkan Insight)

International:

Restore trust and inspire hope, UN chief says in message to UNGA76 (news.un.org)
World leaders speak at United Nations General Assembly (Al Jazeera)

Albanian Language Media

Kurti: We’ll remove measures on license plates, if Serbia does the same (media)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti said today that Kosovo is ready to lift the measure on reciprocity for license plates with Serbia if Belgrade will do the same for license plates of vehicles from Kosovo, Radio Free Europe reports.

“Our decision is an equal measure with what Serbia has been applying for Kosovo citizens for two decades now. I am ready to lift this measure anytime if Serbia pledges to do the same. We do not rejoice in the provisional license plates. We would like for neither Kosovo nor Serbia to have provisional license plates, but to have freedom of movement for all citizens without delays,” Kurti told a press conference in Prishtina.

Because of the reciprocity measure on license plates for vehicles from Serbia, local Serbs have blocked two national roads in the northern part of Kosovo in protest against the measure. Both roads that lead to the border crossing points of Jarinje and Bernjak are blocked by dozens of trucks and cars that were put there by Serb citizens. The protests are being supported by local leaders in the northern municipalities and by Belgrade.

Members of Kosovo Police special units have also been at the border crossings since Monday. They are blocked between the crossing points and the protests and police have so far undertaken no measure to free the roads.

Prime Minister Kurti called on Serb citizens to free the roads that lead to the two crossing points. “I am informed that the blockades on the roads leading to the border crossings 1 and 31 are with trucks that are part of municipal institutions and this is certainly a violation and abuse of public property. I call on the mayors of the municipalities in the north to remove the vehicles of municipal institutions from the roads and I also call on the organised group of Serb citizens to leave the two regional roads, namely their blockades, because they are blocking themselves too,” Kurti said.

During a government meeting today, Kurti said that it is not in Serbia’s interest to refuse the dialogue and talks. “We believe that Brussels is the place where meetings and talks must be held and we are of course always ready, open and interested, because this is also in the interest of the people,” he said.

RTK quotes Kurti as saying that “the decision on temporary license plates is right and that it guarantees the right to freedom of movement for all Kosovo citizens, including Serb citizens all over Kosovo, by providing them with permanent Kosovo license plates. The positive response by our citizens these days, including local Serbs, is the best proof of their readiness to respect the decision and to ensure freedom of movement”.

Koha quotes Kurti as saying that he has agreed to an invitation from Brussels for dialogue but that the invitation was turned down by Serbian President Vucic. “We are ready to hold meetings and talks on this issue. Josep Borrell and Miroslav Lajcak have asked us to meet in Brussels. My deputy Bislimi and myself have expressed our readiness, but after we agreed, they [Brussels] were turned down by Belgrade,” he said.

Kosovapress reports that Kurti said he would not take any measures against the Minister for Returns and Communities, Goran Rakic, saying that he went there in an effort to try and calm the situation and that he was not part of the protest. “I was in contact with Minister Rakic. Of course, we have our differences, which are at times smaller and sometimes bigger, but I cannot complain about him … As far as I am informed and from what he has told me, he tried to prevent the situation from escalating and to stop any violent actions. I don’t think I should take any measures against him,” Kurti said.

Asked to comment on Serbian President Vucic’s remarks that if Kosovo doesn’t life the measure, Serbia would undertake political and economic measures against Kosovo, Kurti said that such statements do not contribute to calming the current situation or to peace in the region. “I was not able to follow Vucic’s statements in full. I believe that his remarks about our actions are not right and at the same time remarks that are full of spite and anger do not contribute to deescalating the situation. I don’t know what measures against Kosovo he is talking about, but I believe that Kosovo and Serbia must build good neighborly relations based on common interests and European values,” Kurti is quoted as saying in Klan Kosova.

EU High Representative Josep Borrell meets with regional leaders (media)

High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell hosted an informal dinner with Western Balkans leaders on Tuesday in New York, in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

This was the second such meeting hosted by the High Representative, after the informal dinner in Brussels in May. The High Representative and the Western Balkans leaders had an open exchange on the situation in the region and EU-Western Balkans relations, also in light of the upcoming EU-Western Balkans Summit next month. It provided an opportunity to discuss expectations on EU accession. The High Representative/Vice-President underlined the need for strong commitment from both the Western Balkans partners and the European Union and its Member States to overcome current dynamics and move the process forward.

The President of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic, the President of North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski, the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zeljko Komsic, the President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, the Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama as well as the Foreign Minister of Serbia Nikola Selakovic participated in the meeting.

Osmani: Kosovo met visa liberalisation requirements, EU must deliver (media)

President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, said in an informal dinner with EU High Representative Josep Borrell and Western Balkans leaders in the margins of the UN General Assembly, that Kosovo’s future is in the European Union and that it has met all requirements for visa liberalisation. Osmani said the EU must now deliver on its promises to Kosovo.

On the current situation in Kosovo with regards to the measure for license plates for vehicles from Serbia, Osmani said: “Kosovo has met a legal aspect by implementing the agreement of 2011 and 2016 on the license plates. The EU must react itself to efforts to cause tensions and instability by the illegal structures which are backed by Serbia”.

Osmani also said that Kosovo is a constructive party in the process of dialogue with Serbia and that the process must conclude with a mutual recognition in the existing borders and with the current legal order.

President Osmani, Foreign Minister Gervalla meet NATO SG Stoltenberg (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani and Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla met today with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. President Osmani stated that Kosovo's fundamental goal remains NATO membership in as fast a time as possible. Membership is essential in order to ensure peace in the region and also to promote and protect our common values, a press release issued by Osmani’s office notes.

During the meeting with Mr. Stoltenberg, President Osmani highlighted Kosovo's commitment to opening a new chapter of cooperation with NATO, which means Kosovo's inclusion in the Partnership for Peace.

"Our goal is to become part of the global security infrastructure and contribute to peace," she said.

The Kosovo Security Force, added President Osmani, is a professional force, trained in compliance with NATO standards, which will allow Kosovo to become an active force within the framework of regional and global security.

"We are proud that our soldiers are participating together with the US Armed Forces soldiers in a joint military mission in Kuwait. This mission, the first of its kind for Kosovo, demonstrates our readiness to contribute to global peace and security," said President Osmani.

Madam President also informed Secretary Stoltenberg of the latest developments in the dialogue process with Serbia. She stressed that the Republic of Kosovo has implemented the Brussels agreements on freedom of movement and condemned the threats and actions of Serbia and its illegal structures in Kosovo.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg thanked Kosovo for providing temporary shelter to Afghan refugees, cooperating with NATO, and praised its action as an example of cooperation and coordination with allies.

President Osmani also said that Kosovo's decision was in line with the geostrategic orientation and reflection of the common values of human rights.

"Kosovo, she continued, is ready to contribute in the future to similar humanitarian missions, but also to those of security.

Health Minister: 500,000 Pfizer doses will arrive by year’s end (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Health, Arben Vitia, said today that another 500,000 doses of Pfizer vaccines against COVID-19 will arrive in Kosovo by the end of the year.

“The vaccines have proved to be efficient, especially the ones we have available, AstraZeneca and Pfizer. Vaccines are the best and cheapest option to prevent new waves of the coronavirus. We have over 400,000 doses of Pfizer vaccines in our stocks, and from the same contract we will receive another 500,000 doses,” Vitia said in a report about the COVID-19 situation.

Vitia called again on Kosovo citizens to get vaccinated before the winter season.

Vitia said that as part of new measures against the spread of the virus, people have to show proof of vaccination or a PCR test to enter into eateries and bars.

COVID-19: Five deaths, 160 new cases (media)

Five deaths from COVID-19 and 160 new cases with the virus were recorded in Kosovo in the last 24 hours. 1,039 persons have recovered from the virus and there are now 6,751 active cases with COVID-19 in Kosovo. 497 patients with the virus are being treated in Kosovo hospitals, 46 of them are in serious condition.

Nikola: Let’s come together so the world knows about Serbia’s crimes (media)

Lindita Nikolla, the new Speaker of the Parliament of Albania, said during a visit to Prishtina today that there needs to be greater cooperation between the institutions of Kosovo and Albania in raising the voice against Serbian crimes committed in Kosovo.

In her first visit as Parliament Speaker, Nikolla said she feels emotional to be in Kosovo and that there is a lot of room to increase cooperation between the two countries. She said the European Union is the destination of both Kosovo and Albania.

“We have no time to lose. Let us start with greater forces, with a new synergy of cooperation and coordination so that we can achieve more tangible results. In my address when I assumed the new post, I said that coordinating tasks and common actions with the Parliament of Kosovo will be among my priorities. Today we agreed to further our cooperation … We will institutionalise the meetings of parliamentary committees and delegations. Let us cooperate with our international partners in securing new recognitions for Kosovo and let us stop Serbia derecognition campaign. The world must be told again about Serbia’s crimes against humanity in Kosovo,” Nikolla said in a joint press conference with her Kosovo counterpart Glauk Konjufca.

Serbian Language Media

Varhelyi: Unilateral actions lead to unnecessary tensions and should be withdrawn (Kosovo Online)

EU Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi said about the situation, which arose by the decision of the Kosovo authorities to introduce reciprocity for license plates, that the imperative of both Kosovo and Serbia should be to "restrain and reduce tension, return to dialogue and ensure freedom of movement without delay", reported portal Kosovo Online.

Varhelyi wrote on Twitter that unilateral actions are never the solution.

"They only lead to unnecessary tensions and they should be withdrawn," Varhelyi said.

Petkovic: Kurti plans to negotiate but with long barrels and armored vehicles goes against the bare-handed people (Kosovo Online)

The director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic estimated that Albin Kurti is most responsible for the destabilization of the situation in Kosovo, reported Kosovo Online, citing the statement of the office for KiM.

"The only person who openly advocates the destabilization of the situation in Kosovo is Albin Kurti, who with his insane moves wants to destroy the hard-won peace and stability in the region," Petkovic said.

Petkovic asked the question "how does Albin Kurti plan to negotiate, while he goes with long pipes, armored vehicles, snipers and tear gas on the bare-handed people in the north of the province".

"Official Belgrade has always emphasized that it is ready for talks and dialogue, but what kind of dialogue is it while Pristina is holding snipers and long barrels at our people and while their freedom of movement is being brutally forbidden? A compromise can be reached in conversation, but not and with the violent and aggressive policy of Pristina, let it be clear to everyone," Petkovic said.

The director of the Office for KiM emphasized that the only one who has a '' 'clear' interest in provoking incidents in the north of Kosovo is Kurti, who is ready for anything for a handful of votes".

"He first tried to postpone the election, citing a coronavirus pandemic. When that failed, he resorted to these extreme moves by which he is trying to campaign for the local elections. But Kurti was wrong, because there are no loyal Serbs across from him, to whom he can conduct and who will be the extras in his election campaign, but the people who are ready to peacefully defend day and night their right to a normal life, their stay and survival in this area," said Petkovic.

He said that the protest and response of the Serbian people at the Jarinje and Brnjak crossings were not a unilateral action, but a reaction of the Serbian people to "illegal actions of Pristina, which has been openly violating the Brussels Agreement for 3,077 days, and now wants to stop life in the north".

"We will never agree to that," Petkovic said.

Vulin: ''The situation in Kosovo and Metohija calm, but tense'' (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)

Serbian Minister of Internal Affairs, Aleksandar Vulin told Tanjug today that "the situation in the north of Kosovo and Metohija is calm, but tense", Kosovo Online cited.

Vulin specified that during the night, there were about 74 people with eight combat vehicles at the Brnjak administrative crossing, and 64 people with six combat vehicles at Jarinje.

"The shifts have been completed, but this number of representatives of the temporary institutions of self-government in Pristina, which were deployed in the area of northern Kosovo and Metohija, is being retained. For now, the situation is calm but tense," Vulin told Tanjug.

He added that Serbs from Kosovo are very persistent and stubborn and will never give up.

"A compromise must be reached, but as President Vucic said, you will stop first, so we will go to Brussels and talk," said Vulin.

Kosovo government discussing the situation in the north; no translation for Serbian media (KiM radio)

KiM radio reported that currently the Kosovo government holds a session dedicated to the situation in the north of Kosovo, which arose by the introduction of reciprocal measures regarding Serbian license plates. There is no translation into Serbian at the session, although the event is covered by journalists from Serbian newsrooms, KiM radio reported.

At the session, PM Albin Kurti spoke about the situation in the north. Goran Rakic, one of the ministers in the Kosovo government, is not among those present, his deputy Gazmen Salijevic is present, who also speaks in Albanian.

The session, which talks about the deployment of special forces at the Jarinje and Brnjak crossings, the blockade of roads by Serbs and reciprocal measures towards Serbia, has no translation, although this event is also being followed by Serbian reporters.

The lack of translation in Kosovo's institutions is nothing new, although the Serbian language is one of the two official ones under the Kosovo Constitution and laws. Even during the mandate of Avdullah Hoti, it often happened that there were no translations in Serbian at government sessions, recalled KiM radio.

Number of people gathering at Jarinje increases, no incidents (Kosovo-online)

Blockade of roads leading towards Jarinje and Brnjak crossing points continues for a third day in a row, Kosovo-online portal reports. Number of people opposing the decision of the Kosovo Government to introduce reciprocity measures for licence plates has increased at Jarinje compared to the night before.

Kosovo-online also reports that several dozens of citizens gather at Brnjak and the road is blocked with heavy machinery.

The night went without incidents, the portal said.

Apart from ROSU members, KFOR monitored the situation in the north, and its helicopter flew over the area. Also, members of EULEX police were seen patrolling at Jarinje.

Later in the day, the portal said that dozens of Serbs south of the Ibar River came to Jarinje to extend support to their compatriots from the north.

Covic: Now international community is on move (RTS)

Former Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and former head of the Coordination Center for Kosovo and Metohija, Nebojsa Covic told RTS that the situation at the administrative crossing points was "already seen", because whenever Pristina needs to fulfill something, it causes an incident.

According to him, this way many agreements were made meaningless, even the Brussels one. Also, he said the dialogue was made meaningless, since Albin Kurti, as he said, “is not a man of dialogue, but a person of conflict”.

Covic also said that EU Special Representative for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Miroslav Lajcak was in Pristina last week and it was impossible that he knew nothing.

According to Covic, this is a shame and disgrace of the international community, because no one dares say who is guilty, and there is permanent violation of all agreements.

“They go for provocation, they go for incident, and I think the time has come for Serbia to react not only verbally, but as it must '', Covic said.

He added this “was not a threat, these are the facts, and now the international community is on the move to see how sincere they are".

Representatives of WB with Borrell at a working dinner in NY (media)

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Nikola Selakovic attended the meeting of the representatives of the heads of delegations of the Western Balkans with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security, Josep Borrell in New York.

In addition to Minister Selakovic, Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic, Northern Macedonian President Stevo Pendarovski, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, BiH Presidency Chairman Zeljko Komsic and Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani attended the working dinner at the EU Mission in New York.

Today, Selakovic will continue meetings with foreign ministers and officials of other countries on the sidelines of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly.

Tanjug: EU proposes Vucic-Kurti meeting in Brussels, aiming at reducing tensions (Kosovo-online)

EU High Representative Josep Borrell and the EU Special Representatives for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Miroslav Lajcak are in phone contact with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, aiming at immediate reducing of tensions in northern Kosovo and possible meeting of Vucic and Kurti in Brussels, Belgrade-based Tanjug news agency reports citing its EU sources.

“The EU Special Envoy Miroslav Lajcak returned to Brussels from Belgrade, and all our efforts are focused at reducing tensions and returning to dialogue”, diplomatic sources from Brussels told Tanjug.

The EU also said they are ready to mediate a dialogue of the two leaders that would take place in Brussels, and its main topic would be resolving the current situation in Kosovo.

Selakovic met foreign ministers of Tunisia, Estonia and Bolivia in NY (RTS)

Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Nikola Selakovic had a number of meetings on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly 76th session, RTS reports. Selakovic first met Foreign Minister of Tunisia, Othman Jerandi. He then met Foreign Minister of Estonia, Eva-Maria Liimets, and the Foreign Minister of Bolivia, Rogelio Mayta.

Speaking with his Tunisian counterpart Othman, Selakovic assessed relations between the two states were traditionally friendly and good, however the cooperation was not in line with the friendship and potentials of the two states, adding there was interest on the side of Serbia to advance it further, in particular in the field of economy.

Selakovic thanked Tunisia for the principled stance not to recognize unilaterally declared Kosovo independence and support it offers to Serbia in international organizations.

Talking to Estonian Minister Eva-Maria Liimets, Selakovic thanked her for continuous support for Serbia's EU integration. He also assessed bilateral relations between the two states were good and without open issues, expressing readiness to further advance them.

He informed Minister Liimets on the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and current situation on the ground, adding Serbia has fulfilled all obligations deriving from the Brussels agreement, while Pristina didn’t do so for more than 100 months and introduces unilateral measures.

Speaking with the Foreign Minister of Bolivia Mayta, Selakovic expressed gratitude to Bolivia for the support it offers to sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia, as well as support in international organizations. He informed his interlocutor about the situation in Kosovo and Metohija, noting Serbia’s commitment to peace and stability in the region.

EU-Western Balkans Summit in Slovenia in October (N1)

The next European Union – Western Balkans summit will be held in Slovenia on October 6, EU Council said on its web site Tuesday, N1 reports.

“The EU-Western Balkans Summit, which is set to take place on 6 October in Brdo Pri Kranju in Slovenia will be hosted by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia Janez Jansa. It will bring together the Heads of State or Government of the Member States of the European Union and their counterparts from the Western Balkan region”, the press advisory said.

It added that the summit will be chaired by European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “The summit will be preceded by an informal dinner of the EU Heads of State or Government as part of the Leaders’ Agenda”, it said and added that Michel, Von Der Leyen and Jansa will hold a news conference after the summit.

See at: https://bit.ly/3AyoXIT

Serbian Government to set up health care houses in north Kosovo (N1)

The Serbian Government decided on Tuesday to set up health care houses in the towns of Zubin Potok and Zvecan, northern Kosovo, N1 reports.

A press release said that the decision to set up the medical facilities was based on the law on health care which says that the government has all rights over medical facilities formed by Serbia under UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

Zubin Potok and Zvecan are majority Serb municipalities in the north of Kosovo.

Novakovic: Kurti introduced reciprocity because of local elections also (Kosovo-online)

Serb European Movement from Kosovo President Rada Trajkovic said agreement from 2016 on freedom of movement signed in Brussels by the-then Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Marko Djuric on behalf of Serbia, served as an excuse for Albin Kurti to intervene following its expiration, Kosovo-online portal reports.

“They were thinking then about reciprocity as a result of agreement between Greece and North Macedonia. It was a different level of non-accepting licence plates of Macedonia in Greece, because Greece didn’t accept the name, but accepted the subjectivity of Macedonia as a state. Identical solution was impossible for Belgrade, if it is not ready to accept the subjectivity of Kosovo, because ‘RKS’ plates come along with symbolism in Kosovo”, she explained.

On the other hand, Research Director of Belgrade-based International and Security Affairs Center (ISAC) Igor Novakovic said Pristina’s move was expected because Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti was announcing reciprocity in all the areas with Serbia for some time.

“Obviously there was an agreement that has expired. It was not addressed adequately in the current negotiations, conducted since June at technical and political level. Kurti used the chance to implement in one segment what he has been announcing to do. Certainly, it has political function for him and it is the issue of elections, where he assessed that this move could gain him support among the part of the population that do not support him and Self-determination Movement candidates at upcoming local elections.

Novakovic added this would probably go to Kurti’s favour, but one should see how it will be reflected, given that information on popularity of his candidates and their chances to win local elections are very contradictory.

NADA for more decisive response of Serbia over ROSU units in north (Kosovo-online)

National Democratic Alternative (NADA) consisting of Serbian opposition parties POKS (Movement for Renewal of Kingdom of Serbia) and DSS (Democratic Party of Serbia) as well as 23 civil associations said that “a more comprehensive and decisive” response of Serbia was needed over arrival of ROSU units to the north of Kosovo, Kosovo-online portal reports. NADA also proposed organizing a meeting of all relevant political actors to discuss this issue.

DSS leader MIlos Jovanovic said “the time has come to open discussion on unilateral implementation of the Brussels agreement” by which Pristina got many concessions while Serbs got nothing in return, although institutions in Pristina were obliged to implement it.

Leader of POKS Zika Gojkovic said the latest acts by Pristina and “absence in reactions of KFOR and EULEX, require a decisive and united response of Serbia and Serbian people”, the portal said.

The issuance of trial plates in Laplje Selo started today (KiM radio)

This morning, the issuance of RKS test plates began at the Registration Center in Laplje Selo, municipality of Gracanica. About thirty drivers are waiting in front of the center, who until two days ago used the license plates of cities in central Serbia for their vehicles.

Vehicles that had KS plates are re-registered here. Drivers now register their cars taking RKS plates at this Center.

The issuance of test plates in most Vehicle Registration Centers started yesterday, however, in Laplje Selo, officials waited all day for instructions from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kosovo to provide this service to citizens. That wait caused a crowd in front of the center, but also nervousness of the drivers who came to pick up the new paper plates, reported KiM radio.

Opinion

Merkel’s Balkan Farewell More than Just Symbolic (Balkan Insight)

By Visar Xhambazi, a policy researcher at Democracy for Development (D4D) Institute in Kosovo and a young professional advisor at United Europe in Germany.

More than just a chance to say goodbye, Angela Merkel’s last trip to the Balkans as German chancellor sent some important messages.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s two-day visit to Serbia and Albania on September 13 and 14 was of significant political and strategic importance to the Western Balkans and the European Union.

All Western Balkan countries aspire to join the EU. Relative progress has been made over the last two decades; however, the region is still full dogged by uncertainty and a lack of full reconciliation.

This was a farewell visit to a region where Merkel invested much time and energy during her 16 years in power. “My heart beats for this region even though I will no longer be in office,” Merkel said during a press conference in Tirana.

Germany’s credibility was always high in the Western Balkans, much of it due to Merkel, whose Germany has been crucial to shaping the debate on EU enlargement to the region.

However, in order to maintain this credibility, the next German government will have to adapt to new challenges and circumstances pertaining to the region.

Thus, Merkel took the opportunity to visit the region one last time and send a strong message, not just to the Western Balkans, but to the future German government and Germany’s partners in the EU.

Here are four important takeaways from the visit:

International

Restore trust and inspire hope, UN chief says in message to UNGA76 (news.un.org)

With humanity on the edge of an abyss, and moving in the wrong direction, the world must wake up, Secretary-General António Guterres said in his keynote address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.

Outlining six “Great Divides” that must be bridged now, he called for greater action in areas such as climate policy, gender equality and closing the gap between rich and poor.

“This is our time. A moment for transformation. An era to re-ignite multilateralism. An age of possibilities,” the Secretary-General told world leaders and ambassadors.

“Let us restore trust. Let us inspire hope. And let us start right now.”