UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, April 7, 2022

Abbott: I believe that dialogue should be part of a broader context (RTK)
Kosovo President criticises Open Balkan, Serbia, and Albanian indifference (Exit)
Szunyog disappointed with KPC’s nomination for new chief prosecutor (media)
Head of EU Office Szunyog responds to President Osmani criticism for bias (Express)
President Osmani receives credentials of first Israeli Ambassador (media)
Thaci's appeal against continued detention rejected (Koha)
Social Democrats sue Kurti: He was in the KLA, but not a soldier (euronews.al)
Still hope for an Albanian to sit at the Serbian Parliament, says Kamberi (euronews.al)
Five KSF members experience poison-like symptoms (media)
COVID-19: 29 new cases, no deaths (media)

Abbott: I believe that dialogue should be part of a broader context (RTK)

The British Ambassador to Kosovo Nicholas Abbott said during the interview on "RTK Prime" that one of the current challenges is the regional and European transition, ‘because the war in Ukraine is changing the way we treat relations or alliances on the priorities we have and also shifting the priorities we have and I believe that this should be clear to Kosovo.’

"We have heard a lot about NATO membership and membership in the European Union. The United Kingdom supports Kosovo's membership in these mechanisms, but some processes need to be completed. This is not a gift," Abbott said.

Speaking about the dialogue, the British ambassador stressed that the war in Ukraine could change the focus on the problems in the Western Balkans, including dialogue, but believes that the Government of Kosovo will be clear in its demands and promised that the United Kingdom will help this process. “I believe that the dialogue should be part of a broader context, especially after the war in Ukraine, it depends on how much focus there will be on the Western Balkans. There must be government commitment to resolve the dialogue. The government has been in power for almost a year now and I believe that it is clearer what has been achieved and what it wants to achieve, and we will support them in this direction,” he said.

Kosovo President criticises Open Balkan, Serbia, and Albanian indifference (Exit)

Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani has criticised Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama for continuing collaboration with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic with the Open Balkan project.

The Open Balkan initiative is between the governments of Albania, Serbia and North Macedonia and provides the free movement of people and goods. But critics have queried whether it is still tenable following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and considering Vucic’s refusal to align with EU sanctions or publicly condemn Moscow.

Osmani said that in this context and also because Serbia does not accept Kosovo’s sovereignty, Rama should not be a part of the initiative.

“I do not know why Albania would accept such an initiative where Kosovo will not be treated as a sovereign state and where an important role is played by Vucic, the leader of a state that on a daily basis tries to destabilise Kosovo and violate its sovereignty.”

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3xfFsuR

Szunyog disappointed with KPC’s nomination for new chief prosecutor (media)

The Head of the EU Office in Kosovo, Tomas Szunyog, has expressed disappointment after the unanimous decision of the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council (KPC) to nominate Blerim Isufaj as new chief prosecutor of Kosovo.

“Despite the EU’s continued calls to ensure a fair, transparent and merit-based selection of Chief State Prosecutor, Kosovo Prosecutorial Council concluded the selection process disregarding these principles. Surprised & disappointed with the KPC’s actions,” Szunyog wrote on Twitter.

Yesterday, KSC forwarded Isufaj’s nomination to President Vjosa Osmani for approval. Express writes that three NGO’s monitoring the work of judicial institutions: Kosovo Law Institute (KLI), Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS) and Fol Movement, called on Osmani not to decree Isufaj. In a joint press release the three NGOs stated that they warned the KSC the process had a number of shortcomings that affected the integrity of the process.

Head of EU Office Szunyog responds to President Osmani criticism for bias (Express)

The Head of the EU Office in Kosovo/EUSR, Tomas Szunyog said on Wednesday that the EU treats Kosovo and Serbia equally “but the processes are at different stages and Kosovo is where it is because it started late.” “The EU expects Serbia to align with EU policies. If you are not approximated you cannot join the EU,” Szunyog said. “Normally, it is not only for the EU – it is Kosovo’s responsibility to progress on its road to the EU. The first criteria is to normalize its relations with Serbia. Kosovo can apply for EU membership. The first step is the successful conclusion of the dialogue for a final agreement.”

His statement comes in response to Osmani accusing the EU of “unequal treatment” of Kosovo and Serbia and that there have been cases when the EU “accommodated Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic despite his autocratic behavior.”

President Osmani receives credentials of first Israeli Ambassador (media)

President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani received on Wednesday the diplomatic credentials of Tamar Ziv, Israel’s first Ambassador to Kosovo.

President Osmani underlined the friendly relations between people of Kosovo and Israel way before the two countries established diplomatic relations. She said that Kosovo is ready to deepen cooperation with Israel in economy, security, intelligence, health, and education. She also asked the support of Israel in securing new recognitions of Kosovo’s independence and joining international organisations. She also asked Israel to wave visas for Kosovo citizens, a statement issued by Kosovo’s presidency said.

Thaci's appeal against continued detention rejected (Koha)

The appeals panel of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) has refused the motion presented by Hashim Thaci's counsel against the decision of the pre-trial judge for his continued detention at The Hague.

Hashim Thaci, former president of Kosovo, has pleaded not guilty on war crimes charges for his role in the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).

Social Democrats sue Kurti: He was in the KLA, but not a soldier (euronews.al)

Kosovo’s Social Democratic Party (PSD) submitted a lawsuit against Prime Minister Albin Kurti after the latter declared himself as a veteran of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).

Reportedly, the SPD also sent enough evidence to launch a probe into the claims of the country’s prime minister.

“Albin Kurti was a member of the KLA, but he had other duties. He was not a soldier”, said MP Dardan Molliqaj.“There is all the evidence, about when he enrolled, when he resigned from KLA, and also when he was arrested. The law prescribes what is a fake declaration and what are the necessary criteria to be entitled the veteran status”, added Molliqaj.

Still hope for an Albanian to sit at the Serbian Parliament, says Kamberi (euronews.al)

Shaip Kamberi said that there’s still hope to secure a seat at the Serbian Parliament with 1% of the ballots still being counted.

The leader of the Coalition of United Albanians blamed the inactivation of home addresses as the reason behind the discouraging election result but also pointed to migration factors triggered by discrimination.

“We did not go to the elections with a single list due to the political concept we wanted to follow after the elections”, said among other things Kamberi in an interview for Euronews Albania.