• COVID – 19: 623 new cases, 12 deaths (media)
• Restrictive measures against COVID – 19 remain in force (media)
• Borrell: We cannot be global actors if we don’t solve problems in Balkans (media)
• US criticises EU for not speaking in one voice on Kosovo–Serbia dialogue (Koha)
• Fate of Hoti-led government to be decided today (Gazeta Express)
• Hoxhaj: PDK to propose candidate for President; won’t join government (media)
• Vetevendosje MP Aliu calls on PDK to bring down government (media)
• Hoxhaj: Without KLA’s pure fight, NATO wouldn’t intervene (RTK)

COVID – 19: 623 new cases, 12 deaths (media)

623 new cases of COVID – 19 and 12 deaths from the virus were recorded in the last 24 hours in Kosovo. 600 patients recovered from the virus during this time. There are 14,710 active cases of the virus in Kosovo.

Restrictive measures against COVID – 19 remain in force (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti told a press conference in Prishtina on Tuesday that the current restrictive measures against COVID – 19 will remain in force per instructions from Kosovo’s National Institute for Public Health.

“We made a detailed assessment of the situation today. The joint conclusion is that the situation is very serious but under control. The Institute suggested for the current measures to remain in force,” Hoti said.

Hoti said that around 145 thousand citizens were tested since the outbreak of the pandemic in Kosovo and that the largest number of infected are members of health institutions.

“The number of new cases with COVID – 19 is more stable following the latest cases. We have the spread of the virus under control,” he argued.

Hoti said he doesn’t worry of his government will remain in power. “My concern is how to best manage the situation with COVID – 19 and how to adopt the economic recovery law and the budget for 2021,” he said.

Borrell: We cannot be global actors if we don’t solve problems in Balkans (media)

European Union High Representative Josep Borrell said on Tuesday that the European Union is responsible for solving problems in the Balkans and that the global role of the Union plays a role in the process too. “If we cannot solve the problems in the Balkans, how can be an important global actor?” Borrell said in a debate on the 10^th anniversary of the European External Action Service (EEAS).

Borrell said the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia too must be concluded within the European perspective. He also welcomed the readiness of the United States to assist the process. “We’re glad that the US want to help, but the EU leads the process. Only the EU can present an important offer for the people there and that is the European perspective,” he said.

US criticises EU for not speaking in one voice on Kosovo–Serbia dialogue (Koha)

The lack of cooperation between the United States of America and the European Union, as well as the political instability in Kosovo, are delaying a final agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, the news website reports. Senior representatives of the EU and the US, during an online debate organised by the South-East European Association, gave different arguments on the trans-Atlantic divide. The debate was organised according to Chatham rules, which do not allow the publication of the names of the participations but only their discussions.

A senior US official, who took part in the debate, criticised the EU for not speaking in one voice on the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. “It is not only a divide between the EU and the U.S. The EU itself has spoken in different voices and not always the same. We know this is a difficult process, but it is important not to have any gaps in the European space,” he said. “Nevertheless, the Balkans is much bigger than the Kosovo – Serbia dynamic. I think Kosovo and Serbia are important for the Western Balkans. But it is wrong to define the trans-Atlantic cooperation through these countries alone.”

A senior German official said the parties must reach a comprehensive agreement that results in mutual recognition and that the parties must not be put in a position to choose between the U.S. and the European Union.

“Many Kosovars tell us don’t make us choose between the EU and U.S. The issue of stability is a concern to us too. There is so much to be done in the EU-facilitated dialogue. We are ready to help the normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia to reach a comprehensive agreement that results in mutual recognition.”

Fate of Hoti-led government to be decided today (Gazeta Express)

The news website reports that the Constitutional Court of Kosovo will hold an online public hearing today to address a request by the Vetevendosje Movement (VV) to declare as unconstitutional the Hoti-led government because of a vote by now former MP Ethem Arifi who was sentenced by a court for corruption. At the end of the hearing, the court will rule on the legality of Arifi’s vote. A decision in favor of the Vetevendosje would result in a new political situation in the country.

The Constitutional Court issued the following media statement:

The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Kosovo will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, 2 December 2020, starting at 10:00 hrs., on the Referral KO95/20 with the subject of review: “Constitutional review of Decision No. 07/V-15 of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, adopted on 3 June 2020, regarding the election of the Government of Kosovo”.

Due to the circumstances created as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, the public hearing will be held via video-conference (online) through the Zoom platform.

The Court has taken all adequate measure in accordance with instructions of the health care institutions for a proper work process of the Judges during the hearing.

All media and other interested parties will be able to follow the hearing live by clicking on the following link: http://gjk-ks.org/live-streaming/.

Hoxhaj: PDK to propose candidate for President; won’t join government (media)

Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Acting Leader Enver Hoxhaj said on Tuesday that this party does not want to join the Hoti-led government “but there are certain issues of national interest and the PDK is not an opposition to the state”. “Our cause is to serve and help the citizens and the country,” he said.

Commenting on the election of a new President of Kosovo, Hoxhaj said: “If someone wants to have the votes of the PDK to elect a President, we think that they must count on a candidate proposed by the PDK and we have made this clear to everyone. We don’t have votes for candidates from the ruling coalition”.

Vetevendosje MP Aliu calls on PDK to bring down government (media)

Vetevendosje Movement (VV) MP Liburn Aliu made a public call to the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) on Tuesday to support the text of Vetevendosje’s no-confidence motion against the Hoti-led government.

Aliu said that the PDK is seeking an agreement for the future. “We cannot agree on the text of the motion. The agreement is a problem for the PDK, they want to reach an agreement now. What kind of an agreement do they want?” he asked.

Aliu also argued that “there are forces within the Democratic League of Kosovo that want changes, while some others are linked with the PDK because of tenders”.

Hoxhaj: Without KLA’s pure fight, NATO wouldn’t intervene (RTK)

Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Acting Leader Enver Hoxhaj said on Tuesday that the confirmed indictments against Thaci, Veseli, Krasniqi and Selimi were a major blow to Kosovo but to the PDK too. “It was a blow to the foundations of our state and to Kosovo’s sovereignty,” he said.

Hoxhaj argued that without the clear and righteous fight by the former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), NATO and the democratic world would not have intervened in Kosovo.