• COVID-19: 219 new cases, two deaths (media)
• CEC updates election results: LVV leads with 47.85 (media)
• Albin Kurti gives interviews to AP, AFP (media)
• Citizens of Kosovo congratulated for holding orderly elections (media)
• Blinken: Kosovo-Serbia agreement requires readiness for compromise (RFE)
• Haxhiu: Dialogue with Serbia not a priority for LVV (Koha)
• Haziri congratulates LVV, Osmani, vows LDK's comeback (Koha)
• Gervalla insists they will have votes to elect new president of Kosovo (Klan)
• "AKR will never contribute to institutional blockade" (Kallxo)
• Ahmeti: Power for LVV came at the worst possible time (media)
• Prelec: Kurti's victory leaves aside dialogue with Serbia (RFE)
• Kosovo’s leftwing party polls record score in elections (FT)
• Kosovo could try to move war crimes court to Pristina, judge warns (euronews)

COVID-19: 219 new cases, two deaths (media)

Kosovo has recorded 219 new cases of COVID-19 and two deaths in the last 24 hours. 281 persons have recovered from the virus during this time.

There are 7,384 active cases of COVID-19 in Kosovo.

CEC updates election results: LVV leads with 47.85 (media)

The Central Election Commission has concluded the counting of regular votes and the preliminary results put the Vetevendosje Movement (LVV) at 47.85, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) is second with 17.41 percent, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) with 13.08 percent, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) with 7.43 percent, and the Serbian List (SL) with 5.54.

The votes that arrived by mail and conditional ones have yet to be counted.

Koha reports that according to people involved in the election observation process, the counting of the diaspora votes may take more than a week considering that the number of ballots that came through mail is much higher than in previous elections. 

Albin Kurti gives interviews to AP, AFP (media)

Leader of the Vetevendosje Movement Albin Kurti said in an interview with Associated Press that he would push hard for his country to join the European Union, but also urged the bloc to provide an economic aid package to help smooth the path to membership for western Balkan states.

AP reported that Kurti hopes to secure the required 61 votes in the 120-seat parliament to govern alone, or cooperate with the non-Serb minority lawmakers to form his Cabinet. He made it clear there would be no coalition with the PDK and LDK parties.

Kurti urged the European Union to apply what he called a mini-Marshal plan — alluding to the U.S. post-World War II reconstruction plan for Europe — for six western Balkan countries that are hoping to join the 27-nation bloc.

“The Western Balkans Six have EU as the most important partner. But on the other hand, history teaches us that also (the) Balkans (are) very important for Europe,” Kurti said.

Negotiations on normalizing ties with Serbia, which stalled again last year after talks brokered by the U.S. and the EU, did not figure high on the winning party’s agenda. Kurti said forming a negotiating team for dialogue would not be a priority. “To move on further, we need to establish clear principles of dialogue and (an) honest and serious approach by putting the demands of Kosovo and Serbia to each other,” he said.

Kurti said his government would apply for candidate status, and deplored that Brussels has still not allowed visa-free travel for Kosovars seeking to enter the EU.

Meanwhile, in an interview with Agence France-Presse Kurti said he wants to reframe talks with Serbia to put the two sides on equal footing and that the talks should not be centre on how to "compensate" Serbia for losing its former province. "The dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo must change our countries for the better," he told AFP.

Kurti accused Belgrade of promising to recognise Kosovo at the end of the negotiations -- while demanding maximal concessions in the meantime. "You take as much as you can while promising an end which doesn't happen," he said, accusing Belgrade of "salami tactics".

"That's why reciprocity, equality cannot be the end result (of the talks), it must be the initial point, and people the end beneficiaries," he said.

Read the full interviews: https://bit.ly/3di1Yt4; https://bit.ly/3tVWnyp

Citizens of Kosovo congratulated for holding orderly elections (media)

The U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo Philip Kosnett congratulated the citizens of Kosovo for demonstrating commitment to democracy and a vision for the future.

“America stands with Kosovo – and we look forward to working with the new government, once formed, on shared goals of peace, justice, and prosperity,” he wrote on Twitter.

European Parliament rapporteur for Kosovo Viola von Cramon-Taubadel, issued a statement on the early parliamentary elections that took place on Sunday.

She congratulated the winners of the elections and the whole of Kosovo for organising an orderly process in unprecedented circumstances which prevented the deployment of a full-fledged EU election observation mission. However, von Cramon-Taubadel added that "the problems and difficulties regarding the diaspora votes are much regrettable and some decisions of the CEC made it impossible for many citizens to exercise their democratic rights."

"The relatively high turnout, the transparent and inclusive environment are a success for the whole country. Right now, the new parliament shall form a new government, with a strong and stable majority in order to address a number of pressing issues in Kosovo,” she continued.

“A new government will need to move forward to a European path, the government will need to continue the dialogue with Serbia, because without any agreement with Belgrade, long-term stability and European perspective are not going to be possible. The transatlantic community in Brussels and in Washington are ready to engage with the new, democratically elected leadership of Kosovo.”

Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman of the Munich Security Conference congratulated the leader of the Vetevendosje Movement Albin Kurti on winning elections. “The people of Kosovo deserve a stable government which can fight corruption, create jobs, and proceed on the European accession path. Let’s hope that with this clear mandate, you can put together a successful coalition!”

Austrian Foreign Ministry reacted on Twitter to elections in Kosovo: "Democratic elections in #Kosovo have resulted in a strong mandate and lead to high expectations and responsibilities. Austria remains a committed partner to Kosovo & is looking forward to closely working together on Kosovo‘s path towards the EU!"

Yesterday the EU High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell and Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi issued a statement following early elections in Kosovo saying they look forward to the formation of the new Assembly and government as well as the election of a new President.

“The European Union will continue to engage with the authorities, with a view to supporting Kosovo in achieving tangible progress on its European path. This will require Kosovo to advance on reforms, guided by the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and the European Reform Agenda, as well as on regional cooperation. Kosovo’s European path also goes through the comprehensive normalisation of relations with Serbia and the EU expects the new authorities in Pristina to engage constructively with a view to a continuation of the meetings of the EU-facilitated Dialogue and seize the opportunity in front of them to reach a comprehensive agreement.”

The EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, added to the EU statement on Kosovo elections saying they demonstrated maturity of  its institutions, all relevant actors and political parties. "The citizens have made their voices heard and I’m looking forward to working with the incoming government on the continuation of the Dialogue," he wrote on Twitter.

Head of the EU Office in Kosovo Tomas Szunyog meanwhile tweeted: "Congrats 2 Kosovo people 4 professional organization of elections & active participation despite bad weather & COVID19. EU experts 2 prepare report&recomm. Congrats 2 LVetevendosje. Expect it 2 take responsibility 4 swift gov. creation & president election & work on EU agenda/Dialog."

Blinken: Kosovo-Serbia agreement requires readiness for compromise (RFE)

The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said reaching a comprehensive agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, centred on mutual recognition, would require flexibility and a readiness for compromise from all sides.

He also said that the U.S. applauds Serbia's steps to normalise relations with Kosovo and continues to support Serbia's strategic goal of joining the European Union.

Blinken made the comments in a letter sent to Serbian authorities on the occasion of Serbia's Statehood Day.

Haxhiu: Dialogue with Serbia not a priority for LVV (Koha)

Member of the Vetevendosje Movement (LVV) leadership, Albulena Haxhiu, said dialogue with Serbia would not be a priority issue for a new government led by Albin Kurti saying that LVV has a clear strategy on the matter.

"We have not addressed the issue of dialogue with Serbia, we have not changed positions on dialogue but have not discussed it because two of the main problems that the citizens face are the lack of justice and unemployment," Haxhiu told KTV.

Commenting on the Washington agreement of September 2020, Haxhiu said they would not be pushing forward its implementation. "In those commitments only one point is important, recognition from Israel," Haxhiu said noting that other items in the agreement are not advantageous for Kosovo.

Haziri congratulates LVV, Osmani, vows LDK's comeback (Koha)

Deputy leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo Lutfi Haziri congratulated the Vetevendosje Movement and Vjosa Osmani for their success in February 14 elections and at the same time pledged LDK's comeback and contribute to Kosovo's stability and welfare.

Haziri said that the resignation of the LDK leader Isa Mustafa and the party's leadership following the election result has never before happened in the history of the LDK and added that the move paves way for election of new leading structures.

Gervalla insists they will have votes to elect new president of Kosovo (Klan)

Donika Gervalla, who ran under the Vetevendosje election ticket as part of Vjosa Osmani's led initiative, said in an interview with Klan Kosova that she was certain that the new president of Kosovo would be elected swiftly.

"With regards to the prime minister and speaker, the numbers speak for themselves while with regards to the president, from all the discussions we have had, there is no reason why 80 MPs would not be in the session to vote for Vjosa Osmani," Gervalla said. "When the time comes we will have 80 MPs. There will be a mix of MPs that will be sitting in the session. We do not plan to govern ruled by grudges against anyone," she continued.

"AKR will never contribute to institutional blockade" (Kallxo)

Naim Murseli, advisor to the leader of the New Kosovo Alliance (AKR) Behgjet Pacolli, said that the AKR “is and remains a constructive party by never contributing to the country's institutional blockade.”

“We will act the same every time. The citizens of Kosovo want to see a brighter future and it is the duty of everyone to work in this direction,” Murseli wrote on Facebook.

Ahmeti: Power for LVV came at the worst possible time (media)

Mayor of Prishtina, Shpend Ahmeti, said that the decision of the Constitutional Court to declare the voting of the Avdullah Hoti-led government unconstitutional were welcome for the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK). "They removed it from power at the most difficult economic and financial time for Kosovo since the end of the war. They also initiated the changes in the LDK which would not have been put in motion without this debacle."

At the same time, Ahmeti argued, now is the worst time for the Vetevendosje Movement (LVV) to be in power: "Expectations are unrealistic and a time when the country's finances and economy are on the brink of collapse."

"Potential crisis over election of the president needs to be resolved very quickly. Dialogue in no way should be a priority. The only three priorities should be: economy, economy, and economy," Ahmeti concluded.

Prelec: Kurti's victory leaves aside dialogue with Serbia (RFE)

Marko Prelec from the International Crisis Group said that the result of February 14 elections in Kosovo is almost something revolutionary. "No party has ever won such a high percentage in Kosovo, never. It is a clear referendum for the people that led Kosovo during most of the last twenty years and this was a statement of 'enough, we don't want you, we want someone different'," he said.

Prelec noted that if Albin Kurti is elected prime minister, he will be faced with many challenges, corruption and dialogue with Serbia among the most pressing ones. "I think in essence, dialogue will stall for several years. It may not be formally halted, there may be meetings in Brussels, but nothing important will happen."

He further argued that for as long as Kurti is in power in Kosovo and Aleksandar Vucic in Serbia, the final agreement will be years away. "It is not impossible for them to agree on a number of practical things, of course this is possible and would be good. One thing that is very important and which I and many other people expect to see is how Kurti will act with Serb population in Kosovo," Prelec said.

Kosovo’s leftwing party polls record score in elections (FT)

Kosovo’s leftwing, anti-establishment party has emerged as the victor in snap elections that saw a record turnout.

On Monday, with 99 per cent of the votes counted after Sunday’s poll, not including ballots from the large Kosovan diaspora, the leftwing Self-Determination Movement, or Vetevendosje, had 48 per cent. It was the highest percentage that any party has won in a national election since the end of the 1998-99 war with Serbia.

See more at: https://on.ft.com/37e9pxm

Kosovo could try to move war crimes court to Pristina, judge warns (euronews)

The head of a Netherlands-based court investigating war crimes allegedly committed by the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) during its conflict with Serb forces two decades ago has urged EU diplomats to help fight back against a campaign to undermine its work in Kosovo.

In a confidential briefing to European diplomats in the Hague on February 11, Kosovo Specialist Chambers President Judge Ekaterina Trendafilova warned that the court was facing increased efforts from within Kosovo to hinder ongoing legal proceedings, including against former Kosovan president, Hashim Thaci, who was indicted on war crimes charges last year.

In a transcript of the briefing, obtained by Euronews, Trendafilova said that attempts were already being made to challenge the law that set up the court in 2015, and could include efforts to either pardon those convicted of crimes or even see the entire court - and its vast confidential records - moved from the Hague, where it is currently based, to Pristina, Kosovo’s capital.

See more at: https://bit.ly/3pwpuVH