• Escobar and Lajcak arrive in Kosovo today (media)
• EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak interview with Gazeta Express
• COVID-19: 2,390 new cases, no deaths (media)
• Pristina protesters storm government building over energy prices (RFE)
• Kosovo sends two athletes to Beijing despite backing US boycott (BIRN)
• Hope and healing in Kosovo’s Oscar entry ‘Hive’ (AP)
• Serbian media: Albanians attacked police in Kursumlija (Klan Kosova)

Escobar and Lajcak arrive in Kosovo today (media)

U.S. Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, and the EU Special Representative for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, will arrive in Kosovo today. Koha notes that the continuation of dialogue and the possible formation of the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities are expected to be at the focus of their meetings with Kosovo leaders.

EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak interview with Gazeta Express

Let's start with the license plate meeting, which you informed about on Friday. What happened at the meeting, what information do you have?

This was the fourth meeting of the Working Groups, as we agreed in September. Thus, both delegations meet on a monthly basis. We are chairing these meetings and after this fourth meeting, progress has been made. As I said, there are concrete talks about options and the way forward. There is still time.

Is the EU pushing forward any license plate agreement?

We are not pushing forward any agreement, but we try to facilitate the discussions between the two parties, of course, by bringing examples from European practice, because examples based on European practices should be given. We also have experts from the European Commission who are dealing with this issue.

Do you expect something different from the agreement we currently have? As it is known, the symbols in the tables should now be covered.

I do not want to speculate. It is the working group. The working group has the task to come up with recommendations, so they do not make decisions. They produce recommendations for political leadership and they should do so by the end of April and, by then, we will have more meetings and I believe we will continue to progress until then and I believe we will be able to produce something. April 26 is the deadline to come up with proposals for political leadership. The life of this working group is six months.

What do you consider to be your greatest success, since you are mediating these talks?

I am not looking at the process in terms of my achievements. I am a facilitator. Since my appointment, I have made a lot of efforts. We have resumed the dialogue after two years of stagnation. We are currently preparing for the next steps, for another summit. We know that in the end, it is not about the efforts, but about the results. Until then, let's talk about the achievements until we have completed all the way and have a complete normalization of the reports.

Currently, at the political level, we can say that the political dialogue is blocked, right?

No, it is not true. Look, we had a less dynamic process last year, in 2020, due to political developments in Kosovo, early elections and the formation of the government. Then, we had two meetings between Mr. Kurti and Mr. Vucic, in June and July. This was the first opportunity to face them and talk openly about things and it is very important to get to know your partner. Our position in Brussels is that for the third meeting, something concrete should be prepared, concrete results, to be able to inform the citizens of Kosovo and Serbia about the results, and we are currently working on preparing this agenda. So we are not holding meetings just to say. I am meeting separately with my partners in Kosovo and Serbia to prepare the agenda for this dialogue.

Based on what you have seen and heard in these two meetings, do you think that Mr. Kurti and Mr. Vucic are the two leaders who can reach a final agreement?

Yes, yes, because we have a unique situation, where we have two strong leaders, with a strong mandate, so they have the power and support of the people to do it. They know that this too is the expectation of the international community. But, first and foremost, I think they owe it to people to normalize relations, because the situation is currently not good. So they can and do have what it takes to make these decisions. I am not saying it is easy because it is extremely sensitive, but we have leaders with strong mandates and they can do it.

After this experience in these talks, do you think that the EU has chosen the right format for these talks. Do you think it would be good to change something: for example, to organize a conference, which is attended by other EU leaders?

I think the current format is appropriate because conferences are organized or held when there are major crises or when there is a risk of major armed conflict. Thankfully, we are not at that stage. We have a process, which is facilitated by the EU and which is very logical, because Kosovo and Serbia are aiming for EU membership and only the European Union can do that. And second, we want to make sure that all agreements bring Kosovo and Serbia closer to the European Union. They are agreements based on EU rules and standards. Therefore, the EU format is logical. At the same time, I am taking every opportunity to meet with partners in the international margins and for meetings with third parties or I travel regularly to Pristina and Belgrade to push the process forward, to prepare. I also use technology to talk. But I also had the meeting with Mr. Bislimi in Vienna, for a few hours. It was important to meet in person, to discuss issues of how to prepare for the next high-level meeting. Our format is very clear. It is led by the EU and supported by the US and other partners and, at the same time, is flexible.

But in this way it has taken many years. It is 10 or 11 years from the beginning of the process.

Yes, but, in the beginning, the process was led by the High Representative, while these are very busy people with a lot of issues. But, this leader decided to appoint a person who will deal with the dialogue 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This is what I'm doing. This is a new detail of dynamism. It is a permanent number to call from Pristina and Belgrade, which is my number. I'm always here. But, of course, we must also take into account political developments, e.g. we had early elections in Kosovo, there will be elections soon in Belgrade as well. But we are not using this as an excuse to postpone the process. We are ready for progress, as soon as the parties. As I said, we have a new reality, with the new Government in Kosovo, which has come with strong views in dialogue, which are different from previous governments. And we are spending a lot of time discussing more about the process and not the issues and that is different compared to previous governments. But no one questions the importance of dialogue and the importance of normalization and the parties are engaging.

Do you think that now, for Mr. Kurti, dialogue is a priority, because he said that dialogue is not one of his high priorities?

I have never entered this game of priorities, whether the priority is number two or number three. I myself have been part of the Government for ten years and you do not choose priorities, you have to get more issues. The normalization of relations with Serbia is one of the important issues of any Kosovo government. Mr. Kurti knows this. Mr. Kurti is committed to dialogue. He has been to Brussels twice and told me he is ready to come again. We understand and want to make sure the next meeting is prepared and we are working on that.

Once again on the way of dialogue: the Rambouillet or Vienna formats, are they formats to be considered?

Thankfully, times have changed since Vienna. There are no existential risks to this type of conference. We are discussing basic issues, which can not be resolved in a few days or two - three weeks. At the same time, I'm sure the process may not last another ten years. I repeat this. If there is political will and commitment on both sides, it could be a matter of months, not a month, but several months. You can not take leadership abroad for such a long period. We are meeting and contacting regularly. Meetings in Brussels make sense, because there you have all the support and all the expertise. It also helps us to have contacts with international partners, with civil society. We are not slowing down the process. It is up to the parties, Kosovo and Serbia, to decide how quickly the EU, of course and absolutely, it is ready to move so fast. We are making sure that the process is not being hindered or slowed down.

So you predict that within a few months we can have an agreement?

I'm not saying that. I'm saying it should not take years. There must be commitment from both sides for this, because, in the end, it is up to Kosovo and Serbia to have the political will, the courage to have a result, to find answers to all these issues. No one would want to lead this process forever, because it is called normalization, because it means that the current situation is not normal and it takes energy, time, people are tired. I do not think anyone is happy and I believe that finding a solution is in the interest of everyone, especially citizens.

Washington and Brussels have confirmed their visit to Pristina and Belgrade. You will be accompanied by Mr. Escobar. Can you tell us specifically what the agenda is? Are they preparing for a summit or pushing for a specific deal?

We work very closely with the administration of Joe Biden. We are in regular and close contact with Gabriel Escobar. This will be the first opportunity to travel to Pristina and Belgrade together. The goals of this meeting I can say are three. First, to show the message of unity, to show that the dialogue is mediated by the EU and supported by the US. Second, to listen to partners and discuss with them how to move forward with the process and, third, to discuss some current issues.

Which?

I'm sure you understand that I can not go into detail at this time. Will inform you at the end, after the visit. Of course, these issues need to be discussed with partners and collaborators first.

Will issues related to the Association be discussed, because there are reports in the media that you will bring options for the implementation of the Association?

Let me make it clear. Our position is very clear - that we expect Kosovo and Serbia to fulfill all past agreements. Pacta sunt servanda (from Latin: "acts must be kept") . There is a long list for Serbia and we have raised these issues, which should be implemented, to partners in Serbia. Anyone who says we have done everything and the other side nothing is knowing the facts, simply. That's one thing. So Association is not the only issue, it is one of them.

But at the same time, we are saying first, we do not want another "Republika Srpska". No sane person, especially given the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, would propose such a thing.

And without executive powers, right?

I think it would probably be good to change the narrative. Instead of saying what we do not want, it would be better to ask what would be what we want, because it is your process and Kosovo has 50 percent of the share. No one will give you a letter and tell you to "sign it". You are an equal party in the process and you have an absolute right to come up with your own proposals in the process. And, instead of saying we do not want this or we do not want it, it would be better to say "this is what we propose", "this is how we want this to be done".

Will Serbia also have the right to make proposals for the Association?

Of course, because you are equal parties and you discuss. And we are there to help you with ideas, which are based on the European standard and the European model. But at no point, neither in the past nor in the future, will you be forced to sign something that you think is harmful to your country. You are in the process. You have the right to propose and reject. In the end, whatever you agree on should be a compromise. One thing we need to understand: that, if we in the EU start saying "look, many things have been achieved, but it is not necessary for all to be implemented, that would mean that the whole process…"

Is the association one of the issues on which Kosovo and Serbia have the biggest disagreements?

We have a list of things that Kosovo must implement and a list that Serbia must implement. Association is one of the most discussed issues, but there are always issues…

As I said, the agreements reached in the past must be implemented if we want this process to be serious. But this does not mean that someone will impose something on Kosovo, that Kosovo does not want. Let's be very clear about that.

What can you tell us about the issue of electricity in the north and the issue of missing persons, which Secretary Blinken mentioned in his letter. Is this in line with the EU agenda?

Secretary Blinken's letter is another fact of how close the US and the European Union are to cooperation. He has raised a number of issues, which have been addressed in dialogue and in line with dialogue. Yes, the issue of electricity in the north is one of them and also the issue of missing persons. He also says that past commitments must be kept and actions or rhetoric that could increase tensions must be avoided, and let me say that this applies to both Kosovo and Serbia. And yes, we are discussing the issue of electricity, regularly, in every meeting with Mr. Bislimi, Mr. Kurti and also with partners in Belgrade. We are also discussing the issue of missing persons and of course it will be on the agenda of the next meeting, logically, because we need to discuss this issue.

In terms of energy, do you believe that an agreement will be reached soon?

Yes, I really believe. An agreement needs to be found quickly and we have made progress on that and I think so. I do not want to sound overly optimistic, but I really believe we can have an agreement on this and everyone understands the seriousness of this issue.

What about missing persons?

The issue of missing persons is a priority for both parties, it is a very sensitive humanitarian issue and of course the families of the missing persons deserve to know what happened to their loved ones. Thus, that no one questions this issue. And we are discussing the best ways to address this issue and how to accelerate the work that has been done so far.

You said that you work closely with the US, but you are doing this from two different positions. The US says the final agreement should focus on mutual recognition, while the EU mentions the comprehensive agreement on normalization of relations, without mentioning recognition. Do you see this as an obstacle?

No, I do not see this as an obstacle, because we are fully in line with the US on what we want to achieve from this process, which is a sustainable long-term solution. We want Kosovo and Serbia to leave the past behind and look to the future and for that we are in the same position. In the end, it is not about the EU and the US, but about the leadership of Kosovo and Serbia, which need to sit down and come to an agreement. No one outside can do this for you and this is for your future.

But the US insists on recognition, reiterating that this should lead to recognition. The EU does not mention this.

The EU says "normalization of relations". I do not want to see it as a contradiction. The EU formula is broader, it is more comprehensive and I emphasize the fact that we are not dictating the solution. You are the ones who decide on the solution, both parties. We do not say what should be done or what should not be done. You master the process.

Do you think the same as Mr. Borell, see Mr. Kurti is the one who is reluctant to return to the dialogue table.

I would like to put the words of Mr. Borell in a broader context, how I understand it. Perhaps he is referring to the fact that, with this current government of Kosovo, we are discussing more the process itself and not just the issues, while, with the previous governments, the dialogue has always continued as it was designed in 2011. But Mr. Kurti has his own ideas on how this process should be designed and we are discussing this. It may seem like there is less process because there are less obvious things, but we are engaged regularly and we are working on how to define the process and how the work for the final normalization agreement should be done. This is different from previous governments and I believe that Mr. Borell has probably referred to this, just to clarify.

When is it expected that Mr. Kurti and Mr. Vucic to travel to Brussels?

They both have expressed willingness to come, whenever invited. We have said we will invite them when we have the substance and we are working on that. We are working on various documents that can be discussed or finalized during that meeting. This visit will be very important for me to hear from Mr. Kurti, z. Bislimi and Mr. Vucic what progress has been made and what issues need to be discussed. I think after a week we will be clearer when we can have the next meeting, because a meeting enough to meet is a very low level of ambition. This is what we agreed on and we want the next meeting to produce a concrete substance and we are working on that.

When you said "concrete substance", will they sign something in this third meeting, Mr. Kurti and Mr. Vucic?

It is possible, but it is not a condition. But, of course, they have to agree on something. We can have different ways of agreeing, signing, declaring, but it has to be something they agree on.

How long do you expect the elections in Serbia to affect this process?

Look, the political calendar is a reality. We must respect it. In the last week before the elections, elections are a priority and a few weeks after the elections, when the new government is formed. This is a political reality. There is no reason to do nothing. Of course, team leaders can continue to work to schedule the next summit. Whether it will be before the elections or after the elections, belongs to Mr. Kurti and Mr. Vucic and I will discuss this with them, I do not want to discuss it (here). The fact is that, after these elections in April, we will have a unique situation after a long time, when there will be no more elections, and the parties will engage in dialogue.

Do you think that Mr. Will Kurti change his mind regarding the holding of Serbian elections in Kosovo?

I would not like to speculate about this, because it would not be serious. But of course this is one of the issues on the international community's agenda.

But will you raise this in the meetings with Mr. Escobar, that you will have in Prishtina?

It would be strange if we did not touch on this issue. We are here to help the parties.

When you will present a framework of the final agreement, do you have a time limit for this, will you say "enough is enough"?

We have a responsibility to work on normalization, because the current situation of the status quo cannot be satisfactory for the people in Kosovo and Serbia. We have the 2020 framework, but we have the government with clear positions on the process. So we are discussing the framework that would be acceptable to both governments, we are discussing this and we will have it once the parties agree on it. So I personally am against artificial because we do not need to set a deadline when there is no need for such a thing. My position on the deadline is: "do not delay and do not run". I am ready 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I am in constant contact with the parties. We are working for him. But, in the end, it is a decision of both parties.

We have seen strong US positions regarding the guarantee of Kosovo's sovereignty, that there will be no "Republika Srpska" or that there will be no association with executive powers. But what can you guarantee as an EU: European perspective, liberalization, recognition by the non-recognizing member states?

The European Union offers a European future for Kosovo and the citizens of Kosovo. The EU has signed a Stabilization and Association Agreement with Kosovo, which is the first formal contractual agreement for the reports. This is the first formal step and further steps are needed. The EU is ready to take over the process, but no one can guarantee Kosovo's European future except the European Union. Many countries would like to be part of the process, but they are not and this is a privilege.

As for visas, it is not part of our dialogue. But, emotionally, I shared with the citizens of Kosovo. I say to you and the member states that Kosovo should have been granted visas a long time ago and it is the ideal time for member states to do so.

To make the European dream a reality, there must be a normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. And for this we are fully committed to bringing you as close as possible to the European future.

On your Twitter account we have seen that you travel a lot. Have you had the opportunity to discuss with China and Russia the work you are doing and what is their position on this type of negotiation that is being facilitated by the EU?

I call the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue one of the most strategic issues in the region, because, of course, it goes beyond bilateral relations and affects everyone in the region. Therefore, it is followed with great interest in the world. Of course, we have the US, with which we work very closely, we have the UK, which is also interested. Of course, my first partners are the member states, with which I communicate regularly. But there are also third countries, which are interested in hearing about the process. When I visited New York, I met with the Permanent Representatives of China and Russia, with all the members of the Security Council, because they have their positions. Diplomats in Brussels, from many countries, meet with my team and are interested in progress in this process. This process is followed with great interest by many countries in the world.

COVID-19: 2,390 new cases, no deaths (media)

2,390 new cases with COVID-19 were recorded in Kosovo in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health said in a statement. 1,291 persons recovered from the virus during this time. There are 35,051 active cases with COVID-19 in Kosovo.

Pristina protesters storm government building over energy prices (RFE)

Several thousand people protesting a proposed rise in energy prices scuffled with police blocking the entrance to Kosovo's government offices on January 29. Some also threw candles and light bulbs at the building and brandished posters saying: "Work day and night to see dim lights." The protest was called by the opposition Social Democratic Party. Kosovo's energy regulator said it may increase energy prices by up to 50 percent for most consumers. Kosovo, a country of 1.8 million people, has been facing an energy crisis since December 2021, when the prices of imported power increased sevenfold compared to the year before.

Kosovo sends two athletes to Beijing despite backing US boycott (BIRN)

Many athletes will be taking the road to China on Saturday for the Winter Olympics in Beijing that start in a few days, on February 4.

A day before the athletes departed, the Kosovo Olympic Committee on Friday held a press conference where it clarified that Kosovo will send two representatives.

“Despite the poor infrastructure in Kosovo, we will have two athletes representing us. Out of 200 countries, only 90 countries are expected to participate in these games, and we are happy that Kosovo is among them,” Ismet Krasniqi, from the Kosovo Olympic Committee, said.

The President of the Kosovo Ski Federation, Milaim Kelmendi, said their goal is to be ranked among the top 30 countries at the games. According to him, this would be a great success.

Kiana Kryeziu, 17, is the first woman to represent Kosovo in Olympic skiing, a sport she started at a young age. ”From the age of 10 I have been dealing professionally with this sport, so participating in the Olympics is an opportunity I could not refuse,” she said.

“I am happy to be the first woman to represent Kosovo; I have had support from my family because they have also seen my desire and dedication to this sport,” she added.

Her training has cost the family a large sum but financial support from sponsors gave her the opportunity to train in Austria and Italy last year.

Kiana has made preparations for the Olympics together with her coach Agim Pupovci.

Skier Albin Tahiri, 32, was the first athlete from Kosovo to compete in the last Winter Olympics at PyeongChang in 2018.

This is the second time Tahiri will be representing Kosovo at an Olympics. “Every time I have competed for Kosovo it has been a very good feeling. I hope I will give my best in these Olympics,” he said.

Tahiri was born and raised in Slovenia. Before leaving for China, the team was handed the flag of state by the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani.

China is among a number of countries that do not recognize Kosovo’s independence, proclaimed in 2008, but despite that, its athletes will be represented under the state flag.

Meanwhile, President Osmani has decided to support the US diplomatic boycott of the games on account of China’s rights abuses, especially against ethnic Uighurs.

Bekim Kupina, an adviser to President Osmani, said that the boycott would not affect sportsmen and women competing in the games.

“This diplomatic boycott means that competing teams will participate in the Games, but the President of Kosovo will boycott all the official ceremonies and activities for the heads of delegations during the games,” Kupina explained.

Kosovo became a member of the International Olympic Committee in 2014.

Hope and healing in Kosovo’s Oscar entry ‘Hive’ (AP)

Last January, filmmaker Blerta Basholli was just happy she had gotten into the Sundance Film Festival with her debut feature “Hive.” The Albanian-language film about a woman who starts her own business after the Kosovo War was an inspirational gem, but Basholli hadn’t even dared to dream of just how far they would go.

Not only did it become the first film in Sundance history to win the top three awards in the world cinema competition, now it has a strong chance of becoming Kosovo’s first Oscar contender in the best international feature category.

“Hive,” which comes to video on demand on Feb. 1 and The Criterion Channel on Feb. 9, is based on the true story of Fahrije Hoti, who during the 1998-1999 Kosovo War fled her small town of Krusha e Madhe with her young children. When she returned, her husband was missing and likely dead and she had no way of supporting her family. Bucking tradition and expectations, Hoti banded together with fellow war widows and began jarring and selling homemade ajvar, a condiment made with red peppers, to local markets.

Her business, Kooperativa Krusha, is still operating today.

Basholli came across Hoti’s story in the news years ago, around the time she was getting her MFA from New York University. She knew it should be a film and that Yllka Gashi, a well-known actor in Kosovo, should star. Basholli and Gashi met with Hoti around 2011 and it further reinforced their mission to tell her story. But it would take almost nine years to get the film off the ground and another two before it would have its Cinderella moment at Sundance.

Serbian media: Albanians attacked police in Kursumlija (Klan Kosova)

Some Serbian media reported on Sunday evening about an armed incident in the village of Rastelica in Kursumlija. Without quoting official sources, TV stations RTS and B92 and newspaper Novosti and Kurir reported that “a dozen of Albanian illegal wood cutters” fired from automatic rifles at the police on Sunday afternoon and then fled in the direction of Kosovo. Neither Serbian police nor army have reacted to confirm or deny the incident.