Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Our path is clear, it is the European one (media)

• Osmani to meet Lajcak, and Dutch and Luxembourg PMs today (media)

• EU confirms Lajcak’s visit to Pristina, at Borrell’s request (Reporteri)

• PDK calls for early elections, suspends communication with Kurti, Osmani (media)

• Clinton: Stop the nonsense in the north of Kosovo (Koha)

• Osmani: There is serious potential for escalation in north of Kosovo (RTK)

• “Police actions in north in line with mandate; we are treating complaints” (Koha)

• Svecla comments the arrests for misuse in the MIA (Koha)

• North municipalities aim to join Kosovo Association of Municipalities (Reporteri)

Serbian Language Media: 

• PMs Rutte, Bettel concerned about tensions in Kosovo, Vucic says Serbia will do its best to preserve peace (FoNet, N1, RTS)

• Bill Clinton urges Kosovo government to change behavior toward Serbs (BETA, N1)

• FM Dacic discusses bilateral relations with Russian Ambassador Botsan-Kharchenko (media)

• FM Dacic: Ties between Serbia and Egypt date back to 13th century (media)

International Media:

• Dutch and Luxembourg PMs urge Serbia and Kosovo to defuse tensions under shadow of war in Ukraine (AP)

• Former U.S. President Clinton Visits Albania, Urges Solution To Crisis In Northern Kosovo (RFE)

• Bill Clinton tells Kosovo: stop 'foolishness' in Serb-majority north (Reuters)

• Serb Soldier Given Alibi in Kosovo Wartime Massacre Trial (BIRN)

• Geopolitical Strife Fuels Dangerous Parallel Crises in Balkans (BIRN)

• Press Council of Kosovo Dismisses RTK Board’s Complaint against Kallxo (Prishtina Insight)

• Femicides in Kosovo: a product of a society that normalises gender violence (New Eastern Europe)

Kurti: Our path is clear, it is the European one (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, in marking the 9th anniversary of the establishment of the Council of European Investors on Monday, said that his government is committed to European values such as democracy and the rule of law, and integration into European organizations such as the EU and the Council of Europe. "Our country is definitely European. Our government is wholeheartedly committed to European values such as democracy and the rule of law, and integration into European organizations such as the EU and the Council of Europe. And what follows is our multiple appreciation and commitment: we value public-private dialogue as a tool for better policies, we turn to business associations as actors and partners for change, and we welcome European capital as a driving force for economic growth in Kosovo," he said.

Congratulating the Council on this special day, Kurti spoke about the opportunities that Kosovo offers, the development potential, the work and achievements of the government. He emphasized that the government has undertaken to carry out reforms in a transparent and democratic manner, including engaging in important dialogue with the private sector. Business associations such as the European Investors Council participate in consultations and seminars, ‘which we carefully design to encourage communication and inform decision-making.’

"The Republic of Kosovo is an ideal choice for investors. Our geographical location, talented youth and clean government create many opportunities to be part of transformative projects,” Kurti said. "Our path is clear. It is the European one. And we walk in this mission together."

EU confirms Lajcak’s visit to Pristina, at Borrell’s request (Reporteri)

The EU Press Office confirmed to the news website on Monday that EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak will visit Kosovo and Serbia this week. "After the European Council, last week, the High Representative has asked the EUSR Lajcak to travel to Kosovo and Serbia in the coming days to discuss the way forward," the EU's response notes. "It is an integral part of an emissary's job to travel to see partners on the ground. Emissary Lajcak is regularly in Belgrade, Pristina, EU capitals and other countries, including outside the EU, to carry out his daily work to advance the Dialogue."

Osmani to meet Lajcak, Dutch and Luxembourg PMs today (media)

EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak will arrive in Kosovo today. As announced by the Office of Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, she will meet Lajcak at 15:00 hours. Lajcak will also be meeting with other leaders of Kosovo to discuss the de-escalation of the situation in the north.

Osmani’s office also noted in a press release said that the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, and the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel, will also visit Kosovo on Tuesday. They will meet with President Osmani at 08:30.

PDK calls for early elections, suspends communication with Kurti, Osmani (media)

Leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Memli Krasniqi after the meeting of the Governing Council of his party, announced his positions, starting from the request for extraordinary general elections to the suspension of official communication with Prime Minister Albin Kurti and President Vjosa Osmani. Krasniqi argued that the Kurti-led government has put Kosovo in a rank "with Belarus, Russia, Moldova and Republika Srpska", referring to the measures taken by the USA and the EU towards Kosovo.

"The first and most important thing is that, starting today, we demand that the announcement of the date of early general elections be discussed as soon as possible, either through the resignation of Prime Minister Albin Kurti, or through the dissolution of the Assembly. This parliamentary majority and the past elections have not produced these institutions to destroy every relationship of Kosovo with its Western partners. Second, from today we will no longer vote in any forum of the Assembly of Kosovo, neither in committees nor parliamentary sessions, nor laws, nor decisions, nor resolutions or international agreements. The situation in Kosovo is not normal and we cannot simulate normality, we will not help this arrogant government act normality," Krasniqi said. "As of today, we are suspending all official communication with Prime Minister Kurti and President Osmani, except for emergency and extraordinary situations and to discuss early general elections. These lead Kosovo towards sanctions from the USA. It is these people who brought sanctions and punitive measures from the EU".

Krasniqi said that a "cross-party movement is needed to stop the destruction that Kurti is doing".

"We must all be together to achieve the noble goal. Protagonism has been the enemy of achieving these goals. The motion must be written on paper. The motion today is change of the subject. It is not enough to go to the Assembly with 40 signatures. We will do the utmost to shorten Kurti's governing life", said Krasniqi.

Clinton: Stop the nonsense in the north of Kosovo (Koha)

Former U.S. President, Bill Clinton, during his stay in Albania on Monday, criticized the recent tensions in the north of Kosovo. During the ceremony in Tirana, where he was decorated with the "Star of Appreciation" by the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, the highest honor given by the Prime Minister of Albania, Clinton said that he would never want something like this to happen.

"The Kosovars created those four cities for the benefit of the Serbs, to give them four more mayors. So I think now they made a mistake. I think it is easy for Albanians in the majority to try to take advantage of the moment to present their argument. But the real thing to do is to stop this nonsense. What major political issue can be advanced by having tension? There are people who live there, they need to have decent government," said Clinton. "Citizens need to be told that you should always vote."

He was welcomed in Tirana by several Kosovar children and young people who bore his name or the name of his wife Hillary.

Osmani: There is serious potential for escalation in north of Kosovo (RTK)

The Foreign Minister of North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani, has called on the authorities of Kosovo, but also those of Serbia, to accept the EU plan for de-escalation of the situation in the north. In an interview with RTK, he said that there is serious potential for the escalation of the situation with multiple consequences for Kosovo, Serbia and the entire region.

"I think it is in the interest of Kosovo and Serbia to start the implementation process of the de-escalation plan immediately, because there is a general assessment that there is a serious potential for an escalation there with multiple consequences for Kosovo and Serbia, but also for the whole region. Therefore, every day delayed in this direction goes to the detriment of the region, but especially to the detriment of Kosovo," Osmani said.

He said that from the beginning, he has followed the developments in the north with great attention, both as the Foreign Minister of a country that is a neighbor of two countries, Kosovo and Serbia, but also as OSCE Chairperson-in-Office.

“Police actions in north in line with mandate; we are treating complaints” (Koha)

Head of the Kosovo Police Inspectorate, Kushtrim Hodaj, said in an interview with KTV on Monday that the actions of Kosovo Police in the north are in line with its constitutional mandate, but that the Inspectorate makes sure it investigates allegations of exceeding of authorisations by its police officers in the north.

Hodaj did not comment on accusations by Serbian List officials who claim that explosions in the north are being planted to justify the presence of Kosovo Police specialized units there. “We don’t comment on statements by political parties. We consider that Kosovo Police is in its legal and constitutional mandate, it is carrying out its duties, in all parts of the country, including the north. The north in particular has its specifics and a certain level of risk because of the situation there,” he said.

Hodaj also said that “in the last months, we have not received any complaints from the citizens in the north. But we have initiated investigations following the public statements of some citizens that they were mistreated, and also following statements by officials of different institutions, or from the Republic of Serbia, who claimed they were mistreated by members of the Kosovo Police”.

Svecla comments the arrests for misuse in the MIA (Koha)

Kosovo’s Minister of the Interior Xhelal Svecla has reacted after the arrests of three officials of the ministry he leads, for abuse of office and bribery in connection with tendering procedures. Svecla said that no one will be above the law, and anyone who has acted contrary will face justice.

"The economic crimes of the Kosovo Police took action today in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, precisely in the Procurement Department. On this occasion, three officials of the Ministry were arrested as well as the owner together with a worker of a construction company, four of whom, according to the official announcement of the Police, were detained for 48 hours. We have already proven it, but I reiterate that no one will be above the law. Anyone who has acted in any way contrary to the law, will face justice," Svecla wrote in a Facebook post.

North municipalities aim to join Kosovo Association of Municipalities (Reporteri)

Similar to Leposavic and Mitrovica North, the municipality of Zubin Potok, according to its mayor, aims for membership in the Association of Municipalities of Kosovo and connection to KEDS to start paying for electricity. Mitrovica North has made these two requests several days ago but has not yet received an official response. In addition to this, this municipality is waiting for answers  to release the Ibri bridge for traffic and to reconstruct the mosque destroyed during the last war in Kosovo.

Serbian Language Media

PMs Rutte, Bettel concerned about tensions in Kosovo, Vucic says Serbia will do its best to preserve peace (FoNet, N1, RTS)

The growing tensions between Belgrade and Pristina have us concerned, as well as the violence against the civilians, journalists and European Union (EU) and NATO missions in Kosovo, Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte said, stressing that both sides need to take steps towards de-escalation and then also towards normalization within the EU-facilitated dialogue.

Stable relations are of vital importance for the both and their European integration, as is rule of law, protection of minorities, freedom of media and the fight against disinformation, Rutte told a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel in Belgrade.

Vucic: Serbia implemented two de-escalation measures, third must be simultaneous

President Vucic said he and the two prime ministers have different views on Kosovo, but that Serbia knows what its job is. I promised that Serbia will do its best to preserve peace and stability, Vucic said.

I am somewhat scared because never in my political career have I seen that level of irresponsibility on the part of some in the region, he added.

The Serbian President said that Serbia has implemented two out of three measures to de-escalate the situation in the north of Kosovo, while Pristina and Belgrade must implement the last one simultaneously.

“The Community of Serb Municipalities (CSM) includes not only four municipalities, but also another six south of the Ibar River. The Brussels Agreement was not implemented in its most important part, namely the formation of the CSM, signed 10 years ago, and the formation of the CSM was a prerequisite for Serbia to fulfill everything else. There is no hope that we will soon see the formation of the CSM”, Vucic said.

Read more at: rb.gy/4so5x

Bill Clinton urges Kosovo government to change behavior toward Serbs (BETA, N1)

Former US President Bill Clinton said in Tirana, Albania, that he is concerned about the situation in northern Kosovo and called on the representatives of Kosovo institutions to change their behavior toward the Serb community, N1 reports.

At a ceremony organized in his honor in Tirana Clinton called on the Kosovo government to show the world what an “inclusive future” looks like, referring to the rights of the Serb minority in four northern Kosovo municipalities, N1 adds.

If you think about these four cities, a far cry from any modern scientific laboratory, where the behavior that is driving the world today is modeled, as it is run by people who prefer dominance over cooperation. I hope that Albania will be able to show the world what an inclusive future looks like, Clinton said. 

On the first day of his two-day visit to Albania at the invitation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, Clinton said he was certain that the US is committed to Albania’s freedom, strength and integrity. Clinton told the ceremony that he was left speechless by his reception.

Rama praised Clinton for his role in ending the war in Kosovo in 1999, highlighting his speech of March that year, in which he announced NATO’s intervention.

FM Dacic discusses bilateral relations with Russian Ambassador Botsan-Kharchenko (media)

Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Ivica Dacic and Russian Ambassador to Serbia, Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko discussed current political issues on Monday.

The two officials exchanged opinions on the current situation in the world and developments in the country and region, the Serbian Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

Dacic and Botsan-Kharchenko also discussed bilateral relations, both voicing commitment to the further deepening of political and economic relations between the two countries, the Ministry adds. 

FM Dacic: Ties between Serbia and Egypt date back to 13th century (media)

We are proud of the fact that this year we mark 115 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations with Egypt, Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Ivica Dacic said, noting that ties between the two countries date back to the period of Saint Sava, the first head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, who had visited Alexandria and Sinai as far back in the past as the 13th century.

Dacic said Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito and Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser had given special impetus to the relations between Serbia and Egypt.

“As founders of the Non-Aligned Movement they created a new world on whose foundations we have for generations been fostering and promoting the relations of friendship”, Dacic said at the opening of the “Serbia and Egypt – Through Historical Ties to a Stable Future and Partnership”, meeting organized by the Institute of International Politics and Economics.

The Minister reiterated that Serbia is grateful to Egypt for its understanding of Serbia’s positions and interests and for its constructive approach regarding the issue of Kosovo. He said he believes that Egypt will continue to honor international law and UN principles and respect the interests of Serbia as a sincere and proven friend.

Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry said Cairo and Belgrade have a strong strategic partnership and that it is important to look ahead and secure cooperation in the future.

International Media

Dutch and Luxembourg PMs urge Serbia and Kosovo to defuse tensions under shadow of war in Ukraine (AP)

The prime ministers of the Netherlands and Luxembourg on Monday urged Serbia and Kosovo to act to defuse recent tensions that have threatened to push the Balkan region into instability as Europe faces Russia's aggression in Ukraine.

Dutch PM Mark Rutte and Xavier Bettel, the Luxembourg PM, spoke after meeting Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade. Rutte and Bettel travel to Kosovo on Tuesday for meetings with top officials there.

“We cannot, both of us, emphasize enough how important it is that both Serbia and Kosovo take steps toward de-escalation and ultimately normalization of their relations through the EU-led dialogue,” said Rutte.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3XA0rDI

Former U.S. President Clinton Visits Albania, Urges Solution To Crisis In Northern Kosovo (RFE)

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, during a visit to Albania, called for a solution to the crisis in northern Kosovo that has severely raised tensions between the Pristina government and the country’s Serb minority and with neighboring Serbia.

"There is a dispute going on in Kosovo that I wish had never happened. It is not in my hands, but in the hands of the Kosovars. I think the authorities made a mistake in holding elections for four new mayors [during a boycott]," Clinton said in a speech in Tirana on July 3, the first day of a two-day visit.

"They need to take advantage of the moment to stop this nonsense. What big political issue can be advanced by having these tensions? The people in those municipalities need decent government and citizens need to vote," he said.

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

Bill Clinton tells Kosovo: stop 'foolishness' in Serb-majority north (Reuters)

TIRANA, July 3 (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, largely credited for ending the Kosovo war more than two decades ago, on Monday told Kosovo's government to stop its actions in the Serb majority north, where tension has flared over the past few months.

Kosovo's northern region, home to 50,000 ethnic Serbs, has recently seen its worst tensions since Pristina declared independence from Serbia in 2008.

Violence erupted in late May after ethnic Albanian mayors took office following a local election in which turnout was just 3.5% after Serbs boycotted the vote.

"It's easy for the Albanians now in the majority to try to use the moment to make a point. But the real thing we need to do is to stop this foolishness," Clinton said during a ceremony in Tirana where he received a medal from Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama.

Read more at: rb.gy/6hpvh

Serb Soldier Given Alibi in Kosovo Wartime Massacre Trial (BIRN)

Tijana Vasic, the former sister-in-law of Milan Ivanovic, told Belgrade Higher Court on Monday that the defendant was at home with his family when the massacre of Kosovo Albanians in which he was allegedly involved took place in April 1999.

Vasic said that Ivanovic, who according to the indictment was a Yugoslav Army soldier, spent the whole period of the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, from Mar 24, 1999 to Jun 10, 1999, at home in the city of Pec/Peja in Kosovo.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3CZ4nV2

Geopolitical Strife Fuels Dangerous Parallel Crises in Balkans (BIRN)

The Bosnian Serb leadership’s recent step towards legal secession from the rest of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in combination with an escalation of violence in northern Kosovo, are threatening to plunge the Balkans into new chaos – and possibly new ethnic conflicts.

Political tensions have exploded across Bosnia since the assembly of Bosnia’s Serb-dominated entity, Republika Srpska, passed a law declaring rulings of Bosnia’s state-level Constitutional Court non-applicable in the entity.

These renewed Balkan troubles are developing amidst geopolitical strife exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. While already deeply intertwined, further cross-fertilization of these parallel storms could bring catastrophic results for the Balkans and all Europe as well.

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

Press Council of Kosovo Dismisses RTK Board’s Complaint against Kallxo (Prishtina Insight)

Kallxo media outlet has won the case against the Board of Kosovo national broadcaster in the Press Council of Kosovo regarding a complaint this broadcaster made against a news article.

Press Council of Kosovo, PCK, has rejected the complaint made by the Radio and Television Board of Kosovo, RTK, against Kallxo.com regarding an article published on May 1.

The Board’s complaint was to a news article related to the writing of a communique by the Independent Trade Union of RTK, expressing concerns about the rights of RTK workers on International Labor Day.

The Press Council, in its decision on June 7, dismissed the allegations made by the Board of RTK, considering them unfounded.

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

Femicides in Kosovo: a product of a society that normalises gender violence (New Eastern Europe)

According to the NGO, from 2017 to 2020 there were at least 74 cases of femicide in Kosovo. Domestic violence cases reported to the police increased from 1,038 in 2015 to 2,069 in 2020. The government in Pristina has no official statistics on femicides. The cases officially reported in the last two years amount to nine, according to the report published by Kosovo Women Network. What distinguished the latest cases was the response of the population, which took to the streets en masse to protest against the state’s light hand, the perpetrators and a “macho” society. The most frequently used slogans in the protests were #notonemore, and #edukodjalin (educate your son).

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3NZ8SoO