UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, July 6, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti: Kosovo government is committed to full cooperation with NATO (media)

Osmani: Kosovo will continue to work closely with NATO (media)

Goffus: It is urgent to take concrete steps for de-escalation (media)

Osmani: Kosovo committed to the rule of law (RTK)

EU: Declaring two organizations in north as terrorists, unilateral decision (Koha)

German and French Ambassadors interview with Klan Kosova

President Osmani to meet Albanian PM Rama today (media)

Haradinaj: We are for a government of national unity, including LVV (media)

Kusari responds to Haradinaj: The citizens have decided differently (TeVe1)

Zvecan Deputy Mayor meets Kurti, discuss investments and projects (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic to address the public at noon today (RTS)

Lajcak: Meeting with Vucic helped to get clarity about next steps (Tanjug)

OSCE chairman presents in Strasbourg nine-point plan for Kosovo (N1, Beta)

After British MP’s Accusations, Ambassador Abbott meets with Teodosije: The Church plays an important role in improving relations between communities (KoSSev)

Jevtic: Sasa Spasic's appeal was accepted, but he is still in custody (Radio Mitrovica sever, KiM radio)

Less: Kearns has a history of making inaccurate comments on the Balkans, in Britain they are not responding to her claims (Kosovo Online, Blic)

International Media:

Kosovo and Serbia show no progress in defusing tensions -NATO (Reuters)

KFOR Denies Weapons are Smuggled in Ambulances Into North Kosovo (BIRN)

Kurti: Elections in northern municipalities should not be boycotted again (euronews.al)

Moving—bottom-up—beyond the crisis in Kosovo (Social Europe)

Albanian Language Media

Kurti: Kosovo government is committed to full cooperation with NATO (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti hosted on Wednesday the NATO Assistant Secretary General for Operations, Thomas Goffus, and thanked him for NATO’s contribution and role for the liberation and security of Kosovo. "Kosovo with its Western-trained Security Force should become a member of NATO's Partnership for Peace as soon as possible,” Kurti argued.

Kurti informed Goffus about the timeframe of the events from November 5 of last year when the four mayors in the municipalities in the north of Kosovo resigned and said that he is committed to de-escalation and normalization, a press release issued by Kurti’s office notes.

"The rule of law, the absence of violent protests and criminal activities and early elections are the way forward towards de-escalation and for this the government is maximally committed. However, the negative measures of the European Union towards Kosovo as the most democratic country in the Western Balkans, which has sanctioned Russian aggression in Ukraine and which is in harmony with the EU's foreign policy, have created asymmetry in the dialogue,” Kurti said.

Kurti expressed concern about the lack of clarity provided by KFOR about the event of June 14, 2023, when three Kosovo Police officials were kidnapped, despite the abundant evidence provided by Kosovo institutions.

Kurti also raised concerns about reports that weapons have been smuggled into Serbian Orthodox churches through ambulances. "The government of Kosovo is committed to full cooperation and coordination with the NATO mission, KFOR, and that information sharing, and good coordination should contribute to both the rule of law in northern Kosovo and the improvement of the security situation,” he said.

Osmani: Kosovo will continue to work closely with NATO (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani met on Wednesday with NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Operations, Thomas Goffus, and the accompanying delegation from NATO and KFOR. A press release issued by Osmani’s office notes that the meeting focused on the security situation in the north and the steps for its de-escalation.

Osmani thanked Goffus for his visit and emphasized the importance of NATO's presence in ensuring peace and stability in Kosovo. She emphasized Kosovo's deep commitment to NATO partnership and to contribute to regional and global security.

In relation to the security situation in the north, President Osmani emphasized that Kosovo's institutions are committed to overcoming the current challenges and strengthening the rule of law together with international partners.

“Kosovo has demonstrated the will for de-escalation, offering to organize new elections in the north of the country, in accordance with the legal framework of Kosovo,” Osmani said.

Goffus: It is urgent to take concrete steps for de-escalation (media)

NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Operations, Thomas Goffus, said during his visit to Kosovo on Wednesday that no one should attempt a new conflict in Europe and called on both Kosovo and Serbia to respect the Brussels agreement and the implementation annex accorded in Ohrid.

"I came here to confirm NATO's goal of peace and stability. We have not seen progress from Prishtina and Belgrade for de-escalation and this has put the lives of citizens at risk. We had the highest number of injured KFOR soldiers since 1999. This is unacceptable. It is urgent for Pristina and Belgrade to take concrete steps for de-escalation, to dialogue and respect the agreements,” Goffus said in a statement to journalists, after meetings with President Osmani and Prime Minister Kurti.

Goffus also said: ““Effective cooperation is how Kosovo demonstrates it can be an effective security partner to NATO. Unfortunately, we have seen a decline in our practical and political coordination. This runs counter to the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the Kosovar people. I have also shared my strongest expectation that all agreements with NATO will be honoured and implemented. This is essential to ensure that the strong cooperation between NATO and the Institutions in Kosovo is not derailed”.

Goffus argued that both Kosovo and Serbia must engage in constructive fashion in the EU-facilitated dialogue and implement, as soon as possible and in full, the Basic Agreement and its Implementation Annex agreed in Ohrid. “Nobody should risk another conflict in Europe that would undermine the peace and stability gained with such sacrifice,” he added.

Osmani: Kosovo committed to the rule of law (RTK)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani met on Wednesday the new head of EULEX, Giovanni Pietro Barbano, to whom she offered cooperation in terms of the current lawmaking mandate. Osmani initially congratulated Barbano for his mandate, and reiterated Kosovo's aspiration for integration into the European Union.

Furthermore, she emphasized that "Kosovo, as a country that aspires to be integrated into the Euro-Atlantic institutions, is committed to continuous coordination and cooperation to guarantee professional integrity and the implementation of the best international practices."

Osmani also talked about the importance of cooperation in the field of rule of law and fighting organized crime to overcome security challenges, as well as in protecting the rights of women, children and non-majority communities.

EU: Declaring two organizations in north as terrorists, unilateral decision (Koha)

The European Union said on Wednesday that the Kosovo government’s decision to declare the "Civil Defense" and "Northern Brigade" as terrorist organizations was unilateral and does not contribute to the de-escalation of the situation.

In an answer to the news website, EU spokesperson Peter Stano said that the leaders of the 27 EU member states in the European Council last week called for an immediate de-escalation of the situation. "The leaders of the 27 EU member states in the European Council last week called for the immediate de-escalation of the situation in Kosovo. These designations are a one-sided step that does not contribute to the de-escalation of the situation, nor to finding a way to address the existing problems in a sustainable manner," he said.

Stano said that Kosovo and Serbia should refrain from any action or rhetoric that could lead to further escalation of tensions. He also said that both parties must consider the proposal of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.

"We repeat the call for both parties to refrain from any actions or rhetoric that could lead to further escalation of tensions and to take urgent steps to de-escalate the current situation in the north of Kosovo in accordance with the proposal made by HRVP Borrell on June 22,” Stano said.

German and French Ambassadors interview with Klan Kosova

German Ambassador in Kosovo, Jorn Rohde, said in a joint interview with French Ambassador Olivier Guerot for Klan Kosova on Wednesday, that the European Union requests an immediate de-escalation of the situation in the north, and then the implementation of the agreements. According to him, the implementation of the agreements includes the formal presentation of the statute of the Association of Serb-majority municipalities.

"And again, many of the partners and NGOs and the neighboring prime minister have offered a proposal, but the main and most important partner has not put anything on the table and that is the government of Kosovo, and I think it is very important for this to happen," Rohde said.

He further said that there is an urgent need for the government of Kosovo to put something on the table, as according to him, "it's a problem if you don't do this".

Guerot said that Kosovo has an obligation since 2008 to create the Association, as according to him, this has not been done and is not the behavior they expect "from a normal state that acts with other normal states ".

"This remark is not only addressed to the current government, but also to past governments that have not been active in this matter. Now we have a government whose duty is to do something about it. Let me add that we do not want Kosovo to be a dysfunctional state, on the contrary, we clearly see a future for Kosovo within Euro-Atlantic institutions, within the European Union and I can tell you, as an ambassador of a founding state of the EU together with Germany and 4 other countries, the EU is extremely important to us, and the good functioning of the EU is extremely important to us,” Guerot said.

According to him, there are many ways to establish the Association that do not harm Kosovo, as he said that one of the options is the one presented by the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama.

"So there are many ways to establish the Association that do not harm Kosovo, on the contrary, there are ways to establish it to strengthen the cohesion and good functioning of Kosovo. As Jorn said, there have been several proposals that have been presented by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, from neighboring countries. One of the options is the one presented by the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama", he said.

See the complete interview here: https://bit.ly/449YikH

President Osmani to meet Albanian PM Rama today (media)

The Presidency of Kosovo has confirmed that President Vjosa Osmani will receive today the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama. According to the announcement, the meeting will be held at 16:00 hours. "At 16:00, the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, hosts a meeting with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, Edi Rama", the announcement states.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Albin Kurti said on Wednesday that he is ready to meet with Rama only within the framework of the meeting of the two governments.

Haradinaj: We are for a government of national unity, including LVV (media)

Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj, said in a press conference on Wednesday that at the meeting of the leadership of his party they discussed the creation of a government of national unity until the next elections.

According to him, the Kurti government is in a dangerous direction and is endangering Kosovo, therefore they also initiated a motion of no confidence in the government. “Kurti and the Kurti government is in a dangerous direction and is endangering Kosovo, our existence, law enforcement in the north and our relations with the allies. As an opportunity within our democracy to act in the Parliament, today we also discussed other forms and potential actions to face the Kurti government and the dangers it causes to the country. At the same time, we decided to create some structures to deal with the current situation", he said.

Haradinaj said that they also discussed the possibility of a government of national unity where all political parties would be included, including LVV. "We will continue cooperation with the opposition, i.e. with all the MPs of the Parliament of Kosovo excluding the Serbian List, for the motion. According to our belief, we do not have the luxury of going to elections. We also discussed as an option the possibility of a government of national unity where all political parties would be, including LVV. So, a future government without Kurti. It is senseless to continue to behave normally in the Parliament with the usual affairs as it is not a usual situation", he said.

Haradinaj said that they will cooperate with the opposition for boycott in the Assembly but also for the possibility of protests.

Kusari responds to Haradinaj: The citizens have decided differently (TeVe1)

Head of the Vetevendosje parliamentary group, Mimoza Kusari-Lila, in an interview with TeVe1 on Wednesday, thanked AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj for his proposal for a unity government but added that the people’s vote in the last election showed great support for the Kurti-led government. She added that the government has a full mandate with an unseen legitimacy so far after winning over 51 percent of the votes.

Zvecan Deputy Mayor meets Kurti, discuss investments and projects (media)

Deputy Mayor of Zvecan, Sladjana Pantovic, met on Wednesday with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti in Pristina. She said in a Facebook post that they discussed investments in the municipality of Zvecan and cooperation with the central government. Pantovic said one of the main topics were the daily problems faced by the citizens of Zvecan, including unemployment, social cases, aid for farmers, and other issues.

Pantovic also thanked Kurti for his readiness to help the further development of the municipality of Zvecan and to meet and help citizens in every way, “because without trust and cooperation nothing can be achieved”.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic to address the public at noon today (RTS)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will address the public today, the Service for Cooperation with the Media announced, reported RTS.

As stated, President Vucic will address the public at 12:00 p.m., in the building of the General Secretariat of the President of the Republic.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met yesterday Miroslav Lajcak, the EU's special representative for dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina and other regional issues of the Western Balkans.

Lajcak: Meeting with Vucic helped to get clarity about next steps (Tanjug)

The EU special envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Miroslav Lajcak said on Wednesday that the meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade had addressed the way forward in the dialogue, including the need for holding new local elections with participation of Kosovo Serbs.

"We had an honest and open conversation on the way forward, including the need for new local elections with participation of Kosovo Serbs and return to the Dialogue. The meeting and the trip helped to get clarity about next steps," Lajcak wrote on his official Twitter account.

In an Instagram post after the meeting, Vucic said he had warned that Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija were subjected to the "toughest torture and persecution in the last 15 years."

OSCE chairman presents in Strasbourg nine-point plan for Kosovo (N1, Beta)

OSCE Chairman-in-Office Bujar Osmani presented Wednesday to the CoE Committee of Ministers his plan for the normalization of the situation in Kosovo.

Osmani said the nine-point plan is a roadmap for gradual resolving of the situation, which will lead to long-term stability and peace.

The nine-point plan aimed at de-escalating the recent tensions in Kosovo will ensure further normalization, said Osmani, who is also the North Macedonian Foreign Affairs Minister.

He stressed that in all its plans the OSCE Presidency prioritizes people and improvement of their everyday lives.

Osmani published at the beginning of June a nine-step plan for de-escalation and normalization of the situation in north Kosovo.

At a press briefing on July 2, he said he is expecting talks with Belgrade, Pristina and international partners on potential engagement of OSCE in the implementation of the plan.

After British MP’s Accusations, Ambassador Abbott meets with Teodosije: The Church plays an important role in improving relations between communities (KoSSev)

KoSSev portal reported that Bishop Teodosije of Raska and Prizren met yesterday at the Gracanica Monastery with the British Ambassador in Pristina, Nicholas Abbott. The bishop conveyed to the ambassador his deep concern regarding the recent statements made by British MP Ms Alicia Kearns, who claimed that illegal weapons were smuggled through Serbian Orthodox churches in northern Kosovo.

“The bishop emphasised that this allegation, which has since been refuted by KFOR, has significantly worsened the security of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) in Kosovo and Metohija, and may seriously hampers the process of de-escalating tensions in northern Kosovo and the dialogue process,” the Diocese reported.

The bishop also reiterated the Church’s position, which claims to be firmly committed to peace among all residents in Kosovo. Hence, it “cannot allow any abuse or political manipulation of our churches”, reads the communique.

Ambassador Abbott expressed his concerns about current events in the north of Kosovo, the important role of the Church in improving community relations, and the urgent need for de-escalation, stated the Church.