• Prime Minister Kurti meets Quint ambassadors, discuss dialogue (media)
• Lajcak: Serbia considers Association most important point in dialogue (Kallxo)
• Lajcak to give press conference at end of his Kosovo visit (media)
• Kosovars fume at new delay in accessing EU visa-free travel (AP)
• Kurti meets Davenport, discusses respect for minority rights (media)
• The European Commission confirms - there is no new visa roadmap (RTK)
• Coordinator for establishment of Sovereign Fund is appointed (RTK)
• Minister Haxhiu admits she is being hindered in the Vetting process (media)
• Kosovo police arrest Serb for ‘inciting hatred’ after battle commemoration (BIRN)
• Kosovo dancers feel out of step with neglectful governments (BIRN)
• “Let’s light up the Balkans” (Kosovo 2.0)

Prime Minister Kurti meets Quint ambassadors, discuss dialogue (media)

Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, met on Tuesday with the ambassadors of QUINT countries and the EU Special Representative in Kosovo and discussed political developments in Kosovo and the political situation in the region. The meeting also focused on the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia and other related topics.

"Kurti reiterated that the government of Kosovo is committed to a principled dialogue, from which the citizens of both countries should benefit, through a legally binding agreement, which focuses on mutual recognition," a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office noted.

They talked about the license plate agreement, which expired on April 21 this year, as well as the proposal of the government of Kosovo to address the issue of license plates.

The agreement on the implementation of the energy roadmap under the 2013 and 2015 agreements was also discussed.

"The government's commitment to the implementation of the roadmap, in order to end an inherited problem of energy supply and payment in the municipalities of Leposavic, Zubin Potok, Zvecan and North Mitrovica was also emphasized," the statement said.

It was stressed that with this agreement, tens of millions of euros of the budget of Kosovo paid earlier to cover the energy costs of municipalities in northern Kosovo, will be saved per year.

Lajcak: Serbia considers Association most important point in dialogue (Kallxo)

Special Representative of the European Union for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Miroslav Lajcak, said in an interview with Kallxo on Tuesday that the Association of Serb-majority municipalities is an agreement that was ratified by the Kosovo Assembly, therefore, he argued it is not a technical but a political agreement. Lajcak said the Serbian side considers it as the most important point in the dialogue. “For me it is a matter of principles of international laws, so pacta sunt servanda, which means that the agreements reached must be implemented. According to Lajcak, this is not the main agreement. He said it is in the interest of both sides not to avoid this pledge but to start talking about how they will address it. “No, it is not the main agreement, because as I said all agreements signed in the past must be implemented. The course of issues needs to be agreed upon by the parties but certainly this issue is regularly raised by Serbia, but I think it is in the interest of both sides, Serbia and Kosovo, not to avoid this pledge but to start talking about how to address it,” he said.

Lajcak to give press conference at end of his Kosovo visit (media)

Special Representative of the European Union for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Miroslav Lajcak, will give a press conference today at 10:00 at the end of his visit to Kosovo.

Kosovars fume at new delay in accessing EU visa-free travel (AP)

The European Union’s delay in allowing visa-free travel for the people of Kosovo has spread dismay and resentment in the continent’s newest state, and one Pristina businessman has retaliated by hitting EU officials where it hurts — the stomach.

Mama’s restaurant owner Shpetim Pevqeli, 50, who has catered for more than a decade to employees at the EU’s rule of law mission headquarters across the road, put up a sign Tuesday reading: “Protest, no entry, for EU citizens without visa.”

While that may seem no more than a stunt, frustration among Kosovars over the delay in getting into the 27-nation bloc’s so-called Schengen visa-free travel area is real. As things are, they have to wait for hours to apply for a visa to the EU, where many have family members living.

“I have an official invitation from Austria. But I have been waiting and waiting and waiting. What can I do next?” said an angry Faik Ibriqi, 60, queueing at the Swiss diplomatic representation office where many Kosovars apply for the Schengen visa.

Last week Kosovars had hoped that EU leaders meeting to discuss, among other things, their country’s accession prospects would rule on the matter. But it was not discussed.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3QY9NFF

Kurti meets Davenport, discusses respect for minority rights (media)

Prime Minister Albin Kurti met Tuesday with the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Michael Davenport. They discussed about the latest developments in the Kosovo and the actions of the government in the field of protection and respect for minority rights.

According to the announcement from the Prime Minister's Office, Ambassador Davenport expressed his satisfaction with the agreement reached on the roadmap for the implementation of the energy agreement, as well as the proceeding of the Balkan Studies program at the University of Prishtina. He also thanked the Prime Minister for his recent video addresses in Serbian.

“Respect for human rights, the rule of law and the equality of citizens are the values ​​and priorities of the government," said Prime Minister Kurti. "They benefit because everyone has contributed," the statement said.

"Kurti and Davenport also spoke about minority learning centers as important mechanisms in reducing the number of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian children dropping out of school and enabling their further integration into the education system," the statement said.

Emphasizing the need for support for these centers, the Prime Minister said that integration becomes more possible when the citizens of Kosovo learn and work together.

The European Commission confirms - there is no new visa roadmap (RTK)

There will be no new roadmap for visa liberalization for Kosovo. This was confirmed by Ana Pisonero, spokeswoman for the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi.

In a written response, Pisonero clarified the assertions of Commissioner Varhelyi, who the day before, expressed the European Commission's readiness to prepare a roadmap on specific issues.

"The Commission continues to stand behind its assessment of July 2018, that Kosovo has met all the standards for visa liberalization set out in the Roadmap for Visa Liberalization from 2012, regarding readmission and reintegration, security of documents, migration and border management, public order and security and fundamental rights, regarding freedom of movement," Pisonero said.

According to her, the decision to abolish visas for Kosovo citizens is a delayed decision, which is pending in the EU Council.

"We acknowledge that some member states have concerns pending on issues such as the fight against corruption, false asylum claims and the security of documents covered by the roadmap," Pisonero said.

Speaking on behalf of this EU institution, the EC official also confirmed her readiness to support further work and cooperation between member states and the Kosovo authorities to address these issues.

Pisonero said that once visa liberalization for Kosovo is approved, the European Commission will further monitor the continued implementation of the requirements through the visa suspension mechanism and the Stabilization and Association process.

Coordinator for establishment of Sovereign Fund is appointed (RTK)

The importance of accelerating the process of functionalization of the Sovereign Fund, was emphasized by Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti at the opening of the meeting of the Executive Commission for the Sovereign Fund. "Discussions were held on the functioning of the working group that will be responsible for drafting the law on the Sovereign Fund. Based on the proposal deriving from the Concept Paper approved by the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, the decision was approved to appoint Ms. Rrezarta Pllana as coordinator for the functioning of the Sovereign Fund," the statement said.

"The coordinator will be responsible for the structuring of public enterprises, as well as the proposal for the establishment of the group of experts, who will become part of the working group for drafting the Law on the Sovereign Fund," the announcement reads.

Minister Haxhiu admits she is being hindered in the Vetting process (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Justice Albulena Haxhiu said in an extensive interview with RTK on Tuesday that she is being hindered in reforms in the judiciary, but said that no one will be able to hinder the Vetting process.

"Unfortunately, the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council is being used as an institution, so that then the interests of individuals within the system come out ostensibly as the position of the KPC and this should not happen. Such an institution must not be misused under any circumstances, to set various obstacles in relation to our efforts for justice reform. Justice reform is not intended to remove or eliminate individuals within the justice system. The reforms we have launched cannot remain hostage to individuals. They will continue. And to make it as good as possible, I invite everyone to be present in the working groups. "

The Minister said that every recommendation of the Venice Commission will be respected.

Kosovo police arrest Serb for ‘inciting hatred’ after battle commemoration (BIRN)

Kosovo police said they arrested Serbian citizen Nikola Nedeljkovic from Belgrade for “inciting hatred and discord” after a memorial service on Tuesday dedicated to the fighters of 1389 Battle of Kosovo.

The service was held at the Gazimestan monument near Kosovo’s capital, Pristina. It coincides with the Serbian Orthodox religious holiday of Vidovdan (St. Vitus Day).

The police added that they stopped ten Montenegro citizens at the Vermice and Kula crossing points and found T-shirts they suspected to be offensive.

“During a check on their vehicles, police found T-shirts with inscriptions alleged to incite hatred,” the police statement said.

According to photos that the police sent with the press release, the T-shirts had the slogan “Rejoice, Serbian people” (“Veseli se, srpski rode”), and drawings of map of Serbia including Kosovo and a picture of famous Montenegrin medieval poet Petar Petrovic Njegos.

Earlier on Tuesday, news website KosSev reported that a dozen policemen were stationed at the entrance to the Gazimestan monument, checking whether people were wearing T-shirts with potentially offensive ethnic slogans, such as “Kosovo is Serbia” or “Kosovo and Metohija”, and that visitors’ backpacks and bags were being searched.

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

Kosovo dancers feel out of step with neglectful governments (BIRN)

With no designated opera or ballet house to call their own – and not much in terms of subsidies – professional dancers say it’s high time they received more institutional support.

Kosovo’s culture scene has been in turmoil in recent months with cancellations of music festivals occurring left and right and professional dancers vocalizing their discontent with the institutional negligence that has left them performing in poor conditions.

In the latest setback, on June 10, the National Theatre in Pristina had to cancel a ballet owing to a bad smell caused by sewage canals overflowing due to rain.

Local media report the Ministry of Culture promising to conduct a full restoration of the theatre after the Construction Faculty of the University of Pristina concluded that partial reparations will not fix the damage. Nevertheless, a project of work has yet to be compiled.

Kosovo still has no designated Opera and Ballet Theatre. Pristina municipality decided on a suitable location only in late April, after parliament voted to establish a Kosovo Opera in 2021.

Dance professionals claim the lack of infrastructure and investment has halted their advancement, while the government pledges to fix the issues with the Minister of Culture, Hajrullah Ceku, promising a revolution in culture.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3OwK7Ov

“Let’s light up the Balkans” (Kosovo 2.0)

How an Albanian wedding tune became the Serbian song of the summer.

Serbian pop-folk singer Tea Tairović’s career exploded in May 2021 when she released her smash hit “Hajde.” The song has racked up 75 million plays on YouTube and some fans love the exotic beat, driving bass line and synthesizer interludes so much that, according to Serbian tabloids, she sang the song 47 times back to back at a wedding party in Berlin and earned 14,000 euros in tips. Though she later clarified that she did not literally sing the song 47 times, she said she did indeed sing it many times because “at private events, I sing what they ask for.”

The song is a banger. Propelled onward in an endless loop by its irresistible rhythm, it brings down the house at weddings or the club. It was the clear song of the summer in Serbia in 2021 and a hit across the Balkans, fitting given that it starts with the line “Let’s light up the Balkans tonight” (“Nek noćas gori Balkan”) and has as its title what is perhaps the most quintessential Balkan word there is — hajde, let’s go, let’s do it, come on!

When asked about the song’s success, Tairović said, “A hit is not cabbage. It’s not furniture that you can just make. It’s very subjective.” Pop hits, she seems to be saying, are always unpredictable. It’s difficult to know what’s going to do well, let alone what will succeed across borders.

But part of the song’s success surely comes from its proud Balkanness, a Balkanness that Tairović recognized in her song’s source material — the Albanian wedding song “Hajde luj qyqek” — and then amplified.

The story of how an Albanian wedding song became a Serbian pop-folk mega-hit is both more complex and more mundane than you might think. And tracing the path this song took illuminates the reality of cultural transmission in the Balkan pop music scene today and can reorient preconceived notions about where cultural boundaries do and don’t exist.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/39VIprf