UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 21, 2022

Kosovo Government in communication with Quint over Serbian elections (Koha/KP)
Serbia's elections "without implications" to Kosovo's sovereignty (Koha)
Borrell: Time to move forward on EU integration in the Western Balkans (media)
Kosovo leaders, Kurti and Osmani, meet a White House delegation (media)
U.S. expresses support for Kosovo and Bosnia (media)
Leaders of Austria, Kosovo Urge for Visa Liberalization, Regional Security (Exit)
Haziri: Government to wake up, prevent destabilisation of Kosovo (media)
Von Cramon: Do not raise expectations over NATO membership (RTK)
Ceku: It is possible for Kosovo to join NATO in these circumstances (RTV21)
EULEX reinforcements begin arriving in Kosovo (media)
World Bank approves a 50-million-euro support for Kosovo (Kallxo)
COVID-19: 31 new cases, no deaths (media)

Kosovo Government in communication with Quint over Serbian elections (Koha/KP)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti said with regards to Serbian elections taking place in the territory of Kosovo that "we want to uphold in Kosovo the Constitution, laws and the 15 January resolution. At the same time, we do not want to prevent, make it impossible for citizens of Kosovo, that may be bearers of Serbia's passports, to exercise their right to vote."

Kosovo Government spokesperson Perparim Kryeziu told Koha that there is no official request from Serbia to allow elections take place in Kosovo and that the Government will act responsibly. "We are in continuous contact with Quint countries to achieve an agreement that offers an adequate solution in line with good will and at the same time with the rule of law and best international practices," Kryeziu said.

On Friday, Kurti told reporters that he was “optimistic about the way forward.” “We need peace in the Western Balkans and I do not believe that April 3 will be any different," Kurti is quoted by Kosovapress.

Serbia's elections "without implications" to Kosovo's sovereignty (Koha)

Serbia's request for holding elections in the territory of Kosovo has not yet received an outcome, Koha reports. It adds that while the Kosovo government is awaiting a formal request to find a modality that enables Serbs to exercise their right, former president of the Constitutional Court of Kosovo, Enver Hasani, says that unlike the referendum, the elections do not violate Kosovo's sovereignty and constitutional order even if the process would be facilitated by the OSCE mission.

"Elections should not be taken as a matter of state dignity and sovereignty, because they are not. They were previously organized or rather facilitated by the OSCE, because the Serbian side made a request for such a thing. The OSCE, like any other international organization, is not a bearer of sovereignty, therefore organising them, on behalf of Kosovo, would not present a problem and is completely legitimate. So, the issue of sovereignty is not affected," Hasani said.

Borrell: Time to move forward on EU integration in the Western Balkans (media)

Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, wrote on his blog about last week's visit to North Macedonia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina. He said the leaders there were clear in condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the three countries have joined our sanctions against Russia. He said the future of the Western Balkans lies within the EU and the region is "not our backyard but our courtyard."

He noted that even before the war in Ukraine, "there was a worrying resurgence of tensions in the region, particularly within Bosnia and Herzegovina and between Serbia and Kosovo." "I underlined firmly the EU’s commitment to support the Western Balkans even more and to take forward the region’s future in the European Union," Borrell said.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3tmFvm1

Kosovo leaders, Kurti and Osmani, meet a White House delegation (media)

Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti and President Vjosa Osmani held meetings on Friday with a delegation from the White House headed by Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, Homeland Security Advisor and Special Assistant to President Biden.

Kurti expressed appreciation for the United States' support for Kosovo and noted that Kosovo and its people will always stand ready to respond to the call for help from the U.S. “They spoke about the Russian military invasion and aggression in Ukraine, the new political situation and the need for increased vigilance in this part of Europe,” a press release from the Government of Kosovo quotes Kurti as saying.

Osmani meanwhile reiterated Kosovo’s clear commitment to join NATO’s Partnership for Peace program as a first step in full integration into the North Atlantic Alliance. A communique issued by the presidency quotes Osmani as saying: “Today, Kosovo is a strong advocate for peace and security in the region and beyond, and we continue to be the most pro-American and pro-European country in the world. It is the determination of our people to further strengthen our political, military and economic relations.”

Meanwhile, the White House readout of the meeting states that Dr. Sherwood-Randall reiterated the United States’ steadfast commitment to Kosovo’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and regional security, as demonstrated through U.S. enduring leadership in NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission and substantive support for the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) as it continues its 10-year transition plan. Dr. Sherwood-Randall expressed deep thanks to President Osmani and Prime Minister Kurti for Kosovo’s ongoing support for temporarily hosting vulnerable Afghans at Camp Liya as they transition to future homes, for Kosovo’s partnership in countering terrorism, and for Kosovo’s acts of solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

U.S. expresses support for Kosovo and Bosnia (media)

The White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki was asked during a press briefing to comment on concerns that Russia and China are spreading their influence in the Western Balkans, especially Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.

“And President is a friend of the Bosnians and the Kosovans. Can you assure people over there that America is still with them?” Psaki was asked by a reporter. She replied: “Absolutely. Please — please send that directly.”

Leaders of Austria, Kosovo Urge for Visa Liberalization, Regional Security (Exit)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Chancellor Karl Nehammer of Austria discussed ways to speed up Kosovo’s EU accession and stressed the need for the EU to lift the visa barrier for the last country in the Western Balkans.

In his visit to Prishtina on Friday, Chancellor Nehammer was welcomed in a state ceremony by his counterpart Albin Kurti, with whom they held a joint press conference after the meeting. The Chancellor also met with President Vjosa Osmani later.

Kurti asked Nehammer to push for Schengen area visa liberalization for Kosovo, and requested more EU funds for his country.

“I asked the Chancellor for Austria to push forward at the European Council the decision for visa liberalization, because it is a belated decision that is harming Kosovo citizens, businesses and economy. Kosovo should benefit more from EU funds. EU funds should be related to EU values,” Kurti stated.

Kosovo has fulfilled all EU requirements for visa liberalization since 2018 but its people remain the only one in the region unable to move freely. In addition, it is ranked higher than some regional countries in corruption and human rights indexes but they nevertheless receive more EU funds despite declining EU values in their homes.

Kurti praised traditionally strong relations between the two countries, and reassured Nehammer of Kosovo’s reliable partnership in the future.

“We have sheltered Afghan refugees, imposed sanctions on Russia and are open to shelter Ukrainian refugees,” he stated. Kurti’s government has offered to take in 20 journalists fleeing Ukraine and 5,000 refugees.

Chancellor Nehammer stressed that the Western Balkans is an important geostrategic area, and Austria will be a connecting bridge between the region and the European Union.

“We also discussed with the Prime Minister the acceleration of the EU accession process […] Kosovo must be in the EU,” the Chancellor stated.

The two leaders also discussed Russian aggression in Ukraine. Nehammer said countries should help each-other in coping with war consequences, including inflation and energy.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3D0sMIT

Haziri: Government to wake up, prevent destabilisation of Kosovo (media)

Deputy leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Lutfi Haziri warned about the threat of Kosovo's destabilisation. "In 2016, I warned that Russian penetration is continuing with strategy in the Balkans. Today, in light of the war between Ukraine and Russia, the threat of Balkans destabilisation. It is final time for the Government to wake up and together with all our mechanisms and strategic partners prevent the tendencies for destabilisation of Kosovo," he wrote on social media.

Von Cramon: Do not raise expectations over NATO membership (RTK)

Viola von Cramon, European Parliament rapporteur for Kosovo, said she didn't believe Kosovo could soon be accepted to NATO as a member. "I can understand that this country has suffered a lot in the war and still doesn't feel comfortable in this neighbourhood, there is always will and desire to ensure a greater protection and more security from the Alliance,” von Cramon told RTK.

She added however that at the moment she was not sure there would be enough fabourable votes for Kosovo to join NATO. “I would not raise expectations at this stage.” Von Cramon said she did not share the same view with regards to Kosovo's membership in Council of Europe. "I hope a majority would be achieved."

Ceku: It is possible for Kosovo to join NATO in these circumstances (RTV21)

Agim Ceku, Kosovo's former prime minister as well as ex minister of the Kosovo Security Force, said that when it comes to security urgencies, everything can move through accelerated procedures, including Kosovo's membership in NATO.

Ceku said it was important for the countries like the United States, United Kingdom and Germany to support Kosovo's membership bid. He said the world needs to know that the security and stability in the Western Balkans are fragile and "elements that make peace sustainable are Kosovo and Bosnia joining NATO."

EULEX reinforcements begin arriving in Kosovo (media)

EULEX announced Friday that the Portuguese and the French gendarmes, part of the mission's Reserve Formed Police Unit, arrived in Kosovo. The EU mission earlier said that the current 105 members of Formed Police Unit would be reinforced by additional 92 members of the European Gendarmerie Force (EUROGENDFOR) from Portugal, France and Italy.

World Bank approves a 50-million-euro support for Kosovo (Kallxo)

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved a Public Finances and Sustainable Growth Development Policy Financing (DPF), which will support Kosovo’s reform efforts to improve fiscal transparency, enhance private sector development, and strengthen environmental sustainability in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. This financing in the amount of EUR 50.6 million ($56.4 million equivalent) supports selective priorities of the Government Program for the period 2021–2025, the World Bank said in a statement.

“The reforms supported by this operation will help the Government of Kosovo in charting a sustainable growth pathway looking beyond the COVID-19 recession,” said Massimiliano Paolucci, World Bank Country Manager for Kosovo and for North Macedonia.