UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 20, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

U.S. Under Secretary Allen meets Kurti (media)
U.S. Under Secretary meets Osmani during Kosovo visit (media)
Hovenier hails agreement on countering foreign information manipulation (media)
Lajcak ready to host another meeting if parties willing to reach agreement (media)
Kurti: Our govt is eliminating discriminatory criteria for social assistance (media)
New contingent of Croatian army to join KFOR (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Public discussion today on the report of RTK's work, Rakocevic: Evident enormous pressures (Kosovo Online)
On Patrol with Turkish KFOR soldiers above Banjska (Kosovo Online)
Dacic: Only votes for and against are counted when adopting the resolution on Srebrenica (FoNet, TV Prva, N1)
Andric Rakic: Everyone is ready for elections except Kurti, who is unwilling to resign (Kosovo Online)

Albanian Language Media

U.S. Under Secretary Allen meets Kurti (media)

U.S. Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Liz Allen met on Sunday with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti in Pristina. A statement issued by the State Department notes that “they discussed the U.S.-Kosovo bilateral relationship, including our shared commitment to strengthening Kosovo’s security, prosperity, and multiethnic democracy. The Under Secretary underscored the United States’ continued strong support for the EU-facilitated Dialogue’s efforts to achieve a comprehensive normalization agreement with Serbia. The Under Secretary shared her observations from her time in Kosovo, including her interaction with dynamic and diverse Kosovan youth, and called for increased coordination between our governments to support Kosovo’s progress on its Euro-Atlantic path”.

A press release issued by the Office of the Prime Minister quotes Kurti as saying that “the United States are Kosovo’s historic ally, friend and partner, in the present time and the future, therefore we expect to strengthen and further bilateral cooperation especially in economy and trade”.

Kurti briefed Allen on latest developments in Kosovo, “the progress achieved in the last couple of years in rule of law and economic and democratic indicators, social policies in support of women and children, reforms in education and policies and investments in the energy”. He thanked Allen for the continuous support of the U.S. through the USAID in preparing and successfully concluding the first solar energy auction and the MCC programme which entered into force last month. Kurti also expressed concern “over Serbia’s continuous threats against Kosovo and the fact that the author and leader of the terrorist and paramilitary group that carried out the September 24, 2023, attack in Banjska, still roams free in Serbia”. The meeting also discussed relations between Kosovo and Serbia and the EU-facilitated process of dialogue, with Kurti highlighting the importance of the full and unconditional implementation of the Basic Agreement and its annex.

U.S. Under Secretary meets Osmani during Kosovo visit (media)

U.S. Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Liz Allen met with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani and discussed the strategic priority to advance Kosovo along its path towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration and the importance of close coordination to achieve this goal. “The Under Secretary emphasized the benefits of regional economic integration and the importance of European and transatlantic values such as minority rights and media freedom,” a press release issued by the U.S. State Department notes.

The statement also said that Allen and Osmani signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation between the United States and Kosovo on countering foreign state information manipulation. “Kosovo is the fifteenth country across Europe, Africa, East Asia, and North America to endorse the U.S. Department of State’s Framework to Counter Foreign State Information Manipulation. These countries have come together in shared recognition that foreign state information manipulation, which includes disinformation and propaganda, is a transnational security threat that can create or exploit divisions within and among countries, imperil election integrity, and undermine public trust in government. Through this MOU, the United States and Kosovo intend to expand information sharing, build capacity for critical counter-disinformation programming, and align government policies around the five key action areas established in the Framework. This expanded bilateral cooperation between the United States and Kosovo on countering foreign state information manipulation advances the two countries’ shared interest in securing a free, open, and fact-based global information ecosystem,” the statement notes.

Allen told reporters after meeting Osmani: “we confirm that we support Kosovo’s path toward Euro-Atlantic institutions, through our close cooperation and I know that this is important for you. We discussed the crucial step in Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic path, the Association of Serb-majority municipalities”.

Hovenier hails agreement on countering foreign information manipulation (media)

U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier, commended the agreement between the U.S. and Kosovo on countering foreign information manipulation. Honored to witness State Department Under Secretary Liz Allen and President Vjosa Osmani sign a collaboration framework on addressing and countering foreign information manipulation. This is a significant step toward promoting accurate information globally and building a resilient information ecosystem in Kosovo,” Hovenier wrote in a post on X.

Lajcak ready to host another meeting if parties willing to reach agreement (media)

EU Special Representative for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Miroslav Lajcak, said in a Facebook post on Sunday that last week he hosted chief negotiators of Kosovo and Serbia for discussions on the Kosovo Central Bank regulation. “Unfortunately, no agreement was reached, and it's unclear how this will impact everyday life of the affected communities in Kosovo. I remain ready to host another meeting on this subject under the condition that the Parties demonstrate genuine willingness to reach an agreement,” he said.

Kurti: Our govt is eliminating discriminatory criteria for social assistance (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in a post on X on Saturday that “after 17 years our Government is eliminating discriminatory criteria for social assistance, which not only proved ineffective in tackling poverty but also discouraged employment. Along with the World Bank we are piloting a new scheme with exclusively need-based criteria that incentivizes work”.

New contingent of Croatian army to join KFOR (media)

Several news websites report that a new contingent of the Croatian army will travel to Kosovo to join NATO’s peacekeeping mission, KFOR. A ceremonial farewell of the 41st Croatian contingent will take place at the barracks of the 20th Guards Brigade "Tigers – Croatia" in Zagreb and the troops will be accompanied by Defense Minister Ivan Anusic. The troops of the 41st Croatian KFOR contingent consist of members of the motorized infantry company, the aviation unit, the ISR unit, the headquarters unit, logistical and intelligence elements of national support and a medical team.

Serbian Language Media

Public discussion today on the report of RTK's work, Rakocevic: Evident enormous pressures (Kosovo Online)

The open debate on the report on the work of RTK will be held today in the Media Center in Caglavica, and the President of the Association of Journalists of Serbia (UNS) Zivojin Rakocevic says that he has not read the report and cannot speak about it, but, commenting on the work of RTK lately, he states that clearly there are enormous pressures, reported Kosovo Online.

Rakocevic said that it was necessary to respect the law, autonomy, and professionalism of the public service.

"There are people, there are funds, the only thing that remains is that politics does not interfere and that professionals are allowed to do their work," Rakocevic said for the portal.

Speaking about the work of RTK in the last period, he emphasized that it was clear that there were huge pressures.

The President of the Association of Journalists of Kosovo and Metohija (DNKIM) Ivana Vanovac said that discussion would primarily concern the work and functioning of Radio Television of Kosovo in the Serbian language.

She recalled that according to international and local laws, the Serbian people in Kosovo have the right to their own channel, which would work completely independently, covering the entire territory of Kosovo.

"What is probably the most logical and what is expected of us is to insist that representatives of the Serbian people sit on the Board of Directors of that RTK, because the program that will be broadcast from that media will primarily concern that community," said Vanovac for Kosovo online, adding that she would also insist that the headquarters of that channel be in the Serbian environment, such as Gracanica.

"How much we have the right to that is evidenced by the fact that the Serbian people in Kosovo are the ones who pay taxes to this system, so we have the right to demand that we are well informed, and we do not demand anything that is not legally guaranteed to us," said Vanovac.

On Patrol with Turkish KFOR soldiers above Banjska (Kosovo Online)

During the previous weeks and months, Turkish soldiers as part of the KFOR forces have been patrolling along the administrative line as part of their duties, and this week they were joined by the Kosovo Online team.

Our journey took us to the mountains above Banjska, and as in many previous patrols, everything went smoothly, the Turkish soldiers told us. The Turkish commander of the ORF battalion stated in an interview with our portal that they had established an observation post in this area.

"We cover 67 kilometers of the administrative boundary line as part of our duties. We have set up an observation post here, and we are very close to the administrative line. We are here primarily for the security of all of Kosovo and all its communities. So far, we have not encountered any problems," the commander explained, adding that there are three types of patrols.

“We conduct three types of patrols—joint patrols with the Kosovo Police, synchronized patrols with Serbian security forces, and independent patrols," he said.

Despite persistent rain and fog, the patrol went as smoothly as possible. Despite reports from some media outlets attempting to depict tension along the administrative boundary line, some even reporting in bulletproof vests, the only protection the Kosovo Online team needed during the patrol was umbrellas.

Due to the cold weather, we were served tea, and at one point, the conversation with the Turkish soldiers shifted to sports. To my surprise, it wasn't about football or basketball but volleyball and Tijana Bošković, who plays for the Turkish club Eczacıbaşı.

"She is the best volleyball player of all time. You are very fortunate to have her playing for Serbia," one of the soldiers told us.

The patrol ended as it began, without any problems, except for the persistent rain that accompanied us the entire way.

Dacic: Only votes for and against are counted when adopting the resolution on Srebrenica (FoNet, TV Prva, N1)

Interior Minister Ivica Dacic stated for TV Prva on Sunday that it was far from the truth that the proposers of the resolution on Srebrenica in the UN GA have a two-thirds majority, but it should be noted that only votes for and against are counted when adopting it, not abstentions.

Dacic emphasized that Serbia’s goal was to remove this topic from the agenda since the issue is illegal and unlawful on two grounds – there was no consensus of the Presidency of BiH on it, and the issue cannot be on the agenda of the UN GA if it was a matter in the UN SC. According to Dacic’s assessment, it was difficult to say whether the counting of votes for and against should be approached based on the bilateral relations we have with some countries, or in the shadow of pressures those countries are exposed to. Under the guise of fighting genocide, one topic was politicized, added Dacic, pointing out that the fight for and against this resolution “is not fought with gloves on but rather a ruthless struggle that is far from regulations, rules.”

Dacic stated that even President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic has been involved in this fight since day one and warned that the resolution violates international law and opens a Pandora’s box for “everyone to propose their genocide.” Asked about the situation in Serbia following the assassination attempt on Slovak PM Robert Fico, Dacic said that the security situation in Serbia is stable. Dacic emphasized that due to all the challenges and threats, the issue of providing security for the highest state officials was taken very seriously, and no one could hide behind false names when threatening.

Vucic is the most exposed to threats, and we do not dismiss any of them as false or unserious, Dacic stated. Speaking about local elections, Dacic, as the leader of the Socialist Party of Serbia, said that there are many parties, but Serbia is one, and that is why everyone is on the same list with the Serbian Progressive Party. The opposition rejoices that Serbia is in a difficult situation. It is a great tragedy for our people that we have an irresponsible opposition, Dacic said, emphasizing that when journalists ask them about Srebrenica, they respond about sewage. Dacic called on all supporters of the SPS to come out and support the list led by Vucic in the elections.

Andric Rakic: Everyone is ready for elections except Kurti, who is unwilling to resign (Kosovo Online)

Milica Andric Rakic, Program Manager at the NGO Social Initiative, asserts that Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti has secured popularity among his voters by not submitting the European draft statute of the Community of Serb Municipalities to the Constitutional Court for review, despite the demands of Western allies who set it as a condition for Kosovo's admission to the Council of Europe during yesterday's Committee of Ministers session.

"This is the moment for him to call for elections; however, he is unwilling to resign, and the opposition is not ready to do him the favor of dissolving the Assembly. It's a mini-struggle between Kurti and the opposition, but everyone is currently ready for elections and expects them by summer at the latest," Andric Rakic told Kosovo Online.