Albanian Language Media:

• Chief negotiators to meet in Brussels on November 16 (Koha)
• Szunyog: We need to see more steps to lift measures on Kosovo (media)
• Kurti travels to Paris, will attend the Peace Forum (media)
• Hoxhaj: EU sanctions will remain in force for some time (media)
• Kanin: De facto recognition doesn’t solve problems between Kosovo and Serbia (RFE)
• Krasniqi: No initiative for removal of mayors in the north (RTK)
• Kurti meets Albanian candidates for Parliament of Serbia (media)
• Leposavic: Car tries to hit police officer, the latter use arms (Gazeta Express)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic on the EC report, visit to France: It is important that a progress has been seen (Beta, N1, TV Prva, Danas, KiM radio)
• Giaufret presents report: Brnabic says EC recognized Serbia’s clear progress (FoNet, N1)
• Bilcik: Serbia needs real, not limited progress (N1)
• Varhelyi: Serbia, Kosovo expected to implement agreement on normalization of relations (N1, Tanjug)
• If Serbia and Kosovo do not reach an agreement, there will be no EU money (Danas)
• Dacic with the French envoy on Kosovo: The goal is to stabilize the situation and normalize relations (FoNet)
• Owners of land plots in Gracanica fear that they will be left without property (KiM radio, RTS, KoSSev)
• Krasniqi: There are no requests from Serbs to replace the mayor in the north (KiM radio, Kosovo Online, Beta)

Albanian Language Media

Chief negotiators to meet in Brussels on November 16 (Koha)

Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister and chief negotiator in talks with Serbia, Besnik Bislimi, said on Wednesday that the next meeting between the chief negotiators in Brussels will be held on November 16. “The next meeting will be held on Thursday next week in Brussels and this is the only agreement we have, that the meeting is on November 16,” he said.

Bislimi said that there will be no more compromise in the negotiations, because according to him compromises are over “and now we are in the phase of implementing the agreements, with Kosovo insisting that the agreements are implemented in their entirety, without preconditions or delays, and to make sure that the agreements lead us toward normalization and not toward conflict”.

Szunyog: We need to see more steps to lift measures on Kosovo (media)

EU Ambassador in Kosovo, Tomas Szunyog, said on Wednesday that the EU measures on Kosovo were implemented based on the declaration of 27 member states on June 3. He said the declaration is specific about expectations from Kosovo. “It focuses on three areas, de-escalation in the north, early elections in the north, and engagement in dialogue, including the formation of the Association. The [progress] report acknowledges certain progress in drafting the legal framework for early elections and several issues related to de-escalation … but the report also notes that we need to see further steps. We hope the steps will be made as soon as possible and measures are lifted as soon as possible so that Kosovo can enjoy the potential not only from the existing mechanisms but also from the growth plan,” he said.

Kurti travels to Paris, will attend the Peace Forum (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti traveled to France on Wednesday, where he will attend the Peace Forum in Paris. A government press release notes that Kurti will attend the dinner with heads of states and governments.

Hoxhaj: EU sanctions will remain in force for some time (media)

Senior member of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and Vice President of the Kosovo Assembly, Enver Hoxhaj, said on Wednesday that this year’s progress report of the European Commission on Kosovo “is the first country under sanctions”. “It is the only country in the Balkans under sanctions. The people of Kosovo need to understand that in the European Union, this is the only country under sanctions. Therefore, the progress report too, beyond what it says technically or what was achieved or not, this is the first progress report that comes to Kosovo and the European Union keeps this country under sanctions,” Hoxhaj argued.

Kanin: De facto recognition does not solve problems between Kosovo and Serbia (RFE)

David Kanin, professor for European Studies at the John Hopkins University, said in an interview with the news website that he is not optimistic that international calls on Serbia to de facto recognize Kosovo and for Kosovo to form the Association of Serb-majority municipalities, will solve problems between the two sides. He argued that a sustainable solution needs to come from the protagonists and not be imposed from outside.

“We had something very similar in 2018 with the plan for partition [territorial exchange]. No one liked it, everyone pointed out the problems and they were real. But the fact that it came from both sides, that [Serbian President] Vucic and [then Kosovo President] Thaci were ready to cooperate, should have been the most important point,” he said.

Kanin argued that with the forming of the Associations, Serbs in Kosovo would have an organization that would be recognized globally, while Kosovo itself is not recognized.

On the Banjska attack on September 24, Kanin said there are many questions “in the air” but that “most probably someone in the military or intelligence chain of command in Belgrade was linked to it”.

“I think that the idea of imposing sanctions on Vucic is now very low on the list of priorities, given everything that is happening in the Middle East,” Kanin said when asked if Serbia was avoiding possible sanctions from the West.

Krasniqi: No initiative for removal of mayors in the north (RTK)

Kosovo’s Minister for Local Government, Elbert Krasniqi, told a press conference on Wednesday that no initiative has been made in the north of Kosovo to sign the petition calling for the dismissal of the mayors of the four northern municipalities. He said that the mayors are continuing their work, and that the government supports them in fulfilling their mandate.

Kurti meets Albanian candidates for Parliament of Serbia (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti met on Wednesday with six Albanian candidates for seats in the Parliament of Serbia in the elections scheduled for 17 December. Kurti’s office issued a press release saying that he thanked Shaip Kamberi, Nagip Arifi, Ragmi Mustafa, Shqiprim Musliu, Naser Aziri and Armend Aliu for their contribution so far and wished them success in the next elections. “Discussions focused on the situation of Albanians in Presevo, Medvedja and Bujanovac, the discrimination against them and the asymmetry with Kosovo, where, as is known, in Kosovo, Serbian List MPs boycott the ten reserved seats, while in Lugina [Presevo Valley] the addresses of Albanians are deactivated and it was discussed if they will manage to get three seats in parliament,” the statement notes.

Leposavic: Car tries to hit police officer, the latter use arms (Gazeta Express)

The news website reports that a car tried to hit police officers early this morning in Leposavic, and the police officers used their firearms. Police are looking for the suspects who are believed to have been smuggling immigrants. The officers were not injured, and 10 immigrants were sent to the police station for further investigations. The incident was confirmed by Kosovo Police Deputy Director for the north, Veton Elshani.

Serbian Language Media 

Vucic on the EC report, visit to France: It is important that a progress has been seen (Beta, N1, TV Prva, Danas, KiM radio)

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, said last night that there are good things in the EC's report on the progress of Serbia, that a "move" in reforms can be seen, but that for him the developments in the economy are much more important.

"Inflation is decreasing, prices are significantly lower," Vucic told TV Prva, stating that he will talk to citizens about the further increase in living standards by the end of the year.

He said that progress is being seen in Chapter 31 of the EU accession negotiations, "it is important for our democracy to see a special shift in the media sphere and because of the numerous falsehoods that have been reported."

"But we still have a lot to do, there are also obstacles, they are mostly related to Kosovo and Metohija, you could see that in the report, but nothing unexpected," said Vucic. 

As he stated, "it is important that we move forward on the European path, but that we always know how to protect our state and national interests."

Beta agency recalls that the legislative process during the adoption of media laws has not been fully completed in accordance with the legal acquis of the EU and European standards. Serbia has made limited progress when it comes to freedom of expression. The behavior of state and local authorities sometimes causes the effect of intimidation, even self-censorship, and high officials should refrain from constantly commenting on the work of journalists. The fifth national frequency was not assigned by REM (Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media), without any credible explanation, nor did it manage to demonstrate its independence.

Vucic announced a visit to Paris, and a meeting with Macron

Vucic announced his visit tomorrow to France for the annual Armistice Day Peace Conference, where he will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron, reported Danas.

He told TV Prva that there were ideas about meeting with the representatives of Pristina, but there is no confirmation about that yet.

He will also have a bilateral meeting with the Belgian Prime Minister, and he announced more important meetings in Paris.

Giaufret presents report: Brnabic says EC recognized Serbia’s clear progress (FoNet, N1)

Head of European Union (EU) Delegation to Serbia Emanuele Giaufret said Wednesday that enlargement is the central EU theme and that there is an opportunity that should be seized.

Following his meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic at which he presented her the European Commission 2023 Progress Report on Serbia, Giaufret said that Serbia continued judicial reforms and that the report takes note of the progress made in this area.

He said two important media laws have been adopted, which will strengthen the independence of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM).

However, Giaufret said that Brussels sees no progress on Serbia’s part in aligning its foreign policy with that of the EU.

Prime Minister Brnabic said that the European Commission has recognized the clear progress made by Serbia in the European integration process because, in its annual report, there is no mention of any regression, while progress has been noted in all but three areas.

Following her meeting with Giaufret, Brnabic said the state carried out the judicial reform on its own and that the opposition even obstructed the process.

Limited progress has been recorded in the fight against corruption, she said, stressing that the strategy for the fight against corruption has not been completed, which is why there is no greater progress.

Bilcik: Serbia needs real, not limited progress (N1)

European Parliament (EP) Rapporteur for Serbia Vladimir Bilcik said the phrase “limited progress” repeatedly appears in the European Commission’s 2023 progress report on Serbia.

What Serbia needs is real progress, true progress in reforms, in aligning with the foreign policy of the European Union (EU), including the introduction of sanctions against Russia, and real progress in the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, said Bilcik.

He said the EU worked closely with Serbia on strengthening its institutions, the result of which is the parliament that now also includes the opposition parties.

Bilcik said the main message to Serbia is that it needs fair elections, which will result in a parliament that will focus on bringing Serbia closer to the European Union.

Varhelyi: Serbia, Kosovo expected to implement agreement on normalization of relations (N1, Tanjug)

Kosovo and Serbia are asked to resume dialogue and implement the agreement on the path to normalization of relations, as well as all previously reached agreements, said European Union (EU) Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi.

Speaking in the European Parliament at the presentation of the 2023 Enlargement Package and progress reports for EU candidate countries and potential candidates, Varhelyi said Kosovo and Serbia should resume the EU-mediated dialogue on normalization of relations as soon as possible.

He said normalization is a prerequisite to both sides’ European integration.

The Commissioner said Kosovo should implement the European draft statute for the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities (CSM), and that the lifting of the measures introduced by the EU against the government in Pristina will depend on the steps taken to de-escalate the situation in the north of Kosovo.

Commenting on the 2023 Serbia progress report, Varhelyi noted that the implementation of the constitutional changes regarding the judiciary has begun, as well as that, before it was dissolved, the Serbian Parliament adopted, as he said, important media laws.

The key issue in Serbia’s progress on the EU path, cautioned Varhelyi, is its failure to align with the Union’s foreign policy, that it, its failure to impose sanctions on Russia, which is cause for concern, he said.

Varhelyi said Serbia has fulfilled the opening benchmarks for cluster 3, which is why the European Commission has recommended to the EU Council the opening of this cluster in accession negotiations with Serbia.

However, N1’s European correspondent Nikola Radisic said that, due to the deadlock in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and to the fact that Serbia has not joined the EU sanctions against Russia, there is little chance that this will happen at the EU Council in December.

If Serbia and Kosovo do not reach an agreement, there will be no EU money (Danas)

If Serbia and Kosovo do not make progress in the negotiations on the normalization of relations, neither side will receive aid intended for the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, in the amount of 6.3 billion euros, Danas learned from European Commission officials in Brussels.

Danas reported last night that it is about two billion euros in grants and four billion loans through international financial conditions, which aim to reduce the economic gap between the countries of the region and the EU.

"If there is no progress in the negotiations on the normalization of relations, then there is no money from the EU for development," said this EC official, reported Danas. 

As he added, aid will be paid out twice a year, but only when progress is made, and if there is no progress, that money will be forwarded to other countries in the region that meet EU conditions.

"The state has one year to implement these conditions. Use it wisely or you will run out of funds," emphasized the high official of the European Commission.

When it comes to the normalization of relations with Kosovo, he says that Serbia should fulfill its part of obligations, reduce tensions especially when it comes to the north of Kosovo, as well as that the Serbian community participate in local elections, i.e. go step by step towards de facto recognition.

According to Danas source, the EU has been negotiating with Serbia for 10 years, there has been a lot of progress, but the key requirement is still sanctions against Russia and the normalization of relations with Pristina.

"Official Belgrade has made some progress in the area of the rule of law, but more is needed," says an EC official.

Serbia has technically fulfilled the criteria for opening cluster 3, so with harmonization with the EU's foreign and security policy and the normalization of relations, it would finally be possible to open that cluster, which is also important for the implementation of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, said this EC official and emphasized that last week's visit of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to Belgrade and the talks with the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, were encouraging.

Dacic with the French envoy on Kosovo: The goal is to stabilize the situation and normalize relations (FoNet)

The special envoy of France for the Balkans, René Troccaz, said yesterday in a conversation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Ivica Dacic, that, when it comes to the north of Kosovo, the goal is to stabilize the situation and normalize relations.

As stated in the press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Troccaz reiterated France's continued support for the European integration process of Serbia and the region.

Dacic emphasized the importance of good relations between Serbia and France and pointed out that Belgrade is committed to good-neighborly cooperation and discussing open issues in a constructive manner.

Speaking about the situation in the north of Kosovo, Dacic emphasized that the priority should be the de-escalation of tensions, primarily in order to protect the rights of the Serbian population, as well as the necessity of full implementation of the Brussels Agreement and the formation of the Community of Serbian Municipalities.

Owners of land plots in Gracanica fear that they will be left without property (KiM radio, RTS, KoSSev)

With numerous objections and dissatisfaction of plot owners, the first discussion on the recent decision of the government in Pristina to expropriate tens of hectares of land near the archeological site "Ulpijana", for the purpose of further research of the site with remains from the Roman Empire period, ended in Gracanica yesterday, reported RTS.

In the discussion with the owners of the plots where research is planned to continue, the representatives of the Expropriation Department of the Ministry of Environmental Protection did not have answers to many questions.

"Who did they consult with in the Ministry of Culture when determining the area planned for expropriation? Did they do archaeological research? Is this a seizure of Serbian land, why the owners of the property were brought to the completed act by the decision of the government in Pristina? Can the owners also continue to cultivate their land, what will be the value of the plots designated for research and is the process final?", are some of the questions of the landowners.

The representative of the Department for Expropriation of the Ministry of Environmental Protection in Pristina, Samir Bruqi, told the audience that the government's decision is not a political issue, that they have officials who make the assessment, that is, legally determine the assessment based on the market price.

In response to the remarks that a discussion should have been held first, and then a decision on expropriation should have been made, Bruqi said that it was the first decision and that after publication in the official gazette, and after the discussion, the opportunity to appeal is given ten to fifteen days.

"After the assessment by the Ministry of Finance, the assessment report is returned to the expropriation department and we make the final decision and then send an administrative instruction on the assessment of your property," explained Bruqi, reported RTS.

The owner of one of the 44 plots, Miljko Aritonovic, told the government representatives that with the decision on expropriation they had brought them to "the fait accompli", and that he had the impression that they had made a "take it or leave it" plan in Pristina.

"Did you come for expropriation or as a political act? Is this the seizure of our Serbian land or is this necessary for 'Ulpijana'?" asked Aritonovic.

The second owner of the estate, Srecko Todorovic from Gracanica, said that his entire land is located in that locality and that they are taking everything from him.

"What am I doing here, are you encouraging me to leave Gracanica, to move out?" asked Todorovic

Bruqi replied that this is the initial phase, and that two more will be made before the final decision. He added that the representatives of the Pristina Ministry of Culture and Finance and Economy can answer the questions, reported RTS.

According to KiM radio, the representatives of the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Finance did not come, although these two institutions are responsible for the expropriation process. 

According to KiM radio, nothing was clear to the citizens, not even whether geo-research works were done before the expropriation decision.

Officials from the Ministry of Environmental Protection defended themselves with the absence of colleagues from the Ministry of Culture and Finance.

Milan Dimitrijevic, the president of the Municipal Assembly of Gracanica, sped up the end of the debate, stating that there was no need to keep the citizens, given that the authorities did not have answers, and representatives of two other ministries did not come to the meeting.

"You could have given it all to people to read on paper. There is a procedure that must be followed. You bring something overnight if you don't have the answers. You have taken up these people's time. There is absolutely no need to continue today's discussion if you don't have an answer. Why were 44 locations confiscated in this small area without geo-location, without probing the terrain," said Dimitrijevic, pointing out that the adopted laws are not respected in Kosovo, and that the discussion is pointless.

After his address, the present citizens left the hall.

Officials in the municipality of Gracanica claim that there was no consultation with them regarding the adoption of the government's decision.

In addition to the 21 hectares that are now included in this decision, the Kosovo government is considering the possibility of using the same process to include another 50 hectares of land belonging to farmers from Gracanica. However, it is unknown whether it has been established whether there is evidence of the existence of valuables and any remains from the period of the 4th and 5th centuries in this area, reported KiM radio.

Krasniqi: There are no requests from Serbs to replace the mayor in the north (KiM radio, Kosovo Online, Beta)

Kosovo's Minister of Local Self-Government Elbert Krasniqi stated that, although more than two months have passed since the completion of the Administrative Instruction for the petition for the removal of the mayor, no Serb from the north of Kosovo has expressed readiness to collect signatures for the dismissal of the mayors of Leposavic, Zvecan, Zubin Potok and North Mitrovica.

"Until this moment, we have not received any information from any president of the Municipal Assembly that a group of citizens has mobilized and started collecting signatures for the dismissal of the mayor," Krasniqi said, reported Kosovo Online.

He pointed out that the mayors have the support of the Kosovo government to continue their work, but expressed doubts that the two mayors from the DPK are doing their job properly, given that they work from offices that have been moved from the municipalities.

"As a minister, I doubt that these two can respond to the demands of the citizens," Krasniqi said.

He pointed out that, on the other hand, the mayor of Leposavic from the ranks of Self-Determination, Lulzim Hetemi, is "an example of good practice.

"Lulzim Hetemi meets with the citizens every day. For the first time, they have a mayor who is interested in supporting the citizens," he said.

He believes that mayors Lulzim Hetemi and Eden Atiq are up to the task.

Krasniqi announced that the Municipality of Leposavic and the Civil Registration Agency will open offices for issuing identity cards and passports.