• Kurti: Criminal groups will not be tolerated (media)
• Kosovo expelled two Russian diplomats citing threats to national security (media)
• Russian ministry reacts to its two diplomats being expelled by Kosovo (media)
• Haradinaj: Anyone threatening national security is not desirable in Kosovo (media)
• Former minister says Russia has recognised Kosovo’s legal powers (media)
• “NATO to calibrate approaches when the Serbian army approaches Kosovo border” (RTK)
• Petkovic accuses Kurti: Actions in the north were on the verge of tragedy (EO)
• Serbian PM confirms rumors of past assassination plans against Vucic (euronews.al)
• Serbia Refuses Entry To Kosovo Boxers For World Championships (RFE)
• Secrecy shrouds Afghan refugees sent by US to base in Kosovo (AP)
• Kosovo amends anti-COVID measures, schools to resume normal work (media)
• COVID-19: 13 new cases, no deaths (media)

 

Kurti: Criminal groups will not be tolerated (media)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti and Minister of Interior Xhelal Svecla met the police officers that were injured during the recent anti-smuggling operation in the north of Kosovo and several other locations, media report quoting a press release issued by the Government.

“This police operation that was carried out in the region of Prishtina, Peja, South Mitrovica and North Mitrovica had passed without problems, except in North Mitrovica. There, organized criminal groups had gathered, created roadblocks with various means of transport, used gas cylinders, shock bombs, shots with firearms and hand grenades, in order to prevent and attack police and customs officials, who have been in the performance of official duty,” the press release reads.

Kurti expressed regret over the attack on the Kosovo Police saying that crime and criminal groups will not be tolerated and will be fought.

The police were commended for their professional actions during the operation which was carried out with the Kosovo Customs and other judicial authorities, the statement notes.

Kosovo expelled two Russian diplomats citing threats to national security (media)

President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani announced on Friday that she asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Donika Gervalla-Schwarz to declare two officials of the Liaison Office of the Russian Federation in Kosovo ‘persona non grata’, “because of harmful activities that risk endangering national security and the constitutional order of the Republic of Kosovo.”

“The institutions of the Republic of Kosovo are determined to fight against the malign influence of the Russian Federation and its proxies in the region, which aim to undermine our achievements, and those of the US, NATO and the EU. For this reason, we will continue to closely co-operate with our American and European allies to prevent attempts for Kosovo and neighbouring countries to fall prey to the Russian Federation’s ambitions to destabilise our region,” Osmani said in a statement.

Over the weekend, the media showed the two Russian officials, one of whom they reported to have been previously declared ‘non grata’ in Albania, leaving Kosovo.

Russian ministry reacts to its two diplomats being expelled by Kosovo (media)

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova reacted in a statement about the expulsion of two Russian diplomats from Kosovo saying that they are accredited to UNMIK and have no relations to any Kosovo institutions.

Russia further urged UNMIK and KFOR to provide secure conditions for the staff of the Russian Representative Office in Pristina while Zakharova added that Russia expects corresponding written guarantees from the UN.

"We expect that the defiant behavior of Kosovan figures will receive a sound critical assessment from the settlement partners," she noted.

Haradinaj: Anyone threatening national security is not desirable in Kosovo (media)

Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj expressed support for the decision of Kosovo authorities to declare two Russian diplomats 'persona non grata' saying that anyone that carries out activities that undermine Kosovo's national security and constitutional order will not be desirable to stay.

"Anyone that oversteps the rules of staying in our country, should be treated in accordance with the law. The Russian influence in destabilisation of Kosovo and the region should be fought with greater determination by our institutions," he added.

Former minister says Russia has recognised Kosovo’s legal powers (media)

Meliza Haradinaj-Stublla, former foreign minister of Kosovo, took to Twitter to comment on the expulsion of two Russian diplomats and the reaction of Russian authorities saying that they don’t recognise any Kosovo structures.

“If Russia doesn’t recognise Kosovo’s independence, then why this note verbale on Nov 27 last year addressed the Republic of Kosovo’s @MFAKOSOVO and NOT UNMIK?’ I bet this confirms Russia

has already accepted Kosovo’s legal powers,” she captioned a photo of a note verbale that the Russian Liaison Office addressed to Kosovo’s Foreign Ministry announcing the arrival of a new office chief.

“NATO to calibrate approaches when the Serbian army approaches Kosovo border” (RTK)

Albania’s Defense Minister Niko Peleshi said that Albania, NATO or the EU, should be careful to "at best" calibrate "approaches and statements so that they do not remain unclear when the Serbian army approaches the Kosovo border."

Peleshi spoke on the second day of the meeting of NATO ministers in Brussels.

He stressed that "Kosovo is neither a quarter state nor a half state, but a state in the full sense of the word," RTK correspondent reported.

Peleshi also stressed that "Kosovo is in its right" and that "efforts to ensure order and security for all citizens" should be recognized.

NATO ministers and political leaders also discussed NATO-EU co-operation.

As part of this cooperation, Albania has contributed for three years to the NATO mission in the Aegean Sea, but presence in Mali and Bosnia and Herzegovina are also to be emphasized.

But Mr. Peleshi also noted the growing role of Russia and China in the Balkans.

"These two countries are advancing their strategic objectives in our region, through historical, cultural, economic ties, or through their influence in countries or parts of the region," he said.

Petkovic accuses Kurti: Actions in the north were on the verge of tragedy (EO)

The director of the Office for Kosovo in the Serbian government Petar Petkovic said that the recent events in the north of Kosovo were on the verge of causing a tragedy.

"We all already have one third more ethnically motivated attacks on Serbs than last year, including two serious crises in the north of the province with a 15-day difference, which were on the verge of a serious tragedy. All this is Kurti's plan, to imagine that he produces crisis to gain some political points," Petkovic was quoted as saying by Tanjug news agency.

He added further that ever since Kurti came to power, the number of incidents directed against Serbs has increased.

Serbian PM confirms rumors of past assassination plans against Vucic (euronews.al)

During an interview for Serbia TV Pink in Belgrade, PM Ana Brnabic declared that plans to assassinate Vucic were real and that they were all linked to a premeditated coup.

“It was planned for a long time and in absolute detail,” – said Brnabic, adding that this tentative was accompanied by a media campaign, which included accusations against Vucic and his family, attempting to label them a ‘criminal clan’.

According to the Serbian prime minister, Vucic’s assassination was planned to take place on January 27, in Belgrade, during the inauguration of Stefan Nemanja’s statue.

Brnabic didn’t share any more details regarding why the prosecution hasn’t begun criminal proceedings against the perpetrators, but she did say that Vucic has been put under a lot of pressure, since receiving multiple threats against his son, Danilo.

All this according to Brnabic is happening because they can’t blame any economic or political issue on Vucic, which is why they resort to threats and attacking his soft spots like his immediate family members.

Serbia Refuses Entry To Kosovo Boxers For World Championships (RFE)

The world governing body of amateur boxing says it is in talks with the Serbian Boxing Federation over Belgrade's refusal to allow Kosovo boxers to enter the country in order to compete in the world championships this week.

The 2021 World Boxing Championships are being hosted by Serbia at Belgrade's Stark Arena from October 24 through November 6.

But the Kosovo Olympic Committee said late on October 23 that its athletes have been denied permission to cross the border twice by Serbian officials.

In a Facebook post, the Kosovo Olympic Committee said its team was turned back the first time for wearing Kosovo's national symbols.

It said the team returned to Pristina, then made another attempt to cross into Serbia without the symbols but were denied entry again.

Kosovo, a former part of Serbia, declared independence in 2008. It is recognized by around 100 nations. But the government in Belgrade still considers it to be a part of Serbia.

The Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) says it is trying to "remedy the situation" through its contacts with the Serbian Boxing Federation.

"The Kosovo Boxing Federation has been a full member of AIBA since November 2014 and is expected to attend the AIBA Men’s World Boxing Championships," the AIBA said in a statement.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3C68v3r

Secrecy shrouds Afghan refugees sent by US to base in Kosovo (AP)

The U.S. is welcoming tens of thousands of Afghans airlifted out of Kabul but has disclosed little publicly about a small group who remain overseas: dozens who triggered potential security issues during security vetting and have been sent to an American base in the Balkan nation of Kosovo.

Human rights advocates have raised concerns about the Afghans diverted to Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo over the past six weeks, citing a lack of transparency about their status and the reasons for holding them back. It’s unclear what might become of any who cannot be cleared to come to the United States.

“We are obviously concerned,” said Jelena Sesar, a researcher for Amnesty International who specializes in the Balkans. “What really happens with these people, especially the people who don’t pass security vetting? Are they going to be detained? Are they going to have any access to legal assistance? And what is the plan for them? Is there any risk of them ultimately being returned to Afghanistan?” The Biden administration says it’s too soon to answer some of these questions, at least publicly, as it works feverishly to resettle the Afghans who were evacuated following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/2Znl1xe

Kosovo amends anti-COVID measures, schools to resume normal work (media)

The Government of Kosovo approved new measures against coronavirus in its recent meeting. While masks remain mandatory in all public spaces, the operating hours of cafes and restaurants have been extended until 11 p.m. and the curfew has been pushed from the previous 10 p.m. to midnight.

The Ministry of Education meanwhile announced that as of today schools will resume their normal teaching process which was changed in light of the outbreak of the pandemic.

The gastronomes have expressed discontent with the new measures and protested last night in front of the Government demanding a more relaxed approach to their activity.

COVID-19: 13 new cases, no deaths (media)

13 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in the last 24 hours in Kosovo. 21 persons recovered from the virus during this time.

There are 456 active cases with COVID-19 in Kosovo.