• Blinken: Pristina, Belgrade to peacefully resolve their dispute (media)
• Kosovo-Serbia relations, topic of discussion between Kurti and Peach (media)
• Osmani: Kosovo remains committed to peace and security (media)
• Kosovo authorities don’t expect quick agreement with Serbia (Koha)
• Osmani received Albanian representatives from Presevo Valley (media)
• Visas scrapped between Kosovo and Bosnia (BIRN)
• Von Cramon: Franco-German proposal should be considered (media)
• Ischinger: Because of history, Balkan region carries explosive potential (Klan)
• Ischinger: I believe a final agreement will be reached by 2024 (T7)
• Hasani: German-German model would be a disaster for Kosovo (media)
• Summit on security, economy, and peace to be held today in Pristina (Telegrafi)
• Mustafi: No Kosovo-Serbia agreement without U.S. involvement (Koha)
• Rohde: Germany will support Kosovo in building a solar park (media)
• Discussions over Kosovo-Serbia intensify, whispers of snap elections emerge (Exit)
• Military service could become compulsory in Kosovo (euronews.al)
• Greek, Kosovar ministers meet to enhance economic collaboration (Ekathimerini)
• Russia hopes to exploit conflicts in Balkans, British expert warns (BIRN)

Blinken: Pristina, Belgrade to peacefully resolve their dispute (media)

Serbia-Kosovo talks entered the eleventh-hour, and the US State Department is following the situation very closely, The Pavlovic Today reports. Last week, the Deputy Assistant Secretary Gabriel Escobar had discussions in Pristina and Belgrade that made “no results yet.” Over the weekend, Miroslav Lajcak continued to work on behalf of the EU to find a solution for the license plates and energy issues.

Asked by The Pavlovic Today on Monday about Secretary Blinken’s message to Pristina and Belgrade, given that the October 31st deadline is fast approaching for brokering the deal on license plates, State Department spokesman Ned Price reaffirmed American support for Serbia-Kosovo talks.

“Our message on this has been consistent. We fully support the EU-facilitated dialogue,” said Price. “That’s why DAS Escobar, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Gabe Escobar, was in Pristina and Belgrade to support this process. As you know, the Secretary himself has also been deeply engaged on this. He spoke with both Serbian President Vucic and Kosovo’s Prime Minister Kurti earlier this month, on October 11th, I believe it was. He underscored our support for the EU-facilitated Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. He urged continued constructive engagement to secure peace and stability across the region,” said Price.

As time ticks away for Pristina and Belgrade to bridge some significant differences, there is still hope that the agreement can be reached.

“We will continue to support that EU dialogue. We will continue to be a partner both to Kosovo and Serbia in the hope that they can resolve this dispute peacefully in the course of the coming days,” Price told The Pavlovic Today.

Kosovo-Serbia relations, topic of discussion between Kurti and Peach (media)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti received on Monday the United Kingdom's Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Sir Stuart Peach. They discussed the government's commitment to the full normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia with mutual recognition at the center, the implementation of the energy roadmap as well as other current issues.

A press release issued by the government quotes Peach as saying that the United Kingdom remains committed to peace and stability in the Western Balkans, as well as to regional cooperation initiatives. "Emphasizing the importance of visa liberalization for the citizens of Kosovo, Prime Minister Kurti reiterated the government's intention and commitment to become part of the European Union and NATO".

Kurti and Peach also discussed the Russian military invasion and aggression in Ukraine, highlighting the economic and energy consequences.

Kurti also informed Peach about the government’s measures in support of the citizens, through the Package for Dealing with Inflation as well as the Economic Revival Package.

In this meeting, regional cooperation, and the Common Regional Market within the framework of the Berlin Process were also discussed.

Osmani: Kosovo remains committed to peace and security (media)

President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, said on Monday after meeting UK Special Envoy for the Western Balkans Stuart Peach, that Kosovo remains committed to peace and security. “Welcomed UK PM’s Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, Sir Stuart Peach, today.  Great to catch up on latest developments in the region and on our continent. Thanked him for the UK’s support and expressed our commitment to peace and security,” Osmani tweeted after the meeting.

Kosovo authorities don’t expect quick agreement with Serbia (Koha)

The daily reports on its front page this morning that despite mounting international pressure for a quick agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, the authorities in Pristina don’t expect that an agreement can be reached within months.

President of the Kosovo Assembly, Glauk Konjufca, said on Monday that an agreement cannot be reached while Serbia is not ready to recognise Kosovo’s independence. “I am not optimistic about a quick agreement with Serbia. If this would happen, that is if Serbia would recognise Kosovo, this would serve not only the region but all of Europe too. I believe Serbia’s recognition of Kosovo would be in the interest of Europe as a whole because it would close some very important issues,” he said.

Osmani received Albanian representatives from Presevo Valley (media)

The President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani received on Monday at a meeting the institutional and political representatives of Albanians from Presevo, Medvedja and Bujanovac. The central topic of this meeting was the population census process in these municipalities.

She appealed to Albanians to respond en masse to the population census, which is taking place until the end of this month. According to her, massive participation in the registration is a measure against Serbia's chauvinistic policy, which is trying to carry out ethnic cleansing through administrative measures.

Osmani underlined that mass registration means political and institutional empowerment of Albanians and offered the support of Kosovo's institutions and diplomatic missions to call for the registration of all Albanians of Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja who reside in Kosovo or in other countries.

In this spirit, President Osmani called for the unification of the Albanian factor for the priority issues faced by Albanians in order to eliminate the obstacles that Serbia is making in the registration process.

Visas scrapped between Kosovo and Bosnia (BIRN)

Western Balkans foreign ministers have signed three agreements in Berlin on free movement with IDs among citizens of the region – and for mutual recognition of university degrees and professional qualifications.

Representatives of Western Balkan countries signed three new agreements in the framework of regional cooperation in the Berlin Process on Friday. Among these agreements, free movement with ID cards between the countries of the Western Balkans is envisaged, which includes visa-free movement between Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Two other agreements were also reached: on the recognition of university degrees and the recognition of qualifications for three professions: doctors, dentists, and architects.

German Foreign Minister Anna Baerbock said at the conference on Friday that people from Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina will benefit most from this agreement, and will no longer need a visa to visit each other.

Baerbock said these agreements ease the way towards the creation of a Common Regional Market.

"This means that Kosovar and Bosnian young people will visit each other without visas, which is common for us Europeans. It means that students from Albania can use their bachelor’s degree to work in North Macedonia, and that architects from Serbia can work in Montenegro,” she added.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3VROPe5

Von Cramon: Franco-German proposal should be considered (media)

Rapporteur for Kosovo in the European Parliament, Viola von Cramon said on Monday that the Franco-German proposal is a good opportunity to move forward in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.

"It is time to reach, if not a final agreement, at least a package that would be acceptable to both parties. Many people have written about the Franco-German proposal. This is a big opportunity, and it will require everyone who is in power and makes decisions to carefully consider these proposals. I think this is a great opportunity for both sides to move forward towards European integration, which is necessary. Kosovo, as the most pro-European country, should support this...", Von Cramon said at the conference.

"You have to understand what is best for the country. If it is better to ask for everything or to ask for 90 percent. I would recommend that Kosovo accept the 90 percent rather than nothing. This is an opportunity for the government to watch as the right wings in the EU gain more power, because things will get more difficult. As the EU presidency will pass from Sweden to Spain, will this make things easier? I do not believe. So everything that would be achieved now would be a better solution than everything that is postponed," Von Cramon emphasized.

While stressing that she understands Kosovo's frustration regarding the implementation of the government's decision to convert illegal license plates into RKS ones, the deadline for which expires on October 31, Von Cramon has recommended that the request of the United States and the European Union for postponement should be examined. In addition, she said that Kosovo and Serbia should also examine everyday issues, such as recognition of identity cards, recognition of diplomas and those that are directly related to the lives of citizens.

Ischinger: Because of history, Balkan region carries explosive potential (Klan)

Former European Union envoy to Kosovo's status negotiations Wolfgang Ischinger said Monday that the Western Balkans is the only region in Europe that carries explosive potential due to history and other reasons.

He made these comments during a conference in Pristina on the topic "new geopolitics after the Russian aggression against Ukraine," where he said that the approach of the countries of the Western Balkans to the European Union would increase the stability of the region.

"Your region is the only region in Europe that still carries explosive potential due to history and other reasons. And if I'm sure of one thing after 45 years of diplomatic experience, I know that very smart Russian colleagues, diplomats and strategists, know exactly how and where to explore vulnerabilities, and if I see vulnerabilities beyond my country's borders, I know that these weaknesses are not so numerous, say in Denmark or Ireland or in other countries of the European Union, but they are very visible in this part of Europe. Therefore, we must speed up the processes for bringing the countries of the region closer, faster under the umbrella of the EU," he said.

Ischinger: I believe a final agreement will be reached by 2024 (T7)

Former EU envoy for negotiations on Kosovo’s status, Wolfgang Ischinger, said in an interview with T7 on Monday that if Europe fails to achieve stability in this part of the region, then the whole mission for stability in Europe will fail because the Western Balkans is part of Europe. He said he hopes that a final agreement between Kosovo and Serbia will be reached before the elections in the U.S. and the EU in 2024.

Ischinger said it is very good and important that Berlin, Brussels, and others have refocused their attention to create sustainable stability in the region.

“It is not ok that in the last 14 years we have made several small steps but we were not able to address greater issues of regional stability. This does not concern only Kosovo but the region as a whole. And there are a number of unresolved issues, such as North Macedonia and Bulgaria, and so on. So it is very good that and very important that Brussels, and my country Berlin, and others have refocused their attention on the Western Balkans. I always said in the past that if we can’t help create permanent stability in this part of Europe, then we will fail in our fundamental mission of creating peace and stability in Europe, because this is part of Europe,” Ischinger said.

Watch the full interview at: https://bit.ly/3N26QCg

Hasani: German-German model would be a disaster for Kosovo (media)

Former President of the Constitutional Court of Kosovo, Enver Hasani, said in an interview with T7 on Monday that the German-German model would be a disaster for Kosovo because in the end the two Germanies united. “The German-German model is a disaster because Germany was united in the end,” he said.

According to Hasani, the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia has taken on another dimension because of the war in Ukraine and that the process has now turned into a crisis management mission by the European Union. “It is a comprehensive but not a final dialogue on issues that have remained open since 2011. Germany and France have the mandate from Europe. The dialogue is about crisis management now and it has this dimension because of the war in Ukraine,” he said.

Commenting on the so-called German draft for the Association of Serb-majority municipalities, Hasani said that if it is adopted “it would ruin Kosovo’s internal arrangements and turn Kosovo into a regional state”.

Summit on security, economy, and peace to be held today in Pristina (Telegrafi)

The Western Balkans Summit Building bridges for peace, prosperity and stability in the Western Balkans, organised by The Economist, will be held today in Pristina. The description of the summit notes that it will discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine, energy and commodities shortages and price hikes are driving the world to a multifaceted crisis. “The Western Balkans region has a unique role to play against this setting. The idea that without Western Balkans, Europe cannot be truly united, inclusive and politically effective is gaining ground. The region has a critical role to play in fostering peace, co-operation and unity through diversity for Europe. In order to benefit from this role, however, countries of the region will need to resolve regional conflicts and facilitate reforms that reduce the gap with Europe’s most developed part,” the description notes.

Mustafi: No Kosovo-Serbia agreement without U.S. involvement (Koha)

Leader of the Albanian National Council in Presevo Valley, said in an interview with KTV on Monday that without a U.S. proposal there can be no agreement between Kosovo and Serbia. He argued that the U.S. supports a proposal that offers mutual recognition and the normalisation of relations between the parties.

According to Mustafi, in Belgrade there is no enthusiasm for an agreement with Kosovo.

He further argued that the Presevo Valley cannot be left outside a final deal between Kosovo and Serbia. “We believe that Presevo Valley will be treated within this process. There can be no sustainable peace if Presevo Valley is not involved,” he said.

Rohde: Germany will support Kosovo in building a solar park (media)

German Ambassador to Kosovo, Jorn Rohde, said on Monday that Germany will support Kosovo in building a 100MW solar park. “German State Minister @AnnaLuehrmann  with strong case for climate: Kosovo needs to make use of its potential for renewables. Will help tackle the climate crisis and achieve energy security. Germany will support Kosovo in building a 100 MW solar park. Not coal, but wind & solar should be Kosovo’s future,” Rohde wrote on Twitter.

Discussions over Kosovo-Serbia intensify, whispers of snap elections emerge (Exit)

Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti called opposition stakeholders to meet this weekend to discuss ongoing negations with Serbia while analysts believe a snap election could be on the cards.

Rumours have been swirling for the last two weeks that a breakthrough agreement could be forthcoming between Serbia and Kosovo before the end of the year. Matters such as EU membership, visa liberalisation, and recognition are on the table for Kosovo, while Serbia, an EU hopeful that relies on Russian gas, wants an end to pressure to align with Russian sanctions.

Following the meeting, the Chairman of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, Ramush Haradinaj, requested greater US involvement in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.

“The topic was the final agreement with Serbia for mutual recognition, we discussed the process, the agreement, the challenges, it was a meaningful meeting”, said Haradinaj.

“For this process to be fully guaranteed, the final agreement with Serbia must be signed by the American level,” he added.

The agreement is the so-called Franco-German plan, drafted by recently appointed envoys to the region from Paris and Berlin.

The plan envisages Belgrade accepting Kosovo’s independence, without formally recognising it, for which it would obtain some financial benefits and the prospect of EU membership in return, media reported.

But analysts and some MPs have started talking about the possibility of early elections as a way to deal with the decision-making process. Kosovo journalist Xhemajl Rexha said that Kurti does not want to accept the Franco-German proposal. In an interview for Euronews Albania, Rexha said Kurti could resign and lead the country to early elections. “One of the options is for Kurti to resign, as the proposal is not the right one. By calling new elections, he can benefit more by being re-elected with more votes,” the journalist also said.

Pressure is also mounting on Kurti to postpone the license plate rule which is due to come into force on 1 November. Already postponed due to EU and US pressure, the new rules mean every car in Kosovo must have Kosovo-issued plates, including some 50,000 belonging to ethnic Serbs in the north who refuse to recognise the country’s sovereignty.

President Vjosa Osmani said it is not acceptable that number plates from the genocidal regime of Slobodan Milosevic are circulating in the country. She noted that 90% of Serbs in the north had changed their plates and the rest must do so to align with the rule of law.

Military service could become compulsory in Kosovo (euronews.al)

MP from the Vetevendosje Movement, Shqipe Mehmeti-Selimi said that a document on compulsory military service will be sent to the Parliament of Kosovo very soon.

She also emphasized that the Ministry of Defense has established a working group that is working on drafting of a new law, while adding that they are looking at cooperation with Switzerland, in this regard.

“The security strategy is very clear, and it specifies well the risks that Kosovo faces and how its institutions will have to act. The Ministry of Defense has already established a working group, which is dealing with the drafting of a new bill and they have visited the state of Switzerland, and are looking at the way of cooperation with the state of Switzerland, in terms of how to implement compulsory military service in Kosovo. In Kosovo, better opportunities are being looked at, we have set up contacts not only with Switzerland but also with other nations”, confirmed Mehmeti-Selimi.

Greek, Kosovar ministers meet to enhance economic collaboration (Ekathimerini)

Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Economic Diplomacy and Openness, Kostas Fragogiannis, met in Athens on Monday with Kosovar Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade Rozeta Hajdari, as part of Greece’s active role in the economic development of the Western Balkans and in boosting economic relations with Pristina.

Hajdari headed a delegation of 19 business owners from Kosovo who will participate in a forum organized on Tuesday by the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBEA) and Enterprise Greece, the national export promotion agency. The forum will include an address by Fragogiannis and the signing of a memorandum of collaboration between Enterprise Greece and the corresponding Kosovo Investment and Enterprise Support Agency.

During their meeting on Monday, Fragogiannis and Hadjari discussed opportunities for economic relations and trade exchanges in a series of sectors including energy, infrastructure & transport, construction, farm products, and technical transfer.

According to the Greek minister, nearly 100 Greek companies have invested and are active in Kosovo, mostly in the sectors of food & drinks, construction material, oil products, and waste management. He also raised the issue with the visiting minister of reforms that will improve the investment climate in Kosovo and resolve issues faced by foreign companies active there.

Russia hopes to exploit conflicts in Balkans, British expert warns (BIRN)

Mark Galeotti, a British historian and expert on Russian issues, told BIRN in an interview that the Kremlin will try to exploit “unresolved problems” in the Western Balkans, taking advantage of Western “complacency”.

“What we have to appreciate is the degree to which the Western Balkans is seen, at least by the Russians, as being another potential flank in its conflict with the West, with Europe, with NATO. And so many of the unresolved problems of the region are ones that Russians can and almost certainly will exploit,” Galeotti said.

“One of the key issues is that for so long the European Union and NATO have been rather complacent about the region, giving promises but little action. I think this creates all kinds of opportunities for the Russians to exploit,” he added.

He said Brussels’ decades-long approach to autocratic and semi-democratic regimes in the region has backfired.

Tolerance of undemocratic but “stable” regimes, known as “stabilitocracy”, in his opinion, had become very powerful among European Union decision-makers.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3F92vvf