Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti comments on possible appointment of EU special envoy for dialogue (Klan)
• Thaci announces elections for Podujeve mayor (media)
• CEC replaces 11 MPs that took on government posts (media)
• Weber: Kurti will be an uncomfortable interlocutor for EU (DW)
• Veliu: Kosovo to renew efforts to join international organisations (Zeri)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic to Kurti: things are not that simple (RTS)
• Dogovor: Kurti’s populism becomes a problem, he needs to be prime minister of all in Kosovo (RTV KIM)
• Vucic comments on possible appointment of Lajcak as EU special envoy (Tanjug, B92)
• Vucic: Serbia is allowed to choose (B92, Tanjug)
• EU donates additional EUR 138.5 million to Serbia (BETA, N1)

International:

• New Kosovo Prime Minister Pledges to Remove 100% Serbian Import Tariffs (VOA)
• Kosovo Charges Serb Ex-Policeman with War Crimes (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Windy weather causes disruption across Kosovo (Prishtina Insight)

   

Albanian Language Media

  Kurti comments on possible appointment of EU special envoy for dialogue (Klan)

Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti said today that Kosovo can not intervene on who gets appointed EU's envoy for dialogue with Serbia.

Belgrade-based media reported that Miroslav Lajcak, Slovakia's Foreign Minister, is expected to be appointed the European Union’s special envoy for talks between Kosovo and Serbia. 

Speaking to reporters during his visit to several areas in Kosovo hit by heavy wind in recent days, Kurti said: "We met Borrell and we would meet with Lajcak too. We do not neglect the dialogue but we should neither be late or hasty."

"We just began the governance well. Election campaign has begun in Serbia. We want to have good neighbourly and bilateral relations and a principled dialogue," Kurti said.  

Thaci announces elections for Podujeve mayor (media)

President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci announced 15 March as the date for extraordinary mayoral elections in Podujeve.

Thaci has instructed the Central Election Commission (CEC) to undertake all necessary measures to organise the election process in line with applicable legislation.

Thaci's decision also states that in accordance with the law on allocation for use and exchange of municipal immovable property, the Podujeve Municipal Assembly cannot take any decision on exchanging immovable property effective from the day elections were announced. 

The decision to announce extraordinary mayoral elections in Podujeve follows the resignation of Agim Veliu from the post after he got appointed minister of interior. 

CEC replaces 11 MPs that took on government posts (media)

The Central Election Commission (CEC) has approved the decision for replacement of 11 MPs that took on government posts following the formation of the new government of Kosovo.

The new MPs will include Enver Haliti, Alban Hyseni, Arta Bajralia, Fitim Haziri, Eman Rrahmani (Vetevendosje Movement - LVV) and Hatim Baxhaku, Fidan Rekaliu, Xhavit Uka, Besa Gaxherri, Shkumbin Gashi (Democratic League of Kosovo - LDK), and Zikreta Aliu (New Democratic Party - NDS). 

Weber: Kurti will be an uncomfortable interlocutor for EU (DW)

Bodo Weber, Balkans expert from the Berlin-based Democratization Policy Council in Berlin, said in an interview with Deutsche Welle that the new Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, will not be a comfortable interlocutor for the EU. 

Weber said this is partly because of Kurti's "principled and democratic" positions and partly because his party's programme continues to consist of "dogmatic and ideological" elements. 

"Kurti has confirmed in different statements that Vetevendosje is the party that insists on dialogue with the Serb community in Kosovo. It is not known how this can be achieved when Kurti and Vetevendosje insist on their dogmatic view to negotiate or communicate directly only with Kosovo Serbs, without Belgrade. The sad reality is that Kosovo Serbs currently do not make a factor in itself," Weber said adding that this can change only when an agreement is reached between Kosovo and Serbia which guarantees full integration of Kosovo Serbs in Kosovo institutions and Serbia's non-interference in Kosovo. 

"I believe the new government will use a new and more progressive rhetoric in relations with Serb community but I don't expect much success outside the framework of the Brussels-facilitated dialogue," he said. 

Veliu: Kosovo to renew efforts to join international organisations (Zeri)

Kosovo's Minister of Internal Affairs and Public Administration, Agim Veliu, said it was important for Kosovo institutions to renew campaign for gaining membership in international organisations. 

Veliu is reported to have made the comments following a meeting with the Head of the Belgian Diplomatic Office, Jean-Louis Servais.

The two officials also discussed deepeing of cooperation, especially between the police forces in fighting all forms of crimes and terrorism. 

   

Serbian Language Media

  Vucic to Kurti: things are not that simple (RTS)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic commented on the statement of Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti who announced the principle of reciprocity in relations with Belgrade, by saying that “things are not that simple, as if you were sitting in the opposition and could say things without being accountable.”

Vucic further said the announcements to revoke the tariffs on goods from Serbia are good news, since the tariffs inflicted serious damages to the both, Serbian and Albanian people.

“It is something that is expected, Kurti improves his international political position. It means to us because of the supply of the Serbian people (in Kosovo) and further progress of the Serbian economy,” Vucic said.  

Vucic said it was not Belgrade’s choice who to sit with at the (negotiation) table, but of those who elected such representatives, respectively the Albanian people. He said it is a madness to talk about the genocide lawsuit (against Serbia) and increasing armament by 100 percent, adding that Serbia is not afraid of it.

“You do your job, it is good that you are thinking to revoke the tariffs, it would also be good that we talk in the future,” Vucic said.

Talking about Kurti’s reciprocity statements, Vucic said that the new Kosovo prime minister must find something to offer to his people. However, he cannot introduce this principle to Belgrade, because Belgrade does not regard Kosovo as a state.

“That would be bad for them. They analyse only agreements that suit them. There are disputes about the agreement on recognizing diplomas from Pristina University, which is in Mitrovica, and they say it belongs to them. Registration plates cause problems, talks about energy, however, we are facing this for years and manage to sustain the pressure. One should not forget that any mentions of these issues, means formation of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities as well,” Vucic opined.

Dogovor: Kurti’s populism becomes a problem, he needs to be prime minister of all in Kosovo (RTV KIM)

“One should not talk much on how many people have been killed in Kosovo. But we need to tell the prime minister that some Serbs and some other people also went missing here. Not only Albanians,” Pristina-based analyst Fatmir Sheholli said for RTV KIM broadcast “Dogovor.” Nenad Radosavljec, owner of TV Mir in Leposavic, said that those responsible for the crimes must be held accountable, regardless of who they are.

Commenting on the statement of Albin Kurti that Kosovo will file a lawsuit against Serbia for committing genocide, Sheholli and Radosavljevic opined “that anyone who thinks the crimes have been committed can file a lawsuit, from the both sides.”

“I think everybody has the right to seek accountability of the people who have committed the crimes. It should be brought to an end, from any side,” Radosavljevic said.

Fatmir Sheholi opined that neither Kurti nor any other politician in Kosovo can determine if a genocide was committed in Kosovo, this is something that the International Court of Justice should decide upon. According to him, there are grounds for the lawsuit for war crimes.

“There are grounds for it because the graves talk. One should not talk much about how many people have been killed in Kosovo. But it is needed to emphasise here and tell the mister prime minister that some Serbs and also some other people went missing here. Not only Albanians,” Sheholli said, adding that Kurti needs to act as the prime minister of all citizens in Kosovo.

Both Radosavljevic and Sheholli agreed that as a problem with the new Kosovo prime minister they see noticeable populism in his statements.

“Populism in the statements of Albian Kurti is already becoming a problem, in particular with his statement on introducing a mandatory military service,” Radosavljevic said.

He thinks that not only Serbs, but also the international community would strongly oppose that.

Sheholli also thinks the announcement on mandatory military service will not succeed.

“I do not know if he (Kurit) counted how much money it would take, that every third month you have new groups, regardless if Serbs are involved or not. That is a budget Kosovo can not sustain. And I think that his statement was populist,” Sheholli said, adding that Kurti would not be able to implement that without the approval of NATO, US and other QUINT members.

Commenting on the talks with Belgrade, Sheholli said Kurti would need to talk, foremost because the US and the EU have invested in the dialogue a lot. “Whether he wants that or not, he would need to face realistic things.”

He also expects that Kurti would need to revoke the tariffs, and the statements on reciprocity are an exit strategy for the population.

Radosavljevic, on the other hand, thinks that Kurti has a unique opportunity to bring things back to normality.

Sheholli also touched upon the invitation to be interviewed at the Special Court in the Hague. He did not want to reveal in what capacity he will travel there, adding it will take place this month.

Asked if he is afraid to return to Pristina, given previous experiences of the witnesses, Sheholli responded that he has no reason to be afraid of anyone, not at all. “I know what I was doing my entire life, and this is how I will respond there.”

Vucic comments on possible appointment of Lajcak as EU special envoy (Tanjug, B92)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic commented on the possibility that Miroslav Lajcak could be appointed as EU special envoy in Belgrade-Pristina talks, Tanjug news agency reports.

"I cannot confirm or deny this, but I would not rule out that possibility. Anyone who conducts the talks will be strongly influenced by Berlin. I think everything's clear on that," Vucic told RTS.

He stated that Lajcak is an experienced, highly educated and intelligent man, who has established an exceptional cooperation with Berlin. Asked if he thinks Berlin will continue to lead the negotiations, Vucic said he still thinks so, based on the information he possesses.

Vucic also said he expects to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin next month.

Belgrade-based daily Blic wrote today that Lajcak will be newly appointed special envoy, citing diplomatic circles in Berlin.

See at: https://bit.ly/2SpIwhV Vucic: Serbia is allowed to choose (B92, Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that Serbia, as the country which has come a long way within the EU accession negotiation process, can choose its path.

The EU Commission presented its proposal for renewing the accession negotiation process, but, if adopted, it would only be applicable to the countries who are yet to open accession negotiations, with the countries already negotiating being able to choose if they want to join in.

“It is going to be their choice, and I already see arguments in favor”, Várhelyi said.

According to Vucic, Serbia can choose whether to continue using the already negotiated framework or the new methodology, and that his personal sympathies are on the side of the new methodology.

"My personal sympathy, as president, is to take on new methodologies, and I am grateful to the EU member states who have wished this," Vucic said, after meeting with Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi.

"When you have a good pass time, the right pass time that means a lot to the people involved in the reforms, I am sure that we will do our best to do our job as quickly as possible. I want to reaffirm our commitment to Serbia's European path, our determination to be part of the EU, but also part of the debate on how to best show people the EU benefits, so that they could be able to touch what the EU is, and not just have a vague idea about it", he pointed out.

In support of the new methodology, Vucic stated that, although he went to Brussels almost every time to open the chapter, he would not be able to list the ones we had opened and closed, and that this was now more transparent within the new methodology, which envisages six clusters.

He said that when the clusters are closed, which is not easy work, because the new methodology is tight and restrictive, it gains access to EU funds.

"If you take competition and growth as a cluster, we have opened the largest number of chapters. Only three are still pending, with six already open. We stand here perfectly. This is a great motivation for all of us to do this", Vucic explained.

He told reporters that Várhelyi presented him with the first part of a new methodology, which has been discussed lately in Serbia and also in Brussels.

"I would like to express my satisfaction with the hard work of the European Commission, and with the Commissioner's personal engagement, as well as with what we can now see within the new methodology", Vucic said.

He also said that he had discussed with the European Commissioner the "Mini Schengen" Balkan initiative concerning the free movement of goods, people, capital and services in the region.

"I came up with the idea that Serbia would like to become part of the Schengen Agreement with some EU member states, because we think it would be of great importance for our country to have open borders to Europe, and we think that Serbia can guarantee an important impact on maintaining security and safety", he stressed.

Vucic emphasized that these are ideas that need to be discussed in the EU, to see what they want and what we can offer.

He added his country was very grateful for the principles based on which the European Commission led its policy toward the Balkans.

"We believe that the Euro-integration process will continue, and that is of strategic significance for us", he said.

See at: https://bit.ly/388wqjA EU donates additional EUR 138.5 million to Serbia (BETA, N1)

The European Union and Serbian Government signed an agreement on Thursday on additional EUR 138.5 million donation to Belgrade for projects in economy, sciences, the rule of law and governance, BETA news agency reported.

The EU decides on such grants annually, and Serbia will receive them in the following years as well, the bloc’s delegation said in a statement.

The most considerable sum of 76.5 million is dedicated to competitiveness and innovations. Over 30 million will go to the Fund for Science.

The rule of law will be supported with 18 million in the form of consulting missions form the EU member states, aid to judges, prosecutors and investigators.

Over 18 million is allocated for civil servants’ training, adjusting the legislative to the EU standards and for the expertise in adopting “best European practice in the area of governance."

See at: https://bit.ly/2H3tNUo    

International

  New Kosovo Prime Minister Pledges to Remove 100% Serbian Import Tariffs (VOA)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti pledges to abolish the 100% tariffs on Serbian imports, an impediment in normalization efforts between the two countries since 2018.

Kurti, who was confirmed as prime minister by the Kosovo Assembly on Monday, said in an interview with Voice of America that the objective of the ruling coalition composed of his party, Vetvendosje (Self-Determination), and the Democratic League of Kosovo, is to introduce “measures of full reciprocity in trade, politics and economy” with Serbia.  

See at: https://bit.ly/373AuAA Kosovo Charges Serb Ex-Policeman with War Crimes (Balkan Insight)

Kosovo’s Special Prosecution filed an indictment on Thursday accusing Goran Stanisic of committing war crimes against Kosovo Albanian civilians while he was a Serbian reservist policeman in 1999.

The prosecution claims that Stanisic participated in the deportation of the Kosovo Albanian civilian population and was involved in killings and other unlawful acts, in violation of international humanitarian law.

See at: https://bit.ly/37bBB1f    

Humanitarian/Development 

  Windy weather causes disruption across Kosovo (Prishtina Insight)

Strong winds accompanied by heavy rain and snow on Wednesday night have caused considerable damage across Kosovo, especially in western and central regions. 

Houses, mosques and schools were damaged, with reports of an estimated 100,000 people suffering a blackout as electricity poles collapsed. Schools were closed across the country on Thursday, with the new government promising to aid citizens in affected areas.

See at: https://bit.ly/2H4ME1A