Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19 report: Four deaths, 418 new cases (media) 
• Kosovo in negotiations to obtain Covid-19 vaccine through World Bank (media)
• Hoti dismisses claims abolishment of task force will delay visa liberalisation (media)
• KWN writes to Hoti calling for implementation of UN SC resolution 1325 (media)
• Kosovo's Islamic Community condemns terror attack in Nice (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Belgrade insists on ZSO in Brussels talks; EU: Step forward (N1)
• Milan Radojevic candidate for Mitrovica North mayor (Radio KIM)
• China congratulates Serbia on new government (FoNet, N1)
• Increase in domestic violence cases in northern Kosovo (Kontakt plus radio)
• Constitutional reforms inevitable in Kosovo and Serbia (KIM radio, TV Show 'Sporazum')
• Metropolitan Amfilohije passes away (KoSSev, media)
• Petkovic: Hoti deceives the public by misinterpreting the agreements from Brussels (TV Most)

Opinion:

• Washington could force Kosovo recognition onto Greece and other EU states (greekcitytimes.com)

International:

• CDT: The countries of the region are stagnating and even regressing in the field of democratization (EWB)
• Serbian Ministry Protects ‘Right to Privacy’ of Fugitive War Criminal (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Tiodorovic: Schools won't be closed in Serbia yet as they are not closed in Europe (B92, RTS)
• Ivanusa: The situation in Serbia is very serious (B92, Blic)
• Enabled channel for emergency filling of Lake Badovac from Ibar-Lepenac (KoSSev)

 

 

 

Albanian Language Media 

 

COVID-19 report: Four deaths, 418 new cases (media) 

Kosovo’s National Institute for Public Health said in a statement today that four deaths and a record-high of 418 new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the last 24 hours of 1,608 samples tested.

67 patients have recovered from the virus during this time. The highest number of new infections is from the municipality of Prishtina (188).

Media highlight that today's figures are the highest recorded during a 24-hour period in Kosovo since the outset of the pandemic in March.

Kosovo in negotiations to obtain Covid-19 vaccine through World Bank (media)

Kosovo's Minister of Finance Hykmete Bajrami said that Kosovo is in negotiations with the World Bank to get supplies of the COVID-19 vaccine along with 50 countries when it becomes available.

Bajrami said 11 vaccines are on their final testing stage and the World Bank will make the purchase on behalf of the countries. "This will be through a loan, not donations, but conditions are favourable."

Hoti dismisses claims abolishment of task force will delay visa liberalisation (media)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Abdullah Hoti rejected claims that the government's decision to dissolve the anti-corruption task force operating within the Kosovo Police will lead to delays in the visa liberalisation process.

"It is pure speculation of people that are against these decisions that assert lawfulness. It has nothing to do with the visa liberalisation issue. On the contrary, it will pave the way for moving to visa liberalisation faster," Hoti told reporters today after the meeting of the government.

Hoti also spoke about plans to draw a new Kosovo Police organigam, which he said will be overseen by international partners and will be in close cooperation with the police and the special prosecution. 

KWN writes to Hoti calling for implementation of UN SC resolution 1325 (media)

Kosovo Women's Network has written to Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti and Coordinator for Dialogue with Serbia Skender Hyseni asking them to ensure women’s meaningful participation in negotiations, peace, and security processes as guaranteed by the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security.

“The Resolution stresses the importance of recognising women’s role in the prevention, solution, and consolidation of peace,” KWN said in the letter.

It asked the Government of Kosovo to address women’s main priorities during the ongoing dialogue with Serbia by ensuring meaningful participation of women in decision-making related to the negotiations and dialogue; requesting Serbia to recognise publicly and apologise for crimes committed against civilians by the state; ensuring the return of missing persons; prosecuting people who committed war crimes, including sexual violence perpetrated during the war; and securing compensation and reparations for the state’s destruction of civilians’ livelihoods, including the return of pensions.

“KWN will continue to closely monitor the implementation of Resolution 1325 by the Government of Kosovo and the involvement of women in decision-making,” the letter concluded.

Read the full letter: https://bit.ly/3jDEhed

Kosovo's Islamic Community condemns terror attack in Nice (media)

The Islamic Community of Kosovo has condemned the terror attack in France calling it a 'disgusting' act.

"We sympathise with the pain of the families and victims and the French people. Taking a human life and attacking religious sites are acts in violation to the principle of religions and teachings of prophets," the Islamic Community said in a statement.

Kosovo leaders have also strongly condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with France after three people were killed at a church in the city of Nice.

 

 

 

Serbian Language Media

 

Belgrade insists on ZSO in Brussels talks; EU: Step forward (N1)

Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic said on Thursday that Belgrade has raised again the issue of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities (ZSO) in a meeting in Brussels, and insisted on the implementation of the Brussels Agreement "which is necessary for continuing the dialogue with Pristina, and building much-needed trust between the two sides", N1 reports.

The two sides discussed mutual financial claims and property issues and Petkovic said the positions were opposite.  

After the meeting, Petkovic told reporters that "for each facility, company, factory, we have documents and evidence that show who invested in Kosovo. And to come to these specific issues, we must establish common principles to enter those", he added.

Petkovic said the Belgrade delegation showed its commitment to continue the dialogue and that there was no alternative to talks with the Pristina side in an attempt to resolve all issues and those that burdened us.

"The problem is much bigger when there is no conversation", he said.

The EU Special Envoy for the Belgrade - Pristina dialogue Miroslav Lajcak tweeted after the meeting that a step forward was made towards a comprehensive agreement.

Since Pristina refused to discuss the ZSO, the topic was not talked about, but "was mentioned" in the meeting.

"Whichever issue is opened, we cannot progress in the dialogue without the formation of the ZSO. We'll see how the Pristina side will behave… What they want is to create the ZSO in line with the Kosovo constitution, but that has not been agreed in Brussels, nor is it a part of the agreed principles in 2015… We don't need an NGO", Petkovic said.

"The next meeting at the technical level depends on EU readiness to organise it," he added.

See at: https://bit.ly/3jGC0Ps

Milan Radojevic candidate for Mitrovica North mayor (Radio KIM)

Submission of candidates for extraordinary mayoral elections in Mitrovice North expires today. Until yesterday, only Serbian List submitted a request to certify a candidate for the elections that would take place on November 29, Radio KIM reports.

According to the Central Election Commission, Serbian List submitted an application yesterday and nominated Milan Radojevic as a candidate for Mitrovica North mayor.

Mitrovica North was left without a mayor, after current Kosovo Minister of Local Self-Government and Administration Goran Rackic resigned from the post and accepted a new position at Avdullah Hoti’s government. 

China congratulates Serbia on new government (FoNet, N1)

The Chinese ambassador to Serbia Chen Bo wished Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic and her cabinet a successful work, passing on the Chinese premier Li Keqiang’s congratulations, FoNet news agency reports.

In a meeting, Brnabic thanked Bo for Chinese sincere friendship with Serbia and all the help to the country’s health system during the coronavirus pandemic, a statement from Brnabic’s cabinet said.

Bo added the countries were tied with significant strategic projects in the areas of environment, traffic infrastructure and railroad. At the same time, she saw the field of innovations as a sector with great potential for future cooperation, the statement added.

Brnabic was also quoted as saying her government would be committed to deepening the relations with China.

Increase in domestic violence cases in northern Kosovo (Kontakt plus radio)

According to Kosovo police records, in the past months there has been an increase in the number of reported cases of domestic violence in four northern municipalities in Kosovo, Kontakt plus radio reports.

In the period from 1 March till 30 September this year, a total of 41 cases of domestic violence were reported, with an increase of even seven cases compared to the same period last year, the Kosovo police deputy commander for the North region Besim Hoti told Kontakt plus radio. 

"Out of the total number, 24 cases were recorded in Mitrovica North, 11 in Leposavic, three in Zvecan and Zubin Potok respectively. In the same period in 2019, there were 34 cases of domestic violence, meaning that this year saw an increase of about 20%", Hoti specified.

He assessed that the increase in the number of cases was undoubtedly influenced by the new situation related to the coronavirus pandemic and imposed restriction of movement, closures and curfew.

Most of the cases were registered in accordance with Article 248 of the Kosovo Criminal Code, and they are treated as a crime against family and marriage, Hoti explained. The problem of domestic violence is dealt with by several institutions, and when it comes to accommodating the victims in the Safe House, the police perform this work in cooperation with the centers for social welfare.

Constitutional reforms inevitable in Kosovo and Serbia (KIM radio, TV Show 'Sporazum')

Director of the Kosovo Law Institute Ehat Miftaraj stated that constitutional reforms in Kosovo and Serbia will undoubtedly take place when a comprehensive agreement is reached, which is a very important issue for the European Union. Following the agreement, it is certain that international pressure would be on the assemblies and political parties in those countries to ratify both agreements in the near future, make them legitimate, legal and make the appropriate changes to their constitutions, reported KIM radio.

"If these agreements are concluded, the EU will offer, both Kosovo and Serbia, the possibility of an accelerated integration process, which will be considered a gift and exchange for Kosovo and Serbia. In the case of Kosovo, it would be visa liberalization, which I, as the director of the Kosovo Law Institute, often see as blackmail used by the EU in the case of Kosovo, either in negotiations with Serbia or for the purpose of establishing a Special Court," Miftaraj said in the TV Show 'Dogovor' (Agreement). 

Director of the Institute for Territorial Economic Development Dragisa Mijacic believes that the rights given to the Serb community by the current Kosovo constitution have not been fully exercised, and that it is therefore necessary for the agreed Association / Community of Serb-majority municipalities (ZSO) to have executive powers.

"It is true that the Serbian community made a problem regarding integration into Kosovo society, but the Kosovo Albanian society and Kosovo institutions itself, primarily, did not implement the regulations they adopted themselves. Therefore, there is no guarantee that tomorrow, in any solution that is reached in Brussels, Serbs will satisfy their collective rights, unless the Association of Serbian Municipalities does not have executive competencies," Mijacic believes.

Commenting that neither the Constitution of Serbia does not recognize the ZSO, the executive director of the Open Society Foundation in Serbia Milan Antonijevic said what emerges from the dialogue will have to go through a serious parliamentary debate.

"The constitutional reforms, that were announced earlier regarding other negotiation chapters, await Serbia. In the current composition of the assembly, which is fixed for a period of 18 months, there is a two-thirds majority that can vote to change the constitution and put the constitution to a referendum. It is still not openly discussed whether any constitutional provision concerning Kosovo will be changed. The preamble itself has a more declarative function, and not an essential one, and one should wait for political answers from those within the parliament, who will work on drafting a proposal to amend the constitution," Antonijevic assessed.

The TV show "Dogovor" research results were also published on Facebook based on a question that read: "Would you support the constitutional changes of Serbia and Kosovo if those would form the Association / Community of Serbian Municipalities?"

78.4 percent of respondents said that they would, while 21.6 percent of citizens said they would not.

Metropolitan Amfilohije passes away (KoSSev, media)

The Archbishop of Cetinje, Metropolitan of Montenegro, and Exarch of the Holy Throne of Pec, Amfilohije passed away this morning at 8.20am, the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral announced.

The Metropolitan had been receiving treatment at the Clinical Hospital Center of Montenegro since the beginning of October, when he tested positive for coronavirus, the Metropolitanate announced earlier.

He passed away after having received the Holy Sacrament of Communion, reads today’s statement from the Metropolitanate.

Despite recently testing negative for COVID-19, some media reported yesterday that the Metropolitan Amfilohije was having difficulty breathing due to, as his doctors explained, pneumomediastinum – a common complication among the majority of elderly people who have been dealing with the infection for a longer period.

The Metropolitanate announced at the time that he was placed on non-invasive, and early this morning, invasive ventilation.

Last night, some media outlets published the information that the Metropolitan passed away yesterday, which the Metropolitanate soon denied.

Metropolitan

Metropolitan Amfilohije (Radovic, birth name Risto) was born on Christmas Day, January 7th, 1938, in Bara Radovica in Donja Moraca.

He was raised in a patriarchal devout family in post-war times of growing atheism under communist rule.

Amfilohije attended primary school in the Moraca monastery and the seminary of St. Sava in Rakovica in Belgrade. He graduated from the Faculty of Theology in Belgrade while also studying classical philology at the Faculty of Philosophy.

He obtained a Master’s degree from the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Bern and Rome. In Athens, he finished his doctorate on St. Gregory Palamas, which attracted the attention of the then European theological public. He also received the rank of a priest in Greece.

The Metropolitan was one of the last three remaining students of Justin Popovic, who, along with the old man Paisije from Mount Athos, had a great influence on the spiritual development of the Metropolitan.

He was a professor at the St. Sergius Orthodox Theological Institute in Paris, a tenured professor at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology of St. John the Theologian in Belgrade (later the Orthodox Theology Faculty of the University of Belgrade). He was also the dean of the faculty for two terms.

He received the Doctorate honoris causa from several other academies: the Moscow Theological Academy, the Institute of Theology at the Belarusian State University in Minsk, the St. Sergius Orthodox Theological Institute in Paris, and the St. Petersburg Theological Academy. He was elected an honorary member of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts.

The Metropolitan was also awarded the Order of Lomonosov.

He was the Bishop of Banat before he was elected Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral in 1990, with a seat in Cetinje.

Metropolitan Amfilohije held ancient titles – he was the Exarch of the Holy Throne of Pec, as well as Archbishop of Cetinje.

He was a member of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church on several convocations. He presided over that body and was the deputy of Patriarch Pavle during his illness up to his death, and until Irinej was elected as the new patriarch.

He temporarily administered the Diocese of Raska-Prizren from May 2010 until the enthronement of Bishop Teodosije of Raska-Prizren and Kosovo-Metohija at the end of December of the same year. He also administered the Diocese of Buenos Aires and South-Central America (which was established at his suggestion) from its founding in May 2011 until today. 

The Metropolitan was a key figure in the renewal of the Orthodox faith and the development of the church in Montenegro before and after the breakup of Yugoslavia. 

He influenced generations of priests and bishops. During his time, the Cetinje seminary was renovated, new churches and temples were built, along with one of the largest cathedrals of the Resurrection of Christ in Podgorica, St. Jovan Vladimir in Bar, while old and abandoned monasteries were renovated.

As the Metropolitan pointed out earlier, 652 church buildings were reconstructed and built during his service on the Cetinje throne.

He founded the Publishing and Information Institution „Svetigora“. Amfilohije spoke Greek, Russian, Italian, German, and French. He used ancient Greek, Latin, and Church Slavonic in his scientific work.

Also, he left behind numerous volumes on theology, philosophy, essays, translation works, and poetry.

He played a special role in the years immediately after the war in Kosovo, when, as the Exarch of the Pec throne, he spent time and gave support to the local monks and nuns. He also collected and buried the remains of Serbs killed during that period.

Along with Patriarch Pavle, Amfilohije was the most popular and important Serbian bishop in recent history among the clergy and the faithful, known under the nickname „Djedo“.

At the same time, for the rest of the public and the region, he was the most disputed Serbian priest. He was accused of inciting nationalism and supporting convicted war criminals. Contrary to those who loved him and the metropolitan himself, this part of the public claimed that the metropolitan did not support the peace and reconciliation of the people.

According to analysts and public opinion, he played a key role in the unity of the people in Montenegro, which helped to establish marches extending for months held throughout cities in Montenegro and the elections held the following summer – where Djukanovic’s DPS party were ousted after 30 years of its rule.

In the last years of his life, the Metropolitan became known to the public as a fierce critic of Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic, as well as Serbian Aleksandar Vucic; he criticized the latter over his politics on the issue of Kosovo.

See at: https://bit.ly/31Ydinr

Petkovic: Hoti deceives the public by misinterpreting the agreements from Brussels (TV Most)

Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Petar Petkovic says that Avdullah Hoti continues to deceive the public by misinterpreting the agreements from Brussels and inventing administrative obstacles for the realization of the agreement on the establishment of the Community of Serbian Municipalities (ZSO), reported Zvecan based TV Most.

''Hoti is not telling the truth when he justifies the fact that Pristina has not fulfilled its obligations for seven and a half years, hiding behind the decision of the so-called Kosovo Constitutional Court, because neither the court was asked a question in accordance with the Brussels agreements nor it commented on the topic on which Pristina should have declared,'' reads the statement, reported TV Most.

''According to a document entitled "Association / Community of Serb-majority Municipalities in Kosovo - General Principles / Main Elements", Pristina should have forwarded a decree to its constitutional court stating the special character of the ZSO, and not the agreement or the Statute of the ZSO,'' reads the statement.

''Also, point 21 of the General Principles clearly states that the Statute of the ZSO will be confirmed by a decree, which Pristina will send to its constitutional court. Hoti therefore does not know, or pretends not to know, the basic elements of the Brussels dialogue and the agreement agreed with the mediation of the EU,'' it is stated in the press release of the director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic.

 

Opinion

 

Washington could force Kosovo recognition onto Greece and other EU states (greekcitytimes.com)

The U.S. intends to force Serbia not to oppose Kosovo’s entry into international institutions, thus imposing Belgrade to indirectly recognize the breakaway province’s independence. In this way, the five EU members that have not yet recognized Kosovo’s independence would be discouraged from continuing this policy.

It is in the hope of U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Philip S. Kosnett, that Greece, Cyprus, Spain, Romania and Slovakia will change their position on Kosovo’s independence if relations between Belgrade and Pristina improve. Kosnett then compared the Kosovo issue to other disputes in the Balkans and the wider region that the U.S. has mediated in.

“Who would have thought that North Macedonia and Greece would reach an agreement on the name, but it did happen. People thought the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain or Sudan couldn’t have relations with Israel, but it did happen,” he said.

However, these are not good examples given by the American ambassador. The sovereignty of North Macedonian territory was not disputed by Greece, but rather the name of the state was. The name dispute cannot be equated with a situation where the U.S. is backing an entity trying to secede 15% of Serbian territory. Also, the three Arab states do not have their sovereignty questioned by Israel. No matter how historical the issues over Israel and the Macedonian question may be, they cannot be put on the same level as Kosovo.

Kosnett’s statement, given to Dukagjin Television, was addressed to Albanians who are accustomed to unconditional American support and is characteristic of Washington’s policy towards Serbia. Since the Brussels Agreement in 2013, Pristina expected the U.S. would make the five EU countries recognize Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence.

The 2013 Brussel Agreement, negotiated between former Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dačić and his Kosovo Albanian counterpart Hashim Thaçi, and mediated by former EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, effectively opened a path for Belgrade and Pristina to normalize their relations since the provinces illegal declaration of independence in 2008.

However, the ambassador expresses a position that is consistent with Washington’s anti-Serb policy. This shows that the ultimate goal is to force Serbia to indirectly recognize the breakaway province through a comprehensive agreement and allowing it to become a member of international organizations. European countries that do not recognize Kosovo’s independence would be discouraged to continue this policy. The position of the five EU member states that do not recognize its independence becomes irrelevant if Belgrade continues to allow incentives that further legitimize the Pristina government.

See at: https://bit.ly/3jF55uj

 

 

 

International

 

CDT: The countries of the region are stagnating and even regressing in the field of democratization (EWB)

PODGORICA – The European Union’s policy thus far has had a limited impact on the rule of law in the Western Balkans, and despite the formal fulfillment of the set tasks and gradual harmonization with the EU acquis, it has become obvious that the desired effects are not being achieved and that the countries of the region are stagnating and even regressing in the field of democratization, it is stated in the publication “Democracy without institutions vol. 2”  by the Center for Democratic Transition (CDT).

This is the conclusion of the analysis on meeting EU political criteria in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.

See at:https://bit.ly/35GCRKI

Serbian Ministry Protects ‘Right to Privacy’ of Fugitive War Criminal (Balkan Insight)

Serbia’s Interior Ministry refused to provide any information about how Rajko Kozlina, who was convicted of committing war crimes in Kosovo, managed to flee the country, citing privacy issues and ‘lack of public interest’.

The Serbian Interior Ministry has rejected BIRN’s freedom of information request asking whether former Yugoslav Army soldier Rajko Kozlina used an official border crossing to flee Serbia after he failed to appear to serve his 15-year sentence for war crimes in Kosovo.

The ministry argued that giving out the information would “violate the right to privacy of the person”, and claimed that there is also no public interest in providing the information.

See at: https://bit.ly/3mAhykR

 

 

Humanitarian/Development

 

Tiodorovic: Schools won't be closed in Serbia yet as they are not closed in Europe (B92, RTS)

Epidemiologist Dr Branislav Tiodorovic told RTS that there is no question of closing schools and kindergartens as this is the position taken in Europe as well.

City Secretary for Education and Child Protection Slavko Gak stated on Thursday for TV Prva that in the last two weeks the coronavirus was confirmed in several children and twenty employees in Belgrade kindergartens, as well as in almost 50 students, but that there is no room for panic from hour to hour.

Epidemiologist Branislav Tiodorovic told RTS there is no question of closing schools and kindergartens, and that this is the position that exists in Europe as well. He added there is a good model in Serbia when it comes to schools and kindergartens.

As he said, the situation in schools and students who were in contact with the positive, or who are positive, is monitored daily. Then classes or entire schools, depending on the situation, switch to the online model.

City Secretary for Education and Child Protection Slavko Gak earlier told RTS that no kindergarten has been closed in Belgrade so far, but he is concerned that in the last ten days the coronavirus has been confirmed in several children and employees in Belgrade kindergartens, as well as almost 50 students got infected.

Slavko Gak stated on RTS that preschool institutions in Belgrade have been working since May 11 and that to this day no kindergarten on the territory of the capital has been closed.

"We went through a crisis period during June and all employees in preschool institutions showed really great professionalism and high responsibility, and we went through that period without major problems. Now we are facing a new wave of infection", Gak said, adding that when it comes to the overall situation, things are not alarming for preschool institutions.

He emphasized that all kindergartens are working, epidemiological measures are being implemented and controlled.

See at: https://bit.ly/2TCc3FZ

Ivanusa: The situation in Serbia is very serious (B92, Blic)

The director of the office of the World Health Organization in Serbia Marijan Ivanua said the current epidemiological situation in the country is "very serious", B92 reports.

He stated that "records are being broken when it comes to the daily number of newly infected".

"Expectations are that the epidemiological picture will worsen in the coming weeks, both in Europe and in Serbia," Ivanusa told today's edition of Belgrade-based daily Blic.

As he explained, "according to the information we have, the main transmission occurs in our houses, in closed or crowded restaurants, at gatherings or workplaces and in closed public places".

"Young people go out more and socialize more, so the spread is linked to young people, although the virus can also spread among the older population", Ivanusa said.

He emphasized that "the message is the same for everyone - if we want to stop the spread of the virus, we must adhere to preventive measures, keep physical distance, wear masks, take care of respiratory hygiene and hand hygiene".

"We know that everyone is tired because this situation has been going on for some time, and it is uncertain how long it will last",Ivanusa said, calling for adherence to protective measures against COVID-19.

See at: https://bit.ly/3oGsrUo

Enabled channel for emergency filling of Lake Badovac from Ibar-Lepenac (KoSSev)

The canal for urgent delivery of additional quantities of water from the Ibar-Lepenac system to Badovac Lake, which has not been used since 2014, has been re-enabled at the request of the Prime Minister of Kosovo Avdulah Hoti, reported portal KoSSev. 

As it was announced from his office, the representatives of the Regional Waterworks Company "Pristina" and the company Ibar - Lepenac are working on the rehabilitation of this canal. 45 breakdowns were repaired and pipes of almost 100 meters were replaced.

This accumulation lake, as well as the newly rehabilitated canal, was visited by Hoti yesterday, the Kosovo government announced.

The Badovac Lake, which supplies about 35% of drinking water to the users of RWC "Pristina", during the summer of this year, but also last year, was often mentioned in the media due to the low water level, due to which restrictions were occasionally announced.

And the topic in the media is the Ibar-Lepenac canal, that is, Lake Gazivode, from which this hydro system is supplied with water. From September 4, Gazivode and the use of water resources from this lake is the point of the agreement on economic normalization that Hoti and President Aleksandar Vucic signed in Washington in the presence of the President of the USA, Donald Trump.

Representatives of the US Department of Energy visited Kosovo last week, and according to the agreement from Washington, they should work with the Serbian and Kosovo sides on "preparing a feasibility study for the needs of sharing Lake Gazivoda / Ujmani as a reliable source of water and energy supply."