Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 591 new cases, seven deaths (media)
• Zemaj warns stricter measures if increasing trend continues (media)
• Central Election Commission announces final election results (media)
• NATO SG: We’re reviewing engagement with KSF, after mandate change (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• 67 new cases of Covid-19, two deaths registered in Serbian areas in Kosovo (KoSSev)
• Antonijevic: The number of patients is growing, the worrying situation (KiM radio)
• The CEC confirmed 10 mandates of the Serbian List, Slavko and Igor Simic won the most votes (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic: Albanians are not ready to compromise (KoSSev)
• Lajcak from Belgrade: Status quo is not sustainable for either side (KoSSev)
• Germany against change of borders; Serbia for compromise (KoSSev)
• Sava Janjic: No hasty solution for Kosovo and Metohija (NMagazin, FB)
• Selakovic addressed German Bundestag EU Committee, talks about EU integration, Kosovo issue (GoS, media)
• Grubjesic: Lajcak visit to 'feel the pulse' of Pristina about the dialogue continuation (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)

Opinion:

• Lack of paper in the Paper Leviathans (Koha)
• Intentional Amnesia: Croatia’s Attempt to Erase Yugoslavia (Balkan Insight)

International:

• Left-wing party wins Kosovo poll, needs ally to form cabinet (AP)
• World Health Organization warns of global uptick in Covid cases after weeks of decline (CNBC)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Inspiring change: women’s leadership in health care is vital during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond (euro.who.int)
• In COVID-19 Fight, Free Speech Becomes Collateral Damage (Balkan Insight)
• EU Starts Sputnik V Review as Russia Seeks Vaccine Acceptance (Bloomberg)

 

 

Albanian Language Media  

 

COVID-19: 591 new cases, seven deaths (media)

591 new cases of COVID-19 and seven deaths from the virus were recorded in the last 24 hours in Kosovo. 386 persons have recovered from the virus during this time.

Zemaj warns stricter measures if increasing trend continues (media)

Kosovo’s outgoing Minister of Health, Armend Zemaj, warned today that there could be new and stricter measures against the COVID-19 pandemic if the current increase trend continues. “We will evaluate the current measures to prevent further infections … Today we will also evaluate cases in Kosovo’s municipalities. We will see if measures need to be reviewed in municipalities that fall under the red zone and if there is a greater risk if we will have to introduce movement limitations,” he said at the meeting for the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Zemaj also said that anti-COVID vaccines from COVAX are expected to arrive this month and added that despite pressure Kosovo will not take vaccines from Serbia and Russia. “We are aware of the pressure from the citizens for the vaccines, especially among the Serb citizens. We will not take vaccines from Serbia and Russia despite the pressure from other countries in the region,” he said. 

National Institute for Public Health Director Naser Ramadani said that in the last couple of weeks there has been a 26.6 increase in new cases and a 23.6 increase in fatal cases from the virus. “We need to continue with strict measures and stop some activities, with limitations for religious, school and gastronomic activities,” he said.

Telegrafi reports that despite an increase in the number of new cases, there won’t be a new lockdown in Kosovo.

Central Election Commission announces final election results (media)

Kosovo’s Central Election Commission (CEC) has announced today the final results of the February 14 parliamentary elections. The Vetevendosje Movement (VV) led by Albin Kurti, which won the elections, got 49.95 percent of votes and will have 58 MPs in the new Kosovo Assembly. The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) won 16.90 percent of votes and will have 19 MPs. The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) won 12.64% and will have 15 MPs. The Haradinaj-led Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) will have eight MPs, and the Serbian List will have 10 MPs in the new assembly. 

Prishtina Insight notes that political subjects competing in the election now have 24 hours to lodge appeals to the Elections and Appeals Panel, ECAP, before the CEC can certify the election results. ECAP is legally obliged to respond to any complaints within three days, while ECAP decisions can also be appealed at the Supreme Court. It also reports that a number of representatives of parties from Kosovo’s non-Serb ethnic non-majority parties have stated their intention to appeal regarding votes for Romani Initiative and UZ-AH, including former MPs Duda Balje, Erxhan Galushi and Veton Berisha.

Klan Kosova at the same time reports that of 120 MPs in the new Assembly of Kosovo, 44 will be women or 36.67 percent. Kosovo has a gender quota for Assembly according to which 30 percent of MPs have to be women. 

Koha reports that Vjosa Osmani from the Vetevendosje Movement ticket is the most voted candidate in elections with 300,788 votes. She is the second most voted candidate in Kosovo, following the late president Ibrahim Rugova in 2001 and 2004.

NATO SG: We’re reviewing engagement with KSF, after mandate change (media)

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in an interview with Klan Kosova today that NATO supports the development of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) but only in its original mandate. “Since December 2017, we have made it clear that this move [the process of transformation] was made at a wrong time and that the decision was made against the advice of NATO. NATO continues to support the development of the Kosovo Security Force under its original mandate, namely a force for civil protection,” he said.

“With the change in mandate, the North Atlantic Council is reviewing the level of NATO’s engagement with the Kosovo Security Force. Discussions among allies on this issue are ongoing.”

Stoltenberg said the process of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia is key for stability in the Western Balkans. “We call on Belgrade and Prishtina to continue their efforts for the normalisation of relations, especially through the EU-facilitated dialogue, aimed at reaching a comprehensive, sustainable and legally-binding agreement, which NATO continues to support. It remains a key issue for peace and security in the region,” he said.

 

 

Serbian Language Media

 

67 new cases of Covid-19, two deaths registered in Serbian areas in Kosovo (KoSSev)

Out of 150 tested samples over the last 24 hours, 67 were positive on Covid-19, while two persons have passed away in the Serb-populated areas in Kosovo, Crisis Committee of Mitrovica North announced today, KoSSev portal reports.

Out of 67 new cases, 36 cases were registered in northern Kosovo and 31 in central Kosovo.

The breakdown of the cases is as follows: 25 in Mitrovica North, 12 in Gnjilane, nine in Strpce, seven in Zvecan, five in Kamenica, four in Priluzje, three in Zubin Potok, and one each in Leposavic and Prizren.

Two deceased persons were from Mitrovica North. The latest recorded deaths bring the total number of deceased persons in Serb-populated areas in Kosovo due to Covid-19 related complications at 111.

Meanwhile, 40 persons have completed a two-week isolation period. Total number of active cases in the Serb-populated areas in Kosovo currently is 608.

Antonijevic: The number of patients is growing, the worrying situation (KiM radio)

The epidemiologist of the Institute for Public Health in Kosovska Mitrovica, Dr. Aleksandar Antonijevic, told RTV Kim that the epidemiological situation in the areas in Kosovo where the predominantly Serbian population lives is very serious. He also stated that about 30 percent of cases in Serbian communities are attributed to the new British strain of coronavirus.

''In the last two weeks, we have registered an increase in the number of patients with coronavirus,'' said Dr. Antonijevic.

"We are recording the biggest jumps in the number of patients so far; we have reached our peak in the last week. With the help of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija and the Government of Serbia, we got a laboratory, we are testing many people, we are not limited, as before on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. We test every patient with symptoms, testing is done every day," said epidemiologist Antonijevic.

He notes that out of yesterday's processed 150 samples, 67 positive persons were registered, but also that another 120 patients were tested today and that the results are expected in the afternoon.

"The situation is worrying, but so is the behavior of the people. I hope that with the help of immunization, this problem will be overcome. It is very difficult to predict when the situation will be better, we think it will be better in spring, but the British strain of coronavirus has appeared, which spreads easily among people, but has a slightly milder clinical picture, so every tenth to twelfth patient requires a special medical care and hospitalization. Some 30 cases in Serb communities in Kosovo are attributed to a new British strain of coronavirus. "

Dr. Antonijevic believes that from the middle of the summer we will be in a better situation than we are now.

The CEC confirmed 10 mandates of the Serbian List, Slavko and Igor Simic won the most votes (Kosovo Online)

Candidates of the Serbian List, Slavko Simic and Igor Simic, won the most votes out of 10 mandates of the Serbian List, the Central Election Commission confirmed, portal Kosovo Online reported.

According to official data, Slavko Simic won 19,728, while Igor Simic won the trust of 19,263 voters.

Miljana Nikolic also received significant support in the elections with 18,348 votes, Zoran Mojsilovic 18,340, Ivan Todosijevic 17,980, Verica Ceranic 15,394, Branislav Nikolic 14,499, Milos Perovic 14,392, Ljubinko Karadzic 13,804, Jasmina Dedic 13,793.

In addition to the Serbian List, which won 10 seats, the Roma Initiative and the Turkish Democratic Party of Kosovo won two seats, while the Civic Initiative United Community - Adrijana Hodzic, the Vakat Coalition, the New Democratic Initiative, the New Democratic Party,  United Gorani Party and the Ashkali Party for Integration will have have one seat each in the new Kosovo parliament.

Vucic: Albanians are not ready to compromise (KoSSev)

Serbia is ready for talks and compromises. If Pristina believes that “someone’s bludgeon will create a state for them, and Serbs would agree to that, I’m afraid it will be like counting chickens before they are hatched”, President Aleksandar Vucic said last night after meeting with the EU envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, KoSSev portal reports.

Vucic added he was informed about the most important parts of the talks Lajcak undertook during his visit to Pristina.

Vucic also said Belgrade was ready to continue the dialogue process whenever Brussels hands over the invitation to do so. It is ready to reach a compromise solution, which would mean partial satisfaction for both sides, without ultimatums and imposed solutions.

“Serbia is participating in the talks in the hope and good faith that there is understanding for its national interests – and not only the interests of Albanians“, Vucic underlined.

In his words, regardless of the statements coming from Pristina – “which are not encouraging“, Serbia’s duty is to be committed and serious – as there will be no progress in EU integration if there is no serious progress in the dialogue with Pristina.

According to Vucic, Serbia is not setting any deadlines to conclude an agreement because the most important thing is to reach an agreement “everyone will be equally satisfied with, instead of causing a catastrophe with hasty solutions“.

He also stressed Serbia will continue insisting on the implementation of everything that was signed in Brussels, including the agreement on the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities (ZSO).

See more at: https://bit.ly/3bcRYj2

Lajcak from Belgrade: Status quo is not sustainable for either side (KoSSev)

We are not interested in maintaining the status quo and we are ready to bring the process to a successful completion as soon as the two sides are ready for it“, the EU envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak said last night from Belgrade after meeting with the Serbian President.

Lajcak also conveyed the expectations of EU member states – the continuation of the dialogue and the implementation of everything that was agreed so far.

Miroslav Lajcak is currently on his third official visit to Belgrade as the EU envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue.

We are not interested in maintaining the status quo

The EU envoy said that he had constructive talks with the Kosovo election winner, the leader of the Self-Determination party, Albin Kurti, the acting Kosovo president, Vjosa Osmani, the acting Prime Minister, Avdullah Hoti, and other officials.

“I sent the same message to everyone, which I will repeat here as well – first of all, the EU members expect the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue on the comprehensive normalization of relations and all open issues to continue constructively and in good faith. We are not interested in maintaining the status quo and we are ready to bring the process to successful completion as soon as the two sides are ready for it“, Lajcak said.

See more at: https://bit.ly/38b74DR

Germany against change of borders; Serbia for compromise (KoSSev)

If we want a compromise on the Kosovo issue, the compromise doesn’t entail that one side gains it all, and the other side to gain nothing. The compromise involves an approach where we would have a situation that neither side gains everything, but everybody gains something, Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Nikola Selakovic said in Berlin today, KoSSev portal reports.

Following the meeting with his German counterpart, Selakovic also said the talks on Kosovo issue would continue as one of the most important topics, not only for the European future of Serbia but also to ensure peace in the region.

He added that Serbia supports the work of EU special envoy Miroslav Lajcak.

On his part, German Foreign Affairs Minister Heiko Maas said that Serbia seriously took European perspective of all Western Balkans states, adding that Serbia belongs to the EU and it has set very ambitious goals.

“We welcome European course and encourage the government in Belgrade to implement the reforms in particular in the areas of rule of law and media freedoms”, Maas said.

He also confirmed Germany is very much involved in Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, adding that the EU Special Envoy Lajcak is often visiting the region.

He expressed hope that with the support of the new US government a chance to find a solution that would bring about a comprehensive agreement and economic prosperity has been offered.   

Asked by a journalist to comment on Albin Kurti’s statement on unification of Kosovo with Albania, Mass said Germany pursues its long-standing policy on Kosovo – it opposes any change of the borders.

“Any discussion about change of borders or reshaping the borders, we think it is not useful and this is the line we have been following and supporting. Also we start from a point that a new government in Pristina would intensively deal with the issues that must be resolved, in order to let’s say it this way unstuck the European perspective of Kosovo itself”, Maas said.

“And once the new government is formed, we would say it directly and honestly to that new government”, he added.

Sava Janjic: No hasty solution for Kosovo and Metohija (NMagazin, FB)

The abbot of the monastery Visoki Decani, Sava Janjic, stated today that any hasty or imposed solution for Kosovo and Metohija, which unilaterally privileges one and damages the other, is essentially inapplicable and unfair, reported portal NMagazin.

Janjic announced on his Facebook profile that a solution must be reached mutually, with the mediation of the European Union, but also with the final consent of the United Nations Security Council.

"Otherwise, a possible comprehensive agreement will be an unparalleled precedent in the international law," the abbot of Visoki Decani said.

Supporting the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, Janjic stated that it was important primarily for the normalization of life in Kosovo and the wider region, and that the real winners in the dialogue must be ordinary citizens, regardless of origin and religion, not politicians.

"Continuation of the dialogue in good will to improve people's lives, protect the endangered Serbian heritage in Kosovo and Metohija, stop the emigration of young people and improve the economic situation is vital for both Serbs and Kosovo Albanians," he said, and pointed that a dialogue in which Serbia should "under pressure fulfill the wishes of the other side" - is absurd.

"The main precondition for dialogue is equal respect for rights and freedoms for everyone in Kosovo and Metohija, and that is not the case at the moment," he said, noting that he fully agrees with the view that hasty and imposed solutions are absolutely unacceptable.

"Insisting on changing the borders, contrary to UN Resolution 1244, as a precondition for an agreement, is an open call for further conflict in the entire region," is one of such solutions for the abbot of Decani.

"A comprehensive agreement that would jeopardize the essential survival of the Serbian people and the Serbian Orthodox Church, lead to the erasure of Serbian history, would be an open example of political dictate, which would sooner or later lead to a conflict that would threaten the entire region and the EU. No normal and dignified country would accept it in its internationally recognized territory," said Abbot Sava.

Finally, regarding the mood, as he further stated, of the vast majority of people in Serbia and the Serbian diaspora regarding the idea of Serbia eventually recognizing Kosovo's self-proclaimed independence, Sava Janjic recalled the recent words of the new Serbian patriarch Porfirije, who said that the referendum on Kosovo was held on Vidovdan in 1389. 

"This is not any slogan of the Church that denies the rights of others, or a call for conflict, but simply the position of the majority of the people of Serbia, which would be confirmed by a possible referendum. The dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina is for most of our people a purely technical dialogue on ways to improve life of all communities in Kosovo and Metohija, and not a conversation about changing the borders of Serbia," concluded Father Sava.

Selakovic addressed German Bundestag EU Committee, talks about EU integration, Kosovo issue (GoS, media)

Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Nikola Selakovic during his official visit to Germany addressed the EU Committee of the German Bundestag, saying that Serbia, whose foreign policy priority is full EU membership, remains committed to dialogue with Pristina, under the auspices of the EU, press release from the ministry said.

Selakovic pointed out that the issue of Kosovo and Metohija is a topic of the greatest importance, not only for Serbia, but also for preserving peace and stability in the entire region, adding that the lack of trust is a significant problem in the negotiation process.

He also said Serbia insists that what is agreed within the dialogue – must be strictly and without exception implemented, reminding that Belgrade has done a lot so far, while Pristina has refused to apply the part concerning the establishment of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities. He pointed out that Serbia strives to preserve its Orthodox cultural heritage in the area of ​​Kosovo and Metohija, which is of immeasurable importance for the whole of Christianity.

The Minister pointed out that Serbia highly appreciates the support that Germany continuously provides to the EU enlargement policy and the importance it attaches to the region of the Western Balkans.

Read the full statement at: https://bit.ly/2PuaRWl

Grubjesic: Lajcak visit to 'feel the pulse' of Pristina about the dialogue continuation (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)

The goal of Miroslav Lajcak's visit as the EU envoy for the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina was primarily to "feel the pulse" in Pristina for the continuation of the dialogue, because Serbian delegation is always ready for that, the president of the Center for Foreign Policy, Suzana Grubjesic told Tanjug agency. 

Grubjesic points out that no new messages were heard in Belgrade, and that the situation changed only to the extent that there was a change of government in Pristina.

"As far as Belgrade is concerned, there are no problems. Serbia is always ready for dialogue and will respond to the invitation whenever dialogue is scheduled," Grubjesic said.

However, she points out that there is no sense in continuing the political dialogue without initiating the issue of forming the Community of Serbian Municipalities (ZSO). 

"The largest part of the Brussels agreement, which is the ZSO, has not been realized and attention should be focused on that, i.e. on fulfilling international obligations, I remind you that the EU is the guarantor of that agreement and it must do everything it can to start implementing that part of the agreement," states Grubjesic.

She also believes that the European Monitoring Council will determine in the coming period what has been fully implemented from the agreement between Belgrade and Pristina, what has been partially, and what has not been implemented at all.

However, Grubjesic notes that the current Kosovo government does not have much desire to start forming the ZSO and points out that this is exactly why EU mediation is needed in order to encourage Pristina in doing so. 

Matthew Palmer's message given while Lajcak's visit to Pristina, that the United States supports the acceleration of the dialogue, recalling that the goal of the American administrations is to end the dialogue with a mutual recognition agreement, Grubjesic said that the intention of the US was clear to get involved in the dialogue, but they still give their support to the EU to solve this problem.

Grubjesic reminds that the previous American administration got involved in resolving the Kosovo issue at the end of 2018.

Asked whether the leader of the Self-Determination, Albin Kurti, was encouraged by that statement from the USA, Grubjesic reminds that Kurti previously stated that dialogue with Belgrade was in the sixth place, and then he "revised" and placed it in the fourth place of his government's priorities.

She states that the formation of the Kosovo government should be waited for and reminds that the counting of votes has just been completed and that it remains to be seen whether Self-Determination will be only in that government or will have a coalition partner.

"The election of the president of the Kosovo parliament is expected at the beginning of April. So, all these events tell us that it is not certain or probable that the dialogue could continue as soon as possible, as some might want," said Grubjesic.

When asked how stimulating messages are about the EU perspective of Belgrade and Pristina to reach an agreement, i.e. to ask Serbia to recognize Kosovo, Grubjesic said that such a perspective is not in the least stimulating for speeding up the dialogue and finding a compromise solution.

"Again, the ball is in the European backyard to encourage both sides to get closer to that final political agreement, but not to impose any solution, because the imposed solution will not be possible to implement in practice," Grubjesic concluded.

 

 

Opinion

 

Lack of paper in the Paper Leviathans (Koha)

It has now become an established routine for the country not to provide even basic services for the citizens starting from birth certificates to the Covid-19 vaccine, writes Agron Demi in an opinion piece for the paper.

Demi lists a number of instances when Kosovo authorities failed to provide citizens with birth certificates, vehicle license plates, identification cards citing delays in the procurement procedures and says that the same applies to the procuring of basic healthcare services.

“On 30 November 2020 Health Minister Mr. Armend Zemaj boasted about the beginning of vaccine rollout for the seasonal flu even though they had to be distributed much sooner. Now as we enter March of 2021, Kosovo is the only country in the region that has not yet obtained the coronavirus vaccine. The vaccine against the virus was used for electoral campaigning stating that the first vaccine rollout would happen in February. All that arrived however were the syringes for vaccine administration and refrigerators to store them.”

Demi writes that countries that fail to perform basic functions are scientifically referred to as "Paper Leviathan" where, scholars Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson describe, there are no citizens with rights but patients with needs who never receive the care from the country. "In these countries, the power is arbitrary, which causes insecurity and frustration, manipulates and reduces the citizens to beggars. In these countries there are no routines, no procedures, only insecurity and uncertainty." In these paper Leviathans, Kosovo included, elites use the power to get rich, offer favours with state resources in an effort to remain in power indefinitely.

"Political elites that built and maintained this Paper Leviathan received the punishment from the citizens through the 14 February 2021 vote," Demi says. He concludes that the new government should ensure the citizens at the least receive basic services from the country and gradually from a Paper Leviathan Kosovo can move to a Shackled Leviathan which guarantees civic freedoms, enables economic prosperity, applies fair laws for all and offers public services.

Intentional Amnesia: Croatia’s Attempt to Erase Yugoslavia (Balkan Insight)

To prevent comparisons with its present-day state, Croatia deliberately tries to erase the legacy of Yugoslavia and the socialist federation’s role in developing the nation’s culture, art and infrastructure.

On February 22, a speech by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic opened a ceremony in Zagreb to mark National and University Library Day. Speaking in the imposing entrance hall of the beautiful cubical library, a genuinely modern city landmark, Plenkovic gave an overview of Croatian national culture.

But when it came to talk about how the library was built, the prime minister remarked only that its construction “started a long time ago,” before fast-forwarding to 1995, the year Croatia cemented its independence with the end of a four-year war against ethnic Serb rebels backed by Belgrade.

That year, then President Franjo Tudjman opened the library to great pomp and spectacle, as if he had been the mastermind behind such a grand project.

Both then and now, Tudjman and Plenkovic, the 20th century nationalist and the moderate conservative, suffered from the same ailment – selective, deliberate amnesia.

Neither of them can remember – or bear to remember – Yugoslavia.

See more at: https://bit.ly/2O3F2n1

 

 

International

 

Left-wing party wins Kosovo poll, needs ally to form cabinet (AP)

Final results from Kosovo’s Feb. 14 early general election released on Thursday showed that a left-wing party has garnered the the most parliamentary seats, but has fallen short of an absolute majority that would have enabled it to form a government on its own.

The Central Election Commission that oversaw the poll said that the Self-Determination Movement, or Vetevendosje!, led by Albin Kurti won 58 seats in the 120-seat Parliament.

Kurti, who is expected to be the new prime minister, has said he will need seats from the country’s non-Serb minority to set up his Cabinet. Lawmakers have until May to elect a president, or the country could be forced to hold another parliamentary election.

See more at: https://bit.ly/3bd8cJc

World Health Organization warns of global uptick in Covid cases after weeks of decline (CNBC)

World Health Organization officials said Wednesday that scientists are trying to understand why Covid-19 cases are suddenly ticking up across much of the world after weeks of falling infections.

There were 2.6 million new cases reported across the world last week, up 7% from the prior week, the WHO said in its weekly epidemiological update that reflects data received as of Sunday morning. That follows six consecutive weeks of declining new cases all over the world.

The reversal could be caused by the emergence of several new, more contagious variants of the coronavirus, relaxing public measures and so-called pandemic fatigue, in which people become tired of following precautions, the WHO said in its weekly report. Maria Van Kerkhove, head of the WHO’s emerging diseases and zoonosis unit, said during a Q&A event at the organization’s headquarters in Geneva on Wednesday that the global health agency is trying to better understand what’s causing the reversal in trends in each region and country.

See more at: https://cnb.cx/3bZi60f

 

 

Humanitarian/Development

 

Inspiring change: women’s leadership in health care is vital during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond (euro.who.int)

COVID-19 continues to exacerbate existing inequalities and place a disproportionate burden on women, including in health-care settings. Women health workers are faced with increased workloads, a gender pay gap, shortages of personal protective equipment that fits them, and harassment and violence as they respond to the pandemic on the frontlines.

Although women make up 70% of the health workforce, they hold only 25% of senior roles.

“The pandemic has been a setback to the advancement and progress of women. Many women find themselves in an impossible situation of having to assume multiple care responsibilities at home and outside the household. We are extremely concerned about the impact that the pandemic has had on the mental health and well-being of women in the health workforce and beyond,” says Dr Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Director of the Division of Country Health Policies and Systems at WHO/Europe.

Here, 4 women holding influential leadership positions across the WHO European Region share their experiences and call for change.

See more at: https://bit.ly/3sOYi6A

In COVID-19 Fight, Free Speech Becomes Collateral Damage (Balkan Insight)

In trying to control the pandemic narrative, governments in the region have turned to draconian tools, muzzling media, arresting critics and bombarding social media giants with requests to take down posts and shut down accounts.

See more at: https://bit.ly/389NUyi

EU Starts Sputnik V Review as Russia Seeks Vaccine Acceptance (Bloomberg)

The European Medicines Agency said it has started a rolling review of Russia’s Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine to test compliance with safety and quality standards, the first major step in gaining approval for use in the European Union.

“The rolling review will continue until enough evidence is available for formal marketing authorization application,” the agency said in a statement Thursday. “While EMA cannot predict the overall timelines, it should take less time than normal to evaluate an eventual application because of the work done during the rolling review.”

“Following EMA approval, we would be able to provide vaccine for 50 million Europeans starting from June,” Kirill Dmitriev, chief executive officer of the state-run Russian Direct Investment Fund, which backed Sputnik V’s development and is in charge of its international roll-out, said in a statement Thursday.

See more at: https://bloom.bg/3rhPZjh