Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: Six new cases, no deaths (media)
• Von Cramon expects rapprochement in dialogue, criticises France on visas (Koha)
• Rama, Zaev and Vucic discuss “Mini-Schengen” (Klan Kosova)
• Von Cramon “advises” Kosovo leaders to visit the north (Klan Kosova)
• Gasic not wanted in Gjakova, the government keeps silent (RFE)
• Church on university campus should be genocide museum, historian says (KTV)
• Vehicle of Serb confiscated, after he posted insulting messages (Indeksonline)

Serbian Language Media:

• No new cases of Covid-19 registered in Serbian areas in Kosovo (KoSSev)
• Montenegrin MFA: The Embassy of Montenegro in Kosovo will take all necessary activities to protect its citizen (KoSSev)
• PIK: Police officer who wanted to prevent arrest under investigation (Radio KIM, Kosovo-online)
• Grenell, Citaku clash on Twitter over St Vitus Day celebration (N1)
• Stanojevic: 450 Serb families want to return to Djakovica (Kosovo Online, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Kandic on NGOs petition to evict Serb returnee from Djakovica (KoSSev)
• Milena Popovic left the session of the Assembly of Serbia on Kosovo because of Milan Radoicic (N1, Beta, Novi Magazin)
• Participants of EP-Western Balkans Speakers’ Summit adopt joint Declaration (BETA, N1)

International:

• Chicago Mayor Hails Serbian Religious Holiday of Vidovdan (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Majority of Kosovo Citizens Support Rights of Same-Sex Couples, Poll Finds (Civil Rights Defenders)

 

 

Albanian Language Media  

 

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

Six new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the last 24 hours in Kosovo. There have been no new deaths. 10 persons have recovered from the virus during this time. There are 166 active cases of COVID-19 in Kosovo.

Von Cramon expects rapprochement in dialogue, criticises France on visas (Koha)

European Parliament Rapporteur for Kosovo, Viola von Cramon, told a press conference in Prishtina today that she expects rapprochement of positions between Kosovo and Serbia in the dialogue in the coming weeks. She said she discussed the dialogue in general with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti but not on specific issues. “I hope that in the coming weeks we will see a rapprochement of positions and this can be done only through negotiations,” she said.

Von Cramon criticised France on its skeptical position for visa liberalisation for Kosovo saying that it is regretful and wrong. “I think there are two separate issues. Kosovo had a clear set of criteria to meet in order to get visa liberalisation. Those requirements were met. They worked on security issues. So why shouldn’t Kosovo get visa liberalisation? The second issue is normalisation. You cannot go back three years and link these two issues. I think the EU hasn’t done its homework. I think Kosovo has met the requirements. They have done their job and now I think now is the time for the EU to act. The EU is losing credibility and this is why I have been very critical of President Emmanuel Macron,” she said.

Asked to comment on the Washington Agreement, the EP Rapporteur said that she is not certain that the EU has supported it. “So far the cooperation is going well also in terms of harmonising relations. We would like to see if the letters and agreements will be reviewed. It is good to have new ideas but certainly you cannot go against the existing agreements,” she said.

Rama, Zaev and Vucic discuss “Mini-Schengen” (Klan Kosova)

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, North Macedonia Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic discussed the initiative for a “Mini-Schenge” in a video conference today. The leaders discussed further steps in regional cooperation as a crucial process for the progress of the Western Balkans and its European path. They agreed that countries of the Western Balkans need to join the European Union but also that the EU needs the Western Balkans. The leaders also expressed their wish that the four European freedoms – the free movement of goods, the free movement of capital, the freedom to establish and provide services, and the free movement of persons – are implemented as soon as possible throughout the region and in this context to secure full support for a common regional market in the Berlin Process. 

Von Cramon “advises” Kosovo leaders to visit the north (Klan Kosova)

European Parliament Rapporteur for Kosovo, Viola von Cramon, called today on Kosovo’s leaders to come up with offers and reach out to Serb political leaders in Prishtina and also to visit the northern part of Kosovo. Von Cramon made these remarks after a behind-closed-doors meeting with representatives of Serb civil society. She also said that Kosovo’s leaders speak Serbian and that their access to Mitrovica is very easy. She added that the north is an integral part of Kosovo and its citizens.

Gasic not wanted in Gjakova, the government keeps silent (RFE)

The return of Dragica Gasic to Gjakova has triggered reactions in the municipality, and a protest announced by families of missing persons in front of Gasic’s apartment has been cancelled. 

Gasic said she is faced with attacks from her fellow citizens but that she is determined to live in Gjakova.

Nysrete Kumnova from the association “The Cries of Mothers” said Serbs will not be allowed to return to Gjakova.

Bekim Blakaj from the Humanitarian Rights Fund in Kosovo believes that the return of any IDP must not be conditioned. Meanwhile, non-governmental organisations and the Kosovo government have yet to react about the case.

Gasic, who returned to Gjakova on June 6, is the first Serb to return to the city after the war in 1999. She said that she doesn’t plan to leave again because her wish to return to Kosovo has been fulfilled. Gasic was living in Serbia until now.

In a statement to Radio Free Europe, Gasic said she never harmed anyone and that she will resist all pressure. She also said that it is heavy for her to know that she is not wanted in Gjakova and that, as she said, her fellow citizens “attack” her almost every day.

“I notify the police that they are attacking me, throwing things at me, placing different pictures on my door, they knock on my door,” Gasic said.

Gasic said she needs police escort even to go to buy groceries and added that she hopes the situation will change because, as she says, she spent the best years in Gjakova where she moved from Klina when she was 18 years old.

Gasic said that before the war and before leaving Kosovo, she used to work in Serbian Police in Gjakova but only as a cleaner. She added that she does not know why someone would mind her returning to her apartment. “I know that I did not do any harm to anyone. My two children were born here,” she said.

Petar Petkovic, head of the Serbian government’s office for Kosovo, met with Gasic in Gracanica, in the outskirts of Prishtina, on June 28. After the meeting he said that “the state of Serbia, the office for Kosovo and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will do everything in their power to enable Dragica Gasic to live a dignified life”.

Gasic however is not sure about anything, neither about the promises that many people give her the last couple of days. “They promised me everything, even cameras at the entrance. They promised me everything, but I don’t know if these things will happen,” she said.

Gasic has been asking the Privatisation Agency of Kosovo to release her apartment in Gjakova. This was made possible after her apartment had been squatted for several years.

Gasic’s return to Gjakova has caused many reactions and people are opposing her return. A protest, which was planned to be held by families of missing persons in front of the building where Gasic lives, was cancelled. The families decided not to hold the protest after meeting with Gjakova Mayor Ardian Gjini on June 28. 

This was confirmed to Radio Free Europe by Nysrete Kumnova from the association “The Cries of Mothers” from Gjakova. The association is made up of women whose sons and husbands were taken by force by Serbian forces during the war in 1999 and where then killed or went missing.

Kumnova said that she is still searching for her son who was abducted by Serbian forces along with five Albanian civilians. The remains of five of them have already been found in a mass grave in Serbia and were returned to the families. Kumnova told Radio Free Europe that representatives of families of missing persons have decided not to protest until the reason for Gasic’s return is verified. She however added that the decision to cancel the protest does not mean that families of missing persons approve of Gasic’s return to Gjakova.

“She won’t live here. All Serbs have committed crimes and the wounds are still open. My son was part of the group that was taken away. Five of them [remains] have been returned, but I haven’t found my son yet. And for Gasic to come here to live? No. Not only her, but we won’t allow any Serb,” Kumnova said.

11 non-governmental organisations in Gjakova said they will submit a petition to the central government demanding the removal of Gasic from Gjakova. She is seen as a persona non grata in the municipality because she worked for Serbian Police during the war in Kosovo.

Gjakova was one of the municipalities most hit during the war in 1998 and 1999, and over 1,000 Albanian civilians, most of them men, were killed. Some of them are still missing.

Alternative political party, led by Kosovo MP Mimoza Kusari-Lila and part of the government led by Albin Kurti, reacted to Gasic’s return to Gjakova. Alternative accused the municipality of Gjakova “for the return of the Serbian national to Gjakova and for the lack of transparency”. The Alternativa branch in Gjakova called on Mayor Ardian Gjini to reveal “when communication started with Serbian national Dragica Gasic about her interest to return to Gjakova”.

Gjakova Mayor Ardian Gjini, from the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), told the media that the Privatisation Agency of Kosovo, and not the municipality, decided in favor of Gasic as owner of the apartment. He also said that Gasic registered the apartment as her property in 1997, saying that the time was contested. 

Gjini also said that he has talked to Kosovo Police to make sure that no incidents happen. He said he understands the pain of the families of missing persons but also added that all contested circumstances must be clarified in line with the laws. “Kosovo now has its institutions, its government, its police and courts and its municipalities. We are living in a democracy and there is a legal solution to any issue,” he said.

Bekim Blakaj from the Humanitarian Law Center in Kosovo said in an interview with Radio Free Europe that every IDP is entitled to return to their property and the place they used to live before if they wish to do so. “This cannot be conditioned with anything. I completely understand the families of the victims in Gjakova and I understand that there is a very high number of killed and missing in Gjakova and that their families are still awaiting justice. However, there should be no conditions for the return of people to their properties and apartments. In this context, Gasic has returned to her apartment and I think that security institutions must offer her the security and make sure that no one troubles her,” he said.

Blakaj also said that the Humanitarian Law Center is waiting to coordinate with other non-governmental organisations to issue a reaction on the Gasic case and for the right of every IDP from Kosovo to return to their properties.

Church on university campus should be genocide museum, historian says (KTV)

Kosovo historian, Selim Bezeraj, said in an interview with the TV station on Monday that the unfinished Serb church on the university campus in Prishtina should be transformed into a museum to show Serbia’s crimes in Kosovo. He argued that the building is a political church and not a religious site. “Turning it into a museum would be the best response or the best language by Kosovo. It would also stop these provocations, because even people that have committed crimes could come on June 28 or for a certain liturgy. Criminals come here and they celebrate these events, and this is an insult to all people that have suffered under the previous regime,” he added.

Vehicle of Serb confiscated, after he posted insulting messages (Indeksonline)

The news website reports that a luxury vehicle belonging to a Serb was confiscated today by Kosovo Police in front of the Kosovo government building in downtown Prishtina. The vehicle was seized after the Serb posted insulting and provocative messages in social networks.

Police chief for economic crimes dismissed (media)

Most news websites report that Nazim Sahiti, head of the Kosovo Police Department for Economic Crimes, has been dismissed from duty. Musli Salihu has reportedly been appointed to the post.

 

 

 

Serbian Language Media

 

No new cases of Covid-19 registered in Serbian areas in Kosovo (KoSSev)

Out of 15 tested samples in the Serb-populated areas in Kosovo, none tested positive for Covid-19, Crisis Committee of Mitrovica North announced, KoSSev portal reports.

Currently there are two active cases. The last positive cases were registered on June 15. 

Since the outbreak of the pandemic a total of 6.036 persons were infected, while 148 persons died due to Covid-19 related complications.

Since March 12, 2020 up to date a total of 20.511 persons were tested at the Institute for Public Health in Mitrovica North. 

Montenegrin MFA: The Embassy of Montenegro in Kosovo will take all necessary activities to protect its citizen (KoSSev)

Portal KoSSev writes today, quoting a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, that the Embassy of Montenegro in Kosovo will take all necessary activities in the direction of protection of the Montenegrin citizen who was arrested yesterday in Gazimestan.

"We have been informed by the competent authorities of Kosovo that all necessary activities are currently being undertaken to shed light on the case and that the young man will be provided with legal assistance," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro announced yesterday.

According to the MFA, the Embassy contacted the Kosovo authorities regarding the arrest of a young man from Podgorica in Gazimestan.

From this Government department, they called on political actors not to make the mentioned case "another testing ground for political confrontations" but to allow both Montenegrin and Kosovo institutions to do their part, reported KoSSev.

During the celebration of the religious holiday of Vidovdan (St. Vitus Day), the Kosovo police arrested one person on suspicion of inciting the disturbance of public order and peace.

The ruling Democratic Front (DF) asked the Government of Montenegro, as they stated, to demand from Pristina the immediate release of the arrested young man from Pristina, KoSSev reported, referring to Montenegrin portals. 

"If the government keeps silent about this scandal and if the arrested person is not released immediately, the DF will organize protests in front of the premises of the so-called state of Kosovo in Podgorica," the party said.

Kossev reported that the Montenegrin Prime Minister, Zdravko Krivokapic also announced yesterday, and asked the Pristina authorities to announce whether they arrested their citizen during the celebration of Vidovdan in Gazimestan and why.

Kossev recalled that a young man from Podgorica was arrested by the Kosovo police yesterday at the entrance to Gazimestan during the celebration of Vidovdan, when, as could be seen in the video, he verbally opposed the Kosovo police for asking the nun to open her bag.

KoSSev also reported that Kosovo media, however, reported that he was arrested for "singing provocative songs" and that the Kosovo police said he was arrested for "causing discord and intolerance". As they stated, all actions related to the person in question will be taken in consultation and coordination with the prosecutor engaged in the case, and in the meantime, some media reported that 48 hours detention was ordered for him.  

PIK: Police officer who wanted to prevent arrest under investigation (Radio KIM, Kosovo-online)

Police Inspectorate of Kosovo (PIK) confirmed to Kosovo-online portal it has opened an investigation against one of the police members, Radio KIM reports.

As it was further said, PIK started a criminal investigation against the police officer on suspicion “of obstructing official persons in performing official duty”.

“The police inspectorate opened the investigation with suspicion that the police officer obstructed other colleagues during the arrest of a suspect at Gazimestan. In the interest of the investigative procedure, the PIK recommends suspension of the suspected person”, the statement reads.

As the portal learnt unofficially suspended police officer is of Serbian ethnicity.

Grenell, Citaku clash on Twitter over St Vitus Day celebration (N1)

The acting US Director of National Intelligence and former presidential envoy for Kosovo Richard Grenell and former Kosovo ambassador in Washington Vlora Citaku clashed in “a war of words” on Twitter over the celebration of St Vitus Day which Serbs mark in memory of the battle of Kosovo in 1389, N1 reports.

“Today we honor the Vidovdan heroes. On this day in 1389, the battle against the Ottomans in Kosovo began. Today is a memorial day to Saint Prince Lazar and the Serbian holy martyrs”, Grenell wrote in a Twitter post.

The Serb ruler Prince Lazar led an army to battle against the Ottomans, slowing down their campaign to conquer Europe. Lazar was killed by the Ottomans and the Christian army was defeated. According to some historic accounts, Lazar’s army was thought to be winning and messengers were dispatched to several European capitals, including Paris where the bells of Notre Dame were said to have been rung to celebrate the Christian victory over the Ottomans, N1 recalled.

Grenell’s tweet drew a response from Citaku who said that the battle was fought by a Balkan, not a Serb army. “This was hardly a Serb battle; it was a Balkan army that fought against the Ottoman conquest. This battle became the foundational myth that continues to feed the Serbian nationalism since the 19th century, keeping all of us hostage”, she wrote in her Twitter post.

Grenell replied saying that she was “offended by too much”. “It must be exhausting finding an outrage in everything. The people want jobs and solutions – extend a hand,” he wrote.

See at: https://bit.ly/3hnid8C

Stanojevic: 450 Serb families want to return to Djakovica (Kosovo Online, Radio Mitrovica sever)

Djokica Stanojevic, from the Association of Displaced Serbs from Djakovica, told portal Kosovo Online that for 20 years, Serbs have been submitting an organized request for the mass return of 450 families. He said that the families, who have houses and apartments in Djakovica, expressed a desire to return to their homes, saying that from international organizations, from "Europe that promotes freedom", there were no replies, reported portal Kosovo Online.

Returnees to Kosovo are finding it increasingly difficult to resist daily pressures, and the latest example is the recent return of Dragica Gasic to Djakovica, he told the portal.

"As for Dragica Gasic, an extremely brave and honest woman who, unfortunately, they are now, in a way, trying to label. She lived and dreamed of returning to her apartment. Out of 150 apartments that were the subject of the court process, only her apartment was returned, and she returned to it," said Stanojevic.

According to Stanojevic, the support for Dragica Gasic was important, because it would open the way for other Serbian families who want to return to their homes.

"She should be supported to survive and, in that way, enable other Serbs to return to their city. Breaking Dragica Gasic means closing the door for all time. Multiethnic Djakovica and multiethnic Kosovo should live and dream of a bright future. There is no future without Serbs and without a multiethnic composition in all cities and villages," Stanojevic stated.

"They were offered to return to Djakovica, to the tents for six months, and that would be the end and the beginning. We demanded that we return to our homes, not under the tents. In Djakovica, every Serb has his own household and inherited property where he can return,'' among other things, said Stanojevic.

Kandic on NGOs petition to evict Serb returnee from Djakovica (KoSSev)

“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do”, Natasa Kandic of Belgrade Humanitarian Law Center said, in reference to the petition of 11 NGOs to evict the first and the only returnee, Dragica Gasic from Djakovica, KoSSev portal reports.

Dragica Gasic decided to return to her town of origin after 22 years in displacement, thus becoming the first returnee from Djakovica since 1999. Her return caused great dissatisfaction among Albanian residents of Djakovica, different NGOs and associations.

KoSSev portal recalled that 12.500 Serbs used to live in Djakovica prior to the conflict. On the other hand, Djakovica among Kosovo Albanians have particular significance given numerous testimonies that the Serbian paramilitary forces committed war crimes in this region.

Natasa Kandic and the Humanitarian Law Center have been working for years to shedd the lights on those crimes, the portal said.

Milena Popovic left the session of the Assembly of Serbia on Kosovo because of Milan Radoicic (N1, Beta, Novi Magazin)

Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) MP Milena Popovic Ivanovic said she left a recent parliamentary session, at which Aleksandar Vucic spoke, because Milan Radoicic, who was accused of killing her husband Oliver in Kosovo, was also in the assembly hall, reported N1.

Popovic Ivanovic told the Beta agency that there are reasons that she does not want to comment and explain, and because of which she does not want to sit in the same room with Milan Radoicic. 

"The investigation into my husband's murder is a very complicated process. I know that our investigative bodies are working on resolving the case, and I absolutely believe that the perpetrators, organizers and perpetrators of the murder of Oliver Ivanovic will be discovered at some point," she said.

When asked how she assesses that the promise of the representatives of the highest authorities that the details of the murder of Oliver Ivanovic will be announced within two weeks has not been fulfilled, she said that she was disappointed that that promise was not fulfilled.

"I am disappointed because I believed that the names of the killers would be announced a few days after the murder. However, I believe in the investigative bodies and that the perpetrators will be brought to justice," said the widow of Oliver Ivanovic.

Proceedings in Pristina "sloppy"

Asked to comment on the course of the investigation being conducted in Pristina, Popovic Ivanovic said that the procedure was "sloppy" and that the indictment was changed three times.

"Someone wants the whole case to last as long as possible. But each chain has its weakest link, and then we will find out the names of the killers and the perpetrators," she emphasized.

Asked if she had the impression that it was not appropriate for the authorities in Belgrade and Pristina to reveal the truth about the murder of Oliver Ivanovic, the widow said that Pristina did not allow Serbian investigative bodies to inspect the evidence it possessed.

"Our investigative bodies have been denied important information, but I expect that it is our courts and the prosecutor's office that will discover the perpetrators of the crimes," she said.

Participants of EP-Western Balkans Speakers’ Summit adopt joint Declaration (BETA, N1)

Speakers of the parliaments of Albania, BiH, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia met in Brussels for the European Parliament’s Second Western Balkans Speakers’ Summit after which they adopted a joint Declaration on Monday. The speakers of Bosnia's House of Peoples Bakir Izetbegovic and House of Representatives Borjana Kristo took part in the Summit.

They discussed the key role of parliaments in the EU enlargement process in a post-COVID-era with European Parliament President David Sassoli. They also met with members of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs.

After the Summit, the participants adopted a joint Declaration:

Read the full declaration at: https://bit.ly/3yaiK4x

 

 

International

 

Chicago Mayor Hails Serbian Religious Holiday of Vidovdan (Balkan Insight)

The mayor of Chicago, which has one of the largest Serbian communities in the US, said that she has proclaimed June 28 to be Vidovdan Day in the city to celebrate the Serbian religious holiday.

Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot announced on Monday that her city administration has proclaimed June 28 to be Vidovdan Day and urged its residents to “join in celebrating” the Serbian religious occasion.

In her official proclamation, Lightfoot noted how Chicago “has one of the largest Serbian American communities in the United States”.

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

 

 

 

Humanitarian/Development

 

Majority of Kosovo Citizens Support Rights of Same-Sex Couples, Poll Finds (Civil Rights Defenders)

In recent months, LGBTI+ activists and civil society organisations have been urging Kosovo’s government to include and legally regulate same-sex partnerships in the newly-drafted Civil Code.

A recent public opinion poll conducted by Civil Rights Defenders in Kosovo confirms that the majority of citizens support the ability of same-sex couples to enjoy rights stipulated by this inclusion. 

See more at:https://bit.ly/3qAz0sF