Albanian Language Media:

• Miroslav Lajcak: We have reached an agreement (media)
• Lajcak thanks Escobar: EU-US unity for Western Balkans success (RTK)
• Borell welcomes agreement reached between Kosovo and Serbia (RTK)
• Godfrey calls Brussels Agreement excellent news (media)
• Kurti: the era when Serbia gets used to reciprocity, begins now (media)
• Albania welcomes agreement reached between Kosovo and Serbia (Klan)
• LVV: Bislim's statement was deliberately misunderstood (Koha)
• Vehicle Registration Center in Zubin Potok reopens (Klan)
• The EU confirms that there are meetings of dialogue delegations today (Klan)
• Special unit with patrols also on mountain roads around Brnjak (Klan)
• Konjufca receives KFOR Commander Franco Frederici (RTK)
• Hoti: Kosovo applied the agreement, but Kurti failed to coordinate with partners (euronews.al)
• Human remains from Rezalla massacre return to Kosovo (media)
• Kandic: Vucic and Brnabic are lying to Serbs in Kosovo (media)
• COVID-19: Four deaths, 45 new cases (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Covid-19: 34 new cases in Serbian areas in Kosovo (Kontakt plus radio)
• Vucic: Serbian side accepted the compromise proposal for de-escalation of the situation in Kosovo (media)
• EU welcomes Belgrade-Pristina agreement, “calls for ZSO implementation” (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic-Lajcak talks in Brussels ended, deal made (RTS)
• "Citizens suffer because of election games" (Radio KIM)
• Ursula von der Leyen: Important to find a sustainable friendly solution to the crisis in Kosovo (media)
• Protests in northern Kosovo continue (RTS)
• Ambassador Godfrey: Great news, anything is possible through a serious and dedicated dialogue (Kosovo Online)
• EC denied Reuters allegations: EC firmly committed to advancing the accession process of the Western Balkan countries (N1, FoNet, VoA)
• Dacic rejects possible foreign military engagement in Kosovo (N1)
• Principled position of Spain not to recognize Kosovo (Kosovo-online)

International:

• Von der Leyen urges end to Serbia-Kosovo border tensions (politico.eu)

   

Albanian Language Media  

  Miroslav Lajcak: We have reached an agreement (media)

EU Envoy for Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue Miroslav Lajcak says a license plate agreement has been reached between the two sides. Lajcak thanked the parties for their willingness to negotiate and agreed for the good of the people, while announcing the agreement.

"We have reached an agreement! After two days of intensive negotiations, an agreement on de-escalation and the way forward has been reached. I want to thank Besnik Bislimi and Petar Petkovic for their willingness to negotiate and agree for the good of the people," Lajcak wrote on Twitter.

Both parties agreed on the following points:

1.The Special police units currently deployed at Jarinje and Brnjak CCPs will be removed simultaneously with the roadblocks starting on 2 October 2021 at 08:00 and finishing no later than 16:00. KFOR will deploy at Jarinje and Brnjak CCPs before the beginning of the simultaneous removal and will remain for approximately two weeks to maintain a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement.

2.As of 4 October 2021, at 08:00, the sticker regime as agreed in the framework of the EU-facilitated Dialogue will be applied as a temporary measure until a permanent solution is agreed.

3.A working Group consisting of the representatives of the EU, Belgrade, and Pristina parties, and chaired by the EU will be established to find a permanent solution to the licence plate issue based on EU standards and practices. The first meeting of the Working Group will be held on 21 October 2021 in Brussels. Within six months from its first meeting, the Working Group will present its findings on a permanent solution to the high-level format of the Dialogue.

Lajcak thanks Escobar: EU-US unity for Western Balkans success (RTK)

The European Union Special Envoy for the Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, thanked the US Envoy for the Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, for his contribution to reaching a Kosovo-Serbia license plate agreement.

"I thank Escobar, who spent the last few days in Brussels in support of the EU-mediated dialogue," Lajcak said.

"Unity between the EU and the US is key to success in the Western Balkans."

Borell welcomes agreement reached between Kosovo and Serbia (RTK)

The EU High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell welcomed the agreement to deescalate the situation in Kosovo.

"We welcome the agreement reached between the chief diplomats of Kosovo and Serbia, mediated by Miroslav Lajcak, to reduce tensions in northern Kosovo," said Borrell.

"Both Kosovo and Serbia must now engage constructively in dialogue to make rapid progress in normalizing relations."

Godfrey calls Brussels Agreement excellent news (media)

The agreement reached for license plates between Kosovo and Serbia this Thursday in Brussels was called excellent news by the Ambassador of the United States of America to Serbia, Anthony Godfrey.

Godfrey has said that anything is possible through dialogue.

“Great news! Everything is possible through a serious and dedicated dialogue," Godfrey wrote on Twitter.

Kurti: the era when Serbia gets used to reciprocity, begins now (media)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, reacted after the agreement reached between the Kosovo and Serbian sides in Brussels on the issue of license plates.

Kurti said that since the state symbol of Kosovo license plates will be covered in Serbia, all license plates of Serbia without distinction will also be covered in Kosovo.

He said that now begins the era when Serbia begins to get used to reciprocity.  

Full post:

Reciprocity of vehicle license plates is established. Since the state symbol of the license plates of the Republic of Kosovo will be covered in Serbia, the state symbol of all license plates from Serbia without distinction will also be covered in the territory of our state. The Kosovo Police Special Unit went to Jarinje and Brnjak on September 20th to protect border crossings and police from roadblocks and free movement. Since they will be leaving, our special unit does not have to stay there, and it always remains ready to intervene in any of the same or similar violations in the future. Of course, our border police in the future will enforce the reciprocity of license plates. KFOR will stay there for about two weeks to make sure everything is safe.

Albania welcomes agreement reached between Kosovo and Serbia (Klan)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania Olta Xhacka welcomed the agreement reached between Kosovo and Serbia on the issue of license plates.

"Albania welcomes the agreement reached today in Brussels between Kosovo and Serbia. Resumption of the dialogue is the only way to move forward in the spirit of cooperation, to which Albania is irreversibly committed, in its bilateral and multilateral efforts," Xhacka wrote.

The parties agreed that the Kosovo Special Unit should withdraw, along with barricades and protesters, reports KlanKosova.

LVV: Bislim's statement was deliberately misunderstood (Koha)

Arlind Manxhuka, spokesman for the ruling Vetevendosje Movement party (LVV), said that the statement of Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi on the draft agreement reached yesterday in Brussels on car license plates was misunderstood.

"Three deliberate misunderstandings from the statement of Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi: 1. At the border crossings will be the Kosovo Police, ie the state of Kosovo, only the Special Unit is replaced by KFOR; 2. The principle of reciprocity remains in force, as it is done with Kosovo license plates, will be done with those of Serbia; 3. License plates KM (Serbian acronym for the Municipality of Mitrovica) are no exception, they are and remain illegal for the state of Kosovo," Manxhuka wrote.

After a post by Bislimi on Facebook, there were reactions from some party analysts that with yesterday's draft agreement "the Republic and its symbols have been given up".

According to the draft agreement, which the Kosovo side has accepted, the Kosovo Special Unit will be replaced by KFOR for the next two weeks, the barricades of Serbian protesters will be removed, while reciprocity will apply, in the sense that neither vehicles from Kosovo nor those from Serbia will have to change their license plates, but only their state symbols covered with stickers.

Vehicle Registration Center in Zubin Potok reopens (Klan)

The Vehicle Registration Center in Zubin Potok reopened this Thursday.

"The Ministry of Internal Affairs informs all citizens that the work in this center will take place normally and that they are ready to provide services to all citizens from today," it is said in the press release.

"This is an adapted premises to provide immediate services to citizens who need to receive services, until the full functioning of the facility of the Vehicle Registration Center, which was destroyed as a result of a criminal attack, after the decision of the government of Kosovo on September 20, for the placement of temporary license plates,” it is stressed further.

The EU confirms that there are meetings of dialogue delegations today (Klan)

EU Security and Foreign Policy Spokesman Peter Stano confirmed that the meetings within the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue process will continue today.

In a response to klankosova.tv, he said that the meetings will be at the level of chief negotiators, Besnik Bislimi and Petar Petkovic.

Yesterday, the EU Commissioner for Dialogue Miroslav Lajcak met separately in Brussels with the two heads of delegations of Kosovo and Serbia for the technical level dialogue, Besnik Bislimi and Petar Petkovic to discuss ways to find a solution to the situation in the north.

Special unit with patrols also on mountain roads in vicinity of Brnjak (Klan)

The Kosovo Police Special Unit has started expanding the patrol points in Brnjak.

A picture shows members of the Special Unit patrolling several mountain roads at this border point, Klankosova.tv reports.

It has already been 11 days since the reciprocity measure for vehicle license plates from Serbia entered into force.

As a result, the roads leading to the two border crossings have been blocked by Serbs protesting in Jarinje and Brnjak, reports the news portal.

Konjufca receives KFOR Commander Franco Frederici (RTK)

The Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo Glauk Konjufca received today in a meeting the KFOR Commander-in-Chief, Major General Franco Federici.

They discussed the current security situation, with special emphasis on the measures taken in the northern part of  Kosovo after the implementation of reciprocity for license plates.

While emphasizing that Serbia remains a source of instability in Kosovo and the region, the President of the Assembly expressed gratitude for the contribution of KFOR and the need to deepen cooperation in maintaining peace and security in Kosovo.

Hoti: Kosovo applied the agreement, but Kurti failed to coordinate with partners (Euronews.al)

Former Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti endorsed Kosovo’s move in enforcing the principle of reciprocity on license plates.

“Kosovo has adhered to this agreement and took actions in its accordance”, said the former prime minister on Balkan Talks.

According to Hoti, Kosovo was right to apply the measure, but he was more critical on the way the Kurti government handled it.

“The action wasn’t coordinated with international partners, to make them aware that Kosovo is respecting the agreement, and that we are at the end of the agreement and Kosovo is obliged to act in conformity to the law and the agreement. A situation arose, and it seemed as if our partners were surprised, something that shouldn’t have happened because every step was completely coordinated with international partners”, he explained.

During the interview with Franko Egro, Hoti maintained that PM Kurti did not have a clear plan.

According to Kosovo’s former premier, ally countries aligned with Kosovo on the reciprocity move, but they were critical of the actions of the Kurti government.

He warned that the reciprocity row might impact the dialogue process in Brussels, by dodging discussions on a final agreement.

“I am afraid that they will not discuss a final agreement, but technical, partial ones, for the problem that arose in northern Kosovo, and I reiterate that Kosovo is in its full right. It is Serbia that didn't respect the agreement”, concluded Hoti.

Human remains from Rezalla massacre return to Kosovo (media)

The victims of the massacre of Rezalla, whose remains were found in a massive grave in the town of Kizevak in Serbia, will be returned to Kosovo on Thursday.

The government Commission on Missing Persons noted that these are the remains of seven bodies as well as two exhumed several years ago from another massive grave in Rudnica.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti will pay homage in front of the coffins of the victims of the Rezalla massacre, near the Merdare border crossing.

As the war came to an end in 1999, an estimated 6,500 people were still missing.

Since then, several burial grounds have been searched in Kosovo and Serbia and so far, nearly 70% of the missing people have been found.

According to Kosovo authorities, 1,600 people are still unaccounted for.

Kandic: Vucic and Brnabic are lying to Serbs in Kosovo (media)

Natasa Kandic, a civil society activist and director of the Humanitarian Law Center (HLC) in Serbia, wrote on Twitter that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, ministers, MPs and the new leaders of Vucic’s party (SNS), are irritating Serbs every day with their lies. 

“It is untrue: the president of Serbia is enabling the Serbs in Kosovo to survive in the centuries-old places.  It is true: the president of Serbia, the prime minister, the ministers, the MPS and the new leaders of the SNS are intimidating the Serbs in Kosovo on a daily basis with war, pogrom, barricades and lies,” Kandic wrote. 

COVID-19: Four deaths, 45 new cases (media)

Four deaths from COVID-19 and 45 new cases with the virus have been confirmed in the last 24 hours in Kosovo. 298 persons recovered from the virus during this time. There are 2,928 active cases with COVID-19 in Kosovo.

   

Serbian Language Media

 

Covid-19: 34 new cases in Serbian areas in Kosovo (Kontakt plus radio)

Out of 95 tested samples in the Serb-populated areas in Kosovo, 34 were positive for Covid-19, Crisis Committee of Mitrovica North announced today, Radio kontakt plus reports. 

The new cases were registered as follows: eight in Leposavic, six in Mitrovica North, four each in Zubin Potok, Zvecan, Gracanica and Gnjilane, three in Strpce and one in Priluzje. 

Currently there are 252 active cases in the Serb-populated areas in Kosovo. 

A total of 169 persons have died in the Serbian areas in Kosovo since the outbreak of the pandemic. 

Vucic: Serbian side accepted the compromise proposal for de-escalation of the situation in Kosovo (media)

President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic addressed the public from Nis, after the ceremony marking the beginning of works on the modernization and rehabilitation of the Nis - Brestovac railway which was also attended by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

Vucic announced that the Serbian side accepted the compromise proposal for the de- escalation of the situation in Kosovo. 

"I think we have reached a kind of compromise solution, which I am satisfied with and I think is important for our side," Vucic said.

Vucic reported 4 points agreed. 

Point 1, both sides in Brussels agreed that ROSU's units would withdraw from Jarinje and Brnjak, simultaneously with the removal of the barricades, on October 2 at 8 am, and that ROSU would withdraw by 4 pm that day at the latest.

KFOR will place its forces on Jarinje and Brnjak before the implementation, and will stay for about two weeks in order to preserve the security of the environment and freedom of movement.

Point 2, a sticker regime, will be established from 8 am on October 4, as a temporary measure until the final solution, that has been postponed for some time, and which will be discussed in Brussels.

"I consider that a great success of our side," Vucic said

Point 3, a Working Group has been agreed, which will consist of representatives of the EU, Belgrade and Pristina, and will seek a permanent solution for the plates, according to European standards and practices.

"The first meeting will be on October 21, and in six months, the Working Group will present its findings and the final solution for the highest level of dialogue format. That is what has been achieved," Vucic said.

"No more removal of plates, no more placing of RKS test plates"

"There is no more removal of plates, no placing of RSK plates, or charging anything. We defended the flow of people and goods, peace and stability were preserved, and that it was stated that an illegal procedure was conducted against Todosijevic," the President of Serbia pointed out.

Vucic said that the plates’ issue is still to be negotiated.

"A more difficult solution will have to be reached in the next six months. The use of KM plates will be allowed, but our people know that they can only use them in the north, not south of the Ibar," he explained and pointed out that what has been agreed today was more than we had ten years ago.

"The most important thing is that the next topic will be the Community of Serbian Municipalities, and after several sleepless nights, I am satisfied with the effort and engagement and what we have achieved, and our people from Kosovo and Metohija agree that this is the most we could achieve at this time," said Vucic. 

"In central Serbia, stickers for RKS plates"

Vucic said that when it comes to the entry of vehicles from Kosovo  into central Serbia, the same regime remains, which means that stickers for RKS plates are always put on, and that ''when entering Kosovo, our people will not have their plates removed and trial ones placed, but stickers over the emblem will be placed'', reported RTS.

"We cannot let go and say that there is a republic of Kosovo with a coat of arms, we place a sticker on it, but it has nothing to do with all this. The regime remains the same as it has been so far as far as central Serbia is concerned," Vucic told journalists in Nis, asked to specify the agreement on the plates. 

EU welcomes Belgrade-Pristina agreement, “calls for ZSO implementation” (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)

The EU welcomed the outcome of the talks that Miroslav Lajcak, Petar Petkovic and Besnik Bislimi had in Brussels the previous two days, reported agency Tanjug.

At the same time, the EU called for the implementation of all agreements reached so far, with special reference to the formation of the Community of Serbian Municipalities (ZSO).

"During today's negotiations, the EU mediator took note of the concerns expressed by the Belgrade side regarding the non-implementation of the CSM (ZSO) with the majority Serb population and the lack of a panel with the majority of Kosovo Serbs in the Court of Appeals in a recent case. The mediator calls on both sides to implement all earlier agreements,'' it is stated in the announcement of the European External Action Service.

It is added that the EU, as a mediator in the dialogue, will deal with all open issues arising from the Brussels Agreement, which will be a priority at one of the next meetings of the main negotiators before the end of the year.

The EEAS said in a statement that today, after "extensive talks" led by Miroslav Lajcak, Petar Petkovic and Besnik Bislimi, an agreement was reached on resolving tensions in northern Kosovo, as well as working on a sustainable solution that will enable unhindered freedom of movement for all people.

"The EU welcomes the outcome of today's talks and calls on both sides to engage constructively in the dialogue in order to make rapid progress in the comprehensive normalization of their relations," the EEAS said in a statement.

It is added that the parties agreed to remove the special police units that are currently deployed at the joint crossings of Jarinje and Brnjak at the same time as the roadblocks, starting on Saturday, October 2 at 8 am and ending by 4 pm at the latest, while KFOR units will be deployed at administrative crossings and remain there for the next two weeks to protect the safe environment and guarantee freedom of movement.

"Following measures to de-escalate the situation on the ground, the parties will apply the sticker regime as agreed in the EU-mediated dialogue as a temporary solution until a lasting solution is reached," the EEAS said in a statement.

It is added that a Working Group will be formed, which will include the EU, Belgrade and Pristina, and which will work on a permanent and sustainable solution to the issue of license plates, reported Tanjug.

Petkovic-Lajcak talks in Brussels ended, deal made (RTS)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic will continue talks in Brussels with the EU Special Envoy Miroslav Lajcak aiming at finding a solution to the crisis in northern Kosovo, Belgrade delegation confirmed, RTS reported this morning. The talks were set to continue at 10.00. 

EU diplomatic sources told Tanjug news agency earlier the talks to resolve the crisis will continue today, and after the talks are completed Lajcak will issue a press statement.

Video-conference of the US Special Envoy Gabriel Escobar is announced at 15:00 in Brussels today.

Belgrade and Pristina delegations concluded separate meetings with Lajcak last night, and according to Belgrade no agreement was reached then.

After midday RTS reported that Lajcak wrote on Twitter the deal was made.

“We have a deal! After two days of intense negotiations, an agreement on de-escalation and the way forward has just been reached. I thank Besnik Bislimi and Petar Petkovic for their readiness to negotiate and agree for the good of the people”, Lajcak wrote.

Lajcak also posted on Twitter that the two sides agreed on the following:

1.     The special police units currently deployed at Jarinje and Brnjak CCPs will be removed simultaneously with the roadblocks starting on 2 October 2021 at 8h00 and finishing no later than 16h00. KFOR will deploy at Jarinje and Brnjak CCPs before the beginning of the simultaneous removal and will remain for approximately two weeks to maintain a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement.
2.     As of 4 October 2021, at 8h00, the sticker regime as agreed in the framework of the EU-facilitated Dialogue will be applied as a temporary measure until a permanent solution is agreed.
3.     A Working Group consisting of the representatives of the EU, Belgrade and Pristina parties and chaired by the EU will be established to find a permanent solution for the licence plates issue based on EU standards and best practices. The first meeting of the Working Group will be held on 21 October 2021 in Brussels. Within six months from its first meeting, the Working Group will present its findings on a permanent solution to the high-level format of the Dialogue”.

Commenting on the deal, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said the Serbian side has accepted a compromise proposal to deescalate the situation in Kosovo and Metohija. 

"Citizens suffer because of election games" (Radio KIM)

Has a solution really been reached in Brussels for the situation with licence plates and blocking the two crossing points in northern Kosovo, or was it a matter of buying time and pre-election campaigns, Radio KIM writes today.

Yesterday, Belgrade and Pristina delegations held separate talks with the EU Special Envoy Miroslav Lajcak in Brussels. Today, just after noon, Lajcak announced on Twitter: "We have an agreement!", the Radio continues.

It was decided to replace the temporary plates on both sides of the crossings with the "sticker regime agreed in the EU-mediated dialogue" as a "temporary measure until a lasting solution is reached". So, the problem has not been solved, its solution will take the next six months, starting on October 21. An agreement on stickers has already been reached in 2011 and confirmed in 2016.

According to the announcements, what will be resolved by October 2 at 4 pm at the latest, is the blockade of Jarinje and Brnjak. The dissatisfied people will withdraw, as will the special units of the Kosovo police, and KFOR “will interfere in its work a bit” over the next two weeks.

Belgrade and Pristina chief negotiators Petar Petkovic and Besnik Bisljimi, did not sit together at the table and talked during their latest stay in Brussels.

Political analyst Ognjen Gogic said that as long as he followed the Brussels dialogue it never happened that Petkovic and Bislimi while in Brussels did not meet, sat together and talked.

Pristina-based analyst Milazim Krasniqi opined the situation in Kosovo was confusing, both on the ground and in politics.

“Currently, the pre-election campaign is underway, and it will be in Serbia in April next year, so Vucic and Kurti are playing their pre-election games, because of which citizens suffer”, he said.

European Serb from Kosovo Movement President Rada Trajkovic also deemed introduction of reciprocity on license plates as part of Kurti’s pre-election game.

“Mr. Kurti is in a pre-election campaign. The intervention in northern Kosovo was certainly part of that campaign, which he expected would result in the establishment of reciprocity on the other side. It would be a new reality meaning, not as before, that Serbia recognizes Kosovo independence, but rather to mutually recognize one another through something that were negotiations. It would basically mean what we agree for Kosovo, it applies to Serbia as well. But Kurti has forgotten, and perhaps the KFOR Commander reminded him that KFOR is in Kosovo, according to UN SC Resolution 1244, which was accepted by the Kumanovo Agreement and it is still in force”, Trajkovic said.

Gogic, however, noted that the issue of KM (Kosovska Mitrovica) licence plates still remains unclarified, as none of these solutions relates to it.

Krasniqi pointed out that Kosovo Serbs suffer the most, as he said, “they are on one side manipulated by Belgrade and on the other side ignored by Pristina”.

Gogic added “citizens were hostages in the flexing of the muscles by Belgrade and Pristina”.

“Kurti and Vucic only care about populist votes, they don't care about the rest. The way in which Kurti compromises his institutions, sending special forces to the north of Kosovo with light weapons, which will somehow be suspended by KFOR, shows how much they care about their personal affirmation and obtaining populist votes, and they don't care about the rest. That is why the people suffer the most, both Serbs and Albanians are afraid. There is a lot of suffering on both sides, young people are leaving to Europe, while Kosovo is being emptied", Trajkovic added.

Krasniqi noted that an entire situation could have been avoided, and a diplomatic solution could have been found. 

Ursula von der Leyen: Important to find a sustainable friendly solution to the crisis in Kosovo (media)

Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission (EC), arrived in Belgrade on Wednesday night after visiting Pristina and Podgorica as part of her Western Balkan tour, ahead of the EU-Western Balkan summit in Slovenia on October 6.

“Welcome to Serbia, Ursula von der Leyen,” President Aleksandar Vucic told her at the Belgrade airport, greeting her with a bouquet of flowers, according to the photo he published on his Instagram profile.

In Donje Medjurovo, where the agreement on the construction of the Nis-Pristina highway was signed, as well as the construction of the Nis-Brestovac railway section, Leyen today expressed her belief that it was possible to de-escalate the current crisis between Belgrade and Pristina and that a sustainable friendly solution will be found.

Everyone is very worried about the current crisis, said Leyen, reported Tanjug.

Vucic: "Thank you for reasonable words regarding Kosovo and Metohija"

President Aleksandar Vucic thanked the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen for, as he said, reasonable words and her position on the crisis in the north of Kosovo, saying that Serbia is fully committed to the implementation of all EU-sponsored agreements signed so far.

Vucic noticed that there is hardly a family that is destined to be firmly connected to the EU as the von der Leyen's family, so the president of the EC, whose father was one of the first officials in Brussels in 1958, and a longtime associate of Angela Merkel, was a person who knows best what are the fundamental freedoms embodied in the four great freedoms - the movement of people, goods, services and capital.

According to Tanjug,  Vucic said that this was a historical visit, the great and important one and added "I promise that the delegation will make efforts to reach an agreement, keep peace and sign more agreements which will mean a better economy for all of us”. 

Vucic said that Serbia will not be a member of the EU until it resolves relations with Pristina, adding that it will fight and resolve things. 

Vucic also said that the city of Nis became a center, the center of all corridors, a Balkan crossroad, thanks to the EU. 

Von der Leyen: I strongly support Serbia's European integrations

Leyen said that she strongly supports Serbia's European integrations, welcome reforms in Serbia as well as that Serbia's ambitions to open new clusters are supported. 

"I know that the decision is in the hands of EU members, and that is why it is essential that you continue to meet the conditions, especially in the rule of law and the normalization of relations with Pristina," she said.

Layen said that she is a strong advocate of Serbia's accession to the EU.

"In that context, I welcome the fact that Serbia puts a strong emphasis on reforms. I commend you for everything you have undertaken. You have done a huge and difficult job. That progress is incredible," she said.

She expressed satisfaction that she will soon see Vucic at the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Slovenia, where, as she explained, they will jointly bring guidelines for the course of a common future.

An agreement on the construction of the first phase of the Peace Highway was signed in the presence of Vucic and Leyen.

Agreement between the Public Company Corridors of Serbia and the Consortium Strabag AG and Strabag d.o.o. Belgrade on the construction of the first phase of the Peace Highway on the section Merosina - Merosina 1, was signed today in Donje Medjurovo in the presence of the President of Serbia and the President of the European Commission

The section Merosina - Merosina 1 is part of the future highway Nis-Plocnik-Merdare.

Work on the modernization and rehabilitation of the Nis-Brestovac railway on the international railway Corridor 10 began in Donje Medjurovo today, and the beginning of the works was symbolically marked by President Aleksandar Vucic and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. 

The total value of the modernization of that section is 59.9 million euros, and 85 percent is financed from non-refundable funds provided from the IPA 2015 fund, and 15 percent from the budget of Serbia.

Protests in northern Kosovo continue (RTS)

People dissatisfied with Pristina’s decision relating to the licence plates and deployment of Kosovo police special units ROSU at Jarinje and Brnjak crossing points continue protesting for eleven consecutive days, RTS reports.

The roads leading to the crossing points remain blocked, while police and gathered people remain on their positions.

RTS said the situation is calm, and crossing points can be passed on foot only. Protestors told RTS last night they were disappointed that no agreement was reached in Brussels. They also said they would continue demanding withdrawal of Pristina’s decision as for them this is not only a political issue, but also an issue that affects their everyday lives.

Ambassador Godfrey: Great news, anything is possible through a serious and dedicated dialogue (Kosovo Online)

US Ambassador to Belgrade Anthony Godfrey welcomed the agreement reached in Brussels.

"Great news! Anything is possible through a serious and dedicated dialogue," Godfrey said on Twitter.

Along with the tweet, Godfrey also posted the announcement of the EU envoy for the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, Miroslav Lajcak, who previously announced that an agreement had been reached in Brussels at the technical round of negotiations.

EC denied Reuters allegations: EC firmly committed to advancing the accession process of the Western Balkan countries (N1, FoNet, VoA)

Ana Pisonero, a European Commission (EC) spokesperson, told the Voice of America (VOA) that "the future of the entire Western Balkans is in the European Union", thus denying diplomatic sources who Reuters (RTRS) quoted as saying the EU disagreed on the accession of six Western Balkan countries.

On Tuesday, RTRS cited unnamed diplomats saying the member states could no longer agree on providing guarantees for the future membership of the Western Balkans, promised 18 years ago.

Pisonero said that “the European Commission is firmly committed to improving the accession process of the countries of the Western Balkans, including Albania and Northern Macedonia”.

“Both countries have fulfilled their obligations, and we fully support the formal start of accession negotiations by the end of the year, as EC President Ursula von der Layen said during her visit to the region. The future of the entire Western Balkans is in the EU,“ Pisonero added in a written statement to VOA.

She said the “enlargement policy is a strategic investment in the stability and security of Europe“, adding the EU leaders had reiterated they were unequivocally committed to the European perspective of the Western Balkans.

Pisonero wrote that the upcoming summit in Slovenia on October 6 would be an important opportunity to confirm the Western Balkans’ European perspective, take practical steps towards further integration, and start implementing the economic and investment plan for the region.

Dacic rejects possible foreign military engagement in Kosovo (N1)

Serbian Parliament Speaker Ivica Dacic on Thursday rejected speculation of possible foreign military engagement to deal with the situation in Kosovo, N1 reports.

He warned that some people are constantly demanding that President Aleksandar Vucic send military forces into Kosovo, claiming that Russia will come to Serbia’s aid. “I can say one thing for sure – there will be no military aid. That never happened and will not happen. That is not realistic. We can get great political support but military engagement is not realistic”, he said.

Dacic said a military operation is the “ultimate solution if a pogrom is launched against the Serbs or the north of Kosovo is conquered militarily”.

According to him, “anyone’s military engagement means they have to come to you”. “We couldn’t bring in things we bought because the transfer of weapons systems was denied”, N1 reports.

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani was reported to have warned European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of Russia’s alleged involvement in developments in Kosovo while Prime Minister Albin Kurti told the Croatian state TV (HRT) that the Serbian military deployed along the border with Kosovo including flights by combat aircraft.

Over the previous days Serbian media reported that four armored vehicles of the Serbian Army were located two kilometers away from Jarinje and have been removed in the meantime.  

Principled position of Spain not to recognize Kosovo (Kosovo-online)

Serbian Minister of Defense, Nebojsa Stefanovic met yesterday in Belgrade Chief of Defense of Kingdom of Spain Armed Forces, Admiral Teodoro Esteban Lopez Kalderon, who reconfirmed the stance of his country not to recognize Kosovo, Kosovo-online portal reports.

During the meeting, Stefanovic expressed gratitude of Serbia to Spain over the latter's consistent stance not to recognize Kosovo, stressing Serbia continues to strongly support territorial integrity of Spain, reads the statement issued by the Serbian Ministry of Defense.

Admiral Kalderon pointed out the importance of mutual support in protecting sovereignty and respecting principles of international law, and once again voiced the principled stance of Spain not to recognize Kosovo. He also thanked Serbia for the support it offers to the territorial integrity of his country.

The two interlocutors recalled very good and friendly relations between the two states. Stefanovic said he was satisfied with the level of cooperation in the area of defense, adding there is a possibility to further advance it.

Admiral Kalderon is on official visit to Serbia as per invitation of the Army of Serbia Chief-of-Staff, General Milan Mojsilovic, the portal recalled. 

   

International 

  Von der Leyen urges end to Serbia-Kosovo border tensions (politico.eu)

Pristina says a draft agreement has been reached to bring to an end spat over license plates.

BELGRADE — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used a tour of the Balkans to call for a reduction of tensions between Kosovo and Serbia, who have been engaged in a bitter border dispute over license plates.

Late Wednesday, reports emerged from the Kosovo side that a draft agreement had been reached to bring to an end the spat. But there was no immediate confirmation of an agreement from Serbia.

“I must say I am very concerned about the current crisis,” von der Leyen said Wednesday afternoon at a press conference with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti in Pristina.

Read more at: https://politi.co/3zVxV1Z