UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 24, 2021

Albanian Language Media:

Kosovo President Osmani meets Canada's Governor General Simon (media)
Kurti: We are committed to fighting crime and corruption, uphold rule of law (media)
EU Special Representative for dialogue, Lajcak, to visit Kosovo tomorrow (Klan)
Kurti: I strongly condemn cases of discrimination against communities in Kosovo (Kallxo)
Hajdari: Anti-dumping measures linked to equality and reciprocity (Koha)
CDBK: Kosovo in CEFTA as a country, not through UNMIK (Zeri)
COVID-19: Six new cases, one death (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic on meeting with Putin, talks with Pristina, bigger incentives for childbirth (RTS)
Mihajlovic: Alleged debt for electricity in northern Kosovo a lie, yet another sort of pressure against Serbs (Kosovo-online)
Stano: Pristina to change decision and allow Petar Petkovic to enter Kosovo (Tanjug)
Conference on the Open Balkan today in the Serbian Parliament (RTV Puls, Kosovo Online)
Vucic awarded Golden Charter and Key of Mitrovica North City (KoSSev)
Kremlin: Putin and Vucic to discuss also the prospects for resolving the Kosovo issue (Tanjug, Kosovo Online, TASS)

Humanitarian/Development:

Public pulse: Citizens dissatisfied with municipal support during a pandemic (KiM radio)
Kopač: Western Balkans need to introduce CO2 tax by 2025 (balkangreenenergynews.com)
Activists in Balkans raise alarm on rising violence against women (axios.com)
How do you see me? How do I see you? (Kosovo Trustbuilding Platform)

Albanian Language Media

Kosovo President Osmani meets Canada's Governor General Simon (media)

President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani met the Governor General of Canada Mary Simon. In the meeting, Osmani thanked Simon for Canada's support to Kosovo and expressed readiness to deepen the cooperation.

Osmani also highlighted the role of women in decision-making processes as "an essential precondition for consolidation of democracy and strengthening of the state". Osmani and Simon also discussed the possibilities of cooperation in areas of mutual interest, foreign policy, defence, economic exchange, education, a statement issued by the Kosovo President's Office states.

It adds: "As for the current situation in Kosovo, President Osmani reiterated that the country's goal remains EU membership, as well as membership in other international organizations, on which she said that she expects Canadian support. President Osmani said that the dialogue process with Serbia should end with mutual recognition. She recently mentioned Serbia's threatening rhetoric and growing Russian influence in the region as a threat to destabilization in this part of Europe."

Kurti: We are committed to fighting crime and corruption, uphold rule of law (media)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti and Minister of Internal Affairs Xhelal Svecla met today Commander of KFOR, Major General Ferenc Kajari.

According to a statement issued by the Government of Kosovo, Kurti thanked Kajari for KFOR's contribution in maintaining peace, security and stability in Kosovo. "He reaffirmed his and the Government's readiness for communication, cooperation and coordination of actions between the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo and KFOR in the service of peace, stability and security for all citizens of the Republic of Kosovo."

Kurti further expressed the commitment of Kosovo institutions to fight crime and corruption and uphold the rule of law as priorities.

"Major General Kajari commended Minister Svecla for the high level of engagement and professionalism that the Kosovo Police is demonstrating in the service of citizens. He expressed the will and readiness of the multinational force to continue cooperation with institutions for creating and maintaining a safe and secure environment in Kosovo," the statement ends.

EU Special Representative for dialogue, Lajcak, to visit Kosovo tomorrow (Klan)

The EU Special Representative for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue Miroslav Lajcak will be in Kosovo tomorrow, Klan Kosova reports quoting EU foreign policy spokesperson Peter Stano.

Stano said that Lajcak this week met Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti in Vienna and went on to meet President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade to "reinforce the message and the expectations of 27 EU member states that wish to see progress."

"He will continue the road to Pristina to have more talks on this issue in order to convey this message ahead of the work for preparing a high-level meeting which we hope will take place this year," Stano added.

Kurti: I strongly condemn cases of discrimination against communities in Kosovo (Kallxo)

The second Summit on Antigypsyism is underway under the slogan "Paving the way for change". The summit's goal is to bring together key national and international actors to discuss the most effective and efficient ways of Antigypsyism and ways of manifesting Antigpsyism that results in discrimination against the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in Kosovo.

The event is organised jointly by the Terre des hommes delegation in Kosovo, Voice of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians and HEKS Foundation as part of the project "Social Justice for Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians", supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti said in his word that he strongly condemned the acts of discrimination against the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian community members in Gjakova and Prizren. He said that the findings of the research carried out by the summit's organisers show "we have a great deal of work ahead to promote a common culture."

Swiss Ambassador to Kosovo Thomas Kolly said antigypsyism is a type of racism. "We need to understand that exclusion of communities damages the society while diversity enriches every society."

Hajdari: Anti-dumping measures linked to equality and reciprocity (Koha)

Kosovo's Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, Rozeta Hajdari, said that the Government has decided to continue introducing import protection measures.

Speaking to reporters following the meeting of the Government, Hajdari focused on anti-dumping measures. "We will introduce reciprocity, and we are doing so already. The law on anti-dumping measures, for protection from imports, all these are connected to equality and reciprocity."

Hajdari added that the anti-dumping measures are aimed at protecting sectors threatened by import. "We have been accused by the Serbia's Minister of Economy of discrimination but we are working for equality."

CDBK: Kosovo in CEFTA as a country, not through UNMIK (Zeri)

The Chamber of Doing Business in Kosovo (CDBK) has welcomed the decision of the Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, Rozeta Hajdari, to request the CEFTA Secretariat to enable Kosovo to be represented as a country and not through UNMIK.

In a statement to the press, CDBK said that the Minister's request is in line with what the chamber has advocated for years. "Furthermore, we have signed this agreement without prior protection provided to any product and what's more it is very important for Kosovo to finally begin to protect local products and every obstacle it faces through full reciprocity."

CDBK thanked Hajdari for addressing the issue of Kosovo's representation at CEFTA "considering that as a country we need to be treated equally with all other signatory countries of this agreement."

COVID-19: Six new cases, one death (media)

Six new cases of COVID-19 and one death have been recorded in Kosovo in the last 24 hours. Eight persons recovered during this time.

There are 327 active cases of COVID-19 in Kosovo.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic on meeting with Putin, talks with Pristina, bigger incentives for childbirth (RTS)

Addressing the public this morning Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke about dialogue with Pristina, upcoming meeting with the Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin and incentives related to youth and natality, RTS reports.

“We want and are looking for talks with Pristina at all levels as much as possible and as often as possible”, Vucic said. He also pointed out that he will send a letter to all heads of states and governments asking for an explanation why no one reacts when Albin Kurti mentions unification with Albania. Vucic said it has been agreed with the Russians to take over “Petrohemija”, and that he will discuss key political issues with Vladimir Putin.

During his address Vucic noted it was important to discuss all topics with Pristina.

“Serbia is asking for, demanding, it wants the talks with Pristina at all levels - as soon as possible, as much as possible and as often as possible. We believe that every conversation is therapeutic, that it is important to talk about all topics, especially Community of Serb-majority Municipalities, energy, but also to talk and try to create at least any and minimal trust between us, so that we would not end in a situation in which we were a little over a month ago”, he said.

Vucic also pointed out this is an official request of the Republic of Serbia, which he conveyed to the EU Special Representative for Dialogue Miroslav Lajcak. He added Belgrade is always ready to talk, and that it does not accept the thesis that it is guilty of anything related to the interruption in the dialogue.

He also mentioned that, upon his return from Sochi, he would send a letter to all heads of states and governments asking for an explanation and an answer - how is it possible that (Kosovo Prime Minister) Albin Kurti “every now and then, in a very clear and precise manner” talks about his own desire for unification, as they say, of Kosovo and Albania, without any political institution in Europe reacting to it.

“It will contain one simple question - does that mean that you will be silent like that and will not react if anyone from here talks about some unification with another? According to which principle are Albanians allowed to do that, and according to which everything is prohibited for Serbs ... I will also ask that in an official form, seeking an explanation from all heads of states and governments”, he said.

Vucic also mentioned that Serbia will not pursue such a policy, because it is committed to respecting internationally recognized borders.

It was agreed that the Russians would take over Petrohemija (Serbian Petrochemical Company)

Before leaving for Russia, where he will meet with the President Vladimir Putin, Vucic said this meeting is very important for Serbia, and that all key political issues will be discussed.

“We will also discuss the situation in the region, I want to inform him about everything that is happening in the talks regarding Kosovo and Metohija, and what is happening in the Western Balkans”, Vucic said. He added world topics would also be discussed.

Vucic noted Russia is the fourth trade partner of Serbia and that he believes there is a lot of room to increase the trade exchange. He also pointed out many negotiations with Russian partners have already been completed, and everything has been agreed for the Russians to take over “Petrohemija” (Serbian petrochemical company based in Pancevo).

Among other things that have already been agreed, he mentioned the strategic Serbian-Russian program of economic cooperation from 2021 to 2026, in various areas of economic development and trade.

Gas a key issue, our reserves have dropped

President Vucic also said Serbia’s gas reserves had dropped to 128 million cubic meters and that gas would be one of the most important topics in the conversation with Putin.

“Gas is a key issue for us. At the moment, we have gas reserves of 128 million cubic meters, and we had 261 million before”, he said, explaining that this is because the gas is consumed every day, so that Serbia would not import electricity, which is on the stock exchange five times higher than the production price in Serbia.

“The price of gas on the stock exchange was 1,064 dollars in the morning, and we pay 270 dollars for gas, and the price of electricity is between 250 and 300 per megawatt in the entire Europe, while in our country the price is 50 euros per megawatt”, Vucic said.

He emphasized that only due to the import of electricity, the economies of many middle and lower developed countries are falling and that is why their public debt is growing.

Mihajlovic: Alleged debt for electricity in northern Kosovo a lie, yet another sort of pressure against Serbs (Kosovo-online)

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Mining and Energy, Zorana Mihajlovic assessed today decision of Kosovo Electricity Transmission System Operator (KOSTT) no longer to cover the expenses for the electricity in four northern municipalities in Kosovo and Metohija, where Serbs make majority of the population as “the most brutal pressure against the Serbian population”, Kosovo-online portal reports citing Tanjug news agency.

“This is yet another in a series of lies and organized harangue against the Serbian population in Kosovo and Metohija. The debt of EUR 17 million that KOST reported by December 2020 is a lie because the supply of the electricity to the north until December was done directly by Serbia”, Mihajlovic said.

She added KOSTT is a transmission system operator, while delivery to the final users was done by distributor.

“Therefore, there is no evidence here that it was about consumption in the north. KOSTT insisted on being a transmission system operator, and this way it showed its inability to do such a thing”, Mihajlovic said in a press release.

According to her, KOSTT falsely certified itself on the property of Serbia, adding for its use there are no grounds.

She also said Pristina sold to the Turkish operator distribution system, precisely a network which is owned by Serbia, and that Kosovo institutions didn’t allow work of Serbian suppliers and distributors, thus directly violating the Brussels agreement.

“The aim is to leave Serbs without electricity and indebted. To exert pressure on them and send a message once again that they are not welcome in their fake state”, Mihajlovic underlined.

She also underlined that Pristina acts unconstructively in Brussels and is prone to blackmailing, while resolution of the most important issues affecting normal lives of people are irrelevant to it.

“That is why it is necessary to establish a Community of the Serb-majority Municipalities as soon as possible, so the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija could live normally”, she concluded.

Stano: Pristina to change decision and allow Petar Petkovic to enter Kosovo (Tanjug)

European Union spokesman Peter Stano called on Pristina to reconsider the decision by which the director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petro Petkovic, was banned from entering Kosovo and to allow that visit, reported Tanjug.

"We know that Petkovic's visit was adequately announced and in accordance with the agreement on official visits. We invite Kosovo to consider its decision and allow this visit," Stano said.

Asked whether the EU would react after the authorities in Pristina again refused to allow Belgrade officials to enter Kosovo, in Brussels stressed that EU foreign ministers, from the EU Council meeting, made it clear that they expected all previously reached agreements in the dialogue, between Belgrade and Pristina, to be respected and implemented, as well as to continue the talks in a constructive way.

"This invitation from the 27 member states also includes an agreement on official visits, which is an important part of the normalization of relations and contributes to the progress in the dialogue," Stano concluded.

Conference on the Open Balkan today in the Serbian Parliament (RTV Puls, Kosovo Online)

The conference "Open Balkans - The Road to Stabilization, Cooperation and Prosperity of the Region" will be held in the Serbian Parliament today, reported RTV Puls.

The gathering will be attended, live and online, by the Prime Ministers of Serbia Ana Brnabic and Albania Edi Rama, the Deputy PM of Northern Macedonia Nikola Dimitrov, as well as the US Special Envoy for the Balkans Gabriel Escobar, the parliament announced.

The meeting will be opened by the President of the Assembly of Serbia, Ivica Dacic, the US Ambassador to Serbia, Anthony Godfrey, and the MP and founder of the Congress of Serbian-American Friendship, Vladimir Marinkovic.

According to the conference program, a political panel will follow, at which Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic will speak, while the Deputy Prime Minister of Northern Macedonia Nikola Dimitrov, the Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, and the US Special Envoy for the Balkans Gabriel Escobar will address the gathering online.

This will be followed by the presentation of the results of the regional public opinion poll and the results of the economic analysis of the Open Balkans initiative, followed by a panel of businessmen on the economic effects of the initiative. According to the announcement, participants at the panel will be: President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Marko Cadez, First Vice President of the American Chamber of Commerce Ivan Miletic, General Manager of Coca-Cola Serbia Svetoslav Atanasov, and Director of "Business Development Ernst and Young" Vladimir Cupic.

Vucic awarded Golden Charter and Key of Mitrovica North City (KoSSev)

Mitrovica North marked the Day of the Municipality yesterday, as well as the 77th anniversary of its liberation in World War II. The occasion was marked by the opening of a new transport bridge, the launch of the construction of a new ward building of the North Mitrovica Hospital Center, followed by a ceremony where, among other things, the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, was awarded the Golden Charter and the Key of the city of North Mitrovica, KoSSev portal reports.

On this occasion, Vucic sent a thank you letter, which was read at the ceremony.

The head of the Provisional Authority of North Mitrovica, Aleksandar Spiric, also announced at the ceremony that starting from next year, every fourth child in a family will receive monthly financial support in the amount of 10,000 dinars (85 euros)

In his thank you letter, Vucic underlined that the award comes as recognition of the “years-long joint efforts“ to preserve the peace and security of Kosovo Serbs. The Serbian President also pledged to continue to fight for “the prosperity and progress of Kosovska Mitrovica and all our communities in the province, whether they are located south or north of the Ibar”,

Humanitarian/Development

Public pulse: Citizens dissatisfied with municipal support during a pandemic (KiM radio)

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Kosovo has published an analysis of public pulse "Interaction of people and municipalities in times of crisis: the Covid-19 case study". The survey, conducted in five municipalities: Fushё Kosovё/Kosovo Polje, Podujevё/Podujevo, Prizren, Rahovec/Orahovac and Zvečan/Zveçan, highlighted the challenges citizens faced during the pandemic, reported KiM radio.

The public pulse analysis was based on a survey that included 500 survey interviews conducted in March 2021 and nine focus group discussions held from April to June this year.

According to this year's survey, 52 percent of respondents from the five municipalities represented in this study were dissatisfied with the municipal support provided to them or their families, and 42 percent were dissatisfied with the support provided to their communities.

When asked what their municipality should do to support those affected by coronavirus, the majority of respondents (61 percent) answered that municipalities should provide financial assistance to infected and families in need, distribute food and hygiene packages to families in need, provide free medical services and medicines for all people.

"About 54 percent of all respondents believe that municipalities have informed them to some extent or very well about the pandemic. This was further confirmed through focus group discussions. In addition, 95 percent of Kosovo Albanians, but only 74 percent of Kosovo Serbs, said that they received information in their mother tongue," the report said.

Focus group discussions revealed that non-majority communities were dissatisfied with this aspect of information dissemination and that they felt discriminated against when material was not available in their mother tongue.

"Non-majority communities (K - Serbs, Bosniaks, Turks, Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians) also disapproved the municipal communication, which mainly focused on using social media accounts to inform their residents, bypassing their official websites and other communication channels, which prevented to reach the older generations in an efficient way ," the report said.

The analysis also contains a list of recommendations in the areas of financial assistance and subsidies, communication channels and the language used, engaging residents in municipal decision-making and prioritizing budgets, financial, infrastructural and human resources, and public service delivery.

UNDP report available in three languages at: https://bit.ly/3FOMKGZ

Kopač: Western Balkans need to introduce CO2 tax by 2025 (balkangreenenergynews.com)

Western Balkan countries will be obligated to introduce carbon pricing by 2025, said Janez Kopač, outgoing Director of the Energy Community Secretariat.

Janez Kopač noted that the Ministerial Council of the Energy Community meeting would be held in Belgrade on November 30 and announced that several European Union directives would be adopted, including those on energy and climate policy, renewable energy sources, and energy efficiency. He stressed that the directive on energy and climate policy also refers to preparing national energy and climate plans (NECPs).