UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 8, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

The price of electricity increases for those who exceed 800 kilowatts (Klan)
Opposition requests annulment of ERO decision and dismissal of the board (media)
Biden talks with German Chancellor on Western Balkans, vows for its EU integration (Klan)
Six candidates for the position of Chief State Prosecutor are confirmed (media)
Minister Ceku responds to the German Ambassador: Xhafer Deva's house has aesthetic values, we are not rehabilitating his figure (media)
COVID-19: 787 new cases, two deaths (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Stano denies that Pristina handed Lajcak a proposal to hold elections (Kosovo Online, media)
Petkovic with Botsan-Kharchenko on situation in Kosovo and dialogue (RTS)
Vucic and Peach: UK with EU and US supports Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (Tanjug)
Serbian PM: World Economic Forum centre opening in Serbia (N1)
Vucic always ready to talk to Kurti (media)
Rakic with Arduk: Returns process in stagnation (Kosovo-online)
‘Stealth Omicron’ coronavirus subvariant confirmed in Serbia (N1, RTS)

Albanian Language Media

The price of electricity increases for those who exceed 800 kilowatts (Klan)

The ERO Board has approved the increase of the price of electricity for consumers that exceed the consumption over 800 kilowatts.

Those who consume more than 800 kilowatts of electricity, the tariff for them will be 12 cents the higher rate and 6 cents the cheaper one, reports Klan Kosova.

"The limit should now be moved to 800 kWh. This encourages consumers to take advantage of two tariffs, including subsidies. This offers consumers to use energy efficiently," said Ymer Rudari from the tariff department.

He also said that 22% of consumers exceed this tariff consumption limit.

Two tariffs will be available to those who consume less than 800 kWh. The low rate will be around 3 cents and the high rate 7 cents.

Opposition requests annulment of ERO decision and dismissal of the board (media)

The ERO Board has approved the increase of the price of electricity for consumers that exceed the consumption over 800 kilowatts.

Armend Zemaj, MP from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) said that ERO's decision to increase the price of electricity is unaffordable for the citizens of Kosovo.

The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) also opposed the increase of electricity price.

"This should have been an alarm for Prime Minister Kurti, for the government and for all of us. We, as a parliamentary group, support both the debate and the adoption of a resolution where we demand the revocation of this decision, which is to the detriment of the citizens,” said Besnik Tahiri, head of AAK parliamentary group.

According to the head of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) parliamentary group Abelard Tahiri, this decision should be annulled today. At the beginning of the Assembly session, he demanded a parliamentary debate on the rise in electricity prices, as he said, this aggravates the situation in Kosovo.

"We ask to have a procedural motion to introduce a point where we will debate this decision,” Tahiri said adding that Prime Minister Kurti has already become one of ERO’s instruments.

“It really aggravates the situation in Kosovo. This decision should be annulled today. This is a bitter reality in our country, a reality that no citizen can bare," Tahiri said.

"Let's take the mandate of ERO because they will do even greater damage", said further Tahiri.

He has demanded a parliamentary motion against the rise in electricity prices.

This request which was put to the vote was supported by the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK).

The Assembly did not have a quorum for this decision. Only 36 deputies took part in the voting.

On this occasion, MPs of LDK and PDK have left the session. While those of AAK remained in the hall.

Biden talks with German Chancellor on Western Balkans, vows for its EU integration (Klan)

The U.S. President Joe Biden mentioned at his meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz the Western Balkans and the joint work that the two allies must do to ensure stability and avoid Chinese and Russian influence in the region.

"You know, to put it bluntly, Germany is one of America's closest allies. We are working side by side to curb further Russian aggression in Europe and to address the challenges posed by China and to promote stability in the Western Balkans," Biden told a joint conference.

"We also reaffirmed our commitment to complete the work on the integration of the Western Balkans into the European institutions and to finally achieve a full, free and peaceful Europe," he said.

Six candidates for the position of Chief State Prosecutor are confirmed (media)

The Chairman of the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council (KPC), Jetish Maloku, together with the Secretariat of the KPC, pursuant to Regulation 06/2019 on the appointment of the Chief State Prosecutor and Chief Prosecutors of the Prosecution of Kosovo, has opened applications and has looked at the materials received from six candidates who have applied for the position of Chief State Prosecutor.

“The process of viewing the materials of these six candidates was conducted in the physical presence and through the Zoom platform of the representatives of the US Embassy, the EU Office, EULEX, the Group for Legal and Political Studies, which is the implementer of the Project "Monitoring Judicial and Prosecutorial System in Kosovo ”, funded by the British Embassy in Kosovo, the Kosovo Institute for Justice, the Fol Movement, the NGO Network “AVONET ”and the Youth Initiative for Human Rights,” the announcement reads.

It is further stated that after reviewing the materials submitted by the candidates, the Chairman of the KPC, Jetish Maloku, based on his mandate and the criteria provided by regulations, has confirmed that all candidates who have applied have met criteria and are formally considered as candidates for the position of Chief State Prosecutor.

The candidates who have applied for the position of Chief State Prosecutor and who have met the criteria are: 1. Arben Ismajli, Prosecutor in the Appellate Prosecution; 2. Armend Hamiti, Prosecutor in the Basic Prosecution of Prishtina; 3. Blerim Isufaj, Chief Prosecutor in the Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo; 4. Kujtim Munishi, Chief Prosecutor in the Basic Prosecution of Prishtina; 5. Lulzim Sulejmani, Prosecutor in the Office of the Chief State Prosecutor and 6. Shqipdon Fazliu, Prosecutor in the Office of the Chief State Prosecutor.

This list with the names of the candidates will be sent to the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council for final confirmation and announcement in time of the other procedures of the process of electing the Chief State Prosecutor.

Minister Ceku responds to the German Ambassador: Xhafer Deva's house has aesthetic values, we are not rehabilitating his figure (media)

The Minister of Culture Hajrulla Ceku has given his reasons for restoration of Xhafer Deva’s house, despite the fact that German Embassy is opposing it. In a long article, the minister says that the facility in Mitrovica should not necessarily be associated only with the name of the politician active during the Second World War.

Full statement below:

The restoration of monuments is done to serve the community, not for historical revisionism or rehabilitation of figures.

The monument is public property, has great aesthetic values and in terms of construction typology is one of the first examples in Kosovo of the transition to modern European architecture. It is part of the collective memory of the inhabitants of Mitrovica and recently a symbol of civic resistance against concreting (buildings). It was built in 1930 and in the List of Cultural Heritage it appears as "Xhafer Deva House" although it was mainly used for public purposes, including as a health house. Therefore, it does not mean that it should keep this name at all costs. For years it has been the target of certain interest groups, in addition to being set on fire, new multi-storey buildings have suffocated it from all sides. The name of the monument is the most insignificant marker compared to the public functions and values that this building represents for the city and its citizens.

The building received the status of cultural heritage asset in protection of the law in 2011. The restoration project was drafted for the first time in 2010, while the same was revised in 2017. The previous restoration intervention by the Ministry of Culture was done in year 2018 (first phase, mainly structural consolidation). The last initiative for the restoration of this monument belongs to the summer of last year (second and last phase, functionalization), and is part of the joint program of the Ministry of Culture with the European Union and UNDP, which also includes other monuments (mosque, church, house, tower, museum). The selection of these monuments was done in cooperation with international partners. We published the news about this for the first time in June last year and then in several other cases, while this topic has been widely covered by the media. It is astonishing how months later and all of a sudden, this turned into a "matter of concern".

After the restoration, the monument is planned to serve the community and in addition to accommodating the Mitrovica Regional Center for Cultural Heritage, there will be space for an art gallery, museum function and other cultural events. Photographs and evidence on the past of Xhafer Deva or any other historical figure (liked it or not) can be exhibited in that gallery, or the ones on the stories of Jews who moved to Kosovo and the Balkans to escape the Holocaust. The museum space can be dedicated to the killings during the Second World War. But the past of the respective personality cannot be a determining factor if that monument deserves to be restored. Let the restored monument also serve as a space for dealing with the past, where the dark side of our history can be documented and exposed.

Attempting to shift the debate to the level of narrative over the relevant historical figure, severely undermines efforts to protect cultural heritage. Worse, this approach legitimizes violence against architecture and artifacts. No one is against the historical facts, they should be said out loud and without any reservations, first of all by the professionals. However, opposing restoration by invoking the historical narrative is contrary to world conventions and advanced European practices for the protection of cultural heritage.

We do not do historical revisionism and rehabilitation of figures. In fact, the source of all this unnecessary noise is our northern neighbor, whose historical revisionism has a national policy and which reacts to every positive development in Kosovo. Our job is to protect our monuments. Because by protecting them, we can put them at the service of society. Our monuments are spaces that facilitate dialogue for peace between communities, while also helping the economic development of localities. Dialogue may not be easy, one or the other party may not like the story, but the existence of the artifact is a prerequisite for dialogue. Discourse that legitimizes violence against architecture is dangerous because it leads to the disappearance of material culture. Civilized peoples preserve their material culture, that is, the tangible evidence of their history, while history, as we all know, is not always glorious. The latter should not frighten us nor become an argument against cultural heritage.

The Ministry of Culture is investing in all of our cultural heritage, without distinction, including Islamic mosques and monuments, Orthodox churches, Catholic churches, traditional houses, archeological sites, spiritual heritage, museums, public buildings and more.

This year, the building that will accommodate the Jewish Center in Prizren will be restored, while we agree in principle that the Jewish Museum Vienna will help us in restoring the space. The plans of the Ministry of Culture for this year also include the Museum of Mother Teresa in Prizren, the Catholic Church in Ferizaj, the “Suudi Efendi” Mosque in Prishtina, the Tower of Sylejman Vokshi in Gjakova, the City Hammam in Mitrovica.

There will also be interventions in many other monuments bearing the names of personalities from early and late history. Gjikokaj Mill, Musa Gorani Shop, Emin Gjiku Complex, Et'hem Godeni Tower, Gazi Mehmed Pasha Hammam, Hynilerëve House, Ibrahim Rugova Residence, Hajdini Neighborhood, Jeronim de Rada School.

In the list of protection there are many monuments that bear the names of sultans and pashas, kings and saints, families with traditional houses and those with towers, political, military and religious leaders. Each of them, a story on its own, in different times and regimes, controversial opportunities and wills. The common denominator of all these? Material evidence of the past, or what is called Kosovo's cultural heritage.

Finally, it must be said openly that the assistance of Kosovo's friendly states in our battle to preserve cultural heritage is vital. Therefore, I urge them, as in the past, to continue to stand by us. With their help, our monuments will escape degradation faster, in order to serve the socio-economic needs of all citizens of Kosovo, regardless of ethnicity, religion or other affiliation.

COVID-19: 787 new cases, two deaths (media)

787 new cases of COVID-19 and two deaths have been recorded in Kosovo in the last 24-hour period, the Ministry of Health said. 3,613 persons recovered during this time.

There are 20,995 active cases of COVID-19 in Kosovo.

Serbian Language Media

Stano denies that Pristina handed Lajcak a proposal to hold elections (Kosovo Online, media)

Kosovo's Deputy Prime Minister and chief negotiator in the dialogue with Belgrade, Besnik Bislimi submitted a concrete proposal to EU Special Envoy Miroslav Lajcak with conditions under which the Serbian 3 April elections could be held, "Demokracia" portal reported on Sunday. The EU spokesman Petar Stano told Kosovo Online portal that "those claims are simply not true", Serbian media cited.

Asked by the portal whether Bislimi really made proposals to Lajcak on conditions under which the elections on April 3 would be possible, Stano replied that "although, as a general rule, we never comment on what our partners tell us, suggest or give because it is on them to comment on it, in this particular case I can say that the claims made below are simply not true".

"Nothing like what you describe below was initiated or communicated to EU Special Representative Lajcak during his talks in Pristina last week," Stano said.

Stano recalled that, when it comes to the elections scheduled for April 3, once again "the well-known position of Brussels".

''Let me remind you of our very well-known position on the issue (voting in Kosovo on Serbian ballots), which has been announced on several occasions and at various levels. It is up to the parties to get involved in the negotiations and find the necessary ones by consensus. The EU is ready to facilitate and provide ideas in line with European practice, but in the end the responsibility for reaching an agreement lies with the parties. EU Special Representative Lajcak made this very clear to his interlocutors during his visit to Pristina last week," Stano said.

Petkovic with Botsan-Kharchenko on situation in Kosovo and dialogue (RTS)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic in a conversation with the Russian Ambassador to Serbia, Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko said that “campaign of pressure and repression against Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija continues”, RTS reports.

The two interlocutors also discussed the political and security situation in Kosovo as well as Belgrade-Pristina dialogue in Brussels.

Petkovic informed Botsan-Kharchenko about the latest events in Kosovo, stressing it was about continuation of pressure and repression against the Serbian people there, but also about an open attempt to endanger and abolish all their political and civic rights.

He voiced expectations that representatives of the international community, with their authority, will enable Serbs to cast the ballots at upcoming Serbian elections in Kosovo and Metohija, and thus prevent consequences that could jeopardise everything that has been achieved in Brussels so far.

Petkovic also said Belgrade remains committed to continuation of the dialogue, but also expects an end to a series of obstruction of the negotiation and to finally stop tolerating violation of already reached agreements.

He recalled that Belgrade fulfilled all obligations it undertook in Brussels agreement, while Pristina has not implemented Community of Serb-majority Municipalities, and violates agreements in the areas of energy and judiciary, does not cooperate on the missing persons, bans media reporting in Serbian to carry out their duties.

Vucic and Peach: UK with EU and US supports Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke today with the United Kingdom Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Sir Stuart Peach, who stressed that the UK along with the partners from EU and US will work on supporting Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Tanjug news agency reports.

Peach also said that his appointment represents a clear indication of continuous commitment of the UK to security, stability and economic progress of the Western Balkans, reads the statement issued by Vucic’s press office.

On his part, Vucic said Serbia continues advocating for reaching a sustainable, mutually acceptable solution in the dialogue with Pristina, adding that Serbia remains fully committed to the dialogue as the only way to resolve all open issues.

Serbian PM: World Economic Forum centre opening in Serbia (N1)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said on Monday that Serbia is one of three European countries where the World Economic Forum is planning to open its centre, N1 reports.

She told the Serbian public broadcaster in Geneva that the decision to open the centre in Serbia is recognition for the country’s education system and economy. This says a lot about the position of the country, how advanced it is and if you are recognized as technologically advanced, she added. “The World Economic Forum opened a centre in Oslo and Moscow a month ago with Serbia as the third European country”, she said.

Brnabic said the centre will operate as part of the government IT Office “because that is the right way to provide the best infrastructure to start working on March 1”. This will secure the best communication with the government, economy and civil sector allowing it to work on biotechnology, biomedicine and AI. “It will initially have a staff of four, but I believe the centre will expand and we have a vision of further development”, the prime minister said.