UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 2, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti calls for Kosovo membership in EU and NATO (media)
Osmani thanks Milanovic for proposal to give candidate status to Kosovo (media)
Kurti: Looking forward to working closely with Sarrazin (media)
Vela reacts to Dacic’s statement, says “Serbia and Russia are one” (media)
Krasniqi: Emergent need for Kosovo to join Council of Europe (media)
Mitrovica South Mayor meets UNMIK chief (media)
COVID-19: 83 new cases, one death (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic: Situation in Europe and worldwide increasingly difficult (media)
EU Ambassadors: We are counting on Serbia at UN General Assembly (media)
Dacic: Those asking us to impose sanctions on Russia are against Serbia (RTS)
MEPs: Serbia to harmonise with EU policy, impose sanctions on Russia (N1)
Petronic: Pristina’s request to join NATO immediately unrealistic and ungrounded (Radio kontakt plus)
First refugees from Ukraine arrived in Serbia (DW, Kosovo-online)
Dacic calls for presidential elections (RTS)
Head of UNMIK met North Mitrovica municipality leadership (Kontakt plus radio)
Rakic meets EULEX chief, talks about security of Serb community (Kosovo-online)

International:

Kosovo politicians pledge to new fund to boost Security Force (BIRN)
Serb Refugee Returns to Kosovo Home, 22 Years After Fleeing (Balkan Insight)
Kosovo Echoes Calls for NATO ‘Accelerated’ Membership (Balkan Insight)
War in Ukraine, the Balkans hold their breath (balcanicaucaso.org)

Albanian Language Media

Kurti calls for Kosovo membership in EU and NATO (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, in an interview with SkyNews, has called on European countries to accept Kosovo in the European Union and NATO, arguing that this would contribute to peace, stability and security.

Commenting on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kurti recalled that Kosovo experienced war and that the people of Kosovo stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

He criticised Serbia for being the only country in Europe to not impose sanctions on Russia.

“The Balkans is not immune from the effects of the situation in Ukraine because in the Balkans there is a country that has not imposed sanctions against Russia, it did not join the EU in condemning the Russian invasion, and this is Serbia, our neighbour.”

Kurti argued that a big share of Serbia’s armament are donations from Russia and that most Russian major companies have their branches in Serbia.

“This is why the people of Kosovo are concerned that the despotic president Vladimir Putin will try to shift the war to the Western Balkans too and turn it into a battlefield with Western democracies,” he said.

Kurti said that despite all this, the people of Kosovo are determined, vigilant and not afraid. “We want to join the EU and NATO. We have NATO here, but if we become a member of NATO this would be even better for the people of Kosovo, the Republic, the region and the European continent in general,” he added.

Kurti also said that EU and NATO member states must engage more in removing the Russian influence from the Balkans.

Kurti also denied that any citizen from Kosovo has gone to fight in Ukraine.

Osmani thanks Milanovic for proposal to give candidate status to Kosovo (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani took to Twitter today to thank Croatian Zoran President Milanovic for his proposal to give Kosovo the candidate country status. “Thank you President Milanović for your proposal to grant Kosovo the candidate country status. Croatia remains a committed champion for our membership in the European Union. We are ready to work with all EU member states & institutions to expedite the implementation of reforms on our accession path,” Osmani tweeted.

Kurti: Looking forward to working closely with Sarrazin (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said today he looks forward to working closely with the German Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Manuel Sarrazin. “Great news from Berlin: After the historical decision of the @Bundestag last Sunday, @ManuelSarrazin is officially Germany's Special Envoy for the WB6. I have always had meaningful discussions in our several past meetings. Looking forward to working closely with him,” Kurti tweeted.

Vela reacts to Dacic’s statement, says “Serbia and Russia are one” (media)

Blerim Vela, Chief of Staff to Kosovo Assembly President Vjosa Osmani, took to Twitter today to react to a statement by Serbian Speaker of Parliament Ivica Dacic who said that whoever wants Serbia to introduce sanctions against Russia are not Russia but against Serbia. Vela wrote in his reaction: “Serbia’s Speaker of the Parliament Dacic states the inconvenient truth that Serbia and Russia are one. Such a statement should be enough for the EU institutions and member states to reconsider Serbia’s accession in the European Union. A Russian ‘Trojan Horse’ cannot be admitted in the EU.”

Krasniqi: Emergent need for Kosovo to join Council of Europe (media)

Leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Memli Krasniqi, said in a Facebook post today that the Kosovo government must undertake the necessary steps to accelerate Kosovo’s membership of the Council of Europe.

“In view of the situation created by the military attack and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russia, is not only turning into a tragedy for a European country, but is also attacking civilized and democratic values which we as a people and country share with Western democracies, it is extremely important for the Republic of Kosovo to increase get even closer to these values and the organisations that have these values as their foundations,” Krasniqi said.

Mitrovica South Mayor meets UNMIK chief (media)

Mitrovica South Mayor Bedri Hamza met on Tuesday with the new Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Kosovo and UNMIK chief, Caroline Ziadeh. Hamza congratulated Ziadeh on taking up her new post and wished her success in the mission she leads. Hamza informed his interlocutor about the current situation and challenges faced by the municipality of Mitrovica and offered his readiness for the good cooperation between the municipality and the UN mission to continue in the future. Ziadeh thanked Hamza for the reception and for his commitment to ensure a better wellbeing for all citizens and offered her cooperation for the implementation of projects that ensure a sustainable coexistence for all communities living in Mitrovica.

COVID-19: 83 new cases, one death (media)

83 new cases with COVID-19 and one death from the virus were confirmed in Kosovo in the last 24 hours. 181 persons recovered from the virus during this time. There are 1,597 active cases with COVID-19 in Kosovo.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic: Situation in Europe and worldwide increasingly difficult (media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said today that the situation in Europe and worldwide was getting increasingly difficult due to conflicts in Ukraine and noted that Serbia's leadership was taking all necessary measures to ensure normal life for citizens, reported Serbian media.

In a video posted on Instagram, Vucic said he was confident Serbia would succeed in overcoming political challenges together and with unity but noted that economic challenges were mounting.

"That is the reason why we are reacting to the highest-ever prices of coal, electricity, gas and all raw materials, but prices of staple foods are also on a dramatic increase," he added.

That is why it is important to take measures, Vucic said, adding that he would inform the public of the measures as soon as possible, late on Wednesday or on Thursday.

"It is important that we react without panicking because I am confident we will maintain peace and stability and a good life for our citizens," he said, media cited.

EU Ambassadors: We are counting on Serbia at UN General Assembly (media)

The head of the European Union delegation in Serbia, Emanuele Giaufret, and the heads of missions of EU member states in Serbia said that they were counting on Serbia when it came to voting on the United Nations Resolution on Russia's aggression against Ukraine, reported Serbian media.

“Part of the accession to the EU is full alignment with the common foreign and security policy. Today, the UN General Assembly will vote on a resolution on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Every vote is important. Every vote counts, and we are counting on Serbia,” EU Delegation chief Emanuele Giaufret and EU member state ambassadors said in the opinion piece for the pro-government tabloid.

“The EU reiterates its unwavering support to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” the piece said and added: “War is never the solution as the people of the Balkans painfully discovered at the end or the previous century”.

The text underlines the message of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, from February 28, that the entire international community should join forces and help end the Russian military aggression.

"Serbia is part of that international community and a candidate country for EU membership. Part of joining the Union is full compliance with the Common Foreign and Security Policy," the text reads, adding that they are open to Western Balkans partners to join the EU.

Pointing out that we are at a turning point in European history and that wartime sometimes requires difficult decisions, the text points out that the situation expects us not only to put common interests before national ones, but also shows that in this case the common interest is national interest.

The European Union reiterates its unwavering support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, the text said and points that Russia must end military action immediately, unconditionally withdraw all its military forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine and fully respects the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine, reported Serbian media.

Dacic: Those asking us to impose sanctions on Russia are against Serbia (RTS)

Serbian Assembly Speaker Ivica Dacic told RTS that Serbia has no interest in pursuing its policy in line with the interests of west and east, but should do it in line with its own interests. He added that those asking Serbia to impose sanctions on Russia are not against Russia, but against Serbia.

“(…) We have no interest in pursuing our policy in line with the expectations from the West and East, but should do it in line with our own interests. We respect what they tell us from Brussels, but our obligation is to align the foreign policy with that of the EU gradually until the moment of joining the EU”, Dacic said.

He also asked when Serbia would join the EU, and if that would happen tomorrow?

“Do they tell us that we will join the EU tomorrow, so we need to align our policy today? No, they say it will happen in ten, 20 or 30 years. Well, then we will align our foreign policy in five, ten, or 20 years. On the other hand, will they revoke recognition of Kosovo and Metohija? Will they stop violating territorial integrity of Serbia, instead of pushing Serbia to impose sanctions against the state that protects our national and state interests?”, Dacic said.

“Serbia respect principle of territorial integrity”

Dacic further said that Serbia respects the principle of territorial integrity, and it didn’t violate it.

“We respect all the victims. Ukraine is collateral damage. Was any of those hypocritically asking Serbia to join what they say affected when RTS (Serbian public broadcaster) was hit (during NATO bombing, leaving 16 employees dead) as they are affected by explosion at TV tower in Ukraine (…)?, Dacic asked.

According to Dacic those asking Serbia to impose sanctions against Russia, are not against Russia, but against Serbia.

“They will ask that Kosovo becomes a member of NATO, then tomorrow that it joins the US. And whom shall we address in this regard – Russia. If we impose sanctions on them, we have no one to address. Restore the principle of territorial integrity, revoke recognition of Kosovo and we are ready to talk”, Dacic added.

He also noted that Albania aligned its policy with that of the EU by 100 percent, and, as he said, the negotiations have not even started.

MEPs: Serbia to harmonise with EU policy, impose sanctions on Russia (N1)

European Parliament members Vladímir Bilcik and Tanja Fajon said on Tuesday they expected Serbia to fully align with the EU's common foreign and security policy, including imposing sanctions on Russia over attack on Ukraine, N1 reports.

Bilcik, EP rapporteur for Serbia, and Fajon, head of the EP delegation for relations with Serbia, said in a joint statement that they “see it as an important and urgent signal that Serbia supports EU principles and values and is committed to working with European partners for peace“.

“The unity of the international community in opposing Putin’s aggression against Ukraine is essential for any attempt to consolidate peace and avoid the spread of war. We expect Serbia to fully comply with the EU’s common foreign and security policy, including sanctions adopted against the regime in Russia“, the MEPs said in a statement.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/36Vi2Qd

Petronic: Pristina’s request to join NATO immediately unrealistic and ungrounded (Radio kontakt plus)

Requests of Pristina to join NATO under accelerated procedure serves for daily political purposes amid the crisis in Ukraine, Mitrovica-based security researcher Veroljub Petronic opined, adding that being a UN member, respectively having a UN seat was a condition to join NATO, Radio kontakt plus reports.

Petronic also said there are four EU states, members of NATO, that do not recognize Kosovo, and he doesn’t expect they would approve requests to discuss membership of Pristina to this organisation any time soon.

Commenting on statements of Pristina officials that Serbia will attempt to use the situation in Ukraine and carry out so-called “blitzkrieg” intervention in the north of Kosovo, Petronic said it does not go to anyone’s favour, in particular not to Serbia, to undertake such actions or activiies. He also said “such claims are not based on realistic grounds”, adding that “serious connoisseurs of the security situation and circumstances can’t see those claims as dangerous, but they could cause additional distress among both Serbs and Albanians”.

First refugees from Ukraine arrived in Serbia (DW, Kosovo-online)

First refugees from Ukraine arrived in Serbia, mainly those having family relatives already living there, Kosovo-online portal reports citing DW.

The Serbian Commissariat for Refugees said they do not expect a major influx of refugees from Ukraine to arrive in the country, but said that nevertheless they were ready.

Neila Surus, whose fiance is from Nis (southern Serbia) arrived in Serbia. She said she expected fighting to happen in the east of Ukraine, but didn’t expect the real war. When everything started she said, she crossed over the entire Ukraine and Romania and reached Nis.

According to the Commissariat for Refugees around 300 refugees from Ukraine entered Serbia on Monday, and most of them continued towards Montenegro and Croatia as they have properties there. Small number of those that stayed in Serbia came to their relatives.

The Commissariat added they have sufficient capacities but no one so far addressed them to seek accommodation.

Also, a large number of Serbian citizens offered accommodation to the refugees on social media. Meanwhile, the Serbian Orthodox Church started collecting donations to help the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Serbian Red Cross opened an account for financial aid to the Ukrainian population.

Dacic calls for presidential elections (RTS)

Serbian Assembly Speaker Ivica Dacic called for presidential elections on April 3, RTS reports. He signed a decision on presidential elections today at midday.

Presidential elections will be held on the same day as parliamentary and local elections.

Presidential elections in line with the law and Constitution of Serbia are called 90 days prior to expiry of the mandate of the president of the Republic.

Head of UNMIK met North Mitrovica municipality leadership (Kontakt plus radio)

The new head of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), Caroline Ziadeh, talked yesterday with the leadership of the Municipality of North Mitrovica about the challenges that the local self-government face, reported Kontakt plus radio, citing the statement of the Mayor’s Office.

Ziadeh was informed by the Mayor of Mitrovica North, Milan Radojevic and his deputy Adrijana Hodzic about "security challenges and the lack of adequate communication with institutions at the central level".

During a meeting with the UNMIK chief, Radojevic and Hodzic stressed that "it is important to allow Serbs to vote in the upcoming elections".

The municipality of North Mitrovica and UNMIK will continue to cooperate in the coming period, the statement added.

Rakic meets EULEX chief, talks about security of Serb community (Kosovo-online)

Minister for Communities and Returns, Goran Rakic in a meeting with EULEX head, Lars Gunnar Wigemark pointed out that crucial issues such as property rights, unlawful usurpation of the properties, documents on civil status and lack of timely implementation of courts’ decision still negatively affect Serbian community and their shrines in Kosovo, Kosovo-online portal reports.

Rakic added that the international community must offer stronger support and make concrete steps in order to enable the safe and sustainable return process of displaced persons. He said support of EULEX in the areas of its mandate is appreciated, but must be stronger to resolve the problems.

EULEX head underlined the role of the mission in monitoring selected cases and trials in the Kosovo judicial system, adding everyone should be equal before the law regardless of ethnic background, the portal added. He also said it was necessary to ease the access to documents, including ID cards, driving licences and civil status documents.

International

Kosovo politicians pledge to new fund to boost Security Force (BIRN)

Politicians and businesspeople promised to donate to the government's newly-established Security Fund, which has been set up in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine to provide more money for the Kosovo Security Force.

Several Kosovo politicians and businesspeople have announced they will donate to the new Security Fund that was established by the government on Tuesday.

“In accordance with the needs of the Kosovo Security Forces, and the current situation, and after consulting international partners, I authorised the Ministry of Finance to establish the ‘Security Fund’,” Prime Minister Albin Kurti announced on Facebook.

He invited Kosovo citizens and people from the diaspora to “contribute to state security”.

Several politicians immediately said they will donate to the new fund.

Read full article at: https://bit.ly/3C44JZe

Serb Refugee Returns to Kosovo Home, 22 Years After Fleeing (Balkan Insight)

More than two decades after she fled her hometown Pristina in the aftermath of the war, Marija Novakovic got back the keys to her apartment in Kosovo’s capital and returned to live alongside her ethnic Albanian neighbours.

Marija Novakovic’s apartment has no kitchen, no couch and no bed but she doesn’t care about that.

She is delighted because last week she got back the keys of the apartment she left in July 1999 when thousands of Serbs left their homes in Kosovo in fear of retaliation by ethnic Albanians who were returning after Serbian forces withdrew at the end of the war.

“It’s unbelievable, unbelievable,” she said while walking through the small, empty basement apartment of Pristina's Ulpiana neighbourhood, where she said she spent her childhood playing with Albanian friends.

“I have been living here since I was a little girl. I grew up here. I am lucky,” Novakovic told BIRN in her apartment.

Like so many others who have been forced to leave their homes because of war, life has not been kind to Novakovic and her husband and children during the many years they have spent as refugees. As refugees in Serbia, they moved around a lot, shifting from Nis to Blace until they finally settled in Belgrade.

Getting the apartment back was an exhausting seven-month battle with bureaucracy for Novakovic.

Gordana Djoric from local NGO Avenija, who is familiar with Novakovic’s case, said that it took lot of work to get the keys into her hands.

“The Ombudsperson Institution [of Kosovo] was the first to help us. When they saw the documents, they concluded that Marija has the right to have the apartment,” Djoric told BIRN. They then took the case to the Kosovo Property Comparison and Verification Agency, which resolved the situation.

Nexhmedin Shala, who lives in the same neighbourhood, said that they will be welcomed. “Kosovo is a free country and people can live in a free Kosovo. As far as the neighbours are concerned, she can feel safe in her apartment,” Shala told media in front of their apartment block the day that Novakovic got the keys and returned to her apartment.