UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 14, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

Kusari-Lila: Kosovo has not received any request for allowing Serbian elections (media)
LDK calls on Assembly to adopt resolution against price rises (Klan)
PDK requests citizens be given right to withdraw part of pension trust (RTK)
Szunyog meets opposition leaders, discuss European agenda and electoral reform (Telegrafi)
Ahmeti talks to Dzhaparova: Kosovo supports Ukraine's sovereignty (media)
Dozens of Kosovo border police and customs officers arrested for bribery (Express)
Haxhiu welcomes today's action of the Police Inspectorate (media)
COVID-19: 18 new cases, no deaths (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic: Some want four NATO member states to recognize Kosovo (Tanjug, media)
Vucic: Peace, stability most important, problems must be solved through dialogue (Tanjug)
Waugh: Kosovo abusing the situation in Ukraine for its own purposes (KiM Radio, Slobodno srpski)
“Thanks to Open Balkans we will get wheat from Serbia” (KoSSev)
Visoki Decani: International community to dedicate attention to demolished churches and cemeteries in Kosovo (Radio KIM)
Ponos: Western powers pressured Vucic into UN vote on Russia (N1)
Serbian Orthodox Church on European Parliament Resolution (media, SOC website)

International:

Turkey Rules Out Sanctioning Russia, Citing Risk to Economy (Balkan Insight)
Belgrade Denies Serbian ‘Militants’ are Fighting for Russia in Ukraine (Balkan Insight)
Borrell Says North Macedonia's EU Accession Process Should Start As Soon As Possible (RFE)

Humanitarian/Development:

New Wind Park Hailed as Step Towards Green Energy (Prishtina Insight)

Albanian Language Media

Kusari-Lila: Kosovo has not received any request for allowing Serbian elections (media)

Mimoza Kusari-Lila, head of the Vetevendosje Movement parliamentary group, said that Kosovo has not received any official request to allow upcoming Serbian elections taking place in its territory.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting of the Kosovo Assembly presidency, Kusari-Lila said that the response of Kosovo institutions to such a possible request would be based on “Kosovo’s applicable legislation and European practices.”

Kusari-Lila also announced that the Kosovo Assembly will hold an extraordinary session on Tuesday to discuss the recent price hike.

LDK calls on Assembly to adopt resolution against price rises (Klan)

The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) has initiated a parliamentary resolution to oppose the increase of prices in Kosovo.

MP Driton Selmanaj, speaking to reporters, accused the Government of Kosovo of becoming a "spectator" of processes in which Kosovo is going through. "There is an astronomical increase in the prices of basic products in Kosovo. We have asked for an extraordinary session and will also propose a resolution," he said. "There needs to be a reflection to adopt this resolution and come out with clear tasks. The Government needs to take measures, show care towards the people living in this country."

PDK requests citizens be given right to withdraw part of pension trust (RTK)

Blerta Deliu, MP from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), said after the meeting of the Kosovo Assembly presidency that PDK has proposed a number of initiatives to help citizens cope with the recent increase of prices, including the possibility to withdraw parts of their pension contributions.

"There are 35 unconcluded items and it is the responsibility of the [parliamentary] majority to be more effective and attentive because these are delaying the implementation of the new legislative agenda. We had several initiatives today. There will be a session tomorrow, called by the opposition, namely the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and supported by signing MPs, on price hike," Deliu told reporters today.

Szunyog meets opposition leaders, discuss European agenda and electoral reform (Telegrafi)

Head of the EU Office in Kosovo, Tomas Szunoyg, met leaders of opposition parties in Kosovo, starting with Memli Krasniqi from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Lumir Abdixhiku from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and finally, Ramush Haradinaj from the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK).

"Substantial discussion w/PDK’s @MemliKrasniqi on latest developments in Kosovo and the opposition's role in advancing the European Reform Agenda. Political parties should focus on moving forward the long-overdue electoral reform&on adopting EU related legislation for the benefit of all," Szunyog tweeted.

Kransiqi thanked Szunyog and said that "Kosovo's path toward EU integration remains a priority for Kosovo citizens and PDK will continue playing an essential role in achieving this important goal."

After meeting Abdixhiku, Szunyog said that the role of the opposition is important in aligning Kosovo's legislation to the EU's acquis and in the electoral reform process. "Only comprehensive, inclusive & consensus-based reforms are sustainable & successful," he said.

On the meeting with Haradinaj, Szunyog said he was happy to hear about the readiness of the AAK to engage in electoral reform. He added: "The disagreement on two articles should not be the reason to fail to adopt a very-much needed Civil Code."

Ahmeti talks to Dzhaparova: Kosovo supports Ukraine's sovereignty (media)

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Kreshnik Ahmeti had today a phone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, Emine Dzhaparova.

Through an announcement on Facebook, Ahmeti said that Kosovo supports the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

He also announced that Kosovo has imposed sanctions on Russia in coordination with the US, EU and other partners.

He said that Dzhaparova thanked Kosovo for its support and readiness to accommodate Ukrainian refugees and journalists.

Dozens of Kosovo border police and customs officers arrested for bribery (Express)

The Police Inspectorate of Kosovo (PIK) launched Monday morning an operation codenamed “Pika” (Point), targeting border and custom officials in the Gjakova and Prizren region suspected of receiving bribes and abuse of official duty or authority.

Sources from the Special Prosecution Office told Gazeta Express that about 50 border police officers as well as two customs officers, have been arrested in this operation, including two commanders of the border crossing points in Qafe Prush and Qafe Morine, at the border with Albania.

The action started this morning, following a one-year investigation involving covert investigative measures. According to the Police Inspectorate of Kosovo (PIK), “Pika” was also supported by the Kosovo Intelligence Agency (KIA), Kosovo Customs, and the Kosovo Police (KP). The arrested officials are suspected of involvement in illegal activities related to the criminal offenses taking bribes and abuse of official position or authority.

Gazeta Express has reported that all police officers working in the morning shift of the Qafe Morine crossing have been arrested and they were replaced with police officers from other border crossings.

The Kosovo Customs has also issued a press release following the arrest of their two officers. According to the statement the General Director, the Kosovo Customs has suspended the arrested officers and has ordered initiation of disciplinary measures.

Haxhiu welcomes today's action of the Police Inspectorate (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Justice Albulena Haxhiu welcomed today's action of the Police Inspectorate and Special Prosecution that is taking place in several cities of Kosovo.

Minister Haxhiu said that in the past, security and justice institutions were not allowed to act freely.

"In many cases, the executive has been the main obstacle in the fight against organized crime and corruption. Today we still face challenges, but we have the iron will to make the place livable for the citizens. The support of our government in such cases is unreserved," Haxhiu wrote.

The Police Inspectorate of Kosovo (PIK), by order of the Special Prosecution, is conducting an action against police and customs officials suspected of the criminal offenses of "accepting bribes" and "abuse of official position or authority."

The Inspectorate said that so far, dozens of police and customs officials have been detained, while this action is ongoing in Gjakova and Prizren.

According to the authorities, this PIK operation is also supported by the Kosovo Intelligence Agency, Kosovo Customs and Kosovo Police.

COVID-19: 18 new cases, no deaths (media)

18 new cases of COVID-19 and no deaths have been recorded in Kosovo in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health said in its daily report. 54 persons recovered during this time. There are 637 active cases of COVID-19 in Kosovo.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic: Some want four NATO member states to recognize Kosovo (Tanjug, media)

Some in the West want four EU member states that are also NATO members to recognize the so-called Kosovo to get Pristina into NATO, and this has now been confirmed by a statement by former NATO spokesman Jamie Shea, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said last night, reported news agency Tanjug.

Commenting on a statement by Shea that just four more NATO member states - Romania, Slovakia, Spain, and Greece - needed to agree to Pristina joining the alliance, Vucic told Pink TV he did not think such an outcome was realistic at this time.

"That is what their idea is... but I do not think it is realistic now, they do not need Serbia as an opponent because they do not need another problem elsewhere. But the idea does exist. I was not the one to come up with the story about NATO and Kosovo - I have gone through the papers I received from (intelligence) services 50 times," he said.

However, neither the US nor the Europeans are quite supportive of this because they perceive NATO as a defensive-security alliance, rather than as an instrument of political pressure, Vucic said.

Vucic added that he was not sure that such a decision would be made and pointed out that Shea has already shown in the past what he thinks and wants for Serbia.

Vucic: Peace, stability most important, problems must be solved through dialogue (Tanjug)

After Friday's meeting with German FM Annalena Baerbock, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said they had discussed all crucial issues, including Kosovo-Metohija, and that they had concluded that problems between Belgrade and Pristina must be solved through dialogue, Tanjug news agency reports.

At a joint press conference with Baerbock, Vucic said Serbia and Germany maintained excellent economic relations and that German companies were employing over 75,000 people in Serbia. Vucic said Germany was by far the largest external trade partner of Serbia thanks to a 6.5 bln euro bilateral trade volume in 2021, which he noted was 22 pct higher compared to 2020. He added that Germany was also the greatest donor and investor in Serbia.

"We discussed Serbia's EU path, I spoke about constitutional amendments and the necessity to solve problems within a rule of law framework. Baerbock spoke about that in particular and said that economic ties were indeed important, but that rule of law values were important in every way as well. That was one of the more important points of the meeting", Vucic said.

He said they had also discussed the green agenda and the fight against climate change.

"The situation in the region was an important topic at the meeting. For us, maintenance of peace and stability in the region is crucial. I spoke in unequivocal terms about respect of the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which Serbia always notes, as well as about the position of Republika Srpska within Bosnia and Herzegovina", Vucic said.

Vucic said Germany and Serbia had differing views on Belgrade-Pristina relations as Germany recognized, as he said, the so-called Kosovo, but that he and Baerbock had concluded that problems must be solved through dialogue.

"Serbia is committed to dialogue and has always not only accepted calls to dialogue but, I think, has been contributing to progress of the process in the best and most constructive way, when there was will on all sides", Vucic said.

He said the meeting had also addressed all major topics in Europe and globally, including the Ukraine crisis and Serbia's vote in the UN General Assembly. He said he had tried to explain Serbia's position and added that he was grateful to Baerbock for her willingness to hear what he had to say.

Waugh: Kosovo abusing the situation in Ukraine for its own purposes (KiM Radio, Slobodno srpski)

The head of the department for practical policies of the NGO "Aktiv" in North Mitrovica, Caleb Waugh, said in the show 'Slobodno srpski' (Free in Serbian) that Kosovo's request to be admitted to NATO as a matter of urgency was unrealistic and unfounded. He also believes that there is no need for Kosovo to be admitted to NATO now, reported KiM radio.

"First of all, NATO soldiers are in Kosovo. Kosovo has the support of the US and the EU, and currently there is no security risk for such a request to be justified and realistic."

Waugh believes that politicians in Pristina are in some way abusing the situation in Ukraine to achieve their goals, which are related to Kosovo's accession to NATO.

"There is more and more support for Ukraine from the Albanian community. I do not want to deal with amateur psychoanalysis now, I do not know how the war in Ukraine is perceived by an ordinary citizen in Kosovo, but what I can say is that I personally perceive it more as an abuse of a very tragic situation and that the situation in Ukraine, however tragic and, does not endanger security in Kosovo at all."

Commenting on the latest UNDP survey "Public Pulse", according to which 55.2 percent of respondents expressed satisfaction with the work of Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, and 53.2 percent with the work of Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Waugh said he did not see how they deserved this. He believes that PM Kurti is now doing the opposite of what he said in the campaign.

"He is the first politician in Kosovo, perhaps even one of the few politicians in the Balkans who once had a political affiliation that is outside the rhetoric of ethnic conflicts. He changed completely when he won. He talked a lot about an internal dialogue with Serbs in Kosovo, he talked about it during the campaign. However, on a couple of occasions he said something that is a little ominous to me personally, for example he said that the Law on the Use of Languages in Kosovo should be repealed, which is not good at all, but on the other hand he was, I repeat, he was one of the few politicians in Kosovo, who talked about some real problems that citizens have. He talked about the need to improve the social system, and how the health system should be improved. Now, has he passed any law in the meantime since he won the election - so far not quite. That political agenda is pretty poor. "

Caleb Waugh, who has been working in Kosovo for the last nine years, believes that Kosovo's laws are good on paper, but that in practice the situation is completely different. He cited the Law on the Use of Languages as an example, where, according to him, there is no political will for its implementation.

"There is no pressure to implement this law in the right way or properly. Whenever you go to any public institution or institution in Kosovo, you can see many examples of violations of that law, whether it is about access to information or some basic forms for any procedure," Caleb Waugh said on the show 'Slobodno srpski', reported KiM radio.

“Thanks to Open Balkans we will get wheat from Serbia” (KoSSev)

Talking about economic consequences caused by the war in Ukraine, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said that Albania started negotiation with Serbia on importing wheat, part of the earlier agreement Albanian businessmen have made, KoSSev portal reports.

Rama said that the de-blockade of the export of that quantity of wheat by Serbia may happen thanks to the ‘Open Balkan’ initiative.

“We are negotiating with Serbia to get a portion of wheat that our businessmen made an agreement on earlier. And we shall do that thanks to the ‘Open Balkan’ initiative. These are the facts”, Rama said.

Three Western Balkans states joined the initiative thus far – Albania, Serbia and North Macedonia. The aim of this initiative is to create a common market and other ways to ease cooperation between the members.

Kosovo doesn’t support ‘Open Balkans’, while Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro are not the members either.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said earlier that Serbia made a decision to supply wheat to the ‘Open Balkan’ members.

“Our friends in Albania depend upon imports, it is not a problem. People in North Macedonia also need additional (quantities). Over the last days those in Pristina, as much as they could, took wheat and floor form Serbia, so all who are with us, or next to us, would have to have it (the wheat), because we also do not want to have the wheat, if they do not have it”, Vucic said.

The portal also recalled that Serbia in 2021, exported 125.507.000 kg of wheat to Kosovo.

Visoki Decani: International community to dedicate attention to demolished churches and cemeteries in Kosovo (Radio KIM)

Visoki Decani Monastery took to Twitter to express hope that the time has come for the international community to dedicate attention to the fate of dozens of demolished Serbian Orthodox churches and gravestones in Kosovo, Radio KIM reports.

“Let’s hope the attention will be shown to the fate of dozens of #Serbian#Orthodox churches and gravestones destroyed by #Kosovo Albanian extremists AFTER the 1999 war & arrival of intl peacekeepers. Now we’re facing a blatant campaign of our identity & history @wiemers”, Visoki Decani Monastery wrote in response to European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) MEP group posts that “reports and satellite imagery of #NagornoKarabakh have meticulously tracked the systematic destruction of almost 100 mediaeval Armenian churches, thousands of stone crosses and tens of thousands of tombstones”.

“After the 1999 war in #Kosovo 150 #Serbian#Orthodox churches were demolished by K/Albanian extremists with impunity despite the intl military presence & only some have been repaired while many still lie in ruins 22 years later. How long will this vandalism be covered by silence”, the Monastery added in a second post on Twitter.

It also said that “#Kosovo authorities pursue a campaign of denial of #Serbian#Orthodox#Church legal and property rights, our history and identity saying that our churches are ethnic Albanian. One can legitimately ask the question – Why then did you destroy the churches you consider to be your own?”

Ponos: Western powers pressured Vucic into UN vote on Russia (N1)

The joint presidential candidate of the United Serbia coalition, Zdravko Ponos, stated that he opposes Serbia's entry into NATO, but that he is in favour of cooperation within the Partnership for Peace, N1 reports.

Ponos argued that Serbia’s vote at the UN General Assembly on Ukraine was the result of pressure from Western powers. He said that he has reliable information that Vucic asked Western powers not to pressure him to impose sanctions on Russia until the elections.

Ponos told Prva TV that cooperation with the Partnership for Peace is necessary because Serbia is surrounded by NATO countries, and NATO is also responsible for the protection of the Serb population in Kosovo and Metohija.

He said that, if he becomes president, he will make sure that Serbia’s interests are protected regarding the issue of Ukraine.

“It is quite obvious that the outgoing president guaranteed something to his voters, and something else to the Western world. He will deceive one of them, and I think that the President of Serbia should not lie to anyone, neither the voters nor the people, nor international factors that can very well do damage to Serbia”, he said.

Serbian Orthodox Church on European Parliament Resolution (media, SOC website)

“Completely unjustified mention of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the European Parliament Resolution on external interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation, based solely on deep historical prejudices and tendentious stereotypes is not surprising, but certainly deeply disappointing for us”, reads the statement of the Serbian Orthodox Church regarding resolution, media report.

“Putting the Serbian Orthodox Church in the role of the cause of "tensions between ethnic groups in the Western Balkans in order to incite conflicts and divide communities" is completely contrary to the facts and the Church's commitment in everyday life, and therefore we firmly reject such an attitude”, the SOC added.

It also said that “the Church prays incessantly for peace, builds peace and encourages its faithful people to heal the wound of the past, promotes trust and builds bridges of cooperation with neighbours, regardless of how they pray and which nation they belong to”.

“The qualification of the Serbian Orthodox Church in this Resolution, contrary to these irrefutable and well-known facts, gives an inaccurate picture and results that are not in line with the goals for which the European Union was founded and exists, judging at least by its proclaimed principles and official documents – peace, justice and freedom for all”, the SOC said.

Full statement in Serbian is available at: https://bit.ly/3t8WU1B

International

Turkey Rules Out Sanctioning Russia, Citing Risk to Economy (Balkan Insight)

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Sunday said Turkey would not join Western sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine – and the West needs to understand how sanctions would hit its economy.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Sunday on the margins of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum that Ankara will not join Western sanctions against Russia.

“We did not join sanctions as a matter of principle and have no intention of joining [them],” Cavusoglu told a press conference. Cavusoglu said sanctions will not resolve problems and will damage the Turkish economy.

“Our counterparts ask whether we will join these sanctions, and we explain to them how these sanctions will affect our economy and [business] sectors,” he said.

Turkey continues to follow an ambiguous policy towards Russia following its February 24 invasion of Ukraine. It has condemned the Russian invasion and continues to have ties with Ukraine, but will not sanction Moscow or close its airspace to Russian planes.

Humanitarian/Development

New Wind Park Hailed as Step Towards Green Energy (Prishtina Insight)

First major strategic investment in renewable energy in Kosovo will ease energy shortages, cut emissions – and reduce pollution.

In the villages of Selac and Bajgora, in the Municipality of Mitrovica, the new “Selac Windpark” was inaugurated on Friday – the first big strategic investment in Kosovo in renewable energy.

The wind energy park was approved Strategic Investor status in February 2018. The investment is a joint project, funded by German, Israeli and Kosovar investors. The project to produce wind power in Bajgora was developed by the Kosovo-German-Israeli company, SoWi Kosovo.

Over 170 million euros have been invested in the project, which was supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, EBRD.