UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 19, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

President Osmani talks about challenges in energy and environmental sectors (Kallxo)
Kurti’s cabinet reacts to Rama’s statement on Open Balkans (Paparaci)
Finland expresses support for Kosovo's CoE membership (media)
Hovenier: Kosovo is a sovereign, independent, democratic state (media)
Prime Minister Kurti meets USAID Administrator Power (ATV)
Prime Minister Kurti meets Congressman Keating (media)
PDK requests dismissal of the ERO board (Kallxo)
Haradinaj: Demarcation will be closed, with corrections in certain sectors (media)
President Osmani commemorates 23rd anniversary of Dubrava massacre (Koha)
Assembly of Kosovo passes draft law on KSF Military Police (media)
No classes in Kosovo on Friday, teachers on strike (Koha)
COVID-19: 12 new cases (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Serbia, North Macedonia PMs welcome church reconciliation (N1)
HLC, Robelli on verdicts to Haradinaj and Gucati (Radio KIM, Kosovo-online)
Odalovic: Serbia searches for mass graves, Pristina unresponsive to Belgrade’s requests (Radio KIM)
Vucic to meet Michel on Thursday (Tanjug)
Scholz to visit Belgrade in mid-June (Tanjug)
Petkovic: Kurti has no right to say what Serbs want (Kosovo-online)
Petkovic: Pristina impedes dialogue (Radio KIM)
General Hodges: Serbia unsure of Western support (N1)
Ambassador Hovenier: US support integration of Kosovo into Euro-Atlantic structures, including Council of Europe (KoSSev)

International:

Germany's Scholz wants Western Balkans in EU (Reuters)
EU Must Correct ‘Big Mistakes’ on Western Balkans – Manuel Sarrazin (Balkan Insight)
Montenegro President Leaves Open Review of Border Agreement with Kosovo (BIRN)
Serbian Police Source Fake Bomb Threats to Seven Countries (Balkan Insight)
Serbia’s Olive Branch: Breakthrough or Trap for Macedonia’s Church? (BIRN)

Humanitarian/Development:

Kosovo bus crashes in Austria, passengers sustained no life-threatening injuries (media)

Albanian Language Media

President Osmani talks about challenges in energy and environmental sectors (Kallxo)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani participated in the discussions organized by the Balkan Network for Investigative Journalism (BIRN) - "Days of Green Energy 2022". "Excess of particulate matter, high respiratory diseases, dusty public spaces and urban chaos are the result of negligence in environmental protection and the result of wrong and long-standing policies in the energy sector and environment," Osmani said.

Osmani also spoke about the situation of power plants in Kosovo and the situation created by the rise in energy prices. "As a result of the demolition of obsolete power plants, the country was forced to orient itself towards imports and along with the import of electricity, high prices were imported," Osmani said.

She said further that while Europe must find the right balance to guarantee an uninterrupted supply of electricity, the challenges in Kosovo and the whole region remain serious. Osmani said that work is being done to implement the green agenda in Kosovo. "The task is to orient you towards imports and together with the import of electricity, high prices were also imported," Osmani said. “I strongly believe in the green agenda, and we will work to make it happen in our country. I am here today to convey the message that even though the present may seem challenging, the future must be clear, the future is green”.

Kurti’s cabinet reacts to Rama’s statement on Open Balkans (Paparaci)

Jeton Zulfaj, adviser to the Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti, has reacted to the statement of the Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, who defended the Open Balkans initiative.

In a response to the statements of the Presidents of Montenegro and Kosovo, Rama said that Open Balkans induces peace, cooperation, integration and accelerates Berlin Process. He added that Open Balkans will not stop.

However, Zulfaj responded to Rama saying that ‘Berlin Process is accelerated with initiatives within this process, where six countries are members, and not outside of it.’

Another adviser of the PM Kurti, Fellenza Podrimja, also shared this tweet.

Finland expresses support for Kosovo's CoE membership (media)

Kosovo is reported to have received Finland's support on its Council of Europe membership bid.

Kosovo's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Kreshnik Ahmeti met the Finnish State Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs Johanna Sumuvuori with the latter tweeting: "Excellent discussions with Kosovo Deputy Minister Kreshnik Ahmeti on many topical issues, including Kosovo’s decision to apply to the Council of Europe. Finland fully supports Kosovo’s efforts on its European path."

Hovenier: Kosovo is a sovereign, independent, democratic state (media)

U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier, said Kosovo is a sovereign, independent and democratic state and that the U.S. is committed to Kosovo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “We know where the border is and the border is north of where I am sitting right now, while I am sitting in Mitrovica,” Hovenier is quoted as saying in a tweet posted by the U.S. Embassy. “The United States is equally committed to all citizens of Kosovo enjoying the same rights and privileges”. The tweet also includes a video of Hovenier’s remarks after meeting with Serbian List leaders in Mitrovica North. Watch it here: https://bit.ly/3lmP0wL

Prime Minister Kurti meets USAID Administrator Power (ATV)

During his visit to the United States, Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti met Samantha Power, USAID Administrator.

"Thanking her initially for USAID’s continued assistance to the state and people of Kosovo, Prime Minister Kurti informed Mrs Power about the progress, achievements and goals of the Government in the field of economy and justice. Improving the indicators of democracy on the one hand and good governance and fighting crime and corruption on the other, are the foundation of a sustainable economic growth that the country needs," a press release issued by the Government of Kosovo said.

Prime Minister Kurti meets Congressman Keating (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti met with Congressman Bill Keating, who is a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in the US Congress and the Committee on Armed Services. Prime Minister Kurti thanked the congressman for the contribution of the United States of America to Kosovo in all periods of state building. Among his government’s priorities, Kurti highlighted increased support and budget for the Kosovo Security Force. “The support of the Security Force is necessary in order for our country to have a well-trained army and equipped in line with the standards of modern armies of NATO countries, to be ready to defend the country and contribute to peace, global security and stability. Last year we had 330 soldiers of our army who participated in Defender Europe 21, which was the largest NATO military enterprise in Europe, while the KSF became part of the US military peacekeeping mission in Kuwait. Kurti praised the great contribution of the United States in the capacity building of the KSF and expressed the commitment of the Government of Kosovo to further strengthen the strategic partnership and cooperation with the United States, as the greatest friend and ally of the state and the people of Kosovo,” a press release issued by Kurti’s office notes.

PDK requests dismissal of the ERO board (Kallxo)

The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) requested during a press conference dismissal of the Energy Regulatory Office.

Head of the PDK parliamentary group Abelard Tahiri said that after the decision of the Court of Appeals, which gave right to the Prishtina Basic Court, to annul increase of energy price until a new decision is made, the ERO should be dismissed.

“The least that should happen is dismissal of the ERO board. It is already proved with the decision of the Court that these people are in the process of causing a financial damage. The least that we can do at the Assembly is to through a resolution, dismiss the ERO board,” Tahiri said.

Haradinaj: Demarcation will be closed, with corrections in certain sectors (media)

Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj met today with Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic and discussed the border demarcation between Kosovo and Montenegro. Haradinaj said after the meeting: “Kosovo and Montenegro have a tradition of inter-state cooperation. In the spirit of excellent relations between our two countries, I met with President Milo Djukanovic. We will stand together in the face of any threat aimed at destabilizing the Balkans … Together we will also make a reality of the obligations we have assumed to successfully conclude the border demarcation, with corrections in certain sectors”. Haradinaj also thanked Djukanovic for Montenegro’s readiness to support Kosovo’s membership in international organisations, with special emphasis in NATO and the Council of Europe.

President Osmani commemorates 23rd anniversary of Dubrava massacre (Koha)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani commemorated today the 23rd anniversary of the massacre at Dubrava Prison when in May 1999, Serbian troops killed 160 Albanian inmates and wounded 300 others. Osmani said the plaque with the names of the victims will forever be evidence of the atrocity of the Serbian genocidal regime, “which unjustly kept Albanians in prison, and then executed them barbarically”. “This monstrous crime remains unpunished to this day. There are witnesses who are alive, and therefore the judiciary needs to do its work and bring the perpetrators to justice. Our fight for freedom and statehood will be sealed when justice will be served for all crimes committed by the Serbian regime,” she added.

Assembly of Kosovo passes draft law on KSF Military Police (media)

The Assembly of Kosovo voted on the second reading of the draft law on Kosovo Security Force (KSF) Military Police. The bill was passed with 74 MPs in favour, none against and no abstentions.

"The adoption of this law will enable the advancing of the legal basis for the Military Police," said Beke Berisha, chairman of the Assembly's Committee on Defence and Security Issues.

No classes in Kosovo on Friday, teachers on strike (Koha)

The educational institutions in Kosovo will not work tomorrow as the Union of Education, Science and Technology (SBASHK) has decided to join the protest called by the Independent Unions of Kosovo. SBASHK said in a statement today: “After a constructive debate, it was confirmed that employees in the educational sector will join en masse the protest called by the Independent Unions for May 20. The participants at the extraordinary meeting of SBASHK have decided that schools will not work on Friday because educational staff will leave on time to join the protest”.

SBASHK said it regrets the situation that has been created but added that it comes because of the government’s lack of readiness to engage in dialogue and to meet the legitimate demands of the educational staff.

COVID-19: 12 new cases (media)

12 new cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in Kosovo in the last 24 hours. There are 247 active cases of COVID-19 in Kosovo.

Serbian Language Media

Serbia, North Macedonia PMs welcome church reconciliation (N1)

The prime ministers of Serbia and North Macedonia on Wednesday welcomed the reconciliation of the Orthodox churches in their respective countries, N1 reports.

“The meeting assessed as positive the movement in relations between the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric (MPC-OA) and Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) with the aim of overcoming mutual problems”, a press release by the North Macedonia government quoted Prime Ministers Ana Brnabic and Dimitar Kovacevski as saying.

It said that they confirmed the traditionally good relations between the two countries with Kovacevski saying that they should focus on economic ties.

The two prime ministers said that communication and partnership within the Open Balkan initiative will stimulate regional cooperation, good neighbour relations and European values. They said other countries of the region are welcome to take part in the coming summit in Ohrid.

The Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) said that Patriarch Porfirije and the head of the newly recognized Ohrid Archbishopric in North Macedonia Archbishop Stefan will serve a reconciliation liturgy in the Temple of St Sava in Belgrade on Thursday.

See at: https://bit.ly/3NlU7JA

HLC, Robelli on verdicts to Haradinaj and Gucati (Radio KIM, Kosovo-online)

Commenting on the verdicts to Nasim Haradinaj and Hysni Gucati whom Specialist Chambers in the Hague sentenced to four and half years in prison each over intimidation of witnesses, Kosovo Humanitarian Law Center said it finds the verdict of the first-instance court grounded, Radio KIM reports. It also requested the investigation be extended to include the persons who leaked the materials.

“Such acts must be prevented as they endanger the safety of the witnesses and their families, diminish the trust and credibility of the Specialist Chambers and may impact witnesses to cease cooperation with Specialized Chambers and Specialist Prosecution Office”, HLC said in a statement.

“Witnesses and victims in the criminal proceedings must feel safe to testify in front of the judiciary on what they know or had experienced in order to shed the light on the truth and deliver justice. This decision should create a safe environment for witnesses and victims and may raise awareness of the persons who could potentially impede administration of justice”, the statement added.

Meanwhile, journalist and columnist Enver Robelli said that “over the years intimidation of witnesses in Kosovo has become a daily occurrence”, Kosovo-online portal reports.

He added that a Specialist Court has been established for the good of Kosovo, and that verdicts to Haradinaj and Gucati demonstrate “it was not a good idea to intimidate the witnesses”.

“Over the years intimidation of witnesses has become almost a normal part of Kosovo daily life. Unexplained murders and suicides went unpunished. Crowds that came out on the streets and revealed the name of a protected witness have been tolerated. Today, a Kosovo court, founded by the votes with democratic legitimacy of the Kosovo Assembly, concluded that intimidation of the witnesses is not a good idea”, Robeli said.

He quoted former Kosovo President Hashim Thachi who said that “Specialist Court was founded for the benefit of Kosovo”. He also said that according to Thaci “anyone who is against this court, doesn’t not wish good to Kosovo”.

Odalovic: Serbia searches for mass graves, Pristina unresponsive to Belgrade’s requests (Radio KIM)

Eight days ago a search on the terrain at Stavalj mine in Sjenica municipality commenced as per instruction of the Serbian War Crimes Prosecution and based on information that Pristina delegation submitted regarding potential mass grave site, Radio KIM reports.

Chairman of the Serbian Government Missing Persons Commission, Veljko Odalovic said this was the last Pristina’s request, adding that Serbian side wants the search be carried out in a transparent manner, and appealed on Pristina to adapt a more responsible approach on Belgrade’s requests to search potential mass grave sites in Kosovo.

Talking about Stavalj mine, Odalovic said that Belgrade wants “this location be searched in detail and provide answers whether a mass grave site is located there or the information provided was unreliable”.

Odalovic added that representatives of the International Red Cross Committee, International Missing Persons Commission, representatives of the Pristina delegation, EULEX experts and Serbian experts are present at the location. He said it was the same during the searches on other locations.

Odalovic also said that Pristina doesn’t act in the same manner on Serbian requests to search potential mass grave sites in Kosovo, although Belgrade submitted more than ten requests.

“Although we submitted more than ten requests, for which we have rather valid and reliable information, starting from burying (Yugoslav Army) soldiers in Kosare, to other locations, there are no steps made by Pristina in this regard. We hope that we will provide answers to the Serbian families as well. This is a humanitarian issue and politicisation of the process only moves us away from solution”, Odalovic stressed.

Vucic to meet Michel on Thursday (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will receive European Council President Charles Michel in Belgrade on Thursday, Tanjug news agency reports.

Vucic and Michel are first due to visit companies at the Belgrade Science and Technology Park at 2.45 pm and sign an agreement on a joint project.

They are scheduled to meet at the General Secretariat of the President of the Republic of Serbia at 4 pm and then speak to reporters at 5 pm, the presidential press office has announced.

Scholz to visit Belgrade in mid-June (Tanjug)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will travel to Belgrade in mid-June and meet with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, a source in Berlin has told Tanjug on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Scholz announced a trip to the Western Balkans ahead of a June 23 European Council meeting.

He said he would convey the message that the region belongs in the EU.

"The six Western Balkan countries with EU membership aspirations - Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo - have been engaged in a years-long reform process," Scholz told lawmakers in Berlin.

"Honouring our commitments to them is not just a question of our credibility. Today more than ever, their integration is also in our strategic interests," Reuters quoted him as saying.

Scholz also pointed to the influence of "external powers" in the region, including Russia.

Petkovic: Kurti has no right to say what Serbs want (Kosovo-online)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petković, took to Twitter to respond to Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, who is earlier quoted as saying that Kosovo Serbs do not want Community of Serb Municipalities but Belgrade does, by saying that “@albinkurti the one who wants to expel Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija and carry out ethnic cleansing, has no right to speak about what Serbs want. Establish CSM as it was signed in Brussels. The end!”.

As media reported Kurti told the webinar “Conversation with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti” organised by the Atlantic Council that there is no reason for the Community of Serb Municipalities to be established when Serbs from Kosovo do not want it.

“That is not even possible because it has been determined that A/CSM violates 23 articles of the Constitution. Albanians, Bosniaks, Hungarians and other ethnic communities also live in Serbia. Let’s see how Serbia deals with this issue, so we can introduce the same model. I offer it”, Kurti said.

Petkovic: Pristina impedes dialogue (Radio KIM)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic met in Belgrade Turkish Ambassador to Serbia, Hami Aksoy and discussed with him Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Radio KIM reports.

During the meeting Petkovic said Pristina still attempts to prolong and obstruct all efforts to conduct the dialogue.

“This is clearly supported by the fact that this time as well Pristina’s delegation refused to talk about establishment of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities and other crucial issues, whose resolving would enable normalisation of relations in Kosovo and Metohija”, Petkovic said.

As he said, Pristina constantly breaches agreements in the areas of energy, licence plates and there is no cooperation on the missing persons issue. Petkovic also said Pristina by its request to join the Council of Europe has also violated the Washington Agreement.

General Hodges: Serbia unsure of Western support (N1)

Former Supreme Allied Commander Ben Hodges told Radio Free Europe that Serbia is not sure of Western and US support, N1 reports.

“I think that Serbia is not convinced of Western and US support”, the retired general said, adding that Serbia is important as the biggest military power in the region. He said that strategic thinking about the Western Balkans includes the Danube. “Any hope of improving economic stability on the Danube has to include Serbia’s wishes,” he is quoted as saying. The general said that strategy should include diplomacy and economic investments, not just military and security cooperation.

Hodges said that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has to have options in terms of sanctions against Russia. “Vucic has problems at home which he has to deal with. I think that most people there want a more western and democratic approach, but the church is powerful, some veteran organisations are powerful and Russia is using that situation”, he went on saying.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3GeWxaN

Ambassador Hovenier: US support integration of Kosovo into Euro-Atlantic structures, including Council of Europe (KoSSev)

In an exclusive interview to Mitrovica-North based KoSSev portal U.S. Ambassador in Pristina, Jeff Hovenier said, inter alia, “that the dialogue in Brussels is the best way to realise the vision we share - to see Kosovo take its place in European and Euro-Atlantic structures”. He also said that the United States, in order to create more space to facilitate the dialogue, “recommended” Belgrade and Pristina to continue with the implementation of the Washington Agreement, even after the expiration of one-year moratorium. On the other hand, he says that the Kosovo government has the sovereign right to decide to apply for membership in the Council of Europe, and that the United States supports Kosovo integration, including in the Council of Europe.

KoSSev pointed out that Ambassador Hovenier paid his first visit to North Mitrovica this week since taking office in January, and had lunch with Serbian List representatives. Ambasador pointed out that although he visited Mitrovica while working for Martti Ahtisaari’s team in 2007, he said much has changed since then, both in Mitrovica and in Kosovo. Ambassador opined that Mitrovica, although many talk about its past, is one of the “best indicators of the future of Kosovo”. “Because this is a place where a democratic multiethnic Kosovo can and should prosper and we are committed to making it happen”, he said.

Q: At what stage is the current dialogue in Brussels, especially after the last meeting between Petkovic and Bislimi in Brussels, where again they could not find a solution for the licence plates? How do you see the dialogue?

“I see the dialogue as a necessary activity to reach the desired end goal. The ultimate desired goal is for Kosovo to rightfully take its place in European and Euro-Atlantic institutions and structures and to act and be what it is - a relatively small country in the Western Balkans. I have followed the dialogue or things that resemble the dialogue before, we call the Ahtisaari and Rambouillet processes the dialogue, and I was a part of it all.

Every time you choose a question at a given moment, things don’t always look good. However, if you look at the long-term perspective, you can always see a path that is positive and in which more and more progress is being made towards that ultimate goal. I think that now we’re right there. Enormous progress has been made”, he said.

Q: Are the United States and Germany coordinating their activities when it comes to the dialogue in Brussels?

“The United States is coordinating with many dialogue partners, including Germany. I am very pleased with the efforts made recently by Chancellor Scholz to bring the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia together and see if it can further help facilitate progress in the dialogue. I have an excellent relationship with my German counterpart in Pristina, Ambassador Rohde, who is actively involved and supports the dialogue, but I could say the same for many of my colleagues.

The position of the United States is quite clear. We will work with our partners to improve this process, in order to reach an agreement on normalised relations aimed at mutual recognition. We actively support the process led by Miroslav Lajcak, who is a facilitator. The negotiators are, of course, Kosovo and Serbia. It is a dialogue conducted with the help of the EU, with the very strong support of the United States”.

Q: Do you believe that a comprehensive agreement will be reached between Kosovo and Serbia during your term and the term of the US Ambassador to Belgrade, Christopher Hill, or during the term of Kurti and Vucic? Also, when you said that the United States believes that there should actually be mutual recognition - is that explicitly implied and does the United States agree with something that wouldn’t actually be mutual recognition?

“I’ll start with the first part of your question. Do I believe that this can be done during my term, Ambassador Hill’s term or during the term of current political leaders? Yes, I believe it is possible. Whether this will absolutely happen, I cannot control, it is actually something that the two governments alone, President Vucic and Prime Minister Kurti, must decide.

I believe that the conditions have been met, if there is the political will to achieve that (conclude an agreement), and I see some real indications that this is possible. As for what the United States expects to happen from this process, I think my President has been quite clear and has made our vision clear on several occasions, and that is an agreement on the normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia aimed at mutual recognition but let the words of President Biden on that issue speak on their own”.

Q: But what if Vucic and Kurti do not reach an agreement? When you look at the dialogue, in fact there was not much dialogue. The parties always accuse each other. Like the accusations of Belgrade and Pristina in the last year - that the other side is not doing what it should be doing. What if they cannot reach an agreement?

“I am a diplomat, which means that I am an optimist and a realist, because that is how you should be when you are a diplomat. The optimist in me says that there is no reason for them not to come to an agreement, because it is in the interest of Serbia and in the interest of Kosovo. I am a realist about the fact that this is difficult. There are difficult issues that have a political cost. Both sides will have to engage actively and creatively and with some urgency to achieve this, but I believe it is possible. And that is, of course, one of my top priorities as the American ambassador to Kosovo is to make that happen”.

Q: Let’s talk about the most popular topic in the region in the last two weeks, or call it the “most popular” institution - the Council of Europe. Do you believe that Kosovo will become a member of the Council of Europe in the next twelve months? Is it possible that this is a done deal? Or let us say, is it possible for Kosovo to withdraw its application for membership?

“I cannot talk about what the Government of Kosovo will decide, but we are very clear-Kosovo is a sovereign country and can make its own sovereign decisions regarding its foreign policy goals and priorities, and Kosovo has decided to apply for membership in the Council of Europe and they have put forward quite strong arguments that their values are in line with the values of the Council of Europe. As a matter of policy, the United States has supported and supports Kosovo’s integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures, including the Council of Europe”.

Q: Let’s talk about the Washington Agreement and the moratorium that was part of that agreement. One year after the agreement was signed, the United States actually said that Kosovo and Serbia should continue to implement this moratorium. Has the United States changed its position on this issue?

“As I just said, we accept that Kosovo will determine its foreign policy, priorities and goals on its own. So, the United States respected the decision to agree to a one-year moratorium based on the Washington commitments from 2020, and it is absolutely a case that the recommendation to both sides was to continue the moratorium, because we believe it created more space to facilitate dialogue.

Again, we see dialogue, not as an end in itself, but as the best way to achieve this vision that we all share - and that is to see Kosovo take its place in European and Euro-Atlantic structures. The Government of Kosovo has the sovereign right to decide to apply for membership in the Council of Europe and they have done so”.

Q: What can you tell the public about the meeting with the Serbian List representatives, as well as with the representatives of Kosovo Police in the North, what did you discuss?

“I met with Serbian List leaders, including the mayors of four municipalities here in the north, and we took a short walk around Mitrovica and after that we had a joint working lunch where we discussed many topics. I think that what we talked about will mostly remain between us, not because it is a secret, it is not, but there were no surprises. They shared with me the concerns they had publicly expressed.

I shared with them the commitment of the United States on several principles. One is that the United States has a very clear position on the fact that Kosovo has been a sovereign, independent and democratic state since 2008 and that the United States is committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Kosovo. We know where the border is. The border is north of where I am currently sitting, and I am sitting here in Mitrovica.

Likewise, the United States is equally committed to ensuring that all citizens of Kosovo have the same rights and privileges. And you know, in Ahtisaari’s process, we really worked hard in various ways to build through legal protections that would solve the specific problems of the Serbian community in Kosovo. We talked about how important it is for these protections to be achieved. It was a good conversation”.

“I met with the Commander of the regional police administration (in the North). He and all of his police officers who supported him wore Kosovo Police uniforms. If you had told me in 2007 that this would happen, I might have been sceptical. Now, I see this as an example of real progress”.

“In North Mitrovica, I also met with representatives of civil society. I thought it was also very important to hear the perspective of civil society groups on how things are going, what has been achieved and what their further aspirations are to achieve a common goal, which is to have a truly democratic multiethnic society in which everyone lives and can exercise their rights and live in freedom and prosperity regardless of ethnicity or other differences”.

Q: Attacks on police have become more frequent recently. Most of them happened in Zubin Potok municipality. You also talked to representatives of the Kosovo Police. Do you have any information you can share with the public - who is responsible for these attacks? Why do they happen?

“It is difficult for me to speculate and I have no information other than what the public knows and it would be inappropriate to talk about the ongoing investigations even if I had. What I can say is that they have convinced me that the authorities are taking this very seriously.

I want to clarify a few things. This is Kosovo and the Kosovo Police is responsible for ensuring law and order, including here. It seems that these attacks were largely directed against people who were performing their duties to ensure law and order, so I hope that those responsible have been identified and will be held accountable.

No one wants to see this area without security and stability. It is important to do it right. It is important to work in a way that respects the rights and concerns of all citizens, regardless of nationality. And I hope that the measures taken by Kosovo authorities will provide such assurances”.

International

Germany's Scholz wants Western Balkans in EU (Reuters)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he will travel to the Western Balkans before a meeting of the European Council takes place next month, bearing the message that the region belongs in the European Union.

The six Western Balkan countries with EU membership aspirations - Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo - have been engaged in years-long reform process, Scholz told lawmakers in Berlin on Wednesday.

"Honouring our commitments to them is not just a question of our credibility. Today more than ever, their integration is also in our strategic interests," he said, pointing to the influence of "external powers" in the region, including Russia.

EU Must Correct ‘Big Mistakes’ on Western Balkans – Manuel Sarrazin (Balkan Insight)

German Envoy for Western Balkans tells BIRN that the European Union needs to finally deliver on the promises it made to the region almost two decades ago in Thessaloniki.

Almost two decades after the European Union pledged a European future for the Western Balkan countries, Germany’s envoy to the region says it is time the bloc delivered on its promises.

Manuel Sarrazin who was appointed to his post three months ago, told BIRN that the EU is late on delivering its pledges to the six Western Balkan countries – and needs to use the momentum created by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and start delivering the integration promised to these countries in Thessaloniki in June 2003.

Humanitarian/Development

Kosovo bus crashes in Austria, passengers sustained no life-threatening injuries (media)

A bus travelling from Kosovo to Germany crashed near the Austrian city of Salzburg in the early hours of Thursday. Online media report that around 20 passengers sustained injuries but none life-threatening.

Kosovo's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora meanwhile said that eight of the passengers have requested medical care following the accident. Of these, seven have been discharged and one kept for further treatment. The Ministry also said that Ambassador Lulzim Pllana has gone to the scene and extended support to the injured and their families.

The Austrian Police said that the accident did not involve a third party while the media report that the bus hit a concrete fence.