UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 1, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

Kosovo Government adopts concept document for Sovereign Fund; opposes pension withdrawal (media)
Osmani: There is no increase of inter-ethnic incidents in Kosovo (Kosovapress)
As UNSC chair, Albania to focus on strengthening accountability for international law violations (media)
EPP adopt Resolution in favor of abolishing visas for Kosovo (media)
Kosovo will chair two committees in the Southeast European Assembly (Paparaci)

Serbian Language Media:

"Von Cramon disappointed with Kosovo's application to CoE, Open Balkans dangerous initiative, Kosovo government decides to work stubbornly" (KoSSev, KTV, Koha)
Jeremic: It does not seem that Serbia is exposed to excessive pressure to impose sanctions on Russia (Beta, Tanjug, Euronews)
Hovenier met Trajkovic, Rasic, and Radosavljevic in an open meeting (KoSSev)
Petkovic congratulated Vucic: Unconditional trust in the president (KiM radio)

International:

Kosovo Albanians Outraged at New Charges Against Guerrilla Leaders (BIRN)
US Lawmaker Demands Punishment for Wartime Rape in Kosovo (Balkan Insight)
Serbia's gas deal with Putin has created a fresh headache for Europe (CNN)
Ukraine: EU remains leery of ‘symbolic’ offer of candidate status (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

WB-6 countries struggling to secure electricity production in their old coal power plants (balkangreenenergynews.com)
France and Kosovo sign a co-production agreement at Cannes (Cineuropa)

Albanian Language Media

Kosovo Government adopts concept document for Sovereign Fund; opposes pension withdrawal (media)

In today's meeting, the Government of Kosovo adopted the concept document for establishment of the Sovereign Fund.

"The Sovereign Fund will be a new mechanism that will infuse new life to assets that remain underused in PAK (Privatisation Agency of Kosovo); will give a new impetus and direction to Kosovo's economy," Prime Minister Albin Kurti is quoted in Kallxo.com.

The news website recalls that one of Kurti's election promises was the phasing out of the Privatisation Agency of Kosovo and replacement with the Sovereign Fund.

At the meeting, Kurti also spoke about withdrawal of pension trust funds. He said the Government of Kosovo opposes the idea and that all parliamentary parties are aware of the danger such an undertaking carries. Kurti said that out of over 630,000 contributors to the Kosovo Pension Trust, 92 percent of them have less than 10,000 euros collected. Half of the savings, he added, are concentrated with less than 8 percent of account holders while 1.2 percent of individuals who have accounts in the Trust have on average thirty times more than 80 percent of citizens with active accounts. "These are the same people who brought the issue to the Assembly and are abusing the media network to manipulate the opinion," he is quoted in Koha.

Osmani: There is no increase of inter-ethnic incidents in Kosovo (Kosovapress)

President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani said during a visit to the municipality of Peja today that there is no increase of inter-ethnic incidents in Kosovo.

After meeting Mayor Gazmend Muhaxhiri, Osmani said that following the statement of the EU Ambassador Tomas Szunyog that inter-ethnic incidents in Vushtrri have since the pandemic intensified she contacted security institutions seeking information. She said she received confirmation that there is no increase of inter-ethnic incidents and that an incident in 2020 is not qualified as ethnically motivated by the Kosovo Police.

"Naturally, it is our commitment as central and local institutions to do everything to make sure that the level of inter-ethnic incidents drops from 0.03 percent to 0," Osmani added. "It is important no one rushes into making qualifications which are not confirmed by security institutions because this also damages the image of our country and our efforts for a Kosovo where all citizens feel equal, safe, and enjoy rights as set out by the Constitution."

As UNSC chair, Albania to focus on strengthening accountability for international law violations (media)

As Albania takes the first-ever presidency of the UN Security Council, Prime Minister Edi Rama issued a video address saying that the world is in turmoil as more than fifty conflicts around the world rage on. He said that the first session chaired by Albania will be dedicated to the strengthening of accountability and justice for serious violations of international law.

"Democracy and human rights have been seriously challenged in various parts of the world. For far too long we have watched mass human rights abuses, from Darfur to Myanmar, from Afghanistan to Syria, and the international community is struggling to hold perpetrators of serious crimes to account. In Europe, the wounds of wars following the dissolution of former Yugoslavia, including particularly Kosovo, are still open. We are doing everything we can to look ahead without forgetting the past but committed to build a common peaceful future," he said.

Noting that Russia's war in Ukraine has challenged European security, Rama warned against becoming familiar with impunity. "It is urgent to act now for the countless victims of senseless conflicts but also for us all, for what we stand for, for what gets us together, to uphold the law, to preserve multilateralism."

European People’s Parties adopt Resolution in favor of abolishing visas for Kosovo (media)

European People’s Parties have adopted a Resolution in support of visa liberalization for Kosovo. The news was announced by deputy leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Shqipe Mjekiqi.

“The EPP has just adopted resolution for visa liberalization for the citizens of Kosovo. Thank you EPP, thank you OVP and Lukas Mandl for your support and submission of the Resolution,” she wrote.

Days ago, the local advisor of the European Union Kati Schneeberger, also initiated a petition for abolition of visas for Kosovo.

Over 12 thousand citizens have so far signed the petition.

The European Parliament for years has requested visa liberalization for Kosovo, giving the necessary consent after the recommendation of the European Commission.

Kosovo will chair two committees in the Southeast European Assembly (Paparaci)

Jeta Statovci, Kosovo Assembly MP from the “Guxo” List, said today that she participated in the Parliamentary Assembly of Southeast Europe held in the Greek Parliament, where she represented the Committee on Economy, Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade.

She said that SEECP is the only regional forum for cooperation involving 13 participating countries in the Southeast Europe. “After discussions and consensus built between the participating countries, Kosovo will chair the Committee on Education, Research and Science, as well as the Committee on Justice and Security,” Statovci wrote on Facebook.

Serbian Language Media

"Von Cramon disappointed with Kosovo's application to CoE; Open Balkans dangerous initiative, Kosovo government decided to work stubbornly" (KoSSev, KTV, Koha)

KoSSev reported that the EP rapporteur for Kosovo, Viola von Cramon, pointed out that the Government of Kosovo has a proposal for the implementation of the agreement on the Community/Association of Serb Municipalities. She assessed in the KTV "Interactive" show that it was a good step concerning the issue but refused to give details of what the proposal was about.

According to her, before reaching a final agreement, ''the states must implement all previous agreements, including the one on the Association'', reported KoSSev.

"I think what I've heard is that it's been changing lately. And this is good news because that is how it should be. We need a shaped concept of the Kosovo side about the Association," she said when asked to comment on the reaction of the Kosovo PM, Albin Kurti, when he discussed the Association, reported KoSSev.

She saw a change in Kosovo's stance on the issue as part of a compromise, wrote the portal.

Saying that there was no other news on the Association/Community, Von Cramon added that the information came from "other places".

According to her, it was not wise for Kosovo to oppose the Association/Community.

When asked a clarification of the information that the Government of Kosovo would change its position on the Association/Community, she said:

"It is not that it will change the position on the Association, but it can present its own proposal for the Association, which would be good."

According to KoSSev, the KTV journalist saw it as new news, since the Government of Kosovo opposed it, to which von Cramon replied:

"And I don't think that's a wise thing to do."

To completely oppose the Association Agreement?

"Absolutely yes."

In the dialogue, both sides must give something

KoSSev reported, citing Koha, that von Cramon said that the dialogue would fail if a request for ''immediate recognition'' was submitted, and that the dialogue would not function without compromise.

"If we start a dialogue by saying that we will have a dialogue with you, saying that we will have a dialogue only with this result on the table, then it will be very difficult to reach an agreement. So, I see that it has to offer something to citizens or the population. If we have only one request that says, 'I want recognition now,' then it will not work," said von Cramon, reported KoSSev, citing Koha.

Von Cramon further added that for success in the dialogue, one must go step by step with small agreements.

Commenting on Kosovo's views that the agreement would be favourable only with recognition in the center, Von Cramon said that both sides should give something.

"I do not want to go into the details of this current format of dialogue. It is important for me to convey the message that both sides must give something, and if one side starts with ‘there is only one result at the end of the dialogue that I accept’, then we have difficulties. It will not work that way, "she said, and replied with ''absolutely not" when asked if dialogue could work without compromise.

The rapporteur for Kosovo said that at the meeting she had with the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, she expressed her opposition to lobbying against the independence of Kosovo.

According to her, they "agreed not to agree", reported the portal.

"Even that can happen, it's okay. I can live with that. After all, he has an interest in seeing his country in the EU. And it is in his interest to have a successful outcome of the dialogue. And for that, we need a solution," said von Cramon.

According to her, Vucic's speech on his inauguration as President of Serbia, in which he mentioned "Kosovo and Metohija", was supposed to "satisfy the domestic audience with his inauguration speech".

Von Cramon added that ''the heads of states know exactly what kind of compromise can be".

"Kosovo has an interest in resolving various issues: for example, energy, other issues, such as missing persons, licence plates and others. So, things that would make life easier for the citizens of Kosovo and Serbia. This is one of my priorities and I hope it is in line with the approach of the leaders," she added.

Von Cramon disappointed with Kosovo's application to the Council of Europe: That will be conditional

Von Cramon expressed great disappointment with Kosovo over its application to the CoE. She said the issue needed to be considered earlier and more done to achieve acceptance. According to her, the acceptance will be conditioned by respecting the decisions of the Constitutional Court on various issues, including the land around the Decani monastery.

"Of course (there will be conditions). If you brag about the rule of law and say, 'this is my priority' and do not respect one of the most important decisions of the Constitutional Court, what do you think the Council of Europe member states will assess?" she said on KTV's "Interactive" show on Tuesday, reported KoSSev.

According to her, ''the Government of Kosovo is working stubbornly on the issue of alerting the Government for accession to the European Union. This has called into question whether this is a wise strategy'', wrote the portal.

"You know, you can do things very wisely, and you can also do things stubbornly. And it is obvious that the Government of Kosovo has decided to do things stubbornly. Is this a wise strategy? I do not know.Of course, we support the path of the Government of Kosovo to become a member of the Council of Europe. But was the application to the Council of Europe timely? I would say NO."

Calling the application to the Council of Europe wrong, von Cramon said that it was unrealistic to expect it to be on the agenda this year. She said Serbia now has a year to lobby against Kosovo's membership.

"It's not wise. I would not do that. Same as for the EU and NATO. The last time I talked behind closed doors, I told them, please, do not do that. They did it no matter what I told them. Well, let us wait and see the consequences,'' she said.

Von Cramon also warned of difficulties in the admission process.

"If you do not negotiate and organize to have a majority, those [votes] will not come from heaven. They are not waiting for Kosovo,'' she said and added that she was not informed about the decision and that she was" absolutely "disappointed because of that.

"You can't do that. I am sorry. You have to prepare the ground for such things. You have to pave the way for such things. You cannot just stand up and say, 'Hello, next year, we're a new member'. There are different interests and there are many countries that are not for Kosovo. It would be easier if we lobbied together for this application," she added.

Von Cramon describe the Open Balkans as a dangerous regional initiative

This initiative was an attempt to establish a parallel structure for regional cooperation that was not included and was not based on the norms or standards of the European Union, wrote KoSSev.

"If there are no EU standards, but in a broader sense, you want to bring and invite these countries to the European Union, then you have to adhere to the right standards, you have to adhere to values, and appropriate rates when installing a new system. That is why I am much more for the Berlin Process," she said.

According to her, "Open Balkans" acts as a competition to the Berlin Process, but she said that a new summit or a new initiative was needed, which stems from the Berlin Process, which proves that this process was worth the effort.

She admitted that she agreed with the arguments of the Government of Kosovo, which stated that it was committed to the Berlin Process and did not support an open Balkans that would give Serbia economic hegemony.

"Not only Serbia, but also other capitals, as I said, but of course not on an equal footing, and I think it is extremely sad if we are talking about the overall integration of the region," she said, reported KoSSev.

Jeremic: It does not seem that Serbia is exposed to excessive pressure to impose sanctions on Russia

Belgrade based agency Beta reported that Vuk Jeremic, the President of the People's Party, stated that, at the moment, it did not seem that Serbia was exposed to excessive pressure to impose sanctions on Russia, and that sanctions would not contribute to approaching the European Union, because with "an autocratic regime like the one in power in Belgrade, we can't even dream of joining the EU".

"If a high-ranking German official comes to Belgrade once a week or more often for a friendly conversation, if Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic bakes kebabs with European Council President Charles Michel, then one does not get the impression that Serbia is on the verge of a major threat against it," Jeremic told Euronews TV channel in Serbia, the People's Party announced.

Jeremic added that he "allows himself to be wrong", but that the People's Party therefore demands that government representatives, who are talking to the EU and the US, publicly say in parliament what will happen if sanctions are not imposed, since it is clear that Serbia would suffer severe economic and political consequences if sanctions on Russia are imposed, but the consequences of not imposing sanctions were not clear.

"The introduction of sanctions would not bring us closer to the EU, because we have been on the European path for years because we do not have free media, a functional rule of law and the fight against corruption. You cannot enter the EU as a dictatorship worse than Orban's; they have had enough of one Orban, they do not need another one from the Balkans,'' Jeremic said.

He stated that Serbia was the only country in Europe that did not impose sanctions on Russia, but that no other country in Europe was bombed after the end of the Cold War, nor suffered sanctions, reported the agency.

Hovenier met Trajkovic, Rasic, and Radosavljevic in an open meeting (KoSSev)

The US Ambassador to Pristina, Jeffrey Hovenier, met in Pristina yesterday three Kosovo Serb politicians – Nenad Radosavljevic, Rada Trajkovic, and Nenad Rasic. They assessed the meeting as well-intentioned, open, serious, and constructive, with an emphasis on the problems faced by the Serbian people in Kosovo. Kurti’s policy toward Kosovo Serbs, as well as the policy of Srpska Lista, was harshly criticized during the meeting, Trajkovic and Radosavljevic told KoSSev.

“Kosovo’s diversity is among its greatest strengths. Great to hear from diverse voices representing the Kosovo-Serb community and discuss how community leaders working together can ensure Kosovo delivers for all its citizens,“ Hovenier tweeted.

Rada Trajkovic described the meeting with the US ambassador as extremely benevolent and open. In a statement for KoSSev after the meeting, she highlighted the ambassador’s interest in the opinion of Kosovo Serbs of the policy of the current Kosovo prime minister, the policy of Belgrade, and the problems faced by Kosovo Serbs, as particularly important.

The opinion of the same people expelled from the political life of Kosovo Serbs by “the will of Mr. Vucic” – this university professor and leader of the European Movement of Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija, a former deputy of both the Serbian and Kosovo parliament, underlined.

“The meeting was very open, extremely benevolent, and I would say that for the first time in a long time, some of the international representatives were willing to hear the opinion of people who were expelled from Kosovo’s political life by Mr. Vucic’s will,“ Trajkovic assessed.

During the meeting with the ambassador, the Kosovo Serb politicians also criticized Kurti’s policies toward Serbs in Kosovo.

„Of course, we said that Mr. Kurti is not committed to any discussion with Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija, simply because every talk implies compromises, and he is not ready to offer Serbs anything. Not even what is guaranteed by the Constitution of Kosovo, such as the ruling of the Constitutional Court, such as the equality of languages throughout the territory and in all institutions of Kosovo. In essence, he is implementing what he said – that the Serbian language can be used only in areas where the Serbian language is used,“ Trajkovic told KoSSev.

International

Kosovo Albanians Outraged at New Charges Against Guerrilla Leaders (BIRN)

Enver Hoxhaj stops his tractor near to where a Kosovo Liberation Army guerrilla unit was based 24 years ago, during the war.

In the pastoral village of Budakova/Budakovo in Kosovo’s Suhareka/Suva Reka municipality, Hoxhaj then joins some of his former guerrilla comrades in the garden of a nearby café.

The village is one of three locations of alleged KLA detention centres where it’s claimed that crimes were committed – crimes for which men who later became major political figures in post-war Kosovo are alleged to have had command responsibility.

These crimes were recently added to an existing indictment charging four high-profile wartime guerrilla leaders with war crimes and crimes against humanity. They include the former political director of the KLA, Hashim Thaci, who later became Kosovo’s president, as well as Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi.

See more at: https://bit.ly/3x3FeX8

US Lawmaker Demands Punishment for Wartime Rape in Kosovo (Balkan Insight)

A US lawmaker proposed a resolution to Congress calling for the rapists who sexually assaulted Kosovo Albanian war survivor Vasfije Krasniqi Goodman to face justice and for Serbia to stop protecting war criminals.

Congressman Colin Allred said on Tuesday that he has introduced a resolution urging justice for wartime rape survivor Vasfije Krasniqi Goodman and calling for “all those responsible for sexual violence during the Kosovo war” to be investigated and prosecuted.

Humanitarian/Development

WB-6 countries struggling to secure electricity production in their old coal power plants (balkangreenenergynews.com)

It’s going to be a long winter in several Western Balkan countries as old coal-fired power plants have become unreliable and lignite is scarce. A series of breakdowns have weakened the electric power systems in Serbia, North Macedonia and Kosovo*.

Expensive imports of coal and electricity are straining state-owned power utilities in Western Balkan countries and drying up funds required for the energy transition but also for maintaining the existing facilities.