UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, July 25, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

President Osmani, Prime Minister Kurti travel to U.S. for MCC agreement (media)
Bislimi hosts a farewell meeting with the Swedish ambassador (media)
Kurti: We are committed to spend the winter as easily as possible (media)
Tahiri: It is meaningless not to send law on wages to Assembly (Kallxo)
Kosovo with liaison officer in the United Kingdom (RTK)
Serbia and Kosovo’s millions for U.S. blacklisted persons and companies (RFE)

Serbian Language Media:

Serbian citizens entering Kosovo to be issued declaration sheet as of August 1 (KoSSev)
Anniversary of a crime in Staro Gracko, no one is held responsible yet (RTS)
Rakic, Petkovic on Staro Gracko crime anniversary (Radio Mitrovica Sever)
Obradovic says constitutive session of new Serbian Parliament should take place in Kosovo (Radio KIM)
Vucic: Government in mid-August, important that I withdraw as SNS leader (N1)
Hill: I would like to see a pro-West government (BETA, N1)
Schieb: No obstacles to Serbia’s EU membership once it meets all conditions (FoNet, N1)

International:

Bringing the world to Kosovo and Kosovo to the world (Kosovo 2.0)
Ukraine’s EU Candidacy Might be Opportunity for Western Balkans (BIRN)
Albania asks human rights body to cancel stolen organ claims (The Washington Post)

Humanitarian/Development:

Serbian Energy Minister announces increase in price of electricity (N1)

Albanian Language Media

President Osmani, Prime Minister Kurti travel to U.S. for MCC agreement (media)

President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti have travelled to the United States for the signing of the agreement with the Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC) for the Kosovo Compact Program. A press release issued by the Office of the President notes that Osmani and Kurti will also hold other bilateral meetings. Some news websites note that Kosovo’s Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, will also be part of the delegation travelling to the United States.

Kurti: We are committed to spend the winter as easily as possible (media)

After the warnings that there will be an energy crisis in all of Europe, including Kosovo, the Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti said that Kosova A and B power plants are being renovated, in order to have as much local production as possible. He however did not rule out the possibility of subsidising electricity, in order to get through winter as easily as possible.

“We have a lot of coal, we would like for the day not to need to pollute the environment, to come as soon as possible, but this winter and for a period to come that we cannot predict now, we will not be able to eliminate the use of coal for the production of electricity in our country. Taking into account the existing situation, the data that we receive from other states and companies, the predictions that we try to make to some extent, we want to pass the 2022-2023 winter as easily as we can with all that we know and are capable of,” he said.

He added further that the government of Kosovo has always allocated funds for subsidies so that the cost is not reflected, or it is reflected as little as possible on the people.

Bislimi hosts a farewell meeting with the Swedish ambassador (media)

The First Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration, Development and Dialogue Besnik Bislimi hosted a farewell meeting for Sweden's ambassador to Kosovo, Karin Hernmarck.

Bislimi thanked Ambassador Hernmarck for the cooperation, the continuous support of Sweden for Kosovo throughout the years and especially for her active role in the protection of the environment and green policies.

"Kosovo sees in the state of Sweden a model of democracy and freedom. Sweden is among the four largest donors in Kosovo, helping the public institutions and civil society organisations with over 10 million euros per year in projects for economic and democratic development, human rights and environmental protection, which have helped in the transformation of our society," Bislimi said.

During the meeting, he emphasised Kosovo's successes in the rule of law, democratisation, the fight against organised crime, corruption and migration. He also emphasised the need for the liberalisation of visas for the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo.

Tahiri: It is meaningless not to send law on wages to Assembly (Kallxo)

Head of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) parliamentary group, Besnik Tahiri, said after today’s meeting of the Kosovo Assembly Presidency, that it is meaningless not to send the law on wages to the Assembly. “The law on wages has been on the legislative plan for a year and a half now and this is why we have asked for an interpellation,” he said.

Kosovo with liaison officer in the United Kingdom (RTK)

The Minister of Defence Armend Mehaj has announced that based on the Memorandum of Cooperation with the Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom, today he decided to appoint Major Meriman Suka, Liaison Officer at the Ground War Center in the Warminister of the United Kingdom.

“The British Land Warfare Center is very important in the professionalism of our officers and non-commissioned officers in the development process of our land forces.

Serbia and Kosovo’s millions for U.S. blacklisted persons and companies (RFE)

Individuals and companies from the United States “black list”, who were sanctioned by Washington due to suspicions of international organised crime, receive millions from the budget of the Serbian state, a research by Radio Free Europe shows.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s sanctions, which were imposed in December 2021 against 13 Kosovo nationals of Serbian nationality and over 20 companies associated with them, are not binding for other countries. However, after the black list was published, the companies did not receive work from the Government of Kosovo, but Belgrade continued to cooperate with them.

Serbia, which finances its parallel institutions in Kosovo - municipalities, schools and hospitals - since U.S. sanctions were imposed by American sanctions and until July this year, gave one of these companies more than 20 jobs, worth over €7.5 million.

The company in question is "Rad 028" from Zvecan - a municipality in the north of Kosovo - owned by Radule Stevic. The name of Stevic’s company is on construction signs all over northern Kosovo, along with the coat of arms of Serbia.

For just one day, Stevic’s company was entrusted with a job worth over €4 million: the construction of ten residential buildings in North Mitrovica and two in Zvecan. Both Stevic and his company are under US sanctions due to their alleged connection to Zvonko Veselinovic. The United States of America labelled Veselinovic as the leader of an organised criminal group and as one of the most notorious figures of corruption in Kosovo, while Milan Radoicic as his deputy.

Serbian Language Media

Serbian citizens entering Kosovo to be issued declaration sheet as of August 1 (KoSSev)

Kosovo police said that preparations concerning Kosovo government decision made in late June to start issuing a declaration sheet to Serbian citizens entering Kosovo with ID documents issued by the Serbian authorities were completed, KoSSev portal reports. The entry/exit documents will be issued as of August 1.

Kosovo police also presented details regarding the implementation of this decision. They said every person attempting to cross the crossing point with an identification document issued by the Serbian authorities would be provided with an entry/exit document that would temporarily replace the Serbian ID card – thus allowing them to travel freely within Kosovo and use its institutions.

The police added this document will be issued at all air and land crossings and will be valid for 90 days since the day of issuance.

The document will also be issued to persons younger than 16 years, who do not possess an ID card, provided they have a birth certificate with a photograph attached.

Anniversary of a crime in Staro Gracko, no one is held responsible yet (RTS)

23rd anniversary of a murder of 14 Serb harvesters in Staro Gracko village near Lipljan was commemorated on Saturday, RTS reports, recalling that this was one of the worst crimes against Serbs in Kosovo following arrival of the international community. The case still remains unresolved.

Raska-Prizren Eparchy Bishop Teodosije served a memorial service in presence of victims’ family members, Serbian List and Office for Kosovo and Metohija representatives.

Special Prosectuion Office together with EULEX closed the investigation into the murder of 14 harvesters five years ago. The youngest victim was 17-year old Novica Janicijevic. Seven Albanians, former members of KLA, were under the investigation.

International organisations which initially ran the investigation neglected one of the main pieces of evidence they acquired, RTS says. The key and only element against the defendants was the possession of a gun that Jovica Zivic, one of the victims, had with him when he was killed. The investigative bodies said there was no evidence that the perpetrator took the victim's weapon after the murder. There were no credible explanations either on how the suspect came into possession of the gun, according to the investigation report.

Lawyers and legal professionals said the defendant should have explained how he got the gun. Since it is indisputable that the gun belonged to the victim at the time the crime was committed, it is certain that a quality investigation would have to give more serious and responsible results, they argued.

The cemetery in Staro Gracko, where the Serbian harvesters were buried, was desecrated and mined several times, RTS recalled.

Rakic, Petkovic on Staro Gracko crime anniversary (Radio Mitrovica Sever)

On the Staro Gracko crime 23rd anniversary in which 14 Serb harvesters were murdered, Serbian List President Goran Rakic said in a statement posted on Facebook that “(..) the hope perpetrators will ever be punished is fading, but our fight for the truth will never end because the truth about the crime is the only thing that can alleviate the excessive pain of the families of the harvesters who were innocent victims”.

He also said that “those who were supposed to uncover the names of the perpetrators of this monstrous crime and punish them remain silent all these years, in the hope that we will forget the crimes against the Serbs (…)”.

Rakic also said that Serbs will not remain silent and will demand truth and justice, adding that “pronouncement of the most severe punishment for the perpetrators is the least possible thing that a society where the crime happened can do”.

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director, Petar Petkovic in relation to Staro Gracko crime anniversary said “it is the last chance for the Specialist Chambers for the crimes of the so-called KLA to shed light on this crime and for the international community to show how committed it is to law and justice and how capable and willing it is to persevere in shedding light on all the crimes committed in Kosovo and Metohija”.

He added that Serbia will continue to vigorously insist on finding and punishing those responsible for all crimes committed against Serb people in Kosovo and Metohija.

“Without truth and justice, without accountability for committed crimes, trust cannot be built, nor can relations between Serbs and Albanians be normalised in our southern province. On the other hand, unsolved crimes warn and threaten that they may be repeated, that is why it is necessary that the families of the harvesters find peace by having the truth finally see the light of day”, he said.

Obradovic says constitutive session of new Serbian Parliament should take place in Kosovo (Radio KIM)

Leader of the Serbian opposition Movement Dveri and future MP Bosko Obradovic said the constitutive session of a new Serbian Parliament should take place in Kosovo and Metohija, Radio KIM reports.

He added it is a matter of agreement whether it will take place in Gracanica or Mitrovica Noth but certainly “it is of high importance to be in Kosovo and Metohija”.

He also said this would be a unique opportunity for 250 MPs to visit all parts of Kosovo and get personally acquainted with the living conditions of Serbs and other Serbian citizens there, visit churches, monasteries and historic monuments.

According to him, upon its constitution the Serbian Parliament in a special session could “publicly reject” the request of the European Parliament “for recognition of Kosovo” and to demand negotiations on Kosovo to return to the UN Security Council.

Vucic: Government in mid-August, important that I withdraw as SNS leader (N1)

The formation of the government can be expected in mid-August because the process of constituting the parliament will start on Monday, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said, N1 reports.

Vucic added he was very glad to hear that US Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill does not wish to interfere in the selection of members of the new Serbian government because the future executive body will be formed in line with the wishes of the citizens who cast their ballots in the elections.

“I am not here to fulfil wishes, the people and the citizens have chosen. They have chosen a Serbian government to look after their interests. I am very glad Hill said he would not interfere. I guess that is normal, I am sure they did not interfere in the past either. Not in 2008 or before that. It (the government) will be tailored to the will of the people”, Vucic said.

Vucic also said it was important that he withdraw as leader of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), which, despite weaknesses, is “the best political organisation”.

“After a while you need to realise that you are not eternal and to give others space”, Vucic said.

Hill: I would like to see a pro-West government (BETA, N1)

US Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill said that he would like to see a Western-oriented government in Serbia and ministers who believe in strategic directions which, he believes, the citizens voted for, BETA news agency reports. He added that Serbia must turn to the West and that there are no other options left.

Hill also noted that we are living in important and critical times that call for many important decisions to be made, like those on energy.

Commenting on the statement that “the US is one of the more powerful kitchens” in which the selection of new ministers “is cooked”, that the US influences the future make-up of the government, Hill said it is “difficult to cook in someone else’s kitchen”, BETA said.

Hill said he tries to stay away from other people’s kitchens, he does not interfere in the election of governments, speaks his mind if asked for his opinion but that the last time he checked, his passport clearly said that he is from the USA.

Asked to what extent the crisis in Ukraine is affecting relations between Serbia and the US, Hill said that he thinks it both opens challenges and possibilities, like all crises.

When it comes to challenges, I know many Serbs feel they are in a tight spot, but I also think that, when many of them are concerned, this has been decided and they think Serbia has to turn to the West. Serbia does have to turn to the West, there are no other options left, Hill is quoted as saying.

Schieb: No obstacles to Serbia’s EU membership once it meets all conditions (FoNet, N1)

When Serbia meets all the set conditions, I fail to see anything that would stand in the way of its membership with the European Union (EU), German Ambassador to Serbia Thomas Schieb said in an interview with FoNet news agency.

Ambassador Schieb said Berlin’s position on Belgrade-Pristina dialogue remains unchanged, and that the normalisation process is expected to end, as he said, “with the two sides’ mutual recognition”.

At the end of his four-year term in office in Serbia, Schieb noted the framework for negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina has been clearly defined, the negotiations are supported by the EU and its envoy Miroslav Lajcak and they enjoy Germany’s unlimited support, FoNet reported.

At the moment the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue is slow, but it is important for us to reach a legally binding agreement on the normalisation of relations in the foreseeable future because that will also speed up the process of the two sides’ accession to the EU, Schieb explained.

International

Bringing the world to Kosovo and Kosovo to the world (Kosovo 2.0)

Revisiting arts and culture coverage at K2.0

The 14th edition of the European nomadic arts biennial Manifesta will run in Prishtina this year from July 22 to October 30, but it’s already started to make its mark on the city. International artists, curators, critics and art lovers have been making their way to Kosovo to learn more about the regional art scene just as Kosovars themselves have been prompted to look at their surroundings and culture anew.

K2.0’s goal has always been to bring the world to Kosovo and Kosovo to the world. We’re proud to note that in a recent interview, Manifesta’s founder and director, the Dutch curator Hedwig Fijen, said that she first started learning about Kosovo around a decade ago by following K2.0. As Prishtina becomes a temporary center of European arts culture, revisit some of our past coverage of culture, arts and artists in Kosovo and the broader region..

Humanitarian/Development

Serbian Energy Minister announces increase in price of electricity (N1)

Electricity restrictions are not planned, Serbian Mining and Energy Minister Zorana Mihajlovic said Sunday adding that "it would be ridiculous" if Serbia, like all other countries, did not have a crisis plan for any situation, be it electricity or gas, hinting at an increase in the price of electricity of around “10 percent", N1 reports.

There were headlines in the Serbia media recently and some Croatian media also reported that Serbia will be subject to electricity restrictions. “There will be no restrictions, such a thing was never planned”, Mihajlovic told TV Prva.

She said that there is a “certain increase“ in electricity prices, but it remains to be seen in what percentage.

The price of electricity is not being raised to cover the power company’s debts, they are large, but they would not increase in the future, said Mihajlovic predicting that the new price of electricity could increase by up to 10 percent.