UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 20, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani meets ambassadors of Norway, Greece and Luxembourg, discuss visas (Klan)
KFOR and government coordinated on security in Kosovo (RTK)
The German minister for Europe is visiting Kosovo this week (Koha)
Ursula von der Leyen next week in Kosovo (KosovaPress)
Government on Esobar's proposal on licence plates: We have rule of law as our obligation (Koha)
Exclusive: Pre-agreement draft between Kosovo and Serbia (Koha, Albanian Post)
Police arrest Serb suspect in Oliver Ivanovic assassination case (media)
Kurti's former advisor: Legal entity separated from Kosovo is being created (Nacionale)
The draft statute of the "new" Association with its old points financed by Serbia (Reporteri)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic with Escobar about the possibilities for finding "sustainable solutions" (N1)
Petkovic with Escobar: Belgrade for the continuation of negotiations, but also for the implementation of all agreements reached (Beta, Danas)
Escobar: We asked implementation of decision on re-registration be postponed by ten months (N1)
Pristina increasingly asking the end of the UNMIK mandate, the Serbs saying that this mission is necessary (euronews.rs)
Reactions to Todosijevic’s verdict over his remarks on Racak (Kosovo Online, media)
EU Ambassador: No deadline for Belgrade to impose sanctions on Russia (N1)
Varhelyi: Serbia to step up efforts to align with EU, including sanctions (Beta, N1, media)
Gracanica: Decision on land swap annulled (KoSSev)
Selakovic to attend Berlin Process meeting tomorrow (Kosovo Online)

Opinion:

Montgomery: The irony is that we defend Ukraine, and Kosovo was taken by force; the EU has nothing to offer Serbia (Kosovo Online, Politika, RTV)

International:

Kosovo-Serbia Talks May Advance ‘in Weeks’, US Diplomat Says (Balkan Insight)
Defaced Putin Mural Tells the Story of Russia's Waning Influence (Financial Post)
Serbia’s Parliamentary Rightists Unite on Platform to Reclaim Kosovo (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media

Osmani meets the ambassadors of Norway, Greece and Luxembourg, discuss visas (Klan)

The President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani in the wake of meetings with European ambassadors, has met the ambassadors of Norway, Greece and Luxembourg.

Osmani reiterated in the meeting with the ambassadors that Kosovo is the most pro-European country and that its people share the same values with other European nations. In this context, she stressed that Kosovo has met all the criteria for visa liberalisation, so according to her, the recommendation of the European Commission for visa waiver should be implemented.

According to Osmani, the liberalisation of visas for citizens of Kosovo should not remain hostage to new technicalities and political decision-making should take place during the Czech Presidency.

At the same time, she discussed with the ambassadors the importance of supporting Kosovo's membership in the Council of Europe, which enables the citizens of Kosovo to strengthen human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

KFOR and government coordinated on security in Kosovo (RTK)

Prime Minister Albin Kurti received Major General Angelo Michele Ristuccia in the first formal meeting after taking over the command of KFOR.

Along with congratulating him on his new position and welcoming him to Kosovo, Kurti informed Major General Ristuccia about the developments in the country, the work of the government and its goals, with an emphasis on the field of security, according to the announcement of the prime minister's office.

Major General Ristuccia expressed his commitment and readiness for cooperation and coordination with the government of Kosovo and subordinate security and order institutions in the service of security, peace and guaranteeing freedom of movement.

Major General Angelo Michele Ristuccia assumed command of KFOR on October 10.

The German minister for Europe is visiting Kosovo this week (Koha)

The German Minister for Europe and Climate Anna Luhrmann will visit Kosovo this week and her agenda includes meetings with representatives of Kosovo's state institutions.

According to the German Embassy, she will be in Kosovo on October 22-23.

Her visit to Kosovo comes at a time when France and Germany are believed to have offered a proposal to the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia, which could be a new framework for dialogue between them, to reach a legally binding agreement on normalization. of reports.

The envoy of the United States for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, said on Wednesday for a television in Kosovo, that the US supports this proposal and any plan that the European states suggest through the dialogue that is mediated by the European Union.

According to the president of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic the Franco-German proposal consists of his country allowing Kosovo to join international institutions and organizations, including the United Nations, in exchange for Serbia's rapid membership in the European Union.

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, has said that he has not received any proposal for the final agreement.

Ursula von der Leyen next week in Kosovo (KosovaPress)

The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen will visit Kosovo next week. KosovaPress sources inform that she will stay in Pristina on October 27.

However, Von der Leyen will also visit Serbia and other countries in the region. She planned to stay in Belgrade on October 29.

The visit comes after that of the emissary of the European Union for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, as well as the special envoy of the United States of America for our region, Gabriel Escobar.

This visit comes a few days before the expiration of the deadline for the registration of vehicles with Republic of Kosovo license plates of Serb citizens.

Also, on October 28, the president of the European Commission will visit Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Montenegro.

The exact agenda of Von der Leyen's visit is expected to be announced in the coming days.

Government on Esobar's proposal on licence plates: We have rule of law as our obligation (Koha)

The Government of Kosovo considers that it has an obligation to the rule of law when it comes to postponing the deadline for another 10 months for the conversion of illegal licence plates to RKS.

The spokesperson of the government, Perparim Kryeziu, said on Thursday for KOHA that they understand Escobar's concern, but he added that the government has an obligation to rule of law and that neither of these rules excludes the other.

"We understand the worries and concerns of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs and the American representative for the Western Balkans, Mr. Gabriel Escobar and we share them with him, because security and peace are vital and common values and interests. At the same time, we have as our obligation the rule of law, constitutionality, and government decisions. One does not exclude the other. Today is not the 31st nor the 30th of October. We are part of the campaign to convert illegal license plates into legal RKS license plates. We again call on the Serbian citizens of Kosovo to convert their license plates, taking advantage of the tax and customs exemption," Kryeziu said.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) said in an answer to KOHA on Thursday that since the registration of vehicles began until today, 13 vehicles have been registered from illegal license plates in those RKS.

"The registrations were made in different municipalities. From region 06 - we have 5 vehicles, from region 02 - we have 4 vehicles, from Region 04 - we have 2 vehicles and from region 01 - we have 2 vehicles," said the MIA.

Exclusive: Pre-agreement draft between Kosovo and Serbia (Koha, Albanian Post)

Koha and Albanian Post claim to have seen the international draft proposal for the agreement between Kosovo and Serbia. Under the headline “Exclusive, ‘German Draft’ for the Association,” Koha has published a several pages extensive document, reporting that proposal of the western circles for the statute of the Association of municipalities with Serbian majority in Kosovo is circulating with the title "German draft". According to this draft, the Association is a legal entity created in line with the first Agreement and the Constitution of Kosovo. The draft, which contains 17 articles, foresees that this Association will have 10 municipalities with the possibility of expansion. One year after operationalization, its statute can be reviewed by the government. According to the draft, there are several main objectives of the Association: Strengthening local democracy, full supervision of the development of the local economy and that of education. Among the functions included in the draft is the possibility of cooperation with states and economic operators of the region, including the Republic of Serbia in the field of local economy, education and health.

Albanian Post on the other hand reports that the first agreement must be reached by February 24 at the latest. It further notes that at this stage, Serbia does not need to change its Constitution. Likewise, Kosovo should establish the Association, but without changing the Constitution. The association will not be an NGO, however, for the time being, it will not establish a new level of power. If agreement is reached, there are financial packages. If not achieved, "heavy stick" for the obstructing party. The urgency for an agreement is related to the situation in Ukraine, reports the news portal. Since the two sides refuse to become cooperative partners, the international community has a third way to achieve in a different form what it is currently seeking through "Shuttle diplomacy".

The international community has understood that the reconciliation between Kosovo and Serbia is impossible to happen at once and with a general final agreement, due to the maximalist positions of the parties, but it has also become clear to Albin Kurti and Aleksandar Vucic that they must quickly and definitely enter into contractual relations, because the solution of the problem between them is no longer just a matter of two states.

Albanian Post exclusively, from international sources, has provided some points of the scenario that should be concretized at least until February next year, when it also marks the one year anniversary of the war in Ukraine.

Police arrest Serb suspect in Oliver Ivanovic assassination case (media)

The Special Prosecution of Kosovo said that police have arrested a Serb suspected of being involved in the assassination of Kosovo Serb political representative Oliver Ivanovic in 2018. The prosecution said in a statement that the suspect was at large since 2019 and that he was arrested on Wednesday evening.

Kurti's former advisor: A legal entity separated from Kosovo is being created (Nacionale)

Durim Berisha, former advisor to Prime Minister Kurti, has said that the drafts that are circulating and have been circulating for years show that the issue of the association is not simply the formation of a community of Kosovo municipalities, but the creation of an ethnicity legal branch separated from the central level.

"The issue of the Association of Municipalities with a Serb Majority should be looked at its roots," says Berisha.

“The main problem lies in the fact that the Republic of Kosovo is ignoring the fact that it has no legal obligation, as the agreements signed with Serbia are not binding international agreements, as they have never been ratified by the Parliament of Serbia. On the other hand, the proposals/drafts that have been circulating in the public for several years show that it is not simply a question of a community of several municipalities of Kosovo, but of the creation of a legal entity separated from the central level."

Berisha further said that Kosovo, in this case, would allow the establishment of an autonomous unit which it can neither control nor disperse.

"Some refer to the control that the acts of this association will be controlled by the Constitutional Court, but they overlook its legal status, its position in the constitutional order, its c ompetencies and the impossibility of its dissolution.

Let's not forget that the Constitutional Court has no mechanisms to execute its decisions. Declaring an act of this association as unconstitutional would be simply declarative, if it did not want to respect the constitutional decision. So Kosovo would allow the establishment of an autonomous unit which it can neither control nor disperse, in a part of the territory in which it does not exercise effective power and in which it has promised not to send the KSF," Berisha said.

The draft statute of the "new" Association with its old points financed by Serbia (Reporteri)

The "German draft" for the Association of Municipalities with a Serb majority published by the online media "Nacionale" and "Koha", in article 16 foresees that the Association will have the possibility of financing from the "Republic of Serbia", the same as in the year 2015 which was found to be unconstitutional in over 20 points by the Constitutional Court of Kosovo.

In the draft Statute of 2015 it was written that "(17) The Association/Community will be financed by: a) the contributions of its members; b) revenues and income from services provided by the Association/Community, its companies, or that will originate from its movable and immovable assets; c) transfers from the central authority; d) contributions, grants, donations as well as financial support of associations and other organisations, local and international, as well as from the Republic of Serbia; The community/association will be released from obligations and taxes for the fulfilment of its objectives, according to the same model as the participating municipalities".

Also, in the draft Statute which has been published in the media, in article 16 it is written that "The Association will be financed by - members' contributions - revenues and profits from services provided by the Community/Association, its companies or derived from movable and immovable assets – transfers from central authorities [Note: The Constitutional Court found this unconstitutional, but the Statute of the Association of Municipalities of Kosovo contains this provision: 6.1 The property of the association and other financing consists of …6.1.3 the profits from central, local, and foreign level] – contributions, grants, donations, as financial support from other associations and organisations, internal and external, including the Republic of Serbia – Association of Municipalities will be exempt from duties and taxes in pursuit of the Objectives of it, on the same basis as the participating municipalities".

Serbian Language Media

Vucic with Escobar about the possibilities for finding "sustainable solutions" (N1)

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, met the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and US Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, with whom, as stated in the press release after the meeting, he discussed "current developments within the process of normalising relations with Pristina, possibilities for continuing the dialogue and finding sustainable solutions", reported N1.

"President Vucic once again emphasised Serbia's full commitment to continuing the dialogue process and resolving open issues between Belgrade and Pristina, with an emphasis on the full implementation of the agreements signed in Brussels so far and respect for international law," the statement said.

The US Special Envoy Gabriel Escobar "expressed the expectation that the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina on all open issues and the comprehensive normalisation of relations will continue dynamically and constructively, which is significant both for the citizens and for the overall peace, stability and progress of the region, with a quick end to the negotiations", the statement added.

Escobar said yesterday that the USA and other countries of the Quint asked to delay the implementation of the decision on vehicle re-registration for 10 months, recalled N1.

Petkovic with Escobar: Belgrade for the continuation of negotiations, but also for the implementation of all agreements reached (Beta, Danas)

The Director of the Office of the Government of Serbia for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, said today at a meeting with the US Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, that Belgrade was ready to continue negotiations with Pristina, but insisted on the implementation of the agreements reached, above all on the Community of Serbian Municipalities (ZSO), reported daily Danas.

According to the office's announcement, Petkovic pointed out to Escobar yesterday's verdict of the Basic Court in Pristina at the retrial against the president of the Municipality of Zvecan, Ivan Todosijevic. He was sentenced to one year in prison for his statements about Racak.

He also recalled the case of 20-year-old Nikola Nedeljkovic, arrested on Vidovdan in Gazimestan for displaying Serbian symbols, and was sentenced to eight months in prison.

"Such verdicts deny the right to opinion, freedom of speech and expression to Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, and thereby abolish all civil and democratic liberties," said Petkovic.

He pointed out that Belgrade demanded full respect of Article 10 of the First Brussels Agreement, which stipulated that Serbs must be the majority in the panel of the Court of Appeal in processes coming from Serbian communities in Kosovo, which, according to him, has been repeatedly pointed out by the highest representatives of the international community.

Petkovic also cited violations of the agreement on official visits, by which "Pristina forbids him to be with the Serbian people in the province".

"Despite everything, Belgrade remains fundamentally interested in preserving peace and stability in the Western Balkans and appeals to use decisive political and diplomatic means to prevent all those who threaten to destabilize the region and new confrontations," he said.

During the conversation, issues of license plates and energy were discussed, and Petkovic stated that the Serbian side fulfilled all the steps of the Energy Roadmap as well as the commitments from other agreements reached in the Brussels dialogue, reported the daily.

Escobar: We asked implementation of decision on re-registration be postponed by ten months (N1)

US Special Envoy for Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar said his country and other Quint member states asked for postponement of the implementation of decision on re-registration by ten months, N1 reports.

“It is not a secret that we have asked for a longer period of implementation of the decision on re-registration”, Escobar said, following his talks with Kosovo officials Vjosa Osmani and Albin Kurti. He also said other Quint members requested the same, adding that the response of the Pristina officials is being awaited.

He also said one of the reasons for Pristina's visit is because he wants to carry out regular consultations with the government there.

He is also quoted as saying that the US supports the French-German proposal for the agreement between Belgrade and Pristina, and that final agreement was a matter of weeks. He added it is up to both sides and mediators to set deadlines.

Escobar further said he spoke with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani on modalities of the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities, and that Kosovo, as he said, must implement it.

According to him, it is most important that the Community of Serb Municipalities is adapted to the Kosovo laws. He noted there are many European options and models that we can jointly consider in order to make it a realistic possibility.

In the end, he concluded that the US always supported Kosovo “as an independent and sovereign state and would welcome it in UN and all other European structures”.

Pristina increasingly asking the end of the UNMIK mandate, the Serbs saying that this mission is necessary (euronews.rs)

Euronews Serbia reported today that in meetings with international representatives, Pristina officials often demand the United Nations Mission in Kosovo, UNMIK, to complete its mandate, stating that the mission is "unnecessary". On the other hand, Belgrade and representatives of the Serbs in Kosovo believe that UNMIK is necessary due to compliance with Resolution 1244, which guarantees the integrity of Serbia, added the media.

On repeated requests to end the mandate of UNMIK in Kosovo, from this mission for Euronews Serbia they reply that they continue to conduct their mission without hindrance.

"UNMIK's mandate, based on Security Council Resolution 1244, is to ensure the conditions for a peaceful and normal life for all residents of Kosovo. To this end, UNMIK works to promote and protect human rights, strengthen the rule of law, and promote the significant engagement of women and youth," UNMIK spokeswoman Sanam Dolatshahi said.

The last requests for the completion of the UNMIK mission were sent by the Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, the head of the US Mission to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, and the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, in September this year at the headquarters of the United Nations, recalled Euronews Serbia.

Connoisseurs of the political situation believe that, despite the reduction of UNMIK's staff and competences, this mission can stop working only by canceling Resolution 1244.

"It is normal that UNMIK now has less authority and I think that only in the north it exercises some kind of authority, but I really think that until Resolution 1244 is changed, you can make all kinds of political declarations, but the reality is such that UNMIK is also part of that resolution," said political analyst Milazim Krasniqi.

"Pristina's motive for UNMIK departure is clear''

For Serbs, the presence of UNMIK also means that there is still hope for Kosovo to remain part of Serbia, reported the media.

"The mandate of the United Nations mission was established by Resolution 1244, and that resolution asserts and confirms that Kosovo is still an autonomous region within the then Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, i.e. its legal successor, the Republic of Serbia, so from that perspective, Pristina's motive for wanting UNMIK to leave is clear, which would mean that any possibility of returning the negotiation process to the United Nations instead of the EU framework would cease to exist," said Miodrag Marinkovic from the NGO "Casa" from Kosovska Mitrovica.

The United Nations mission, which came to Kosovo in 1999, helped create Kosovo's institutions, as well as the constitutional framework, and currently, according to the UNMIK spokeswoman, the primary goal is to improve social cohesion and trust between communities.

"We have implemented more than 250 projects in five years collaborating with partners and champions from all communities in Kosovo, in different fields such as language rights, access to justice and economic empowerment. By promoting dialogue between communities on the ground, UNMIK continues to support progress in political high-level discussions, especially in the dialogue led by the EU. In addition, UNMIK performs the key role of regularly monitoring and reporting to the UN Security Council on developments in Kosovo," said Sanam Dolatshahi.

Reactions to Todosijevic’s verdict over his remarks on Racak (Kosovo Online, media)

Member of the Serbian List and President of Zvecan Interim Municipal Authority, Ivan Todosijevic was sentenced yesterday to one year in prison by the first instance court in Pristina over his remarks on the Racak case, saying that it was “fabricated”, Kosovo Online portal reports.

His defence lawyer, Nebojsa Vlajic said he will appeal the verdict, adding “the court makes the same mistake as it did the first time”. Commenting that court this time ruled Todosijevic to spend one year in prison and in previous proceedings sentenced him to two years in prison, Vlajic asked “how is it possible that for the same event, where nothing has changed over the last two years, to render a verdict which is that much different”? He added he expects this verdict to be annulled by the second-instance court. .

Serbian List in its reaction said that “by unlawful, ethnically motivated and without evidence rendered verdict of Pristina judiciary against Ivan Todosijevic, persecution of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija continues, with a clear aim to intimidate and expel them from Kosovo”.

It also said that “Serbian people and we, as their political representatives, dismiss this shameful, ungrounded and politically motivated verdict as a farce, because it was not based on law and justice but rather on force and political motives”. Serbian List added it was clear that “Pristina attempts to introduce verbal delict for the Serbs in XXI century and thus expands the ways of its institutions' anti-Serbian actions”.

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic in his reaction said “that all pillars of the law and justice for the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija have fallen”. Petkovic said that Pristina introduces a verbal delict for the Serbs in Kosovo, while on a daily basis one can hear from Pristina messages that spread racial, religious and ethnic hatred and intolerance towards the Serbs and yet no one is held responsible nor anyone reacts to it.

He voiced demand for the “full respect of the Article 10 of the First Brussels Agreement stipulating that the Serbs must make a majority in the panel of the Court of Appeals in the cases concerning those from Serb areas in Kosovo and Metohija”.

Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic said that Pristina judiciary by its verdict on Todosijevic attempts “to render a judgement to the entire Serbian people and its resolution to preserve self-respect and not accept lies as a truth”.

“Entire Serbian nation is aware that events in Racak, of which Todosijevic dared to speak, were the most ordinary deception and a staged reason for the illegal aggression of NATO against Serbia. And as long as there is our country and our people there will be those ready to tell the truth and fight not to allow it to be covered by an avalanche of lies (…)”, Selakovic is quoted as saying.

He added “this shameful and judicial farce the best illustrates the lies and hypocrisy of Pristina’s mantras that “Kosovo” is “the youngest European democracy” and also “how difficult lack of freedom and torture Serbian population in Kosovo and Metohija is permanently exposed to is”.

EU Ambassador: No deadline for Belgrade to impose sanctions on Russia (N1)

Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Serbia Emanuele Giaufret said no deadline has been given to Belgrade to impose sanctions on Russia, but that this issue “attracts attention” in European capitals and in the European Parliament, N1 reports.

It is an issue that concerns the future of the whole continent, our security and our prosperity, Giaufret told the weekly Vreme. The EU Ambassador said this year’s European Commission report established that Serbia has regressed in terms of aligning its foreign and security policy, but that they hope it will fully join the opposition to Russia’s actions.

Giaufret also said the EU appreciates the fact that, on several occasions, Serbia voted together with EU members in the General Assembly, that it condemned, along with 142 other countries, “Russia’s illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories”, so that there are now only four isolated countries standing by Russia.

But we would definitely like to see more of this, and there are expectations in this regard in all European capitals and in Brussels, Giaufret added.

He said aligning with the EU's foreign and security policy is nothing new, and that it has been a requirement since the beginning of the accession negotiations. The Ambassador also said the EU understands the reasons and motivations for the decisions that Serbia makes because it is in a “specific” situation – it is dependent on Russia for energy, it has the open issue of Kosovo and a large part of its people feel close to Russia, but added that Serbia itself said that accession to the EU was its strategic commitment.

Of course each EU member state’s government promotes the interests of its citizens, it is why they have been elected, and that is fully legitimate, Giaufret explained.

However, the question here is what context do you put your interest in, said Giaufret, adding that he does not believe there is any contradiction between EU expectations and the Serbian government’s promotion of interests because, in his opinion, its interest is in the European context.

He added that Serbia chose the European path “a long time ago” and that the effects of this choice are already noticeable in the country.

Varhelyi: Serbia to step up efforts to align with EU, including sanctions (Beta, N1, media)

European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi said that, in the current geopolitical context, Serbia should step up efforts to align with European Union’s (EU) foreign policy positions, including declarations and sanctions, in line with the negotiating framework, and that progress also needs to be made in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue.

In an interview with the Beta news agency’s new Daily European Service, Varhelyi said Brussels expects the formation of the new Serbian Government so key reforms regarding the judiciary, fight against corruption, media freedoms, freedom of association and attitude towards war criminals could continue.

It is also important to say that Serbia’s progress in the rule of law is crucial and that it will continue determining the overall pace of accession negotiations, said the European Commissioner.

Varhelyi said that the normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina through the EU-mediated dialogue is of vital importance for their future and for the peace and stability of the entire region, especially in the current geopolitical situation, and added that there is currently an opportunity for real progress on that front.

Asked to what extent Serbia’s path to the EU is hindered by its poor alignment with EU’s foreign policy, especially regarding sanctions against Russia, Varhelyi said Serbia is “in a very specific situation” and that Brussels understands the complexity of this issue.

However, the current geopolitical situation requires a more concrete response from our partners, Varhelyi stressed, adding that, when it asked for membership in the EU, Serbia made a strategic choice, and this decision also implies aligning with EU’s foreign policy.

Varhelyi said the EU is counting on Serbia as a true partner and ally, that it is aware of the challenges Serbia faces and that it will help Serbia tackle these challenges.

But now we need Serbia to help us overcome the biggest challenge to European peace and security since World War II. Europe needs Serbia’s help, said Varhelyi.

Regarding the possibility of opening a new cluster in negotiations with the EU by the end of the year, Varhelyi said Serbia has met the initial criteria for Cluster 3 (competitiveness and inclusive growth) and that this Cluster is technically ready for opening.

However, said Varhelyi, the decision on the opening and closing of clusters is “in the hands of” member states and such decisions need to be made unanimously.

In the current situation, our members need Serbia’s clear commitment and direct support in our most important challenges, said the European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement.

Gracanica: Decision on land swap annulled (KoSSev)

Gracanica municipal assembly councillors by majority of votes decided to annul the decision on land swap, previously adopted in a session held on September 28, KoSSev portal reports.

The decision concerns a swap of 17 hectares of municipal owned land for a private road of 0.44 acres owned by an Albanian businessman Rexha Shala.

This decision, KoSSev portal recalls was annulled as per request of Gracanica mayor, Ljiljana Subaric who had previously put the same decision for adoption.

The decision on land swap caused reactions of Gracanica residents and media, with protests held in front of municipal buildings and petitions for its annulment organised.

Selakovic to attend Berlin Process meeting tomorrow (Kosovo Online)

Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic will take part in a meeting of the foreign ministers of Berlin Process participants, Kosovo Online portal reports.

Every year a summit and accompanying meetings are organised within the Berlin Process.

In addition to the meetings of internal affairs ministers, and foreign affairs ministers also a meeting of ministers of energy is planned. The summit of heads of states will be held on November 3.

Opinion

Montgomery: The irony is that we defend Ukraine, and Kosovo was taken by force; the EU has nothing to offer Serbia (Kosovo Online, Politika, RTV)

Former American ambassador William Montgomery said that Western diplomatic efforts in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina essentially work in "quadrature of a circle'', because Kurti insists that Serbia recognize Kosovo within its current borders and to be admitted to the UN; Serbia will not do it, reported portal Kosovo Online.

Montgomery told Kosovo Online that he did not have any information about what was being discussed during the current visits of foreign diplomats and in the dialogue, but that based on his personal experience of many years on the matter, he could say that most of what has been done so far, was an attempt to resolve each individual issue to avoid conflict.

"The problem created by the EU is chapter 35 in the negotiations with Serbia, which deals with Kosovo, and it should have been the last chapter to be opened after everything else was closed. That EU membership is guaranteed when the Kosovo issue is resolved. That would put real pressure on Serbia. There is no pressure now, as Serbia's EU membership is far away for many reasons, many of which have nothing to do with Serbia – namely, most EU countries do not want further expansion," Montgomery explained.

When it comes to the Prime Minister of Kosovo, he told the portal, it was important to recognize that Kurti did not care at all about the economic well-being of his territory, because he was fixated on Serbia, both for political and personal reasons.

According to him, Kurti was basing everything on obtaining a "vital Serbian concession", and Western diplomats are putting a lot of pressure on Serbia to do so.

"Serbia, on the other hand, has no real reason to comply. It has a growing economy and many other issues that need to be dealt with. And the EU has nothing concrete to offer Serbia for this concession now," the ambassador said.

Montgomery also referred to the situation in Ukraine and the similarity with Kosovo.

"I could add that it is ironic that Kosovo was taken by force and against Resolution 1244 of the UN Security Council, and with the support of the West. But we are defending Ukraine because Russia is trying to do the same in Ukraine. The West justified the bombing campaign of Serbia because of the mistreatment of Kosovar Albanians. The Russians justify their action in Ukraine because of the mistreatment of ethnic Russians there. So, ironically, the Russians are using our own actions against us," Montgomery concluded.

International

Kosovo-Serbia Talks May Advance ‘in Weeks’, US Diplomat Says (Balkan Insight)

'Everybody needs to step up and create stability, not just in Europe but in the region,' Gabriel Escobar, US envoy on Western Balkans, said, urging a quick solution to long-lasting tensions between Kosovo and Serbia.

A United States diplomat said on Wednesday that Kosovo and Serbia have to reach an agreement which will see the two foes finding a way forward in their mediated dialogue, which is designed to normalise their tense relations.

Gabriel Escobar, US Deputy Assistant Secretary and US envoy for the Balkans, told Pristina-based Kanal10 TV on Thursday that the long-lasting EU-facilitated dialogue needs to come to a conclusion.