UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 16, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

Bislimi denies agreement on licence plates has been reached (Koha)
Source: Agreement on licence plates must be reached before Nov 21 (Indeksonline)
Serbs in north different positions on elections; don’t take resistance calls seriously (KP)
The EU is waiting for Kosovo's response about new proposal on license plates (RFE, media)
EULEX chief: Situation in the North fragile, citizens afraid (media)
Trajkovic: Unlikely there will be elections in north on December 18 (RTK)
“Serbia threatening Serbs they’ll suffer if they cooperate with Kosovo govt” (EO)
Budget for KSF next year expected to be €123 million (RTK)
Hoti: Visit of LDK leadership in U.S., sign they see us as partners (T7)
LDK spokeswoman slams FM Gervalla for being “so undiplomatic” (media)
Vetevendosje MP indicates he could leave the party (media)
Szunyog: I believe decision on liberalization will be made before the end of this year (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

Brnabic: Brussels agreement cannot be transferred onto some other agreements (Kosovo Online)
Petkovic: Kurti attempts to destabilise situation with unilateral decisions (Radio KIM)
Rakic and Simic meet EULEX Head, discuss security situation in northern Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
Vucic: China has always demonstrated its sincere friendship (Tanjug)
Another Serbian cemetery renamed on Google maps, this one to Illyrian (Kosovo Online)
Three prosecutors from other areas temporarily transferred to Basic Prosecution in Mitrovica North (KoSSev)
Investigation into mistreatment of Miodrag Milicevic, NGO Aktiv Director initiated (Kosovo Online)
Serbia to get honorary consul in Singapore (Tanjug)
RTS: 100,000 Russians and 18,000 Ukrainians in Serbia (N1)
RFE: Elections in the north of Kosovo between law and politics (RFE)
Danas daily on the elections in northern Kosovo: There would be new conflicts on ground
Vucic met Greek Ambassador, thanked him for Greek support to territorial integrity of Serbia (Kosovo Online)

International:

Disinformation everywhere (Kosovo 2.0)
BIRN Launches Interactive Map of Far-Right and Extremist Groups (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media

Bislimi denies agreement on licence plates has been reached (Koha)

Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister, Besnik Bislimi, denied today reports that an agreement on the issue of licence plates was reached in his latest meeting with the EU Special Representative for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Miroslav Lajcak. Bislimi said that in his meeting with Lajcak they discussed elements of a possible way out of the current crisis. He also said that Serbia’s chief negotiator, Petkovic, was not present in the meeting.

Source: Agreement on licence plates must be reached before Nov 21 (Indeksonline)

A source close to the Kosovo government told the news website today that the governments of Kosovo and Serbia must reach an agreement on licence plates and the return of Serbs to institutions before November 21. “An agreement on the licence plates must be reached before November 21, whereas on other issues there is nothing new so far,” the source said.

Meanwhile, there is no official confirmation from the Kosovo government if an agreement has been reached.

Serbs in north different positions on elections; don’t take resistance calls seriously (KP)

Serb citizens are divided over the extraordinary elections in the north announced by Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani for December 18. Some say that the elections must be held and that they will take part, while others argue that now is not the right time and that the elections should not be held. Serbs in the north don’t take seriously the calls for resistance from the so-called “Northern Brigade”.

Serbs say that the recent events are only part of politics and that in the end there will be a peaceful resolution.

Bojan Premovic, a citizen from Mitrovica North, said the overall situation in the north is quiet. He said he feels safe despite the resignations of Serb officers from Kosovo Police in the north. He also said everything will be resolved peacefully before November 21, and that the elections announced for December 18 in the northern municipalities must be held and that he will go out to vote.

“I feel absolutely safe despite all the events … It is quiet and even more than that … There may be tensions, barricades (after November 21) but this is all part of politics and I think that this will be resolved peacefully … I have heard (about the Northern Brigade) only through posts on walls and streets, I don’t know who stands behind it … I think the elections must be held. I don’t know if they will be held but Serbs need to take part in these elections. Yes, I will take part, why not, I have a Kosovo ID card,” Premovic said.

Branislav Milic, a Serb from Mitrovica North, too said he will positively respond to the elections. He said that the calls for resistance from the “Northern Brigade” are not valid for the citizens.

“The situation is always questionable but maybe one day it will be solved in a way that will be satisfying for both sides, both Serbs and Albanians … I always felt safe, because I had Albanian friends … I never heard anything (Northern Brigade) … Graffiti and walls hold everything. These are only messages that are not worth anything and they shouldn’t be worth anything … Elections are usually held when there is a crisis … This (the resignations of mayors) is a protest against the policy of Albanian leaders … I always take part in elections regardless of who organises them,” Milic said.

Dragomir Jerakovic did not want to talk about the elections, the “Northern Brigade” or if feels safe without the presence of Serb officers of Kosovo Police. He accused Brussels of the whole situation saying that all citizens are losing from the situation. “Ask Brussels why they brought this situation. We were surprised. It seems that someone is insane, and someone is surprised. We’re all losing from this, both Albanians and Serbs,” he said.

Aleksandar Arsenijevic, head of the Civic Initiative “Serbian Survival” in Mitrovica North, said the overall situation there is not good and that there is a possibility of escalation after November 21. He said that in the current situation, he and his initiative will not take part in the elections and that they shouldn’t be held.

Asked about the safety of the people after the resignations of Serb police officers, Arsenijevic said he has learned from experience and that people are simply in solidarity with one another.

“The situation is not good and as far as I can tell with November 21 getting closer, I think it will become more aggravated, and if after November 21, the decision of the Kosovo government remains the same, I think this could pose the threat of wider conflicts … This is not the first time that we are in such a situation (without Serb police officers). Until 2002, the Kosovo Police did not exist, there was the UN Police, and being used to these experiences and in the period until 2012-2013, they are in solidarity with one another, how long this will last is the question.”

About the Northern Brigade, Arsenijevic said it is nothing serious. On the elections, he said: “I think December 18 is a short time to organise elections. Even with having police here last year, the elections were not fair or democratic, and let alone now without police. In addition to this, the majority of people believe that the elections should be boycotted therefore I don’t think there is any sense for us as a civic initiative to run in the elections.”

The EU is waiting for Kosovo's response about new proposal on license plates (RFE, media)

The European Union is waiting for Kosovo’s response to a proposal related to the issue of the Serbian license plates, which on Tuesday the special envoy for dialogue Miroslav Lajcak presented to Kosovo’s chief negotiator for dialogue Besnik Bislimi, during their meeting in Brussels.

RFE’s sources have confirmed that it is about the proposal to urgently resolve the issue of implementing the decision to change the illegal license plates of Serbia, in order to avoid tensions in the north of Kosovo.

Kosovo's chief negotiator in the dialogue with Serbia, Besnik Bislimi, said that "there are elements that we have discussed about the possibility of exiting the crisis, but there is no agreement." He emphasized that he does not know what will happen on November 21, because "we are in talks.”

If the Kosovar side gives an answer during the day to this proposal, and depending on that answer, the EU envoy for dialogue Lajcak, can visit Belgrade to talk with the Serbian side as well.

EU sources have repeated what the high representative for Foreign Policy and Security Josep Borrell, said earlier, that a solution must be reached before November 21.

One of the possibilities mentioned by the diplomatic sources is to extend the time limit for changing license plates, even for ten months, but the Kosovar side, according to the same sources, has also asked the EU for clarifications on what its position will be after such a term expires.

The EU does not question the right of Kosovo to replace the license plates of the vehicles, however up to now, it has requested that this be done respecting the ten-month deadline.

EULEX Chief: Situation in the North fragile, citizens afraid (media)

The Head of the EU Mission for the Rule of Law in Kosovo (EULEX) Lars Gunnar Wigemark has visited North Mitrovica. He met with political representatives, civil society and the EULEX Police.

According to Wigenmark, the security situation in the North is very fragile and the Serb residents in this part of Kosovo are afraid.

“After the meetings I had today in North Mitrovica with political leaders, civil society, and the formed police unit of EULEX, it is clear that the security situation is very fragile and that the local people are afraid. EULEX will continue to monitor the situation, and everyone should show maximum restraint,” Wigenmark tweeted.

EULEX has announced through a press release that the Specialized Police Unit within this mission has been reinforced with a reserve unit of 23 gendarmes from the Italian Carabinieri.

Otherwise, EULEX, through a press release, announced that the Specialized Police Unit within this mission has been reinforced with a reserve unit of 23 gendarmes from the Italian Carabinieri.

Trajkovic: Unlikely there will be elections in north on December 18 (RTK)

Kosovo Serb political representative, Rada Trajkovic, said in an interview with RTK on Tuesday evening that she does not believe there will be elections in the four northern municipalities on December 18. She argued that even those Serbs that would like to take part in the process will be afraid to do so. Trajkovic said that Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani is well aware that there won’t be a turnout in the elections in the north, but that she had to respect the election procedures.

Trajkovic said that the north is unfortunately controlled by groups whose main leader is Milan Radoicic. “Of course that Serbs in the north will act according to the instructions they receive from him and this means that they cannot express their will or how they would like the situation to develop in the four northern municipalities,” she argued.

Asked if she feels threatened, Trajkovic said: “They can threaten me all they want, and this would not be the first time”. She also said that on Tuesday she was threatened by the Serbian Minister of Defence.

Trajkovic also said that she is ready to take up an MP post after the resignations of Serbian List MPs.

“Serbia threatening Serbs they’ll suffer if they cooperate with Kosovo govt” (EO)

The Pristina-based Council for the Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF) commented today on the latest developments in the north, saying that Serbia is using misinformation as means to fight Kosovo. The Council said that within a short period of time, Serbia launched three misinformation reports which have orchestrated Serbs in the north and caused tensions there. “By way of orchestrating Serbs in the north of Kosovo, Serbia has created tensions, and it is also threatening Serbs living in the central part of Kosovo that they will suffer if they cooperate with Kosovo’s institutions by calling them ‘Kurti’s Serbs’. This misinformation is not a coincidence but is in the series of misuse for political objectives,” the council said in a press release.

The CDHRF also called on Kosovo institutions and citizens to show maturity “because despite attempts to destabilise the situation, there will not be any escalation of violence and that the situation will be resolved in peaceful fashion”.

Budget for KSF next year expected to be €123 million (RTK)

The Kosovo government has adopted the draft budget for next year, which is expected to be €3.2 billion, and €123 million are destined for the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) and the Ministry of Defence.

Former commander of the KSF, Kadri Kastrati, said in an interview with RTK that these funds are not enough to buy armament because of the increased prices of steel and other material used to produce armament. “I don’t think these funds are sufficient. The government now also must think about the air forces, such as helicopters. It also needs to think about other individual and collective equipment that are very expensive. The weapons that the KSF has now are outdated. I think that the government must allocate over €200 million,” he argued.

MP from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and member of the parliamentary committee for security and defence, Hisen Berisha, said the purchase of armament, training, education, and other supply plans are included in the comprehensive plan. He argued that the current plan can be amended only with technical aid from the United States.

Hoti: Visit of LDK leadership in U.S., sign they see us as partners (T7)

MP from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and former Prime Minister, Avdullah Hoti, said in an interview with T7 on Tuesday that the visit by the LDK leadership at the U.S. Department of State was not a coincidence and that it is a sign “that the U.S. see us as important partners”.

“The visit has been planned for some time now and it is not a coincidence. Things at the U.S. Department of State do not happen by coincidence … because the visit could have been postponed, just as the visits of government ministers were postponed, and this was not a coincidence. These are normal meetings, and I am very glad that the leadership of the LDK was welcomed at the Department of State because these are signs that we have the trust of our main partner and that they see us as important political partners in Kosovo,” Hoti said. “This is good for Kosovo too because in Kosovo there are responsible parties that enjoy the trust of our international partners that they are doing a good job in the opposition and getting ready to assume state responsibilities”.

LDK spokeswoman slams FM Gervalla for being “so undiplomatic” (media)

Spokeswoman for the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Sibel Halimi criticised Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla for her reaction on Tuesday after two civilians in Poland were killed from a missile. Halimi said that while the great powers were reserved in their statements in order not to escalate the situation, Gervalla “fueled the fire”.

“It is unforgiving for our top diplomat to be so undiplomatic and completely careless in her reactions. At a time when all U.S. EU and NATO officials are reserved in their statements – in order not to have escalation and inaccuracies – our foreign minister is unserious and in an uncontrolled way fuels the fire … Politics and especially diplomacy is made with self-restraint and maturity and not with a temperament and a rush to make statements by putting our state in an unfavourable position in international politics,” Halimi wrote on Facebook.

Vetevendosje MP indicates he could leave the party (media)

MP from the Vetevendosje Movement, Fatmir Humolli, indicated in an interview with RTK on Tuesday that he could leave the Kurti-led party. He called on Prime Minister Kurti to implement the promises he made during the election campaign, otherwise he would have to consider leaving Vetevendosje and joining another political party.

“I entered politics not for the sake of a political party but for the interests of my country. If Vetevendosje goes back to what we promised during the election campaign I won’t have to think about another party, but if it continues to ignore the MPs and the citizens, then it won’t be the same party it was during the election campaign,” Humolli said.

Szunyog: I believe decision on liberalisation will be made before the end of this year (Koha)

The head of the EU office in Kosovo Tomas Szunyog, and the deputy prime minister Besnik Bislimi, participated in the discussion on the topic "The Enlargement Report: What is in it for Kosovo?", which was organised by the Office of the EU- of Kosovo and the House of Europe.

Szunyog has said that he believes that the EU Council will decide on the visa liberalisation process before the end of the year. “We hope this will happen, and we will take the problem off the table,” he said. According to him, Kosovo's progress in the integration process has been hindered by the dialogue process with Serbia.

“The reason why Kosovo is still in the process of stabilising the association…is the dialogue and because of the unfinished work in the dialogue process, we still have these challenges,” Szunyog said.

According to him, it is important for Kosovo that unlike in 2021, there is now a government coalition that has a majority in the Assembly. He also spoke about the areas Kosovo should focus on in the future and stressed here at the performance of the Assembly. “We expected much more progress in terms of legislation. Unfortunately, we still see problems that prevent the Assembly from working at full capacity,” Szuyong said.

According to him, Kosovo should make improvements in energy and environmental protection. “We hoped that the Strategy for Energy would be approved and implemented,” he said.

He has estimated that improvements are also needed in the field of the rule of law. "But we need more work to implement the legal framework ... to have punishments for many cases that have been going on for a long time. We expect good results in the coming months," Szunyog said.

Serbian Language Media

Brnabic: Brussels agreement cannot be transferred onto some other agreements (Kosovo Online)

The Brussels agreement was signed in 2013 and it must be implemented, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said in Singapore today, adding that it cannot be transferred onto some other agreements, Kosovo Online portal reports.

Brnabic made those remarks commenting on alleged proposals of international community as reported by some media and related to de-escalation of the situation in northern Kosovo, one of them being request to discuss establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities, already foreseen by the Brussels agreement from 2013, as part of Franco-German proposal to resolve the Kosovo issue.

She pointed out that the Brussels agreement was the first agreement on normalisation and it must be implemented.

“It has already been agreed, it has been signed and its implementation is guaranteed by the European Union. You can’t say ‘Belgrade has fulfilled all agreements from the Brussels agreement, and Pristina has not done it, so what to do. That is not fair”, Brnabic said.

According to her, the entire credibility of the EU is at stake on that line.

“The signature of the EU High Representative is on that document. I do not know how we can even talk about such things and I hope it is fake news or incomplete information, as otherwise it would make no sense at all”, she added.

Brnabic also said she was not familiar with Albanian media allegations that the agreement on de-escalation in northern Kosovo has been reached and that it will be made public on Friday.

Asked if there is room for dialogue given the current circumstances, Brnabic responded “she doesn’t see it”.

“I am not an optimist. I do not know what additional agreement could have been made, given that Pristina violated all the agreements reached earlier and we are only requesting adherence to all signed agreements (…)”, she said, adding that President Aleksandar Vucic works hard and is in permanent contact with Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija aiming to finding solution that would ensure peace and stability.

Petkovic: Kurti attempts to destabilise situation with unilateral decisions (Radio KIM)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director, Petar Petkovic said Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti with his message that he has no intention to establish a Community of Serb Municipalities “brutally tramples over agreements from Brussels”, Radio KIM reports.

“At the moment, when the international community has never been more vocal in calling for the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities, Kurti even more convinced says he is not interested in this crucial obligation of Pristina. It would be better for Kurti to start immediately with the formation of the ZSO and respect the agreement, rather than hurrying with a unilateral decision to call extraordinary elections in four municipalities in the north of Kosovo and Metohija and to threaten to fill police positions north of the Ibar River", Petkovic said in press statement.

Petkovic also accused Kurti of trying to destabilise the situation in the municipalities in the north of Kosovo with his decisions.

"Not a single letter of the agreement gives Kurti right to fill the police positions in the north of Kosovo and Metohija with Albanian policemen, nor to make unilateral decisions about extraordinary elections in the municipalities in the north where Serbs make up 95 percent of the population, who no longer wish to endure oppression and cruelty of Albin Kurti", Petkovic added.

Petkovic also pointed out that Serbs will not agree to the licence plates nor to imposed elections or Albanian policemen from the south.

Rakic and Simic meet EULEX Head, discuss security situation in northern Kosovo (Kosovo Online)

Serbian List President and Deputy President, Goran Rakic and Igor Simic discussed yesterday with Head of EULEX Lars Gunnar Wigemark about the security situation, Kosovo Online portal reports.

“Serbian List President Goran together with Deputy President Igor Simic discussed today about the current political and security situation in the north of Kosovo and Metohija with EULEX Head Lars Gunnar Wigemark”, Simic wrote in a post on Facebook.

Vucic: China has always demonstrated its sincere friendship (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Tuesday hosted a working lunch for representatives of Chinese companies operating in Serbia.

"I am grateful to our Chinese friends and partners for the exceptional cooperation, for the shared vision of progress in our country and for any assistance provided to us even in the toughest of times, both during the COVID-19 pandemic and today, when the entire world is facing a serious energy crisis," Vucic wrote in a post on his buducnostsrbijeav Instagram profile.

He expressed gratitude for all Chinese investments and China's support to Serbia, as well as for the fact that, with its actions, China "has always demonstrated that it is a sincere friend of Serbia".

"I am particularly happy with the launch of a new Belgrade-Tianjin airline route, which will connect our countries and peoples further, and we also discussed new infrastructure and energy projects of huge significance for our Serbia. Thank you for being with us today - Serbia will always be your sincere and dependable partner and friend," Vucic added.

Another Serbian cemetery renamed on Google maps, this one to Illyrian (Kosovo Online)

After the Serbian Orthodox cemetery in Vitina was renamed to “Orthodox Albanian cemetery” two days ago, another Orthodox cemetery in Zitinje village, located in the same municipality, has been renamed, this one to “Illyrian cemetery”, Kosovo Online portal reports.

Serbs left Zitinje village following the conflict in 1999 and moved to Klokot. Commenting on the act of renaming the cemetery they said they feel sad and disappointed.

"Sadly, when we heard about Vitina, it was devastating to us what is being done to Serbian cemeteries and Serbian properties, and when we heard about Zitinje after that, we were really taken aback. We think they will not stop at this and that already tomorrow another cemetery in Kosovo will be renamed", they told the portal.

They added it is even sadder because the cemetery is located in the yard of a church in Zitinje.

Three prosecutors from other areas temporarily transferred to Basic Prosecution in Mitrovica North (KoSSev)

Following resignations of the Serb prosecutors at the Basic Prosecution in Mitrovica, the acting chief prosecutor Besim Kelmendi, made the decision to temporarily transfer three prosecutors from other areas to the prosecutor’s office in Mitrovica North, KoSSev portal reports.

“Transferred prosecutors will work at the Basic Department of the Prosecution in Mitrovica, affected by resignations of prosecutors of the Serb ethnicity”, Kelmendi said.

The statement also said that depending upon circumstances, the chief prosecutor will immediately act in line with the law, situation and the needs of Basic Prosecution in Mitrovica.

Licence plates crisis is ongoing in Kosovo, following the decision of the Kosovo authorities to divide implementation of the decision into phases that culminated in departure of Serbs from all Kosovo institutions, including all judges, prosecutors and administrative staff in the north.

Investigation into mistreatment of Miodrag Milicevic, NGO Aktiv Director initiated (Kosovo Online)

Kosovo Police Inspectorate has initiated preliminary investigation into the claims of non-government organisation Aktiv Executive Director, Miodrag Milicevic that he was mistreated physically and verbally by members of Kosovo special police unit near Jarinje crossing point, Kosovo Online portal reports.

“Kosovo Police Inspectorate confirms that a preliminary investigation based on the claims of a complainant and request of the Ministry of Internal Affairs has started”, Arber Beka, spokesperson of the inspectorate said.

Milicevic earlier said the mistreatment took place on November 14, in the morning hours.

Serbia to get honorary consul in Singapore (Tanjug)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic presented on Tuesday in Singapore a patent letter to Serbia's new Honorary Consul Calvin Cheng Ern Lee, Tanjug news agency reports.

Brnabic said this was an important step towards advancement of friendly relations as well as economic and investment cooperation.

Lee said he was honoured by the invitation from Serbia to become its honorary consul to Singapore and added that the two countries had many things in common and could learn a lot from each other in complex geopolitical times.

Brnabic and Lee agreed that the new honorary consul to Singapore would help to establish direct contacts between the two countries.

RTS: 100,000 Russians and 18,000 Ukrainians in Serbia (N1)

Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, some 18,000 Ukrainians have fled to Serbia, while over 100,000 Russians have registered their stay in Serbia, N1 reports citing Serbian public broadcaster RTS.

The public media service said that 600 students from Russia and Ukraine have enrolled in Serbian schools and that the Russians and Ukrainians have not only changed the demographic picture of Serbia but also the labour and real estate markets.

Apartment rental prices in Belgrade almost tripled in the past two months, while Russian nationals told BETA that it is practically impossible to rent an apartment in downtown Belgrade for under 1,000 Euro per month.

Both Ukrainian and Russian children attend Serbian schools, but their status is different. Ukrainians are treated as refugees, and Russians as foreign nationals.

The Education Ministry told RTS that there are no foreign teachers in Serbia, including Russian and Ukrainian, because that is not envisaged by our educational system.

RFE: Elections in the north of Kosovo between law and politics (RFE)

In an article published yesterday, Radio Free Europe in Serbian (RFE) writes that “while Kosovo Central Election Commission (CEC) has started preparations for the organisation of snap elections for mayors in four municipalities in the north of Kosovo, the Serbian List said they, as well as the citizens supporting them, will not take part in the election process”.

Dusan Radakovic from NGO Advocacy Centre for Democratic Culture (ACDC) opined that CEC can organise extraordinary elections for mayors in municipalities in the north of Kosovo, but they will not have any legitimacy without the participation of the Serbian community.

On the other hand, the security expert, Plator Avdiu, opined that Kosovo police has experience to maintain order and peace during the election process, but noted that any kind of escalation of the situation must be avoided.

Commenting on the possible presence of international observers of the elections, Radakovic said there would be nothing to monitor if members of the Serbian community do not participate in the upcoming elections.

“You know that I, as Democracy in Action, organise the entire (election) process, observers at each polling station, but if we don’t have schools, if we don’t have people from the municipal election commission, it’s impossible to organise”, Radakovic pointed out.

Alen Meta from NGO “Democracy for Development” told Radio Free Europe yesterday that the boycott of the Serbian List will call into question the legitimacy of the elections, adding the problems may arise because of this.

“There may be pressure on citizens not to participate in the elections, and as a result, there may be a situation where the legitimacy of the newly elected mayor is reduced. Then it may affect the increase of tensions among citizens in the north”, Meta said. He also believes that greater participation of international observers during this election process was necessary.

Radakovic also said prior to 2013, Kosovo elections were held in some private facilities in the north and noted that those elections did not have any legitimacy. He opined that, if there would be continued insistence on holding the elections in the north, there may be an escalation.

Danas daily on the elections in northern Kosovo: There would be new conflicts on ground

“Holding of local elections in four municipalities in the north of Kosovo and Metohija can only lead to a deepening of the crisis”, political analyst Ognjen Gogic told Danas daily, commenting on decision of Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani to call for extraordinary local elections for December 18 in four northern municipalities.

Gogic and other interlocutors Danas interviewed said they think that Serbs in northern Kosovo will boycott those elections and their results will not be legitimate.

Gogic said that on one hand, it is understandable that Kosovo institutions do not have the option not to take steps towards the formation of new local government bodies.

“There are legally defined deadlines for holding of elections, and institutions must take appropriate actions ex officio. On the other hand, the situation on the ground is such that it will probably not be possible to organise the elections in the right way, and that their results will not have full legitimacy”, he argued.

“As things stand now, Serbs in the north will boycott the elections. It will not be only a boycott of the Serbian List, but a general boycott that will be joined by other opposition groups and the citizens themselves from the Serbian community”, he added.

“Albanians and Bosniaks may take part in the elections, and their number is significant only in North Mitrovica. The election results and the new authorities that will be formed after them will not have the necessary legitimacy. Serbs will not accept those bodies, nor the decisions they would make. This would lead to new conflicts on the ground”, he stressed.

He also highlighted the probable problems related to security and logistical conditions for the elections and whether they could be held at all. According to him, instead of calling for elections it would be reasonable to start discussion on formation of transitional or provisional administrations in northern municipalities.

Former minister for Kosovo and Metohija Goran Bogdanovic said there are no conditions for elections to be held.

“As long as there are tensions and until Serbs return to the institutions, elections cannot be held. With such a decision, additional tensions are created, which do not lead to the de-escalation of the problem. Albanians can theoretically take the seats, but I don’t believe they can do it”, he said.

Milica Andric Rakic from the New Social Initiative said the deadline to call for snap local elections in four municipalities in the north of Kosovo and Metohija is in accordance with the law, but not with the reality on the ground.

“The decision itself is a continuation of the attempt by Kosovo central institutions to act as if everything is normal and to assure the majority population that the system is working. Tensions are already too high and additional escalation may be far before December 18. If the elections do take place, it is quite possible that the representatives of the local parties representing the Albanian community will replace the Serbs in these four municipalities”, she said.

Vucic met Greek Ambassador, thanked him for Greek support to territorial integrity of Serbia (Kosovo Online)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic hosted a farewell visit to the Greek Ambassador to Serbia, Yorgos Diacofotakis and thanked him for the contribution he has made during his tenure on relations between the two states, Kosovo Online portal reports.

Vucic also expressed gratitude over Greek support to Serbia’s EU path and consistent and principled support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia, as well as in protecting the vital state and national interests.

Vucic stressed that Greece enjoys high respect in the Serbian population, and that centuries long bonds and friendship between two peoples are marked by closeness and firmness.

Ambassador Diacofotakis previously met with the Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic as well.

International

Disinformation everywhere (Kosovo 2.0)

From Ukraine and the north of Kosovo to inflation and visa liberalisation.

It’s become clear throughout 2022 that malinformation and disinformation are not a declining phenomena. Information disorder is spreading and changing its shape by adopting new digital tools, applications and platforms.

Disinformation and malinformation about Covid-19 prevailed in 2020 and 2021. This year, the spread of malinformation continues, but now in the sphere of global security.

In contrast to Covid-19 disinformation, whose sources and purposes were widespread and largely unknown, disinformation about security had a common source — state propaganda. When Russia invaded Ukraine in February of this year, a coordinated campaign to create and distribute disinformation through state propaganda became increasingly evident.

Disinformation about the Russian invasion was prominent in the digital space worldwide, including in the Albanian language media landscape.

In addition to the events in Ukraine, the media landscape in Kosovo was permeated with disinformation about other topics, such as the tensions in the north of Kosovo, the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue and inflation.