UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 15, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti officially submits Kosovo's application for EU membership in Prague (media)
Osmani: The time of border traders has ended once and for all (media)
Kurti has travelled to Prague, at 13:00 he submits the application for the EU (RTK)
Kosovo: by receiving candidate status, dynamics in dialogue would accelerate (Koha)
PDK does not participate in the President's annual speech (RTK)
AAK also boycotts Osmani's annual address to the Assembly (media)
Borrell: Barricades must be removed; let’s return to discussions (Koha)
Varhelyi on visa liberalisation: Work for the fight against crime gave results (Klan)
Albanian President welcomes Kosovo application for EU membership (media)
Peci: Serb population is in the most difficult position in the north (Nacionale)
New barricades set up in the north (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

EULEX chief: We don’t know exactly where Pantic is being held (N1, RTS, Kosovo Online, Srna)
Wigemark with Rakic discuss security situation, rule of law in northern Kosovo (Kosovo Online, social media)
Day six at barricades in northern Kosovo (RTS)
Hill: Serbia has right to address KFOR, however, political solution is needed (N1)
Vucic: Pristina officially violates Washington agreement, Belgrade response this evening (Tanjug)
Dacic: Pristina's EU membership bid a political marketing move (media)
DefMin: Wrong assumption that Serbia doesn’t know what it’s doing (N1)
Mitrovica North Assembly gets new speaker (N1)
Djuric on appointment of new municipal councillors in Mitrovica North (Tanjug, social media)
Vucic: Conversation with Lajcak, Escobar fair, sincere (Tanjug)
Trajkovic kept at the Merdare crossing, then allowed to cross to Kosovo (KiM radio, N1, Danas, NMagazin)
Momirovic: Food and fuel supplies under threat in Kosovo north (Tanjug)

International:

Kosovo officially applies for EU membership in symbolic act (Al Jazeera)
Serbian president holds talks with EU, US officials on de-escalation with Kosovo (AA)

Albanian Language Media

Kurti officially submits Kosovo's application for EU membership in Prague (media)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti officially submitted Kosovo's application for membership in the European Union today in Prague.

"We have come to Prague to reaffirm Kosovo's unchanging commitment to the fundamental values of the EU, freedom, democracy by submitting the EU membership application. It is a historic day for the people of Kosovo and democracy in Europe," Kurti said.

The Prime Minister has added that Kosovo shares the same values with the European Union.

"As we know, when we signed the Stabilization - Association agreement, the five states that did not recognize the state of Kosovo agreed. I do not believe that the minority of member states that do not recognize the independence of Kosovo will be against us to be in the European family," Kurti said.

"The letter that I brought today carries the hopes and dreams of our citizens who have worked very diligently to reach this day. It speaks of our aspirations to join the EU, with which we share the same values," he said.

He submitted this application to the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Osmani: The time of border traders has ended once and for all (media)

The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, said on Thursday in her annual speech in the Assembly of Kosovo, that the idea of changing the borders has gone down once and for all, responding to the opposition's criticism that Kosovo has no foreign policy.

"Kosovo has no foreign policy, some voices are saying. Of course it does. In fact, Kosovo finally has a foreign policy. But I am telling you what Kosovo does not have now. No lobbying to change borders, no paying lobbyists to push purely individual agendas, no paid interviews to promote certain leaders, no flirting with Serbia and Russia for individual interests, no leaders comparing Kosovo with Nagorno-Karabakh and Crimea. The time of border traders has passed once and for all. The challenges are countless in foreign policy, because the mistakes have been big in the past. Together we are building a Kosovo partnership with the international community," Osmani said.

She noted that this year has been a year of challenges and extraordinary circumstances, mentioning the circumstances created in the north, adding that the situation there continues to remain a challenge.

"We have insisted that the state and the law should not only serve a few, but everyone. The north of Kosovo continues to be a challenge due to the territorial claims that Serbia has against Kosovo, which it expresses through the financing and support of criminal structures. Criminal gangs will not be able to overcome the desire of citizens to live freely in our homeland. Gangs don't like the country's law enforcement, but neither do they like the uncompromising fight against crime and corruption. They will face justice for the intimidation they are doing to the citizens. We are all witnesses of Serbia's constant threat to Kosovo. This threat has manifested itself through the hegemonic idea of deploying military troops in Kosovo. The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, knows very well that the presence of the Serbian army in Kosovo ended in 1999," she said.

She thanked the Kosovo Police for protecting Kosovo's interests, and stressed that Kosovo is one and whole and the homeland of all. Osmani said that Serbia should clearly understand that Kosovo is a state and will always remain so, and added that the dialogue should focus on mutual recognition.

"The independence of our state was built with blood and the foundations of the state are stronger than some may think. KSF is making us proud every day. Our strategic orientation could not be clearer. Our target is NATO. During 2022, we have invested in expanding relations with countries and organisations. Our foreign policy is serving the interests of our country as a whole", she said.

She said that the work of the citizens alongside the institutions has made Kosovo consolidate both internally and externally. "We proved that we are a country of potential and a partner and peace-loving country,” she said, calling on the MPs to remember former president Ibrahim Rugova, the symbol of armed resistance, Adem Jashari, the disappeared by violence, the children killed during the war, the abused women, thousands of orphans and the families of the martyrs.

Osmani also mentioned the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's war in Ukraine. She said that Kosovo is the best example of what a people united around the ideal and freedom can achieve.She added that there can be no neutrality between good and bad, stressing that Kosovo has chosen to be on the side of history. She asked for consensus to overcome the crisis.

Kurti has travelled to Prague, at 13:00 he submits the application for the EU (RTK)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti has travelled to Prague, Czech Republic, to submit Kosovo's application for membership in the European Union to the Czech Presidency.

During his stay in Prague, Prime Minister Kurti will first hold a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Jan Lipavsky, and will be received by the Czech Minister for European Affairs, Mikulas Bek.

"At 1:00 p.m., Prime Minister Kurti, on behalf of the Republic of Kosovo, submits Kosovo's application for EU membership to the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The handover ceremony will be accompanied by a joint conference of Prime Minister Kurti and the Minister for European Affairs of the Czech Republic, Mikulas Bek," the government announcement states.

Kosovo: by receiving candidate status, dynamics in dialogue would accelerate (Koha)

The government of Kosovo, in the motivational letter behind the application for obtaining the status of a candidate state in the EU, has called on the EU institutions to take this bold decision, as this would help speed up the processes, including the dialogue. It has been said that while Serbia is in the process of joining the EU, Kosovo is blocked in this regard and that this is also creating asymmetry in the dialogue process.

"The leaders of the EU over time have accepted that the EU is not complete without the Western Balkans - for this purpose, Kosovo will take the decisive step by submitting the application for membership," the motivational letter states.

It is also said that Kosovo has proven itself as a reliable partner of the EU by participating in all regional mechanisms supported by the EU.

According to the government of Kosovo, it has been proven with the last three agreements reached within the Berlin Process that issues can be resolved at the regional level.

"Kosovo has proven to be a stable state and contributes to stability in the Western Balkans. Granting candidate status to Kosovo contributes to the interests of the EU and stimulates cooperation," the letter states.

PDK does not participate in the President's annual speech (RTK)

The Parliamentary Group of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) has announced that it will not be part of the session organised for the annual speech of President Osmani, because it considers it to be a farce and without any content. This is because the Parliamentary Group of the PDK considers that today's organisation of the annual speech of President Vjosa Osmani, before the MP’s of the Assembly, is another show of power, that through the formal rules of reporting before the Assembly, covers the failure of the lack of work of the President.

"President Osmani's non-unifying, highly polarising and divisive language, or her silence when she has the obligation to be at the service of every citizen for fear of not being in agreement with her political partner, are typical examples of a person who is not credible to exercise the state duty that she currently enjoys", it is stated in the announcement of the PDK.

According to the PDK, the examples for this are many, including those of interference in the employment of family members, political dismissals and non-support of employees in the education sector, those of healthcare and civil servants.

The Parliamentary Group of the PDK also assesses that if it were not for the unprincipled tendency of this government to produce such disgusting performances, perhaps this government would have been right to organise this event in the offices of Vetëvendosje in front of the activists of this party, and not before of the MPs.

"We remember only some of the actions of President Osmani against the independent institutions of the Republic: Dismissing Mrs. Daka, has remained silent and defended the most scandalous corruption cases like that of Martin Berishaj, she has not been transparent even during the declaration of her assets, she has not protected the interests of trade unions and citizens, she has not even made a single attempt to establish social and institutional dialogue in Kosovo. With international friends, she has behaved arrogantly and has not even established diplomatic relations internationally. At the national level, she has treated Albania as a quarrelsome party member, thus failing in the fraternal representation of Kosovo and Albania. Ms. Osmani, despite the fact that she is a woman herself, has not taken even a single step towards strengthening the leadership of women in Kosovo, on the contrary, she has caused divisions among them, advancing only the women of power and her phantom party GUXO," assesses PDK.

The President, according to PDK, has never raised her voice for local and international justice.

"In her powers that belong to her, she did not act on security. She did not find time to visit the North and the citizens there, except when she was campaigning for LVV, etc. For these and many other reasons known to citizens, PDK refuses to participate in this session. Our goal is to preserve the integrity of the institution of the Presidency in Kosovo," says the announcement of the PDK.

AAK also boycotts Osmani's annual address to the Assembly (media)

The Parliamentary Group of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) has announced that it will not participate in the Assembly session where President Vjosa Osmani will deliver her annual address.

AAK, through an announcement, says that Osmani has failed to fulfil its unifying duties.

"President Osmani has failed to fulfil her obligations as president of the country, to represent the unity of the people. In most cases, she is at the service of the prime minister, in function of his agenda. Therefore, the Parliamentary Group of AAK refuses to participate in the address of the President of the Republic of Kosovo," it is stated in the announcement of AAK.

Borrell: Barricades must be removed; let’s return to discussions (Koha)

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, called again today to deescalate the situation in the north of Kosovo and to remove the barricades. Before entering the meeting of the EU Council, Borrell said he will inform the leaders about the situation.

“I will inform the leaders about the situation and I will call on everyone in the region to calm the situation and to return to dialogue – which is the only way forward for the European perspective of Kosovo and Serbia. It is absolutely necessary to stop these problems, to remove the barricades and to return to calmness and to return to discussions – discussions about the proposal we have put on the table to look into permanent and coherent solutions for tensions between Pristina and Belgrade,” he said.

Varhelyi on visa liberalisation: Work for the fight against crime gave results (Klan)

The Commissioner for Enlargement and Good Neighbourhood Oliver Varhelyi has welcomed the agreement on visa liberalisation for Kosovo, between the Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament.

“I welcome the agreement on visa liberalisation for Kosovo. Our joint work to fight organised crime brought tangible results on the ground. The EU stands with the people in the Western Balkans” Varhelyi tweeted.

Albanian President welcomes Kosovo application for EU membership (media)

Albanian President Bajram Begaj welcomed Kosovo’s application for membership into the European Union today, calling it an important historical act and wishing Kosovo’s authorities success in meeting the membership requirements.

Begaj also called on all EU member states to support Kosovo’s application, saying that this would be “in the best geopolitical interest of the European Union” and “a contribution to a country and people with clear European and Euro-Atlantic vocation”.

Peci: Serb population is in the most difficult position in the north (Nacionale)

Head of the Pristina-based KIPRED research institute, Lulzim Peci, took to Facebook to say that the Serb population living in the north of Kosovo is in the most difficult position.

Commenting on reports that people at the barricades abused a Serb youth who was trying to send his mother who had suffered a heart attack to the Mitrovica Hospital, Peci wrote: “The Serb population is in the most difficult position in the north of Kosovo, and this is from the combination of criminals with masks and the barricades. These criminals not only beat and harass individuals of the Serb community, but they even go so far as to deny medical care to persons who are ill. Yesterday’s beating by these criminals of a Serb youth who was trying to send his mother who suffered a heart attack to the hospital in Mitrovica shows the grave situation of this population caused by the latest events in the north of Kosovo,” Peci wrote. He also argued that both the Kosovo government and the international presence in the north are failing to protect the Serb population there. “This case should be an alarm bell that this situation cannot continue, first and foremost because of humanitarian reasons and human security,” he said.

New barricades set up in the north (Koha)

The news website reports that new barricades have been set up in the village of Caber in Mitrovica North. Despite repeated calls by international and local institutions to remove the barricades that were set up on December 10, this has not happened and new barricades are now being seen on the roads.

Serbian Language Media

EULEX chief: We don’t know exactly where Pantic is being held (N1, RTS, Kosovo Online, Srna)

The European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) cannot take on the role of the Kosovo police in north Kosovo because its movement is also limited, but is trying to increase patrols in order to make the predominantly Serb population feel safe, said EULEX head of mission Lars-Gunnar Wigemark. Regarding the arrest of former Kosovo police officer Dejan Pantic, he said EULEX has contradictory information and does not know where he is being held, reported N1.

“We have contradictory information. I have received the information that he has received the medicine and I also received the information that he has not received the medicine. We are looking into this, we delivered the medicine to the Kosovo Police in Leposavic and requested that it be delivered to Mr. Pantic who is being held at a location I cannot officially confirm, I am not sure exactly where it is,” Wigemark told Kosovo Online, adding that EULEX was told that the medicine was delivered but that they also have contradictory statements from other sources, reported N1, citing the Serbian public broadcaster (RTS).

Wigemark said EULEX is checking the information on the location at which Pantic is supposedly being held, and that it will send a police unit and an advisor to Leposavic.

Former Kosovo police officer Dejan Pantic was arrested last Saturday at Jarinje crossing point in north Kosovo. He is suspected by the Kosovo Police of organizing “a terrorist attack on the offices of the Central Election Commission” and on the Kosovo police. He was remanded Monday in 30-day custody. Pantic quit the police a month ago along with fellow Serb officers after their regional commander was suspended for refusing to issue warnings and fines to Serb drivers whose vehicles have Serbian-issued licence plates. His son told N1 that Pantic is a heart patient, that he recently had a stent implanted and that he needs his medication.

“It is very important that Mr. Pantic is treated according to all proper standards, that he is kept in a proper detention centre, because I am not sure whether the location where he is physically kept is a correct place under Kosovo law. He has certain rights, to see his lawyer, to be in contact with his family. He also needs to cooperate in terms of making statements, he needs to be aware of the exact charges that have been made. There was a hearing held via video link I understand the other day, and he is now placed under detention on remand for 30 days. We are monitoring this case very closely,” said Wigemark.

EULEX chief said the situation in north Kosovo is not sustainable and that it must not continue indefinitely.

As you know, there are many roadblocks, two crossing points are closed, so people’s freedom and movement are very limited, he explained.

Wigemark described the situation in Kosovo as serious and added that the people are not only worried but also very scared.

He said a security vacuum was created on November 8 when more than 500 police officers in north Kosovo resigned, and added that EULEX has tripled its forces, but that it is not competent to take control in the north instead of the Kosovo police, and that the barricades should be removed peacefully.

“That should be done by those who mounted them,” said Wigemark.

Head of the Serbian Government’s Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic described Wigemark’s statement as “scandalous.”

“The primary task of EULEX in Kosovo is to create the rule of law, and EULEX chief Lars Wigemark does not know where Dejan Pantic is detained, how he is being treated, whether he has seen a lawyer, whether he has seen his family or whether he has received his medication. Scandalous.” said Petkovic, reported N1.

Wigemark with Rakic discuss security situation, rule of law in northern Kosovo (Kosovo Online, social media)

Head of EULEX Mission Lars-Gunnar Wigermark spoke with Serbian List President Goran Rakic about the security situation and rule of law in northern Kosovo, Kosovo Online portal reports.

In a post on Twitter, Wigemark also said Rakic thanked EULEX for monitoring the case of Dejan Pantic, former Kosovo police officer arrested at Jarinje crossing point last Saturday and currently placed under 30-day detention.

“Important discussion with Srpska Lista leader, Goran Rakic, on the security and rule of law situation in northern Kosovo. Rakic thanked @EULEXKosovo for monitoring the case against Dejan Pantić and for trying to deliver medicines to him”, Wigemark wrote.

Day six at barricades in northern Kosovo (RTS)

The last night in northern Kosovo went calm, however, the situation is still tense, RTS reports. Serbs protesting the arrest of former Kosovo police officer Dejan Pantic are still on the barricades, for the sixth day in a row. Kosovo police on the other side still keeps Jarinje and Brnjak crossings closed. The Crisis Committee of Mitrovica North urged people to endure and remain calm.

Chairman of the Entrepreneurs Association in northern Kosovo, Rados Petrovic said the shops in the north are well supplied, same goes for pharmacies, adding that despite certain concerns, residents do not stock supplies.

RTS also reported that the Serbian Government will decide this evening on sending a request to KFOR relating to the return of Serbian security personnel in Kosovo, in line with UN SC Resolution 1244.

Following the session of the government, President Aleksandar Vucic will be guest speaker at “Thursday at 9” broadcast on RTS starting at 21.00 hrs this evening.

Hill: Serbia has right to address KFOR, however, political solution is needed (N1)

Serbian Government as announced earlier will convene a session at the Palace of Serbia this evening, with participation of President Aleksandar Vucic to decide on the request to KFOR related to the return of Serbian security personnel in Kosovo, N1 reports.

The US Ambassador to Serbia, Christopher Hill said the Serbian Government has the right to address KFOR, however, a political solution was necessary.

“This is an issue that remains political and therefore requires a political solution. I see no possibility of a military solution”, Hill said. What needs to be done, he added, is to “calm down the situation and create peace and stability in that area”.

“And that people living there could have clear expectations on what their lives will look like in the future, and that can be achieved through establishing a Community of Serb Municipalities”, he added.

Hill also recalled that US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Gabriel Escobar on Wednesday “has made it clear this is something that will be achieved”.

“So that people could have a clearer picture on how they will live in the future in the areas they have already been for centuries and that would create a return to normalcy by which stability in that area would have been achieved”, he said.

Vucic: Pristina officially violates Washington agreement, Belgrade response this evening (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Pristina by submitting a request for EU membership today has officially violated the Washington agreement, adding Belgrade’s response would be made public this evening following the session of the Serbian Government.

“Today also officially they have violated the Washington agreement, and to all these we shall respond tonight after the session of the government that I am also invited to attend, about our requests related to UN SC Resolution 1244 but also about retracting recognition (of Kosovo) from many states. You will get a precise response”, Vucic told journalists after being asked to comment on Pristina EU membership bid and when Serbia will announce which countries revoked recognition of Kosovo.

Dacic: Pristina's EU membership bid a political marketing move (media)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said on Wednesday that the announced EU membership bid was a political marketing move by Pristina as it required a consensus in the EU.

"A month ago, I said we had information Pristina would submit an EU membership application. We believe such a move is doubly bad - firstly, because it is clear that there is no unity in the position on the status of Kosovo and Metohija and that five countries do not recognise it, and that, to date, no one has been given membership candidate status without status issues being resolved first and, secondly, because in circumstances where Pristina absolutely disrespects all agreements, it is impossible that anyone should consider that", Dacic said.

How EU officials will approach the application is up to the Czech EU presidency, and it remains to be seen whether a procedure will be launched, or it will have to wait for a change of EU presidency, he said.

"That remains unknown for the time being but, from conversations we have had with countries that do not recognise Kosovo - and Hungarian FM Peter Szijjarto has told me the same - they are against it for all the reasons I mentioned and would vote against it if there was a vote on it", he said.

Even if a procedure is launched - which is possible - it implies an EU decision on the bid within a period of about a year, he added. "But, eventually, you still need a consensus, which is non-existent in the EU. That is why I think it is more of a political marketing move for internal political purposes in Kosovo itself", Dacic said.

DefMin: Wrong assumption that Serbia doesn’t know what it’s doing (N1)

Serbian Defense Minister Milos Vucevic described as “terribly wrong” the assumption that Serbia does not know what it is doing and that it does not have a strategy and plans depending on the developments in Kosovo, because it does, N1 reports.

Our military is always awake and ready to react as requested by the state, Vucevic told Happy TV. He asked the Serbs in Kosovo to avoid conflicts with members of the international forces in every possible way.

Vucevic also said that intelligence was received that the Kosovo Albanians have plans and scenarios to mix with the Serbs and attack KFOR members.

Mitrovica North Assembly gets new speaker (N1)

The municipal assembly in the mainly-Serb city of Mitrovica North got a new speaker on Wednesday, drawing fierce protests from the head of the Serbian government’s Office for Kosovo and Metohija, reported N1.

Councillors elected Bosniak Nedzat Ugljanin to head the assembly up to the elections next April. Ugljanin said that the assembly would tackle as few political issues as possible “in the interest of all communities”. According to him the authorities in Mitrovica North belong to the majority Serb community.

“We know the majority community should be the host in this situation but that’s not our fault. … Maybe we will be a transitional authority and leave it up to the host who left his house to return and take care of all communities, especially the majority, since we as a minority community do not get to take care of the majority community. On the contrary, that is what they should be doing. We took on the role for the benefit of the public,” Ugljanin said.

He warned that there is fear among the population and added that the first order of business is to get a report on the situation from the local police chief.

Office for Kosovo and Metohija chief Petar Petkovic condemned the election of the Mitrovica North assembly speaker saying that the Kosovo Albanians used legal violence and unilateral steps to take over the seats on the local council which belong to the Serbs. A statement quoted him as saying that Prime Minister Albin Kurti is trying to create a mono-ethnic Albanian municipality in northern Kosovo.

“This is another violation of existing agreements, as well as Pristina’s internal regulations which are not valid when the remaining rights of the Serbs are being taken away for Kurti’s main goal – a mono-ethnic Kosovo and Metohija without Serbs,” he said and added that the peaceful resistance of the Serbs is justified more than ever.

According to Petkovic, the authorities in Pristina did not give up on holding elections on December 18 to ease tensions but as part of a plan to take over Serb municipalities, reported N1.

Djuric on appointment of new municipal councillors in Mitrovica North (Tanjug, social media)

The Brussels Agreement is dead, Serbian Ambassador to Washington Marko Djuric said on Wednesday, adding that “apartheid had taken hold in Kosovo and Metohija” after Serb members in the North Mitrovica local assembly had been replaced by Pristina earlier in the day.

"Today, in North Mitrovica, the only remaining town with a Serb majority, the Kurti-led government of Kosovo* replaced democratically elected representatives of Kosovo Serbs in the town assembly with Kosovo Albanian representatives. Rest in peace, Brussels Agreement. Good morning, apartheid", Djuric said in a post on Twitter.

Sixteen new members of the assembly - only one of whom is a Serb - were sworn in.

Following a decision of Serbs to leave Pristina's institutions in the north, the central electoral commission in Pristina approved the replacement of Serb members in the North Mitrovica assembly, and ethnic Albanians now have a majority in the body.

Vucic: Conversation with Lajcak, Escobar fair, sincere (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday his meeting with the EU special envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Miroslav Lajcak and US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Gabriel Escobar earlier in the day had been fair and sincere, Tanjug news agency reports.

"A sincere and fair conversation with EU special representative Miroslav Lajcak and US envoy Gabriel Escobar", Vucic wrote in a post on his buducnostsrbijeav Instagram profile that also included a photo from the meeting. The trilateral meeting was held in the building of the General Secretariat of the president of the Republic of Serbia. Vucic previously had a separate meeting with Lajcak.

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic also met Gabriel Escobar in Belgrade and discussed the current situation in Kosovo and Metohija, focusing on the position of Serbs in the north there and unilateral acts by Pristina authorities.

Brnabic noted that arrests of Serbs in Kosovo without any evidence or charges whatsoever represented a violation of all civilisational norms and the fundamental principles of rule of law and, at the end of the day, yet another in a series of violations of signed agreements guaranteed for by the EU. She added Belgrade was fully prepared to continue the dialogue with Pristina, but implementation of already signed agreements and their application on the ground were crucial for continuing the dialogue and for work on potential future agreements.

Trajkovic kept at the Merdare crossing, then allowed to cross to Kosovo (KiM radio, N1, Danas, NMagazin)

The president of the European Movement of Serbs from Kosovo and advisor to Minister Rasic, Rada Trajkovic, announced that she was kept at the Merdare crossing, reported KiM radio.

"I was just detained at the Merdare administrative crossing. I am excluded from the traffic and without explanation I am not allowed to enter Kosovo," wrote Rada Trajkovic on Twitter.

Trajkovic stated that the Serbian police did not allow her to cross the administrative line.

According to Trajkovic, she was to meet representatives of the embassy of the United States of America and the Greek office in Kosovo, reported KiM radio.

"I am asking that I be allowed freedom of movement,'' appealed Trajkovic in a Twitter post, wrote KiM radio portal.

Trajkovic told N1 that as the reason she was not allowed to enter Kosovo, it was stated that '' they are waiting for Belgrade's decision and that she was under some kind of ban".

"I submitted the documents regularly and they excluded me from the traffic, we waited for about 10 minutes and after that I went to ask what it was about, considering that after me, cars passed by quite freely... They said that they were waiting for a decision from Belgrade, that I am under some ban or some special treatment, but they didn't come out and give documents to me," said Trajkovic for N1.

Later in the day, Danas daily reported that after several hours of waiting, Trajkovic was allowed to enter Kosovo.

She said that she was on her way to a meeting with the American ambassador in Pristina, Jeffrey Hovenier.

Momirovic: Food and fuel supplies under threat in Kosovo north (Tanjug)

Serbian Minister of Internal and External Trade Tomislav Momirovic said on Thursday that a critical point was approaching when it comes to staple food and fuel supplies in the north of Kosovo, reported agency Tanjug.

"Due to the mindless moves by the provisional institutions in Pristina, the situation with staple food supplies is more than worrying," Momirovic added in a statement to Tanjug, noting that food shortages could occur in a few days' time.

He called on the Pristina institutions to align their actions with agreements they had accepted and signed in the past to normalize supplies in Kosovska Mitrovica and other municipalities in the north of Kosovo, reported Tanjug.

International

Kosovo officially applies for EU membership in symbolic act (Al Jazeera)

Kosovo has officially applied for membership in the European Union after the signing of a corresponding document by President Vjosa Osmani, Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Parliamentary Speaker Glauk Konjufca in the capital Pristina.

For Europe’s youngest state, Wednesday’s act was rather symbolic: EU membership is currently out of reach for the country, which has been independent since 2008.

Formally, Kosovo only has “potential EU candidate” status. Candidate status, which Bosnia and Herzegovina is expected to receive on Thursday, is not up for discussion.

The main obstacle is that five EU member states – Spain, Romania, Slovakia, Greece and Cyprus – do not recognise Kosovo’s independence.