Albanian Language Media:

• President Osmani attends Ahtisaar's funeral (media)
• Scholz talks about security in Kosovo: Germany stands by NATO (Klan)
• Hovenier: The association will not have executive powers (media)
• Kosovo and Serbia do not benefit financially if they do not progress in dialogue (RTK)
• Assembly approves statement in support of EP Resolution on the attack in Banjska (Kallxo)
• Special Prosecutor's Office invites Minister Haxhiu for interview on Dehari case (media)
• Mortal remains found in Prekaz, suspected to be of missing persons in the war (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Petkovic: Pristina's referring on the Constitutional Court of Kosovo cannot annul Resolution 1244 (Danas, Kosovo Online, RTS)
• Jeremic: After der Leyen’s visit no dilemma that Franco-German proposal means recognition of Kosovo (Danas, BETA)
• Dacic: Serbia to submit candidacy for UNESCO Executive Council (RTV, Tanjug)
• Zeqiri says work in Zubin Potok municipality goes normally, calls Krasniqi ‘party’s militant’ (Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic confirmed participation in new round of negotiations with Pristina on November 16 (Kosovo Online, RTV, Tanjug)
• Kapetanovic: Financial fine and court proceeding for usurper of socially owned property in Caglavica (Radio KIM)
• Lucic: Kurti wants to shut down MTS in Kosovo, we managed to avoid his trap (Kosovo Online, TV Prva)
• United Media brings Forbes to Serbia (N1)
• Media: Indictment raised against Self-determination members over statements on release on bail of Dejan Pantic (KoSSev, Kosovo Online)

International:

• Online Disinformation Surges in Balkans Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict (Balkan Insight)

 

 

Albanian Language Media  

 

President Osmani to attend Ahtisaar's funeral (media)

The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, has traveled to Finland. Through a press release, it is announced that President Osmani, at the invitation of the Finnish government, along with heads of state from other countries of the world, will participate in the funeral of the former president of Finland and the chief negotiator for the status of Kosovo, Martti Ahtisaari.

Former president Fatmir Sejdiu will also be in the state delegation of the President.

President Ahtisaari's funeral will be held on November 10.

Martti Ahtisaari, the former main mediator of the United Nations Organization (UN) for the resolution of the status of Kosovo, at the same time the former president of Finland, died on 16.10. 2023, at the age of 86.

Scholz talks about security in Kosovo: Germany stands by NATO (Klan)

The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, mentioned the security situation in Kosovo, specifically how the presence of KFOR is very necessary to protect against tensions.

"NATO is the guarantor of security in the Western Balkans, in Kosovo through KFOR. Germany is participating in this mission through military forces. The recent tensions prove to us how important their presence there is. And KFOR must be in a position to react to all developments," he said.

Scholz gave this statement during the reception he gave to NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg, who is visiting Berlin.

Hovenier: The association will not have executive powers (media)

The U.S. ambassador to Kosovo Jeffrey Hovenier, has said that the new draft statute for the Association of municipalities with a Serb majority, proposed by the European Union and the USA, is in accordance with the Constitution of Kosovo. However, he said that the Constitutional Court will give the last word.

"We believe it is and we have written it in a way that is consistent with the Constitution of the country. But really it is only an institution that can finally make the decision whether it is in accordance with the Constitution of the country or not. This is the Constitutional Court. As Prime Minister Kurti said on Friday in the Assembly, one of the provisions of this draft statute is for it to go to the Constitutional Court to review and make that determination before it enters into force. I think that many of these questions and almost hysterical comments about the constitutionality of this draft statute are wrong, because careful work has been done in drafting the statute and the provisions in force to ensure that the only body in Kosovo that actually has the ability and authority to determine its constitutionality, the Constitutional Court will have the opportunity to do so before it enters into force", Hovenier emphasized.

Regarding whether there is any deadline or time frame when Kosovo should submit this statute and why this document is being kept secret, Hovenier answered: "There is nothing secret here, but diplomatic negotiations and sensitive engagements of the international community with governments are often done under discretionary conditions. Because conditions of discretion are more suitable for reaching common understandings and advancing things. Regardless of whether it is about the agreements in the dialogue, whether it was about Rambouillet, about the Ahtisaari negotiations, or other things. There is a time when things are made public and when confidentiality is required. At an appropriate time, the public will have the opportunity to evaluate the draft statute. That time will be determined by a suitable combination of governments and Miroslav Lajcak".

Hovenier further said that it is not only the Association that must be implemented, but all the obligations deriving from the Basic Agreement and the Implementation Annex in Ohrid.

"If you read the statements of the German chancellor, the French president, the prime minister of Italy, I must say it is extraordinary that these high European leaders are directly involved in this process to help Kosovo move forward on the European, Euro-Atlantic and normalization path of relations with Serbia, for the benefit of both countries, and in particular the people of Kosovo. They use words like urgent, as soon as possible and things like that. There is urgency, there is a desire to see that you walk forward. This is part of our talks with the government now. There is no reason for the government of Kosovo not to proceed with this draft statute. The Prime Minister expressed his willingness to accept it in its entirety only a few weeks ago. We are working to see it through as one element of our wider strategy. This is not just about the Association, nor can it be. It is about the full implementation of all obligations received by Kosovo and Serbia with the Basic Agreement and the Implementation Annex in Ohrid. So, this is what we want to see", Hovenier said.

The U.S. ambassador has said that his country strongly believes that the Association of municipalities with a Serb majority will be in accordance with the current Constitution of Kosovo and will be formed based on the decision of the Constitutional Court and will not be a new layer of power.

Asked if the Serbs are being offered autonomy, he answered: "First of all, I was surprised by the number of people who are interpreting a draft statute that they have not seen. This is a pretty impressive trick. And after all, those who haven't seen the draft probably don't have much reason to give their opinion. I can say what I said earlier. The USA strongly believes that the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities should be in accordance with the current Constitution of Kosovo. It must be in accordance with the decision of the Constitutional Court, and it must not be an additional layer of power, i.e. it must not have executive powers. I don't see how you can have autonomy under these circumstances. You don't have it. I firmly believe that this draft statute that has been presented to the government of Kosovo fulfills these criteria. As you said, the responsibility lies with the Constitutional Court to decide this. In the draft statute, as the Prime Minister said, there is a provision to ensure that that review takes place and is acted upon before it comes into effect. I don't think this is something to worry about."

Kosovo and Serbia do not benefit financially if they do not progress in the dialogue (RTK)

If there is no progress in the process of normalizing relations, neither Kosovo nor Serbia will be able to benefit from the Growth Plan of the European Commission, which this institution approved for the countries of the Western Balkans, which concerns the large financial package in the amount of 6 billion euros for the period 2024-2027.

However, in order to benefit from these funds, all the countries of the region must respect, as stated, effective democratic mechanisms, including the multi-party parliamentary system, the rule of law, and human rights, including those of minorities.

Unlike other countries of the Western Balkans, Kosovo and Serbia have an additional criterion:

"Another precondition will be that Serbia and Kosovo engage constructively in the normalization of their relations with the aim of fully implementing all their respective obligations arising from the Agreement on the Road to Normalization and its Implementation Annex, as well as all past Dialogue Agreements and engage in negotiations for the Comprehensive Agreement for the normalization of relations", it is specified in the EC Growth Plan.

According to officials in Brussels, neither country will benefit from the funds until there is progress in the dialogue.

Otherwise, within the amount of 6 billion euros that have been allocated according to the Growth Plan, up to 2 billion euros are planned to go in the form of assistance without return, while another 4 billion, in favorable loans and capital investments.

Assembly approves statement in support of EP Resolution on the attack in Banjska (Kallxo)

With 86 votes in favor, the Assembly of Kosovo has approved the statement in support of the European Parliament Resolution dated October 19, 2023 on the latest developments in the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue, including the situation in the northern municipalities of Kosovo after the terrorist attack in Banjska. This statement was presented in the Assembly from the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK). Today, before it was put to the vote, at the request of the Vetevendosje Movement, the parliamentary groups have asked for a few minutes to consult among themselves in order to once again review the text of this resolution. For this statement, the Assembly of Kosovo called a special session, which was boycotted by the MPs of the ruling Vetevendosje party, who did not participate. The European Parliament, through a session, approved the Resolution that condemns the terrorist attack on the Kosovo police in Banjska of Zvecan on September 24. The attack left police officer Afrim Bunjaku dead and two other officers injured. The resolution includes 28 points with contributions from different political groups within the European Parliament.

Special Prosecutor's Office invites Minister Haxhiu for interview on Dehari case (media)

The Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, has announced that she has been invited by the Special Prosecutor's Office for an interview regarding the case of Astri Dehari.

She has published a document, according to which, the special prosecutor Afrim Shefkiu, requests that the minister be interviewed as a witness in the case of Astrit Dehari, due to an article she wrote.

Haxhiu said that it is the responsibility of the prosecutor Afrim Shefkiu to show who the murderers are, while she said that she will give her testimony on this case.

Mortal remains found in Prekaz, suspected to be of missing persons in the war (media)

The governmental Commission for Missing Persons has announced that during the excavations they did in the village of Prekaz, in Skenderaj, they came across mortal remains, which could potentially be those of missing persons.

"After the excavations at the location of Arbane, Prizren, today during the day, the teams of the Government Commission for Missing Persons, the Institute of Forensic Medicine and the Police Directorate for the Investigation of War Crimes, continued the excavations at the location of the cemetery in the village of Prekaz, Skenderaj. After several hours of digging, the teams have encountered and exhumed the remains of the victims who may be on the list of missing persons", the Commission's announcement on Facebook states.

The announcement states that the excavations are still continuing and that after the DNA results, the possible identifications of these bodies will be announced.

 

 

 

Serbian Language Media

 

Petkovic: Pristina's referring on the Constitutional Court of Kosovo cannot annul Resolution 1244 (Danas, Kosovo Online, RTS)

The director of the Office of the Government of Serbia for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, assessed today that Pristina's referring on the Kosovo Constitutional Court on the occasion of considering the draft Statute of the Community of Serbian Municipalities, which, as he assessed, "does not have any credibility outside of individual cabinets or foreign embassies", cannot suspend or repeal United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999, reported Danas. 

"The Community of Serbian Municipalities will never be a non-governmental organization within the framework of which the representatives of certain Western representative offices in Pristina would like to place it," said Petkovic and pointed out that "all agreements on the Statute of the CSM, according to the agreements from 2013 and 2015, must be in accordance with the Constitution of Serbia, the UN Charter and Resolution 1244 of the UN Security Council".

"The CSM with concrete and clearly defined competences for the Serbian people was negotiated more than ten years ago in Brussels, and not a single statement, nor anyone's wish list, can cancel what was guaranteed by the entire European Union and what was signed by the representatives of Belgrade and Pristina," Petkovic said in a statement.

He assessed that the CSM represents the only mechanism for the survival and stay of Serbian people in Kosovo, and that Pristina's refusal to fulfill its commitment from the dialogue for ten years enabled the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, to "implement terror".

Jeremic: After der Leyen’s visit no dilemma that Franco-German proposal means recognition of Kosovo (Danas, BETA)

President of Peoples’ Party (NS) Vuk Jeremic said yesterday that following the visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyan to Belgrade there is no longer a dilemma that Franco-German proposal means recognition of Kosovo, Danas daily reports.

Jeremic told Insider TV there is no place for such a dilemma, adding that von der Leyen “explicitly, in the middle of Belgrade told the media it is a plan for Kosovo recognition”.

He also said upcoming elections are the last chance to change the current political course because Serbia is on the way of that plan’s implementation. According to him Serbia should not take sides in the conflict of major powers, it should rather be militarily neutral, and should not impose sanctions to anyone, except to those decided by UN SC.  

Dacic: Serbia to submit candidacy for UNESCO Executive Council (RTV, Tanjug)

Serbia will submit candidacy for UNESCO Executive Council, Foreign Affairs Minister Ivica Dacic said, Radio Television of Vojvodina (RTV) reports.

Addressing the 42 session of UNESCO General Conference in Paris, Dacic said he expects support from other UNESCO member states for this candidacy, adding Serbia will justify the confidence placed in it.

He also spoke about endangered Serbian cultural heritage in Kosovo, which is under UNESCO protection. He said this heritage is exposed to constant attempts to rename it, revision of undeniable historic facts and physical desecration.

“International forces tasked with safeguarding Serbian and world cultural heritage are deployed at certain cultural monuments. I believe you are familiar in detail with tragic facts when it comes to our cultural heritage in Kosovo and Metohija and permanent endangerment of its protection”, Dacic said.

Zeqiri says work in Zubin Potok municipality goes normally, calls Krasniqi ‘party’s militant’ (Kosovo Online)

Albanian mayor of Zubin Potok municipality Izmir Zeqiri said Kosovo Minister of Administration and Local Self-Governance Elbert Krasniqi is “a party’s militant”, Kosovo Online portal reports citing Ekonomia Online.

Krasniqi earlier expressed doubts that Zvecan and Zubin Potok mayors can not address requests of people because, as he said, they work from alternative locations.

Zeqiri said the work in the municipality goes normally, adding that they receive on a daily basis “dozens of requests for services and that the office for civil registration, passports, ID cards, firefighter services, and department for social services function for all citizens”. 

Petkovic confirmed participation in new round of negotiations with Pristina on November 16 (Kosovo Online, RTV, Tanjug)

Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, accepted the invitation of the EU's special representative for dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, and will participate in the new round of dialogue with Pristina scheduled for November 16 in Brussels, reported Kosovo Online. The information was confirmed for Tanjug by the Office for KiM.

As it was said, Petkovic will travel to Brussels with his expert team at the highest level.

"Belgrade has always been a credible and constructive party in the dialogue and is ready for all open issues to be resolved at the negotiating table, while Pristina refuses or conditions the talks. Director Petkovic immediately responded positively to the EU's invitation for a new round of dialogue on Thursday, as we did and to the previous proposal for dialogue on November 7, which (Besnik) Bislimi rejected. Our side will consistently and persistently insist on the de-escalation of the situation in the north of Kosovo and Metohija as soon as possible, as well as the stopping of the crisis generated by Pristina with its unilateral and violent actions, and also a crucially important segment will be the talks on the formation of the CSM, where Belgrade will insist on all guaranteed rights for the Serbian people in accordance with the agreements from 2013 and 2015," said the Office for KiM, reported Kosovo Online.

Kapetanovic: Financial fine and court proceeding for usurper of socially owned property in Caglavica (Radio KIM)

Director of Gracanica municipal inspection department Aleksandar Kapetanovic confirmed to Media Center that works on a socially owned land plot in Caglavica have been completed on November 7, before municipal inspection came to the spot, Radio KIM reports.

He also said the inspection banned the works on this location previously.

“Since order from the inspector to halt further works has not been respected they issued a mandatory financial fine. Further legal actions will be undertaken and the case will be sent to responsible judicial institutions as well”, he said.

Media Center added that in the coming days it will request from Gracanica municipal inspection department further details related to the amount of financial fine, order of inspection to halt the works, and name of the investor who carried out the works.

Construction on municipal property in Caglavica started two and a half months ago when a foundation was made on the ground, and two weeks ago additional works on the upper part of the foundation have been done.

Lucic: Kurti wants to shut down MTS in Kosovo, we managed to avoid his trap (Kosovo Online, TV Prva)

The CEO of Telekom Serbia, Vladimir Lucic told TV Prva that Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has a plan and goal to completely shut down MTS in Kosovo, reported Kosovo Online. 

He recalled for TV Prva that MTS has been operating in Kosovo for ten years and that everything is in accordance with the Brussels Agreement, as well as that the company had no problems in business until Kurti came to power.

"MTS is the largest Serbian company in Kosovo, has 250 employees and offers Internet and TV channels from Serbia to 30,000 households. We are one of the most important factors contributing to the attempt to create a normal life for the Serbs who remained living in Kosovo and Metohija. Our company had no major problems until Kurti's administration came. On August 4th, they tried to shut us down completely and somehow hinted at what their main goal was. They want to shut down the biggest Serbian company and investment in Kosovo. They are doing this with the help of the Albanian mayors of the municipalities in the north, so they are giving work permits to other operators who are now covering the North of Kosovo with their networks," Lucic said.

"Obviously, the goal of the Kurti administration is clear. After that attempt to shut down MTS, when with the help of the international community we managed to solve that problem and for them to withdraw the decision to shut us down, every week we have new challenges. Of course, they will never give up the pressure on our company. We have new battles all the time. They warn us that we have to turn off some channels such as RTS, Happy or Pink, because they allegedly broadcast unconstitutional content. We always defend ourselves legally because you cannot threaten media freedom. In the rest of Serbia, we broadcast Croatian, Albanian or Sarajevo channels and we have never censored them, nor has any regulator analyzed what those channels broadcast. In Kosovo, on the other hand, every week you have pressure on that occasion so that they find some procedural error and try to shut us down again," Lucic said. 

He added that the attack on the MTS company is ''always joined by employees from the United Group'', and this time it was seen in connection with the re-registration of vehicles.

"The re-registration of vehicles is underway down there and the Pristina MIA is informing the citizens about it. It sent one generic message across all operators. It was completely clear that we, as the operator, responsibly conveyed that message and did not change it, because in that case they would again look for a reason to shut us down. However, United Group made a spin that we as Telekom are inviting people to re-register vehicles which is a big lie,'' Lucic said among other things. 

He added that the company will continue to be strong and even solve an issue of mobile telephony. 

''They do not call a tender for that issue because they know that we will be the strongest. We are working with the international community to solve it, so that we can be even stronger in Kosovo," he said.

United Media brings Forbes to Serbia (N1)

United Media said on Thursday that it will start publishing five Forbes magazine digital editions in the region on November 14.

“United Media is proud to announce the launch of five licensed digital editions of the renowned global business magazine FORBES as of November 14. New sites will be launched in Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina,” a press release said.

“FORBES, as the global authority on business and economic information, has a deeply rooted tradition in informing business people across the world. The new platforms will be a source of relevant information and an inspiration for decision makers and shapers of the economic reality in the Adriatic region.

“Readers will have access to original FORBES content in their own language as well as exclusive stories about people in the region who initiate change, transform business and have a significant influence on society.

“The portals will be managed by experienced editors and journalists who will make sure that local content is adapted to the needs of the audience. They will be the key players in promoting regional achievements, exploring innovations and giving a voice to the leaders and entrepreneurs who shape the future of these markets.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/42e5e2a9

Media: Indictment raised against Self-determination members over statements on release on bail of Dejan Pantic (KoSSev, Kosovo Online)

Kosovo Special Prosecution raised indictments against Self-determination Movement spokesperson Arlind Manxhuka, Pristina assembly member Egzon Azemi and two more persons with initials K.E. and E.Z., KoSSev portal reports citing Pristina-based Koha.

As prosecution said indictment against Manxhuka and Azemi was raised in relation with criminal act of “inciting discord and intolerance”, and relate to their statements on release on bail of Dejan Pantic, former Kosovo police officer arrested at Jarinje crossing point under accusations of committing “terrorist act in complicity”. The indictment also said that Manxhuka and Azemi “by misuse of official authority on Facebook social media” deliberately spreaded and incited hatred and intolerance against prosecutor A.Sh. and judge M.B., regarding their decision to change the detention measure imposed on Pantic.

Meanwhile, an indictment was also raised against K.E. and E.Z., for a criminal act of “intimidation” as they threatened A.Sh. and M.B..  

Manxhuka said he has no information about the indictment, while Azemi said he received nothing officially but was informed about it from the media, the portal added.

The Kosovo Online portal reporting on the indictment against Manxhuka and Azemi said that Kosovo Interior Minister Xhellal Svecla also criticized the decision of the judicial bodies regarding Pantic, saying it has nothing to do with justice.

Referring to Pantic as “terrorist” Svelca said that measures imposed by the judiciary have nothing to do with justice.

“Police arrest terrorists, they buy freedom with the money. Today we have seen that terrorist Dejan Pantic, who violated the constitutional order of the Republic of Kosovo and last year attacked police and CEC (Central Election Commission), was released by the court. From house arrest, on bail. Neither the first nor the second measure have nothing to do with justice”, Svecla is quoted as saying, Kosovo Online portal reported.

 

 

 

International 

 

Online Disinformation Surges in Balkans Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict (Balkan Insight)

Bloodshed in the Middle East is spurring disinformation in the Balkans, while journalists in Turkey and Romania deal with online harassment.

In the Balkans in October, disinformation surged amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, while journalists in Turkey and Romania faced online harassment and disinformation campaigns.

Concurrently, a distressing trend targeted women and the elderly with online scams in Serbia and Croatia. Finally, Albania and Montenegro experienced digital rights violations, including the distribution of explicit content and privacy breaches.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/2p9jz6yj