Albanian Language Media:

• Upclose, Serbian reporters saw a different Kosovo (Kallxo)
• A vehicle set on fire in Leposavic, reportedly belongs to deputy mayor (Koha)
• EU membership, government criticized for not consulting civil society (KSP)
• Citaku: Propaganda, only area where government excels (Koha)
• Albanian Ambassador meets Kosovo Defense Minister (media)
• Serbian flag burned in Hoca e Madhe, “incitement of division, intolerance” (Koha)
• Trajkovic: Vucic accepted Kosovo’s territorial integrity (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: Serbia committed to dialogue and respect for everything agreed upon, Serbs in Kosovo in difficult situation (Tanjug, media)
• Petkovic: On Thursday, continuation of talks between Belgrade and Pristina on statute of CSM (ZSO) (NMagazin, Beta, Blic)
• Residents of Gracanica dissatisfied because of land expropriation (Euronews)
• Dacic: Unacceptable and scandalous relocation of memorial plaque in Pristina (RTV, Kosovo Online)
• Director of CESID condemns relocation of memorial plaque (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Jaksic plans to form an initiative that will advocate for the division of Kosovo (KiM radio)
• Sentic: Setting flag on fire is criminal act, clear condemnation necessary (KoSSev)
• Investigation into the burning of the Serbian flag in Velika Hoca (KiM radio, RTS, N1)
• New flag placed on monument to killed Serbs from Orahovac (Kosovo Online)
• Assembly of the Serbian National Council on November 26 in Belgrade (KiM radio)
• Vehicle of Leposavic municipality vice president set on fire (KoSSev)

Opinion:

• Serwer: The good, the bad and the unwritten (media)

International:

• North Macedonia Seeks to Get Russia’s Lavrov to Skopje for OSCE Meeting (BIRN)

 

Albanian Language Media  

  Upclose, Serbian reporters saw a different Kosovo (Kallxo)

During a three-day visit to places inhabited by ethnic Serbs in Kosovo, Serbian reporters from Belgrade and Novi Sad saw a different reality. “In Serbia, we read propaganda about Kosovo,” they said. 

For Dalibor Stupar, it was his first time walking the streets of Mitrovica North. He was surprised that this part of Kosovo seemed so quiet compared to what they see in the media in Serbia, although he himself is a reporter. 

His biggest surprise was that for three days he saw very little Kosovo Police and KFOR members, despite how the situation in the north is reported by Serbian media. “It is quiet here, although in the beginning I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. 

Stupar works at Autonomija.info, based in Novi Sad, a city in the province of Vojvodina. The reporter blames central media in Serbia which according to him are the tools of President Aleksandar Vucic, and who serve more propaganda than accurate information to the people.

“I didn’t see any barricades or something similar, so it seemed like a normal city to me [Mitrovica North], but I haven’t been here for long, so I cannot say more,” Stupar said in an interview with Kallxo.

Reporters from Serbia came to exchange experiences with Albanian reporters. In this way, both parties believe they can build a stronger base of communication in order not to have biased journalism. 

They stayed for three days and two nights in Gracanica and Mitrovica North. The reporters had the chance to walk the streets in the north and to talk to people there. The difference between what they say everyday in Serbia, their imagination about what is happening in Kosovo and what they saw in Kosovo were very different. 

“We read propaganda about Kosovo,” they say, adding that the media in Serbia present a very dramatic situation in Kosovo. 

In the offices of KoSSev, a local media in the north of Kosovo, together with two reporters from Kosovo, in addition to the political dialogue and the last war, they also talked about the cultures of the two people, marriages, food and everyday life.

“Yes, it is different because in the media there are always reports about incidents and so on, but it doesn’t seem that way. When I was in Pristina it was very beautiful. We went out and we didn’t have any problems, we spoke in Serbian or English because I don’t speak Albanian, so we didn’t have any problems,” he says. 

Tanja Maksic from BIRN Serbia thinks similarly. She says that the media in Serbia have a very limited image of Kosovo in general, and in particular about the north of Kosovo. 

“Representation in Serbia is very limited so even the streets or the bridge in Mitrovica are almost not seen on the main Serbian channels. So for me it was a very important experience to have a chance to see how it looks, to see the stores, the bars, how people act on the street and so on,” Maksic says.

During the discussions, they said several times that citizens in Serbia never hear the voice of Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti from the meetings in the dialogue, because he is never covered directly in the media, but only paraphrased by reporters. 

“The media can show us the other side too, therefore, I think that if reporters get to know one another, it will be better, because we can ask one of them. I can ask you something and you can give some information which I can double check if it is true what the TVs are saying or not,” Stupar says. 

He believes it would be good to have collaborations on some articles with Kosovar reporters to show people the real life. 

Maksic says she regrets that such meetings between reporters from the two countries are not held more often. But she thinks it is very important for a reporter to be on site, to see and to speak with the people and reporters, to exchange experiences and practices of editorial offices, problems with which they are faced and as a result to present strategies for joint solutions. 

Kosovar reporters had the chance to see the work of KoSSev, a media covering the northern municipalities. The director of the news website, Tatjana Lazarevic, appealed to reporters from both countries to avoid partiality. “When it comes to reporting both in Serbian and in Albanian, concretely when we talk about media in Belgrade and media in Pristina, I certainly understand that there are objective reasons why reporters are in a race with time and language barriers and the lack of other resources,” she says.

Lazarevic however says that especially when reporting on tensions, there should at least be more understanding between the parties and to secure an area of communication. 

The two sides were brought together by the “Peer to Peer” initiative of Internews Kosova and BIRN Serbia. Before the exchange, there was a joint study by the two organizations, an analysis that highlighted that the media in both countries do not report properly on everyday life or tensions.

Learning each other’s languages is seen as one of the solutions for reporters to be more accurate in their reporting. 

“In Serbian media, for example, when you see a presentation of what Pristina looks like today, you will usually see the chapels of the university, but when you come here you see that Pristina has grown a lot, there are new buildings, but you won’t see these in our media,” Maksic said.

Kosovar reporters are expected to visit Belgrade and Novi Sad next year, to share experiences with reporters there.

A vehicle set on fire in Leposavic, reportedly belongs to deputy mayor (Koha)

A vehicle was set on fire on Monday evening in Leposavic. According to Serbian news website Kossev, the vehicle belongs to the deputy mayor of Leposavic municipality, Dragana Miletic. Kosovo Police Deputy Director for the north, Veton Elshani, told Koha that the incident cannot be linked to the conversion of illegal plates to RKS plates and that the incident is being investigated. Koha also recalls that in early June, a person was arrested on the suspicion of threatening Miletic.

EU membership, government criticized for not consulting civil society (Kosovapress)

The movement “Fol” [Speak Up] has called on the Kosovo Government to improve consultations and inclusion of interested parties in the process of negotiations for membership in the European Union. After publishing a report today, the non-governmental organization said democratization and developing a civil society are prerequisites for European integration. 

Burbuqe Kastrati from Fol told a press conference today that the report delves into the experiences of countries from the region with the role of civil society, the private sector/chambers of commerce, the academia, and other parties interested in the process of membership negotiations. Mentioning the membership of Slovenia into the EU, she said that one of the factors that had a major contribution to the success of this state was a vibrant civil society sector which was also encouraged by a culture of cooperation with the public institutions. Kastrati however criticized the Kosovo Government for its approach toward civil society and the lack of consultations for the implementation of the Stabilization/Association Agreement. “The government doesn’t engage in preliminary consultations with civil society,” she argued.

Kastrati also made several recommendations, saying that the Kosovo Government should prepare an assessment report about the inclusion of civil society and other parties of interest in the work of structures of Stabilization/Association. She also highlighted the need to prioritize areas of public awareness raising that communicate the benefits, challenges, and implications of European integration, by avoiding misunderstanding and encouraging support.

Citaku: Propaganda, only area where government excels (Koha)

Deputy leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Vlora Citaku, said in a Facebook post today that the majority of capital projects in the draft budget for 2023 are from previous governments. “The majority of capital investments for the planned budget of this government are older projects from previous governments. Whereas in the new projects, half of the funds were allocated for municipalities that are led by Vetevendosje,” she argued.

“According to credible reports, these are exactly the few municipalities with the lowest transparency and execution of capital projects. So, taxpayers’ money is being allocated on a partisan basis. These are the facts. Numbers. Reports. Everything else is propaganda, the only area where the government excels,” Citaku wrote.

Albanian Ambassador meets Kosovo Defense Minister (media)

Recently appointed Albanian Ambassador to Kosovo, Petrit Malaj, met today with Kosovo’s Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci. “I confirmed to Mr. Maqedonci that I will engage with commitment to strengthen cooperation between Tirana and Pristina, a noble mission of every Albanian,” Malaj wrote in a post on X after the meeting.

Serbian flag burned in Hoca e Madhe, “incitement of division, intolerance” (Koha)

Kosovo Police have initiated a case of “incitement of division and intolerance” after a Serbian flag was partly burned at the entrance of the village of Hoca e Madhe. Police also said the prosecutor has been informed and that the case is being investigated. 

Trajkovic: Vucic accepted Kosovo’s territorial integrity (media)

Kosovo Serb politician Rada Trajkovic said in an interview with the show Iza Vesti that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has accepted everything that “falls in contravention with the Constitution of Serbia” and claimed that Vucic even accepted the territorial integrity of Kosovo. “Vucic accepted Kosovo’s territorial integrity, and now Kosovo’s national specifics,” she said.

Trajkovic asked how the Association of Serb-majority municipalities “will adapt to the Constitution of Serbia, where are the experts to tell us what is happening with the Constitution of Serbia? Under the oath of Vucic, how will the Constitution of Serbia accept the Association, how will it be integrated institutionally if it will be integrated?”

Trajkovic, who serves as advisor to Kosovo’s Minister for Communities and Returns Nenad Rasic, said that the current plan of the Association “is an act of accepting several things that please the Albanians”.

On the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Trajkovic said that she doesn’t expect a de jure recognition or a signing of the agreement. 

   

Serbian Language Media

  Vucic: Serbia committed to dialogue and respect for everything agreed upon, Serbs in Kosovo in difficult situation (Tanjug, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with the EU Special Envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues Miroslav Lajcak in Belgrade on Tuesday.

Vucic said that Serbia is always ready for dialogue, to respect everything that had been signed and agreed upon, adding that Serbia also advocates for de-escalation, peace and stability which are necessary in order to ensure the remain of Serbs in Kosovo, reads the statement from his press office.

He also acquainted Lajcak in detail about the difficult situation faced by Serbs in Kosovo, both in the north and south, expressing hope that further process of the dialogue will yield results. 

Lajcak also met with the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic.  Petkovic: On Thursday continuation of talks between Belgrade and Pristina on statute of CSM (ZSO) (NMagazin, Beta, Blic)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic said today Belgrade has accepted the invitation of the EU envoy for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Miroslav Lajcak, to continue negotiations on the text of the statute of the Community of Serbian Municipalities (CSM) on Thursday, November 16, in Brussels as part of the dialogue, reported Serbian media. 

"President Vucic informed Lajcak in detail and with arguments about the gravity of the situation faced by the Serbs in Kosovo and gave data and facts about the daily threat to the Serbs and the escalating moves of Albin Kurti. We also talked about the CSM, which is a key and most important topic, above all for the Serbian people," said Petkovic, after the meeting with Lajcak.

He added that the CSM represents a mechanism for preserving the collective and individual rights of the Serbian people in Kosovo.

"De-escalation on the ground is necessary, it is necessary to see the normality of life in the north of Kosovo, which is threatened every day. But it is also important that we finally enter into discussions about the statute of the CSM, as well as the executive powers it has in accordance with the agreements from 2013, and 2015. Belgrade has every right to finance those institutions," he stated.

Petkovic added that all other topics were discussed within the framework of those agreements that were signed or agreed upon in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

"Belgrade has never shied away from talks and dialogue, we have always insisted on dialogue and the normalization of relations. We accepted Lajcak's invitation to meet in Brussels in two days, where the talks will continue. You know very well that Belgrade stands for peace and dialogue is necessary for us,'' Petkovic told reporters after the meeting with Lajcak.

Residents of Gracanica dissatisfied because of land expropriation (Euronews)

Kosovo Government made a decision to expropriate first twenty-one, and then slightly more than 55 hectares of arable land in the municipality of Gracanica, near the archaeological site of Ulpiana. At the public hearing, citizens expressed their dissatisfaction with what they said was a non-transparent and unclear decision.

After the discovery of an inscription of Emperor Justinian from the sixth century in a field near Ulpiana, the Kosovo Government decided to continue archaeological excavations on 44 more private plots.

“The next important step is to provide access for exploration and exploitation of the property where this site is located through expropriation”, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said.

Residents and local self-government learned about the expropriation only after the final decision was made.

“You have not given an answer as to why right now 44 plots of land were confiscated, at this moment without geolocation, without anything, without surveying the terrain”, Milos Dimitrijevic from Gracanica said.

Geophysical research was not done on the plots of land intended for expropriation, while the Ministry of Culture did not present the project, neither to the owners nor to the public, as stipulated by the Law on Cultural Heritage.

“Exploration is being carried out on a couple of parcels, they were looking for and found what was found. And now, the government’s appetites are a little bigger. They want to make something grandiose”, resident of Gracanica Zika Kostic said.

“If for 70 years, as I heard, they were working on 11 hectares of land for archaeological finds and research, how come suddenly someone made a decision to do it at another 21, and then another 50”, Igor Aritonovic, director of the administration in Gracanica municipality asked.

The owners do not believe in good intentions of Pristina authorities

After several illegal expropriations in the north, as confirmed by international experts, the owners of high-quality arable land in Gracanica do not have faith in the good intentions of the Pristina government.

“Did you really come for expropriation or is this a political act? Is this a seizure of our Serbian land or does Ulpiana really need it?” Gracanica resident Mirko Aritonovic asked.

“My entire property, the entire land is on that stretch and you take it all away from me, so what am I going to do in Gracanica? Are you evicting me or encouraging me to leave Gracanica?” another Gracanica resident Srecko Todorovic asked.

The department for expropriation claims that it is only a matter of national and cultural interest. “It is not in the interest of our country to expel someone from their place or to do it on a national basis in general”, Samir Bruqi from the expropriation department of Kosovo government said.

Euronews also added that for more than seven decades, construction has been prohibited on the site around the archaeological site of Ulpijana, and sporadic excavations have been carried out in the surrounding fields without a decision on expropriations. 

Dacic: Unacceptable and scandalous relocation of memorial plaque in Pristina (RTV, Tanjug)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said today that removal and relocation of the memorial plaque to the Serbian soldiers fallen in the Balkans and WWI wars on a military section of Orthodox cemetery in Pristina was a scandalous act, in particular because it, as he said, comes from countries that should particularly respect the contributions of Serbia in the WWI, Radio Television of Vojvodina (RTV) reported.

“Having in mind that such a decision was made as per proposal of French and German embassies, and that no one informed the Serbs living there or Serbian institutions is a scandalous act, regardless of some justifications they use. There is no politicization of this act, but this very act is a shameful politicization that was carried out under pressure of Albanian political factors in Pristina”, Dacic said.

He also said this act should be condemned. “Even if we were the best possible friends, if an act is bad, we must condemn it. In this regard we condemn in the strongest terms this gesture”, Dacic added. 

Director of CESID condemns relocation of memorial plaque (Kosovo Online, social media)

Director of the Centre for Free Elections and Democracy (CESID), Bojan Klacar condemned the relocation of a memorial plaque to the Serbian soldiers fallen in the Balkans and WWI wars. He said the act was about lack of understanding about the place and time we live in.

“Serbia lost a significant part of its population in World War I. Today it is easier to relocate the monument than criticize ethno-nationalistic mainstream of the public in Kosovo. What times for a man to be alive”, he wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

“The idea that anyone except for the families or relatives of deceased persons can relocate the monuments is horrifying as it is. Explanation that only the memorial plaque was relocated, but not the bodies, is post-apocalyptic and points out to the lack of understanding of the times and place we live in”, he added. 

Jaksic plans to form an initiative that will advocate for the division of Kosovo (KiM radio)

KiM radio reported that the former councilor of CI SDP in North Mitrovica Municipality Marko Jaksic plans to form a new citizen's initiative, and the main program will be the self-determination of the north, i.e., the division of Kosovo. "The initiative will most likely be called "North" and if it cannot be "North" there will be ''some improvisations that will point to the north again."

KiM radio reported that the former councilor of CI SDP in North Mitrovica Municipality Marko Jaksic plans to form a new citizen's initiative, and the main program will be the self-determination of the north, i.e., the division of Kosovo. "The initiative will most likely be called "North" and if it cannot be "North" there will be ''some improvisations that will point to the north again."

Despite the rejection of the idea advocated by Hashim Thaci and Aleksandar Vucic a few years ago, the division of Kosovo is still being discussed at "secret meetings", says Jaksic, but adds that no one has yet publicly presented it to the people.

"Our goal is to introduce that story into the discourse and to talk about that story a little more among people both on the ground and among representatives of the international community, of course also in Belgrade and Pristina, as requested by the people at the local," Marko Jaksic told Radio Kim.

He justifies his idea by the fact that, as he says, everything that happened in the previous months shows that Serbs and Albanians cannot live together in a single state or entity.

"It is obvious that the only possible solution that will somewhat calm the passions in Kosovo is our physical separation and living in our communities. Maybe it will happen in the same territory sometimes, but time definitely showed that Serbs and Albanians cannot live together, they can live next to each other. If the repression is stronger, it is normal that the aspiration for that independence is even greater".

He says that despite the efforts of the international community to keep Kosovo as a multi-ethnic society, Kurti's regime shows that it is not possible.

When asked what the Serbs in the north and what those who live south of the Ibar would get by partition, Jaksic explains: "The Serbs in the north are also at this moment the subject of Albin Kurti's interest and they are the ones who are under pressure, the Serbs from the south are leaving in silence and forgotten by everyone, including the Albanian authorities in Kosovo. The Serbs in the north are fleeing because of the pressures they suffer and which the regime implements with the help of special units and everything else. Such a thing would probably increase the pressure on the people in the north, it would disappoint the people south of the Ibar because certainly no one is comfortable that someone wants to separate from the same people, however, from the tactical side, drawing attention exclusively to the north has always helped the people south of the Ibar. Ahtisaari's plan is a product of the struggle of the north which was different from the struggle of the people south of the Ibar in those years, if there was no north there would not have been any solutions from Ahtisaari's package, so generally drawing attention exclusively to the north cannot disempower the people south of the Ibar, although this kind of thing would be emotionally devastating for a good part of the people south of the Ibar because they would feel disappointed and abandoned, which is not the goal, nor the intention".

What would Oliver say if he was alive?

Jaksic advocated for the secession of the north of Kosovo for years and, he says, SDP leader Oliver Ivanovic was also aware of his views.

"He knew my views even then and I, since I have been involved in politics, have always been categorical in favor of the division of Kosovo as the best solution for all parties, and my views were known to him. He probably wouldn't agree with that because his approach to politics was different, but "what if" would be ungrateful to judge now because a lot of time has passed since his death and a lot of circumstances have changed compared to that period so that we can guess what a man who is pragmatic, and who was the best among us would think about all this. At the end of the day, even if he didn't agree, he wouldn't dispute it, he inherited the fact that each of us makes political decisions independently and makes decisions that are both popular and unpopular," says Jaksic. 

Work on the formation of the initiative

Jaksic told KiM radio that preparatory activities for the formation of this initiative are underway.

''We are talking to people, gathering people, explaining what the goals are and according to everything there will be no local elections in Kosovo in the next two years, so we have enough time to finalize those things. If there are any elections in the north, they will be exclusively elections for mayors, and it is an attempt by the international community to put out the current fires caused by Atiq and the rest of the mayor's team, so participating in those elections is not related to these longer-term plans and goals,'' Jaksic says, reported KiM radio. 

He says that he is aware that under such circumstances no party can defeat the Serbian List, but victory is not the goal of the future citizens' initiative, but to introduce the topic of the division of Kosovo into the public space so that this possibility is considered more as a solution for Kosovo, and above all the north.

Sentic: Setting flag on fire is criminal act, clear condemnation necessary (KoSSev)

Kosovo deputy Ombudsperson, Srdjan Sentic condemned burning of the Serbian flag, placed on the monument to killed Serbs from Orahovac, in Velika Hoca village over the weekend, KoSSev portal reported. 

“This is not only a criminal act, but also an act of vandalism, primitivism and disrespect of one people, regardless where these people live”, he said.

He also urged society to react, in order “to discourage all those wishing to disturb us with their acts and return to the past”. He stressed a message should be sent that this act is unacceptable.

Investigation into the burning of the Serbian flag in Velika Hoca (KiM radio, RTS, N1)

The police confirmed that in Velika Hoca, the national flag of Serbia was set on fire on the flagpole above the monument to the missing and murdered Serbs in the municipality of Orahovac, and that they have started an investigation against unknown persons because of that incident, reported KiM radio, citing RTS. 

In its regular daily report, the police state that its members went to the scene and that the prosecutor was also informed about the case.

The case, as stated, was qualified as "inciting discord and intolerance".

New flag placed on monument to killed Serbs from Orahovac (Kosovo Online)

A new Serbian flag was placed on the monument to the killed and kidnapped Serbs from Orahovac municipality, after the previous one was set on fire over the weekend, Kosovo Online portal reports.

It added that the Office for Kosovo and Metohija announced a new flag will be placed on the monument and that it was done today.

Assembly of the Serbian National Council on November 26 in Belgrade (KiM radio)

After the refusal of all houses of culture in Serbian communities in Kosovo to give space for holding the Assembly of the Serbian National Council, the Organizing Committee decided that the Assembly will be held in Belgrade, on Sunday, November 26, 2023, starting at 11:00 a.m. in the conference hall of the "Mladost" hotel, reported KiM radio.

"A request has been submitted to a number of cultural institutions in Belgrade to allow the use of the hall while respecting the economic conditions. Unfortunately, we didn't get an answer from anyone!? The Serbian authorities, as well as in Kosovo and Metohija, did everything to prevent the gathering of Kosovo-Metohija Serbs in Belgrade as well. However, thanks to the understanding of good people, under economic conditions, a hall was provided in which this historic meeting will be held".

The organizing committee of the SNV Assembly reminds whom they turned to for the space for the holding of the Assembly. 

"In August, we addressed the director of the House of Culture in Gracanica, with the request that the Assembly be held in the large hall of the House. Although it was agreed that the Assembly would be held on August 26 this year, the administration of the cultural center denied that any agreement had been reached regarding the use of the hall. With the explanation that the hall was occupied that day, the Board's request was rejected. After that, the Board repeated the request to the House of Culture in Gracanica and all the houses of culture in Kosovo and Metohija, proposing several dates for holding the meeting. Except for the cultural center in Zubin Potok, which responded negatively, the other cultural centers did not find it necessary to respond. Thus, instead of freedom of organization and political dialogue, especially at a time when the national survival of our people in Kosovo and Metohija is seriously threatened, they decided to protect their seats, thus siding with those who unscrupulously manipulate our misfortune. It is a big disappointment, because at the head of those institutions are people who represent the intellectual elite of this nation," the announcement states.

The SNV recalled that it sent a request to Bishop Teodosije to attend the Assembly and, due to the impossibility of the SNV getting a space to hold the meeting, to give a blessing for setting up a tent in the gate of the Gracanica monastery, but they did not receive approval.

"Unfortunately, we did not reach an understanding there either. The request was rejected, with the explanation that the Church is not a political organization and that it does not engage in politics!? These are the reasons why the Assembly, instead of where it belongs, in Kosovo and Metohija, is held far from the homes of our people''.

"By organizing the Assembly far from Kosovo, the organizers and participants of the assembly, Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija, who are already in a difficult economic situation, are exposed to new costs. During that time, our houses of culture, built by our grandfathers and fathers, are empty. To the honor of those who manage them, conducting the orders of Aleksandar Vucic."

SNV adds that, along with the members of the Serbian National Council, Patriarch Porfirije, Bishop Teodosije and Bishop Ilarion, the presidents of all parliamentary parties, the president of SANU, well-known intellectuals, representatives of exiled Serbs from Kosovo and others will be invited to the Assembly.

Vehicle of Leposavic municipality vice president set on fire (KoSSev)

A car in ownership of a Serbian D.M. was set on fire last night in Leposavic, but it did not burn completely. KoSSev learned that the owner of the vehicle is the vice-president of this municipality.

As the deputy commander of the Kosovo police for the North region, Veton Elshani, confirmed for KoSSev portal - the preliminary suspicion is that the fire was arson, but that it is not about plates as a possible cause.

Elshani stated that the investigation is ongoing, adding that it was preliminary only about damage to the car in the amount of around a few hundred euros.

   

Opinion 

  Serwer: The good, the bad and the unwritten (media)

Several news websites cover an analysis by Daniel Serwer, political commentator on the Western Balkans, which originally appeared on peacefare.net. 

The EU-proposed draft of the statute for the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities in Kosovo is now widely available. Is it good, or is it bad? The answer of course is complicated and depends not only on what is in the proposed text but also what is not in it. So here is my preliminary assessment:

The good

The text calls Kosovo the “Republic of Kosovo,” which in my view is the right appellation (in English). I suspect this is a deal-breaker for Serbia, but we’ll have to wait and see.

It provides for prior Kosovo Constitutional Court review, including of any amendments to the statute, which is vital.

The procedures for establishment strike me as reasonable and include a role for the Kosovo government’s Ministry of Local Government Administration.

Joining the Association is voluntary for the Serb-majority municipalities. Non-Serb communities are to be represented, albeit in some undefined way.

The EU will provide oversight for 5 years, renewable for another 5. The not so good

The statute says the purpose is to enable Serbs in Kosovo to take advantage of already existing rights without adding executive competencies beyond those already existing in the municipalities. That isn’t good, as it admits the possibility of executive competences in areas of already existing municipal responsibility.

It allows the Serbian government to provide financial support without requiring that it flow through the Kosovo government, which has only auditing powers. It also provides for duty and tax-free imports for the Association, which is a giant loophole.

The Association can adopt regulations, decisions, declarations, rules of procedure and instructions. This provision clearly anticipates executive powers.

The Serbian government can provide through the Association health and educational services. This essentially makes permanent the current arrangement, which infringes on Kosovo sovereignty. I don’t see a clear provision for Republic oversight of the curriculum offered in the Serbia-provided educational institutions.

The Serb-majority municipalities get carte blanche in areas of municipal responsibility, including culture, economic development, urban and rural planning, and research and development. I wonder if the Association decided cars should drive on the left whether that might be covered.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/mrzvmj4k    

International 

  North Macedonia Seeks to Get Russia’s Lavrov to Skopje for OSCE Meeting (BIRN)

North Macedonia wants Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to come to the OSCE ministerial conference in Skopje this month, but due to EU sanctions on Russian flights, his attendance remains uncertain.

North Macedonia, which currently holds the presidency of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, OSCE, would like to see Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the annual OSCE Ministerial Conference in Skopje at the end of the month, but his arrival is still uncertain due to EU sanctions on Russian flights.

North Macedonia’s Foreign Minister Byjar Osmani told 360 Degrees in a televised interview on Monday night that his office is taking action to try to facilitate Lavrov’s arrival.

“[EU] sanctions state that for international organisations such as the OSCE, flyovers are allowed. However, the decision is up to the member countries. That’s why our neighbours will have to decide, and we will have to as well, about our airspace,” Osmani said.

Under normal conditions, a straight flight from Moscow to landlocked North Macedonia would take Lavrov’s plane over Ukraine, Romania and then over either Bulgaria or Serbia.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/2s3kvu7b