UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 19, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

EU concerned – Serbia does not implement Ohrid agreement (Deutsche Welle)
Selimi: Serbia’s path to EU is 100% conditioned by Kosovo’s path to UN (media)
Germany on Serbia elections: Unacceptable irregularities (RFE)
Von Cramon: Serbian elections held under uneven playing field conditions (media)
Bilcik: We haven’t seen any systematic irregularities in Serbian elections (AP)
Vetevendosje slams opposition parties for sending laws to Court (media)
Rohde describes Moller’s visit to Kosovo, Grenell reacts (media)
Bogujevci on CoE membership: On the right path, we have great support (media)
Albania to chair Adriatic Charter in ‘24: Kosovo membership, a priority (Express)
Szunyog advises Aliu to prioritize environment protection legislation (media)
Hovenier meets Rizvanolli: Kosovo’s energy future is bright (media)
Murati denies govt excluded any category from subsidies for electricity (media)
Kurti visits Kosovo Pensions Savings Trust (media)
Kurti meets community students that benefited from scholarships (media)

Serbian Language Media:

CEC opened way for initiation of petitions for removal of mayors in three norhtern municipalities in Kosovo (RTS)
KoSSev: Kosovo Ministry of Environment will maintain roads in the north as well (Beta, NMagazin)
"KLA" sign placed above North Mitrovica (N1, RTS)
Returnee house in Belo Polje near Pec burnt (Radio KIM, Radio Gorazdevac)
Office for KiM: Pavlovic family has been facing pressure for months (Kosovo Online)
Road works continue in Banov Do despite locals' opposition (KiM radio, Radio Mitrovica sever, TV Most)
China state leadership congratulate Vucic for victory (RTS)
Bilcik: There were no major irregularities in elections in Serbia (N1, Insajder)
Von Cramon: Irregularities on and before Serbian elections (N1, social media)
Five days without electricity, residents of Susice village, near Strpce ask for help (RTS)

Opinion:

Krstic: Some went to vote for the SNS in an organized manner, others voluntarily went to vote against (KoSSev)

International:

Kosovo Opposition LDK Slates EU Document on Serb Municipalities’ Association (BIRN)
Kosovo Fears New Labour Shortfall as Schengen Doors Open (Balkan Insight)
Serbia challenges NATO, by threatening Kosovo (RLI)
Serbian Opposition Parties Demand Annulment of Belgrade Election Result (Balkan Insight)
Serbia’s elections held under ‘unjust conditions’, say international observers (The Guardian)

Albanian Language Media

EU concerned – Serbia does not implement Ohrid agreement (Deutsche Welle)

The European Union has expressed concern following a letter by Serbian authorities to the EU that Serbia will not de facto recognize Kosovo, that it doesn’t respect its territorial integrity and that it will not agree to Kosovo’s membership in the United Nations and other organizations. The EU said in a reaction today that for the European Union, the Ohrid agreement, although it has not been signed by the parties, is legally binding. “The agreement in its entirety remains legally binding and the parties agreed to this in Ohrid. Its implementation will be an integral part of their respective European paths,” EU spokesperson Peter Stano said.

The news agency recalls that a joint statement issued after last week’s high-level meeting between the EU and leaders of the Western Balkans noted that “the EU wants good neighborly relations between Kosovo and Serbia”. “We call on both parties to entirely implement the Agreement on the path to normalization of relations and its annex, as well as all previous agreements, without any new delays and without condition,” the statement noted.

Selimi: Serbia’s path to EU is 100% conditioned by Kosovo’s path to UN (media)

Kosovo’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Petrit Selimi, writes in a post on X that “the Ohrid deal between Kosovo and Serbia was surprisingly weak, conditioned by the lack of ambition and complete lack of trust between all sides. But it does ensure Kosovo's sovereign right to join all international organizations. Now, Serbia's path to EU is 100% conditioned by Kosovo's path to UN.”

Vetevendosje slams opposition parties for sending laws to Court (media)

The ruling Vetevendosje Movement, in a Facebook post today, slammed the opposition parties – PDK, LDK and AAK – for sending laws to the Constitutional Court. “The alternative-less opposition is continuing to use the Constitutional Court to protect the captured state and to support the powerful people of the economy and privatization. On the one hand, it [the opposition] sends the Law on the Bureau for the Confiscation of Wealth and the Law on the Prosecutorial Council, and on the other hand, the Law on Ceiling Prices, and the Law on the Sovereign Fund. Lacking genuine criticism and alternatives for our proposals and decisions, and with the aim of blocking our transforming and progressive reforms, they continue to send laws to the Constitutional Court. This has nothing to do with opposition-making but is rather an attempt by the Outdated Political Club to protect their interests and wealth,” the Vetevendosje Movement argued.

Germany on Serbia elections: Unacceptable irregularities (RFE)

The German Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a post on X that “Serbia has voted but the OSCE ODIHR reports misuse of public resources, voter intimidation and cases of vote buying. This is unacceptable for a country with EU candidate status”.

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights said elections in Serbia were marred by serious irregularities, misuse of public funds, a media domination by President Aleksandar Vucic, negative campaign and spreading of fear. “These are serious problems that the institutions need to address and investigate seriously, in order to create conditions for fair elections and a stronger democracy in Serbia, in the future,” OSCE officials told a press conference on Monday.

Von Cramon: Serbian elections held under uneven playing field conditions (media)

Most news websites cover European Parliament’s Rapporteur Viola von Cramon’s post on X in which she argues that the “Serbian elections were held under the uneven playing field conditions and conducted with frequent irregularities on and before election day such as misuse of administrative resources, vote buying and violation of the secrecy of the vote.”

Cramon also argued that “we saw cases of organized behavior of voters from Republika Srpska and intimidation of voters. We absolutely expected higher democratic standards from an EU candidate country negotiating EU membership”. According to her, “international supervision and a thorough investigation are needed”. “The European Parliament is ready to mediate between the ruling party and the opposition in Belgrade to ensure a peaceful and democratic dialogue and to reduce tensions,” she said.

Bilcik: We haven’t seen any systematic irregularities in Serbian elections (AP)

The European Parliament’s Rapporteur for Serbia, Vladimir Bilcik, said today that the elections in Serbia on Sunday were well managed, the Albanian Post reports citing articles from Serbian media. “What we have noticed is that the elections went well and were managed well. Several irregularities were reported but there were no major incidents. So in general I think that the elections were held without problems. Therefore, I want to commend the citizens of Serbia for voting in larger numbers compared to last year,” Bilcik said.

Rohde describes Moller’s visit to Kosovo, Grenell reacts (media)

Most news websites cover a post on X by German Ambassador Jorn Rohde describing as short and sweet the visit to Kosovo by Parliamentary State Secretary in the German Ministry of Defence, Siemtje Moller. “As part of the visit, she also met with DCOMKFOR, DirNALT and thanked German soldiers serving here in the country,” Rohde wrote.

Media also report that former U.S. presidential envoy for the talks between Kosovo and Serbia, Richard Grenell, shared Rohde’s post but argued that “the Germans are on the wrong side of history”. “Every country around the world condemned Kurti for inflaming violence - except for Germany. Republicans and Democrats rarely agree…but they agree that Kurti is the problem,” Grenell wrote.

Bogujevci on CoE membership: On the right path, we have great support (media)

Vice President of the Kosovo Assembly, Saranda Bogujevci, said today that at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe there is a positive atmosphere in terms of Kosovo’s membership and “we are almost in the final phase of membership”. “There is no dilemma that Kosovo must be part of the Council of Europe. The final part is left, and we still have a lot of work to do. We are on the right path. We truly have great support to conclude this process,” she argued.

Albania to chair Adriatic Charter in ‘24: Kosovo membership, a priority (Express)

The news website reports that starting on January 1 next year, Albania will take over the one-year chairmanship of the U.S.-Adriatic Charter. During the A5 ministerial meeting in Skopje, North Macedonia, Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani, said the blocking of Kosovo’s membership in the A5 must come to an end. “Kosovo’s membership is running very late. We have fully and traditionally supported Kosovo’s membership in our initiative and we regret the fact that this membership is still blocked. During our chairmanship, we will engage with priority to resolve this issue as soon as possible,” he argued.

Szunyog advises Aliu to prioritize environment protection legislation (media)

EU Head of Office in Kosovo, Tomas Szunyog, said in a post on X today that he met Kosovo’s Minister for Environment, Liburn Aliu, “and thanked him for the announced ambitious targets and pledge in the #COP28. Advised him to prioritize the implementation of the legislation on environmental protection and climate change.”

Hovenier meets Rizvanolli: Kosovo’s energy future is bright (media)

U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier, met on Monday with Kosovo’s Minister for Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, and said that “the United States continues to support Kosovo's transition to a more sustainable energy future, in particular via our USAID and MCC programs”. “Also look forward to continued progress on the Energy Roadmap. Kosovo's energy future is bright!” Hovenier wrote in a post on X.

Murati denies govt excluded any category from subsidies for electricity (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Finance, Hekuran Murati, ruled out today as false information some reports according to which the government has excluded several categories from the subsidies for electricity. “It is not true that the government has excluded a category from the subsidies for electricity. On the contrary, the new program aims to expand the list of supported families, as well as for the subsidies to be based on the incomes, namely the lower the incomes the higher the subsidies. The new program is in the piloting phase, and we have also foreseen another phase/group of applications during which we will address the challenges we come across during the first phase/group,” Murati wrote in a Facebook post. “As a Ministry, we have issued communiques with the necessary explanations, but how much they were covered by some media is open for discussion. This is exactly what the Prime Minister was talking about when he said several days ago that measures and actions by the Government and not being properly conveyed as information to the citizens by some media.”

Kurti visits Kosovo Pensions Savings Trust (media)

The Kosovo Pensions Savings Trust (KPST) said in a press release that Prime Minister Albin Kurti visited them on Monday, in what they said was the first visit by a Prime Minister “since the declaration of Kosovo’s independence”. The press release notes that Kurti “confirmed the support for the institution, especially in professional advancement and raising human resources in the field of finance. He added that strengthening the institution is important, considering the great weight that the fund has alongside the Kosovo economy, but also as the main instrument for ensuring a dignified retirement in the future.”

Serbian Language Media

CEC opened way for initiation of petitions for removal of mayors in three northern municipalities in Kosovo (RTS)

The Central Election Commission (CEC) has opened the way for the initiation of petitions for the dismissal of mayors in the municipalities of North Mitrovica, Zubin Potok and Leposavic, confirmed the spokesperson Valmir Elezi, reported RTS.

Valmir Elezi stated that the CEC informed the Ministry of Local Self-Government in Pristina and the initiative groups in these three municipalities.

According to him, the CEC informed the presidents of three municipal assemblies, three initiative groups of citizens regarding the updated number of registered voters in these municipalities, based on which the minimum required number of signatures of 20 percent is calculated.

"First, from the checks, the CEC announced through these separate answers that the members of the three initiative groups, of which there are three for each municipality, are the voters of the municipality in question. The total number of citizens who have the right to vote in the municipality of Leposavic is 13,441. Of this number, 2,689 makes up 20 percent of the electorate in this municipality. In the municipality of Zubin Potok, the number of citizens with the right to vote is 6,732, and 20 percent of voters in this municipality is 1,347. In the municipality of North Mitrovica, the number of voters is 18,199. According to the calculation, 3,640 voters make up 20 percent of the electorate," Elezi said.

According to the administrative instructions for the citizens' initiative to replace the mayor, the initial group must collect the necessary number of signatures within 30 days of collecting the necessary documentation. This deadline can be extended only once, at the request of the initiating group, by 15 days.

KoSSev: Kosovo Ministry of Environment will maintain roads in the north as well (Beta, NMagazin)

Memoranda of understanding were signed today with the mayors of municipalities in the North of Kosovo with the aim of maintaining roads there, the Deputy Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning, and Infrastructure of Kosovo, Hisen Durmishi announced, reported NMagazin, citing KoSSev portal.

He announced that this ministry will carry out winter road maintenance in the entire North of Kosovo.

"The Ministry has taken over the winter maintenance of all local roads in these four municipalities. The total length of these roads that need to be maintained is over 300 km," said Durmishi. At the same time, he published photos with the mayors of North Mitrovica, Zvecan, Leposavic and Zubin Potok, including the Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Svecla.

Previously, the winter maintenance of local roads in the northern part of Mitrovica was the responsibility of the local company JKP Standard.

Roads were also maintained in other municipalities in the North by local companies.

"KLA" sign placed above North Mitrovica (N1, RTS)

"KLA" sign, symbol of the former so-called Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), was placed on the Crnusa hill above North Mitrovica, reported N1, citing RTS.

As reported by RTS, a large red sign was displayed on the hill designated by the local authorities in the southern, Albanian-populated part of Mitrovica for construction of a base for Kosovo Security Forces.

According to RTS, the same signs were placed earlier in other high-altitude locations in Kosovo, in the vicinity of Malisevo, on the fortress above Prizren and others, reported N1.

Returnee house in Belo Polje near Pec burnt (Radio KIM, Radio Gorazdevac)

A house of returnee Blagoje Pavlovic, who died two months ago, was burnt in a fire last night around 22.00 in the village of Belo Polje, near Pec, Radio KIM.

The fire caused anxiety among the returnees who gathered near the affected house. Kosovo police were on the spot and firefighters were attempting to extinguish the fire. The cause of the fire remains unknown at the moment and police did not respond to Radio Gorazdevac inquire in relation to the fire.

Upon extinguishing the fire firefighters, police and residents left the spot.

Several returnees who gathered near the house claimed that electricity in the house had been cut off and that it can not be the possible cause for the fire. They also said this is the third case of burning the Serbian returnee houses in the village, mainly to the owners who do not wish to sell their land and houses.

“We are all shaken because this is not the first house. This is the third house set on fire in Belo Polje. We expected the police, they told Sladja “sleep well (do not worry)”, and the house next to him was burned down. Should someone set my house on fire to sleep well? I trust no one, police in particular. Who guarantees the safety to us here, no one. KFOR should have been informed, and they are not informed”, visibly upset resident of Belo Polje, Milan Pavlovic told Radio Gorazdevac.

Another returnee, Dusan Popovic told the Radio Gorazdevac that “violent pressure is being exerted upon returnees to sell their properties. To people who do not want to sell their properties burning of the houses happens, threats with an automatic rifle”.

Around 15 returnees, including five children live in the village of Belo Polje near Pec. First returnees came back to the village in 2003.

Office for KiM: Pavlovic family has been facing pressure for months (Kosovo Online)

The Office for Kosovo and Metohija said in a satement the residents of returnee village Belo Polje near Pec are distressed following the fire which burned down the house of Pavlovic family adding there is reason to believe it was an arson at play, Kosovo Online portal reports.

"The residents of this returnee area are disturbed by this incident, because there are well-founded suspicions that the house fire was an arson, since the property of the Pavlovic family has already been set on fire twice in the past, and the family has been facing pressure for months to sell the property to a local Albanian", the Office for KiM added.

As they said, the recently deceased Blagoje Pavlovic and his wife, who still lives on their property in Belo Polje, were constantly pressured by local Albanians to sell their property, which they persistently refused to do, determined to stay and survive on their home land.

The wife of Blagoje Pavlovic and owner of the property was not in the house at the moment of fire, and the Office said they will assist to repair damages on the house.

The Office also warned that violence targeting returnees, which are the most vulnerable category of population, who often live in small communities and in hostile environments has been an everyday occurrence in Kosovo, aiming to force them out.

Road works continue in Banov Do despite locals' opposition (KiM radio, Radio Mitrovica sever, TV Most)

With assistance of Kosovo police, construction works on a road leading to the Albanian village of Vidomirici continues despite the opposition of the residents of the Serbian villages of Korilje, Doljevac, Zerovnica and Banov Do, reported KiM radio.

The residents of Banovo Do pointed out that even after the meeting with the representatives of Kosovo Ministry of Infrastructure, Kosovo police and EULEX, an agreement was not reached, and that the presence of the Kosovo police caused them additional anxiety.

"We don't have any rights, it's ours, we have an ownership document, but it's not ours, it's theirs, nobody will listen to us... We live in abnormal conditions," a visibly upset Budimir Ignjatovic from Banov Do told TV Most.

Although an agreement was reached on Saturday to suspend the works until further notice, they continued with the use of force and the threat of arrest, Zvonimir Ignjatovic points out.

"With the assistance of the Kosovo police, they continued their work passing through our properties, without asking anyone, despite requests, despite everything," says Ignjatovic.

The KP emphasizes that the road is of "state and public interest" and that their task is to ensure that they are conducted without problems.

"The Ministry of Infrastructure is rehabilitating a road that is a social asset, and if it is privately owned, that is the subject of discussion. If the ministry made a mistake somewhere, then something could be done, but it is important for us that the works are carried out without problems," emphasize Veton Elshani, deputy commander of the KP for the northern region.

The residents of Banov Do state that they will not give up their ownership and will use all legal means to protect their private property.

China state leadership congratulate Vucic for victory (RTS)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic received a congratulatory note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China on behalf of the state leadership in relation to the successfully conducted parliamentary and local elections in Serbia and victory of Aleksandar Vucic – Serbia Must Not Stop list, RTS reports.

"We congratulate Serbia on the smooth holding of parliamentary and local elections. We believe that Serbia, under the leadership of President Vucic and the new Government of Serbia, will continue to make progress in national development", the congratulatory message reads.

"China attaches great importance to the development of China-Serbian relations and looks forward to cooperation with Serbia on strengthening mutual political trust between the two states, deepening practical cooperation in various fields and advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Serbia to a higher level", the congratulatory message concludes.

Bilcik: There were no major irregularities in elections in Serbia (N1, Insajder)

The European Parliament observation delegation noticed irregularities during the election day, however, these were not major irregularities, European Parliament for Serbia Rapporteur Vladimir Bilcik said, N1 reports.

"What we noticed is that the elections were well conducted, well managed. There are some irregularities when it comes to the reports we received from the places we visited about bringing in additional voters, but it is not about a large number of voters. Also, about potential buying of votes, especially in and around polling stations. But again, these were not major incidents, but those that we observed on a smaller scale. So, overall, I think the election went smoothly. That's why I want to congratulate the citizens of Serbia for voting in greater numbers than last year", Bilcik told Insider.

Asked if he thinks irregularities that he mentioned were systematic or isolated cases, Bilcik responded that EP delegation observers did not notice systematic irregularities during the election day.

“But, also we said in a joint statement of the international observation missions that in terms of equal opportunities in a campaign there were some systematic issues which came out from the dominant position of the ruling majority and the ruling party”, he added.

Von Cramon: Irregularities on and before Serbian elections (N1, social media)

Viola von Cramon MEP said on Tuesday that the elections in Serbia were held on an uneven playing field with irregularities both before and on election day. Von Cramon was part of the European Parliament Observation Delegation to the elections.

“Serbian elections were held under the uneven playing field conditions and conducted with frequent irregularities on and before election day such as misuse of administrative resources, vote buying and violation of the secrecy of the vote… We witnessed cases of organized bringing of voters from Republika Srpska and voters’ intimidation. We absolutely expected higher democratic standards from an EU candidate country, which negotiates EU membership. An international oversight and full investigation are needed”, she wrote in a post on X social network.

Von Cramon added that the European Parliament “stands ready to mediate between the ruling party and the opposition to ensure a peaceful and democratic dialogue to reduce the tensions”.

Five days without electricity, residents of Susice village near Strpce ask for help (RTS)

It has been five days since more than 200 residents of the Serbian village Susice near Strpce are without electricity, suffering heavy consequences of the snow falls in Sara Mountain, RTS reports.

Dragisa Rakinac from this village told RTS that they do not have electricity since Friday, and that several kilometers of the road are impassable as the local services have not cleaned the snow that is up to one meter high.

“We tried to bring up two electric poles that were knocked down, but we failed. We have promises from the electric company, but they take no action”, Rakinac said. He added they go by foot to Strpce for groceries and medications and that children do not go to school while older persons do not go to work.

Opinion

Krstic: Some went to vote for the SNS in an organized manner, others voluntarily went to vote against (KoSSev)

“The majority of Kosovo voters voted against the future of their children and against the survival of Serbs in Kosovo, that’s devastating,” said journalist Branislav Krstic in a statement for KoSSev, assessing elections in Serbia on Sanday, where more than 70% of Serbs from the territory of Kosovo cast their votes for the list „Aleksandar Vucic – Serbia Must Not Stop.“ Krstic said that the citizens went to the polls in an organized manner, with the exception of those who voted against this list, who did so in order to avoid their votes from “being stolen”.

Commenting on the election results, Krstic estimated that the option “proposed” by the government in Belgrade will always have the support of Serbs from Kosovo due to Belgrade having unlimited financial resources.

International

Kosovo Opposition LDK Slates EU Document on Serb Municipalities’ Association (BIRN)

Kosovo’s opposition Democratic League of Kosovo, LDK, has criticized the EU document which envisages the establishment of highly contested Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities, accusing Prime Minister Albin Kurti of pursuing “wrong policies” by “not coordinating with Kosovo’s allies in the moist critical times for the country”.

The LDK statement comes weeks after it and two other opposition parties, the PDK and AAK, received the draft-statute for the establishment of the Association, a body which would comprise four Serb-majority northern municipalities, plus half a dozen smaller areas in the east and south of the country.

“The LDK cannot support any product that goes outside of Kosovo’s constitutional framework, outside of the state’s unitary system and outside its territorial integrity,” the LDK press release issued on Monday said.

“The role of the Constitutional Court is necessary and decisive and we expect this court to act in accordance with constitutional norms, whenever it reviews this document,” it added.