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UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 29

  • COVID – 19: One death, 119 new cases (media)
  • EU’s Lajcak says Kosovo-Serbia exchange of territories not on the agenda (Express)
  • Vucic: I will refuse to meet Trump if requested to recognize Kosovo (RTK)
  • Kosovo with a large delegation in Washington (media)
  • Ambassador Kosnett: US committed to assisting Kosovo against COVID-19 (Express)
  • Haradinaj: Setting Greek flag on fire, is not Albanian tradition (media)

 

COVID – 19: One death, 119 new cases (media)

119 new cases of coronavirus and one death were recorded in the last 24 hours in Kosovo, the National Institute for Public Health said in a statement. 154 patients have recovered from the virus during this period. The highest number of new cases is from the municipality of Prishtina (36).

EU’s Lajcak says Kosovo-Serbia exchange of territories not on the agenda (Express)

The Regional Women’s Lobby of Southeast Europe led by Kosovo’s former chief negotiator in technical dialogue with Serbia, Edita Tahiri, have published the letter they received from the EU special representative for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Miroslav Lajcak.

Lajcak stressed that the idea of ​​correcting borders and exchanging territories is not on the agenda of the dialogue he facilitates.

“My team and I will continue to integrate a gender dimension in our efforts to help Belgrade and Pristina reach a general and legally binding agreement that solves all outstanding issues between them,” Lajcak wrote. “As I have mentioned on many occasions, the exchange of territories is not on the agenda for discussion. What we are looking for is an agreement that will contribute to regional stability, normalize relations between Belgrade and Pristina and help them move forward on their respective European paths.”

Vucic: I will refuse to meet Trump if requested to recognize Kosovo (RTK)

The President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic said he will refuse to meet the U.S. President Donald Trump if he is requested to accept recognition of independence of Kosovo.

He made this statement while announcing that he has received the official agenda of the meeting in Washington saying that ‘one point is unacceptable.’

“If I am offered a bilateral meeting with the U.S. President, I will be the first President of Serbia to reject it,” Vucic said, when asked if recognition of Kosovo will be requested from him.

However, Vucic did not want to speak about the “unacceptable point.” He added further that he will defend Serbia’s interest no matter the pressure he will be under.

Kosovo with a large delegation in Washington (media)

Two Ministers from the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Selim Selimi and Meliza Haradinaj will be part of the Kosovo delegation travelling to Washington, led by Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti.

Minister of Infrastructure Arban Abrashi and dialogue coordinator Skeder Hyseni, will also be part of the team.

The news portal informs that Deputy PM Driton Selmanaj and chief of PM’s Cabinet Ardita Dushi, as well as Deputy PM from the Social-Democratic Initiative (NISMA) Albulena Balaj-Halimaj, will also be part of this delegation.

Ambassador Kosnett: US committed to assisting Kosovo against COVID-19 (Express)

US Ambassador Philip Kosnett said that they are committed to assisting Kosovo against COVID-19.

Ambassador Kosnett in a Tweet said the Government of Kosovo should mobilize its resources to manage crisis. “At today’s virtual donor forum, I emphasized that while the U.S. is committed to assisting Kosovo against COVID, the government must fully mobilize Kosovo’s own resources to manage the crisis.  Controlling the virus is a prerequisite to economic recovery,” Kosnett wrote. “While the government must lead, fighting COVID is a job for every citizen. The people of Kosovo are famous for their energy and ingenuity. Those are your secret weapons,” the US Ambassador stated.

Haradinaj: Setting Greek flag on fire, is not Albanian tradition (media)

Ramush Haradinaj, leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), reacted to the burning of the Greek flag in Prishtina. He wrote in a Facebook post  that setting the Greek or any other flag on fire, is not part of the Albanian tradition.

"I wish great success to our sports team and also to our wonderful fans, but I have to express my concern for the negative phenomena that occur sometimes, and which do not make us proud at all. Just as we want our national symbols to be respected, the symbols of other people and nations should be respected as well. Setting the Greek or any other flag on fire, is not part of the Albanian tradition, and I believe that this will remain an isolated case and will not be repeated. We can honor our amazing soccer players in many ways, but not by offending others," Haradinaj wrote.