• Kurti and Borrell clash over Association of Serb-majority municipalities (Koha)
• Kurti: Two decades since prison release, I continue to fight for the same causes (media)
• Escobar: U.S. supports implementation of reached agreements (media)
• Kosovo Prime Minister Kurti meets EC President von der Leyen, EP President Sassoli (media)
• Varhelyi on vetting process: No need for such a deep reform (Kosovapress)
• President Osmani meets UK, Austrian ambassadors (media)
• Haradinaj: Kosovo is in the hands of energy mafia (media)
• Kosovo, Albania Ready to Help any Potential US-led Ukraine Mission (BIRN)
• COVID-19: Eight new cases, no deaths (media)

Kurti and Borrell clash over Association of Serb-majority municipalities (Koha)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti said yesterday in Brussels that the agreement on the Association of Serb-majority municipalities is not in the interest of Kosovo Serbs and is a service of official Belgrade whereas the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell criticised Kosovo's approach on the issue, Koha reports.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Borrell, Kurti said that two-thirds of the agreements signed in Brussels have not been implemented by Serbia but that "authorities in Belgrade insist on mentioning an agreement which, I have to say, did not pass the test of our Constitutional Court." Kurti added that dialogue needs to continue so that it brings benefits for the people and not serve certain politicians.

Borrell meanwhile said that the agreement on the Association has been signed by the two sides and as such needs to be implemented. "I do not agree when you say that the Constitutional Court makes the implementation of this agreement impossible. It was achieved by representatives of the two sides, in good faith and in accordance with international norms," Borrell said, adding that he is aware that there are other agreements that have not been implemented by both parties but that the one on the Association of Serb-majority municipalities "is very important."

Meanwhile, Koha's correspondent from Brussels Augustin Palokaj said that Borrell's statement on the Association is part of the continuation of pressure on Kosovo to establish it. “Borrell's frustration is understandable, if viewed from his perspective. But at the same time the EU does not clarify how it sees the implementation of the agreement, whether it considers it should be implemented within the framework of the Constitutional Court ruling or as Belgrade demands. Serbia insists on implementing the agreement by ignoring the Constitutional Court's decision. It remains to be seen whether the entire international community thinks alike, especially the Quint countries. I doubt everything is in line with Borrell in that the decision of the Constitutional Court should be bypassed,” Palokaj said. “The ambiguous role of the EU in this and in some other cases helps to create confusion rather than resolve disagreements on interpretation of this case,” he continued.

Kurti: Two decades since prison release, I continue to fight for the same causes (media)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti said in his remarks at the Kosovo-EU Stabilisation and Association Council that two decades since his release from a Serbian prison, he finds himself fighting for the same causes and facing not very different threats.

"The cause of a sovereign and independent Kosovo which is now a reality recognised by many and denied by few, and the growing threat of an aggressive neighbour," he said, adding: "And there is no better place than in this house of Europe and in this large family of Europeans to both share these memories and to call for more awakening as we together face a growing threat of rising autocrats."

Kurti also noted that Kosovo views the Stabilisation and Association Agreement as being very important and has so far demonstrated commitment and efforts in fulfilling obligations stemming from the SAA. "Therefore, we believe that the time has come for Kosovo and the European Union to accelerate joint efforts to address more complex issues that have been obstacles in our journey to the next phase of the EU integration process."

"Kosovo is prepared to fully engage in this area of reforms, both politically and in terms of the institutional structure and capacities. Moreover, in line with domestic reforms and in fulfilment of promised EU perspective, Kosovo intends to apply for membership next year," Kurti said.

See Kurti's full speech at: https://bit.ly/3GjFp2a

Escobar: U.S. supports implementation of reached agreements (media)

Gabriel Escobar, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary and special envoy to the Western Balkans, said in an interview with regional media outlet, N1, that his government supports implementation of agreements reached between Kosovo and Serbia and that dialogue is the only way forward towards a lasting agreement.

"Dialogue is a mechanism through which they should discuss differences. It is led by the EU and is the biggest obstacle on the road to the EU and we support it. We are not part of the dialogue but fully support it," Escobar said. "We also support implementation of the reached agreements including an accelerated approach towards the final agreement," he added.

Kosovo Prime Minister Kurti meets EC President von der Leyen, EP President Sassoli (media)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti met separately in Brussels yesterday President of European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Parliament David Sassoli. They discussed Kosovo's progress towards European integration.

According to a statement issued by the Government of Kosovo, the meeting with von der Leyen focused on the process of Kosovo’s integration into the European Union, the necessity of visa liberalisation and the cooperation between the countries of the region within the Berlin Process. Kurti is further said to have briefed the EC president on the reforms undertaken in the judiciary, the government’s commitments in the field of rule of law, the fight against crime and corruption, as well as key reforms for development and approximation with the European Union.

Von der Leyen meanwhile tweeted that it was good to see Prime Minister Kurti. "We continued our discussions on the course of Kosovo’s reform agenda and its engagement in the EU-facilitated Dialogue. Kosovo can fully seize the opportunities of the Western Balkans’ Economic and Investment Plan," she wrote.

In the meeting with Sassoli, Kurti is reported to have spoken about the reforms process and the fight against organised crime and corruption and also the Government's efforts in implementing European reform agenda. Kurti said he was grateful for the positive role of the European Parliament to visa liberalisation process and monitoring of elections and called on it to continue urging five EU member states to recognise independence of Kosovo.

Sassoli took to Twitter to say that he had a good meeting Kurti. “I stressed the @Europarl_EN's unwavering support for visa liberalisation and the vital need for progress in the EU-facilitated dialogue with Belgrade. Remaining on the reform path is key for our joint European future.”

Varhelyi on vetting process: No need for such a deep reform (Kosovapress)

European Commissioner for Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi commented on the Kosovo Government's plans to undertake vetting of the judicial sector. He said there is no need for such a deep judicial reform in Kosovo.

At a press conference following the Kosovo-EU Stabilisation and Association Council, Varhelyi said: "We have made it clear that we support a judiciary that is independent and delivers justice to the people. We have invested a great deal, both politically and financially, in creating a judicial system that fights for EU norms and values. We do not believe that there is a need to reform the entire system of Kosovo. If you ask me, also considering the example of Albania, I do not think that such a large operation is necessary because the foundations and bases of the system are in line with our standards. We are willing to sit down and see what improvements can be made."

President Osmani meets UK, Austrian ambassadors (media)

President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani held meetings yesterday with the British Ambassador Nicholas Abbott and Austrian Ambassador Christoph Weidinger. The meetings focused on the progress and challenges in 2021 and the possibilities of deepening cooperation in the new year.

In the meeting with Abbott, Osmani welcomed the appointment of the UK's special envoy to the Western Balkans which she said is an indicator of the support to peace, security and stability of the region. "President Osmani exchanged views with ambassador Abbott on the dialogue and the positive role the Great Britain can play in this direction," a statement from the President's Office notes.

Ambassador Abbott is also said to have presented President Osmani the global initiative undertaken by the UK against sexual violence as a tool of war. "In this context, President Osmani expressed the support of the Republic of Kosovo to be part of this initiative by joining the joint Declaration against sexual violence in conflict and the conference of supporting countries set to take place in 2022."

Haradinaj: Kosovo is in the hands of energy mafia (media)

Ramush Haradinaj, leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), said the cancelling of the project for the construction of a new coal-fired plant "Kosova e Re" is a strategic mistake on the part of Kosovo institutions.

Haradinaj said that when the agreement for construction of the plant was signed, back in 2017 when he was prime minister, "we were aware that coal is not the future of energy", noting however that Kosovo had no other quick alternatives to provide energy for its citizens. "With 500MW that would generate 10,000 new jobs we believed that the damage to the environment would be acceptable in relation to the benefits that Kosovo would gain."

In a Facebook post, Haradinaj said that he was 'lynched' and 'insulted' for his position on the issue by the "energy mafia" which he said has found shelter with the Vetevendosje Movement. "Populism and empty rhetoric of the Kurti government is seen to have begun the first strikes towards the people of Kosovo and the damage of wrong strategic decisions will be paid for a long time by the citizens of Kosovo," he said.

Kosovo, Albania Ready to Help any Potential US-led Ukraine Mission (BIRN)

Kosovo and Albania have voiced readiness to participate in any potential US-led mission in Ukraine, as fears of a Russian invasion mount. Their neighbours, Montenegro and North Macedonia, are yet to comment.

With Europe and the United States increasingly concerned over a buildup of Russian troops near the border with Ukraine, some Balkan countries are already offering their services in any potential US-led response to a possible Russian invasion.

US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin were due to talk on Tuesday; Ursula Von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, warned that any Russian “aggression” against Ukraine would not go unanswered.

“We will respond to any further aggressions by scaling-up and expanding existing sanctions,” Von der Leyen said.

While the US and NATO look unlikely to mount a major military response to a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kosovo’s defence ministry said it stood ready to help anyway.

“The US, as our main and irreplaceable strategic ally, knows best the operational capabilities and capacities of the Kosovo Security Forces, and if they assess that our capacities can be engaged, as we have always pledged, we will be ready to be alongside them in any operation in the service of regional peace, security and stability,” Colonel Sefer Isufi, Head of Strategic Communication at Kosovo’s Ministry of Defence told BIRN, noting that the Kosovo force had “actively participated” with NATO in the evacuation of refugees from Afghanistan.

“Wherever the US is, there is Kosovo!” Isufi said.

Kosovo is not a member of NATO, in part because four of the Western alliance’s 30 member states – Romania, Spain, Slovakia and Greece – do not recognise the former Serbian province as independent. Nor does Ukraine.

Albania, which joined NATO in 2009, has also hinted it would ready to take part in any future NATO mission in Ukraine.

“Albania’s Armed Forces will support any decision the US and NATO take,” Armed Forces Colonel Ardian Lulaj told Tirana-based Report TV on Monday.

“If requested, we will join because participation in NATO is not only about receiving but also about giving,” he said. “I assure you that soldiers are always ready.”

Montenegro and North Macedonia are both also members of NATO but did not respond to BIRN questions concerning the situation in Ukraine.

COVID-19: Eight new cases, no deaths (media)

Eight new cases with COVID-19 have been confirmed in the last 24 hours in Kosovo. Twelve persons recovered from the virus during this time.

There are 314 active cases with COVID-19 in Kosovo.