UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, April 12, 2022

Kosovo PM Kurti’s interview to Greece’s Kathimerini, euronews (media)
Mehaj reacts to reports of Serbia’s purchasing Chinese missile systems (media)
Israeli Minister Esawi Frey begins his official visit to Kosovo (RTK)
Former KIA chief: Serbian secret service attempted to assassinate Thaci in 2014 (T7, Klan)
Swiss government: Serbian authorities knew of Marty's assassination attempt claims (Albanian Post)
Inauguration meeting of the Democracy and Human Rights Council to take place today (media)
U.S. imposes sanctions on seven individuals in Balkan countries, accusing them of corruption (RFE)
Rama in Berlin, urges lifting visas for Kosovo: All criteria have been met (media)
Sinani dismissed from the post of Presevo Valley mayor (media)
COVID-19: 14 new cases, no deaths (media)

Kosovo PM Kurti’s interview to Greece’s Kathimerini, euronews (media)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti told Greek paper Kathimerini and euronews Greece that the Constitution of Kosovo does not allow unification with Albania and that the Constitution is something that is very difficult to be changed. He also said that he came to office with a programme focused on justice and employment.

Kurti expressed concern over the risk of the conflict in Ukraine spilling over to the Western Balkans. "We are worried that the Russian hybrid war is not limited to the Russian Federation's neighbors in Europe, but also in the Western Balkans, where they have Serbia as their close ally.”

He said Kosovo sees Greece as a partner in both the European Union and NATO. "I know that the Greek people do not have bad feelings towards our people, that your government values ours, the bridge is here, we just have to cross it. Especially after the geopolitical earthquake caused by the Russian aggression in Ukraine, we want to move as fast as possible, we would like Greece to proceed with our recognition. If Greece leads, Slovakia, Romania, Spain and Cyprus will follow," Kurti said.

See the interviews: https://bit.ly/3JyoKZV; https://bit.ly/3O4kHs0

Mehaj reacts to reports of Serbia’s purchasing Chinese missile systems (media)

Kosovo's Minister of Defense Armend Mehaj reacted after reports that Serbia has purchased missile systems and weapons from China.

"With the purchase of new missile systems and weapons from China, as well as previous systems from Russia, the destructive, very dangerous and anti-Western behavior of Serbia is strongly reconfirmed. According to information from the last two days, Serbia has received new weapons systems from China, adding to its previous contingent accepted from Russia and Belarus. This disgusting show is happening at a time when the EU and NATO and the whole world of pro-Euro-Atlantic values are facing the attacker of these values, Russia and its allies. By whom is Serbia endangered, or against whom is Serbia armed with the most advanced attack and defense systems? What is this hypocrisy? How long with these double standards?” Mehaj asked on Facebook.

He called on the international institutions, NATO, the EU and the UN, to “consider with the utmost seriousness this destructive and dangerous approach of Serbia, which has a serious impact on undermining of peace, security and stability in the Western Balkans region and beyond.”

Israeli Minister Esawi Frey begins his official visit to Kosovo (RTK)

A delegation from the State of Israel, headed by the Minister for Regional Cooperation, Esawi Frej, is paying an official visit to Kosovo.

On Monday, together with the Minister of Local Government Administration (MLGA) Elbert Krasniqi, they visited the Newborn Monument and paid homage to the Heroines Memorial by laying flowers. The visit will be followed by a large number of activities and meetings in the coming days.

The two ministers will hold a joint meeting on Tuesday. The Israeli minister will also pay tribute to the memorial plaque in honor of the victims of the Holocaust.

Former KIA chief: Serbian secret service attempted to assassinate Thaci in 2014 (T7, Klan)

Former director of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency Bashkim Smakaj has stated that in 2014 the Serbian Secret Service had attempted to assassinate the then Prime Minister of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci.

"The same methodology to carry out the assassinations of our senior official, Prime Minister, was used during the Kosovo national team match. A sniper was hired by the Serbian elite forces and then, in cooperation with the partner services, Serbian service did not deny that they had planned such a thing. Our partners and I had sent a message to Serbia to stop this and arrest former sniper with experience in Bosnia, Croatia."

Smakaj told T7 broadcaster that Kosovo security institutions have done continuous work in preventing the actions of the Serbian secret services.

Swiss government: Serbian authorities knew of Marty's assassination attempt claims (Albanian Post)

Serbian intelligence agency announced it has sent a letter to the Swiss Federal Information Service categorically denying statements from the former Swiss senator Dick Marty that the Serbian intelligence service was trying to assassinate him and blame Albanians for it. The Swiss Federal Council replied to Albanian Post saying that Swiss authorities are in contact with Serbian authorities in different levels.

According to Albanian Post this statement makes it clear that Serbia has been aware for a while about Marty's allegations and refutes Serbia intelligence's claim that they are just now hearing about the case.

Inauguration meeting of the Democracy and Human Rights Council to take place today (media)

President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani has called today an inauguration meeting of the Democracy and Human Rights Council, as part of commitments Kosovo institutions have taken on from this year's Democracy Summit hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden.

The Council, established by Osmani, will play the role of a mechanism responsible for guaranteeing the work of all institutions whose work is related to the commitments presented at the Democracy Summit.

U.S. imposes sanctions on seven individuals in Balkan countries, accusing them of corruption (RFE)

The United States has imposed sanctions on seven people in four Balkan countries, accusing them of threatening the stability of the region through corruption, criminal activity, and other actions.

The U.S. Treasury Department on April 11 announced the sanctions in a news release naming the seven people -- two each from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and North Macedonia, and one from Montenegro.

“The people designated today constitute a serious threat to regional stability, institutional trust, and the aspirations of those seeking democratic and judicious governance in the Western Balkans,” said Brian E. Nelson, undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.