UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 2, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

Borrell: We have three clear demands (RTK)
France and Germany demand new elections in the north (RFE Albanian)
Kurti: Stop violence until new elections in north (media)
Rama thanks Macron and Scholz for meeting with Osmani and Vucic (media)
Hovenier: Kurti has not changed his mind about the U.S. demands (RTK)
Kurti: More concerning than international sanctions, fascist militia in north (Koha)
Kurti receives phone call from three U.S. senators (media)
Several Kosovars arrested by Serbian authorities; Kosovo Foreign Ministry: Don’t travel through Serbia (media)
COMKFOR congratulates soldiers: You prevented the clash that would lead to civilian casualties (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

Day 8th of crisis in northern Kosovo, requests to hold new elections (RTS, media)
Gatherings in northern Kosovo continue, demands remain the same (KoSSev, media)
Vucic: It is increasingly clear who is responsible for problems in Kosovo (Tanjug)
Dacic: No one will be on Pristina's side if it defies entire world (Tanjug, media)
Arsenijevic, Aktiv on remarks Pristina officials use about protesters in northern Kosovo (Radio KIM, social media)
Two Serbs from central Serbia arrested at Jarinje sent to one month detention (Kosovo Online)
Albanians protest in Mitrovica South following call for “March for the North” (N1)

International Media:

Kosovar President Open To New Elections In Areas Of Northern Kosovo Where Clashes Occurred (RFE)
Macron, Scholz call for new elections in tense northern Kosovo districts (France24)
Kosovo crisis: France, Germany call for new elections (DW)
Kosovo's Kurti says mayors must work in offices, will not back down (Reuters)
Standoff in Tense North Kosovo, as Serb Protests Continue (BIRN)
Violence in northern Kosovo: The United States’ failed bet on Serbia (ecfr.eu)
Kosovo Journalists Left Unprotected in Violent Protests in North (BIRN)
Kosovo Holds Serbian Citizens for Weapons Possession Amid Protests (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media

Borrell: We have three clear demands (RTK)

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, said on Thursday that there are three demands after the joint meeting between the Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, which was held in Moldova, with the participation of French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

"We have three clear demands: - New local elections immediately; - Ensuring the participation of Kosovo Serbs' - The start of work on the establishment of the Association of Municipalities with a Serbian Majority, within the Dialogue facilitated by the EU. Failure to do so will have serious consequences in our relationship," Borrell wrote on Twitter.

After the meeting, Osmani said in an interview with RTK that there is a legal way to move forward. In reference to the Kosovo Serbs in the north, she said: “if they wish, there is a legal way to organize them very quickly. They process their petitions, and we respect our law. We are not asking for anything more than legality and constitutionality in the entire territory of the Republic of Kosovo. But, when new elections are called, of course it is important that they participate, that is, they participate as candidates, but at the same time they also participate in the elections and thus the greater legitimacy of the elected is ensured”.

France and Germany demand new elections in the north (RFE Albanian)

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that Germany and France have asked Kosovo and Serbia to hold new elections in the municipalities in the north of Kosovo. "France and Germany asked the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia to organize new elections in the regions affected by the unrest as soon as possible," Macron said.

Macron added that it was requested that there be participation from the local residents of the Serbian community and said that "the parties will consult and come back next week with clear answers".

Osmani confirmed that Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made this request during their meeting at the European Political Community summit in Moldova, and added that she told them that "we are ready to consider this, based on the law of Kosovo for local elections".

"About 20 percent of the voter lists can sign a petition and through it they can initiate the process of new elections. We are ready to follow the law," Osmani said.

Osmani said Vucic was asked not to pressure local citizens in the north of Kosovo not to participate in the elections. "He did not answer, but I hope that the citizens will be allowed to use their rights", Osmani added.

Meanwhile, Macron also said that in the coming weeks there will be a "clear decision" on the situation in the north of Kosovo and that this was agreed upon during the meetings with the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and the local leaders - President Osmani, and the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic.

After those meetings, Scholz said discussions with local leaders were "serious and intense."

Osmani and Vucic have held separate meetings with European leaders, on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit in the Moldovan capital, Chisinau.

Kurti: Stop violence until new elections in north (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti had a telephone conversation on Thursday with the Deputy National Security Advisor of the United States, Jon Finer. After the call, Kurti tweeted: “I thanked him for his phone call and expressed my commitment to work with the US to reduce tensions. This calls for an immediate end to violence by Belgrade-sponsored mobs against security officers until new elections in those municipalities”.

Rama thanks Macron and Scholz for meeting with Osmani and Vucic (media)

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said in a Twitter post on Thursday he could not thank enough French President Emmanuel Macron and German President Olaf Scholz “for what they are doing to finalize the Kosovo-Serbia normalization process! Watching them sit so respectfully with both sides in an effort to solve an absurd conflict says it all about their great European spirit. Thank you! I also praise Vjosa Osmani for speaking directly to Aleksandar Vucic and I truly hope that these three requests are met immediately so that this absurd conflict ends before damaging Kosovo's reputation beyond quick repair and its further integration into the democratic community. A big thank also to Josep Borrell for his passion and patience in helping to make this historical breakthrough finally happen.”

Hovenier: Kurti has not changed his mind about the U.S. demands (RTK)

After meeting with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti on Thursday, U.S. Ambassador in Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier said that it was a good and productive meeting. He said that they discussed the demands of the USA for the de-escalation of the situation. He also added that he cannot say that Prime Minister Kurti has changed his position regarding the request for mayors not to go to municipal facilities, but that the discussion was good.

Asked about possible sanctions, the U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier, stated that he does not want to use this file against Kosovo. However, according to him, there are already some consequences as a cause of the current situation. He added that he hopes that this situation will pass so that there are no more consequences.

Meanwhile, he refused to answer what would happen if Kurt didn't change his mind.

"I am not able to say what the consequences may be. I would say that the U.S. is thinking that we should encourage the government of Kosovo to do what we think is extremely important to do now."

The ambassador said that this is not a situation that the U.S. will change. "But this requires a decision by Prime Minister Kurti and the government of Kosovo. This is exactly what we were talking about now,” he argued.

Kurti: More concerning than international sanctions, fascist militia in north (Koha)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in an interview with KTV on Thursday evening that he cannot prejudge if Kosovo would be able to withstand a possible aggression from Serbia. Kurti said he does not make predictions about the future, but he refused to say whether Kosovo alone can withstand a possible attack from Serbia. "I act according to our government program, the law and the Constitution, I cannot make predictions about what will happen in the future. For example, when you said earlier that if Serbia attacks, our forces will not be able to withstand it, I don't know if that is true. I wouldn't have prejudged it. Of course, it's good to have help," Kurti said.

Kurti has said that he does not see as something new the issue of raising the alert of Serbia for war readiness. He said that knowing the threats from Serbia, the government of Kosovo has increased the budget for defense and security.

Asked about the U.S. sanctions, Kurti said that more disturbing than the possible sanctions is the "fascist militia in the north". "Often in government policies, in executive decisions, there are no ideal options, and often not even optimal ones. So, decisions, ideal options are luxury and sometimes even optimal," he said adding that he believes that he made the best possible solution, and that the allies were heard when it was decided to postpone the elections and even on the matter of the oath of the mayors. "However, there can be no other working place."

With regards to the harsh criticism from the United States of America for insisting that the new mayors of the municipalities in the north exercise their duties from municipal facilities, Kurti said "it is not normal to agree with everything every time" and added that he did not act "behind the ambassador's back".

"I have the highest appreciation and respect for Ambassador Hovenier, I can say strongly especially compared to all other ambassadors, but the people voted for me, the ambassador did not appoint me. You must understand this, the people of Kosovo voted for me, the people of Kosovo elect you, the people even remove you. It is not an appointment of the prime minister, the prime minister is the choice of the one who is the source of sovereignty," Kurti said.

Kurti said the two mayors of the municipalities in the north, who come from the ranks of his party, did not go to the meeting with Ambassador Hovenier several days ago, "because the meeting was organized during working hours".

He said that there is continuous cooperation with the ambassadors of QUINT and especially with U.S. Ambassador. Kurti said that the law and the Constitution require that in Kosovo there are no individuals or gangs more powerful than the state.

Speaking about whether Kosovo's relations with its allies are endangered after the insistence that the new mayors of municipalities in the north exercise their duties from municipal facilities despite the protests of the Serbs, Kurti said that "any generosity and tolerance from the national - chauvinists are seen as fear".

He said that relations with the international allies, ‘to whom we are infinitely, eternally grateful’ are very good, they have intensified in these two years.

He added that the issue of new mayors in the north is being used as a pretext to incite tensions "by those who do not accept the 21st century and independent Kosovo."

Kurti receives phone call from three U.S. senators (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti had a joint telephone conversation with U.S. Senators Chris Murphy, Jeanne Shaheen and Pete Ricketts. As announced by Kurti’s office, he spoke with the senators about the latest developments in the north, in which case he emphasized that the results of the elections were recognized internationally. "The violent crowd contributed to the escalation of the situation on Monday, where the Kosovo Police was attacked, KFOR soldiers and journalists were injured by armed and violent people, members of criminal groups led by Serbia, who are interested in destabilization," the press release notes. Kurti also assured the senators that he is fully engaged in calming the situation and implementing the agreement.

Several Kosovars arrested by Serbian authorities; Kosovo Foreign Ministry: Don’t travel through Serbia (media)

Kosovo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Thursday that Kosovo citizens should avoid traveling through Serbia, because of the situation in the north of Kosovo. The ministry said it received reports that several Kosovar citizens were arrested by Serbian authorities as they were traveling through Serbia. It said it was closely addressing the cases through the Liaison Office in Belgrade. “Given the latest developments and also knowing the incorrect behavior of Serbian authorities, with the aim of avoiding any kind of incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls on citizens to use alternative routes for travel,” the ministry said.

COMKFOR commends soldiers: You prevented clash that would lead to civilian casualties (Koha)

Commander of KFOR peacekeeping troops, Angelo Michele Ristuccia, visited the soldiers who were injured in the north two days ago. He said that KFOR soldiers prevented a clash that could have led to civilian casualties.

"Be proud of what you did, you acted in full compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999, intervening between two opposing sides and preventing a clash that would have certainly led to a large number of civilian victims," said Ristuccia, expressing his pride with the soldiers.

Serbian Language Media

Day 8th of crisis in northern Kosovo, requests to hold new elections (RTS, media)

Serbian national broadcaster RTS reports this morning that the 8th day of the crisis in northern Kosovo caused by taking over of local municipal buildings by Kosovo special police forces has started. In order to de-escalate tensions, the European Union and US requested from Pristina to hold new elections, ensure participation of Serbs in them and establish the Community of Serb Municipalities.

EU High Representative Josep Borrell said during the talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani that those are crucial requests.

President Vucic said Serbia was ready to do its utmost in order to de-escalate the situation and the most important step to have that happening is withdrawal of the mayors voted by less than four percent of voters and special police forces.

Employees of local administrations still can not go to their working places as municipal buildings in Zvecan, Zubin Potok and Leposavic remain blocked. KFOR is still present and at request of the Serbs it also deployed its forces at main junctions at this town.

Gatherings in northern Kosovo continue, demands remain the same (KoSSev, media)

The latest crisis in northern Kosovo enters its second week, KoSSev portal reports this morning. New day in Zvecan, Zubin Potok and Leposavic municipalities started as the previous one – on one side are protesting residents and on the other side of the fence KFOR.

There was an increased presence of KFOR forces at several locations in Zvecan, previously requested by Serbian List following an incident with Kosovo police vehicles.

KFOR is also present in front of a municipal building, but in smaller numbers today according to KoSSev. Employees of the Serbian administration still can not access their working places and today as well they register their presence in the book of attendance symbolically as if their working hours started.

Representatives of the Serbian List, including former mayors of Zvecan and Mitrovica North, Dragisa Milovic and Milan Radojevic are also present. The situation is calm.

In Leposavic the premises of Trepca company still remain blocked by Kosovo police and production is halted. The salaries of the employees are directly linked with production, Kosovo Online portal recalls.

Schools and kindergarten in fourth northern municipalities remain closed.

Vucic: It is increasingly clear who is responsible for problems in Kosovo (Tanjug)

After a series of meetings with European leaders at a European Political Community summit in Chisinau, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said it was becoming increasingly clear who was responsible for problems and violence in Kosovo and Metohija, Tanjug news agency reports.

He said that, besides Ukraine, a resolution of the Kosovo issue had been one of the main topics and that a Pristina delegation had not wanted to speak with Belgrade's delegation, but that Belgrade was always ready for dialogue.

He said he had had many bilateral meetings, adding that he had met with Hungarian PM Viktor Orban, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, Albanian PM Edi Rama, North Macedonian PM Dimitar Kovacevski, Montenegrin President Jakov Milatovic, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the PMs of the Netherlands, Iceland, Finland, Poland and Spain, EU Council President Charles Michel and Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy.

Dacic: No one will be on Pristina's side if it defies entire world (Tanjug, media)

Serbian FM Ivica Dacic said on Thursday the Serbian leadership had reacted "sternly, swiftly and well" to complex developments in the north of Kosovo.

He said restoring the situation from before the recent local elections held by Pristina in the north was the only way of de-escalation.

Dacic welcomed US positions on the developments there and commended Washington's clear warning to Pristina's PM Albin Kurti that he must form a Community of Serb Municipalities.

"I think that both the US and the EU are angry because Kurti has made the situation complicated and caused clashes through unilateral moves", Dacic said, adding that Kurti's moves led from one escalation to another.

International Media

Kosovar President Open To New Elections In Areas Of Northern Kosovo Where Clashes Occurred (RFE)

The president of Kosovo confirmed that France and Germany have suggested holding new elections in four municipalities in northern Kosovo as a means of defusing tensions over the forced installation of ethnic-Albanian mayors.

Vjosa Osmani said she told French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that Pristina is "ready to consider that possibility."

Osmani also said she told the European leaders that legal procedures make it possible to hold elections.

"I informed them that our legislation allows this possibility and we are ready to consider it based on the law on elections of Kosovo," Osmani said.

Macron, speaking on June 1 at a summit of European leaders in Moldova, said he and Scholz also asked for Kosovo's election rules to be clarified.

Macron's comments came as diplomats pushed for an end to the standoff that erupted in violent clashes earlier this week involving NATO peacekeepers.