UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 31, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani to meet Stoltenberg at NATO headquarters on September 7 (media)

Lajcak: Kurti-Vucic high-level meeting in Brussels in September (Reporteri)

Joint message of Lajcak, Szynuog and Barbano on missing persons (media)

Ziadeh: Fate of missing persons should be resolved in spirit of reconciliation, building trust and respect for human rights, not politicised (media)

OSCE calls on parties to implement Declaration on Missing Persons (media)

Hoti: Neither the EU nor Vucic answered me about the missing persons (Klan)

Gara: Serbia has politicized issue of missing persons (RTK)

Administrative instruction announced for public consultation (RTK)

KDI: Administrative instruction for removal of mayors exceeds law (RTK)

Citaku to Osmani: Concluding dialogue is Kosovo’s state interest (Reporteri)

Serbian Language Media:

Lajcak: Substantive discussion with Vucic (N1, NMagazin)

PM Brnabic met Congressman Turner (RTS)

Vucevic met Turner: The two countries are strengthening cooperation, without leaving the framework of Serbia's military neutrality (RTS)

Sir Stuart Peach: EU has to say the region has a better future (N1)

Miscevic: The declaration of the EU's readiness for enlargement by 2030 is a goal, not a promise (Beta, KiM radio)

Office for KiM: Solving the issue of missing persons a prerequisite for reconciliation (Tanjug)

Brnabic comment draws protest from Albanian MP (N1)

Momcilo Trajkovic hospitalized after being held in Merage crossing more than four hours yesterday (Danas)

International Media:

Kosovo’s president lashes out at Macron for saying France may review visa-free travel for Kosovars (AP)

Kosovo: Authorities are failing domestic violence victims (Amnesty International)

International Missing Persons Day Commemorated in Ex-Yugoslav Countries (Balkan Insight)

Jazz Fest Unites Music Fans In Divided Kosovo Town (RFE)

Pristina Festival the ‘Next Step’ for Queer Culture in Kosovo (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media

Osmani to meet Stoltenberg at NATO headquarters on September 7 (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani will meet with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at NATO headquarters in Brussels. NATO said in a statement that Stoltenberg will host Osmani on September 7. Stoltenberg and Osmani are scheduled to give a joint press conference after the meeting.

Lajcak: Kurti-Vucic high-level meeting in Brussels in September (Reporteri)

EU Special Representative for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Miroslav Lajcak, met on Wednesday in Belgrade Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. "In Belgrade today, I had essential discussions with the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, about the next high-level meeting in September, efforts to reduce tensions and hold new local elections in the north of Kosovo, as well as the implementation of all Agreements of Dialogue," Lajcak said.

Joint message of Lajcak, Szynuog and Barbano on missing persons (media)

Tangible Progress in Determining the Fate of Missing Persons Needed: A Joint Message of the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues, the Head of EU Office in Kosovo/EU Special Representative, and the Head of EULEX

The EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues, Miroslav Lajčák, the Head of EU Office in Kosovo/EU Special Representative, Tomáš Szunyog, and the Head of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), Giovanni Pietro Barbano, call for tangible progress in determining the fate of the 1,616 Missing Persons, who are still unaccounted for in Kosovo, and fully acknowledge the right of Missing Persons’ families to know the truth about the fate of their loved ones.

“The Joint Declaration on Missing Persons was endorsed by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti in May 2023. A lot of work needs to be done by Kosovo and Serbia to ensure the full implementation of the respective commitments in the field of Missing Persons and to strengthen cooperation in identifying burial sites and executing excavations,” the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues, Miroslav Lajčák said. He added that the Declaration aims at supporting the work and efforts by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to facilitate the Parties’ cooperation on Missing Persons. It also envisages the establishment of a Joint Commission chaired by the European Union and observed by the ICRC.

Extending his support to the families who are still waiting to find out what happened to their loved ones, the Head of EU Office in Kosovo/EU Special Representative, Tomáš Szunyog, highlighted the importance of ensuring that the voice of Missing Persons’ families is heard. “To put family members at the forefront of this discussion and to raise awareness among the public of this sensitive issue, the EU funded a successful project implemented by the Humanitarian Law Center Kosovo, together with Kosovo 2.0, which also resulted in a publicly available report focused on the challenges in finding missing persons. In addition, the EU also provided a series of training courses aimed at building the capacities of the staff of the Kosovo Institute of Forensic Medicine, a key institution in shedding light on the fate of missing persons, and procured equipment necessary for its operations.”

The Head of Mission of EULEX, Giovanni Pietro Barbano, noted that Mission experts continue to work together with their Kosovo counterparts at the Institute of Forensic Medicine to determine the fate of Missing Persons by offering expertise and advice in the identification of clandestine graves and the exhumation and identification of missing persons. “From the beginning of EULEX’s mandate to date, EULEX has conducted 746 field operations to locate missing persons, including 200 exhumations. The remains of 492 individuals have been identified, including 339 Missing Persons. We remain committed to continuing this work and to provide answers to the families of Missing Persons.”

Ziadeh: Fate of missing persons should be resolved in spirit of reconciliation, building trust and respect for human rights, not politicised (media)

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of UNMIK, Caroline Ziadeh, called on Wednesday for renewed efforts and commitment to resolving the fate of the victims of enforced disappearances. She calls on authorities to address the issue of the missing persons as a matter priority to ease the suffering of families.

“I urge competent authorities to undertake all necessary measures to implement, in good faith, the Declaration on Missing Persons agreed in May within the EU-facilitated Dialogue,” she said in a statement commemorating the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.

“Solving the fate of missing persons can contribute to the broader process of trustbuilding, reconciliation, and sustaining peace. The lack of progress can undermine the ongoing dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade.”

SRSG Ziadeh also recalls the recent visit and key findings of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence Mr. Fabián Salvioli*, who found at the time that the politicisation of the search for missing persons had caused immense frustration in civil society and the families.

“The fate of victims of enforced disappearances should be resolved in the spirit of reconciliation, building trust and respect of human rights; and not politicised,” SRSG Ziadeh said.

UNMIK will continue to advocate for the resumption of cooperation and a victim-centered, human rights approach to the matter, in close cooperation with families and all relevant actors.

OSCE calls on parties to implement Declaration on Missing Persons (media)

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo said in a statement on Wednesday: “On the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances 30 August, we mourn the 1,617 still missing from the conflict in Kosovo. Our thoughts and prayers go to the families and friends of all missing persons. We call on the parties to implement the Declaration on Missing Persons signed on 2 May this year in Brussels, aiming to bring closure to the suffering and fostering lasting reconciliation and peace.”

Hoti: Neither the EU nor Vucic answered me about the missing persons (Klan)

Head of the Kosovo government’s committee for missing persons, Andin Hoti, said on Wednesday with regards to the establishment of the joint commission for Missing Persons, Serbia is playing the same game as it did with the statement on Missing Persons. According to Hoti, this game of Serbia is being played with the purpose of non-implementation of the agreement on the establishment of the joint commission and in order not to implement the statement.

"One of the arguments for the non-implementation of the statement is the date of June 1, when I specifically sent a letter to Vucic about some of the archives that I requested. It has been public that Serbia has reclassified those documents of this Brigade that committed crimes in Drenica, and we have no word from Serbia".

"If we read the annex of the agreement, you can see from all the paragraphs, the issue of missing persons is the only issue that must be dealt with urgently. This has been approved by both Serbia and the international community. And, when the international community puts pressure on the implementation of the agreement or the normalization of relations, I think that it is clear that the first step towards this normalization is the solution of the fate of the missing persons,” Hoti said in an interview with Klan Kosova.

He also said that he has not received any response from the European Union regarding the issue of the establishment of the Joint Commission for Missing Persons.

"The steps to implement the declaration must be followed and the first is the establishment of the Joint Commission, chaired by the EU. I was in Brussels last month together with (Besnik) Bislimi and we sent our comments, which were very technical and could be completed within 1-2 days, and we are still at a point where Lajcak should reply about the establishment of the commission and continue the first meeting of the commission. We have not received an answer from the EU on this case,” Hoti said.

Speaking about the mass graves, Hoti said that "we had a case last year and it was in the north of Kosovo where we had a very important witness for a suspicious location of a mass grave with over 20 people and that witness was a Serb".

"At the last moment, the witness disappeared and no longer communicates with us, and they told us that he was threatened by Serbia", said Hoti. Further, he said that it often happens that the Serbian authorities publicly threaten their own witnesses that they do not dare to provide information.

Gara: Serbia politicized issue of missing persons (RTK)

It has been more than two decades since more than 1,600 people killed by Serbian forces and who have disappeared are still being sought by their families and the institutions of Kosovo. Kushtrim Gara, from the Kosovo government’s committee for missing persons, said that Serbia has politicized the issue of missing persons. The issue of the missing, as he said, should have special treatment at all dialogue levels. "The Republic of Kosovo will continue to be an example in the region for handling information about missing persons", Gara said, adding that there will be changes in legal matters for the missing. Gara also said that the committee is engaging with the associations of missing persons and other actors to clarify their fate.

Administrative instruction announced for public consultation (RTK)

The Kosovo government has issued for public consultation the Administrative Instruction for the citizens' initiative for the removal of mayors of municipalities in the north of Kosovo. “This Administrative Instruction aims to determine the procedure for initiating, organizing and submitting citizens' initiatives to recall elections at the local level,” Article 1 of the instruction notes.

Article 4 notes that the initiation of the request for the removal of the mayor of the municipality, states that each citizen or group of citizens with the right to vote in the respective municipality has the right to take the initiative for the removal of the mayor of the municipality and that each citizen or group of citizens who undertake the initiative for the removal of the mayor of the municipality, will appoint a responsible person who serves as a contact point.

Meanwhile, Article 5 states that if it is determined that the request is supported by at least twenty percent (20%) of the registered voters, a vote is organized to remove the mayor from office.

The Ministry of Local Government Administration is responsible for monitoring and implementing this Instruction.

Full instructions at the link: https://tinyurl.com/3wn2utzc

KDI: Administrative instruction for removal of mayors exceeds law (RTK)

The Kosovo government has supported the holding of new elections in the four northern municipalities but assessing that the best way is for this to be done through the initiative of 20% of the citizens. For this purpose, a working group was formed within the Ministry of Local Government Administration to finalise an administrative instruction.

The Pristina-based Kosovo Democratic Institute said in a statement on Wednesday that "despite the importance of this instruction, the process of drafting it has been accompanied by a lack of transparency and full inclusion. In fact, the MLGA has acted in violation of the minimum standards for public consultations, keeping this instruction open for public consultation for only four working days”.

KDI also previously emphasized the importance of the administrative instruction being in full compliance with the legal provisions. "However, we estimate that the draft prepared by MLGA exceeded the legal provisions of the law on local self-government. On the one hand, the MLGA has defined procedures, deadlines and obligations within the initiative that go beyond the law, and on the other hand, it has not addressed the ambiguities in the implementation of the provisions in force,” the statement notes.

According to the KDI, the instruction sets a deadline of 30 days for the collection of signatures, which limits citizens' will to exercise a legal right, and paradoxically sets an additional deadline for completing the request with new signatures, if criterion of 20% of registered voters is not reached. "On the other hand, the instruction did not specify which list of voters will be used as a basis for initiating the request and conducting the voting process. Therefore, under these circumstances, the KDI reiterates that the administrative instruction, apart from being contrary to the law, is insufficient to enable the removal of the mayors of the municipalities. For the adequate development of this process, the approval of the relevant secondary legislation by the Central Election Commission is necessary. Thus, the KDI considers the resignations of the current mayors of the northern municipalities as the most efficient solution for overcoming the situation and electing new legitimate institutions,” the statement notes.

Citaku to Osmani: Concluding dialogue is Kosovo’s state interest (Reporteri)

Vlora Citaku, deputy leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), reacted to a statement by Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani who said that "if the visa liberalization process is suspended, this kills the dialogue". Osmani’s statement came after the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, in his speech to the French ambassadors around the world, on Monday, August 28, when he also talked about the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, warning with measures against Kosovo and Serbia if they "do not behave responsibly". "France and Germany have made commitments regarding visa policies and other economic issues, which will be reviewed if the parties fail to behave responsibly," Macron said. Citaku said in her reaction that it is the state interest of Kosovo to successfully conclude the dialogue with Serbia.

Serbian Language Media

Lajcak: Substantive discussion with Vucic (N1, NMagazin)

European Union Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak said on Wednesday late afternoon that discussed the next high-level meeting of the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, reported N1.

“In Belgrade today, I had substantive discussions with President Vucic about the next High-level Meeting in September, efforts to lower tensions and hold new local elections in the north of Kosovo, as well as the implementation of all Dialogue Agreements,” Lajcak wrote in a post on X.

PM Brnabic met Congressman Turner (RTS)

Prime Minister of Serbia Ana Brnabic met with American Congressman Michael Turner, with whom she discussed bilateral relations, European integration, as well as the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, the Government of Serbia announced.

Brnabic welcomed the dynamic political dialogue with the representatives of the USA and added Serbia's commitment to further improving relations, especially in the field of telecommunications, IT services and infrastructure projects.

She emphasized that Serbia is firmly committed to preserving peace and stability, and that is why great efforts are being made to normalize relations between Belgrade and Pristina, ponting out that ten years have passed since the signing of the Brussels Agreement, and the CSM has not yet been formed.

Brnabic said that Serbia stands firmly on the European path and added that Serbia's goal is to open Cluster 3.

Congressman Turner emphasized that he greatly appreciates Serbia's efforts in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Turner pointed out that the cooperation with the Ohio National Guard gives a strong impetus to the relations between the two countries, and he particularly positively reflected on the visible economic progress of Serbia in recent years.

The US Ambassador to Belgrade, Christopher Hill, also attended the meeting.

Vucevic met Turner: The two countries are strengthening cooperation, without leaving the framework of Serbia's military neutrality (RTS)

Deputy PM and Minister of Defense Milos Vucevic met with Congressman Turner, with whom he discussed cooperation between the two countries in the field of defense.

Vucevic emphasized that the two countries are undoubtedly striving to strengthen bilateral relations, with a clear intention to deepen cooperation in the field of defense, without departing from the framework of Serbia's planned military neutrality, the Ministry of Defense announced.

The Minister said that in the past 17 years of existence of the State Partnership Program of the Ministry of Defense and the Serbian Army with the Ohio National Guard, numerous activities have been implemented, which significantly influenced the capacity building of the Serbian Army, primarily the ability to engage in multinational operations.

Vucevic emphasized the key role of the USA in the dialogue process between Belgrade and Pristina, which should primarily ensure peace and normal life for the Serbian and all other communities in Kosovo.

He noted that, when it comes to the safety of citizens of Serbian nationality in Kosovo, Serbia only sees KFOR as a legitimate armed formation in accordance with UNSCR 1244 and added that Serbia is firmly determined to remain a promoter of dialogue and a factor of stability in the region.

Congressman Turner thanked for the warm reception at the Ministry of Defense, expressing hope that Serbia and the USA will raise cooperation to a higher level in all areas of mutual interest in the coming period.

Sir Stuart Peach: EU has to say the region has a better future (N1)

The British government’s Special Envoy to the Western Balkans Sir Stuart Peach told N1 at the Bled Strategic Forum that the EU has to tell the people of the region that a better future exists.

“It’s important for the EU to make it clear to the people of the region that there is a better, more prosperous future for them… The journey of accession brings both hope and frustration. The UK’s role is very much in support of the EU approach,” he said.

According to Peach, the process is not about “who’s winning and who’s losing, it's much more about where they are in the process and how long the process has been running.” “No country is the same and all countries make different choices,” he said. He recalled that several countries in the region are NATO members, making significant contributions to European security. “If countries in the region choose not to join NATO that’s their sovereign choice, just as if countries choose not to join the EU that’s their sovereign choice. We recommend that they do follow the Euro Atlantic security journey,” Peach added.

He said that the UK speaks to both sides in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and strongly supports the approach to normalization. “We call on both sides to de-escalate, for the Kosovo Serbs to return to the institutions, to bring balance and fairness back to policing, to return to normal policing as soon as possible and to ensure that local democracy takes root and depth and by that I mean local elections and we expect as many people as possible, all sides to participate in those local elections,” he said.

Miscevic: The declaration of the EU's readiness for enlargement by 2030 is a goal, not a promise (Beta, KiM radio)

Minister for European Integration Tanja Miscevic stated that the announcement of the EU's readiness to accept new members by 2030 is a goal that needs to be reached, not a promise.

When asked by a journalist whether Serbia can progress in European integration until it solves the issue of normalizing relations with Pristina and introducing sanctions against Russia, she said that these issues are already defined in the chapters on accession.

"When it comes to normalization (of relations between Belgrade and Pristina), we already have chapter 35, which contains the final measure, which is a comprehensive agreement on normalization. We are in the same direction when it comes to Chapter 21 (on alignment with the EU's foreign policy)," Miscevic said.

The Ambassador of the European Union (EU) in Serbia, Emanuele Giaufret, said that the statement by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, that the EU should accept new members by 2030 means a change in perception within the bloc.

"Russian aggression has changed things. Now we look at things in a different way and that is more important to us. This is a real opportunity to achieve enlargement, it must be considered. Serbia has great challenges to take advantage of this opportunity, but I think it will gain a lot from it," he said.

Office for KiM: Solving the issue of missing persons a prerequisite for reconciliation (Tanjug)

‘’On the International Day of the Missing, Serbia once again confirms its unequivocal intention to contribute in every way in clarifying the fate of the persons who disappeared in Kosovo and Metohija, and expresses the hope that, after Pristina stops the practice of brutal political abuse of this issue, the families who are still searching for their loved ones will receive at least partial consolation,’’ announced yesterday the Office for Kosovo and Metohija.

"Unfortunately, the messages of Albin Kurti and his subordinates show us how little Pristina cares about humanity and the real normalization of relations, and they use every issue, including the search for the 1,618 missing persons, for a daily political struggle, instead of stopping the obstruction of the implementation of the Declaration on the Missing, that they gave been doing for four months," said the director of the Office for KiM, Petar Petkovic.

As he said, ''Belgrade showed the greatest possible readiness when it comes to efforts to determine the fate of the missing or find their remains: Pristina asked us to search 23 locations and all requests were answered positively, and on the other hand, Belgrade asked search at 10 locations in Kosovo and Metohija, but Pristina responded positively to only one request'', reported Tanjug, citing the announcement.

Brnabic comment draws protest from Albanian MP (N1)

A statement by Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic at the Bled Strategic Forum has drawn protests from an ethnic Albanian politician in southern Serbia.

Asked if Albanians in southern Serbia enjoy what Serbs in northern Kosovo have, Brnabic told a panel at the forum on Monday that the Albanians in southern Serbia enjoy rule of law and human rights and added that anyone who shot at an Albanian in Presevo or Bujanovac would be held accountable. “That is impossible in Serbia,” she said, alluding to reported attacks on Serbs in Kosovo.

Saip Kamberi MP, an ethnic Albanian from the town of Bujanovac, said that Brnabic was actually telling Albanians in Serbia “don’t demand rights, it’s enough that we aren’t killing you.” According to him, the Prime Minister’s message to the Albanians in the Presevo valley is that they have rights because no one is killing them while the Serbs in Kosovo don’t.

“That continues Serbia's official policy of double standards towards minorities and the denial of basic minority rights on its territory while trying to build standards that exist in no other country for its minority in Kosovo,” he told the Bujanovacke portal.

Momcilo Trajkovic hospitalized after being held in Merage crossing more than four hours yesterday (Danas)

Lawyer and activist from North Mitrovica Marko Jaksic said on X (Twitter) that Momcilo Trajkovic, president of the Serbian National Council, is in the hospital after yesterday's two-hour detention at the Merdare crossing, when entering central Serbia, but also when returning to Kosovo, Danas reported last night.

"Momcilo Trajkovic ended up in the hospital today due to two detentions yesterday (on departure from and return to Kosovo) on Merdare (by our police) for a total of several hours, apart from not taking his therapy on time," wrote Jaksic.

Trajkovic himself published a photo from the hospital with the message: "To Aleksandar Vucic, I'm in the hospital and I'm fine."

International Media

Kosovo’s president lashes out at Macron for saying France may review visa-free travel for Kosovars (AP)

Kosovo’s president on Wednesday lashed out at France’s Emmanuel Macron for saying this week that Paris may review visa-free EU travel rules in 2024 for Kosovo and Serbia over their stalled talks on normalizing ties.

President Vjosa Osmani said any suspension of visa-free travel to the European Union for her country’s citizens next year would “kill the dialogue once and for all” with Serbia.