Albanian Language Media:

• U.S State Department urges postponement of decision to ban dinar (VoA)
• Osmani meets Hovenier, discuss latest developments (media)
• Hovenier: Kosovo risks facing ethnic tensions (media)
• Kurti meets Ambassador Ziv, talk about organizing an Economic Forum (Klan)
• Over 800 Serbs applied for Kosovo passport only in January (Express)
• Kurti dismisses adviser seen in party with parallel structures' officials (media)
• Kosovo urged to drop legal push to 'control online media' (Prishtina Insight)
• Illegal activity near Police seen as security concern (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Hovenier: US concerned the dinar ban could escalate tensions (Beta, N1, KiM radio)
• Serbian List with Hovenier regarding the last decision of Pristina (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• More than 800 Serbs applied for Kosovo passports during January (N1, FoNet, Danas)
• Drecun: Dinar ban one of toughest blows yet but Kurti will not stop there (Tanjug)
• A ministerial duo visited Albanian houses under construction in Brdjani, workers tore down a billboard with the Serbian flag nearby (KoSSev)
• Arsenijevic on the occasion of the visit of Kosovo ministers to North Mitrovica (Danas) 
• The State Department calls on the GoK to immediately postpone the CBK's decision to abolish dinars (Kosovo Online, thepavlovictoday.com, media)
• Andric Rakic: If the withdrawal of dinars is prevented, the cost of living for citizens will increase (Kosovo Online)

International Media:

Closed Hearings at Hague War Crimes Court ‘Heighten Mistrust’ in Kosovo (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media

U.S State Department urges postponement of decision to ban dinar (VoA) 

The U.S. State Department said they are deeply disappointed and oppose Kosovo's current plans to continue with the implementation of the decision to limit the circulation of foreign currencies, including the Serbian dinar. 

"We again call for the implementation of this decision to be postponed immediately until satisfactory procedures are established in accordance with European standards and the population is sufficiently educated on how the transitional period will continue. The decision was announced without adequate preparation or consultation," says a response from the U.S. State Department to VoA. 

The Department of State said that it has asked the authorities in Kosovo to explain what urgent problem this regulation aims to solve and if an emergency is needed. 

"We have not heard any suitable answer. Many citizens of Kosovo now do not know how they will pay their bills or receive their pensions. This action is also inconsistent with Kosovo's commitment to work through the European Union-facilitated Dialogue to address issues affecting the well-being of the Serb minority community," states the U.S. State Department's response, underlining that good governance and good international partnership require time to assess the consequences, listen to perspectives and consult with others for a workable solution.  

"The consequence of this and similar unilateral actions limits the possibilities of the United States as Kosovo's advocate in the international arena", says the answer. 

Osmani meets Hovenier, discuss latest developments (media) 

Kosovo president, Vjosa Osmani, has met with the U.S. ambassador to Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier. They discussed the latest developments in Kosovo, including those in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue and the preparations being made in relation to the request for new elections in the north. 

"President Osmani and Ambassador Hovenier also discussed a number of issues in the field of bilateral cooperation, this year's edition of the international forum for Women, Peace and Security, as well as other issues of mutual interest", it is stated in the announcement of the presidency. 

Hovenier: Kosovo risks facing ethnic tensions (media) 

The Ambassador of the United States of America, Jeffrey Hovenier, spoke on Thursday to the media after the regular meeting he had with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti. He said Kosovo risks facing new tensions, due to the decision of the Central Bank that prohibits the use of the Serbian dinar. He emphasized that appropriate actions should be taken to ensure that Serbs will feel safe. 

"We think that this issue deserves more consideration and also discussions at the dialogue table. Our concerns are that there may be ethnic tensions," said Hovernier. 

"I do not know that the frustrations of Serbian citizens can be avoided as a result of this regulation and its implementation, which is sensitive to their concerns. I'm giving you an example. Now it can be a person who is receiving a social benefit who is used to a process, I believe that process is to go to the post office of Serbia to receive the payment in cash. How does that person get that benefit now? What are the procedures for that person to receive it? That elderly person may be confused, there may be tensions from people who feel left out of social assistance. Nobody wants that. We are concerned about the citizens and their lives", Hovenier said.  

He added that the United States is against the new CBK regulation, if it is not prepared properly and completely. 

Kurti meets Ambassador Ziv, talk about organizing an Economic Forum (Klan) 

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, received on Thursday the Ambassador of Israel in Kosovo, Tamara Ziv. The Prime Minister's Office announced that they talked about the bilateral relations between the two countries that mark the third anniversary of their establishment and the mutual will for their further deepening, especially in the field of economy. “In this regard, they discussed the possibility of organizing an Economic Forum that would serve as an opportunity to promote economic cooperation and opportunities to invest in Kosovo". 

"Furthermore, Prime Minister Kurti thanked Ambassador Ziv for close communication and continuous support. He expressed his gratitude for the decision of the State of Israel to liberalize visas for the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo in the wake of positive news and developments at the beginning of this year," the communiqué continues. 

Over 800 Serbs applied for Kosovo passport only in January (Express) 

The news portal reports that although Kosovo citizens can travel to the states of the Schengen area without the need to obtain visas in advance, this still does not apply to Serb citizens of Kosovo who have passports of the Coordinating Administration, issued by Serbia. In order to travel to Europe, only during the month of January, 826 Serbs have applied for a Kosovo passport. The Ministry of Internal Affairs said that in recent months they have seen a significant increase in applications. The Ministry also said that they have enough material to provide citizens who apply for passports.  

Officials of the Ministry of the Interior told Express they have indicated what the number is for each municipality separately. "Leposavic 155; Zubin Potok: 125; Zvecan 112; North Mitrovica 434", says the response of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. 

Meanwhile, until December 31, 2023, 6,310 Serb citizens have applied for a Kosovo passport. "Leposavic 693; Zubin Potok 911; Zvecan 671; North Mitrovica 4035". 

Kurti dismisses adviser seen in party with parallel structures' officials (media)

Prime Minister Albin Kurti has dismissed his advisor, Edison Beciri. According to the media, the reason for his dismissal was a photograph of Beciri among the officials of an illegal Serbian municipality in Vranisht of Dragash. 

Ministers Xhelal Svecla and Elbert Krasniqi were proud when they closed four offices of parallel municipalities in Vranishte of Dragash, media report. According to the announcement of Minister Krasniqi, four parallel municipalities in Dragash have acted and illegally issued documents for the municipality of Prizren, Suhareka and Rahovec.    

The photo shows Kurti's advisor in a party among the officials of this illegal institution in the cafeteria of this municipality that functioned until January 26. The government of Kosovo has not clarified the reason for Beciri's visit there. However, on Thursday, he has been dismissed from the position of advisor to Prime Minister Kurti. 

Kosovo urged to drop legal push to 'control online media' (Prishtina Insight) 

A draft law requiring online media that produce videos to apply for licensing has drawn criticism from local and international media organizations, which accuse the government of attempting to put them under state control. 

Local and international media organizations called on Kosovo's government on Thursday to withdraw the draft law on the Independent Media Commission, IMC, and stop attempting to put online media "under control".   

In December, the government approved the draft law which amends the Law on the IMC in force since 2012, empowering this body with competencies to regulate the online media, which until now have been self-regulated. 

Read more at: http://tinyurl.com/4buf6ff7 

Illegal activity near Police seen as security concern (Koha) 

The development of illegal activities for years in a facility adjacent to the Police Station in Pristina, which since the post-war was claimed to have been used by a Serbian non-governmental organization, is a high security concern, media reports. Police raided the premises on Wednesday under the suspicion of illegal activities. 

Bedri Elezi, an expert on security issues, assessed as disturbing the fact that the Police did not react even though for more than two decades, they were informed about the illegal activity that took place in this facility.  

Imer Mushkolaj, an expert on political issues, has said that the closure of an organization that since the post-war has acted illegally next to the Police cannot be seen as a success, since, according to him, the institutions should have intervened much earlier. 

"For me, it is very interesting that the Kosovo Police did not know for 23 years or maybe 24 that a non-governmental organization existed next to the door of the central station in Pristina, which was offering illegal services. In fact, that organization is not unknown. At least we, who have a little longer memory, know that it was founded after the end of the war, since then it has served as a kind of meeting place for Serbs in Pristina", Mushkolaj emphasized. 

According to the Police and the Prosecutor's Office, the facility was raided under suspicion of providing illegal health services. But experts have warned that such a perimeter, around the three main security bodies, cannot be used for this purpose. Elezi has expressed the suspicion that the space may have been used by officials of the Serbian secret services for espionage.  

The Police, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Prosecutor's Office have not answered Koha’s query if they suspect about the use of these spaces for espionage. 

Serbian Language Media 

Hovenier: US concerned the dinar ban could escalate tensions (Beta, N1, KiM radio)

US Ambassador to Kosovo Jeffrey Hovenier said the US is concerned that the Regulation banning the Serbian dinar in Kosovo could potentially escalate ethnic tensions.

Following his meeting with Kosovo PM Albin Kurti, Hovernier told the media that he shares the Prime Minister’s concerns regarding the Central Bank of Kosovo (CBK) decision to make the euro the sole currency in Kosovo, as well as those regarding the fate of the Serbian dinar.

The Ambassador said adequate action must be taken to ensure that the Serbs feel safe. The Serbs will feel cut off from benefits, he said, adding that no one wants that. He did not disclose to the media the details of his talk with Kurti.

The EU asked Kosovo on Thursday to ensure a sufficiently long transition period for the implementation of the new CBK regulation on banning the dinar and making the euro the sole legal currency in transactions, because it assessed that its implementation could have consequences on the daily lives of communities in Kosovo, especially on the Kosovo Serbs.

It also called on Kosovo to find a negotiated solution to this issue in the framework of the EU-facilitated Dialogue.

Serbian List with Hovenier regarding the last decision of Pristina (Radio Mitrovica sever)

Given that the decree of the Pristina central bank came into force yesterday banning the dinar in Kosovo, there have been numerous reactions as well as analyzes of how the payment transaction will continue to function in Serbian areas in Kosovo. Regarding the current situation, the representatives of the Serbian List spoke yesterday with the US ambassador in Pristina, Geoffrey Hovenier, reported Radio Mitrovica sever, citing the statement of the Serbian List. 

President dr. Zlatan Elek and members of the Serbian List talked with Ambassador Hovenier about the problems of the Serbian community in these areas, especially in connection with the latest decisions of Pristina that directly concern the Serbian people in Kosovo, the statement read.

''The problems in Kosovo and Metohija will be numerous, it will be difficult in the psychological sense as well. The Serbs are already under heavy pressure as to how their lives will function since the Pristina central bank announced last month that the euro will be the only currency and that the dinar will be banned in Kosovo,'' read the SL statement.

More than 800 Serbs applied for Kosovo passports during January (N1, FoNet, Danas)

During January this year, more than 800 Serbs applied for Kosovo passports, whose holders do not need visas to enter the territory of the European Union (EU), writes the Pristina portal reporteri.net, referring to the MIA of Kosovo.

As of January 1, visas for Kosovo passport holders were abolished, but this decision does not apply to Kosovo Serb citizens who have passports of the Coordination Administration, issued by Serbia.

In January alone, 826 people applied for a Kosovo passport - 155 people from Leposavic, 125 people from Zubina Potok, 112 residents of Zvecan and 434 people from North Mitrovica, the Kosovo MIA states in its response to the media.

According to police data, by December 31, 2023, a total of 6,310 Serbian citizens applied for a Kosovo passport - 693 from Leposavic, 911 from Zubin Potok, 671 from Zvecan and 4,035 from North Mitrovica.

The European Commission announced on January 13 that it expects that, in the inter-institutional process within the EU, it will be approved that visa liberalization also applies to holders of Serbian passports, who live on the territory of Kosovo.

The Government of Kosovo opposed that proposal, stating that such a proposal would stop the integration of the Kosovo Serb community and legitimize the illegal parallel structures of Serbia in Kosovo, whose shutdown the EU sought, reports the Pristina portal Reporteri.net.

Drecun: Dinar ban one of toughest blows yet but Kurti will not stop there (Tanjug)

The head of the Serbian parliamentary committee on Kosovo-Metohija Milovan Drecun said on Thursday a decision by Pristina to ban the Serbian dinar was one of the toughest blows to Kosovo Serbs to date but that Pristina's PM Albin Kurti would not stop there.

"Pristina wants to banish the Serbian state and its presence from Kosovo-Metohija and eliminate all institutions that may be related to our state and make normal life impossible for Serbs," Drecun told the RTS.

"Without support from his backers, Kurti would be negotiating in a different manner, and he would know how far he can go," Drecun said.

"That is why depriving him of any military assistance is the most important thing - that is what he is the most sensitive to," he said, adding that, at all costs, “Kurti was trying to make Belgrade treat the so-called Kosovo as a state”.

"They want one of our banks to be licenced in line with the laws of the so-called Kosovo to simply make Belgrade treat our territory as some kind of a state. On the other hand, it is evident that the Western part of the international community, which can influence Pristina's actions, seems to be turning a deaf ear on all our requests and pleas, all the facts and arguments we are presenting," Drecun said, adding that this could spark "perhaps the gravest destabilisation and crisis in Kosovo-Metohija to date."

Had the Quint states really wanted to stop Kurti in his intent, they could have already done so, rather than wait for the very last moment, Drecun said.

A ministerial duo visited Albanian houses under construction in Brdjani, workers tore down a billboard with the Serbian flag nearby (KoSSev)

The removal of Serbian symbols, as well as billboards, continues in the north of Kosovo. A billboard in the colors of the Serbian flag, which was installed years ago on an uninhabited hill on the road to Mali Zvecan, was taken down yesterday. 

This time, however, the ministerial duo Svecla-Krasniqi did not share footage of the removal of symbols of Serbs and Serbia, although they did visit the site on the same day when the workers were taking down this billboard in the vicinity.

The billboard in question was located near a house that is one of 40 homes being restored in the north.

This previously torched house is located at the foot of the hill. It is one of the most recently reconstructed, however, the day before yesterday, the inscriptions „No surrender“, „Russia“, „4S“, „Z“, „Kosovo“, „Serbia“ and „Wagner“ were spray painted on it.

Most of the messages were written in Serbian, in a combination of Cyrillic and Latin letters, while Russia was written in English.

Kosovo Minister of Internal Affairs Xhelal Svecla, Minister of Local Government and Administration Elbert Krasniqi, and Mayor of North Mitrovica Erden Atic, visited Albanian houses under construction, including this one.

Svecla said that extremist slogans have no place in Kosovo.

Read more at:https://t.ly/bouip

Arsenijevic on the occasion of the visit of Kosovo ministers to North Mitrovica (Danas)  

Kosovo institutions should focus more on burning the houses of Serb returnees than writing graffiti on anyone's house, the President of the Serbian Democracy Aleksandar Arsenijevic told Danas on the occasion of the visit of Kosovo Ministers Svecla and Krasniqi to the returnee Albanian house in North Mitrovica, where extremist inscriptions were written, as they said.

"That house is located on the outskirts of North Mitrovica, and I am of the opinion that all returnees in Kosovo must return to their homes. But we see that there are only Albanian returnees for the institutions because I have not seen any of them visit the Serb returnees' houses in the south, which were set on fire, looted, where graffiti was written and where our people were threatened with death. They were nowhere to be found, even at one point Mr. Hovenier stood up and recorded a video from the burned Serb returnee house in Istok," says Arsenijevic. He notes that he does not relativize what happened in Mitrovica, but that he thinks that the institutions should focus more on burning the houses of Serbian returnees than on writing graffiti. 

"I understand it as a message that they still want to connect us in general with the Russians in the current war between Russia and Ukraine. I let them know that we are not little Russians and that they must look at us as their citizens," he thus commented on the message of Svecla and Krasniqi that Russia and Serbia have no place in Kosovo.

He pointed out that the investigation is not over yet, and that the ministers are accusing someone in advance.

"Maybe there is a possibility that one of the deliberate, sent elements, even from the Kosovo structures, will do something like this," points out Arsenijevic.

He says that one should first arrest and conduct an investigation and only then draw conclusions.

"In Mitrovica, in the Bosnjacka mahala settlement, we often have graffiti, KLA symbols and inscriptions saying, "you are not welcome", even this summer there were cars owned by Serbs being set on fire and "KLA" written on the cars. In North Mitrovica, where the majority of the Serb population is, near the Beogradjanka building where Serbs live, you have a monument to a fallen KLA fighter that has never been desecrated, and many Serbian monuments in Kosovo have been," he points out.

He believes that such events, as well as the removal of the symbol of the Serbian people in the north, which, he notes, is protected by the laws and the Constitution of Kosovo, correspond to Kurti and Svecla "who cry for incidents in order to strengthen their ratings and populism".

The State Department calls on the GoK to immediately postpone the CBK's decision to abolish dinars (Kosovo Online, thepavlovictoday.com, media)

The State Department calls on the Kosovo government to “immediately” postpone the enforcement of the decision to suspend the Serbian dinar in Kosovo. “The United States is deeply disappointed and opposed to Kosovo’s current plans to proceed with the implementation of the decision,” a State Department spokesperson told The Pavlovic Today, reported Kosovo Online.

The United States is “deeply disappointed and opposed” to Kosovo’s current plans to proceed with the implementation of the decision to restrict the importation of foreign currencies, including the Serbian dinar, the State Department spokesperson told The Pavlovic Today on Thursday.

“We call again for the enforcement of this decision to be immediately postponed until satisfactory procedures in line with European standards are in place, and the population has been sufficiently educated on how the transition will proceed,” the spokesperson emphasized in a strong message to the Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti who previously said that this matter for him is “non-negotiable.”

The spokesperson criticized the Kosovo government decision, stating it was announced “without adequate preparation or consultation” with the United States and the EU.

Read more at: https://t.ly/eTF–

Andric Rakic: If the withdrawal of dinars is prevented, the cost of living for citizens will increase (Kosovo Online)

Milica Andric Rakic, Program Manager of the NGO Social Initiative, stated for Kosovo Online regarding the entry into force of the decision of the CBK to discontinue the use of dinars, that it was possible that a shortage of dinars in cash might be felt in the coming period if the withdrawal was prevented, and that, at this moment, there was a dysfunctionality of institutions that provided key services.

Our interlocutor emphasizes that the issue of the dinar ban in Kosovo has multiple levels, and it is challenging to predict how it will affect the citizens until the issue of dinar imports is resolved.

Read more at: https://t.ly/5j0mi

International Media

Closed Hearings at Hague War Crimes Court ‘Heighten Mistrust’ in Kosovo (Balkan Insight) 

The first ten court hearings of 2024 at the war crimes and crimes against humanity trial of former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and his three co-defendants at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague were almost fully held in closed sessions.  

The Special Prosecutor’s Office has explained what the five witnesses who were heard during this period testified about, but it has not been possible for the public or journalists to follow the witnesses themselves. 

The closed hearings have only fuelled longstanding allegations by critics within Kosovo that the court lacks transparency, experts told BIRN. 

Read more at: http://tinyurl.com/3yyw95s7