Albanian Language Media:

 

• EU: Kosovo will remain alone if it does not listen to its friends (media)
• LVV proposes February 2 as date of elections (Koha)
• Abazi: Kurti is using the Iber Bridge for pre-election campaign (ekonomia)
• Haliti: Kurti often acts like a child in politics, seeks attention by creating problems (ekonomia)
• About six thousand residents converted their driver's licenses (RTK)

 

Serbian Language Media: 

 

• Situation on main Ibar River bridge unchanged, Carabinieri, KFOR and EULEX patrols present (Kosovo Online)
• Drecun: Kurti needs bridge for political reasons, not for traffic (Kosovo Online, Kurir)
• Gogic: Relations between Kosovo and Quint in crisis, bridge has become problem between Kurti and international community (Kosovo Online, Danas)
• Kosovo police launches “I Am a Kosovo Policeman“ initiative amid bridge tensions (KoSSev)
• Kosovo companies are branching out to the north (RFE, media)
• Vukadinovic: Kurti achieved in Kosovo “practically everything” (Radio KIM, KoSSev, Nova.rs)
• Anti-lithium mining activist says protests will continue (N1, Danas)

International: 

• Europe’s Electric Car Industry Lines Up for Lithium from Serbia (Balkan Insight)                                         

 

Albanian Language Media  

 

EU: Kosovo will remain alone if it does not listen to its friends (media)

 

The European Union has reiterated that on specific decisions, the government of Kosovo must coordinate with allies and talk with the communities affected by them. The EU spokesman, Peter Stano, has emphasized that Kosovo risks remaining alone and behind if it does not listen to its allies. Stano has added that this position has been made clear by the EU, the United States of America and Great Britain.

 

"We really have nothing new to say on the subject of reopening the bridge. I can only remind all those who have trouble listening and understanding that all Kosovo's friends and allies (EU, USA, NATO, Great Britain...) have said very clearly and unequivocally that it is in the interest of Kosovo to listen to its friends and allies, otherwise it risks being left alone and behind", Stano said.

 

He further added that the discussion about the Iber Bridge in the framework of the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue does not mean a new agreement, but a discussion about the implementation of the agreements already reached for the bridge.

 

"I can repeat what we have advised Pristina several times: good governance means contacting and engaging with communities that are affected by specific decisions. Dealing with the bridge issue in the framework of the EU-facilitated dialogue means discussing the implementation modalities of the agreements reached on the bridge, not new agreements. It must listen and try to understand the unanimous advice of all its friends and allies", added Stano.

 

LVV proposes February 2 as date of elections (Koha)

 

The news website reports based on its sources that February 2 is the date proposed by the Vetevendosje Movement for the holding of elections. The VetEvendosje movement has kept secret its proposal for the date of the elections, while other political parties had given a date each.

 

The three opposition parties, the Democratic Party of Kosovo, the Democratic League of Kosovo and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, had announced January 26 as the date. And, the head of the Parliamentary Group of the LVV, Mimoza Kusari-Lila, who is also the leader of Alternativa, considered February 9 and 16 as the most favorable.

 

President Vjosa Osmani said on Thursday that Friday is the last day when the parties can submit their opinions on the date of the elections, and that in the end it will be the Presidency's discretion to choose the most suitable date.

 

"To be honest, there is no difference a week more, a week less, I don't believe they make any big difference even for the political parties participating in the elections", she said.

 

Abazi: Kurti is using the Iber Bridge for pre-election campaign (ekonomia)

 

Haki Abazi, MP of the Assembly of Kosovo, has accused on Thursday Prime Minister Albin Kurti of using the Iber Bridge for a pre-electoral campaign. Abazi stated that Kurti has suffered a triple defeat in front of the international community and that by focusing on the Iber Bridge issue he is trying to divert attention from the most important issues. 

 

"The president's statement today is part of the ongoing clash with Kurti, a conflict that has been going on for some time between the two heads of state. The tone of the president today was strong, in an effort not to be identified as a supporter of the International Community to the detriment of the public interest, since after all, the bridge is located in Kosovo," Abazi said. 

 

He added that it is a disaster that Kurti is using this issue to create pre-electoral material, straining relations with the international community. According to him, this shows an attempt to divert attention from the main issues, including the tense relations with President Vjosa Osmani. Abazi emphasized that Kurti has attempted to politically eliminate Osmani and that he is now using the Iber Bridge to build his electoral campaign.

 

Haliti: Kurti often acts like a child in politics, seeks attention by creating problems (ekonomia)

 

Xhavit Haliti, MP of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), said that the prime minister, Albin Kurti, tried to open the Iber Bridge, but by closing all the roads to Kosovo. 

 

"Albin tries to open a bridge for himself, but closes all the roads to Kosovo. Albin in politics often acts like a child who seeks attention by creating problems. Albin's strategy is not to solve problems, but how much publicity he will get. To show his importance, Albin very often creates problems, problems and only problems," wrote Haliti.

 

About six thousand residents converted their driver's licenses (RTK)

 

Citizens of Kosovo are continuing the conversion of driver's licenses from those issued by Serbia to theKosovo ones. The deputy director of the Kosovo Police for the northern region, Veton Elshani, told RTKlive that until yesterday, 5,982 driver's licenses were converted.

 

"1824 driver's licenses were converted in Leposaviq 1449, in Northern Mitrovica 908, in Zubin Potok 1099, in Zvecan, 208 in Gracanica, 93 in Kamenica, 64 in Shterpce, etc.," he said.

 

Serbian Language Media 

 

Situation on main Ibar River bridge unchanged, Carabinieri, KFOR and EULEX patrols present (Kosovo Online)

Following announcements of Pristina authorities about opening of the main Ibar River Bridge for vehicles, the situation on the ground had not changed, and Carabinieri with their vehicles are present there, Kosovo Online portal reported.

Same as during previous days, media crews reporting about the situation and the workers carrying out the works around the bridge are present, the portal added.

Occasionally, KFOR and EULEX are patrolling the area, as part of their regular patrolling activities. 

Drecun: Kurti needs bridge for political reasons, not for traffic (Kosovo Online, Kurir)

Chairman of the Serbian Assembly Committee for Defense and Internal Affairs, Milovan Drecun said the issue of opening the main Ibar River bridge for vehicles is in fact of political significance for Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and not for everyday life, Kosovo Online portal reported.

Drecun added the dialogue had been marginalized, because if the topic that should be on the agenda of the dialogue one resolves by unilateral acts there is simply no progress. He added he does not see where Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani saw racism in the statements of the EU spokesperson on the bridge issue.

Srdjan Barac from Social Stability Center said the European Union has lost credibility as far as mediating the process in the Kosovo area is concerned.

"Let's remember what (Albin) Kurti said about Borrell, so there were no consequences. All this gives additional strength to Kurti for implementing the policy of expelling Serbs. And the problem is why the United States of America, which are the masters of distributing soft power in the world, cannot distribute it on the territory of Kosovo and Metohija", Barac said.

Gogic: Relations between Kosovo and Quint in crisis, bridge has become problem between Kurti and international community (Kosovo Online, Danas)

Political analyst Ognjen Gogic said today Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti wants to show on the issue of the main Ibar River Bridge that Pristina has sovereignty, which enables it, if it wishes, to deny hospitality to KFOR, and this has lead to the greatest crisis so far in relations between Kosovo and Quint, Kosovo Online portal reported citing Danas daily.

Gogic pointed out that for Kurti not only Serbs are the problem, but also the international community.

"For Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, not only Serbia is superfluous in Kosovo, but also the international community. That's why he wants to show on the issue of Ibar River bridge that Pristina has sovereignty which allows it to deny hospitality to KFOR, if it wishes. That is why this is the deepest crisis in the relations between Pristina and Quint so far", he said.

Gogic added the opening of the Ibar River bridge is no longer just a problem in the relations between Belgrade and Pristina and Serbs and Albanians, but it represents a problem between Kurti and the international community.

While, as he said, the previous unilateral measures of the Kosovo government were aimed at "eradicating" the presence of Serbia in Kosovo, the opening of the bridge turned into an attempt to question the operation of international missions.

"Kurti is now not only pressuring the Serbs in the north of Kosovo, but is also trying to wage a psychological war against KFOR. If KFOR gives in and agrees to withdraw from the bridge due to demands from Pristina, then its presence in Kosovo loses its meaning and all soldiers should gather and go home", he concluded.

Kosovo police launches “I Am a Kosovo Policeman“ initiative amid bridge tensions (KoSSev)

In northern Mitrovica, the Kosovo police have launched an initiative titled “I Am a Kosovo Policeman,“ designed to showcase their operations and engage with the local community. This event is unfolding against a backdrop of heightened tension surrounding the reopening of the Ibar Bridge to vehicle traffic - a contentious issue involving both local residents and Western officials, KoSSev portal reported.

The initiative, held near the main Ibar Bridge, features eight children dressed in police uniforms. These young “officers“ are seen managing traffic at a roundabout close to the bridge. Observers noted that the children had previously been active at other locations in the city.

Kosovo police officials described the group as ethnically diverse. When asked about the number of Serbian children in the initiative, police officer Jelena Bozovic responded curtly, “I have said enough“, the portal added.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/DvVO0

Kosovo companies are branching out to the north (RFE, media)

In an article published on Friday, Radio Free Europe (RFE) writes that now “instead of ‘Dolce vita’, there is ‘C’est la vie’ café bar. Instead of the Serbian National Council, the restaurant “Missini”. Instead of the “Lazić” butcher’s shop, the “Meridian” supermarket. RFE noted that in North Mitrovica downtown, a different situation can be seen in recent days compared to the previous two decades. It is about the opening of supermarkets, restaurants, confectioners, and cafés owned by Kosovo entrepreneurs, which are normally found throughout Kosovo south of the Ibar. Owners of these economic enterprises are mostly Kosovo Albanians.

What do the new owners hope for?

In the immediate vicinity of the main bridge over the Ibar in North Mitrovica, there has been a cafe called “Dolce Vita” for the last 28 years. The owner was from the Serbian community. RFE noted that premises of this bar used to belong to the social enterprise “Lux” and today to PAK. After this Agency announced a public auction, it went into the hands of a Kosovo Albanian, and the cafe was named “C’est la vie”.

According to the manager of this cafe, Nexhat Haliti, there are Serbs and Albanians among the guests. He added that the employees should come from different communities in Kosovo, and that he will employ a waiter from the Serbian community.

“Missini” is a chain of pastry shops, which will be opened in North Mitrovica from September, owner Astrit Missini from South Mitrovica confirmed to RFE. He stated that the premises he leased from PAK are currently being renovated.

Residents on changes: Reactions range from ‘we will adapt’ to ‘against our will’

Residents of North Mitrovica view the latest changes in the city and the arrival of new businessmen differently.

Some say that the coexistence of Serbs and Albanians is possible, and remind that they have lived together before, while others believe that it is a political decision and not an economic one, which could affect the expansion of the Kosovo market in the north.

Momo Milacic, who lives in North Mitrovica as a displaced person from Pes, states that the owners of new commercial facilities probably have “valid papers”. “We have been negating many things (the Kosovo government), but what you are going to do, you have to (accept)”, he said in a statement to RFE.

Srdjan Simonovic perceives the arrival of Albanian businessmen to North Mitrovica as the “Albanization” of the North. He added that many processes take place against the will of the majority Serbian population. “It is” he noted, “a tactic to drive away all those who can offer some kind of resistance to the Kosovo authorities”.

Simovic also opined that the arrival of Albanian businessmen has a political background.

“The market in the four municipalities in the north is negligible and very small in terms of making any significant income”, he said and added that until now Serbs went to South Mitrovica when they wanted to buy in one of the larger retail chains.

Radojko Jovanovic from North Mitrovica noticed the changes, but does not see them as something good.

“(Shops) are given to the Albanians according to who knows what procedure. I guess there are Serbs who could lease or buy it”, Jovanović said. Nevertheless, he opined that these new economic enterprises will do well “because Albanians are good traders”.

Dragica from North Mitrovica expresses a similar opinion. She added that she will probably shop in new stores, bearing in mind that the ones she used to go to are closed. “We adapt to everything. It is what it is, we can’t change anything. Let’s accept it, we’ll see how, what is imposed, who can endure it. We are used to it, we lived with them (Albanians)”, she said.

Vukadinovic: Kurti achieved in Kosovo “practically everything” (Radio KIM, KoSSev, Nova.rs)

Djordje Vukadinovic from New Serbian Political Thought said yesterday that Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti achieved in Kosovo “practically everything what he wanted and intended”, Radio KIM reports citing Nova.rs.

“All those parades, All-Serbian Assembly and waving the flags over the last months should conceal this regretful fact that Kurti achieved in Kosovo practically everything what he wanted and intended”, Vukadinovic told Nova.rs broadcast Between Us.

He also said that authorities in Serbia for a longer time “want to move the Kosovo topic aside”. “It suits the regime this or the other way that Kosovo topic becomes marginalized”.

Speaking about the announced bridge opening on Ibar River, Vukadinovic said he is against it, adding that this bridge has its own symbolic significance.

“In the meantime, this bridge has lost strategic importance because Pristina took over everything. Not only that they passed across other bridges (in the north) but they took over municipal buildings, expelled the Serbian state and its symbols such as banks, post offices, dinar, and built permanent police bases”, he added. 

Anti-lithium mining activist says protests will continue (N1, Danas)

An anti-lithium mining activist told Belgrade daily Danas that the protests against Rio Tinto’s Jadar project would continue in multiple locations simultaneously, N1 reported.

Nebojsa Petkovic, an activist of the Ne Damo Jadar organization (We’re Not Giving Up Jadar) said that activities are being planned “because the regime and the company are not backing down”. “We are organizing future activities and there certainly will be different forms of protest”, he said.

According to him, people have become aware of the problem and have started going to protests in masses across Serbia since the start of summer. “I am not sure how many people are prepared for more radical forms of protest, but I am sure that the moment will come soon”, Petkovic said, adding that people will be ready for more radical steps “once they realize the authorities have no intention of meeting demands”.

He said the arrests of activists drew attention away from the protest because the focus was on getting those young people released.

 

International 

 

Europe’s Electric Car Industry Lines Up for Lithium from Serbia (Balkan Insight)

Many Serbians remain deeply worried about the environmental impact of hosting Europe’s biggest lithium mine in the Jadar Valley, but the electric vehicle industry is already getting excited about the commercial prospects.

When he has guests, Vladimir Filipovic likes to seat them in the shade of an old oak and serve them homemade brandy and food grown in his garden in the Jadar Valley of western Serbia.

“My land and house are priceless,” the 28-year-old told BIRN. “There is no place like this anywhere else.”

The Jadar Valley, however, has more than just natural beauty. It has lithium. And Filipovic’s house and garden sit just a few hundred metres from what is set to become Europe’s biggest lithium mine.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/LiEtt