Former Enlargement Commissioner Štefan Füle told an audience today (7 December) that if the EU distances itself from the Western Balkans, other geopolitical players will immediately seize the opportunity to assert their influence over the region.

The ex-Commissioner, who now works as a special envoy to the Balkans for the Czech ministry of foreign affairs, spoke to the BALKANS – boosting connections on the road to the EU conference, organised by the Friends of Europe, a Brussels think tank.

Kosovo’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Skender Hyseni, hosted a meeting with the Jordan Minister of Internal  Affairs, Salameh Hammad. Hyseni requested intensification of the cooperation especially in exchange of information on foreign fighters.

Hyseni informed the guest on the progress reached in Kosovo, work of security and rule of law institutions, regional and international cooperation against organized crime and terrorism.

Experts estimate for daily Danas that the election of the new president of the United States, Donald Trump, unlikely leads to a radical change in foreign policy of Russia, including changing attitudes of Kremlin towards Serbia.

Commenting on the recent statements of some Ukrainian officials that it is possible that Russia will recognize the independence of Kosovo in talks with the United States in order to maintain its power in the Crimea, the familiar with the situation say that such a scenario is unrealistic.

The Special Prosecution of Kosovo is investigating “Kumanovo” case, however it is waiting for the paperwork of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) authorities in order to proceed with further investigation.

The case has been under investigation by the prosecutor of the Special Prosecution Ali Rexha, for two years now. “I am waiting for the paperwork which concerns the investigation that I have requested from FYROM,” Rexha said.

The Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Kosovo, Ruairi O’Connell, said during his speech at the opening of the Anti-corruption Week in Kosovo that corruption and nepotism in Kosovo should be fought. He said that no one should be employed based on family connections.

Vice President of the Socialist Party of Serbia Branko Ružić told Austrian Presse that Serbia doesn't have to recognize the independence of Kosovo, but it will become a full member of the EU "with exclusion of the territory of Kosovo". He notes that since Slovakia and Spain are not recognizing Kosovo then Serbia does not have to also, when it joins the EU.