Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: There can be no border changes of Kosovo (DW)
• Kurti: No meeting with Mustafa today (media)
• LDK’s Avdyli optimistic a coalition agreement with LVV will be reached (Telegrafi)
• EU: Corruption remains a serious challenge in Kosovo (Kosovapress)

Serbian Language Media:

• Brammertz: Balkans deny crimes and glorifies criminals (RTS)
• "It would be great if Serbia wanted to join NATO" (Tanjug, Blic, B92)
• Djuric: Initiators of conflict and biggest criminals in Kosovo present themselves as Albanian leaders in Kosovo (Danas)
• Serbian List: ''Albanian politicians to stop hating Serbs'' (RTV Pulse, Vecernje Novosti, Radio Mitrovica North)
• Silvana Arsovic discharged from hospital (RTS)

Opinion:

• Baton Haxhiu: It appears the U.S. Embassy has received pledge of future PM (Klan)

International:

• Hopes Rise in Kosovo for Deal on New Government (Balkan Insight)
• Nine EU Members release a new proposal for the reform of enlargement process (European Western Balkans)
• Kosovo declares Peter Handke 'persona non grata' (Deutsche Welle)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Kosovo Doctor’s Exhibition Documents Wartime Refugees’ Journey (Balkan Insight)
• International Mountain Day: We did not protect nature (KoSSev)

 

Albanian Language Media

 

Kurti: There can be no border changes of Kosovo (DW)

In an interview with Deutsche Welle in Albanian, leader of the Vetevendosje Movement Albin Kurti spoke about the governing programme, dialogue with Serbia and integration with Albania.

Kurti said that negotiations with the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) began soon after elections took place and that the working teams harmonised the government programme in entirety: “We are now at a point of finalizing government talks. I am optimistic. There are difficulties, challenges, but when the people spoke on 6 October, they did so in such a way that they left us with other options. So there is no possibility for other calculations, except a government consisting of yesterday’s opposition.”

“It is true we discussed ministers, [and] we agreed to have two deputy prime ministers, the first deputy prime minister from LDK, the second deputy prime minister from Vetevendosje. We also agreed to each have five ministries, with two going to minorities. In total we would have twelve ministers. According to the Constitutional Court and the Constitution we are entitled to the post of Assembly speaker but we have shown readiness to discuss this post as well. However, although we are aware that the issue of the president will fall under our mandate and we as political parties will have to be engaged, we have expressed trust that it is better to close the issue of the government before opening the president’s issue,” Kurti said adding that he believed that with mutual trust this issue will be overcome in the coming days.

Kurti said that an LVV-LDK government would focus on a five-fold reform encompassing justice, economy, education, healthcare, security. “The justice and security reform would take place through a vetting process because scrutinising should not only include prosecutors and judges but also specific and high-level posts in the intelligence and the police. We want to adopt a dual economic and education system, like the one in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, whereby students and pupils spend several days in schools and faculties, and one or two in enterprises. We want to have foreign investment starting with that from diaspora because it is difficult to have foreign investment when not even our diaspora invests because of corruption in Kosovo. And above all, end corruption in the government and fight it anywhere in the institutions and the society.”

Regarding relations with Serbia, Kurti said there is agreement with LDK that there is a need to meet the new EU High Representative Josep Borrell and discuss preparations for the future course of dialogue with clear principles. “We cannot fail again. He has announced that his first visit will be to Kosovo and I expect to meet him when I become prime minister. At the same time, we have 33 agreements with Serbia reached during the six-year 2011-2017 dialogue and it is important to review them, not to become obsessed with them and waste time but to know about the level of implementation and impact so that we draw lessons to move forward. We also have agreement with LDK to replace the 100-percent tariff with full political, economic and trade reciprocity with Serbia, as approved by the Kosovo Assembly resolution of 7 December 2011.”

Kurti however specified that reciprocity measures will be imposed before the tariff is lifted and recalled that the international community has also put forward conditions to Serbia, namely end derecognition campaign against Kosovo. “The international factors also don’t see the lifting of tariff without an expression of good will and change in Serbia’s behaviour. At the same time, we have witnessed some negative steps in Belgrade as the head of the state there said he would not allow Kosovo joining UNESCO. On the other hand, there are clear divisions not only about values but also facts. There is deep disagreement, and while we have a clear position on Russia, Serbia says it wants both Russia and the European Union. We have no such dilemmas.”

Asked about what the U.S. message for the new government of Kosovo is, Kurti said that the U.S. wants to see social and institutional emancipation against corruption. Kurti said he has regular contacts with the U.S. Ambassador Philip Kosnett and also met the U.S. representatives Matthew Palmer and Richard Grenell. “I understand the position of Mr. Grenell who says this country needs economic investment and economic investments need an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia. I do not deny this but at the same time I believe we should not rush and fail again,” he said.

Kurti further underlined that there can be no changes of borders as part of an agreement between Kosovo and Serbia. “Kosovo has its borders. Kosovo was a constitutive element of the Yugoslav Federation. We have been recognised under these borders by around 110 countries, including the U.S. and Germany and we have no land to give to Serbia. The principle of a future agreement between Kosovo and Serbia cannot be Serbia’s weeping over lost Kosovo whereby it is comforted with territorial compensation but should highlight the lives of the citizens, practical needs, human rights and sufferings we experienced from a state like Serbia which fails to face its past. We have no dilemmas. The U.S. is our irreplaceable ally. Germany is also right there.”

Kurti also said that Vetevendosje doesn’t view the Kosovo-Albania border as that between Kosovo and Serbia. “We cannot equalise Albania with Serbia,” he said. “We don’t see approximation, integration, unification with Albania happening through unpeaceful, undemocratic and unconstitutional means. But I am saying this cannot happen soon, as soon as I take the prime minister’s post. We first have to get the state of Kosovo on its feet, with our focus being on economy and justice. Another priority will also be a principled dialogue with Serbia but it will not be a top priority. Main priorities will be justice and employment.” 

Kurti: No meeting with Mustafa today (Klan Kosova)

Albin Kurti, leader of the Vetevendosje Movement (LVV), said he will not be meeting the leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Isa Mustafa today to discuss coalition agreement. 

Asked to comment about the post of Kosovo president which the media say is the issue holding back an agreement, Kurti said: "There is no other solution except an LDK-LVV government." 

"As far as talks with LDK are concerned, there can be no news without having concrete results," he said. 

Asked to comment on whether the decision of Kosovo President Hashim Thaci to call the constitutive session of the Assembly for 24 December puts pressure on LVV and LDK to move faster, Kurti said Thaci has maximally pushed the date of the constitutive session of the seventh legislature. "I hope he gave us more time than necessary," he said.

LDK’s Avdyli optimistic a coalition agreement with LVV will be reached (Telegrafi)

Haxhi Avdyli from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) said he was hopeful a coalition agreement with the Vetevendosje Movement (LVV) will be reached.

“LDK wants to have a four-year term and within this period the post of the president will be vacated. We don’t want to enter a government that will only last until spring of 2021,” he said adding that the name of the future president should not come in an envelope. 

EU: Corruption remains a serious challenge in Kosovo (Kosovapress)

Corruption remains a serious challenge in Kosovo and the effects of this negative phenomenon are affecting the lives of citizens, said participants at a conference organised by the EU Office in Kosovo and Council of Europe to mark the anti-corruption week.

Riccardo Serri, deputy head of the EU Office in Kosovo, said Project against Economic Crime in Kosovo aims to bring European standards to the fight against corruption and money laundering in Kosovo.

Albulena Haxhiu, former chairperson of the Assembly’s legislation committee, said that that the high level of corruption and organised crime in Kosovo is because there was no committed effort to fight these phenomena. 

 

Serbian Language Media

 

Brammertz: Balkans deny crimes and glorifies criminals (RTS)

The Hague Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz said at the UN Security Council Session that "denial of crime and glorification of war criminals" is present throughout the Balkans, reported Radio Television of Serbia. 

According to a statement from the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, Brammertz said the depth of the problem could be seen through the actions of politicians.

"They do not seek votes by promising reconciliation or by building bridges towards other communities. Instead, politicians believe they win elections by denying crimes and by glorifying those responsible. Some promote revisionist histories, while others seek votes by commemorating instead condemning war criminals," Brammertz said. 

In his address to the UNSC,  devoted to the progress made in achieving greater justice for the victims in Rwanda and the countries of the former Yugoslavia, Brammertz said that much remains to be done, stressing that the authorities in Rwanda are still searching for more than 500 fugitives, while in the countries of the former Yugoslavia national courts need to process thousands more.

Brammertz also briefed the UN Security Council on the current proceedings, which are under the jurisdiction of the Mechanism, i.e. on the appeal proceedings in the Ratko Mladic case, the retrial of Stanisic and Simatovic, as well as on the proceedings in Rwanda genocide cases.

The Ministry of Justice had earlier announced that a regular six-monthly report on the work of the Mechanism would be presented at a regular session of the Security Council, which also discussed Serbia's co-operation with this international tribunal.

"It would be great if Serbia wanted to join NATO" (Tanjug, Blic, B92)

Commander of the Naples Joint Force Command, Admiral James Foggo, believes co-operation between Serbia and NATO will thrive, B92 reports.

However, he added, it depends on Serbia to what extent it would like to develop and deepen cooperation.

 "It would be great if Serbia wanted to become a NATO member. You are currently a partner and your country is very pleased with that. It suits us", Foggo told Blic newspaper.

As partners, he explained, Serbia has a choice of "a la carte" menus when it comes to the issues that include training, opportunities, exercises, exchanges, study visits, and other forms of cooperation with NATO.

 "You will choose what you want to do and how much you want to develop this relationship further, and we will be there for you", Foggo said.

He also stressed that the relationship between Serbia and the East is up to Serbia, nevertheless, he firmly believes that Serbia's future lies in Euro-Atlantic integration.

See at: https://bit.ly/35kQHRW

Djuric: Initiators of conflict and biggest criminals in Kosovo present themselves as Albanian leaders in Kosovo (Danas)

Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Marko Djuric said it cannot be concealed that initiators of the conflict in Kosovo and biggest criminals are the people who present themselves today as political leaders of the Albanian people in Kosovo, Danas daily reports.

Djuric added that threats of “Facebook and Twitter heroes” (Jetlir) Ziberaj, (Behgjet) Pacolli and (Tome) Gashi are part of “a tragicomic performance that at this moment is no longer comic but has the potential to become tragic.”

“To make the tragedy even bigger, on their criminal hands is the blood of both Serbs and Albanians, and they today, same as during the nineties of the last century, do not hesitate of misdeeds in order to achieve their criminal goals,” Djuric said in a written statement, Danas daily reported.

Djuric added that all Kosovo residents, regardless of their ethnic background, are kept hostages of their guilt, “and they are obviously ready to prevent in any possible way facing the justice, and I am afraid they would not hesitate to cause new unrests and conflicts.”

Serbian List: ''Albanian politicians to stop hating Serbs'' (RTV Pulse, Vecernje Novosti, Radio Mitrovica North)

''Threats to the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, and the Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Mark Djuric, as well as the announcement of some indictments and arrests of Serbs coming from the mouth of someone who presents foreign minister, have exposed the truth that we all know in Kosmet, which is, among other things, a reflection of hatred of everything Serbian,'' reads the statement of the Serbian List, reported RTV Puls. 

According to the statement ''this paradox, of accusations made by a politician, not by the judicial authorities, shows that Bedzet Pacolli wants to flatter the extreme leaders of Self-determination, to have mercy towards him and take him to the Government, but also exposes Pristina's intention to pursue false accusations in order to expel Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija''.

The List calls Albanian leaders to stop racing over who hates Serbs more, as it dangerously raises tensions and threatens fragile peace in Kosovo. 

''We are aware of the inability of such politicians to provide citizens with a better life, but we will never accept that someone is labelling and targeting our compatriots in order to get public attention and obtain cheap political points,'' concluded the statement of the Serbian List, reported RTV Puls.

Silvana Arsovic discharged from hospital (RTS)

Silvana Arsovic, accused by the Kosovo prosecution of involvement in the murder of Oliver Ivanovic, has left the hospital, Clinical Centre Director in Mitrovica North, Milan Ivanovic told RTS.

Ivanovic also said that Arsovic’s health condition is now stable.

Ivanovic stated earlier that Arsovic suffered from long-term stress which deteriorated her health condition, adding she was anxious, suffered from high blood pressure and headache.

Arsovic was admitted to the hospital on December 3, RTS recalled.

 

Opinion 

 

Baton Haxhiu: It appears the U.S. Embassy has received pledge of future PM (Klan)

Publisher Baton Haxhiu, says in an op-ed that it appears the U.S. Embassy to Kosovo has already received pledge of the future Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti, that they will be consulted and accorded for every important matter.

Referring to an interview the U.S. Ambassador Philip Kosnett gave to Gazeta Express, Haxhiu notes that political violence appears to have become part of the past which is good news to LDK leader Isa Mustafa.

”‘In the main part of the interview, more than a simple diagnosis of an ambassador made for a political leader, we see advice, suggestions and why not clear instructions on how the preferred government should behave if it does not want to get in trouble with Americans,” Haxhiu writes.

“The interview deserves a careful analysis. It appears that Kosnett has received guarantees, therefore he concludes: ‘Albin Kurti is a very intelligent and mature person.’ A populist assessment of the level which should cause concern of Albin Kurti himself.  He further says, ‘I am certain that this coalition will form effectively.’ He is convinced that the government is ready.” Haxhiu writes.

“The intention of Ambassador Kosnett is quite clear: He wants to remove all public doubts about any eventual American reservation against Albin Kurti and the Vetevendosje Movement, as well as to prove to Kosovar citizens the great current support for the winner of the election.

“However, when asked if LVV and LDK will resolve the problem of the post of the President, he seeks asylum in the protocol: I do not consider that it serves me right as a foreign ambassador to analyze and give opinions on this matter at this time.”

Haxhiu also stresses that “it is very good to be an Ambassador in Kosovo.”

“You have a great, and sometimes even decision-making power. Often even more than the ministers who derive from the vote of the citizens.”

“Albanians in essence of their ethno-cultural ethic, are proud of their hospitality. Therefore, diplomats of the main western countries which helped Kosovo’s independence – Americans, British, Germans – are necessarily treated with sublime respect. Especially Americans.” Haxhiu writes.  

 

 

International 

 

Hopes Rise in Kosovo for Deal on New Government (Balkan Insight)

As talks on the formation of a new government in Kosovo appear to near completion, President Hashim Thaci has summoned a “constitutive session” of the new parliament on December 24.

Kosovo held legislative elections in October. But the two parties that won most votes in the snap elections, Vetevendosje, led by Albin Kurti, and the Democratic League of Kosovo, LDK, led by Isa Mustafa, have not yet reached a final coalition agreement.

However, the outcome of the ongoing talks will likely prompt President Thaci to nominate Kurti as the new prime minister-designate, after which Kurti will have 15 days to submit his list of ministers.

https://bit.ly/2sgLXOz

Nine EU Members release a new proposal for the reform of enlargement process (European Western Balkans)

Following the French non-paper on the reform of EU enlargement methodology which was released last month, nine EU Member States have drafted their own proposal as a contribution to the debate on how to make the process more efficient.

Austria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland and Slovenia have drafted a proposal titled “Elements for enhanced enlargement process and sustained and accelerated integration of the Western Balkans”.

The reform of the enlargement process is without prejudice to the decision on opening of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, which should be taken by March 2020, it is stated in the introduction.

https://bit.ly/34hlddQ

Kosovo declares Peter Handke 'persona non grata' (Deutsche Welle)

Nobel Prize laureate Peter Handke is not welcome in Kosovo due to "the support he gave to Milosevic and his genocidal policies," Kosovo Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacolli said. Handke has also been banned from Sarajevo.

Austrian writer Peter Handke has been declared a "persona non grata" in Kosovo over his position on late Serbian dictator Slobodan Milosevic, Kosovo Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacolli declared on Wednesday, a day after Handke was handed the 2019 Nobel Prize for Literature in Stockholm.

http://bit.ly/38Gncfo

 

Development/Humanitarian

 

Kosovo Doctor’s Exhibition Documents Wartime Refugees’ Journey (Balkan Insight)

The first exhibition by Enver Hoxha, a medical doctor, plastic surgeon and amateur photographer, which is showing at the National Museum of Kosovo in Pristina until Sunday, documents the journeys of several groups of fleeing refugees across Kosovo from March to June 1999.

Hoxha told BIRN that the exhibition could not have come at a more crucial time, after Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic claimed last week that one of the massacres of Kosovo Albanians by Belgrade’s forces during the war in which 45 people were killed in January 1999 was falsified.

“President Vucic denied the existence of the Recak massacre, he denied the crimes that were committed here in Kosovo,” said Hoxha, who worked giving medical aid to people who became displaced during the conflict.

The exhibition begins with pictures of caravans of people making their way across the country seeking medical aid and shelter, and ends with a series of photos that graphically depict victims of the war discovered by Hoxha, at the location at which they died.

https://bit.ly/2YO3J80

International Mountain Day: We did not protect nature (KoSSev)

Illegal dumping, illegal logging, underdeveloped infrastructure, illegal construction of residential and tourist facilities, construction of MHPPs and general pollution of rivers are some of the main ecological issues discussed during yesterday’s debate organized in Pristina on the occasion of the International Mountain Day, KoSSev portal reports.

International Mountain Day was first established by the United Nations back in 2003 to create awareness about the importance of mountains to life, which cover 27% of the earth’s surface, and are home to 1.1 billion people, but also a quarter of all known plant life and animal species.

Unfortunately, mountains are endangered, not only because of climate change, but also because of abuse and negligence – was stressed in a debate between nature lovers who met in Pristina, organized by the KoSSev portal and the Alpine Club Pristina with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the British Embassy in Pristina.

The discussion was attended by representatives of the Shara Mountaineering Association from Prizren, the GuideKS Association of Travel Guides, representatives of the Gracanica Tourist Organization, representatives of the Novo Brdo Tourist Organization, the Alpine Club Podgorov, the Bjeshkatr Alpine Club from Malisevo and the participants of the J-Coders Tech Heros project.

See at: https://bit.ly/2LKA5uM