Albanian Language Media:

• President Osmani travels to Brussels (RTK)
• EU measures against Kosovo can be removed "if there is progress in meeting the demands" (RFE)
• Mitrovica North doesn’t accept request of initiative to remove mayor Atiq (Koha)
• Cakolli: rejection of request for Atic's removal, violation of law (Koha)
• Court cancels hearings in trial of former KLA leaders until next year (media)
• Haxhi Shala sent to Specialist Chambers in the Hague (Koha)
• Maqedonci traveled for an official visit to the USA (media)
• Survey: Only 20% of Europeans want Kosovo to join EU (Kallxo)
• “Opposition will enable Vetevendosje to win over 50% in next elections” (EO)
• Kurti discusses permanent shelter for 60 families from RAE communities (RFE)
• Malaj: Albania-Kosovo relations very good, not determined by a moment (Klan)
• Special Prosecutor's Office invites Serb accused of war crimes to appear in court (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

• North Mitrovica municipality did not accept the request for Atiq's dismissal (RTK2, Danas, media)
• Residents in north summoned for questioning in connection with December barricades? (KoSSev)
• Constitutional Court says verdict against Zoran Djokic is not in contradiction with Constitution (Radio KIM)
• The EU calls on Serbia, Kosovo to fulfill their obligations, the EC to supplement the criteria for Chapter 35 (NMagazin, Beta, media)
• Vucic meets Molina, thanks him for Spain’s principled stance on territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia (Kosovo Online)
• BBC: Vucic’s biggest test in Belgrade, Serbia Against Violence riding high in polls (N1, BETA)
• The family of Sladjan Trajkovic sent a request to international factors (KiM radio)

   

Albanian Language Media  

  President Osmani travels to Brussels (RTK)

At the invitation of the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, President Vjosa Osmani has traveled to Brussels, where she will represent Kosovo at the summit of the leaders of the European Union and the Western Balkans.

“At the meeting of the leaders of the EU and the Western Balkans, President Osmani will discuss the need to accelerate the integration process in light of the ongoing security challenges in the region and beyond, starting with support for the candidate country status for the Republic of Kosovo,” the Presidency announces.

Leaders of the EU and the Western Balkans in Brussels, among other things, will discuss the enlargement process and the European perspective of the countries of the Western Balkans, coordination with the common foreign and security policy of the EU, as well as overcoming the common challenges.

In the framework of the summit, President Osmani will also inform the heads of states and the EU about the security situation in Kosovo, after the attack of Serbia's aggression on September 24.

EU measures against Kosovo can be removed "if there is progress in meeting the demands" (RFE)

The ministers of the European Union are discussing today at the meeting of the Council of General Affairs, the package of the expansion of the European bloc.

In the part of the conclusions, which talks about Kosovo, the Council of the EU will invite Kosovo to do more in the field of the rule of law, the fight against corruption and organized crime, while welcoming the entry into force of visa liberalization for citizens of Kosovo, which will start on January 1 next year.

Most of the conclusions, which are dedicated to Kosovo, concern the security situation in the north and the dialogue with Serbia.

These orders are also in the part of the conclusions for Serbia.

"The Council is deeply concerned about the situation in the north of Kosovo, including the security situation. Some unilateral actions by Kosovo and Serbia, such as the collective resignation of Kosovo Serbs from the institutions, and the boycott of local elections in the north of Kosovo, have increased tensions even more", the text says.

The Council will strongly condemn "the violent attacks by Kosovo Serb protesters against KFOR troops, law enforcement agencies and the media on May 29, 2023. New elections in northern Kosovo must be held as soon as possible," and Kosovo Serbs must participate in them without any preconditions. Kosovo Serbs should also return to the institutions from which they left. This should be facilitated by Kosovo and encouraged by Serbia", reads this draft.

As for the measures that the EU has imposed on Kosovo, which are justified by the "lack of steps taken to escalate the situation in the north", the willingness to remove those measures is expressed, in case there is progress in fulfilling the requirements.

"The Council welcomes the taking of steps towards the implementation of some EU requirements. The Council recalls that the EU remains ready to remove the measures, in case of further progress in fulfilling the existing requirements", the text says.

The Council’s conclusions will also repeat that there is no justification for the violence and will condemn the attacks on the Kosovo Police in Banjska, on September 24.

"The Council underlines the improvement of cooperation between the Kosovo Police and EULEX regarding this attack. The Council welcomes the strengthening of KFOR's presence, especially on the border/administrative line between Kosovo and Serbia", the text says, and calls on both Kosovo and Serbia to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric.

It is reiterated that the EU can take measures against both Kosovo and Serbia, in case they do not refrain from inciting tensions.

"The Council expects Kosovo and Serbia to find a stable solution for the situation in the north of Kosovo, which would guarantee security and representative democracy for all citizens," the text says.

"The Council asks Kosovo to engage in dialogue facilitated by the EU, "with good will and in the spirit of compromise to reach a comprehensive, legally binding agreement with Kosovo, for the normalization of relations, in accordance with international law and with EU laws, without further delay. This agreement must address all the key open issues and thus contribute to the stability of the region", this document states, reminding both parties that in case they do not take advantage of this opportunity, they will risk their European journey.

The Council will express regret for the lack of implementation by both parties of the Agreement and the annex for its implementation, as well as other issues reached in the dialogue.

"We ask Kosovo to implement them in full and without further delay. This also includes the establishment of the Association of municipalities with a Serbian majority. The Council welcomes the readiness of Kosovo and Serbia to accept the draft presented by the EU facilitator, which means that the further work should be done on its basis", the text says.

The Council will invite the EU Special Representative for dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Miroslav Lajcak, to complete the agenda for the next meeting of the Special Group for Normalization, to take into account Kosovo's obligations arising from the Agreement and the implementation annex.

Kosovo will be invited urgently, and in a constructive manner, to engage in regional cooperation activities and to respect the obligations from the Free Trade Agreement - CEFTA and the Stabilization and Association Agreement, including by removing the decision to ban the import of goods from Serbia.

The Council of the EU will welcome Kosovo's clear geostrategic orientation, which has been proven through the harsh condemnation of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and the voluntary adaptation of its positions in foreign policy to those of the European Union.

The draft conclusions also contain the call that the European Commission and the High Representative, to as soon as possible, no later than January 2024, make the proposal for changing the criteria of Serbia's negotiating framework, to include the implementation of the Agreement on the road to normalization, as a condition.

Precisely the inclusion of the obligation to normalize relations with Kosovo, in the framework of EU membership negotiations, has been mentioned by senior EU officials as a way that the agreement reached in Brussels, on February 27, and the implementation annex in Ohrid, to become, as they say in the EU, "legally binding".

But, so far, the negotiation framework has not been formally changed.

Mitrovica North doesn’t accept request of initiative to remove mayor Atiq (Koha)

The municipality of Mitrovica North did not accept the request of citizens for the initiative to remove mayor Erden Atiq. The news website claims to have seen a document that was sent to the initiative group, according to the Administrative Instruction which foresees that the chair of the Municipal Assembly, upon accepting the initiative for the removal of the mayor, must respond within five days. “This request is not accepted by the chair of the Municipal Assembly of Mitrovica North, because the request is not in compliance with the Administrative Instruction of the Ministry for Local Government nr.02/2023 for removing the mayor of the municipality from his function,” the decision notes.

Nexhat Ugljanin, chair of the Municipal Assembly, said that the initiative group was informed that their request has not been accepted. “The request was not accepted. I have notified them through email too. We based our decision on the administrative instruction of the Ministry of Local Government,” he said.

Cakolli: rejection of request for Atic's removal, violation of law (Koha)

Eugen Cakolli, researcher at the Democratic Institute of Kosovo, has said that the chairman of the Municipal Assembly of North Mitrovica, Nexhat Ugljanin, has violated the by rejecting the citizens’ request for the removal of the mayor Erden Atic.

He wrote on Facebook on Tuesday that chairman Ugljanin has no competence to assess the admissibility of the request, nor to reject it.

The chairman has no competence, neither according to the law nor according to the administrative instruction, for evaluating the admissibility of the request, much less rejecting it. The role of the chairman in entirely symbolic and only informs other instances,” Cakolli wrote on his Facebook page.

According to the KDI researcher, this blocking approach prevents the implementation of the government's commitments "for a full de-escalation of the situation in the north, but also shows institutional irresponsibility".

Court cancels hearings in trial of former KLA leaders until next year (media)

The Specialist Chambers of Kosovo, based in the Hague, said in a media statement today that “the defence of Kadri Veseli requested an adjournment of the hearings this week due to the recent death of its member Andrew Strong. The Panel granted the request and canceled the rest of the hearings this week. The trial will resume after the winter recess on 15 January 2024.”

Haxhi Shala sent to Specialist Chambers in the Hague (Koha)

Former member of the Kosovo Assembly and senior member of the former Kosovo Liberation Army, Haxhi Shala, has been sent to the Specialist Chambers in Hague, an attorney told the news website today. Shala was arrested on Monday and sent to the premises of the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX). Some of his family members said he is suspected of obstruction of justice.

Maqedonci traveled for an official visit to the USA (Klan)

Kosovo’s Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, traveled today for an official visit to the U.S, where he is expected to hold meetings at the Department of Defense and the Department of State.

The Minister will meet with the Assistant Secretary of the Department of State, James O'Brien, the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Army for Technology, Logistics and Military Acquisition, Douglas R. Bush, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Sasha Baker, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Security Affairs International, Celeste A. Wallander, as well as Senator Joni Ernst.

Survey: Only 20% of Europeans want Kosovo to join EU (Kallxo)

Support for membership of Kosovo was the lowest, with 20% in favor of its membership and 37% opposed to it. According to a survey of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), Europeans are generally open to the idea of Ukraine joining the EU, despite the costs and risks, but at best are reserved about eventual expansion of the EU block when talking about the membership of Georgia and the countries of Western Balkans.

The news website reports based on an The Guardian article that The European Commission has recommended last month for formal accession talks to begin with Ukraine and Moldova. The EU's 27 heads of government will discuss the proposal at a summit in Brussels this week - although Hungary's prime minister, Viktor Orbán, has repeatedly said he opposes opening negotiations with Kiev.

The poll was marked by strong opposition to the possibility of Turkey's EU membership, with 51% of respondents across the six countries opposing the idea and less than one in five respondents supporting any move forward on Turkish membership.

The Europeans were also cold towards the membership of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia to become member states, with less than 30% support together for their claim to join the EU in the future. Support for membership was lower for Kosovo, with 20% in favor of its membership and 37% against Kosovo's membership, Albania had a percentage of 24% in favor, 35% against, Serbia 25% for, 35% against and Georgia 25% for, 31% against. Opinion was more evenly divided for North Macedonia (26% for, 27% against) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (28% for, 29% against), while there was support for Moldova (30% for, 28% against) and Montenegro (30% for against 25% against, EU membership.

“Opposition will enable Vetevendosje to win over 50% in next elections” (EO)

Former chairman of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, Safet Gerxhaliu, argued today that opposition parties, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), are “tired” and without a cause, and according to him they will make way for the Kurti-led Vetevendosje Movement to win over 65 percent of votes in the next elections. 

According to Gerxhaliu, the opposition has lost its touch with the citizens and their trust and that it has accepted the perspective of the Vetevendosje Movement staying in power for another mandate or two. “The current government has made many mistakes in many areas, including the economy, education, healthcare, and many other areas. But the opposition lost the people’s trust and has not offered a sustainable alternative. They need to understand that they need to be ready to change and to offer a clear and credible vision for the people,” he added.

Kurti discusses permanent shelter for 60 families from RAE communities (RFE)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti today thanked donors that have offered to help find permanent shelter for 60 families from Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities. He said the families returned to Kosovo from North Macedonia and Montenegro and were living in very difficult conditions. They were provided temporary shelter in Obiliq. 

“Last year I saw a photograph of one of the families on social networks. They returned to Kosovo but had no shelter. Instead of a house, they created an improvised tent in a farming land. Children and adults tried their best to live in dignity,” Kurti said at a conference today, and thanked civil society activists for talking about the case.

Kurti said that the families benefited from the aid package provided by the Ministry for Communities and Returns, and that the Ministry for Local Government too was involved in the process.

“The situation can often be both complicated and simple. The fact that this group of families was in this situation had to do with international, state, and local responsibility,” he said.

At the start of discussions to find permanent shelter for the families, UK Ambassador to Kosovo, Nicholas Abbott, thanked the municipalities of Ferizaj and Gjilan for expressing readiness to give land for the construction of houses for these families. He also said that people that want to return to Kosovo need to be helped, “they need access to healthcare and education, so that the integration process can be as easy as possible”.

The news website notes that according to the census in 2011, there are 8,824 Roma, 15,436 Ashkali and 11,524 Egyptians living in Kosovo. The Kosovo Agency for Statistics does not have data about the education of these communities.

Malaj: Albania-Kosovo relations are very good, not determined by a moment (Klan)

Albanian Ambassador to Kosovo, Petrit Malaj, said in an interview with Klan Kosova that relations between Albania are very good, they have been such and will continue to be. “Our relations are not determined by a moment, sentence, or a certain word at a certain time. Our relations are comprehensive and historical, and they will remain as such,” he said.

Special Prosecutor's Office invites Serb accused of war crimes to appear in court (Klan)

The Special Prosecutor's Office has invited the accused Dejan Racic, a former member of the military reserve forces of Serbia, to participate in the initial hearing on February 20, 2024, after allegedly committing the criminal offense of "war crimes against the civilian population".

In the notification of the prosecution, Racic is called upon to surrender and appear as soon as possible before the Basic Court in Pristina, so that this case, according to them, can be developed with his presence.

"According to Article 303 paragraph 8 of the Criminal Code, the court calls on any person who has relevant information about the whereabouts of the accused Dejan Racic to communicate that information to the Kosovo police, in order to ensure the presence of the accused Dejan Racic, in this criminal law case", it is stated among others in the announcement of the prosecutor's office.

 

Serbian Language Media

  North Mitrovica municipality did not accept the request for Atiq's dismissal (RTK2, Danas, media)

The municipality of North Mitrovica did not accept the citizens' request for the removal of mayor Erden Atiq, the president of the assembly of this municipality, Nedzat Ugljanin, confirmed to the media, reported RTK2.

"The request was not accepted, because it is not in accordance with the Administrative Instruction MAPL No. 02/2023 for the dismissal of the mayor from office. They have the right once again to submit a request when they meet the criteria," Ugljanin pointed out.

Residents in north summoned for questioning in connection with December barricades? (KoSSev)

For several days now, residents in the north of Kosovo have been receiving summons for questioning as suspects. Although the summons do not specify a specific criminal offense, it is suspected that they are related to the December barricades. This opinion is also shared by lawyers, as well as the deputy commander of the KP of the region north, who notes that this region only assists the central directorate in Pristina. He confirmed that several people have been questioned so far, but no arrests have been made, KoSSev portal writes today.

Several residents from the north of Kosovo contacted KoSSev claiming that they recently received a summons from the Kosovo police, that is, from the directorate for investigation of serious crimes in Pristina.

The call states that they are summoned to appear as suspects at the directorate for serious crimes in Mitrovica for questioning in connection with case no. 2022-DKR-59. The summons also noted that “an arrest warrant may be requested“ should the individual not respond to the summons and fail to justify his/her absence. 

It, however, does not specify the precise reason these persons were summoned for questioning.

Read more at: t.ly/0TqXz Constitutional Court says verdict against Zoran Djokic is not in contradiction with Constitution (Radio KIM)

Kosovo Constitutional Court assessed yesterday that the verdict in the case of Zoran Djokic, charged with committing alleged war crimes in 1999 is not in contradiction with Kosovo Constitution and European Convention of Human Rights, Radio KIM reports.

Zoran Djokic, from Pec, was arrested in February 2019, at Jarinje crossing point and remains in detention ever since.

An indictment against him was raised in July next year and the first instance verdict was made in February 2021, sentencing him to 12 years in prison. For this verdict, as it was announced, the testimony of the two out of three witnesses, who appeared 21 years after the crime, was crucial. Djokic filed an appeal to the Court of Appeals. The verdict was then upheld by this court and the Supreme Court.

Now, with seven votes pro and one vote against, Kosovo Constitutional Court assessed that the verdict is not in contradiction with the points 1, 2, and 4 of the Article 31, the right to fair and impartial trial, of Kosovo Constitution, and the Article 6, the right to fair trial, of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The court also made public details of the complaint filed by Djokic’s defense and elaboration of its decision. The defense complained of “crucial violation of the criminal code provisions, wrongly assessed the state of facts, violation of the criminal code and decision on punishment”. It also complained on expansion and change of indictment and involvement of mentioned witnesses. 

The EU calls on Serbia, Kosovo to fulfill their obligations, the EC to supplement the criteria for Chapter 35 (NMagazin, Beta, media)

The EU calls on Serbia and Kosovo to fulfill without delay or preconditions all obligations from the Agreement on the Road to Normalization and the annex on its implementation, including the Association/Community of Municipalities with a Serbian majority, and the European Commission and the High Representative to propose amendments and supplement the criteria for chapter 35 from the accession negotiations with Serbia by the end of January 2024.

According to Beta agency this was stated in the final draft of the conclusions for this week's summit of the EC, which are being discussed today in Brussels by the ministers for European affairs.

In the draft conclusions, which the Beta agency had access to, it is emphasized that the normalization of relations and the implementation of obligations from the dialogue are essential conditions on the European path for both Serbia and Kosovo, which risk missing important opportunities if there is no progress.

"The Council reminds that Serbia's progress in the rule of law and the normalization of relations with Kosovo will continue to determine the overall pace of the accession negotiations," it is stated in the conclusions, which, among other things, repeat the concern about the situation in the media and the attitude towards war crimes in Serbia.

When it comes to Kosovo, the Council welcomes the readiness of Serbia and Kosovo to accept the draft statute presented to the parties by the EU, with the understanding that it is necessary to work further on this basis.

The conclusions state that the Council expects Serbia and Kosovo to find a sustainable solution to the situation in the north of Kosovo, a solution that guarantees safety, security, and participatory democracy for all citizens.

Serbia is expected to join the EU-led dialogue with good intentions and in the spirit of compromise to reach a comprehensive legally binding agreement with Kosovo on the normalization of relations in accordance with international law and the EU acquis without further delay.

That agreement should deal with all key open issues and thus contribute to regional stability, it is added.

The text emphasizes that there is no justification for violence and strongly condemns "the violent acts of Kosovo Serb demonstrators against citizens, KFOR troops, law enforcement authorities and the media on May 29, 2023, as well as the violent attack on the Kosovo Police on September 24, 2023, in north of Kosovo".

The Council expects Serbia to fully cooperate and take all necessary measures to arrest and quickly bring to justice the perpetrators of the attacks and expresses its regret that Serbia has not taken sufficient measures in this regard, as well as its concern over the repeated buildup of Serbian military forces near Kosovo, noting that it has subsequently been reduced.

Serbia and Kosovo must continue ongoing efforts for de-escalation, refrain from unilateral and provocative actions that could lead to tensions and violence, and stop divisive rhetoric, it is said, adding that the Council welcomes that Serbia has taken some steps in the right direction, including and public encouragement of Kosovo Serbs to participate in local elections in northern Kosovo.

Serbia is also asked to encourage Kosovo Serbs to return to the institutions they left.

The warning is repeated that any failure to de-escalate tensions will have consequences and that the EU is ready to evaluate "further measures towards Serbia and Kosovo, if necessary."

The Council reiterates its strong expectations from Serbia to step up its efforts towards full alignment with the EU's common foreign and security positions and restrictive measures, including towards Russia and Belarus, as a matter of highest priority.

It calls on the authorities of Serbia to refrain from actions and statements against EU positions on foreign policy and other strategic issues.

The Council considers humanitarian and other aid to Ukraine, welcomes Serbia's enhanced cooperation with the EU in preventing the circumvention of EU restrictive measures, and welcomes Serbia's continued active participation in EU missions and operations within the EU's Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP).

The need for Serbia to fully fulfill its obligation to comply with the EU visa policy is emphasized again.

The Council welcomes the fact that Serbia has maintained its commitment in a series of regional cooperation initiatives and encourages Serbia to further strengthen good neighborly relations and contribute to stability and reconciliation with all partners in the region.

The prepared conclusions call on Serbia to continue to focus on meeting the interim benchmarks in Chapters 23 and 24 relating to the rule of law. The timely adoption of five laws implementing the 2022 constitutional amendments is welcomed, but further work is indicated. and political commitment to implement reforms in core areas, including the judiciary.

The need for Serbia to step up its efforts in the fight against corruption and organized crime, as well as the necessity of tangible and convincing results regarding effective investigations, criminal prosecutions, final judgments, freezing and confiscation of assets acquired through crime, is underlined.

In the draft conclusions, concern is repeated about the situation in the media and the attitude towards war crimes in Serbia.

Belgrade is invited to step up its efforts to effectively implement the action plan of the media strategy. The importance of significant regional cooperation in the domestic resolution of war crimes issues, the resolution of remaining missing persons cases and full cooperation with the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Courts is also underlined.

The Council reiterates its call to the Serbian authorities to communicate objectively and unambiguously about the EU, and to actively engage in preventing and suppressing all forms of disinformation and foreign manipulation of information in all media channels.

To improve the conditions for the proper functioning of democratic institutions, the Council strongly encourages Serbia to address the long-standing recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR and the Council, including those related to key aspects of the electoral process.

It accepts the European Commission's assessment that Serbia maintains its level of preparedness for the initial benchmarks in Cluster 3 (Competitiveness and inclusive growth) and adds that it will continue its assessment.

The good level of preparedness of Serbia according to economic criteria is welcomed, it is stated in the prepared conclusions.

Vucic meets Molina, thanks him for Spain’s principled stance on territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia (Kosovo Online)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic received in a farewell visit outgoing Spanish Ambassador Raul Bartolome Molina and thanked him for Spain’s principled stance to respect territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia, Kosovo Online portal reports.

In a post on his official Instagram account, Vucic wrote that he thanked Ambassador Molina for good cooperation and his personal contribution to the further advancement of good and friendly relations between Serbia and Spain.

"We have concluded we can do a lot in different fields of cooperation. We are in particular grateful to Spain for its principled respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia, and for their support to our EU’s path. I wished the Ambassador good health and success in his future tenures”, Vucic wrote in a post. 

BBC: Vucic’s biggest test in Belgrade, Serbia Against Violence riding high in polls (N1, BETA)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who has dominated Serbian politics for the past decade, has remade Serbia, while critics accuse him of having consolidated power in his own hands and eroded democratic institutions, reported the British BBC.

“To supporters he is a pragmatic leader who overcame Serbia’s deep divides and presided over sustained economic growth. Critics complain he consolidated power in his own hands and undermined democratic norms,” the BBC said in its article “The man who remade Serbia” by Ido Vock in London and Jovana Georgievski in Belgrade.

The article said that Vucic last month called early parliamentary and local elections for December 17, amid mass protests at home and international demands to resolve Serbia’s longstanding conflict with Kosovo.

The Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) he led for more than 10 years until this year looks set to be returned to power, but a united opposition’s victory in Belgrade could irrevocably dent Vucic’s authority, reported the BBC.

His biggest test in December 17 elections will come from Belgrade, where the Serbia Against Violence coalition is riding high in the polls and hopes to win control of the capital, reported the BBC.

The family of Sladjan Trajkovic sent a request to international factors (KiM radio)

KiM radio reported that the family of Sladjan Trajkovic, accused of war crimes against the Albanian population in 1999 in Vucitrn, sent a request to all relevant international factors to support his release on bail, his lawyer Dejan A. Vasic announced.

"Sladjan's wife, Suzana Trajkovic, their children and granddaughter, reiterated Sladjan's strong desire to face all the prosecution witnesses and willingness to participate in the proceedings," Vasic told KiM radio. 

He pointed out that the family is ready to guarantee with all their family property that he will not run away and that the proceedings will be conducted smoothly.

"The request was sent to the heads of UNMIK, the OSCE, the embassies of America, England, Germany, France and Italy, as well as the head of the European Union negotiating team, Miroslav Lajcak, the head of diplomacy of the European Union, Jozef Borrell, as well as the United States envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar,'' added Vasic.