Albanian Language Media:

• No ease of lockdown measures for Christmas and New Year in Kosovo (media)
• Hoti: Mustafa is dealing with the meeting on president issue (media)
• Haradinaj’s initial appearance at Special Court rescheduled to 18 December (media)
• Ambassador Jan Braathu nominated OSCE chief of the mission in Serbia (Koha)
• Kosnett and Tan support local war crime prosecution (media)
• Osmani to travel for a three day visit to Albania (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• In Serbian communities in Kosovo 56 new cases and one death (Kontakt plus radio) 
• Brnabic: I'm against curfew, celebrate at home; Vucic: vaccination soon (N1, BETA)
• Russian FM arrives in Belgrade; talks to include bilateral relations, economy (N1)
• Serbia's Foreign Minister: Close relations with Russia (N1)
• Serwer to N1: Vucic won't recognise Kosovo, we'll have to wait for one who will (N1)
• Trajkovic: Albright unlike Serwer recognizes opportunity for better US-Serbia relations (Kosovo-online)
• Energy agreement vaguely implanted (Danas)
• Mihajlovic: Opposition is spreading falsehoods and scaring Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
• Serbian List: Incomprehensible and unacceptable need to denigrate one’s own state (Radio Mitrovica sever)

Opinion:

•  The EU and Kosovo a decade on (opendemocracy.net)

International:

• Kosovo Truth Commission’s Future in Doubt After Thaci’s Indictment (Balkan Insight)

     

Albanian Language Media 

  No ease of lockdown measures for Christmas and New Year in Kosovo (media)

Kosovo Minister of Health, Armend Zemaj, said Tuesday that lockdown measures would remain in place until the end of the year as scheduled.

Zemaj said that there will be no loosening of restrictions in some municipalities despite a drop of new COVID-19 cases. Zemaj said that authorities are working to grant 1.2 million anti-COVID-19 vaccines. 

“We should be honest. We make an assessment on a weekly basis. Increase of new coronavirus cases in the Western and regional countries is concerning. We will take restriction measures. The first semester in schools ends on 18 December and we will see which other segments will be closed aimed at curbing gatherings in accordance with measures which are already in place. I want to reiterate that there will be no ease of lockdown measures. There will be no extension of deadlines for movement in some municipalities despite drop of new COVID-19 cases,” Zemaj said in an interview with RTK public broadcaster.

He said that the number of new cases infected with this virus has decreased in the last two weeks. According to him, this is thanks to the measures taken.

He said that the number of those hospitalised with COVID-19 virus has increased over the last few days and recalled that the active number of COVID-19 cases in Kosovo is above 12 thousand. 

Zemaj said that the Kosovo government is trying to purchase anti-COVID-19 vaccines. He added that Kosovo is listed among 92 countries where 20 percent of the vaccine will be free.

Hoti: Mustafa is dealing with the meeting on president issue (media)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Avdullah Hoti stated again during a press conference that efforts for a meeting of the political parties to discuss the issue of the president are being made. He added that some of the political entities have already submitted their positions.

“Leader Mustafa is dealing with this issue and the solution should only be found at the roundtable of the parliamentary parties. Let us see if there is will to show the required political maturity to overcome this situation,” he said.

He added that it is important not to make generalisations of specific issues.

Speaking about the arrest of two Kosovo citizens by Serbian police, Hoti said they are awaiting official information.

“Our liaison office in Belgrade is dealing with obtaining information about Kosovo citizens, who were allegedly arrested on the Serbian part. I believe that we will soon have detailed information,” Hoti said. 

Haradinaj’s initial appearance at Special Court rescheduled to 18 December (media)

The initial appearance of Nasim Haradinaj at The Hague Specialist Chambers was postponed for 18 December.

This Court informed that on 15 December 2020, Counsel for Mr. Haradinaj submitted a request for the postponement of his client’s initial appearance, so that he is accorded more time to discuss the indictment with Mr. Haradinaj and to prepare for the hearing.

“In light of the aforementioned reasons, the Pre-Trial Judge hereby:

1. a) Decides to convene the hearing on the initial appearance of Mr. Haradinaj on Friday, 18 December 2020, at 14:00 hours; and
2. b) Orders Counsel for Mr. Haradinaj to submit a public redacted version of his postponement request (F00077) or to indicate that it may be classified as public,” informs a press release issued by the Specialist Chambers. 

Ambassador Jan Braathu nominated OSCE chief of the mission in Serbia (Koha)

Ambassador Jan Braathu, is nominated chief of the OSCE mission in Serbia. Until recently, he held this position in Kosovo. This decision enters into force on 1 January, 2021.

The nomination was announced by Albania’s Ambassador Igli Hasani, who currently presides with the organization.

The name of the nominee for chief of the OSCE mission in Kosovo is not known yet.

Based on the sources close to Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama, the portal reports that there are great chances for the former British Ambassador to Serbia Michael Davenport, to lead with the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. The other shortlisted names mentioned are  former French Ambassador to Kosovo Didier Chabert, former Finish Ambassador to North Macedonia, Nina Soumalainen, as well as Catherine Fearon, former senior official at EULEX, who is remembered in Kosovo public opinion for the pressure made to the media about the reporting of a corruption scandal within EULEX, reports this news portal.

Braathu from Norway, was the head of the OSCE mission to Kosovo since October 1, 2016.

Kosnett and Tan support local war crime prosecution (media)

The Ambassador General for the Office of Global Criminal Justice, Morse H. Tan, and the U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo Philip Kosnett met on Monday with Kosovo’s Chief State Prosecutor Aleksandër Lumezi and prosecutors from the War Crimes Department at the Kosovo Special Prosecution Office (KSPO), including the Chief Blerim Isufaj.

Both ambassadors reiterated the United States' commitment to bringing all war criminals to justice, regardless of their nationality.

The press release states that Ambassador Kosnett said that "the response to injustice is more justice". While Ambassador Tan spoke about the challenges the KSPO faces in meeting these important issues.

During the meeting, the prosecution had the opportunity to address the ambassadors and inform them of some of the challenges they face. Chief State Prosecutor Lumezi informed the ambassadors that while his office had taken substantial steps, the KSPO inherited more than 900 unfinished cases from EULEX and needed more funds to move forward. Chief Isufaj informed the group that the lack of coordination with Serbia and the inability to join INTERPOL and other international organisations presented obstacles to their work. In the end, Deputy Chief Valdet Gashi spoke about the 19 indictments that his office had filed since 2018, and a case which reached the final trial.

The Office of Global Criminal Justice and the U.S. Embassy pledged additional support to the War Crimes Department.

Osmani to travel for a three day visit to Albania (media)

Acting President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani is expected to travel to Albania, for a three day official visit. She is expected to meet Albania’s President Ilir Meta, Prime Minister Edi Rama, Assembly Speaker Gramos Ruci, opposition leader Lulzim Basha, Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj and former Prime Minister of Albania Sali Berisha. 

Osmani will also hold a speech at the Albanian Parliament.    

Serbian Language Media

  In Serbian communities in Kosovo 56 new cases and one death (Kontakt plus radio) 

The North Mitrovica Crisis Staff announced today that in Serbian communities in Kosovo, one person died as a result of Covid-19, 56 new cases of infection were recorded, while 102 people came out of isolation, reported Kontakt plus radio. 

Out of 172 processed samples, positive cases were recorded in the municipalities: North Mitrovica (15), Leposavic (10), Zubin Potok (6), Gracanica (6), Gnjilane (6), Zvecan (5), Priluzje (3), Strpce (3) and Kosovska Kamenica (2).

There are currently 1,353 active cases.

Since the beginning of the epidemic, a total of 11,010 people have been tested, of which 3,111 people have been confirmed to have the coronavirus.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 69 people have died in the Serb areas of Kosovo.

Brnabic: I'm against curfew, celebrate at home; Vucic: vaccination soon (N1, BETA)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said Tuesday she was against the introduction of a curfew during the forthcoming holidays, and urged people to celebrate the family patron St. Nicolas at home, BETA news agency reports.

She added the latest data on the epidemic in Serbia "give a reason for optimism". Brnabic told TV Pink that the epidemic situation is still "extremely complicated", but its "curve declines".

"There is a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel, but we still have to be disciplined and make the epidemic curve to fall faster because we have an enormous and still rising number of patients in hospitals. It's a mild rise, but it's a rise", Brnabic said.

She appealed to people to celebrate the family patron St, Nikolas on December 19, at home and avoid mass gatherings.

"We cannot go to people's homes and count how many of them gathered. That's why I call for discipline which would help our health system", Brnabic said, adding Serbia would be "among the first countries" to get an anti-coronavirus vaccine".

She said the COVID-19 treatment was costly. The Remdesivir drug, she said, cost 2,400 Euro per patients, adding Serbia was spending between 700,000 and 750,000 Euro on tests daily.

Speaking about the anti-epidemic Crisis Team's measures, Brnabic described them as "very restrictive", noting she was "absolutely against any ban on movements", however, it "would be introduced if needed".

"We are going day by day," she said, adding that "we must not yield to the public pressure, particularly on Twitter."

In the meantime, dr Darija Kisic Tepavcevic, a member of the Crisis Team, said they considered all measures, but failed to tell if the curfew was among them.

Also on Tuesday, President Aleksandar Vucic said the first vaccine, "at least two, maybe three", would be available in Serbia "before the end of the year".

He added that the start of vaccination depended on the health authorities, but he believed it would start "in December, or in January at the latest".

Earlier, it was said that the vaccination in the country would start in spring.

Russian FM arrives in Belgrade; talks to include bilateral relations, economy (N1)

Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Belgrade for a first high-profile visit from Moscow after the September 4 agreement Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Avdulah Hoti signed at the White House and was due to meet Vucic and other country’s officials, N1 reports.

The talks are believed to include Serbian-Russian relations, the issue of Kosovo and bilateral economic projects, the Turkish Stream gas pipeline, the Belgrade-Novi Sad high-speed railway, the Djerdap 1 hydroelectric power plant, and the Center for Nuclear Science, Technology and Innovation, and the Russian Sputnik V anti-coronavirus vaccine.

Accompanied by Vucic, Lavrov first attended the lighting of the eternal fire at the Cemetery of the Liberators of Belgrade with a flame that was transferred from the Tomb of an Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin walls, and the two laid wreaths at the Eternal Fire monument.

Lavrov and Vucic will later visit the Saint Sava Cathedral and lay flowers on the grave of the Serbian Patriarch Irinej.

Russian Foreign Minister will read a letter from President Vladimir Putin regarding the completion of works on the Cathedral.

Lavrov came after a two-day visit to neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina, marked by a diplomatic incident when Bosniak Presidency member Sefik Dzaferovic and his Croat counterpart Zeljko Komsic refused to meet Lavrov because he first met with Serb officials in Istocno Sarajevo, where no Bosnian state flag was seen in the room.

Russian Foreign Minister is due to visit Croatia as well.

See at: https://bit.ly/3oTLppQ Serbia's Foreign Minister: Close relations with Russia (N1)

Nikola Selakovic, Serbia's Foreign Minister, said on Tuesday that Russia, whose Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov would visit Belgrade, was a strong, serious political and economic partner of Serbia.

"There will be talks with Lavrov today not only on political issues but also on railways, energy, military-technical cooperation, vaccines... on everything that is in common with our two countries," Selakovic told the state RTS TV.

He added that it was about familiarity in the relations between the two countries.

Selakovic said Serbia shared similar views with Russia on the Dayton Peace Agreement from 1995, which is of great importance for the stability of the region.

"The Dayton Peace Agreement cannot be annihilated; it cannot be changed without the consent of all three constituent peoples and both entities. It is unacceptable to talk about the abolition and destruction of the Republika Srpska. We respect Bosnia and Herzegovina, but no one can forbid us to love the Serbian people and that we are one wherever we live," Selakovic said.

He added that in one day, some Croatia influential media published three articles against Serbia without any provocation, "which were not preceded by any speech by our president."

According to Selakovic, those are "political texts attacking the policy of Aleksandar Vucic, the right of Serbia to take care of Serbs in Kosovska Mitrovica, Montenegro, Republika Srpska."

"Those articles attack the politics and strategic actions of Serbia. Why? Well, Serbia will now borrow (money from the world financial market), if it wants to, at three times lower interest rates than Montenegro. Next year, Serbia will surpass Croatia in GDP with a serious economic policy; Croatia. That is what bothers some," Selakovic said.

See at: https://bit.ly/34d9wYB Serwer to N1: Vucic won't recognise Kosovo, we'll have to wait for one who will (N1)

Daniel Serwer, a professor at the John Hopkins University, told N1 that the Americans and Europeans should work together to solve the Kosovo issue since it was evident that neither of them was able to do that alone.

Serwer spoke after last week's debate at the US Congress about Serbia which he took part in and, during which the participants agreed that Serbia had to recognise Kosovo and that it had to become a UN member.

"I think I said a few new things about Pristina and Belgrade… I think that the Americans should be in a support role when we speak about the dialogue (on the normalisation of relations between the two sides) … I think the EU should be a mediator in the dialogue and that it should be the host. It has the most leverage over those guys," Serwer said.

He added that "one of the messages of these talks, as the Americans understood, and many Europeans as well, is that they must result in mutual recognition and exchange of ambassadors. (Serbia's President Aleksandar) Vucic said clearly, he wouldn't be the Serbian president who will recognise Kosovo. I think he was serious. I think we have to be ready to wait for the president who will do that if need be. In the meantime, we will have to think about a mutual agreement, but only if Kosovo becomes a UN member." 

See at: https://bit.ly/3ak83mW Trajkovic: Albright unlike Serwer recognizes opportunity for better US-Serbia relations (Kosovo-online)

European Serb Movement from Kosovo President Rada Trajkovic said there was a difference in stances of Madeleine Albright and Daniel Serwer, Kosovo-online portal reports.

Trajkovic wrote on Twitter that Albright recognizes the opportunity for improving relations between US and Serbia, through DFC.

“Mr Serwer can’t even unequivocally voice his support for the KS war crimes court & send a message to KS Serbs that their lives matter too”, Trajkovic wrote on Twitter. 

Energy agreement vaguely implanted (Danas)

According to KOSTT’s announcements but also that of the Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, a part of the energy agreement has been implemented yesterday, and Kosovo, respectively its transmitting system KOSTT started functioning independently and as an area within the Kosovo-Albania regulatory block, Belgrade-based daily Danas reports.

According to Milica Rakic Andric, KoSSev portal journalist, in practice this should mean that only KOSTT would be in charge of electricity supply to the north, something that was until now done by Serbian company EMS through power station in Valac (northern Kosovo).

“Nobody from Serbia explained to the citizens in the north is this really the case. Claims made by the Office for Kosovo and Metohija said there would be electricity, but not where this electricity would come from nor any other information on the status of the agreement of connecting KOSST and European Network Transmitters Operators (ENTSO). I would recall that this agreement and membership of Kosovo in ENTSO was agreed by the energy agreement, but its implementation was conditioned by licensing Elektrosever and EPS trade that would function as EMS daughter companies in Kosovo,” Rakic said.

She added that the licensing of those companies didn’t happen and this is the only thing confirmed by the Office for Kosovo and Metohija.

She also assessed that the energy agreement is “the most obscure” when it comes to the information provided on it, because it requires plenty of professional information but it is also seen as a sensitive topic.

“As far as the payment of electricity bills in north Kosovo is concerned, it is true, the vast majority of citizens do not pay it because it is unknown to whom the electricity is paid. On one hand Elektrokosmet delivers the invoices, and most of them are lump sums, because electricity meters are not correct, while Kosovo KEDS does not deliver invoices, although Kosovo claims that citizens in the north use electricity from Kosovo, respectively from Obilic. On the other hand, Serbian side claims that the electricity for the north comes from Novi Pazar, through Valac station, and according to our findings, this is exactly what will no longer be possible. The experts in this field say the retroactive payment is not realistic, because it is unknown how much electricity from which side has been consumed. So my guess is that the electricity since January would be paid to the Kosovo KEDS only,” Rakic said. 

Mihajlovic: Opposition is spreading falsehoods and scaring Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Mining Zorana Mihajlovic said Monday it was extremely irresponsible and harmful for Serbia’s interests that part of the opposition uses Pristina’s failure to fulfill its obligations to attack its political opponents in Belgrade, which, as she added, instilled fear and insecurity among Serbs in Kosovo, Kosovo-online portal reports.

Mihajlovic said in a press statement “it is unbelievable how much understanding there is for Pristina’s moves by all those who are talking these days about the alleged handover of the power system in Kosovo and Metohija” and who, she pointed out, “are spreading untruths regarding the employees of Serbian companies in that territory”.

“It only shows their irresponsibility, and our job is to do everything to ensure that Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija have an orderly supply of electricity, and to resolve all open issues through dialogue, fighting for our interests”, Mihajlovic said.

She reminded that back in 2001, on the basis of an agreement signed by the Minister of Energy and Mining, the management of the electric power system in Kosovo was taken over by UNMIK, and later by the Pristina operator.

“And now, those who were in power at the time when Kosovo declared independence and when most countries recognized that so-called state, are transferring the responsibility to others, and to those who are trying to repair the damage that was done much earlier. But, the fact that today you are attacking us, and not criticizing Pristina, does not provide amnesty for you from responsibility for what you left behind”, Mihajlovic said.

Serbian List: Incomprehensible and unacceptable need to denigrate one’s own state (Radio Mitrovica sever)

In a press statement issued Monday Serbian List said that “the need to denigrate one’s own state, and provide political support to the enemies of Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija by the quasi-opposition in Belgrade, is incomprehensible and unacceptable to Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija”, Radio Mitrovica sever reports.

Making references to an old saying “that a thief does not believe in honesty”, Serbian List further said that, “a false patriot Mladjan Djordjevic” was “giving moral lessons to President Aleksandar Vucic, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, Director Petar Petkovic, true fighters for the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija, thanks to whom Serbs survive in this area today”.

“The infamous December 14 has passed, and Serbs, our people, institutions and economy have electricity, but Djordjevic will not apologize to Serbian people, but he will invent a new lie in order to please his mentors, so we are sending a message to Mladjan: keep your hands off Kosmet, because we don’t need defeatists”, Serbian List concluded in a statement.

Mladan Djordjevic, leader of Liberation Movement, as reported by the media said yesterday that over the weekend, workers from Valac substation (in northern Kosovo) have removed the materials and equipment from Valac, in preparation for the handover. He also called upon Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, Serbian Government and 243 MPs who supported the ruling majority to explain to citizens what was happening in northern Kosovo and to whom they handed over the energy system or rather who authorized them to do so.

   

Opinion

  The EU and Kosovo a decade on (opendemocracy.net) By Ian Bancroft

The EEAS must capitalize on the sizeable financial and human resources the EU has committed to the region.

As the European External Action Service (EEAS) celebrates a decade of existence, there is understandable fanfare about the evolution of its structures and capabilities. For those eager to see the EU strengthen its presence on the global stage, it is an unquestionable success; a service through which the EU’s common approach to foreign, security, and defence policy can be pursued, with delegations across the globe and to various multilateral bodies.

Yet it is closer to home where this fledgling actor continues to face its most profound challenges. The Western Balkans has long been a key test for the proclaimed effectivity of EU foreign and security policy, especially given the painful and costly mistakes of the nineties. Considerable resources have been invested, including political capital, to demonstrate the EU’s transformative potential in a region where membership of the Union was once deemed almost inevitable.

The Western Balkans has long been a key test for the proclaimed effectivity of EU foreign and security policy, especially given the painful and costly mistakes of the nineties.

Indeed, the issue of Kosovo-Serbia relations provided the EEAS with one of its early triumphs; Baroness Ashton having spearheaded negotiations that led to the landmark 2013 Brussels Agreement between Belgrade and Pristina. It was a breakthrough moment after the 2011 barricades in north Kosovo that brought Kosovo Serbs face-to-face with Nato’s Kosovo Force (KFor); a breakthrough that set Serbia and Kosovo on a tangible path towards the normalisation of relations after the latter’s unilateral declaration of independence in February 2008.

See more at: https://bit.ly/2LyTwJT

   

International

  Kosovo Truth Commission’s Future in Doubt After Thaci’s Indictment (Balkan Insight)

President Hashim Thaci set in motion the creation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Kosovo - but after he was charged with war crimes, it’s unclear whether any other political leader has the will to push the idea forward.

Back in 2017, Kosovo President Hashim Thaci initiated the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, emphasising that the country must face the truth about what happened during the 1998-99 war so that its people do not remain hostage to the past.

Thaci, who was the political director of the Kosovo Liberation Army during the war, said he hoped that the commission would provide the basis for dialogue between Kosovo’s divided communities.

“Kosovo society and the Balkans in general is still a hostage to these old narratives and the generations that were born after the war still see their peers from the other community as enemies, not as [part of] a society for cooperation and coexistence,” he said at a planning meeting for the commission.

See more at: https://bit.ly/3oQHIRC