Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 12 new cases, no deaths (media)
• Vitia: Mass vaccination process begins today (media)
• Local elections will be held on October 17 (media)
• Borrell  pleased that Kurti-Vucic meeting is happening the day US President Biden is in Brussels (Express)
• Kurti: Serbian party with old ideas, we made four new proposals (media)
• Lajcak: Kurti and Vucic confirmed there is no other way but normalization (RTK)
• Daka: My dismissal was illegal and ordered (media)
• EU Office in Kosovo reacts after Osmani sacked CEC chair Valdete Daka (Express)
• Women’s Network reacts to Valdete Daka’s dismissal (media)
• Kosovo Police chief: We had no information about the liturgy (Klan Kosova)

Serbian Language Media:

• Covid-19 in Serbian areas: One new case, no deaths (Kosovo Online) 
• Lajcak about the Vucic, Kurti meeting: It was not easy, but it is important that it happened (N1)
• Kurti after meeting with Vucic: Meeting without incident; it will be difficult, but I am optimistic (N1)
• Vucic after talks with Kurti: I have not attended a meeting like this yet; continuation by the end of July (RTS,media)
• Petkovic: Belgrade emphasized its commitment to the continuation of the dialogue (Blic, TV Pink)
• Jevtic: Those who are bothered by liturgies, today in Brussels said that they are bothered by Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Borell: Belgrade and Pristina to use the new momentum in the dialogue (media)
• Problem or solution? (B92, DW)
• Vucic arrived in Brussels (Tanjug, B92)
• EU expects Vucic and Kurti to continue dialogue, not start new talks (Beta, N1)
• NATO leaders value partnership with Serbia (N1)
• KFOR on inquiries of British soldiers in Gorazdevac: Routine activities, to feel the pulse of the population concerning different topics (KoSSev)
• Lawyer Pantovic: I filed an appeal; Djokic was sentenced based on false statements (Beta)

International:

• EU foreign policy chief urges Serbia, Kosovo to move forward (AP)
• Without consent within EU on opening new chapters with Serbia in June (EWB)
• Nora Visoka-Weller: “Silence is a victory for every genocide” (BIRN)
• Serbia Commemorates 1999 Battle Against Kosovo Guerrillas (Balkan Insight)

   

Albanian Language Media  

  COVID-19: 12 new cases, no deaths (media)

Kosovo has recorded 12 new cases of COVID-19 and no deaths in the last 24-hour period. 119 recoveries were also confirmed during this time.

There are currently 238 active cases of coronavirus in Kosovo.

Vitia: Mass vaccination process begins today (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Health, Arben Vitia, told a press conference today that the mass vaccination against COVID-19 will begin today. “The management of the pandemic and economic recovery remains priorities of the government. Today we are starting a crucial process for the management of the pandemic. The Ministry of Health together with health institutions has made all necessary preparations to implement the action plan for the mass vaccination of our citizens against COVID-19,” he said. 

Vitia said that the first contingent of vaccines from the agreement with Pfizer is expected to arrive by the end of this month. “We have reached an agreement with Pfizer for over 1.2 million doses by the end of the year and together with the other doses from COVAX and our friends, we are expecting to have around 2 million doses by the end of the year,” he said.

Local elections will be held on October 17 (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said today that local elections in Kosovo will be held on October 17. “The President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, after consultations with political parties on June 2, 2021, and in line with the Law on Local Elections in the Republic of Kosovo, has set October 17, 2021, as the date when local elections will be held,” a press release issued by Osmani’s office notes.

Borrell  pleased that Kurti-Vucic meeting is happening the day US President Biden is in Brussels (Express)

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, in a statement ahead of the high-level meeting of the EU Pristina-Belgrade dialogue, taking place today, said that he is glad the meeting between Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is taking place the same day the US President Joe Biden is in Brussels, Gazeta Express reports.

“Today, together with the High Representative of the European Union, Miroslav Lajcak, we will be hosting a new meeting of the high-level dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. I am glad that it happens at the same moment that the European Union will be meeting with President Biden, here in Brussels,” Borrell said.

Borrell said that it is his pleasure to welcome in Brussels President of Serbia Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Kurti, not long after bilateral visits in Brussels at the end of April.

Borrell said that despite all existing difficulties Kurti and Vucic should continue with the Dialogue meetings “without delay and with focus on producing results.”

EU’s Borrell is pleased that Kurti-Vucic meeting is happening the same day US President Biden is in Brussels

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, in a statement ahead of the high-level meeting of the EU Pristina-Belgrade dialogue, taking place today, said that he is glad the meeting between Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is taking place the same day the US President Joe Biden is in Brussels, Gazeta Express reports.

“Today, together with the High Representative of the European Union, Miroslav Lajcak, we will be hosting a new meeting of the high-level dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. I am glad that it happens at the same moment that the European Union will be meeting with President Biden, here in Brussels,” Borrell said.

Borrell said that it is his pleasure to welcome in Brussels President of Serbia Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Kurti, not long after bilateral visits in Brussels at the end of April.

Borrell said that despite all existing difficulties Kurti and Vucic should continue with the Dialogue meetings “without delay and with focus on producing results.”

“I know, we know that this Dialogue is not going to be easy, but this process and the sincere engagement by both sides is necessary for the benefit of the people of Kosovo and Serbia,” Borrell said. He reiterated that the outcome of the Dialogue is the path to the European future for both Kosovo and Serbia. Borrell said that the EU-facilitated Dialogue has already brought concrete results affecting citizens of both sides.

“The European Union and I personally, we are invested to see rapid progress to finally leave the past behind and reach a comprehensive and legally binding agreement on normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia and make the European future a reality,” Borrell said. The EU High Representative said that there is a new momentum in the Dialogue and called on parties to seize this opportunity.

Borrell said that the EU is looking forward to continuing the dialogue with Serbian President Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Kurti and he hopes for a nice, important, and profitable meeting today.

Kurti: Serbian party with old ideas, we made four new proposals (media)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti after today's meeting in Brussels with the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, stated that the meeting was constructive from the Kosovo side, but not from the Serbian delegation.

"The meeting was constructive on our part. We will take part in this process, which is difficult. While the other party was talking about old ideas, we came up with four new proposals. We proposed to initiate the new SEFTA agreement. The second proposal was that a day after yesterday's NATO summit, where clear and unanimous messages were given, a peace agreement be signed between Kosovo and Serbia that we will not attack each other. The other proposal was that in the case of the missing, Veljko Odalovic should leave the Serbian delegation, as he together with Zoran Andjelkovic led the occupied Kosovo. And the fourth proposal, for minorities, was bilateral reciprocity, which is a general principle, where for Serbs in Kosovo we would have a national council as it is in Serbia for Albanians and Bosniaks. Our last three proposals were rejected, however they did not respond about SEFTA. I hope that they will seriously consider our proposal that we made today," Kurti said.

He added that the next meeting will be before the summer break, sometime in late July.

Asked about the Association of the Serb-majority Municipalities in Kosovo, Kurti said that Kosovo’s Constitutional Court has ruled out the formation of the Association, due to it contravening the Kosovo Constitution on 23 articles and that they do not want the scenario of Bosnia and Herzegovina to be repeated in Kosovo. 

"The association is not for Serbs, but it is against Kosovo. We do not want the majority to be privileged over the minority, but we do not want the scenario of Bosnia and Herzegovina to be repeated," Kurti said.

Later on, Kurti took to Facebook to inform about his meeting in Brussels. He said that jointly with his deputy Besnik Bislimi, and under facilitation of the EU High Representative Josep Borrell and EU Special Representative on Dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, met with Serbia’s state delegation led by President Vucic and Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic.

“We expressed our position and criticism about the agreements reached so far. We also expressed our readiness for a constructive dialogue on mutual recognition. The next meeting will be held before summer recess, which starts on 25 July,” Kurti wrote on Facebook.

Kurti said that he made four proposals during today’s meeting:

1. Six countries of the Western Balkans shall advance CEFTA into SEFTA (South-East European Free Trade Agreement) according to the model EFTA-EEA, namely the agreement that Lichtenstein, Norway and Iceland have with the EU.
2. Kosovo and Serbia shall immediately sign a joint peace agreement pledging not to attack each other. This is important now more than ever, a day after the NATO Summit in Brussels and unanimous message after the meeting.
3. After mutual recognition between the Republic of Kosovo and Republic of Serbia, both our countries shall have mutual reciprocity, including the issue of minorities. So, Serbs in Kosovo can have their National Council like the model of Albanians and Bosniaks in Serbia.
4. On the issue of the missing and forcibly disappeared persons, Serbia shall remove from the position and question the head of the Serbian delegation, Mr. Veljko Odalovic, who in 1997-1999, was “head of the Kosovo district” and led occupied Kosovo jointly with Mr. Zoran Andjelkovic.

To my first proposal we received no answer, whereas the other three proposals have been turned down. I hope that when they return to Belgrade, Mr. Vucic and Mr. Selakovic will reflect and seriously consider accepting these proposals.

Today afternoon Mr. Borrell will meet with the US President Joe Biden, Kosovo PM Kurti concluded on his Facebook post.

Lajcak: Kurti and Vucic confirmed there is no other way but normalization (RTK)

The European Union Special Envoy for Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, after today's meeting in Brussels with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti and the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, said that this meeting was not easy, but important that happened.

According to him, the EU and the people of both countries have great expectations from the dialogue in Brussels.

"This was the first meeting with Prime Minister Kurti. It was not an easy but important meeting that happened. The two leaders had an open discussion each about what they want from the dialogue. What is important for the EU is that both leaders confirmed that there is no other way but to normalize relations. Both pledged to work to reach a general agreement, through dialogue. The dialogue will continue at the end of July. The EU has high expectations to overcome the legacy of the past and for Serbia and Kosovo to move towards a European future through a comprehensive binding agreement," Lajcak said.

Daka: My dismissal was illegal and ordered (media)

The former chairwoman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) Valdete Daka, called her dismissal from the CEC an ordered decision.

At an extraordinary press conference, Daka said her dismissal was unconstitutional.

"Yesterday with her decision, the president of Kosovo has fulfilled the threat for my dismissal made during the election campaign. I want to let you know from the beginning that this is an unconstitutional decision and unsupported by law. I say this based on the facts that the justification made for my dismissal is not only illegal, contradictory within, but also ridiculous. To be accused of inaction and collegial decisions taken by all members of the CEC and to be punished only because I applied the Constitution and the Law, is an absurdity of its kind and in all likelihood an ordered decision," Daka said.

She stated that the immediate appointment of the new CEC chairperson, proved that the decision for her dismissal was prepared earlier.

"It is clear that it was prepared earlier, and this proves the immediate appointment of the new chairperson. This dismissal was preceded by a meeting in which she asked me to resign voluntarily and receive in return an acknowledgment for the work I had done, including the possibility of further cooperation. This was unacceptable to me," she said.

The former chairwoman of the CEC also spoke about her clashes with President Osmani. According to her, it all started when she and some CEC members opposed the certification of candidates who have been convicted in the last three days.

"Public threats of President Osmani have started since January 2021, when I and most members of the CEC, although under great pressure, were in defense of the ruling of the Constitutional Court for not allowing the candidacy of convicted persons in the last three years. A day after this decision, through a video message, President Osmani threatened to dismiss me," she said.

Daka also said that Osmani in the justification for dismissal has included the ungrounded accusations of some CEC members, alluding to the Vetevendosje Movement’s representatives in the CEC, Sami Kurteshi and Alim Rama.

"This ordered pressure by the representatives of a political entity has continued even later. They stopped the meetings, claimed ungrounded accusations and the president did not react to them. You can find their accusations today in the president's justification for my dismissal. The arguments of the presidents are easily brought down and they do not need much effort," Daka said.

EU Office in Kosovo reacts after Osmani sacked CEC chair Valdete Daka (Express)

The EU Office in Kosovo has reacted after President Vjosa Osmani dismissed the chairwoman of the Central Elections Commisison (CEC), Valdete Daka, Gazeta Express reports.

In a statement posted on Twitter, the Head of the EU Office in Kosovo, Tomas Szunyog said that it is important that all procedures are in line with the Kosovo law and the CEC independence is safeguarded.

“Took note of Vjosa Osmani decision to dismiss CEC chair and appoint a new one. Important that all procedures are in line with Kosovo law and that CEC independence is safeguarded to ensure professional and timely preparation of municipal elections and electoral legislation reform,” Szunyog wrote on Twitter.

On Monday, Osmani dismissed Daka and appointed Kreshnik Radoniqi as the new chairman of the CEC. The move has prompted reaction from opposition and civil society who accused President Osmani that the decision was politically motivated.

Women’s Network reacts to Valdete Daka’s dismissal (media)

Kosovo Women's Network (KWN) through this reaction joins other civil society organizations to oppose Monday’s decision of the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu to dismiss the Chairperson of the Central Election Commission (CEC), Valdete Daka.

“The reasons given for Daka's dismissal do not stand, and moreover they attribute it to some responsibilities that are not hers, or only hers. The CEC is an independent constitutional body and Chair Daka is only one of eleven voting members.

Among the reasons for dismissal are the violation of personal data, as well as problems with voter lists. Neither of these falls under the responsibility of the Chairperson of the CEC, one is within the scope of the Agency for Information and Privacy, and the other is the responsibility of the Agency for Civil Registration in the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

We also note that this decision of President Osmani comes on the eve of announcing the date of local elections to be held in October this year, and in addition to being considered an impact on the independent work of the CEC, may also affect the organisation and conduct of these elections.

We also recall that before the early national elections of February 2021, KWN, through a press release, called for this process to take place within constitutional rules, in a democratic spirit, and to address any disagreements through institutional channels. We are repeating this call even today, and not only for political parties, but for every institutional figure who has the responsibility of representing the unity of the people, such as the role of the President of Kosovo.

As we witness the political empowerment of women in Kosovo society, KWN will continue its long-standing efforts to increase women's participation in politics and decision-making and will demand accountability for decisions that touch on the democratic foundations on which we are building the society of our state,” reads the reaction.

Kosovo Police chief: We had no information about the liturgy (Klan Kosova)

Kosovo Police General Director Samedin Mehmeti said today that police had no information about the liturgy held by the Serb Orthodox Church on the university campus in Prishtina. During a report to the Kosovo Assembly Internal Affairs and Security Committee, Mehmeti said: “We had no information about that activity. That building is not on the list of buildings that are under 24-hour security of the police. We had no information that a liturgy would be held in that building.”

       

Serbian Language Media

  Covid-19 in Serbian areas: One new case, no deaths (Kosovo Online) 

In the Serb areas in Kosovo in the last 24 hours, out of 25 tested, one person was positive for Covid -19, there are no deaths, the Crisis Staff of the Municipality of Kosovska Mitrovica announced.

The current number of active cases is 14.

Lajcak about the Vucic, Kurti meeting: It was not easy, but it is important that it happened (N1)

EU envoy for dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina Miroslav Lajcak said after talks between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti that the meeting was not easy, but that it was important that it happened, reported N1. 

"Both leaders were very open and honest about what they want in the dialogue, that is important for the EU, there is no other way forward than the normalization of relations, and both are committed to working on normalization through dialogue," Lajcak said.

As he said, the process will be continued before the end of July.

"The EU, as well as the citizens of Serbia and Kosovo, have high expectations from the leaders to go from what happened in the past and look to the future, to normalize relations in a thorough manner," Lajcak said.

Kurti after meeting with Vucic: Meeting without incident; it will be difficult, but I am optimistic (N1)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti stated after the meeting with the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic in Brussels, within the new round of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, that from his point of view, the meeting was constructive and "about the essence of the problem", reported N1.

"There have been no incidents or situations where we would be on the brink of an incident," Kurti said, answering a reporter's question after the meeting.

"It will be difficult, but I am an optimist. We now have an honest approach to the problems and the essence of our conflict is the lack of mutual recognition - neither Serbia recognizes Kosovo, nor Kosovo recognizes Serbia. That needs to change," said Kurti.

Kurti stated that the President of the USA, Joe Biden "clearly said the mutual recognition of Kosovo and Serbia".

"Together we can go the European and Euro-Atlantic path much faster than others think. Our relations should be improved by the principle of reciprocity - a national council for Albanians and Bosniaks that exists in Serbia can be established in Kosovo for Serbs as well," he said

Kurti believes that "it is good for Kosovo and Serbia to sign a declaration of peace, which would make it clear that neither side will attack the other.

"Such a declaration of non-aggression will contribute to peace in the region and beyond," Kurti pointed out.

Asked whether his earlier statements contributed to attacks on the Serb community in Kosovo, Kurti said that there were no interethnic problems in Kosovo, but that "Kosovo has problems with Serbia", reported N1.

Kosovo Online reported that Kurti pointed out that there are places in Kosovo where Albanians, Serbs, Bosniaks, Turks and Gorani work together.

"I think that both Serbs and Albanians and everyone in the region, not only in Kosovo and Serbia, have two main demands, and that is employment and justice. That is the biggest concern, and not that Serbia wants to abuse UN Resolution 1244, and say that it will never recognize Kosovo," Kurti explained.

Kurti conveyed that the citizens of Kosovo do not care much for dialogue, reported the portal.

"They are looking for justice and employment. When I return there, I will not be able to deal with this issue much," he pointed out.

Vucic after talks with Kurti: I have not attended a meeting like this yet; continuation by the end of July (RTS, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic after the meeting in Brussels with the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, said that Kurti came to Brussels to say that he would not agree on anything. The president said he saw a lot of irresponsibility and frivolity. According to him, Serbia will be committed to the dialogue, which will continue until the end of July, reported Radio Television of Serbia (RTS).

Addressing the media after the meeting in Brussels, the President said that "he did not attend such a meeting" and that it had nothing to do with reality and responsibility.

He announced that Serbia would do its best to continue the dialogue and that it was agreed that the next round would be by the end of July.

"I don't know what to tell you, to be honest, I think that the length of the talks also speaks about the results. It was agreed to continue the dialogue until the end of July, I hope that is one important thing that could guarantee peace and stability. Everything else would be unnecessary to comment on," Vucic said. 

He said that there were three important news for the citizens of Serbia.

"The first is that the Albanian delegation does not want to fulfill the agreements they signed; they do not want to talk about the Community of Serbian Municipalities. The second is that they asked urgently and immediately to hear when we will recognize an independent Kosovo. The third is that they call it incident and provocation the fact that Serbs want to attend the liturgy in their churches that were on the land given in Milosevic's time. I was gentle and I did not want to say ... This is the absence of reality, seriousness and responsibility," the President of Serbia said. 

He added that they talked about missing persons and how important it is to find out the place where every Albanian and Serb is buried.

"I offered and I think it was fully understood by Borell and Lajcak, to always tell us when they have a suspicion where the tomb is, that we will open that place, I asked to be allowed to dig at nine locations because we suspect that there are Serbs killed. They said no, when we asked why, they said because Veljko Odalovic is the head of the commission for missing persons, some Goebbels. I did not see a rational approach," Vucic said.

"I am concerned about the safety of Serbs"

Vucic said that he was very worried about the security of Serbs from Kosovo, and that he will need to talk with them, reported RTS.

"I saw how much irresponsibility we would have to face in the future, not because someone is too strong, but because it is very non-negotiable. We will continue the dialogue, we are ready to accept every date, every day, for us it is very important and there is nothing more important for us than ensuring security and safety for our people in Kosovo and Metohija and respecting everything that has been signed so far. Do I see more serious progress soon ... People, I did not attend a meeting such as this one, something that has nothing to do with reality and responsibility. I told them more than anything. They have resented the EU more than us," Vucic said.

Asked whether he had insulted Kurti, the president said he had responded sharply but had not crossed the border.

"I did not utter insults, I did not swear, was I perhaps relatively sharp ... You cannot be sharp if someone comes to you and talks about Veljko Odalovic in the middle of the problem of the missing and that he was a member of Milosevic's party, he is Goering and Goebbels," said Vucic.

The president said that Kurti came to Brussels so that he would not agree on anything.

"I said that we would never recognize Kosovo, and then he detonated," the president said.

"This was an attempt to end the dialogue"

"What they did was an attempt to end the dialogue, to leave the room angrily after their words, and never to return, but we did not do that. We will continue to work on the dialogue," Vucic said.

He assessed that it did not look like a dialogue, but the presentation of personal political views.

He mentioned that the EU representatives behaved correctly. "Especially Borell, he understood everything from the first moment," said Vucic.

The delegation of Pristina went so far, Vucic said, that they said that it was not possible to form the ZSO, but a national council like Serbia introduced for national minorities.

Asked what can be expected from the United States, he said that he was sure that Borell would convey to Biden what was happening in a fair and precise way.

"But don't forget that the United States, Germany and other Western powers have been involved in creating, as they say, an independent Kosovo, but I think it would be fair to come out with an attitude of knowing who is responsible for little or no progress in the dialogue," said Vucic.

Petkovic: Belgrade emphasized its commitment to the continuation of the dialogue (Blic, TV Pink)

The director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovi stated that the Serbian delegation led by President Aleksandar Vucic once again today emphasized its commitment to the continuation of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina and its readiness to seek a compromise solution, reported daily Blic, citing TV Pink. 

Petkovic told TV Pink in Brussels, and after the bilateral meeting of the Serbian delegation with EU representatives - Josep Borell and Miroslav Lajcak, that Borell understood Belgrade's commitment to dialogue and said that he would also inform US President Joe Biden about the details of the trilateral meeting.

According to him, President Vucic pointed out that it is the essence and that Serbian delegation was most interested in whether there will be a shift in the dialogue itself

- That is crucial for us and that is why we are in Brussels - said Petkovic and added that the issue of the missing persons, energy and big topics that burden the relations between Belgrade and Pristina should be discussed at today's meetings.

Petkovic says that the close cooperation of the EU with the USA on the issue of Kosovo additionally complicates the position of Belgrade, but that Belgrade's delegation will fight.

Jevtic: Those who are bothered by liturgies, today in Brussels said that they are bothered by Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)

The vice president of the Serbian List, Dalibor Jevtic said that the Serbs in Kosovo are proud of President Aleksandar Vucic, who today in Brussels in the first round of the continuation of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina once again showed that life and peace have no alternative, reported Kosovo Online. 

"The commitment to dialogue is the commitment to peace. Kosovo Serbs are proud of President Vucic, who once again showed in the difficult circumstances of the dialogue that life and peace have no alternative," Jevtic said on Twitter.

"Those who are bothered by liturgies, essentially told in Brussels today that they are bothered by Serbs in Kosovo," Jevtic added in his tweet,  portal Kosovo online reported.

Borell: Belgrade and Pristina to use the new momentum in dialogue (media)

Pristina and Belgrade should use the new momentum in the dialogue on the normalization of relations, as well as the momentum in the new views on the Western Balkans in the European Union (EU) and reach a comprehensive agreement which is "the way to the European future", said EU High Representative Josep Borrell, Serbian media reported this morning.

Borell said that on the eve of today's meeting in Brussels between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, in which EU Special Envoy Miroslav Lajcak and he will participate on behalf of the EU.

Borell pointed out that "he encourages Vucic and Kurti to immediately continue the meetings of the dialogue and focus on achieving results despite all the existing difficulties".

"I know, we know that this dialogue will not be easy, but that the process and sincere engagement of both sides are necessary for the well-being of the people of Kosovo and Serbia," Borell noted.

And, as he made it clear, "to be clear, dialogue and its outcome are the path to the European future of both sides, and in the meantime, many results have been achieved for their citizens."

"These are, for example, the incorporation of the police and judiciary of northern Kosovo into the Kosovo system, the collection of customs revenues from trade with Serbia, as well as full membership in various regional organizations and initiatives," the head of the European External Action Service (EEAS) added. 

"The European Union and I have personally committed ourselves and want rapid progress to finally leave the past behind, to reach a comprehensive, legally binding agreement on the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, and for the European future to become a reality," Borell stressed.

"This is a new impetus and we must use it, it is a new impetus," he said, "in Europe when it comes to discussions on the Western Balkans, and it is important for the whole region to use this opportunity".

"It is an opportunity for the whole region, not just for Kosovo and Serbia, because relations between them are very important for the stability of the whole area," Borell said, concluding that "long-term stability, economic progress in the region, without Kosovo-Serbia agreements, would be jeopardized".

Today in Brussels, according to the plan of meetings, the joint meeting of Kurti and Vucic with EU officials is expected to start around 10.30.

A joint press conference of the participants in the meeting has not been announced, but Vucic and Kurti are expected to address the media separately after the round of dialogue.

It was announced that the final statement on the outcome of the meeting will be given by the EU special envoy Miroslav Lajcak.

Problem or solution? (B92, DW)

For the first time, Aleksandar Vucic and Albin Kurti will discuss "face to face" the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina in Brussels, reported portal B92 citing Deutsche Welle.

Two strong leaders with two strong mandates - a prerequisite to reaching problems or solutions faster?

The dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina on the normalization of relations has been going on for 10 years, and will continue with a meeting at the highest political level on June 15, when Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti will sit at the same table in Brussels for the first time.

Before the new round, the EU, which is the main mediator in this process, says that the only thing that is expected and certain is that Vucic and Kurti will meet, and that neither the possible results of the talks nor the potential next steps in the process can be predicted.

"Both interlocutors pledged to come to the meeting on Tuesday. We can not plan anything further than that. Whether they will find a common language or not, whether everyone will be constructive, whether they will agree on how to proceed with the process or not, all that remains to be seen on Tuesday," diplomatic sources from the European External Action Service said.

Before the new round, the EU, which is the main mediator in this process, says that the only thing that is expected and certain is that Vucic and Kurti will meet, and that neither the possible results of the talks nor the potential next steps in the process can be predicted. "Both interlocutors pledged to come to the meeting on Tuesday. We can not plan anything further than that. Whether they will find a common language or not, whether everyone will be constructive, whether they will agree on how to proceed with the process or not, all that remains to be seen on Tuesday," diplomatic sources from the European External Action Service (EEAS) said.

Such cautious assessments of the mediators in the dialogue are based on the fact that the two negotiators come to Brussels with completely different positions when it comes to almost everything: from the framework, principles, content, to the outcome of the dialogue on normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina.

For the Prime Minister of Kosovo, with his entry into the negotiation process, a "new dialogue" will begin, which, as Kurti says, cannot continue on what the previous authorities in Pristina did. "We want a well-prepared dialogue where we will all be equal," Kurti states, and reiterates his personal position that he sees the solution to the dialogue in mutual recognition.

For the President of Serbia, mutual recognition is out of the question. Vucic sees the solution in the compromise, which "broadly defines" the defense of the state and national interests of Serbia and the Serbian people. Belgrade is currently putting the formation of the Community of Serbian Municipalities in the first place of its interests in the dialogue. On Kurti's position that a single-ethnic community cannot be formed on the territory of Kosovo, Vucic told him not to come to the meeting in Brussels if he did not want to discuss the formation of the CSM.

Will there be Biden's intervention?

Having in mind such different positions, as well as the fact that the two leaders are meeting "face to face" for the first time, while so far they have only "at a distance" commented on each other's positions, the EU envisions possible scenarios.

"If everything goes in a positive direction, the leaders may decide to continue talks at a bilateral lunch after the meeting, which is scheduled to last about 4 hours, which we will certainly provide. If there is an unforeseen situation, problem or one of the interlocutors does not agree to continue with talks, in the process, the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, is ready to talk about it on the same day, face to face, with the President of the United States, Joseph Biden, with whom he is meeting within the EU-US summit," EU diplomatic sources said.

It is noticeable that since the change of administration in Washington, the EU is increasingly talking in the plural about the "expectations of the EU and the USA" from Belgrade and Pristina. After Albin Kurti openly informed Brussels that he would appear in talks with Belgrade when he was "ready" and not when announced by EU chief mediator Josep Borrell, Washington is expected to use its influence to "prepare" Kosovo's Prime Minister for constructive negotiations.

"No new dialogue"

Experts on Kurti's character and work warn that he is "striving for cooperation" for Brussels, but also for Washington - from his predecessors at the head of the Kosovo authorities and in the dialogue with Belgrade.

As a kind of response to the Kosovo Prime Minister before the meeting on Tuesday, he emphasizes that "there is no new dialogue" but that this is a process that has been going on since 2011 and which "has remained the same despite changes in negotiation partners and governments in Belgrade and Pristina." One of the working documents of the European External Action Service, presented to the EU Council last month, envisages the possibility of reaching a legally binding agreement between Belgrade and Pristina by the end of 2021.

Many would assess this as unfounded optimism in a situation when not a single meeting can be predicted. On the other hand, if two leaders with such undeniably strong mandates, obtained from the citizens, manage to find a space between interest and compromise, perhaps the solution to the "Kosovo issue" has never been closer.

See at:https://bit.ly/3gpnFbH Vucic arrived in Brussels (Tanjug, B92)

Aleksandar Vucic arrived in Brussels, where a new round of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina will be held tomorrow morning at a high political level.

The President of Serbia is scheduled to meet bilaterally with the main mediator of the EU in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, Josep Borrell, from 9.30 a.m. After separate bilateral meetings between Borrell and Kurti and Vucic, a trilateral meeting should begin at around 10:30 a.m., which will be attended by the President of Serbia, the Prime Minister of Kosovo, the EU Foreign Minister and EU Special Representative for Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Miroslav Lajcak.

The EU, which is the main mediator in the dialogue, states before tomorrow's meeting that it is a matter of continuing the process that started in 2011.

It is noted that despite the change of one of the negotiators, Avdullah Hoti was replaced by Albin Kurti on the Pristina side, "obligations and process" remain the same, but Miroslav Lajcak clearly says that the two sides will agree on the agenda of tomorrow's meeting, in which the EU is only a mediator. As Albin Kurti comes to Brussels with a delegation for talks with loud and repeated views that Pristina wants to talk only about mutual recognition, which is unacceptable for Belgrade, the European External Action Service (EEAS) mentions the possibility that if there is an obstruction of talks or "one side will not be ready to continue the process", the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, will discuss it directly in the afternoon with the President of the USA, Joseph Biden.

What Borrell will convey to Biden as a problem when they meet at the EU-US Summit, which is also being held in Brussels that afternoon, will probably be known after Vucic Kurti's meeting and Lajcak's address to the media, which is expected at the end of the meeting, around 1 p.m. As far as Serbia is concerned, tomorrow's meeting is clear. The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, stated that he would insist on the implementation of everything agreed so far.

He said, commenting on Pristina's messages that their delegation was coming to make their show in Brussels, and that we were committed to dialogue, and said that the days ahead were not easy and that the situation was not so good.

"It is not the time for big words, but for a firm position, but it is always time to show how much we want dialogue and how important it is to look to the future," Vucic said, before tomorrow's meeting.

By the way, the last round of talks was held on December 10, 2020, and Serbia was represented by the director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic. In that technical round, Petkovic insisted on the formation of the Community of Serbian Municipalities, to which Pristina committed itself in the Brussels Agreement, while property and financial claims were also discussed.

See at:https://bit.ly/3vp4bbr EU expects Vucic and Kurti to continue dialogue, not start new talks (Beta, N1)

European Union officials told Belgrade-based Beta news agency that the Union expects top officials from Belgrade and Pristina to continue the dialogue on Tuesday, not start a new one.

European Commission spokesman Peter Stano said that Brussels expects Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti to discuss the way forward in the dialogue to continue the process which started in 2011. He said that this is not the old but a current dialogue with the EU mediating with both partners progressing with their European future. Stano added that the partners changed in the process, but the process remains the same.

According to Stano, all the issues discussed earlier in the dialogue will be on the agenda of future meetings and are of key importance for the comprehensive agreement to normalize relations at the end of the dialogue.

Vucic and Kurti are scheduled to have separate meetings with the EU’s top diplomat, High Representative Josep Borrel and his envoy Miroslav Lajcak to discuss the proposals the two sides are bringing to the table.

See at:https://bit.ly/3cIekcA NATO leaders value partnership with Serbia (N1)

NATO leaders said on Monday that the Alliance values its partnership with Serbia and added that it is committed to the stability of the Western Balkans as a region of strategic importance.

“We value the NATO-Serbia partnership. Strengthening NATO-Serbia relations would be of benefit to the Alliance, to Serbia, and to the whole region. We support the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and other efforts aimed at the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, and urge the sides to seize the moment and engage in good faith towards reaching a lasting political solution,” a communique issued from the NATO summit in Brussels said.

The leaders of the NATO member states said that they remain committed to NATO’s continued engagement in Kosovo, including KFOR “which contributes to a safe and secure environment and to wider stability in the Western Balkans, and through ongoing capacity building efforts with the Kosovo security organisations”. “Any changes to our force posture in KFOR remain conditions-based and not calendar-driven,” the communique said.

“NATO remains strongly committed to the security and stability of the Western Balkans and to supporting the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the countries in the region. We will intensify our efforts in the region and enhance our political dialogue and practical cooperation in order to support reform efforts, promote regional peace and security, and counter the malign influence of outside actors,” it added.

See at:https://bit.ly/3gzPL2L KFOR on inquiries of British soldiers in Gorazdevac: Routine activities, to feel the pulse of the population concerning different topics (KoSSev)

KFOR UK personnel were in Gorazdevac with only the purpose to feel the pulse of the population concerning different topics; one of those has been the security perception of the population living in the municipality and around the Visoki Decani monastery, the KFOR spokesperson, Antonio Minutella, confirmed for KoSSev last night.

Radio Gorazdevac reported yesterday that members of the UK KFOR visited the village, where they ''disturbed'' the locals with questions related to the security of the Visoki Decani monastery.

As the locals of Gorazdevac confirmed, they were asked whether it would be a good thing if the monastery of Visoki Decani was secured by the Kosovo Police instead of KFOR. A Gorazdevac local emphasized that almost everyone said that it would not be a good thing, stressing that the local Serbs ''do not trust the Kosovo Police''.

A KFOR spokesperson told KoSSev that the interviews conducted in Gorazdevac by KFOR personnel were ''part of routine activities with the aim to monitor the current situation and to maintain situational awareness''.

He underlined that this was not the first time and that KFOR normally performs such kind of activities around all of Kosovo.

''These interviews also include the perception of the citizens toward KFOR. We do not push anyone to answer and we fully always engage the people with respect and dignity regardless of their ethnicity.''

See at:https://bit.ly/2U7aTpz Lawyer Pantovic: I filed an appeal; Djokic was sentenced based on false statements (Beta)

Lawyer Ljubomir Pantovic stated on Monday that he filed an appeal with the Court of Appeals in Pristina against the first-instance verdict by which Zoran Djokic (49) from Pec was sentenced to 12 years in prison for an alleged war crime. 

Pantovic told the Beta agency that Djokic was convicted based on false statements by certain witnesses, and that the investigation and trial were conducted outside the law. 

''Djokic’s trial was not fair and the verdict was not based on evidence. The right to defence was violated on several occasions. The prosecution, although legally obliged, did not inform me as a lawyer about the investigation. All but one investigation was conducted without my presence,'' the lawyer said. 

Pantovic stated that the prosecution and the court have selected witnesses selectively. 

''Out of 17 examined witnesses, the court selected only eight whose statements were suitable for the prosecution. The court, contrary to the law, did not allow nine witnesses, whose statements were neutral or in favour of Djokic, to be heard at the main trial,'' the lawyer explained. 

According to him, no war crimes trial has been fair since EULEX judges left Kosovo and local judges and prosecutors took over the judiciary. 

''A key prosecution witness said that Zoran Djokic was not a participant in the crime for which he was convicted. However, when the trial began, and when the prosecutor and the injured party’s lawyers saw that the indictment against Djokic was unfounded, they engaged new witnesses, which was also illegal,'' Pantovic said. 

He added that Djokic was convicted based on false statements by two new witnesses. 

''In these 20 years, these witnesses have never reported to anyone that they are victims of war crimes, which is absurd. They openly lied in court against Zoran Djokic, claiming that they were victims of a war crime allegedly committed by my client,'' Pantovic said. 

The lawyer said that Zoran Djokic was absolutely innocent and that he was arrested in February 2019 and ever since he has been in the Podujevo prison for more than two years. 

Until 2014, Djokic lived in Kosovo with his wife and two children and worked in many non-governmental organizations and the GoK Mitrovica North Administrative Office (MNAO). 

Djokic was convicted of allegedly participating in ethnic cleansing on the outskirts of Pec on March 28 and 29, 1999, when three Albanian civilians were killed. 

''Djokic was first suspected of killing Albanians. However, since there was no evidence, the prosecution changed the indictment. None of the prosecution witnesses has seen Zoran Djokic in uniform or with a weapon,'' the lawyer said. 

Pantovic said that “if the judges of the Court of Appeals respect the law and the actual evidence, the verdict against Djokic will be revoked and a new trial will be ordered in order to discuss the disputed facts''. 

''However, there is no justice for Serbs in Kosovo. Lately, the story of genocide against the Albanian people has been emphasized and many judges are under pressure and do not have the strength and courage to judge according to justice and the law,'' Pantovic concluded. 

     

International

  EU foreign policy chief urges Serbia, Kosovo to move forward (AP)

The European Union’s foreign policy chief expressed hope Tuesday for a “rapid progress” in EU-brokered negotiations aimed at resolving a long-lasting dispute between Serbia and Kosovo that remains a source of tensions in the volatile Balkans.

European Commission Vice-President Josep Borrell urged leaders of the rival Balkan nations ahead of a meeting in Brussels to “seize the opportunity” of a “new momentum” and move forward in the negotiations that have been stalled since last year.

“The European Union and I, personally, we are invested to see rapid progress to finally leave the past behind,” said Borrell.

See more at: https://bit.ly/3cHMfSU Without consent within EU on opening new chapters with Serbia in June (EWB)

BRUSSELS – The EU Member states did not give the green light for opening new negotiations chapters with Serbia in June, but agreed to hold an intergovernmental conference, during which a new negotiation methodology and next steps in the process will be presented, media reported.

According to RTS, a significant number of member states did not agree to open clusters three and four, estimating that Serbia, despite some progress, has not made enough, primarily in the area of the rule of law.

The decision to hold a political “explanatory” intergovernmental conference with Serbia on June 22 was adopted as a compromise solution, as a sign of support for Belgrade to continue with reforms, which would lead to the possible opening of a chapter at the next intergovernmental conference.

See more at:https://bit.ly/3vtLxz0 Nora Visoka-Weller: “Silence is a victory for every genocide” (BIRN)

Nora Visoka-Weller, who worked as translator for foreign media & diplomatic observing mission during the Kosovo war, shares her memories of the late ‘90s in an exclusive interview with BIRN.

In late October 1997, a crew of foreign journalists stationed in Prishtina told their 18-year-old translator Nora Visoka-Weller a persistent rumour that had been circulating – that soldiers from the Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA, had been sighted in the Drenica region.

A few days later, Visoka-Weller headed out to the village of Llausha in Drenica in an attempt to meet the guerilla army. She remembers that when she arrived in Llausha, three men with guns stopped the car and asked for their IDs.

“For me it was a weird feeling,” she tells BIRN. “I thought: ‘This is my army! I shouldn’t be afraid of them.’ So when they requested IDs, I asked: ‘Should I also give my ID? I’m Albanian.’ One of them shouted: ‘Yes! Yes! You too! Give me your ID!”

The foreign journalists did not manage to talk to the KLA on this occasion. However, it was enough simply to confirm the existence of a guerrilla army whose formation up until that time had only been spoken of in whispers. 

“For the journalists, this was the goal – to see that there were soldiers,” Visoka-Weller says.

Read full article at: https://bit.ly/3wqNwW5 Serbia Commemorates 1999 Battle Against Kosovo Guerrillas (Balkan Insight)

Serbia’s Defence Ministry staged a ceremony to commemorate 108 Yugoslav Army troops who were killed fighting Kosovo Liberation Army guerrillas in the Battle of Kosare near the Albanian border 22 years ago.

Senior state and military officials including Defence Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic and Serbian Army chief Milan Mojsilovic attended the commemorative event at Belgrade’s Kombank Hall on Sunday evening to mark the 22nd anniversary of the two-month-long Battle of Kosare.

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