Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: We have no date set for applying for EU candidate status (Kosovapress)
• Gervalla-Schwarz: We have asked KFOR to close Kosovo's airspace to Russia (media)
• Kosovo expresses support for Ukraine at Pristina rally (media)
• Kurti confirms millions have been poured into "Security Fund" (Kallxo)
• COVID-19: 23 new cases, one death (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: If Kosovo joins intl organisations, Serbia will have surprising answer (media, N1)
• Aleksandar Vucic SNS’ candidate for President of Serbia (N1, media)
• Von Cramon: Important to show that K. Serbs are an integral part of Kosovo; We cannot compare Moscow and Belgrade (KoSSev)
• Gracanica mayor announced the opening of a new school and condemned the new incident in Suvi Do (KiM radio) 
• SPC Patriarch: We pray for peace in Ukraine, for talks to start as soon (N1, Beta)
• Vucic, Macron discuss EU integration, bilateral ties, Ukraine (Tanjug, media)
• Vucic, Botsan-Kharchenko discuss Ukraine, geopolitics (Tanjug, media)
• UNS and DNKiM: Call to ban Kosovo Online work is denial of the right to freedom of speech (Kosovo Online)
• UNDP Public Pulse: Unemployment, poverty and the environment are major problems (KiM radio)

   

Albanian Language Media  

  Kurti: We have no date set for applying for EU candidate status (Kosovapress)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti said that they have not decided on a date for applying for a European Union candidate status but that this will be done during the year.

"We said we will do it this year and the recent geopolitical developments certainly impose on us an acceleration but we have no date when we would be applying for European Union candidate status or for Council of Europe. I believe that setting a date now would not be helpful in our preparations and would be objectively impossible because there is a great deal of work needed to reach that point but we should nevertheless proceed as quickly as possible," he said.

Gervalla-Schwarz: We have asked KFOR to close Kosovo's airspace to Russia (media)

Kosovo's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Donika Gervalla-Schwarz, reported to the Assembly foreign affairs committee on the developments in light of the situation in Ukraine. She said Kosovo was quick to clearly position itself on the side of its partners and allies. 

Gervalla-Schwarz also noted that Kosovo institutions have asked KFOR to close Kosovo's airspace to Russian aircrafts, in line with the decision of the Government. "KFOR promised to take the request under serious consideration," she said, adding that an answer is expected in the coming days.

The Minister said there is no need for panic in Kosovo over the possibility of the security situation deteriorating but that caution needs to be exercised. "The Russian influence in the region is immense and dangerous and it is organised through Serbia… We are in continuous contact with our partners and allies to carefully monitor the situation in our region so that we are not put before a fait accompli that could lead to serious problems.”

She pointed out that Kosovo has made its NATO membership aspirations clear while on Kosovo's institutional support for Ukraine, Gervalla-Schwarz said she will put forward a request to the Government of Kosovo for receiving 5,000 Ukrainian refugees and that a fund will be set up to join international humanitarian relief efforts.

Kosovo expresses support for Ukraine at Pristina rally (media)

Representatives of Kosovo institutions and citizens expressed solidarity with Ukraine at a rally in downtown Pristina today. Ambassadors accredited in Kosovo, journalists, and civil society representatives also joined the rally.

President Vjosa Osmani said Kosovo stands strongly in support of the people of Ukraine. "Our institutions have expressed readiness to use all available capacities to receive refugees from Ukraine. Kosovo has also shown readiness to support and welcome journalists from Ukraine so that they not only settle in Kosovo but continue to carry out the journalistic work from a safe place," she said.

Kurti confirms millions have been poured into "Security Fund" (Kallxo)

Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, said today that millions of euros have so far been poured into the recently established "Security Fund", intended for the Kosovo Security Force.

"The number of donations to the Security Fund until this weekend has been in four digits, while the amount of funds raised reaches seven digits. However, for accurate figures you can reach out to the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers," Kurti said today. 

COVID-19: 23 new cases, one death (media)

23 new cases of COVID-19 and one death have been recorded in Kosovo in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health said in its daily report. 137 persons recovered during this time.

There are 1,021 active cases of COVID-19 in Kosovo.

     

Serbian Language Media

  Vucic: If Kosovo joins intl organisations, Serbia will have surprising answer (media, N1)

Aleksandar Vucic, Serbia's President, told reporters on Monday that if the process of Kosovo's joining any international organisation, "Serbia will surprise with its answer and efficiency".

“The day when it (Kosovo) is accepted in any international organisation will be the day of the violation of the Washington Agreement The names of the states that had withdrawn Kosovo’s recognition will be published on that day,” Vucic told reporters.

He added that due to the conflict in Ukraine, many saw it as a possibility to solve the Kosovo issue in such a global situation, and wanted an urgent admission of Pristina in many international organisations.

Vucic also said that Belgrade would not send a protest to Ankara after he talked to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan who, as Vucic said, explained to him what he had said and what had been reported about the Turkish possible invitation for Kosovo to join NATO.

"We decided not to send a protest note to Turkey because I had a conversation with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and he clarified to me what he said, what was reported," Vucic told reporters.

Speaking in the southern town of Leskovac, Vucic also said Serbia had decided not to impose sanctions against Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, despite pressures from the West.

"How difficult that is on a daily level is not a concern for people. I won't burden them with my job… Running the country in such circumstances is not an easy task," Vucic said.

Commenting on social networks' posts about the possible lack of food and fuel in Serbia, he said it was easy to spread panic and do things against their own country.

See at:https://bit.ly/3vPuKKC Aleksandar Vucic SNS’ candidate for President of Serbia (N1, media)

The Serbian Progressive Party has made the decision to nominate Aleksandar Vucic for the President of Serbia, the party vice president, Ana Brnabic, said on Sunday, following the session of the SNS Presidency.

As she said, there are three reasons why they believe in a “historic victory”.

“The first is that the results show what kind of candidate Aleksandar Vucic is, the second because stability is the most important thing at the moment, and the third reason is his seriousness, commitment and dedication. Today, more than ever before, we need strength, seriousness, and security. All this is represented by our candidate. We respect our political opponents, the campaign will be positive and we will talk about everything that Aleksandar Vucic did, but also about what we are planning to do,” Brnabic stressed.

The presidential elections are scheduled for April 3, 90 days before the end of the term of the President of the Republic of Serbia.

The deadline for nominations is midnight on March 12.

Von Cramon: Important to show that K. Serbs are an integral part of Kosovo; We cannot compare Moscow and Belgrade (KoSSev)

It is in the interest of the European Union to see that the rights of Kosovo Serbs are respected and that they are not discriminated against because they are an integral part of Kosovo, European Parliament rapporteur, Viola von Cramon, told KoSSev from North Mitrovica today. Von Cramon also rejected attempts to draw a parallel between the situation in Ukraine and Kosovo. “I think you cannot even start to compare the situations in Moscow and Belgrade. And I made that very clear, “she added.

On the second day of her Kosovo tour, the European rapporteur for Kosovo, Viola von Cramon, visited North Mitrovica, where she met with civil society representatives, but not with the mayor – despite several attempts to do so.

“I think it is important to show that the Kosovo Serbs are an integral part of Kosovo. It is in our interest, of the European Union and the European Parliament, to see that their rights are respected, that they are not discriminated against in terms of access to infrastructure, services, language-wise and so on, “she said.

Von Cramon added that she would like to see a more self-determined Serbian community – one that would clearly speak about its objectives, but also its problems.

“And of course, we would like to see a self-confident but also self-determined Serbian citizens, that is, the Serbian population. And I would like to hear more from you, where do they see the parliament could support them more, what are the main problems, the main objectives and how we can help to integrate them better and more fully integrate into structures of the Republic of Kosovo.”

We cannot compare the situations in Moscow and Belgrade

Commenting on the intensified messages from Pristina, in which a parallel is drawn between Kosovo and Ukraine, while harsh accusations are made against Serbia, Von Cramon told Kosovo leaders that while she understands the people in the region who faced the war, not all rhetoric is “helpful”. She underlined that it is important for both sides to be responsible and that “there are no provocations”.

“I understand that the people who faced the war in this region are an extremely traumatized society and I fully share the concern of everyone who has lived through these difficult times and there is a constant fear of everyone who is or was in a war situation that it could be repeated. On the other hand, I was rejecting all attempts to draw a parallel line between what is happening in Ukraine and the situation here. I think you cannot even start to compare the situations in Moscow and Belgrade. And I made that very clear.”

“I made sure that I would be understood,” she stressed.

My support for the resolution was about condemning the invasion of Ukraine

Von Cramon attended the vote on the resolution on Ukraine in the Kosovo Assembly, which she later welcomed.

She, however, was not aware that the majority of the text of the resolution concerned Kosovo itself and a series of accusations against Serbia, with a detailed reminder of the figures on war crimes, that is, on the „genocide committed by Serbia in 1999,” which, as Pristina claims, Serbia has not been sanctioned for anything for years.

Von Cramon clarified that her support was related to Kosovo’s condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine and sympathy with the Ukrainian people.

“No, I have not gone through the resolution, it is not my resolution, I did not draft or sign it, it is not something I would be kept accountable on. But you’re right, I haven’t gone through the text. Countries who have an interest in aligning with the EU position, this is very important for them,” she said.

“For me, working in Ukraine since ’96, I do really suffer, I see that my friends are dying, I get emergency SOS calls, I am really under big pressure and I see that all, even symbolic acts, of solidarity with the people of Ukraine are fine,” she said.

Governments responsible for accurately informing the public

Finally, von Cramon commented on the intensified propaganda and unverified and fake news, again calling on governments to take responsibility when it comes to informing the public.

“Fake news is really dangerous, on all sides. There is a certain responsibility on the governments to make sure that they really work with, let’s say, clear data and facts,” the European rapporteur pointed out.

Gracanica mayor announced the opening of a new school and condemned the new incident in Suvi Do (KiM radio) 

President of the Municipality of Gracanica prof. Dr. Ljiljana Subaric condemned the latest incident in Suvi Do when unknown vandals broke down the door of the new school building and stated that the Municipality of Gracanica "will soon respond by opening a newly built school", reported KiM radio.

The day after KLA graffiti was painted on the walls of four houses, a new incident occurred in Suvi Do. Unknown perpetrators broke down the door of the new school building last night at around 8 pm, according to a statement submitted to the media from her office, reported KiM radio on Saturday.

"All of us were once again disturbed by the latest event in Suvi Do, and the citizens of our municipality are rightly worried about their safety. That is why we demand that the perpetrators of the latest events be found and punished as soon as possible," said Subaric. 

"We expect the international community and its representatives, as well as relevant institutions in Kosovo, to do everything possible to stop such incidents and provocations, especially in mixed environments, as well as to increase their presence in order to enable a safe and peaceful life for the Serbian people," she said. 

Petkovic tells Kurti: ''Stop defending Albanian extremists''

On Saturday, Director of the Office for KiM, Petar Petkovic told Albin Kurti to stop ''defending Albanian extremists because there is no harder place for Serbs to live than Kosovo and Metohija''.

Petkovic posted on Twitter on March 5 that “after yesterday’s hysteria of Albanian politicians that Serbs themselves wrote KLA graffiti in Suvi Do (near Lipljan), the door of the new school in this place was broken”, reported Kosovo Online.

“After yesterday’s hysteria of Albanian politicians that Serbs themselves wrote KLA graffiti in Suvi Do, the doors of the new school in this place were broken. Before you accuse Serbs of that as well, just as you have falsely accused us of demolishing our cemeteries, face the truth, stop defending Albanian extremists, because there is no harder place for Serbs to live than Kosovo and Metohija!” Petkovic twitted. 

SPC Patriarch: We pray for peace in Ukraine, for talks to start as soon (N1, Beta)

The head of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC), Patriarch Porfirije, called on the faithful to pray for peace in Ukraine, hoping that instead of war "peace talks will take place as soon as possible because it has no price."

“Our memories, the memories of each of us, of the tragic wars and conflicts in the former Yugoslavia are still alive among us. And here is another war in Europe among our Christian brothers, Russians, and Ukrainians,” SPC’s press release quoted Patriarch as saying.

He said the war in Ukraine produced suffering and division. Not only between “our Russian and Ukrainian brothers but threatens the whole world and Europe where we feel like a tragedy is coming”.

“I remind myself and you and call on myself and you to have sympathy with those who need basic survival needs and, of course, with those who are already coming to our country as refugees,” Patriarch said.

He added the SPC has started collecting donations for the victims in Ukraine.

See at:https://bit.ly/3hMWac2 Vucic, Macron discuss EU integration, bilateral ties, Ukraine (Tanjug, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron by phone over the weekend, it was stated in a press release, reported Tanjug.

In a long, open and, above all, sincere conversation, Macron confirmed the substantial friendship between Serbia and France and expressed the most open support for Serbia and its European integration, the press office of the Serbian president said in a statement.

Macron welcomed Serbia's vote in the UN.

He also expressed his personal support for Vucic over the way he is leading Serbia to the future.

In an unequivocal manner, Macron told Vucic that, regardless of geopolitical changes in Europe and globally, Serbia remained a key priority and the number one candidate for EU accession.

The two presidents discussed the situation in Ukraine and also reviewed all bilateral ties between Serbia and France, in particular economic cooperation, and said they hoped it would see even stronger development in the future, the statement said.

Vucic, Botsan-Kharchenko discuss Ukraine, geopolitics (Tanjug, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic discussed the situation in Ukraine with Russian Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko on Sunday.

He briefed the ambassador on the positions of the Serbian government and the National Security Council, which include Serbia's commitment to respect of the norms of international public law.

Vucic said Serbia was watching geopolitical changes closely and noted that the challenges resulting from developments in the east of Europe were growing.

"Serbia will always be governed by its vital political and economic interests and committed to maintaining peace and stability," Vucic said.

Vucic and Botsan-Kharchenko also discussed Serbia-Russia bilateral relations, the presidential press office said in a statement.

UNS and DNKiM: Call to ban Kosovo Online work is denial of the right to freedom of speech (Kosovo Online)

The Association of Journalists of Serbia (UNS) and the Association of Journalists of Kosovo and Metohija (DNKiM) strongly condemned the call of Self-Determination MP Luan Aliu to ban the work of the Kosovo Online portal.

"MP Aliu's call to the Independent Media Commission to ban this portal is directly aimed at denying media freedoms," UNS and DNKiM said in a statement.

The Association reminded that according to the current laws in Kosovo, this regulatory body has no competence when it comes to online media.

"We believe that the news published by the Kosovo Press agency under the title 'Kosovo Online, a Serbian-Russian propaganda portal, a ban on its activities in Kosovo is needed', is tendentious and focused on this media without arguments and facts," UNS and DNKiM state.

They believe that the call to ban the media is a call to deny the right to freedom of speech and freedom of opinion and does not contribute to public interethnic dialogue in Kosovo.

"We also call on our colleagues from the Albanian-language newsrooms to stop labeling the Kosovo Online portal, making numerous unsubstantiated claims," UNS and DNKiM added.

UNDP Public Pulse: Unemployment, poverty and the environment are major problems (KiM radio)

This year's UNDP survey entitled "Public Pulse" shows that half of the respondents who participated in the survey expressed satisfaction with the work of institutions. One of the three main problems in Kosovo, in addition to unemployment and poverty, citizens highlighted the problem of environmental protection.

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Kosovo published the 21st edition of "Public Pulse", and 1,300 respondents participated in it.

55.2% of respondents are satisfied with the work of the President of Kosovo, while a slightly lower percentage (53.2%) is satisfied with the work of Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti. Half of the respondents praised the work of the Assembly of Kosovo, and the president of this institution, Glauk Konjufca, received a slightly higher percentage.

The Economic Confidence Index crossed the satisfaction threshold for the first time, reaching 1.52 points, suggesting that more than half of Kosovo's population is optimistic about Kosovo's economic prospects, according to the UNDP.

However, the three main issues for Kosovo are still unemployment (26.7%), poverty (24.3%) but also the environment (10.1%). This is the first time that the environment has been identified as one of the three main problems in Kosovo.

Respondents state that problems with urban space and the prices of basic foodstuffs are among the 5 main problems faced by citizens in Kosovo.

More than half of the respondents, as many as 51%, stated that Covid-19 had a negative impact on their economic well-being. A total of 43.9% stated that it negatively affects their physical health, and 50.7% stated that it affects their mental health.

When it comes to security, the survey shows that there is a mild sense of security among respondents, with as many as 73.6% saying they feel safe when outdoors. Data disaggregated by gender show that the sense of security is lower in women (71.5%) than in men (75.4%).

896 Kosovo Albanians, 210 Kosovo Serbs and 200 members of other Kosovo communities (Ashkali, Bosniaks, Egyptians, Gorani, Roma and Turks) took part in the UNPD survey, reported KiM radio.