Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: CBK regulation aims at legality, not punishment (RTK)
• Kosovo, Serbia to discuss Serbian Dinar in Brussels on Wednesday (Telegrafi)
• Kosovo off the agenda at meeting of CoE Committee of Ministers (Koha)
• Statistics Agency: Over 1,420,000 persons registered in census so far (EO)
• Heads of opposition parliamentary groups also refuse Kurti’s invitation (media)
• Svecla and Tomlinson discuss intensifying cooperation on border security (media)
• Osmani commemorates Korisha massacre: Serbia wanted extermination (Koha)
• Zimmerman: Kosovo can be accepted in CoE as associate member (Albanian Post)

Serbian Language Media: 

• Vucic: I informed Scholz about the almost unbearable situation for the Serbian community in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Ukraine’s first lady pays visit to Belgrade (N1, Tanjug)
• Lawyer: Slobodan Miletic did not take part in clash in Zvecan, was standing next to church, watching what was going on (KoSSev)
• Petkovic meets with Quint ambassadors, EU delegation head (Tanjug)
• Komazec: Jedinstvo newspaper expelled for second time, threatened by forced eviction (Kosovo Online, media)
• SPM formed Municipal Committee, opened office in Zubin Potok (Radio KIM)
• Pristina’s admission to the CoE opens numerous questions: Is Serbia ready for thousands of lawsuits from Kosovo (NIN)

International:

• Fresh start for Belgrade-Pristina after the elections? (Euractive)

   

Albanian Language Media  

 

Kurti: CBK regulation aims at legality, not punishment (RTK)

As of Sunday, the euro is the only currency for transactions in Kosovo. The transitional period of the Central Bank of Kosovo has ended. From today according to the Regulation, there will be punitive measures for those who use the dinar. Commercial banks operating in Kosovo, meanwhile, have been instructed to open new branches in the north.

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, spoke to RTK about the CBK regulation for the use of cash.

"The Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo has clarified that the goal is legality, transparency and not punishment and penalizing. They are the ones who are higher than us and lead in this process of transition as smoothly as possible to the transition as a means of payment", said Kurti in a statement while visiting Kamenica municipality.

Kurti repeated that the CBK regulation is not against the dinar, but is for the euro as the only means of payment in Kosovo.

Kosovo, Serbia to discuss Serbian Dinar in Brussels on Wednesday (Telegrafi)

Spokesperson for the European Union, Peter Stano, said today that chief negotiators from Kosovo and Serbia will meet in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss the Serbian Dinar, and that the EU expects the parties to be ready to reach a compromise solution. “The Special Representative for the dialogue has invited the chief negotiators to continue discussions. They will meet on Wednesday in Brussels and continue discussions to find a provisional and sustainable solution for people that have been affected by the decision of the Central Bank of Kosovo,” he said.

“We expect the parties to have a European approach and find a compromise solution. The chief negotiators try to find a solution during confidential discussions, and these are European ways to find a diplomatic solution. The EU continues to assist them in finding a compromise, which is necessary, because it affects people’s lives,” Stano said.

Kosovo off the agenda at meeting of CoE Committee of Ministers (Koha)

The Committee of Ministers in the Council of Europe will not discuss Kosovo in the meeting they are expected to hold this week. In a response to Koha from the media office of this institution, it was said that they cannot share more information at this stage.

"Kosovo is not on the agenda of the meeting of the Committee of Ministers next week. We do not have any more information at this stage", says the response of CoE.

According to the agenda, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the 46 member countries of the Council of Europe will hold their annual session on May 17, 2024, within the framework of the Organization's 75th anniversary.

Statistics Agency: Over 1,420,000 persons registered in census so far (EO)

Acting head of the Kosovo Agency for Statistics, Avni Kastrati, said today so far 1,420,148 persons have registered in the population census. He said that the process, which is in its sixth week now, has gone well and that a municipality has asked to extend the registration process, but that the Agency sees no reason to do so. 

Kastrati said that in the municipalities of Pristina and Prizren, offices have been opened where people can go and register “and that the same can be done in other municipalities if they deem necessary”.

Kastrati also said that there is hesitation to register in the northern municipalities but that the process is expected to continue there.

Heads of opposition parliamentary groups also refuse Kurti’s invitation (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has invited the leaders of the opposition parties to a working dinner this afternoon, Only the leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Memli Krasniqi has responded positively to this invitation, while leader of the LDK. Lumir Abdixhiku and that of AAK Ramush Haradinaj, have rejected the invitation.

The heads of these two parliamentary groups also refused to go to this meeting. Arben Gashi, head of the parliamentary group of the LDK in a telephone conversation, told the news website that “we have given the official position of the LDK, we are not going.”

Besnik Tahiri, head of the AAK parliamentary group, told Reporteri.net that he will not be present at the working dinner of Prime Minister Kurti.

"No, I won't go. The Legislative Agenda is the competence of the leaders of the political groups in the Assembly, and there is no need for a joint meeting with the Prime Minister and the leaders of the parties since we cannot come to an agreement on our own. If there are topics of national interest, as we said in the letter, let him call the meeting with those topics. So, we don't go", said Tahiri to Reporteri.net.

Svecla and Tomlinson discuss intensifying cooperation on border security (media)

Citing a Facebook post by the British Embassy in Pristina, several news websites report that Kosovo’s Minister of Interior Affairs met today with the UK Minister for Countering Illegal Migration, Michael Tomlinson, and they exchanged views on intensifying cooperation on border security. “The two Ministers then departed to see a demonstration of UK practical support across the border at Vermice, on the way to a regional conference in Tirana on illegal migration and border security,” the post notes.

Osmani commemorates Korisha massacre: Serbia wanted extermination (Koha)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani in a Facebook post commemorating the 25th anniversary of the massacre in Korisha near Prizren, said that the goal was to exterminate Albanians. “25 years ago, the forces of the Serbian genocidal regime, killed 77 women, men, elderly, including 14 villages from the villages of Korisha, Budakova, Bllace, Reshtan, Mushtisht and Grejkoc. The barbarism of the criminal regime was manifested against all Albanians regardless of their age because the only goal was extermination. The wounds of atrocities like in the Korisha remind us of the high price for freedom, therefore, our engagement for justice will never stop,” Osmani said.

Zimmerman: Kosovo can be accepted in CoE as associate member (Albanian Post)

The prestigious German Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung in an article dedicated to Kosovo's journey towards the Council of Europe, mentioned the possibility for Kosovo to be invited as an associate member of the organization, especially because twelve of the 46 member states do not recognize Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state.

The professor of European and international law, Andreas Zimmermann, considers that Kosovo can join the European Council without prejudging the status. He even gives an example.

"One possible path, which seems to have been largely ignored so far, could be for Kosovo to become an associate member of the Council of Europe. The basis is found in Article 5 of the statute of the Council of Europe, which provides that "a European country (...) may be invited by the Committee of Ministers to become an associate member of the Council of Europe", he underlined.

"The statutes of the Council of Europe place on the one hand the states (Article 4) and the countries (Article 5) next to each other. This in particular seems to indicate that entities that either do not have statehood or statehood are not generally recognized or, finally, if their status under international law is special regardless of their statehood, can become associate members of the Council of Europe." 

 

Serbian Language Media 

 

Vucic: I informed Scholz about the almost unbearable situation for the Serbian community in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke on the phone with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and on that occasion informed him about the intolerable situation of the Serbian community in Kosovo, as well as about Pristina's persistent avoidance of fulfilling its accepted and signed obligations, especially regarding the formation of the A/CSM, reported Kosovo Online.

Vucic said on Instagram that he had a good and open exchange of views with the German chancellor on all issues of mutual interest, on the situation in Kosovo, as well as on the very successful economic cooperation and the constant increase in trade between the two countries.

"I thanked Germany for its commitment to excellent economic relations with Serbia and the large investments that significantly contributed to the rapid progress of Serbia, and I particularly referred to the huge potential for investment that opened up within EXPO 2027. I expressed my belief that German companies will find interest in some of the biggest projects, the implementation of which will contribute to the strong growth of Serbia and the connection of the entire region in the long term," wrote Vucic on Instagram.

He added that he exchanged opinions with Scholz on all delicate issues in the context of current global events, and especially on the place and role of Serbia in preserving peace and stability in the region, as well as on its European path.

"I informed Chancellor Scholz in detail about the almost unbearable situation for the Serbian community in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as about Pristina's persistent avoidance of fulfilling its accepted and signed obligations, especially regarding the formation of the CSM. I emphasized that on this, not always easy path, we need the help of our partners, such as Germany, and that we count on continued support for European integration, as well as concrete incentives that would give new momentum to the continuation of the reform processes and new energy to the candidate countries on the path to the EU," stated Vucic. 

Vucic reiterated that Serbia is consistently advocating for the intensification of diplomatic activities in the context of all current conflicts and open issues burdening Europe and the Western Balkan region, which it has always shown in all forums and initiatives.

Ukraine’s first lady pays visit to Belgrade (N1, Tanjug)

The wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Olena Zelenska, is paying a bilateral visit to Belgrade.

Accompanied by Serbia’s first lady Tamara Vucic, Zelenska began her tour of Belgrade on Sunday with a visit to the Belgrade City Library, following which the two also toured the Kalemegdan park and the city’s medieval fortress.

Zelenska attended the signing of an agreement on scientific, educational and cultural cooperation between the Belgrade University and the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.

On their tour of Belgrade, the two first ladies were accompanied by Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, and Ukrainian Ambassador to Serbia Volodymyr Tolkach.

Lawyer: Slobodan Miletic did not take part in clash in Zvecan, was standing next to church, watching what was going on (KoSSev)

The Basic Court in Pristina decided to render one-month detention to Slobodan Miletic, a Serb from Zvecan, accused of allegedly taking part in clashes that occurred in this town on May 29, 2023, in front of a municipal building, KoSSev portal reported.

His defense lawyer, Jelena Krivokapic opposed this decision, saying it is not in line with the law and that she will appeal the decision to the Court of Appeals.

He did not take part in clashes, he was standing next to the church

A clash between gathered Serbs and KFOR occurred on May 29, 2023, in front of a municipal building, after Kosovo police forcibly entered the building, the portal recalls.

Krivokapic told KoSSev her client does not feel guilty, and he said so in a hearing at the Basic Court. “He denied that he was guilty. He agreed with everything I have said, and also clarified details”, she said. Krivokapic added her client was in Zvecan on that day, but did not take part in clashes.

“He said he was in Zvecan, but that he was standing near the church with his father and was watching what was going on, as all Zvecan residents, but did not take part in those actions, and did not commit any criminal act”, Krivokapic said.

Photo depicting masked persons and arrow

In her statement to KoSSev, Krivokapic further said that single alleged evidence was presented in a hearing at the Basic Court, respectively “an evidence which is not that”.

“These were some two persons in a photo, however, their faces are not visible. One of them is marked with an arrow and allegedly that is Slobodan Miletic”, she said.

She opposed the decision on detention based on this photo, however, the judge and prosecutor told her there is more documentation, but they can not handover that to her at this stage of proceeding.

Expanded indictment  

She was also told that Miletic was part of an expanded indictment, and that other persons are involved in it, whose names “are being hidden”.

Krivokapic argued this is not in line with the practice. “I said this is not the first time. It is known how to act in those cases, the names are removed. There is a way. However, the fact is they are not giving it at this stage of proceeding, which is not alright. Still, this is practice of not this court only, unfortunately, all courts do the same“, she said.

She announced filing an appeal to the Court of Appeals, noting that all three reasons cited as ground for detention have not been supported, in particular the one related to reasonable doubt of her client committing the acts, as it has to be substantiated with relevant facts, which was not the case. 

Petkovic meets with Quint ambassadors, EU delegation head (Tanjug)

Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic met with Quint states ambassadors and EU Delegation to Serbia Head on Friday to discuss this week's new round of the Brussels dialogue on Pristina's "unilateral and unlawful decision to ban the dinar and dinar cash operations in Kosovo", the Office said in a statement.

Petkovic noted that the dinar issue must be resolved as urgently as possible as the ban on the Serbian currency put the survival of Serbs in Kosovo, the work and the existence of all Serbian institutions in jeopardy.

"This will be the seventh Brussels meeting on Pristina's decision to ban the dinar in Kosovo and Metohija. Unfortunately, all meetings to date have shown that there is no realistic approach, nor political will in Pristina to solve this problem", Petkovic said, adding that a series of concrete proposals by Belgrade had been rejected by Pristina, which he said was fully responsible for resolving the current crisis and the sole culprit for it.

Petkovic and experts from Belgrade's negotiating team discussed with the Western diplomats finding ways of overcoming the crisis and a humanitarian disaster caused by Pristina's decision.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/ARTY2

Komazec: Jedinstvo newspaper expelled for second time, threatened by forced eviction (Kosovo Online, media)

Director of once daily, and now weekly Serbian newspaper Jedinstvo, originating from Pristina, Rada Komazec told Kosovo Online portal that this media outlet “in exile for more than two decades”, is now being threatened by forced eviction and is being expelled again.

“On Wednesday, May 8, a lawyer of certain Peci (surname) came and with threats told our journalists and employees of the University Library, which is located in the same building, to vacate the premises by coming Wednesday, May 15. If opposite, he said he will come with the police that would arrest people and confiscate properties. We perceive this as a sort of threat, but remain decisive not to vacate the property. We will wait to be thrown out”, she said.

Komazec recalled that the Jedinstvo media team was expelled in 1999 from the House of Press in Pristina.

“Unfortunately, Albanians for the second time are expelling us from our working places. All our movable and immovable properties they seized in Pristina, in 1999, and now they expel us again from the premises we received to use from the Coordination Centre for Kosovo and Metohija in 2003. These premises are located in a residential building, and have 55 square meters”, Komazec said.

As she said everything started two months ago, when an unknown person came to Jedinstvo premises and told them he purchased the premises which used to belong to Lux socially owned enterprise, through Kosovo Privatization Agency.  

The journalists of Jedinstvo, which was one of the reputable and larger publishing houses south of Belgrade, worked in their multi-story House of Press building in Pristina until 1999. In the midst of the post-conflict events, in June 1999, they were banished to the first floor in one room, and most of the rich publishing items were burned by the KLA. Komazec further explained that KFOR then told them they could not guarantee their safety and they first went from Pristina to Zvecan, then to Mitrovica North, where, as she said, the Coordination Center for Kosovo and Metohija renovated and gave 55 square meters premises to Jedinstvo, they are using up to date. Jedinstvo should celebrate its 80th anniversary this year.

SPM formed Municipal Committee, opened office in Zubin Potok (Radio KIM)

The Serbian People's Movement (SPM) formed a Municipal Committee in Zubin Potok, and opened an office there, Radio KIM reported. Representatives of the movement, Branimir Stojanović and Milija Biševac, invited the citizens of Zubin Potok to join them.

"In the future, we will receive our members here, talk to citizens and continue our work. On this occasion, we invite all our fellow citizens and other citizens to join us and support this fight of ours, which is continuous and will be based on the fight for our citizens and survival in these areas", Milija Bisevac said in a video address published on social networks.

Branimir Stojanovic, one of the leaders of this political party, said that the SPM fight is not easy. "Our life is not easy either. That is why this work we are doing will not be easy, but it is the right one. You got it, we all got a new space in which one can think freely, speak freely, and defend the interests of ordinary people freely. Today is a big holiday, a big day, and apart from enjoying this moment, we have a big obligation waiting for us, which is to fight for each of our children, for each of our people who live and exist here", Stojanovic said and also called on citizens to join them.

The Serbian People's Movement was formed last year, they submitted a request for registration to the CEC at the end of January, and on February 15, the Central Election Commission confirmed that this new Serbian party was officially registered.

Pristina’s admission to the CoE opens numerous questions: Is Serbia ready for thousands of lawsuits from Kosovo (NIN)

Vocal announcements from Priština that lawsuits will be filed against Serbia immediately after admission to the Council of Europe could, due to jurisdiction issues, also cause serious problems for the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. If the EU court accepts the lawsuits from Kosovo, at least a thousand cases could be filed against Serbia. As the Court’s practice shows, some of the highest monetary compensations, in the amount of EUR 50,000, have been awarded in the verdicts of violation of human rights, notably the right to life. This is exactly what every individual lawsuit from Kosovo would insist on.

“Humanity is the ability and willingness to help others. It is neither Albanian nor Serbian; it is universal, or it doesn’t exist. This crime was fueled by hatred. A perverted understanding of the national interest, motivated by looting and combined with brutal force, has made the accused slaves of this hatred.”

This is a part of the closing speech made by the former Deputy War Crimes Prosecutor of Serbia, Mioljub Vitorović, in the Kosovo case “Suva Reka”, which was closed in Belgrade 2011.

Why do we start this article with a message from the verdict against the Serbs convicted in Belgrade for the murder of Albanians in Kosovo and Metohija? Not only because the message is strong, and humanity is exactly what the prosecutor described. Most obviously, because we have never heard a message like this from any member of the judiciary coming from Priština and stated in a verdict against any Albanian for killing a Serb.

The problem remains

If this statement, although true, seems superficial to you, or sounds like yet another unnecessary counting of victims and murderers and who was dealing with them more, I’m sorry, but you are wrong. It is precisely the number of murder convictions, investigations into the fates of the disappeared, the efforts made to discover and punish the perpetrators, that will be the foundation for seeking and providing justice before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

According to the latest information available before this issue of NIN was completed, Kosovo’s admission to the Council of Europe, planned for this month, will be postponed to a later date as the membership was blocked by certain CE members, and the reason for this is that Priština did not fulfill its obligation to establish the Community of Serb Municipalities. However, this will only postpone the lawsuits for a while. The problem remains. 

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/2wf4s26s    

International 

 

Fresh start for Belgrade-Pristina after the elections? (Euractive)

What seemed like a breakthrough a year ago is now facing a stalemate: Neither Belgrade nor Pristina are ready to implement the Ohrid agreement that the EU negotiated with them last March and instead are pinning their hopes on leadership changes in Europe and the US to reignite the dialogue.

Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić and his then-prime minister Ana Brnabic have made it clear that their country will not formally recognise Kosovo’s independence and continue to oppose its joining of the Council of Europe and other international institutions.

His Kosovo counterpart, Albin Kurti, is dragging out the implementation of the long-agreed Association of Serb Municipalities in north Kosovo, which Pristina says violates the constitution and fears it could fail like the system of Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The terms of the Ohrid agreement have now been incorporated into the framework of current EU accession negotiations with Belgrade, into Chapter 35 of the acquis, after EU ambassadors unanimously agreed on this step in mid-April.

Over the past year, EU diplomats have been growing increasingly impatient with the lack of progress, as even the combined efforts of Brussels and Washington have not achieved tangible results.

This lack of progress, they say, is due to both Belgrade and Pristina adopting a ‘wait and see’-approach regarding the outcome of the European elections in June and the US presidential elections in November.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/24k25mtp