Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani in Montenegro for South-eastern Europe Democracy Summit (media)
• De Riu: Dialogue, historic opportunity to turn the page; visa liberalisation overdue (Ansa/Klan)
• Miroslav Lajcak outlines his position on the Open Balkans (Reporteri)
• Meeting of Steering Committee on UN Framework for Sustainable Development Cooperation  held (RTK)
• American Chamber of Commerce reiterates concern over withdrawal of pension savings (EO)
• Head of Kosovo Insurance Bureau meets Serbian counterpart (Zeri/Kosovapress)
• State Department confirms it has denied entry to some Afghans in Kosovo (RFE)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: I agreed with Putin favourable gas price for Serbia (N1)
• Brnabic on sanctions against Russia, territorial integrity (N1, media)
• Djuric: Serbia continues to foster its partnership with US (Kosovo Online)
• Bartolome: Spain respects territorial integrity of Serbia and Ukraine (Kosovo Online)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: Position of Serbia not to introduce sanctions firm and unwavering (KosovoOnline)
• Media: Lavrov to visit Belgrade on June 7 (Tanjug)
• Petkovic on anniversary of Cernica murders (Radio kIM)
• Office for KiM: Serbian flag set on fire in Priluzje (Radio KIM)
• Klitschko denies making statements on Serbia and Kosovo (N1, media)
• Spain, Greece, Romania, and Slovakia have reaffirmed support for Serbia's sovereignty (Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic: The biggest problem for Albin Kurti is Vucic (Kosovo Online)
• Kommersant: Even after the gas agreement with Serbia, the issue of sanctions remain open (Beta, N1)
• Von Cramon: An honest conversation with Vucic, it is not good to be on Putin's side (N1)
• 30th anniversary of UN Security Council sanctions on FRY (N1, Beta)

International:

• Rejecting Gas, Kosovo Eyes US Funds for Renewable Energy (Balkan Insight)
• Serbian PM Denies Gas Deal With Russia Linked to Sanctions (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• The rise in prices astronomical in Kosovo  (KiM radio, N1)

     

Albanian Language Media  

  Osmani in Montenegro for South-eastern Europe Democracy Summit (media)

The President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani travelled to Montenegro to participate at the South-eastern Europe Democracy Summit on the topic of: War in Europe: Influence in the Balkans, organized by the International Republican Institute in the USA.

At this conference, President Osmani will be among the keynote speakers and she will be speaking on the latest developments in the Balkan region in terms of security, as well as in terms of implications of the war in Ukraine in the Western Balkans. 

In addition to Osmani, the conference will also be addressed by the Prime Minister of Montenegro Dritan Abazovic, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Affairs of Montenegro Jovana Marovic, the Deputy Prime Minister of Northern Macedonia Bojan Maricic, the U.S. Envoy for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar, the UK Envoy to the Western Balkans Stuart Peach, the EU Envoy for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue Miroslav Lajcak, as well as other ambassadors, ministers and deputy ministers from the region and representatives of international organizations.

De Riu: Dialogue, historic opportunity to turn the page; visa liberalisation overdue (Ansa/Klan)

Italian Ambassador to Kosovo, Antonello De Riu, said in an interview with news agency ANSA that Italy strongly supports the EU-facilitated dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, Klan Kosova reported.

"It is a historic opportunity for the two countries to finally close the tragic legacies of the past and look ahead towards European Union accession. Legitimate aspiration of Kosovo to be part of the Council of Europe is crucial - an important signal of engagement for democracy, rule of law and protection of the rights of its citizens - to be also nurtured by significant progress in the dialogue facilitated by the EU," De Riu said. 

The ambassador noted that Italy, alongside other Quint members, encourages the parties to work constructively in reaching a final agreement that would contribute to the stability of the region and European perspective of Kosovo and Serbia. 

Speaking about the war in Ukraine, De Riu said the threat of its spilling over to the Western Balkans can be avoided if the region's European perspective becomes tangible. "In the case of Kosovo, it is necessary to overcome the growing public opinion's disappointment in the European integration process, also due to the lack of visa liberalisation for the Kosovo citizens - the only ones in the region that do not enjoy this measure - despite the country having achieved all necessary parametres a while ago," he added.

Miroslav Lajcak outlines his position on the Open Balkans (Reporteri)

The EU envoy for the Balkans, who is also a facilitator for the Kosovo-Serbia talks Miroslav Lajcak stated in a press conference before the Summit for Democracy in Southeast Europe, which is being held in Montenegro that the war in Ukraine changed everything and brought consequences that everyone has to face.

"The region is not alone. The EU is with you and helps you to overcome the consequences of the war, whether in terms of economy or social impact. We have a plan on how to help the countries of the Western Balkans," Lajcak said.

He said the war in Ukraine, though tragic, has put the enlargement process back on the political agenda.

"Enlargement is based on common values ​​and it is important that the countries of the region demonstrate these common values. The region can not wait, this is clear to us," said Lajcak.

The only answer, he added, is to speed up the integration process. 

Asked to comment on the Open Balkans initiative, he said the EU supports any initiative that is comprehensive and based on European norms and values.

"The process of forming a common regional market must be accelerated. Of course, we want the existing initiatives to work as well," Lajcak said.

Meeting of Steering Committee on UN Framework for Sustainable Development Cooperation  held (RTK)

The joint commitment of the government of Kosovo and UNKT for sustainable development, were at the center of the second meeting of the Steering Committee of the United Nations Cooperation Framework for Sustainable Development (UNSDCF), for the period 2021-2025.

Kosovo's vision for 2030 as a primary objective, sets sustainable economic development, high quality of life and effective institutions, said Prime Minister Kurti at the opening of the meeting.

As an essential element of this vision is membership in Euro-Atlantic organizations, so achieving the vision of sustainable development advances Kosovo's process for membership in the European Union family, he added.

Kurti stressed that Kosovo through this vision aims to keep pace with technological developments and opportunities offered by digitalization, to contribute as a regional actor and beyond in the green agenda, to provide inclusion for all its citizens and to consider migration policies, and in particular to advance relations with the diaspora, as an integral part of development.

In addition to thanking the support of UN agencies in the process of drafting the National Development Strategy, the meeting stressed the importance of continuing with the same spirit of cooperation, to achieve a common vision for the well-being of all citizens of Kosovo, informs a press release issued by the Office of the Prime Minister.

This was the second meeting of the Steering Committee, the highest governing body of UNSDCF 2021-2025, a framework that articulates the cooperation of the UN development system with local institutions and international partners, to achieve progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, in accordance with the priorities of the government of Kosovo.

American Chamber of Commerce reiterates concern over withdrawal of pension savings (EO)

The American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo has cautioned against the possible approval of legislative changes enabling the pension contributors to withdraw a portion of their savings.

While expressing understanding with the concern of the initiators and supporters of the proposed changes, the American Chamber recalled that the withdrawals of pension funds undermines the prospects for a dignified life after retirement. 

Considering that part of the pension funds are invested in treasury bonds, the possible withdrawal would affect the state's ability for capital investments, which in turn will slow down economic growth, the American Chamber of Commerce warned. It added: "Short-term socio-economic benefits from the withdrawal of pension savings would in no way outweigh the negative consequences of such a measure. Therefore, policymakers in Kosovo, the ruling majority and the parliamentary opposition, but also other stakeholders, need to engage in a comprehensive dialogue in order to identify appropriate measures to overcome the current crisis and what may follow in the coming months."

Head of Kosovo Insurance Bureau meets Serbian counterpart (Zeri/Kosovapress)

Executive Director of the Kosovo Insurance Bureau, Sami Mazreku, was received in a meeting by the Secretary General of the Association of Serbian Insurer, Dusko Jovanovic, and the Director of the Association's Green Card Bureau, Miso Jankovic.

In the meeting, Mazreku informed interlocutors of the activities of the Kosovo Insurance Bureau over the last two years, emphasising legislative changes and technological advancement in the field of insurances in Kosovo, a statement issued by the Kosovo Insurance Bureau noted. 

Jovanovic on his part thanked Mazreku for the cooperation in the light of implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on mutual recognition of insurance certificates in an effort to facilitate free movement of citizens. 

State Department confirms it has denied entry to some Afghans in Kosovo (RFE)

An official from the State Department confirmed to Radio Free Europe that some Afghans, currently staying in Kosovo, have been refused entry to the United States after they did not pass the background checks, Radio Free Europe reports. 

"While the majority of the Afghan travellers part of the OAW (Operation Allies Welcome) program have been granted permission to enter the United States through our verification process, including the majority of Afghans in Kosovo, a small number of individuals who have not passed the process serves as example that the system is working properly," the official said, adding that there will be individuals who will not be able to ultimately relocate to the U.S.

Speaking about what will happen to Afghans in Kosovo who have been denied entry to the U.S., the official said they would either pass the verification process or be relocated to a third country. 

Authorities in Kosovo, notes RFE, have not commented on whether they are in talks with the U.S. Government on the issue of Afghans staying temporarily in Kosovo. 

     

Serbian Language Media

  Vucic: I agreed with Putin favourable gas price for Serbia (N1)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Sunday he had a very good telephone conversation with the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, with whom he agreed on a favourable gas price for Serbia, N1 reports.

He specified that they agreed to sign a new three-year agreement on Serbia’s supply of gas from Russia.

It was also agreed that the price of gas will be calculated according to the oil formula, which means that Serbia, when oil is the most expensive, will pay for gas from Russia at a price of 310 to 408 dollars per thousand cubic metres, Vucic explained.

He also said that he conveyed to President Putin that Serbia wants peace to be established in Ukraine as soon as possible, and that the Russian President told him that “there is an offered peace agreement, which is currently on the table in Moscow, Kiev and other Western centres“.

At the same time, the Kremlin said that Putin and Vucic agreed that Russia would "continue to supply Serbia with natural gas without hindrance", and that "they exchanged views on a number of international topics - the situation in Ukraine and developments around Kosovo".

Brnabic on sanctions against Russia, territorial integrity (N1, media)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said Saturday that Serbia was exposed to enormous pressures because it was "the only country in Europe" not to impose sanctions on Russia, N1 reports.

“Our position is completely in line with international law and our national interests. It’s not easy, but we are fighting every day to maintain it“, Brnabic told Radio Television of Serbia (RTS), stating that Serbia did not change its position.

She added she hopes that the position of Serbia is understood, or at least heard, by partners from Russia, the European Union, the United States and other countries.

She said that this position means the inviolability of the territorial integrity of an internationally recognized state, such as Serbia.

"You cannot swear by the inviolability of Ukraine's territorial integrity and at the same time not apply this principle to Serbia. That is why Serbia's position is very specific and everyone should understand or at least hear it. We have paid the highest price for such violations of international law", Brnabic said.

Djuric: Serbia continues to foster its partnership with US (Kosovo Online)

Serbia in a planned and rational manner continues to foster its partnership with US, and rising trend in our relations was a necessary precondition to achieve most of the Serbian national and state interests, being it in the field of economy, politics, culture, security, regional and European integration, Kosovo and Metohija, Serbian Ambassador to the US, Marko Djuric said, KosovoOnline portal reports.

“Good cooperation between Serbia and America is not exclusive towards others, on the contrary. The efforts we invest, with the strong support of President Aleksandar Vucic and Serbian Government in this regard, are also important for preserving an independent and balanced foreign policy, the one pursued by a free and independent Serbia”, Djuric noted.

He listed number of activities that took place over the last couple of days, including a meeting at the White House with President Joe Biden foreign policy team’s officials, meeting with State Department Envoy for the Western Balkans, Gabriel Escobar, meeting and talks with representatives of the American Jewish Committee (AJC), as well as the meeting with CDU coordinator for cooperation between Germany and US, Peter Bayer.

“Over the last week I also had meetings with two potential investors in Serbia. I had a nice meeting with Colonel John Capello, President of Halyard Mission Foundation, because it is very important to nurture memories about bravery of the Serbs who were rescuing American pilots (during WWII)”, Djuric said.

Bartolome: Spain respects territorial integrity of Serbia and Ukraine (Kosovo Online)

Spanish Ambassador to Serbia, Raul Bartolome said the comparison of Kosovo to Donetck and Luhansk by Russian President Vladimir Putin “was confusing and contradictory”, KosovoOnline portal reports.

He added Spain does not recognize Kosovo and respects territorial integrity of Serbia, same as that one of Ukraine.

“It is difficult for me to make a comparison. Contradictory and confusing statements by President Putin, linking those two, additionally confirms that to me. Spain does not recognize unilaterally declared independence of the Kosovo territory and has always defended and will defend territorial integrity of Serbia. Therefore, it has full legitimacy to defend territorial integrity of Ukraine as well”, he said.

Botsan-Kharchenko: Position of Serbia not to introduce sanctions firm and unwavering (KosovoOnline)

Russian Ambassador to Serbia, Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko said today Serbia will not join those imposing sanctions on Russia, adding its position is firm and unwavering, KosovoOnline reports citing Belgrade-based Danas daily.

“Serbia as it is known, in a principled manner does not join Western sanctions against Russia. This position is firm, unwavering and today, so to say, there are no grounds whatsoever to think that Serbian leadership could change it”, Botsan-Kharchenko said.

He added decision not to join sanctions on Russia has “moral and political component”,

“Considering our special ties, spiritual sphere, closeness between our people, they can’t imagine here in principle that Serbia talks on the side of those pursuing Russophobic politics”, Russian Ambassador said.

Talking about agreement between Russian and Serbian presidents Vladimir Putin and Aleksandar Vucic on gas supply, Botsan-Kharchenko said the public in Serbia received that agreement positively.

Media: Lavrov to visit Belgrade on June 7 (Tanjug)

Belgrade-based Vecernje Novosti daily reported Friday that Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit Belgrade on Tuesday, June 7, Tanjug news agency said.

The report was carried by several other Belgrade media, as well as by the Sputnik news portal, which said it was confirmed, but did not name a source.

According to Novosti, Lavrov will hold a series of meetings with the Serbian leadership, including with President Aleksandar Vucic.

The paper said Lavrov is also due to attend a Russia Day reception at the Russian Embassy in Belgrade on June 7.

The information has still not been confirmed by Serbian officials or published by Russian media, and it cannot be found on the websites of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Russian Embassy in Belgrade, the agency added. 

Petkovic on anniversary of Cernica murders (Radio KiM)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic recalled on Saturday that 22 years ago four-year old Milos Petrovic, along with his uncle Vojin Vasic and one more Serb resident Tihomir Trifunovic were murdered in front of a village shop in Cernica, Gnjilane municipality, Radio KIM reports.  

In a statement Petkovic also said “that we have no right to oblivion and the death of little Milos deserves justice the same as all other innocent people who died in Kosovo and Metohija”.

Perpetrators of this crime still remain unknown. 

Office for KiM: Serbian flag set on fire in Priluzje (Radio KIM)

A group of young Albanians had stolen and set on fire a Serbian flag, placed on the monument of fallen fighters, in the village of Priluzje, Office for Kosovo and Metohija said in a statement, Radio KIM reports.

The residents from the village noticed them and said they were singing Albanian songs. The case has been reported to the police, which conducted an investigation.

“It is about yet another pressure and provocation against Serbs in this Serb-majority area aiming to cause distress and force them out. The Office for Kosovo and Metohija in the strongest terms condemns this vandal act of Albanian rioters which demonstrates that there is no even slightest respect for the values of the Serbian people in the Albanian society”, the Office for KiM said in a statement. 

Klitschko denies making statements on Serbia and Kosovo (N1, media)

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko denied media reports that he compared Ukrainians to Kosovo Albanians “who battled a Serbian invasion” as some media earlier reported, N1 said.

Klitschko was quoted by Kosovo media as telling the Swiss Albanian-language portal Le Canton27.ch as thanking Kosovo for supporting Ukraine. “Thank you Kosovo for all the support and thank you Albanians too. Just as you got to liberate yourselves from Serbia we’ll also liberate our land from Russia”, he is reported to have said at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

"Friends! Some foreign internet media, including Russian ones, have started to copy my supposedly "quote" regarding Serbia and Albania. I did not make that comment. And before they reprint this kind of information and quote anything, journalists should look for audio or video evidence of such exclusivity", he said in the Facebook post.

Spain, Greece, Romania, and Slovakia have reaffirmed support for Serbia's sovereignty (Kosovo Online)

During the participation in the spring session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Vilnius, members of the Permanent Delegation of the National Assembly of Serbia held meetings with the delegations of Greece, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain in the NATO PA.

"On our part, the interlocutors are aware of the fact that Pristina does not adhere to the provisions of the Washington Agreement, since it applied for membership in the Council of Europe and has not implemented the provisions of the Brussels Agreement on the Community of Serbian Municipalities for almost ten years," it was announced from the Assembly of Serbia, Kosovo Online reported. 

The head of the Greek delegation and the vice president of the NATO PA, Spilios Livanos, reiterated Greece's position on non-recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo, pointing to the consistent and united political position of this country in that regard

The head of the Slovak delegation to the NATO PA, Ludovit Goga, reiterated full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia, including support in international organizations.

During the meeting with the head of the Spanish delegation to the NATO PA, Cantera Zaida, full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia was emphasized and it was pointed out that this country will not change its principled position, including support at the international level.

The head of the Romanian delegation, Senator Angel Tilvar, reminded of Romania's consistent position and continuous support of this country on the issue of non-recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo. In addition, the heads of the delegation expressed strong support for Serbia's membership in the European Union and discussed possibilities for further improvement of bilateral relations.

The head of the Permanent Delegation Dragan Sormaz and members of the delegation Snezana Paunovic and Zoran Dragisic are taking part in the spring session of the NATO PA.

Petkovic: The biggest problem for Albin Kurti is Vucic (Kosovo Online)

The director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, told Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti that it would be better for him to provide food and heating for Kosovo Albanians instead of attacking Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who managed to negotiate the best for Serbian citizens, reported Kosovo Online. 

Petkovic stated on Twitter that Kurti was upset, after an unsuccessful trip to the United States, because of the agreement reached by Vucic over the phone.

"After an unsuccessful trip to the United States, Albin Kurti is upset when Aleksandar Vucic manages to negotiate the best for the people of Serbia over the phone. Instead of kibitzer Kurti attacking @avucic it would be better for him to provide food&heating for K&M Albanians. We know that Vucic is his biggest problem!'' stated Petkovic on Twitter.

Kommersant: Even after the gas agreement with Serbia, the issue of sanctions remain open (Beta, N1)

Serbia has agreed with Russia on deliveries of Russian gas, but the issue of imposing sanctions on Russia still remains open, reported N1, citing Moscow daily Kommersant.

The paper writes that, apparently, the expectations of the President of Serbia from the talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin were "justified".

"Since Moscow has largely agreed to Belgrade's requests for gas, it certainly expects Belgrade to respond. In any case, the message of the Kremlin after the telephone conversation between the two presidents speaks of confirming the mutual mood for the consistent strengthening of the strategic partnership between Russia and Serbia," Kommersant states.

The daily writes, however, that neither Balkan politicians nor experts are convinced that the Serbian position will not change when it comes to imposing sanctions.

The paper reminds that the day before the negotiations, the Minister of Energy, Zorana Mihajlovic, clearly marked the current priorities of Belgrade - EU membership.

Kommersant reminds that Vucic and Prime Minister Ana Brnabic recently criticized the Kremlin for the first time for weakening the Serbian position on Kosovo and adds that the President of Serbia did not rule out the possibility of imposing sanctions on Russia in a recent statement.

"Belgrade's position on sanctions against Russia could soon become clear. According to the well-informed Belgrade Blic, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is expected to visit Serbia on June 7," Kommersant reported.

Von Cramon: An honest conversation with Vucic, it is not good to be on Putin's side (N1)

Member of the European Parliament Viola von Cramon stated in the N1 Show Studio Live that today she had an honest and friendly conversation with President Aleksandar Vucic. They talked about the relations between Serbia and Russia, and Von Cramon says that a decision must be made on whose side you are, as well as that "it is not good to be on Putin's side, i.e., on the wrong side of history".

"We discussed several topics, starting with the issue of energy sanctions, energy dependence on Russia, various alternatives for Serbia, including renewable energy sources, energy efficiency," she said, reported N1.

She added that the topics were also democracy, media…

She said that they talked about ''Serbia's relations with Russia, very close relations, viewed historically, and because of that the Serbian people feel close to Russia, because of the historical heritage. We also talked about economic ties and connections with Russian infrastructure and what it means and what impact it has on Serbia's foreign policy and its room for manoeuvre," she said.

As she said, she agreed that "it would be good for Serbia to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels from Russia".

"I think that the EU is very interested in bringing Serbia closer to the Union, of course, it is up to Serbia to decide something like that. We make it clear that our European partners should be in line with our European measures, which means sanctions and we talked about it," she said. 

She added that it is up to the president and the new government to decide how to treat it.

"The pressure on that issue will increase. It is not up to the EU, it is a decision you have to make, on whose side are you, does someone see their place in the EU, the European family, Serbia is definitely a European country. It is in our interest that Serbia is in line with EU policy," she said.

She pointed out that they did not discuss the details of the issue.

"I think he is aware that dependence on Russia is not healthy and good for the Serbian economy, that war, let us say, is a dangerous manoeuvre, it is not good to be on Putin's side, or on the wrong side of history. I am sure we agreed on the issue,” she says.

According to her, on the one hand, she is a friend of Serbia.

"And I would like it to join the EU, to be prosperous and rich, and that is in the interest of all of us, in the interest of the EU, the Greens, all my colleagues in the EP, for Serbia to be a key player and constructive member in that European concept," she said. 

On the other hand, she points out, we must be sure again that it is not just about Serbia.

"We must ensure that Kosovo gets its place. It is not in our interest that Serbia lobby against Kosovo's independence. I would like Kosovo to be on the same level as Serbia within the EU. In the end, I think it is in the interest of the Serbian people, because without solving that issue it will be difficult to bring Serbia into the EU,'' said von Cramon.

30th anniversary of UN Security Council sanctions on FRY (N1, Beta)

Monday is the 30th anniversary of the UN Security Council decision to impose sanctions on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia over its role in the start of the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 757 which imposed what were then unprecedented sanctions against the FRY as the main party to blame for the war in BiH. All five permanent members of the Council, including Russia, and all but two of the non-permanent members voted to impose the embargo on trade, science, culture, and sports links.

The UN Security Council adopted more than 150 resolutions covering the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. The resolutions introducing sanctions against Belgrade for its roles in the wars Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo won the support of all five permanent Security Council members.

Moscow used its veto only once in December 1994 when Russia’s vote prevented the Security Council from adopting a resolution demanding stricter control of the FRY’s borders with Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia over the humanitarian situation in the Bihac area. Moscow abstained from voting on several other resolutions.

See at:https://bit.ly/3MZhtow      

International 

  Rejecting Gas, Kosovo Eyes US Funds for Renewable Energy (Balkan Insight)

Kosovo shelved a gas pipeline project last year and will instead put US funds to use in trying to transition to renewables.

Having struck a verbal agreement in mid-May, Kosovo is expected to put pen to paper in July to a grant worth more than $200 million from the Millennium Challenge Corporation, MCC, a US foreign aid agency, to increase the country’s renewable energy capacities and bring more women into the energy sector.

The deal follows a decision by Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s government in September last year to suspend a project, part-financed by the MCC, to connect Kosovo to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, TAP, bringing Azeri gas to Europe.

Kosovo, which is almost entirely dependent on burning coal to produce energy, continues to be dogged by power shortages more than two decades since it broke away from Serbia in war. But while securing supplies is a priority, the country faces pressure to be greener too, in line with the goals of the European Union, which Kosovo one day wants to join.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3PPbqEX Serbian PM Denies Gas Deal With Russia Linked to Sanctions (Balkan Insight)

After Serbia's President negotiated a favourable gas deal with Russia, PM Brnabic dismissed any connection between energy issues and Belgrade's refusal to join sanctions against Moscow.

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic denied that Sunday’s deal with Russia over gas prices had any connection with its refusal to impose sanctions on Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.

“There is no sign of equality” between the favourable gas price Serbia agreed with Russia and the fact that Serbia has not sanctioned Russia, she said on Sunday.

“Everyone who accuses us of not imposing sanctions on Russia because of the gas arrangement should be ashamed of themselves. We are not imposing sanctions on Russia out of principle,” she added.

“Sanctions do not contribute to peace but antagonise the situation”, she maintained, recalling that Serbia was once a victim of sanctions.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3sZK6dp    

Humanitarian/Development

  The rise in prices astronomical in Kosovo (KiM radio, N1)

Kosovo is facing astronomical prices; some groceries have risen by up to 50 percent compared to prices a year ago. The government of Albin Kurti, however, did not take any measures, unlike all other governments in the region, reported KiM radio, citing N1.

The trend of rising food prices continues in Kosovo, where inflation reached 11.2 percent.

Edible oil, flour and fuel are just some of the products whose prices vary, climbing higher day by day. Unlike in April last year, annual inflation in Kosovo became double-digit, reaching 11.2 percent.

Economic experts warn that, in addition to the global crisis, there has been an enormous increase in food prices in Kosovo, mostly because about 90 percent of these products are imported, and they are even more expensive than in Europe, due to the transport costs. 

"The very fact that in April this year the inflation rate was 11.2%, the very fact that Kosovo Customs in some way collected a record amount of customs goods, says enough that we have simply become import-dependent, through goods we import inflation that is 11.2%, and the means of payment is the euro, I think it is very dangerous," believes the former president of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce,” says Safet Gerxhaliu.

According to the analysis of the World Bank and the IMF, extreme poverty is growing in Kosovo due to the global crisis. The example of Kosovo, according to experts, can serve as a conclusion that the current global crisis is mostly paid for by the citizens of poor countries, such as those in the Balkans.

Otherwise, the citizens consider this situation unbearable.

"This is abnormal, I don't know how people survive in life. People have become invisible, no one notices anyone."

"To be honest, for 100 e I used to buy groceries for 10 days, now I buy for six days barely, no more. I notice an increase in the price of all groceries, starting with oil, flour, and basic foods that you can't do without."

Last year, Kosovo Customs recorded the import of goods from Serbia, worth 305 million. This is considered the return of Serbian goods to the Kosovo market, bearing in mind that imports from Serbia in 2019 and 2020 experienced an enormous decline, among other things due to the 100 percent tax.

On this occasion, observers point out that about 80 percent of the goods that Kosovo imports from Serbia are foreign brands that are produced in Serbia.

"We have an increase in imports of goods from Serbia, but if you analyse the structure of what we import from Serbia, it is mostly dominated by European brands produced in Serbia. Therefore, it is this structure that makes the growth of imports from Serbia, and the very fact that you have a rise in prices for all these foods, it is an additional circumstance that has increased exports of goods from Serbia to Kosovo," adds Gerxhaliu.

In relation to the big price increases, the Government says that the crisis that gripped the world due to the war in Ukraine could not be avoided. The lack of measures to mitigate the crisis is explained with Ukraine, too, reported KiM radio.

However, the opposition believes that unlike the countries of the region, which, in response to price increases, abolished the tax on basic foodstuffs, limited the prices of petroleum products for a certain period, the Kosovo government has no plan to alleviate the economic crisis.

The general public and especially socially disadvantaged families are most concerned about rising food prices. However, the crisis did not spare any other economic or public sector, so that the increase in prices was recorded from kindergartens to the construction industry, which again caused an increase in apartment prices, and often the suspension of work on capital facilities.