UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 19, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti to youth: It’s really worth living in, and working in and for Kosovo (media)
Posters “We are coming for Christmas” appear in north of Kosovo (RFE)
Police confiscate AK47s, bombs, bullets and uniforms in Kosovo north (Kallxo)
Osmani sends back two laws to Assembly for review (Telegrafi)
Hoti: Serbia is trying to impose an annex to declaration on missing persons (RTK)
Court acquits Gervalla from charges of failing to declare wealth (media)
LDK files charges against Peci and Pacolli (Koha)
Rrustemi: Opposition wants to create government with Serbian List (Klan Kosova)
DUI: Kurti’s remarks on status of Albanian language, untrue, unacceptable (Koha)
Sekerinska of North Macedonia appointed NATO Deputy Secretary General (RFE)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic met Troccaz: Gratitude to France for its support in dialogue with Pristina (Kosovo Online)
Vucic: Serbia-Kazakhstan relations based on deep friendship (Tanjug)
Petkovic: The CSM necessary condition for the Serbs' survival, no dialogue without it (Kosovo online, RTS)
Special Prosecution raised indictment against Serb S.L. for alleged war crimes (Kosovo Online)
EULEX confirms incident in Pristina, says it adheres to principle of ‘non-interference’, in contact with authorities (KoSSev)
New posters appear in North Kosovo bearing the message “See you at Christmas” (KoSSev, Kosovo Online, RTS)
G20 Summit Declaration: Support for territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of all states (Kosovo Online)
NATO Secretary General appoints Radmila Shekerinska from North Macedonia as next Deputy Secretary General (media)

International:

Kosovo, North Macedonia agree to ease border crossings in 2025 (BIRN)
Kosovo PM hit by backlash over schools’ sex education guidelines (Balkan Insight)
Belgrade Security Conference: Europe must react to the return of the “great geopolitical competition” (EWB)
UK shifts focus towards cracking migrant-smuggling gangs in Balkans (BIRN)
Montenegrin WWII film hails honour and humanity as response to violence (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media

Kurti to youth: It’s really worth living in, and working in and for Kosovo (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said today that the Kosovo government is committed to further the education and employment of young people in Kosovo. During a presentation of the 2024 Youth Study by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Kurti said that economic growth and democratic progress show that it is really worth living in and working in and for Kosovo. “We are determined to work so that those that left Kosovo return, and so that those that plan to leave do not do so,” he said.

“One of the most positive news in the last couple of years has undoubtedly been visa liberalisation. The benefits are immeasurable. We believe that mobility for youth in Europe is exceptionally important for their personal and professional growth. This is why we are financing thousands of scholarships and grants to study abroad and for representation in events and competitions, so that they can come back and make an even bigger contribution in Kosovo,” Kurti said.

Kosovapress notes in its coverage that according to the study, youths in Kosovo believe that unemployment, corruption and migration will be the biggest challenges for Kosovo in the next decade. The study also showed that the youths have the most trust in the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) with 81 percent, the Kosovo Police (74 percent), and religious communities (72 percent). The trust in the government is 30 percent, the assembly 17 percent and in the political parties 9 percent.

Posters “We are coming for Christmas” appear in north of Kosovo (RFE)

Posters with the flag of Serbia and messages “We are coming for Christmas” have appeared in the four municipalities in the north of Kosovo. Kosovo Police told the news website today that after consultations with the prosecutor they decided not to initiate a case, “because there is no case”. Orthodox Christmas is celebrated on January 7.

The news website notes that the appearance of such posters or graffiti with messages calling for the return of the Serbian army to Kosovo or for resistance against the Kosovo government is nothing new. Police have investigated the cases, but the public was not informed if the authors are known.

In early June in the north of Kosovo were seen pamphlets with the photo of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and the message “Supreme commander, we are waiting for you”. Earlier, in February, unknown persons left leaflets in the premises of Mitrovica North municipality with calls for resistance, and before that there were several graffiti with the message “When the army returns to Kosovo, the Northern Brigade lives”.

The news website recalls that in June 2023 the Kosovo government declared the “Northern Brigade” and the “Civil Protection” as terrorist organisations, claiming that their members carried out numerous attacks against the Kosovo Police.

Ten days before the attack in Banjska in September 2023, in Mitrovica North there were several graffiti with the flag of Serbia and the message “When the army returns to Kosovo”.

Police confiscate AK47s, bombs, bullets and uniforms in Kosovo north (Kallxo)

Kosovo Police have carried out an operation this morning in the north of Kosovo, in Zvecan, and confiscated several AK47s, bullets, bulletproof vests, uniforms and bombs. Kosovo Police Deputy Director for the north, Veton Elshani, confirmed the operation.

Osmani sends back two laws to Assembly for review (Telegrafi)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has sent two laws to the Kosovo Assembly for review. Bekim Kupina, an advisor to Osmani, confirmed to the news website that Osmani has sent back the Law on the Security Council of Kosovo and the Law on the Consumer Protection. “The Law on the Security Council was sent back because with its current content it threatens national security, and it is in opposition with the Constitution. Meanwhile, the Law on Consumer Protection was sent back because of certain provisions that threaten environmental protection and public health, and these rights are guaranteed by the Constitution of Kosovo,” Kupina said.

Hoti: Serbia is trying to impose an annex to declaration on missing persons (RTK)

The news website notes that it has been over a year and a half since Kosovo and Serbia agreed to adopt a declaration on missing persons, but nothing further has been done in this respect. Head of the Kosovo Government’s Committee for Missing Persons, Andin Hoti, in an interview with RTK, said that Serbia is delaying the process by trying to impose another annex to the declaration and that it is asking the EU to include UNMIK in the process.

One of the points of the declaration foresees the creation of a joint committee chaired by the EU and supervised by the International Committee of the Red Cross, as part of efforts to resolve the fate of the missing.

Hoti however says that there has been zero cooperation from Serbia in the process. “We are continuing to apply pressure on the EU on this, but we are not receiving any feedback. They are not applying any pressure on Serbia … There could be EU policies that I am not familiar with, but in my opinion the EU has not done anything serious about this so far,” he said.

Hoti also said that “there is a document which you cannot disclose to the public during talks, but what I can say is that Serbia is asking for UNMIK to be part of Kosovo, and that Serbia is in a way asking for the EU not to interfere”.

Court acquits Gervalla from charges of failing to declare wealth (media)

The Basic Court in Pristina acquitted today Kosovo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Donika Gervalla from charges of failing to declare her assets and wealth. The presiding judge said all evidence was considered individually and that the actions for which Gervalla was charged do not constitute a criminal act. “The court has carefully analyzed the prosecution’s claims, but no single evidence shows that the elements of a criminal offence were there,” the judge said. He also said that the inaccurate declaration of wealth is an offence but not a criminal act.

LDK files charges against Peci and Pacolli (Koha)

The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) has called for the resignation of Minister of Agriculture, Faton Peci, after that ministry allocated grants to family members of Vetevendosje MP Fitore Pacolli, saying that Pacolli’s brother and uncle need to return the funds to the state budget.

The LDK Youth Forum today filed charges about the case, and forum leader Paris Guri said it is unacceptable for family members of an MP to win grants at the amount of €100,000. “This is an exceptionally concerning case, where public funds are abused in such brutal fashion, and we must not tolerate this. The women of Krusha who have made a great sacrifice and who have done great work for Kosovo, had their grant applications rejected. This is unacceptable. This case needs to be investigated in the best way possible. Someone needs to resign, and someone needs to go to prison,” Guri argued.

Guri also said “we call on Minister Peci to resign. We also call on Fitore Pacolli to tell her brother and uncle to return the funds. Those are our funds. An advisor of Peci, who was part of the grants committee, also won a grant. We will not stop until justice is served and the funds are returned”.

Rrustemi: Opposition wants to create government with Serbian List (Klan Kosova)

MP from the Vetevendosje Movement, Adnan Rrustemi, said in an interview with Klan Kosova, that the plan of opposition parties is for Vetevendosje Movement not to have 61 MPs and to not be able to form a government on its own with the Guxo List and Alternativa. “I am confident that the scenario and the plan of the opposition is for Vetevendosje not to have 61 MPs, and consequently not be able to form a government only with the Guxo List and Alternativa, so that the LDK, PDK, AAK can form a government with the Serbian List because they cannot do without them … Mr. Haradinaj [AAK leader] revealed the plan. He said one year for me [referring to a proposal for a rotation on the Prime Minister’s post], one year for the PDK, one year for the LDK, whereas the mandate is four years,” Rrustemi was quoted as saying.

DUI: Kurti’s remarks on status of Albanian language, untrue, unacceptable (Koha)

The Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) has reacted to Prime Minister Albin Kurti's statement regarding the status of the Albanian language in North Macedonia noting that his recent statements are untrue and unacceptable.

According to this political party, the Law on the use of languages in North Macedonia, approved as part of the Ohrid Framework Agreement, clearly recognizes and guarantees the use of the Albanian language. "Specifically, Article 1, paragraph 2 of the law clearly states: 'Another language that is spoken by at least 20% of the citizens (Albanian language), is also an official language and its alphabet, is in accordance with this law,” noted DUI adding that “any attempt on the contrary, is a distortion of the facts and a lack of respect towards the achievements of the Albanians in North Macedonia".

DUI in its response emphasises that it is regrettable that Kurti gives statements that match the narratives that aim to undermine the rights of Albanians in North Macedonia. They have called on Prime Minister Kurti to immediately correct his statements and not serve as a shield for any effort that violates equality. "This moment should serve as a reminder of the importance of unity and solidarity among Albanians, especially when our historical achievements are at risk. The Albanians of North Macedonia will never accept any step back in their rights", reads their reaction.

Sekerinska of North Macedonia appointed NATO Deputy Secretary General (RFE)

Former Minister of Defense of North Macedonia, Radmila Sekerinska, has been appointed Deputy Secretary General of NATO today. “I am pleased to notify you that Radmila Sekerinska has been appointed Deputy Secretary General. She truly believes in NATO, knows the work that is needed to be part of the Alliance, and what it means to be a full member,” NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said. Sekerinska will officially assume her post late this year.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic met Troccaz: Gratitude to France for its support in dialogue with Pristina (Kosovo Online)

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, met with the special envoy of France for the Western Balkans, Rene Troccaz, with whom he discussed the situation in Kosovo and Serbia's European path.

Vucic stated on Instagram that he also discussed opportunities in Europe and the region.

He reiterated his gratitude to France for supporting the dialogue with Pristina and Serbia's European path.

"Once again, I thanked France and President Macron for the support they provide to Serbia, both in the dialogue process with Pristina and our European path. I repeated that our country remains a serious and constructive partner in all processes aimed at peace, prosperity, and a better future for all our citizens," said Vucic.

Vucic: Serbia-Kazakhstan relations based on deep friendship (Tanjug)

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Belgrade, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said the relations between the two countries were based on deep friendship and thanked Kazakhstan for always supporting the territorial integrity of Serbia.

Vucic noted that he was honoured and privileged to have had an opportunity to meet with Tokayev for a long discussion on Monday evening and again on Tuesday, as well as with a Kazakh delegation and government ministers.

He said the relations with Kazakhstan rested not only upon identical views on international law and respect for the UN Charter and UN resolutions, but also on a deep friendship between the two peoples and new projects to be carried out together in the interest of the two countries. He thanked Tokayev for his and Kazakhstan's constant backing for the territorial integrity of Serbia and for the support for Serbia and international law when it comes to other resolutions as well. He noted that Serbia would always support the territorial integrity of Kazakhstan and be a sincere friend of the country.

He said the discussion with Tokayev had addressed cooperation in all areas, military cooperation in particular, and that an agreement had been reached for a bilateral committee on cooperation to meet at least twice a year.

Petkovic: The CSM necessary condition for the Serbs' survival, no dialogue without it (Kosovo online, RTS)

Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, said that the denial of Pristina's obligation to facilitate the formation of the CSM, as provided for in the Brussels Agreement, is the most direct destruction of the dialogue and the process of normalisation of relations with Belgrade, but above all, it is a continuation of the policy of persecution and ethnic cleansing of Serbs from the territory of Kosovo, reported Kosovo Online, citing the Office for KiM statement.

Petkovic, reacting to the Kosovo PM Albin Kurti’s statement that it was not his obligation to form the CSM, said the question was what Kurti's obligation was then.

"Is his obligation the persecution of Serbs and the occupation of the north, since apparently the obligations from the dialogue do not exist for Kurti," asked Petkovic.

As he pointed out, the CSM was a necessary condition for the survival of the Serbs.

"Without its establishment, there can be no productive dialogue, because the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija currently do not have even the minimum prerequisites for a normal life and are at the mercy of Albin Kurti's violent regime. It is not illogical that Kurti deceives the international community and avoids the implementation of the obligations that Pristina undertook almost 12 years ago, because someone whose political program is the eradication of Serbs cannot even be expected to take steps that would in any way protect and strengthen political and human rights of the Serbian people," said Petkovic.

He pointed out Serbia has been warning for months that Kurti's campaign of violence against the Serbian people was something that led in the opposite direction to the normalisation of relations and that everything in the dialogue so far was being openly annulled. However, as he added, there was no effective reaction from international partners.

"There is a process of destabilisation unfolding before the eyes of the international community, which can have unforeseeable consequences, and that is why it is necessary for international partners to take concrete steps and stop the destructive actions of Kurti, who apparently does not react to mild condemnations in sporadic statements by Quint," said Petkovic.

Special Prosecution raised indictment against Serb, S.L. for alleged war crimes (Kosovo Online)

Special Prosecution has raised an indictment at the Basic Court in Pristina, against the Serb, S.L. from Leposavic for allegedly committing war crimes, Kosovo Online portal reported. According to the indictment “those criminal acts were committed in the period from 1998 to 1999 in the territory of Malisevo municipality”.

S.L. from Leposavic was arrested at the end of June. The Office for Kosovo and Metohija said back then his arrest was “continuation of policy of terror by Pristina”, becoming intensified in the days following dialogue in Brussels, trampled upon by PM Albin Kurti.

They also said arrested S.L. was a reputable man from Leposavic, where he lived with his family and three children and never had reasons to hide from anyone.

EULEX confirms incident in Pristina, says it adheres to principle of ‘non-interference’, in contact with authorities (KoSSev)

We confirm that the incident in which a member of EULEX participated took place on October 31, in Pristina. We are in permanent contact with relevant authorities, including Kosovo police and Kosovo Police Inspectorate, EULEX said in a response to KoSSev portal. EULEX made those remarks after the portal sent them an inquiry following a protest of Serbian Democracy members in front of EULEX base in Mitrovica South yesterday under the slogan “Justice for EULEX Worker”.

During the protest yesterday, leader of Serbian Democracy Aleksandar Arsenijevic criticised EULEX over the silence related to this incident and accused them of being a coalition partner of the ruling Self-determination party. Arsenijevic also said that EULEX “at least could have issued the statement about their own worker, if they do not make any about our co-citizens being beaten up the same as their worker”.

EULEX: We adhere to principle of “non-interference”

EULEX confirmed today for KoSSev that the incident took place in Pristina on October 31. EULEX also said they are in permanent contact with the relevant authorities. However, they did not comment on allegations Arsenijevic made yesterday.

"We appreciate in particular, as pointed out by our head of Mission, the swift initiation of investigation by Kosovo Police Inspectorate. We also established contact with Kosovo police in order to understand the reasons for the incident, as well as to adequately address the shortcomings in the way our colleague was treated", reads the statement. They declined to comment on the case while the investigation is ongoing.

"We want to remind you that the Mission fully respects the principle of independence of the judiciary, as well as the role and responsibilities of Kosovo police and other institutions of the rule of law, as prescribed by Kosovo legislation and international standards”, it was added.

The portal said EULEX did not provide details about the incident, although they asked about it as well.

What is (un)known about the incident between Kosovo police and an EULEX worker?

The public was informed by Kosovo Police Inspectorate (PIK) that an incident between an EULEX worker and at least three members of Kosovo police took place on October 31 in Pristina.

PIK back then confirmed that the dispute occurred “because of parking a private vehicle of a (Kosovo) police officer in a parking lot of the Mission in Pristina”, after which police officers arrested the EULEX worker.

Although the PIK statement did not mention allegations of physical conflict, they said that along with suspension of those police officers they have also opened a case “of mistreatment while carrying out official duty or public authorities”.

New posters appear in North Kosovo bearing the message “See you at Christmas” (KoSSev, Kosovo Online, RTS)

Early this morning, new posters with the message “Eto nas o Božiću” (See you at Christmas) appeared in multiple locations in northern Kosovo. The text is printed against the backdrop of the Serbian tricolor, evoking strong cultural and political undertones, reported portal KoSSev.

The posters were predominantly spotted in North Mitrovica, particularly in Ivo Lola Ribar Street. Some local media have reported similar sightings in other municipalities in the northern region, including Leposavic and Zvecan. However, during an on-site visit to Zvecan, journalists were unable to find the posters at previously reported locations.

Police response: “No case exists”

In a statement to KoSSev, KP acknowledged the appearance of the posters but stated they will not investigate the matter further. According to Veton Elshani, the deputy commander for the northern region, the decision was made in consultation with the prosecutor, who concluded that there is no basis for legal action.

“We have seen the posters and consulted with the prosecutor. It has been decided that we will not pursue the case,” Elshani told KoSSev.

When questioned about allegations that some posters were removed by police officers earlier in the day, Elshani denied the claims. However, he clarified that in cases where officers were seen taking down posters, this was solely to submit them as evidence to the prosecutor.

G20 Summit Declaration: Support for territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of all states (Kosovo Online)

The final declaration of the G20 Summit participants in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, emphasises that all states involved in conflicts must refrain from threats or the use of force against the territorial integrity, sovereignty, or political independence of any state, Kosovo Online portal reported.

"All states involved in conflicts must refrain from the threat or the use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state and comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law", the Declaration of the Summit, which concluded today, said.

Discussions focused on major global challenges and crises to promote sustainable, balanced, and inclusive growth.

Read the full declaration at: https://shorturl.at/lYQU6

NATO Secretary General appoints Radmila Shekerinska from North Macedonia as next Deputy Secretary General (media)

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has decided to appoint Radmila Shekerinska from North Macedonia as the next Deputy Secretary General.

“I am happy to announce the appointment of Radmila Shekerinska as the next Deputy Secretary General. She is a true believer in NATO, knows the work it takes to join the Alliance, and what it means to be a full member. I look forward to working with her as she takes up this vital role”, Rutte said.

Ms Shekerinska previously served as Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration and Minister of Defence of North Macedonia, including in the lead up to the country joining the NATO Alliance in 2020. She will take up her post later this year.

International

Kosovo, North Macedonia agree to ease border crossings in 2025 (BIRN)

Kosovo and North Macedonia on Monday pledged to ease citizens’ movement across borders by agreeing to apply “one-stop shop” arrangements at border crossing points from next year.

The countries’ Interior Ministers, Xhelal Svecla and Pance Toskovski, signed the protocol during a joint meeting of the two governments held in Pristina, which saw two other agreements on energy and education finalised.

“The increase in trade exchange between our countries is reflected also with the increase of our citizens’ mobility. Between January and November this year, almost five million border crossings in both directions were registered, a considerable increase from 3.5 million in 2019,” Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti said during the meeting with his North Macedonia counterpart Hristijan Mickoski and their cabinets.

“Starting from January 1, 2025, at two crossing points, Hani i Elezit-Bllace and Jazhince-Globocica, we will implement a… model where our police officers work together in the same facility. This cooperation will reduce the waiting time at the border and ease the freedom of movement of our citizens,” Kurti said during the meeting.

Mickoski said he wished to maintain “friendly relations which we will further advance as we reduce barriers”.

“I will be glad if within a few weeks we could see one single border control and not two, thus avoiding crowds at the border and causing unpleasant feelings at crossing points,” Mickoski said. “We aim [to go] towards a Europe without borders,” he added.

Kurti said the trade exchange between Kosovo and North Macedonia, recorded at 432 million euros in 2023, represents “a 52 per cent increase compared to 2019, when it was 284 million euros”. Kurti said Kosovo’s exports to North Macedonia increased from 44 million euros in 2019 to 121 million in 2023.