UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 21, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti publishes agreement and declarations from Berlin Process (media)
Osmani meets Torres; grateful for unwavering support for Kosovo (media)
O’Brien: Establishment of Association, an important step (media)
Kurti: Diplomacy played a key role in changing the status quo (RTK)
AJK establishes Network of Women Journalists of Kosovo (media)
“Unemployment rate among women has dropped to 10.7%” (Klan Kosova)

Serbian Language Media:

Petkovic: We insist on all agreements reached over last 11 years (Kosovo Online)
O’Brien: It is most important that Serbs in Kosovo live like normal, European people (Tanjug)
Gerxhaliu: Ordinary people and private sector of Kosovo and Serbia suffering due to politicization (KiM radio)
Gerxhaliu: We can't make young people stay with stories about war, we need to restore their lost hope (Kosovo Online)
An explosive device thrown in a private yard in Zubin Potok (Radio KIM, KoSSev)

Opinion

What does Milorad Djokovic's case say about the judiciary in Kosovo? (KoSSev, Kontakt plus radio)
Choose carefully what you call “victories” (Sbunker)
Beyond sovereignty and reforms: Safeguarding Kosovo’s multi-ethnicity and promoting a civic identity (New Social Initiative)

Albanian Language Media

Kurti publishes agreement and declarations from Berlin Process (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in a post on X today that “last Monday, we marked the 10th anniversary of the Berlin Process, which for a decade has brought our region closer together and moved us forward toward EU integration. Kosova has been, and will be, a proactive member and a standard-bearer in the Berlin Process, advocating for greater progress with EU rules and values at its core”.

Kurti also included the links of the new agreement and the declarations that were approved at the summit:

•⁠ Agreement on Access to Higher Education and Admission to Study in the Western Balkans (https://berlinprocess.de/uploads/documents/agreement-on-admission-to-higher-education-in-the-western-balkans_1728992201.pdf);

•⁠ Western Balkans Six Leaders' Declaration on Common Regional Market 2025-2028 (https://berlinprocess.de/uploads/documents/declaration-on-common-regional-market-2025-2028_1728992485.pdf) and the Common Regional Market Action Plan 2025-2028 (https://berlinprocess.de/uploads/documents/common-regional-market-action-plan-2025-2028_1728992448.pdf);

•⁠ Declaration on Reaffirming Good Neighbourly Relations and Regional Cooperation (https://berlinprocess.de/uploads/documents/joint-declaration-on-reaffirming-good-neighbourly-relations_1728992512.pdf);

•⁠ Declaration on Regional FDI Screening Standards of the Western Balkans Six (https://rcc.int/pubs/190/regional-fdi-screening-standards-of-the-western-balkans-six); and the

• Declaration on Research and Innovation Infrastructure Access and Collaboration (https://rcc.int/docs/719/declaration-on-research-and-innovation-infrastructure-access-and-collaborationrn).

Osmani meets Torres; grateful for unwavering support for Kosovo (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said in a Facebook post that she met with member of the U.S. Congress Ritchie Torres, and discussed the latest developments in Kosovo and the region. “Grateful for his unwavering support for Kosovo and for further strengthening our relations with the United States,” she said.

Osmani also thanked the Albanian diaspora in the U.S. for continuing to play a key role in constantly fostering and strengthening the alliance.

O’Brien: Establishment of Association, an important step (media)

Several news websites cover an interview that U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, James O’Brien, gave to the Radio Television of Serbia, highlighting his remarks that the establishment of the Association of Serb-majority municipalities in Kosovo is an important step and that Serbs in Kosovo should live like normal European citizens.

“The Association is an important step. It is important to have progress even before the establishment of the Association. It is important for people to live normally, to register their marriages, to register their newborn children and we are working on all of this. Obligations exist since 2015 when it [the agreement on the Association] was signed. I cannot mention a timeline, but what is most important is for Serbs to live like normal European citizens,” O’Brien is quoted as saying.

Kurti: Diplomacy played a key role in changing the status quo (RTK)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in his address at the 10th edition of the Diplomatic Academy that the future is in the hands of young diplomats, “because they play a key role both in peace and in addressing the greatest challenges in the world”. “More than other countries, Kosovo relies on diplomacy, since its liberation to independence, and the normalization of relations with the northern neighbor. Diplomacy has played a key role in changing the status quo and the process of progress. It is our duty to train new diplomats,” he said.

“By organizing this school for ten years now, we understand the critical role that diplomats have in addressing the biggest challenges in the world today. Diplomacy must also play a role in finding a solution to the war between Russia and Ukraine. The same should happen in the Gaza war with Israel. The training that you will receive these five days will play a great role for your careers and the world. The future depends on young diplomats,” Kurti said.

AJK establishes Network of Women Journalists of Kosovo (media)

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo said in a press release today that in cooperation with 25 female journalists and international organizations, after identifying the needs, concerns and demands of journalists, last weekend it laid the foundations of the Network of Women Journalists of Kosovo.

“The colleagues that were present proposed and voted for the advisory board of this network, which consists of three proven great women in journalism, such as: Leonida Molliqaj - editor at QIKA, Gentiana Begolli Pustina - head of the Department for Communication and International Relations at RTK, as well as the journalist from Klan Kosova, Qendresa Tërshani. Masha Mileusnic shared her experience as a mentor to the founders of this network, where she spoke more extensively about the importance and best practices of the functioning of women journalists' networks. The mission of this Network is to create an inclusive environment for women working in the media, to prevent the use of sexist and misogynistic language in public discourse, as well as to create a safe space for addressing problems encountered on the field or within the workplace. The network is open for membership to any woman working in the media sector, and we encourage all colleagues to join this network, in order to contribute as much as possible to improving the position of women in the workplace, but also in public discourse. We sincerely thank the colleagues present at this first meeting of this network, as well as the indisputable support given by the UK funded Western Balkans Media for Change project, NDI Kosovo, OSCE Mission in Kosovo and European Union in Kosovo,” the press release notes.

“Unemployment rate among women has dropped to 10.7%” (Klan Kosova)

The news website reports that the Agency for Gender Equality within the Office of the Prime Minister has presented the final assessment report for Kosovo’s Program for Gender Equality 2020-2024.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that according to the Kosovo Agency for Statistics, from the first quarter of 2021 to the last quarter of 2023, the unemployment rate has dropped from 25 percent to 10.7 percent. He said that unemployment among men has dropped from 24.2 percent to 7.9 percent and among women from 29.7 percent to 17.2 percent.

Kurti also said that 51 percent employed through the “Superpuna” – a government-funded employment platform – were women.

“The strategic approach focuses on three key areas: economic empowerment, social wellbeing, and advancing gender equality through qualitative and inclusive education and healthcare. At the same time, it promotes equal rights in decision-making, peace, security and justice. All this combined form a solid platform for gender equality,” he said.

Serbian Language Media

Petkovic: We insist on all agreements reached over last 11 years (Kosovo Online)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic said today Belgrade has always been committed to the talks, dialogue and compromise as it is a way to preserve peace and stability in Kosovo, while on the other hand, he added, it is Pristina headed by Albin Kurti making escalatory moves on the ground, in order to expel Serbian population from Kosovo, Kosovo Online portal reported.

Petkovic said he cannot expect anything from the upcoming dialogue round, guided by experience from the previous rounds of talks. While reiterating Belgrade’s commitment and readiness to talk, Petkovic accused Pristina of being the main problem.

“{…} It has always been a problem for Pristina to sit and talk with Belgrade, to talk about the Community of Serbian Municipalities and fulfillment of all previously made agreements we had signed and agreed upon. We have been waiting for the establishment of CSM for 11 years, and all what is happening including repression and escalatory actions taken day after day by Pristina and Albin Kurti aim at expelling Serbian people from Kosovo and Metohija”, Petkovic said. According to him those problems would not have existed if the CSM was formed. He placed the responsibility for this on Pristina and the EU as guarantor of the agreements.

He also listed a series of unilateral acts Pristina undertook, including closure of Serbian institutions, ban on dinar and payment transactions, arbitrary arrests and presence of Albanian Kosovo police officers in the north which runs contrary to the article 9, of the Brussels agreement on police composition in this region. “{…} We are simply insisting on all agreements made for the last 11 years, because it is the only way to normalize relations”, Petkovic said. He added that because of “the terror of Albin Kurti, more than 15 percent of Serbs left Kosovo and Metohija”.

O’Brien: It is most important that Serbs in Kosovo live like normal, European people (Tanjug)

Assistant US State Secretary for Europe and Eurasia James O’Brien said today he wishes that all agreements and their provisions made within Belgrade-Pristina dialogue are respected, adding it is most important that Serbs in Kosovo live as normal, European people, Tanjug news agency reported.

O’Brien told RTS as far as establishment of Community of Serbian Municipalities is concerned it was necessary agreements are respected, and that in this regard the Statute must pass through Constitutional Court, and there must be a broader discussion so the Serbs in Kosovo can be integrated as in the south as well as in the north.

“And A/CSM is an important step, it is important to make progress even before it is established. It is important that people live normally, to regsiter marriages, children who are born, and we work on all that at the same time. The obligations have existed since 2015, when they were signed for the first time. I can not promise the deadline, but it is most important that Serbs live as normal, European citizens”, he said.

He added the aim is to talk about practical matters – how to expedite the flow of goods, and that is why it is in interest that crossings are opened and raw materials from Serbia enter Kosovo in order to continue production. Asked to comment on Pristina’s conduct and lack of coordination of its actions with the US, O’Brien assessed it as a desire of Pristina’s institutions to demonstrate power, while doing less for people. “I have already spoken about that. The attitude of Pristina not to coordinate acts with us, as partners, or with NATO, creates doubts that this government is more interested in demonstrating its power, than to enable better lives for communities and its people. This is constantly being talked about”, he said.

"There are consequences for that, and the biggest one was when the major states of Europe did not allow Kosovo to join the Council of Europe. All because there is no coordination", O'Brien said. He also noted that problems are resolved through talks.

Gerxhaliu: Ordinary people and private sector of Kosovo and Serbia suffering due to politicization (KiM radio)

Former president of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce and expert in economics, Safet Gerxhaliu, spoke about the lifting of the ban on the import of Serbian goods in Kosovo and the independent representation of Kosovo within CEFTA, without the mediation of UNMIK, in the third season of the Aequitas podcast.

The news about the lifting of the ban on the import of Serbian goods in Kosovo and the independent representation of Kosovo within the framework of CEFTA, pleased all the communities in Kosovo. Nevertheless, the kilometer-long queues at the Merdare crossing, the only crossing where the import of Serbian goods is allowed, and which arise because of the increased control of the Kosovo customs, cause major headaches for Serbian and Albanian entrepreneurs, reported KiM radio.

Gerxhaliu stated that in the Balkans one can never talk about pure economic relations without political connotations. It is precisely because of politicization that ordinary people and the private sector of Kosovo and Serbia are suffering, he believes.

"On the other hand, I was one of those who tried to implement the Rome Agreement from 1957, when the EU was founded. To date, there have been over 84 initiatives that failed or were not fully realized precisely because of that political connotation. But the question always arises, is it necessary for big and strong powers to determine our guidelines, where we will go and how we will go? I think we must agree that there is no alternative to dialogue not only between Kosovo and Serbia, but also at the regional level," Gerxhaliu said.

According to him, any barriers, especially economic ones, do not benefit anyone in the WB.

"If we analyze the EU, don't think that there is much love in the EU member states. There is much more interest in economic cooperation and that interest minimizes many of the tensions and problems that Europeans face. This model should be in Kosovo as well. Secondly, barriers always have more losers than winners, and I believe that the economy should be managed through calculations and science, not emotions and folkloric patriotism," he pointed out.

Answering the question whether some new political decision can stop this path of cooperation between Kosovo and Serbia, Gerxhaliu pointed out that "the current cooperation is conditioned by the pressure of international powers, not by their mutual goodwill".

"The ban on the import of Serbian goods in Kosovo was a big mistake in Kosovo steps not only towards Serbia, but also towards the region and Europe. The very fact that in Serbia you have 520 companies from the Netherlands, 110,000 workers from Serbia working in German companies, 5.5 billion dollars of direct American investments, isn't that an open economic war against Europe, and not against Serbia,'' asked Gerxhaliu.

Gerxhaliu also spoke about the Berlin process, the import and export of goods in Kosovo, whether there will be a leveling and drop in prices in Kosovo now that the import of Serbian goods is allowed, but also about the goals of opening Albanian businesses in the north Kosovo and many other topics.

The Aequitas podcast is broadcast as part of a project supported by the Kosovo Press Council and the Barabar Center in Pristina. The podcast is produced by the NGO CASA from North Mitrovica and Radio KIM Media Group from Caglavica.

Gerxhaliu: We can't make young people stay with stories about war, we need to restore their lost hope (Kosovo Online)

Economist Safet Gerxhaliu told Kosovo Online portal that aging, and emigration of population affect the entire region and Kosovo is no exception to that. He pointed out there is more talk about war than about prosperity in the Balkans, which is why young people do not see their future here.

“If you analyze the latest census, you’ll see there are simply fewer people, around 200,000, and if you look at the population structure, you’ll see that the pillar of development, when it comes to young people, is no longer what it used to be. Today, the population is aging, and there are fewer young people”, he said. He added emigration of population, in particular young people, must be a priority for the government to address.

“We cannot force young people to stay in the Balkans if we don’t have political stability. We cannot make them build a future if they don’t have support. The fact is that in the Balkans, there is far more talk about war and conflict than about prosperity and economic development, so what else can be expected?”, Gerxhaliu said. According to him, in order to have young people stay in Kosovo “lost hope that better days will come” must be restored. “But unfortunately, what has been happening lately doesn’t seem like something that can motivate young people to stay here”, he said.

An explosive device thrown in a private yard in Zubin Potok (Radio KIM, KoSSev)

An explosive device was thrown last night in a private yard in Zubin Potok, Kosovo police told KoSSev portal, Radio KIM reports.

No one was injured in the incident, and one vehicle was damaged. Petrit Fejza from Kosovo police region north said details on the type of explosive devices are unknown, pending the investigation.

Opinion

What does Milorad Djokovic's case say about the judiciary in Kosovo? (KoSSev, Kontakt plus radio)

By Darko Dimitrijevic, journalist and editor of Radio Gorazdevac

The case of Milorad Djokovic, a returnee to the village of Vitomirica near Pec, is not only the story of one man and his struggle for the right to property, which the author of this text, as a journalist, has been following for a decade, but also a reflection of the complex and controversial legal and political circumstances in Kosovo.

Djokovic's long-running battle, which began with an attempt to recover property he left during the 1999 war, ended with his arrest on war crimes charges.

This story raises many questions about the functioning of the judicial system in Kosovo, as well as the treatment of Kosovo Serbs who face attempts to recover their property rights and in most cases are accused of alleged war crimes.

The right to property and non-compliance with court decisions

After the conflict, Milorad Djokovic left his property in the village of Vitomirica, like many other Serbs from Kosovo. After two decades, he managed to obtain a verdict from the Supreme Court of Kosovo through court proceedings, which confirmed his right to return his property. This judgment, as well as several other decisions of lower courts, clearly indicated that Djokovic has the right to the property that was taken from him by the local government.

However, the municipal authorities in Pec persistently refused to implement the court decision. Instead, the decision was repeatedly delayed based on other administrative decisions, which raised doubts about the judicial system and respect for the rule of law in Kosovo.

This case is not an isolated one - many Serbs from Kosovo, and there were also cases of other communities, face similar problems when they try to recover property, which suggests the existence of systematic obstruction in the implementation of court rulings concerning property rights of Serbs.

Despite the Supreme Court ruling being final, Milorad Djokovic never managed to regain his possession. This clearly indicates disrespect for judicial decisions and violation of the principle of legal certainty, which is a basic principle of every democratic society.

Not only are the rights of Kosovo Serbs neglected, but in practice it is shown that the legal system is not equally applicable to all citizens of Kosovo.

Arrest on charges of war crimes

After more than a decade of fighting for the return of his property, Djokovic was arrested in 2022 on charges of war crimes. The indictment accuses him of participating in the 1999 attack on Albanian civilians in the village of Ozrim and many other crimes. There is no concrete evidence, except for the words of numerous witnesses who only remembered after so many years that Djokovic was a "war criminal".

What is most controversial in this case is the fact that the accusations were made only after Djokovic received a final verdict on the return of his property. This raises the question of the political motivation of the accusations and the timing of the arrests.

The fact that the witnesses in this case came out with their statements only after 17 years, since Djokovic's return to Kosovo, further contributes to the suspicion that the whole process was initiated in order to make it difficult, or even impossible, for the Kosovo Serbs return.

The right to a fair trial is guaranteed by international conventions, but Djokovic was in custody for more than a year until an indictment was filed, which may indicate a violation of his fundamental rights.

All the time since he returned to his Vitomirica, Djokovic lived a public life. He participated in many public debates, was active in civil society, was a guest in the media where he spoke about the problem of property rights, and he was also looking forward to the restoration of the church in his village.

Despite his willingness to respond to the law enforcement authorities on any issue, he was arrested on the eve of Vidovdan (St. Vitus Day) on June 27, 2022, and is now being tried for the most serious war crimes.

The political dimension of the case

Djokovic's case reflects the larger picture of the Serbs that return to Kosovo. Many of them, when they try to recover their property, encounter numerous administrative and legal obstacles. In addition, some of them, like Djokovic, also face criminal prosecutions that seem politically motivated.

Problems with the return of property for Serbs in Kosovo are numerous. They face direct and indirect discrimination, as well as problems related to the return of ownership documents, illegal occupation of property and difficult access to courts. Also, there are cases in which returnees are accused of war crimes, which further complicates their legal battles.

Such cases can often be interpreted as attempts to discourage Serbs who want to return to Kosovo. In international law, such actions can be considered a violation of the right to a fair trial.

The question is whether such accusations and criminal trials represent a real fight against impunity for war crimes, or whether they are part of a broader strategy of political pressure on Kosovo Serbs.

Demolition of the house and continuation of the fight

While Milorad Djokovic is waiting for the end of the trial, his house, which was the subject of the dispute, was demolished to the ground, despite the court's decision to return it to him.

This act further shows how fragile the right to property is for Serbs in Kosovo and how vulnerable returnees are to political and legal games.

The demolition of the house is not only a physical loss – it is a symbolic representation of the failure of the justice system to protect basic human rights. There is almost no reaction from international representatives to such problems.

The case of Milorad Djokovic shows how difficult it is to achieve justice in Kosovo, especially when it comes to the rights of Serbs in Kosovo.

Non-compliance with court decisions, politically motivated accusations and administrative obstacles have become everyday life for returnees.

While the international community often emphasizes the importance of the rule of law, the situation on the ground looks quite different.

In the end, the Djokovic case is not just one man's fight for his property - it is a fight for justice in a society where the rules do not apply equally to everyone, where political games often exceed the law and where the rule of law remains only an ideal on paper, without a concrete reaction from the international community.

Choose carefully what you call “victories” (Sbunker)

By Miodrag Marinkovic, CASA Executive Director

Back in July 1998, in Pristina, I was on my way to meet a friend for coffee. We had no mobile phones back then, so the routine was simple: You picked a spot somewhere in the city and stood there, waiting for your friend to show up.

As fate would have it, my friends have always been notoriously late. So, there I stood, standing under the blistering Pristina summer sun, anger building with each passing minute as I plotted how to teach my friend a lesson once he showed up.

That’s when I witnessed a scene that has stayed with me, etched in my memory in painful clarity. About 20 meters from where I stood, a patrol of Serbian police officers stopped a young Albanian man who was holding hands with his girlfriend. They asked him for his ID, which he handed over without hesitation. After just a few seconds of inspecting the document, one of the officers, barely lifting his head, slapped the young man. Then he slapped him again. Right there, in front of his girlfriend, who burst into tears out of sheer fear. I was far away to hear what they were saying to him, but close enough to see the humiliation that this young man was experiencing. At one point, they forced him to chant, “Serbia! Serbia!” Only then did the two officers let him go, exchanging triumphant, condescending glances, satisfied with their display of power.

To this day, I feel shame for not having the courage to do something. Anything. Not that I could have changed the outcome. I probably would have been slapped too. But for the sake of my conscience, I wish I had tried something instead of just watching.