UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 18, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani: Who dialogues with Serbia about the bridge violates Constitution (media)
Kurti meets representatives of UN agencies in Kosovo (media)
Krasniqi: Government will build 102 new houses in north by year’s end (media)
Palokaj: Strangely enough, we should trust Belgrade more than Lajcak (KTV)
Krasniqi: Kurti a master in propaganda; actions in north for election goals (EO)
Qalaj reacts to Totaj comparing Kurti’s actions with Milosevic (media)
Begaj: Kosovo in Adriatic Charter, crucial for regional stability (media)

Serbian Language Media:

SNV: Kosovo Serbs to meet the opposition in Belgrade, on Saturday, September 28 (NMagazin, Beta, N1, KiM radio)
Vucic, Parolin discuss protection of Serbian heritage sites in Kosovo (Tanjug, media)
Szijjarto: Hungary will not support Pristina's membership in the CoE (Tanjug, RTS)
Lucic: Telekom on a "counter-offensive" in Kosovo, we will participate in the distribution of part of the spectrum (TV Prva, Kosovo Online, RTV)
Vucic to participate in the WB leaders' working lunch on Thursday (Kosovo Online)
Serbia, US to sign agreement on strategic partnership in energy sector (Tanjug, Danas)

International:

Kosovar PM dismisses Serbia's demands as EU dialogue fails to bring negotiators together (RFE)
Kosovo’s minimum wage hike won’t rock economy, but may win votes (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media

Osmani: Who dialogues with Serbia about the bridge violates Constitution (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said that if someone engages in dialogue about the Iber Bridge with Serbia, “that is a violation of the sovereignty and the Constitution of Kosovo, and it is in no way in Kosovo’s interest to include this in the dialogue with Serbia”.

“Above all, it is in Kosovo’s interest to work with our security partners, to have a plan, which would then be implemented and when the bridge is opened it would be a sustainable decision that could not and should not be challenged by anyone,” Osmani argued.

Kurti meets representatives of UN agencies in Kosovo (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti met this morning with representatives of UN agencies in Kosovo and coordinator Arnhild Spence. A press release issued by the government notes that for a year now the government has found a legal solution to cooperate with UN agencies while protecting Kosovo’s sovereignty and constitutionality.

“There is outstanding cooperation in the areas of the rule of law, social well-being, employment, protection of cultural heritage and the digitization of services. Topics of discussion were the priorities and projects of the government and cooperation with the agencies to advance them. In particular, there was discussion to cooperate on economic development by supporting tourism businesses, especially in the north of Kosovo. There were also discussions about developing urban transport for better connectivity between neighborhoods and cities,” the press release notes.

Kurti also said that institutions are working to increase employment opportunities in the north and equal opportunities for all, including benefitting from energy efficiency programs.

Krasniqi: Government will build 102 new houses in north by year’s end (media)

Kosovo’s Minister for Local Government, Elbert Krasniqi, said that by year’s end another 102 houses will be built in the north of Kosovo, in addition to the 50 houses already built through government funding.

Addressing the media at the Miners’ Hill neighborhood where a house was set on fire on Monday, Krasniqi said the incident was done by “elements incited by Vucic’s propaganda and his remnants in the north. But these remnants of Vucic and Serbia, and criminal groups, have no room in Kosovo”.

Krasniqi also said that this is not the first time that there are attempts to obstruct the construction of houses for people that want to return to their homes in the north, and that they will be built whenever it is necessary.

Palokaj: Strangely enough, we should trust Belgrade more than Lajcak (KTV)

Brussels-based correspondent Augustin Palokaj, in an interview with the TV station on Tuesday, commented on EU special envoy Miroslav Lajcak’s statement that the letter that former Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic had sent to the European Union has been withdrawn. Kosovo’s chief negotiator, Besnik Bislimi, said on Tuesday that he learned that the letter had not been withdrawn.

Palokaj said: “this is not the first time, I have said this several times, strangely enough in this process we should trust Belgrade more than Lajcak. Belgrade never said it withdrew the letter. Lajcak said that the letter was withdrawn. He said this in Pristina. But so far I haven’t found another single source in the EU that believes that the letter has been withdrawn. Lajcak never explained what he meant. Today we heard Bislimi say that in his conversation with Lajcak the latter said that the letter was not withdrawn, but that the EU is working on withdrawing the letter. This is a manipulation or improvisation by Lajcak to help Serbia, because that letter was written proof that Serbia is not willing to make the steps needed for the implementation of the agreement. At the same time, there are no consequences for Serbia”.

Krasniqi: Kurti a master in propaganda; actions in north for election goals (EO)

Leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Memli Krasniqi, said in an interview with the news website that despite a strong mandate that the people gave to Albin Kurti to govern Kosovo, the situation today in the economy, healthcare, education and many other areas is worse than three-four years ago. “We have a Prime Minister that was really good with words, but propaganda is his mastery. His governance has been exceptionally weak and incompetent, and I believe that it is now clear to the people that the February 9 elections will be a battle between the lack of competency, vision and the ability to govern, combined with a major propaganda they have had so far. The PDK is not good with propaganda, but at least we have delivered on our promises in the past and we will do so again in the future,” he said.

Krasniqi argued that the government’s actions in the north are populist and for electoral purposes. “Unfortunately, the majority if not all the government’s actions in the north have a populist and electoral character and not necessarily a state character that would help create a better situation than what we currently have in the north. A situation where in addition to a functioning sovereignty there is also re-integration of the Serb community. This would result in international support for our actions. This doesn’t mean that actions such as the closure of illegal bodies are not the right decisions,” he argued.

Krasniqi said that the PDK is not against the opening of the Iber bridge but that it should be done in coordination with international partners and not as an imposed action.

Qalaj reacts to Totaj comparing Kurti’s actions with Milosevic (media)

MP from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Rashit Qalaj, reacted to a statement by PDK member and Prizren Mayor who said that Prime Minister Albin Kurti was acting unilaterally in the north, and he compared his actions to those of Slobodan Milosevic. Qalaj said: “this is the first time I am hearing this. I am not prone to commenting on other people’s statements. I personally don’t think that way, and those comparisons cannot be made. Milosevic was convicted for war crimes in Kosovo, he was convicted for the most heinous crimes”.

Begaj: Kosovo in Adriatic Charter, crucial for regional stability (media)

Albanian President Bajram Begaj said today that Kosovo’s membership in the Adriatic Charter is crucial for the stability of the whole region and that Kosovo has proved its commitment to peace and is a contributing factor to security in the Western Balkans. He made these remarks in his address at the 27th conference of the chiefs of general staffs of the US-Adriatic Charter Initiative. The Adriatic Charter was formed by Albania, Croatia, North Macedonia, and the United States in 2013, with the aim of helping the efforts of Balkans countries to join NATO. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro joined the initiative in 2008.

“In cooperation with our allies, we have worked continuously to strengthen security in the region and to promote the full integration of the Western Balkans in Euro-Atlantic structures. On this path it is important to include new members that want to join the US-Adriatic Charter Initiative and NATO. Kosovo’s membership in the Charter is crucial not only for Kosovo’s security but also for the stability of the whole region. Kosovo, although a young country, has proved its commitment to peace and cooperation and is a contributing factor to security in the Western Balkans,” Begaj is quoted as saying.

Begaj also said that the region of the Balkans is faced with specific challenges especially in the area of security and that it remains fragile to destabilization. “History must not be forgotten otherwise mistakes can be repeated. We are capable of addressing these challenges. In cooperation with our allies, we have worked to promote security in the region,” he said.

Serbian Language Media

SNV: Kosovo Serbs to meet the opposition in Belgrade, on Saturday, September 28 (NMagazin, Beta, N1, KiM radio)

The Serbian National Council of KiM (SNV) announced that a meeting with the opposition will be held in Belgrade on Saturday, September 28, to discuss "a new strategy in the fight for the survival and survival of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija", reported NMagazin, citing N1.

"Concerned about the catastrophic situation in which the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija found themselves, SNV, from Gracanica, Serbian National Forum (SNF), from Gracanica, and the People's Movement of Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija "Otadzbina" (Fatherland), from Kosovska Mitrovica, demanded an urgent meeting with Serbian opposition parties, relevant movements and associations whose interest is Kosovo and Metohija," the announcement read.

It was stated that, after consultations with all the leaders of opposition parties, movements, and parties in Serbia, the SNV scheduled a round table for September 28, in Belgrade, with that topic, and that all leaders confirmed their participation in it.

In addition to the representatives of SNV, SNF and "Otadzbina", as organizers of the meeting, leaders of Serbian political parties from Kosovo were also invited to the meeting.

Vucic, Parolin discuss protection of Serbian heritage sites in Kosovo (Tanjug, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with the State Secretary of the Holy See Pietro Parolin in Belgrade on Wednesday to discuss holding regular political dialogue at all levels as well as protection and renovation of Serbian religious and cultural heritage in Kosovo.

Vucic added that Serbia's cooperation with the Roman Catholic Church was good, with mutual respect and efforts to advance it further, reported Tanjug agency.

Vucic said Serbia highly appreciated the Holy See's principled position on non-recognition of Kosovo, as well as its understanding for Serbia's position, based on respect of international law.

Vucic posted on Instagram that it was "an excellent meeting with Cardinal Parolin, with whom I discussed holding regular political dialogue at all levels as well as Serbia's cooperation with the Roman Catholic Church, which is good, with mutual support and efforts to advance it further", reported the agency citing the post on Instagram.

He said Serbia was committed to continue to maintain and advance constructive relations with the Holy See as it shared the same views on many international issues, above all, on protection of Christians and Christian heritage as well as improvement of the human rights of Christians.

"I noted that the issue of protection, respect and improvement of the rights of Serbs and other non-Albanians in Kosovo-Metohija is essential for Serbia, as is the protection and renovation of Serbian religious and cultural heritage, Orthodox cemeteries and endangered cultural monuments, especially Orthodox churches and monasteries under UNESCO protection," Vucic said.

He added that other topics of mutual interest had also been discussed.

Szijjarto: Hungary will not support Pristina's membership in the CoE (Tanjug, RTS)

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Hungary Peter Szijjártó stated that Budapest will not support Pristina's membership in the Council of Europe, reported RTS, citing Tanjug.

Peter Szijjarto, answering Tanjug's question, said that Hungary's position regarding Pristina's membership in the Council of Europe has been clear from before and that Hungary wants peace, stability, and security in the Western Balkans region.

We are rooting for the success of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, but we believe that Kosovo's application for membership in international organizations does not contribute to that dialogue.

"Hungary will not support the admission of Kosovo to the Council of Europe," said Szijjarto.

In Budapest, Szijjarto met with the Minister of Economy of Serbia, Adrijana Mesarovic, with whom he discussed the improvement of economic cooperation between Serbia and Hungary.

It was confirmed that the relations between the two countries are the best so far.

Lucic: Telekom on a "counter-offensive" in Kosovo, we will participate in the distribution of part of the spectrum (TV Prva, Kosovo Online, RTV)

Vladimir Lucic, Telekom Srbija general director, said today that Telekom is the largest Serbian company in Kosovo and announced that he will soon go to Pristina again regarding the upcoming division of part of the spectrum for the 4G and 5G network, which, he says, his company has the right to according to the Brussels Agreement, reported Kosovo Online, citing TV Prva.

Lucic said that Telekom Srbija, after defending itself against Pristina's intention to close it in Kosovo last year, launched a counter-offensive and that it would not allow the division of the spectrum to pass without its participation.

He pointed out that by the end of the year, Telekom Srbija would be able to get permission to expand its mobile telephony to the entire territory of Kosovo.

"We are also the largest Serbian company there. And now, after that defense, let's say, we have started a counterattack and in these two months we will also have a great diplomatic activity. Now I will go to Pristina again to meet with the ambassadors, because the Pristina administration decides to share a part of the spectrum for 4G and 5G. We will not allow the sharing of that spectrum to pass without us. So, as we have always said, the Brussels agreement clearly defines that we have a temporary license until the third license is awarded, and now is the moment to try to solve it," said Lucic for TV Prva.

He says that ''initial plan of Pristina was to share part of the spectrum'' without Telekom.

"Such a way would favor the two Pristina operators who work equally poorly for them. They have financial problems in their main Pristina operator, often people go on strike and don't get paid. It would simply be a violation of the Brussels Agreement. So, I hope that we will get out of that situation; last year, when they thought they were going to shut us down, we actually got into a situation whereby the end of the year we will have permission to expand with mobile telephony to the entire territory of Kosovo and Metohija," emphasized Lucic.

He expects that in that case Telekom, as a mobile operator in Kosovo, will become very popular among Albanians, who would use the network more.

"And that's why they are most afraid to give it to us. So, in these two months, we will deal with it the most," Lucic added.

Vucic to participate in the WB leaders' working lunch on Thursday (Kosovo Online)

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, will participate in the working lunch, in organization of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, for the leaders from the Western Balkans.

As announced by the Office of the President of Serbia, the lunch will be held on Thursday, September 19 in Brussels

A separate meeting is planned between Vucic and the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi.

Serbia, US to sign agreement on strategic partnership in energy sector (Tanjug, Danas)

Serbian FM Marko Djuric and US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W Fernandez will sign an agreement on a Serbia-US strategic partnership in the energy sector in Washington on Wednesday.

The agreement will enable new investments in the energy sector to boost energy security and a sustainable transition to clean energy sources, the Serbian MFA said in a statement.

Earlier, Djuric said economic cooperation with the US had made major progress.

"I am traveling to Washington, where I will be attending a meeting at a conference of the Pupin Initiative, but I will meet with a series of US officials. We expect to conclude an agreement with the US on a strategic partnership in the energy sector very soon. It will be a new, very important step forward in our relations," Djuric said.

International

Kosovar PM dismisses Serbia's demands as EU dialogue fails to bring negotiators together (RFE)

Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti has dismissed as "unconscionable" demands made last week by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic for the return of local Serbs to Kosovar institutions.

Kurti, responding to Vucic's demands for the first time, also said on September 17 that they were part of an "aggressive campaign for new conflicts."

The response came as senior representatives from Serbia and Kosovo gathered in Brussels for internationally mediated talks on implementing past commitments aimed at normalizing relations between the Balkan neighbors.

The countries' chief negotiators in the so-called "dialogue" -- Serbia's director for relations with Kosovo, Petar Petkovic, and Kosovar Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi -- met separately with EU envoy Miroslav Lajcak, but he was unable to bring the parties together for a trilateral meeting.

Lajcak said he would continue to be available to the parties "and we will continue in the coming weeks." Bislimi and Petkovic blamed each other for the failure of the sides to agree to a three-way meeting.

Similar meetings have recently fallen through despite heavy public pressure from outside diplomats keen to patch a security risk in Southeastern Europe and regain regional momentum for further Western integration and stem the influence of outside powers Russia and China.