• COVID-19: 213 new cases, six deaths (media)
• Hoti denies recognition lobbying is suspended (media)
• Thaci commemorates anniversary of police action in the north (media)
• Hyseni: U.S. role in dialogue is irreplaceable (media)
• Lajcak meets Reeker, discuss Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (media)
• Carpenter doubts Kosovo-Serbia agreement can be reached in less than six months (RTK)

Kosovo Media Highlights

COVID-19: 213 new cases, six deaths (media)

Kosovo's National Institute for Public Health announced in its daily briefing yesterday that 213 new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed out of a total of 494 tests carried out over the last 24 hours. 

The Institute also said there have been 109 recoveries and six deaths over the same time period.

The majority of the new coronavirus cases are in Pristina (80).

There are currently 3,426 active cases of COVID-19 in Kosovo.

Hoti denies recognition lobbying is suspended (media)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Avdullah Hoti dismissed reports that Kosovo has suspended lobbying campaign for recognition of its independence and membership in international organisations saying that they have only agreed with international partners to carry out these activities in coordination with them.

Speaking before Kosovo MPs on the process of dialogue with Serbia, Hoti said: "There is no suspension of our activities."

Hoti also said that the first chapter of the Kosovo-Serbia agreement has been drafted in Brussels and that it focuses on the issue of missing persons.

Thaci commemorates anniversary of police action in the north (media)

On the anniversary of the Kosovo Police operation in the north aimed at taking control of border points which resulted in the death of one police officer, President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci said the events nine years ago ensured Kosovo's territorial unification.

"The operation of the Kosovo Police Special Units in the north, nine years ago, permanently secured the Republic of Kosovo's territorial unification. Kosovo's Hero, Enver Zymberi, personifies our sacrifice and efforts to preserve our country's territorial integrity. 25 July is the day of Kosovo's unification," Thaci wrote on Facebook. 

Hyseni: U.S. role in dialogue is irreplaceable (media)

Kosovo's coordinator in dialogue with Serbia, Skender Hyseni, met in Brussels the U.S. Assistant Secretary of European and Eurasian Affairs, Philip Reeker.

Hyseni said they discussed developments in Kosovo and the region, particularly dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. "Apart from the EU, I underlined that the U.S.'s role in this process is irreplaceable. I welcomed the firm U.S. commitment in support of the dialogue and that the United States of America will be alongside us throughout this process, in strong support for a fair, sustainable and comprehensive agreement," Hyseni wrote on Facebook.

Lajcak meets Reeker, discuss Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (media)

The EU Special Representative for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, met yesterday in Brussels the U.S. Assistant Secretary of European and Eurasian Affairs, Philip Reeker.

"Wrapping up the week, I met with Acting Assistant Secretary of State Phil Reeker. We spoke about the developments in the Western Balkan and our close EU-US cooperation on the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue," Lajcak wrote on Twitter.

Carpenter doubts Kosovo-Serbia agreement can be reached in less than six months (RTK)

Michael Carpenter, advisor to the presidential candidate Joe Biden, said that the resumption of the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia after a 20-month pause is a positive development.

"I was worried that the U.S. approach was not synchronised with the EU but it is a positive step that Chancellor Merkel and President Macron took over the resumption of dialogue," Carpenter told RTK.

At the same time, he said he is skeptical an agreement would be reached during the Donald Trump's presidency as it is unlikely it could be reached before six months. "In order to come to an optimal solution, it would require one or two years, of course with close cooperation between the U.S. and the EU," he said.

On the war crimes accusations against President Hashim Thaci, Carpenter said Thaci "has been a towering figure in Kosovo politics' but that he wants to see "the rule of law play out."

He also warned against Russia's role in the Western Balkans region which he described as 'largely destabilising'. "I think Russia is quite happy with the status quo which allows it to maintain influence in Serbia as the guarantor of Serbia's interests in the region and also as chief advocate of the policies of Milorad Dodik in Republika Srpska," Carpenter said.