UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, January 22, 2025
Albanian Language Media:
- Kurti travels to Davos forum (media)
- Kurti meets Lithuanian Prime Minister Paluckas (media)
- 15,889 observers of political entities accredited (RTK)
- Kelmendi calls for increased commitment to security of electoral process (media)
- Haradinaj meets Kasanof, discuss “strategic partnership” (media)
- Phillips: Dialogue with U.S. for Kosovo’s membership in NATO (Koha)
- Osmani sends condolences for tragic accident in Turkish ski resort (media)
Serbian Language Media:
- Vucic: Always same countries lobby against Serbia, in favour of Pristina (RTS, Kosovo Online, media)
- Vucic: China clearly supporting Serbia, non-interference by foreign factors (Tanjug)
- Vucevic: Unanimous support for Serbian List, formation of movement, there will be no interim government (Tanjug, media)
- Petkovic receives Swedish Ambassador, discusses situation in Kosovo (Tanjug, media)
- Lawyer: Appeals Court remands first-instance verdict against Dusko Arsic for retrial (Kosovo Online, media)
- Surlic: Government and opposition in Kosovo competing with unrealistic promises (Kosovo Online)
- Protesting Belgrade University students seek union support (N1)
International Media:
- Balkan politicians visit Washington to pay homage to Trump (Balkan Insight)
- Opposition parties outline visions for justice reform in Kosovo (Prishtina Insight)
Albanian Language Media
Kurti travels to Davos forum (media)
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti traveled to Switzerland on Tuesday to participate in the World Economic Forum in Davos. A press release issued by Kurti’s office notes that a Free Trade Agreement with the member countries of EFTA (European Free Trade Association) will be signed in Davos. “Kosovo is the only country in the region that, in addition to negotiating for trade in goods, has also negotiated for trade in services with EFTA. This agreement will create new opportunities for our local producers and companies and will strengthen the economic and trade partnership between our country and Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Iceland as member states of EFTA,” the statement notes.
During his visit, Kurti will also meet with state representatives of friendly and partner countries and with potential investors, as well as participate in the panel discussion entitled “Sustainable Democracies in an Era of Change” and the panel “Artificial Intelligence for Humanity: Ethical Innovation in the Age of Intelligence”. Both of these panels will be held at the House of Kosovo in Davos, which has been opened for the first time.
The Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, Rozeta Hajdari, and the Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, will also participate in the Economic Forum in Davos.
Kurti meets Lithuanian Prime Minister Paluckas (media)
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti met on Tuesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos with Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas, thanking him for his country’s support for Kosovo, especially in the area of security, through their contribution to KFOR and EULEX, and also their support for Kosovo’s aspirations to join international organizations.
Kurti briefed his counterpart on Kosovo’s economic growth and democratic progress in the last four years, “proved by high rankings in international indexes”. He also thanked Paluckas for the meeting and for furthering relations and cooperation.
15,889 observers of political entities accredited (RTK)
Kosovo’s Central Election Commission accredited 15,889 observers of 21 different political entities who are certified to participate in the February 9 elections. In general, the number of observers accredited so far by the CEC is 18,163 observers.
The CEC members also approved the point according to which the transport of election material from the municipal centers to the polling station councils should be done through vans and trucks, and not by the private vehicles of the chairmen.
Kelmendi calls for increased commitment to security of electoral process (media)
Kosovo’s Acting Chief State Prosecutor, Besim Kelmendi, held a meeting on Tuesday with the chief prosecutors of all prosecution offices in Kosovo, where the National Coordinator for Elections, Laura Pula, representatives of the U.S. Embassy and the Manager of the strategic project “Protection of the Vote”, Besim Kusari, were also present.
This meeting focused on guaranteeing the protection of the free vote of the residents of Kosovo for the national elections of February 9.
In this meeting, Acting Chief Prosecutor Kelmendi requested from the National Coordinator for Elections, Ms. Pula and the chief prosecutors of the prosecution offices increased commitment regarding the protection of the free vote of the residents of Kosovo for the national elections to be held on February 9, 2025, the announcement states.
Haradinaj meets Kasanof, discuss “strategic partnership” (media)
Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj met on Tuesday in Washington with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Balkans, Alexander Kasanof. “I thanked him for the continuous U.S. support for Kosovo and shared our vision for a Kosovo that is fully integrated in Euro-Atlantic structures and expressed our unwavering commitment to meet all obligations from our partnership with the U.S. It was said that the U.S. are looking forward to the day when Kosovo becomes a member of NATO. We will work together to implement this strategic objective as soon as possible,” Haradinaj said in a Facebook post.
Phillips: Dialogue with U.S. for Kosovo’s membership in NATO (Koha)
David Phillips, from the Institute for the Study of Human Rights, said in an interview with the TV station that the strategic dialogue between Kosovo and the United States must focus on the fight against violent extremism, and Kosovo’s role in the global war against terrorism. “The dialogue should focus on Kosovo’s future membership in NATO as well as on steps for Kosovo’s integration in Euro-Atlantic institutions,” he argued.
Phillips said that “the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia must be addressed too, including steps that Kosovo can make to break the blockade. If Kosovo makes concessions to the Serb minority, then there should be parallel concessions by Serbia for the ethnic Albanian community in Presevo Valley”.
Osmani sends condolences for tragic accident in Turkish ski resort (media)
Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said in a post on X on Tuesday that she was “profoundly saddened by the tragic accident in Bolu, Türkiye. On behalf of the Republic of Kosovo, I extend our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones mourning this devastating loss”. “We stand with the courageous responders working tirelessly to save lives and assist those in need. We wish the injured a swift and full recovery. In this difficult time, our thoughts and solidarity are with President Erdogan and the people of Türkiye,” she said.
Serbian Language Media
Vucic: Always same countries lobby against Serbia, in favour of Pristina (RTS, Kosovo Online, media)
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told RTS last night it is always the same group of European countries strongly lobbying against Serbia, and in favour of Pristina, with the support of a large European country that stands behind it. Given his earlier statement that he is concerned about European policy on Kosovo, Vucic said the meeting he had in Davos with outgoing EU mediator in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, did not reassure him in this regard, Kosovo Online portal reported.
"They will start coming up with ideas again in Europe, because they allegedly tried to be harsh with (Albin) Kurti, but since they failed, now they will try to do something to him regarding the Council of Europe and other things. I guess he deserved it with his behaviour", Vucic said. As he said this is being led by a part of the countries that are lobbying extremely strongly against Serbia, and in favour of Pristina.
"It's always the same group of countries - part of the Baltic, Scandinavian countries, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Croatia and a major European power behind that, which pretends to be naive and innocent, as if it doesn't know all this and doesn't understand what it's all about”, Vucic said. He also said Serbia should trust in the strength of American arguments.
Read more at: https://shorturl.at/tJINH
Vucic: China clearly supporting Serbia, non-interference by foreign factors (Tanjug)
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said he had important meetings in Davos on Tuesday, including a very important discussion with Chinese First Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, and noted that China's position was one in favour of preserving Serbia's territorial integrity and supporting Serbia when it comes to non-interference by foreign factors, Tanjug news agency reported. "We also discussed political affairs, and I expressed full support for a resolution of the Taiwan issue by PR China in line with the principles of the One China policy", Vucic told reporters in Davos.
"The Chinese unequivocally expressed support for preservation of the territorial integrity of Serbia including Kosovo and Metohija as a part of our country. Also, we discussed affairs in our country, and the Chinese side made a very clear stand of supporting the state of Serbia and non-interference by foreign factors", he added, noting that interference by foreign factors was "evident and noticeable in the conditions we are in".
That was a very clear message from top Chinese officials, he said. Vucic also said China was Serbia's second-largest trade partner and that the volume of bilateral trade - currently worth nearly 7 bln dollars - was growing. "The number of Chinese tourists is growing day by day. We have established the latest (flight) route to Shanghai and we expect even more Chinese businesspeople to come here in the future", Vucic said.
Vucevic: Unanimous support for Serbian List, formation of movement, there will be no interim government (Tanjug, media)
President of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) Milos Vucevic said Tuesday that Main Board of the party unanimously decided to give undivided support to the Serbian List in upcoming parliamentary elections in Kosovo, to support the idea of forming a movement for the people and the state of Serbia that SNS will be part of, adding the SNS will never support any transitional government in Serbia.
"We had a broad discussion in various areas related to everything that is happening to us, major geopolitical changes, the situation in the region, the situation in Kosovo and Metohija. We made a unanimous decision that the SNS gives undivided support to the Serbian List in the elections in the province as an authentic, original representative of political and national interests of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija", Vucevic told reporters after the session.
Petkovic receives Swedish Ambassador, discusses situation in Kosovo (Tanjug, media)
Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic received Swedish Ambassador to Belgrade Charlotte Sammelin on Tuesday and discussed with her the current political and security situation in Kosovo, particularly touching upon the latest unilateral and violent moves by Pristina, which has closed over 35 Serbian institutions, interim authorities, social work centres and Post of Serbia offices south of the Ibar River, Tanjug news agency reported citing the statement of the Office.
Petkovic said that “Serbs in the province faced unprecedented terror and violence that, day by day, confirmed Pristina PM Albin Kurti's aspirations to expel the Serbs and create an ethnically clean Kosovo and Metohija”.
Since early June 2023, when the EU clearly demanded de-escalation and a withdrawal of special Kosovo police from the north, Pristina has been demonstrating openly it is not interested in calming tensions, a statement from the Office quoted Petkovic as saying. “By closing Serbian institutions, the Pristina regime is indicating in the most direct manner it has no intent of establishing a Community of Serbian Municipalities as the closed institutions were to become the very foundation of the Community”, Petkovic warned. He also noted that the Serbian List was facing major pressure and obstacles created by Pristina to make it impossible for the party to run in the February 9 elections, because, as he said, a vote for Serbian List meant a vote for the survival of Serbs in Kosovo.
Lawyer: Appeals Court remands first-instance verdict against Dusko Arsic for retrial (Kosovo Online, media)
The Court of Appeals has remanded for retrial the first-instance verdict sentencing Dusko Arsic from Maticane village, near Pristina to 13 years in prison for alleged war crimes, his lawyer Nebojsa Vlajic told Kosovo Online.
“The verdict has been annulled because of numerous violations and mistakes of the first-instance court. The appeal filed by defence was approved and the trial will start from the beginning”, Vlajic said. He added he is not sure when the new trial would be held. Dusko Arsic was sentenced to 13 years in prison on February 2, 2024.
Arsic was arrested on December 8, 2021, at Jarinje crossing point in presence of his two underage children, after he came back to Kosovo to resolve the case of his usurped property in the village of Maticane, near Pristina. He filed a lawsuit over usurpation of his property on September 20, 2021. Three months later he was arrested under accusations of allegedly committing war crimes and remains in detention ever since.
Surlic: Government and opposition in Kosovo competing with unrealistic promises (Kosovo Online)
Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Political Sciences in Belgrade, Stefan Surlic, assessed that both the government and opposition in Kosovo are competing with unrealistic promises during the election campaign, as the systemic problems present cannot be easily resolved. Surlic noted promises are being made about significant allocations for socially vulnerable groups, major investments, and changes in healthcare and education policies.
“There are systemic issues that cannot be resolved so easily, and I believe that Albin Kurti, realizing he cannot effectively tackle corruption, crime, and fundamental societal problems, has shifted his focus to the north, talking about sovereignty and increased armament. He is counting on nationalist rhetoric to enable Self-Determination to win again and secure more votes than all other opposition political options combined”, Surlic told Kosovo Online.
He added that Self-Determination’s campaign is focused on the north and highlights what they have achieved, something “no other political option has done in the past”.
Read more at: https://shorturl.at/aupHg
Protesting Belgrade University students seek union support (N1)
Protesting Belgrade University students sent a letter to Serbian education unions and the unions of Serbian Post Office and Serbian power company (EPS), formally requesting a solidarity strike in support of their cause. The students said their goal is to “radicalize societal actions” to fulfil their demands, N1 reported.
In the letter, which was also distributed to media outlets, the students explained they have spent weeks attempting to ensure proper institutional functioning in Serbia. They emphasized that in a functional state, their demands would be self-evident rather than contentious.
“However, institutions in Serbia view these demands as extreme and difficult to fulfil. The fact that tens of thousands of students are on the streets demanding truth and justice has not reached the authorities, but it has reached you. Therefore, we are grateful for the support, which shows that there is a connection between the academic community and workers in all sectors of society”, the letter said.
“Students have decided to be brave – to halt their own education when it was at risk of being rendered meaningless. Just one segment of society was enough to revive the withered roots of healthy thought. We believe you understand the importance of this act, and now is the time to show it. We invite you to be brave – to go on strike”, they wrote.
International Media
Balkan politicians visit Washington to pay homage to Trump (Balkan Insight)
A convoy of politicians from Balkan countries has trouped to Washington for Donald Trump's inauguration - some boasting about their invites, others making the trip simply to demonstrate their enthusiasm for the new president.
As well as official invitees from Balkan states, former ministers, party leaders and right-wing Trump admirers travelled to Washington to attend events around the inauguration of Donald Trump as US president on Monday, using the opportunity to network with US politicians and the new American administration.
Read more at: https://shorturl.at/EvyiS
Opposition parties outline visions for justice reform in Kosovo (Prishtina Insight)
As Kosovo prepares for its upcoming parliamentary elections, the opposition parties are positioning themselves as agents of change, promising a renewed focus on the justice system, transparency, and governance, while the ruling party has not made its programme public, having decided to boycott electoral debates in three main broadcasters.
Kosovo political parties have prioritised reforms in the judiciary, mainly deriving from the EU 2024 Kosovo Progress Report, which concluded that court administration should be reformed, and prosecution management capacity strengthened. According to the report, Kosovo must reduce “the backlog of cases based on a clear action plan with audits and internal control and implement the IT strategy” as well as increase cooperation between the police and prosecution to “ensure solid criminal investigations, improve the quality of indictments and ensure effective criminal procedures, including cases of gender-based violence”.
Read more at: https://shorturl.at/yyg00