UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, January 23, 2025
Albanian Language Media:
- Kosovo signs free trade agreement with EFTA (media)
- Kurti: Membership in NATO, before membership in EU (Koha)
- Presidency: None of Trump’s decisions so far have negative impact on Kosovo (RFE)
- Grenell reacts to Konjufca’s statement about Biden and Obama administrations (media)
- Kosovo presidential delegation attended Trump’s inauguration (media)
- Osmani meets German Bundestag member Volkmar Klein (media)
- Senior NATO military officer visits Iber Bridge, talks about security (Telegrafi)
- Maqedonci: Letter to KFOR is not a re-commitment, but a clarification (RTK)
- Bolton: Serbia may recognize Kosovo under Trump Administration (Koha)
Serbian Language Media:
- Vucic: EU enlargement process not quite based on merit (Tanjug)
- Vucic with Zelensky on the current geopolitical and regional situation (Kosovo Online)
- Zelensky: Grateful to Serbia for humanitarian and financial aid, EU common goal (Kosovo Online)
- Djuric, Abdelatty: Serbia-Egypt relations "in golden era" (Tanjug, RTS)
- Grenell on Konjufca's statement about Biden: Why didn't you complain earlier? (Kosovo Online, Danas)
- At Kurtaj's trial, Stefan and Milos Stojanovic heard as witnesses; the trial to continue March 12 and 13 (Kosovo Online)
- Another indictment for riots in Zvecan (RTS, Radio Mitrovica sever, media)
- Barduani and Scott visited the Ibar bridge and Visoki Decani monastery (Kosovo Online)
- Croatian NGO activists deported from Serbia (N1, index.hr)
International Media:
- Costa: It is time for us to deliver on our promises to the EU candidates as they deliver on theirs (EWB)
- Changing the narrative: How the Serbian state works to demonise protesters (Balkan Insight)
- Turmoil in Serbia continues as tensions rise and new actors join student-led protests (EWB)
Albanian Language Media
Kosovo signs free trade agreement with EFTA (media)
All news websites report that a Free Trade Agreement was signed on Wednesday in Davos between EFTA member states and Kosovo. Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in his address that it was “an honor and pleasure to celebrate a significant milestone … the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between Kosova and the EFTA states. This event marks the beginning of a new chapter in strengthening economic ties and enhancing trade relations between the Republic of Kosova and EFTA states”.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the EFTA member states for their dedication and close cooperation during the negotiation process. The agreement we are signing today establishes a framework for the trade relations between the EFTA States and Kosova and will create new opportunities by granting Kosova access to EFTA markets. It opens new export possibilities for our businesses and deeper integration into the European economic framework, enabling us to compete on a broader scale”.
“This agreement also reflects our shared commitment to the principles of democracy, the rule of law, human rights, environmental protection, good corporate governance, and corporate social responsibility”.
“Kosova has achieved impressive progress in the last four years with consistent economic growth averaging 6% of GDP and never falling below 4%. Inflation has steadily declined, last year dropped to 1.6%, contributing to a stable and sustainable economic environment. We rank in the top five countries with the highest Foreign Direct Investment growth, as reported by FDI Intelligence. In 2024, Kosova’s economy marked, for the first time, an increase of nearly 50% compared to 2019. Exports have doubled, and the export-import ratio improved from 1:9 to 1:6”.
“In a climate where many democracies across our continent have experienced democratic crises in recent years, Kosova stands out as the most democratic country in the region of Western Balkans six, as confirmed by World Justice Project, Transparency International, Freedom House, and V-Dem institute”.
Kurti: Membership in NATO, before membership in EU (Koha)
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, who attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, said on Wednesday that it is very likely that Kosovo will first join NATO and then the European Union. at a roundtable together with economy professor from Harvard University, Ricardo Hausmann, Kurti said: “I believe the European Union is the most important and precious project for peace and prosperity in the world since World War Two. We want to join the EU and NATO, because we want both to benefit and contribute. It is very likely that we will first join NATO. As we face the Russian aggression in Ukraine, which also has an impact in the Balkans, we want to accelerate our membership in NATO,” he said. “But we don’t want to limit ourselves only toward membership in NATO, because we want to grow stronger on our own too. We have increased our spending on defense. Since 2023, we have met the 2 percent quota that member states need to meet.”
Presidency: None of Trump’s decisions so far have negative impact on Kosovo (RFE)
The Office of the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, said on Wednesday that U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Alexander Kasanof confirmed that none of the decisions of U.S. President Donald Trump so far have any negative impact on Kosovo. A media advisor to Osmani told Radio Free Europe that Kasanof confirmed this at a meeting he had in Washington with Osmani’s Chief of Staff, Learta Hollaj. The statement from Osmani’s office comes after Trump signed an executive order suspending all U.S. international aid programs for 90 days until it is reviewed if they are in line with his political objectives.
Grenell reacts to Konjufca’s statement about Biden and Obama administations (media)
U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy for special missions, Richard Grenell, took to X on Wednesday to react to a statement by Kosovo Assembly Speaker Glauk Konjufca who said that the Biden and Obama administrations put Kosovo in a disadvantageous position vis-à-vis Serbia. Referring to the ruling party in Kosovo, Grenell said in his post: “they spent the last four years complimenting Joe Biden and attending his conventions and parties. Why didn’t they ever complain before?”
Kosovo presidential delegation attended Trump’s inauguration (media)
The Office of the President of Kosovo said in a statement on Wednesday that a presidential delegation, composed of Learta Hollaj, Chief of Staff to the President and Rejhan Vuniqi, Foreign Policy Advisor, accompanied by Kosovo’s Ambassador to the United States Ilir Dugolli, participated in the activities organized in honor of the inauguration of the 47th President of the United States of America, Donald Trump. “During these days, they participated in: President Trump’s swearing-in ceremony on Capitol Hill, the Rally held before the swearing-in ceremony at the Capital One Arena, the Supreme Commander’s Ball; “The Liberty Ball” Presidential Ball, “Black Tie and Boots” Ball organized by the Texas State Society, Midwest Gala -the reception organized by Dr. Miriam Adelson, Tilman Fertitta, Sylvie Legere & Todd Ricketts and Mark Zuckerberg, as well as at the National Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral. They also had the opportunity to meet with a number of senior officials, senators and congressmen, as well as advisors and influential people from the world of business and other spheres of interest. During these activities, they had the opportunity to speak with: the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the US Congress Mike Johnson; President Trump’s nominee for the post of CIA Director John Ratcliffe; Congressman and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe in the US House of Representatives Foreign Policy Committee Keith Self; Congressman Chip Roy; Congressman Ronny Jackson; Senator John Cornyn, Congressman Ted Cruz; Texas Governor Greg Abbott; Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds; President Trump’s nominated Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker; Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick; Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton; former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg; Texas Senator Angela Paxton; Local Councilor Gino Mulliqi and former Congressman Jack Fields, as well as numerous representatives of the diaspora. At all these meetings, best wishes were conveyed to President Trump and the new administration on behalf of President Osmani and the citizens of Kosovo, confirming the commitment of the Republic of Kosovo to further and continuously advance bilateral relations. In the conversations held with US officials, the importance of mutual visits was also emphasized, as well as the importance of cooperation in order to advance and maintain security in the region,” the statement notes.
Osmani meets German Bundestag member Volkmar Klein (media)
Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani met on Wednesday in Pristina with Volkmar Klein, member of the German Bundestag, and discussed relations between Kosovo and Germany, focusing “on further strengthening and expansion of bilateral cooperation, including economic development and security issues”. Osmani thanked Klein for his continued support for Kosovo.
Senior NATO military officer visits Iber Bridge, talks about security (Telegrafi)
The Commander of KFOR, Major General Enrico Barduani, welcomed on Wednesday the Deputy Commander of NATO Joint Force Command Naples, Lieutenant General Peter K. Scott, at KFOR's Headquarters, in Camp Film City, Pristina. During the meeting, COM KFOR shared his views on the current security situation across the region and underlined KFOR's efforts on ensuring a safe and secure environment for all people living in Kosovo and in support of the EU-facilitated dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade.
The visit continued at the Iber River Bridge in Mitrovica, where Lt. Gen. Scott had the opportunity to meet with a patrol of the Multinational Specialized Unit (MSU) expressing his gratitude for their continued effort. They also visited the Regional Command West (RC-W) at "Camp Villaggio Italia" in Peja and then visited the Decani Orthodox Monastery, meeting the Abbot, Father Sava Janjic, highlighting the significant role that religious leaders play in fostering society harmony.
Maqedonci: Letter to KFOR is not a re-commitment, but a clarification (RTK)
After e letter sent to KFOR by Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci went viral on Wednesday, the latter took to Facebook to clarify once again that the letter sent to the KFOR Commander regarding the event of November 24, 2024, when the Ceremonial Guard was engaged in the north, does not represent a re-commitment, but only a clarification of the circumstances of the KSF engagement.
"The purpose of the letter has been clarified before and it remains valid because it is true. The letter was sent in order to clarify to the KFOR Commander the circumstances of the engagement of a KSF unit in one of the municipalities in the north of the country and to assure him that it was not intended in any way to escalate the situation," he wrote on Facebook.
He stressed that the KSF's engagement in the north is based on a 2013 commitment by former Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, which sets out the terms of the KSF's operation and coordination with KFOR. "I reiterate, as I have said before, that I personally disagree with that commitment, as I continue to consider it wrong and harmful to our army, with long-term consequences. However, as the Minister of Defense and the Government of Kosovo, we will respect it, as long as it is in force," Maqedonci wrote. He added that the current responsibility of the institutions and KFOR is to ensure that military engagements in the north are carried out in a coordinated manner.
Bolton: Serbia may recognize Kosovo under Trump Administration (Koha)
John Bolton, former security advisor to the U.S. President Donald Trump in the first term, considers that mutual recognition between Kosovo and Serbia under the Trump Administration is possible. "I think it's possible. If he saw this as something he could take credit for, I think he would pay attention to it immediately. This is a very complex problem and this usually doesn't attract him, but I think he will withdraw from security issues in Eastern Europe in general because of the war in Ukraine... It's a good moment to resolve as many old disputes as possible," he told "A2CNN".
Bolton also mentioned border adjustments, which he said had been suggested previously by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair but had not worked. “I myself have been involved with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s suggestion of border adjustments to see what could be achieved. We were optimistic, but unfortunately it did not work. Because of the history in this region, we have to approach it with open eyes. As I said, I do not think that applying pressure will work, and when independent actors or, even worse, people who act in the service of governments to cause violence, it will only make it much more difficult to resolve the situation. Of course, any territorial adjustment must have the full consent of both parties, Serbia and Kosovo. If one side accepts and the other does not, then you do not have an agreement. This is difficult. It requires political determination on both sides and has caused concern in other parts of the Balkans. Some say that if there is a territorial adjustment between Serbia and Kosovo, there could be other areas as well. I don’t think that’s a legitimate concern. As I said, every side has to agree before there can be territorial adjustments. And just because it happens between Serbia and Kosovo doesn’t mean it has to happen elsewhere. So I think it’s quite difficult to reach an agreement just between Serbia and Kosovo, without involving the whole Balkans and making things more complicated,” he said.
Bolton went on to say that Trump could see this proposal back on the table. “I think, given his familiarity with this issue at the end of his first term, he could see this as an opportunity; now that he’s just been inaugurated, it could give it a new credibility. He’s not near the end of his term, but he’s at the beginning of it. So I think if he gets involved, the chances of a solution are greater. If he does not get involved, then, of course, the uncertainty will continue," he said.
Serbian Language Media
Vucic: EU enlargement process not quite based on merit (Tanjug)
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday the claim the EU enlargement process and the opening of clusters in the accession talks were merit-based was not quite true.
Asked by reporters in Davos to comment on a statement by EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, who said earlier the enlargement process was based on merit rather than on time frames, Vucic said the problem was that the so-called principle of merit-based enlargement was "a partial lie, to say the least."
"In December, we were the best performer in delivering the results requested from us by the EU and (Gert Jan) Koopman on the reform agenda and the growth agenda. They (the EU) promised to open Cluster 3, and have they opened it? They opened it for those who they themselves said were inferior when it comes to meeting those conditions. That would mean it is not quite based on merit, but on who they like and do not like," Vucic said, reported Tanjug last night.
Vucic with Zelensky on the current geopolitical and regional situation (Kosovo Online)
President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, met with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, during their participation at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
"With President Volodymyr Zelensky on the current geopolitical and regional situation, opportunities for achieving sustainable peace and stability on our continent, as well as energy security," Vucic wrote on Instagram.
He further expressed hope for the continuation of good and open cooperation between the two countries aimed at improving the lives of citizens and mutual support on their common European path.
Zelensky: Grateful to Serbia for humanitarian and financial aid, EU common goal (Kosovo Online)
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, in a conversation with the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, thanked Serbia for the humanitarian and financial assistance to Ukraine.
Zelensky stated on Instagram that he also discussed with Vucic about integration into the European Union, as a common goal of both countries.
"I met with the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic. We are grateful to Serbia for the humanitarian and financial assistance to our country. We discussed our integration into the European Union, which is the common goal of both our countries," Zelensky wrote.
He said that lasting and sustainable peace must be supported by strong security guarantees.
"The position of our country remains unchanged: nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine," added Zelensky.
Djuric, Abdelatty: Serbia-Egypt relations "in golden era" (Tanjug, RTS)
Serbian FM Marko Djuric said on Wednesday a visit to Belgrade by his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty represented a major contribution to boosting bilateral relations, which he noted were in a "golden era" and noted that a huge potential for economic cooperation was spurred by Serbia's ambition to become Europe's fastest-growing economy in 2025.
At a press conference with Abdelatty, Djuric noted that an FTA with Egypt would be ratified in the Serbian parliament in the coming days, and the Egyptian minister said the agreement would boost bilateral trade by 400 times.
Djuric said he had informed Abdelatty that Serbia had doubled its GDP in less than a decade and that it was preparing for EXPO 2027 - to be hosted by Belgrade - and expecting to see a large Egyptian pavilion at the event.
He said Egypt was one of Serbia's closest partners in the international arena and that the friendship between the two countries had been confirmed in good as well as bad times, and forged out of their desire to pursue sovereign foreign and internal policies, further solidified under the leadership of their presidents, Aleksandar Vucic and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, reported Serbian media among other things.
Grenell on Konjufca's statement about Biden: Why didn't you complain earlier? (Kosovo Online, Danas)
After criticism of former US President Joseph Biden, as well as former President Barack Obama, which came from Self-Determination official Glauk Konjufca, Donald Trump's candidate for special envoy for missions Richard Grenell reacted, asking why the ruling party had not complained about them earlier.
Grenell recalled on the social network "X" that representatives of the government in Pristina, led by Self-Determination Albin Kurti, had complimented Biden, as well as attending his conventions.
"They spent the last four years complimenting Joe Biden and attending his conventions and parties. Why didn't they ever complain before?", Grenell concluded.
Kosovo Online recalled that a few days ago, the candidate for deputy from the ranks of Self-Determination and the acting president of Kosovo until election of Osmani, Glauk Konjufca, stated that the Biden and Obama administrations, with their approach, put Kosovo in an unfavorable position and damaged its reputation.
"We are all witnesses to this. And during that time, we had several issues that Serbia pushed, which to a large extent damaged the reputation and statehood of Kosovo. Since 2011, they have had an unfavorable approach towards Kosovo. Yes, yes, precisely the administration of President Obama and President Biden," Konjufca told RTK, reported Kosovo Online.
At Kurtaj's trial, Stefan and Milos Stojanovic heard as witnesses; the trial to continue March 12 and 13 (Kosovo Online)
In the continuation of the trial before the Basic Court in Ferizaj/Urosevac in the case against Azem Kurtaj, injured parties Stefan and Milos Stojanovic were heard. The continuation of the main trial has been postponed to March 12 and 13, Veljko Radic, Milos Stojanovic's lawyer, Veljko Radic, told Kosovo Online.
"At today's hearing, which was closed to the public, the injured minor Stefan Stojanovic, and Milos Stojanovic, were heard as witnesses. The hearing scheduled for tomorrow, January 23, has been postponed, so the continuation of the main trial before the court is scheduled for March 12 and 13," said Radic.
The prosecution charges Kurtaj with causing general danger and by court ruling he was released pending trial.
On January 6, 2023, Kurtaj wounded two Serbs, Stefan and Milos Stojanovic, in the village of Gotovusa in the Municipality of Strpce.
Stefan Stojanovic (11) and Milos Stojanovic (21) were wounded when they were returning from cutting Christmas trees, when Kurtaj shot at them for no reason from a moving vehicle.
Another indictment for riots in Zvecan (RTS, Radio Mitrovica sever, media)
The Special Prosecutor's Office in Pristina brought an indictment to the Basic Court in Pristina, against M. D., of Serbian nationality, for allegedly committing the crimes of "attack on an official" and "participation in a crowd that commits criminal acts and hooliganism", during riots in front of the municipal building in Zvecan in May 2023.
According to the indictment, the suspect M. D., "on May 29, 2023, near the premises of the municipality of Zvecan, in cooperation and coordination with other defendants of Serbian nationality, with the use of violence and weapons, attacked and seriously threatened soldiers of the KFOR peacekeeping mission, as well as members of the police."
The prosecutor of the Special Prosecutor's Office asked the court to declare the defendant guilty, punish him according to the law and extend his detention until the end of this criminal act.
Media recalled that the conflict in Zvecan broke out after local Serbs protested the entry of Albanian mayors into municipal buildings in the north of Kosovo. Also, 15.11.2024 it was announced that due to the riots in Zvecan, the KP arrested a man, M.D. in North Mitrovica.
Barduani and Scott visited the Ibar bridge and Visoki Decani monastery (Kosovo Online)
Commander of KFOR, Major General Enrico Barduani, together with the Deputy Commander of the NATO Joint Forces Command in Naples, Lieutenant General Peter Scott, visited the bridge on the Ibar and the Visoki Decani monastery.
Barduani and Scott met at the KFOR headquarters in Pristina, and the mission commander conveyed to the guest his views on the current security situation in the region and pointed to KFOR's efforts to ensure a safe environment for everyone in Kosovo, providing support for the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade with the mediation of the EU.
According to KFOR's statement on Facebook, the visit continued with a tour of the Ibar bridge, where Lieutenant General Scott met with a Multinational Specialized Unit (MSU) patrol, which he thanked for their continued efforts.
Barduani and Scott then visited the Regional Command - West in the camp "Villaggio Italia" in Pec.
After that, they also visited the Visoki Decani monastery, met the abbot Sava Janjic, and in the conversation, they emphasized the important role that religious leaders play in fostering harmony in society.
Croatian NGO activists deported from Serbia (N1, index.hr)
Five Croatian NGO activists were arrested in Belgrade and deported, the Zagreb-based Index.hr portal said on Wednesday.
The 5 women were in Belgrade for 2 days of workshops organized by the Austrian Erste Stiftung, the portal said, citing Jutarnji list daily. The women were banned from entering Serbia for a year. The 5 women said that they went out for drinks after the workshops were over and were met by plain clothes police when they returned to their hotel just before midnight.
They were taken to a police station along with other workshop participants and questioned about their backgrounds and the workshops.
One of the Croatians told the portal that they were handed a document in Cyrillic which they had trouble reading and were told by the police officers that the document says they posed a danger to the security of Serbia and had to leave the country within 24 hours along with the year-long ban.
The women said they signed the document because it was past 4:00 am and they were tired.
International Media
Costa: It is time for us to deliver on our promises to the EU candidates as they deliver on theirs (EWB)
STRASBOURG – “We are fully committed to enlargement as the biggest geopolitical investment for peace and security, for our people and our continent. This was also a central topic in the Western Balkans summit I chaired the day before the European Council”, said António Costa, President of the European Council, addressing the members of the European Parliament today. During the debate on the conclusions adopted by the European Council in late December, Costa stressed that the “six Western Balkans countries, Ukraine and Moldova, are working hard to deliver on their commitments”.
Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/maw8h6jx
Changing the narrative: How the Serbian state works to demonise protesters (Balkan Insight)
Strategies aimed at discrediting largely peaceful demonstrations over the past five years have exposed the authorities’ authoritarian mindset. But as protests continue across Serbia, have their tactics really worked?
As nationwide protests led by students over the Novi Sad railway station disaster continue, it’s important to examine the role of state institutions and pro-government groups in trying to counter repeated outbreaks of protest in Serbia over the past five years.
Analysing their involvement is crucial for understanding the dynamics of political power, the growing threat of authoritarian rule and the erosion of democratic rights and freedoms in the country.
It requires a thorough exploration of both the underlying causes and specific actions taken by officials and government allies. It involves assessing the policies, practices and interventions of state institutions, such as the police, judiciary and government officials, as well as the strategies employed by pro-government groups, including media, political parties and other influential organisations that have sought to undermine protest movements.
Read more at:https://shorturl.at/MY8j6
Turmoil in Serbia continues as tensions rise and new actors join student-led protests (EWB)
Serbia has entered uncharted waters this week as student protests triggered by the Novi Sad tragedy in November widened to include other social groups, among which are teachers and lawyers. The protesters demand the fulfilment of the students’ requests related to the Novi Sad tragedy, caused by the collapse of the city’s railway station in November.
In response to the growing displays of dissatisfaction, President Aleksandar Vučić has called for a series of country-wide rallies to mobilize the members of the ruling party, starting on 24 January. The ruling party has already implemented this strategy during the previous waves of anti-government protests, which have taken place frequently in Serbia since 2018.
On the other hand, students currently blocking their universities are calling for a general strike on the same day, 24 January. They are urging the citizens to suspend their activities and join civic disobedience.
The third month of protests
Serbia has been in political turmoil since 1 November 2024, when a part of the roof of the recently reconstructed railway station in the city of Novi Sad collapsed, killing 15 people. Following the initial gatherings in Novi Sad and Belgrade, the main form of the protests became the 15-minute weekly commemorations on the streets across the country.
Read more at:https://shorturl.at/K0sCU