UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, July 19, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani discusses with Scholz about Euro-Atlantic integration of Kosovo (Koha)
Osmani: Serbia and Russia trying to destabilise not only Kosovo, but entire region (Koha)
State Department: Tensions with Serbia hinder attraction of foreign investments (VoA)
Kurti: Follow the announcements of our authorities (RTK)
MFA appeals for caution when crossing Serbian territory (Kallxo)
Guerot: France does not want new confrontations in the North ( media)
Killing of policeman in Serbia, MFA appeals for caution when crossing Serbian territory (Kallxo)
MFA engages legal experts for release of former KLA soldier in Skopje (media)
PAK takes possession of Jugobanka's facilities in three northern municipalities (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic: I had many good meetings at EPC summit, Macron to visit Belgrade (Tanjug)
Vucic says Serbian police officer killed in terrorist act (Tanjug)
Dacic: Statement of Artan Hajrizi that his brother stole his documents is false, everything organised in advance (N1)
Vucevic receives Italian Chief of Defence Staff (Tanjug)
Serbian Govt tables All-Serb Assembly Declaration to Parliament for adoption (N1)
State Department on Serbia: American investors positive about investing in Serbia, Expo an opportunity (Kosovo Online, media)
State Department on Kosovo: Tensions with Serbia hinder investments, ban on Serbian goods a problem (Kosovo Online)
Kosovo Privatization Agency took over premises of Jugobanka in three northern municipalities (Tanjug, media)

International Media:

Serbian police officer shot dead, minister blames Kosovo (Reuters)

Albanian Language Media

Osmani discusses with Scholz about Euro-Atlantic integration of Kosovo (Koha)

Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani, has discussed with the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about the joint commitment for the Euro-Atlantic integration of Kosovo. Osmani announced on Facebook about the meeting with the German chancellor. They met within the framework of the summit of the leaders of the European Political Community in Great Britain.

"Important discussion with Chancellor Scholz within the EPC Leaders' Summit, regarding our joint commitment to the Euro-Atlantic integration of Kosovo.

Osmani also met Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. "The deepening of cooperation between Kosovo and Greece is useful not only for the citizens of both our countries, but also for the entire region", Osmaniwrote on Facebook.

Within the framework of the fourth Summit of the European Political Community Osmani also met the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb.

Osmani: Serbia and Russia trying to destabilise not only Kosovo, but entire region (Koha)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, after the European Political Community Summit in London, said that Serbia is being used as a satellite by Russia, through which they are trying to destabilise not only Kosovo, but the entire region.

"Even this time, as in other summits, Kosovo has contributed to these discussions. We were at the table with many other leaders where we discussed the protection of democracy and the fight against disinformation, even though our country has never allowed Russian influence or other malignant forces, however, as long as the neighbour, Serbia, is used as a satellite of Russia and as long as it also belongs to the mentality of the last century, they will continue to try to destabilise not only our country, but the entire region and through this the entire European continent", she said in a video published on Facebook.

Osmani added that it was also discussed how to move forward in the membership process of the Council of Europe. "We also discussed how to move forward in the membership process of the Council of Europe, this has actually been among the primary topics of all my discussions with European leaders, but also in every meeting we have discussed how to increase bilateral cooperation", she said.

State Department: Tensions with Serbia hinder attraction of foreign investments (VoA)

An annual U.S. Department of State Investment Climate Report provides information on the environment for doing business in more than 160 economies around the world. In the report the Department of State outlines the challenges and advantages of doing business in Kosovo.

In the section on Kosovo, the report points out that the ongoing tensions with Serbia continue to be an obstacle to the attraction of foreign investments.

Read the report here: https://tinyurl.com/bddju233

Kurti: Follow the announcements of our authorities (RTK)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has called on the citizens to follow the official instructions from the Kosovo authorities after the recent incident in Serbia, where one policeman was killed and another was injured. Faton Hajrizi, the fugitive from Smrekornica prison, is suspected of this incident.

"I received the information both from the media and from our law and order and security bodies. The Kosovo Police, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora give the clear positions of our state and I invite all citizens to follow them attentively from hour to hour", said Kurti.

MFA appeals for caution when crossing Serbian territory (Kallxo)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora has reacted after an incident on the highway near Loznica in Serbia, where it is claimed that a Serbian policeman was killed and that the involved is reported to be a citizen of Kosovo. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, through the Liaison Office in Belgrade, is closely following the developments regarding the claims of the Minister of the Interior of Serbia, Ivica Dacic, about an incident on the highway near Loznica in Serbia, where he claims that a Serbian policeman was killed and according to him, a citizen of the Republic of Kosovo is involved in this case. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora will keep public opinion informed about this case and appeals to emigrants and citizens of Kosovo to increase caution when passing through Serbia and, according to the assessment of the situation, to avoid moving through Serbian territory" - says the reaction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Guerot: France does not want new confrontations in the North ( media)

The Ambassador of France in Kosovo, Olivier Guerot, has said that the country he represents does not want new confrontations in the North - inhabited by a majority of Serbs - regarding the issue of opening the Bridge over the Iber River - which connects South Mitrovica with that of North.

"The message I gave to the prime minister on behalf of my country is that at this intersection we do not need new confrontations, new flashpoints and furthermore we do not need new violence. For the sake of Kosovo, for the sake of the region, for the sake of the continent when we have the ongoing war in Ukraine with all the potential for destabilisation that this entails," said Guerot in an interview for "Teve1".

This, he emphasised, "was the message of France", and "I think I was not alone in this".

“For the opening of the bridge, in his assessment, there should be communication with the citizens if they "want more cars in the city, comparing the 'Mother Teresa' boulevard in Pristina and the main streets in Peja and Gjakova, which are not accessible by car".

"Is it necessary when there are other open bridges? I would like to see a technical expertise if this is necessary", emphasised Guerot.

MFA engages legal experts for release of former KLA soldier in Skopje (media)

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora has announced that Blerim Ramadani has been given a 30-day detention measure by the decision of the Basic Court in Skopje.

Blerim Ramadani was detained on July 17, 2024 at the Jazhinca border crossing, based on an arrest warrant issued by the Court of Belgrade, through INTERPOL Serbia, alleging war crimes in the summer of 1999 in the Nerodime region.

"The Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in Skopje is engaged with a team of legal experts for the fastest possible release of Ramadani and his return to his family. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the institutions of Kosovo will use all diplomatic channels to ensure the release of our citizen", the announcement states.

PAK takes possession of Jugobanka's facilities in three northern municipalities (media)

The Privatization Agency of Kosovo, with the assistance of the Kosovo Police, has taken possession of the facilities of Jugobanka, respectively the subsidiaries in Zubin Potok, Zvecan and Leposaviq. According to the press release, this action was taken in the wake of establishing the legality and legal administration of socially owned assets.

"These assets have been being used illegally by Postal Savings Bank (Banka Postanska Stedionica a.d.) until May 20, 2024, when the competent institutions of the Republic of Kosovo have closed these units of the so-called Postal Savings Bank (Banka Postanska Stedionica)", says the PAK announcement.

The latter thanks the Kosovo Police and other relevant institutions for assisting and enabling the implementation of its legal mandate throughout the territory of Kosovo.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic: I had many good meetings at EPC summit, Macron to visit Belgrade (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday in London he had many good and important meetings at the European Political Community (EPC) summit, adding he also spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron about his visit to Serbia that would most likely take place in late August or early September.

"I also spoke with the newly-elected Dutch PM (Dick Schoof)... and we also discussed the Growth Plan and the reform agenda. I spoke with (Greek PM) Kyriakos Mitsotakis, (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelenskyy and other leaders from the region and Europe, with the Swiss president, and I believe we had good discussions", Vucic said. He also said he spoke with the Lithuanian PM, Polish PM Donald Tusk, Hungarian PM Viktor Orban, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and Maltese PM Robert Abela.

"Those very good and substantial meetings. I also spoke with Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Josep Borrell. We had discussions with everyone and they were good, important discussions", Vucic said.

Vucic says Serbian police officer killed in terrorist act (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said yesterday “an Albanian killed police officer Nikola Krsmanovic in Loznica in a terrorist attack and everything will be done to assist the family, but that can not bring his young life back”, Tanjug news agency reported.

Asked if there is new information related to the case as previously two persons had been arrested, Vucic said the arrests were carried out and that he is receiving information from the Interior Ministry about the case.

Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said previously that one person Z.R. suspected of organising the transport for the Albanian, suspected of killing one and wounding the other Serbian police officer, from Presevo to Loznica, was arrested in Bijeljina (Republika Srpska) and his wife I.R. was arrested in Mladenovac (one of Belgrade municipalities) under suspicion of aiding her husband.

Dacic: Statement of Artan Hajrizi that his brother stole his documents is false, everything organised in advance (N1)

Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic termed as false information about alleged statement of Artan Hajrizi that his brother stole his document from him in Germany, two days prior to the murder of Serbian police officer and wounding of another one in Loznica, adding if his brother has come to Germany already, why would he go back to Presevo (Serbia), N1 reports citing the statement of the Interior Ministry.

“Individual, Artan Hajrizi, whose documents are in possession of our police, gave a statement to the (German) police in Hanover, today at 11:55 saying that two days ago his brother Faton stole his personal documents from his apartment in Hanover. It is about pure lies, because on what logic would a person return illegally to Presevo and then attempt to again illegally go to Germany?”, Dacic said on Thursday.

Dacic also said this clearly shows everything was agreed earlier and it was about an organised act. “German police should urgently respond if Faton was in Hanover and how did he enter and leave from there, how did he end up in Presevo and why, what was his goal? The consequence of this terrorist act and organisation is murder of a police officer, and that is why we request and expect full cooperation with German police and EULEX, and not lies no one believes in”, Dacic said.

Vucevic receives Italian Chief of Defence Staff (Tanjug)

Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic received Italian Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone in Belgrade on Thursday, noting that Serbia remained fully committed to promoting peace and dialogue and preservation of stability in the region, Tanjug news agency reported.

Vucevic said engagement of Italian army troops in KFOR Mission was very important for the protection of the Serb population and for maintaining peace and stability in Kosovo, and thanked Cavo Dragone for the professionalism of Italian troops and their commitment to this very important task. Vucevic congratulated Cavo Dragone on his appointment as next chairman of the NATO Military Committee and wished him success in the post.

Thanking Vucevic for the meeting, Cavo Dragone agreed Serbia-Italy relations were on a high level and that there were opportunities for further advancement and expansion of bilateral military cooperation.

Serbian Govt tables All-Serb Assembly Declaration to Parliament for adoption (N1)

The Serbian Government adopted on Thursday the Decision on the Adoption of the Declaration on the Protection of National and Political Rights and the Joint Future of the Serb People, and forwarded it to the Serbian Parliament for adoption, N1 reported.

The Declaration was adopted by the governments of Serbia and Republika Srpska, BiH, at the June 8 All-Serb Assembly held in Belgrade.

The Serbian Government said in a press release that the document will also be forwarded to the Republika Srpska Parliament for adoption to ensure the Declaration’s full implementation in both Serbia and in Republika Srpska.

State Department on Serbia: American investors positive about investing in Serbia, Expo an opportunity (Kosovo Online, media)

Attracting foreign investments is a significant priority for the Serbian Government, which has also identified economic growth and job creation as key priorities and has adopted reforms to various laws, notes the State Department in its Business Climate Report on Serbia. The report adds that American investors are positive about doing business in Serbia and see the Expo as an opportunity for engagement, but also highlights issues such as bureaucratic delays, corruption, and loss-making state enterprises.

International Media

Serbian police officer shot dead, minister blames Kosovo (Reuters)

A Serbian police officer was killed and another wounded in a shootout on Thursday during a routine vehicle check near the Bosnian border, the government said, blaming neighbouring Kosovo for an act of "terrorism."

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/3hp3t6av