UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 11, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

Lajcak: High-level dialogue preparations in full speed, working on positive outcomes (media)

Kurti: EU, US and other allies must urge Serbia to fulfil its treaty obligations (media)

Pristina to host Mediterranean Games in 2030 (media)

Rasic accuses Serbia of blackmail, asks it to release Leposavic director (RFE)

Selimi reacts to “pattern of intimidating Serbs who disobey Belgrade dictate” (media)

“There should be no uncertainties over police engagement because it incites tensions” (Koha)

Rasic skeptical about elections in the north, blames Vucic (Kosovapress)

Osmani meets Pendarovski in Skopje; “look forward to discuss joint steps” (Kallxo)

“Country in information darkness”; LDK, AAK want Kurti to report before meeting Vucic (EO)

Debate to oust government expected to dominate new sessions of Assembly (Koha)

Devastating earthquake in Morocco; KSF ready to help affected areas (Nacionale)

Serbian Language Media:

Petkovic: Belgrade-Pristina dialogue results determined by establishment of CSM (Tanjug)

Lajcak: Preparations for September 14 meeting in full swing, we are working on positive outcomes (Kosovo Online, social media)

Decision to “vacate“ building in Bosniak Mahala used by Serbian institutions postponed again (KoSSev, N1)

Vucic: We must be ready to protect our homeland at all times (N1, RTS)

DefMin Vucevic receives Ohio National Guard commander (N1)

Serb arrested in Leposavic sent to 48-hour detention (RTS)

Olympic Committee of Serbia condemns decision to choose Pristina to host 2030 Mediterranean Games (RTS)

International Media:

Kosovo capital Pristina chosen to host 2030 Mediterranean Games (AP)

Partial Ban on Plastic Bags Applauded by Environmental Activists (BIRN)

The real people behind Vucic’s army of bots (Kosovo 2.0)

Albanian Language Media Lajcak: High-level dialogue preparations in full speed, working on positive outcomes (media)

European Union Special Representative for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Miroslav Lajcak, said in a Facebook post on Sunday that last week was “packed with prep work for the upcoming High-level Dialogue Meeting. I started out in Brussels, where I met with European Parliament’s co-facilitators of the Parliamentary Dialogue Process with the National Assembly of Serbia, Member of the European Parliament Matjaž Nemec and former Member of the European Parliament Knut Fleckenstein. Later on Tuesday, I met with NATO KFOR Commander Major General Ristuccia. It was good to exchange notes on developments on the ground and share our assessments on potential sources of future tensions. I am grateful for KFOR’s vital work in building a secure environment in Kosovo.”

Lajcak said that on Wednesday, he welcomed Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister and Chief negotiator Besnik Bislimi in Brussels. “We discussed how to advance the normalization of relations. I also met with Artur Lorkowski, Director of the Energy Community, to explore potential areas of collaboration and speak about energy as part of the Dialogue. With its unique expertise, the Energy Community contributed to the Energy Roadmap, we adopted in June last year,” he said.

“Later in the week, I traveled to 🇩🇪 Berlin where I had important discussions at the Chancellery and the German Federal Foreign Office. I met with the Political Director at the Foreign Office Tjorven Bellmann and Chief Foreign and Security Policy Adviser to the German Chancellor Jens Plötner. We focused on the state of play and potential irritants in the Dialogue, shared our expectations for the High-level Meeting and strategized on the path forward. The commitment and robust support from Germany continue to be invaluable.”

“Upon my return to Brussels on Thursday night, I still managed to catch-up with my friend the 🇬🇧 Western Balkan envoy Lord Peach. We exchanged views about the recent developments in the region. Lord Peach’s assessment of the security situation as an experienced expert in that field is always appreciated.”

“Preparations for the EU High-Level Dialogue meeting on 14th September are in full speed, and we are working towards positive outcomes.”

Kurti: EU, US and other allies must urge Serbia to fulfil its treaty obligations (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said on Saturday that “one year ago, the European Union, with France and Germany’s leadership, presented us a draft treaty to normalize Kosova–Serbia relations. Serbia agreed to the final version on Feb 27, but now seeks to undermine it. The European Union, the U.S. & other allies must urge Serbia to fulfil its treaty obligations—fully & unconditionally.”

Pristina to host Mediterranean Games in 2030 (media)

All media reported on Friday that Pristina was chosen to host the 2030 Mediterranean Games. The General Assembly of the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games, which met in Crete, backed Pristina with 55 votes in favor out of 66. Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, who was present at the meeting, said: “this is an extraordinary achievement. We look forward to hosting all participating countries and celebrating with the world!” President Vjosa Osmani said: “A fantastic achievement for our country, which will open its doors to 26 nations from three continents and nearly 5000 athletes.”

Rasic accuses Serbia of blackmail, asks it to release Leposavic director (RFE)

Kosovo’s Minister of Communities and Returns, Nenad Rasic, called on Sunday on what he called radical regime of Serbia to release the new director of the municipality of Leposavic, Nikola Radomirovic, who he said was arrested on September 9 and was being kept in Raska, in south-western Serbia.

Kosovo’s Minister of Interior Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, said on Saturday evening that Radomirovic was arrested together with his fiancée.

Nikola is the son of the Deputy Minister for Communities and Returns, Radoica Radomirovic.

Rasic told a press conference in Pristina on Sunday that “the reason why Nikola was arrested was to put pressure on Radoica”. “I dare to say that this is part of the methodology of blackmail,” he argued.

Radomirovic was appointed director of administration in the municipality of Leposavic after the April elections in the four Serb-majority municipalities in the north, where Albanian mayors were elected and which were boycotted and opposed by the local Serbs, leading to a tense situation.

Rasic described the situation “as really dramatic” and added that “this is a methodology that is being implemented for 7-8 years, even my own personal case lasted this long. Every time I tried to cross the border I was stopped [by Serbian police] for several hours, every time. I usually go there [Serbia] for family visits”.

Rasic also said that the Radomirovic was stopped at the border point in Leposavic for over eight hours and was later sent to the police situation in Raska, where he is awaiting the preliminary judge. “He was interviewed by people who present themselves as members of the BIA [Serbia’s Security and Information Agency]. According to our information, he will be held there at least until Monday,” he said.

Rasic accused the government of Serbia of trying to control Kosovo Serb politicians through pressure and blackmail. “We have reached the peak of a situation where anyone of us who thinks differently from the radical and extreme regime, which unfortunately is in power in Belgrade, have become target of harsh and inhumane actions,” he argued.

Selimi reacts to “pattern of intimidating Serbs who disobey Belgrade dictate” (media)

Kosovo’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Petrit Selimi, said on Sunday that “Nikola Radomirovic, one of few Kosovan Serbs still working with the current northern municipal authorities, has been detained by the Serbian secret police crossing border between Kosovo and Serbia with his fiancée. It’s a known pattern of intimidating any Serb who dares disobey Belgrade dictate.”

“There should be no uncertainties over police engagement because it incites tensions” (Koha)

Brussels-based correspondent Augustin Palokaj argues in an opinion piece that “if any unit of the Kosovo Police is limited from operating in one part of Kosovo, this would mean the return of the option for Kosovo’s division. This goes against the spirt of the dialogue which aims the full integration of Kosovo Serbs in Kosovo’s police system. It would be good if there were Kosovo Serbs in Kosovo’s special police units, but if for various reasons there are not any or there will not be any, this should not mean that the police units cannot go to the north”.

Palokaj argues that “although NATO and KFOR, and ultimately the EU, have ruled out that there is an obligation according to which Kosovo cannot send special police units to the north, Serbia has continued to claim that there is such an obligation, and this is often becoming a cause for increased tensions in the north of Kosovo. Serbia even uses the term ‘upad’ (intrusion) every time that police units are sent to the north, creating the impression that the division of Kosovo is ‘a reality on the ground’. Therefore, if they don’t want the option of Kosovo’s division to return on the table, international representatives should not fall into traps by asking Kosovo to not engage its special police units in the north. Instead of pressure on Kosovo, the pressure should be on Serbia not to threaten and intimidate those Serbs that want to be part of the Kosovo Police. Serbs should be welcomed in the Kosovo Police, same as in every other state body. But there cannot be a situation in which there is a total absence of police in one part of the country. And international representatives should know this.”

Rasic skeptical about elections in the north, blames Vucic (Kosovapress)

Kosovo’s Minister for Communities and Returns, Nenad Rasic, said on Sunday that he would like all citizens in the north of Kosovo to take part in the early municipal elections there, but that at this point he does not think it is possible, because as he argued, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic does not want to speed up the elections, political circumstances or a final settlement with Kosovo.

Rasic said he is skeptical that there can be elections in the north because he doesn’t see readiness among the citizens there and no readiness “from the radicals in Vucic’s party and the Serbian List”.

According to Rasic, Vucic raises tensions and dramatizes situation only to present himself as a necessary person for the Brussels dialogue.

Rasic also said that over 500 vehicles have been burned so far in the north of Kosovo.

Commenting on the stopping of Kosovo Serbs at the border between Kosovo and Serbia, he said that "this happens only in North Korea" and that for every case since 2015 he has notified foreign diplomats in Kosovo.

Osmani meets Pendarovski in Skopje; “look forward to discuss joint steps” (Kallxo)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani was hosted by North Macedonia President Stevo Pendarovski in Skopje on Sunday. “Thanked President Pendarovski for welcoming us in Skopje tonight ahead of the Brdo-Brijuni Process leaders’ meeting. I look forward to discussing joint steps to overcome shared challenges, efforts for prosperity in the region & moving Kosovo forward on its Euro-Atlantic path,” Osmani said.

“Country in information darkness”; LDK, AAK want Kurti to report before meeting Vucic (EO)

The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) have called on Prime Minister Albin Kurti to report to the Kosovo Assembly prior to his with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Brussels on September 14. They said don’t expect any positive development from the meeting being that Kosovo is under penalty measures from the European Union.

LDK MP Rrezarta Krasniqi said that the meeting in Brussels should not even happen until the agreements reached so far – the agreement in Ohrid and Bratislava - are not implemented.

Krasniqi, who heads the parliamentary committee on European integration, said Kosovo has lost a lot as a result of Kurti’s governance and that the EU measures have also had a negative impact. “I hope that very soon they will meet and agree for the good of the country. But the Prime Minister is obliged to come to the Assembly to report about what he will discuss at the meeting. Because the Deputy Prime Minister was at the meeting in Bratislava, and we still don’t know what he discussed there,” she said.

AAK MP Pal Lekaj said that the Kosovo government should not go to Brussels until the EU measures are not lifted. “I don’t expect anything positive from the meeting. They have opposite stances and Vucic calls for the implementation of the Association [of Serb-majority municipalities] with executive competencies, whereas the government [of Kosovo] rightfully asks for recognition from Serbia before the Association is implemented. We have entered a dead-end in the dialogue and I don’t see a solution,” he said.

Debate to oust government expected to dominate new sessions of Assembly (Koha)

Monitors of the work of the Kosovo Assembly believe that a debate to oust the Kurti-led government is expected to dominate the plenary sessions and will consequently have a negative impact on the legislative’s agenda. Arber Thaci from the Kosovo Democratic Institute said: “there is no doubt that the debate to oust the government or a potential no-confidence motion will dominate as a topic in the coming weeks and unfortunately when there are such completely political issues they leave behind the legislative’s agenda”.

Naim Jakaj from the Kosovo Law Institute said that one of the main issues that the MPs should reflect in the new sessions is to secure a decision-making quorum. “It is meaningless that every year the Assembly is characterized by the failure of sessions because of lack of quorum, especially from the majority in parliament,” he said.

Jakaj also said that “a priority for the MPs should be a set of draft laws, starting with the adoption of the budget for next year, and also the adoption of the Civil Code and other laws, such as the ratification of international agreements that require an absolute majority of MPs in the decision-making process”.

Devastating earthquake in Morocco; KSF ready to help affected areas (Nacionale)

Kosovo’s Minister of Defence, Ejup Maqedonci, said on Sunday that the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) is ready to help Morocco after the devastating earthquake there. “In these difficult times for the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI and the Moroccon people, our prayers are with them. To Minister Loudiyi we express our full readiness to aid with our specialized capacities for search and rescue operations in the affected areas. We hope that the number of victims and damages is as small as possible, and we express our deepest condolences to the families who have lost their most loved ones,” Maqedonci said.

Serbian Language Media

Petkovic: Belgrade-Pristina dialogue results determined by establishment of CSM (Tanjug)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic said Sunday that continuation of the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina depends exclusively on Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti who for months, as he said, with his political actions, violence and terror on the ground blocks implementation of the agreements made thus far, Tanjug news agency reported.

Petkovic also said Kurti strives to do everything contrary to the normalization of relations and constantly escalates the political-security situation on the ground.

“The course and results of Belgrade-Pristina dialogue are primarily determined by establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities (CSM) in a manner agreed in Brussels, something that Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija have been waiting for more than ten years, however, Kurti plays naïve and in all ways attempts to avoid even mentioning of this obligation (….)”, Petkovic said, adding the establishment of CSM is the only way for the Serbs to exercise their collective rights in Kosovo.

Lajcak: Preparations for September 14 meeting in full swing, we are working on positive outcomes (Kosovo Online, social media)

EU Special Envoy for Belgrade-Pristina talks, Miroslav Lajcak said preparations for upcoming Belgrade and Pristina top officials meeting in Brussels on September 14 were underway “in full swing” and that they are working on positive outcomes, Kosovo Online portal reports.

Summing up the previous week Lajcak said it was full of preparatory work for the upcoming high-level meeting in Brussels.

“Looking back at the week, it has been packed with prep work for the upcoming High-level Dialogue Meeting. I started out in Brussels, where I met with European Parliament’s co-facilitators of the Parliamentary Dialogue Process with the National Assembly of Serbia, Member of the European Parliament Matjaž Nemec and former Member of the European Parliament Knut Fleckenstein. Later on Tuesday, I met with NATO KFOR Commander Major General Ristuccia. It was good to exchange notes on developments on the ground and share our assessments on potential sources of future tensions. I am grateful for KFOR’s vital work in building a secure environment in Kosovo”, Lajcak wrote in a post on Facebook.

Read the full Lajcak’s post at: rb.gy/kuleq

Decision to “vacate“ building in Bosniak Mahala used by Serbian institutions postponed again (KoSSev, N1)

Implementation of the decision made by Mitrovica North mayor, Erden Atiq, for Serbian institutions located in the building in Bosniak Mahala to submit documents on the registration of services or vacate the facility has been postponed once again, KoSSev portal reported.

Atiq is one of the four Albanian mayors of northern Kosovo Serb-majority municipalities who were elected with a very low number of votes in April elections that the local Serbs boycotted, N1 recalled.

After a full day of speculation last Friday as to whether the decision to “vacate“ this facility will be implemented, Atiq in a post on Facebook said the decision has been postponed.

The new decision said the municipal inspectorate is obliged to determine the circumstances and reasons for the use of the facility “which are collected through field visits and communication with all parties“ and “has fifteen days to submit report”.

The building in question houses the offices of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, the Kosovo-Mitrovica District, the Vucitrn Social Services Department, as well as the Office of the Pension and Insurance Fund.

Vucic: We must be ready to protect our homeland at all times (N1, RTS)

“It is nice and honorable to be a soldier of the Serbian Army and serve the motherland, but that job will not be easy for you. In fact, you will remember your schooling as the best years of your life. Thank you for taking a responsible approach and thank you that we can expect and ask for a lot from you, thank you that it was not difficult for you to perform difficult tasks in rain, sun, wind and snow, always putting the motherland before you“, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said at the promotion of the officers of the Serbian Armed Forces in front of the National Assembly building in Belgrade, N1 reported.

He said that there is a big burden before Serbia’s soldiers because of the situation in the world and the region.

“We are building the army and we trained you to be a deterrent for anyone who thinks that Serbia is easy prey for them. That’s why armies exist and we invest in the army more than ever“, he added.

He told the youngest officers of the Serbian Army that they must always and at every moment be ready to protect their homeland.

DefMin Vucevic receives Ohio National Guard commander (N1)

Serbian Defense Minister Milos Vucevic met Friday with the Adjutant General of the Ohio National Guard, Major General John Harris, who is paying an official visit to Serbia, N1 reports.

Vucevic acquainted his guest with the current political and security situation in the region, placing particular emphasis on Serbia’s unchanged position regarding the status of Kosovo and Metohija. He stressed that the Republic of Serbia is doing its best to make sure that the Belgrade-Pristina negotiations are finalized in the best way possible, producing a permanent and sustainable solution that will bring stability and prosperity to the entire region, press statement said.

General Harris said that cooperation with the Serbian Armed Forces has been extremely successful and expressed his readiness to continue to promote it and enhance the operational capabilities of the members of the two countries’ armed forces, said the press release. US Ambassador to Serbia Christopher Hill also attended the meeting.

Serb arrested in Leposavic sent to 48-hour detention (RTS)

G.S., arrested by Kosovo police on Friday in Leposavic was sent to 48-hour detention, his family confirmed to RTS.

G.S. a former member of the Kosovo police is accused of allegedly taking bribes and misusing authority.

Kosovo police region North deputy commander Veton Elshani told the media earlier G.S. was arrested based on court’s verdict from 2021 and that upon taking statement form him, a regular proceeding would be initiated against him.

Olympic Committee of Serbia condemns decision to choose Pristina to host 2030 Mediterranean Games (RTS)

The Assembly of the Mediterranean Games International Committee held on Friday in the city of Heraklion, Greece, has decided, despite strong opposition of Serbia and contrary to all rules and postulates of international sports organizations advocating for non-interference of politics in sports, to choose Pristina to host 2030 Mediterranean Games, Serbian Olympic Committee said in a statement, RTS reports.

It was also said that Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, without previous announcements to the delegates, made an address, prompting sharp reaction of the Serbian Olympic Committee “to this type of interference by the so-called prime minister of the false state of Kosovo” and insisted the decision be made after the Olympic Games next year, as it was the practice in such cases.

As the statement further said, despite withdrawal of candidates and strong pressure to make a unanimous decision, the decision was made to choose Pristina with eight votes against it. “The Olympic Committee of Serbia in the strongest terms condemns this interference of politics in sports”, the statement also said, terming the decision as “scandalous”.

International Media

Kosovo capital Pristina chosen to host 2030 Mediterranean Games (AP)

Kosovo capital Pristina was chosen Friday to host the 2030 Mediterranean Games. Meeting at the Greek city of Heraklion, the general assembly of the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games overwhelmingly backed Pristina with 55 votes in favor out of 66. “Kosovo’s history written in Heraklion. Congratulations Kosovo,” the Kosovo Olympic Committee posted on Facebook.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti was at the meeting in Crete. “This is an extraordinary achievement,” he said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “We look forward to hosting all participating countries and celebrating with the world!”

Starting in 1951, the multi-sport Mediterranean Games have been held mostly every four years with 26 countries taking part in 2022 in Oran, Algeria.

The 21st edition is set to take place from July 24 until Aug. 4, 2030.

Kosovo, a member of the International Olympic Committee since 2014, has faced problems in the past taking part in different international sport events.

Partial Ban on Plastic Bags Applauded by Environmental Activists (BIRN)

A coalition of environmental organizations has enthusiastically welcomed the Kosovo Ministry of Infrastructure's decision to partially ban certain plastic bags and introduce a fee for others.

The environmental coalition, consisting of BIRN, D+, ACDC, and Radio Gorazdevac, has welcomed the approval of the administrative instruction that regulates the use of plastic bags in Kosovo and imposes bans on some of them.

“This marks a significant stride toward a cleaner environment and aligns with the persistent calls from civil society dedicated to environmental protection,” the coalition declared on Friday in a statement provided to Prishtina Insight.

“While this is a positive step, it should not be the endpoint. We must strive for a consistently clean environment, and competent institutions should take further measures to enhance the existing legal framework and penalize environmental violators” they added.

On Thursday, the Government of Kosovo took the decision to prohibit certain types of plastic bags and impose charges on others.