Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 307 new cases, four deaths (media)
• Raka: Mass anti-COVID vaccination to begin in summer (media)
• US Embassy in Belgrade: We know the dangers caused by offensive speech (Express)
• “It is good for Serbia to hear Washington's repeated calls for mutual recognition” (Koha)
• Kurti: Kosovo is on the eve of a referendum (media)
• Hoti: we have no red lines (Radio Free Europe)
• Status conference in Thaci et al case rescheduled for February 16 (media)
• Nasim Haradinaj remains in detention (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Antonijevic: Jump in the number of Covid positives cases in Serbian communities (Kosovo Online, TV Most)
• Palestine Ambassador to Serbia: In Pristina, they should be careful what they do, they are deceived that they will get something from the embassy in Jerusalem (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian FM: US Embassy was wrong, Trump, Biden messages different (RTS, N1)
• "The situation around Kosovo and BiH is worrying, Russia is pushing a position that suits Belgrade" (RTS, Tanjug)
• US Embassy: The goal of the US is Serbia's membership in the EU and mutual recognition of Belgrade and Pristina (RTS, Tanjug)
• Dagens Nyheter: Kosovo's Jerusalem embassy a betrayal (B92, Tanjug, RTS)
• Covic: Tough statements during the campaign in Kosovo, additional pressure on Belgrade (RTS)
• Czech PM visits Serbia, political talks, gathers information on immunization (N1, Beta)
• NGO Aktiv virtual debate on vaccines: Dr Panic says he has no reason to doubt any vaccine (KiM radio)

Opinion:

• Serbia’s President Will Struggle to Get Patriarch He Can Control (Balkan Insight)
• Time For Kosovo To Secure Its True Independence (eurasiareview.com)

International:

• Western Balkans goes east for coronavirus vaccines (politico.eu)

     

Albanian Language Media  

  COVID-19: 307 new cases, four deaths (media)

307 new cases of COVID-19 and four deaths from the virus were recorded in the last 24 hours in Kosovo. 221 persons have recovered from the virus during this time. There are 6,896 active cases of COVID-19 in Kosovo.

Raka: Mass anti-COVID vaccination to begin in summer (media)

Lul Raka, professor of microbiology, said in an interview with RTV21 that the mass vaccination against COVID-19 for Kosovo citizens is expected to begin in summer. “Mass vaccination will begin in summer. The first vaccines, according to the contract with the World Health Organisation ‘AstraZeneca’ will arrive in February,” he said.

Raka said that even persons that have gone through the virus can get vaccinated. “Even persons that have had the virus can get vaccinated, but in the beginning, there will be limited doses, so they won’t be among the first to get vaccinated,” he added.

US Embassy in Belgrade: We know the dangers caused by offensive speech (Express)

The High Court in Belgrade has rejected as unfounded a lawsuit of the President of Albanian National Minority Council in Serbia, Ragmi Mustafa, suing Serbian Minister of Interior, Aleksandar Vulin, for using a pejorative for Albanians. The decision was interpreted as a legalization of using the derogatory term “Shiptari” against Albanians. The U.S. Embassy in Belgrade told Gazeta Express that using of such demeaning names to describe minority groups might cause pain and lingering division.

Albanian Member of Parliament in Serbia, Shaip Kamberi, said that the Court has already institutionalized the hate speech, intolerance, and xenophobia against Albanians in general, and those living in Serbia in particular.  

Spokesman at the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, James Hagengruber, told Gazeta Express that the U.S. courts do not say what terms are legal or offensive, adding however, that use of demeaning names to describe minorities is dangerous. “Freedom of speech is a foundational value of the United States.  Our Congress does not legislate what types of speech are considered offensive and our courts do not say what terms are legal or offensive.  But we know from our own national experience about the dangers, pain, and lingering division caused by offensive speech, in particular, the use of demeaning names to describe minority groups,” Hagengruber said.

The president of the National Council of Albanians in Serbia, Ragmi Mustafa, wrote Tuesday that rejection of his lawsuit is legalization of hate speech against minorities by the Government of Serbia. “The rejection of my lawsuit against A. Vulin as unfounded by the High Court, regarding the use of the pejorative term “siptari” is the legalization of hate speech against minorities by the government of Serbia. EU and USA officials, as well regional politicians should react,” Mustafa wrote. Also Albanian MP addressing Serbian parliament on Tuesday said the decision of the Belgrade’s Court on legalisation of the term “Shpitari” should be condemned and called on reaction of international community. 

The decision of Serbia’s court was condemned also by Kosovo politicians. Kosovo’s acting president, Vjosa Osmani, said that the decision should be an eye-opener for all who hoped for Serbia to do better. “State-sponsored Serbian hatred towards our people has been prevalent throughout our history. Today’s court decision to endorse racism against Albanians is another stain on their government’s abysmal record. This should be an eye-opener for all who hoped for Serbia to do better,” Osmani wrote on Twitter. 

“It is good for Serbia to hear Washington's repeated calls for mutual recognition” (Koha)

Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Meliza Haradinaj-Stublla said it is good for Serbia to hear Washington's repeated calls for mutual recognition, to bring lasting peace to the region and to launch a new chapter of good neighborhood.

Haradinaj-Stublla said this during the meeting with the current Ambassador of Montenegro to Kosovo, Ferhat Dinosha. Dinosha is ending his diplomatic mission in Kosovo.

"Kosovo Foreign Minister and Ambassador Dinosha discussed the current political and security situation in the country and the region, as well as bilateral relations between the Republic of Kosovo and Montenegro. Speaking about these reports, Minister Haradinaj-Stublla said that it is important to maintain good relations and cooperation between the two countries through the continuation of joint cross-border and infrastructure projects, such as the Deçan-Plava road which will boost local economic development and international connections of the region.

It was assessed that the relations between Kosovo and Montenegro remain good, and the role of the respective communities in their empowerment was emphasized. The Kosovar Foreign Minister and Ambassador Dinosha also discussed the re-functioning of the Montenegrin Development Center in Pristina, which was said to be at the service of all associations representing Montenegro in Kosovo, for the benefit of mutual cooperation,” reads a press release issued by the Foreign Ministry.

Kurti: Kosovo is on the eve of a referendum (media)

Vetevendosje Movement (VV) leader Albin Kurti did not comment on remarks by Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) leader Isa Mustafa who asked who are Kurti’s allies for the Third Republic. Kurti said he doesn’t have time to comment on statements by others and that they themselves need to explain their statements. 

“The Republic of Kosovo is on the eve of an all-popular referendum and number 127 is the way out from the multiple crisis. I cannot explain the statements of others, they need to do so themselves,” Kurti said.

Kurti also said that if he comes to power “he will get Kosovo out of the deals with Serbia” and he pledged he will ask for Serbia to pay the debts to Kosovo in every meeting he has with internationals. “We are determined to save Kosovo from the corruption of post-war powers but also from the deals with Serbia, which owes a lot to the people of Kosovo during the occupation and also during the war. Serbia committed war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, therefore, we will represent Kosovo with dignity and we will ask for Serbia to pay back the debts in every international meeting or meetings mediated by the internationals,” he said.

Hoti: we have no red lines (Radio Free Europe)

The candidate for prime minister of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Avdullah Hoti, hopes for the help of the United States, to overcome the `shock` that may have caused the decision to open the Kosovo embassy in Jerusalem.

Acting Prime Minister Hoti, who has been part of two ousted governments since the last assembly legislature, said in an interview with Radio Free Europe that the Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19 will come in February. 

In this interview, Hoti said that no government can withdraw from the Washington Agreement. He also talked about possible coalitions, saying that in principle, the LDK has no red lines for any political party.

Hoti also promised depoliticization of the staff of Kosovo diplomatic missions and expansion of the diplomatic network, while he considers that the LDK ‘has structured’ the Brussels dialogue.

Asked why should the LDK be trusted again in these elections, Hoti said ‘because it has the best program, because historically (LDK) has put the interests of the state of Kosovo and the interests of the citizens, before the party interests.’

Status conference in Thaci et al case rescheduled for February 16 (media)

All news websites cover a statement issued by the Specialist Chambers today that the status conference in Thaci et al. case, initially planned for Thursday, has been rescheduled for 16 February 2021 at 11:00. The Specialist Chambers gave no explanation for the reschedule.

Koha quotes Adil Behramaj, a former political advisor to Thaci as saying: “they are afraid of Hashim Thaci and Kadri Veseli’s appearance at the Specialist Chambers in the Hague. They fear that their one-day media presence will affect the voters and ruin their political scenario, which they are trying to implement in the name of justice. This is another proof that their removal from the political scene in the name of justice was and still is completely synchronised”.

Nasim Haradinaj remains in detention (Koha)

The panel of the Court of Appeals at the Specialized Chambers has rejected Nasim Haradinaj's appeal against the decision to keep him in detention on remand.

Among the reasons of the Court of Appeals is the claim that Haradinaj has revealed the names of some individuals related to the confidentiality of the investigation and has encouraged the media to do the same, which shows that the pre-trial judge had assessed that Haradinaj could endanger witnesses, possible through the disclosure of confidential information.

The deputy head of the KLA OVL, Nasim Haradinaj, was arrested on September 25 last year.

     

Serbian Language Media

  Antonijevic: Jump in the number of Covid positives cases in Serbian communities in (Kosovo Online, TV Most)

Epidemiologist Aleksandar Antonijevic assesses the situation with the coronavirus in Serbian areas in Kosovo as complex, because the number of newly infected people daily unexpectedly jumps, reports portal Kosovo Online.

"The number of people we test has increased. Daily, it is from 130 to 140 people. That is a big increase, if we consider that we tested 30 to 40 people weeks before when we had 10 to 15 positive cases. Now the situation is a bit worse, unexpected, because we thought we were entering a calmer period. As far as immunization is concerned, it is good, many people have been vaccinated with the first dose, and revaccination has already started," said epidemiologist Aleksandar Antonijevic.

49 people were hospitalized in the North Mitrovica Clinical Center, of which a large number are undergoing oxygen therapy.

"Patients who have findings on lungs are hospitalized, so it's not naive at all, it's a lighter clinical picture now. Just the fact that out of 49 patients, 26 are on oxygen shows that the picture is not ideal, many patients are on oxygen. Fortunately, we have only one patient on the respirator," said Dr. Antonijevic.

Epidemiologists appeal to citizens to adhere to the recommended protection measures which, together with immunization, give results.

Palestine Ambassador to Serbia: In Pristina, they should be careful what they do, they are deceived that they will get something from the embassy in Jerusalem (Kosovo Online)

In an interview with Kosovo Online portal, Palestinian Ambassador to Serbia Mohammed Nabhan revealed that a meeting of Arab foreign ministers was held in Cairo on Monday, where one of the topics was mutual recognition of Israel and Kosovo and Pristina's intention to open a diplomatic mission in Jerusalem.

-The act itself is a violation of the principle that guides Arab and Islamic countries, which, like the rest of the world, believe that Jerusalem is an occupied city. Which is confirmed by numerous UN resolutions, the most famous of which is 478, which prohibit states from moving or opening embassies in Jerusalem because of the fact that it is an occupied city. Which is why the Arab and Islamic countries have formed the so-called Jerusalem Fund, whose president is King Hassan II of Morocco, whose task is to bring together the financial efforts of Islamic countries towards Jerusalem. If a country still decides to open or relocate an embassy to Jerusalem, Islamic countries will take certain measures. That is exactly what was discussed in Cairo, about Kosovo's intention to do that, Ambassador Nabhan told portal Kosovo Online. 

Will the Arab countries take any concrete measures?

-For now, there has been a reaction in the media. All countries have expressed opposition, led by Turkey, that it violates international law, and the EU has reacted that it prevents Kosovo's bid to join the EU. When it comes to Islamic countries, what exactly is next, it depends on each country individually. My task is to warn, because no country, except the US, during trump, and Guatemala, have opened embassies in Jerusalem. As for Kosovo, I think it is very dangerous for them and hinders their efforts to gain international recognition.

Will Arab countries now turn their backs on Kosovo?

-Anyone who pursues politics must take into account the reaction of other countries. Care must be taken in how others react to the act. Kosovo should take into account the reactions of Arab and Islamic countries. Half a million Palestinians live in that Jerusalem where they want to open an embassy.

Do you think that Pristina after the opening of an embassy in Jerusalem will have problems with the Palestinians who live in the city?

-It is a Palestinian city, the one who wants to open that embassy must ask the Palestinians. If I want to come to your house, I have to knock on the door. To announce that I am coming, because if I come differently, it means that I am breaking into and that is not ok. It is not in interpersonal or interstate relations.

What would you advise Pristina on the issue of Jerusalem?

Let them not open an embassy, let them first receive international recognition, because they are not yet a member of the UN and they should not do that in this situation. It would be better for them to try to get membership in the UN than to make an act that will complicate it, and this act will certainly complicate the path to that. And I would tell them not to do that, go to an agreement with Serbia rather than Israel, solve problems at home, not in the Middle East.

Were you surprised in the end by Pristina's decision? 

-You know what, I expect in politics that anything is possible. I wasn’t surprised, but I was angry. Why do they do that? Their assessment is wrong, they are mistaken if they think that by opening an embassy in Jerusalem and recognizing Israel, they will gain a lot. Who will encourage it, who will support it? The EU has clearly said no, the United States is not interested in that after Trump. The new administration is revising everything the former administration has done against us. What happened in Washington and putting pressure on Serbia and Kosovo for the embassy in Jerusalem, was pure Trump's policy on the side of Israel, and no one benefits from that, except Israel. What is it worth to get the recognition of one country and lose the trust of more than sixty countries? Because all member countries of the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) will look negatively at that act, and if they do not withdraw their recognitions, they will certainly freeze their relations with Pristina. All non-aligned members who have a similar attitude as the (ICO) will view the act negatively. So, the whole world will look at it negatively because it contradicts international law and certainly does not give Pristina a transit visa to the UN. 

How do you comment on Biden's congratulatory message to Serbia for Statehood Day, which, among other things, states that he expects mutual recognition of Kosovo and Serbia?

-In my opinion, that is the position of the United States, regardless of who is in the White House. It is important for Serbia to keep its opinion and position, it is very important to talk, and I think that the new American administration is open for dialogue and conversation. It is important that Serbia defines exactly what it wants, as far as we are concerned, we will support Serbia no matter what it decides, and we will always be on its side when it comes to the Balkans.

Serbian FM: US Embassy was wrong, Trump, Biden messages different (RTS, N1)

Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic said on Tuesday that the US Embassy was wrong to say that Presidents Biden and Trump sent almost identical messages about Kosovo to President Vucic.

A US Embassy spokesman said earlier in the day that the administrations of former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden share views on Serbia’s foreign policy priority of membership in the European Union and the opinion that Belgrade should normalize relations with Pristina including mutual recognition.

“The normalization of Belgrade-Pristina relations, as viewed by President Trump in last year’s message (on Serbian statehood day) and the issue of mutual recognition mentioned by President Biden do not hold the same meaning either formally and legally or in material terms, not even close to the same,” Selakovic said in a press release.

He recalled that Trump did not insist on mutual recognition but tended to search for an innovative solution with Serbia to truly stabilize the region, adding that this sentiment is not evident in Biden’s message “which does not mean that the new US president will not be in favor of a compromise between Belgrade and Pristina”.

See at: https://bit.ly/2Ne8yp8 "The situation around Kosovo and BiH is worrying, Russia is pushing a position that suits Belgrade" (RTS, Tanjug)

The situation around Kosovo and Metohija and Bosnia and Herzegovina is very worrying, warns the ambassador of Russia in Belgrade, Alexander Bocan-Kharchenko. He points out that Belgrade's approach in the dialogue with Pristina is fair and that it is necessary to reach a solution, which can be confirmed by the UN Security Council, and which will satisfy Belgrade's national interest in the first place, reported RTS. 

Alexander Bocan-Kharchenko says that the messages of the West which insist on the recognition of the so-called independence of Kosovo do not encourage, but also an attempt to deprive the Republika Srpska of the powers guaranteed by the Dayton Agreement and points out that Russia, in contacts with international partners, is "pushing" a position that suits Belgrade.

"Russia is not a participant in the dialogue, but it is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and monitors the situation around Kosovo and Metohija with a constant and very good exchange of information and opinions with Belgrade, which was the case in telephone conversation between Russian and Serbian Presidents Vladimir Putin and Aleksandar Vucic a few days ago," states the Russian ambassador in an interview with Tanjug.

He also points out Russia's activities, as permanent member of the UN Security Council and the other international organizations, aimed at, as he says, preventing the so-called Kosovo's membership in international institutions and further expansion of the recognition of the so-called Kosovo's independence, reported RTS.

As the most recent example of Moscow's diplomatic and political activities, he cites a conversation between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borell in Moscow a few days ago, during which, among other things, was expressed Russia's position on the situation in the West Balkans.

"Minister Lavrov spoke about the impossibility of pressure and violation of sovereignty in the Western Balkans, bearing in mind, apart from Kosovo and Metohija, the issue of BiH and excessive activities of the High Representative. We see this as interference in the internal affairs of BiH, which is an independent state, not a protectorate," Bocan-Kharchenko points out.

He reminds that there are many open issues in the region and that the problems are not new, but that there is more and more pressure and unacceptable statements coming from Pristina, BiH, but also from the West, and he sees the political situation in Pristina as "unstable", with assessment that it  is difficult to predict when the dialogue with Belgrade will continue, under the auspices of the European Union, and what its results will be

"Worrying messages from Pristina"

"Elections are in Kosovo and Metohija, dialogue is not possible now and that is the position of Miroslav Lajcak and the EU. It is not known when the dialogue will continue, and it is difficult to say what the results will be. The situation in Kosovo has not improved for the Serb population, there is no feeling of security, and there is too much tension on the part of the Kosovo Albanian political elite," Bocan-Kharchenko said.

He adds that along with worrying messages from Pristina, but also from some western countries, that the solution of the Kosovo knot is allegedly possible only with the recognition of the so-called Kosovo's independence,  worrying is also that other issues remain "secondary" and that it is announced that it will be resolved after recognition.

He points out that a long-term and fair solution to the Kosovo issue is possible exclusively based on international law, i.e. UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

As a reminder that after taking office as ambassador in Belgrade, he said that he would try to "side by side" with Serbia, fight to return international law to the region, primarily on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, on the question how successful was he,  he answers that "it is difficult to establish international law in the region, but it is encouraging that we have with Serbia the best cooperation, understanding, equal approach...", reported RTS.

"As far as Kosovo is concerned, Serbia has a key role, one of the key ones - as far as BiH is concerned," concludes Bocan-Kharchenko.

US Embassy: The goal of the US is Serbia's membership in the EU and mutual recognition of Belgrade and Pristina (RTS, Tanjug)

"Both the United States and former President Donald Trump and current President Joseph Biden continue to share Serbia's main foreign policy goal of EU accession, and the normalization of relations with Kosovo, with mutual recognition as a basis, has long been recognized as key to achieving that goal,"  reads the statement sent to Tanjug news agency by the spokesman of the US Embassy in Belgrade, James Hagengruber. 

James Hagengruber stated that former President Trump also expressed that policy very clearly.

"For example, in 2019, he wrote to President Aleksandar Vucic about the 'unwavering support' of the United States in deepening regional cooperation, and especially his commitment to the normalization of relations with Kosovo," Hagengruber's statement said, in connection to the letter sent by the current US President Biden on Serbia's Statehood Day, in which the mutual recognition of Belgrade and Pristina was emphasized, reported Radio television of Serbia. 

Hagengruber emphasizes that "it is up to the two sides to reach an agreement that both can support" and expresses the belief that mutual recognition should be a central element of the permanent normalization of relations.

"Such a historic agreement, with mutual recognition in its essence, would build a path towards the goals of European integration and economic growth of Serbia," said a spokesman for the American embassy in Belgrade.

Hagengruber adds that the US wants nothing more than for Serbia to succeed in its aspirations towards the EU, and that the return to the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, with the help of the EU, is crucial for that success.

He recalls Biden's words that "a comprehensive solution that will lead to mutual recognition, preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both countries and strengthening of their democratic institutions is essential for the progress of Kosovo and Serbia".

He adds that, he says, "it would improve the security and prosperity of both countries, affect their aspirations for membership in the EU and other multilateral institutions, and support the enduring goal of the whole of Europe living in peace and freedom".

The statement submitted to Tanjug also states that the US Embassy expresses its most sincere and warmest congratulations on the Statehood Day of Serbia.

"Serbia is now at an exciting and challenging point of growing into a dynamic, modern state in the company of its neighbors, in a united and free Europe," he said, stressing that the US continues to support Serbia on that path to lasting prosperity, peace and stability.

A spokesman for the American embassy also refers to Biden's words from the congratulatory letter to Vucic and points out: "We are looking forward to working together with Serbia on deepening friendly ties between our countries".

Dagens Nyheter: Kosovo's Jerusalem embassy a betrayal (B92, Tanjug, RTS)

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan believes that Kosovo has betrayed both him and the Muslim world, according to the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter, reported portal B92.

Namely, the establishment of diplomatic relations between Kosovo and Israel have provoked a backlash at the international level. Brussels reacted first, then Serbia, followed by Turkey and Palestine. That reaction, that is, the one from the Muslim world, was observed with concern.

The EU said that their position was clear and unchanged. "In accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 478 of 1980, which calls on all UN members to move their embassies to Tel Aviv, all embassies of EU member states, as well as the EU Delegation to Israel, are located in Tel Aviv," Brussels said in a statement on Monday, adding that Kosovo is undermining its path to EU integration.

The agreement also included mutual recognition between Kosovo and Israel, as well as the commitment of Belgrade and Pristina to establish their embassies in Jerusalem.

Kosovo is the first country with a majority Muslim population to open an embassy in Jerusalem, reported Kosovo Online.

See more at: https://bit.ly/3p5U0W5 Covic: Tough statements during the campaign in Kosovo, additional pressure on Belgrade (RTS)

Public opinion polls show that the leader of Vetevendosje, Albin Kurti, will win the most votes. Former head of the Coordination Centre for Kosovo and Metohija, Nebojsa Covic told Radio television of Serbia (RTS) that a new political elite is needed in Pristina, which currently does not exist.  Serbia should adhere to its national interests and Resolution 1244, says Covic.  

Nebojsa Covic says that Kurti would not be able to form a government on his own. 

"I see that he is announcing with Osmani that he will not form a coalition after the elections, but hardly that he will not. He might invite Haradinaj, but Haradinaj is not a solution factor but a problem factor. He, like everyone like him, should be removed and join those in The Hague," Covic told RTS. 

According to him, Pristina needed new elites, and the problem was that Kurti was not new either. 

"Tough statements are being made about the referendum and unification with Albania, it will all be additional pressure on Serbia and the international community," Covic said.  

When it comes to the congratulatory message of the American President Biden and the letter sent to the President of Serbia on Statehood Day, Covic says that it was an undiplomatic and very ugly gaffe. 

"Diplomatic rules dictate that the embassy in the host country writes such a text, and then sends it to the headquarters. So, it was written here in Belgrade and it is an incorrect move. Like the move "we are the world", " Covic pointed out, adding that Biden had not changed. 

He opined that, despite everything, Serbia should stay on its course. 

"We should defend our national interests, which are based on the Constitution and Resolution 1244. We also have the Washington Agreement, in which we expressed good intentions, and 80 percent of it is related to America, not to us," he said. 

Covic supports the cooperation between Serbia and France but said that the way in which the West was conducting its policy towards Belgrade was such that it pushed us towards Russia and China. 

"Cooperation is fine, but we have to be very careful and wise. There is no friendship, but interest. As for demarcation, division, there is a seat - no seat, I would be pleasantly surprised if there would be France’s innovative solution to reconsider the recognition of Kosovo. That would be an innovative solution," Covic stressed. 

Czech PM visits Serbia, political talks, gathers information on immunization (N1, Beta)

Andrej Babiš, Czech Prime Minister, arrived in Belgrade on Wednesday for an official visit, including meetings with Serbia's counterpart Ana Brnabic and President Aleksandar Vucic.

Besides political talks, Babiš would visit the Belgrade Fair, the largest vaccination point in Belgrade accompanied by Brnabic and a team of Czech epidemiologists who had earlier visited Hungary to gather information about the Russian anti-coronavirus Sputnik V vaccine.

„Serbia is vaccinating its population en masse. By population average, the country is among the best in the world.  It has experience with vaccines that the European Union has not approved. We are also interested in the experience with the drugs with anti-bodies said to be able to prevent complications,“ Babiš was quoted as saying ahead of the visit.

See at: https://bit.ly/3q8Cy4A NGO Aktiv virtual debate on vaccines: Dr Panic says he has no reason to doubt any vaccine (KiM radio)

NGO Aktiv organized an online debate “Vaccination - truth or misconceptions”, with the support of the Kosovo Foundation for Open Society, in which President of the Union of Doctors and Pharmacists of Serbia, anaesthesiologist Rade Panic and professor at the Medical Faculty in Belgrade Goran Belojevic took part.  

In the online debate, Dr. Panic said that, despite all the shortcomings that accompany the immunization process in Serbia, the response of citizens was commendable. He said that the data from the world show that the vaccines that were in use in Serbia didn’t have any serious side effects, and that COVID was leaving more lasting health consequences. 

“I think that for now we have no real grounds to doubt any of the vaccines that are on our market and that it is certainly smarter to get vaccinated than to wait for an almost certain outcome, which is that at some point sooner or later you will get COVID, and then with it the consequences that remain” Panic said. 

He stated that all vaccines available in Serbia were licensed for use in health institutions. Referring to the fears of some citizens that vaccines have side effects, Dr. Panic said that every drug that was produced had some side effects. 

Professor Belojevic opined that, “when it comes to mass vaccination, as many people as possible must be vaccinated as soon as possible in order to reduce mortality”. 

“We now have a doctor’s mortality rate, which is among the highest in the world. We have a huge problem with doctors dying. This is a war in which Serbia is losing generals and colonels. That won’t do” Belojevic said. 

Belojevic also opined that the Chinese vaccine was of the highest quality, since it belonged to the group of so-called “inactivated vaccines”, as they have been used in our healthcare system before. 

When asked to clarify who could receive the vaccine, professor Belojevic said: “I can tell you who is not allowed to receive the vaccine. So, children younger than 16 because nothing has been researched, pregnant women also because nothing is known, then people with autoimmune diseases, such as psoriasis or Crohn’s disease and similar autoimmune diseases. Then those who are on chemotherapy, those who are on radiation”. 

Dr. Panic, on the other hand, advised the citizens to read the instructions on contraindications for vaccination against COVID-19 issued by Batut Institute, and that it was best to see who could and could not get the vaccine. 

Speaking about the ban on the distribution of vaccines in Serbian areas in Kosovo and the decision to transport the population from here to vaccination in Raška, Kuršumlija and Bujanovac, Dr. Panic said that it was a consequence of the policy of the Ministry of Health. 

“If it wanted it, Serbia should have sent an urgent official letter to those responsible in Kosovo, and I welcome the fact that they were thinking about the citizens of northern Kosovo and Kosovo in general. Whether we like it or not at this point. We called them ‘occupiers’ or some government of some Kosovo. At the same time, it should have informed the global community and WHO and all that it had to in the EU, and for sure a permit for the distribution of the vaccine, i.e. for the delivery of the vaccine to the territory of Kosovo, would have been obtained. The fact that our government was obstinate and is showing presumptuousness, and to that it receives a presumptuous answer from Pristina, has resulted in having the citizens of Kosovo getting by, the way they are getting by,” Dr. Panic said. 

Speaking about the health situation in Serbian communities in Kosovo, Professor Belojevic said that what he was hearing from his students from the Medical Faculty in Kosovska Mitrovica, differed from what was placed in the media. 

“It’s not the same. What I hear from them is life, and what I hear in the media is virtual reality. What I heard from them is a great concern,” he said. 

Although it was announced that Dr. Aleksandar Antonijevic, an epidemiologist at the Public Health Institute in Kosovska Mitrovica and a member of the Crisis Management Committee there, would also take part in the debate on vaccination, he cancelled his participation just before the start. Members of the Republic Crisis Management Committee did not respond to the organizers’ invitations to participate. 

Commenting on such an approach of the members of the Crisis Management Committee, Professor Belojevic said that it was “the illustration of how things are in Serbia”. “There is no one from the government to whom we can ask a question, this is neither the first nor the last time. They constantly avoid confrontation,” professor Belojevic said. 

     

Opinion

  Serbia’s President Will Struggle to Get Patriarch He Can Control (Balkan Insight)

Serbia’s power-hungry leader will be following the upcoming election of the next Patriarch closely – but the complex electoral system means there’s no guarantee he will get the candidate of his choice.

In a few days’ time, on February 18, the Assembly of Bishops, the supreme body of the Serbian Orthodox Church, is set to pick the 46th Serbian Patriarch.

Beyond the implications of the election on worldly politics, the choice of a new occupant of the throne of Pec will determine the social role of the Church for the years to come – whether it moves towards a long-awaited renewal or continues struggling to catch up with modernity.

The bishops will first vote from among themselves for three preferred candidates. In the second round, three envelopes, each containing a piece of paper with the name of one of the top contenders, are placed in the Gospels. The final choice is made by random selection, or by the Holy Spirit, as believers maintain, when, amid clouds of incense, one of the names is pulled out of the Scriptures.

The unusual voting procedure gives rise to conspiratorial claims that the secular authorities will try to rig the vote. Basing itself on an urban legend, whereby in 1958 the infamous head of the Communist regime’s secret police, Aleksandar Rankovic, handpicked Patriarch German by having his name written on all three pieces of paper, conspiracy theorists believe the state will try to manipulate this election, too.

In fact, German was not elected under the present-day lottery system. The Church introduced the “apostolic vote” only in 1990, precisely to stop the state from meddling in the process.

See more at: https://bit.ly/3a2yRHX Time For Kosovo To Secure Its True Independence (eurasiareview.com) By Dr. Alon Ben-Meir

No foreigner should advise the Kosovar public who to vote for in the upcoming election, and I certainly dare not make such a recommendation. However, every Kosovar citizen should demand that each individual running for office provide a clear and comprehensive socio-economic program that will put the public on a course of economic recovery and growth, along with social and political reforms. Such programs have been missing since the establishment of Kosovo in 2008. Although even well-established countries constantly face new challenges, a newly-born state confronts even greater challenges in just about every field of life and assuredly it takes strong, visionary, and committed leaders to rise to the occasion.

Sadly in Kosovo, successive governments have generally failed the test of time, and 13 years following its establishment, the country still faces multiple crises that require immediate attention. Thus, every single eligible voter should demand answers from those who are seeking high office regarding their plans to tackle what’s ailing the country.

Since economically Kosovo is suffering from rampant unemployment, ranging from 25 to 30 percent, what sort of development program do any of the competing parties have to stimulate the economy? How do they plan to modernize the manufacturing sector of the country? How will they revamp trade? What steps would they take to make the country energy independent? And how effectively can Kosovo utilize its natural resources, especially silver, lead, and a host of minerals, to secure a net gain from their trading and eventually make Kosovo decreasingly dependent on foreign aid, which usually comes with strings attached? Finally, since the coronavirus pandemic has a direct effect on the economy, the new government must take every measure necessary to address this most formidable national challenge.

Brain drain in Kosovo has and continues to be one of the most daunting problems the country suffers from. Young men and women who struggled to access higher education end up leaving the country because of the lack of job opportunities. Certainly, economic progress ties directly to this painful national problem. It is essential, however, to address this phenomenon in an urgent manner. The new government should commit itself to job creation for young men and women, especially in the high-tech and clean energy sectors, by making it attractive to foreign investors while maintaining controlling interests.

See more at: https://bit.ly/2Z5wuhc    

International

  Western Balkans goes east for coronavirus vaccines (politico.eu)

EU’s neighbors turn to China and Russia as the bloc can’t offer supplies.

Serbia has emerged as the frontrunner in continental Europe's vaccination race — thanks to China.

The Western Balkan country has given at least one dose of a coronavirus shot to some 7 percent of its population, a rate more than twice as high as the current European Union average, where between 3 and 4 percent of people have been vaccinated as of early February.

Most of the 1.1 million doses imported by the nation of 7 million are from China's Sinopharm. Another million are set to arrive before March, and the country is also negotiating with Russia to obtain and even start domestic production of its Sputnik vaccine by the end of the year. It is also in talks with the pharmaceutical companies behind the three EU-approved jabs.

The move is not without risks. Neither the EU's European Medicines Agency nor the U.S. has so far authorized the Sinopharm vaccine as it lacks so-called Phase 3 trial data available in major medical journals. Hungary, however, has given the jab the green light under emergency rules that allow an EU member state to go ahead if the EU regulator has not made a decision, provided it assumes liability.

To Belgrade, its high vaccination rate has proven the value of its delicate geopolitical balancing act. The country is in EU membership talks but also cultivates close ties with Beijing and traditional ally Russia.

To the EU, it's an uncomfortable reminder that it's facing intense competition for influence in its immediate neighborhood, where frustration is growing over the bloc's slow approach to allowing more countries to become members.

See more at: https://politi.co/36ZlyGy