Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 19 deaths, 703 new cases (media)
• CEC asks all election staff to get vaccinated against COVID-19 (media)
• "Serbia has agreed in opening of all archives, including those of KLA” (Kallxo/Zeri)
• Bislimi: Serbia not interested in having serious talks with Kosovo (VOA Albanian)
• Prosecution gives little detail on the double murder in Peja (media)
• Thaci's defence requests dismissal of KSC judge (Klan Kosova)

Serbian Language Media:

• Two deaths, 44 newly infected with Covid-19 in Serbian communities (KiM radio)
• Vucic on Merkel’s visit, Brussels dialogue, Montenegro … (B92)
• Patriarch Porfirije: Kosovo holds the ultimate meaning of a magnet that binds us (KoSSev, N1)
• Petkovic: New expert-level discussions due in October (Tanjug)
• Dejan Vuk Stankovic: The Brussels negotiations do not make any sense; a new format is needed (Kosovo Online)
• A unilateral decision with practical and political consequences (KiM radio)
• Trendafilova: The special court is not monoethnic, it deals with individual responsibility (Kosovo Online)
• Belgrade hopes for unbiased approach by BiH High Representative (N1)

Opinion:

• In the Balkans, Let Us Remember to Forget (Balkan Insight)

International:

• North Macedonia: At least 10 die in COVID-19 hospital fire (AP)
• Serbia, Hungary Will ‘Rebuild, Protect, Central Europe’, Orban Says (Balkan Insight)

   

Albanian Language Media  

  COVID-19: 19 deaths, 703 new cases (media)

19 deaths from COVID-19 and 703 new infections were recorded in Kosovo in the last 24 hours. 2,255 persons recovered from the virus during this time. 

There are 20,652 active cases with COVID-19 in Kosovo.

The Ministry of Health announced that vaccination centres will from now on be operating seven days a week and will also be open during official holidays.  "This is all aimed at facilitating access to the vaccination process and responding to the high demand of the citizens to get vaccinated," the Ministry said.

CEC asks all election staff to get vaccinated against COVID-19 (media)

The Central Election Commission has issued a call to all commissioners and observers that will be involved in 17 October local elections to get vaccinated against COVID-19 before taking on their duties. 

Head of CEC, Kreshnik Radoniqi, called on political parties to make sure their officials that will be working on elections are vaccinated. At the same time, Burim Ahmetaj from the CEC Secretariat said no members will be able to work on election day without a vaccination certificate or a negative PCR test.

"The report dated 7 September indicates that more than 70 percent of the staff commissioned for elections have received the first dose, and around 36% have received both while 27% of the staff is unvaccinated," Ahmetaj said.

"Serbia has agreed in opening of all archives, including those of KLA” (Kallxo/Zeri)

Kosovo's Deputy Prime Minister and chief negotiator in dialogue with Serbia, Besnik Bislimi, said that the Serbian side has agreed in the opening of all archives, including those on the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).

Speaking to reporters following meetings in Brussels, Bislimi said: "The Serbian side has agreed on the opening of all archives, which for them means also the opening of Kosovo state archives that deal with the KLA and I think this is in our interest because the information on the majority of mass graves sites which are suspected of containing the remains of over 1,600 citizens are mainly in Serbia's military archives.

Bislimi also spoke about the visits of Serbian officials to Kosovo and the banning of the head of the Serbian Government's Office for Kosovo, Petar Petkovic, last week. He said Petkovic has continuously overstepped the pre-set agendas and has used inflammatory language. "At the same time, he attended the inauguration of an illegal building and used his visits to empower and support Serb parallel and illegal structures in Kosovo. As a result, his visits to Kosovo will not be allowed unless some visible improvements on the ground happen," he said.

Bislimi: Serbia not interested in having serious talks with Kosovo (VOA Albanian)

Besnik Bislimi, Kosovo's chief negotiator in dialogue with Serbia, spoke to Voice of America in Albanian about the recent EU-facilitated round of dialogue noting that Serbia is not interested to continue with seriousness the process of talks and this, he added, is a reflection of delays in the Western Balkans EU integration process. 

"My impression is that in the current constellation, the Serbian side has no interest in continuing seriously the dialogue process because the evident stagnation in the integration of the Western Balkan countries towards the European Union has reduced the cost of constructiveness for Serbia in dialogue, [and] has consequently left to Mr. (Aleksandar) Vucic the commodity of dealing with other problems of the region. You are witnessing his and the Serbian Orthodox Church's involvement in the unrests in Montenegro, his initiative to oppose EU-oriented regional processes such as the idea of mini-Schengen or the Open Balkans where he is unscrupulously exploiting the discontent of North Macedonia and Albania with non-opening of negotiations and trying to create competition with the European Union through alternative processes," Bislimi said.

Bislimi said the meeting in Brussels that focused on missing persons resulted in no major breakthroughs that would justify an upcoming meeting of Kosovo and Serbia leaders, Albin Kurti and Aleksandar Vucic. 

He added that the only thing they agree with the Serbian side is that the issue of the missing persons should be treated as a priority. However, the Kosovo side has already declared the head of the Serbian delegation for missing persons, Veljko Odalovic, as unwanted due to his ties with the Slobodan Milosevic's regime in the 90s.

"Mr. Odalovic's ethnic background is not a problem but his past, which we believe is criminal, is. Mr. Odalovic had a ban on entering the European Union for several years by a decision of 30 May 2000. There are other cases and evidence showing that his role before and during the war was very destructive. So, for example, it is unacceptable for Mr. Andin Hoti, the son of the most prominent person missing in the war, to sit opposite someone who may have been responsible for his father's disappearance. This does not contribute to the issue for which these groups have been formed and sends the message that Serbia is not interested in resolving the issue of the missing persons."

Bislimi also spoke about Kosovo's announcement of reciprocity measures on the license plates: "From 15 September we will apply procedures similar to those applied by Serbia. If the international community thinks this is unfair, we know the address where this can be stopped. Belgrade should be forced to accept the fact that Kosovo designs its vehicle license plates and not Serbia."

Prosecution gives little detail on the double murder in Peja (media)

The spokesperson for the Peja Prosecution, Shkodran Nikci, said at a press conference that investigation into the double murder that happened in the city of Peja on Wednesday, where the candidate of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) for mayor in Peja, Astrit Ademaj, and a former candidate of the same party for mayor in Decan municipality, Blerand Kadrijaj, died in an exchange of fire, is being conducted in several lanes.

He said authorities seized two weapons and casings used in the incident. Nikci said they will be reserved in sharing additional information due to the sensitive nature of the case and so as not to hamper ongoing investigations.

Kosovo political leaders have expressed their condolences to the families of the victims and called on relevant authorities to resolve the case swiftly. The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) has suspended its political activity for today while the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) has issued a two-day suspension of its activities in the municipality of Decan.

Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla announced that the police have arrested one person, wounded in the fire exchange, and that they will spare no capacities to get to the bottom of the case. 

Peja Mayor Gazmend Muhaxhiri meanwhile said that according to unofficial information, the Ademaj and Kadrijaj families were feuding and that the two victims met in an effort to resolve the dispute. 

Thaci's defence requests dismissal of KSC judge (Klan Kosova)

Klan Kosova reported that one of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers judges, Kai Ambos, was dismissed from the case against former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci only because he explained that the guarantee offered by a third country enables Thaci to be released on bail. Instead of Ambos, President Ekaterina Trendafilova appointed judge Emilio Gatti, whose dismissal from the case is now being requested by Thaci's defence. 

The defence argued that Gatti is not necessarily biased but that his appointment was made unexpected and without a legal basis. It said that chief prosecutor Jack Smith has indirectly told president Trendafilova that Thaci should not be released on bail because he can easily influence witnesses. This, the defence said, shows Trendafilova is not impartial and that Gatti could also be working under her guidelines. 

     

Serbian Language Media

  Two deaths, 44 newly infected with Covid-19 in Serbian communities (KiM radio)

According to the latest official data, two more people lost their lives in Serb areas in Kosovo as a result of Covid-19. Based on 103 processed samples, the virus was confirmed in another 44 people, the Crisis Staff of the Municipality of Kosovska Mitrovica announced today.

The deceased are from Zubin Potok and Leposavic.

Newly infected by municipalities: Kosovska Mitrovica (11), Zubin Potok (11), Leposavic (7), Zvecan (5), Strpce (3), Gnjilane (3), Gracanica (1), Prizren (1) and Priluzje (1).

There are currently 235 active cases of infection.

Vucic on Merkel’s visit, Brussels dialogue, Montenegro … (B92)

President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, addressed the public yesterday from the Palace of Serbia announcing an important visit of Angela Merkel.

"On September 13, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is coming. I have the honor to host her," Vucic said.

He thanked Merkel for showing respect to Serbia and for coming to our country.

"We will never forget what she did for us in 2015 when Croatia imposed sanctions on Serbia. I want to remind you that Merkel represents a country that is convincingly our biggest trade partner. That country is becoming the most important investor in our country," Vucic said.

We have increased the trade exchange with Germany two and a half times in just ten years. "We will do our best to show gratitude but also respect for the woman who was not only at the head of Germany for 16 years, but also informally at the head of Europe, and who also helped the development of Serbia," he said.

"I will have a conversation with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, after that Ursula von Der Leyen...", said Vucic. "I will have talks with Dodik on Sunday, before the Day of Serbian Union, Freedom and National Flag. September will be full of important events for Serbia," he said.

According to him, “peace is of crucial importance for Serbia”. “Everything we managed to build and change was because we maintained stability,” he added.

About talks with Pristina

"It is good that little progress has been made on the issue of the missing. But there has been no other kind of progress. That was not because I will try to be gentle, the Albanian side does not want any talks. I do not know why they are doing that," Vucic said.

"We will do everything we can to introduce a part of Albanians into the system of the Republic of Serbia, but we will ask them to know well which country they belong to and that there is no bargaining about that," he said.

About the events in Montenegro

"Although I received an invitation to the enthronement, I did not go. In my congratulations, I said that I did not want to interfere in their state affairs. The attacks started from Croatia and of course from Montenegro where I am always the number one topic,” Vucic said.

"They say that I ordered who will fly the helicopters, that we are changing the opinion of the members of the Montenegrin government. I want to inform you that I did not talk to either Krivokapic or Abazovic," Vucic explained.

"I read that some foreigners accused me of wanting to create a Greater Serbia through the SPC and of a partnership with Milo Djukanovic... Several conclusions can be drawn, and I will ask a few questions: This is a well-organized campaign, always similar, this time only stronger and better orchestrated because some people they do not know how to put up with their political defeat and they do not know how to react like statesmen and they behave in a way that does not befit their position or role in their societies", said Vucic.

"For let's say MEP Viola von Cramon, I was thinking whether to answer in an insulting way and I decided not to do that. So, I'll ask her to tell me when I had any partnership with Milo Djukanovic. I hope your partners in Pristina will inform you, since she is known as the biggest lobbyist for the independence of Kosovo and as a friend of Zelenovic, and political movement "Don’t Let Belgrade D(r)own", so I'll let them help her," Vucic said.

Vucic stated that he expected her to apologize to him.

Vucic said that there have been attempts to turn the region against Serbia, adding that “certain powers are helping prevent Serbia from standing out”. “The danger for us is that different powers will try to reduce Serbia’s power and help others suppress it,” he said. According to him, “peace is of crucial importance for Serbia”.

"There is an urgent need for those who cannot follow Serbia's growth to stop it in any way. It is important that people in our country be aware of that, so it is necessary to fight for Serbia, with full understanding of the circumstances in our region," he told the citizens.

"I hope Montenegro will overcome divisions"

He said that Serbia is not interested in destroying the independence of any country in the region and denied any interference in Montenegrin internal affairs. There will be no military conflicts because Serbia today is much stronger and that possibility won’t cross anyone’s mind, he said.

"We do not want to attack anyone's independence, we are not interested in anything, we have a lot of work to do," said Vucic.

"We ask everyone else not to try to suppress the influence of our country by pressure, not to expect that we will not be able to defend ourselves. Do not humiliate Serbia and the Serbian people as you have used to," President of Serbia said.

"As for Montenegro, I would like to once again congratulate Metropolitan Joanikije on his enthronement. I hope that our friendly and fraternal Montenegro will succeed in overcoming the divisions that exist in every country. I believe we can cooperate, there is much room for our economic cooperation", he said. The President of Serbia said that he did not expect excessive support from countries in the region, because, as he says, why would a strong and successful Serbia suit them.

"We have partners, we have interests, but we do not expect love... Do not expect that someone who was much ahead of us, and now looks at our backs, will be satisfied", said Vucic.

"The easiest mantra for the West is to say that Vucic is like Milosevic... These attacks are always ordered. You can see how the service of one country works. You can see exactly who the target and the topic are. The same texts come out in one day. It shows their impotence", Vucic said.

About the presidential election

"The first round of the presidential elections is far away. I am looking forward to the opposition's success, which they are already talking about. Let's wait and see what the people will say. What I can promise is that we will oppose them," he said.

"They have not been in power for nine years and now they have a great chance to win... I congratulate them in advance on all the victories. Maybe they will win in the first round, they don't need the second round" he said.

About lobbying for the recognition of the so-called Kosovo

When asked whether Serbia will continue to lobby on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, Vucic said that when Serbia asks for support, then it will get it and it will be known.

"When you hear that we appealed to some country, that country will respond, unlike their call to India, which will be left without response," Vucic said.

See at:https://bit.ly/2X7IAJq Patriarch Porfirije: Kosovo holds the ultimate meaning of a magnet that binds us (KoSSev, N1)

''We don’t have our own national narrative – but we do have Kosovo. Kosovo is our narrative. Myth is one thing, and a vow another, '' Patriarch Porfirije said.

The Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church shared his explanation of the meaning and significance of Kosovo for Serbs on his recently created, but very active Instagram page.

''A myth can be victorious or defeatist because it belongs to the imagination. Myth is something that can be used for political purposes. The vow is something much deeper because it belongs to spirituality. The Kosovo Vow is an expression of the New Testament, and holiness lies at the heart of the New Testament. St. Sava planted holiness in Kosovo, in the foundations of our national character.'' 

''Today, Kosovo has the ultimate meaning of the magnet that binds us,'' he emphasized.

Along with his message on Kosovo, Patriarch Porfirije also published a photograph of the Patriarchate of Pec.

The enthronement of the patriarch has yet to be performed at this monastery. It was postponed this summer following unconfirmed announcements that the enthronement will take place on May 23rd.

At the time, anti-epidemic measures were cited as the official reason why the patriarch’s enthronement in the first archdiocese of the SOC was postponed. The Patriarchate of Pec is the first autocephalous church, where the enthronement of SOC patriarchs is performed.

See at:https://bit.ly/3E0K6gV Petkovic: New expert-level discussions due in October (Tanjug)

The head of the Serbian government Office for Kosovo-Metohija Petar Petkovic said on Wednesday the technical dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina had produced some progress on the issue of missing persons and that a new round of expert dialogue would be held in the second half of October.

Speaking to reporters in Brussels after a trilateral meeting with representatives of Pristina and the EU, Petkovic said he had insisted on the issue of missing persons and added that their families would exercise their right to give their loved ones a funeral.

“That is by no means a political issue, but a civilizational issue,” Petkovic said.

He said Pristina’s chief negotiator Besnik Beslimi had been mostly silent during the meeting, dodging subjects.

“When it comes to the Community of Serb Municipalities, the judiciary and freedom of movement, Beslimi was dodging those subjects and did not want to talk about that,” Petkovic said, adding that he had explained in detail how Pristina was violating the agreements reached.

Earlier, Beslimi said the meeting had resulted in no agreement that would enable a new meeting at the highest political level, between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and the PM of the provisional Pristina institutions, Albin Kurti.

Dejan Vuk Stankovic: The Brussels negotiations do not make any sense; a new format is needed (Kosovo Online)

Political analyst Dejan Vuk Stankovic believes that the epilogue of the two-day technical round of negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina in Brussels did not give the desired result, which called into question the planned meeting between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti. He added that the new format of negotiations and new negotiators are needed, reported portal Kosovo Online, citing Sputnik.

Negotiators from Belgrade and Pristina failed to make progress in talks on pre-agreed topics, except for one - clarifying the fate of the missing. 

There was no progress in the talks on the formation of the Community of Serbian Municipalities, the implementation of the agreement on justice, freedom of movement and official visits, the implementation of the agreement on energy, cited the portal. 

Stankovic believes that this is enough to indicate that the Brussels negotiations no longer make any sense.

"Realistically, there are no more options until the format of those talks changes and as long as there are no more serious things. I think that the Brussels process is in the final phase of its crisis and that there will be no serious progress. At least, not until the elections in Serbia and Germany are over," says Stankovic.

As he points out, he has the impression that the whole thing is on hold, because if this format of negotiations could have succeeded, it would have succeeded by now and now everyone should state that it must start from the beginning.

"It all took too long. From the time the agreement was signed, nine years ago until today, nothing more serious has been done except that the Serbian side has fulfilled its obligations and the other has not, and therefore since there is such an asymmetry, it is unrealistic to expect any success in negotiations in which there is always needed a common denominator that connects both sides," says Stankovic.

When he spoke about the change of format, he opined that the European Union does not have enough capacity to be the bearer of this process.

A unilateral decision with practical and political consequences (KiM radio)

The decision not to extend the temporary agreement on license plates represents disrespect of Kosovo officials towards Belgrade, Igor Marikovic from the NGO Aktiv told RTV Kim. His colleague, political scientist Ognjen Gogic, said that this issue must have been discussed during the past meetings within the technical dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, reported KiM radio.

Igor Markovic from the NGO Aktiv sees the announcements about not accepting the extension of this agreement as a potential problem in the continuation of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

"It is important to emphasize that, if that happens, there will be a problem that is characteristic of Pristina's relationship in the process of dialogue with Belgrade, and that is to make unilateral decisions that are completely contrary to the agreement. The Freedom of Movement Arrangement, signed in 2011, was renewed in 2016. It meant that in 2021, Belgrade and Pristina would talk again about extending the arrangement, which would mean extending or stopping the use of the KS vehicle plates. Of course, that did not happen, because Pristina decided to abolish the KS plates on the territory of Kosovo, and that is a unilateral act that endangered the freedom of movement," he said.

The director of the Forum for Ethnic Relations, Fatmir Sheholi, however, thinks that the two sides should be equal according to all international obligations and laws.

"If that is not possible, then one side is pulling to one side and the other to the other, of course it is to be expected that the same measure will be applied as in Serbia," Sheholi said in a telephone statement for RTV Kim.

Bislimi also stated in Brussels that Kosovo will behave "just like Serbia" with cars with Kosovo license plates (RKS), warning of the application of reciprocity. This announcement is not surprising, but expected, Ognjen Gogic believes.

"The question is what exactly is meant by that, because that reciprocity refers more to the plates from Serbia, which did not have to use stickers until now, but will have to now. The same regime that applies to RKS when entering Serbia will apply.  We had several rounds of technical dialogue in the previous days and months, when there was an opportunity to open the issue of extending the validity of the agreement on freedom of movement, for which it was known that it expires, and that Pristina does not intend to unilaterally extend its implementation," he said.

If this decision is made for political reasons, then it will be implemented as such, but it will be a problem, not only for Kosovo Serbs, but also for Albanians from the municipalities of Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja, Markovic believes

"What was announced, as a person who owns the plates that Bislimi talked about, honestly scares me. If there is that unilateral act of abolishing the plates, it is quite possible that for political or any other reasons, that decision will be implemented. But that will have not only political, but also practical and economic consequences. I sincerely hope that this statement is the consequence of only one type of political intimidation before the technical dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina," he said.

"This is surprising for the citizens and it will immediately slow down the movement between Serbia and Kosovo and put a burden on those citizens who will not be able to postpone their trip. The question is how sharply these measures will be applied, at least at the beginning, whether there will be time for adjustment. I still hope that this is not a resolved issue, that Belgrade will open the issue and try to find a solution, extend the agreement or reach a new type of agreement," said Ognjen Gogic.

According to the agreement from 2016, all vehicles with KS license plates can enter Serbia from Kosovo, while vehicles with RKS must replace them at the crossing with test plates issued by the Serbian side. For now, cars with Serbian license plates enter Kosovo freely, without additional procedures, wrote KiM radio.

Kosovo's Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi warned after the last meeting with the European Union Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak that Kosovo will not accept the extension of the interim agreement on license plates after September 15, when it expires.

Today he repeated in Pristina that from 15 September the procedures will be applied, like those applied by Serbia, as reported by media in Pristina. 

Trendafilova: The special court is not monoethnic, it deals with individual responsibility (Kosovo Online)

The President of the Specialized Councils of Kosovo (SCK), Ekaterina Trendafilova, categorically denied yesterday in North Mitrovica the claim that the Special Court in The Hague is monoethnic, and when asked whether Serbian crimes against the Albanian population will be tried, she could not answer, reported portal Kosovo Online.

"Obviously we do not explain the law properly, it could be our mistake, so the Court is not monoethnic, nor a court that in any way investigates or prosecutes anyone else, an ethnic group ... Organization of the SC deals only with individuals and individual criminal liability and that is all," Trendafilova said.

She and Secretary of the SC Dr. Fidelma Donlon, with the assistance of the contact coordinator Michael Doyle, addressed civil society and journalists today in North Mitrovica and answered questions regarding the establishment, mandate, and jurisdiction of the SCK. The previous day, Trendafilova was in Pristina.

Answering the question why the "yellow house" is not mentioned in the indictments, Trendafilova said that she could not answer that question, because it was the prosecutor's decision, but as a legal entity and a judge, she referred to Dick Marty's report.

"He presented certain events while researching the task entrusted to him by the European Union, which was decided by the Special Prosecutor. We adhere to what the prosecution presents to us, we cannot decide what will be investigated," Trendafilova said.

She recalled that the Specialized Chamber was established after allegations that many serious crimes in the conflict in Kosovo between 1998 and 2000 had been investigated and that the perpetrators had not been prosecuted, despite numerous trials by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

She added that the Special Council is financed by the EU and five countries - USA, Norway, Switzerland, Canada, and Turkey, and emphasized that SCK operations will end when the European Council notifies the Government of Kosovo that the investigation procedures have been completed.

"This was confirmed by the SC Constitutional Court last year on November 20," Trendafilova said.

She pointed out that the team of pre-trial judge Nicolas Guillou worked tirelessly to bring two cases before the trial stage against Salih Mustafa and KLA leaders Nasim Haradinaj and Hisni Gucati, and that the cases against Hashim Thaci and Kadri Veseli , Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi are still in the pre-trial stage, as is the case against Pjetr Shala.

She pointed out that the judges dealt with the participation of the victims in the preparatory hearings and that they set a date for the beginning of the hearing with the introductory speech of the prosecutor, which will be followed by the introductory speech of the victims' representatives.

Dr. Donlon said that despite the pandemic, significant progress was made during the last year, which is best reflected in the number of 3,000 submissions that were processed, which were submitted by the defense, the prosecution, legal representatives, and various chambers. In her presentation, Donlon focused on five, as she said, very important issues: detention, witness protection and support, victim participation and legal aid, and interpretation and translation. She pointed out that the rulebook on the treatment of detainees exceeds the best international standards regarding their treatment and needs.

Speaking about witness protection, Donlon said that there is a special unit at the Secretariat that offers a range of protection and support services.

"This is an area of work that has been a priority since the establishment of the court. Instead of going into numbers, I am satisfied with the commitment and people involved in providing that service, in terms of physical and material security. There are other possibilities, i.e. measures that our judges can order to protect people, using pseudonyms instead of names or alternatively ordering testimony via video link by concealing voice and link,” Donlon said. 

Trendafilova added that the seat of the court in The Hague also provides significant protection and that this is one of the measures for sensitive procedures, because they will be kept out of the country, as well as the archives.

Commenting on why North Mitrovica was chosen for today's gathering, Trendafilova said that the contact coordinators decide on that, that the goal is to talk to as many people as possible and that she will go wherever she is invited.

Belgrade hopes for unbiased approach by BiH High Representative (N1)

In a meeting with the head of the Office of High Representative (OHR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina Christian Schmidt, Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday his country expected the High Representative to have an unbiased and balanced approach to all in the country.

Schmidt and Vucic met in Belgrade to discuss the current political situation in the region, especially the Bosnian and other Western Balkans’ progress to the European Union, a statement from the President’s office said.

Vucic added that both he and Serbia respected “the integrity and the wholeness” of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as “wholeness and integrity of Republika Srpska within Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He said he believed that people in BiH should decide on their fate without interference and pressure from abroad.

Vucic added he was convinced that Serbia and BiH could develop economic links and relations much faster than so far.

Republika Srpska, a semi-autonomous Serb-dominated region in BiH, bitterly opposes Schmidt’s election to the post and advocates closing the OHR.

Vucic, who has close relations with Milorad Dodik, the Serb member of the BiH tripartite rotating Presidency, and the loudest critic of both OHR and Schmidt, publicly disagrees.  Serbia’s President earlier said he knew Schmidt well from before and trusted he would not be biased.

The statement cited Schmidt as saying the BiH functionality as a state was necessary to reach the level at which it would not need international supervision.

He also supported regional initiatives aimed at integrating all Western Balkans countries as a step toward European integration.

See at:https://bit.ly/3DVgYb7      

Opinion

  In the Balkans, Let Us Remember to Forget (Balkan Insight)

Government-backed memorialisation projects only perpetuate post-war divisions and ethnic hatred in the Balkans - so forgetting could be a better way than politicised remembrance to deal with past violence.

Kosovo’s government recently announced an initiative to establish a working group on transitional justice, a government effort “to deal with the past”, as the country’s prime minister, Albin Kurti, was quoted as having said.

The working group also discussed the notion of fostering a “collective memory” so that future generations do not forget what happened in Kosovo during the 1990s war.

What could be wrong with such seemingly well-meaning attempts to bring some closure to the tragic events that in many ways are still relevant today? To face a painful history directly, to talk about it openly, to confront its legacy with honesty, is one way to loosen its harmful grip on our present. After all, denied and repressed violence never seem to quietly go away.

To remember victims of injustice is the duty of the living, is it not? Memorialising the dead seems like a moral imperative for those of us who live on. An ethical testament to being human.

But to what extent can memory be beneficial when it slips away from the privacy of people and becomes a political project that requires “national strategies”, “commemorations”, “resources”, “funds” and “anniversaries”? What does an-all consuming, industrial-scale memory with impersonal and dystopian-sounding names like “commissions of truth” have to do with recovering from a tragic past?

See more at:https://bit.ly/3ySa0zH        

International 

  North Macedonia: At least 10 die in COVID-19 hospital fire (AP)

Police and public health officials in North Macedonia say at least 10 people died and many others were injured in a fire at a makeshift hospital for COVID-19 patients.

The blaze occurred late Wednesday in the western city of Tetovo, where the facility was set up following a recent spike in infections in the region.

Health Ministry officials said injured medical staff and patients along with over evacuees were being transferred to hospitals in the capital Skopje, some 45 kilometers (28 miles) to the east.

See more at: https://bit.ly/3nokZPc Serbia, Hungary Will ‘Rebuild, Protect, Central Europe’, Orban Says (Balkan Insight)

Sixth joint session of Serbian and Hungarian governments ends with numerous agreements and a grandiose pledge by Hungary's PM that the two states will 'rebuild and protect' Central Europe from new waves of migration.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that Hungary and Serbia had “agreed to rebuild Central Europe”, after a joint government session with Serbia in Budapest on Wednesday.

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic and her Hungarian counterpart Orban signed an agreement on cordial relations and their strategic partnership.

In the press release issued after the signing of the agreement, Orban said: “I have thought a lot about how I could summarize what was discussed at the meeting, and I think it is best to say that the two countries have agreed to rebuild Central Europe.

See more at:https://bit.ly/3E3WTiC