Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 24 deaths, 357 new cases (media)
• Lajcak to visit Kosovo to discuss implementation of agreements (RFE)
• Konjufca commends UN’s support in handling of the COVID-19 pandemic (Klan)
• President Osmani begins official visit to Germany (media)
• Election campaign set to begin Thursday, no agreement on its duration (Telegrafi)
• LDK to limit election campaign to five days (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• In Serbian communities in Kosovo 47 new Covid-19 cases, three deaths (Radio Mitrovica sever, KiM radio)
• What did you say, Angela? (B92, Blic)
• Surlic on Merkel's visit: Two topics surprised; Merkel's strong message to Pristina (RTS)
• New US envoy for the Balkans: Belgrade and Pristina should not avoid dialogue (Beta, N1, Danas, MIA)
• Varhelyi warns of possible migrant crisis from Western Balkans (Beta, N1)
• Hearing postponed in the case of the murder of Oliver Ivanovic (Kontakt plus radio, KiM radio)
• Serbia, Austria sign military cooperation agreement (FoNet, N1)
• Selakovic with Vitale: Security situation in Kosovo fragile; Belgrade has fulfilled all obligations (Radio Mitrovica sever)

International:

• Merkel in Belgrade: Berlin Process has achieved a lot; Kosovo issue will not disappear (EWB)

   

Albanian Language Media  

  COVID-19: 24 deaths, 357 new cases (media)

24 deaths from COVID-19 and 357 new cases have been recorded in Kosovo in the last 24 hours. 1,498 persons recovered from the virus during this time. 

There are 15,835 active cases with COVID-19 in Kosovo.

Lajcak to visit Kosovo to discuss implementation of agreements (RFE)

The European Union Special Representative for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue and other Western Balkans regional issues, Miroslav Lajcak, will be visiting Kosovo tomorrow to discuss implementation of the agreements reached within the framework of the dialogue and the achievement of a comprehensive agreement for normalisation of relations. 

"During his visit from 15 to 17 September, he will meet political leaders, parliamentarians, the international community, representatives of the business and the media communities and the youth," the EU Office in Kosovo confirmed.

Radio Free Europe reports that Lajcak's visit to Kosovo comes days after the last round of talks that took place in Brussels between negotiating teams of Kosovo and Serbia. At the conclusion of the meetings, Lajcak had stated that there is no approximation of positions between the parties and that there is a great deal of work ahead. 

Konjufca commends UN’s support in handling of the COVID-19 pandemic (Klan)

Kosovo Assembly Speaker, Glauk Konjufca, met today the United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, Gwi Yeop Son, along with the UN Development Coordinator, Ulrika Richardson, senior advisor for regional coordination, Mona Folkesson and the head of the UN Development Coordinator's Office, Lorik Pustina.

Konjufca commended the cooperation with the UN agencies in Kosovo, especially the support in the management and the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

At the same time, Gwi Yeop Son confirmed continuation of cooperation and further support of the UNDCO for the Kosovo institutions. 

President Osmani begins official visit to Germany (media)

President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani has travelled for a two-day official visit to Germany, at the invitation of President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

In addition to meeting her counterpart Steinmeier, Osmani will also meet with Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and have meetings with the German Chamber of Commerce, the Foreign Policy Network (DGAP) and representatives of the diaspora.

Election campaign set to begin Thursday, no agreement on its duration (Telegrafi)

The election campaign for 17 October local elections is set to begin in two days and while the Central Election Commission has said it will be open for one month, the news website reports that it is not certain whether the campaign will indeed last one month because of the worsened situation with COVID-19.

Faton Abdullahu from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) said they would support the shortening of the election campaign duration. "We have even proposed abstaining entirely from the conventional campaign in the sense of not having gatherings of people in any way," he said, adding that the PDK considers the campaign could instead shift to digital form. 

Eugen Cakolli from the Kosovo Democratic Institute think tank said that while the election campaign has been set to last 30 days, the CEC decision does not stipulate which way this would happen. "Considering that the election campaign according to the law is foreseen to be 30 days, this means that there is no legal possibility to reduce it to 10 or 5 days, or cancel it as mentioned so far without changing the election law." However, Cakolli continued, the ideal solution would be for political parties to respect measures against COVID-19 and focus mainly on running their campaigns through electronic means. 

LDK to limit election campaign to five days (media)

The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) has announced that it would shorten the campaign for upcoming local elections to five days instead of thirty as set out by the Central Election Commission due to the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement to the press, the party said that the decision was taken in consideration of the current health situation in Kosovo which it said is a result of 'unprecedented mismanagement'. 

   

Serbian Language Media

  In Serbian communities in Kosovo 47 new Covid-19 cases, three deaths (Radio Mitrovica sever, KiM radio)

According to the latest report from the Institute of Public Health in Kosovska Mitrovica, out of 124 tested patients, 47 are positive for the coronavirus.

The news cases by municipalities: Kosovska Mitrovica nine, Zvecan seven, Leposavic eight, Zubin Potok three, in Gnjilane seven, in Kamenica five, in Strpce three, in Gracanica two, and in Prizren, Priluzje and Pec one person each.

Three people died. 

According to the information of the Crisis Staff, there are 272 active cases.

Gracanica Crisis Staff reported yesterday seven, and today five more cases of Covid-19. 

What did you say, Angela? (B92, Blic)

Although she spent less than 24 hours in Belgrade, the messages sent by German Chancellor Angela Merkel during that time are yet to be analyzed, media reported.

Some of them have already resonated, such as those about the rule of law, the solution of the Kosovo knot, the dangers lurking from "other parts of the world", and they also touched on the excavation of lithium, Blic writes.

The German Chancellor talked with the President of Serbia about various topics, from Serbia's European path, through its foreign policy, environmental protection and climate change, dual education...

Still, some issues stood out.

The rule of law and promise

Although she did not directly say what European officials often repeat, that there would be no progress towards the EU without the rule of law, Angela Merkel touched on this area.

"We talked about reforms, about opening new chapters in the accession process. It is important to make progress in the area of the legal system. The president presented his plans and made promises," Merkel said.

In a nutshell, Blic writes, there is a problem with the rule of law, and we expect it to improve, and that it will be so, guarantees were given by the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić. Her message remains subject to interpretation, but the fact is that Merkel pointed out that she "knew Mr. Vučić as a person who no longer makes false promises, but as a person who tries to put into practice what he promises."

"I encourage further progress towards the rule of law, a plural society," Merkel said.

A solution for Kosovo and the EU accession

The inevitable topic was the old painful issue - the so-called Kosovo knot. How it will unravel is unknown for now, but the answer may be inferred from the chancellor's statement.

"Some issues will be resolved at the end of the process. Everyone knows that not all member states have recognized Kosovo's independence. The issue must be resolved for the current EU member states to answer in the affirmative on the issue of the EU accession process. It does not solve other problems", Merkel said.

To sum it up, there's much that can be resolved on Serbia's European path before the Kosovo issue really becomes to be or not to be. Then why wait with other challenges that are easier to solve? The message could also be understood in such a way that it may first be necessary to persuade the five members of the Union that have not recognized Kosovo's independence to do so, which would then make it easier for the Union to reach a final agreement.

However, Merkel is certainly right in one thing - when she says that "the issue will not disappear".

However, Vucic was more direct and made it clear what is more or less known to a part of the public - there is no EU membership without a solution for the so-called Kosovo. "We are certainly aware that we will not be a member of the European Union before that issue is resolved", said Vucic.

Danger from "other parts of the world"

The German Chancellor confirmed the fear that the EU has when it comes to the relationship between the Western Balkans, and perhaps most of all Serbia, with other world powers, primarily Russia and China.

It is no secret that Serbia has often been criticized from the Union because of them, sometimes louder, and sometimes a little quieter, but that does not change the essence.

"Geostrategic interest is for the countries of the Western Balkans to join the EU. We have influences from other parts of the world, which is why we must keep in mind how important our geostrategic interest and the region's approach to the Union are," Merkel said.

Accidentally or intentionally, but it happened that the arrival of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to Serbia and the signing of the contract on the construction of the highway Nis - Plocnik - Pristina were announced just yesterday.

Lithium excavation

The conversation with the lithium mine in Serbia has been heard far and wide, confirmed Merkel herself, who said that if any lithium excavations are realized in Serbia, "everything must be done in accordance with the highest standards, protecting the environment."

"If the whole world is interested in that, Germany is also interested," Merkel said. All in all, Germany also has an interest. Especially since, as Merkel herself stated, there is a large number of German investments in the automotive industry in Serbia, while lithium is important for future mobility and battery making.

"Serbia has something really worthwhile here. Of course, there are concerns whether the exploitation will be carried out in accordance with environmental standards. The EU has good sustainability standards. It's not just about German interests, it's an issue that EU member states will deal with, given that preserving the environment in Europe is a really important issue," Merkel said.

Surlic on Merkel's visit: Two topics surprised; Merkel's strong message to Pristina (RTS)

Stefan Surlic from the Faculty of Political Sciences told RTS that, during yesterday's meeting between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, the talks on lithium exploitation and the rule of law were surprising. He also believes that Merkel sent a strong message to Pristina, that it is not possible to talk about the status immediately, but that many open issues must be resolved first.

"The first topic that was touched upon, which we did not expect to be part of the conversation, is the exploitation of lithium. Angela Merkel sent a clear message at the conference that Germany is interested in the exploitation of lithium, and is certainly interested to, and if this happens, respect all European standards of exploitation", states Surlic

Another topic that was surprising, Surlic estimates, is the rule of law.

"Germany has twice blocked the opening of certain chapters due to the rule of law, but we see that its message was very moderate and encouraging. She said that there are certain promises about reform, but that it is part of a comprehensive process within new clusters. She expects progress, but she did not go into details or special criticism, as expected", states Surlic.

"I expect the Berlin Process to continue"

Surlic does not see any discrepancy between her earlier and current policies.

"We can say that during all these years, she had very carefully chosen words for the Western Balkans, even for Serbia, and for those topics that were of special interest to her - regional stability, cooperation, normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina. She always carefully, with a lot of understanding for the positions of Serbia, talked about all those topics," notes Surlic.

He expects that the Berlin process will certainly continue, because it is primarily in Germany's interest to keep a close eye on the events in the Western Balkans.

"I believe that the new chancellor will continue her policy, there will be no key political changes in the strategy, but we can expect changes in the approach," says Surlic.

"Merkel sent a strong message to Pristina"

As for the solution of the Kosovo issue, as he pointed out, Angela Merkel practically suggested that it be left for the end of European integration.

"Merkel has clearly emphasized that this is a complex problem. Although Germany's position on the status of Kosovo is clear, the fact is that five EU member states do not recognize Kosovo, but it is also a fact that many EU countries that have done so will, at the end of the process, condition with the formal recognition," points out Surlic.

What is encouraging, as he added, is that Germany did not insist on formal and immediate recognition of self-proclaimed independence before or today, but said - first normalization of relations, solving all open problems, and only then we can talk about status.

"I think that she, from Belgrade, sent a strong message to Pristina - the status cannot be talked about immediately, many open issues must be resolved, this is a process that will last after me. That is one of Angela Merkel's key messages," concluded Surlic.

New US envoy for the Balkans: Belgrade and Pristina should not avoid dialogue (Beta, N1, Danas, MIA)

The new US envoy for the Western Balkans and the Belgrade – Pristina dialogue, Gabriel Escobar, said on Monday the US had an apparent goal of making the entire Western Balkans part of the European Union where it belonged geographically, historically and culturally.

In his first public appearance since the appointment, Escobar said Washington would support EU Special Envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Miroslav Lajčák by concrete moves and strategy.

He added the State Department would work through embassies in the region to implement agreements and that actors should not avoid dialogue.

At a panel organised by the Brussels-based Center for European Policy (EPC), Escobar said the EU membership could bring great benefits, that countries could become more democratic, more prosperous, and that even the candidacy for membership encouraged countries to become more democratic and economically stronger.

He reiterated that the US wanted to convince the EU that it was “worthwhile to bet” on the region’s countries.

Escobar, who succeeded Matthew Palmer as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Asia and Eurasia bureau and envoy for the Western Balkans, said the US would work together with the EU to convince all sides that that was the only right path.

“The region is not only defined by political criteria, but also by strong economic dynamism and a high degree of mutual integration of countries, which should be encouraged,” Escobar has said.

He said that “Western Balkans is one of the fastest-growing regions, and that is why it needs the EU”.

However, the American diplomat said that he was a bit worried about the lack of trust in the EU message on enlargement and because that message did not have more significant support from the EU member states.

Asked what the ultimate goal of an agreement on the normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina should be for the US, Escobar said that it was not only mutual recognition but also EU membership and a peaceful and functional region as a part of the EU.

He said the US would honour the Washington Agreement from September 2020, which aimed to create confidence-building measures between Serbia and Kosovo in the economic sphere. “They could cooperate without interfering with the status issue.”

“However, the focus remains on the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, and we support it,”  Escobar told the panel, also attended by Lajcak, MEP Viola von Cramon and CiviKos platform executive director Donika Emini.

Lajcak said he had a mandate to mediate in the relations between Belgrade and Pristina but that a final agreement was a matter for negotiators.

He added an agreement should result in international recognition of Kosovo, complete control over the entire territory of Kosovo and progress towards the EU.

“The goal of the process is to bring Serbia and Kosovo as close as possible to the EU, but we are not forcing anyone. An imposed solution is not sustainable, and we do not want to push partners. Ultimately, it is not an agreement between the EU but Kosovo and Serbia,” Lajcak said, adding that “what was agreed must be implemented, but the final deal is in the hands of the two sides. We are just offering our expertise”.

He added he did not hide that “the current enlargement is not at the top of the priorities. The EU has to deal with so many unforeseen things, such as the pandemic or Afghanistan. But that doesn’t mean enlargement is not one of the strategic goals”.

On the suggestion that the political dialogue was dead and that only technical talks were being conducted, Lajcal said there was no technical dialogue and technical things and that everything had a political effect.

Lajcak also said that the blockade of Northern Macedonia's European path due to its dispute with Bulgaria has a bad effect on the region, especially on the relationship between Kosovo and Serbia, reported daily Danas, citing MIA agency. 

"It is understood that it has consequences and those consequences are negative. The fact that the EU did not open negotiations with Northern Macedonia had a negative impact on the Union's credibility in the region. I personally faced that during my visits and travels, and that will not improve until Northern Macedonia and Albania start membership negotiations," Lajcak said.

Donika Emini said the dialogue was insufficiently transparent, to which Lajcak responded that there were mechanisms through which EU member states were informed about the course of the process and that he was in constant contact with EU officials and MEPs. But he added there was a balance between transparency and confidentiality because very delicate issues were negotiated.

Viola von Cramon agreed with Emini that there was a particular frustration on the ground because of the process of EU enlargement and that the reputation of the Union had been significantly damaged, especially among young people in Kosovo, but also among young people in Serbia.

Although Pristina had met all the conditions, she said, visa liberalisation for Kosovo people remained a broken EU promise.

Von Cramon also agreed that many things were in the negotiators’ hands but added they needed to show much greater commitment than in recent months.

According to her, the people in the region see the EU as a mediator and a leader who should take a more active role and push certain things forward.

Varhelyi warns of possible migrant crisis from Western Balkans (Beta, N1)

European Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi warned of a new migrant crisis from the Western Balkans if European Union promises of expansion are not fulfilled, reported N1.

He told Budapest daily Magyar Nemzet that the citizens of the Western Balkan countries could create the next migrant crisis if expansion fails and called on the EU to intensify cooperation with the region. “We have to keep our promises to the Western Balkans. I think that is one of the most important lessons from the situation in Afghanistan,” he said, adding that the integration of the region has to be a European priority.

According to the commissioner, the goal is to support long-term stability and peace in the region. He said that the opening of chapters in Serbia’s accession talks is up to the EU member states and added that Albania and North Macedonia have met the criteria to open pre-accession talks.

Hearing postponed in the case of the murder of Oliver Ivanovic (Kontakt plus radio, KiM radio)

The main trial in the case of those accused of the murder of Oliver Ivanovic before the Basic Court in Pristina has been postponed, lawyer Jovana Filipovic confirmed for RTV Kim yesterday. 

The examination of the first witnesses in the Ivanovic case began on August 30 and was planned to continue today.

However, the hearing was postponed due to new measures by the Kosovo government, which were introduced in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, said the lawyer of the accused Silvana Arsovic.

"As we were officially informed by email, the delay was due to new anti-Covid measures, i.e. because there can be no more than 20 people in the room," Filipovic pointed out.

Serbia, Austria sign military cooperation agreement (FoNet, N1)

Serbia and Austria signed a military cooperation agreement, the Serbian Defense Ministry said in a press release.

It quoted Ministers Nebojsa Stefanovic and Klaudia Tanner as saying that the agreement would benefit both countries and would motivate cooperation in areas of mutual interest but did not specify those areas. The press release said that both ministers expressed satisfaction with cooperation to date, especially in the fields of military medicine and education.

The press release said that Stefanovic is in Austria to take part in a conference which brings together the defense ministers of Austria and five countries of the Western Balkans – Serbia, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia. The conference was organized at the initiative of the Austrian Defense Ministry.

See at: https://bit.ly/3k5o19c Selakovic with Vitale: Security situation in Kosovo fragile; Belgrade has fulfilled all obligations (Radio Mitrovica sever)

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Nikola Selakovic talked with the head of the NATO Military Liaison Office in Belgrade, General Tommaso Vitale and expressed the expectation that KFOR forces would maintain status neutrality and act proactively in order to prevent any violation of the security situation on the ground, reported the radio, citing the statement. .

Selakovic pointed out that the security situation in Kosovo is still very fragile, that Serbs in Kosovo face security risks daily.

He pointed out the continuous threats and attacks on members of the Serbian community, their property, cultural, historical and spiritual heritage, of which there are 96 so far in 2021.

He reminded of the fact that the monastery of Visoki Decani and its monks still have to be under the constant security of KFOR members, and especially thanked the members of the contingent of the Italian Armed Forces who have been engaged in securing this medieval Serbian shrine since 1999

Selakovic also informed his interlocutor about the state of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, noting that Belgrade has fulfilled all the undertaken obligations, while Pristina has been refusing to implement everything agreed for more than a hundred months with the intention of returning the dialogue process to the beginning.

As it is stated, the minister expressed satisfaction with mutual understanding and regular dialogue between Serbia and NATO and said that Serbia is interested in further improvement of partnership cooperation, continuation of political dialogue and practical cooperation in all areas of common interest

The Minister underlined that the personal relationship between President Aleksandar Vucic and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg makes a special contribution to such a partnership.

The head of Serbian diplomacy thanked for the position of NATO, which respects the military neutrality of Serbia, and pointed out that Serbia and NATO should continue to further improve partnership cooperation in the common interest - which is to preserve peace and stability in the region.

The interlocutors also pointed out that at the end of the year it will be 15 years since Serbia became a member of the NATO program "Partnership for Peace" and expressed their readiness to mark that jubilee in an appropriate way.

They also added that the successful implementation of the second cycle of the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) of Serbia and NATO for the period 2019-2021 is underway.

       

International 

  Merkel in Belgrade: Berlin Process has achieved a lot; Kosovo issue will not disappear (EWB)

BELGRADE – German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters in Belgrade on Monday evening that she had discussed domestic policy with Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic, adding the country needed reforms for the opening of new chapters in negotiations with the European Union, and stressed the importance of progress in the legal system in Serbia, N1 reports.

„I am glad to hear that Serbia is intensively dealing with judicial reforms, and the EU is here and must assess that,“ Merkel said.

She added she would have the meeting in Tirana on Tuesday with the prime ministers of other Western Balkans countries.

Speaking about the Berlin Process, Merkel pointed out that every elected chancellor of Germany will advocate for the processes in the Western Balkans, he will be interested in that, because that initiative could not be implemented without the EU.

“I am optimistic that we will continue”, said Merkel, adding that the “Open Balkans” initiative launched by Serbia, Albania and Northern Macedonia is the “second best” for the future of the region, but that the process must be open to the other three countries if they want. to join, and the goal is to have all six countries in it.

See more at:https://bit.ly/3A9LWtv