UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 16, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti: Kosovo is a double success story (media)
Osmani: Slovenia remains one of the most important allies of Kosovo (media)
Kurti travels to Switzerland, to participate in World Economic Forum in Davos (Klan)
Haxhiu welcomes request for international arrest warrant for those that ordered Recak massacre (Telegrafi)
Fajon: Slovenia supports Kosovo-Serbia dialogue; normalisation of relations (media)
Gervalla: Serbia’s threats in the region require a common response (Koha)
Kusari-Lila: No organisation or association was voted in the Assembly (Kallxo)
Fifth anniversary of Oliver Ivanovic’s assassination commemorated (Kosovapress)
FES branch in Pristina finishes drafting of Association statute (Express)

Serbian Language Media:

Petkovic: No one requested services of Friedrich Ebert organisation (Kosovo Online)
SRSG Ziadeh meets President Vucic (RTS, media)
Dacic thanks countries that will amend position on Kosovo pending solution (N1, FoNet)
Petkovic reacts to Kurti’s interview to Dutch NRC, says he utters untruths (BETA, Danas, Kosovo-Online)
Vucic reacts to Kurti’s interview to Viennese Der Standard (KoSSev)
Russian Ambassador: Moscow consistent in its support of Serbia’s sovereignty (N1)
Albanian living in Belgrade accused of war crimes; Neighbours take action to help him, claim he’s innocent (KoSSev)
Commemorations held on fifth anniversary of Oliver Ivanovic’s assassination (RTS, KoSSev)
German Embassy on ZSO, Pristina CoE membership bid (KoSSev)
Detention of Trajkovic extended for two more months, lawyer to appeal it (Kosovo Online)
Two Serbs from Klokot sent to one-month house arrest (Kosovo Online)
Vucevic: Situation in Kosovo highest security risk for Serbia (Radio KIM)
Dacic: “Misuse of events in Racak continues” (RTS)

International:

Wider Europe Briefing: The Conundrum Of Kosovo's EU Application And The Broader Effects Of Qatar-Gate (RFE)
Serbia, Kosovo Accused of Sabotaging Political Assassination Trial (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media

Kurti: Kosovo is a double success story (media)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, gave his message before the start of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

He, in an interview for the Swiss medium Tages-Anzeiger, invited the countries to invest ‘in progressive, pro-European and democratic Kosovo.’

"Kosovo is a double success story. In 1999, NATO democracies stopped Serbia's genocide in Kosovo. Since then, we have proven that economic development and democracy can go hand in hand," Kurti said.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti has accused Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic of writing to the European Union states not to accept Kosovo's application to the EU.

"He has written to all EU countries not to accept the application. I am very happy that Ukraine received the status. Ukraine deserves it. Ukrainians deserve full solidarity in their fight against Russian fascism," Kurti said.

Osmani: Slovenia remains one of the most important allies of Kosovo (media)

The President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani received the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, Tanja Fajon, in a meeting today.

After this meeting, Osmani posted some photos on her Facebook account and wrote that Slovenia remains one of the most important allies of the people of Kosovo.

"Today, together with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia, Tanja Fajon, we discussed the deepening of interstate cooperation as well as our joint efforts for peace and stability in the Western Balkans."

Kurti travels to Switzerland, to participate in the World Economic Forum in Davos (Klan)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti travelled to Switzerland today to participate in the World Economic Forum in Davos.

According to the government communiqué, on the first day of his stay in Switzerland, Kurti, together with the Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, the Chief of Staff, Luan Dalipi, the Political Advisor for Information Technology, Lulezon Jagxhiu and the Political Advisor to the Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, Gearda Demiraj will be a speaker at the Investor Summit in Zurich, organised by the government of Kosovo.

Haxhiu welcomes request for international arrest warrant for those that ordered Recak massacre (Telegrafi)

Kosovo’s Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, said today that the request for an international arrest warrant for those that ordered the massacre in Recak “is good news for justice and our country because for the first time there are serious efforts to address war crimes”. “This is news that the citizens and the families of those that were killed were waiting for years,” she said.

Haxhiu also criticised “the previous governments and the prosecutorial system led by former chief prosecutor Lumezi” of not having “the readiness or interest to seriously address these crimes committed against our people”.

Fajon: Slovenia supports Kosovo-Serbia dialogue; normalisation of relations (media)

Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Tanja Fajon, said during her visit to Pristina today that Slovenia supports the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia and that the two sides must talk about the normalisation of relations.

Fajon told reporters that Slovenia stands alongside Kosovo and that negotiations need to be held fast. “Every situation of crisis threatens the image of the state, and this is why we should not fall into crisis. I have offered my help in the normalisation between countries. As you know, Slovenia supports the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. In April there will be elections [in north of Kosovo] and they need to be free and fair,” she said.

Fajon also called on both Kosovo and Serbia must avoid tensions and discuss the EU proposal for the normalisation of relations.

Gervalla: Serbia’s threats in the region require a common response (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Donika Gervalla, said today after meeting her Slovenian counterpart, Tanja Fajon, that the latter has been part of many efforts to realise Kosovo’s legitimate interests, Koha reports.

Gervalla argued that the situation in the region remains complicated because of the war in Ukraine, and also because of unresolved disputes between countries in the region.

She said that Slovenia, as a member state of the European Union, is an important advocate of Kosovo.

Gervalla further argued that Serbia’s war threats in the region require a common response. “Without peace and stability in our region and without an inclusive Europe, the challenges will remain the same. Our region is in a dangerous phase for European history. Slovenia is a member of NATO and Kosovo has never hidden its aspirations to join NATO,” she was quoted as saying.

Radio Free Europe quotes Gervalla as saying that Kosovo will not seek any shortcuts to implement an Association, which as she said, violates the Constitution of Kosovo.

Kusari-Lila: No organisation or association was voted in the Assembly (Kallxo)

Member of Parliament from the ranks of the Vetevendosje Movement, Mimoza Kusari-Lila has stated that no association was voted for in the Assembly of Kosovo. "No type of association or organisation has been voted in the Assembly of Kosovo. The Assembly voted a decision in 2015 that revealed that there are violations in a significant number of articles," she said. Kusari-Lila said that there is a need for law and order in the north of Kosovo. "There is a need for law and order and justice in the four municipalities in the north of the country. The installation of barricades and the presence of gangs in the north is an extreme concern in Kosovo," she added. Kusari-Lila emphasised that dialogue is the only platform for normalising relations between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the head of the PDK parliamentary group, Abelard Tahiri, said that the government has positioned itself very unfavourably in terms of dialogue. “In the position we are in, this is a step back and a big damage that Kurti is doing" Tahiri said.

The Assembly of Kosovo, on Thursday, will consider in principle the Draft Law for the withdrawal of funds from the Pension Savings Fund - Trust. This was decided at today's meeting of the Presidency of the Assembly. Abelard Tahiri, head of the PDK Parliamentary Group, has asked the MPs to support the draft law.

Fifth anniversary of Oliver Ivanovic’s assassination commemorated (Kosovapress)

The news agency reports that on the fifth anniversary of the assassination of Kosovo Serb political representative Oliver Ivanovic, his relatives, close associates and citizens lit candles in front of the headquarters of the Civic Initiative “Freedom, democracy and justice” in Mitrovica North. During the commemoration, there was criticism against the judicial systems in both Kosovo and Serbia, including the international community, for failing to resolve the case even five years later.

FES branch in Pristina finishes drafting of Association statute (Express)

The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung branch in Pristina confirmed to the news website today that they have finished drafting a statute of the Association of Serb-majority Municipalities. A spokesman for the branch in Pristina, Rene Schlee, said that this week they will decide on the date of the public presentation of the draft. “We have finished drafting the statute. We will meet this week to discuss when we will organise a public presentation to which you are cordially invited,” Schlee said.

The news website notes that there is major international pressure on Kosovo to form the association. German Ambassador to Kosovo, Jorn Rohde, recently said that the agreement for the formation of the association must be implemented without delay. In an interview with Gazeta Express last year, Rohde said that Kosovo cannot say no to the association but must bring proposals on the table.

The news website also notes that the media had published a draft/document for the association which was reportedly prepared by the FES office in Belgrade. This was however refuted and it was clarified that the draft was prepared by the office in Kosovo and that the office was working on a new draft.

Serbian Language Media

Petkovic: No one requested services of Friedrich Ebert organisation (Kosovo Online)

An attempt that any non-governmental organisation takes over authority to prepare draft statute of the Community of Serb Majority Municipalities (ZSO) makes the dialogue senseless and represents a direct violation of the agreement defining this matter, Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic said reacting to media reports that Friedrich Ebert organisation has completed a draft statute for the Community of Serb Municipalities, Kosovo Online portal reports.

"The drafting of the ZSO Statute is the exclusive competence of the Management Team for the establishment of the Community, as precisely prescribed by the agreements reached in the dialogue in Brussels in 2013 and 2015, so there is not a single legal basis or reason for this work to be carried out by any non-governmental organisation, or any other entity", Petkovic said in a statement.

This, he added, is unequivocally clear from Article B point 2 of the Agreement entitled "Scope and mandate of the management team for the establishment of the ZSO" from 2013, which states that the drafting of the ZSO Statute is the exclusive competence of the Management Team.

He also said this was confirmed by Article 21 of the General Principles from 2015, which states that "the Statute of the ZSO will be drawn up by the Management Team and presented to the high-level dialogue within four months".

Petkovic said that in line with the entrusted mandate the Management Team completed the draft statue almost five years ago, in August 2018 and notified officially the EU on it.

“I recall that up to date, the EU has not fulfilled its own obligation to call for the dialogue at a high level at which the Management Team would present a draft statute”, he said.

He also warned that anti-democratic attempt was underway that those who have no links with the real lives of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija and do not represent Serbian people in Kosovo attempt to decide about their endangered rights.

SRSG Ziadeh meets President Vucic (RTS, media)

Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) and Head of UNMIK, Caroline Ziadeh met today Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Serbian media report.

As a press statement issued by Vucic’s cabinet notes during the meeting Vucic said it was of crucial importance to continue considering Kosovo issue at the UN Security Council, so the international community is transparently informed about the situation on the ground, adding the continuous engagement of UNMIK was necessary.

He also noted that Serbia consistently advocates for the respect of international law principles and implementation of the legally binding UN SC Resolution 1244.

He added Belgrade remains committed to the dialogue and the talks in Brussels. He noted that “frequent attacks against the Serbs, their properties and heritage were unacceptable” and that timely reactions and condemnations of those acts by the United Nations and international community was crucial.

At the end he said Serbia remains committed to the advancement of regional cooperation which contributes to the reconciliation process.

Dacic thanks countries that will amend position on Kosovo pending solution (N1, FoNet)

Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic said it is Serbia’s obligation to gradually align its foreign and security policy with that of the European Union (EU), but that a clear political sign that EU enlargement is alive and real was also needed, N1 reports.

Speaking at a Serbian New Year reception for government members and the diplomatic corps, Dacic said it was inappropriate to expect steps in aligning with EU foreign and security policy “when there is no concrete progress, and readiness to accept new EU members is put into question”.

He said this is happening at a time when Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty are threatened, that is, when Serbia is faced with double standards regarding the preservation of territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The preservation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity is Serbia’s priority, which defines its foreign policy activities, Dacic noted, adding that Serbia is negatively surprised by the liberal and selective interpretation of international public law.

Dacic thanked the countries that are consistent in not supporting Kosovo unilaterally declared independence and those that amended their positions, as well as those that will amend them “pending a compromise and sustainable solution”.

The Kosovo issue can only be resolved through the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Dacic said. He reiterated Belgrade’s “red lines” are everything that has been signed needs to be implemented, including the UN Security Council Resolution 1244, the Brussels and Washington agreements, that Serbia can never recognize Kosovo independence or accept its UN membership and that the Kosovo Serbs’ full rights and safety must be ensured.

Petkovic reacts to Kurti’s interview to Dutch NRC, says he utters untruths (BETA, Danas, Kosovo-Online)

Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic said Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti lied when he said that people in Russian uniform were brought by buses to the barricaded areas in northern Kosovo from central Serbia, adding that he can not present evidence for allegations made.

Petkovic said those buses could enter Kosovo at Merdare only, while Jarinje and Brnjak crossing points were closed on the first day of the barricades, and that those “inexistent buses” transporting people in Russian uniforms, only Kurti could let in.

“Additionally, why Kurti does not present evidence? He can’t, because he has no them, nor they exist…Once again, all Kurti’s lies that Belgrade wishes to attack Kosovo over the last year have fallen”, Petkovic said in a statement.

As reported earlier Kurti in his interview to the Dutch NRC made allegations that masked men with insignia of Wagner group were brought to northern Kosovo from central Serbia by buses.

Commenting on Kurti’s statement that the “Serbs would massacre them again” if there is no NATO in Kosovo, Petkovic said it was yet another inaccuracy adding that “the suffering (of Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija) took place not only at the time of war, but also after, and when KFOR and NATO were heavily present in Kosovo and Metohija”.

He added the last such murder attempt happened when a member of the Kosovo Security Forces shot at a child and a young man, in Gotovusa village, while they were carrying an oak tree on Christmas Eve.

Petkovic also commented on remarks that “Kosovo was bleeding financially” because electricity in the north was not paid. “The agreement on energy was made upon the insistence of Belgrade. In order for the Elektrosever licence to become operational Pristina has to fulfil its obligations, which also includes the agreement on distributive services. And that response is still pending (…)”, Petkovic said, adding if Kurti truly cares about implementation of a road map, he would not create a war situation in northern Kosovo, construct bases and endanger people’s lives.

Vucic reacts to Kurti’s interview to Viennese Der Standard (KoSSev)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic reacted to some of the statements Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti made for Viennese Der Standard in which he described Serbia as a state “without democracy”, “Russian governorate”, and that the line between Serbia and Kosovo has become “a border between NATO and Russia”, KoSSev portal reports.

In his reaction Vucic said those “were desperate political messaging”.

“I did not know Kurti had become NATO in the meantime. Serbia has its borders. Those are neither Russian nor NATO borders. We have our borders established by UN Charter and UN Resolution 1244”, he said.

Referring to Kurti, Vucic also said – say what you want and however you want. You are trying to place us somewhere we are not. Attempting to place yourself where you are not. We do not attempt to place you where you do not belong, nor do we do so for ourselves. We have our country that we love the most in the world, that we are proud of. It is not you who sets the borders. The borders are determined by international public law”.

Russian Ambassador: Moscow consistent in its support of Serbia’s sovereignty (N1)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucicmet with Russian Ambassador to Serbia, Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko with whom he discussed the current events in Kosovo and Metohija, Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, bilateral relations and economic cooperation, N1 reports.

According to the official statement, Vucic informed Botsan-Kharchenko about intensifying international diplomatic activities when it comes to the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

Vucic pointed out that Serbia will continue to be the guardian of peace and stability in the region, advocating the respect for international law, the statement said.

Botsan-Kharchenko confirmed that Russia remains consistent in its support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia and emphasised the importance of the UN Security Council’s Resolution 1244.

Vucic thanked once again for the support that Russia provides to Serbia in international forums in this regard.

Albanian living in Belgrade accused of war crimes; Neighbours take action to help him, claim he’s innocent (KoSSev)

Muhamet Alidemaj, a native of Krnjina near Istok, who lived in Belgrade for more than two decades, was arrested and detained upon arriving in Kosovo back in 2021. Alidemaj remains in custody to date. While the Kosovo judiciary accused him of allegedly committing a war crime in Izbica in 1999, together with Serb soldiers and policemen, Alidemaj’s neighbours from Belgrade who reached out to KoSSev newsroom claim that he is innocent, that he was not part of the security forces, and that during the Kosovo conflict, he lived and worked in Jakovo, suburban neighbourhood of Belgrade. They even raised money to pay for Alidemaj’s lawyer and voiced a desire to testify, noting that “one cannot watch calmly while an innocent person is being accused“, the portal reports.

Milan Opacic from Jakovo is confident that his neighbour, Muhamet Alidemaj, is innocent. In a statement for KoSSev, he says that Alidemaj came to live in Belgrade in September 1998, that he was not a member of the Serbian Army or the police, and that he did not serve the mandatory military service.

“When the crime occurred in Izbica, he was not even there. He came here to his uncle’s house in Jakovo, they had several buses and provided city transportation services. He was a conductor of city transport. That’s why the whole of Jakovo and the entire bus line know him, because of his job“, Opacic told KoSSev.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3ZD97d2

Commemorations held on fifth anniversary of Oliver Ivanovic’s assassination (RTS, KoSSev)

RTS reports today five years have passed since the assassination of the leader of Civic Initiative Freedom, Democracy, Justice (SDP) Oliver Ivanovic while organisers and perpetrators of this crime still remain unknown. Oliver Ivanovic was gunned down in front of his party premises in Mitrovica North, on January 16, 2018.

The commemoration of the fifth anniversary of Ivanovic’s murder was held at Saint Sava Temple in Belgrade, with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister Ana Brnabic being present. Ivanovic’s widow Milena and their son, along with his friends and relatives attended the commemoration. Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director, Petar Petkovic was also present.

On his Instagram account, Vucic wrote that “for the five years, there is neither truth nor justice for this heinous and inhuman act”, adding that “Serbia didn’t forget and will not give up from requesting that real perpetrators are brought to justice”.

Meanwhile, a commemoration was held in Mitrovica North in front of SDP premises. Opposition leaders from Belgrade and MPs of Peoples’ Party (NS), Democratic Party (DS), Go and Change Movement, Local Front, political activists from Kosovo, representatives of Ivanovic’s family and friends attended the commemoration. Dejan Nedeljkovic, on behalf of the family while calling the present to observe a minute of silence said the reason for it was “to point out to those remaining silent for five years already, and certainly know much more than us, when it comes to the murder, organisers and perpetrators. Here, I foremostly think of the Kosovo judiciary and Kosovo authorities, judiciary of Serbia that conducts a parallel proceeding and authorities in Serbia, as well as the international community”, he said.

One hour and a half, after this commemoration, Ivanovic’s Civic Initiative Freedom, Democracy and Justice (SDP) will also mark the anniversary at the same place in Mitrovica North.

At 11.00 today, a bigger part of Ivanovic’s family will mark the anniversary at his burial site, New Cemetery in Belgrade.

German Embassy on ZSO, Pristina CoE membership bid (KoSSev)

The German Embassy in Pristina said the blocking of the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities would make ensuring the necessary majority of votes for Kosovo membership in the Council of Europe difficult, KoSSev portal reports citing Pristina-based Koha.

"Germany and partners have repeatedly emphasised that discussions on the implementation of the Association of Serbian Municipalities should begin now, with the aim of establishing the Association, according to the relevant Kosovo-Serbia agreement from 2013, which is fully in line with the limits set by the Constitutional Court. Further blocking the establishment of the Association will not make it easier for Kosovo to achieve the necessary majority to apply for membership in the Council of Europe. It will also represent serious obstacles in the further process of joining the EU. When it comes to technical details, European partners in particular can provide a lot of expertise when it comes to designing appropriate legal approaches. Germany will be happy to support and share its experiences in this area if they wish”, KoSSev reported it was a reply from the German Embassy.

Detention of Trajkovic extended for two more months, lawyer to appeal it (Kosovo Online)

Detention of Sladjan Trajkovic, former Kosovo police officer, arrested on December 15 and accused of allegedly committing war crimes, has been extended for two more months, his defence lawyer, Dejan Vasic told Kosovo Online portal. He also announced he will appeal that decision and request a house arrest measure instead.

He added arguments of the defence were not accepted by the Basic Court in Pristina, including eight positive examples that persons with residence in Kosovo were sent to house arrest pending trial, he worked on, as there was no danger to flee, that the highest sentence for the charges against his client goes up to 15 years, which is ten years less that the legal maximum of 25 year sentence as well as health condition of his client.

Two Serbs from Klokot sent to one-month house arrest (Kosovo Online)

The Court in Gnjilane has decided to send to one-month house arrest two young Serbs from Klokot, Dejan M. (27) and Aleksadnar S. (31), Kosovo police detained for allegedly causing general danger as during Christmas Eve celebration several shots were fired in the air near the church at this place, Kosovo Online portal reports.

The defence lawyer Milos Delevic said the court dismissed the prosecutor's request to put them in detention.

The Office for Kosovo and Metohija said earlier that such arrests linked with celebration of Orthodox Christmas serve to send the message to the Serbs that they are not entitled to their holidays. It also provided arrested men with legal aid and a lawyer.

Vucevic: Situation in Kosovo highest security risk for Serbia (Radio KIM)

Serbian Minister of Defense, Milos Vucevic said today that the situation in Kosovo and Metohija undoubtedly is the highest security risk for Serbia, adding the situation currently is calm, but is carefully monitored. Vucevic said Belgrade monitors “new infrastructural works” of Kosovo police and Kosovo Security Forces.

He said Belgrade loudly opposes transformation of Kosovo security forces into Kosovo armed forces, which would lead to creating Kosovo army.

Asked about reconstruction of the Kosovo police bases in northern Kosovo, Vucevic said that in four Serb majority municipalities there is further infrastructural positioning of Kosovo police.

“This is not a good sign, and it moves us away from the dialogue. This leads to the threat and endangerment of basic human rights that the Serbian community in Kosovo and Metohija is having. We urge KFOR and EULEX every day to undertake what in their mandate is – and it is to guarantee the safety for all citizens in Kosovo and Metohija, and for those who are in minority in particular”, he said.

Dacic: “Misuse of events in Racak continues” (RTS)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said there is no additional information on arrest warrants Pristina prosecution issued for 18 Serbs regarding the Racak case, because relations with Pristina do not fall under foreign policy relations, RTS reports.

Dacic told RTS that “the event in Racak from 1999 is being misused since the beginning as an alibi and an excuse to launch attacks on the-then Yugoslavia and that now this misuse continues”.

He recalled that former head of OSCE verification mission William Walker said it was a massacre and that US officials said women and children were murdered even before any insight was made as to whether it was about an armed action of Albanians or about civilians.

According to him, it was sufficient to note “that the Hague Tribunal gave up on that indictment in the case of Slobodan Milosevic, that there were no evidence for that, and that forensic examinations we carried out, and which others didn’t want to document, showed that those murdered had gunpowder traces, respectively that they took part in fighting”.

International

Wider Europe Briefing: The Conundrum Of Kosovo's EU Application And The Broader Effects Of Qatar-Gate (RFE)

Brief #1: Kosovo's EU Membership Application Is A First For Brussels

What You Need To Know: Kosovo officially applied to join the European Union on December 15. Pristina has long sought eventual membership in Western organizations, but the move was sped up by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February last year and the subsequent renewed impetus of the EU enlargement process with Bosnia-Herzegovina, Moldova, and Ukraine. Those three countries have all become official EU candidates in recent months.

With even Georgia applying for membership last year and getting potential candidate status, Kosovo was suddenly the only country left in Europe that had previously expressed hopes of one day joining the bloc but that still hadn't formally applied to do so.

Deep Background: Kosovo's application is a real head-scratcher in Brussels. Normally, when a country applies for membership, EU member states in the European Council simply send over the request to the European Commission, usually with minimal fuss, so that it can prepare an opinion. That process can sometimes take years. Not so in Kosovo's case.