• Three new cases of coronavirus in Kosovo (media)
• UNICEF delivers supplies to Kosovo to support COVID 19 response (media)
• Switzerland pledges funds to help Kosovo fight COVID-19 virus (media)
• Lajcak: Western Balkans has a special place in my heart (media)
• UK welcomes appointment as EU special representative for dialogue (media)
• PDK's Hoxhaj congratulates Lajcak on new post (Telegrafi)
• Kurti defends new appointments to public enterprises’ boards (media)

 Kosovo Media Highlights

Three new cases of coronavirus in Kosovo (media)

Kosovo's National Institute for Public Health announced in a statement today that over the 24 hours it has carried out 138 tests for coronavirus and that of these three have tested positive. The new cases are from the northern part of Mitrovica.

The Institute announced that there have been six recoveries from the virus with the total number of recovered persons now reaching 16.

Media also report that the municipalities of Mitrovica North and Zvecan have been placed on quarantine as of Friday evening due to 15 confirmed coronavirus cases.

North Mitrovica Mayor Goran Rakic said the decision for quarantining the two municipalities was taken by the emergency headquarters.

At the same time, officials from the Ministry of Health said that 50 new ventilators are expected to arrive to Kosovo by the end of April and that the authorities are in discussion with the EU to secure an addition of 30 ventilators for patients with COVID-19.

UNICEF delivers supplies to Kosovo to support COVID 19 response (media)

The shipment of professional protective and medical equipment acquired by UNICEF arrived to Pristina yesterday, as part of UNICEF’s Kosovo support to the health system in response to the current coronavirus crisis, online media quote a statement issued by the UNICEF Office in Kosovo.

“3.6 tons of equipment have been delivered to the Ministry of Health to support health workers on the frontline of Kosovo’s fight against COVID 19,” UNICEF said.

Head of UNICEF office, Murat Sahin said on the occasion: “UNICEF Kosovo has been able to react quickly, delivering lifesaving preventative supplies to front line health workers even when logistics are exceptionally challenging. We will continue to support creative means so that young person and child in Kosovo overcomes challenges posed by COVID 19”.

Spokesperson for the Kosovo's Ministry of Health, Faik Hoti, said for Kosovapress that every institution in Kosovo will be supplied with required items as necessary.

Switzerland pledges funds to help Kosovo fight COVID-19 virus (media)

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has allocated CHF 500,000 to help Kosovo fight the COVID-19 virus, the Swiss Embassy in Kosovo said.

The funds with be used to provide ventilators which are expected to reach Kosovo by mid-April.

“Switzerland commends the Government of Kosovo for the measures taken so far and the health professionals and other first responders for their dedication in fighting COVID-19, thus protecting the lives and health of citizens of Kosovo,” the Embassy said.

Lajcak: Western Balkans has a special place in my heart (media)

In his first statement after being appointed EU Special Representative for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues, Miroslav Lajcak said that the Western Balkans region has always been close to his heart and that he has worked in and with the region for a long time.

“I’m honored to be entrusted w/ this important task. I’m looking forward to working together w/ representatives of Serbia & Kosovo, heads of EU DELs, & in close coop w/US,” Lajcak said on Twitter.

UK welcomes appointment as EU special representative for dialogue (media)

The United Kingdom has welcomed the appointment of Miroslav Lajcak as EU Special Representative for the Pristina-Belgrade Dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues.

"The UK has long supported the EU-facilitated Dialogue as the route to achieving a sustainable normalisation agreement between Kosovo and Serbia and ensuring progress towards EU membership. The UK continues, as part of a unified international approach, to support a comprehensive, conclusive, legally binding agreement, respecting territorial integrity, which is acceptable to the citizens of both countries and will deliver long-term benefits to them and to the whole region," a statement issued by the British Embassy in Kosovo reads. 

PDK's Hoxhaj congratulates Lajcak on new post (Telegrafi)

Deputy leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Enver Hoxhaj congratulated Miroslav Lajcak on taking on the post of EU's special representative for dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia.

"You have the last chance to unify EU’s position on Kosovo, and in close coordination with US to reach a legally binding agreement and mutual recognition between Serbia and Kosovo," Hoxhaj wrote on Twitter.

Kurti defends new appointments to public enterprises’ boards (media)

Acting Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti has defended the decision to appoint new members of a number of publicly-owned enterprises, some of whom are reported to be affiliated with the Vetevendosje Movement (LVV).

In a Facebook post, Kurti stated that the public enterprises have new and professional boards. “These boards will be provisional,” said Kurti adding that they will focus on freeing the companies from the crime and corruption within them.