• COVID-19: 537 new cases, 12 deaths (media)
• Disturbing influx of Kosovo citizens towards Albania during weekend (media)
• Dialogue with Serbia considered key issue in foreign policy (Koha)
• Analysts: Greece more likely to recognise Kosovo independence (media)
• The fear of Kosovo women to report sexual harassment at work (BIRN)
• Hoxhaj: Government strategy to respond to Serbia’s propaganda (media)
• CDHRF: Janjic should be investigated for war crimes (media)
• Janjic: You are blessed when they persecute and lie against you (media)
• Seselj: Serbian Army must be ready to intervene in Kosovo (media)

COVID-19: 537 new cases, 12 deaths (media)

537 new cases of COVID-19 and 12 deaths from the virus were recorded in the last 24 hours in Kosovo. 503 persons have recovered from the virus during this time. There are 14,878 active cases with COVID-19 in Kosovo.

In one of its front-page articles, Koha Ditore reports this morning that national authorities can adopt anti COVID-19 vaccines that are not approved by the European Union. In another article titled The pandemic and increased prices are “squeezing” the citizens, the paper reports that there has been a considerable increase in the prices of basic products, such as flour, milk, eggs, sugar and oil.

Disturbing influx of Kosovo citizens towards Albania during weekend (media)

Citing information provided by Kosovo government officials, Radio Free Europe reports that in the last two days, around 29 thousand citizens of Kosovo, have crossed the border of Kosovo in the direction of Albania. Valbon Krasniqi, General Director of the University Hospital and Clinical Service of Kosovo, said such movements by citizens and their eventual gathering en masse, could lead to a deteriorating situation with the coronavirus in Kosovo.

A spokesperson for the Kosovo government is quoted as saying in Kallxo news website that the influx during the weekend was not entirely caused by the new restrictive measures against the spread of COVID-19.

Gazeta Express reports that there could be an increase in new COVID-19 cases as a result of the influx toward Albania during the weekend.

Dialogue with Serbia considered key issue in foreign policy (Koha)

The paper reports on its front page that the dialogue with Serbia is considered to be the key issue in the foreign policy of the Kurti-led government. The government, which is drafting its program, has yet to reveal its approach toward the EU-facilitated dialogue with Serbia. A spokesperson for the government told the paper on Sunday that the key actions of the government in the next four years will be outlined in its program and action plan. “Drafting these two documents requires coordination and discussions with all ministries and we are now finalising the documents,” the spokesperson said.

Bodo Weber, a commentator on political developments in the Balkans, is quoted as saying that the European Union and the United States of America are expected to step up their pressure for the talks to resume a final settlement to be reached. He also said that “although for good reasons, the government will face other priorities such as managing the coronavirus pandemic and regardless of statements by [Prime Minister] Kurti that the dialogue is not his priority, I think the dialogue will be among the top priorities because of the pressure from the U.S. and the EU”.

Analysts: Greece more likely to recognise Kosovo independence (media)

Experts on international politics don’t expect the five non-recognising EU member states to change their position on recognising Kosovo’s independence, except for Greece which could change its position. They also argue that the position of these EU member states should be seen after the end of the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia.

David Philips and Daniel Serwer, experts on international politics, said in interviews for RTV Dukagjini that Greece is likely to change its position on recognising Kosovo’s statehood. Philips said: “Greece is very likely to recognise Kosovo. The wall created by the five non-recognising countries will come down soon, as Greece or some other country decides to recognise Kosovo. Greece proposed in the 2014 agenda to further the Euro-Atlantic integration of all countries of the Western Balkans. Although I hope that Greece will change its position on Kosovo, we cannot ignore its close ties with the Serbian state.”

Serwer said: “Greece, in particular, looks more unpredictable compared to the other countries. Certainly, every final settlement between Belgrade and Prishtina should result in recognition from the five non-recognising countries. But I don’t see this happening soon.”

The fear of Kosovo women to report sexual harassment at work (BIRN)

Lacking protection from employees and the state – victims of sexual harassment in Kosovo remain reluctant to speak out.

“Leona” has been working in a patisserie for the last four years in the Kosovo capital, Prishtina.

For her and other waitresses working in the city, the job often triggers anxiety due to the various forms of sexual harassment they encounter, ranging from whispers to stalking, stares and wolf whistles, from the cafe’s male clientele.

Carrying a tray full of drinks to serve, she says the mirror near the bar reflects the stares she receives from the men. “Through that mirror placed in the bar, we see the looks we get from clients,” the 24-year-old says.

“Verbal harassment is less common,” she says, “but when we serve on the balcony, and after we take the orders, we often hear unpleasant words.”

Complaints are almost fruitless. Leona and her colleagues were ignored when they spoke out about the men’s behaviour, she says. When they reported cases to their manager, the reaction was minimal.

Read full article at: https://bit.ly/3d7BOIH

Hoxhaj: Government strategy to respond to Serbia’s propaganda (media)

Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Acting Leader Enver Hoxhaj reacted to the information that Europa Nostra has included the Decani Monastery in the list of the seven most endangered heritage sites in Europe. Hoxhaj said he expects the Kosovo government to draft a strategy and respond to Serbia’s diplomatic and propaganda campaigns against Kosovo. “The government must protect Kosovo’s interests and not remain silent in the face of the damage inflicted on our country’s image in Europe,” he said.

CDHRF: Janjic should be investigated for war crimes (media)

Most news websites report that the Prishtina-based Council for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF) has called for investigations against Decani Monastery Abbot Sava Janjic for his alleged involvement in war crimes during the war in Kosovo. The Council said that authorities must investigate Janjic for his role before and during the war in Kosovo when civilians were allegedly detained at the Monastery.

Janjic: You are blessed when they persecute and lie against you (media)

Decani Monastery Abbot Sava Janjic took to Twitter on Sunday to react to accusations made against him. “Regarding lies and insults against me in some Kosovo media, I can only answer with these words: ‘Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven,’” Janjic tweeted.

Seselj: Serbian Army must be ready to intervene in Kosovo (media)

Several news websites report that Vojislav Seselj, leader of the Serbian Radical Party, said on Sunday that the establishment of a Kosovo Security Force polygon in Mitrovica South could pose a threat to Serbs in Kosovo. In an interview with TV Pink, he said the Serbian Army must be ready for a rapid intervention in Kosovo.

“We need to be very careful. Our army needs to be ready in the event the threat becomes real so that we can intervene with immediate effect. That it is a very important strategic position and the whole northern part of Kosovo can be controlled with good artillery from there. This is also dangerous because according to UNSC Resolution 1244 Albanians don’t have rights to have military bases,” Seselj said.