• Kurti meets KFOR commander and EULEX chief (media)
• Kosovo is still waiting for KFOR to remove the barricades (euronews.al)
• Svecla: Shooting near the KFOR patrol, Vucic's games (RTK)
• North Kosovo: Shots fired near NATO patrol amid tensions (Deutsche Welle)
• NATO probing shooting incident in tense Kosovo north (Associated Press)
• Serbia sends military chief to Kosovo border as tensions rise (France24)
• Kosovo bans entry of Serbian Patriarch ahead of Orthodox Christmas (AA)
• EU condemns attack on journalists in north of Kosovo (euronews.al)
• Attacks on journalists in north of Kosovo, US ambassador reacts (euronews.al)
• Krasniqi to Kurti: Remove barricades! You have my full support (media)
• Lekaj: Kurti took wrong steps in north (Kosovapress)
• Arben Vitia appointed Minister of Health (media)

Kurti meets KFOR commander and EULEX chief (media)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, received the commander of NATO peacekeeping forces in Kosovo (KFOR), General Angelo Michele Ristuccia, and the Head of EULEX, Lars Gunnar Wigemark, in a meeting in Prishtina.

They discussed about the “actions of criminal structures in the north of the Republic of Kosovo,” which seriously affect security in Kosovo.

“The common conclusion from this meeting is that freedom of movement should be restored and that there should be no barricades on any of the roads,” the government announcement states.

“In the joint meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Svecla, we discussed the close cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, the NATO peacekeeping forces in Kosovo (KFOR), and the EULEX mission, within the mandates they have. There was also talk about the actions of criminal structures in the north of the Republic of Kosovo, which seriously affect security in the country. The common conclusion from this meeting is that freedom of movement should be restored and that there should be no barricades on any roads. During the meeting, we agreed on the continuation of close inter-institutional cooperation and the coordination of actions, in the service of peace and security for all citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, which is a common goal and priority of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo, KFOR and EULEX,” the government press release informed.

Kosovo is still waiting for KFOR to remove the barricades (euronews.al)

After a meeting of the Security Council of Kosovo, held on Monday, the Prime Minister’s Office said that the government is still “waiting for action from KFOR” to remove the barricades.

The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, held a meeting of the Security Council of Kosovo regarding the situation in the north, on the 17th day since the barricades were erected in this part of the country.

The barricades were erected in protest by dozens of local Serbs after the arrest of a former member of the Kosovo Police, Dejan Pantiq – accused of attacking the offices of the Central Election Commission.

In the press release, they stated that during these 17 days, the Government of Kosovo “has had continuous communication with KFOR” while repeating that even though “the Kosovo Police has all the capacities and readiness to act”, the government is waiting for KFOR.

“[During the meeting] it was said that the Government and the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo cannot have a dialogue with criminal gangs, while it was emphasized that freedom of movement should be restored and that there should not be any barricades on any roads”, it was further stated in this communication.

Svecla: Shooting near the KFOR patrol, Vucic's games (RTK)

After the gunshots near a KFOR patrol in Zubin Potok, the Minister of Internal Affairs Xhelala Svecla reacted, calling these attacks games of the Serbian president, Vucic and his criminal instruments.

"Initially they stated that in Zubin Potok there were armed clashes initiated by the Kosovo Police and its Special Units. However, when they realized that the criminal gangs supported by him attacked KFOR, they want to deny all the attacks," Svecla wrote on the Facebook.

He said that the barricades should be removed immediately, while Serbia should stop organizing and supporting illegal criminal structures that want to destabilize Kosovo.

"The Kosovo Police will continue to play its role and fulfill its mission. I appeal to all citizens not to fall prey to Serbia's propaganda to incite a new conflict and to cooperate with the Police and law enforcement agencies," the Minister of Internal Affairs wrote.

KFOR peacekeepers have confirmed that shots were fired near their unit in Zubin Potok.

"At this moment I can confirm that a few hours ago a KFOR patrol, while on duty in the vicinity of Zubin Potok, heard and saw several shots near it. There are no injured and there is no material damage. Now we are checking the facts and we will update you," KFOR said in response to RTKlive.

North Kosovo: Shots fired near NATO patrol amid tensions (Deutsche Welle)

NATO said there were no injuries and they were working to establish the facts surrounding the incident. Northern Kosovo has seen weeks of mounting ethnic tensions between local ethnic Serbs and Kosovar authorities.

NATO is investigating a shooting incident that took place in northern Kosovo over the weekend, NATO-led peacekeeping Kosovo Force (KFOR) said on Monday.

KFOR said there were no injuries after gunshots were fired Sunday near patrolling NATO troops. There was also no material damage reported in the incident that took place in Zubin Potok area, which is close to the border with Serbia.

"As meetings between all the parties are planned, it is important for all involved to avoid any rhetoric or actions that can cause tensions and escalate the situation," KFOR added.

The commander of the peacekeeping forces in Kosovo also met with Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti to discuss the situation.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3Ghr6OC

NATO probing shooting incident in tense Kosovo north (Associated Press)

NATO-led peacekeepers in Kosovo said Monday they were investigating a shooting incident in a tense northern region, urging calm as Serbia’s top military officials inspected their troops on the border with Kosovo in a show of combat readiness.

The incident on Sunday evening took place in Zubin Potok, a town in northern Kosovo where local ethnic Serbs have been manning road barricades for the past two weeks and where tensions have been running high between the two former wartime foes.

The peacekeepers, known as KFOR, said the incident happened in close proximity of one of their patrols, involving unknown people. A statement said no one was injured and “we are working to establish all the facts.”

Serbia’s defense minister and the army’s chief of staff traveled to the border with Kosovo, praising the combat readiness of Serbian troops and their firepower, including howitzers and other military hardware. Serbia, which has been armed through Russian donations and military purchases, has been sabre rattling and threatening force against its former province for a long time.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3GiQW4z

Serbia sends military chief to Kosovo border as tensions rise (France24)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic dispatched the army chief on Sunday night to the border with Kosovo, General Milan Mojsilovic himself announced, as strained relations between the two countries were exacerbated by recent blockades.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Belgrade refuses to recognise the move and encourages the remaining 120,000 Serbs to defy Pristina's authority.

Hundreds of ethnic Serbs, outraged over the arrest of an ex-police officer, set up roadblocks on December 10 in Serb-majority northern Kosovo which have paralysed traffic through two border crossings.

"The situation there is complicated and complex," the Serbian army chief said in an interview with local news channel Pink TV on Sunday.

"It requires in the coming period the presence of the Serbian army along the administrative line," he said, using the term Belgrade uses for the border with Kosovo.

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

Kosovo bans entry of Serbian Patriarch ahead of Orthodox Christmas (AA)

Patriarch Porfirije calls on authorities in Pristina to reverse discriminatory decision, trampling of human rights

Authorities in Kosovo decided Sunday to ban Serbian Patriarch Porfirije from entering the country ahead of Orthodox Christmas.

The Serbian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on Jan. 7 under the Gregorian calendar, with the celebration lasting three days.

According to a statement from the Serbian Orthodox Church, authorities in Pristina banned Patriarch Porfirije from entering the Patriarchate of Pec Monastery and the decision was received with sadness.

It added that the Patriarch would not give up serving and the decision meant "discrimination" against Serbs living in the region.

Porfirije called on the authorities to reverse the discriminatory decision and stop the trampling of human rights.

''Porfirije expects that this extremely discriminatory decision will be repealed” and called on the authorities in Pristina to stop with “the trampling of human rights and religious freedoms of Orthodox Serbs living in the province, on the land of their ancestors, where the Serbian people have lived continuously for at least 1,500 years,'' said the statement.

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

EU condemns attack on journalists in north of Kosovo (euronews.al)

The office of the European Union in Kosovo has reacted in relation to the attacks carried out today against journalists in the north of Kosovo, in the area of ​​Zubin Patok.

The EU office has condemned the attack, stressing that such actions are unacceptable.

In the post published on Twitter, it is underlined that journalists have every right to report and that their safety should not be jeopardized.

“This and previous incidents that affect the press of the media are unacceptable. The press has every right to report. Their safety should not be jeopardized”, states the reaction of the EU Office, which wished the team of journalists a speedy recovery.

This Monday, an attack was reported against journalists on the ground in the north of Kosovo. Reporters were attacked by Serbian citizens who blocked traffic through barricades in the north of the country.

Attacks on journalists in north of Kosovo, US ambassador reacts (euronews.al)

The ambassador of the United States of America in Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier, has reacted to the attack on journalists in Zupc, Zubin Potok this morning.

Through a post on Twitter, he states that the media should be able to work freely.

In addition, he said that violence and intimidation should not exist in the press, adding that free and independent journalism is a cornerstone of democracy.

“The USA joins the Association of Kosovo Journalists – AGK and the European Union in Kosovo to strongly condemn the latest attacks against Kosovo journalists. The media must be able to work free from threats of violence and intimidation. Free and independent journalism is the cornerstone of democracy,” said Hovenier.

Krasniqi to Kurti: Remove barricades! You have my full support (media)

Leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Memli Krasniqi called on Monday on the government of Kosovo to be vigilant and react as quickly as possible to remove the barricades.

"Therefore, as I have done all this time, several times, I am making this call again tonight, I wish for the last time: React! Remove the barricades! Every minute that passes, you are endangering the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. The citizens have voted for the Government that governs all of Kosovo and not only up to the Iber Bridge. So, don't back down, we will all support you!," Krasniqi said.

Krasniqi said that on the 17^th day of the installation of barricades in the northern part of Kosovo, Prime Minister Kurti held a meeting with KFOR. He also held a meeting of the National Security Council. "And what is the result," he asked.

"The barricades remain, the explosions in the northern part continue, the attacks on journalists are increasing, the lives of citizens are being endangered, the attempt to create a new reality is advancing and Albanians are leaving that part of our country every day," Krasniqi said.

According to him, the government must be vigilant and react as quickly as possible to remove the barricades which have become Vucic's points, as an attempt to divide Kosovo. For this, the government has full support, Krasniqi repeated.

"KFOR has done a good job so far to maintain peace, for which we are grateful, however, removing the barricades is first and foremost the responsibility of the Government of Kosovo," he said. However, in these three weeks, two things are certain according to Krasniqi:

"First, the barricades have been placed by the criminal groups orchestrated by the president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, with the aim of destabilizing and subjugating Kosovo.

Second, in encouraging these groups and creating a new reality there, the government's silence and inaction is having an enormous effect," Krasniqi wrote in a post on Facebook.

Lekaj: Kurti took wrong steps in north (Kosovapress)

Deputy leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Pal Lekaj addressed a series of criticisms directed at Prime Minister Albin Kurti regarding the situation in the north of Kosovo.

He said that the steps taken by Kurti in this part of Kosovo are wrong, leaving the citizens there at the mercy of fate.

“The steps taken by Kurti in that territory are completely wrong, even though I am saying that the politics of Belgrade has always thought of creating crises in order to use them in terms of the final agreement and especially for the association. A technical issue with license plates has brought us to where we are,” he said.

Lekaj, who is also an AAK MP in the Parliament of Kosovo, said that Kurti’s lack of coordination with international allies has brought Kosovo to this state, by not managing 18 percent of the territory in the northern part of Kosovo.

Arben Vitia appointed Minister of Health (media)

The Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti appointed on Monday Arben Vitia, Minister of Health. The news was announced through a short communique of the executive.

Vitia has been the Minister of Health before and in the most difficult period, when Kosovo was dealing with the "Covid 19" pandemic. He had resigned from this position, after he had decided to compete for Prishtina mayor as a candidate of the LVV, where he had failed to win in the runoff against the candidate of the LDK, Perparim Rama.