Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Kosovo’s present and future cannot be held hostage by Serbia (media)
• President Osmani has traveled for an official visit to Croatia (media)
• Konjufca: Serbia's goal was to annex a part of Kosovo (RTK)
• Svecla meets NATO general Stuart B. Munsch (media)
• The Council of Europe condemns terrorist attack in Banjska (Koha)
• Hovenier says that Association should not contain executive powers (RTK)
• NATO: Kosovo will not return to the dark years (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

• PACE: Dialogue is the only solution for Kosovo (RTS)
• Dacic at the UNHCR meeting: 210 000 people left Kosovo because of ethnic hatred, not even two percent returned (Tanjug)
• Petkovic to European diplomats: “Serbia was not involved in tragic events in Banjska” (N1, KoSSev)
• An online petition in support to the northern Kosovo citizens' request for the withdrawal of special forces (Kontakt plus radio)
• A Serb detained in Zvecan for questioning, then released last night (KoSSev)
• Milivojevic: Banjska investigation in interest of all, should not affect dialogue (N1)
• Brnabic requests OSCE ODIHR mission (N1)

International Media: 

• Serbia-Kosovo Accusations Get Personal After Pristina IDs Attack Suspect With Ties To Vucic's Son (RFE)
• Balkan States Rush to Evacuate Citizens from War-torn Israel (Balkan Insight)

 

 

 

Albanian Language Media

 

Kurti: Kosovo’s present and future cannot be held hostage by Serbia (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has said in Liverpool, United Kingdom that “Serbia, as an ally of Russia, tried to copy the Donbas scenario in order to conquer the north.”

"The increase in Serbian military presence on the border with the Republic of Kosovo was described as unprecedented by the White House's National Security Council, while footage captured by drones in the possession of the terrorist group revealed that paramilitary troops were trained on official bases in the Serbian army, thus irrefutably proving the direct involvement of the state of Serbia in the planning of the attack that was carried out two weeks ago in Banjska, on September 24", he said at the Annual Conference of the Labor Party.

However, the prime minister emphasized that the present and future of Kosovo, as well as the peace and security of Europe cannot be held hostage by Serbia, and that the perspective for peace, justice, and prosperity in a time full of challenges depends on ‘what we choose to do and how we choose to act together.’

Kurti said that the influence of the Labor Party on the fate of Kosovo has been important and great. Within the framework of the Labor Party Conference that is being held in Liverpool, Kurti was invited as the main speaker at the lunch organized with the sister parties.

Among other things, Kurti said that two of the most important moments in the recent history of Kosovo are the years 1999 and 2008, the liberation, respectively, the independence, during which the Labor Party was in power in the United Kingdom.

President Osmani has traveled for an official visit to Croatia (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has traveled for an official visit to Croatia at the invitation of President Zoran Milanovic.

According to the announcement from the Office of the President, the focus of the discussions will be the further deepening of bilateral relations and the latest developments in Kosovo and the region.

"On the agenda of President Osmani's visit to the Croatian state is the meeting with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, as well as the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Gordan Jandrokovic," the announcement states.

It is also announced that within the framework of this official visit, President Osmani will also visit the municipality of Rjeka, where, among other things, she will meet with the Albanian community in this municipality.

Konjufca: Serbia's goal was to annex a part of Kosovo (RTK)

The Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo, Glauk Konjufca, is on an official visit to Berlin. At the Embassy of Kosovo, the speaker met the diaspora with whom he discussed the attack in Banjska.

"It is a group that maintains direct contact with the Serbian army. Both the president and the interior minister, and the army has offered them training grounds for exercises against Kosovo. Serbia's goal was to annex a part of Kosovo's territory. So, we know exactly the goal which is not only of a group, but also of Serbia. By its nature it is called a terrorist act, but by its status it was aggression", Konjufca said.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday the head of the Assembly of Kosovo will meet with the president of the Bundestag, Barbal Bas. He will also hold meetings with the chairman of the Bundestag Foreign Policy Committee, Michael Roth, and other members of this committee.

Svecla meets NATO general Stuart B. Munsch (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of the Interior, Xhelal Svecla, received in a meeting on Monday Admiral Stuart B. Munsch, commander of the NATO Joint Forces Command in Naples.

"I had the honor of receiving today at the Ministry of Internal Affairs the Commander of the NATO Allied Forces Command, Admiral Stuart B. Munsch. I thanked him for the support and capacity building especially after the terrorist attack organized and supported logistically and financially from Serbia to Kosovo on September 24", he wrote on Facebook.

He wrote that he has informed Admiral Munsch ‘that our security institutions are working intensively in analyzing all the evidence of the terrorist attack, which so far clearly testify to the involvement of Serbia and its authorities in the operational organization of this attack.’

"The Republic of Kosovo has been and continues to be the most democratic country in the Western Balkans, being deeply in line with Western values. The cooperation between our security institutions, NATO and our partners is close and will always continue to be so," he said.

The Council of Europe condemns terrorist attack in Banjska (Koha)

Members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe have condemned the terrorist attack in Banjska in Zvecan. In the debate on the situation in Kosovo, members of the Assembly of Kosovo demanded that Serbia be held accountable. The representatives of the neighboring country accused Prime Minister Kurti of, as they said, persecutory policies against Kosovo Serbs.

The members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe have asked for de-escalation of the situation in the north after the terrorist attack in Banjska, Zvecan and the return of the parties to the dialogue table.

During the discussion about Kosovo on Monday, in the mechanism where Kosovo is not a member, but its MPs participate with the right to speak, the necessity of clarifying all the circumstances of the September 24 attack was emphasized. The member of the Assembly of Kosovo, Arben Gashi, has said that Serbia is behind the attack, adding that it continues to harbor the attacking group.

"On September 24, in the village of Banjska in Zvecan, a terrorist attack occurred where an armed group killed a policeman and injured two others. Serbia, which is a member of this institution, supported this paramilitary group with heavy weapons. Serbia is continuing to support and hide all those attackers. It is our responsibility to condemn terrorism and all its forms", Gashi said. According to him, the presence of training camps in Serbia is not only a violation of international norms, but also a threat to the region.

"We must stand together and stand in solidarity against terrorism. We call on Serbia to withdraw its troops from Kosovo. The presence of military troops has the potential for escalation and disruption of the peace. We believe that dialogue for peace leads to the solution of problems", emphasized Gashi.

The Deputy Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo, Saranda Bogujevci, responded to the Serbian members by showing the marks on her hands from the bullets taken by the Serbian army as a 13-year-old. In the massacre of March 28, 1999, 16 members of the Bogujevci, Duriqi and Llugaliu families were killed by the Serbian paramilitary unit "Akrepat". Saranda Bogujevci survived 16 bullets.

"25 years ago, as a 13-year-old, I survived a massacre by the Serbian army, which was led by the people who still lead Serbia today. As a 13-year-old I was left lying in a pile of my family's bodies with 16 bullets. Today I still have these marks on my hand and other parts of my body. And to see 25 years later, that we are constantly attacked verbally and in other ways, and finally with a terrorist attack, is unacceptable. Enough is enough! There has never been an apology, there has been nothing undertaken to bring justice, not only for what happened then, but also now. The people who carried out the terrorist attack on September 24 are in Serbia and are not being tried," said Bogujevci.

Meanwhile, the representative of Serbia in the Council of Europe has blamed prime minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, for, as she said, the persecutory policies against the Serbs in the north.

"The Republic of Serbia expresses regret for the event in Kosovo. Serbia is committed to dialogue and peace, but the problem is Kurt's regime. In Banjska, three Serbs were killed at close range even though they had left their weapons, another was shot in head while it was on the ground. All deaths must be investigated. I repeat that this event happened because of Kurti's long-term terror and the failure of the international community to stop it," said Liliana Pantiq. "As for the interference in the sovereignty of states, we are the ones who have suffered from this by applying double standards. Serbs in Kosovo live in difficult conditions. Since the arrival of Kurti, 11 percent of Serbs have left Kosovo. The obligation to reduce the presence of special units was not implemented, nor the obligation for new elections".

Despite her claims, the European Union had declared that Kosovo has met the point where the reduction of special units in the north was required.

Other members, including those from countries that have not recognized Kosovo, condemned the act, drawing parallels with Russia's unprecedented attack on Ukraine.

"The situation in Kosovo is disturbing and reminds me of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2014. I have no doubt that Russia with its tools in the Balkans is trying a new war to draw attention away from the war in Ukraine. Some countries in the Balkans should stop to use minorities for purposes against the sovereignty of another state. I don't even believe that Vucic has any illusions that he can have control in Kosovo, this is more of a political game", said Aleksander Mereshko, representative of Ukraine.

The representative of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Sabina Gudic, called for Kosovo to be admitted to the Council of Europe as soon as possible.

"Two thirds of our family strongly believe that Kosovo should be a member of the Council of Europe. Now is the time and we cannot wait any longer to open the door to those who want to become part of the Council. The longer this process is extended, the ground is created for malicious foreign influences to meddle in the Balkans, such as Putin, who has influence in Belgrade and Banja Luka. This allows them to create crises not only in Kosovo, but also in Bosnia and other Balkan countries. Citizens of Kosovo must have access to human rights mechanisms. We can argue for a long time about who is guilty, but in the end it is the citizens who pay the price", Gudiq said.

On May 12, Kosovo applied for membership in the Council of Europe, a process which has not been finalized yet.

Hovenier says that Association should not contain executive powers (RTK)

The U.S. ambassador in Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier, in an interview with "Bloomberg", said that the establishment of the Association of Municipalities inhabited by Serb majority "must happen urgently".

"For Kosovo, this means that it will have to move earlier than some would like on its obligation regarding the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities [ASM]. The Serb community in Kosovo still has a number of concerns and they see ASM as a way to help address these concerns. We agree. We also believe that ASM should have limitations, because we believe that without these limitations it can become something problematic or a source of instability instead of stability in the region," he emphasized.

He said that he believes that it should be in accordance with the current constitution of Kosovo. 

"We believe that it should be in line with the decision of the Constitutional Court of 2016. We believe that it should be in line with Mogherini's letter that was sent. No executive authority. We think that within these limitations there is room for the Kosovo government to take actions that will respond to the legitimate concerns of the Serb ethnic community, and we think that this is an element of what needs to happen urgently," said the American diplomat.

Hovenier spoke about the proposal of President Vjosa Osmani, who said that Kosovo should prepare the draft association statute with the USA. 

"I see the role of the U.S. in this way as I see the role of the U.S. in the rest of the dialogue. So if thegovernment of Kosovo would like to put forward their ideas on how best to move forward with a credible process for establishing an Association including providing ideas or an actual draft of a draft statute, we would welcome that. And if the government of Kosovo wants to share this with the United States first for our feedback, that's fine. We would also welcome that," Hovenier emphasized.

Regarding the attacks of the paramilitary group in Banjska that were led by Milan Radoicic, and the latter's taking responsibility for the terrorist attacks, Hovenier said that "I don't believe that these will be the last words on this".

"We are aware that he said he did it himself. We don't believe this will be the final word on this," Hovenier said. "Work must continue to determine ultimate responsibility."

According to the American diplomat, the next steps would be taken within the framework of the Brussels dialogue.

"At the end of the day, however, we will have to work with the European Union because this will be taken up in the context of the EU-facilitated dialogue. But any effort that the government of Kosovo wants to make to show how it would realize this vision and fulfill this commitment would be a positive step and we would welcome it," he emphasized.

NATO: Kosovo will not return to the dark years (Klan)

The defense ministers of NATO member states will meet in Brussels on October 11 and 12.

Asked if the case of the armed attack in Banjska of Zvecan on September 24 will be among the topics of discussion at the ministerial meeting of the alliance, a NATO official told Klan Kosova that "it is expected that the agenda of this week's meeting of the defense ministers of the alliance should also include an exchange of views on the role of NATO in the Western Balkans".

The Secretary General of the North-Atlantic Alliance, Jens Stoltenberg, described the current situation in Kosovo, as "worrying for NATO.”

But in an interview given to the German newspaper "Welt am Sonntag", Stoltenberg added that it will not be allowed to return to dark times.

"I want to say very clearly: NATO troops are ready to maintain peace in Kosovo. We will not allow the violence of the 1990s to return," added Stoltenberg.

 

 

Serbian Language Media

 

PACE: Dialogue is the only solution for Kosovo (RTS)

At the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe held yesterday, one of the items on the agenda was the situation in Kosovo. According to RTS, it was concluded that Belgrade and Pristina must return to dialogue as soon as possible, which is the only way to reach a solution.

The title of the item of the session of the PACE related to Kosovo was "The situation in the north of Kosovo after the recent attack and the necessity of de-escalation".

MP from Serbia, Biljana Pantic Pilja, pointed out at the session that Serbs in Kosovo live in terrible conditions, suffer terror and that 11 percent of them have left Kosovo since Albin Kurti came to power. She asked the institution whether it supports the mass exodus of a nation.

She pointed out that no one was charged for the attacks on Serbs and attempted murders that occurred at the beginning of the year:

"The Serbs have been waiting ten years for the formation of the CSM (ZSO). The survival of the Serbs is an international obligation, as is the Brussels Agreement, but Kurti refuses to do it."

Speaking about the recent events in the village of Banjska, she said that ''three Serbs were killed at close range when they surrendered''.

"It was a murder. Everything should be investigated, and an investigation should be carried out," said the MP and emphasized that peace is in the interest of Serbia and the entire region.

MP Elvira Kovac emphasized that the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina has reached a boiling point. As she said, Pristina is using various means to obstruct that process.

"We mourned all the victims in Banjska, but we are asking for a detailed investigation," stated Kovac and added that Belgrade is leading a responsible policy.

She also said that Serbia is a serious and responsible partner to the international community.

Solution in the implementation of the agreement

The majority of MPs pointed out that there are serious accusations from both sides in this conflict, that a detailed investigation should be carried out, but also that the solution to all this is the implementation of the agreement from Brussels and Ohrid, reported RTS.

Polish MP Aleksander Pociej said that Pristina must establish the CSM and protect minorities and their rights.

"We stand behind it as an organization. The future of both parties is in the EU," said the Polish MP.

Austrian MP Reinhold Lopatka said that everyone agrees that the ongoing crisis in the region should be closed.

"Those responsible for the attacks in the north must be brought to justice, and Serbia has promised to participate in that, which is positive," said Lopatka.

RTS reported that some of the speakers demanded that Serbia be condemned, like the representatives of Pristina, and some, like the representatives from Albania, blamed Serbia for the events in the north of Kosovo. 

The session will continue today.

Dacic at the UNHCR meeting: 210 000 people left Kosovo because of ethnic hatred, not even two percent returned (Tanjug)

Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Ivica Dacic said yesterday, in Geneva, at the session of the 74th UNHCR Executive Committee that from ''Kosovo and Metohija, due to ethnic hatred, 210,284 people were forced to leave their homes, of which the largest number are Serbs, as well as other non-Albanian communities - Roma, Ashkali, and Gorani,'' reported Tanjug. 

Dacic stated that, according to UNHCR data on the voluntary non-majority return to Kosovo, only 12,707 internally displaced persons returned to Kosovo. 

"Due to numerous obstacles, including threats and violence, the sustainable return is even lower and is estimated at less than two percent," emphasized the head of Serbian diplomacy, stating that such a small number of returnees to Kosovo was disappointing.

He reminded that according to UN Security Council Resolution 1244 from 1999, the return of displaced persons was one of the main tasks of the international presence and Pristina institutions. 

Serbia has direct experience with forcibly displaced persons

Serbia has direct experience with the sufferings of forcibly displaced persons - starting with refugees who fled from wars in the territory of the former Yugoslavia, to internally displaced persons who were forced to leave their homes in Kosovo, said the head of diplomacy Ivica Dacic in Geneva.

Speaking about the current situation on the global level, which has contributed to a record increase in the number of people forced to leave their homes primarily due to conflicts, but also as a result of climate change, Dacic said that Serbia was aware of the enormous efforts of UNHCR staff, led by High Commissioner Grandi , invests in order to provide adequate protection and ensure the needs of both persons who are in prolonged displacement and those who have fled their homes due to acute crises.

"Unfortunately, Serbia has direct experience with the sufferings of forcibly displaced persons - from refugees fleeing wars in the territory of the former Yugoslavia, to internally displaced persons who were forced to leave their homes in the province of Kosovo and Metohija, to migrants who found themselves in our territory in search of a better life," said Dacic.

Dacic said that Serbia was especially grateful to the UNHCR for its efforts to provide protection to displaced persons and enable the exercise of their rights, but also for the assistance in the implementation of the Regional Housing Program, which provides permanent housing solutions for refugees and persons displaced due to conflicts on the territory of the former Yugoslavia in the nineties.

Szijjarto said that Hungary will not allow the introduction of sanctions against Serbia 

Dacic said that he spoke with his Hungarian colleague Peter Szijjarto, who conveyed to him the message of President Viktor Orban, that the demands of those who support Pristina for the introduction of sanctions on Serbia are getting stronger, but that Hungary will certainly not allow it, reported Tanjug.

"I will convey this, once again, to President Aleksandar Vucic, as well as to the public, which is good news for us and shows that the friendship forged between Hungary and Serbia has turned into mutual trust and support," emphasized Dacic. 

Petkovic to European diplomats: “Serbia was not involved in tragic events in Banjska” (N1, KoSSev)

Head of the Serbian Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija and negotiator in the dialogue with Pristina Petar Petkovic held a working meeting for European diplomats on Monday in Brussels, reported N1, citing KoSSev. 

The Office said Petkovic briefed the diplomats on the current situation in Kosovo, including the September 24 incident in the village of Banjska, northern Kosovo. 

He reiterated that Belgrade requests an impartial investigation into the events that took place in Banjska and, in connection with this, the Serbian delegation presented material “rebutting Pristina’s lies.”

A press release issued by the Office said the discussion Petkovic had Monday with foreign diplomats, that is, ambassadors, representatives of European Union (EU) member countries, European Commission and European External Action Service, lasted two and a half hours and took place at the offices of the Serbian mission to the EU, KoSSev reported.

Petkovic firstly informed the diplomats that Belgrade, with its president at helm, “is doing all it can to preserve peace and stability.”

“Serbia in no way wanted to nor be involved in the recent tragic events in Banjska. It is for this reason that an objective and impartial investigation into the events in Banjska is needed, having in mind the fact that Pristina is employing disinformation and untruths in an attempt to label Serbia as the culprit.”

The Office for KiM said Belgrade showed documents, photos, and video footage, “rebutting Pristina’s lies and presented evidence showing clearly that Pristina is the root of all problems.”

“In a well-argumented manner, the Serbian delegation reminded the diplomats of the numerous incidents and attacks by Pristina that had exclusively targeted Serbs.”

Petkovic noted that Belgrade has been warning the international public for the past year that the situation on the ground would escalate further “if the West fails to exert strong pressure on (Kosovo Prime Minister) Albin Kurti.”

He also reiterated a call to KFOR to fully take over the role of protecting the Serbs in northern Kosovo and to replace the Kosovo Police, “which the Serbs see exclusively as an occupation force.”

“The only way forward is through immediate de-escalation and withdrawal of the Kosovo Police from the north, and by continuing the dialogue and taking concrete steps towards the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities,” the Office quotes Petkovic as saying, KoSSev reported.

An online petition in support to the northern Kosovo citizens' request for the withdrawal of special forces (Kontakt plus radio)

Kontakt plus radio reported that an online petition was launched yesterday in support of the request of the citizens of northern Kosovo for the withdrawal of the Kosovo Special Forces and the removal of their bases from four municipalities. In addition, the request seeks that KFOR and EULEX take over the security of the residents of northern Kosovo.

''Citizens of Kosovska Mitrovica, Zvecan, Zubin Potok and Leposavic express their concern and fear in this request due to the presence and activities of special units of the Kosovo Police in these four municipalities.''

"The presence and operation of special units in full combat gear violates the general sense of security of the residents and makes impossible the normal life and coexistence that has been trying to be built for the last ten years," the request states.

The request demands that the special units of the Kosovo Police "unconditionally and in the shortest possible time" be withdrawn - and that their bases be removed, and KFOR and EULEX are called on to take over the security of the residents.

"This is the only way to create a safe and secure environment for all residents of these areas, regardless of nationality," they point out.

At the same time, they say that they are determined to stay in their homes.

"We therefore point out that ignoring this request could lead to further escalation of incidents in our municipalities," they warn.

They called on the entire public to support the petition, and fellow citizens to organize themselves in order to collect physical signatures that, as stated, "will give strength to this request that has only one goal - to remove long pipes from our lives."

They emphasize that this is exclusively an appeal of citizens, and they distance themselves from any attempt to politicize this request.

As announced, the request will be sent to the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), KFOR, the Office of the European Union in Pristina, the Quint embassies and "other relevant international factors".

A Serb detained in Zvecan for questioning, then released last night (KoSSev)

A man of Serbian nationality M.Š. was taken into custody yesterday around 1 pm in Zvecan for questioning, it was confirmed for KoSSev from the Kosovo Police.

As confirmed by the deputy commander of the Kosovo Police in the North region, Veton Elshani, M.Š. was taken to the police station in the southern part of Mitrovica.

He said that for now it was only about taking him in for questioning, after which it will be known what would follow next. 

"He will be interrogated by the unit for serious crimes from Pristina, and after that it will be known what happens next, it depends on the hearing," said Elshani. 

However, he could not provide other details, i.e., in connection with which criminal offense M.Š. was questioned about.

In the evening, KoSSev was confirmed by the Kosovo police that the person with the initials M.Š. was released.

Milivojevic: Banjska investigation in interest of all, should not affect dialogue (N1)

Career diplomat Zoran Milivojevic said it is important for Serbia to conduct an “all-encompassing and thorough” investigation into the events in the Banjska village in northern Kosovo, and that the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue should not depend on that.

Milivojevic told N1 that Serbia should follow through the investigation and prove it was not in any way involved in the Banjska incidents.

This is important not only because of the European Union (EU), but also because of the dialogue and normalization process, it is “in the interest of all.”

He said it was inappropriate to raise the issue of Milan Radoicic’s extradition, noting that, according to Resolution 1244, extradition to oneself is impossible.

“Raising the issue (of extradition) is out of place, but full investigation – yes,” said Milivojevic.

Armed clashes broke out on September 24 between a group of Serbs, led by former deputy leader of the Belgrade-backed Serb List Milan Radoicic, and the Kosovo Police in the Banjska village in northern Kosovo. One Kosovo police officer and three Serbs were killed. Radoicic has accepted responsibility for the events in Banjska, denying any involvement of the Serbian authorities.

Milivojevic said it was up to Serbia “conduct (the investigation) firmly, verifiably and based on facts, as for how it will be evaluated, that is not up to us.”

Asked what he expects from the investigation, Milivojevic said the full truth which, he stressed, is also important for Serbia.

“We did not need Banjska, we were doing good in the negotiation process, dialogue, there isn’t a single element indicating that Serbia was involved, and that needs to be proved,” he said.

Milivojevic voiced his opinion that sanctions against Serbia are not possible, because they would require the full consent of all members and would render pointless the continuation of the dialogue which, he said, is of a greater interest.

European Parliament Rapporteur for Kosovo Viola von Cramon recently said that a package of measures has been prepared for Serbia as “a response to the September 24 terrorist attack in Banjska.”

Milivojevic said these measures are more lenient than sanctions, but that every measure throws into question Serbia’s participation in the dialogue.

“Serbia is ready for dialogue; an investigation will be conducted anyway. The dialogue should not depend on the Banjska case. The investigation should not affect this, because dialogue has no alternative,” said Milivojevic.

The Pristina side is exclusive, said Milivojevic, adding that the dialogue depends on the mediators, especially those who have influence on Pristina, meaning the US.

Brnabic requests OSCE ODIHR mission (N1)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic asked the OSCE to send experts to assess the pre-election environment and preparations for elections, a press release said on Monday.

It said that Brnabic sent a letter to OSCE ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci asking him to consider deploying a mission and a team of experts to work with the Serbian government and other relevant bodies to make the assessment.

“The letter said that cooperation between Serbia and ODIHR was characterized by a strong commitment to democratic values, transparency and the rule of law and added that Serbia has shown its commitment to implementing ODIHR recommendations, improving the legal framework and promoting the overall election environment,” the press release said.

Brnabic said that ODIHR played a crucial role in maintaining an atmosphere of trust and credibility for the previous elections.

 

 

International Media

 

Serbia-Kosovo Accusations Get Personal After Pristina IDs Attack Suspect With Ties To Vucic's Son (RFE)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic denied his son had anything to do with a deadly armed attack on police in neighboring Kosovo last month that caused European shock waves, after Kosovar authorities cited documents found at the scene belonging to a close acquaintance of 25-year-old Danilo Vucic.

Kosovo police are still investigating what they describe as a "terrorist" operation with alleged Serbian support involving around 30 heavily armed gunmen at the Banjska monastery in a mostly Serb-populated northern municipality on September 24.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/2bvf4d6j

Balkan States Rush to Evacuate Citizens from War-torn Israel (Balkan Insight)

Balkan countries are evacuating their citizens from Israel as governments express condemnation of the Hamas attacks – though some put forward more calibrated stances on the conflict.

Balkan governments are trying to evacuate their citizens from Israel as the conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas militants from Gaza strip continues.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/mwcj6dr6