UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 14, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti: There is risk of new attacks (Koha)

European Parliament starts formalization of growth plan for Western Balkans (media)

O'Brien: We will not treat Kosovo government as partner if we are not treated the same (VoA)

Rohde: Kosovo and Serbia have satisfied local audience, but they have not come close to common goal such as EU (media)

Kurti's adviser to Rohde: Serbia is rejecting and fighting signing of agreement (media)

Osmani: Ambassador Abbott supported many important causes for Kosovar society (Klan)

Abdixhiku meets Hovenier: Coordination serves advancement of national interest (Klan)

Brush: Vucic's self-perception as president of 'Serbian world' does not contribute to dialogue(Reporteri)

Police on leaflets distributed in the north: It is not serious threat (Koha)

Croatian PM on Banjska attack: Kosovo-Serbia war almost started (Reporteri)

Sandulovic after CBK decision: Radoicic, Veselinovic, Rakiqi and other criminals will no longer get rich (Reporteri)

OSCE: Draft law on IMC should not have restrictions and unfair influence on media (RFE)

The New York senator proposes a resolution for February 17 (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

O'Brien’s message to Pristina: If you do not treat us as partner, we won’t treat you as a partner either (Kosovo Online, KoSSev, media)

Petkovic: If Kurti truly cared about peace, he would first form Community of Serbian Municipalities (Kosovo Online, media)

Members of National Convent on EU and Serbs from Kosovo visit Brussels to discuss challenges of Serb community (media, social media)

MTS.doo team prevented to repair malfunction at Leposavic municipal building roof (Kosovo Online)

Telekom Serbia director general announced filing criminal charges against Leposavic mayor (media)

Radakovic: Kurti is buying time; three months insufficient for solution (Kosovo Online)

Derikravic went on hunger strike, demands Tax Office return more than 310,000 euros he claims were illegally seized (KoSSev)

“When Kosovo Cadastral Agency changes your identity, gender and origin“ (KoSSev, N1, Radio KIM)

Dacic receives new Slovak Ambassador (Tanjug)

Vucic: Time has come to establish large movement for people and state (Tanjug)

Albanian Language Media

Kurti: There is risk of new attacks (Koha)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has said that the president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, is leaving open the possibility of returning to Kosovo. In the discussion on security challenges in the Western Balkans, held in London, Kurti said that this is the reason why Vucic refuses to sign the agreement reached last year.

"By not signing (the agreement), Vucic will keep open the option of invading Kosovo. I cannot see any other substantial meaning of this refusal to sign, apart from this, they want to keep this door open, so that they have other windows to return and repeat the aggression", Kurti said.

He has stated that there is a risk of a new attack like the one in Banjska, and that such a thing has not happened so far due to the cooperation of the Police with KFOR.

European Parliament starts formalization of growth plan for Western Balkans (media)

The European Union's plan for economic growth and reforms in the Western Balkans, in the amount of 6 billion euros, was discussed on Tuesday in the European Parliament, where it must receive consent before entering into force.

The European Parliament has strongly supported the special financial assistance for the countries of the Western Balkans and requested that it be made clear that this only complements the pre-accession instruments – the IPA funds – and that it is not a substitute for them. The Parliament has also supported the conditionality for the use of these means and requested that some conditions be added.

"Another prerequisite will be adaptation to the Union's common foreign and security policy, including the adoption of restrictive measures against Russia, as well as the EU's requirements for visas for third countries," says the amendment proposed by the European Parliament.

The European Commission, in support of the Parliament, has made it clear that there will be specific conditions for the use of these means for Kosovo and Serbia.

"The prerequisite will be that Serbia and Kosovo engage constructively in the normalization of relations between them in order to fully implement the relevant obligations arising from the Agreement on the road to normalization and the Annex for implementation, as well as all agreements from the past in dialogue and engage in negotiations for the comprehensive agreement for the normalization of relations", says the amendment proposed by the EP as an additional condition for the use of EU funds.

O'Brien: We will not treat Kosovo government as partner if we are not treated the same (VoA)

The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, James O'Brien, has said that the United States is very concerned with the decision of the government of Kosovo not to allow the use of the dinar, calling on them to withdraw the decision. O'Brien said that with this decision, the government of Kosovo has questioned the partnership with the USA.

"I don't make lukewarm threats in public. I would say that if we are not treated as a partner, we will not treat the government of Kosovo as a partner either", said O'Brien in an interview for the Voice of America on Tuesday.

He said that Kosovo did not consider the advice of its partners for the decision. "Modern European countries solve these issues with preliminary dialogue and inform the residents in time", he said, adding that after the decision, there was only a short exchange with Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

"This is a matter of partnership and ability in governance. All the problems that have been encountered since this decision was announced were identified in the first 5-10 minutes after we learned about it. However, the government proceeded with its implementation without warning and has left a number of its citizens confused about how to pay for food, rent and electricity, which some of them have only just started paying. This is not a form of effective governance. We are very worried, as this shows the inability of the government to serve its citizens, but also for the partnership. Being part of Europe today means solving issues through dialogue with effective planning and warning. This decision was announced hastily, without warning and without an attempt to use the existing mechanisms to find answers to all the problems that could arise", said the assistant secretary of the USA.

Asked about the CBK's decision for a quarterly postponement, O'Brien said that this had to be done before the decision was implemented. Therefore, according to O'Brien, the decision should first be abandoned and then work on a solution.

"People should know how they will pay their bills. When I read the statement of the Central Bank, it does not say that the use of the dinar will be allowed. It says an alternative will be offered. This had to be done before implementing the decision in cooperation with the affected communities and the neighbors affected by the decision and frankly with the European Union and us. So no, they should stop this immediately and then work towards solving the concrete problem that they want to solve, as modern European states do", he stressed.

Rohde: Kosovo and Serbia have satisfied local audience, but they have not come close to common goal such as EU (media)

The German Ambassador to Kosovo, Jorn Rohde, has said that Kosovo and Serbia have so far satisfied their local audience, but have not come close to the common goal, such as EU membership.

"The 60th Munich Security Conference begins on Friday. This year's theme is 'Lose-lose dynamics in international politics. Doesn't that fit perfectly with what we currently see between Kosovo and Serbia? Both have satisfied their local audiences so far, but do not get closer to common goals like the EU," Rohde wrote in X.

Kurti's adviser to Rohde: Serbia is rejecting and fighting signing of agreement (media)

The political adviser of Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Fellanza Podrimja, reacted to the German ambassador, Jorn Rohde, regarding his statement where he mentioned the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue.

"Signing the EU agreement with the Ohrid Annex would be profitable! Unfortunately, one side not only rejects this, but fights it on every front", she wrote on the X platform.

Osmani: Ambassador Abbott supported many important causes for Kosovar society (Klan)

Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani, received on Tuesday in a farewell meeting the ambassador of the United Kingdom in Kosovo, Nicholas Abbott. She thanked the British diplomat for the cooperation and continuous contribution to the deepening of relations between the two states.

"Ambassador Abbott, for us you are more than a diplomatic representative. You are a true friend of Kosovo, a valuable collaborator and an unwavering supporter of our aspirations for a free, open and just society. Your continuous support for human rights, peace and the integration of Kosovo in the Euro-Atlantic family, as well as its general international empowerment, shows your commitment to Kosovo", said President Osmani.

"At the meeting, the willingness of both interlocutors was expressed for Kosovo and the United Kingdom to continue cooperation in various fields, including security issues, economic development, education, culture and strengthening of human relations between the citizens of the two countries ", it is stated in the announcement of the Office of the President.

Abdixhiku meets Hovenier: Coordination serves advancement of national interest (Klan)

The leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Lumir Abdixhiku, hosted the U.S. ambassador, Jeffrey Hovenier. Abdixhiku, in a post on Facebook, said that he and the U.S. ambassador discussed "openly" about the latest political developments in Kosovo and how these developments reflect not only in interstate relations but also in the international position of Kosovo.

"On the eve of the 16th anniversary of independence, we must remember how important our alliances remain in the Euro-Atlantic journey. The coordination of our policies serves the advancement of our national interest, as it serves our future as a modern state", said the head of the LDK. He said that the LDK remains committed in this direction.

Brush: Vucic's self-perception as president of 'Serbian world' does not contribute to dialogue(Reporteri)

The former U.S. diplomat, Jennifer Brush, who previously served as the deputy head of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo, UNMIK, is not optimistic that the leaders of Kosovo and Serbia want solutions in the dialogue for the normalization of relations.

She said that, while the president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, "sees himself as the president of the 'Serbian world', he cannot be an honest negotiator at any table".

"As for [Kosovo Prime Minister Albin] Kurti, he was not elected to make an agreement with Serbia; he has been chosen to fight for Kosovo. He has obligations to his electorate and will go to a new round of elections soon," Brush said.

Brush, who also served as deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, said that the West should increase the pressure on Serbia more, because, according to her, it is Serbia that can do more to destabilize the region and not Kosovo.

Police on leaflets distributed in the north: It is not serious threat (Koha)

Veton Elshani, Deputy Director of Police in the North, has said that without any action in practice, the distribution of new flyers in the name of an organization called "People's Defense" calling on Serbian citizens "to oppose the Kosovo Police and the municipal administration" do not represent a serious threat. Elshani said that so far they have taken several investigative actions, but they still have no suspects.

"Until now, we do not have any suspects, we have undertaken some investigative actions. We are making some investigative developments. The case has been opened. We think they were distributed either at the protest or after the protest. Investigations will clearly show when. Although these seem serious given the developments in the north, only if we see those actions in practice then we will deal with them. Words are words. It does not mean that this threat is very serious", Elshani told KTV.

According to him, the Kosovo Police will continue to perform its work and is on alert. As not too serious, Elshani also considered the graffiti "When the army returns to Kosovo, the Northern Brigade lives" that are being written in different places in the northern municipalities

"There are people who write them, another group goes and removes them. It is a population of 25-30 thousand people, there are many Albanians. It is not something serious when someone writes something. According to the law, we have the duty to investigate them", he said. Elshani said that the situation in the north remains calm, but it is delicate.

Croatian PM on Banjska attack: Kosovo-Serbia war almost started (Reporteri)

The Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenkovic, said that in Kosovo "the war almost started".

He connected this statement to the case of the terrorist attack by the Serbian armed group in Banjska of Zvecan on September 24 last year, where the police sergeant, Afrim Bunjaku, and three Serbian terrorists were killed.

"Four and a half months ago, there were such tensions in Kosovo that the war between Kosovo and Serbia almost started", Plenkovic said, when asked if military service was discussed at the HDZ party meeting.

"If we see the tensions in other countries in our neighborhood, if we see the threats caused by illegal migration... then one word comes into focus - and that is security", said the Croatian Prime Minister.

He added that the new generations do not know anything about certain skills in changed circumstances.Therefore, he said that the introduction of some modules of compulsory military service, which has been discussed in public recently, was not someone's whim, but responsible behavior due to the changed security environment.

Sandulovic after CBK decision: Radoicic, Veselinovic, Rakiqi and other criminals will no longer get rich (Reporteri)

The opposition leader in Serbia, Nikola Sandulovic, has said that the annual amount of dinars that Serbia has sent to Kosovo amounts to 800 million euros. Through a post on Facebook, Sandulovic asked some questions about the use of the dinar in Kosovo with the new Regulation of the Central Bank of Kosovo.

"Is it true that the problem now was the dinars that were sent to Kosovo from the budget of Serbia, without any control of Kosovo's institutions and in banknotes? Is it true that the annual sum of dinars was worth €800,000,000 and with which Milan Radojicic, Zvonko Veselinovic, Goran Rakic and other criminals from the Serbian List will no longer enrich themselves? Is this amount correct and did the money go entirely to help the Serb community? Who from the Serbian List and the representative of the Serbian community in Kosovo has this amount of dinar available and how did he invest it? To whom and how much", he asked.

OSCE: Draft law on IMC should not have restrictions and unfair influence on media (RFE)

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) mission in Kosovo said on Tuesday that the draft law on the Independent Media Commission (IMC), which aims to regulate online media, should avoid any inappropriate restrictions on freedom of expression and any undue influence on media content.

The OSCE has said that it "welcomes" the government's intention to amend and supplement the Law on the IMC in accordance with the European Union directive, to ensure "a more applicable framework for consumer protection, the promotion of cultural diversity and media pluralism".

But, it emphasized the importance of fostering a "favorable environment for self-regulation of online media, based on the principles of freedom, responsibility and respect for human rights and democratic values."

According to the OSCE, the Draft Law should aim at "the effective articulation of standards and principles according to which the necessary by-laws will be issued. Also, it is important to ensure a balance between regulation and self-regulation in this sector".

"Co-regulation between regulatory authorities and media actors could help and inform the decision-making process and ensure that the chosen approach reflects the needs and aspirations of Kosovo society," OSCE announced.

"Any new legislation must ensure that it does not weaken the important role of the Print Media Council in effective self-regulation, including in terms of online media content," the OSCE said.

The New York senator proposes a resolution for February 17 (Klan)

The New York Senator, Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, has announced that she has proposed a resolution in the U.S. State Senate to commemorate Kosovo's Independence Day. She on the X platform has expressed that she is deeply honored by this.

“I'm deeply honored to sponsor this resolution in the State Senate commemorating Kosovo's Independence Day. It's a testament to the remarkable resilience and determination of the Kosovar people, who have overcome numerous challenges all leading us to this occasion”, she wrote.

Serbian Language Media

O'Brien’s message to Pristina: If you do not treat us as partner, we won’t treat you as a partner either (Kosovo Online, KoSSev, media)

Serbian media widely covered interview of US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien with Voice of America, saying that the US was deeply concerned about decision of Kosovo Government to disallow the use of the dinar, and with this stance, the Kosovo Government had called into question its partnership with the United States, Kosovo Online portal reported.

"I'm not making vague threats in public. I would say that if they don't treat us as partners, we won't treat the Kosovo Government as a partner", O'Brien said.

As he pointed out, although the United States advised the Kosovo Government against implementing such actions, it decided to proceed, disregarding the advice of key partners. He emphasizes that all the problems that have arisen since the announcement of this decision were identified within the first 5-10 minutes after the public learned about it.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/bjH36

Petkovic: If Kurti truly cared about peace, he would first form Community of Serbian Municipalities (Kosovo Online, media)

If Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti genuinely cared about lasting peace and normalization of relations in Kosovo and signed agreements, he would first fulfill provisions of the Brussels Agreement signed back in 2013 and establish Community of Serb-majority Municipalities that guarantees collective and individual rights to the Serbs, which are currently being violated and denied on a daily basis, Office for Kosovo and Metohija Director Petar Petkovic said in a statement, Kosovo Online portal reported.

Petkovic added "neither Belgrade nor President Aleksandar Vucic threaten anyone; the only Balkan pyromaniac is Albin Kurti, a threat to peace in these areas, and a threat to common sense with his erratic statements".

"This was shown by his latest statement, as well as by his actions, as under his rule, Serbian children carrying Serbian Christmas tree are shot at, the Serbs are wounded on the Bistrica Bridge, Dragisa Galjak is shot in the back, or Serbian children Dara and Kristijan from Zitkovac, near Zvecan, are beaten just because they are Serbs, while numerous of our compatriots languish innocently in dungeons", Petkovic said. Petkovic also noted that Kurti should not attribute “his militant and violent methods” to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic or Belgrade, as it is because of them that some form of peace exists in Kosovo.

Members of National Convent on EU and Serbs from Kosovo visit Brussels to discuss challenges of Serb community (media, social media)

Members of the National Convent Working Group on EU Chapter 35, and delegation of Serbs from Kosovo are visiting Brussels in order to acquaint EU officials with all challenges faced by the Serbian community in Kosovo.

While in Brussels they will meet with the EU special envoy for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, members of the European Parliament, representatives of the European Commission and member states, as well as other officials, Coordinator of the National Convent for EU Chapter 35, Dragisa Mijacic said in a post on X, social platform.

“The purpose of the visit is to acquaint officials in Brussels with the current challenges faced by the Serbian community in Kosovo and perspectives of the dialogue on normalization”, he added.

MTS.doo team prevented to repair malfunction at Leposavic municipal building roof (Kosovo Online)

MTS.doo technicians attempted to repair the malfunction and enable mobile phone signal in the part of Leposavic territory that was interrupted, however Leposavic mayor did not allow them to get to the roof of the municipal facility where malfunction was located, Kosovo Online portal reported. According to the portal, mayor Lulzim Hetemi told MTS they can only “permanently take away equipment from this building”, although the company possesses all permits necessary for works.

Due to works carried out on the roof of the municipal facility, around midday yesterday an interruption of an aerial RR link for mobile base stations KOM Lesak and Josanica occurred. The two stations enable coverage to the parts of Lesak, parts of Leposavic, Josanica village and a larger part around the motorway – Administrative crossing – Leposavic – Socanica. As the portal reported the works were carried by another Kosovo mobile phone operator – Vala.

MTS.doo announced they will initiate a complaint process with the responsible body for electronic regulations, because, as they said, “by violent decision of one man they have been denied right to normal work despite possessing all necessary permits”.

Telekom Serbia director general announced filing criminal charges against Leposavic mayor (media)

Director General of Telekom Serbia, Vladimir Lucic, whose daughter company MTS.doo is registered and operational in Kosovo in line with Brussels agreement, announced filing criminal charges against Leposavic mayor Lulzim Htemi, because, as he said, Hetemi did not allow MTS.doo technicians to repair the malfunction on the municipal facility roof, leaving part of the population in northern Kosovo without signal.

“(Albin) Kurti’s party colleague, certain Mr. Lulzim Hetemi, harshly violated Brussels agreement, all local laws and business standards of companies in Europe and by the most serious misuse of official authority violently interrupted signal of radio link for out repeater in Lesak, thus leaving numerous citizens without mobile phone signal, despite the company possessing all necessary permits”, Lucic said.

He added the company will inform the international community and foreign embassies about this, but also file criminal charges against Hetemi, in hope that “he will be brought to justice and held accountable for his acts”.

Radakovic: Kurti is buying time; three months insufficient for solution (Kosovo Online)

Mitrovica North-based NGO Advocacy Center for Democratic Culture (ACDC) Executive Director Dusan Radakovic told Kosovo Online portal a three month period is insufficient to find a solution for use of dinar, adding that this way Kurti was simply “buying time”.

He argued that the three month period is insufficient if there is no political agreement through Brussels to find a solution, primarily for pensioners, social benefits, and everything else. “(…)I am afraid that those three months will only serve to satisfy the international community, without any plan on how a pensioner in Gorazdevac, Mitrovica, Gracanica can receive their pensions or social benefits", he said.

He added that Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti will only "strengthen his positions", noting there have been many decisions so far where only time was bought, and nothing crucial changed. "It's not just a problem with dinars, we have problems with hospitals, schools, municipalities, medications, the functioning of healthcare, and sports clubs. There are many issues that people need to address, how Serbian institutions will function here, the rectorate, public procurement, all of that needs to be regulated", Radakovic concluded.

Derikravic went on hunger strike, demands Tax Office return more than 310,000 euros he claims were illegally seized (KoSSev)

The former owner of the cable operator – Lika d.o.o. from Zvecan, Zarko Derikravic went on a hunger strike yesterday, as announced, in protest of the fact that two years ago, the Tax Administration allegedly confiscated more than 310,000 euros from him illegally. Zarko Derikravic is the former owner of the company Lika d.o.o. – a cable operator from Zvecan. The company operated from 2013 until December 10, 2019, when a contract was signed on the transfer of full ownership to the company MTS d.o.o. for 1,200,000 euros.

The director of the Tax Administration in Mitrovica later denied Derikravić’s allegations in a statement for KoSSev. He emphasized that this was not a unique case, and that this institution “committed no injustice“ against Derikravic. In a statement for KoSSev, Derikravić's legal representative, Halil Voca, then denied the Tax Administration’s allegations.