UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, October 8, 2024

 

Albanian Language Media:

 

• Kurti: Change of measure sufficient for success at CEFTA, Berlin Process (media)
• Kurti: Belgrade wants to talk about dialogue without mentioning agreement (Koha)
• Kosovo government decides to increase pensions by 20 percent (media)
• Police seize weapons, military equipment during raid in Mitrovica North (media)
• Osmani travels to Montenegro for annual summit of Brdo-Brione Process (media)
• Osmani meets Milanovic; “grateful for steadfast support” (media)
• US soldiers conduct vehicle checkpoints in municipality of Leposavic (media)
• Serbian professor apologizes to Kosovo public for “lost lives and all the pain” (media)

 

Serbian Language Media:

 

• Vucic meets with Scholz in Hamburg (media)
• Pristina partially lifts import ban on Serbian goods amidst diplomatic pressures (KoSSev)
• Vucic: Pristina will keep using tricks to stop Serbian goods (Tanjug, Kosovo Online, media)
• Reactions to Pristina’s decision to partially ease entry of Serbian goods in Kosovo (Tanjug, media)
• 65-year-old Serb in Korilje arrested, police said they found weapon and Civil Protection jacket (KoSSev)
• Mickoski: Serbia, North Macedonia share vision of region's joint EU future (media)

 

Albanian Language Media 

 

Kurti: Change of measure sufficient for success at CEFTA, Berlin Process (media)

 

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said on Monday that he believes that the changing of the security measure on Serbian goods will be enough for Kosovo to be successful at CEFTA and the Berlin Process. “We believe that the change of the measure that we are doing is sufficient to have full success the day after tomorrow at CEFTA and on Monday at the Berlin Process … We have opted for Merdare [crossing with Serbia] because the area there is wider, and the customs terminal is only 300 metres away from the border crossing. If we would opt for another border crossing the customs terminal would be much further away, and then it is difficult to control what happens with a truck when it crosses the border and until it reaches the customs terminal,” he said.

 

Kurti argued that the measure on Serbian products was a security measure and not a trade measure. He told reporters that the changed measure has started with one border crossing and will then be applied in other points too. “This morning, the Minister of Interior Affairs wrote to the Director of Customs that in one of the border crossing points, Kosovo has changed the security measure from limiting to increased control until we receive the scanners. Once the scanners arrive, the decision will apply to all border crossings. In the next seven days there are two important developments. The CEFTA meeting will be held the day after tomorrow, while the meeting of the Berlin Process will be held one week from today. Our measures have not been and are never trade measures, they are security measures,” he said.

 

Kosovo is waiting for new scanners that are used to inspect trucks for illegal goods. Scanners use x-ray technology to get detailed images of what is inside a transport vehicle, without having to open the containers and enabling quick inspections. 

 

Kurti said that he expects the U.S. and EU to help Kosovo secure the scanners in order to have greater border security, facilitate trade, and to guarantee that the goods entering from Serbia do not pose any security threats. “There is a big difference between having to control if a truck is transporting different seeds that are needed for poultry farming and whether they are carrying weapons and ammunition. In the case of ready-made products and in small boxes, this is very difficult. You cannot open all the boxes. And this is why we have asked for scanners,” he said.

 

Several news websites note that the decision of the Kosovo government comes after Germany’s insistence that banning the import of goods from Serbia damages the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) and the Berlin Process. 

 

German Ambassador to Kosovo Jorn Rohde, in a post on X, welcomed “the decision of the Kosovo Government to open the Merdare border crossing for goods coming from Serbia. This marks an important step towards unblocking CEFTA. We will support Kosovo to ensure its security needs are met and monitor the processes at the border crossing”.

 

Kurti: Belgrade wants to talk about dialogue without mentioning agreement (Koha)

 

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said on Monday that Belgrade’s interest is to talk about the dialogue with Kosovo without mentioning the agreement reached in Brussels in February last year. “We have an agreement, and we must not forget about it, what needs to be done is to respect it. Belgrade’s interest is to talk about the dialogue without mentioning the agreement. What I insist on is to sign the agreement. Belgrade cannot deny that we have reached an agreement,” he said.

 

Kosovo government decides to increase pensions by 20 percent (media)

 

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said on Monday that his government has decided to increase state-financed pensions by 20 percent starting from this month. He also said that pensions defined by the law on war categories will increase by 20 percent from January next year. The law includes families of martyrs, invalids, veterans, members of the former Kosovo Liberation Army, victims of sexual violence in war, civilian victims and their families. 

 

Several opposition representatives reacted to the announcement saying that it is an attempt to buy votes. 

 

Police seize weapons, military equipment during raid in Mitrovica North (media)

 

Kosovo Police Deputy Director for the north, Veton Elshani, told media on Monday that police carried out a raid in a location in Mitrovica North after receiving information about narcotics. During the raid, police confiscated a considerable number of weapons and military equipment, including an AK-47, two hand grenades M-75, 2 radios, 2 bulletproof vests, hats and gloves, military bags, ammunition, maps, and sprays and knives. Two persons were not found at the location during the raid and are wanted by the police. Police said that the operation is part of continuous efforts to fight organised crime and illegal weapons in the north of Kosovo.

 

Kosovo’s Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla welcomed the police operation saying that it is an additional case “which proves that the list of criminals and terrorists being sheltered in Serbia is getting longer”. “The fight against terrorism is continuing successfully, it will not stop and there is no going backwards. Our country will never be a shelter of criminals and terrorists that threaten the security of our citizens, officials or institutions,” Svecla wrote in a Facebook post.

 

Osmani travels to Montenegro for annual summit of Brdo-Brione Process (media)

 

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani travelled to Montenegro on Monday where she will attend the annual meeting of heads of states from the region as part of the Brdo-Brione Process. The forum is aimed at strengthening European cooperation and integration of countries of the Western Balkans. This year’s summit will focus on the enlargement of the European Union and the importance of the region’s membership in the EU.

 

Osmani is scheduled to hold a speech at the main session of leaders, highlighting Kosovo’s commitment for full integration in Euro-Atlantic institutions, for sustainable peace and security, and for regional cooperation. 

 

Osmani meets Milanovic; “grateful for steadfast support” (media)

 

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said in a post on X on Monday that she met her Croatian counterpart, Zoran Milanovic, and thanked him “for his steadfast support for a strong, secure, and prosperous Kosovo in its well-deserved place in the Euro-Atlantic family of nations”.

 

Abdixhiku: In first months in power, I will meet with U.S. for direct agreement (media)

 

Leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Lumir Abdixhiku, in an interview with T7 on Monday evening, said that in the first months [in power after the new elections in February next year] he will meet with the U.S. for a direct agreement. “In the very first months I will meet to reach a direct agreement with the United States of America, on the issue of the dialogue, Kosovo’s obligations, and saving Kosovo from Kurti’s plans,” he said. 

 

Abdixhiku argued that the dialogue was never held and that it cannot be solved without U.S. involvement. “I want the dialogue to be held in Washington. The biggest mistake this government made was to shift the dialogue away from Washington and to unimportant tables, without recognition [of Kosovo], with measures [against Kosovo] and with historical clashes with the U.S.” he added. “I will meet with the U.S. and I will reach an agreement the same way we did in Rambouillet and in Vienna and in all the crucial stages of Kosovo. The U.S. will be the guarantor. I will go to the U.S. to reach a direct agreement and to convince them”.

 

According to Abdixhiku, the agreement reached between Kosovo and Serbia in Ohrid last year is detrimental for Kosovo.

 

US soldiers conduct vehicle checkpoints in municipality of Leposavic (media)

 

NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo – KFOR – said in a Facebook post on Monday that U.S. soldiers assigned to Regional Command East of KFOR conducted vehicle checkpoints within the municipality of Leposavic. “These efforts are part of KFOR’s daily mission to guarantee a safe and secure environment for all communities living in Kosovo. KFOR continues to implement its mandate - based on UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 1999 - to contribute to a safe and secure environment for all people and communities living in Kosovo and freedom of movement, at all times and impartially. KFOR is the third security responder, after the Kosovo Police and the EU Rule of Law (EULEX) mission, respectively, with whom we work in close coordination,” the post notes.

 

Serbian professor apologises to Kosovo public for “lost lives and all the pain” (media)

 

Several media cover a Facebook post by Ivan Videnovic, an associate professor at the University of Belgrade, who recently attended a conference in Pristina on “The impact of Russia’s aggression on Ukraine on European geopolitics”. “Fascinating week in the vibrant city of Prishtina, stepping foot in Kosovo for the first time since 1997. Unique opportunity to ask the Kosovo public for forgiveness for all the lost lives, all the pain, grief and sorrow that my country imposed on them in 1998/99. Asking my fellow Serbs in northern Kosovo for forgiveness for the deception and lies, for being used as human shield and hostages by Belgrade political elites for years. Excellent exchanges at the Octopus Institute conference on the Impact of the Russian aggression on Ukraine on European geopolitics. Paying respect to great Kosovo political thinkers Ibrahim Rugova and professor Fehmi Agani. Visiting the magical medieval Gracanica monastery. Heartfelt appreciation to Agim Z Musliu for his facilitation of the conference and this unique experience,” Videnovic wrote in the post.

 

Serbian Language Media 

 

Vucic meets with Scholz in Hamburg (media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Hamburg on Monday. Earlier, Vucic and Scholz attended the opening of the first Hamburg Sustainability Conference. The conference is attended by heads of state, representatives of the private sector, academic community, civil society and international organisations. Vucic will speak at Tuesday's panel on a new alliance for a responsible circular chain of battery supplies, Tanjug news agency reported.

As reported by Kosovo Online, Vucic said he had also discussed the situation in Kosovo with Scholz. While they hold different views on the Kosovo issue, he added, they agree on many other global issues.

Vucic noted that Germany remains a reliable and important partner for Serbia. "On certain issues regarding Kosovo and Metohija, we presented different positions, but there is great agreement on many other global topics. We highlighted the importance of our cooperation and expressed gratitude for the large number of German investors and factories employing people in our country and contributing to development", Vucic said. 

Pristina partially lifts import ban on Serbian goods amidst diplomatic pressures (KoSSev)

In a significant policy shift, as termed by KoSSev portal, Kosovo Government has lifted its verbal ban on the import of ready-made goods from Serbia, which had been in place for over a year due to “security concerns.“ The decision, for now, applies exclusively to Merdare crossing point, where imports will undergo thorough inspections. Prime Minister Albin Kurti clarified that the ban would remain in effect at other crossing points until scanning equipment for comprehensive checks is installed. While the move has been welcomed by international stakeholders, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic remains wary of Kosovo motives.

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

Vucic: Pristina will keep using tricks to stop Serbian goods (Tanjug, Kosovo Online, media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Monday in Hamburg that Pristina would keep doing everything in its power and even use tricks to deny entry to goods from central Serbia, but that Germany would continue to insist on free movement of goods and services, Tanjug news agency reported

"That is important for the Serbian economy. Will they (Pristina) do everything they can to stop that? Well, yes", Vucic said. "I expect that on the third day they'll stop someone for who knows what reason, on the fourth day they'll halt the entire crossing, and on the fifth day they'll claim to have found 'two bullets of calibre 7.62' - which they'll plant themselves - and then say, 'we're closing for the next 11 months until we find scanners.' But regardless, it's always better that some goods pass than none at all”, Vucic said.

Vucic also emphasised his lack of trust in Pristina when it comes to implementing the Brussels Agreement or any other agreements, adding "that won't change because I know them well."

Reactions to Pristina’s decision to partially ease entry of Serbian goods in Kosovo (Tanjug, media)

Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic said on Monday in Skopje it was good Pristina had lowered long-running tensions by lifting a ban on products from central Serbia at Merdare administrative crossing but that regular supplies of food and medicines for Serbs in Kosovo were the most important matter. He added he would like Pristina's decision to apply to all crossing points but that he supported everything that helped Serbs in Kosovo to live better and in greater safety.

Chairman of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Marko Cadez said he was pleased with Pristina’s decision to lift the ban on Serbian goods import at Merdare crossing point, adding Pristina authorities needed much time to realise there is an economy and it is in their interest that their companies work successfully. He also said the decision to ban import of the ready made Serbian goods in Kosovo “was the most senseless political act of Pristina authorities, moreover because of companies working in the territory of Kosovo”.

President of Serbian Democracy, Aleksandar Arsenijevic reacting to Pristina’s decision to partially ease the import of the Serbian ready made products said in a post on Facebook - “What are those jokes and tricks about? The goods enter at Merdare, and from there to the Serbian areas there would be 100 more controls and bans. This is only to deceive the international community. All crossing points must be available for unobstructed flow of people, goods and services!”

Economist Ibish Mazreku said the decision of the Kosovo Government to ease the entry of the Serbian goods in Kosovo at Merdare crossing point was “a tactical move by Albin Kurti, that would be difficult to implement”. “European institutions would certainly react, because it would be treated as an additional obstacle. It is a tactical move by the government, to allow entry to the Serbian goods, but on the other hand introduce additional controls, which are unnecessary and difficult to implement”, he said. He also said the decision was made more because of electoral impact.

65-year-old Serb in Korilje arrested, police said they found weapon and Civil Protection jacket (KoSSev)

Kosovo police arrested a 65-year-old Serb in the village of Korilje, Zvecan municipality yesterday, saying they found in his possession an M-48 gun (a post WWII Yugoslav weapon), small pistol and Civil Protection jacket, KoSSev portal reported. The Serb, with initials R.A. was sent to 48-hour detention.  

Earlier in the day yesterday, Kosovo police raided a private house in Mitrovica North, looking for, as they said, narcotics, adding they found there weapons, equipment and machinery to mine crypto currency. No one was arrested, and two persons are being looked for. 

Mickoski: Serbia, North Macedonia share vision of region's joint EU future (media)

North Macedonian Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said on Monday in Skopje the meeting with his Serbian counterpart Milos Vucevic had addressed improvement of bilateral economic and other ties, adding that Serbia and North Macedonia shared a vision of the region's joint EU future.

"We also talked about the challenges facing the region. It is important that we work together on the stability of the whole region, and we agreed that dialogue is the only path to resolving disagreements", Mickoski said. He said North Macedonia was finalising tender documentation for a natural gas interconnector to be built with Serbia. Mickoski said they had also discussed building a high-speed rail line, which he said was a strategic priority for his government, and added that regional connectivity remained a priority for the two countries.

"We also raised the topic of holding joint sessions of the two governments, like we have done with our other neighbours. I think the relations between our two countries are on a high level and that we will deepen our ties further in the coming period, that we will build good-neighbour relations with all our neighbours and that we will all become a part of the EU", Mickoski said.