UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 6, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Kosovo leaders, politicians congratulate Trump on election victory (media)
Bettel thanks Kosovo for warm welcome (media)
Murati presents budget for next year, opposition reacts (media)
Pristina Mayor says he has LDK leader’s support to run for another term (Koha)
“Eurosig” insurance company opens office in Mitrovica North (Kosovapress)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic, officials congratulate Trump: Serbia committed to cooperation with US (Kosovo Online, social media)
Djuric with Romanian PM: Gratitude for the principled stance on non-recognition of Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
Grenell on Trump’s victory (Kosovo Online, social media)
Residents of North Mitrovica congratulated Trump on his victory (Kosovo Online)
Serbian media on ‘Kurti’s differing messages prior and after election of Donald Trump as US President’ (KoSSev, Kosovo Online)
Atiq and Krasniqi once again booed at Mitrovica North promenade (KoSSev, media, social media)
Journalists from Belgrade and Pristina visit Mitrovica North (Radio KIM, KoSSev)

Opinion:

How allocation of EU rapporteur jobs might impact Western Balkan accession hopes (Balkan Insight)

International:

Can Kosovo census questions quantify wartime damage? (BIRN)
Kosovo’s first observatory and planetarium inspires a new generation of stargazers (Prishtina Insight)
Central and Southeast Europe’s populists celebrate Trump win (BIRN)
Harris or Trump: What impact will the US presidential election have on the Western Balkans? (EWB)
Protest turns violent in Serbian city where canopy collapse killed 14 (RFE)
‘Like prison’: How African migrant workers suffer exploitation in Albania (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media

Kosovo leaders, politicians congratulate Trump on election victory (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani congratulated Donald Trump on his victory in the elections. She wrote on X that the USA remains the unwavering partner and irreplaceable ally of Kosovo. “On behalf of the people of the Republic of Kosovo, I express our heartfelt congratulations to Donald Trump and JD Vance for their election as President and Vice President of the United States. The USA remains the steadfast partner and irreplaceable ally of Kosovo. I look forward to working with the new administration to further deepen our unique bond and strategic alliance. God bless America, the leader of the free world!” Osmani wrote in X.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti congratulated Trump on his electoral victory. “The US is a key ally, friend and partner to Kosova and we look forward to working together for progress and peace,” he said.

Leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Memli Krasniqi congratulated Trump and the American people saying that Trump’s victory is proof of the strength of U.S. democracy. “The ties between Kosovo and the United States of America always goes beyond politics. The role of the U.S. in Kosovo’s path toward freedom, state-formation and state-building is proof of a relationship based on values, trust and special respect. As Kosovo continues its effort to build a better future, we reiterate our full commitment to strengthen our most important alliance, by restrengthening Kosovo – US relations, through new opportunities for cooperation, development, peace and stability in our region,” Krasniqi said.

Leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Lumir Abdixhiku congratulated Trump, adding that “Kosovo’s return in Washington’s agenda is in the national interest of the people of Kosovo”. “Without the U.S., Kosovo’s path as a new country and toward international consolidation is impossible. In the next [Kosovo] government, these ties will be recuperated and maintained as unchangeable, unbreakable and irreplaceable orientations,” he said in a Facebook post.

Leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj in a Facebook post congratulated “the American people for an election process that reflects the values of democracy and the power of the free will of its people. A special congratulation for President Donald Trump on his election. Under the leadership of President Trump, we created the Kosovo Army, and I am confident that under his leadership the United States of America will remain our strongest and unwavering ally”.

Bettel thanks Kosovo for warm welcome (media)

Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel, thanked Kosovo leaders for their warm welcome in Pristina. “Our fruitful exchanges are a testament to the excellent relations and the longstanding partnership between our countries,” he wrote in a post on X.

Murati presents budget for next year, opposition reacts (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Finance Hekuran Murati has presented the Budget for 2025 to the members of the Committee for Budgets, Labor and transfers, which reaches the value of 3.6 billion euros.

“The budget for the next year is expected to be 3.6 billion euros, while this budget is expected to be financed from the budget revenues at the level of 3 billion and 305 million euros. The rest of 300 million euros will be the budget deficit. To reach this budget, the economic development and performance parameters of the current year were taken. Inflation until September has decreased to 1.9 percent,” Murati said.

“Despite facing the difficult situation at the global level, economic growth has marked a good performance this year. In the first half of 2024, the economy expanded 4.9 percent. By the end of the year, we expect the economy to expand to 4.5 percent in real terms and 6.6 percent in nominal terms,” Murati said.

Opposition parties criticised this budget.

Pristina Mayor says he has LDK leader’s support to run for another term (Koha)

Mayor of Pristina, Perparim Rama, said today that he has good relations with the leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Lumir Abdixhiku, to run for another term in the new local elections. He made these remarks at the launch of the project for the construction of the so-called Urban Island that would connect the Arberia neighbourhood with the Youth Center in downtown Pristina. “This will not only be a project but a new park for the residents of Arberia. We are implementing the promises we made. The benefits are multidimensional … The citizens have trusted us with leading the capital and we will not stop,” Rama said.

“Eurosig” insurance company opens office in Mitrovica North (Kosovapress)

The news agency reports that Eurosig, an insurance company, with the biggest growth in the insurance market in Albania and Kosovo, has opened an office in the municipality of Mitrovica North today. At the inauguration ceremony were present Kosovo’s Minister for Local Government, Elbert Krasniqi, and mayor of Mitrovica North, Erden Atiq. Eurosig owner, Kadri Morinaj, said he was pleased with the opening of the unit and that the word insurance means greater security. “There is security now everywhere, and I think this will join all areas in Kosovo, in Mitrovica, Gracanica, and Ferizaj. We are living in the phase of globalisation and all peoples are equal. So here too what is most important is cooperation and economy. The office that we have opened here has only Serbian staff. There are currently three staff, and I believe the number will grow to five or six. We will open offices in other municipalities too,” he said. Minister Krasniqi commended the insurance company for their initiative and said it is very important to have as many economic activities as possible in the north of Kosovo for the benefit of all people without any differences.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic, officials congratulate Trump: Serbia committed to cooperation with US (Kosovo Online, social media)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic congratulated Donald Trump for his victory at US elections, Kosovo Online portal reported. Vucic extended his congratulation in a post on X social platform.

“Congratulations @realDonaldTrump on your victory. Together, we face the serious challenges ahead. Serbia is committed to working with the USA for stability, growth, and peace”, Vucic said in a post.

Meanwhile, Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic has also extended his congratulations. In a post on X Vucevic said that Serbia remains committed to strengthening relations with the US, in particular within the context of regional stability, fight against terrorism and economic development.

Serbian Assembly Speaker Ana Brnabic congratulated Trump on his victory, adding she “hopes the world would move towards peace”.

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin in his congratulatory message expressed hope that Trump “will change American policy towards Serbia”. "I congratulate you on your victory and express hope that you will abandon and change the policy of your predecessors towards Serbia and Serbs. You have received the sympathy of the Serbs, I wish you to earn our respect as well. Good luck to you”, Vulin said.

President of the Republika Srpska, (BiH) Milorad Dodik congratulated Trump. “One of the most important electoral wins in recent history of the USA but the World as well! Congratulations, @realDonaldTrump, 47th President of the United States of America!”, Dodik wrote in a post on X.

Djuric with Romanian PM: Gratitude for the principled stance on non-recognition of Kosovo (Kosovo Online)

Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marko Djuric, talked today in Bucharest with Romanian Prime Minister Ion-Marcel Ciolacu, where he expressed gratitude for Romania's consistent and principled stance on not recognizing Kosovo.

Expressing satisfaction with today’s meeting, Djuric conveyed greetings from Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, emphasizing that this visit will give additional impetus to relations between the two countries.

Djuric highlighted that Serbia and Romania share a traditionally historic friendship, noting that Serbia is committed to deepening cooperation and expanding dialogue in all areas, the MFA statement read.

The Serbian Foreign Minister specifically thanked Romania for its ongoing support of Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for “its consistent and principled stance on non-recognition of Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence”.

Djuric underscored that full membership in the European Union is a strategic commitment and a priority of Serbia’s foreign policy, expressing appreciation for Romania’s support on this path.

Regarding economic cooperation, Djuric noted that there is significant potential for further development in the economic relations between Serbia and Romania.

In his view, it is essential to continue enhancing economic cooperation through the implementation of key projects, particularly in the fields of energy and infrastructure.

During today’s meeting, Djuric and Ciolacu also exchanged views on current global issues and matters of mutual interest.

Grenell on Trump’s victory (Kosovo Online, social media)

Former US presidential special envoy for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Richard Grenell in a post on X social platform said “the US and the world have been saved” after the electoral victory of Republican candidate Donald Trump, Kosovo Online portal reported.

“America and the world have been saved. We have defeated the woke left. Peace will come soon”, Grenell wrote in a post.

In his earlier statements Grenel was saying that the situation related to Kosovo issue was much better at the times of Trump’s administration, adding he was disappointed that everything agreed during Trump’s time as a president has failed. He was also critical of the current Kosovo Government and its unilateral actions in the north, the portal recalled.

He was critical of US officials, who, as he said, extended support to isolated Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, who was criticised by the entire world, from NATO through Germany and France to the US. Speaking of the stance of Trump’s rival candidate Kamala Harris on Kosovo, he said that she “does not even know who Albin Kurti was” nor that “he was criticised by the US government over destabilisation of the region”.

Residents of North Mitrovica congratulated Trump on his victory (Kosovo Online)

The residents of North Mitrovica also congratulated Donald Trump on the occasion of his victory in the US presidential elections.

Banners with congratulations on the victory in the elections were placed next to the monument to Tzar Lazar, reported Kosovo Online.

Next to Trump's picture, the Serbian and American flags were shown with the Cyrillic text "Happy victory, President!".

In his speech today, after declaring victory in the US presidential election, Trump said that America is entering a golden age.

Serbian media on ‘Kurti’s differing messages prior and after election of Donald Trump as US President’ (KoSSev, Kosovo Online)

Several Serbian media outlets based in Kosovo in their reports on congratulatory messages to Donald Trump on his election as 47^th US President, wrote about differing messages Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti had prior and after Trump’s electoral win.

Later in the day, Kurti congratulated Trump on his victory, although he previously supported Democrats, respectively openly with concerns spoke about the possibility of Trump’s victory, KoSSev portal reported. As Kosovo Online portal reported he made those remarks in a gathering on May 23 this year.

Kosovo becomes concerned at the very thought of Trump’s victory, Kurti is quoted as saying by KoSSev portal, adding he further said there is certain stress and anxiety across Europe on possibility of Trump’s victory, and Kosovo is not different in this regard.

Today, Kurti sent the following message in a post on X social media – “Congratulations President @realDonaldTurmp on your electoral victory. The US is a key ally, friend and partner to Kosova and we look forward to working together for progress and peace”.

Atiq and Krasniqi once again booed at Mitrovica North promenade (KoSSev, media, social media)

Kosovo Minister of Local Government Administration Elbert Krasniqi and Mitrovica North mayor Erden Atiq were once again whistled at, at Mitrovica North promenade. Previously, with balloon decorations Kosovo insurance company Eurosig office had been ceremonially opened at the promenade. While Serbian Democracy activists protested their visit by chanting “propaganda” and that those Kosovo officials are not welcome in the north, Kraniqi briefly told the media that this is “a democratic republic” and protests are “civic right”. Serbian Democracy also said those officials are conducting anti-Serb policy, KoSSev portal reported.

The portal further writes that scenery in Mitrovica North keeps changing compared to previous two decades, with supermarkets, restaurants and coffee shops mainly owned by Kosovo Albanians being opened in the city centre and promenade. Those premises were used by local Serbs until recently. Kosovo Privatization Agency claims those premises are under its control, and that based on announced tenders they were given to lease or sold.

Today, the office of Kosovo insurance company Eurosig opened in Mitrovica North. Krasniqi and Atiq walked on Mitrovica North promenade and visited this newly opened premise. Serbian Democracy activists, but also people present on the promenade whistled at Kosovo officials, adding that “they are not welcome” and chanted “propaganda”.

Afterwards, escorted by a large number of Kosovo police officers and security, Krasniqi headed towards the main bridge, followed by whistling. Serbian Democracy Vice President Stefan Veljkovic said each minister who will visit the north will be whistled at.

“We have announced several times already that each Kosovo minister or high Pristina official, conducting anti-Serb and discriminatory policy against Kosovo Serbs would face the same. We will whistle at each of them, we from Serbian Democracy and citizens. So there is no fear, this is our town”, he said.

At the same time he said that today, shortly before the arrival of Kosovo officials, his party symbolically placed three boards congratulating and supporting the victory of Donald Trump at US presidential elections.

“We congratulate Donald Trump on victory and ask him to exert much stronger pressure on discriminatory and anti-Serbian government of Albin Kurti in the upcoming period”, Veljkovic said. He added they hope for “drastic change” of US administration policy (in relation to Pristina) and that “it won’t be so mild as it has been until now”.

Journalists from Belgrade and Pristina visit Mitrovica North (Radio KIM, KoSSev)

A joint visit of journalists from Kosovo and central Serbia had been organised for the second time, as part of the project on media exchange, Radio KIM reported citing KoSSev. The group includes media professionals from Kosovo reporting in Serbian and Albanian, as well as their colleagues from Belgrade and Novi Sad. As part of the joint travel, they visited Mitrovica North yesterday and met with local media and the civil society sector. KoSSev, Radio kontakt plus, other journalists and representatives of the civil society organisations CASA, Aktiv and ACDC hosted journalists from Kallxo, Klan Kosova, Nedeljnik Vreme, KoSSev, Teve1, Nacionale, Cenzolovka/RSE and ATV.

The topics discussed related to communication and cooperation between Serbian and Albanian media, work of Kosovo police, but also problems journalists face while carrying out their tasks. It touched upon the security situation related to journalists and attacks on them in northern Kosovo. At the same time recent events in the north have also been discussed, in particular reported cases of excessive use of force by Kosovo police against local residents.

Representatives of the civil society from the north appealed to Pristina media to pay greater attention to this issue. Journalists from Albanian media outlets were interested in the possibility that Serbs who complained about mistreatment by Kosovo police speak about their experiences for their outlets, however, hosts pointed out the fear from spoken words that for years prevails in the north.

The same group of journalists visited Pec, and then Gracanica. They will continue their journey tomorrow with stops in Bujanovac, Vranje, Belgrade and Novi Sad to be concluded on November 8. The journey is part of the project “Encouraging Media Exchange in the Process of Normalisation Between Serbia and Kosovo”, financed by EU, BIRN Serbia and Internews Kosovo.

Opinion

How allocation of EU rapporteur jobs might impact Western Balkan accession hopes (Balkan Insight)

By Alejandro Esteso Perez, political scientist and researcher specialising in EU enlargement and Western Balkans politics

The names of the new EU rapporteurs for each of the six Western Balkan countries will emerge over the coming weeks. The relative strength of the various party groupings in the European parliament indicates how some countries might fare better than others.

In the realm of EU enlargement to the Western Balkans, further light is being shed on the so-called Standing Rapporteur jobs. Those members of the European Parliament appointed rapporteurs are responsible for handling a specific legislative proposal in procedure and in substance, which in the case of the Western Balkans will be directly related to the EU accession paths of each of the six candidate countries. For example, the rapporteurs will draft the annual reports on the situation in the specific country in consultation with experts and other stakeholders.

Negotiations among the political groupings in the European Parliament have concluded that the European People’s Party (EPP) will hold the Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo portfolios, while the Socialists & Democrats (S&D) will be in charge of Serbia and Albania. The liberals of Renew Europe (RE) will hold the Montenegro portfolio, while the Greens/EFA group will be entrusted with North Macedonia.

The names of the new rapporteurs for each of the six countries should emerge over the coming weeks.