UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 15, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani: Serbia’s tactics don't change Kosovo’s irreversible reality (media)
Osmani hosts head of Kosovo’s Central Election Commission (media)
Estonian MEP Riho Terras elected rapporteur for Kosovo in EP (Indeksonline)
Stano: Removal of measures against Kosovo, under consideration (media)
Hovenier meets Clark, “he’s done so much to deepen US-Kosovo ties” (media)
Citaku says with PDK in power Brussels agreement would change (Kosovapress)
Kurti: We deeply value UK’s unwavering support (media)
Hoxhaj meets delegation of UK MPs (media)
British ambassador criticises anti-Kosovo slogans in Belgrade streets (media)
Kokalari: Trump will help release Thaci (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic does not see what Wesley Clark was proud of; Osmani highlighted Clark's contribution (Danas, Beta)
Stano: Issue of the status of public and social services should be resolved within dialogue (Tanjug)
About 3,000 cases of domestic violence per year (KiM radio)
CEFTA: The ultimate goal is for drivers to travel without a green card from October 2026 (KiM radio, Tanjug, RTV)
Lucic: Telekom has problems in Kosovo with Kurti's administration (Radio Mitrovica sever, RTS)
NGO Aktiv says two years passed since physical assault on Miodrag Milicevic, no official information provided (social media)
One Serb arrested in Mitrovica North, taken to Pristina (KoSSev)
Municipality of Strpce: KAP decided to hand over "Stojkova kuca'' to Kosovo Intelligence Service (Kosovo Online)
Vucic said he will not meet with Picula (N1)

International:

Petkovic’s unfounded claims about Kosovo and protests in Novi Sad (Sbunker)
US General Wesley Clark honoured in North Macedonia municipality (BIRN)
Kosovo accused of resisting reparations for wartime victims of guerrilla force (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media

Osmani: Serbia’s tactics don't change Kosovo’s irreversible reality (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said today that “Serbia can do nothing to change the irreversible reality of an independent Kosovo”. Commenting on several measures that Serbia adopted vis-à-vis Kosovo in October, Osmani said: “Serbia has had no legal or territorial jurisdiction over Kosovo since 1999. Even before Kosovo declared independence in 2008, Resolution 1244 stripped away every jurisdiction of then-Yugoslavia and established competencies as part of the civilian and military presence, and since 2008 the only state that has jurisdiction over this territory is the Republic of Kosovo and this was also confirmed by the International Court of Justice. These are tendencies and tactics by Serbia aimed to destabilise Kosovo and the region. What these actions best prove is that Serbia still has the mindset of the 1990s, a mindset that aims to destabilise neighbouring countries. However, the reality is irreversible and unchangeable, and Serbia can do nothing about this,” she argued.

Osmani hosts head of Kosovo’s Central Election Commission (media)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani met on Thursday with the head of Kosovo’s Central Election Commission (CEC) Kreshnik Radoniqi to discuss preparations for the parliamentary elections scheduled for February next year. Osmani highlighted the importance for the election process to be fair, transparent, with integrity, and based on the Constitution and laws. Radoniqi briefed Osmani about the CEC’s preparations for the administration of elections “so that all citizens can exercise the right of vote in a legal and transparent process”.

Estonian MEP Riho Terras elected rapporteur for Kosovo in EP (Indeksonline)

The European Parliament has elected today the Estonian MEP Riho Terras to the position of rapporteur for Kosovo. Terras, who will succeed the German politician Viola von Cramon in this position, is a former military officer who became a member of European Parliament on February 1, 2020.

He was also the commander of the Estonian Defense Forces from 2011 to 2018, and was promoted to general in 2017, while in the previous mandate of the European Parliament he was the head of the national delegation of the EPP group for Estonia and is a member of the Commission for Industry, Research and Energy.

Stano: Removal of measures against Kosovo, under consideration (media)

The officials of the European Union in public statements do not specify the time limits but only confirm that the discussions are continuing. "The issue of the measures is still under consideration in the Council. This means that it is being debated and will be decided by the EU member states, regardless of when the mandate of the current European institutions expires", said EU spokesperson Peter Stano.

Although there is no member state of the European Union that is categorically against the removal of the measures imposed on Kosovo, nevertheless they continue to be in force as a result of disagreements on how to proceed with this process. The issue of the measures on Kosovo was recently addressed at the meeting of the ambassadors of the member states, but there was no movement in terms of decision-making.

Well-informed sources from this meeting have revealed that no member state has been adamantly opposed to the removal. The majority are in favor of lifting the measures, but the divisions continue about how to go further: with complete or gradual lifting. According to these sources, there is a group of countries that, however, considers that lifting the measures at this moment will be, as they say, counterproductive, taking into account the actions of the Kosovo authorities in the north, which Brussels has described as uncoordinated.

Hovenier meets Clark, “he’s done so much to deepen US-Kosovo ties” (media)

U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Jeffrey Hovenier, met with retired U.S. General Wesley Clark in Pristina on Thursday. “Always a pleasure to meet with retired General Wesley Clark, who has done so much to deepen the strong ties between U.S. and Kosovo, and continues to be an advocate and symbol of U.S. support to the people of Kosovo,” Hovenier wrote in a post on X.

Citaku says with PDK in power Brussels agreement would change (Kosovapress)

Secretary General of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Vlora Citaku said in an interview with the news agency that if the PDK comes to power it will change the Basic Agreement of Brussels and the Implementation Annex of Ohrid, reached in 2023 between Kosovo and Serbia under EU facilitation. She argued that the agreement is detrimental for Kosovo because it does not centre around mutual recognition and “it speaks of territorial and political community for the Serb community in Kosovo”. She also said that in order to find a solution in the dialogue, Kosovo needs to communicate with allied countries and that the PDK would do that immediately after winning the elections.

Citaku criticised Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti for wasting the opportunity for Kosovo to prepare a draft statute of the Association of Serb-majority municipalities. According to her, the United States had offered their expertise and professional advisors to help Kosovo prepare a draft statute that would not threaten the constitutional order.

Citaku said she is confident that the PDK will win the general elections scheduled for February 9 next year. She said the party is focused on winning the elections and will then discuss possible coalitions with parties with similar ideologies and election programs. She also said that the gap between PDK and the Vetevendosje Movement is very deep and that “therefore a cooperation in the future is difficult”.

Kurti: We deeply value UK’s unwavering support (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in a post on X that he was honoured to host Labour Friends of Kosovo from the UK, “reinforcing our enduring ties forged during challenging times in history”. He also said that Kosovo deeply values “the UK’s unwavering support - not only for our independence but also for our ongoing development and international standing. Kosova and the UK share foundational values: a commitment to democracy, human rights, regional peace and security”.

Hoxhaj meets delegation of UK MPs (media)

Deputy Speaker of the Kosovo Assembly from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Enver Hoxhaj, at a meeting today with a delegation of UK MPs, said that “in a world of tectonic geopolitical changes, and threats from Serbia and Russia in the Balkans, Kosovo’s membership in NATO is equally important with Kosovo’s independence in 2008”. Hoxhaj wrote in a Facebook post that the most important priority of the UK vis-à-vis Kosovo and the Balkans should be “concluding the state-building process of Kosovo, by supporting Kosovo’s membership in every international organisation, from the United Nations to the Council of Europe”.

British ambassador criticises anti-Kosovo slogans in Belgrade streets (media)

British Ambassador to Serbia, Edward Ferguson, talked today about interethnic relations in the region of the Western Balkans and efforts for the normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. “My embassy works intensively with minority communities all over Serbia – Bosniaks, Romas and Albanians, and we often bring them to Belgrade for seminars and courses. However, some of them told me that because of some graffiti they see on the streets they feel unsafe and uncomfortable. Can you imagine an Albanian youth who lives in Serbia and comes to the capital for the first time and sees insults based on ethnicity or graffiti saying, ‘When the army returns to Kosovo’. Surely, we can do better,” Ferguson said.

Kokalari: Trump will help release Thaci (media)

Several news websites cover a post on X by Albanian activist Iva Kokalari who claims that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will help release former Kosovo President Hashim Thaci from the Hague. “I know that some people in Kosova wanted Grenell as Secretary of State so he could help release Hashim Thaci and the other guys from Jack Smith’s political prison. This is absolutely the wrong reason to want him there; however, let me tell you guys—President Trump knows quite well where Thaci is and why, and trust me when I tell you, Trump is one of the most compassionate guys you'll ever find. He will help all the same to release Thaci and the other two guys, and who knows, probably invite them to visit the White House because that's who Trump is. What I am trying to say is that I am sure Richard Grenell and the rest of us will see to it and will work hard to get Hashim Thaci out of Jack Smith's political prison. Have faith!!!” she wrote.

Serbian Language Media

Vucic does not see what Wesley Clark was proud of; Osmani highlighted Clark's contribution (Danas, Beta)

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, said yesterday people in Serbia are outraged by what was done by American General Wesley Clark, who in 1999 led the bombing of the former Yugoslavia, after Clark said he was "proud of that operation because it brought peace to Kosovo", reported Danas.

"I don't see what this great pride is when 19 countries, despite the rules and the Charter of the United Nations (UN), attacked a small country," Vucic told reporters in Budapest.

He assessed that if it “served Clark's honour and pride, it said more about him than about Serbia”.

He stated the same rules should apply to all countries, which was why Serbia supported the territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as its own in accordance with the UN Charter.

Clark, who led the NATO forces in the bombing of FR Yugoslavia in 1999, said that he was proud of that operation, because, as he claimed, it brought peace to Kosovo.

"I am very happy that we managed to bring peace and democracy to Kosovo. A large operative group of people was with us because we witnessed great crimes and injustice. We wanted it to stop so that the people of the region would have peace and security", Clark said.

Kosovo President, Vjosa Osmani, yesterday met General Wesley K. Clark, the former NATO Supreme Commander for Europe, who led the NATO intervention in 1999, and emphasised “his great contribution to the freedom of Kosovo”. "Your determination and leadership contributed to the freedom of Kosovo, ensuring a future where dignity prevails over fear and oppression", Osmani wrote on FB, reported Danas daily.

During the meeting, she emphasised Kosovo progress over the years, noting continuous work on strengthening Kosovo's position on the international scene, as well as membership in international organisations.

She underlined that the future of Kosovo was clear and focused on Euro-Atlantic integration and permanent partnership with the USA.

Stano: Issue of the status of public and social services should be resolved within dialogue (Tanjug)

European Commission Spokesperson Peter Stano, said today that the issues of the status and transition of certain basic public and social services must be resolved within the dialogue in Brussels, in parallel with the establishment of the Community of Serbian Municipalities, and warned that negative effect on lives of Serbs in Kosovo from unilateral actions limiting access to these services would represent a failure to fulfil Pristina's obligations.

"Unilateral actions that limit access to these services, health care or education would have negative effects on people's daily lives and the living conditions of the Kosovo Serb community and other communities, and that would be a failure to fulfil Kosovo's obligations regarding European integration", Stano told a press briefing in Brussels.

When asked by Tanjug what is the position of the EU regarding the arrest of the principal of Elementary School from Gojbulja and confiscation of school seals, Stano pointed out that the EU is following the development of events.

About 3,000 cases of domestic violence per year (KiM radio)

From July 2023 to June 2024, about 3,000 cases of domestic violence were reported in Kosovo, reported KiM radio, citing Koha.

Of the 3,000 reported cases, 79 percent of the victims are women, according to the report of the Group for Legal and Political Studies "Institutional training for cases of domestic violence: July 2023 - June 2024".

Renata Bajrami from the Group for Legal-Political Studies emphasised that during this period the prosecutor filed two indictments for acts of domestic violence, and that local courts need 262 days to resolve accepted cases.

"In the period July 2023 - June 2024, 2,856 cases of domestic violence were reported. Of that number, 79 percent of the victims are women. This reflects the dominance of the patriarchal system in Kosovo society," she emphasised.

Nicola Scaramuzzo from the EU Office in Kosovo said that cases of domestic violence are urgent human rights issues in Kosovo.

CEFTA: The ultimate goal is for drivers to travel without a green card from October 2026 (KiM radio, Tanjug, RTV)

The Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) announced yesterday that the ultimate goal of proposed measures to improve third-party motor liability insurance processes in CEFTA markets was to allow drivers to travel without a green card or appropriate motor liability insurance documents by October 2026 to third parties, reported KiM radio.

As stated, the intermediate goal of these measures, which were adopted by the CEFTA Joint Committee at the beginning of October this year, and which are recommendations to the CEFTA Agreement parties, was to reduce the administrative fees for obtaining a green card by October 2025 and enable the recognition of third-party liability insurance based on licence plates issued in the parties to the Multilateral Agreement.

The CEFTA joint committee invited the Parties to fully digitalize insurance documents and initiate the electronic exchange of these documents, it was added. The goal of this digital transition, as pointed out, was to eliminate the need for physical insurance of documents when travelling within the CEFTA region.

The statement reminded that the measures were based on the Action Plan for the establishment of the Common Regional Market and the Priorities of the CEFTA Presidency for 2024.

Lucic: Telekom has problems in Kosovo with Kurti's administration (Radio Mitrovica sever, RTS)

The CEO of Telekom Serbia, Vladimir Lucic, told RTS that a 5G licence will be received in the first quarter of next year, as well as that he expected the network to be implemented on the whole territory of Serbia very soon.

Lucic said that on the other hand the situation was different in the territory of Kosovo because Telekom has problems with Albin Kurti's administration.

"You can see Kurti's intention to make life difficult for Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija. I am very optimistic, however, that we will get a licence to do business in Kosovo, because the American administration helped us a lot when Kurti wanted to shut down Telekom in Kosovo", said Lucic, adding that they did not expect a decision on the licence before the elections in Kosovo.

He pointed out it was difficult for Telekom to do business in Kosovo because there were a lot of ''provocations with the aim of getting their reaction''. "It's quite a difficult atmosphere. It is our obligation to provide continuous telecommunication services. We didn't have such problems before," said Lucic.

Speaking about business this year, Lucic said that Telekom is the first company in the Western Balkans to go to the stock market, which was expected, because it has a digital strategy.

Speaking about expanding to the US market, Lucic noted that they have started working in America, and that by the end of the year they will have around 10,000 television users, and that in the first quarter of next year they will also have a mobile network, as in Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

NGO Aktiv says two years passed since physical assault on Miodrag Milicevic, no official information provided (social media)

Mitrovica North-based civil society organisation Aktiv in a post on X social platform said that “two years have passed since the physical and verbal assault on Miodrag Milićević, Executive Director of NGO AKTIV by members of the Kosovo Police Special Operations Unit in north Kosovo. Yet, we continue to face an unacceptable silence from the prosecution in Mitrovica.

Despite the gravity of this incident, no official information has been provided on the case’s status.

We urge international institutions to intervene, hold local bodies accountable, and ensure justice is served.

Until transparency and justice are achieved, we will persist in bringing this case to the public's attention and advocating for its resolution. Silence is not an option when it comes to human rights”.

One Serb arrested in Mitrovica North, taken to Pristina (KoSSev)

One Serb man was arrested today in Mitrovica North, KoSSev portal reported. Although Kosovo police confirmed the arrest to the portal, they did not provide additional details, saying they have only assisted the unit from Pristina. Upon arrest, he was taken to Pristina for interrogation, Petrit Fejza from Kosovo police region North told the portal.

KoSSev said it learnt unofficially that a Serb, M.D. from Babin Most was arrested in Rio building in Mitrovica North. The portal said it sent a media inquiry to Kosovo police in Pristina to provide more details related to this arrest, respectively what the person is charged with.

Kosovo Online portal reported later citing Veton Elshani, deputy police commander for the region north, that this person was arrested in relation to May 29 events of last year in front of Zvecan municipaliyt.

Municipality of Strpce: KAP decided to hand over "Stojkova kuca'' to Kosovo Intelligence Service (Kosovo Online)

The Privatization Agency of Kosovo (KAP) decided to hand over ''Stojkova kuca'', a cultural treasure and heritage of the residents of Strpce municipality, to the Kosovo intelligence service, announced the Municipality of Strpce.

The municipality of Strpce announced via Facebook that the current regime is working against the law.

"According to the decision that was made for 350 euros of monthly rent, this building, which has historical importance, should now pass into the hands of the intelligence service. This is a classic example against the legal action of the current regime because with this decision the cultural and historical heritage of the non-majority people is threatened. This is unacceptable, ''Stojkova kuca'' (Stojko's house) must be protected from those who are trying to change history with their decisions, extinguishing the cultural heritage of a nation in these areas," the statement said.

The municipality of Strpce strongly opposes this decision and notes that this is just another confirmation of the repressive policy of the regime in Pristina, which ignores the will of the people of the municipality of Strpce and the legitimately elected representatives.

"We ask the representatives of the international community if this is democracy when they invite members of the non-majority community in Kosovo to participate in Kosovo's institutions?", the announcement states.

The Municipality of Strpce notes that regardless of everything, they will not give up the democratic struggle for the rights and interests of our residents.

"Stojko's house is ours and we will return it to the citizens," the announcement concluded.

Vucic said he will not meet with Picula (N1)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday that he would not be meeting with European Parliament Rapporteur Tonino Picula.

Vucic said that Picula can meet with European Integration Minister Tanja Miscevic, echoing a statement by Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin who called Picula “Ustasha scum” because of his statement to the European Parliament on Wednesday about the deaths of 14 people at the Novi Sad railway station and added that he should speak only to the minister in Serbia.

According to N1, Vucic told reporters in Budapest that “Picula is a very rude man who does not like Serbia”, adding that he will not speak to him until he apologises for what he said. Picula told MEPs that the protests after 14 people died in Novi Sad were staged to seek justice and accountability, prompting the responses from Vulin and Vucic.

International

Petkovic’s unfounded claims about Kosovo and protests in Novi Sad (Sbunker)

The Director of the Office for Kosovo in the Serbian Government, Petar Petkovic, has once again mentioned Kosovo in the recent protests in Novi Sad, without providing evidence that elements from the disputed state played any role in these protests.

On November 1, 2024, a concrete shelter at the Novi Sad train station collapsed, killing 14 people and severely injuring three others. Following this tragic incident, on November 3, a large crowd gathered outside the Ministry of Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure in Belgrade, to protest after the Novi Sad incident. Protesters called for the resignation of Minister Goran Vesic and for the government to take responsibility. The new Novi Sad station was opened in July 2024, following three years of construction work carried out by a Chinese consortium.

On November 5, protesters threw stones and red paint at the Novi Sad municipal assembly building. Additionally, the building’s glass doors were shattered, and a group of masked individuals set off fireworks inside the premises.

High-ranking Serbian officials drew analogies between the actions of the protesters and the decisions of the Kosovo government. Even amid the tragedy that left numerous dead, they reiterated the narrative that Kosovo’s interests align with those of the protesters in Serbia, equating the protesters’ actions with those of the Kosovo government.

On November 6, 2024, the Head of the Office for Kosovo in the Serbian Government, Petar Petkovic, wrote on "X": “It is unacceptable that last night in Novi Sad, individuals desecrated the Serbian flag and vandalized Serbian institutions, just as Kurti and his extremists are doing in Kosovo. This is no coincidence, as Kurti and the rebels in Novi Sad share the same interest and methods: to hinder and weaken Serbia and everything Serbian through violence.”

Serbian media amplified this narrative, giving space to these unfounded claims and thus portraying Kosovo as a destabilizing force aiming to weaken Serbia.

Petkovic’s statement was circulated by outlets such as Novosti.rs, Alo.rs, Euronews.rs, Tanjug.rs, Pink.rs, Objektiv.rs.

This claim by Petkovic is a continuation of statements attempting to implicate Kosovo in developments within Serbia.

Such tactics are frequently employed by Serbian officials and media, often as a means to divert attention from internal issues by placing blame on external factors.