Albanian Language Media:

• US Deputy Secretary of State visiting Kosovo, Albania and Serbia (media)
• Maqedonci: Serbian threat is not over (media)
• Kurti and Osmani wish Orthodox Christians a Merry Christmas (media)
• EU calls on Kosovo to adopt law on religious freedoms (Koha)
• Ahmeti responds to EU: Law is being blocked by reserved seats (media)
• Sorensen and Haavisto, only candidates for EU special envoy post (RFE)
• Lajcak notes importance of close EU-US cooperation in Western Balkans (media)
• Sources: Vetevendosje decides to boycott debates in several media (Nacionale)

Serbian Language Media:

• Hipper: Process of selecting Lajcak's successor underway (Tanjug, media)
• Djuric: “At Christmas, I think almost only of Kosovo and Metohija, I miss the Serbs and liturgies in monasteries” (Kosovo Online, Pink)
• Petkovic: Pristina not interested in dialogue, only recognition of Kosovo as independent (NMagazin, Beta, Pink, N1)
• Lajcak met with Kasanof, O'Brien in Washington to discuss EU-US cooperation in WB (Tanjug, media)
• Office for KiM: Serbs searched in Gornje Kusce, Serbian flag confiscated (Kosovo Online, KoSSev)

International Media:

• Deputy Secretary Verma’s Travel to Albania, Kosovo, and Serbia (state.gov)

Albanian Language Media 

 US Deputy Secretary of State visiting Kosovo, Albania and Serbia (media)

The U.S. State Department has issued a press release which informs that the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Richard R. Verma, has started on Tuesday a visit to Albania, Kosovo and Serbia. His visit will end on January 11.

The communique notes that in Kosovo he will discuss the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia through dialogue, strengthening governance and the rule of law, and promoting economic growth and energy security. “He will also thank the Government of Kosovo for its strong support to Ukraine and for its assistance to Afghans in need,” the announcement says.

In Tirana, he will discuss Albania’s democratic progress, defense capabilities and deepening economic ties with the United States and will thank the Government of Albania for its continued support for Afghan allies.

“In Serbia, the Deputy Secretary will highlight the growing U.S.-Serbia strategic partnership on energy and other economic issues. He will provide support for Serbia’s integration into European institutions, the normalization of Serbia’s relations with Kosovo, strengthening the rule of law, and closer bilateral cooperation on military and security issues,” the statement said.

The statement notes that Verma will reaffirm the commitment of the United States to the countries of the Western Balkans, on the path towards Euro-Atlantic integration and deeper regional cooperation. 

Maqedonci: Serbian threat is not over (media)

Kosovo’s Minister of Defense Ejup Maqedonci told Albania’s national broadcaster RTSH that the Serbian threat to Kosovo is not over. Referring to Prime Minister Albin Kurti's statements a few days ago, Maqedonci stressed that the attack in Banjska on September 24, 2023 and the one against critical infrastructure on November 29 of last year are not expected to be the last attacks on Kosovo. "I want to clarify to the public opinion, even in Albania, especially the Albanians of the Republic of Kosovo, it is a fact that the Kosovo Army, the Kosovo Police and all security institutions in Kosovo are prepared to face any challenge and threat that aims to violate sovereignty, territorial integrity, but also the lives of citizens,” he said.

"The danger and threat remain, as long as the hegemonic and aggressive approach of Serbian politics remains in relation not only to the Republic of Kosovo but also to other neighbors, as long as Serbia maintains the Republic of Kosovo as its territorial part in its Constitution. This means that the basis of the whole problem is Serbia’s political approach in relation to its neighbors, especially the Republic of Kosovo.

In terms of security, we always see a threat and a risk in the fact that the group that attempted to annex our territory on September 24, 2023 and that continues to carry out activities against Kosovo remains free in Serbia, unpunished and there has been a lack of international pressure to hold this group accountable and extradite it to Kosovo," he stressed.

Kurti and Osmani wish Orthodox Christians a Merry Christmas (media)

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has wished Orthodox believers a Merry Christmas. He wrote that Christmas is a time of hope, gratitude and kindness. “On this special day, I send my best wishes to all our fellow citizens from the Serb Orthodox community who are celebrating today. Merry Christmas! I wish you peace and joy,” Kurti wrote.

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said that on this holiday, she wishes all Orthodox believers peace, harmony and prosperity in their families. "This holiday reminds us of love, solidarity and hope, values ​​that unite us and strengthen us as a society. May this celebration be a moment of reflection and joy for everyone!", Osmani said.

EU calls on Kosovo to adopt law on religious freedoms (Koha)

The European Union has called on Kosovo to adopt the Law on Religious Freedoms, stating that this issue is in the interest of all communities. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, EU spokesperson Anitta Hipper said that Kosovo's parliamentarians should support the adoption of this law. "We call for the adoption of the Law on Religious Freedoms. This law is in the interest of all communities and we invite the parliamentarians to support the adoption of this law," she said, when asked about the status of the Serb Orthodox Church in Kosovo.

In 2023 in Ohrid, Kosovo and Serbia agreed to formalize the status of the Serb Orthodox Church. Article 7 of the agreement mentions the formalization and provision of "a strong level of protection for sites of Serb religious and cultural heritage".

Ahmeti responds to EU: Law is being blocked by reserved seats (media)

Kreshnik Ahmeti, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs has reacted to the EU, after the request addressed to Kosovo Assembly to adopt the Law on Religious Freedoms. “The Government of Kosovo has passed the Draft Law on Religious Freedoms, but the ten seats guaranteed to the Serbian community are guaranteeing it remains blocked in the Assembly of Kosovo” Ahmeti wrote on the “X” platform.

Lajcak notes importance of close EU-US cooperation in Western Balkans (media)

EU special representative for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Miroslav Lajcak, said in a post on X on Tuesday that he completed his visit to Washington DC with a highly valuable conversation with Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma. “Briefed him on regional developments and the Dialogue and stressed the importance of close EU-US cooperation in the Western Balkans,” he said.

Sorensen and Haavisto, only candidates for EU special envoy post (RFE)

Danish diplomat Peter Sorensen and former Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto are the only candidates to take up the post of EU special envoy for the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, the news website reported on Tuesday citing unnamed sources. The EU meanwhile did not give details and only confirmed that the selection process is underway. “The mandate of special representative Miroslav Lajcak remains in force until the end of January. The selection of his successor is underway and we will make new announcements in due time,” a spokeswoman for the EU said. 

Diplomatic sources in Brussels told Radio Free Europe that both candidates would be considered a good choice but that there are also several differences between them. Sources said that Haavisto would have an advantage if the EU High Representative Kaja Kallas would choose a person with greater political weight in the post. But sources also said that if Kallas would want to deal more herself with the dialogue then Sorensen is believed to be a better candidate because he has been working for many years in the structures of the European External Action Service and would facilitate technical issues in the dialogue. 

Sources: Vetevendosje decides to boycott debates in several media (Nacionale)

Citing what it calls well-informed sources, the news website reported on Tuesday that the ruling Vetevendosje Movement has decided to openly boycott debates in T7, Klan Kosova and RTV Dukagjini during the election campaign. 

Senior member of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Vlora Citaku reacted to the information saying that Vetevendosje can decide to avoid TV debates but Vetevendosje cannot escape February 9, referring to the date of new parliamentary elections in Kosovo.

Serbian Language Media  

Hipper: Process of selecting Lajcak's successor underway (Tanjug, media)

European Commission Spokesperson Anitta Hipper said on Tuesday the process of selecting a successor of outgoing EU special envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Miroslav Lajcak was underway.

"The mandate of EU Special Representative Lajcak remains in effect until the end of January and the selection process of his successor is currently underway. More details to follow," Hipper told a Brussels press briefing. Lajcak's term expires on January 31.

According to media reports, the deadline to submit candidacies for the post expired on January 3.

Former Finnish FM Pekka Haavisto and Danish diplomat Peter Sorensen - who both have experience in Western Balkan affairs - have been mentioned the most frequently as candidates for the post.

Former Slovenian President Borut Pahor, also touted by the media as a potential candidate, recently said he had decided against applying for the position and cited several factors, including his disagreement with the official EU enlargement policy.

The EC called Kosovo’s Parliament to adopt a draft law on freedom of religion on Tuesday, reported N1. “We call for the adoption of a law on freedom of religion in Kosovo. This law is in the interest of all communities. We invite MPs to support its adoption,” said Hipper.

Djuric: “At Christmas, I think almost only of Kosovo and Metohija, I miss the Serbs and liturgies in monasteries” (Kosovo Online, Pink)

“Albin Kurti has revived the worst chauvinistic and totalitarian practices, and today Kosovo is a prison for both Serbs and Albanians, but the Serbs are the number one target," Serbia's Foreign Minister Marko Djuric said for Pink. He emphasizes that Serbia is committed to dialogue as the path to normalizing relations with Pristina, and that the priority of the ministry he leads remains Kosovo, namely the protection of Serbia's territorial integrity in the international political and legal arena.

"For Christmas, I think almost only about Kosovo and Metohija traditionally... I miss the holiday liturgies in Gracanica, Draganac, Decani... and our people, who are far more numerous than is generally believed and more than on all the population censuses. The Serbian heart still beats in Old Serbia," Djuric said in a Christmas interview for Pink.

He wishes all the best to Albanians as well, whom, as he says, Kurti is leading further away from a prosperous, organized, and European future.

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/3y26v578

Petkovic: Pristina not interested in dialogue, only recognition of Kosovo as independent (NMagazin, Beta, Pink, N1)

The Director of the Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, said that he does not expect much from the next round of dialogue, because the representatives of Pristina are not coming to Brussels to agree on anything, or even to talk, but to pretend to participate in the dialogue.

"Their negotiator comes almost always alone and presents himself as a multi-practitioner who thinks he knows everything, but in fact the only thing he does is sabotage the dialogue. Pristina does not want any normalization of relations, the only thing Kurti's regime is interested in is recognition by Belgrade, but that will never happen, while President Aleksandar Vucic leads Serbia," said Petkovic, in an interview published on TV Pink.

According to his words, the Serbian people there are "faced with an unscrupulous offensive by Kurti's regime and terror whose aim is to make the Serbs, faced with impossible conditions for survival, raise their hands and leave Kosovo and Metohija".

"There is no doubt that Kurti's goal is the ethnic cleansing of the Serbs, whom he is trying to force to flee with persecution, and to force into submission with physical and institutional violence," said Petkovic.

Lajcak met with Kasanof, O'Brien in Washington to discuss EU-US cooperation in WB (Tanjug, media)

The EU special envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Miroslav Lajcak met with US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Balkans Alexander Kasanof in Washington on Monday evening.

In a post on X, Lajcak wrote that he was "grateful for the strong EU-US cooperation in the Western Balkans."

"Enjoyed our wide ranging discussion tonight," Lajcak added, thanking O'Brien and Kasanof for the invitation to Washington.

Lajcak ended his visit to Washington with a meeting with Under Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma.

Office for KiM: Serbs searched in Gornje Kusce, Serbian flag confiscated (Kosovo Online, KoSSev)

The Office for Kosovo and Metohija announced on Monday that members of the KP searched vehicles at the entrance to the Serbian village of Gornje Kusce in search of Serbian flags. They state that the Serbian flag was forcibly taken from a Serb they stopped.

The Office suggests that the intention was to cause an incident, to intimidate the Serbs and prevent them from celebrating Christmas.

The Office added that Serbian tricolor does not endanger anyone, on the contrary, and reminded that Christmas Day and Christmas are precisely the days that Serbs celebrate with their neighbors, which, as they say, does not suit the regime in Pristina at all.

KP told KoSSev portal that police units went to the field after a report about the alleged firing of shots from firearms.

"Relevant police units in Novi Brdo went to the scene, where they found a group of citizens from the Serbian community. During the preliminary investigation, it was suspected that these citizens, in celebration of the 'Orthodox Christmas' holiday, used pyrotechnic devices," read the response of the KP. 

A flag was found at the scene, which, as the police claimed, "contained symbols that can be considered provocative and inflammatory to local communities." The police said that the flag was taken away "to preserve public order and peace".

International Media

Deputy Secretary Verma’s Travel to Albania, Kosovo, and Serbia (state.gov)

Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard R. Verma will travel to Albania, Kosovo, and Serbia January 7-11. In Tirana, he will discuss Albania’s democratic progress, defense capabilities, and deepening economic ties with the United States, and thank the Government of Albania for its ongoing support to our Afghan allies.

In Kosovo, he will discuss normalization of Kosovo’s relations with Serbia through the EU-facilitated Dialogue, strengthening governance and rule of law, and fostering economic growth and energy security for the benefit of all Kosovans. He will also thank the Government of Kosovo for its strong support of Ukraine and for its assistance to Afghans in need.

In Serbia, the Deputy Secretary will highlight the growing U.S.-Serbia strategic partnership on energy and other economic issues. He will offer support for Serbia’s integration into European institutions, normalization of Serbia’s relations with Kosovo, strengthening the rule of law, and closer bilateral cooperation on military and security issues.

He will also reaffirm the United States’ commitment to the countries of the Western Balkans as they pursue Euro-Atlantic integration and deeper regional cooperation.