UNMIK Media Reports View All →
UNMIK Headlines 15 February
• Kosovo State Delegation finalises platform for dialogue with Serbia (media)
• Dialogue platform’s “red lines” (Zeri/Koha Ditore)
• Thaci and Vucic both to attend Munich Security Conference (Zeri)
• AP: Kosovo president hopes for deal with Serbia (Bota Sot)
• Scott: Solution to come from Belgrade and Pristina (Klan Kosova)
• Limaj: We should open way to the dialogue with Serbia (RTK)
• LDK: Opening Kosovo borders “self-aggression” (Kosova Sot)
• Collaku: U.S. will not deal with us eternally, tax should be suspended (Klan)
• NATO to decide on cooperation with KSF in spring (dailies)
• Fajon: Visa liberalisation and dialogue have stalled (Zeri)
• “Serb parallel structures ransack offices of Ski Federation in Brezovica” (media)
UNMIK Headlines 14 February
• Thaci: There will be measures if tax is not lifted (RTK)
• Haradinaj: I will not step down, tax will bring Serbia’s recognition (Koha)
• Veseli: Friendship with the U.S. to be safeguarded (RTK)
• Relations with U.S. deteriorate, pressure to suspend tax increases (Koha)
• NATO reiterates: Kosovo forces cannot go to north without approval (Koha)
• Pacolli: Serbia can never come between Kosovo and U.S. (Zeri)
• Engel to Serbia: Take the speech of German Ambassador seriously (Bota)
• Kosovo and Albania planning to apply “Mini-Schengen” border control (Koha)
• Kosovo wants to open liaison office in Bratislava (media)
UNMIK Headlines 13 February
• U.S. warns of sanctions against Kosovo (media)
• Kosovo leaders meet after U.S. officials’ letter (Klan Kosova/Telegrafi)
• Haradinaj ready to leave decision on tax to government cabinet (Koha Ditore)
• Haradinaj: U.S. is requesting lifting of tax, but the tax will remain (Epoka)
• Haradinaj on Mogherini: She is Kosovo’s enemy (RTK)
• Germany with a request for Haradinaj (Bota Sot)
• Kosovo FM Pacolli writes to UN SG Guterres (media)
• Stoltenberg: Some allies think decision to create army was ill-timed (media/NATO)
• Thaci talks for first time about meeting Vucic behind cameras (Indeksonline)
• Leaders and opposition parties to receive draft platform on talks today (media)
• Serwer: No need for correction of Kosovo-Serbia borders (RTK)
• Citizens do not want return of fighters in foreign wars to Kosovo (Epoka)
UNMIK Headlines 12 February
• Kosovo leaders meet to discuss final stage of dialogue with Serbia (media)
• Haradinaj: Whosoever undermines Kosovo borders is an enemy (Zeri/Bota Sot)
• U.S. puts in motion measures against import tax (Koha Ditore)
• Haradinaj not aware of the reason for annulment of U.S. general’s visit (Kosova)
• LDK: Cancellation of the U.S. general’s visit, deeply concerning (Zeri)
• Limaj: Platform to be sent to the Assembly by the end of the week (Bota)
• Kosovo’s Academy of Arts and Science opposes border change option (media)
• Limaj: Missing persons issue to be discussed in Brussels (Insajderi)
• Ahmeti: Kosovo and Serbia should reach agreement this year (Epoka)
• Specialist Chambers summon former KLA fighter, Lahi Brahimaj (media)
UNMIK Headlines 11 February
• Import tariff: U.S. General cancels visit to Kosovo (dailies)
• Limaj: Dialogue platform to be ready this week (RTK)
• Lluka: Trepca cannot be topic of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (Bota Sot)
• “Secret discussions for change of Kosovo’s borders are being held” (media)
• Serbian media report on five possible scenarios of Kosovo-Serbia deal (Zeri)
• Thaci denies being summoned by Specialist Chambers (Klan Kosova)
• KFOR sees no direct threat in Kosovo, expresses concern over rhetoric (Koha)
• Ramadani: Kosovo will be NATO’s 31 member (Epoka)
• Kosovo cannot ‘shut its door’ to UNMIK (RFE, Epoka)
• Vucic: Someone from Kosovo is behind protests in Belgrade (Tanjug, media)
UNMIK Headlines 9 February
• Haradinaj: Vucic’s statement, serious threat to Kosovo’s integrity (media)
• Thaci: Tax should be suspended for dialogue to continue (media)
• Hoti: Dialogue has no alternative, Kosovo has no land to spare (media)
• UN Security Council decides to hold less frequent sessions on Kosovo (RTK)
• UNMIK reacts to allegations against its staff member (Gazeta Express)
• KSF member arrested on rape allegations (media)
UNMIK Headlines 8 February
• Import tax dominates UN Security Council session on Kosovo (dailies)
• Pacolli reacts to Dacic’s speech at the UN (RTK)
• Kosovo’s Interior Ministry confirms cooperation with UNMIK (RFE/RTK)
• Scott, Kosnett: 2019 to be year of agreement between Kosovo and Serbia (Zeri)
• Thaci receives U.S. support for Kosovo-Serbia agreement (Epoka)
• Thaci meets with Nancy Pelosi (media)
• Haradinaj: Neither I nor Thaci are owners of Kosovo (T7, RTK)
• Pressure on Kosovo Government to lift tax increases (Koha Ditore)
• EU neither denies nor confirms Trepca’s involvement in dialogue (Koha)
• These are AAK’s three points for the dialogue (RTK)
• Radojcic hires a lawyer in Kosovo (Klan Kosova)
UNMIK Headlines 7 February
• Thaci: Tariff to be suspended, creative solution with Serbia required (VOA)
• Haradinaj firm in opposing border changes (Koha)
• EU: Belgrade and Pristina decide agenda of dialogue (RFE)
• Discussion of borders, threat to Kosovo’s resources (Koha/Zeri)
• EU continues pressure on Kosovo to lift tax (Kallxo)
• Ahmeti: I will share responsibility for tax’s possible suspension (RTK/Koha)
• LDK, Vetevendosje: Thaci cannot negotiate inter-state aspects (media)
• Veseli signs decision on Trepca statute (media)
• Kosnett: War criminals have no place in Kosovo’s government (media)
Opinions View All →
Pacolli: The EU must grant visa free travel to Kosovo (EURACTIV)
In an op-ed published in EURACTIV, Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacollli called on the EU to deliver on its promise for visa-free travel to Kosovo. “We are still faced with the shameful situation of having to apply for a visa (a costly and time-consuming process) just in order to take holidays or visit relative,” Pacolli […]
Read More →Scott, Kosnett: 2019 should be the year for agreement (Zeri/Politika)
In a joint op-ed published in Zeri, the U.S. Ambassador to Serbia, Kyle Scott, and the U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Philip Kosnett, said that the courage and creativity of leaders in Athens and Skopje to resolve decades-long dispute should serve as inspiration for all other leaders in the region and that it is time for […]
Read More →All the president’s fish (Koha Ditore)
Koha Ditore columnist Adriatik Kelmendi recalls an anecdote attributed to the former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger who asked: “Who do I call if I want to call Europe?” and draws a parallel with the current situation in Kosovo characterized by ‘cacophony’ and ‘lack of unity’. “Today, it can be said in an unreserved […]
Read More →Veseli: Dialogue (Klan Kosova)
Op-ed by Kosovo Assembly President Kadri Veseli. In the year we are leaving behind, we lost too much time pointing fingers at one another for problems and issues that are a joint responsibility of the whole political landscape. Regrettably, the whole political discourse was dominated by an absurd race of negative criticism. The public and […]
Read More →Why it’s time for the Kosovo Security Force (EUobserver)
Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Behgjet Pacolli writes in an opinion piece for EUobserver that Kosovo needs an army to protect its territorial integrity and citizens of all communities and that the new, transformed Kosovo Security Force will be “a professional, multiethnic and NATO-interoperable army.” “The overarching logic is that an established and transformed KSF will be […]
Read More →President Thaci back to uniform (Prishtina Insight)
By: Eraldin Fazliu Clad in his military best, Kosovo’s president has broken his silence on the eve of tomorrow’s vote at the Kosovo Assembly, congratulating the KSF on the expansion of their mandate. In what has been described as an “inspection” of soldiers at the Adem Jashari military base in Prishtina on Thursday, Kosovo’s president […]
Read More →Haradinaj: We won’t accept Serbia’s violation of our sovereignty (WaPo)
Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj has written an op-ed for The Washington Post where he states:“My country, Kosovo, is being asked to make an impossible choice that would cheapen the sacrifice made by U.S. soldiers, undermine the stability of the region and threaten America’s allies. In the face of sustained attack from Serbia meant to undermine our […]
Read More →Serbia-Kosovo Dialogue: Where the EU Went Wrong (Balkan Insight)
By: Tina Prelec The EU began 2018 vowing to focus on strengthening the rule of law in the Balkans – but attempts to speed up an agreement between Serbia and Kosovo overshadowed this and helped raise tensions to a worrying level. With a multi-front crisis between Belgrade and Pristina in full swing, and with the […]
Read More →Articles from Kosovo media View All →
Kosovo State Delegation submits platform for dialogue to Assembly (media)
Co-heads of the Kosovo state delegation for dialogue with Serbia, Fatmir Limaj and Shpend Ahmeti, submitted a copy of the platform for dialogue with Serbia to Kosovo Assembly Speaker Kadri Veseli. At a joint press conference, Veseli said the platform guarantees Kosovo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “At the same time it guarantees there will be […]
Read More →Ramadani: KSF would not go to north for war but for relief efforts (Telegrafi)
Kosovo’s Deputy Minister of the Kosovo Security Force, Burim Ramadani, commented on NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg saying that KSF cannot go to the north without prior approval from the KFOR commander. In an interview with RTV Dukagjini, Ramadani said Stoltenberg’s statement is based on a letter Hashim Thaci, then prime minister of Kosovo, wrote […]
Read More →Thaci promised NATO in 2013 Kosovo army would not go to north (Koha)
As the meeting of NATO defence ministers got underway in Brussels, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg made reference to a Brussels agreement stipulating that Kosovo Security Force could not deploy to the north without the approval of KFOR commander. He repeated the statement at a press conference following the end of the meeting but did […]
Read More →Police: Office of the Ski Federation in Brezovica was not ransacked (Klan Kosova)
Media reported last night that the Office of the Ski Federation of Kosovo in Hotel Molika in Brezovica, was vandalized and looted. The police informed today that there are no traces of violent entrance in the offices and that there were no laptops or other inventory at the office. “The office of the Molika director […]
Read More →Collaku: This is the scenario for unification of Mitrovica (RTK)
Bekim Collaku, adviser to the President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci, told Klan TV that scenario of correction of the borders, will definitely unify Mitrovica. He added that they have indications that Serbia would accept ideas for final agreement. “Germany is not in conflict or in disagreement with the US, as far as the final agreement […]
Read More →NATO to decide on cooperation with KSF in spring (RTK)
NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, said on Thursday that the Alliance remains committed to keeping stability in Western Balkans. He said that after transformation of Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into army, NATO is reviewing the level of cooperation with this force. He said discussions on the matter are ongoing and a decision will be made […]
Read More →Progress on normalization of Kosovo-Serbia relations requested (RTK)
Thirteen MPs from the Assembly of Kosovo and thirteen from the European Parliament came up today in Strasbourg with a joint statement, which stresses that progress on normalization of the relations between Kosovo and Serbia is necessary, in order for the parties to reach a legally binding agreement through the dialogue facilitated by EU. These […]
Read More →Hooper criticizes Kosovo leaders on tax decision (VOA, Klan)
James Hooper, former U.S. diplomat told Voice of America that with their position on tax, Kosovo leaders have almost made enemies from the government of the United States. He assessed this as the most counterproductive step undertaken ever by Kosovo leaders. “They brought the relations with the United States at the lowest level ever since […]
Read More →Serb. Monitoring View All →
NATO: KSF obligations agreed in letters that are not public (RTS)
Kosovo authorities and NATO in letters exchanged in 2013 agreed on the obligation that Kosovo Security Forces (KSF) can not move northern of the Ibar River without KFOR approval. However, these letters are not available to the public, NATO officials said, RTS reported. The obligation is clear, Kosovo Security Forces cannot move north of the […]
Read More →Dacic: EU membership, regional stability priorities for Serbia (TV N1)
Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Ivica Dacic said on Thursday that membership in the European Union and regional stability are Serbia’s key foreign policy priorities, TV N1 reports. Speaking to students at the 8th class of High Security and Defense Studies, Dacic said that Kosovo is an issue of the highest national interest and the greatest […]
Read More →Serbian President denies having secret meetings with Thaci (Vecernje Novosti, Tanjug)
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said yesterday he never had any secret dinner with Hashim Thaci, as representatives of Alliance for Serbia claimed, Belgrade-based daily Vecernje Novosti reported. Asked to comment allegations that he had secret meetings with Hashim Thaci, Vucic said they did not have secret meetings. “We were in Vienna with Sebastian Kurz. We […]
Read More →DSS: Protest against surrender of Kosovo on Monday (Danas, BETA)
Opposition Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) and other initiators of an Appeal for Defense of Kosovo and Metohija called on citizens to gather in Belgrade on Monday, 18 February and show they oppose “high-treason” and attempts of the current authorities “to delineate Serbia with itself,” Danas daily reported. As DSS announced the gathering would take […]
Read More →Two “One in Five Million” protests to be held in Kosovo (KoSSev)
KoSSev portal reports that two protests “One in Five Million” would take place in Kosovo and Metohija. The protest in Gracanica takes place this evening at 18:00, while in Mitrovica North it would take place tomorrow, starting at the same time. Protestors in Gracanica have two main questions – What is a delineation? And what […]
Read More →Bulgarian PM, Chinese Ambassador honored on Serbia’s Statehood Day (Tanjug, B92)
President Aleksandar Vucic has presented about 60 state decorations to deserving individuals and institutions on Sretenje, Serbia’s Statehood Day. The ceremony in the Presidency was attended by ministers Ivica Dacic, Nebojsa Stefanovic, Zlatibor Loncar, Aleksandar Vulin, Vladan Vukosavljevivic, chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia-Herzegovina Milorad Dodik, and Bulgarian PM Boyko Borisov, who is among the […]
Read More →Serbia celebrates Statehood Day (Tanjug, B92)
Serbia is today celebrating Statehood Day – known also as Sretenje, as it coincides with the Orthodox feast of Sretenje (Candlemas). On this day in 1804, the Serbs, led by Djordje “Karadjordje” Petrovic, decided to start the First Uprising against occupying Ottoman Turks. On the same day in 1835, the first constitution of the modern […]
Read More →Montgomery: Beware of Pristina’s provocations (Tanjug, RTS)
As long as USA and the EU are not ready to concretely punish Kosovo Albanians, by cutting financial support for example, they will not give up on the current attitude, former US Ambassador to Serbia William Montgomery said, Tanjug news agency reported. “What I am asking are not words or demarche, but rather concrete steps, […]
Read More →International View All →
Stoltenberg: NATO’s decision on the new level of cooperation with Kosovo this spring (European Western Balkans)
During the second day of the NATO member states ministerial meeting, Secretary General of the Alliance Jens Stoltenberg reiterated that the transformation of Kosovo Security Force into an army, which took place in December, was ill-timed. According to him, NATO is reconsidering its level of cooperation with KSF, and the final decision is expected in […]
Read More →AP interview: Kosovo president hopes for deal with Serbia
The president of Kosovo said Thursday he thinks there is “good momentum” to reach an agreement this year to normalize ties with Serbia. Kosovo commemorates its 2008 declaration of independence on Feb. 17 each year. It is recognized as its own country by 116 nations, but not by the one from which it unilaterally separated, […]
Read More →U.S. Pressures Kosovo Over Stalled Talks With Serbia (Bloomberg)
Kosovo’s insistence to keep punitive trade tariffs against Serbia has undermined Washington’s support for Europe’s youngest nation and must be ended, U.S. officials said in a letter to the government in Pristina. See at: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-13/u-s-puts-pressure-on-kosovo-over-stalled-talks-with-serbia
Read More →Kosovo PM Rejects US Ultimatum Over Import Taxes (Balkan Insight)
After top US officials warned Kosovo its relationship with Washington was in danger over its decision to maintain high taxes on Serbian and Bosnian imports, Prime Minister Haradinaj reiterated that the taxes will remain in place. Kosovo’s Prime Minister sounded a defiant note, after the country’s biggest ally, the US, warned future collaboration was at […]
Read More →Hague Prosecutors Summon Kosovo Ex-Officer Lahi Brahimaj (Balkan Insight)
Lahi Brahimaj, a former senior Kosovo Liberation Army officer and the uncle of Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, was summoned for questioning by Hague prosecutors, six years after he was acquitted by another international tribunal. See at: https://balkaninsight.com/2019/02/12/hague-prosecutors-summon-kosovo-ex-officer-lahi-brahimaj/
Read More →‘Dayton 2’ Debate, Serbia-Kosovo Talks Reflect Balkans Spiralling Out of Control (Balkan Insight)
As the EU’s engagement in the Balkans fades, and global narratives shift, local leaders may be tempted to trying applying local solutions to unresolved issues – which in the past ended in violence. Four months after parliamentary elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the country remains in a deep political crisis. It is reviving fears that […]
Read More →U.S. Cancels National Guard Commander’s Kosovo Visit Over Serbia Tariff (RFE)
The National Guard commander of the U.S. state of Iowa has cancelled a visit to Kosovo over Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj’s refusal to cancel 100 percent tariffs on goods from Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. A spokesman at the U.S. Embassy in Pristina confirmed on February 11 that Major General Timothy Orr’s visit was canceled “in connection […]
Read More →Serbia, Kosovo Lock Horns over Fallen Mining Icon (Balkan Insight)
oving ahead with a plan to take full control of the once-mighty Trepca complex of lead, zinc and silver mines, Kosovo has locked horns with former master Serbia over the fate of an industrial icon claimed by both. On February 6, the speaker of Kosovo’s parliament, Kadri Veseli, signed into law a decision by lawmakers […]
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From Google News- Kosovo Seeks Belgrade's Recognition and War Court for Serbs - Balkan Insight 15/02/2019Kosovo Seeks Belgrade's Recognition and War Court for Serbs Balkan Insight"We are going to dialogue for recognition of Kosovo" B92AP interview: Kosovo president hopes for deal with Serbia Fox NewsImport tariff threatens Kosovo's most important alliance Prishtina InsightKosovo dialogue platform excludes land swap Gazeta ExpressView full coverage on Google News
- Kosovo Air Traffic Controllers Suspend Strike - Gazeta Express 15/02/2019Kosovo Air Traffic Controllers Suspend Strike Gazeta ExpressKosovo air traffic controllers suspended temporarily strike Friday which caused cancellation and delay of many flights in and out of Pristina International Airport ...
- Kosovo's harmonised consumer price index up 3.1% y/y in Jan – table - SeeNews 15/02/2019Kosovo's harmonised consumer price index up 3.1% y/y in Jan – table SeeNewsPRISTINA (Kosovo), February 15 (SeeNews) - Kosovo's harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP) increased by an annual 3.1% in January, after adding 2.
- Kosovo Seeks Belgrade's Recognition and War Court for Serbs - Balkan Insight 15/02/2019
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