UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 27

By OSPI-rq  16 hours ago

• Kurti: Hiding correspondence with NATO constitutes flagrant violation (media)
• NATO reaffirms: KSF cannot go to north without KFOR’s permission (Koha)
• Serbia had sought guarantees that KSF would not deploy to north (Koha Ditore)
• Thaci sends message to Kurti from Washington (media)
• Osmani: Calls for upholding Constitution should not be misinterpreted (media)
• Abazi says Kosovo’s partnership with int’l allies can never be questioned (media)
• Haradinaj: KSF can be deployed throughout Kosovo territory (media)
• Veseli: Concerning that a Kosovo PM questions agreements with NATO (media)
• Thaci: Kosovo blessed with trust and partnership of U.S. (media)
• Rama to Lavrov: Kosovo should be recognised by all (media)
• Vucic: Matter of time before Serbia recognises Kosovo (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 26

By OSPI-rq  2 days ago

• Thaci calls on leading think tanks to join momentum for Kosovo and Western Balkans (media)
• U.S. coordinating for a solution in Balkans (media)
• UK Minister to Kurti: We are closer and closer in defence and security (RTK)
• Kurti: Our focus is to eliminate inequality in salaries (media)
• AAK collects signatures to call extraordinary session of Assembly (Zeri)
• Vatican urged to recognise independence of Kosovo (media)
• Presevo Mayor: We want to join Kosovo (media)
• First Specialist Chambers indictments could be confirmed within six months (Koha)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 25

By OSPI-rq  3 days ago

• At EBRD summit, Kurti lists priorities of new Kosovo government (media)
• Kurti to EBRD: We could do better but EU could do more (media)
• Thaci: U.S. to maintain focus on Kosovo and the region (RTK)
• Sources: Kosovo-Serbia agreement to be reached by year’s end (Klan Kosova)
• Prospect of broadening Lajcak’s portfolio seen in Pristina with concern (Koha)
• Cakaj and Konjufca with a joint statement on Presevo Valley coalition (RTK)
• Specialist Chambers ready to initiate proceedings (media)
• Abrashi: We have almost collected signatures for Assembly session (T7/RTK)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 24

By OSPI-rq  4 days ago

• Grenell to remain envoy for Kosovo-Serbia negotiations (Zeri/Bota Sot)
• Weber: EU heading towards a Mogherini 2.0 policy (Koha Ditore)
• Haziri requests to lift the tariff (RTK)
• Haradinaj: No guarantees that lifting tariff brings Serbia’s recognition (RTK)
• Citaku on Jamaica’s recognition: Everything will be clarified in time (Telegrafi)
• PDK blames Konjufca for Jamaica recognition affair (media)
• Thaci leaves for the U.S. to meet with U.S. Administration officials (RTK)
• Vucic: Serbia will this year face ultimatum for recognition of Kosovo (Koha)
• U.S. Embassy, Kurti support K-Serb that plays football for Kosovo (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 22

By OSPI-hh  6 days ago

• EU High Representative Josep Borrell speaks to Thaci, Kurti and Vucic (media)
• Mustafa: Kosovo to coordinate with the U.S. on reciprocity with Serbia (Express)
• Godfrey: Grenell will continue as Kosovo-Serbia dialogue envoy (Express)
• Opposition: It is a mistake not to apply for INTERPOL membership (media)
• Ismet Beqiri appointed deputy leader of the LDK (media)
• AAK deputy chair warns with protests (media)
• Hoti pelted with eggs (Express)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 21

By OSPI-rq  7 days ago

• Grenell to remain envoy for Kosovo-Serbia negotiations (media)
• Jamaica recognition: Kosovo leaders hail it, Jamaica FM refutes it (media)
• Haziri requests from Kurti to lift the tariff (RTK)
• The U.S. informed Kurti that military presence is being considered (Express)
• Konjufca dismisses 14 consuls saying their appointment was unlawful (media)
• Reka: Mini-Schengen is only in interest of Serbia (Express)
• Haradinaj: Kurti threatens national security with approach to KIA (Klan)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 20

By OSPI-rq  1 week ago

• Kurti: Reciprocity measures aimed at protecting local producers (media)
• “New government to decide what to do with unimplemented agreements” (Klan)
• Trump names Richard Grenell as acting intelligence chief (RFE)
• Kosnett in Mitrovica: Tariff should be lifted (RTK)
• AAK: Final agreement with Serbia to be under Kosovo’s existing borders (media)
• Government of Kosovo dismisses Telecom board (media)
• Hoti: Telecom board’s dismissal, only the beginning (Telegrafi)
• Kurti to ministries: Scan the situation at ministries and submit the report (RTK)
• Cakaj: Albania cannot change Kosovo borders (TV Dukagjini/RTK)
• Reka: Visa liberalisation this year, a priority issue (RFE/Zeri)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 19

By OSPI-rq  1 week ago

• Reciprocity measures to be introduced in the coming days (Koha)
• Palmer: Kosovo, Serbia to set parameters for mutual recognition (EUobserver/ Epoka)
• Haradinaj: Kurti, Osmani responsible for Grenell demanding tax drop (Telegrafi)
• Zogiani: Kurti has not been yet informed about Grenell’s agreements (Express)
• Kurti visits Kosovo Intelligence Agency (media)
• PM Kurti meets UN resident coordinator Richardson (Klan Kosova)
• Haxhiu meets EULEX Chief, Wigemark (RTK)
• Haxhiu meets Braathu, discuss rule of law (RTK)
• Government launches procedures for dismissing Telecom board (Koha)
• Ministry’s ultimatum ignored; highway construction tender not cancelled (Zeri)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 18

By OSPI-rq  1 week ago

• Kosovo leaders display no unity on Independence Day (media)
• Kurti: Time for us as government to make decisions, not avoid difficulties (RTK)
• Nagavci: Handshakes are act of courtesy, do not imply agreement (media)
• Lajcak could be proposed as special representative for dialogue (Koha)
• Plenkovic: Kosovo has fulfilled visa liberalisation criteria (Koha)
• Meta against Mini-Schengen, values Kurti’s presentation in Munich (Express)
• Vucic: We lost the chance for compromise with Pristina, we will pay the price (TV Happy/Klan)
• Three candidates running for mayoral elections in Podujeve (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 17

By OSPI-rq  2 weeks ago

Thaci: Inter-institutional coordination required for dialogue (media)
Kurti: I have reservations about agreements, I was not part of talks (RFE)
Borrell: Dialogue to continue as soon as we appoint envoy (media)
Kurti meets international representatives at MSC sidelines (RTK)
Kurti for Blick: To Kosovo, Serbia’s recognition is not sufficient (Blick/Lajmi)
Hoti and Grenell discuss dialogue with Serbia (Kallxo)
Haxhiu: From now on, politicians will fear the prosecution (Kosovapress/RTK)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 27, 2020

By OPSI-mu  9 hours ago

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 27, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• Greek PM: Resumption of dialogue strengthens European perspective (Koha)
• Surroi: Thaci-Rasmussen letter exchange is an international agreement (Telegrafi)
• Gazeta Express: Kurti told U.S. he will not lift tax (RTK)
• In Washington, Thaci meets DFC chief executive, Adam Boehler (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: “They will give even more… but will seek from us de facto or de jure Kosovo’s recognition” (O2, RTS, KoSSev)
• Raskovic-Ivic: Vucic never presented proposal on resolving Kosovo issue to citizens or MPs (N1, KoSSev)
• Djuric: Kurti threatens Serbia again (Kosovo-online, RTS)
• BIRODI says President Vucic dominates prime news programme on Serbian TV stations (N1)
• US to Kosovo: We expect lifting of taxes as step toward resumption of dialogue (Beta, N1)
• Albanian attacked Serbs in Grizime village, Office for KiM condemns incident (RTV Puls, Radio KIM)

International:

• Kosovo Leaders Trade Angry Words Over ‘Secret’ NATO Deal (Balkan Insight)
• NATO contradict Haradinaj’s KSF claims (Prishtina Insight)
• U.S. Reiterates Commitment To Kosovo Independence, Urges Dropping Tariffs On Serbian Goods (RFE)
• Moravcsik: EU enlargement in the Western Balkans is in the interest of member states (EWB)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Serbs, Albanians protest together against small hydropower plants in Kosovo (FoNet, N1)
• Mitrovica Rock School unites young Albanians and Serbs in a segregated Kosovo city (globalvoices.org)
• Appeals Court Upholds Nine-Month Sentence For Kosovo Soccer Chief (RFE)
• Rallies for clean air to be held on Friday in nine Balkan cities (balkangreenenergynews.com)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 26, 2020

By OPSI-su  1 day ago

Albanian Language Media:

• Secret letter surfaces concerning Thaci’s assurances not to have KSF go to the north (Kallxo)
• Prime Minister’s Legal Office: Sufficient basis to conclude Thaci violated Constitution (Koha)
• Hoti: Agreement with Serbia can be achieved through a government-led dialogue (media)
• Veseli: Kurti needs to clarify himself, not avoid responsibility (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Botsan-Kharchenko: Strategic partnership between Russia and Serbia on rise (BETA, N1)
• EU, US State Department comment on Serbia’s acquisition of ‘Pantsir S1’ system (VoA, N1)
• KIM radio: Mysterious dismissal of Tanja Ivic (VoA)
• Diplomats have forgotten fair play in Kosovo, some receive support, some face bans (Kosovo Online)
• Rakic met EULEX chief Wigemark (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Detention of Rosic and Spasojevic extended for two more months (Tanjug, Dnevnik)

International:

• Kosovo: 2nd Former Fighter Refuses War Crimes Court Summons (AP/NYT)
• Kurti calls for Thaci’s dismissal over ‘secret agreement’ (Prishtina Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Croatia Confirms Coronavirus Case as Balkan States Boost Precautions (Balkan Insight)
• Balkan cities united in struggle for clean air and environmental protection (BETA, N1)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 25, 2020

By OPSI-mu  2 days ago

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 25, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• EU Council extends mandate to Special Representative Apostolova (media)
• Lekaj: Munich agreements have been presented to Government (Zeri)
• Selimi: No differences within ruling coalition on reciprocity (Gazeta Express)
• Bahtiri meets EULEX chief: Situation in Mitrovica calm (Zeri)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: Anything less than 48.2 percent will be election failure for SNS (FoNet, N1)
• Specialist Prosecutor informed the president of this court of his intent to issue indictments (KoSSev)
• “Indicted will be known in six months” (KIM radio)
• Rakic: Tariffs have created even bigger rift between Albanians and Serbs (Vecernje Novosti)

Opinion:

• Redrawing Kosovo’s foreign policy (Prishtina Insight)

International:

• Why Serbia’s Disgruntled Citizens Aren’t Backing the Opposition (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• AoK Committee on the Rights and Interests of Communities established (RTK)
• Albania Prosecutors to Probe Panic-Mongering About Coronavirus (Balkan Insight)
• Croatia reports first confirmed coronavirus case in Balkans (medicalxpress.com)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 24, 2020

By OPSI-su  3 days ago

Albanian Language Media:

• In London, Kurti calls for reciprocity with Serbia (RTK)
• Konjufca calls for visa liberalisation at Western Balkans conference (media)
• Cakaj: Visa liberalisation for Kosovo to boost EU credibility (Koha)
• AAK: Tax on Serbia increased employment in Kosovo, reciprocity will not work (Koha)
• Ramush Haradinaj’s family enters media business with Telecom money (Kallxo/Prishtina Insight)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic on Kosovo, ultimatum, EU, Pantsir S1 (Prva TV, B92)
• Alliance for Serbia: Vucic confirmed failure of his Kosovo politics (KoSSev, N1)
• Dacic: Spain has firm stance, does not accept unilateral acts (RTS)
• Trump: Grenell does very good job as Belgrade-Pristina envoy (RTS, VoA)
• NATO on Russian armament: National decision and Serbia’s right to choose (B92)
• Father of Serbian footballer who wants to play for Kosovo didn’t lose job (Radio KIM, N1)
• President of the Specialized Chambers of Kosovo: We will stand trial fairly and independently (Blic, Kontakt plus radio)
• Janjic: Ahtisaari ++ an old idea, I don’t know where it came from now (KoSSev, Kontakt plus radio)
• Milicevic: Kosovo has advanced in the last 12 years (RTK2, Slobodno Srpski)
• “Borrell discussed Kosovo partition in Berlin” (Kosovo-online, B92)

International:
• New Kosovo Leader Ready to Revoke Tariffs for Serbian Goods (VOA)
• Serbia Receives Delivery Of Russian Antiaircraft Systems Despite U.S. Sanction Threats (RFE)
• The Western Balkans: Low Hanging Fruit for China? (thediplomat.com)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Serb player’s parents fired after he joins Kosovo Under-19s (AP/WaPo)
• Airport workers sacked ‘in revenge’ for joining protest (Prishtina Insight)
• Balkan Countries Take Precautions Amid Fear of Coronavirus (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 21, 2020

By OPSI-mu  6 days ago

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 21, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• President Thaci’s office comments on Jamaica recognition issue (media)
• Konjufca says measures will be taken about Jamaica recognition news (Koha)
• MP Pacolli demands accountability from Amb Citaku on Jamaica recognition (media)
• Tahiri: Decision to annul notaries’ appointment process, arbitrary (media)
• LVV MP: After dismissals, accountability in front of justice (ekonomiaonline)

Serbian Language Media:

• Draft recommendations for EU enlargement outlined in European Parliament (N1, Hina)
• Survey in multi-ethnic municipalities: Reconciliation needed for the vast majority but the north (KoSSev)
• Jamaica’s foreign minister denies recognition of Kosovo (KoSSev, RTS, Blic)
• Dacic: Tirana and Pristina to give up campaign to lobby for recognition of Kosovo (Blic, N1)
• Thaci for BBC in Serbian: If we waste this opportunity, we will cry at the gates of Brussels (Kosovo Online, Danas, B92)
• Kenya will not change stance on Kosovo (RTV Puls)
• US Ambassador Godfrey says Grenell will continue as Kosovo envoy (Beta, N1)

International:

• Albania PM Widens His Media Wars to Include Kosovo (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Kosovo National Football Team Signs First Serb Player (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 20, 2020

By OPSI-su  1 week ago

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Border change project has failed but the idea is not dead (media)
• Kosnett in a diplomatic offensive to lift the tariff (Gazeta Express)
• Haradinaj meets Kosnett: U.S. involvement in dialogue, necessary (media)
• Osmani: Not only men will represent Kosovo in Brussels (Klan Kosova)
• Kurti warns in Stan Terg: There will be new dismissals of the boards (Express)
• Positioning prior to dialogue with Serbia, Osmani: Trepca is inviolable (Express)
• Minister Haxhiu annuls notaries appointment process (media)
• AAK continues collecting signatures, requests session on the tariff (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

• SRSG Tanin: Following integration of judiciary, Kosovo moves towards strengthening of rule of law (Radio KIM)
• Dacic: Lack of reaction to the announcement of Tirana and Pristina on joint lobbying is hypocritical (Tanjug, RTS)
• Everything changes now: A man sent to Serbia heads US national intelligence services (Tanjug, B92)
• Milena Ivanovic joins SNS (Tanjug, B92)

Opinion:

• Albin Kurti – New Hope or New Disappointment? (crnobelisvet.com)

International:

• Trump Appoints Balkan Envoy Grenell to Head National Intelligence (Balkan Insight)
• Juratovic: The arranged situation in the Western Balkans means the arranged situation in the EU (EWB)

Humanitarian/Development:

• “The suspension of the construction of MHE is very important”(KIM radio)
• Denmark’s Integration Experiment Reflects European U-turn (Balkan Insight)
• Wild and exotic animals kept captive in Kosovo ‘zoos’ (Prishtina Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 19, 2020

By OPSI-mu  1 week ago

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 19, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Reciprocity measures aimed at protecting local producers (media)
• Grenell slams EUobserver story on Kosovo-Serbia land swap plan (media)
• Opposition collecting signatures for Assembly session to oppose lifting of tax (Express)
• Haradinaj writes about which option of lifting tariff he would support (Express)
• Konjufca: we will reach concrete agreements with the government of Albania (RTK)
• Haxhiu: We will annul notaries appointment process this week (Telegrafi)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: ”The only alternative is war, and we would not have survived it” (B92)
• Macron’s “plotting” with Serbia and Kosovo – UN the only place for reaching solution (Sputnik, B92)
• SNS decided on name of electoral list: “Aleksandar Vucic – For our children” (B92)
• Jevtic: Damage to Menkovic family, whose house was demolished, must be compensated (KoSSev)
• Bozovic: Indictments for murder of Oliver Ivanovic not supported by evidence (Radio kontakt plus)
• Kosovo Deputy PM Haki Abazi for Danas: We will seek compensation for war damages, so the devastation and crimes do not repeat again

International:

• Vetevendosje MP: Dialogue ‘on the verge of restarting’ (Prishtina Insight)
• Tensions take center stage as Western Balkans gets under the spotlight in Munich (EWB)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Protesters demand prominent lawyer’s license be revoked (Prishtina Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 18, 2020

By OPSI-su  1 week ago

Albanian Language Media:

• Konjufca: Kosovo’s foreign policy has faced serious crisis in recent years (Koha)
• Osmani: Meeting with Thaci was part of state protocol, differences remain (media)
• Gashi: Government looking into ways to lift the tax (Telegrafi)
• Rukiqi: We will support any decision that is in Kosovo’s interest (EO)
• Association of journalists’ offices broken into again (Klan Kosova/Kallxo)

Serbian Language Media:

• Dacic: Kurti will continue with unilateral acts (Tanjug, Prva TV)
• Vucic: We missed a major chance, we will pay high price for that (TV Happy, B92)
• Serbia donates € 2 million to Albania (RTS, Tanjug)
• Djuric: Belgrade will continue to insist on ZSO (Kontakt plus radio, KIM radio, Politika)
• Vucic: Significant and powerful European country requested from Pristina to impose tariffs (B92)
• House of Jovica Menkovic from Cernica demolished, pressure on Serbs to leave (RTV Puls)
• Graffiti written in Preoce village (KoSSev)

International:

• The Brief – Why is America eclipsing the EU in the Balkans? (Euractive)
• Kurti Vows to Make Military Service Compulsory in Kosovo (Balkan Insight)
• Dodik’s Tantrum Politics Risks Pushing Bosnia Int Chaos (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Youth from Gracanica migrating due to unemployment, lack of safety and uncertain political situation (KoSSev)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 17, 2020

By OPSI-mu  1 week ago

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 17, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Kosovo representatives to be unified in foreign policy (media)
• Thaci: Kosovo enters second decade with faith, hope and belief for better future
• Serwer says Kurti will not change Kosovo’s position on Serbia (media)
• Osmani: Kosovo’s independence is irreversible (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

• Djuric: 12 years ago, international law was trampled, but Serbia was not defeated (Serbian media)
• ”Everything that Albanians believed in have failed” (KIM Radio)
• Almost two decades after, still no punishment for the crime in Livadice (Radio kontakt plus)
• Borrell: We are working on appointing envoy for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (N1, SRNA, RFE, RTS)
• EU hosts informal dinner with Western Balkans leaders (Tanjug, B92, RTS)
• Vucic said debate with Kurti was fierce (N1, RTS, Kosovo-online)
• Vucic on talks with Pristina, Carpenter’s statements (B92)
• Rada Trajkovic: Murder of Oliver Ivanovic will be clarified (KIM Radio, Free Serbian)

Opinion:

• Reviving Enlargement in Balkans Means Changing More than Methodology (Balkan Insight)

International:

• EU Says Accession For Balkan Countries Still Possible (RFE)
• Twelve Years In Dependence Leave Kosovo Facing Foggy Future (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 14, 2020

By OPSI-mu  2 weeks ago

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 14, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• Agreement between Kosovo and Serbia on motorway and railway signed (media)
• Thaci: Railway agreement, a message of peace (media)
• Who signed the agreement for the railway between Kosovo and Serbia? (Express)
• Grenell calls today’s signed agreements historic (Express)
• Haradinaj applauds agreement between Kosovo and Serbia (media)
• LDK’s Hyseni: Agreement in Munich, a step in the right direction (Zeri)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic met Grenell in Munich (B92, Tanjug)
• Vucic happy to see progress, thanks Trump for support (Tanjug)
• Djuric on railway agreement: We took care everything to be in line with Constitution (BETA, N1)
• Rakic: Better communication, faster transport of goods and services (Radio KIM)
• Blakaj: To identify 400 bodies that are still in Pristina (N1)

International:

• France, US, Pile Pressure on Kosovo to Scrap Tariffs (Balkan Insight)
• Further transport agreements reached between Kosovo and Serbia (Prishtina Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• BIRN Launches ‘If You Were Here’ Missing Persons Campaign (Balkan Insight)
• Kurti: There never was a more education-dedicated government (Koha)