UNMIK Media Reports View All →
UNMIK Headlines 19 January
• Haradinaj reacts to Serbian authorities detaining two KSF members (RTK)
• Veseli, Haradinaj, Kosnett to discuss tax next week (Zeri)
• Vucic: EU to step up pressure on Kosovo to suspend tax (RFE/Koha)
• Kosovo denies reports Palau has revoked recognition (Klan Kosova)
• Serbian authorities reply to Kosovo prosecution’s request (media)
UNMIK Headlines 18 January
• Haradinaj and Hahn focus on EU agenda, do not mention tax (dailies)
• Thaci: There is no signed agreement with Serbia (RFE)
• Haradinaj reiterates: No one can take land from Kosovo (media)
• In Belgrade, Putin accuses Kosovo of stirring tensions (dailies)
• Ahmeti: Putin’s visit shows urgent need for region’s democratization (Bota Sot)
• Bosnia and Herzegovina expect Kosovo to lift import tax (Koha/Zeri)
• Government denies it is negotiating tax removal with Bosnia (Koha)
• Shala: Tax to be lifted when reasons for its introduction are eliminated (Zeri)
• Isufi: Measures against Serbia should increase (Epoka)
• Apostolova, O’Connell meet LDK leader Mustafa (Zeri)
• Konjufca: Thaci, the least transparent person (T7)
• Secret procedure for funds allocated for Specialist Chambers (Koha Ditore)
• OSCE: In ten years, 34 women died as a result of domestic violence (Koha)
UNMIK Headlines 17 January
• Haradinaj: Tax not related to U.S. but to Serbia and Russia (media)
• U.S. Embassy urges suspension of import tax (Klan Kosova)
• EU Commissioner Hahn to visit Kosovo today (media)
• NATO: KFOR to remain unchanged despite KSF’s new mission (Bota Sot)
• Negotiating team violates Resolution on Dialogue (Koha Ditore/Zeri)
• Haradinaj to Putin: Russia destabilises the Balkans (Koha)
• Russian flags adorn Kosovo’s north ahead of Putin’s visit to Serbia (media)
• Hoxhaj: Our aim was not recognition when we imposed tax to Serbia (Telegrafi)
• Limaj: We stand by Haradinaj’s position on tax (Klan Kosova)
• Mustafa: LDK will not become part of the negotiating team (RTK)
• Thaci’s secret “hideout” (Zeri)
• Thaci: A liberator is unjustly interviewed in The Hague (media)
• At The Hague, Lushtaku exercises right to silence (Koha Ditores)
• Another KLA commander called by Specialist Chambers (Zeri)
• Bahtiri: Assembly will support petition for unification of Mitrovica (Epoka)
UNMIK Headlines 16 January
• Haradinaj: U.S. against border changes, tax to remain in force (Koha/RTK)
• Haradinaj “threatens” Thaci (Kosova Sot)
• Goods from Serbia imported before 21 Nov exempted from 100% tax (dailies)
• Daut Haradinaj: Tax will remain even if it spells government’s end (Koha)
• NATO to discuss creation of Kosovo’s army (Epoka)
• Mustafa concludes testimony before Specialist Chambers (dailies)
• Gucati: More former KLA officials to go to The Hague (Telegrafi)
• Bahtiri to submit petition for unification of Mitrovica today (Epoka)
• Kosovo opens a Customs Office in Durrës, Albania (media)
• Haziri: We will not become part of dialogue, government chose PSD (Telegrafi)
• Negotiations unfruitful, teacher strike continues (Koha Ditore)
UNMIK Headlines 15 January
• For U.S., end goal of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue is mutual recognition (Koha)
• U.S. seeks suspension of import tax, warns of consequences (Klan Kosova)
• Arifi: There is no ultimatum from U.S. on tax (Express)
• Haradinaj hints at toning down position on import tax (Koha/RTK)
• Because of tax, Haradinaj faces troubles in obtaining U.S. visa (Al Jazeera/Koha)
• Thaci: No one should hesitate to take responsibility for dialogue (RTK)
• Negotiating team: Kosovo will not make serious compromises in Brussels (Epoka)
• Ahmeti: No taboo topics in dialogue with Serbia (media)
• Limaj: Kosovo interested to reach comprehensive agreement (RTK)
• “LDK on the verge of joining Haradinaj’s government” (Kosova Sot)
• Mustafa, first suspect to be interviewed by Specialist Chambers (Koha)
• Tahiri: Financial aid only for persons indicted by Specialist Chambers (Telegrafi)
• KLA Association: Special Court, discriminating (RTK)
• Vagueness about resignations of northern mayors continues (Epoka)
• Pacolli supports Bahtiri on his initiative to unite Mitrovica (Express)
• GLPS: Border change discussion undermines Kosovo statehood (media)
UNMIK Headlines 14 January
• Kosovo leaders express support for KLA commanders (media)
• Mustafa and Lushtaku travelled to Hague (Kosova Sot)
• Government cannot pay for Lushtaku’s attorney at this stage (Insajderi)
• Veseli calls meeting of leaders to coordinate on dialogue (media)
• U.S. requests Kosovo to immediately lift import tax (Koha Ditore)
• Government: 100-percent tax will remain in force (Express)
• Thaci has not yet given negotiating team documents on dialogue (Zeri)
• Kosovo to adopt platform on dialogue with Serbia (RFE/Koha)
• Zeka claims Specialist Chambers sent invitation to Veseli too (veriu.info)
• Mustafa seeks government’s clarification about the North (media)
• Haradinaj congratulates FYROM on finalizing name-change agreement (Koha)
UNMIK Headlines 12 January
• Veseli invites opposition to the dialogue meeting (RTK)
• Vetevendosje to boycott again the dialogue meeting called by Veseli (media)
• LDK rejects Veseli’s invitation, calls the meeting a farce (Telegrafi)
• Kosovo leaders hail FYROM’s decision on name change (media)
• Mustafa: The government should go home (media)
• First facing with the Special Chambers (Zeri)
UNMIK Headlines 11 January
• Two funding sources for “clients” of the specialist chambers (Koha/Zeri)
• PM Haradinaj commends state delegation’s presentation in Brussels (Zeri)
• EU supports conditioning of dialogue with retraction of tariff (Zeri)
• Germany supports visa liberalization for Kosovo (media)
• Pacolli meets German Foreign Minister in Berlin (media)
• Haradinaj condemns anti-Kosovo chants in Banja Luka (Express)
Opinions View All →
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 →Decentralization is an alternative to partition (Prishtina Insight)
By: David L. Philips Kosovo is at a critical crossroads, and devolution of power from the executive would advance good governance, equality and the strengthening of democracy. Down one path lies partition, which seeks to placate Serbia. Proponents wrongly believe that adjusting borders will help Kosovo gain greater global recognition. Another path involves decentralization, which […]
Read More →Kosovo’s Interpol bid – and its ramifications for EU (EUobserver)
Eliott Behar, former domestic criminal prosecutor and international war crimes prosecutor, writes in an op-ed for EUobserver that as Interpol’s General Assembly prepares to vote on whether to admit Kosovo as its newest member, there is little question that Kosovo meets the criteria for membership. “It has a large police force, numbering over 8,000 employees […]
Read More →Breaking old habits in the Balkans (European Council on Foreign Relations)
By: Robert Cooper Opinions cost nothing, but it is not our opinions that matter – let’s not take sides before we know what has been proposed. “An intellectual hatred is the worst”, says W B Yeats, “So let her think opinions are accursed.” That’s what I used to think when I was involved in diplomacy […]
Read More →Articles from Kosovo media View All →
Hoti fears Assembly will continue “old habits” (Telegrafi)
Head of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) parliamentary group, Avdullah Hoti, said he fears the Assembly of Kosovo will continue “old habits” by delaying issues of interest. Speaking to reporters after the meeting of the Kosovo Assembly presidency, Hoti said the Kosovo negotiating team has no legitimacy as it represents no one. He however […]
Read More →Veseli: the U.S. did not request removal of import tax (RTK)
The President of the Assembly of Kosovo Kadri Veseli, was asked today if the U.S. have requested from the government of Kosovo to lift the 100 percent tax on Serbian goods. He said that such request does not exist, however they requested to give an opportunity to the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. “The letter […]
Read More →Haradinaj: Trust on U.S. does not fade, with or without visa (RTK)
The Prime Minister of Kosovo Ramush Haradinaj met today with 120 students from Vienna and Venice, from the program “European Master in Human Rights and Democratisation.” He said that United States of America has helped Kosovo since 1999, therefore he would not change his position towards this country. “My trust on the U.S. does not […]
Read More →Veseli: Russia will recognize Kosovo (RTK)
The President of the Assembly of Kosovo Kadri Veseli, expressed conviction that Russia will recognize independence of Kosovo. He made these comments a day after the visit of the Russian President Vladimir Putin to Serbia. “Take it as something positive, we are with Americans, westerners, and our neighbor in the north is trying to have […]
Read More →Thaci: There is no signed agreement with Serbia (RFE)
In a reply to Radio Free Europe, President of Kosovo Hashim Thaci said there is no signed agreement with Serbia as some politicians in Kosovo claim. He said that he is at present on holidays and will meet the Kosovo Negotiating Team on Monday. “I have in continuity briefed the two chairpersons of the Negotiating […]
Read More →Bosnia and Herzegovina expects Kosovo to lift import tax, calls for negotiations (Koha)
Bosnia and Herzegovina Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, Mirko Sarovic, said that on their request the government of Kosovo has agreed to take part in bilateral negotiations concerning the 100-percent tax on goods from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnian media outlet Klix.ba quoted sources saying that preparations are underway for a bilateral […]
Read More →PM Haradinaj comments on Commissioner Hahn’s visit to Pristina (media)
Prime Minister of Kosovo Ramush Haradinaj said that tax on Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina will most probably be discussed during the visit of the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn scheduled to take place later in the day. “Kosovo has made progress in the European agenda, SAA and ERA. The […]
Read More →PDK denies having offered LDK support to bring down Haradinaj-led government (Telegrafi)
The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) has denied it has offered the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) its support to bring down the government of Kosovo led by Ramush Haradinaj. PDK deputy leader and head of the party’s parliamentary group, Memli Krasniqi, said no PDK official discussed any such thing with LDK. “We lead the […]
Read More →Serb. Monitoring View All →
Brnabic: Putin’s visit cannot bother Brussels (Tanjug)
Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said she is pleased with the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding the visit absolutely cannot impede Serbia on its path towards Euro-integration, Tanjug news agency reported. She noted Brussels is aware of Serbian and Russian traditional ties, political and economic ones, same as Moscow knows about Serbia’s EU […]
Read More →One more country to revoke recognition of Kosovo? (BETA, B92, TV Happy)
Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister, Ivica Dacic told TV Happy that on Monday, 21 January, one more country could revoke recognition of Kosovo. Noting, that Belgrade managed to bring back Kosovo “as the main topic on the agenda,” Dacic added that Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov, during yesterday’s visit to Belgrade told him “it is […]
Read More →DSS: Putin unequivocally conveyed he does not support division of Kosovo and Metohija (BETA)
Leader of the opposition Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) Milos Jovanovic said in a written statement that Vladimir Putin in Belgrade “unequivocally conveyed” Moscow “in no way supports idea that Serbia should accept secession, respectively division of Kosovo,” BETA news agency reported. Jovanovic assessed the visit of the Russian President Putin to Serbia as significant […]
Read More →Suspects in war crimes to be tried in absentia? (KIM radio, Kontakt plus radio)
Round table in organization of NGO Aktiv dealt with possible amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code, which would enable war crimes trials for persons in absentia. In this way, many laws, international charter and conventions would be violated, it was said at a round table held in northern Mitrovica yesterday. Positive or negative connotations that […]
Read More →“EU expects from Serbia to remain committed to European perspective” (Tanjug, RTS)
Unnamed EU official from Brussels told Tanjug news agency in relation to the Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday’s visit to Serbia, that the EU does not comment on the visits of leaders from other countries, however the EU expects from Serbia to remain committed to its European perspective. “Serbian authorities identified the EU integration as […]
Read More →Dragan Janjic: Gathering of people intended for domestic public, rather than for Putin (TV N1)
Editor of BETA news agency, Dragan Janjic commenting on gathering of citizens to welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin in Belgrade yesterday, said it was a manifestation intended for domestic public, rather than for Putin. “This was a manifestation of power, while authorities want to present it as the manifestation of support,” Janjic said. “And the […]
Read More →Serbia, Russia ink over 20 agreements on future cooperation (B92, Serbian media)
Serbia and Russia on Thursday signed over 20 agreements, memorandums, accords and protocols on future cooperation. The documents were signed after a meeting of Serbian and Russian delegations headed by Presidents Aleksandar Vucic and Vladimir Putin, during the Russian leader’s visit to Serbia on January 17. Rosatom CEO Aleksei Likhachev and Serbian Minister for Innovations […]
Read More →Putin, Vucic on Kosovo issue (B92, Tanjug, Serbian media)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said during his visit to Serbia that “the Russian position on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija is known.” “We are in favor of a solution in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244,” Putin, whose country does not recognize the unilateral declaration of Kosovo’s independence made by ethnic Albanians […]
Read More →International View All →
Putin ’Shares Serbia’s Concern’ Over Kosovo Army (Balkan Insight)
Russian President Vladimir Putin said during his visit to Serbia that he shared Belgrade’s concern over Kosovo’s intention to form an army, which he called a violation of UN Resolution 1244. Russian President Vladimir Putin criticised Kosovo’s decision to form an army on Thursday, after meeting Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who said that Belgrade had […]
Read More →Why America Is Blind to Serbia’s Bright Future (The National Interest)
Belgrade offers many opportunities that the Washington foreign-policy establishment appears unwilling to recognize. Vladimir Putin’s visit to Belgrade on January 17 poses an interesting question—are China and Russia making inroads into Serbia due to Washington’s neglect? See at: https://nationalinterest.org/feature/why-america-blind-serbias-bright-future-41832
Read More →BIRN Urges Russian Leader To Release Journalists (Balkan Insight)
As Vladimir Putin visits Belgrade, BIRN journalists have used the occasion to call on the Kremlin leader to release imprisoned journalists in Russia and respect human rights. BIRN journalists in Serbia on Thursday displayed banners asking Russian President Vladimir Putin, who had arrived in Belgrade, to release imprisoned journalists in Russia and to respect human […]
Read More →Putin to discuss bilateral relations, Kosovo, Turkish Stream with Serbian president (TASS)
Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic during his official visit to Belgrade. MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin will make an official visit to Serbia on Thursday. The Kremlin press service reported earlier that at talks in Belgrade, Putin plans to discuss with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic […]
Read More →Putin attacks west’s role in Balkans ahead of lavish Serbia visit (The Guardian)
Russian president claims Serbia forced to make ‘artificial choice’ between EU and Moscow. Vladimir Putin is due in Belgrade, where he will bestow a top state honour upon the Serbian leader, Aleksandar Vučić, hoping to shore up one of the few strong bilateral relationships Russia has in Europe, and re-stake Moscow’s claims to maintaining influence […]
Read More →Putin warns West on Balkans as Serbia prepares lavish welcome (BBC)
Russian President Vladimir Putin heads a powerful delegation to Serbia on Thursday, aiming to cement co-operation with a country seeking to join the EU. Ahead of his Belgrade visit, Mr Putin accused some Western countries of “destabilising” the Balkans. See at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46892363
Read More →Putin Arrives to Hero’s Welcome as Serbia Seeks Kosovo Leverage (Bloomberg)
When Vladimir Putin lands in Belgrade, the ruling party will welcome him as the country’s most popular foreign politician with a rally that underscores Serbia’s conflicted approach to joining the European Union. President Aleksandar Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party, which is itself facing anti-government protests, is mobilizing thousands of its members in the capital on Thursday […]
Read More →Serbian Protesters Commemorate Kosovo Politician’s Murder (Balkan Insight)
Serbs who have been protesting against the rule of President Aleksandar Vucic for the past six weeks on Wednesday marked the first anniversary of Kosovo Serb politician Oliver Ivanovic’s murder. Thousands of Serbs gathered in the capital, Belgrade, on Wednesday to commemorate the first anniversary of the death of the Kosovo Serb politician Oliver Ivanovic, […]
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From Google News- Kosovo: Creating a full Army out of its Security Force - Qrius 19/01/2019Kosovo: Creating a full Army out of its Security Force QriusHowever, another motivation for the creation of the army is that it reinforces Kosovo's status as an independent state.
- Bloomberg: Russia may join Serbia-Kosovo talks if US does - Kyiv Post 19/01/2019Bloomberg: Russia may join Serbia-Kosovo talks if US does Kyiv PostRussian President Vladimir Putin told Serbia’s leader Aleksandar Vucic that his administration might join talks to resolve a dispute between the Balkan ...
- Russia May Join Serbia-Kosovo Talks If U.S. Does, Blic Reports - Bloomberg 19/01/2019Russia May Join Serbia-Kosovo Talks If U.S. Does, Blic Reports BloombergRussian President Vladimir Putin told Serbia's leader Aleksandar Vucic that his administration might join talks to resolve a dispute between the Balkan country ...
- Kosovo: Creating a full Army out of its Security Force - Qrius 19/01/2019
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