UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 8, 2023

By OPSI-mu  34 mins ago

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 8, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti, Escobar deny claims of deadlines for proposals on situation in north (Koha)
• Escobar: For Euro-integration, Kosovo should give more autonomy to Serbs in north (media)
• Kurti replies to Escobar: Kosovo has not written a Draft for the Association (Express)
• U.S. Senators call for calm between Kosovo and Serbia (media)
• Kurti at Camp Belvedere: Amazing successes on law and order in north (media)
• Durmishi: We’ll never compromise with sovereign and territorial integrity (Koha)
• “Kosovo, not Kurti and Osmani, to pay price of breaking relations with US” (media)
• Begaj: Violence is not a solution, sovereignty is indisputable (media)
• Grenell: I’ve seen the consequences, it isn’t pretty (media)
• Vucic promises envoy he will convince Serbs to take part in elections (Koha)
• World Bank affirms Kosovo’s 3.7% GDP growth forecast for 2023 (SeeNews)

Serbian Language Media:

• PM Brnabic, President Vucic addressed public last night (N1, RTS)
• Vucic, Peach discuss developments in Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Drecun on plan for de-escalation, Pristina acts (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
• Grenell: Severe consequences for Kosovo if Kurti refuses US and EU demands (Danas, social media)
• Petkovic conveys concerns for safety of Kosovo Serbs to German ambassador (Tanjug)
• Srdjan Sentic appointed deputy Ombudsman in Kosovo (Radio KIM)
• President of India visits Serbia (RTS)

International Media:

• Kosovo president open to new elections in Serb-majority municipalities (Reuters)
• Kosovo PM slams ‘Belgrade’s intrusion’, welcomes elections once ‘fascist militia’ brought to justice (France 24)
• US Balkan envoy urges Kosovo and Serbia to deescalate tensions or jeopardize progress toward EU (AP)
• US envoy urges Kosovo to grant Serbs autonomy (DW)
• Belgrade To Prod Ethnic Serbs In North Kosovo To Vote In Elections (RFE)
• To join EU, NATO, Kosovo needs to give Serbs more autonomy: U.S. envoy (tvpworld)
• EU, US want Serb-Kosovo spat resolved, demand new elections, dialogue (Euractiv)
• In North Kosovo, Expect the Expected (BIRN)
• Decades-old tensions drive escalating conflict in northern Kosovo (Courthouse News Service)
• Insights of an Adventurous Political Tour to Kosovo (Prishtina Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 7, 2023

By OSPI-f  1 day ago

Albanian Language Media:
• Escobar warns of consequences if international proposal for situation in the north is not accepted by Wednesday (Koha)
• Escobar: US-Kosovo ties are strong (Euronews)
• Lajcak told opposition consequences Kosovo will have from tensions in north (Koha)
• Lajcak, Escobar ask Serbian List to take part in new elections (RTK)
• Hovenier: De-escalation in north and new elections (Koha)
• Guerot: Situation in north worrying, stop divisive rhetoric (Telegrafi)
• Mehaj and Abbott talk about security situation in north (RTK)
• Kurti meets Australian ambassador, discuss Kosovo-Serbia relations (Koha)
• British MP slams US and EU for response to tensions in north (Euronews)
• Bislimi’s advisor: When will intl community react to Serbia’s obligations (media)
• Serbs in southern municipalities do not mind Kosovo police and flag (Koha)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: Time for Pristina to meet its commitments (Tanjug, media)
• Escobar: Whenever we talk to Kurti and Bislimi, they only want to talk about Serbia (KoSSev)
• Escobar on A/CSM: It will be formed; the only question is who will form it and how long we have to wait (KoSSev)
• Lajcak to Serbian List: Serbs to participate in new elections in the north (Kosovo Online, Twitter)
• Serbian List representatives reiterated the demands of the Serbs to Escobar and Lajcak (Kosovo Online, FB)
• Escobar: The crisis in the North a failure of the political leadership of both sides (KoSSev)
• There are voices in the Serbian community that need to be heard, read the letter from the civil sector, said Escobar (KoSSev)
• Vucic and Brnabic to address public today (media)
• Mijacic: Kurti was late for the meeting with Lajcak and Escobar because of football (Danas, N1, Beta)
• Zakharova: Comparing Belgrade-Pristina agreements with Minsk agreement is wrong (Beta, N1)
• CCIS President: Region ready to become part of common EU market (N1, Beta)
International Media:

• EU and US Envoys with Requests for Kosovo Government (Prishtina Insight)
• Minister: Kosovo open to new elections in municipalities hit by unrest (Reuters)
• Will the United States Abandon Kosovo? (BIRN)
• Reporting on the Special Court from a distance (Kosovo 2.0)
• Albanian ‘terrorists’ in Milosevic’s prisons (Kosovo 2.0)
• Kosovo c-bank reopens competition for governor (See News)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 6, 2023

By OSPI-f  2 days ago

Albanian Language Media:
International requests: Calm situation in north, elections, return to dialogue (media)
Escobar, Lajcak to meet President Osmani and opposition parties today (media)
State Department again calls on Kurti and Vucic to reduce tensions (Koha)
Rohde: Fulfillment of EU requirements to begin urgently (Koha)
Opposition: OSCE intervention in elections in north, backtracking (Klan)
British Parliament debates on situation in north of Kosovo (Koha)
Sladjana Pantovic appointed deputy mayor of Zvecan (Reporteri)
Svecla speaks about Police actions in north of Kosovo (Koha)
“Mayors taken by police, sent to offices, not knowing where they’re going” (media)
Kurti in Pride Week: Freedom to love is a universal right (Koha)
Gervalla attends SEECP Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Budva (media)
Serbian Language Media:
Serbs continue gathering in northern Kosovo, voice same demands (RTS, media)
London calls on Pristina to withdraw special police forces from north (N1, SRNA)
Sladjana Pantovic appointed deputy mayor of Zvecan (KoSSev, media)
Vucic to meet Lajcak and Escobar this evening (media)
Moliqaj criticized Kurti for making list of Serbs (Kosovo Online)
International Media:
I won’t appease friends of Putin, says Kosovo PM (The Times)
US commander describes attack on troops in Kosovo by Serb ‘agitators’ after elections (Stripes)
Serbia’s cunning Kosovo deflection (IPS Journal)
Ethnic Albanian journalists attacked, vehicles vandalized during Serb protests in northern Kosovo (CPJ)
Turkish forces arrive in Kosovo to bolster NATO-led peacekeepers after recent violence (AP)
UN Expert Assails Serbia For Using Mass Killings To ‘Stir Up Hatred,’ Attack Rights Defenders (RFE)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 5, 2023

By OSPI-f  3 days ago

Albanian Language Media:
Kurti: I cannot compromise with the democratic republic (RFE)
U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor Finer’s call with Kurti (media)
EU High Representative statement on behalf of EU on latest developments (media)
Escobar: Escalation of tensions in the north was avoidable, Kosovo did not listen to the international community (BBC, media)
OSCE CiO reveals 9-point plan for reducing tensions in north Kosovo (Euronews)
Kurti: With US and EU, we may have differences in approach, but not in goals (The Geopost)
Escobar and Lajcak in Kosovo “to continue pressure” on government (Koha)
COMKFOR Ristuccia interview with Corriere della Sera (media)
Sarrazin: Parties in the conflict have lost great deal of trust (media)
Kurti thanks Leposavic mayor, “exemplary position for law and order” (Euronews)
Minister Elbert Krasniqi visits the mayor of Leposaviq (Klan)
Stoltenberg welcomes the sending of Turkish troops to Kosovo (Koha)
Davenport: No normality without participation of Serbs in institutions (media)
Bilcik in Belgrade: Hope Serbs will return to institutions (Euronews)
Serbian Language Media:
Day 10 of crisis in northern Kosovo (RTS, media)
Serbs in Kosovo urgently call on EU and USA to help resolve crisis (KoSSev, N1, media)
“The time when Kurti confronted police shields and threw tear gas“ (KoSSev)
Serbian List: Kurti draws targets on Serbs in northern Kosovo (Kosovo Online, media)
General Ristuccia on situation in northern Kosovo, Pristina acts (RTS, Corriere Della Sera)
International Media:
Kurti: International community to put pressure on Belgrade, not Pristina (Euronews)
Turkey to send commandos to Kosovo in response to Nato peacekeeping call (The Guardian)
Macron and Scholz urge Kosovo to hold fresh elections to ease Serbia tensions (The Guardian)
‘We’ve never felt free of Serbia’: Kosovan Albanians blame Belgrade for violence (The Guardian)
PM Kurti accuses Belgrade of whipping up tension in northern Kosovo (Euronews)
Five questions (and expert answers) about the recent clashes in Kosovo (Atlantic Council)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 2, 2023

By OPSI-mu  6 days ago

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 2 , 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Borrell: We have three clear demands (RTK)
• France and Germany demand new elections in the north (RFE Albanian)
• Kurti: Stop violence until new elections in north (media)
• Rama thanks Macron and Scholz for meeting with Osmani and Vucic (media)
• Hovenier: Kurti has not changed his mind about the U.S. demands (RTK)
• Kurti: More concerning than international sanctions, fascist militia in north (Koha)
• Kurti receives phone call from three U.S. senators (media)
• Several Kosovars arrested by Serbian authorities; Kosovo Foreign Ministry: Don’t travel through Serbia (media)
• COMKFOR congratulates soldiers: You prevented the clash that would lead to civilian casualties (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Day 8th of crisis in northern Kosovo, requests to hold new elections (RTS, media)
• Gatherings in northern Kosovo continue, demands remain the same (KoSSev, media)
• Vucic: It is increasingly clear who is responsible for problems in Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Dacic: No one will be on Pristina’s side if it defies entire world (Tanjug, media)
• Arsenijevic, Aktiv on remarks Pristina officials use about protesters in northern Kosovo (Radio KIM, social media)
• Two Serbs from central Serbia arrested at Jarinje sent to one month detention (Kosovo Online)
• Albanians protest in Mitrovica South following call for “March for the North” (N1)

International Media:

• Kosovar President Open To New Elections In Areas Of Northern Kosovo Where Clashes Occurred (RFE)
• Macron, Scholz call for new elections in tense northern Kosovo districts (France24)
• Kosovo crisis: France, Germany call for new elections (DW)
• Kosovo’s Kurti says mayors must work in offices, will not back down (Reuters)
• Standoff in Tense North Kosovo, as Serb Protests Continue (BIRN)
• Violence in northern Kosovo: The United States’ failed bet on Serbia (ecfr.eu)
• Kosovo Journalists Left Unprotected in Violent Protests in North (BIRN)
• Kosovo Holds Serbian Citizens for Weapons Possession Amid Protests (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 1, 2023

By OSPI-f  1 week ago

Albanian Language Media:

President Osmani to meet Macron and Scholz in Chisinau (media)
Kurti: Despite difference in approach, U.S. key partner we’ll always consult (media)
COMKFOR: If we didn’t intervene, we’d now be mourning the dead (Koha)
U.S. asks Serbia to stop Kosovo Serbs from attacking KFOR (media)
Erdogan talks with Kurti and Vucic about situation in north of Kosovo (media)
Peach: Reckless action of the government, Kosovo’s image damaged (Koha)
Police: Three police vehicles damaged; journalists also attacked (media)
Svecla: Belgrade continues tendencies to destabilise Kosovo (media)
Reporter: Persons with “Wagner” insignia covered them when they approached US soldiers (Kallxo)
Haradinaj: Kurti is a threat to the country, he should leave (Klan)
Schmidt: There can be no war between Serbs and Albanians (Klan/Phoenix TV)

Serbian Language Media:

KFOR at the main intersections in Zvecan, continues to control municipal buildings in the north of Kosovo (RTS)
Vucic to CNN: Belgrade met all obligations, Pristina did not (N1, Danas)
Kosovo Serb newsrooms defend Zvecan cafe owner labeled as a „traitor“ on social networks (Kosovo)
Serbian list: Obrenovic and Petrovic peacefully expressed their protest, the court’s decision illegal and unfounded (Radio Mitrovica sever)
Buxhala: Disheartening that many people in Kosovo believe that in the conflict between the EU/US and Kosovo, that the former will lose rather than the latter (KoSSev)
Albanian rapper Stresi called for “Let’s March for the North” (KoSSev)

International Media:

Why do Kosovo-Serbia tensions persist? (AP)
‘Overreaction’: Kosovo leader blasts US response to violent unrest (politico.eu)
NATO peacekeepers in Kosovo set up barriers amid violent clashes (Aljazeera)
Statement by High Representative Borrell on ongoing confrontations (Reliefweb)
Kosovan PM says he could consider early elections in north if violence ends (The Guardian)
NATO troops on guard in northern Kosovo for third day amid protests (France 24)
Kosovo Serbs Continue Protests As NATO Bolsters Peacekeeping Force (RFE)
NATO troops on guard in north Kosovo for third day amid protests (Reuters)
‘Z’ Marks The Trouble Spot: Russia’s Symbol Of War Appears In Northern Kosovo (RFE)
Kosovo: Why is violence flaring up again? (bbc.com)
Efforts to defuse Kosovo crisis intensify amid more protests (euronews.com)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 31, 2023

By OSPI-f  1 week ago

Albanian Language Media:
Blinken: Call all parties to take immediate actions to de-escalate tensions (media)
Kurti: Democracy cannot be suspended or held hostage (media)
Kurti to CNN: Not surrendering democratic republic to fascist militia (media)
US Penalises Kosovo After Unrest in Serb-Majority North (BIRN)
Opposition parties criticise govt for “cracking” relations with U.S. (RFE)
OSCE Secretary General condemns violence in north of Kosovo (media)
Kurti speaks with Peach, “in a democracy no place for fascist violence” (media)
Mehaj: Partnership with U.S. is forever, it will remain as such (RTK)
Police: Situation in north fragile but mostly calm (RTK)
Mehaj expresses great concern for KFOR members injured in north (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:
Citizens arriving in large numbers in front of the Zvecan municipality building, KFOR strengthening the barbed wire (KoSSev)
A large number of Serbs today in front of the Leposavic municipality building, KFOR strengthened the ring with barbed wire (Kosovo Online)
Vucevic: The high-risk security situation in the north Kosovo (RTS)
Serbian List called Kosovo Serbs not to endanger safety of KFOR soldiers (N1, FoNet)
Protest in front of German embassy in Belgrade (N1)
Lazarevic: The international community should have prevented Kurti, the Serbs should have avoided clashing with KFOR, the special units to withdraw (KoSSev, Nova S)
Rajovic: KP blocked the work of Flotation Trepca in Leposavic, production is at risk (Kosovo Online)
The Eastern American bishop thanked Blinken: The violence is deeply disturbing, indicative of what happened after your warning (KoSSev)
International Media:
Kosovo: ‘Fascist mobs’ guided by Serbia causing violence, says country’s PM (The Guardian)
Nato deploys extra troops to Kosovo after violent clashes (Financial Times)
Journalists targeted for attack again on Tuesday (BIRN)
Kosovo’s Largest Serbian Party Vows To Continue Protests Until Demands Met (RFE)
Nato troops on guard in Kosovo town after clashes with Serb protesters (The Guardian)
Why did ethnic Serbs attack NATO peacekeepers in Kosovo? Here’s what we know (CNN)
Kosovo ‘Tactical Game’ Is A Strategic Blunder, Security Expert Charles Kupchan Warns Amid Balkan Violence (RFE)
What’s behind the latest Kosovo flareup? (DW)
Russia Tells West to Stop ‘Propaganda’ Over Kosovo Clashes (The Moscow Times)
Ethnic Serbs Gather In Northern Kosovo Amid Flurry Of Diplomatic Efforts To Calm Tensions (RFE)
Djokovic ‘raising Serbia and Kosovo tension’ after French Open statement (The Guardian)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 30, 2023

By OPSI-mu  1 week ago

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 30, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: “Protests not peaceful; mobs of extremists directed from Belgrade” (Koha)
• Konjufca: Serbs again showed they want north separated from Kosovo (media)
• KFOR confirms: About 25 Italian and Hungarian soldiers injured (RTK)
• NATO spokesperson statement on unprovoked attacks against KFOR (media)
• Osmani: Attacks by criminal gangs must be condemned by everyone (media)
• Hovenier: Kurti to take steps to improve the situation (Koha)
• Ziadeh strongly condemns attacks on KFOR and injuries to troops and civilians, urges immediate de-escalation (media)
• International community on attacks on KFOR and journalists (media)
• Zvecan Mayor: I’ll go to work today with help of KFOR, I have meetings (Koha)
• Bislimi: Mayors can only work from municipal buildings (media)
• Kupchan: Government to withdraw from installing mayors in the north (RFE)

Serbian Language Media:

• Situation in Zvecan calm this morning, gatherings in north continue (Kosovo Online, Tanjug)
• Vucic blames Kosovo PM Kurti for unrest (N1)
• Violent clashes between KFOR and Serb protesters in Zvecan, dozens injured (RTS, KoSSev, Tanjug)
• Marko Djuric presents chronology of events in Zvecan yesterday (media, social media)
• Bishop Teodosije served prayer for peace in Zvecan (KoSSev)
• Raska-Prizren Diocese statement following violent incidents in northern Kosovo (social media)
• Serbian flag in Gracanica set on fire (Tanjug)
• Part of Serbian opposition: Vucic should resign because of events in Kosovo (RTS)

International Media:

• NATO-Led Force Moves To Disperse Crowds As Tensions Rise In Standoffs With Serbs In Northern Kosovo (RFE)
• Kosovo: Fresh clashes as Nato troops called in to northern towns (BBC)
• Protesters, Peacekeepers, Injured as Violence Erupts in North Kosovo (BIRN)
• Lavrov: Situation in Kosovo may provoke new conflict in Europe (euronews)
• Kosovo ex-president on trial for war crimes allowed to visit his sick mother (AP)
• Back to the Abuser: Kosovo Women Struggle to Escape Domestic Violence (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 29, 2023

By OSPI-f  1 week ago

• Police: Protesters threw teargas in Zvecan, we responded with spray (Express)
• Situation in northern Kosovo this morning, increased presence of KFOR (media)
• Police withdraw from cordon in Zubin Potok, KFOR members remain (Nacionale)
• Rakic asks KFOR that Zvecan mayor should not enter municipal building (media)
• Zeqiri: We will meet Hovenier in Pristina at 09:00 (Koha)
• Dacic: Albanians cannot be mayors in Serb municipalities (RFE)
• School classes in northern Kosovo suspended until further notice (Tanjug)
• Serbian List asks Vucic to end dialogue with Pristina (N1, KoSSev)
• EU and QUINT: Unilateral actions negatively affect our relationships (media)
• Borrell announces talk with Stoltenberg about situation in the north (media)
• NATO head urges Kosovo to ease tensions with Serbia (Reuters)
• Sarrazin: We do not allow chances offered by Ohrid agreement to collapse due to reckless decision (Koha)
• PM Kurti meets Rapporteur for Kosovo in European Parliament (euronews.al)
• Von Cramon: Situation in the north is tense, wise solutions must be found (Koha)
• Kusari-Lila: Von Cramon’s statements about Kosovo Police offensive (Koha)

• Von Cramon to hold press conference in Pristina today (media)

• Vucic says he fears the conflict in Kosovo (media)
• US, EU allies scold Kosovo for escalating tensions with Serbia (politico.eu)
• US rebukes Kosovo for escalating tensions, Serbia puts army on alert (euraactiv)
• Serbian border police on high alert amid ethnic clashes inside Kosovo (France24)
• Serbia blasts NATO forces over inaction during Kosovo clashes (Aljazeera)
• Serbian border troops to maintain highest state of alert after ethnic clashes inside Kosovo (AP)
• Russia blames US, EU for escalating tensions in Kosovo (Reuters)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 26, 2023

By OSPI-hh  2 weeks ago

New mayors in the north swore outside their offices (BIRN)
Varhelyi: Support for Kosovo’s European path (RTK)
Murphy calls for swift implementation of agreement (media)
North Macedonia Foreign Minister to visit Kosovo today (media)
Grenell: I managed to convince Thaci and Vucic to undo Special Court (media)
UNDP Pulse: Lower satisfaction with work of Kurti, Osmani, Konjufca (Kallxo)
Serb reporter: Besnik Bislimi will visit Mitrovica North on Monday (media)
Administrator: USAID to continue supporting Kosovo (Euronews)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 7, 2023

By OPSI-mu  18 hours ago

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 7, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Sanctions awaiting Kosovo if Kurti says no (Albanian Post)
• Murati: If sanctions were to be discussed, they should be against Serbia (Koha)
• Ceku: Kurti will very soon have an answer for all (Koha)
• Stoltenberg: Violence is setting back Kosovo and the entire region (Koha)
• Haradinaj: We have votes to initiate motion against Kurti government (media)
• Abdixhiku to Abbott: Kosovo’s clash with allies, strategic deviation (media)
• Selimi: Lajcak, Escobar to report if Kosovo approved de-escalation plan (media)
• Peci: See you in isolated and bankrupt Kosovo (media)
• Raci: Hard to believe Kurti will be on list with Radoicic, Dodik (media)
• Fried: The government of Kosovo abused the trust of the USA (RFE)
• Unknown assailants attack two persons in their vehicle in Zvecan (media)
• Govt adopts Sovereign Fund bill; Kurti: The core of our economic sovereignty (Telegrafi)
• Rasic says not whole state of Serbia should be blamed for war crimes in Kosovo (Koha)
• LVV’s Atic meets PDK’s Peci: Northern municipalities will become citizens’ (Telegrafi)
• Kosovo, Albania governments to meet on June 14 (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Citizens in northern Kosovo continue protesting (Radio KIM)
• Lajcak: A long conversation with Vucic, an urgent political solution to the current crisis needed (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Lawyers of two Serbs arrested at Jarinje on May 31 file appeal against detention measure (KoSSev)
• North Macedonia FM submits to OSCE plan for normalisation of situation in N. Kosovo (Beta, N1)
• Liturgy in Leposavic: Bishop Teodosije called for peace; Gazeta Express: Inspires Serbs to violence (KoSSev)
• Dacic: Unity and political stability top state and national interest (Tanjug)
• Serb from northern Kosovo in detention in Belgrade, charged with urging Serbs to leave Kosovo (KoSSev)
• Petkovic meets Gori, discusses situation in northern Kosovo (Kosovo Online)

International:

• Kosovo president open to new elections in Serb-majority municipalities (Reuters)
• Kosovo Eyes Consequences as Deadline for US, EU Demands Approaches (BIRN)
• US, EU considering sanctions against Kurti if situation in north escalates (Euronews.al)
• Behind the Renewed Troubles in Northern Kosovo (Crisisgroup.org)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 6, 2023

By OPSI-su  2 days ago

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani meets Escobar and Lajcak (media)
• Krasniqi: I’ve never seen such concern among internationals (Telegrafi)
• Abdixiku: Kurti to reflect, Kosovo at a critical moment (Koha)
• Escobar: U.S. is waiting for Kosovo to present draft on Association (media)
• OSCE Head of Mission: Strong support for EU call (media)
• Gervalla: Elections in north should be held, but preliminary actions are required (Koha)
• Svecla: Person who threatened Leposavic deputy mayor, arrested (Koha)
• Isufaj confirms investigations about tensions in the north (Nacionale)
• Haradinaj: Kurti is in love with the plan for Kosovo’s partition (Telegrafi)
• Hoti: Kosovo losing friends and allies because of Kurti and Osmani (media)
• Gashi: Opposition leaders concerned that internationals are concerned that Serbia is concerned (Nacionale)
• Sheholli: Albanians over 30 in Medvedja getting military service summons (Demokracia)
• The CEC says it is ready for new elections in the north (Koha)
• Hoxha: Advertisement for police officers in north closed, sufficient number applied (Kosovapress)

Serbian Language Media:

• Lajcak and Escobar met Serbian List representatives (Kosovo Online)
• Andric Rakic about the meeting with Lajcak and Escobar (KiM radio)
• Crisis in northern Kosovo day 12, citizens continue protesting, envoys to meet Vucic (KoSSev)
• Drecun: Escobar and Lajcak have a wrong view of the situation in the north of Kosovo (NMagazin, Danas, RTS, N1)
• Davenport meets Lajcak, emphasises importance of all communities participation in elections and institutions (KoSSev)
• DefMin: Serbian military still on high alert (N1)
• The EU Council extend the EULEX mandate until 2025 (RTS)

International:

• Why is there trouble in Kosovo again? (The Economist)
• Serbia backs ammunition shipments to Ukraine in westward pivot (Financial Times)
• Richard Grenell: If Kurti’s mayors are duly elected then why is the EU calling for new elections? (The Pavlovic Today)
• Joseph: Failure of the Serbia-Kosovo agreement would be a failure of Brussels and Washington (EWB)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Kosovar Artist’s Work in Amsterdam Art Week (Prishtina Insight)
• CAN Europe: Western Balkans took little to no action in preparing NECPs (balkangreenenergynews.com)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 5, 2023

By OPSI-su  3 days ago

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti to meet Escobar and Lajcak in the evening (Koha)
• Kurti: Law enforcement in north is necessary to remove criminal elements (Koha)
• Kusari-Lila: Police in the north when there is threat and danger to security (Reporteri)
• Tahiri: Kurti reduced sovereignty to yards of four municipalities (Telegrafi/Kallxo)
• “Vucic cannot condition Kosovo; elections in north were Kurti’s experiment” (Koha)
• Stano: EU ready to organise Kurti-Vucic meeting when conditions allow (media)
• KFOR removes some barbwires in Zvecan (RFE)
• The Kosovo Police attacked in Zvecan (Koha)
• Mustafa: Association cannot be formed in these conditions (media)
• Tahiri accuses govt: KFOR getting stronger in north, sovereignty getting weaker (Koha)
• Around 20 media have been attacked during tensions in the North (Albanian Post)

Serbian Language Media:

• Petkovic: Kurti arrests innocent Serbs, we demand the immediate release of Rados and Dusan (Kosovo Online)
• POKS request from Serbian Government protection for arrested Serbs in northern Kosovo (Novi Magazin, KoSSev, Kosovo Online)
• Reactivation of the Serbian National Council of Kosovo and Metohija in Gracanica (KiM radio, KoSSev, Danas)
• Radio KIM on inaccurate reporting during crisis in northern Kosovo
• KFOR removed barbed wire in Zvecan (Kosovo Online)
• Simic on the RFE article: Fake news that Serbian List has two conditions for participating in the elections (Kosovo Online, Tanjug, RTV, FB)
• Kosovo police entered street where people gather in Zvecan (Tanjug)
• Jevtic: Desecrated “Becir’s Church” on the way to the Brezovica Ski Center (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic meets Beyer, tells him Kurti persistently avoids fulfilling Brussels agreement obligations (Kosovo Online, media)
• Vucic to meet Escobar and Lajcak tomorrow (Kosovo Online)

Humanitarian/Development:

• The Pride Week in Kosovo opens today (Paparaci)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 2, 2023

By OPSI-mu  6 days ago

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 2, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kosovo Assembly discusses situation in north (media)
• Osmani met British Foreign Minister Rishi Sunak (media)
• Lajcak and Escobar next week in Kosovo (media)
• Osmani describes meeting with Vucic: He was whining, complaining, and lying… (Koha)
• Gervalla: We showed we are open to early elections in the north (Nacionale)
• Bujar Osmani: As OSCE chairman, I join the call for new elections in the north (Reporteri)
• Von Cramon demands investigations of those who attacked NATO soldiers (RTK)
• Svecla visits police in north of Kosovo: Sovereignty is unalienable (media)
• Mayors resign in July, Osmani declares elections which are held in late August – this is the international plan to calm the north (Albanian Post)
• Hoxhaj: Serbia policy on Kosovo doesn’t have to do with people but territory (media)
• Events in the north, Gabriel Escobar’s post under question (Albanian Post)
• Kimberly West selected Specialist Prosecutor (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Hospital director: Condition of Dragisa Galjak still serious (Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic: “Hunting lists for Serbs reveal fascist character of Kosovo government” (N1, BETA)
• Professors entered secondary school to get documentation in Zvecan, request school to be freed (KoSSev)
• Rajovic: Kosovo police does not allow Trepca miners to do their job (Radio KIM, N1, BETA)
• Drecun: Serbs in north Kosovo to keep protesting until situation is resolved (Tanjug)
• Daniel Fried to VoA: Kosovo government caused crisis, Washington is furious (N1, Danas)
• Senator Murphy: “If PR wants to argue, Congress should make a decision on whether we’re ready for this ride”; Kurti again about elections (KoSSev, RFE, media)
• Peci on crisis in northern Kosovo, possible resignation of new mayors (KoSSev)
• KiM radio: Petrovic and Obrenovic were detained before the start of the riots in Zvecan (gracanicaonline.info, media)
• Lawyer: Condition of Dusan Obrenovic more stable, but I am still concerned about his safety (Tanjug)
• Strpce and Gracanica sent messages of support to Serbs from the north of Kosovo (Kosovo Online, KiM radio)

Opinion:

• Janjic: New Kosovo elections to calm the situation, send Kurti into opposition (Beta, N1)

International:

• Kosovo Leaders Agree to New Elections in Restive North (BIRN)
• Democracy Digest: Hungary troops attacked in Kosovo (BIRN)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Plenty of Work Ahead to Improve Children’s Well-being in Kosovo (Prishtina Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 1, 2023

By OPSI-su  7 days ago

Albanian Language Media:

• Blinken urges ‘immediate de-escalation’ in the north (Koha)
• Osmani: Allies need to help us stop Serbia’s destabilising actions (Koha)
• Kurti: The mayors in the north should be in the municipal buildings (Koha)
• Osmani meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (media)
• Borrell: Violence is not the right way, it must be punished (media)
• Kovacevski: Peace in Kosovo means peace in the Western Balkans (Klan)
• Kosovo Police: Calls for protest in Mitrovica South, ill-intended and suspicious (media)
• Police investigating announced protest; suspected to be initiated from abroad (Kallxo)
• Svecla: Calls for protest in Mitrovica South do not help Kosovo (media)
• Musliu on calls to protest: They are suspicious and ill-intended (Indeksonline/KSP)
• Albanian protesters leave: Did not even know who called the protest (Nacionale)
• Kosovo’s special prosecution investigating two Serbs for terrorism (Kallxo)
• Abdixhiku: Coordination is needed with international allies (Kosovapress)
• VV MP on Haradinaj’s motion: Ridiculous and paradoxical, you lack votes (Gazeta Blic)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: I asked north Kosovo Serbs to persevere in peaceful manner (Tanjug, media)
• Osmani: Serbia has no place among European nations (Danas)
• Goran Rakic thanked KFOR; the existence of the miners of the “Crnac” mine is threatened (Tanjug)
• Former president of Zvecan Municipality: If ZSO had come to life, we would not have come to this situation (RTS, Tanjug)
• Todic: We expect the international community to reason with Kurti (Kosovo Online)
• The court in Pristina ordered the detention of two Serbs arrested in Zvecan, condemnation from Belgrade (Beta, NMagazin)
• Atiq requested membership in the Association of Municipalities of Kosovo (Radio Mitrovica sever, KiM radio, KoSSev)
• Andric Rakic: Kurti leads politics to the last NATO soldier (Beta, KoSSev)
• Ristuccia: Kurti brought the mayors despite the doubts of the international community (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• The former Minister of Agriculture of Kosovo, Nenad Rikalo, sentenced to three years in prison (NMagazin, Beta)
• Mitrovica: Protest over, one incident recorded (KiM radio)

International:

• Kosovo president calls on Serbia to stop destabilising country (Reuters)
• NATO chief says alliance ‘does not give up’ on political solution to Kosovo clashes (AA)
• EU Leaders To Discuss North Kosovo As Crisis Persists (RFE)
• Kosovo Counts Cost of Delays to Integrated Health Database (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 31, 2023

By OPSI-su  1 week ago

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti in Bratislava talks about tensions in north, expresses Kosovo position (Telegrafi)
• Kurti: I would be understanding if protests were peaceful (Koha)
• Osmani to attend summit of leaders of European Political Community (media)
• Konjufca on U.S. sanctions: This is bad for Kosovo (Nacionale)
• Lajcak on the situation in the north: If the crisis does not end, everyone loses (Koha)
• Police arrest two Serbs in north, seize weapons, flags, nationalistic symbols (Telegrafi)
• Konjufca on internationals: They are equalising police with gangs in north (media)
• “Disagreements to be resolved in dialogue; Serbia to stop war-inciting rhetoric” (Klan)
• Zubin Potok Mayor working from office of communities in Caber (Koha)
• Serb owner of bar in Zvecan threatened for sheltering reporters (Koha)
• Rama: Serbian army at Kosovo border has zero power (media)
• Joseph: Kurti deserved criticism, but the U.S. went too far (Kallxo/Al Jazeera)

Serbian Language Media:

• Lajcak goes to Moldova to meet Vucic (RFE)
• Arsenijevic: All responsibility lies with Kurti (KiM radio)
• Krstic: Kurti in the north is only interested in territory (KiM radio)
• Simonovic: “Terror by the instructions of the prime minister’s office” (KiM radio)
• Milovic: There are no criminal gangs at the gatherings (KiM radio)
• “KLA” graffiti in several places in Orahovac (KiM radio, Radio Gorazdevac)
• In Lipljan two incidents: Serbs threatened, and the SOC flag removed (KiM radio)
• EULEX on the arrested Obrenovic: We are following the case; we will ask the lawyer about the treatment of the detainee (Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic: Kurti’s fake mayors and angry special forces are the source of the problem (Kosovo Online)
• Jevtic: By leaving the session of the Assembly of Strpce, we express solidarity with the Serbian people in the north (Kosovo Online)
• Civil society demands an urgent de-escalation of the situation in the north of Kosovo (RTK2)
• Hill: Pristina will bear the consequences because it did not listen to the advice of the US (Tanjug, Blic)

Opinion:

• Petritsch: The dialogue failed; the EU waited too long for Pristina to fulfil its obligation to form the CSM (ZSO) (Kosovo Online)

International:

• What’s going on in Kosovo? (eurotopics.net)
• Macron Says Kosovo Bears ‘Responsibility’ For Tensions (barrons.com, AFP)
• What’s happening in the north? (Kosovo 2.0)
• Kosovo Olympic Committee Seeks IOC Disciplinary Proceedings Against Djokovic (RFE)
• Von der Layen presents 4-pillar plan to bring Western Balkans closer to the EU (EWB)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 30, 2023

By OPSI-mu  1 week ago

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 30, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Ongoing efforts to organise meeting between Kurti and Vucic (RFE)
• Kosovo Police: Situation in north fragile but quiet (media)
• Serbian protesters attacked journalists in Leposavic (Koha)
• Ministry denies agreement for withdrawal of special police units from north (Telegrafi)
• Osmani: Vucic’s gangs want destabilisation, their actions to be punished (Koha)
• Kurti talks to Peach: “A democracy has no place for fascist violence” (RTK)
• Borrell: Kosovo should withdraw Police from the municipal buildings in the north (Koha)
• Stano: Kosovo and Serbia are responsible for the violence in the north (Express)
• Lajcak tries to arrange an urgent Kurti-Vucic meeting (Koha)
• France: Kosovo and Serbia to return to dialogue with approach of compromise (media)
• Kearns: In north Kosovo, Serb gangs paid and armed by elements in Belgrade (media)
• Hungarian authorities give details about their soldiers injured in the north (media)
• Mayors of Leposaviq and North Mitrovica in municipal facilities, the one of Zvecan, works from the Office for Communities (Telegrafi)
• Barbed wire is placed near the facility of the Municipality of Zvecan (media)
• Kurti postpones participation in Bratislava Forum, due to developments in the north (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic with Quint ambassadors: Unilateral Pristina acts lead to violence against Serb community (Tanjug, media)
• Vucic met Botsan-Kharchenko (Tanjug)
• Vucic met Chen Bo (media)
• Petkovic says Kurti sole responsible for what happened in north yesterday (RTS)
• Lawyer says Dusan Obrenovic arrested in Zvecan beaten up (Kosovo Online, RTS, KoSSev)
• Szijarto: Hungarian soldiers within KFOR performed duty under Italian command (Tanjug)
• Petkovic: KFOR should have protected Serbs, not assisting ROSU units (N1, BETA)
• Todic with US KFOR commander, tells him life in Leposavic paralyzed (Kosovo Online)
• Serbs asking Petrovic and Obradovic release, otherwise announce more massive gathering (Danas, Kosovo Online, Kontakt plus radio)
• New Zvecan mayor went to local office in Lipa village (Radio Mitrovica sever, Danas)
• Leposavic: Incident with journalists, fewer citizens at the protest (KiM radio)
• New flag of Serbia placed near monument to Milos Obilic in Gracanica (KiM radio)
• Mural of Serbian tennis star Djokovic destroyed in Orahovac (N1, Radio Gorazdevac, KiM radio, Srna)
• UNS, DNKiM condemned ban on Serbian journalists entering Zvecan municipal building (KIM Radio, Kosovo Online)
• NUNS appealed to employers to provide journalists with protective equipment (Beta, Danas)
• Nedeljkovic: Four arrested will be released, withdrawal of Kosovo police expected by 3 p.m. (KoSSev, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Chinese MFA on situation in northern Kosovo (Kosovo Online)

International:

• EU Urges Kosovo To ‘Immediately De-Escalate’ Situation After Violence In North (RFE)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 29, 2023

By OPSI-su  1 week ago

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Implementation of basic agreement, situation in north to be calmed down (media)
• Hovenier after meeting Osmani: Situation is very concerning (media)
• Szunyog : We asked them to show restraint, not to escalate situation further (Reporteri)
• Kurti: Important to intensify dialogue for full implementation of Basic Agreement (media)
• KFOR: We have increased our presence in north, ready for necessary actions (RTK)
• Media teams attacked in the north: tires slashed, and symbols sprayed (media)
• Protesters in Zvecan throw empty bottles at SL leader Goran Rakic (media)
• Serbian flag placed on Kosovo Police armoured vehicle in Zvecan (Koha)
• Von Cramon calls on Kosovo to withdraw special police units from north (Koha)
• Atic: I have asked to be connected to network and to start paying electricity (Kallxo)
• Hyseni: Kurti, Osmani definitely bringing back 1244 and UNMIK in north (Nacionale)
• Prosecution files charges against Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla (media)
• Haradinaj: We thank U.S. soldiers that served and still serve in Kosovo (Klan Kosova)

Serbian Language Media:

• Rakic: We presented our demands, mayors to leave and special police forces to withdraw (Kosovo Online)
• Milovic: Protests are peaceful (RTS)
• Protests in the north: We gathered in peace, with request that police and new mayors go home (Radio Mitrovica sever, TV Most, Kontakt plus radio)
• KFOR Region North Commander arrived to Zvecan (Kosovo Online)
• Brnabic: Situation in Kosovo tense, we must preserve peace (Tanjug)
• Dacic on situation in northern Kosovo (RTS, media)
• Mayors from Self-determination Movement didn’t attend meeting with US Ambassador (RTS, KoSSev)
• KFOR: We increased presence in north, we will ensure safe environment (Kosovo Online)
• Von Cramon visited Zvecan and Leposavic yesterday (KoSSev)
• Grenell: From peace and progress we went to chaos and occupation (N1, social media)
• Vucic no longer leader of SNS, Vucevic takes his place (BETA)
• Vucevic: By 2:00 p.m. we will finish deploying the units, we hope for a political solution (N1)
• Detention of Sladjan Trajkovic extended for two more months (Radio KIM)
• Albanian journalists for a brief time in the municipal building in Zvecan (KiM radio)

Opinion:

• Palokaj: Could it really be that Serbia met all obligations and Kosovo didn’t (Koha)

International:

• NATO troops form security cordons in Kosovo as Serbs protest (Al Jazeera)
• Kosovo Serbs trying to take over municipality building in north clash with police (AP)
• Embassies of Quint and EU condemn Kosovo decision to force access in north (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 25, 2023

By OPSI-mu  2 weeks ago

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 25, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Varhelyi: Parties to implement reached agreements, including Association (Koha)
• New mayors of northern municipalities sworn in (Radio Free Europe)
• Kurti calls for full, swift and unconditional implementation of agreement (media)
• Exclusive: These are four steps of implementation of the agreement, needs to end by autumn, otherwise “consequences will be immediate” (Albanian Post)
• Haxhiu: Kosovo needs a professional and brave state chief prosecutor (media)
• Radoica Radomirovic appointed Deputy Minister for Communities and Returns (media)
• AJK: Sami Kurteshi’s language against us is very dangerous and unacceptable (Klan)
• Who is Srdjan Jurisevic, Montenegrin arrested in Gjilan on international warrant (Kallxo)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic receives US senators (Tanjug, media)
• ‘KLA’ graffiti appeared on children’s playground in Ugljare village (Tanjug, RTS, N1)
• Freedom House: No change for Serbia (N1)
• Radoica Radomirovic appointed as Rasic’s deputy (KoSSev)
• UNS: In four months 43 cases of attacks, pressure on journalists in Serbia (Beta, N1)
• Without presence of Serbian councillors, with flags of Kosovo and Albania: Mayor of Zubin Potok took oath (Danas)
• Hetemi took oath as Leposavic mayor in Saljska Bistrica (Kosovo Online)
• Zvecan Mayor, Ilir Peci, after taking oath, made statements next to grave of Isa Boletini (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic receives farewell visit from Cypriot ambassador (Tanjug)
• Dacic: Serbia wishes more active presence of OSCE in Kosovo (RTS)

International:

• Kosovo Ruling Party Criticised for Electing Supporter to Media Regulator Board (BIRN)
• Activists Advocate for Lower Taxes on Menstrual Products in Kosovo (Prishtina Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 24, 2023

By OPSI-su  2 weeks ago

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Three mayors in the north will swear in tomorrow in public premises (media)
• Krasniqi: New mayors will exercise mandates in their municipalities (Albanian Post)
• Osmani on Kosovo-Serbia dialogue: There is more pressure on Kosovo (Dukagjini)
• Freedom House report: War deepens a regional divide (media)
• Senior western diplomat: If Kosovo doesn’t propose statute for Association, facilitators could seek solutions outside the Constitution (Albanian Post)
• LDK proposal for own source revenues will go to the Assembly (Koha)
• LDK’s Lumir Abdixhiku goes to party elections, certain of another mandate (Express)
• Faton Bislimi resigns from LDK presidency (Paparaci)

Serbian Language Media:

• Diplomatic corps visits Visoki Decani Monastery, recalls unimplemented Constitutional Court decision (KoSSev, media)
• Jevtic: The Constitutional Court assessed that Kostic, the defendant in the “Brezovica” case, was unjustifiably detained (Radio Mitrovica sever, Blic, KiM radio)
• Pristina: Ceremony of signing memorandum to organise European judoka championship without translation in Serbian (Radio KIM)
• General Mojsilovic met Brig Gen Romano (Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Strong willingness of Serbs from Kosovo to come to Belgrade, despite Pristina’s threats (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
• Momcilo Trajkovic called on fellow citizens of Kosovo not to go to the counter rally on May 26 (N1, FoNet, KiM radio)
• Peci to take the oath at the “Tower of Isa Boletini”, Zeqiri in Cabra, Hetemi in Bistrica (Kontakt plus radio, Koha)
• Orlic receives Theophylactou (Tanjug)
• Vucic: Escobar should read Brussels Agreement again (Tanjug, RTS)
• Poll: Majority of respondents believe that BG and PR authorities benefited after Serbs withdrew from Kosovo institutions (KoSSev)

International:

• Germany’s Unique Opportunity to Locate Kosovo War Mass Graves (BIRN)
• Freedom House: Democratic institutions in the Western Balkans continued to falter in 2022 (EWB)