UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 24, 2021

Albanian Language Media:

• Bislimi: License plates decision is unrelated to Brussels agreement (media)
• Tensions following reciprocity change dialogue's course (Koha)
• Court rejects SL's claims that Kosovo Government's formation was unconstitutional (media)
• In Hungary, Speaker Konjufca criticises EU over visa liberalisation (media)
• KSF and Kosovo Police conclude joint exercise with KFOR (media)
• Committee approves national programme for implementation of SAA (Kosovapress)
• COVID-19: Four deaths, 84 new cases (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Peaceful protest of Serbs in northern Kosovo continues (RTS, Kosovo-online)
• One of three Serbs beaten by police in wood close to Brnjak speaks about attack; police denies local media report (KoSSev, media)
• Elek: Beaten Serbs spent difficult night at hospital (Tanjug, Kosovo-online)
• Serbian PM tells Belgian counterpart Pristina perpetrating violence (N1)
• Brnabic to address UN General Debate of world leaders today (B92)
• Washington more strongly involved with the EU in renewing the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and calming the crisis in Kosovo (NMagazin, Beta)
• Kosovo police removed poster “Welcome to ZSO” in Strpce (Radio KIM)
• Vulin: ''We are not negotiating with a gun pointed at the forehead'' (NMagazin, Beta, N1, TV Pink)
• Former Greek ambassador: "In the end, we will recognize the so-called Kosovo" (B92)
• Brnabic: We have much to lose if we fall for Pristina’s provocations (Tanjug)
• Ursula von der Leyen to visit Belgrade on September 29 (Tanjug)
• Commission for Missing Persons: Mortal remains of three Serbs taken over at the Merdare crossing (FoNet, Danas)
• Kosovo Constitutional Court issues Decision on non-execution of its verdict which confirmed ownership of Visoki Decani Monastery (Danas)

Opinion:

• The Potemkin facade of Vucic's rule (Kosovo 2.0)

• US Embassy: Immediate steps needed to de-escalate tensions (media)
• Osmani, Djukanovic and Komsic concerned over latest developments (media)
• Montenegro President: Balkans, again an arena of geopolitical clashes (Kallxo)
• Serbian govt, state-affiliated media falsely accuse Kosovo police of brutality (Exit News)
• Serbian troops on alert on Kosovo border as tensions mount (AP)
• Reports of Russian nationals joining Serbs protesting in the north (media)
• Osmani: Kosovo is blessed with friends like President Clinton (media)
• Abdixhiku: Lack of governance can’t be compensated with actions in north (media)
• ‘Fake War Veterans’ case causes long-term recriminations in Kosovo (BIRN)
• COVID-19: 7 deaths, 173 new cases (media)
• Minister of Health announces new measures against COVID-19 (media)

Albanian Language Media:

• Tanin calls for reducing of tensions: Responsible leadership to be shown (media)
• Kosovo Police rejects reports that its officers beat up three Serbs (media)
• Svecla on situation in the north: We do not expect escalation (media)
• EU with diplomatic commitment to reduce tensions in the north (RFE Albanian)
• The situation in Brnjak, tense (Kallxo.com)
• Serbian gendarmerie vehicles patrol near the Kosovo Police in Jarinje (Koha)
• Police give details on situation in Jarinje and Brnjak (Express)
• ARC has administered 6375 license plates after establishing reciprocity (media)
• Police are not allowing anyone to cross the barricade leading to Brnjak (Klan)
• Vucic sets four conditions to return to dialogue, Kurti sets one to remove reciprocity (Express)
• Municipal mayors to discuss new anti-COVID measures with Health Minister (media)
• PSD files charges against Minister Vitia (media)
• Meeting of Assembly chairmanship fails, due to lack of quorum (media)
• Geopolitics expert: Kosovo’s two messages to Brussels (euronews.al)
• COVID-19: 7 deaths, 173 new cases (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• UNMIK chief: All sides to take steps to avoid tensions in Kosovo (media)
• Protests at Jarinje and Brnjak continues (RTS)
• Petkovic: Three Serbs beaten near the Brnjak crossing (KiM radio, Radio Mitrovica sever, TV Most)
• Stefanovic: Combat readiness of Army of Serbia garrisons in Raska and Novi Pazar raised (RTS)
• Vucic: No talks until Pristina withdraws forces from north Kosovo (N1)
• Petkovic: Situation to return to the one prior to September 20 (Radio KIM)
• Civil sector and media call for urgent de-escalation; discuss freedom of movement in Brussels (Radio Kontakt plus, KoSSev, RTK2, Kosovo Online)
• Kosovo police arrest three Serbs over poster; Serbian officials condemned the act (N1, Radio KIM, Kosovo-online)
• What message billboards “Welcome to ZSO” convey? (Radio KIM)
• Selakovic to Borrell: Belgrade committed to dialogue, but doesn’t accept unilateral acts (media)
• A book by Albin Kurti's wife promoted in Belgrade (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
• Covid-19 in Serbian communities: 24 new cases (KiM radio)

• EU High Representative statement on situation in north of Kosovo (media)
• Ethnic Serbs dig in for long protest over Kosovo ban (AFP)
• Kosovo Police refute report by Kosovo Online (media)
• Moscow: Kosovo police actions against Serbs, provocation (media)
• Presevo Valley Albanians to be compensated for license plates payment (media)
• Presevo Mayor supports Kosovo Government's decision on license plates (media)
• Prime Minister Kurti meets Albanian Assembly Speaker Nikolla (media)
• Opinion: Is lawfulness always good? By Arben Idrizi (Gazeta Express)
• COVID-19: 5 deaths, 160 new cases (media)
• Ministry of Health launches electronic COVID-19 vaccination certificate (media)
• “New decision on start of school year to be made before September 26” (Kallxo)
• President Osmani meets President of Guinea Bissau Embaló (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 22, 2021

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: We’ll remove measures on license plates, if Serbia does the same (media)
• EU High Representative Josep Borrell meets with regional leaders (media)
• Osmani: Kosovo met visa liberalisation requirements, EU must deliver (media)
• President Osmani, Foreign Minister Gervalla meet NATO SG Stoltenberg (media)
• Health Minister: 500,000 Pfizer doses will arrive by year’s end (media)
• COVID-19: Five deaths, 160 new cases (media)
• Nikola: Let’s come together so the world knows about Serbia’s crimes (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Varhelyi: Unilateral actions lead to unnecessary tensions and should be withdrawn (Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic: Kurti plans to negotiate but with long barrels and armored vehicles goes against the bare-handed people (Kosovo Online)
• Vulin: ''The situation in Kosovo and Metohija calm, but tense'' (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
• The Kosovo government discussing the situation in the north; no translation for Serbian media (KiM radio)
• Number of people gathering at Jarinje increases, no incidents (Kosovo-online)
• Covic: Now international community is on move (RTS)
• Representatives of WB with Borrell at a working dinner in NY (media)
• Tanjug: EU proposes Vucic-Kurti meeting in Brussels, aiming at reducing tensions (Kosovo-online)
• Selakovic met foreign ministers of Tunisia, Estonia and Bolivia in NY (RTS)
• EU-Western Balkans Summit in Slovenia in October (N1)
• Serbian Government to set up health care centers in north Kosovo (N1)
• Novakovic: Kurti introduced reciprocity because of local elections also (Kosovo-online)
• NADA for more decisive response of Serbia over ROSU units in north (Kosovo-online)
• The issuance of trial plates in Laplje Selo started today (KiM radio)

Opinion:

• Merkel’s Balkan Farewell More than Just Symbolic (Balkan Insight)

International:

• Restore trust and inspire hope, UN chief says in message to UNGA76 (news.un.org)
• World leaders speak at United Nations General Assembly (Al Jazeera)

• Kurti: Reciprocity on license plates is not a provocation or discriminatory (media)
• Osmani: The region is increasingly being threatened by Serbia's actions (media)
• EU: Kosovo and Serbia to resolve license plates issue through dialogue (Telegrafi)
• Kamberi: Decision on license plates is just, Presevo Valley citizens to be compensated (KP)
• CDHRF: Reciprocity on license plates does not violate human rights (Zeri)
• Albanian PM Rama comments on license plates measures (media)
• Basha: Relations between two independent countries rest on reciprocity (media)
• “Only Kosovo Police members involved in operation in the north” (media)
• Roadblocks near Bernjak and Jarinje border crossing points remain (media)
• Pyper poll: Over 79% believe reciprocity will have positive impact on Kosovo's image (Telegrafi)
• Osmani outlines meetings at the sidelines of UNGA session (media)
• Grenell criticises President Biden over his UNGA speech (media)
• Kosovo delegation visits Specialist Chambers at The Hague (media)
• Kosovo War Crime Witness Asks Hague Court for Compensation (BIRN)
• COVID-19: Seven deaths, 173 new cases (media)

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 7 deaths, 173 new cases (media)
• Prime Minister Kurti received Quint ambassadors and Head of EU Office (media)
• Kosovo Foreign Minister: Tensions are a unilateral action by Serbia (media)
• Citizens can be provided with temporary license plates starting today (media)
• Kurti: Cooperative security remains our main task and engagement (media)
• Lajcak: Reduce tensions, allow freedom of movement (Express)
• Civilian police officers are removing "KS" license plates in Prishtina (Koha)
• Bislimi: Opening Serbia's state archives helps locating mass graves (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• 34 new cases of Covid-19 registered in Serbian areas (Kosovo-online)
• Vucic says he refused Quint’s proposal for solution, demands withdrawal of troops from northern Kosovo (RTS)
• At Jarinje and Brnjak calm; crossing possible only on foot (media)
• Lajcak concerned over situation in northern Kosovo, calls for immediate de-escalation (Kosovo-online)
• Vucic: I don't see the point of dialogue at the moment (media)
• Petkovic: Belgrade “fought in all ways“ to extend KS licence plates (N1)
• Temporary RKS license plates: The origin story (KoSSev)
• Mustafa: The reciprocity measure punishes Albanians in Presevo (Beta, NMagazin)
• Brnabic and Selakovic at the General Session of the UN (B92, Tanjug)
• Opposition in Serbia on the issue of Pristina’s reciprocity measure (media)
• Trial plates still not issued in central Kosovo (Kosovo Online, KiM radio)

International:

• Protesters block Kosovo-Serbia border, tension still high (AP)
• Kosovo: New restrictions on Serbian license plates spark protests (DW)
• EU leaders accuse Biden of disloyalty to allies (politico.eu)

• Osmani: Kosovo fully implemented agreements signed in Brussels (media)
• Bislimi: There is a tendency for further escalation (media)
• Quiet situation in Bernjak and Jarinje (media)
• Svecla: Decision on temporary license plates is legitimate (media)
• U.S. Embassy calls on Kosovo and Serbia to reduce tensions (media)
• Criminal groups of Radojcic and Veselinovic behind roadblocks (Kosovapress)
• Vucic says he discussed crisis in Kosovo with Lajcak (N1)
• Judah: Serbian military reportedly driving around close to Kosovo border (media)
• Stefanovic: License plates agreement expired, Vucic's regime lying to Serbs (media)
• “Government decision to be followed up with requirement to fill in forms” (Koha)
• ‘Reciprocity principle’ in Kosovo license plate dispute with Serbia (Euronews Albania)
• Kurti responds to questions on the gas pipeline project (RTK)
• COVID-19: 6 deaths, 48 new cases (media)
• First witness at Kosovo guerrilla’s trial recalls brutal beating (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 20, 2021

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 6 deaths, 48 new cases (media)
• License plates’ reciprocity, Svecla provides details on increase of police forces (RTK)
• Citizens block the roads to Brnjak and Jarinje (media)
• Kurti on action in the North: Serbia agreed to this as well (Ekonomia Online)
• MIA: Do not use Brnjak and Jarinje border points (Koha)
• The road to the Jarinje and Brnjak border points, continues to be blocked (Kallxo)
• EU: Kosovo and Serbia to immediately reduce tensions (RTK/Klan)
• KFOR: The situation in the North is stable (media)
• Serbian media: Vucic to gather National Security Council following Kosovo decision on license plates (Express)
• LDK's Gashi: PM Kurti putting on a 'show' with license plates (Kallxo)
• PDK and LVV clash over Kurti’s role in the KLA (Telegrafi)
• Kurti to undertake U.S. visit in November (Kosovapress/Klan)
• Albanian Assembly Speaker Nikolla to visit Kosovo (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• 38 new cases of Covid-19 registered in Serbian areas on Saturday (Radio kontakt plus)
• Stano: Lower tensions immediately, sides to refrain from unilateral actions (Kosovo Online, Tanjug)
• KFOR on events in northern Kosovo: Security situation stable (Kosovo-online)
• Vucic convened an emergency session of the Security Council (B92, Vecernje Novosti)
• ROSU at Jarinje and Brnjak, confiscation of vehicle plates commenced, Rakic urges Vucic to react (RTS)
• Simic called for the restraint of the citizens (B92, TV Prva, Tanjug)
• Issuance of trial RKS vehicle plates has started (KiM radio)
• Replacement of Serbian registration plates started in Gorazdevac (Radio KIM)
• Andric: 9,500 vehicles with Serbian license plates captured in Kosovo (Beta, Danas)
• Stefanovic: ''Explain to Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija how you ‘defend’ them '' (Kosovo Online)
• Rada Trajkovic accuses Vucic of misinforming Serbs (Kosovo online)
• Petkovic: Pristina to start issuing temporary license plates for cars with Serb plates as of Monday (KoSSev)
• Milivojevic: By introducing reciprocity, Kurti practically abolishes dialogue (Kosovo-online)
• Lajcak on two-day visit to Belgrade (Radio KIM)
• Lajcak canceled a meeting with civil society in Belgrade (Kosovo Online, Danas)
• Petkovic: Either Brussels agreement will be respected or it shall not exist (Radio KIM)
• Vucic, Erdogan: Friendship with Turkey is guarantee of peace in region (N1)

Opinion:

• Janjic: Vehicle plates are just the beginning of Kurti's measures of reciprocity, Lajcak does not understand, and that leads to war (Kosovo Online)

International:

• Tempers Flare At Serbia-Kosovo Border As Pristina Presses 'Reciprocal' Move Over License Plates (RFE)
• Kosovo deploys police, Serbs protest amid border tension (AP)
• Kosovo Deploys Police as Serbs Protest in Licence Plate Dispute (Balkan Insight)
• Tensions as Kosovo begins removing Serbian licence plates at border (Euronews)

• COVID-19: 10 deaths, 173 new cases (media)
• Government: 35% of adult population is fully vaccinated in Kosovo (media)
• Movement of vehicles with KS license plates to be banned as of today (media)
• Kurti: If we were to sign a final agreement, Serbia would have to change its constitution (euronews.al)
• President Vjosa Osmani insists on concluding dialogue with mutual recognition (euronews.al)
• U.S. Embassy: Discussions with Kosovo government on gas pipeline ongoing (media)
• Serbs consider a possible plan on the north of Kosovo to constitute a threat (Koha)
• President Osmani travelled for official visit to United States (media)
• Rama Links Kosovo’s Membership in ‘Open Balkan’ to Its ‘Dedication to Peace’ (Exit News)
• ‘Relations with Albania Are Cooling,’ Warns Kosovo President (Exit News)
• Albanian PM Rama accepts invitation of Kurti to visit Kosovo (Express)
• Kosovo's President Vjosa Osmani: Principled, yet willing to take risks (DW)
• A group of Afghan citizens leave Kosovo for United States (media)
• U.S. Seeks Acceleration Of EU-Balkan Integration, Senior Official Says (RFE)