UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 11, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti returns from visit to Berlin, describes meetings with German officials (media)
• Lajcak: Preparing for separate discussions with chief negotiators (media)
• Rohde welcomes KEDS-Elektroserver commercial contract (media)
• Schmid: Western Balkans belong to the EU (media)
• Ex-KLA senior member Haxhi Shala interviewed by Specialist Chambers (RFE)
• Abbott: Impunity is becoming cornerstone for corruption (EO)
• Isufaj elected for another term as head of Kosovo Prosecutorial Council (media)
• Osmani meets Qatar Prime Minister, discuss efforts to further cooperation (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Lajcak announces separate discussions with chief negotiators of Belgrade, Pristina (Tanjug)
• Jeremic: Kosovo must not join UN, we must reject Franco-German proposal (Kosovo Online, Danas)
• Vucic: All important topics of mutual interest discussed with Aliyev (Tanjug, media)
• Dveri Movement: Elektrosever has become part of Kosovo (Radio KIM)
• Lepaja: Serbs from Kosovo hostages of bad relations between Pristina and Belgrade (KiM radio, Slobodno Srpski)

Opinion:

• Vasic: Serbs are losing fear of regime’s election scare tactics (BIRN)

International:

• 24-year electricity dispute in northern Kosovo resolved thanks to Türkiye's intensive efforts (AA)
• Prishtina Named European City of Sports 2024: A Boost for Sports in Kosovo’s Capital (Prishtina Insight)
• With Leak Of Private Video, The Dirty Tricks Begin In Key Belgrade Election Battle (RFE)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti meets German Chancellor Scholz (RTK)
Bislimi participates at Budapest Balkan Forum (media)
Kurti in Berlin: Kosovo committed to aspiration for EU membership (RTK)
OSCE: There are no conditions for holding Serbian elections in Kosovo (RTK)
KFOR Commander: Security situation in the north calmer, but still fragile (Reporteri)
Draft of Association submitted by EU, worrying for opposition (RTK)
Von Cramon on KEDS-Elektroserver deal: Good news (RTK)
Kurti: We will continue to protect everyone's rights (media)
Haxhiu: Violence will not be normalized, we will work to protect women's lives (media)
Talat Xhaferi, Prime Minister of North Macedonia, from January 28 (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic satisfied with the signed contact between KEDS and Elektrosever (Tanjug, N1) 
Dacic congratulated the International Human Rights Day and pointed out their violation in Kosovo (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
Office for KiM: At the ambulance in Suvo Dol broken windows and metal door (KiM radio)
Serbian List: The devastation of the Suvi Dol ambulance a shameful act (KiM radio)
SNV: The catastrophic political and security situation of the Serbs in Kosovo (KiM radio, Danas)
An initiative to replace the mayor submitted in Zubin Potok (KoSSev)
An Initiative to recall mayor submitted in Leposavic as well; Radovic: No party support (KoSSev)
Natural gas from Azerbaijan: Serbia-Bulgaria gas interconnector put in trial operation (N1, Tanjug)

International Media:

SafeJournalists: Investigations of Attacks on Journalists in Western Balkans Long and Ineffective (safejournalists.net)
Türkiye's efforts help resolve electricity dispute in northern Kosovo (dailysabah.com)
United opposition poses stern test for Vučić in Serbia’s election (politico.eu)
Aleksandar Vucic: The man who remade Serbia (BBC)
Kosovo Indicts 53 Members of Serbian Forces for 1999 Village Massacre (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

• State Department expects Kosovo and Serbia to implement all obligations (VoA)
• Stano on Association's draft: It is new, balanced and European proposal (RTV21)
• Tahiri outlines some of the “serious problems” of the draft statute (media)
• Haliti: Not President’s competency to call parties to discuss draft statute (media)
• Lekaj doesn’t rule possible protests if Association draft statute is signed (RTV21)
• Krstic: If Trump comes to power, division of Kosovo will be discussed (Kanal 10)
• Lajcak: First time in a while EU is ready for enlargement (media)
• Special Prosecution: We have filed 33 indictments for war crimes in Kosovo (RFE)
• Rafuna: Economic integration of Western Balkans bring stability (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: I will protect national interests, our people in Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Orban: If the Brussels and Ohrid agreements enter the negotiation framework, Belgrade can count on Hungary (KiM radio, Tanjug)
• Hill: Recognition of Kosovo is not on the table, but normalization of relations (euronews.rs)
• Two-hour restrictions over malfunction at Valac power station (KoSSev)
• Xhufka: Do not dare to approach the church in Rakinica, because hellfire awaits you; The Diocese filed a criminal complaint
• Kurti video in Serbian: Thanks for faith in better Kosovo (N1)
• Hill: The US supports Serbia's bid to become a member of the EU (KiM radio, RTS, media)

Opinion:

• Bjelos: Pro-Democracy Forces in Serbia Targeted with Spyware (BIRN)

International:

• Week in Review: Uphill Struggles and Low Expectations (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Kurti meets Soderberg, focus on non-majority communities (media)
• Just transition roadmap sought for coal town in Kosovo* (balkangreenenergynews.com)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti: Membership in CoE brings advantages for non-majority community (Koha)
Rare momentum: Kosovo "to be resolved" before the EU elections (media)
Presidency and government criticized for lack of  transparency on Association (Koha)
AAK leadership discusses draft statute of Association (media)
Tahiri on draft of Association: Assembly is the place where we will discuss it (RTK)
CEC: We received request for removal of mayors of northern municipalities (RTK)
U.S. Embassy: Citizens have the right to request withdrawal of mayors 
SPO raiding house of Salih Mustafa's fellow fighter (media)
Dugolli: Former head of special unit in the north also wanted by Interpol (RTK)
Bojan Elek: INTERPOL warrant cannot force Serbia to arrest Radoicic (RFE, media)

Serbian Language Media:

Group of Mitrovica North citizens officially submitted initiative for removal of mayor, MA chairman has five days to respond to it (KoSSev)
Andric-Rakic on Mitrovica North MA chair remarks about petition (Kosovo Online, social media)
Krtinic: Citizens in Leposavic have not manage to submit request for petition to dissolve mayor (Kosovo Online)
US Embassy: Citizens in northern Kosovo have right to demand withdrawal of mayors (Kosovo Online)
Petkovic informs von Redecker about political situation in Kosovo, problems Serbs face there (media)
Serbia’s top security agency gets new chief (N1)
Djurdjevic Stamenkovski: People to choose between Constitution and ultimatum (Tanjug)

International Media:

Kosovo Court Jails Three for Attack on Journalist (Balkan Insight)
Interpol Issues Warrant for Radoicic Over Banjska Attack in Kosovo (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

• Rasic: INTERPOL issued arrest warrant for Radoicic (RFE)
• INTERPOL: We don’t comment on specific cases or individuals (Telegrafi)
• Rohde: Unthinkable for NATO in Kosovo to be attacked (TeVe1)
• KFOR trains for crowd riot control operations (Albanian Post)
• Wilkes: We are ready to respond to any threat (Telegrafi)
• Lajcak says there is progress in implementation of dialogue agreements (RFE)
• Police confiscate motorboat in Zvecan belonging to Radoicic (media)
• Police confiscate military uniforms and illegal tools in Mitrovica North (media)
• Border police confiscated cigarettes worth over €110,000 in the north (media)
• Rama: If Kosovo accepted my proposal, it would have had better results (media)
• Assailants of Kosovo journalist sentenced to two years in prison each (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Milosavljevic pleaded not guilty at preliminary hearing in Pristina (Kosovo Online)
• Defense lawyer of Zoran Kostic says health condition of his client extremely poor (Kosovo Online)
• Deda: There is Constitutional Court decision, property must be returned to Visoki Decani Monastery (Kosovo Online, Klan Kosova)
• Details of the warrant issued by Interpol for Milan Radoicic: 11 more persons wanted (nova.rs, media)
• Is the EU closing its doors to Serbia? (VoA)
• Davenport: Excellent discussion to support dialogue with religious communities’ representatives in Kosovo (media, social media)
• Vucic in rare interview to independent weekly (N1, NIN)
• Dacic: It is our obligation to preserve our shrines, most of which are in Kosovo (media)

International:

• On Unlevel Playing Field, Serbian Opposition Eyes Belgrade as Springboard (BIRN)
• Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak to receive Serbian passport, president says (abcnews.go.com)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Government enables employment of women survivors of violence (Indeksonline)
• Banushi: Some feelings you can’t convey with a lot of words (Kosovo 2.0)

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani says she’ll meet opposition parties over Association draft statute (media)
• CEC says requests for dismissal of mayors must be made to municipal assemblies (RFE)
• Lajcak meets members of Bundestag, discuss “dialogue and next steps” (media)
• Baerbock: Vucic cannot sit on two chairs at the same time (Koha)
• Sources: INTERPOL issued arrest warrant for Milan Radoicic (Kosovapress)
• Krstic: “SL, Vucic ordered Serbs in north of Kosovo to vote in Serbian elections” (Koha)
• Kurti: Proud to see Kosovo named as of one of Europe’s top destinations (media)
• Osmani: Our collective voice is our most powerful weapon (media)
• “Stop Femicide! Enough” protest march to be held in Pristina today (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: Two countries pushing for the Ohrid Agreement to be part of the negotiation chapter (KiM radio, NIN)
• EU Ambassador says regional economies to integrate before accession (N1, FoNet)
• Hill: US companies sure Serbia will join EU (FoNet, N1)
• Does the visit to Kosovo bring patriotic votes to the "Serbia against violence" list? (Danas)
• "Serbian List trying to return to the throne with a petition to remove the mayors" (KiM radio)
• Former OSCE official: Thaci persistently denied in 1999 that the KLA committed crimes against Serbs and Roma, and the atrocities became a pattern (KoSSev, N1, Beta)
• CEC: To dismiss the mayor in the north, turn to the municipal assemblies (KiM radio)
• Criminal prosecution for reporting a crime? (KiM radio, RTS)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 6, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Hovenier on Serbian elections: Kosovo set the conditions in its territory (Klan)
• Police special units to protest on Saturday, after no deal with Kurti (media)
• Gervalla: Dacic addressed me like a thug and wanted physical confrontation (AP)
• Selimi on conversion of plates in north, “possibly to prevent sanctions” (media)
• Tahiri: Focus should be on Kosovo’s membership in NATO and EU (media)
• Opposition blames government about poor result in PISA (media)
• Specialized Chambers still not allowing former KLA leaders to make phone calls with their families (media)
• A new Serb party registered in Kosovo (Koha)
• Kosovo outside INTERPOL – opportunity for criminals and terrorists, report reveals (AP)

Serbian Language Media:

• Nine construction sites without permits, says Municipality of Gracanica (KiM Radio, KoSSev)
• Milicevic: EULEX advisers in the north because of numerous complaints about the work of special police units (Kosovo Online)
• Vucevic: I do not expect early elections in north, nor formation of CSM (ZSO) (Kosovo Online)
• Will petitions lead to new local elections in the north? (KoSSev)
• Missing Persons Resource Centre: What is more important than human lives? (Radio KIM, KoSSev)
• Sava Janjic served liturgy in temple near Podujevo; KP refused to accept criminal complaint filed by Diocese for desecrating church
• Ballot printing starts for December 17 elections (N1)

International:

• Brutal killings of women in Western Balkan countries trigger alarm and expose faults in the system (AP)
• Kosovo Civil Society Advocates Legal Framework for Lobbying (Prishtina Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

• COMKFOR: In case of escalation, ready to undertake necessary measures (RTK)
• Ministry: No official notification for initiative to dismiss mayors in north (media)
• Gervalla meets PACE delegation (media)
• Kosovo risks CoE membership if it doesn’t address findings of report (Koha)
• Kosovo again ranked at the bottom list of PISA test (media)
• Townsend: I don’t think there will be an outbreak of war in the Balkans (VoA)
• Hundreds protest in downtown Pristina after Liridona Ademaj’s murder (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Petkovic: Kurti not interested in de-escalation in northern Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Rakic-Andric on refusing requests to dissolve mayors in four northern municipalities (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Kosovo minister has no information Serbs submitted initiative to dissolve mayors in four northern municipalities (N1, BETA)
• Ambassador Cochard: Returning memorial plaque to fallen Serbian soldiers in a way also represent apology from France (KoSSev, Danas)
• New KFOR Italian battalion arrived in Kosovo (KoSSev, social media)
• Brnabic receives Wozniak (Tanjug)
International Media:
• PISA School Test Results See South-East Europe Pupils Falter (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

• EU Council will ask Kosovo to do more for measures to be lifted (RFE)
• Kurti on Ademaj’s murder: Arrest is not enough, merited penalties needed (media)
• Protest in Pristina today with motto “no peace without security of women” (Klan)
• Stano: We don’t publish documents as they’re being discussed (TV Dukagjini)
• Tahiri: If Association draft is worth defending, why is it being kept secret (media)
• Uglanin: Request to dismiss mayor, in opposition with instruction (RFE)
• Civil society says judicial reforms stuck at crossroad: “Government failed” (EO)

Serbian Language Media:

• Council of Europe experts report: Kosovo violates rule of law in case of Visoki Decani Monastery, no will to establish ZSO (Kosovo Online, media)
• Citizens attempted to submit requests for dissolution of mayors in northern municipalities, their requests not accepted (Kosovo Online)
• Brnabic: SNS will keep Kosovo in Serbia (N1, Kosovo Online)
• Djuric opens Serbian-American Economic Forum in Las Vegas (Tanjug)
• Vucic thanks outgoing Slovak ambassador for respect for Serbia's sovereignty (Tanjug)
• Ziadeh with Fresco on compliance of Kosovo legal framework with CoE (Kosovo Online)

International:

• Devised in a Cell, Kosovo Political Prisoner’s Literary Epic Celebrates Freedom (BIRN)
• ‘Trojan Women – Replica’ Unveils the Universal Power of Art to Advocate for Peace (Prishtina Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti: Kosovo provides strong rights for non-majority communities (RTK)
Council of Europe experts consider use of police force in the north to be excessive (Koha)
Kosovo delegation continues lobbying for access to UNFCCC mechanisms (RTK)
Kusari: Kurti did not compromise, there is no autonomy for Serbs in draft of Association (Koha)
Haradinaj calls on Kurti to fulfill demands of policemen (media)
CDHRF: Does SPO in The Hague have moral and professional responsibility? (media)
North Macedonia announces elections, technical government expected to be led by an Albanian prime minister (media)
Serbian Language Media

Serbian List delegation meets with EULEX chief (Tanjug, Kosovo Online, social media)
Serbian List reacts to visit of Serbia Against Violence coalition MP candidates  (Kosovo Online)
Serbian expats to be able to vote in 35 countries worldwide (Tanjug)
Stano says EU proposal for establishment of Community of Serbian Municipalities not to be published as diplomatic efforts are underway (Radio KIM, media)
New briefing room for Kosovo police in Mitrovica North from KFOR (Kosovo Online, social media)
Vucic to receive president of Italy's Lombardy region on Tuesday (media)
International Media:

Hague Court Tightens Rules for Visits to Kosovo Guerrilla Leaders (Balkan Insight)