• COVID-19: 885 new cases, 11 deaths (media)
• Vaccine rollout delayed, expected doses also reduced (Koha)
• Rama: Albania ready to vaccinate 11,000 Kosovo healthcare staff (Koha)
• EP adopts report on Kosovo, urges EU to grant visa liberalisation (media)
• Kurti meets Osmani, refers to her as the incoming president of Kosovo (media)
• Weber: New elections are not in favour of the opposition (RFE)
• Kurti to PAK: Suspend temporarily all decisions (RTK)
• Haziri: Difficult year ahead, KSC to have huge impact in coming weeks (Telegrafi)
• Vasfije Krasniqi: Ready to take part in dialogue, throw at Serbia’s face crimes committed in Kosovo (media)
• Op-ed: It is time for Vetevendosje to finally condemn homophobia (Prishtina Insight)
• After request for her dismissal, Emilija Redzepi changes the statement (media)
• EU to Examine Whether Serbia is ‘Deleting’ Ethnic Albanian Addresses (Balkan Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 26, 2021
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 25, 2021
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 25, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 836 new cases, 10 deaths (media)
• Varhelyi: Resumption of dialogue with Serbia is essential (media)
• Kurrti continues receiving congratulating letters (media)
• Von Cramon: EU to liberalise promised visas for Kosovo citizens (media)
• Kurti to visit the U.S. as soon as possible (media)
• Kosovo government appoints deputy ministers (media)
• State Prosecutor issues 73 indictments against 76 individuals (media)
• Kurti asked to dismiss Deputy Prime Minister Emilija Rexhepi (media)
• Serbian List attempts to install parallel structures in Skenderaj and Vushtrri (Express)
Serbian Language Media:
• Covid -19 in Serbian communities: 49 new cases, one death (Kontakt plus radio)
• Vucic on Kurti’s dialogue principles, EU reaction (B92)
• Bilcik: Important to continue the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina for the sake of reconciliation (KiM radio, Tanjug)
• Lazarevic: New elections would strengthen Kurti even more, the losing parties are aware of this (Beta, KoSSev)
• Weber: The principles for dialogue presented by Kurti will make easier for the EU and the USA to reset the negotiations (Kosovo Online)
• EU on Kurti ZSO statement – Parties in the dialogue to refrain from harmful statements (Kosovo-online)
• Agreement to produce Sputnik V vaccine in Serbia reached (RTS)
• Obradovic: 904.000 citizens revaccinated in Serbia so far (Kosovo-online)
• Interpol warns citizens once again not to purchase vaccines on internet (KoSSev)
• Rakic: We continue working on return of displaced persons (Radio KIM)
• Office for KiM: KLA graffiti on health ambulance in Suvi Do (Kosovo-online)
• Serbian Chamber of Commerce set to open Jerusalem office (N1)
Opinion
• Kosovo: Kurti In Driver’s Seat Of A Driverless Vehicle – Analysis (eurasiareview)
• Serbia’s Brave Actresses Deserve Our Respect for Naming Their Abusers (Balkan Insight)
International:
• Application of the new methodology to Montenegro and Serbia: Principles remain the same, more emphasis on interim benchmarks (EWB)
• President Biden Urged to Move Hague War Court to Kosovo (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• The introduction of mutual language learning in Kosovo: A tentative roadmap (FB)
• North Mitrovica Municipality: NGO "Eko-Protekt" and UNMIK provided 75 tablet computers for school children (Kontakt plus radio, Radio Mitrovica sever)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 25, 2021
• COVID-19: 823 new cases, 17 deaths (media)
• WHO: Vaccines to reach Kosovo in three weeks' time (T7/Telegrafi)
• Kosovo business community refuses vaccines from Serbia (Koha/Klan)
• U.S. and EU confirm joint engagement in Western Balkans (RFE/Koha)
• Lajcak: Resumption of dialogue within weeks (RFE)
• Kosnett: We are not asking MPs to vote certain individual but participate and avoid fresh elections (media)
• Merkel writes to Kurti: You have a challenging work ahead (media)
• Rama says he trusts Kurti in overcoming Kosovo's challenges (Koha)
• Osmani and Abdixhiku meet, agree to continue discussions (media)
• Hoxhaj: PDK has no vote for Vjosa Osmani, she is a divisive figure (media)
• European Parliament expected to endorse report on Kosovo today (media)
• SRSG Tanin congratulates Konjufca on election (media)
• Konjufca discusses securing anti-Covid-19 vaccines with Szunyog (RTK)
• Orlando meets Konjufca: Italy supports Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic road (media)
• Holliday offers support to enlighten fate of the missing persons (media)
• Petkovic: Kurti's positions are destroying the future of dialogue (RFE/Kallxo)
• President Biden urged to move EU-backed war crimes court to Kosovo (euronews)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 24, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 781 new cases, 17 deaths (media)
• Kurti: President election to take place soon (media)
• Kurti reveals his approach to the dialogue with Serbia (Prishtina Insight)
• Kosovo leaders commemorate anniversary of NATO air strikes on Serbian forces (media)
• CEC replaces MPs who accepted government posts (media)
• EULEX refutes KLA war veterans: No one was invited to our offices (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• 42 new cases of Covid-19 in in Serbian communities (KoSSev)
• Twenty-two years ago, NATO bombs started falling on the then Yugoslavia (Beta, N1)
• Vucic with UN official: UN SC session on UNMIK in mid April (Tanjug, Kosovo-online)
• Office for KiM: Krstic’s verdict shameful, victim of persecution by Pristina (RTS)
• Defense lawyers on Krstic and Shabani verdicts (Radio KIM)
• Rakic assumed office of Minister for Communities and Returns (Kontakt plus radio)
• 22nd anniversary of the bombing marked in Gracanica (Kosovo Online)
• No easing of measures, Serbian anti-epidemic Crisis Team says (N1)
• North Macedonia journalists vaccinated in southern Serbia (N1)
International:
• 78 Days of Fear: Remembering NATO’s Bombing of Yugoslavia (Balkan Insight)
• WB2EU: Citizens need some re-branding of the idea of what the rule of law is (EWB)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Preparations for Manifesta14 underway (Prishtina Insight)
• Patagonia CEO: Hydropower Plants are not Green, Albanian Government Stop Decimating Balkan Rivers (exit.al)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 24, 2021
• COVID-19: 772 new cases, 13 deaths (media)
• Kurti: We will prepare a file with all agreement violations by Serbia (Koha/Kallxo)
• Kurti hosts EU Ambassador to Kosovo Tomas Szunyog (media)
• Abdixhiku meets Kosnett and Rohde, informs them about LDK’s role in opposition (media)
• Abdixhiku and Osmani to meet today at 14:00 hours (media)
• LDK officials comment on Vjosa Osmani’s election (media)
• Hasani says Government is internationally obliged to form Association (Klan)
• New minister Aliu denies indictment against him, prosecution confirms it (media)
• Konjufca asks CEC to provide names of MPs replacing ministers (Kosovapress)
• Krasniqi: Association of Serb municipalities undermines Kosovo (Kallxo)
• Monuments Evoke Tragic Memories of NATO Bombing of Yugoslavia (Balkan Insight)
• Kosovo Convicts Two Serb Policemen of War Crimes (Balkan Insight)
• Protesters rally in front of Kosovo embassy in Ankara (AA)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 23, 2021
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 23, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 705 new cases, 10 deaths (media)
• Albin Kurti officially assumes duties as new prime minister of Kosovo (Express)
• Kurti: It is time to prove that we deserve our positions (media)
• Quint to MPs: The first task is to elect the president (media)
• Congratulations for Kurti and the new government continue (media)
• U.S. Ambassador visits LDK offices (media)
• Z.K and D.Sh. found guilty of war crimes (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Covid-19 in Serbian communities: 67 new cases, three people died (Kontakt plus radio)
• Vucic: Pristina brutally violated its own highest legal act (Danas, Beta)
• Petkovic: Kurti's demands absurd and undermine Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (TV Most)
• Simic: Two ministries belong to the Serbian list according to the law; we will not vote for Kurti's government (Kosovo Online, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Jevtic handovers duty to Rakic today, announces continuation of a joint struggle for betterment of Serbs (TV Most)
• Rada Trajkovic to Kurti: Citizens place their hopes in you and your promise of equality for all (Kosovo Online)
• Zlatan Krstic sentenced to 14 years in prison, Shabanaj to seven years (Kosovo-online)
• Epidemiological situation in Zvecan deteriorates, authorities urge citizens to vaccinate (Kosovo-online)
• Miftaraj: The constitution is clear, the Kosovo president is elected first, then the government (KoSSev)
• Surlic: Serbs acceptable for Pristina if decision-making does not depend on them (KoSSev)
• Krasniqi: The government that consolidated the majority, with the highest number of women, I expect the president to be elected (KoSSev)
• Only open debate on Kosovo "allowed" (Danas)
• Serbian DefMin concerned over Kosovo participation in NATO exercise (N1, FoNet)
• EU top diplomat says debate on Western Balkans at next meeting of EU FMs (N1, Beta)
• RFZO: Serbia has 5.800 doses of US new anti-coronavirus drug (N1)
• WHO Belgrade representative: Epidemic situation serious, measures to remain until results seen (N1)
Opinion
• Western Balkans’ Plight is Wake-up Call for Europe (Balkan Insight)
International:
• Balkan Countries Lacking Vaccines Look to Neighbours for Jabs (Balkan Insight)
• Vaccine makers should license technology to overcome 'grotesque' inequity: WHO (Reuters)
• Coronavirus digest: EU commissioner says herd immunity by summer is possible (DW)
• NATO, US to stage large-scale military exercises around Serbia until summer (euractive.com)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 23, 2021
• COVID-19: 827 new cases, 16 deaths (media)
• Kosovo elects new Government with Kurti Prime Minister (media)
• Congratulations pour in for new Government of Kosovo (media)
• Kurti expects to take new post today, calls for swift election of president (Telegrafi)
• Hoti to hand over duty to Kurti today (media)
• Hoxhaj: We will not send Kurti’s mandate to the Constitutional Court (EO)
• Haziri: LDK has not discussed approaching Constitutional Court (T7/Klan)
• “Constitution does not oblige PM to offer two ministries to Serb community” (Koha)
• Rama does not mediate dialogue, says he defends Kosovo’s interests (RTK)
• Zemaj writes to COVAX concerning lack of vaccine rollout in Kosovo (media)
• Vulin: Serbia to work incessantly to prevent Kosovo from joining Interpol (media)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 22, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 827 new cases, 16 deaths (media)
• Glauk Konjufca elected Kosovo Assembly Speaker (media)
• Konjufca requests Vetevendosje's proposal for prime minister (media)
• Kurti-led government set to be voted this afternoon (Telegrafi/Koha)
• PDK expects swift formation of government, reiterates position against Osmani for president (media)
• Turkish community MPs to vote for Kurti-led government (Klan)
• Ambassadors congratulate election of Assembly speaker, presidency (media)
• Kurti: There can be no monoethnic association in Kosovo (KP)
Serbian Language Media:
• 19 new cases of Covid-19 registered in Serbian areas on Sunday (KoSSev)
• Konjufca elected Assembly Speaker, Serbian List didn’t support his election (Kosovo-online)
• Slavko Simic elected vice president of the Assembly (Kosovo Online)
• Miletic: New elections do not suit anyone at this moment (RTK2)
• Baxhaku: The votes of the Serbian List also needed for the election of the president (RTK2)
• Jeremic: Vaccination process in Serbia commendable (Dnevnik)
• Serbian Government partially eases anti-coronavirus measures (N1)
• Additional 55.990 doses of Pfizer vaccine arrived in Serbia (Tanjug)
• Additional 100.000 Sputnik V vaccines arriving in Serbia on Tuesday (N1)
Opinion:
• Say Her Name (Kosovo 2.0)
International:
• Kosovo’s new parliament starts, vote on new govt expected (AP)
• Coronavirus: EU 'not ready' to share COVID vaccines with poorer countries (DW)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Vetevendosje's women MPs dress in white, in nod to gender equality (Kallxo)
• Kosovo Slow to Build Monuments to its Female Heroes (Balkan Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 22, 2021
• COVID-19: 812 new cases, eight deaths (media)
• Health-Care Workers From Kosovo Receive COVID-19 Vaccines In Albania (RFE)
• Still no vaccines in Kosovo, Zemaj criticizes the EU (euronews.al)
• KBA: Around 20,000 Kosovo businesses closed due to COVID-19 (Klan)
• Kosovo Assembly to hold constitutive session today (media)
• PDK meets ahead of the constitutive session of the Assembly (Klan)
• Von Cramon speaks of EU expectations for Osmani and Kurti (RTV Dukagjini)
• Association of Serb-majority communities, challenge for incoming government (KP)
• Borrell to report on Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (media)
• German ambassador to Serbia calls for sustainable Kosovo-Serbia solution (Koha)
• LDK elects party leadership, snub Veliu, Rugova (media)
• Balje: With Kurti, Kosovo-Albania unification idea being revived (media)
• New head of OSCE for Kosovo assumes post (Koha)
• Kosovo Court Reopens Sensitive Murder Trial Following BIRN Findings (Balkan Insight)
• Arrests Shake Up a Soccer Scene in Serbia Ruled by Gangsters and ‘Gravediggers’ (NYT)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 19, 2021
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 19, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 828 new cases, eight deaths (media)
• Abdixhiku and Shala meet Kurti and Osmani (media)
• Vucic publishes the map of Kosovo immersed in Serbian flag, US embassy reacts (euronews.al)
• EU comments on Vucic’s photo with the map of Kosovo (Express, media)
• Swedish MEP says EU should not threaten Kosovo for its Embassy in Jerusalem (Express)
• Majko to Vucic: Serbia should not capitulate in face of its inabilities (RTK)
• LDK to elect new chairmanship on Saturday (RTK)
• Osmani holds a virtual meeting with USAID Director (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• 36 new cases of Covid-19 in Serbian areas (KoSSev)
• Vucic: We are looking for a compromise, but I am not sure that Albanians are ready (media)
• Petkovic: Hysterical assaults by Albanian politicians the only answer to Vucic’s peaceful policy (Kosovo-online)
• EU: Serbia and Kosovo to refrain from statements that do not serve normalization of relations (Kosovo Online)
• More than two million people in Serbia received first dose of vaccine (Danas)
• North Mitrovica Hospital Center sends staff to help the Batajnica Covid hospital (KoSSev)
• Office for KiM demands a higher level of security for the religious heritage in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Church in Silovo village broken into (RTV Puls, Radio Mitrovica sever, KiM radio)
• Protests of a group of people in Gracanica continue over hiring in the Clinical Hospital Center (KiM radio)
• Minister tells German Ambassador thousands leaving Serbia every year (N1)
• CRTA: Citizens of Serbia moderately interested in politics, mostly in Kosovo (KoSSev, N1)
• Croatia establishes contact with Chinese COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers (N1)
Opinion:
• What are the new Kosovo government biggest priorities? (euractiv.com)
• Serbia’s vaccine diplomacy in China’s shadow (Al Jazeera)
International:
• EU agency: AstraZeneca vaccine safe, will add clot warning (AP)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Between life and death, artists articulate the pandemic (Kosovo 2.0)
• No more! Kosovars hold vigils for latest femicide victim (Prishtina Insight)