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UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 23, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti says that Borrell suited the purpose of Serbia (media)
• Kurti: I bought the plane ticket to Brussels because the deadline for the agreement on the invitation was March 2023 (Klan)
• Svecla: Situation in north tense but manageable; coordination with EULEX, KFOR (Klan)
• Kurti politically “alone” on licence plates (RFE)
• Haradinaj: Kosovo must accept U.S. request; dire situation in north (Nacionale)
• Serwer: Kosovo is within its right on change of licence plates (media)
• Police on Serb rallies in north: We will maintain order and public security (Telegrafi)
• Visa liberalisation removed from agenda due to situation in north (RFE)
• Compromise is near, visa liberalisation at ambassador level in coming weeks (Express)
• Hyseni compares Osmani to Milosevic, reactions follow (media)
• Bushati: There is coalition from Tirana to Belgrade to get rid of Kurti (Express)
• Montenegrin intellectuals: West to protect Montenegro, Bosnia and Kosovo from Vucic (Telegrafi)

Serbian Language Media:

• Petkovic travels to Brussels, meeting Bislimi in afternoon (Tanjug)
• Stano: Aim of meeting with Petkovic, Bislimi to find solution to current crisis (Kosovo Online)
• Simic: Tensions in Kosovo high, Kurti ignores warnings (Tanjug)
• Hill: Licence plates issue should be postponed by one year (RTS)
• Dacic: Belgrade part of solution, Pristina problem (N1)
• Poll shows rising indifference towards EU (N1)
• Gracanica, Novo Brdo, Strpce Mayors on support and unity with Serbs in north Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• PKS: “Issuance of Serbian licence plates for Kosovo suspended” (Radio KIM)
• To Brussels only for the final agreement on normalisation, with recognition; agreed that Serbia should stop registering cars with illegal licence plates, said Kurti (FoNet, N1, Beta, NMagazin, KiM radio)
• Protest in Gracanica as a support for the Serbs in the north of Kosovo (Kim radio, KoSSev)
• Serbia, Azerbaijan sign seven bilateral agreements (Tanjug)

Opinion:

• Bogdanovic on licence plates issue (Danas, Radio KIM)

International:

• Fact-Check: How Real are Kosovo’s Fears of a Serbian Military Strike? (BIRN)
• Kosovars Await Visa-Free Travel by January 2024 (Prishtina Insight)
• Between Berlin Process And Open Balkan – Analysis (eurasiareview, IFIMES)
• Drug-related health and security threats in the Western Balkans (emcdda.europa.eu)
• Judge Excludes Key Evidence in ‘Serbian Drug Farm’ Case (Balkan Insight)
• Solidarity Stories #4: Yugoslav Officer Confronts Serb Fighters During Abductions (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Women bear the burden of unpaid care work in Kosovo (Kosovo 2.0)
• MEPs Demand End to Roaming Charges for Western Balkans (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, November 23, 2022

• Kosovo, Serbia chief negotiators to meet in Brussels today (RFE)
• Kosovo communicates with mediators of dialogue through the U.S. (Koha)
• U.S., EU engage diplomatically after Kosovo postpones licence plate fines (RFE)
• Borrell: We’re not a referee, we’re much more than that (Euractiv)
• Stano: We will continue the talks for a solution (Klan)
• Tajani: Italy available to find solutions and maintain stability (media)
• Osmani, Rohde discuss developments in Kosovo and dialogue with Serbia (RTK)
• France asks Kosovo to accept Borrell's proposal for license plates (RTK)
• Kupchan: Situation between Kosovo and Serbia carries risk of violence (VoA)
• CDHRF: Borell and Lajcak lined up on the side of Serbia (Paparaci)
• Tahiri: Kurti dramatizing to prepare the public for compromises (Koha)
• Kosovo-Serbia flare-up fears over car number plate row (BBC)
• Kosovo PM Postpones License Plate Fines Under Western Pressure (BIRN)
• Fears Kosovo-Serbia number plate row could spark violence (The Guardian)
• Kosovo delays crackdown on Serbian driving plates after US pressure (FT)
• EU slams Kosovo, Serbia on car plates dispute, as fears of violence grow (Politico)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 22, 2022

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 22, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: It is necessary to correct Borrell’s mistake (Koha)
• U.S. disappointed Kosovo and Serbia fail to reach agreement, State Dept says (media)
• Rohde: We need more statesmanship, less brinkmanship (media)
• Kurti in Skopje: Fortunately, Kosovo not dependent on Russian gas (Express)
• Mehaj repeats request for permanent U.S. military base in Kosovo (media)
• RFE: The proposal for the liberalization of visas in January 2024 passed (media)
• Vogel: The dialogue is suffering a crisis every month, Kurti lost his patience (Koha)
• LDK Women’s Forum leader asks Kurti to explain his change of position (Indeksonline)
• Kurti: Reform in public administration, essential in program of our government (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Rakic on talks with Vucic, Pristina’s acts (Kosovo Online)
• Hill after the meeting with Vucic: Only a constructive approach leads to a solution (RTS)
• Petkovic: Kurti doesn’t wish peace, dialogue serves to meet halfway (RTS)
• Vucic's call to Serbs from Kosovo for calmness and preservation of peace (media)
• Situation in Mitrovica North calm, people do not want to talk in front of cameras (Radio KIM)
• Vucic: I am proud we tried to maintain peace at all costs (Tanjug)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: Vucic once again demonstrated constructive approach (RTS)
• Stano: EU has not given up on its proposal (N1, Kosovo Online)
• KFOR commander discusses tensions with Kosovo minister (N1)
• US senators concerned about risk of violence in region (Kosovo Online)
• Vehicle with Serbian licence plates set on fire in Mitrovica North (KoSSev)
• Detention of Krasniqi, Selimi and Mustafa extended (Kosovo Online)
• Italy tells Pristina that unilateral moves do not lead to a solution (NMagazin, Beta)
• Lulzim Rafuna, the new president of the Board of the Chamber Investment Forum of the Western Balkans (Kosovo Online)

Opinion:

• Janjic: Vucic gave up ‘KM’ plates, Kurti asking for guarantees (Beta, NMagazin)
• Italy as Inspiration for the Balkan Far-Right (BIRN)

International:

• Kosovo Postpones Imposition Of License Plate Fines For 48 Hours (RFE)
• EU Blames Kosovo for Failing to Ease Spat Amid Tensions (Bloomberg)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, November 22, 2022

• Kurti accepts U.S. Ambassador call for 48-hour postponement of fines (media)
• EU’s Borrell Blames Kosovo for Fresh Licence Plates Stalemate (BIRN)
• Kurti’s remarks to the media after meetings in Brussels (media)
• Osmani: Borrell was biased; accommodated the aggressor (media)
• EU responds to Kurti: We haven’t given up on normalisation agreement (media)
• U.S. State Department: Parties to refrain from provocative steps (Klan Kosova)
• Bajrami: Kosovo proposed to suspend further phases of plate conversion (media)
• NATO SG: Disappointed that licence plate dispute wasn’t solved (media)
• UNMIK chief Ziadeh calls for calm and commitment to dialogue (media)
• Abbott: Immediate need to make progress on a normalisation agreement (media)
• Svecla: Police ready to ensure and security throughout Kosovo (media)
• Haradinaj: Decision on licence plates must be suspended (media)
• Palokaj: With this pace, dialogue can last 11 years (Koha)
• Floods Cause Six Deaths in Montenegro, Albania, Serbia (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 21, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti to meet citizens in Prizren on Tuesday; to present budget for 2023 (Klan Kosova)
American congressman, Ritchie Torres meets Osmani (Koha) 
Kosovo Defence Minister meets Swedish counterpart, discuss cooperation (media)
Gjoshi: Kurti is negotiating with Vucic on an internal issue (media)
Elezi: CEC considering postponement of some election deadlines (RTK)
Lutfiu: Presevo Valley Albanians discuss withdrawal from Serbian institutions (Klan)
Interview with President of Special Court, Ekaterina Trendafilova (Albanian Post)
Noam Chomsky: I was never opposed to Kosovo’s independence (Albanian Post)

Serbian Language Media:

Dacic: Two possible outcomes in Brussels - reason or riots (Tanjug, RTS)
Minister says Serbian Army ready to defend Kosovo Serbs (N1, Beta, Telegraf)
Kosovo journalist: Without plates agreement, small armed conflict is possible (N1, FoNet)
Janjic: Suspension of the Brussels Agreement being discussed (N1)

International:

Floods Across Kosovo Damage Land, hit Drinking Water Supply (BIRN)
Letter from Belgrade (Financial Times)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, November 21, 2022

• The penalty measure for license plates postponed for one day (media)
• Borrell: We need to de-escalate situation, move toward normalisation (media)
• EU to hold emergency talks with Kosovo-Serbia as deadline looms (Euractiv)
• EU police patrol Kosovo's north after Serb officers quit (Reuters)
• US hopes an agreement on licence plates will be reached (RFE, media)
• EULEX chief and KFOR commander walk in the north of Mitrovica (RTK)
• Kurti: Frank and important phone conversation with Chollet (media)
• Bugajski: Fundamental problem – Serbia’s non-recognition of Kosovo (media)
• Kosovo, Serbia delegations clash at NATO Parliamentary Assembly (RTK)
• Kosovo war crimes expert named Special Counsel in January 6 and Trump documents investigations in U.S. (RFE)
• Kosovo Public Broadcaster Complains of ‘Smallest Ever’ Budget (BIRN)
• Media Climate in Albania Worsening, Press Freedom Advocates Say (BIRN)
• Kosovo Public Broadcaster Complains of ‘Smallest Ever’ Budget (BIRN)
• Special Prosecution Charges Serbian Citizen with Torturing Civilians (BIRN)
• The need for lies (Kosovo 2.0)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 18, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: I am optimistic about licence plate issue, but Belgrade's approach is quite destructive (media)
• Brussels sends an invitation for a meeting to Kurti and Vucic (media)
• Kusari-Lila announces solution for licence plates "within hours" (Express)
• Osmani thanks Pelosi for her commitment and connection with Kosovo (media)
• EC convinces Netherlands – now they are in favour of visa liberalisation (Express)
• Kusari-Lila: EU plan has U.S. support and includes two phases (RTK)
• Peci: In one version I’ve seen, plan includes Serb Orthodox Church (Klan)
• Abazi: Kosovo to return to table of talks and coordinate with partners (Kallxo)
• Hoti: Kurti doesn’t listen to U.S., but sends police to coordinate with EULEX (Koha)
• EULEX on patrols in north of Kosovo: We have not assumed police responsibility (Telegrafi)

Serbian Language Media:

• The EU invited Vucic and Kurti to Brussels: Find a European solution to get out of the crisis (N1)
• Office for KiM: No agreement has been reached with Pristina (RTS, Blic)
• Brnabic: No agreement with Pristina, it must implement agreements (Tanjug, media)
• UNS and DNKiM: Urgently to determine who attacked the Insajderi cameraman (KiM radio, NMagazin, Insajder)
• The KP confirms the attack on an Albanian cameraman and a student, but not a kidnapping (KoSSev)
• NGO Aktiv launches a phone line for reporting cases of mistreatment by the police (KiM radio)
• Drecun: We should expect Pristina to accept the EU's suggestions (Tanjug)
• UNS and DNKiM not invited to the meeting of the CoE Platform for the Safety of Journalists (KiM radio)

International:

• UN expert on truth and justice to visit Serbia and Kosovo* (ohchr.org)
• Spain Suggests Kosovo’s Visa Liberalisation Process Be Finalised on January 1, 2024 (schengenvisainfo.com)
• BIRN Conference Warns of Far-Right Groups’ Influence in Balkans (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, November 18, 2022

• Kosovo Assembly adopts in principle budget for 2023 (media)
• Osmani: Paneuropa supported Kosovo people in most difficult times (media)
• Kurti travels to Estonia to meet Prime Minister Kaja Kallas (media)
• Belgrade-backed Serb party retakes seats in Kosovo Parliament (BIRN)
• Bislimi: Serbian List’s return to Assembly exposes Belgrade’s agenda (media)
• SL return to Assembly interpreted as weakening of Vucic’s position (Koha)
• A cameraman and a teenager assaulted in the north of Kosovo (BIRN)
• Szunyog: Refrain from actions that could lead to confrontation (Koha)
• OSCE Mission in Kosovo condemns violence in Mitrovica North (media)
• Krasniqi: Association in line with Constitution; U.S. call to be heeded (media)
• Head of Mitrovica North-based NGO talks about assault (Koha)
• “It is difficult to explain why Ukraine does not recognize Kosovo” (Koha)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 17, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Dialogue with Serbia has never been more transparent (Klan)
• New Serbian List MPs sworn in today (Koha)
• Krasniqi meets Escobar: Alignment, coordination with U.S. has no alternative (media)
• Rohde: Urgent need for solution to avoid escalation; more internal dialogue (Express)
• Osmani: Dialogue should be centred on mutual recognition (RTK)
• Italian Foreign and Defence Ministers to visit Kosovo and Serbia next week (Klan)
• Svecla: Government ready to shelter up to 5,000 Ukrainian refugees (media)
• Abdixhiku: Bondsteel should be a permanent military base (Kosovapress)
• Haziri: U.S. first signs of reevaluating relations with Kosovo govt officials (Telegrafi)
• AJK reacts to the attack on the journalist in the north (Telegrafi)

Serbian Language Media:

• Members of the SL verified their mandates: Kurti’s plan prevented (media)
• Serbian Assembly Committee for KiM: The security situation in Kosovo unstable and tense (KoSSev)
• EULEX chief says his officers can’t replace Kosovo Police (N1, KoSSev)
• In North Mitrovica, two Albanians were injured, one of them a journalist (KoSSev, N1, Danas, KiM radio)
• Serbia, Hungary, Austria reach agreement on readmission (N1)
• Licence plates and diplomacy behind closed doors: What’s on the table in an attempt to avoid a “dangerous situation” (euronews.rs)
• Vucic: Serbia grateful to Angola for principled stance on Kosovo-Metohija (Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Verifying the mandate of the SL does not mean their return to parliament (RTS)
• The signing of contracts with Serbs who left the institutions in Kosovo and Metohija has begun (RTS)

International:

• Guessing Games over Franco-German ‘Compass’ for Kosovo Conundrum (BIRN)
• Media Freedom in Kosovo ‘Undermined by Political Pressure’ (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, November 17, 2022

• Time for Kurti-led government to “listen to the allies” (Radio Free Europe)
• EULEX: As of Wednesday, we’re also patrolling on foot in north (Front Online)
• Osmani in Vienna: Austria, strategic partner of Kosovo (media)
• Stano: No new proposals for solving crisis in north of Kosovo (media)
• Sarrazin: There is no French-German plan, published parts not correct (RTK)
• Kosovo Serbs Report Arson Attacks Amid Licence Plates Dispute (BIRN)
• Czech proposal for visa liberalisation for Kosovo has stalled (media)
• Concerns over the freedom of media in Kosovo (Voice of America)
• SLAPP Lawsuits Want to ‘Silence’ Crticism; Solution Required for WB (BIRN)
• Kosovo participating in COP27 Conference for the first time (media)
• Was the "Valley Association" discussed in Brussels? (Albanian Post)