UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 21, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Budget for municipalities this year is 40% higher than 3 years ago (RTK)
• Konjufca: The U.S. sees Kosovo from a much higher level (RTK)
• Central Bank Governor meets with Austrian Ambassador Schnetzer (media)
• Krasniqi: Allegations that process for electing new mayors in north is dragging on, unfair (Kallxo)
• Ajeti reports to Committee that supervises the KIA (RTK)
• Maqedonci visits Finland, security of Kosovo also discussed (RTK)
• Kurti denies accusations of unequal treatment of municipalities (Kallxo)
• Trial against Milan Jovanovic, accused of war crimes in Kosovo, begins (Koha)
• Ambassadors go to Prime Minister Kurti's office (Reporteri)

Serbian Language Media:

• Nenezic: Dinar is just an excuse to open issue of remaining Serbian institutions in Kosovo (KoSSev)
• Serbian NGOs from Kosovo: Systematic and orchestrated attacks by GoK officials on the civil sector (Beta, NMagazin, KoSSev, KiM radio )
• Less and less dinars in Kosovo (Radio KIM)
• Education staff express protest in Mitrovica North, say they cannot withdraw salaries because of CBK decision (Kosovo Online)
• Djuric: We have exposed Kurti's disinformation systematically (Tanjug)
• Drecun: Kurti is putting obstacles in dialogue with Belgrade with unilateral moves (RTV)
• Dacic: SPS supports establishment of movement (Tanjug)
• Vucic receives new head of CoE office in Belgrade (Tanjug)
• Swiss daily: Fewer and fewer Serbs in Kosovo - and in Serbia as well (DW)

International:

• Ethnocentric Yugoslav War Commemorations Taint the Future, Experts Warn (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti meets Turkish ambassador, discuss cooperation (RTK)
• Stano: We do not comment on everything someone in Kosovo says (Express)
• KFOR Commander: Attacks in Banjska and against KFOR, unacceptable (Dukagjini)
• Gervalla in Salzburg talks about Kosovo and security situation (media)
• CBK: Money withdrawal and deposit, according to new Regulation; no additional restriction for the dinar (Reporteri)
• Macron's congratulations on independence "with Association inside", and "decisive" deadline (Nacionale)
• Osmani and Konjfuca, "reserved" on dinar issue, appear more worried after U.S. blow (Nacionale)
• Haradinaj: There should not be disagreements with partners on security matters (Koha)
• Osmani: Kosovo, center of innovative ideas (RTK)
• Sandulovic: Borrell and Lajcak should understand Vucic is working against EU and NATO (media)
• Kosovar NGOs pay homage to Russian opposition leader Navalny (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: Consultations on the new Government to start from Monday (RTS)
• Stano dismisses the claims that Borrell postponed the trip to Belgrade and Pristina: Absolute nonsense (Tanjug, RTS, media)
• Telecommunication interference removed, normalized freight traffic on Jarinje (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic, Michel discuss Serbia-EU relations, situation in Kosovo (Tanjug, RTS, Danas)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: Russia supports the return of the Kosovo issue to the UN Security Council (N1, media)
• CBK says that there are no restrictions on the withdrawal of dinars, but not whether there are enough dinars for payments (Kosovo Online)
• Lawyer Arsic: A request submitted to the Constitutional Court for a review of the constitutionality of the CBK decision regarding the dinar (Kosovo Online)
International Media:

• Economist Democracy Index for 2023: Montenegro advances, Albania declines (EWB)
• Röpke: Inclusion of CSOs from candidate countries in the EESC an important step in gradual EU integration (EWB)
• Kosovo Press Council Updates Code of Ethics to Combat AI Risks (Prishtina Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

• Konjufca: O’Brien’s statement is concerning (media)
• Sarrazin: Window not closed yet; Kosovo, Serbia to implement Ohrid deal (DW)
• Gervalla says she never asked for Rohde’s removal: Untrue and absurd (media)
• ESI background paper: Invented pogroms (media)
• Gervalla meets German Vice Chancellor (media)
• Sources: Agreement near between LDK and AAK in Pristina (Indeksonline)
• Hoti: Unprecedented deterioration of budget structure in last 3 years (media)
• Tahiri: North without state sovereignty and with increased protectorate (media)
• Rohde: Delighted that Foda takes charge of Kosovo national team (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• A team of lawyers submitted a request for an assessment of the constitutionality of the CBK Regulation, requesting a suspension until the court's decision (KoSSev)
• Communities in Serbian areas could not receive social assistance and child allowances today because of CBK decision (Kosovo Online)
• Janjic: Kurti completely ignores reality in Kosovo (Euronews in Serbian, media)
• Analysts on Osmani’s statements, Kurti’s goal not to establish ZSO (Kosovo Online)
• My word worth more than someone else's firm promise - Vucic tells TASS (Tanjug)
• Vucic speaks by phone with Kazakhstan's Tokayev (Tanjug)
• Rada Trajkovic says her income blocked by executors (KiM radio, Danas)
• ''Borrell was supposed to visit Kosovo on February 26, the trip was postponed after the talks in Munich'' (Kosovo Online)

International:

• Transparency Questions over ‘Secret’ Kosovo Lobbying Contract (BIRN)
• Minority Serbs protest Kosovo’s decision to abolish the Serbian dinar currency (Independent)

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani: Cooperation with allies never leads Kosovo on wrong path (media)
Osmani: Friendship with USA, deep-rooted testament (media)
Stano: A new round of high-level dialogue is not on horizon (Koha)
Government accuses again Serb NGOs in north of pushing Belgrade’s agendas (Koha)
Austria continues to support Kosovo towards European integration (RTK)
OSCE talks about dinar issue with Kosovo Serbs’ representatives, including Lista Srpska (Express)
Gervalla asked Germany to remove Ambassador Jorn Rohde from Kosovo (Albanian Post)
Haziri: EU and U.S. mobilized to close agreement within 45 days (teve1)
Kamberi: Internationalization of the Valley issue requires coordination (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

Dacic: Pristina's application for CoE membership unacceptable (Tanjug)
Serbian List calls on international community to protect Serbs in Kosovo (N1, BETA, media)
Serbian Democracy meets Davenport, demands prevention of repression (Radio kontakt plus)
Zeqiri: We will soon be moved to Zubin Potok municipal building (Kosovo Online)
Where did the issue of ousting mayors in northern Kosovo get stuck; who benefits from delay? (Kosovo Online)
Stano: No announcements to make at this stage about Belgrade-Pristina dialogue meeting (Tanjug, media)
Wang: China to continue supporting Serbia in safeguarding its sovereignty (media)
Valuable donation of Raska-Prizren Diocese to Clinical Hospital Centre (CHC) in Mitrovica North (Radio KIM)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 19, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: Honored friends, allies joined us to celebrate independence day (media)
• Kurti: We are partners with USA, but it does not mean that we always agree (Koha)
• Sarrazin: Kosovo and Serbia must advance implementation of Ohrid agreement (DW)
• Gervalla briefs German MPs about “substantial changes” in north (media)
• Gervalla and Turkish FM discuss increasing security capacities (Koha)
• Gervalla meets foreign ministers of Croatia, Portugal and Liechtenstein, security a priority (media)
• Rucker: Decision on the dinar, hasty (media)
• Abbott: Kosovo, a special country that deserves to be successful (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Veljkovic: Belgrade left us in the lurch, and Pristina is harassing us (KiM radio, Media Center Caglavica)
• Radakovic: Verification of signatures to oust mayors could have been completed in a day (Kosovo Online)
• Nestorovic: Process of removing mayors deliberately stalling (Kosovo Online)
• Vucevic: We work every day to make our Army stronger, it is the guarantor of peace in Kosovo (Kosovo Online, RTS)
• Zeman: By recognizing Kosovo West created dangerous precedent (RTS)

Albanian Language Media:
• Osmani: Government and allies to meet and agree on the Dinar (media)
• Blinken congratulates Kosovo on independence day (media)
• Shaheen: Radoicic must be arrested for Banjska (media)
• Svecla: All suspects for Banjska attack are in Interpol’s system (media)
• Kurti meets Borrell, calls for removal of “unfair measures” (media)
• Kurti meets Munsch, highlights need for accountability for Banjska attack (media)
• Maqedonci: Massive deployment of Serbian brigades on Kosovo border (media)
• Rafuna: Govt to coordinate with U.S. to have economic sustainability (KSP)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic on Banjska: Interpol warrant issued at the request of “independent Kosovo”; our authorities are investigating (KoSSev, TV Prva)
• US senator called for arrest of Milan Radoicic after meetings with Vucic and Kurti (KoSSev, N1)
• Vucic: I expect an invitation to Brussels, I hope for some solution (KiM radio, RTS)
• Dacic: Kosovo celebrating the anniversary of destruction international legal order (N1)
• Djuric: Kurti leads a hybrid conflict against the Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online, Kurir)
• Rada Trajkovic: This Kosovo is not what the international community hoped for (KiM radio)
• Gerxhaliu: Uncertainty is driving people away from Kosovo; it's not just the poor who are leaving (Kosovo Online)
• KFOR denied Index Online about the presence of the Serbian army in the Podujevo region (KiM radio, KoSSev)
International Media:

• US peacekeepers ready to prevent violence in north Kosovo, commander says (Reuters)

Albanian Language Media:

• Biden congratulates Osmani on Kosovo independence day (media)
• Krasniqi meets Hovenier, “crucial to safeguard partnership with U.S.” (media)
• Ismaili meets Guerot, briefs on new cash payment operations regulation (media)
• Quint, EU ambassadors meet representatives of Kosovo Serb community (media)
• Joint meeting with Kurti and Vucic not on Borrell’s agenda (RFE)
• Ahmeti: Kosovo got here through cooperation with international community (KSP)
• Montenegro Deputy PM Gjeloshaj to visit Kosovo (media)
• VV MPs want IMC board dismissed, because of return of “Arena Sport” (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Quint ambassadors and head of EU delegation in Kosovo with representatives of Serbs (KiM radio)
• Borrell announced separate meetings with Kurti and Vucic in Munich (Beta, Danas)
• Vucic in Munich with Cameron and Hahn (RTS)
• Vucevic: Kurti creating impossible conditions for survival of Kosovo Serbs (Tanjug, TV Prva)
• 23 years since bomb attack against Nis-Express bus in Livadice, memorial service held in Laplje Selo (KoSSev, media)
• Office for KiM: Devastating that the Livadice crime is a closed case (RTS, media)
• Serbian List: We demand those responsible for crimes against Serbs be urgently found and punished (Kosovo Online)
• Abolition of dinar directly affects salaries, pensions, and social assistance for about 95,000 people (DW, Danas, KoSSev)
• Derikravic continues hunger strike, his representative says his condition deteriorates (KoSSev, Radio KIM)
• Sentic visits Visoki Decani Monastery, says Constitutional Court decision on monastery’s land to be implemented without delay (KoSSev, media)

Opinion:

• Weller: Serbia’s great challenge to Kosovo (Koha)

Albanian Language Media:

Blinken on Kosovo-Serbia relations: Dialogue, the only right path (media)
Blinken asks Serbia to adhere to its commitments, reach normalization agreement with Kosovo through dialogue (media)
Hovenier: CBK regulation has affected partnership between two governments (media)
Kurti travels to Munich to participate in Security Conference (media)
Von Cramon calls Bislimi's statements against Serbian NGOs as false and dangerous (Albanian Post)
Rama criticizes Kosovo: Uncoordinated actions may gain a few votes, but not the future (media)
Abdixhiku: Kosovo has become hostage to populist madness (Koha)
Krasniqi to Kurti: You do not have legitimacy to destroy relations with USA (Albanian Post)
Hoti: Failed politicians threaten democratic world by escalating situation (Koha)
Haradinaj criticizes Kurti: His behavior and actions are wrong (RTK)
Issuance of Japanese visas in Pristina begins (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

Blinken: Dialogue the only way forward for Belgrade and Pristina (KoSSev, media)
Hovenier: It is simply not true that current situation has not affected relations between Kosovo and US (KoSSev, Kosovo Online)
Von Cramon says statements of Kosovo authorities dangerous, put targets on NGOs (KoSSev, media, social media)
Vucic: Loud silence following statement from Albania is uncomfortable (media)
Dacic: Serbia struggling to maintain freedom (N1)
Concrete blocks placed around police station in Leposavic (Kosovo Online)

International Media:

​On Recent Developments in Kosovo (U.S. Mission to the OSCE)
Staff Shortage Keeps Children’s Trauma Ward in Kosovo Empty (Balkan Insight)
Kosovo Court Sentences Arsonist of Journalist’s House to Four Years (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kusari-Lila: Dinar has not been banned, it can be used like any other currency (RTK)
• Minister Gervalla leaves for Munich to participate in the Security Conference (media)
• Kryeziu-Hyseni: Focus of the reporting has been on Banjska issue (RTK)
• NCU says Bislimi’s labeling, against spirit of dialogue and European values (Koha)
• The American Chamber of Commerce proposes three alternatives for solving dinar issue (Koha)
• Georg Schnetzer: Kosovo remains a priority of Austria's foreign policy (RTK)
• 55 NGOs request dismissal of Balje and Deme-Murtezi from Human Rights Committee (media)
• Kamberi accuses Lajcak of double standards (Koha)
• The EESC accepts 9 candidate countries, Kosovo not included (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

• Brnabic: Only strong Serbia can solve issues of national interest (Tanjug)
• Dacic meets Botsan-Kharchenko (Tanjug)
• Selimi and Thaci gave confidential information about witnesses to visitors in Hague custody (KiM radio, Beta, NMagazin, Danas)
• Joseph: Kurti scored “an own goal”, continues uncoordinated actions which damage Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Reactions to Bislimi’s statement on Serbian NGOs and Brussels meetings continue (social media, media)
• Rama: Every attack on Kosovo is an attack on Albania, but we should also think about the importance of allies every day (KoSSev)
• Kosovo police stopped and beat up Serb in northern Kosovo, claims he obstructed officers (RTS)
• Presentation of the defense in the Ivanovic case only after the Prosecution submits documents in the Serbian language (KiM radio, Radio Mitrovica sever)

International:

• US secretary of state visits Albania, a key regional ally seeking European Union membership (AP)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Kosovo has no ally and friend that is more important than the U.S. (Koha)
• U.S. determined for Serbian Dinar issue to be resolved diplomatically (media)
• Murati: Tomorrow all Kosova-Serb pensioners will receive their pension as they do every 15th of each month (media)
• Murati: We consult and coordinate with our allies (RFE)
• Bislimi: 25 billion dinars entered Kosovo, one part goes to Bridge Watchers or Northern Brigade (KTV)
• NATO SG: Dialogue is way forward; parties to refrain from inciting rhetoric (media)
• Rama: Don’t want to lecture Kurti on Dinar; allies need to understand Kosovo (ATV)
• Bislimi implies Lajcak is not fair and neutral to parties in normalization process (media)
• Lajcak meets O’Brien, “grateful for strong U.S. support” (media)
• Kosovo Police stop two suspects for disseminating leaflets for resistance (Telegrafi)
• Kurti meets Ruecker and Sejdiu, highly appreciates Germany’s contribution (media)
• Torres: We must continue to support Kosovo’s progress, strengthen partnership (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Radosavljevic on Bislimi’s cricitisms: The fact that we had to go to Brussels an indication that the PR government doesn’t accept Serbs as a political factor (KoSSev)
• Vucic: Pristina lied to its Western partners; we will find a way to help the Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online, RTS)
• Dacic thanked the Egyptian ambassador for the understanding on the Kosovo issue (Blic, media)
• Grenell: Bislimi now attacks Lajcak as well - Kurti and Osmani alienating all sides (Kosovo Online)
• Ymeri: O'Brien's message one of the most serious for Kosovo; the issue of the dinar connected to the C/ASM (Kosovo Online)
• In connection with leaflets two Serbs detained in Mitrovica, another person identified, searches conducted (KoSSev)
• Telekom's signal again available in the north of Kosovo (Tanjug, RTS)
• Serbia’s National Bank condemns halting of dinar shipment bound for Kosovo (N1)

International Media:
• Inside Secretary Blinken’s Agenda in Albania: A Comprehensive Overview (thepavlovictoday.com)