UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 16, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Serbian judge orders detention for three Kosovo police officers (media)
• Kurti: Terrorism charges against three police officers seem to have been dropped (RFE)
• Kurti meets U.S. Permanent Representative to OSCE, Carpenter (media)
• Kurti is attending Prespa Dialogue Forum, meets BDI leader Ahmeti (media)
• UK statement on latest developments in the north of Kosovo (media)
• Rama: KFOR will submit file to NATO; there won’t be public conclusions (Gazeta Metro)
• Tahiri: Kurti, internationals to engage so that police officers return today (Kosovapress)
• Serbian lawyer: No legal basis to keep police officers in detention (Gazeta Express)
• Lajcak: We need to overcome legacy of the past and seek dialogue (media)
• Media Commission gives Klan Kosova 30-day period to complete business data (media)
• Reactions to suspension of Klan Kosova business certificate (media)
• Begaj: Kosovo an irreversible reality; leaders to sit at table of talks (Telegrafi)
• Montenegro’s Abazovic offers to host new round of Pristina-Belgrade dialogue (media)
• Trucks with Serbian goods not allowed to enter Kosovo today (RFE)
• Protesters tried to enter Leposavic municipal building; Police: Situation calm (media)
• Masked persons in Zvecan throw stones at police vehicle, no injuries (media)
• Edward P. Joseph interview with The Geopost (media)
• Haxhiu: We won’t stop fighting domestic violence, violence against women (Reporteri)

Serbian Language Media:

• Kosovo Minister of Administration entered Leposavic municipality, Serbs protest (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic: Kurti wants new crises, I informed Lajcak about latest provocations in Leposavic (Kosovo Online)
• CI 'Serbian Survival' message to the international community and KFOR (KiM radio)
• Dacic: Kurti likes constant aggravation of situation, and we like peace (Tanjug)
• Serbian Chamber of Commerce: We did not receive official notification on ban to Serbian goods from entering Kosovo (RTS, Kosovo Online)
• Kosovo special police searched vehicles in Gracanica (Tanjug, Radio KIM)
• UNS and DNKiM: Suspension of Klan Kosova television, act of censorship and threat to media freedom (medijacentar.info)
• Reporting from northern Kosovo has never been harder (medijacentar.info, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Jarinje: Kosovo police prohibited vehicle of Post Office of Serbia to enter Kosovo (media)
• Walk of support for the arrested Milun, Dusan and Rados in North Mitrovica (Kosovo Online)
• Kosovo police officers arrested in Raska sent to detention, investigation launched (RTS)

Opinion:

• Weller: Are the Brussels Negotiations on Kosovo Nearing Collapse? (Prishtina Insight)
• Kosovo Serbs stuck between Pristina and Belgrade “Trials” (KoSSev)

International:

• North of Kosovo: An extremely dangerous stalemate (DW)

Albanian Language Media:
Kurti says KFOR had a mandate to prevent the incident (media)
U.S. State Department calls for unconditional release of police officers (media)
"We were not in the area", KFOR refers to "arrest" of police officers (media)
Jetish Jashari not allowed to visit the three police officers (Klan)
Blasts near police stations in Mitrovica North and Zvecan, no injuries (RFE)
Government brings details about Kurti’s meet with ambassadors (Reporteri)
Borrell to organize crisis meeting between Kosovo and Serbia next week (media)
Lajcak: We don’t want another Ukraine (media)
Von Cramon: Entry of Serbian forces into Kosovo, illegal (media)
Rohde: I would like to see a government that listens to the allies (Koha)
Escobar to hold press conference today on events in Kosovo and Serbia (media)
Kurti expected to attend Prespa Dialogue Forum today (Gazeta Express/Alsat)
Kosovo media show solidarity with Klan Kosova, place logo on screens (Klan)
RTK vehicle attacked in Zvecan (media)
Study by Marc Weller: What went wrong in the Brussels dialogue (Koha)
Serbian Language Media:
KFOR sends team to area where Kosovo Police troopers were arrested (N1)
Vucic thanks UAE president for engagement (N1, Tanjug)
State Dept spokesman says release Kosovo Police officers (N1)
Borrell to call Kosovo crisis-management meeting (media)
Lajcak: Both Serbia and Kosovo say - let the other side work, it doesn't work that way (Beta, N1)
Serbian army was not involved in arrest of Pristina's police officers – MoD (Tanjug)
International Media:
Kurti Says Kosovo Tightened Border Controls After Three Kosovar Police 'Kidnapped' (RFE)
Kosovo tightens controls on its border with Serbia, PM Kurti says (Reuters)
US: Kosovo, Serbia must both take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions (Reuters)
Kosovo tightens border security over claims police were 'kidnapped' (euronews)
Kosovo Tightens Border Security With Serbia Amid Incursion Row (Bloomberg)
Rama: KFOR won’t come up with conclusions, our focus is on release (euronews.al)
‘More oil on the fire’: Serbia-Kosovo heats up again (Politico)
Unrest threatens Kosovo Serbs’ ‘Last Bastion’ (Politico)
Texas guard unit’s training time in Germany prepares them for what may come in Kosovo (stripes.com)
Kosovo Crisis May Affect German Investments, Economic Chamber Warns (BIRN)
US and EU need a new roadmap to solve the Serbia-Kosovo conflict (emerging Europe)
Exhibition in Kosovo Showcases Wartime Civilian Invalids’ Pain (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: We are surprised by the tolerance and silence of internationals (media)
• Kurti’s advisor to EU, Germany, France, U.S.: Do we even have an agreement? (media)
• Opposition calls on Kurti to report to the Assembly today (Kallxo)
• Reactions to criminal complaint and suspension of business certificate of Klan Kosova
• Hoti: Government creating situations that increase importance of 1244 (Albanian Post)
• Haradinaj meets Rohde: Created situation is a shared concern (Kosovapress)
• Trucks with Serbian goods are not being allowed to enter Kosovo (Koha)
• Podujeva mayor confirms three Kosovars released from detention in Serbia (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Serbs continue protesting in Zvecan, demand release of arrested compatriots (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic: Situation in Kosovo very difficult, I hope EU and US will bring Kurti to reason (Tanjug)
• Guarantees that Belgrade received that Serbs who were at barricades will not be arrested (RTS)
• Milenkovic: Serbian List losing its authority, Serbs in Kosovo do not trust anyone (N1)
• Vucic: I asked Quint representatives to prevent Kurti from causing new war in Balkans (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Djuric: Urgent action needed to prevent tragedy in Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Musar: We don't want conflicts in the Western Balkans, Kosovo should do its part (Beta, NMagazin)
• Escobar tomorrow on events in Serbia and Kosovo (Kosovo Online)

Opinion:

• Kelmendi: We will not allow them! They will not make it! (Klan Kosova)

International:

• Fraternal Discord: Rama’s Cancellation of Meeting With Kurti Strains Kosovo-Albania Ties (BIRN)
• Kosovo Govt Condemned for Suspending Broadcaster’s Business Certificate (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• IOM: Language rights should be promoted and respected (RTK2, KiM radio)

Albanian Language Media:
Kosovo Police press conference on incident involving three police officers (media)
Kosovo leaders react to incident involving three police officers (media)
EU: We are in contact with both sides to understand what happened (Koha)
KFOR: In contact with Serbia about the three police officers (media)
Security Council of Kosovo to meet today (media)
Svecla: We don’t know where officers are, we’re coordinating with intls (Koha)
Svecla: Serbian goods cannot enter Kosovo (media)
Gervalla: Vucic will fuel destabilization further if not stopped by NATO (media)
Kearns: Very serious escalation, if Serbian forces entered Kosovo illegally (Klan)
Rama: We are not silent, waiting for KFOR reaction (media)
Begaj: Kidnapping of police officers a serious act of provocation (media)
Borrell: Severe consequences if Kurti doesn't de-escalate situation (Reporteri)
U.S. ambassador to NATO requests restart of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (media)
Kurti-led government revokes Klan Kosova license (media)
Serbian Language Media:
Vucic: I am afraid that we have crossed the Rubicon, Kurti wants to provoke a war at any cost (RTS)
Vucic again today to meet Giaufret and representatives of Quint (media)
Pristina bans goods from Serbia, entry to vehicles with Serbian license plates (media)
Momirovic: Pristina's decision to stop the flow of goods contrary to all European principles (KiM Radio)
Stano on KP officers' arrest: EU in communication with both sides, we are trying to understand what exactly happened (Blic)
Petkovic: “Kurti's special forces were in the territory of central Serbia; our police did not cross the administrative line even a millimeter” (Radio Mitrovica sever)
Brkic: Kosovo special forces under full war gear, with automatic rifles entered the territory of central Serbia (Blic, Kosovo Online, N1)
Ristuccia spoke with Vucic and Mojsilovic: KFOR ready to face any scenario (KiM radio)
SafeJournalists: Safety of journalists in Kosovo still threatened (KoSSev, safejournalists.net)
Basic Court in Pristina: Milenkovic charged with "committing a terrorist act" in December 2022 (KiM radio)
International Media:
Kosovo says 3 border police officers 'kidnapped' by Serbia; Belgrade says they crossed illegally (AP)
Serbian arrest of three Kosovo police officers triggers new row (Reuters)
Kosovo, Serbia, Trade Conflicting Accounts Over ‘Kidnapped’ Police Officers (BIRN)
Serbia and Kosovo exchange barbs after policemen arrested in border area (euronews)
Kosovo Says Serbia 'Kidnaps' Three Police Officers In Volatile North (RFE)
EU to get tougher on Kosovo as tensions flare (Politico)
EU Announces Measures Against Kosovo Over Unrest in North (BIRN)
EU hits Kosovo with sanctions after Serb tensions flare up again (Financial Times)
EU Takes Rare Steps Against Kosovo for Failure to Lower Tension (Bloomberg)
Kosovo’s President Urges EU to Deliver a Credible EU Roadmap for Western Balkan’s Future (Schengen Visa)
Muslim-majority Kosovo wants ‘strategic partnership’ with Israel — former PM (Times of Israel)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 14, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani on crisis in north: A challenge we will overcome, we are close (media)
• Stano: EU did not sanction Kosovo, it imposed restrictive measures (media)
• Smith: Kosovo to withdraw police from municipal buildings in north (Koha)
• Police: Border officers believed to have been kidnapped inside Kosovo territory (media)
• Svecla: Serbia kidnapped three Kosovo police officers inside Kosovo territory (media)
• Citaku: Kosovo’s future cannot be jeopardised over a fistful of votes (media)
• Hoti: Kosovo needs normality in politics, economy, and foreign relations (media)
• Haradinaj: Kosovo will safeguard and strengthen partnership with NATO, U.S. (media)
• Vllasi advises Kurti: Not the time “to show our teeth” to Americans (Indeksonline)
• Another Kosovo Police vehicle demolished in the north (Kallxo)
• Bulliqi on arrests of Kosovars: We suspect vengeful act about situation in north (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

• Serbs continue protests in Zvecan and Leposavic (Kosovo Online, media)
• Lawyer Vlajic: Arrest of Milenkovic yesterday was extremely brutal (Tanjug)
• Protest walk in support of Milun Milenkovic organised in Mitrovica North today (RTS, Kosovo Online)
• Vucic on meeting with KFOR Commander: Correct talks (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Vucic: I decided not to say a word about the meeting with Quint, it's better that way (media)
• Lazarevic: Risky police action in Mitrovica, great dissatisfaction of Serbs (N1)
• "Ensure a safe working environment for journalists" (KiM radio)
• Serbian police arrested three armed Kosovo special police officers (Novosti, Kosovo Online)
• Freedom and Justice Party demands withdrawal of special police from north, release of arrested Serbs (N1, BETA)
• American senator: Kurti placed NATO troops in danger, it will not bring good to Kosovo (FoNet, N1, Kosovo Online)
• Office for KiM: Kosovo police mistreated medical workers from Strpce (Kosovo Online)
• Milivojevic: We are on the verge of a complete escalation, there is no adequate reaction (RTS, Blic)
• EULEX mandate extended, Barbano new Head of Mission (Beta, N1)
• Drecun: Groundwork for arrest of Kosovo Serb laid days beforehand (Tanjug)
• Police didn’t allow Arsenijevic and Sadiku to place flags of communities in Kosovo Government yard (KoSSev, Radio KIM)

International:

• Kosovo could face imminent Western sanctions (Euractiv)

Albanian Language Media:

• EU is preparing a package of sanctions against Kosovo (RFE)
• EU on Kurti’s plan: We haven’t seen decisive steps towards de-escalation (media)
• U.S. calls again on parties to reduce tensions in the north of Kosovo (Koha)
• Geoana: NATO and the EU are making efforts for de-escalation (Koha)
• UK: First steps should be taken to de-escalate the situation (media)
• Lajcak's report, Osmani closer to EU requirements (Top Channel, Koha)
• Albania-Kosovo meeting cancelled! Rama: I asked Kurti for bilateral meet (media)
• Kosovo govt reacts: First time a joint meeting is canceled unilaterally (media)
• AAK to Kurti: Urgently work with allies, Kosovo is in a difficult situation (Klan)
• Krasniqi reacts to not holding the meeting of governments: Alarming! (media)
• Osmani: Membership in the Council of Europe, an important step (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Peaceful night in the north of Kosovo; Vucic today with the representatives of the Quint countries (Danas)
• Vucic discussed situation in Kosovo with US senators (Tanjug)
• Brnabic: Kurti causing fresh escalation to avoid commitments (Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Situation in north of Kosovo toughest to date (Tanjug, media)
• Decani: The situation on the verge of a serious escalation, we pray to prevent deaths (KoSSev, Twitter)
• SNF: The Serbian List has lost credibility to represent Serbs from Kosovo (KoSSev)
• Serbian List leader Rakic assaulted by Kosovo Serb protesters (N1, nova.rs)
• RFE: Borrell cabinet to impose sanctions on Pristina (N1)
• Lajcak briefs North Atlantic Council on developments in Kosovo (N1)

International Media:

• Kosovo PM presents plan to defuse tensions in Serb-majority area (Reuters)
• The United States Is Creating a Kosovo Crisis (Financial Times)
• Kosovo proposes 5-point plan to defuse tensions with Serbia (Euractiv)
• Arrest in Northern Kosovo Tests De-Escalation Efforts (BIRN)
• Witnesses Accuse Serbian Ex-Police Officer of Abuse and Murder (BIRN)
• Kosovo PM Presents Plan to Defuse Tensions in Serb-Majority Area (VoA)
• Kosovo: Why is tension flaring up again? (DW)
• Plan To Defuse Tensions In Northern Kosovo Presented As Arrest Made In Clash With Peacekeepers (RFE)
• 3 Kosovo police officers injured during arrest of alleged organizer of Serb protests (AP)
• US Senator: Kosovo to establish Association and hold elections in north (euronews.al)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 13, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti presents five-point plan for “full de-escalation” (media)
• Svecla: One of organisers of attacks against KFOR is arrested (media)
• Hundreds of Serbs gather in Mitrovica North, many of them wearing masks (Nacionale)
• Haxhiu: Every criminal must be identified, prosecuted, and adjudicated (Klan)
• Sanctions could start today; “if he doesn’t reflect, Kurti must be isolated” (AP)
• Osmani to address European Parliament on Wednesday (media)
• Congressman Self: Nothing is new about disputes in the North Kosovo region (media)
• German Embassy: We didn’t boycott state reception for Liberation Day (RFE)
• Ahmeti: CoE membership strengthens vital pillars of democracy in Kosovo (KSP)
• Paint thrown at Kosovo minister’s car in Leposavic (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Serb arrested in Mitrovica North, sirens went off (RTS, Kosovo Online, social media)
• Protests in northern Kosovo continue (KoSSev)
• Milovic: Serbs are citizens of their municipality, on their own land, not terrorists (Kosovo Online)
• Pristina minister briefly visited Leposavic municipal building (RTS, KoSSev)
• Place where fiercest conflicts in Zvecan took place turned into a promenade (RFE)
• Singer displays an Albanian flag in the north: “Everything Albanian is ours, thanks to Albin Kurti…“ (KoSSev, Radio kontakt plus, Kosovo Online, social media)
• Milivojevic terms Kurti’s plan for north an attempt to avoid Quint sanctions, shift blame on Belgrade (Kosovo Online)

International:

• What Kosovo PM represents to BiH: Some Interests cannot be bought by Lobbying (Sarajevo Times)
• The reasons to stay (Kosovo 2.0)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Kurti: Kosovo most democratic in WB; number of women in institutions must increase (EO)

Albanian Language Media:
Kosovo leaders thank NATO for military intervention in 1999 (media)
U.S. and UK remember 12 June 1999 (media)
Osmani: Arrest of criminal groups, necessary for non-repetition of actions (Koha)
Rama: Kurti, Vucic to decide for themselves, but region is not only theirs (media)
Palokaj: Suspension of visa liberalisation not an option (KTV)
Osmani talks with Milanovic, thanks Croatia for continued support (media)
Abazovic: I don't like Kurti's disagreement with internationals (media)
Belgium to open its embassy in Pristina (media)
Serbian Language Media:
Vucic says talks with Serbs from Kosovo difficult, concerned over situation (RTS, Tanjug)
Brnabic: Situation in Kosovo to be main topic of House of Lords dinner (Tanjug)
Quint ambassadors did not attend ceremony organized by Osmani and Kurti (Kosovo Online, N1)
International Media:
The Pursuit of ‘Stabilocracy’ in Kosovo has Failed (BIRN)
Kosovo: Decades-long search for missing persons continues (Al Jazeera)
Voices from Prishtina Pride (Kosovo 2.0)

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: Forever grateful to friends for helping us make independence a reality (EO)
• Kurti: NATO intervention stopped Serbia’s genocide, forever grateful (Indeksonline)
• Krasniqi: Past should serve to strengthen ties with strategic partners (Reporteri)
• Haradinaj: Forever grateful to KLA and NATO led by U.S. (Lajmi)
• Escobar reported – U.S. does not intend to overthrow Kurti; penalties for irresponsible parties are being considered (Albanian Post)
• Rama: Without strategic allies, there would be no Republic of Kosovo (media)
• Serwer on Rama’s draft: An unnecessary complication (media)
• Kastrati: Kosovo should have national strategy for the north (KTV)
• “Border redefinition best solution, not radical or dangerous as autonomy” (Nacionale)
• Serb politician says interviewed by BIA for supporting Kosovo (Nacionale/Sinjali)

Serbian Language Media:

• Peaceful protests in northern Kosovo continue (Kosovo Online)
• Serb political representatives from Kosovo meet Vucic, inform him of difficult situation they face (Kosovo Online, media)
• Petkovic: Resolution 1244 should be basis for Kurti’s political actions (Radio KIM)
• Radosavljevic: The crisis in the north is the culmination of unilateral moves from Pristina (KiM radio)
• ''The placing of the flags of constitutionally recognized communities in front of the Government of Kosovo'', Arsenijevic announced (KiM radio, Danas)
• Serb from Pomoravlje arrested last Thursday for alleged war crime released (Radio KIM, KoSSev)
• Le Figaro: Macron and Scholz discussed how to join the Western Balkans and Ukraine to the EU (Beta, KiM radio)
• Petkovic: “Kurti's extremist policy stoking attacks against Serbs” (Tanjug)

Albanian Language Media:
Kurti says removing ‘criminal gangs’ resolves tensions in north Kosovo (media)
Escobar on Kurti: Sometimes he’s a difficult partner, but he’s a partner (RFE)
Rama’s draft statute for association, Kosovo government reacts (media)
Konjufca on Rama’s draft statute: Unilateral action (media)
Lajcak: We hoped for more, tensions remain high (media)
Leaders pay homage at Rugova’s grave on Day of Liberation (Klan Kosova)
A few Serbs protested in Zvecan, while in Zubin Potok, none (Klan)
Milatovic: First elections in north, then the Association (Reporteri)
Police confiscate cryptocurrency production equipment in Zubin Potok (media)
Presevo Valley Albanians to raise their concerns at European Parliament (media)
Serbian Language Media:
Elections in northern Kosovo only half-solution, Kurti took over role of a judge (KoSSev)
Lajcak on outcomes of Pristina and Belgrade visits, says tensions still high (Kosovo Online)
Jevtic responds to Kurti’s chief of cabinet about Serbs “being the most protected ethnic group” (social media, media)
Prosecution in Vranje refutes allegations that cultural house director in Bujanovac was arrested (Radio KIM)

International Media:
Pride Parade Shines Under Rainbow Flags in Prishtina (Prishtina Insight)
For Some, Kosovo’s NATO Anniversary Stirs Mixed Emotions (BIRN)
US-Kosovo Diplomatic Spat Casts Shadow on Bilateral Relations (VoA)
Bitter at US Snub, Kosovo Leader Signals Hard Line Amid Flareup (Bloomberg)
The West has lost the plot in the Balkans (Aljazeera)
'Monotony And Tension': Life's On Pause As Familiar Unrest Roils Kosovo (RFE)
“Rama’s draft leads to Kosovo-Serbia mutual recognition” (Euronews Albania)
Serbia's Vucic demands Kosovo concessions on autonomy for local Serbs before new vote (Reuters)
Montenegro's Europe Now Movement Wins Snap Vote (RFE)