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UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 21, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: Membership in INTERPOL, impossible without U.S. support (RFE)
• US$6 million agreement of U.S. aid for judiciary in Kosovo signed (Indeksonline)
• Sarrazin meets Kurti, discuss Berlin Process and current issues (Express)
• Escobar responds to Vucic’s threat against Kosovo: No one can stop their neighbor to choose security alliances (Reporteri)
• NATO welcomes Slovenia’s interest to send more troops to Kosovo (media)
• Bulgaria to deploy additional troops to Kosovo (media)
• Muja: Not a week goes by that opposition doesn’t talk about elections (media)
• Pristina institute reacts to Serbian President Vucic’s recent rhetoric (media)
• Surroi reacts to claims “LDK’s five asked Clinton not to recognize KLA” (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Media Center Caglavica journalists were not allowed to follow event in Kosovo Presidency (KoSSev, RTS, Media center Caglavica)
• Following Visoki Decani Monastery land registration, Sentic calls for implementation of other CC’s decisions, including one on ZSO (KoSSev)
• UNS informs international press and media organizations about fake news on RTK website (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian Embassy in Moscow marks anniversary of NATO bombing (FoNet, N1, RTS)
• Dacic: Serbia-Russia bilateral relations on high level (Tanjug)
• Vucic spoke with Macron about Kosovo (Danas)
• Vucic: I can congratulate whoever I want, I’m no one’s servant (N1, FoNet)

Opinion:

• Serwer: Double down on success, not failure (peacefare.net)
• Hoxha: I doubt that Osmani would engage in the overthrow of Kurti's government (Kosovo Online)

International:

• Witnesses Tell Kosovo War Crimes Court of ‘Anarchic’ Violence in 1999 (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 21, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Albanian Language Media:

EU announces a meeting between leaders of Kosovo and Serbia (RTK)
Murphy and Peach talk about Kosovo (Albanian Post)
KFOR commander and Hennessey talk about security and dialogue (media)
Bislimi: I informed Hovenier what was discussed at meeting in Brussels (RTK)
Osmani: Kosovo reflects strength and spirit of democracy at every step (RTK)
Kurti talks to Hughes about strengthening of Kosovo-Ireland relations (RTK)
Gervalla: Five non-recognizing countries will not prevent membership in CoE (Koha)
Hargreaves and Rasic talk about ensuring rights for all communities in Kosovo (Albanian Post)
Media will be able to observe counting of votes in future election processes (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Stano: The implementation of agreements between Kosovo and Serbia should be resolved at the highest level (RFE, Kosovo Online)
Association of journalist of Serbia: Untrue information about the March riots still on the RTK2 website (Radio Mitrovica sever) 
Vandalized signs in Serbian are not being cleaned in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
Dacic: It can be expected that Kosovo will be admitted to the CoE following an urgent procedure (KoSSev, Beta)
Brnabic elected new Serbian parliament speaker (Tanjug, media)
Vucic to attend first nuclear energy summit in Brussels on March 20-21 (Tanjug)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 20, 2024

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 20, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: Serbia can’t be a member of NATO, it still sleeps on massive graves (EO)
• Hovenier on Vucic's threat: Neither we, nor people of Kosovo should stay sleepless about this - NATO is ready and prepared (Klan)
• Monastery of Decan registers ownership of 24 hectares of land (Koha)
• Bislimi: Kosovo has little control over outcome of dialogue process (Albanian Post)
• Robertson: Being tough with Serbia pays off (media)
• Cliff: What is EU doing with Kosovo report on Banjska attack? (Albanian Post)
• EU to present soon mandatory roadmap for implementation of Basic Agreement (Albanian Post)
• Osmani: When girls and women are excluded from decision-making processes, entire society is limited (Klan)
• Kosovo Police prevents two cases of smuggling in the north (Albanian Post)

Serbian Language Media:

• Hill on NATO membership: It is up to Serbia to decide (RTS, Kosovo Online, N1)
• Visoki Decani Monastery land registered in Kosovo cadastre, special thanks to Ms Bakoyannis (Raska-Prizren Diocese, media, social media)
• Hovenier: I have not heard Pristina’s proposal to resolve issue with dinars (Kosovo Online)
• Mushkolaj: Kurti’s stories on independence of CBK ‘fairytales for children’ (Kosovo Online)
• How is Brussels dialogue viewed on the ground: "We have the impression that the agreement is to not to agree on anything" (KoSSev, N1)
• Mijacic: Modality on dinar issue is sought, each has technical difficulties and political consequences (Kosovo Online)
• Dacic: UNSC session on 1999 bombing of FR Yugoslavia still uncertain (Tanjug)
• Serbian List: The competent institutions to arrest Radomirovic, and conduct criminal proceedings (KiM radio)

International:

• Kosovo Court Ruling Awarding Serb Monastery Disputed Land Implemented (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 20, 2024

Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: Britain should send more troops to protect us from Serbian invasion (media)
• Lajcak meets chief negotiators; discussions on Dinar to continue on Monday (media)
• State Department: Discussions on Dinar must continue urgently (media)
• Osmani on Vucic’s threats against Kosovo: He will fail again (Telegrafi)
• Government spokesperson: Vucic, a hostage of the past and desperate (RTK)
• Roth: With Vucic at helm, no way for Serbia to enter the EU (media)
• COMKFOR Ulutas meets Quint ambassadors in Kosovo (media)
• Maqedonci announces second package of military aid for Ukraine (media)
• Haradinaj: I can make Kosovo a member of NATO (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Petkovic: We pointed out all difficulties for Serbs in Kosovo (Tanjug, media)
• Petkovic: Solution must include continued Postal Savings Bank operations in Kosovo (media)
• Lajcak: Dialogue to be continued next Monday (media)
• State Department: Dialogue adequate channel to resolve problems related to CBK decision (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian List met Swedish Ambassador, tell him dinar decision has political not economic background (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic congratulates Putin on election win, informs him of situation in Kosovo (Tanjug)
• KFOR Commander met ambassadors, discussed security situation in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian Parliament fails to elect speaker, MPs in war of words (N1)
International Media:
• Albanian PM’s ‘Intimidation’ of Woman Journalist Condemned (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 19, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: There are no proposals that are accepted and which are in opposition with CBK regulation (RFE)
• Varhelyi on Kosovo’s EU application: Seeing new elements of escalation (Klan)
• Assistant Secretary of State Robinson to visit Albania, Kosovo this month (media)
• KCSS: What is Serbia’s 5000 project and why should we be concerned? (media)
• Reactions to Vucic’s statement about West choosing between Serbia and, Kosovo (media)
• Korac: Banjska raised EU awareness, Europeans won’t forgive Vucic (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• KIN: People with disabilities have not received pensions and social benefits since January due to the dinar ban (KiM radio)
• The tripartite meeting of Lajcak, Petkovic and Bislimi began in Brussels (Kosovo Online)
• Meeting of Belgrade and EU delegations headed by Petkovic and Lajcak started in Brussels (Tanjug)
• Varhelyi: We are not considering Kosovo request for EU membership yet (Kosovo Online)
• UNS and DNKiM reacted to the RTK's news corrections (KiM Radio)
• Controversies in reporting: March violence and RTK - lesson not learned (?) (Kontakt plus radio, KiM radio)
• Elshani says investigation into burning of Dusan Milanovic’s car ongoing, EULEX monitoring case (Kosovo Online)
• Cleaning of spray-painted traffic signs from Rudar to Jarinje underway (KoSSev)
• Law professor writes to Kurti: After Cyrilic signboards, to remove green religious signboards from streets (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Open Balkan: Serbia and Albania agreed on the text of the Agreement on Social Security (KoSSev)
• Parliament to reconvene Tuesday, Brnabic not elected Speaker (N1)
• Aleksic: Vucic buying foreign support using realty, lithium, Kosovo (N1)

Opinion:

• The EU’s new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans: solid foundations but shaky details (WiiW)

International:

• Kosovo President Demands ‘Equal Treatment’ in Implementation of Normalisation Deal with Serbia (Prishtina Insight)
• Common Regional Market: How far did ratification of the signed agreements go? (EWB)
• ‘Dangerous Trend’: Serbia Ignoring Alleged Trafficking Cases, UN Rapporteur Says (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 19, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani: U.S. proposal on dinar partially accepted, the rest to be discussed in Brussels (media)
Kurti on international criticism: Welcome, but I must protect Kosovo (Koha)
Kurti meets NDI director, discuss about advancement of cooperation (media)
Konjufca criticizes Escobar: he is pushing Lajcak’s biased concept (media)
U.S. official to visit Albania and Kosovo, to meet with Rama and Osmani (media)
Vucic warns the West with a threatening statement about Kosovo (Klan)
Petkovic used harsh language towards Osmani, Presidency reacts (Express)
Rama: Kosovo-Serbia agreement should be included as part of EU membership (RTK)
Knaus: Association desirable, but not a condition for CoE membership (RFE)
Over 46,000 citizens with right to vote for process of dismissing mayors in the north (Koha)
Haliti: I have information that after elections in north, Serbia will unilaterally announce Association (Koha)
Haradinaj: Kosovo would provide regional and global security as NATO member (RTK)
President of Germany awards Flutura Kusari medal of Order of Merit (media)
The U.S. sanctions former mayor of Kacanik, Xhabir Zharku (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Petkovic: No agreement regarding dinar has been reached (Kosovo Online, social media)
Dacic: UNSC session on NATO bombing of FRY scheduled for March 25 (Tanjug)
1.153 voters more than for local elections in 2023 in northern Kosovo (KoSSev)
Vucic meets with Dodik, Patriarch Porfirije (Tanjug, Kosovo Online, social media)
Brnabic: De-recognitions of Kosovo biggest success of Serbian authorities (media)
Employees of RTK2 and RTK1 Serbian redaction distance themselves from article on March violence (Radio KIM, KoSSev)
Vanovac: UNS and DNKiM expect thorough investigation into burning of Dusan Milanovic's car (Kosovo Online)
ODIHR confirms invitation to observe Belgrade elections (N1)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 18, 2024

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 18, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Borell: Serbia and Kosovo have achieved very limited progress (RTK)
• Rama: Implementation of Agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, important (RTK)
• Von Cramon: Kosovo is lacking political will for progress in European integration (Klan)
• CEC to decide today on voting centers in the north (media)
• Escobar met during his visit, Director of Police and Afrim Bunjaku’s family (media)
• Biserko: Vucic destabilizing neighbors through Serbian Orthodox Church and security services (Nacionale)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: There is no agreement on dinar issue (Kosovo Online, RTV, Tanjug)
• Sentic: Instead of healing wounds that still hurt, we face attempts to relativize tragic events (KoSSev)
• SNV says Kurti’s statement about March violence aim to further intimidate and expel Serbs, call upon Rasic and Trajkovic to resign (KoSSev)
• UNS and DNKiM condemned RTK reporting over repeated untruth in relation to March riots (Kosovo Online, Radio KIM, media)
• Vucic: Meeting with Lajcak addressed unbearable living conditions for Kosovo Serbs (Tanjug)
• Kosovo Online: We expect arson vehicle case of our portal’s owner to be resolved (Kosovo Online)
• Since CBK decision entered in force, stock market and banks without interest for work in northern municipalities (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian List: Kosovo police to investigate Radoica Radomirovic over arsons of vehicles (Tanjug, media)
• Stojanovic: Vucic admitted that his policy is harmful to Serbia and the Serbian people in Kosovo (Beta, NMagazin)
• Smiljanic: The Serbs in the YU program building in Pristina survived a calvary on March 17, thought we would all be killed (Kosovo Online)
• The UN SC meeting on March 25 on the anniversary of the NATO bombing against the FRY (Kosovo Online)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 18, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Borrell’s statement on anniversary of agreement on path to normalization, and the implementation annex (media)
• Blinken calls on Kosovo and Serbia to implement all agreements (media)
• Roth on new U.S. extra conditions for Kosovo at CoE: Unfair and unjust (media)
• Kurti’s message on 20th anniversary of March 17 riots (media)
• Government: Placing of signs in north in line with the constitution (Koha)
• Police arrest Serbian national for damaging traffic signs in Leposavic (media)
• COMKFOR: KFOR continues efforts to prevent any escalation (VoA in Albanian)
• Pacolli: Delays in meeting obligations lead to pressure and damage (media)
• Tahiri: Two important moments this week for CoE membership (media)
• Historians’ League wants Kurti to resign over Decani Monastery decision (media)
• CAA: U.S. must remain engaged in the Western Balkans (VoA in Albanian)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: We will change our approach to the Kosovo issue; Serbia will no longer be subjected to a fait accompli (Kosovo Online)
• Borrell: It is high time for Kosovo and Serbia to break current vicious cycle of crises and tensions (N1)
• 20th anniversary of the March pogrom (KoSSev)
• Diocese on who paid the restoration of holy sites destroyed in the March pogrom (KoSSev)
• Kurti from Cabra: Children jumped into Ibar to avoid the escort of Serbian youths; unclear who then directed the demonstrators towards the Serbs (KoSSev)
• The SL: Self-Determination's brutal lies – a continuation of a dangerous policy of hatred towards the Serbs (Kosovo Online)
• Self-Determination ahead of March 17: 3 children were killed in Cabra, peaceful Albanian demonstrators were shot by Serbian criminals, justice was not served (KoSSev)
• First referendum then elections: Four municipalities in north of Kosovo still without mayors (N1)
• Blinken: We need to see both Kosovo and Serbia keep tensions low (KoSSev, N1)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 15, 2024

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 15, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Successes of Kosovo and its people shared successes with U.S. media)
• New round of dialogue between chief negotiators on March 19 (RFE)
• CoE doesn’t confirm Kurti’s dates, says more steps in the process (Kallxo)
• COMKFOR Ulutas welcomes decision on Decani Monastery (Voice of America)
• Haliti: Decision on Decani Monastery late; Association too can be condition (RTK)
• Decani Monastery could take another property 2 kilometers away (Albanian Post)
• Gervalla: Internationals shocked when they saw report on Banjska attack (media)
• Vogel comments on Szynuog’s remark about Banjska investigations (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Escobar for RFE: Kurti refused proposal on dinar (RFE, KoSSev, Kosovo Online)
• Stano: Discussions continue in Brussels on the abolition of the dinar in Kosovo (N1)
• Justice Minister Haxhiu: We implemented the unjust constitutional decision because of the membership in the CoE (Kosovo Online)
• Hill: Clear and sharp messages from Escobar to Kosovo, dinar latest issue, formation of CSM is fundamental (Euronews, Kosovo Online, KoSSev, media)
• Aliu confirmed removal of Serbian roads signs will continue, an avalanche of reactions on both sides – Cyrillic at center (KoSSev)
• Antonijevic: Decision to change signboards violently and poorly carried out (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian Peoples’ Movement criticizes Kosovo Government action to remove signboards in Cyrillic in northern Kosovo (Radio KIM)
• Inscriptions in Albanian language painted over on bilingual boards set yesterday in North Kosovo (KiM radio, Kontakt plus radio)
• Zigmanov: Serbs in Kosovo face violations of their civil and political rights (Tanjug, Danas, FoNet)
• Escobar and Hovenier met Bishop Teodosije, Abbot Sava in Visoki Decani Monastery yesterday (KoSSev, social media)
• Lajcak due to meet Vucic in Belgrade (media)
• Soder: Serbia key state for W Balkan stability, important partner for Bavaria (Tanjug)

International:

• ‘Worst Day of My Life’: Kosovo Serbs Still Scarred by 2004 Unrest (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 15, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Escobar: U.S. has worked in favor of Kosovo, we hope Kosovo will listen to our concerns (media)
Kurti to Escobar: It is necessary that Serbia be held accountable for attack in Banjska (Koha)
EU announces meeting at level of chief negotiators in Brussels on March 19 (RTK)
NATO presence in Kosovo necessary for maintaining peace (media)
Escobar: We will hold government responsible for security of Serbs in Kosovo (Koha)
QUINT welcomes implementation of decision to register the lands of Monastery (RTK)
U.S. Ambassador to Serbia: Establishment of Association is a matter of time (media)
Maqedonci meets the British ambassador, discuss security in Kosovo (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

Escobar after meeting Kurti: Emergent humanitarian issue, Pristina to be flexible on Tuesday (KoSSev, media)
Kurti after meeting Escobar: I stressed need to hold Serbia accountable for attack in Banjska (KoSSev)
Serbian List on changed signboards: They installed Albanized names of Serbian places (Radio KIM, media)
Language Commissioner: The order of languages on signboards had to be reversed (Radio KIM)
Pantic Pilja: Emergency meeting at Council of Europe on March 27, voting on Bakoyannis report (Kosovo Online)
Dacic meets with HCCH Secretary General (Tanjug)
Stoltenberg’s report says NATO crucial to Western Balkan stability (N1)
Association of Families of Kidnapped and Missing Persons: International community respects Albanian victims more than Serbian ones (Kosovo Online)