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UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, January 3, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Maqedonci: Kosovo at risk from Serbia’s continuous threats (Kosovapress)
• KFOR publishes video of Italian Lagunari specific training in north (media)
• LDK’s Haziri criticizes Kurti, says he has “no merit for visa liberalization” (media)
• Hasani: Serbia is shifting pressure on Kosovo (Gazeta Express)
• Vogel: Trump’s return would be a misfortune for Kosovo (AP)
• The Guardian view on state capture in Serbia: a problem for Balkans, EU (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: I do not care about reports by foreign media, but only about Serbians (Tanjug)
• Branimir Stojanovic, Milazim Krasinqi on situation in northern Kosovo, dialogue (RTK2, Radio kontakt plus)
• Nastic on exclusion of Serbs from Kosovo from visa liberalization, terms it as farce and shameful act (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic rejects opposition demands for international investigation (N1, BETA)
• Haziri on statements about attacks from Serbia, Kurti and Osmani are trying to divert attention from other problems (Kosovo Online)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 2, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• KOSTT: From today electricity in north to be paid as elsewhere in Kosovo (RFE)
• AAK gears up for elections; Haradinaj says they could be held in spring (KSP)
• Gruda: Govt thinks winning by 50% means they can go beyond Constitution (EO)
• Reuten: Next processing application for candidate status (media)
• Kovatchev: Association must not be a Republika Srpska (Klan Kosova)
• Latifi: 2024 an election year; won’t be any historic step in dialogue (Express)

Serbian Language Media:

• "Kosovo Serbs - the only Europeans who need a visa" (KiM radio, DW, FAZ)
• Information hormones: How adrenaline took precedence over serotonin in news from the north (KoSSev)
• Maliqi: The position of Self-Determination has always been that there must be unification with Albania (Kosovo Online)
• Mijacic to Borrell: Not good to start the New Year with false statements (Kosovo Online)

International:

• Person of the year 2023: Journalists Reporting in the North (Prishtina Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, January 2, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Borrell: EU also benefits from liberalization of visas for Kosovo (Koha) 
Osmani congratulates Belgium on EC presidency: We will work for EU membership (Koha) 
Bislimi: Three processes have started today, we will take others throughout the year (RTK) 
Germany welcomes visa-free travel (RTK) 
French ambassador: EU proposal makes association less worrying for those who feared it was unconstitutional (Klan) 
Szunyog: EU is closely following debate on possibility of another attack in Kosovo (AP) 
From Monday, vehicles with RKS license plates can move freely in Serbia (RTK) 
Avdyli warns: Serbian extremists are asking Serbian drivers with RKS license plates to have a distinctive sign (Klan) 

Serbian Language Media:

Dacic: Pressure on Serbia over Kosovo expected to focus on February (Tanjug)
Free movement for vehicles from Kosovo took effect on Monday (media)
Citizens of Serbia in Kosovo the only ones denied the right to visa-free travel through Schengen (Danas, KoSSev)
Kosovo takes a step towards the EU with visa liberalization, parties to implement the agreement without preconditions, including the ASM (KoSSev)
SNV demands the arrest of a part of the Serbian state leadership along with Goran Rakic for "treason" (KoSSev)

International Media:

Serb Party Demands International Intervention Over New Disputes in Kosovo (Balkan Insight)
Serbia will take over the Presidency of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (Sarajevo Times)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 29, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Hovenier: Normalization process ultimately ends with mutual recognition (media)
• Osmani proposes national program for the army (Koha)
• 165 persons wanted over different offenses in the northern municipalities (media)
• Tahiri: Kurti’s government is forming the Association (Klan)
• Isufaj approved removal of Radoicic arrest warrant, cannot disclose reasons (EO)
• O’Brien slams Dodik: No right of secession, full stop (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• North Mitrovica MA voted: Land near the Military Overhaul allocated to the Kosovo’s MIA (KoSSev, Kosovo Online, Kontakt plus radio)
• The Serbian Democracy Party on the decision of Kurti's government to request the return of the alleged debt for electricity in the north of Kosovo (Danas)
• 'Don't celebrate the holidays of non-Muslims' posters in General Jankovic: Four people detained (KiM radio, KoSSev)

International:

• Kosovo Teen’s Shop Window Decorations Bring Festive Cheer (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 29, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani: Equality in employment for all, without distinction (media)
Kurti: There is no increase in energy prices, KESCO and ERO address for complaints (media)
Osmani: Order for terrorist attack in Banjska came from Vucic himself (RTV21) 
Government considers it difficult to fulfill criteria for removal of mayors in north (media)
Tahiri: Association's draft statute, biggest failure of this government (media)
Rasic: Serbs in north are expressing great interest in being employed in institutions (Telegrafi)
Kosovo removes "mysterious" cameras in municipalities with Serb majority (media)
Turkish ambassador on Kosovo-Serbia relations: Dialogue, the only way (media)
Dick Marty, author of Kosovo War Crimes report, dies at 78 (media)
Kurti's bodyguard obstructs journalist, AKJ: Uncertainty for media community (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Serbian List: Kurti's regime illegally to confiscate the funds of citizens from northern Kosovo (Tanjug)
Atiq with Hetemi on next year projects (KiM radio)
KP: The organizers of a local protest involving businessmen were fined for failing to announce it in advance (KoSSev)
Dragan Mladjovic Telegram group accusations: It will not go unpunished, the police are working on the case (KoSSev)
Serbia allows RKS plates on its territory, EU welcomes and opposition criticizes the move, Pristina asks for more recognitions (KoSSev)

International Media:

‘This Barbie is the president,’ says Kosovo’s Vjosa Osmani (Politico.eu)  

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 28, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Maqedonci: Three brigades of Serbian Army along Kosovo border (media)
• Svecla: 2023, a challenge for security, but successful year for police (Dukagjini)
• Krasniqi: Monoethnic institutions are not good for Kosovo (Dukagjini)
• Citaku: Most difficult and failed year since declaration of independence (AP)
• 33 Iowa National Guard soldiers to deploy to Kosovo on Friday (media)
• Air corridors opened between Kosovo and Albania (RFE)
• Ismaili: Economic growth this year 3.4%, in 2024 expected to be 4.2% (AP)
• Abdixhiku “most undisciplined” MP, absent from 44 sessions (Demokracia)
• Kryeziu: Northern mayors should resign, the petition delays the process (media)
• Kurti meets second generation of the Citizen Diplomacy Program (media)
• SBASHK: Kurti govt avoided dialogue with wrong approach to unions (RTK)
• Cross-border theft of forests between Kosovo and Serbia (Kallxo)
• KOMF writes to government: Social services risk closure in January (media)
• Not even one fifth of properties in Kosovo owned by women (RFE)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: We’ll begin forming the parliament in January, nothing disputed (Beta, N1)
• Dacic: Kurti trying to take advantage of the events on the domestic political scene (TV Prva, KiM radio, Blic)
• PKS: The funds from the Development Fund are not for debts but for infrastructure (KiM radio)
• Mijacic: There will be further obstructions of the dismissal of mayors (Kosovo Online)
• Andric Rakic: "Overinflated" number of voters in the north could complicate the vote for the removal of the mayor (Kosovo Online)
• Businessmen in the police station and fined because of the protest against the ban on Serbian goods (Kosovo Online)

Opinion:

• Perez: Brussels Feels Only Relief Over Vucic’s Victory in Serbia (BIRN)

International:

• Kosovo's c-bank intl reserves up 5% y/y in Nov (SeeNews)
• Kosovo Children with Autism Raise Funds with Seasonal Drawings (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 28, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti on Association: Those who wanted it, lost their chance on October 26 (media)  
Konjufca: There is no draft statute of Association that Kosovo must implement (Klan) 
Osmani welcomes journalists: You are guardian of truth and integrity (RTK) 
Kurti to journalists: It has been both a successful and challenging year (media) 
Serbia does not respond to the request to open archives (Koha) 
Government requests from north municipalities €12 million for electricity debt (media) 
Indictment filed against a person for murder of Oliver Ivanovic (media) 
Police raid eight locations in Leposaviq suspected of smuggled goods (media)  
Petkovic: Kurti tried to blame Belgrade for failure of dialogue (media) 

Serbian Language Media:

Petkovic: Kurti trying to shift blame for failure of dialogue on Belgrade (Tanjug, RTS)
Businessmen from the Kosovo north and citizens sign a petition for the lifting of the ban on Serbian goods (KiM radio)
The Prosecutor's Office filed an indictment against M.M. in the case of the murder of Oliver Ivanovic (KiM radio, KoSSev)
Lawyer: Nedeljkovic's autopsy findings have not arrived yet, I have contacted the Special Prosecutor's Office (Kosovo Online)
The 10th protest ended yesterday in Belgrade: the opposition invited to a ProGlas rally on Saturday (N1)
EC: Complaints of election irregularities need to be properly investigated (N1)
CoE representative to visit Belgrade over serious election irregularities (N1)

International Media:

Kurti Cautious as Serbia Moves to Allow Kosovo Licence Plates (Balkan Insight) 

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 27, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: We will recognize Serbia’s license plates, once we make sure that it is implementing decision on RKS ones (media)
• Government approves Draft Law on the Security Council of Kosovo (RTK)
• Vetevendosje: Government persistence forced Serbia to accept plates (Koha)
• “Serbia recognizes plates; electricity in north to be paid by Kosovo rules” (Klan)
• Moscow calls USA and EU "incompetent" in solving problem between Kosovo and Serbia (Klan)
• Former Serbian prison guard charged with crimes against civilians (media)
• “Serbia will try to destabilize neighboring govts, including Kosovo” (Sinjali)
• Hoxhaj: Government gave up German condition for "legally binding agreement" with Serbia (Telegrafi)
• LVV on early elections: We will surpass result of February 14 (media)
• CEC is considering suspension of PSD today (Koha)
• Diaspora brought this year over 1.2 billion euros (media)
• Kusari-Lila admits there are high energy bills, tells citizens: "Turn to KESCO!" (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Petkovic expects from Quint to reject and condemn Svecla's slanders about Civil Protection (Kosovo Online)
• Carabinieri commanders visited Visoki Decani (RTS, Blic)
• Dragisa Milenkovic's lawyer hopes easing or cancellation of custody (Tanjug)
• "A month of imprisonment for a high school student, freedom for Milan Radoicic in 24 hours": Manojlovic on the decision of prosecutor Pantelic (Danas, Beta)
• Skero Petrovic on RKS plates: Can the decision be made by the government in a technical mandate? (N1, KiM radio, KoSSev)
• Jevtic: Due to centralization, municipalities in Kosovo have fewer and fewer responsibilities (Kosovo Online)

International:

• Kosovo Citizens Warned of Consequences If They Violate Schengen Area Visa-Free Travel Rules (schengenvisainfo.com)
• Embracing the light: Religious spiritual resiliency in Kosovo (useuworldaffairs.com)
• Serbian lobby in U.S. finances project in Congress to punish Kosovo (euronews.al)
• Serbia: Year of Frustration and Delay in Facing Wartime Past (BIRN)
• Uncontrolled Sale of Devices Processing Biometric Data Raises Concerns for Privacy in Kosovo (Prishtina Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 27, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• EU to Kurti: Kosovo had 10 years to write a draft statute (Koha)
• Bislimi on Serbia’s decision on plates: Masking after failure in Banjska (Klan)
• Court rejects Law articles that reduced high salaries of public officials (Koha)
• Abdixhiku: Kurti agreed to full and unprecedented autonomy in Kosovo (Telegrafi)
• Ombudsperson: We will send Law on Elections to Constitutional Court (media)
• Haziri: Resolution of problem in the north, hostage of political motives (KTV)
• Police remove six surveillance cameras in Zubin Potok (RTK)
• KESCO: Bills are higher because of increased consumption of electricity (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Pristina's prosecutors indict Serb for alleged war crime (Tanjug)
• Movement for the Defense of Kosovo and Metohija: The decision on the Kosovo plates, a continuation of the creeping capitulation (Danas, Beta)
• The Serbian People's Movement to Lajcak, demands and calls presented to react so no new conflicts would not arise (KoSSev)
• Tax administration of Kosovo damaged Derikravic for 313,000 euros? (KiM radio)
• ProGlas calls protest for December 30, demands annulment of elections (N1)
International Media:
• Uncontrolled Sale of Devices Processing Biometric Data Raises Concerns for Privacy in Kosovo (BIRN)
• Serbia cracks down on protests amid ‘election fraud’ outcry (politico.eu)
• Serbia opposition plans further protests against ‘stolen’ election (ft.com)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 26, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Stano says Serbia’s decision to recognize Kosovo plates is positive step (Koha)
• PDK sends Law on Sovereign Fund to Constitutional Court (Koha)
• Opposition: Kurti is trying to go to elections without forming Association (EO)
• Detention extended for suspects accused of Banjska attack (media)
• Tahiri on high electricity bills: Latest blow to Kosovar families (AP)
• “Citizens paying bills equal to those in Belgium and Luxembourg” (Indeksonline)
• CHDRF calls for urgent investigations into “abnormal electricity bills” (media)
• Another action in the north, police searching for smuggled goods (AP)
• Trajkovic calls on northern Serbs to join protests in Serbia (media)
• “Disarm the men!” – Call to action against femicide in Kosovo (Kallxo)

Serbian Language Media:

• Stano: The EU welcomes Belgrade's decision on the plates, it is expected that Pristina will respond in a similar way (N1, Kontakt plus radio)
• Vucevic: Kurti is continuing his terror against Serbs (Kosovo Online, TV Prva)
• MLGA: The collection of signatures for the replacement of the mayor in the north will begin soon (Radio Mitrovica sever, Kontakt plus radio)
• Aleksic: The Government's decision on RKS license plates a proof that Vucic is ready to do anything to preserve power (KiM radio, N1, FoNet)
• The Kosovo's Ministry of Culture has placed under protection and the Gornji Strmac church (Kosovo Online)
• EU: Violence unacceptable, investigate election irregularities (KiM radio, N1)
• Rada Trajkovic invited students and professors of the University in K.Mitrovica to join the protests (Danas)

Opinion:

• Palokaj: The dialogue has failed, only the culprit is being sought (Koha)

International:

• Kosovo says gunmen from Serbia are planning more attacks (Reuters)
• Kosovo’s Long-Awaited Visa Waiver Applies to Most, But Not All (Balkan Insight)