UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 2, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• U.S. condemns burning property; calls for full extension for plates (media)
• KFOR refutes Serbia’s claims about drones from Kosovo: No evidence! (Indeksonline)
• Rohde: More common sense needed on issue of licence plates (media)
• Serbia continues provocations; sends heavy artillery to Kosovo border (Indeksonline)
• Vehicle with RKS plates belonging to a Serb set on fire in Zubin Potok (Lajmi)
• Jamie Shea comments on Vucic’s objectives with army mobilisation (Albanian Post)
• Germany confirms: EU-Western Balkans summit to be held on December 6 (RTK)
• Berlin Process and Open Balkan as two parallel initiatives for a final goal (Albanian Post)
• “Relations with Serbia determine Kosovo’s European future” (Dukagjini)
• European MP: Kosovo now has a key role for peace in Europe (Klan Kosova)
• Memli Krasniqi for an official visit to Washington and Brussels next week (Telegrafi)

Serbian Language Media:

• KFOR: At the moment, no evidence of drones flying over from Kosovo to Serbia (KiM radio, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Vucevic to RTS: Drones were coming from several directions to central Serbia, MiGs-29 were not raised because of them (media)
• Aleksic: Agreed transfer of authorities to Pristina, Vucic presents as ‘snatching’ (N1)
• Balkan leaders off to Berlin: Serbia to choose between EU and Russia (FoNet, N1)
• Dacic meets Chen Bo: Gratitude to China for support on Kosovo issue (Kosovo Online)
• Orlic to Ambassador Tolkach: We thank Ukraine for its support on Kosovo issue (N1)
• Orlic: We appreciate principled stance of Russia on Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Trajkovic: I’m being threatened for testifying in Oliver Ivanovic’s murder case (KoSSev)
• Bislimi: Licence plates can no longer be part of the dialog (RFE, media)
• KP in north to also issue reprimands (KoSSev, Kosovo Online)
• Ambassador Koshar: We are not guided by the logic of blackmail in our relations with Belgrade (Tanjug, media)

Opinion:

• Expert says Belgrade has advantage over Pristina (N1)

International:

• Serbia, Kosovo, Trade Accusations Over Mystery Drones (BIRN)
• Berlin Process 2022: Western Balkans week in Berlin (EWB)
• Relations between Serbia and Kosovo should be normalized (EWB)

• Western Balkans leaders to sign deals on closer integration in Berlin (Reuters)
• Number-plate crackdown raises tensions in Kosovo (BBC)
• Serbia sends troops to Kosovo border as NATO could face conflict (Newsweek)
• Tension brews anew between Kosovo, Serbia over car plates (AP)
• KFOR ready to intervene if stability comes under threat (Nacionale)
• “Kurti sent proposals to Scholz and Macron on agreement with Serbia” (RFE)
• Mehaj refutes Vucic’s remarks about drones: Fabrication to instill fear (media)
• UK MPs promise support for Kosovo membership in intl institutions (Koha)
• Haziri: Early elections, even if agreement reached with Serbia (media)
• Tadic calls for protection for Rada Trajkovic (media)

Albanian Language Media:

• Lajcak to participate at the Berlin Process summit (RTK)
• Latest poll: Abdixhiku’s LDK continues to rise, Vetevendosje declines (Nacionale)
• Rizvanolli: Can’t rule out energy price increase after temperatures drop (Kosovapress)
• Caplan: Kurti is within his rights, but he should consider how dangerous the license plate decision is (Albanian Post)
• MPs and Swiss ambassador talk about continuation of Swiss KFOR mandate (Koha)
• Maliqi: Kosovo in danger of losing in peace what it gained in war (Express)
• Over 125,000 Albanians registered in Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja (Klan Kosova)

Serbian Language Media:

• Radojevic: Serbs will not change stance on re-registration (RTS, Kosovo Online)
• Hill: Licence plates dispute will not resolve crucial issues (KoSSev, RTS)
• COM KFOR visits Visoki Decani Monastery (Kosovo Online)
• Odalovic: US offered “honourable way out” to Pristina, Kurti ignored it (Kosovo Online)
• Dacic: We will not invite the Serbs to accept licence plates with 'Republic of Kosovo' markings (NMagazin, Beta)
• Vucevic: Army in state of alert because of Kosovo, combat readiness level raised (N1)
• Malikovic: Usurped property and bureaucracy are the main problems of the Serbian community in Istok (KoSSev, Radio Gorazdevac, KiM radio)
• Kosovo police start handing out warnings over licence plates (N1)
• Vucic meets IMF delegation (Tanjug)
• Office for KiM: KLA inscription on a family house in Suvi Do (RTS, KiM radio)
• Rada Trajkovic says she “de facto lives under house arrest”, Serbian and Albanian stakeholders cooperate in her persecution (Radio KIM)

Opinion:

• Full Euroization of Kosovo: A Sustainable Strategy? (Prishtina Insight)
• Synchronicity is the path to the solution for Kosovo (Euractiv)
• Vucic Keeps Options Open With Serbia’s new Govt (Balkan Insight)

International:

• Expired: Unused COVID Vaccines Cost Balkans Tens of Millions (BIRN)

• Price: We asked Kurti to postpone deadline, not implement in stages (media)
• EU: Decision on plates is legitimate, but should be within the dialogue (RTK)
• Kryeziu: All terms of the Agreement have expired (Koha)
• Police publish reprimand form for illegal license plates (Kallxo)
• Svecla: Kosovo Police will start issuing reprimands from Tuesday (media)
• UK Foreign Secretary meets Kurti, values Kosovo achievements (media)
• Serbs: New decision, a choice between burned or confiscated cars (Telegrafi)
• In Northern Kosovo, Tensions Threaten to Boil Over (Foreign Policy)
• Compromise on license plates doesn’t abate intl pressure on Kosovo (Exit)
• KFOR’s Regional Command-East welcomes new maneuver battalion (army.mil)
• The right to act does not necessarily mean the right act (Euractiv)
• We need to empower women, engage them as active agents of peace (media)
• Roma language becomes official language in municipality of Prizren (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 31, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• Reprimand measures for drivers with illegal licence plates start tomorrow (RTK)
• Kurti calls for international monitoring of census process in the Valley (media)
• Scholz to meet with the Presidents of the Balkans this week (Express)
• Over 100,000 Albanians living in Presevo Valley, census shows (media)
• CDHRF slams both government and opposition (media)
• Limaj calls for united democratic front against Kurti-led government (Kallxo)
• “Kurti put pride before national interests” (Zeri)
• Haziri on French-German proposal: Govt must use the momentum (Albanian Post)
• Analysts: Government not transparent regarding the French-German document (RTK)
• PDK: Government has started seizure of the Public Administration (media)
• Sheholli: Kurti disappointed the U.S.; Serbian List is installing fear among Serbs (EO)
• Kosovo govt signs memorandum with Albanian Council from Presevo Valley (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• EC spokeswoman: The decision on the plates not in accordance with the agreements from the dialogue (N1)
• Radojevic: We do our utmost to maintain peace, but we do not accept unilateral decisions (Kosovo Online)
• Dacic: New withdrawals of recognition real and possible; With full force against the admission of Kosovo to CoE (KoSSev, Kurir)
• Kosovo cannot get more than 83 votes for UN membership, says Dacic (FoNet, N1, TV Happy)
• Djuric: If Pristina starts Council of Europe process, de-recognitions notes would surface (N1)
• Petkovic: We wait concrete action of Washington and Brussels (Tanjug)
• Office for KiM: Pristina bans holding of elections for national minority councils (Kosovo Online)
• Botsan- Kharchenko: The introduction of sanctions would disappoint us, no trade of Kosovo for Donbass (media)
• Serbian List on latest decision on re-registration (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic, Brnabic with the US economic delegation (FoNet, N1)
• Lazarevic about license plates: The police in the north of Kosovo have not received any instructions (N1)
• Von der Leyen announces 160 mln euro energy assistance to Serbia (Tanjug)

Opinion:

• Restrictive EU visa policy risks further Western Balkan disillusionment (BIRN)
• In Josep Borrell’s garden utopia, Balkan savages are a threat (Sbunker.net)
• Rada Trajkovic: "Kurti's punishment of Serbs reminiscent of Milosevic's disciplining of Albanians" (KiM radio)

International:

• Family First: The Rise of the Anti-Gender Movement in North Macedonia (BIRN)
• Richard Grenell: Republican or Democrat, Albin Kurti has rejected every idea that the Americans have put forward (The Pavlovic Today)
• Does Spain Support Proposal to Link Kosovo’s Visa Liberalisation Process With the Operationalisation of ETIAS? (schengenvisainfo.com)
• US Sanctions towards Western Balkan entities: “Red flags” without much effect on the ground (EWB)

• Kurti: Implementation decision ensures rule of law, peace and security (media)
• Kosovo PM postpones controversial licence plate change for Serbs (BIRN)
• Kosovo backs off from Serb car plate rule after West warnings (Reuters)
• Kosovo should give Serbs more time to change car plates, EU says (Reuters)
• The U.S. urges Kosovo to extend licence plate implementation deadline (media)
• Calm situation in north, "reprimand measures" start on November 1 (media)
• Serbs ask Belgrade to allocate €2 million for license plate fines (Telegrafi)
• PDK: Decision not serious; Kosovo turning into destructive party (RTK)
• Haradinaj: Decision on plates not coordinated with strategic partners (Telegrafi)
• Bislimi speaks about the Franco-German draft (Klan)
• European capital where Kosovo-Serbia deal will be signed, selected (AP)
• Serbia continues efforts to block Kosovo path to the Council of Europe (media)

Albanian Language Media:

• EU: Parties to respect the agreement on official visits (media)
• Osmani: Serbia wants tensions (media)
• LVV MP asks to postpone deadline for licence plates for another two months (Koha)
• The opposition demands licence plate issue coordinated with internationals (EO)
• “Let’s solve issue of licence plates in partnership with U.S.” (Gazeta Express)
• Besnik Bislimi will participate online in the conference held today in Serbia (media)
• Szunyog: Kosovo is on the right track (RTK)
• Zemaj: Kurti-led government incapable of managing healthcare sector (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Official Kyiv - Goncharenko is not authorised to represent the position of Rada in Kosovo (Politika, Tanjug, Interfax Ukraine)
• Mojsilovic met with Bauer (Tanjug)
• Vucic meets Bauer (Kosovo Online)
• Hovenier: Important to postpone implementation of new rules on licence plates (Kosovo Online)
• Bishop Teodosije: We are facing a serious crisis, we appeal to everyone to preserve peace (Kosovo Online)
• European Commission: Deadline for re-registration expires in three days, we hope for solution (Tanjug)
• People in northern Kosovo complain of mistreatment by special police, Kosovo police say its officers do not provoke but ensure safety (KoSSev)
• Police confirms stoning of bus transporting Serbs in Mitrovica South (KoSSev)
• Dacic: There will be no pogrom, do not force us to defend ourselves (TV Pink, Danas, FoNet)
• Trajkovic on Bislimi’s cancelled visit (Kosovo Online)

Opinion:

• Trajkovic: “CSM last stone in foundation of independent Kosovo, yet Kurti doesn’t want it either, but emigration of Serbs”
• How Karadzic tried to dodge justice, claiming US ‘immunity deal’ (BIRN)
• Jovana Radosavljevic: In Kosovo, there is silence, and not the good kind of silence (Insajder)
• Mijacic: "If the decision on the plates is not postponed next week, a conflict in Kosovo is possible" (N1)

International:

• EU revisits Balkans to win friends, seek more influence (AP)
• Open Balkan and Berlin Process for successful regional cooperation (EWB)
• ‘I never imagined this could be done also to men’ (Kosovo 2.0)
• To US Concern, Turkish-Russian Trade Flourishes in Face of Sanctions (Balkan Insight)

• Blinken’s advisor calls for postponement of licence plates deadline (media)
• Kurti thanks Von der Leyen for supporting Kosovo (media)
• Serbs warn they will block roads if license-plate deal not extended (RFE)
• Sources: “Northern Brigade”, criminal group terrorising Serbs in north (media)
• Incidents on eve of expiry of deadline for re-registration of vehicles (RFE)
• Bislimi banned from his visit shortly before arriving to Belgrade (media)
• Hovenier congratulates Kosovo on progress in rule of law index (RTK)
• “Erdogan may mediate in dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia” (media)
• Haradinaj: Final agreement will regulate Kosovo-Serbia relations (Express)
• Kurti: Kosovo stands in support and solidarity with Ukraine (media)
• Kurti meets with EULEX chief Lars Gunnar Wigemark (media)
• Art world came to Kosovo. What happens when it leaves? (NYT)
• Manifesta: Turning rubble into art (Prishtina Insight)
• Albania opposition parties join forces for 2023 local elections (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 27, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti calls again on Serbs to convert their licence plates to RKS (media)
• Osmani: We fight against gangs, not citizens, we expect support (media)
• Von der Leyen on licence plates: Very short and very clear, the rules must be respected (media)
• Kurti meets Von der Leyen: Kosovo to apply for EU membership this year (media)
• NATO: If stability is endangered, KFOR is ready to intervene (Klan)
• Interior Ministry: Three incidents in the north related to RKS licence plates (RFE)
• Serwer: Kurti wielding sovereignty; hope he is ready to face consequences (Express)
• Rohde: Kosovars deserve visa liberalisation (RTK)
• Bajrami: LVV ignores WJP report, goes to page 40 to find something to be proud of (Express)
• A car burned in Leposaviq after the conversion of licence plates (Express)

Serbian Language Media:

• Ambassador Hill: We are disappointed by Pristina's refusal to extend the deadline for re-registration (Blic, N1)
• Stano: Kosovo's decision on the plates is legitimate, avoid increasing tensions and violence (N1)
• Vucic: We fully stand by the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija (RTS, media)
• New Serbian Government elected (N1)
• Djuric urges international community to maintain peace in Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Zarrazin: Kosovo to demonstrate flexibility on licence plates (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic with Serbs from Kosovo, Rakic: “If Pristina starts violently, we will block the roads” (media)
• Serbian Minister of Defense: Kurti’s threats undermine peace (Kosovo Online)
• Office for KiM: Bus transporting Serbs pelted with stones in Mitrovica South (Kosovo Online)
• COM KFOR meets Raska-Prizren Eparchy Bishop Teodosije (Kosovo Online)
• Von Cramon: "The Kosovo government does not hold a dialogue with the Serbs, and it promised that" (Kosovo Online, Blic, Kallxo)
• Moscow’s Kommersant: Serbia’s new Government turned toward East (N1)

International:

• In Race to Lure Russian Talent and Capital, Serbia Emerges as Front-Runner (The Wall Street Journal)
• EU announces €500 million energy support package for Western Balkans (euractive.com)
• North Macedonia Pays Dear for Cancelled Power Plants (BIRN)
• Kosovo will not delay Serbian car plate rule despite calls by the West (eureporter)

• Escobar: Franco-German plan details expected to be made public soon (VoA)
• Osmani: Request to postpone license plate deadline is not pressure (media)
• Serbia and Russia ‘using licence plate dispute’, Foreign Minister says (BIRN)
• Ursula von der Leyen to meet with Kosovo leaders today (RTK)
• U.S. intends to implement the license plate ruling peacefully (RFE)
• EU: Kosovo, Serbia should refrain, we don't want escalation (Klan)
• Kurti: Our justice reforms are working fast (RTK)
• Haradinaj: I’ve seen Franco-German plan, it includes recognition (RTK)
• Vehicle of Serb who converted licence plates to RKS, set on fire (media)
• Grenades, equipment seized during anti-drug operation in Leposavic (media)
• Corruption File: How 150,000 euros was paid to sway court verdict (BIRN)
• EU assesses food safety situation in Western Balkans (Food Safety News)
• EU gives €80 million to North Macedonia to tackle energy crisis (Reuters)