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)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 14, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Ismaili: CBK regulation has not banned any currency (RTK)
• Murati on CBK regulation: Belgrade propaganda creating confusion (Klan)
• Kurti meets Davenport, discuss transition phase for CBK regulation (media)
• Kurti only words of praise for his government on 3rd anniversary of victory (Koha)
• Bajrami: Because of Kurti, U.S. questioning partnership with Kosovo (media)
• Serwer: EU, U.S. were wrong to appease Serbia and punish Kosovo (Kallxo)
• Kanin: Kurti’s actions make everyone forget about Banjska (RFE)
• Ex UNMIK chief: Kosovo Serbs, hostage of Belgrade destabilizing policies (media)
• “Darling, you’ve failed” – LDK with symbolic action in front of govt building (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• NATO SG urges all sides in Western Balkans to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric and actions (Tanjug)
• Yet another shipment of dinars for Kosovo stopped at Jarinje (RTS)
• Serbian List meets French MEPs (Kosovo Online)
• Biden congratulates Vucic and the Serbian people the Statehood Day (NMagazin, Beta, media)
• Exhibitions, events to mark Serbian Statehood Day (N1)
• Vucic meets Russian Ambassador Botsan-Kharchenko (Tanjug)
• Nova: Marko Djuric the new head of diplomacy? (Danas, FoNet)
• Djuric: US companies condemn Pristina's blockade of Serbian goods (Kosovo Online)
• Ugljanin: There are no flyers calling for violence against Kosovo police on streets of Mitrovica, my statement was misinterpreted (Danas)
• Lucic: Signal for users in northern Kosovo to be restored today, criminal complaint against Hetemi filed (Kosovo Online)

International:

• Advertising inequality (Kosovo 2.0)
• New Gas Supplies For the Western Balkans Facilitates a Geopolitical Game Rather Than the Green Energy Transition (visegradinsight.eu)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti: There is risk of new attacks (Koha)
European Parliament starts formalization of growth plan for Western Balkans (media)
O'Brien: We will not treat Kosovo government as partner if we are not treated the same (VoA)
Rohde: Kosovo and Serbia have satisfied local audience, but they have not come close to common goal such as EU (media)
Kurti's adviser to Rohde: Serbia is rejecting and fighting signing of agreement (media)
Osmani: Ambassador Abbott supported many important causes for Kosovar society (Klan)
Abdixhiku meets Hovenier: Coordination serves advancement of national interest (Klan)
Brush: Vucic's self-perception as president of 'Serbian world' does not contribute to dialogue(Reporteri)
Police on leaflets distributed in the north: It is not serious threat (Koha)
Croatian PM on Banjska attack: Kosovo-Serbia war almost started (Reporteri)
Sandulovic after CBK decision: Radoicic, Veselinovic, Rakiqi and other criminals will no longer get rich (Reporteri)
OSCE: Draft law on IMC should not have restrictions and unfair influence on media (RFE)
The New York senator proposes a resolution for February 17 (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

O'Brien’s message to Pristina: If you do not treat us as partner, we won’t treat you as a partner either (Kosovo Online, KoSSev, media)
Petkovic: If Kurti truly cared about peace, he would first form Community of Serbian Municipalities (Kosovo Online, media)
Members of National Convent on EU and Serbs from Kosovo visit Brussels to discuss challenges of Serb community (media, social media)
MTS.doo team prevented to repair malfunction at Leposavic municipal building roof (Kosovo Online)
Telekom Serbia director general announced filing criminal charges against Leposavic mayor (media)
Radakovic: Kurti is buying time; three months insufficient for solution (Kosovo Online)
Derikravic went on hunger strike, demands Tax Office return more than 310,000 euros he claims were illegally seized (KoSSev)
“When Kosovo Cadastral Agency changes your identity, gender and origin“ (KoSSev, N1, Radio KIM)
Dacic receives new Slovak Ambassador (Tanjug)
Vucic: Time has come to establish large movement for people and state (Tanjug)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Vucic wants to leave open the possibility of invading Kosovo (media)
• State Department: Kosovo can continue procedures to purchase Javelins (Klan)
• New pamphlets in north, police initiate case for call to resistance (Koha)
• Uglanin: Pamphlets calling for resistance, threat to population (Telegrafi)
• EU: IMC draft law should not negative effect on media freedom (RFE)
• "Postponed prohibition" of dinar, Rohde surprised "how deadlines are given without a plan?"(Nacionale)
• Gjoshi: CBK has become a shelter of Kurti’s militants (media)
• Shala: Situation in north can escalate; protest led by Belgrade-backed SL (EO)

Serbian Language Media:

• Elek: Kurti’s goal is to displace Serbs, I hope reason will prevail (Radio KIM)
• Gogic: CBK measures are phrases, they won’t ensure stable flow of funds to Serbs and Serbian institutions (Kosovo Online)
• Escobar: Unilateral moves in Kosovo will have consequences (Tanjug, RTS, KiM radio)
• Hill: We were clear about the concerns regarding the dinar ban (Tanjug, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Leaflets for “resistance to Kurti’s police” allegedly appeared in Mitrovica North (KoSSev)
• How will elections in the USA affect Serbia? (Danas, FoNet, ipese.rs)
• Szijjarto: Serbia ready to join EU tomorrow, membership not to be conditioned with Kosovo issue (Kosovo Online, Insajder)
• Livadice victims' commemoration on Friday (KiM radio, Kontakt plus radio, radio Mitrovica sever)
Opinion:
• How a German journalist misinterprets unrelated facts: Dragutin Nenezic’s answer to Mihael Martens (Danas)

International:

• Former Allies Argue Over Prishtina Coalition Crisis (Prishtina Insight)
• As Serbian Journalist’s Murder Goes Unpunished, Verdict Comes Under Scrutiny (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani meets German ambassador, talk also about implementation of CBK regulation (Klan)
CBK's 10-point plan for the dinar that must be implemented within three months (Express)
Governor Ismaili: CBK has not postponed deadline for implementation of Regulation (TV Dukagjini)
Abbott: CBK regulation should not be seen only as a matter of sovereignty (Koha)
Government and opposition worried about situation in north (Koha)
KFOR observed protest in north, says it was peaceful (media)
New organization appears in north, instructs citizens how to oppose police (Koha)
Maqedonci: Equipment of KSF with Javelin, a fait accompli- waiting for USA offer (Klan)
Visiting restrictions for Thaci and others lifted (Koha)
Measure for employment of citizens in four northern municipalities, launched (media)
Haradinaj meets Hovenier, talk about political developments in Kosovo (media)
Krasniqi meets Danish minister, discuss developments in Kosovo (media)
Abdixiku: Kosovo is collective hostage to symbolic populism, people are leaving (Albanian Post)
Tirana hosts the EU-Western Balkans roundtable on the growth plan (RTK)
Kervan and Ahmetxhekaj discuss community programs at RTK (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

Serbian List calls on citizens not to fall for provocations of alleged "People's Defense" (Kosovo Online, N1, BETA)
Problems pileup but solutions are not at sight (N1)
Bishop Teodosije: Many are turning away from Serbs; there is danger of disappearing from these areas (Kosovo Online)
Abott meets Konjufca, discuss CBK decision as well (media, social media)
CBK issues instructions for implementation of cash regulations (N1, KoSSev)
Djuric on transition period of CBK decision on dinar (Tanjug, Kosovo Online, media)
KFOR Multinational Specialized Unit conducted security patrol at margins of protest in Mitrovica North (Kosovo Online, social media)

International Media:

Kosovo Serbs Protest Euro-Only Policy as Bank Offers Transition Period (Balkan Insight)
Trend of Albanian Women Suicides Caused by Men ‘Worrying’, Experts Say (Balkan Insight)