UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 1, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani received by the Speaker of the Turkish Parliament, Mustafa Sentop (media)
• War in Ukraine - NATO says engagement in Kosovo has not changed (Kallxo)
• Hoti: Kosovo needs to join NATO and the EU through accelerated procedures (Koha)
• Mehaj with a request for citizens for the campaign 'Kosovo in NATO' (media)
• Haradinaj addresses Kurti with five requests after the situation in Ukraine (RTK)
• Doris Pack: Kosovo should be immediately recognized by the five EU countries (Kallxo)
• COVID-19: 61 new cases, one death (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: We will join the UN decisions related to violations of the territorial integrity of Ukraine, not the ones on sanctions (Beta, NMagazin)
• Selakovic: Serbia regrets erupting of crisis and conflict in Ukraine (Kosovo-online)
• Serbia ready for Ukrainian refugees, Red Cross opens account to help Ukrainians (N1)
• Selakovic: ''Separatism is contagious’' (media)
• Grubjesic: Pristina’s request to join NATO encouraged from outside (RTS)
• Serbian Atlantic Council chairman on Pristina’s request to join NATO (Kosovo-online)

International:

• Kosovo Media Weigh Solutions to Boom in Fake News (Balkan Insight)
• BIRN Fact-Check: Do Serbia and Kosovo Really Cooperate on Court Cases? (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Stories of coexistence: Three awards for journalists and media from Kosovo (Kontakt plus radio, Radio Mitrovica sever, KiM radio, KoSSev)
• BiH, Kosovo*, North Macedonia in breach of rules on air pollution from thermal power plants (balkangreenenergynews.com)

• Osmani: Joining Euro-Atlantic institutions more indispensable than ever (media)
• Kurti meets UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson (media)
• Krasniqi: It is time for Kosovo in NATO (Indeksonline/Koha)
• Kosovo defends decision to ban Russian TV channels (BIRN)
• Lajcak: Grateful for German government’s attention to Western Balkans (media)
• Von Cramon: Kosovo deserves membership of Council of Europe (media)
• Powerful Kosovo Serb businessman accused of threatening politician (BIRN)
• Failure to protect LGBTI community and reporters from violence (Kallxo)
• Western Balkans investment summit spotlights transition to green energy (Exit)
• COVID-19: 55 new cases, one death (media)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Kosovo offers many opportunities for foreign investors (media)
• Knaus: Kosovo should become member of the Council of Europe (Telegrafi)
• Hoxhaj calls for Kosovo's membership of NATO (media)
• Haxhiu: One of the Serbs arrested in Pristina communicates with Russia (media)
• Gervalla: The Allies should take Serbia’s threats more seriously (media)
• Ukrainian MP: We should recognise Kosovo independence (media)
• AAK demands parliamentary debate on security in Kosovo (RTK)
• COVID-19: 55 new cases, one death (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Selakovic: Resolving all open issues for lasting reconciliation in the region (N1, Beta)
• Varhelyi: Stability of Western Balkans more important than ever (N1)
• Vucic: I don't know how much the danger is of Kosovo becoming a member of NATO, but it is not naïve (media)
• Serbs arrested in PR for terrorism-related crimes released from custody (KoSSev)
• Vucic: Serbia advocating peace, respect of international law (Tanjug, media)
• Brnabic: Vucic did not choose Putin, but international law; Kosnett: Vucic chose Putin, not the West (KiM radio)
• MTS has removed Russian TV channels (RFE, RTK2)
• Situation at Brnjak crossing without any change (RTK2)
• Vucic: We don't want to agree to the game of provocations of Kosovo Police (KiM radio, RTS, Tanjug)

Opinion:

• Can the Czech EU presidency bring Western Balkans accession any closer? (Balkan Insight)

International:

• Serbia Supports Ukraine’s Sovereignty But Opposes Sanctions on Russia, Vucic says (Balkan Insight)
• In Albanian City Once Named ‘Stalin’, a Base for NATO (Balkan Insight)

• EU concerned that crisis may spread to Western Balkans (Telegrafi)
• Kosovo President: Vucic obviously playing by Putin’s book (Koha)
• Kosovo joins Western sanctions on Russia (BIRN)
• Kosovo asks US for permanent military base, NATO membership (Al Jazeera/Reuters)
• Threat from Russian scenario, KFOR is asked to step up presence in north (Koha)
• Kosovo Police reacts to statement by Serbia’s Office for Kosovo (media)
• Haradinaj wants a fund to be created for the army (Ekonomia Online)
• Media commission: Stopping Russian channels in Kosovo deemed necessary (Koha)
• COVID-19: 81 new cases, one death (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 25, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Kosovo to apply this year for EU membership (media)
• Kosovo adopts sanctions against Russia (RFE)
• Kosovo MPs discuss dialogue with Serbia (media)
• COVID-19: 140 new cases, three deaths (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• New session of Serbian National Security Council takes place today (RTS)
• Ponos: Military resolution of Ukrainian crisis unacceptable, Serbia went through such experience in 1999 (KoSSev)
• Serbian political parties continue reacting to situation in Ukraine (Danas, media)
• Serbia, Morocco to celebrate 65 years of diplomatic relations (RTS)
• Rakic-Andric: Announcements of spillover of violence in Balkans and Kosovo unfounded (Danas)
• Milivojevic: Pristina lobbies for new recognitions with US support (Kosovo-online)
• Serbia ranked partly free in Freedom House report (N1)
• Serbian opposition named another presidential candidate (N1)

International:

• Balkan Countries Evacuate Citizens From Ukraine, Assess Security Threats (Balkan Insight)

• Kosovo institutional leaders strongly condemn Russia's assault in Ukraine (media)
• Osmani: Serbia wants to achieve in Western Balkans what Russia wants in Ukraine (Klan)
• Kurti: Our thoughts and prayers are with people of Ukraine (media)
• UK's Johnson compares Russian assault in Ukraine to that of Milosevic's in Kosovo (media)
• Kosovo Leaders Condemn Russian Attack, Affirm Solidarity With Ukraine (BIRN)
• Fake news in Kosovo sponsored by Russia and Serbia – part of hybrid war, panelists say (Kallxo.com)
• PM Kurti meets KFOR Commander, MG Kajari (media)
• Kosovo Assembly expected to debate on Kosovo-Serbia dialogue today (Koha)
• EU Doubles Bosnia Peacekeepers as Global Security ‘Deteriorates’ (BIRN)
• COVID-19: 189 new cases, three deaths (media)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Russian attack, the biggest military aggression since World War II (media)
• Osmani: We stand with people of Ukraine - Russian hegemony will fail again (media)
• Kosovo Assembly condemns Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine (media)
• Mehaj: We are monitoring the critical security situation in Europe (media)
• Osmani meets U.S. Ambassador Jeff Hovenier (media)
• Abdixhiku: NATO membership a necessity of the time (media)
• Krasniqi: Today, in our minds and prayers, we are with people of Ukraine (media)
• Haradinaj: We support democratic world against Russian aggression in Ukraine (media)
• Voting on State Bureau Draft Law suspended, Konjufca to address Venice Commission (media)
• Kurti: Public administration reform, key standard for EU membership (media)
• Kosovo Police closes illegal smuggling routes at border with Serbia and North Macedonia (Express)
• COVID-19: 189 new cases, three deaths (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic urgently scheduled a session of the National Security Council (media)
• Vucic meets with ambassadors of Quint states, EU delegation chief (N1)
• Dacic, Tadic on attack against Ukraine (N1)
• Serbian political parties on attack against Ukraine (media)
• Covic: If West remembers international law now, let them de-recognize Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
• CoE: Strong condemnation of Russian attack on Ukraine, ''dark hour for Europe'' (N1)
• Varhelyi: There can never be a reason to attack another country (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic: Spain will not recognize Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Vucic: Serbian response on EU sanctions on Russia in next 48 hours (media)
• Peci: There are no minimal conditions to vote on April 3 elections at Liaison Office (Kosovo-online)
• Covid-19 in Serbian areas: Nine new cases (Kontakt plus radio)

International:

• EUFOR sending 500 additional troops to Bosnia as a “precautionary measure” (N1 Sarajevo)
• Ukraine Border States Prepare for Wave of Refugees (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Marija Novakovic reclaims her apartment in Pristina (VoA, media)
• Serbia Welcomes WHO Permit to Produce COVID Vaccines (Balkan Insight)
• Supermarket Giants Crush the Life out of Kosovo’s Small Stores (Prishtina Insight)
• Healthy Media Ecosystem Best Disinformation Antidote (Beta)

• NATO Secretary General statement on Russia’s attack on Ukraine (media)
• EU condemns Russia’s attack on Ukraine (media)
• UN Secretary-General’s remarks following Security Council meeting on Ukraine
• Statement by U.S. President Biden on Russia’s attack on Ukraine (media)
• Osmani: Kosovo stands with Ukraine and its people (media)
• U.S. Ambassador Hovenier meets Bishop Teodosije (media)
• Struggling Kosovo Telecom hit by €13 million arbitration ruling (BIRN)
• Kosovo faith leaders unite against same-sex marriages (BIRN)
• The end of the Russian defence of Kosovo (media)
• Serbia feels the heat as Ukraine conflict burns (BIRN)
• 4000 Albanians struck from voter lists with Serbian elections looming (Exit News)
• COVID-19: 257 new cases, three deaths (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 23, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• Lajcak: We are close to reaching an agreement on some issues (media)
• Bislimi informs about Tuesday’s meeting with Lajcak (media)
• Haxhiu: Serbia has territorial claims against Kosovo (RTK)
• Kurti: We will soon propose the level of minimum salary (media)
• Kosovo to convene its National Security Council to discuss Ukraine crisis (Express)
• Szunyog: Lack of quorum in the Assembly of Kosovo is worrying (media)
• Azemi: ITUPSK will not accept minimum salaries under €400 (media)
• Population Census to be held this year (media)
• IPA prohibits processing of personal data collected in collective buildings and orders their destruction (Telegrafi)
• COVID-19: 257 new cases, three deaths (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic responds to Ukrainian ambassador: Kiev must condemn aggression on Serbia (Tanjug)
• Petkovic expects new round of talks soon; Bislimi refused to meet face to face (N1, Tanjug, RTS)
• Vucic visits Spain (RTS)
• EU expects Serbia to align with sanctions against Russia; US welcomes Serbia's respect of Ukraine’s territorial integrity (N1, VoA)
• Haxhiu: Serbs can vote by mail or the Liaison Office (KiM radio, media)
• Trajkovic reacts to Haxhiu’s statement (Kosovo-online)
• Opposition People’s Party: Serbia to remain militarily neutral, respect territorial integrity of all countries (N1)

International:

• Serbia and Kosovo Negotiators Fail to Meet in Brussels (Balkan Insight)

• Dialogue without a direct meeting between the delegations (Koha)
• Kurti: Mistake some Muslim-majority countries don’t recognize Kosovo (media)
• Kosovo government building lights up in colors of Ukraine flag (media)
• Putin calls for recognition of Crimea as Russia, compares it to Kosovo (RFE)
• Haziri proposes internal dialogue before new phase of talks with Serbia (media)
• Surroi: Agreement with Serbia not expected to be finalised this year (RTK)
• Kosovo murder trial witnesses nervous about accusing Serb gang (BIRN)
• COVID-19: 158 new cases, one death (media)