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UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 24, 2023

• Borrell: Any attempt to question the agreement is futile (media)
• U.S. expects agreement to pave way to recognition by 5 EU members (Koha)
• Kosovo will implement measures agreed on with Serbia, PM says (Reuters)
• If Association with executive powers becomes mandatory, Kosovo faces new elections, Assembly Speaker says (Prishtina Insight)
• Kurti: SL decision not to take part in elections, sign of Belgrade control (media)
• Von Cramon calls on Serbian List to take part in elections (RFE)
• Vela: Serbia is violating the agreement, sanctions should follow (Albanian Post)
• Hill: Talks for a Kurti-Vucic meeting to explain several things (media)
• U.S. Ambassador to EU meets Kosovo Ambassador to Brussels (media)
• Osmani: NATO membership, one of main objectives (Albanian Daily News)
• Kosovo and Serbia must keep their promise on missing persons (BIRN)
• In Serbia, cooperation with Kosovo scientists can bring threats of violence (BIRN)
• Hovenier: Kosovo remains a champion of Religious Freedom (media)
• Kosovo dervishes welcome spring with centuries-old mystical practices (RFE)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 22, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: The EU must ensure that the agreed agreements are implemented (media)
• Osmani: Borrelli cannot agree on behalf of Vucic (media)
• Kurti lists “obstacles” in his two-year mandate as prime minister (Koha)
• Abdixiku: Letters of U.S. presidents talked about a final agreement with recognition (media)
• Ziv: Israel and Kosovo committed to opening new chapters of cooperation (RTK)
• Government allocates around €300 thousand for Ukrainian and Afghan journalists in Kosovo (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Simic: ZSO and withdrawal of special police preconditions for Serbs’ return to institutions (N1, FoNet, Politika)
• Vucic: KFOR acted professionally during crisis in Kosovo (N1, media)
• Vucevic: Impression is that Serbia was more constructive partner in Ohrid (Tanjug)
• Sekulic: I am afraid of the unfolding of an extra-institutional nature, elections are also very possible (N1)
• Students opposing the European agreement announced participation in the blockades of institutions (KoSSev, Danas, Beta)
• Hill: Signing the agreement is not very important, implementation is the real issue (NMagazin, FoNet, N1)
• Andric Rakic: If Pristina remains consistent - from April 1, Serbs with KM licence plates will not be able to drive in Kosovo and use crossings (Danas)
• The first test of the Ohrid agreement is the Serbian List participation in the elections on April 23 (Danas, FoNet)
• Dacic meets with OSCE's Schmidt in Vienna (Tanjug)
• Kurti: The degree of self-management will not be the same as the CSM (ZSO) (RTS)

Humanitarian/Development:

• How did Crossplag go global? The success story of a Kosovar start-up (BIRN)
• Every village in Kosovo now connected to high-speed broadband internet, with World Bank support (worldbank.org)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 22, 2023

• EU Envoy says agreement reached by leaders of Kosovo, Serbia is turning point on road to normalisation (Radio Free Europe)
• Kurti: Vucic declined generous offer of self-management for K-Serbs (media)
• Starovic reacts to Kurti’s offer for self-management for K-Serbs (media)
• Vela reacts to Vucic saying Serbia won’t agree to Kosovo UN membership (media)
• NATO chief on Ohrid agreement: Parties to fully implement it (Klan Kosova)
• Kurti: We’ll address shortcomings identified in State Department report (media)
• State Department report: Domestic violence still a problem in Kosovo (BIRN)
• Szunyog meets Krasniqi, discuss opposition’s support for agreement (media)
• Lajcak, ICRC President discuss missing persons cases in Balkans (Express)
• Hasani: South Tyrol can be a model for the Association in Kosovo (T7)
• Kurti meets generals Hoppe and Hammerstein (media)
• COMKFOR Ristuccia meets Mojsilovic in Belgrade (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 21, 2023

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 21, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• UN hails agreement between Serbia and Kosovo (media)
• Kurti: I expect international factors to reprimand Serbia (media)
• Musliu: For PDK, the agreement is unacceptable (Kallxo)
• Krasniqi: State Department report shows failure of Kurti’s government (media)
• Rexhepi on Association: Doesn’t have to do with minority rights (KTV)
• “Bad ending”; Selimi, Ischinger and Maliqi predict failure of Ohrid agreement (Express)
• Mustafa: Kosovo didn’t win anything; deal helped avoid instability in the north (media)
• What is self-management? (Albanian Post)
• Serwer: Ohrid agreement did not have any major content (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: Legally binding for Serbia when it signs or verbally agrees (KiM radio, N1, FoNet)
• Todic on expropriation, international organisations’ responses (Kosovo-Online)
• Belgrade and Pristina complicate life for Serbs from the North of Kosovo with moves around vehicle plates: Is a new crisis approaching? (Danas)
• Vucic: Italy a sincere friend, has never put Serbia under grave pressure (Tanjug)
• Tajani: Balkans has strategic significance (Tanjug, media)
• Dacic: Serbia has set aside 1.5 mln euros more in aid to Syria, Turkey (Tanjug)

Opinion:

• Power Has Corrupted Vetëvendosje’s ‘Operating Map’ (BIRN)

International:

• After Agreement, Kosovo and Serbia Argue Over Implementation (Balkan Insight)
• 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (state.gov.)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 21, 2023

• Borrell: Ohrid Agreement creates new status-quo in dialogue, Association is an urgent matter (media)
• Kurti: We have enough votes for membership in the Council of Europe (TeVe1)
• Murati: Kosovo wasn’t allowed at donors' conference without a footnote (media)
• State Department: Government corruption and gender-based violence, among key problems in Kosovo (media)
• Guerot: There will be consequences if agreements are not respected (media)
• Hovenier thanks Osmani for sharing experiences and thoughts (RTK)
• Haradinaj: Three objectives must be achieved in first phase of implementation of agreement (TeVe1)
• Serbia, Kosovo ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ on EU-backed deal unpacked (euractiv)
• Serbia and Kosovo Weren’t Desperate Enough for an Ohrid Breakthrough (BIRN)
• UAE welcomes Serbia-Kosovo agreement on plan to normalise relations (wam.ae)
• Analysts on Ohrid meeting: It did not bring what was expected, there is no agreement without compromise (eoronews.al)
• Prosecution Case in Kosovo Ex-Guerrillas’ Trial ‘Could Take Six Years’ (BIRN)
• Serbian List: We won’t take part in elections without Association (gazeta10)
• Suspect for Arson Attack on Kosovo Journalist’s House Detained (BIRN)
• Francophonie Week Starts in Peja (Prishtina Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 20, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Escobar: Implementation of normalisation agreement must start immediately (RFE)
• Hovenier: Kurti to work with us on implementation of Association (Koha)
• Kurti: EU to find mechanism to make agreement legally & internationally binding (media)
• Kurti to report about Ohrid agreement to Assembly on Thursday (media)
• Ischinger: Implementation will require constant supervision, and nudging (media)
• PDK calls for dismissal of Minister Rozeta Hajdari (Telegrafi)
• Tahiri reacts to Osmani: Easiest to criticise internationals when you fail (EO)

Serbian Language Media:

• Civil society: Work to build trust so that political agreements take root and benefit society (Kontakt plus radio)
• Dacic: Serbia managed to protect its national interests in Ohrid (Kosovo Online)
• Jeremic on consequences of European proposal on Kosovo (N1)
• Metropolitan Joanikije: Agreement is unacceptable if it means that Kosovo is treated as an independent state (KoSSev)
• Gathering against EU plan on Kosovo took place on Friday in Belgrade (N1, media)
• SNS top official criticises opposition gathering over Kosovo issue (BETA, TV Pink)
• Opposition calls for new protest against European proposal (Radio KIM)
• Drecun: Progress made in Ohrid, ‘traps’ of EU proposal avoided (Tanjug, TV Pink)
• Montgomery: Vucic deserves full support in fighting against pressure (Kosovo Online, Tanjug)
• Three Serbian houses in Kosovo burglarized (Radio KIM)

Opinion:

• Serbia and Kosovo Weren’t Desperate Enough for an Ohrid Breakthrough (BIRN)
• Nenezic on the annex to the European agreement: A lot of bureaucracy about a little bit big obligations (KoSSev)
• Lazarevic: These negotiations distance Serbia from Kosovo (N1, KoSSev)
• Hoxha: For the USA more important not to waste time then the signature; inevitable formation of the CSM (ZSO) or whatever it's called (KoSSev, Nova S, News Max Adria)
• Ognjen Gogic: Lower probability of the formation of the CSM (ZSO) after the Ohrid meeting (Danas)
• In the north, "confused" after Ohrid, they don't know anything about plates, institutions... (N1)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 20, 2023

• United States welcomes accord between Kosovo and Serbia (media)
• State Department urges Kosovo and Serbia to immediately implement their agreement (The Pavlovic Today)
• EU publishes Implementation Annex of Kosovo-Serbia agreement (media)
• Osmani: Accommodative approach towards Serbia should change (media)
• NATO: Kosovo and Serbia to implement what they agreed on (RTK)
• Hovenier on talks in Ohrid: An important agreement has been reached (media)
• Germany congratulates Kosovo and Serbia (media)
• UNMIK chief Ziadeh welcomes progress made in Ohrid (media)
• Ohrid Agreement, Slovak Foreign Minister promises support (RTK)
• Turkey welcomes Ohrid agreement between Kosovo and Serbia (media)
• Kosovo and Serbia agree to EU plan to normalise relations (Financial Times)
• Despite 'Difficult' Talks, Kosovo And Serbia Reach Agreement On Normalizing Ties (RFE)
• Krasniqi: Kurti accepted everything he had promised not to accept (media)
• PSD to protest on Saturday, demands Kurti's resignation (media)
• Smoke and mirrors make confusion, not peace (peacefare.net)
• Petritsch: Implementation leads to normalisation and recognition (RFE)
• “Kurti couldn’t refuse!” Analyst: He grew politically with the Association (euronews.al)
• Vucic: Serbia ready to work on implementation up to its red lines (Tanjug)
• Opposition criticizes Vucic after Ohrid talks: Citizens are deceived (N1)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 17, 2023

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 17, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• EU: The meeting in Ohrid will focus on finalising the Annex to the Agreement (media)
• Escobar optimistic about Ohrid: USA, the biggest supporter of Kosovo in the world (media)
• PM Kurti meets U.S. Envoy Gabriel Escobar (Klan)
• Osmani: Any tendency of Serbia to hinder agreement through conditionality damages dialogue (media)
• Konjufca meets with Escobar: Kosovo is constructive, unlike Serbia as an undermining party (media)
• March 22, deadline for applications for certification of political entities for elections in the north (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• 19 years since March violence, organisers not held responsible yet (N1, KoSSev, media)
• Activities to commemorate anniversary of March violence in Kosovo (KoSSev, media)
• Serbian officials on March violence (media, social media)
• US Ambassador Hill on March violence (Kosovo Online, Kurir)
• Vucic: We have still not received draft paper on what EU wants (Tanjug)
• KSF member suspected of wounding Serb youth in Gotovusa sent to house arrest (KoSSev)
• Reactions to send KSF member suspected of wounding Serb youth in Gotovusa to house arrest (Radio KIM, media)
• Vucic thanks Cuba for supporting Serbia's territorial integrity (Tanjug)
• Obradovic: Vucic never said he is against Kosovo membership in UNESCO, Interpol (BETA)
• Vucic: We will preserve integral Serbia as written in Constitution (BETA, N1)

Humanitarian/Development:

• KoSSev director wins award for a story about life in Cernica, award money to be donated to a family in Koretiste (KoSSev, media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 17, 2023

Borrell: Western Balkans can celebrate ‘big step’ if Kosovo and Serbia agree on document (RFE)
Osmani to meet Escobar today (media)
Gjini: We support signing of agreement; it includes recognition (Klan Kosova)
Krasniqi: There will be no agreement on Saturday in Ohrid (media)
Haziri: The agreement does not deserve the LDK’s support (Indeksonline)
Vucic: I don’t plan to sign anything in meeting with Kurti (RFE)
Escobar will take part in Ohrid meeting (RFE)
“Failure to reach agreement increases risk of unrest in north of Kosovo” (VoA)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 16, 2023

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 16, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Borrell: Time to take responsibility and move towards the EU (media)
• Kurti: We continue to be constructive and committed to open dialogue (media)
• Escobar to visit Kosovo, meet Kurti, one day before Ohrid meeting (Indeksonline)
• Krasniqi: We don’t support agreement in its current version (Kosovapress)
• Haliti: I don’t believe there are people in PDK that will oppose EU plan (media)
• Bunjaku: LDK has not changed position on agreement (EO)
• Fehlinger calls on Romania to recognise Kosovo (Nacionale)
• Albanian representatives in Presevo Valley issue joint statement (Telegrafi)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic, Escobar discuss Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (Tanjug, media)
• Escobar: EU proposal about normalisation, not recognition (Tanjug, N1)
• People’s Party launches initiative to call for referendum on EU proposal (KoSSev, media)
• Serbian opposition call for protest against EU Plan on March 17 (N1)
• Bishop of Backa Irinej: Church expressed stance on Kosovo (Danas, Kosovo Online)
• A new version of annexes is being drawn up, to be discussed in Ohrid, said Lajcak (FoNet, N1)
• Serbian anti-western media financed by foreign companies (N1, CRTA)
• Hovenier: “According to the European proposal, Serbia not obliged to remove Kosovo and Metohija from the constitution” (RTS, Tanjug, ATV)
• Vucic thanks China for persevering friendship, support to Serbia (Tanjug)
• Civil society appeals to Kurti and Vucic to sign the agreement: “Compromise is a pillar of democracy, not a concession” (KoSSev)
• The last person arrested in the case of murder of Oliver Ivanovic, released from the custody (KoSSev)

International:

• German Ambassador To Kosovo Upbeat On Prospects Of Normalisation Plan Between Kosovo, Serbia (RFE)

Humanitarian/Development:

• KEK chief unionist: If wages not increased, we’ll leave Kosovo in the dark (Nacionale)
• Too Many Children Suffering Abuse in Kosovo Schools, TV Show Hears (BIRN)