• COVID-19: 2,110 new cases, five deaths (media)
• Kosovo expected to ease COVID-19 measures for visitors (media)
• Kurti: Kosovo the only country in the region not to have used Russian, Chinese vaccines (media)
• EU envoy in Serbia-Kosovo talks optimistic of progress soon (AP)
• Serbia Demands Association of Municipalities and Elections in Kosovo in Meetings with EU, US Envoys (Exit)
• Reeker: U.S. continues to support Kosovo's sovereignty and territorial integrity (Koha/Klan)
• Ambassador Hovenier reaffirms U.S. support for Kosovo Security Force (media)
• Osmani: Ethnic cleansing of Albanians in the north continued post-war (media)
• Dardan Molliqaj released from detention (media)
• Radojicic narrowly avoids arrest at Bernjak border crossing (Kallxo)
• Kosovo arrests, then releases, cameraman recording company eviction (BIRN)
• FAZ reporter: According to a German diplomat, Rugova had no substantial objection to partition of northern Kosovo (Express)
• Teachers' trade union reacts to payment of Serb officials who did not show up for work (media)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 4, 2022
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 3, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: No need for an Association that increases tensions (RTK/Telegrafi)
• "CEC has advanced in organising elections" (Kosovapress)
• Kosovo Government appoints members of boards in "Trepca" and "KEK" (media)
• Rukiqi: Arbitrary intervention in “Agrokosova Holding”, negative precedent (Zeri)
• AJK condemns arrest of Ekonomia Online cameraman (media)
• COVID-19: 2,110 new cases, five deaths (media)
• Krasniqi: No new COVID-19 measures expected today (Telegrafi)
• Committee meets to discuss modification of COVID-19 measures (Klan)
Serbian Language Media:
• Covid-19: 96 new cases, one death registered in Serbian areas (Radio KIM)
• Vucic discusses dialogue, regional stability with Escobar, Lajcak (Tanjug)
• Lajcak: Discussion with Vucic about dialogue constructive (Tanjug)
• US embassy: We want Serbia to succeed (Tanjug)
• Dacic: The key issue for the envoys is holding elections in Kosovo and Metohija (Kontakt plus radio, Tanjug)
• Selakovic with Escobar and Lajcak: Pristina has not fulfilled main part of Brussels agreement – ZSO (Kosovo-online)
• Escobar and Lajcak will try to convince Vucic to meet with Kurti before the elections (Danas)
• ''Oslobodjenje'' movement activists covered Belgrade center with posters against Vucic, Lajcak, Escobar and Schmidt (Danas, Beta)
• Covic: If Brussels agreement is constantly blocked, one should turn to Resolution 1244 (Radio KIM)
• Orthodox cemetery in Djakovica cleaned up (Radio KIM)
• Serbian PM tells Moscow’s envoy Belgrade expects Russian PM’s visit soon (N1)
• Brnabic: Serbia hopes for opening cluster 3 during French EU presidency (N1)
• Stano: Legally binding agreement on normalisation goal of dialogue (Tanjug)
• Ministers Stefanovic, Vulin with General Mojsilovic on the situation in the Ground Security Zone (Kosovo Online, Vecernje Novosti)
• Serbian minister calls KFOR to prevent incursions by armed gangs from Kosovo (Beta, N1)
• Bisevac: Additional exam term in March approved due to anti-Covid measures and restriction of movement (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Lawyer on Pristina University and SOC dispute: Eparchy requests lawsuit be revoked (Kosovo-online)
• Vucic receives Bundestag rapporteur for Western Balkans (Tanjug)
International:
• US aircraft carrier visits Adriatic to take part in a NATO-led military exercise (Hina, N1 Zagreb)
• Serbian opposition parties unite against Vucic’s populists (AP)
• Big Tech Has Engineered the Triumph of Click-Bait in Media (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Central European, Balkan, Athletes Dream of Glory in Beijing (Balkan Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 3, 2022
• U.S. Embassy: Kosovo’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, Constitution are sacrosanct (media)
• UK Balkans envoy expected to visit Kosovo next week (Express)
• Bislimi: We are concerned with Borrell's bias (Koha)
• Belgrade-bound, Lajcak visits Kosovo-Serbia common border crossing point (Express)
• Vucic to US and EU envoys: Belgrade responsible, Pristina avoids obligations (N1)
• Lajcak: Kosovo deserves to be granted a visa-free regime (euronews.al)
• EU, US Urge Kosovo to Propose Models for Association of Serb Municipalities (Exit)
• U.S. Envoy urges implementation of all Kosovo-Serbia agreements (RFE)
• Spahiu: Association is the price Kosovo will pay for recognition from Serbia (Klan)
• Commentators assess visit of EU, U.S. envoys, Kurti’s position (Telegrafi)
• EU Election Observation Mission in Kosovo present report on local elections (media)
• Prime Minister Kurti received the leader of the Alliance for Albanians Zijadin Sela (media)
• Albania-Kosovo power exchange ALPEX joins Europex (SeeNews)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 2, 2022
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 2, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 2,590 new cases, six deaths (media)
• EU, U.S. envoys, Lajcak and Escobar, hold press conference at conclusion of Kosovo visit (media)
• Kurti: Kosovo not afraid of implementing agreement on Association (Kosovapress)
• Osmani meets Escobar on his final day of visit to Kosovo (media)
• Serwer: Dialogue has stalled on domestic politics (Koha)
• Haradinaj: No way round the decision on Decan Monastery property (RTK)
Serbian Language Media:
• Number of infected people in Serbian areas growing (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Vucic to meet with Escobar, Lajcak on Wednesday (Tanjug)
• Haradinaj on Visoki Decani Monastery land case (Kosovo-online)
• The families of the missing Serbs asked Hoti to appoint their member to the Commission for Missing Persons (KiM radio)
• Lajcak: Belgrade-Pristina dialogue not about status of Kosovo (Beta, N1)
• Surlic: Visit of Escobar and Lajcak is a courteous gesture, without any progress (RTV, Tanjug)
• Kurti: We are not afraid of the Community of Municipalities with a Serb majority, but we are careful (Beta, Danas)
• Bilbija: Establishment of ZSO would stabilise region (Kosovo-online)
• Serbian Ministry of Culture: Enable media to work unhindered (Radio KIM)
• Kosovo government assistance to families who lost someone from Covid; "not valid" for Serbs from the north (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian opposition presidential candidate Ponos says he wanted unity, will respect Constitution (N1, media)
International:
• EU, US want faster progress in Serbia-Kosovo talks (AP)
• U.S., EU urge Kosovo to honour local autonomy deal for Serb region (Reuters)
• North Macedonia, its Balkan Neighbours, Can’t Fight Terrorism Alone (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Society will be safe only when women will feel safe (Radio kontakt plus)
• Last Despatches: Kosovo Journalist Disappears After Visiting Guerrilla Base (Balkan Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 2, 2022
• Pressure mounts on dialogue process as Lajcak and Escobar visit Kosovo (euronews.al)
• Lajcak pleased with understanding and support of opposition for dialogue (media)
• Lajcak and Escobar meet with the Serbian List (media)
• Civil society representatives meet Lajcak (media)
• What kind of association did envoys ask of Kurti? (Klan)
• EU, US Unified over Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue, Say Envoys (Exit.al)
• PSD: Molliqaj arrested without arrest warrant (media)
• Kosovo’s opposition parties react to Molliqaj’s arrest (media)
• Szunyog: Financial sustainability, problem for domestic violence survivors (Kallxo)
• Pupovci: No salaries this month for Serb officials paid without working (Telegrafi)
• Kosovo: Daring to think about the Future of Europe (EWB)
• COVID-19: 2,033 new cases, six deaths (media)
• WHO warns it is 'premature' to declare victory or stop fight against Covid-19 (France 24)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 1, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 2,033 new cases, six deaths (media)
• Krasniqi: PDK supports a final agreement that does not undermine state sovereignty (media)
• LDK: Kosovo-Serbia dialogue to conclude in mutual recognition (media)
• Haradinaj: Kosovo-Serbia agreement to include mutual recognition under existing borders (media)
• Tahiri: EU to speak in a clear voice, avoid ambiguous communication (media)
• Analysts view Escobar, Lajcak visit as pressure on dialogue and Association (RFE)
• Government to ERO: Block tariff to be 1,000 instead of 600kWh (Koha)
Serbian Language Media:
• Covid-19: 140 new cases, three deaths registered in Serbian areas (KoSSev)
• Petkovic: Dialogue cannot be treated as a monologue of one side that blackmails; return to the negotiating table (media)
• UNS, Cup: Systematic discrimination of Serbian media outlets (KoSSev, Kosovo-online, TV Most)
• Yugoslav Army General who signed agreement ending Kosovo war dies (N1)
• Brnabic says April elections crucial (N1, Happy TV)
Opinion:
• Diplomacy over War; Truth over Lies (Gazeta Metro/media)
International:
• Džihić: The awakening of civic movements has imposed the logic that change is possible (EWB)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Could Sundance stormer 'Hive' be Kosovo’s first-ever Oscar contender? (euronews)
• "We are losing the Balkan lynx" (balcanicaucaso.org)
• Media: Kosovo has lowest minimum wage in Europe (Beta, N1)
• Kosovo Albanians Join Video Campaign to Support Folk-Dancing Teacher (Balkan Insight)
• NGO LINK with the support of UNMIK encourage the development of youth entrepreneurship (Radio Mitrovica sever)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 1, 2022
• In visit to Kosovo, Lajcak and Escobar meet institutional leaders (media)
• Kurti: Kosovo's territorial integrity, sovereignty, functioning not to be undermined by anyone (media)
• Osmani: Serbia blocking progress in dialogue (media)
• Kosovo's DPM Bislimi meets U.S. and EU envoys, Escobar and Lajcak (media)
• Vela: Escobar's positions in line with those of Kosovo (Telegrafi)
• Experts: Almost impossible to reach Kosovo-Serbia agreement in 2022 (VOA)
• COVID-19: 1,593 new cases, three deaths (media)
• Fejzullahu: Energy in the north is a political issue (KTV)
• Balkan parties join rightist summit in Madrid to “Defend Europe” (BIRN)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 31, 2022
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 31, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 1,593 new cases, three deaths (media)
• Osmani: We have not received new proposals about the Association (media)
• Kurti: It is not possible to have no subsidies, no increase in prices, no disconnection (media)
• Escobar and Lajcak to meet opposition parties as well (demokracia.com)
• LDK against increase of electricity tariffs (media)
• Krasniqi: Government will be responsible for increase of electricity price (media)
• Kosovo "respects" the Washington moratorium even after expiration (RFE Albanian)
• Haliti: Negotiations with Serbia on contested matters should begin (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Covid-19: 107 new cases registered in Serbian areas on Saturday (Radio kontakt plus)
• Kosovo, Albania to form cross-border administrative area (N1, Kosovo-online)
• Escobar: US, EU don’t decide on distribution of power in Serbia (N1)
• Two largest Serbian ruling parties to run separate lists in upcoming elections (N1)
• Serbian List is not interested in social policy; Simic: Incorrect (Kim Radio, Kosovo Online, Kosova press)
• Lajcak: Experts from Belgrade, Pristina discuss license plates (N1)
• Selakovic on the "Belgian model": The Brussels Agreement clearly states what the ZSO is (N1, Beta, TV Pink)
• Drecun: Model of Community of Serb-majority Municipalities agreed in Brussels only acceptable one (Tanjug)
• KLA flag placed at entry of Velika Hoca (Radio KIM)
Opinion:
• The Kosovo case (KiM radio, NMagazin)
International:
• Serbia's Foreign Minister Signals Dead End On Kosovo Talks (RFE)
• Protesters Over Hike in Electricity Price Scuffle With Police (Prishtina Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Energy poverty leads to pollution-related deaths in Albania and Western Balkans (Euractive)
• Tomanić: Environmental issues have a mobilising potential in the entire Western Balkans (EWB)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, January 31, 2022
• Escobar and Lajcak arrive in Kosovo today (media)
• EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak interview with Gazeta Express
• COVID-19: 2,390 new cases, no deaths (media)
• Pristina protesters storm government building over energy prices (RFE)
• Kosovo sends two athletes to Beijing despite backing US boycott (BIRN)
• Hope and healing in Kosovo’s Oscar entry ‘Hive’ (AP)
• Serbian media: Albanians attacked police in Kursumlija (Klan Kosova)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 28, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 3,617 new cases, four deaths (media)
• Minister Murati meets with U.S. Ambassador Jeff Hovenier (ATV)
• Customs: U.S. has become Kosovo's main export market (media)
• Haradinaj: Any option that ignores Constitution and borders, severely damages Kosovo (Reporteri)
• Aliu in Presevo: Belgrade can stop us, but we will continue to insist (media)
• Molliqaj: PDK will not participate, LDK, AAK support Saturday’s protest (media)
• Deliu-Kodra criticizes President for remaining silent about electricity crisis (RTK)
• Hoti: Decision on three doses of vaccine to enter Kosovo does not make sense (media)
• Over six thousand students currently infected with COVID-19 (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Escobar to Pristina: Respect court decision on Visoki Decani Monastery (Radio KIM)
• Petkovic: It is necessary to hold April 3 elections in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
• Trajkovic: Claims that independence of Kosovo is fact are disincentive for negotiations (Kosovo-online)
• Community in a new package for Kosovo (RFE)
• Another witness in case of Dusko Arsic interviewed (Kosovo-online)
• Efraim Zuroff: Comparison of Kosovo Albanians with Holocaust inaccurate (Kosovo-online)
• Ombudsman says textbook denies national minority languages (N1)
International:
• Kosovo Suspends Judge Filmed Acting Illegally by BIRN (Balkan Insight)
• Kosovo Special Court Extends Ex-President Thaci’s Detention (Balkan Insight)