Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.
Skip to main content

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 29, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani: Equality in employment for all, without distinction (media)
Kurti: There is no increase in energy prices, KESCO and ERO address for complaints (media)
Osmani: Order for terrorist attack in Banjska came from Vucic himself (RTV21) 
Government considers it difficult to fulfill criteria for removal of mayors in north (media)
Tahiri: Association's draft statute, biggest failure of this government (media)
Rasic: Serbs in north are expressing great interest in being employed in institutions (Telegrafi)
Kosovo removes "mysterious" cameras in municipalities with Serb majority (media)
Turkish ambassador on Kosovo-Serbia relations: Dialogue, the only way (media)
Dick Marty, author of Kosovo War Crimes report, dies at 78 (media)
Kurti's bodyguard obstructs journalist, AKJ: Uncertainty for media community (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Serbian List: Kurti's regime illegally to confiscate the funds of citizens from northern Kosovo (Tanjug)
Atiq with Hetemi on next year projects (KiM radio)
KP: The organizers of a local protest involving businessmen were fined for failing to announce it in advance (KoSSev)
Dragan Mladjovic Telegram group accusations: It will not go unpunished, the police are working on the case (KoSSev)
Serbia allows RKS plates on its territory, EU welcomes and opposition criticizes the move, Pristina asks for more recognitions (KoSSev)

International Media:

‘This Barbie is the president,’ says Kosovo’s Vjosa Osmani (Politico.eu)  

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 28, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Maqedonci: Three brigades of Serbian Army along Kosovo border (media)
• Svecla: 2023, a challenge for security, but successful year for police (Dukagjini)
• Krasniqi: Monoethnic institutions are not good for Kosovo (Dukagjini)
• Citaku: Most difficult and failed year since declaration of independence (AP)
• 33 Iowa National Guard soldiers to deploy to Kosovo on Friday (media)
• Air corridors opened between Kosovo and Albania (RFE)
• Ismaili: Economic growth this year 3.4%, in 2024 expected to be 4.2% (AP)
• Abdixhiku “most undisciplined” MP, absent from 44 sessions (Demokracia)
• Kryeziu: Northern mayors should resign, the petition delays the process (media)
• Kurti meets second generation of the Citizen Diplomacy Program (media)
• SBASHK: Kurti govt avoided dialogue with wrong approach to unions (RTK)
• Cross-border theft of forests between Kosovo and Serbia (Kallxo)
• KOMF writes to government: Social services risk closure in January (media)
• Not even one fifth of properties in Kosovo owned by women (RFE)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: We’ll begin forming the parliament in January, nothing disputed (Beta, N1)
• Dacic: Kurti trying to take advantage of the events on the domestic political scene (TV Prva, KiM radio, Blic)
• PKS: The funds from the Development Fund are not for debts but for infrastructure (KiM radio)
• Mijacic: There will be further obstructions of the dismissal of mayors (Kosovo Online)
• Andric Rakic: "Overinflated" number of voters in the north could complicate the vote for the removal of the mayor (Kosovo Online)
• Businessmen in the police station and fined because of the protest against the ban on Serbian goods (Kosovo Online)

Opinion:

• Perez: Brussels Feels Only Relief Over Vucic’s Victory in Serbia (BIRN)

International:

• Kosovo's c-bank intl reserves up 5% y/y in Nov (SeeNews)
• Kosovo Children with Autism Raise Funds with Seasonal Drawings (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 28, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti on Association: Those who wanted it, lost their chance on October 26 (media)  
Konjufca: There is no draft statute of Association that Kosovo must implement (Klan) 
Osmani welcomes journalists: You are guardian of truth and integrity (RTK) 
Kurti to journalists: It has been both a successful and challenging year (media) 
Serbia does not respond to the request to open archives (Koha) 
Government requests from north municipalities €12 million for electricity debt (media) 
Indictment filed against a person for murder of Oliver Ivanovic (media) 
Police raid eight locations in Leposaviq suspected of smuggled goods (media)  
Petkovic: Kurti tried to blame Belgrade for failure of dialogue (media) 

Serbian Language Media:

Petkovic: Kurti trying to shift blame for failure of dialogue on Belgrade (Tanjug, RTS)
Businessmen from the Kosovo north and citizens sign a petition for the lifting of the ban on Serbian goods (KiM radio)
The Prosecutor's Office filed an indictment against M.M. in the case of the murder of Oliver Ivanovic (KiM radio, KoSSev)
Lawyer: Nedeljkovic's autopsy findings have not arrived yet, I have contacted the Special Prosecutor's Office (Kosovo Online)
The 10th protest ended yesterday in Belgrade: the opposition invited to a ProGlas rally on Saturday (N1)
EC: Complaints of election irregularities need to be properly investigated (N1)
CoE representative to visit Belgrade over serious election irregularities (N1)

International Media:

Kurti Cautious as Serbia Moves to Allow Kosovo Licence Plates (Balkan Insight) 

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 27, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: We will recognize Serbia’s license plates, once we make sure that it is implementing decision on RKS ones (media)
• Government approves Draft Law on the Security Council of Kosovo (RTK)
• Vetevendosje: Government persistence forced Serbia to accept plates (Koha)
• “Serbia recognizes plates; electricity in north to be paid by Kosovo rules” (Klan)
• Moscow calls USA and EU "incompetent" in solving problem between Kosovo and Serbia (Klan)
• Former Serbian prison guard charged with crimes against civilians (media)
• “Serbia will try to destabilize neighboring govts, including Kosovo” (Sinjali)
• Hoxhaj: Government gave up German condition for "legally binding agreement" with Serbia (Telegrafi)
• LVV on early elections: We will surpass result of February 14 (media)
• CEC is considering suspension of PSD today (Koha)
• Diaspora brought this year over 1.2 billion euros (media)
• Kusari-Lila admits there are high energy bills, tells citizens: "Turn to KESCO!" (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Petkovic expects from Quint to reject and condemn Svecla's slanders about Civil Protection (Kosovo Online)
• Carabinieri commanders visited Visoki Decani (RTS, Blic)
• Dragisa Milenkovic's lawyer hopes easing or cancellation of custody (Tanjug)
• "A month of imprisonment for a high school student, freedom for Milan Radoicic in 24 hours": Manojlovic on the decision of prosecutor Pantelic (Danas, Beta)
• Skero Petrovic on RKS plates: Can the decision be made by the government in a technical mandate? (N1, KiM radio, KoSSev)
• Jevtic: Due to centralization, municipalities in Kosovo have fewer and fewer responsibilities (Kosovo Online)

International:

• Kosovo Citizens Warned of Consequences If They Violate Schengen Area Visa-Free Travel Rules (schengenvisainfo.com)
• Embracing the light: Religious spiritual resiliency in Kosovo (useuworldaffairs.com)
• Serbian lobby in U.S. finances project in Congress to punish Kosovo (euronews.al)
• Serbia: Year of Frustration and Delay in Facing Wartime Past (BIRN)
• Uncontrolled Sale of Devices Processing Biometric Data Raises Concerns for Privacy in Kosovo (Prishtina Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 27, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• EU to Kurti: Kosovo had 10 years to write a draft statute (Koha)
• Bislimi on Serbia’s decision on plates: Masking after failure in Banjska (Klan)
• Court rejects Law articles that reduced high salaries of public officials (Koha)
• Abdixhiku: Kurti agreed to full and unprecedented autonomy in Kosovo (Telegrafi)
• Ombudsperson: We will send Law on Elections to Constitutional Court (media)
• Haziri: Resolution of problem in the north, hostage of political motives (KTV)
• Police remove six surveillance cameras in Zubin Potok (RTK)
• KESCO: Bills are higher because of increased consumption of electricity (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Pristina's prosecutors indict Serb for alleged war crime (Tanjug)
• Movement for the Defense of Kosovo and Metohija: The decision on the Kosovo plates, a continuation of the creeping capitulation (Danas, Beta)
• The Serbian People's Movement to Lajcak, demands and calls presented to react so no new conflicts would not arise (KoSSev)
• Tax administration of Kosovo damaged Derikravic for 313,000 euros? (KiM radio)
• ProGlas calls protest for December 30, demands annulment of elections (N1)
International Media:
• Uncontrolled Sale of Devices Processing Biometric Data Raises Concerns for Privacy in Kosovo (BIRN)
• Serbia cracks down on protests amid ‘election fraud’ outcry (politico.eu)
• Serbia opposition plans further protests against ‘stolen’ election (ft.com)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 26, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Stano says Serbia’s decision to recognize Kosovo plates is positive step (Koha)
• PDK sends Law on Sovereign Fund to Constitutional Court (Koha)
• Opposition: Kurti is trying to go to elections without forming Association (EO)
• Detention extended for suspects accused of Banjska attack (media)
• Tahiri on high electricity bills: Latest blow to Kosovar families (AP)
• “Citizens paying bills equal to those in Belgium and Luxembourg” (Indeksonline)
• CHDRF calls for urgent investigations into “abnormal electricity bills” (media)
• Another action in the north, police searching for smuggled goods (AP)
• Trajkovic calls on northern Serbs to join protests in Serbia (media)
• “Disarm the men!” – Call to action against femicide in Kosovo (Kallxo)

Serbian Language Media:

• Stano: The EU welcomes Belgrade's decision on the plates, it is expected that Pristina will respond in a similar way (N1, Kontakt plus radio)
• Vucevic: Kurti is continuing his terror against Serbs (Kosovo Online, TV Prva)
• MLGA: The collection of signatures for the replacement of the mayor in the north will begin soon (Radio Mitrovica sever, Kontakt plus radio)
• Aleksic: The Government's decision on RKS license plates a proof that Vucic is ready to do anything to preserve power (KiM radio, N1, FoNet)
• The Kosovo's Ministry of Culture has placed under protection and the Gornji Strmac church (Kosovo Online)
• EU: Violence unacceptable, investigate election irregularities (KiM radio, N1)
• Rada Trajkovic invited students and professors of the University in K.Mitrovica to join the protests (Danas)

Opinion:

• Palokaj: The dialogue has failed, only the culprit is being sought (Koha)

International:

• Kosovo says gunmen from Serbia are planning more attacks (Reuters)
• Kosovo’s Long-Awaited Visa Waiver Applies to Most, But Not All (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 26, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

Bislimi: We expect removal of punitive measures (RTK) 
Gervalla in the Holy See at Christmas Eve mass (RTK) 
Haliti: Vulin was in Kosovo on September 24 - internationals are aware of this (Reporteri) 
Potential risk of repeating Banjska scenarios, assessed (Koha)  
KFOR: We do not speculate about any future scenario in the north (Koha) 
Police seize dangerous equipment in Mitrovica North (media) 
The U.S. KFOR conducts security patrol near Leposavic (RTK) 
Northern Serbs protest against ban on import of Serbian goods (Koha) 
UBO poll: LVV first with 48.5%, PDK second, LDK third (media) 
Theft reported in UNMIK offices in the north, police: We found the windows broken (Telegrafi) 
Petkovic on mass protests: It is clear why Kurti supported opposition in Serbia (media) 

Serbian Language Media:

The Government of Serbia enable free movement of all vehicles from Kosovo from 1 January (Tanjug, RTS)
Dacic: Security situation stable, we will continue to protect constitutional order (Tanjug)
More Serbs denied Svecla's allegations that they were logistics for Banjska (KoSSev, KiM radio)
Business owners protested in North Mitrovica over the ban on Serbian goods (Kosovo Online)
Kosovo Ministry of Culture Reconstructs Orthodox Church at Gornje Vinarce as ‘Catholic’ Without Consulting Serbian Church (eparhija-prizren.com, media)
Families of Serbs killed in Banjska still waiting for autopsy results, Vucic says (N1)
Serbian Ministry of Defense: Planning an incursion into the territory of Kosovo is a notorious lie and complete nonsense (Radio Mitrovica sever)
PKS: Satisfaction in Pristina because of the violence in Belgrade (KiM radio)
UNMIK worried about unauthorized entry into its premises (KiM radio, Tanjug, Kosovo Online, Politika)
Cameras in public areas seized in Klokot, Partes and Ranilug; Media: “They were controlled by Belgrade?” (KoSSev)
Ambassador Hill spoke about the protest (Danas, Kosovo Online) 
Vucic after the protest on Sunday: Over 35 thugs arrested (N1, Beta)
Belgrade Sunday protest turned violent (N1)

International Media:

Serbia protests: Anti-government demonstrators try to storm Belgrade city hall (BBC)
Police in Serbia detain nearly 40 people as opposition plans more protests against election results (AP)
Vucic: We will not accept any Document that obliges us to support Kosovo’s Membership in the UN (sarajevotimes.com)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 22, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

President of Bulgaria to pay official visit to Kosovo today (media)
Koopman: Liberalization will help exchanges between Kosovo and EU (RTK)
Kurti met Turkish community in Prizren, talked about free movement in EU (RTK)
Svecla on attack of policeman in north: Situation there has improved significantly (Koha)
Aliu: Specialized Chambers, project of Serbia against Kosovo (RTK) 
Krasniqi: Kurti government has brought regression to Kosovo (media)
Complaints of former KLA leaders about changed conditions of detention, rejected (media)
Albanians to be represented by one MP in Assembly of Serbia (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic: Letter to show foreign interference (N1)
Petkovic: Rajska banja usurpation a robbery of Serbian Orthodox Church property (Tanjug)
Hoxha: Mistake to present Rajska Banja as a political triumph, it is a purely technical issue (KiM radio, Kosovo Online)
Serbian gov't aware of ODIHR mission's conclusions, awaits final report (Tanjug)

International Media:

Serbian tabloids accusing Germany of fuelling violent protests in Serbia, DW denies any involvement (EWB)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 21, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Few indictments for countless paramilitary attacks (Koha)
• Lajcak: We’re ready to make reasonable corrections in proposed statute (Express)
• Osmani: Serbia’s aggression presented constant challenges (Dukagjini)
• Hammerstein: Security situation in Kosovo is deteriorating (media)
• Tense situation in Kosovo north and Bosnia, “Albanian Army vigilant” (media)
• Police confiscate alarm siren, six sound amplifiers in Mitrovica North (Telegrafi)
• Police officer assaulted in Mitrovica North on Tuesday (media)
• Schieder: I haven’t seen anywhere what I saw in Serbian elections (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Milovic on Rajska Banja spa complex: I expect international community to raise voice and stop usurpation (N1, RTS, Kosovo Online)
• Mijacic and Radosavljevic: Taking away the Rajska spa is illegal and problematic (KiM radio)
• Vucic: Serbs to survive in Kosovo, preserve their property (Tanjug, KoSSev)
• Serbian National Forum: Vucic without support of Kosovo Serbs for further Kosovo politics after the elections (N1, FoNet)
• Brnabic: SNS can form next Serbian government on its own (Tanjug)
• Kosovo police removed alarm siren in Mitrovica North (Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic: With the free legal aid project, the EU sending a clear message to Pristina (Tanjug)
• Dasic: I was hit several times by the Kosovo police in Jarinje, I will sue them all (N1, NMagazin, KoSSev)
• General Ralf Hammerstein: Germany sending an additional 200 soldiers to Kosovo (Tanjug)

International:

• NATO peace mission continue patrols to ensure security on Kosovo-Serbian border (AA)
• Witness Identifies Kosovo Village Attack Trial Defendant in Court (BIRN)
• Serbia’s Telecom to Appeal Kosovo Fine for not Notifying Mergers (Balkan Insight)
• Serbia: Alarm over indications of serious elections breached (transparency.org)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 21, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

U.S. State Department: We will continue to ask Serbia to return to dialogue and reduce tensions(Express)
Ahmeti: Greece is one step close to recognizing Kosovo (Koha)
Musliu: Kosovo faced aggression of Serbian terrorist attacks like never before (Reporter)
Kosovo claims that Rajska Banja is theirs, to Serbia it was occupied (RFE)
Rizvanolli: Government has not paid electricity bills in north for a year (Koha)
Kosovo’s Competition Authority fines company owned by Serbian telecom MTS with over €1.5 million (Reporteri)
Representatives from Kosovo and Serbia to meet in January for missing persons (Reporteri)
Police Union after meeting Svecla: We expect improvement of well-being of every member (media)
Jablanovic: Serbian List has lost trust of Serb citizens of Kosovo (Indeksonline)

Serbian Language Media:

Lucic: Pristina fined MTS in Kosovo to prevent it from expanding (RTS, Tanjug)
The custody of Zoran Kostic from Priluzje extended for two months (RTS)
OSCE: Bring to justice those responsible for desecration the Serbian cemetery in Orahovac (Kosovo Online, KiM radio, KoSSev)
Trikos: The state’s interest was to ensure K.Serbs’ right to vote in their hometowns, but the party’s interest took precedent (KoSSev)
Bilcik covering up criticism of the Serbian authorities (N1)
CoE Congress calls for investigation of irregularities in Serbia’s elections (N1)

International Media:

State Department: Urgent call for breakthrough on the association of  Serb Majority Municipalities (The Pavlovic Today)
Serbia to hold election rerun at 30 polling stations (DW)