UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 11, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani at meeting of leaders of region within Brdo-Brione Process (Koha)
• Kurti and the U.S. deputy ambassador commemorate the September 11 attack (media)
• Emin Hoxhaj appointed director of Agency for Protection of Classified Information (media)
• Israeli Minister of Tourism to visit Kosovo (media)
• Tahiri: We are committed to overthrow Kurti government (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Brdo-Brioni summit in Skopje, leaders on dialogue in the region and the European path (RTS)
• Vucic: Correct and constructive discussion in Skopje (Tanjug, RTS)
• Dacic: Kurti politically disoriented, he is the biggest threat to peace (Kosovo Online, Kurir)
• Third hearing in case of Sladjan Trajkovic closed to public (Kosovo Online)
• Office for KiM: Burned returnee house in Madjunsko; Serbian List: Attacks are a daily occurrence (KiM radio)
• Protest organisers submit request for snap elections (N1)
• Serbian opposition leader: We will focus on forming large bloc for elections (BETA, N1)

International:

• Athens denies Kosovo PMs statement that it’s close to recognising independence (Euractiv)
• Men Only: Kosovo’s Public Broadcaster Snubs High-Scoring Women for Top Posts (BIRN)
• State Department Rebukes Kosovo Prime Minister Kurti For Uncoordinated Actions In North Mitrovica (The Pavlovic Today)

Albanian Language Media:

Lajcak: High-level dialogue preparations in full speed, working on positive outcomes (media)
Kurti: EU, US and other allies must urge Serbia to fulfil its treaty obligations (media)
Pristina to host Mediterranean Games in 2030 (media)
Rasic accuses Serbia of blackmail, asks it to release Leposavic director (RFE)
Selimi reacts to “pattern of intimidating Serbs who disobey Belgrade dictate” (media)
“There should be no uncertainties over police engagement because it incites tensions” (Koha)
Rasic skeptical about elections in the north, blames Vucic (Kosovapress)
Osmani meets Pendarovski in Skopje; “look forward to discuss joint steps” (Kallxo)
“Country in information darkness”; LDK, AAK want Kurti to report before meeting Vucic (EO)
Debate to oust government expected to dominate new sessions of Assembly (Koha)
Devastating earthquake in Morocco; KSF ready to help affected areas (Nacionale)

Serbian Language Media:
Petkovic: Belgrade-Pristina dialogue results determined by establishment of CSM (Tanjug)
Lajcak: Preparations for September 14 meeting in full swing, we are working on positive outcomes (Kosovo Online, social media)
Decision to “vacate“ building in Bosniak Mahala used by Serbian institutions postponed again (KoSSev, N1)
Vucic: We must be ready to protect our homeland at all times (N1, RTS)
DefMin Vucevic receives Ohio National Guard commander (N1)
Serb arrested in Leposavic sent to 48-hour detention (RTS)
Olympic Committee of Serbia condemns decision to choose Pristina to host 2030 Mediterranean Games (RTS)
International Media:
Kosovo capital Pristina chosen to host 2030 Mediterranean Games (AP)
Partial Ban on Plastic Bags Applauded by Environmental Activists (BIRN)
The real people behind Vucic’s army of bots (Kosovo 2.0)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Greece is near recognising Kosovo (media)
• “U.S. will continue to support advancement of Kosovo stability and prosperity” (media)
• Osmani meets Quint permanent ambassadors at NATO (media)
• Police at Zubin Potok factory; Elshani: We assisted privatisation agency (media)
• Ex-police officer in north arrested, suspected of taking bribe and abuse of duty (Sinjali)
• Gjoshi: We won’t overthrow Kurti government with votes of Serbian List (Koha)
• Biserko: Serbia is not giving up on idea of Greater Serbia (media)
• Haxhixhemajli: Through Northern Brigade, Vucic tries to incite tensions in north (KSP)
• Construction of houses in north, VV MP emotional: Tears of joy (Nacionale)
• Osmani congratulates Pendarovski on North Macedonia Independence Day (media)
• Lutfi calls on internationals: Albanians in Serbia are being discriminated (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: Pristina shows that their power has no limits (RTS)
• Radio KiM: Privatization Agency and the police at the factory in Zubin Potok (N1)
• The trial in the case of Dusko Arsic for war crimes continued in Pristina (Beta, N1, Kosovo Online)
• Stoltenberg: KSF deployment in the north requires prior concurrence of KFOR; Osmani: The north will always be part of Kosovo (KoSSev)
• Poll: The majority would sign the petition to remove the mayors; a part if the conditions are met or Belgrade request it (KoSSev)
• Starovic: Stoltenberg implicitly admitted that the KP is a destabilizing factor in the north

Opinion:

• Fajon: Full speed ahead to 2030 (media)

International:

• Kosovo’s Blueprint for Mayoral Dismissals Meets Scepticism From Experts (BIRN)
• Kosovo’s Beloved Hardh Fest Shuts Its Doors on a Spectacular Season (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani: We will work for the Kosovo flag to fly in NATO (media)
Bislimi: Agreement with Serbia should implement without delay and conditions (Koha)
Lajcak intensifies meetings on dialogue before Kurt-Vucic meeting (media)
CEC "confused" by Administrative Instruction for mayors’ dismissal (Klan)
New threat from the "Northern Brigade" (Koha)
Deadline to vacate property used by illegal structures expires today (RTK)
Reactions after NATO SG’s statement on deployment of Police in north (Klan)
Haradinaj: Kurti is waging a hybrid war against Kosovo's achievements (Klan)
Delawie calls on five EU countries to recognize Kosovo (RTK)
Konjufca calls for more commitment to rights of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Stoltenberg: KSF for the North needs consent; we are also looking for consultations for KP actions that can affect security (KoSSev)
Petkovic: Clearly stated that KSF cannot go to the north (Tanjug)
NATO chief welcomes steps to ease tension in Kosovo (N1)
Momirovic: I will reopen the issue of the blockade of Serbian goods in Brussels (Radio Mitrovica sever)
Vucic receives Ohio National Guard commander (N1)

International Media:

Kosovo's president says Serb investigators are dragging their feet over attacks on NATO peacekeepers (AP)
NATO chief calls for accountability over attack on NATO’s mission in Kosovo (Anadolu Agency)
Fehlinger Wants Kosovo in EU in 2029, Calls for ‘Isolation’ of Serbia (SchengenVIsa)
‘It Crushed Me’: Loneliness of Suffering Image-Based Sexual Abuse in Kosovo (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: We’re really trying; Serbia is not distancing from Milosevic’s policy (media)
• Stoltenberg: We’re working hand in hand with EU on Kosovo and WB (Klan)
• EU official: Measures against Kosovo are provisional and reversible (media)
• Butikofer: Situation in WB destabilised through wrong EU-US positioning (media)
• Rohde: Berlin Process driving vital economic integration in Western Balkans (media)
• Police says bomb alarm in a Mitrovica North building was false (Albanian Post)
• Graffiti with inciting content seen in Leposavic, police investigating (media)
• Selimi on administrative instruction, “very complicated process” (Albanian Post)
• Haxhiu: Civil Code this year, we’ll have votes of VV MPs that were against (Express)
• Pendarovski: Kurti didn’t misuse visit to North Macedonia even for a second (media)
• Canak: There are no Serbian monasteries in Kosovo, they are orthodox monasteries appropriated by Serbia (Koha/TV Happy)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic to address nation “about all important issues” (N1)
• Dacic certain of SNS, SPS election victory (Beta, FoNet, N1)
• Petkovic to the Quint and Lajcak: Pristina's ultimatum can deepen the crisis and raise tensions (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• A day before the deadline for Serb institutions to vacate the building, KP inspected the premises after receiving a tip about a bomb (KoSSev)
• Igor Simic: The attempt to evict the building in Bosniak Mahala part of the plan to expel the Serbs (Kosovo Online, Tanjug)
• Petkovic: ''The false bomb alert is Kurti's trick, I informed the international community'' (Tanjug)
• "KFOR dedicated to preserving security and freedom of movement in Kosovo" (KiM radio)
• Andric Rakic: If the decision to “vacate” the facility in Bosniak Mahala is implemented, the scenario of May 26 can be repeated (Kontakt plus radio)
• US Ambassador Hill: Serbia-US relations stable (FoNet, N1)
• Day of America in Belgrade, the US Embassy: When the Ohio National Guard returns to Serbia (KoSSev)

Opinion:

• Shasha: Between cynicism and hope (Koha)

International:

• RTK’s Board Blocks High-Scoring Women from Top Jobs (Prishtina Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• GAP report on progress of mayors in implementing election promises (media)
• Ministry bans use of plastic bags, some will be paid (Kosovapress)

Albanian Language Media:

Kosovo, the newest member of the Open Government Partnership (RTK)
Kurti meets with Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of US Department of State (Reporteri)
President Osmani traveled to Brussels, to meet with NATO SG (media)
Bislimi meets Lajcak: Kosovo remains constructive and insists on full equality between parties (Klan)
EULEX chief visits Special Prosecutor's Office: I support work of prosecutors (RTK)
Kurti on the 24th anniversary of the Police: Together in the fight against crime (media)
Svecla in the north, congratulates policemen on anniversary of KP establishment (Klan)
KFOR Commander: There is no military solution to the unstable situation in Kosovo (Klan)
Svecla on Interpol membership: There are political obstacles (Klan)
LDK initiates the Investigative Commission for State Reserves (media)

Serbian Language Media:

KFOR Commander: The situation in Kosovo still "very unstable" due to mutual distrust (Tanjug)
Dejan Pantic released on bail (KoSSev)
Petkovic on Pantic's release on bail (Radio Mitrovica sever) 
Enver Hasani: The instruction to remove the mayor is illegal and inconsistent with the Constitution (Radio Mitrovica sever, RFE)
Who is moving in, and who is usurping apartments in the Leposavic municipality? (KoSSev)
Tamara Vucic at First Ladies Summit in Kyiv (N1)

International Media:

EU enlargement chief backs 2030 deadline (politico.eu)
Rights Activists Weren’t Able to Fully Probe Kosovo Crimes: Witness (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti accuses "Russia's allies" of undermining the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (RFE)
• Svecla on threats from Serbian terrorist organization: enemies of Kosovo will end up being accountable to the law (Reporteri)
• After being admitted to the OGP, Kurti talks about the developments in Kosovo (media)
• Konjufca: Association can be made in 1 minute, but only after we have de facto recognition (Albanian Post)
• Kurti meets Prime Minister of Estonia, discuss about situation in Kosovo (media)
• German Government: Our position on visa liberalization remains unchanged (media)
• Special Prosecutor approves request for Kurti as witness in case of Serb arrested for war crimes (Reporteri)
• Selmanaj accuses Kurti of sanctions by the democratic world (Reporteri)

Serbian Language Media:

• Serbian List: “We reject Pristina's ultimatum to leave the premises of the building in North Mitrovica” (Kosovo Online)
• Andric Rakic: The Constitutional Court will overturn the instruction for the petition to remove the mayors (Kosovo Online, Danas)
• Bugaku: The best option is the resignation of mayors in the north (Kosovo Online, RTK2)
• Between European promises and conditionality - three scenarios for Serbia (Radio Mitrovica sever, RTS)
• In seven months, 14 people killed in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• The mayor of Zubin Potok appointed his daughter as the municipal director: I was forced (Danas, Kosovo Online, KiM radio)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti on arms confiscated: Another victory for rule of law and security (media)
• “Northern Brigade” makes death threat against Minister Svecla (Telegrafi)
• Administrative instruction for citizens’ initiative in north published (media)
• Mayor: No conditions for elections soon; resignations more dignifying (Klan)
• Sadiku: Serbs are not in favor of elections through petition (KTV)
• Lajcak meets COMKFOR Ristuccia, “grateful for KFOR’s vital work” (media)
• Konjufca: In case of early general elections, race will be for second place (ATV)
• Kurti meets OSCE Head of Mission, discuss cooperation (media)
• Kurti hosts Swedish Ambassador, discuss dialogue and elections in north (media)
• Muja: Haziri’s statement about second set of sanctions, speculation (Indeksonline)
• Increase in direct foreign investments, almost €100 mil from Germany (Nacionale)
• Deputy minister points to abuse with school books distribution in the past (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• “Early parliamentary elections in Serbia in December” (N1, Blic)
• PM Brnabic: Elections - better sooner than later (NMagazin, Beta, Blic)
• Lajcak and Ristuccia - Exchanged assessments on "potential sources of future tensions" (KoSSev)
• Head of EULEX visit to the North: We are committed to promoting human rights and security (KoSsev)
• Grenell: Thaci was accused because they did not want Trump to achieve success in the Balkans (Kosovo Online, Blic)
• The special prosecutor approved the Kosovo PM to testify in the case of Milenkovic (KiM radio)

International Media:

• Turkish reserve forces to leave Kosovo after fulfilling mission (Anadolu Agency)

Albanian Language Media:

• Germany defies Macron over Kosovo visa liberalisation threat (media)
• Administrative instruction for removal of mayors in north finalised (Telegrafi)
• Rama: Thaci trial raises question of level of respect for democratic principle (media)
• Interior Minister comments on weapons seized in Zvecan (media)
• AmCham calls for lifting of measures on imports from Serbia (RFE)
• Haziri: Second package of measures against Kosovo is ready, govt knows this (TeVe1)
• Rukiqi criticises govt: Failed to initiate a single important economic project (Nacionale)
• Hoxhaj criticises Kurti government for “awfully wrong foreign policy” (media)
• Tahiri: U.S. will no longer allow Kurti to hide content of talks (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• FM Dacic with Philippines FM Manalo in Jakarta (Tanjug)
• Minister Marsudi: Indonesia will not change its position regarding the non-recognition of Kosovo's independence (Politika, Beta)
• Former KP police officers received a summons for questioning as suspects in the "murder of Prime Minister of R. Kosova" (KoSSev)
• Weapons recovered in house raid in northern Kosovo; Svecla: We raided a weapons base in the North (N1, KoSSev)
• Rakic with Barbano on the withdrawal of special units from the north, and bigger presence of EULEX and KFOR (Tanjug)
• Opposition demands immediate parliamentary and Belgrade elections (N1)
• Popov: Kurti does not want to form the ZSO, imposes extreme topics and sways the West (Kosovo Online, Blic)

Opinion:

• Issue of missing persons shouldn’t have become part of Brussels dialogue (Koha)

International:

• Hashim Thaçi’s Interview From The Hague – by Petrit Selimi (medium.com)
• Kosovo’s Thaci Gives First Interview from Detention in The Hague (BIRN)
• Lynching and Public Propaganda Remain a Challenge for Women in Kosovo (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani meets Rama: Kosovo and Albania can pave way for brighter future (media)
Osmani on reaction to Macron: It was not a threat, I was just being honest (media)
Thaci: Peace with Serbia must be achieved through mutual recognition (media)
Germany requests additional steps in the north prior to lifting sanctions (Koha)
“Not much willingness in the north to participate in dismissal of mayors” (Koha)
Daka: CEC does not have mandate to organize referendum in the north (Klan)
Kryeziu on Assembly session: conclusion was drawn before start of debate (RTK)
Opposition warns of criminal charges against Minister Nagavci (media)
Bislimi: Kosovo committed to protection of rights in the Valley (RTK)
Selmanaj: Kurti government has an anti-national approach with our allies (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucevic: I do not expect any de-escalation in Kosovo (KiM radio)
Chief of Staff in Ground Safety Zone (N1)
Petkovic to Osmani: Instead of sabotaging normalization, ask yourself what good the constant warming of the war atmosphere brings to the Albanian people in Kosovo (KoSSev)
Tax Administration of Kosovo: Business owners in Mitrovica given a deadline to register, ‘our aim is not to punish them’ (KoSSev)
Office for KiM: ''New incursion into Serbian buildings, continuation of terror in Pristina'' (Beta, Danas)
Radomirovic: We are not in favor of forced entry into apartments, Todic sharing false solutions and moving in "his own people" (Kosovo Online)
International Media:

Kosovo's President accuses Serbia of following 'Putin's plan' by destabilizing Balkans (RFE)
Kosovo Albanian Witness Testifies About Relative’s Abduction by Guerrillas (BIRN)
Serbia Signs Cooperation Treaty with Southeast Asian Association (Balkan Insight)
Balkans Grapples with Escalating Cyberviolence Against Women (Balkan Insight)