• Government: Ethnicity-based associations, in conflict with Constitution (Koha)
• Vucic: “German” draft was written in Belgrade (Gazeta Express)
• Hasani: “German draft” is anti-constitutional; can lead to total paralysis (Koha)
• Escobar: I expect dynamic continuation of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (Euronews)
• Bislimi meets Hovenier: Kosovo remains an active party in dialogue (RTK)
• Rohde: Berlin Process is back, don't miss opportunity for cooperation (media)
• Svecla: Kosovo committed to the initiatives of the Berlin Process (media)
• Krasniqi rejects Kurti’s call: No reason to invite us for technical issues (Koha)
• LDK too rejects Kurti’s invitation to a meeting (Koha)
• Palokaj: If Germany authored the draft, govt should consider it (Koha)
• Rashiti: Postpone deadline on licence plates in exchange for Green Card (RTK)
• Body art ban: Kosovo Army expels recruits with tattoos (BIRN)
• War games: Replaying Yugoslavia’s military conflicts as entertainment (BIRN)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, October 21, 2022
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 20, 2022
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 20, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• Osmani meets ambassadors of Norway, Greece and Luxembourg, discuss visas (Klan)
• KFOR and government coordinated on security in Kosovo (RTK)
• The German minister for Europe is visiting Kosovo this week (Koha)
• Ursula von der Leyen next week in Kosovo (KosovaPress)
• Government on Esobar's proposal on licence plates: We have rule of law as our obligation (Koha)
• Exclusive: Pre-agreement draft between Kosovo and Serbia (Koha, Albanian Post)
• Police arrest Serb suspect in Oliver Ivanovic assassination case (media)
• Kurti's former advisor: Legal entity separated from Kosovo is being created (Nacionale)
• The draft statute of the "new" Association with its old points financed by Serbia (Reporteri)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic with Escobar about the possibilities for finding "sustainable solutions" (N1)
• Petkovic with Escobar: Belgrade for the continuation of negotiations, but also for the implementation of all agreements reached (Beta, Danas)
• Escobar: We asked implementation of decision on re-registration be postponed by ten months (N1)
• Pristina increasingly asking the end of the UNMIK mandate, the Serbs saying that this mission is necessary (euronews.rs)
• Reactions to Todosijevic’s verdict over his remarks on Racak (Kosovo Online, media)
• EU Ambassador: No deadline for Belgrade to impose sanctions on Russia (N1)
• Varhelyi: Serbia to step up efforts to align with EU, including sanctions (Beta, N1, media)
• Gracanica: Decision on land swap annulled (KoSSev)
• Selakovic to attend Berlin Process meeting tomorrow (Kosovo Online)
Opinion:
• Montgomery: The irony is that we defend Ukraine, and Kosovo was taken by force; the EU has nothing to offer Serbia (Kosovo Online, Politika, RTV)
International:
• Kosovo-Serbia Talks May Advance ‘in Weeks’, US Diplomat Says (Balkan Insight)
• Defaced Putin Mural Tells the Story of Russia's Waning Influence (Financial Post)
• Serbia’s Parliamentary Rightists Unite on Platform to Reclaim Kosovo (Balkan Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, October 20, 2022
• Escobar: Agreement between Kosovo and Serbia - a matter of weeks (Kanal10)
• Kosovo ‘ready to intensify’ Serbia dialogue, President tells Escobar (BIRN)
• Kurti calls opposition leaders to meet, Haradinaj confirms participation (media)
• Escobar met with Serbian List representatives (Koha)
• After Pristina, Escobar will visit Belgrade (media)
• Agreement reached between KOSTT and Elektrosever (RTK)
• Kosovo Serb Ex-Minister Convicted of Inciting Hatred After Retrial (BIRN)
• Serbia reacts after Todosievic's sentence regarding Recak statements (BIRN)
• Civil society organisations sign joint statement on dialogue (media)
• Kosovo Police arrest war crimes suspect (media)
• Freedom of Information in the Balkans: No Access and no Progress (BIRN)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 19, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• Osmani after meeting Escobar: Ready to intensify dialogue (Telegrafi)
• Escobar expresses U.S. support for Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations (media)
• Kurti: Kosovo is a constructive party in dialogue; Escobar confirms support (Koha)
• Interior Ministry: Vucic’s criminal structures in north are intimidating people (Telegrafi)
• Ivan Todosijevic sentenced to one year in prison (Radio Free Europe)
Serbian Language Media:
• Serbian FM Selakovic in the UNSC session: Pristina consciously sabotaging all efforts, aims to persecute Serbs (Tanjug, media)
• UN Security Council permanent members differ on Kosovo (Beta, media)
• Heated debate between Serbia, Kosovo foreign ministers at the UN SC session (Beta, N1, NMagazin)
• Selakovic met Ziadeh in New York (Tanjug, media)
• Mijatovic: Court decision on Visoki Decani must be implemented promptly (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• KFOR: We monitor situation, everybody to avoid actions that could lead to violence (Kosovo Online)
• Russian Patriarch calls for unity of Serbian, Russian churches (N1, SRNA)
• Botsan-Kharchenko to RTS: I believe Serbia will not stand in a sorrow line of states not thinking of their own national benefits
• Hill to RTS: I would warn the Serbs to understand that this is not their "mother Russia" (N1)
• NGOs: Citizens must not be hostages of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina (Beta, N1, Danas)
• “Petkovic’s visit should have been approved” (Tanjug)
• Vulin: Interpol has Serbia’s full support (N1)
International:
• Kosovo issue has expanded Serbian far-right’s global reach (BIRN)
• Radicalised on the Net? Albanian Plumber Charged With ‘Jihadist Propaganda’ (Balkan Insight)
• Freedom of Information Summary (Balkan Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, October 19, 2022
• SRSG Ziadeh: Leaders must find positive pathway for benefit of all (media)
• U.S. Ambassador to the UN: Mutual recognition is the solution (RTK)
• The President’s Office confirms: Osmani to meet Escobar on Wednesday (Zeri)
• Lajcak expected to visit Kosovo on Thursday, sources say (TeVe1)
• Berlin: Ongoing discussions on French-German proposals (Express)
• Svecla doesn’t indicate additional period for replacing license plates (media)
• “International offensive, agreement may happen before December” (Klan)
• Witness ‘fears for safety’ in trial for Kosovo politician’s murder (BIRN)
• Kosovo journalists ‘face threats and attacks’: Council of Europe (BIRN)
• Hungary arrests Serb for alleged Kosovo war crimes (BIRN)
• LDK leader calls for France’s support for visa liberalisation (RTK)
• Kurti expected to appoint new Health Minister soon (EO)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 18, 2022
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 18, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• Osmani: Visa liberalisation should not remain hostage of any technicality (media)
• Rohde: A speedy solution for visa liberalisation is needed (Klan Kosova)
• Escobar tomorrow in Kosovo, to meet leaders of opposition (Gazeta Express)
• Kusari-Lila responds to criticism: I have Kurti’s full support (Kosovapress)
• Serb accused of killing 33 Kosovars in Peja in ’99 arrested in Budapest (Indeksonline)
• Initiative against Marty report; Rama writes to CoE member states (Telegrafi)
• Gjini: The document exists, I have seen it (Gazeta Express/T7)
• Abdixhiku: I cannot say Kurti is an associate of Serbia; but he is damaging (Telegrafi)
• Hoxhaj at foreign policy forum in Berlin, meets German Foreign Minister (Klan Kosova)
Serbian Language Media:
• UN Security Council today on Guterres' report on the situation in Kosovo (media)
• Vucic discusses Belgrade-Pristina dialogue with Lajcak (N1)
• Petkovic with Lajcak: Pristina induces tensions (Radio KIM)
• Selakovic to address UN SC session on Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Vulin in New Delhi: Closer cooperation with Interpol (N1)
• Varhelyi: EU views Serbia as ally (N1)
• Deputy Russian Foreign Minister: We would be disappointed if Serbia introduced sanctions (N1, Sputnik, NMagazin)
• “KLA” graffiti in Susica (Kosovo Online)
Opinion:
• Roadmaps to ‘final solution’, two Germanys, minority rights and parallels with Ukraine (KoSSev)
• The enlargement package 2022 – Another Groundhog Day (EWB)
• “Kosovo in UN would lead towards “Great Albania”” (Danas, Kosovo Online)
International:
• Serbian Alleged Gang Leader Tells Trial: ‘We Served State’s Needs’ (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• UNICEF: The war in Ukraine pushing millions of children into poverty; Kosovo and Albania the most threatened in the WB (KiM radio)
• Stanisavljevic: 86,000 migrants registered in Serbia in 2022 (Tanjug)
• Milan from Djurakovac takes third place in his Yugo in the autoslalom near Pristina (KoSSev)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, October 18, 2022
• Osmani: There should be no additional conditions for visas (media)
• Pressure to accept German-French plan (Koha Ditore)
• Kurti meets Norwegian envoy for Western Balkans (media)
• Osmani and Kurti meet MCC CEO Alice Albright (media)
• Gervalla travels to New York to participate at UN SC (media)
• Bislimi: We will apply for EU membership within the year (RTK)
• Svecla: Serbian extremist ideologies aim to infiltrate the north (Telegrafi)
• “In Serbia, talk of tensions in the north after November 1” (euronews.al)
• Wider Europe briefing: A new EU plan to help Ukraine; visa liberalization for Kosovo (RFE)
• Calls to ban small power plants at first Water Protection Summit (BIRN)
• Concrete construction threatens to ruin pristine Albanian valley (BIRN)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 17, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• Osmani: Our experience can help Ukraine in treating sexual violence survivors (Klan)
• AAK: Failure to give visa liberalisation to Kosovo, classical discrimination (Telegrafi)
• Portuguese MP promises support for visa liberalisation and EU integration (EO)
• Palokaj: Visa liberalisation was never closer (KTV)
• U.S. expert: Kurti focusing extensively over Serbia’s recognition (Zeri)
• Another two weeks to convert licence plates to RKS (RTK)
Serbian Language Media:
• KFOR: Cooperation on enthronement of patriarch way forward to peaceful coexistence (KoSSev)
• Mayor of Pec attendance of Serbian Patriarch enthronement met with approval (KoSSev)
• Local Serbs from Miroc village say 100 hectares of their properties usurped (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic: West using all instruments to get "Kosovo" into UN (Tanjug, N1, Beta)
• Bilcik: We expect clear red lines towards Russia from Serbia (Beta, N1)
• Serbia’s new government expected to be established on October 27 (Beta, N1)
• Brnabic: New government to face circumstances unseen since WWII (N1)
• Dacic: Imposing sanctions on Russia is Serbia’s matter and not that of EU (N1)
• Ambassador Hill: Strategic partnership between the US and Serbia being discussed (N1, VoA)
• Von Cramon on German-French proposal (N1, Nova)
• Vulin: We don’t belong in EU, they are blackmailing us (N1)
• Flag from monument to killed and kidnapped Serbs in Velika Hoca taken away (Radio KIM)
Opinion:
• On World Food Day, Let’s Strengthen Our Resolve to Work Together (Prishtina Insight)
International:
• Showpiece Factory That Cost Millions is Still Not Operating (BIRN)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Inflation in Kosovo reaches historic levels amid trade developments (euractive.com)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, October 17, 2022
• Kurti: Not sure if we have two years for agreement with Serbia (DW)
• Mehaj: Kosovo must join Partnership for Peace ASAP (KosovaPress)
• Hovenier: Decision on Decani Monastery land must be implemented (Klan)
• Historians from Decan: Insistence of internationals is unacceptable (Zeri)
• Szunyog pleased with ratification of three international agreements (RTK)
• PDK: EU report on Kosovo proved limited capacity of government (media)
• Osmani: If Open Balkans harms someone, we won’t be part of initiative (RFE)
• Abazi forms Green Group of MPs in the Assembly of Kosovo (RTK)
• Education Ministry overrules school ban on long-haired boy (BIRN)
• German Chancellor calls for EU’s enlargement (Albanian Daily News)
• Vulin: We are being blackmailed to recognize Kosovo (Klan)
• Serbia-Hungary pipeline deal a big political gamble (BIRN)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 14, 2022
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 14, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• Kusari-Lila: No official confirmation of visas conditions or technical requests (Kallxo)
• South-East Europe Liberal Parties adopt statement, visa liberalisation support (media)
• Abazi accuses Lajcak for visas: It was wrong that he came to Pristina (Paparaci)
• UN report mentions fragile security situation in Kosovo (Koha/N1)
• U.S. Ambassador to OSCE: Regrettable that Kosovo is not a member (Kallxo)
• World Bank will continue to support Kosovo (RTK)
• “If Brezovica case ends successfully, Maloku is Kosovo’s Falcone” (Nacionale)
• Police detain Serbian national, weapons, binoculars and hunting dogs seized (Klan)
Serbian Language Media:
• Guterres: Situation in Kosovo fragile (media)
• Patriarch Porfirije enthroned at Pec Patriarchate, calls for peace and only peace (N1, media)
• Brnabic: We stand by our position, sanctions not best solution (Tanjug)
• Arlov banned from entering Kosovo for seventh time (Kosovo Online)
• Bilcik: The negotiations will not be interrupted (RTS)
• Serbian Ministry of Culture: Pristina’s request absurd (Kosovo Online)
• Erdogan gave the order for the start of work on the gas hub in Turkey (Insajder)
Opinion:
• Why would an Albanian support Giorgia Meloni? (Kosovo 2.0)
International:
• EU states dash Prague’s visa-free Kosovo hopes (euractive.com)
• German Diplomat: "The Berlin Process for the Western Balkans should not be duplicated" (DW)
• EU does not rule out suspending Serbia visa waiver over migration spike (euractive.com)
• Kosovo Frustrated by EU’s New ‘Conditions’ for Visa-Free Travel (Balkan Insight)