UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 23, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: When removal of mayors is confirmed, I’ll set election date (media)
• Osmani: Women are the axis of the history of the people of Kosovo (RTK)
• Konjufca: Greater involvement of women in politics is needed (Klan Kosova)
• Citaku: Kurti creating crises with allies to cover up government scandals (media)
• Defence Ministry: We’re waiting for American offer for Javelin missiles (Express)
• Sandulovic: I experienced hell; I was close to ending up like Navalny (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

• Health workers in Gracanica: Our livelihoods in danger, patients particularly at risk (Kosovo Online)
• Queues in Mitrovica North, persons with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities wait for payments (Kosovo Online)
• Dacic says USA wants Serbia as a key partner, but under one condition (Danas, Kosovo Online)
• Starovic: Situation in Kosovo complex, it is high time for reaction of international community to follow (RTS)
• Petrich: Unacceptable rejection of talks, Pristina put the EU in a difficult position (Kosovo Online)
• The Serbian flag removed from the Zvecan fortress (Beta, NMagazin, KoSSev)
• Thieves shot at returnee in Bica in attempt to steal his sheep (Radio KIM)
• Threats, attacks, pressure: State of media freedom in Serbia has not improved (N1)
• Sutanovac: “Rama feels the need to show he's a greater Albanian than Kurti” (Kosovo Online)

International:

• Two Years On, Balkan States Remain Divided Over Ukraine War (BIRN)
• Does the EU Growth Plan provide anything new for Western Balkans countries? (Kosovo 2.0)

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani and Hovenier discuss transition plan for CBK regulation (RTK)
Kurti met Ambassador Al Dosari, discussed Kosovo-Qatar cooperation (media)
Kurti's adviser to Stano: Implementation of Basic Agreement, priority (RTK)
Lajcak in Rome, talks about dialogue (RTK)
Maqedonci: Attack in Banjska, also influenced by Russian secret service (Klan)
Government to prepare citizens for protection and security (A2 CNN)
Qerkini: Specialized Chambers, the only that keeps most of sessions closed (RTK)
PIPOS poll: LVV 40.9%, close race between LDK and PDK for second place (Klan)
LVV MP Rrahmani did not vote draft law on reproductive health (media)
Tahiri: LVV coordinated and in direct connection with Radoicic (Reporteri)

Serbian Language Media:

Queues at Jarinje crossing point yesterday evening (KoSSev)
After CBK’s decision: In search for dinar (Radio kontakt plus, Radio KIM)
Maliqi: CBK decision without coordination with partners – a mistake (Kosovo Online)
EU calls for respecting IMC independence, elimination of politically motivated interference (KoSSev)
Vucic, Chinese Ambassador discuss strong momentum in bilateral ties (Tanjug)
Vucevic with AIPAC representatives: Irrational decisions by Pristina worsen security situation (Kosovo Online)

International Media: 

Former Kosovo Guerrilla Officer Bolsters Defence Case in Hague Trial (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

• Stano confirms meeting on dinar issue on February 27 (media)
• Municipal elections in north flowing according to administrative instructions (ekonomia)
• Tahiri: We do not vote on international agreements, we aim to send country to elections (media)
• Krasniqi asks Szunyog and Guerot to lift sanctioning measures (Albanian Post)
• Lawyer Arsic contests CBK Regulation in Constitutional Court (Koha)
• Second meeting of Partnership Council between Kosovo and United Kingdom, held (Klan)
• "Share the Equality" awareness campaign advocating employment of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians, launched (Reporteri)
• Bujar Osmani, DUI's candidate for president of North Macedonia (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Lines of people to withdraw dinars in Kosovo also today; all categories affected (RTS)
• Radojevic: Tens of thousands of people left without wages, pensions (Tanjug)
• Stano on planned meeting in Brussels, Bislimi’s remarks (Kosovo Online, RFE)
• Andric Rakic: If Pristina continues to refuse talks, Kosovo will be discussed more often in Security Council (Kosovo Online)
• Hasani: Serbian lawyers right about the abolition of the dinar issue, but the Constitutional Court not the place for such an appeal (Kosovo Online)
• Dacic receives new Portuguese ambassador (Tanjug)

International:

• Kosovo's Serbs hit by lines, limited withdrawals after currency ban (AFP)

Albanian Language Media:
• Bislimi: 10 measures for transitional phase of regulation enforcement (media)
• Kosovo rejects EU invitation to discuss the Serbian Dinar in dialogue (media)
• Rasic not against the CBK regulation; “I’m worried about the timeline” (media)
• COMKFOR and EU ambassadors discuss range of topics (media)
• EULEX chief: Situation in north can easily deteriorate (media)
• Schallenberg meets Gervalla; dialogue key to unlocking EU’s doors (media)
• Threats against Kurti during recent stay in Skopje confirmed (RTK)
• Ahmeti: Association will have executive competencies (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Bislimi: ''I received an invitation from the EU about the dinar - I will not go, it is not a topic for dialogue with the chief negotiator (KoSSev, KiM Radio, media)
• Djoric: GoK decisions not in favor of the Serbs; Radosavljevic: A solution can be found; Rasic about quick return to cities (KiM radio)
• Concerns grow as citizens in Kosovo cannot fully withdraw wages, pensions and social benefits issued by Serbia (KoSSev)
• There was no labeling of NGOs, the message was for Lajcak, says Bislimi (KiM radio)
• Stano: EU expects Serbia to implement ODIHR recommendations (N1, nova.rs)
• Brnabic: We will never accept international investigation into elections (Beta, N1)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 21, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Budget for municipalities this year is 40% higher than 3 years ago (RTK)
• Konjufca: The U.S. sees Kosovo from a much higher level (RTK)
• Central Bank Governor meets with Austrian Ambassador Schnetzer (media)
• Krasniqi: Allegations that process for electing new mayors in north is dragging on, unfair (Kallxo)
• Ajeti reports to Committee that supervises the KIA (RTK)
• Maqedonci visits Finland, security of Kosovo also discussed (RTK)
• Kurti denies accusations of unequal treatment of municipalities (Kallxo)
• Trial against Milan Jovanovic, accused of war crimes in Kosovo, begins (Koha)
• Ambassadors go to Prime Minister Kurti's office (Reporteri)

Serbian Language Media:

• Nenezic: Dinar is just an excuse to open issue of remaining Serbian institutions in Kosovo (KoSSev)
• Serbian NGOs from Kosovo: Systematic and orchestrated attacks by GoK officials on the civil sector (Beta, NMagazin, KoSSev, KiM radio )
• Less and less dinars in Kosovo (Radio KIM)
• Education staff express protest in Mitrovica North, say they cannot withdraw salaries because of CBK decision (Kosovo Online)
• Djuric: We have exposed Kurti's disinformation systematically (Tanjug)
• Drecun: Kurti is putting obstacles in dialogue with Belgrade with unilateral moves (RTV)
• Dacic: SPS supports establishment of movement (Tanjug)
• Vucic receives new head of CoE office in Belgrade (Tanjug)
• Swiss daily: Fewer and fewer Serbs in Kosovo - and in Serbia as well (DW)

International:

• Ethnocentric Yugoslav War Commemorations Taint the Future, Experts Warn (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti meets Turkish ambassador, discuss cooperation (RTK)
• Stano: We do not comment on everything someone in Kosovo says (Express)
• KFOR Commander: Attacks in Banjska and against KFOR, unacceptable (Dukagjini)
• Gervalla in Salzburg talks about Kosovo and security situation (media)
• CBK: Money withdrawal and deposit, according to new Regulation; no additional restriction for the dinar (Reporteri)
• Macron's congratulations on independence "with Association inside", and "decisive" deadline (Nacionale)
• Osmani and Konjfuca, "reserved" on dinar issue, appear more worried after U.S. blow (Nacionale)
• Haradinaj: There should not be disagreements with partners on security matters (Koha)
• Osmani: Kosovo, center of innovative ideas (RTK)
• Sandulovic: Borrell and Lajcak should understand Vucic is working against EU and NATO (media)
• Kosovar NGOs pay homage to Russian opposition leader Navalny (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: Consultations on the new Government to start from Monday (RTS)
• Stano dismisses the claims that Borrell postponed the trip to Belgrade and Pristina: Absolute nonsense (Tanjug, RTS, media)
• Telecommunication interference removed, normalized freight traffic on Jarinje (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic, Michel discuss Serbia-EU relations, situation in Kosovo (Tanjug, RTS, Danas)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: Russia supports the return of the Kosovo issue to the UN Security Council (N1, media)
• CBK says that there are no restrictions on the withdrawal of dinars, but not whether there are enough dinars for payments (Kosovo Online)
• Lawyer Arsic: A request submitted to the Constitutional Court for a review of the constitutionality of the CBK decision regarding the dinar (Kosovo Online)
International Media:

• Economist Democracy Index for 2023: Montenegro advances, Albania declines (EWB)
• Röpke: Inclusion of CSOs from candidate countries in the EESC an important step in gradual EU integration (EWB)
• Kosovo Press Council Updates Code of Ethics to Combat AI Risks (Prishtina Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

• Konjufca: O’Brien’s statement is concerning (media)
• Sarrazin: Window not closed yet; Kosovo, Serbia to implement Ohrid deal (DW)
• Gervalla says she never asked for Rohde’s removal: Untrue and absurd (media)
• ESI background paper: Invented pogroms (media)
• Gervalla meets German Vice Chancellor (media)
• Sources: Agreement near between LDK and AAK in Pristina (Indeksonline)
• Hoti: Unprecedented deterioration of budget structure in last 3 years (media)
• Tahiri: North without state sovereignty and with increased protectorate (media)
• Rohde: Delighted that Foda takes charge of Kosovo national team (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• A team of lawyers submitted a request for an assessment of the constitutionality of the CBK Regulation, requesting a suspension until the court's decision (KoSSev)
• Communities in Serbian areas could not receive social assistance and child allowances today because of CBK decision (Kosovo Online)
• Janjic: Kurti completely ignores reality in Kosovo (Euronews in Serbian, media)
• Analysts on Osmani’s statements, Kurti’s goal not to establish ZSO (Kosovo Online)
• My word worth more than someone else's firm promise - Vucic tells TASS (Tanjug)
• Vucic speaks by phone with Kazakhstan's Tokayev (Tanjug)
• Rada Trajkovic says her income blocked by executors (KiM radio, Danas)
• ''Borrell was supposed to visit Kosovo on February 26, the trip was postponed after the talks in Munich'' (Kosovo Online)

International:

• Transparency Questions over ‘Secret’ Kosovo Lobbying Contract (BIRN)
• Minority Serbs protest Kosovo’s decision to abolish the Serbian dinar currency (Independent)

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani: Cooperation with allies never leads Kosovo on wrong path (media)
Osmani: Friendship with USA, deep-rooted testament (media)
Stano: A new round of high-level dialogue is not on horizon (Koha)
Government accuses again Serb NGOs in north of pushing Belgrade’s agendas (Koha)
Austria continues to support Kosovo towards European integration (RTK)
OSCE talks about dinar issue with Kosovo Serbs’ representatives, including Lista Srpska (Express)
Gervalla asked Germany to remove Ambassador Jorn Rohde from Kosovo (Albanian Post)
Haziri: EU and U.S. mobilized to close agreement within 45 days (teve1)
Kamberi: Internationalization of the Valley issue requires coordination (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

Dacic: Pristina's application for CoE membership unacceptable (Tanjug)
Serbian List calls on international community to protect Serbs in Kosovo (N1, BETA, media)
Serbian Democracy meets Davenport, demands prevention of repression (Radio kontakt plus)
Zeqiri: We will soon be moved to Zubin Potok municipal building (Kosovo Online)
Where did the issue of ousting mayors in northern Kosovo get stuck; who benefits from delay? (Kosovo Online)
Stano: No announcements to make at this stage about Belgrade-Pristina dialogue meeting (Tanjug, media)
Wang: China to continue supporting Serbia in safeguarding its sovereignty (media)
Valuable donation of Raska-Prizren Diocese to Clinical Hospital Centre (CHC) in Mitrovica North (Radio KIM)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 19, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: Honored friends, allies joined us to celebrate independence day (media)
• Kurti: We are partners with USA, but it does not mean that we always agree (Koha)
• Sarrazin: Kosovo and Serbia must advance implementation of Ohrid agreement (DW)
• Gervalla briefs German MPs about “substantial changes” in north (media)
• Gervalla and Turkish FM discuss increasing security capacities (Koha)
• Gervalla meets foreign ministers of Croatia, Portugal and Liechtenstein, security a priority (media)
• Rucker: Decision on the dinar, hasty (media)
• Abbott: Kosovo, a special country that deserves to be successful (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Veljkovic: Belgrade left us in the lurch, and Pristina is harassing us (KiM radio, Media Center Caglavica)
• Radakovic: Verification of signatures to oust mayors could have been completed in a day (Kosovo Online)
• Nestorovic: Process of removing mayors deliberately stalling (Kosovo Online)
• Vucevic: We work every day to make our Army stronger, it is the guarantor of peace in Kosovo (Kosovo Online, RTS)
• Zeman: By recognizing Kosovo West created dangerous precedent (RTS)

Albanian Language Media:
• Osmani: Government and allies to meet and agree on the Dinar (media)
• Blinken congratulates Kosovo on independence day (media)
• Shaheen: Radoicic must be arrested for Banjska (media)
• Svecla: All suspects for Banjska attack are in Interpol’s system (media)
• Kurti meets Borrell, calls for removal of “unfair measures” (media)
• Kurti meets Munsch, highlights need for accountability for Banjska attack (media)
• Maqedonci: Massive deployment of Serbian brigades on Kosovo border (media)
• Rafuna: Govt to coordinate with U.S. to have economic sustainability (KSP)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic on Banjska: Interpol warrant issued at the request of “independent Kosovo”; our authorities are investigating (KoSSev, TV Prva)
• US senator called for arrest of Milan Radoicic after meetings with Vucic and Kurti (KoSSev, N1)
• Vucic: I expect an invitation to Brussels, I hope for some solution (KiM radio, RTS)
• Dacic: Kosovo celebrating the anniversary of destruction international legal order (N1)
• Djuric: Kurti leads a hybrid conflict against the Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online, Kurir)
• Rada Trajkovic: This Kosovo is not what the international community hoped for (KiM radio)
• Gerxhaliu: Uncertainty is driving people away from Kosovo; it's not just the poor who are leaving (Kosovo Online)
• KFOR denied Index Online about the presence of the Serbian army in the Podujevo region (KiM radio, KoSSev)
International Media:

• US peacekeepers ready to prevent violence in north Kosovo, commander says (Reuters)