UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 15, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti officially submits Kosovo's application for EU membership in Prague (media)
• Osmani: The time of border traders has ended once and for all (media)
• Kurti has travelled to Prague, at 13:00 he submits the application for the EU (RTK)
• Kosovo: by receiving candidate status, dynamics in dialogue would accelerate (Koha)
• PDK does not participate in the President's annual speech (RTK)
• AAK also boycotts Osmani's annual address to the Assembly (media)
• Borrell: Barricades must be removed; let’s return to discussions (Koha)
• Varhelyi on visa liberalisation: Work for the fight against crime gave results (Klan)
• Albanian President welcomes Kosovo application for EU membership (media)
• Peci: Serb population is in the most difficult position in the north (Nacionale)
• New barricades set up in the north (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• EULEX chief: We don’t know exactly where Pantic is being held (N1, RTS, Kosovo Online, Srna)
• Wigemark with Rakic discuss security situation, rule of law in northern Kosovo (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Day six at barricades in northern Kosovo (RTS)
• Hill: Serbia has right to address KFOR, however, political solution is needed (N1)
• Vucic: Pristina officially violates Washington agreement, Belgrade response this evening (Tanjug)
• Dacic: Pristina's EU membership bid a political marketing move (media)
• DefMin: Wrong assumption that Serbia doesn’t know what it’s doing (N1)
• Mitrovica North Assembly gets new speaker (N1)
• Djuric on appointment of new municipal councillors in Mitrovica North (Tanjug, social media)
• Vucic: Conversation with Lajcak, Escobar fair, sincere (Tanjug)
• Trajkovic kept at the Merdare crossing, then allowed to cross to Kosovo (KiM radio, N1, Danas, NMagazin)
• Momirovic: Food and fuel supplies under threat in Kosovo north (Tanjug)

International:

• Kosovo officially applies for EU membership in symbolic act (Al Jazeera)
• Serbian president holds talks with EU, US officials on de-escalation with Kosovo (AA)

• Kosovo Leaders Sign EU Candidacy Application (BIRN)
• Kurti hails agreement on visa liberalisation (media)
• EU Parliament, Council reach agreement on Kosovo visa liberalisation (media)
• Escobar calls for removal of barricades and formation of Association (Koha)
• Lajcak: Vucic understands seriousness of situation in the north (RFE)
• NATO: Barricades in the north should be removed immediately (Koha)
• Bislimi: Barricades not placed by local Serbs but by a radical group supported by Belgrade (BBC)
• US expects govt proposal for Association, implies to do it with civil society (Koha)
• Mandl for Kosovo's EU application: Important step at the right time (Koha)
• Kosovo Albanians Take Serb-Vacated Council Seats in Divided Town (BIRN)
• Albin Kurti, the most liked leader, poll shows (Klan Kosova)
• Konjufca: We aim to be leaders in region for parliamentary transparency (Koha)
• Krasniqi: No more Serbian soldiers in Kosovo, this was closed in ’99 (Koha)
• First Kosovo Guerrilla Verdict Due at Hague ‘Special Court’ (BIRN)
• Serbian Ex-Policeman Pleads Not Guilty to Kosovo War Crimes (BIRN)
• Why tensions have flared up between Kosovo and Serbia (TRT World)

Albanian Language Media:

• Application for Kosovo's membership in the EU, signed (Koha)
• Kurti: We will submit membership application to Czech presidency of EU in Prague (media)
• Kosovo Police refute Serbian media reports that Pantic was mistreated (media)
• Ministry: No agreement stops special police units from going to the north (RFE)
• Kurti: Foreign investments have increased by 46 percent compared to last year (Kallxo)
• Mehaj: The fourth anniversary of the army finds us with great successes (media)
• Mitrovica North SL assembly members replaced by those from Civic Initiative (media)
• Edita Tahiri: Escobar silenced Kurti (Ekonomia)
• Borrell talks about Thaci: We arrested him while he was still president (media)
• Ukrainian MP sends Zelensky request for recognition of Kosovo's independence (Ekonomia)
• PSD with "Tension for Association" action in front of the government (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic’s question: Western partners to say which documents they will respect, mentioning the sixth from Thessaloniki on EU enlargement to the WB (media)
• The Kosovo government made a decision on land expropriation in Leposavic and Z. Potok (KoSSev)
• North Mitrovica Municipal Assembly: New councillors sworn in (Kontakt plus radio)
• Petkovic: Serb-majority municipality taken over by Albanians (Radio KIM)
• Serbs on barricades for fifth day, night went peacefully (RTS)
• Vucic to meet with Lajcak, Escobar on Wednesday (Tanjug)
• Radosavljevic: Serbs are not against (CSM) ZSO, but against what it symbolises (VoA)
• EU Council expects Serbia to align with EU foreign policy (N1, Beta, RTS)
• Dacic to UNMIK chief: UN important for territorial integrity (media)
• Family of Dejan Pantic say his innocence can easily be proved, if trial is just (RTS)
• Brnabic reacts to Escobar’s remark on return of Serbian security personnel (Kosovo Online, social media, Danas)
• Odalovic: Situation in Kosovo requires serious reaction of international community (Tanjug)
• Verdict delivered to Todosijevic, Petkovic says additional pressure on Serbs (Radio KIM)

International:

• Scholz says Balkans joining EU is in Germany’s interest (AP)

• Escobar, Kurti, Lajcak call for normalization of situation (media)
• U.S. categorically against return of Serbian forces to Kosovo (RFE)
• Lajcak: Much better ways to remove barricades than with bulldozers (Telegrafi)
• U.S., EU envoys urge Kosovo and Serbia not to fuel violence (Reuters)
• Stoltenberg: NATO is very focused on Kosovo (Telegrafi)
• Barricades still up in north despite calls for removal (Pristina Insight)
• Sarrazin: Crisis in north of Kosovo should be used to advance dialogue (RTK)
• EU congratulates Kosovo on reforms (media)
• EULEX: Security situation in north of Kosovo is worrying (Klan)
• Kovacevski: Kosovo-Serbia agreement guarantees peace in the region (RTK)
• Kosovo, facing some opposition, to apply this week to join EU (Reuters)
• Far-Right Protesters Rally In Belgrade In Support Of Kosovar Serbs As EU Urges De-Escalation (RFE)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 13, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• Stoltenberg: NATO closely monitoring the situation in north (Lajmi)
• KFOR: Important to avoid any renewed escalation; we remain extremely vigilant (media)
• Kurti: This week we will submit application for EU membership (RFE)
• Kurti discussed with MEPs about Kosovo's membership in the EU (RTK)
• Lajcak to visit Pristina and Belgrade (media)
• Haradinaj meets Escobar and Hovenier (media)
• KP: Reports of rude behaviour do not stand (media)
• Roads in the north of Kosovo remain blocked (RTK)
• Text of "European" proposal for "basic agreement between Kosovo and Serbia" (Koha)
• Krasniqi: Law does not foresee appointment of administrators in municipalities (EO)
• Rasic: I am here to build bridges and I have experience in this (Klan Kosova)
• Tahiri: Serbia wants to divide north from Kosovo because of Trepca mine (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Situation in northern Kosovo unchanged (RTS)
• UNMIK calls for de-escalation and restraint in northern Kosovo (RTS)
• Drecun: Pressure on Serbia to accept the EU plan and abandon Resolution 1244 (NMagazin, Beta, TV Pink)
• EU ministers today and about the situation in the north of Kosovo (media)
• Pantic rendered 30-day detention (Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic: Detention of Dejan Pantic attempt to criminalise Serbs in Kosovo (N1. media)
• Simic says Pantic and Adzic are innocent (Radio KIM)
• KFOR: Important to avoid renewed escalation, the road to peace is the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina (Kosovo Online, Danas)
• Stoltenberg: All sides to restrain from escalation, NATO forces vigilant (Tanjug, RTV)
• Escobar: No comment after meeting with Kurti (N1, BETA, social media)
• Serbian PM Brnabic reacts to Viola von Cramon’s remarks (N1, media)
• Dacic: We are trying to get Pristina's EU bid disputed by non-recognizers (Tanjug, media)

International:

• Kosovo Assembly Approves Law on Salaries in Principle (Prishtina Insight)

• French-German plan gets support from 27 EU member states (Koha Ditore)
• Borrell urges Kosovo and Serbia to de-escalate after latest clashes (Reuters)
• Kurti meets Escobar; “barricades must be removed immediately” (media)
• Osmani meets Escobar, discuss urgent need to remove barricades (media)
• Escobar meets the Serbian List, discuss political and security situation (media)
• PM advisor: French-German plan is a good basis for discussions (KTV)
• Hovenier and Escobar meet Kosovo civil society representatives (media)
• France ‘concerned’ by attacks in Kosovo (Euractiv)
• Court orders 30-day detention for Pantic, suspected of terror act (media)
• President’s Chief of Staff reacts to closure of schools in north (media)
• Does Nenad Rasic’s appointment violate Kosovo’s constitution? (BIRN)
• Protest in Belgrade in support of Kosovo Serbs (Radio Free Europe)

Albanian Language Media:

• Borrell: Fighting in the street doesn’t lead to normalisation of situation (Telegrafi)
• Von Cramon: Restoration of peace and stability must be a priority (media)
• Escobar, Chollet expected to meet opposition leaders tomorrow morning (Telegrafi)
• Chollet’s visit to Kosovo postponed, infected with COVID-19 (Telegrafi)
• German diplomat reiterates: Serbia is responsible for the situation in the north (RTK)
• Musliu: Police officers in Jarinje for 55 hours; food supplies running out (Nacionale)
• Rama: Kosovo has understanding and support of Albanian government (KP)
• Serb schools in north of Kosovo closed (RFE)
• Trajkovic: My children too are being threatened; responsibility falls on Vucic (media)
• Two reporters threatened in the north (Gazeta Metro)
• Ukrainian MP expresses support for Kosovo (RTK)
• Grenell: Europeans must change their directions on Kosovo-Serbia strategy (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic to Pristina and EU officials: Which of the five agreements will you respect (N1)
• Dacic reveals what Annalena Baerbock told him (Danas)
• Rakic in Rudare: We want peace and an end to hunting of Serbs (Kosovo Online)
• Belgrade liaison officer sent request to Pristina to visit Dejan Pantic (Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic: Serbs to respect KFOR and EULEX (KiM radio, Beta, RTS)
• Vucevic: I hope that KFOR and EULEX will not allow the violent removal of the barricades (KiM radio, Beta, TV Pink)
• Northern Kosovo still blocked, peaceful night at barricades (N1)
• Primary and secondary schools in northern Kosovo closed until further notice (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic: We have assurances EULEX, KFOR will not take violent action (Tanjug)
• Vucic: We have taken measures to protect our homeland, we call for peace (N1)
• Petkovic: Kosovo special forces entered Gazivode (N1)
• New reports of Kosovo special police mistreating local Serbs in Zubin Potok (Kosovo Online)
• Drecun claims Pristina eavesdropping on communications (Kosovo Online)
• Tadic: International public must know Serbs are exposed to Kurti’s violence (Kosovo Online)
• Jeremic says Kurti the most responsible for escalation in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Brnabic reacts to Baerbock’s remarks, terms it ‘stunning level of absurdity’ (Kosovo Online)
• Grenell reacts to Baerbock’s remarks on tensions in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Branbic reacts to Borrell’s remarks on barricades in northern Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Check Foreign Minister reacts to situation in northern Kosovo (Kosovo Online)

International:

• Kosovo Serb Barricades Remain up Despite Calls for Removal (BIRN)
• EU's Borrell urges Kosovo and Serbia to de-escalate after latest clashes (Reuters)
• EU Urges De-Escalation In Kosovo, U.S. Sends Envoys To Pristina After Latest Clashes (RFE)
• Kosovo calls for NATO intervention after weekend of violence amid rising ethnic tensions (CNN)
• Serbia's president says Belgrade seeks to deescalate situation in Kosovo (Reuters)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Municipality of Pristina allocates €500 per month to victims of violence (Klan)

• Kurti says he is waiting for KFOR to remove barricades in the north (RFE)
• Government refutes claims for deployment of special forces in north (RFE)
• Serbs in Kosovo clash with police as ethnic tensions flare (Reuters)
• Tensions rise, violence reported in Kosovo as ethnic Serbs block roads (RFE)
• German FM: Kosovo reduced tensions by postponing elections, recent rhetoric from Serbia did the opposite (media)
• Joint statement of U.S. Embassies in Belgrade and Pristina (media)
• Statement by United Kingdom Embassies in Pristina and Belgrade (media)
• Kurti: We do not seek conflict but dialogue and peace (media)
• NATO: Parties to avoid provocative actions and rhetoric (media)
• Albanian PM Rama reacts to incidents in north of Kosovo (media)
• Chollet, Escobar start their visit to Kosovo (media)
• Escobar begins visit to Kosovo with visit to Decani Monastery (media)
• RFE secures French-German plan; doesn’t mention mutual recognition
• Kosovo to submit EU bid in coming days (Politico)
• Bildt: Things will heat up as Kosovo intends to submit EU application (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 9, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: There will never be police and soldiers of Serbia in Kosovo again (media)
• Kurti: Kosovo Police is not oriented against Serbs (media)
• Situation in north of Kosovo reported to be calm (RFE)
• EU concerned about “very serious” situation in north Kosovo (RFE)
• Rohde: Elections in the north must be postponed (RTK)
• AJK condemns the attack on journalists in the north, demands security (media)
• UK sanctions Milan Radoicic and Zvonko Veselinovic (Gazeta Express)
• Masked persons attack vehicle of reporters in Mitrovica North (Kallxo)
• Masked persons seen near Bosniak Neighborhood in north Kosovo (Klan)
• U.S. recommends religious communities’ registration without criteria on number of their members (Koha)
• LDK demands Minister Haxhiu’s resignation after disappearance of samples (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

• Petkovic: ZSO not a matter of Kurti's wishes, but an obligation from the agreement (KiM radio)
• Serbian List reaction to Veselinovic, Radoicic, Tepic sanctions (Kosovo Online, Danas, Kontakt plus radio)
• Situation in Mitrovica North calm, but tense (RTS)
• Stano: EU calls for responsibility and calming of tensions in north of Kosovo (RTS)
• Brnabic says Serbia to demand everything that is in line with UN SC Resolution 1244 (Tanjug)
• Petkovic: “We sent final appeal to international community, Serbs will no longer endure Kurti’s terror” (RTS, Kosovo Online)
• Tadic says Petkovic ‘deceives’ public (Danas)
• Igor Simic: We are committed to peace, but it is boiling here (RTS, Tanjug, media)
• Djuric: A textbook example of inflaming conflict in Kosovo (Danas)
• Rasic: I will ask Kurti to delay the election (KiM radio, Danas)
• Serbian Orthodox Church: Increased pressure of Kosovo institutions on Serbs (Beta, NMagazin)
• In three settlements in Mitrovica North there were no members of Kosovo police this morning (N1)
• Drecun: Ultimate Kurti’s goal is to send KSF to northern Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Attempted robbery in Leposavic, Serbian bank confirms exchange of fire (KoSSev)
• Stojanovic: Return of Serbian army in Kosovo at this moment unrealistic (Radio KIM)

International:

• KALLXO Team and Police Attacked in the North (BIRN)
• Branded ‘Scum’ in Serbia, Kosovo Serb Defends Cabinet Role (BIRN)
• Serbia Considering Sending 1,000 ‘Security Personnel’ Into Kosovo (Balkan Insight)

• Kosovo police officer wounded in volatile northern region (Reuters)
• President’s Office reacts to Petkovic’s statement (media)
• Government: Regular police in north, not special units (Radio Free Europe)
• Chollet: Elections in north should be delayed (media)
• Svecla on elections in north: We coordinate with allies; President decides (RTK)
• Konjufca: Main person of justice has file on gangs in north, doesn’t act (media)
• Trajkovic: Alarming situation in north; Vucic caused security vacuum (media)
• Kurti: Green agenda remans our priority (media)
• Dozens of Kosovo Serbs protest customs’ confiscation of illegal alcohol (BIRN)
• Kosovo holds march against abuse of disabled (Anadolu Agency)