UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 26, 2021

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 313 new cases, seven deaths (media)
• U.S. Ambassador Kosnett gives interview to Gazeta Blic (media)
• Sannino: Political turbulences in Kosovo have not helped dialogue (RFE)
• Kurti: Dialogue with Serbia to take place without presidents and maps around (media)
• AAK replaces names of candidates convicted by courts (media)
• KWN calls on parties to refrain from intimidating and offensive language (media)
• KSC judge extends detention for Salih Mustafa (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• 25 new cases of Covid-19, two deaths registered in Serbian areas in Kosovo (Radio KIM)
• 11.700 doses of Pfizer vaccine arrived in Serbia (media)
• There won’t be “poisoned” envelopes from Serbia (Danas)
• Rakic, Simic and Jevtic visit Gracanica municipality (Radio KIM)
• Selakovic: Serbian foreign policy adjusted to new situation in world; priorities remain (N1)
• Kurz: Political will and courage of Belgrade and Pristina needed for agreement (Kosovo-online, Kurir)
• Merkel and Biden on strengthening cooperation and Western Balkans (Kosovo-online, RFE)

International:

• Don't Call Us, We'll Call You: Kosovo's Vetting Strategy For Diaspora Voters Adds To Election Chaos (RFE)

Humanitarian/Development:

• EU calls for global coal power phase out (Politico)

• COVID – 19: 311 new cases, 10 deaths (media)
• Quint: CEC to ensure transparent process free from political interference (media)
• Orlando: Future of the country depends on free and fair elections (media)
• ECAP to decide today on the complaints of political parties (media)
• Kurti: Things will be different with the Biden administration (media)
• LDK’s Hoti presents government plan: €6 billion for investments (media)
• Haradinaj: We will create 30,000 new jobs (media)
• LDK’s Haziri on possible coalition with PDK (media)
• Haxhiu: With PDK in power, we will vaccinate all citizens in six months (media)
• Impact, fairness of Kosovo pre-election ‘transfer window’ questioned (BIRN)
• Political parties hide pre-campaign expenses (Koha)
• “Cooperation with Biden administration will bring results in Balkans” (media)
• Lajcak welcomes France’s support in the dialogue process (media)
• Serbia’s ethnic Albanians fear Belgrade silently deleting addresses (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 25, 2021

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID – 19: 311 new cases, 10 new deaths (media)
• Deadline on ECAP decision on LVV, AAK and NISMA complaints, tomorrow (Telegrafi)
• Over 122,000 people still with UNMIK documents, removed from the voter list (Koha)
• Political entities violate anti-COVID measures, Inspection imposes fines (Telegrafi)
• Varhelyi: Western Balkans to have quick access to anti-Covid vaccine (media)
• Hoti compares LDK to Liverpool: It is not a team of the seasons (Koha)
• Kurti and Osmani promise students in Lipjan equality in labor market (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• 18 new cases of Covid-19, two deaths registered in Serbian areas in Kosovo on Saturday (Kontakt plus radio)
• Loncar: 217.000 people vaccinated so far, half a million doses of vaccine more at disposal (KoSSev)
• Protest walk of health workers in Mitrovica North, end to harassment demanded (Kosovo-online)
• Vucic: “I am a ‘coward’ because I am protecting Kosovo and Kosovo Serbs” (KoSSev, Prva TV)
• Call to internally displaced persons from Kosovo to vote in February 14 elections (Kosovo-online)
• Selakovic: Gratitude to Slovakia for consistent and principled position on Kosovo issue (Kosovo-online)
• Russia: Haradinaj’s statement impermissible political blackmailing (RTS)
• Petkovic replies to Rada Trajkovic: State gives equal opportunity to its citizens to be vaccinated (Kosovo-online)
• International Crisis Group: Three options to resolve Kosovo issue, none of which is ideal (Kosovo-online)

Opinion:

• Can America Be Trusted Again? (Project Syndicate)

International:

• EU playing a zero-sum game in Kosovo (Modern Diplomacy)

Humanitarian/Development:

• 67 cases of domestic violence registered in north in 2020, women and children most common victims (KoSSev)
• Serbian awarded expert in emergencies dies from COVID-19 (media)
• Media: WHO plans to approve two Chinese vaccines (N1)

• COVID – 19: 392 new cases, six new deaths (media)
• First-time voters hoping for a change (Prishtina Insight)
• Osmani says “integrity of Central Election Commission will be protected” (media)
• Three scenarios in final decision for candidates list (Koha)
• CEC: We’ll act based on decisions by ECAP and Supreme Court (Telegrafi)
• Mustafa: If we fail to elect president, we’ll go to new elections (media)
• Haradinaj: February 14 is a referendum for Kosovo in NATO (media)
• Another former KLA soldier summoned by Specialist Chambers (media)
• “Kosovo-Serbia dialogue needs compromise to move forward” (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 22, 2021

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 289 new cases, 14 deaths (media)
• Hundreds of Kosovo citizens travel to Bujanovac to get Covid vaccine (Koha/Klan)
• Daka says she does not intend to resign from CEC post (Kallxo)
• France expects credible, inclusive and transparent elections (media)
• Ahead of elections, government pledges stimulus package for teachers (media)
• Osmani: Prosecutors to impartially exercise their duties (media)
• Szunyog: Asset confiscation, crucial in fighting economic crime (media)
• Kosnett to prosecutors: Do not fear accountability – embrace it (media)
• Selimi: Specialist Chambers took political actions and showed bias (Telegrafi)

Serbian Language Media:

• Dacic: Serbian List guarantor of preserving interests of Serbian people in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
• Godfrey: New administration will continue improving relations with Serbia (N1)
• EC comments of Haradinaj’s statement on unification with Albania (media)
• “Biden has bigger problems, he will not embark on adventures in Balkans” (Sputnik, Kosovo-online)
• Central Election Commission introduces new procedure - Todosijevic's candidacy under question mark (Radio Mitrovica sever, Vecernje Novosti)
• Dimkic: No ecological disaster, news of Leposavic tailings spill exaggerated by media and malicious individuals (KoSSev)
• Preparatory hearing in Oliver Ivanovic’s murder case continues on February 5 (Radio KIM)
• Albania’s citizens may enter Serbia with IDs only (KoSSev, N1)
• Fmr Dean: Sarajevo Performing Arts Academy formed sexual harassment commission (N1 BiH)
• Moscow: Expulsion of Russian diplomat from Tirana shall not remain without response (Kosovo-online)
• Hoti announces investments, with an aim to make Serbian property an international ski resort (Vecernje Novosti)
• Detention of Bacevic extended for two more months (Radio KIM)

International:

• Vaccines Turn Into Geopolitics in Europe’s Most Volatile Region (Bloomberg)
• Kosovo Commemorates 15th Anniversary of First President’s Death (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• The EU to secure vaccine for Western Balkans, says Von der Leyen (Beta, N1)
• Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines' reduction in supplies causes dissatisfaction within EU (Tanjug, B92)
• Albania expels Russian diplomat, citing lockdown breaches (AP)
• North Macedonia’s Naivety About Vaccine Procurement Costs Country Dear (Balkan Insight)
• EU proposes dark red areas for Europe's epidemiological map (N1, Hina, B92)

• COVID – 19: 312 new cases, 7 deaths (media)
• Hoti: Washington Agreement will be implemented with President Biden (media)
• Mustafa: Not right and intolerable to blame and accuse Daka (media)
• Konjufca: Daka in the service of organised crime (Koha)
• Kosnett: Respect the decision of courts (media)
• Rohde: Pre-electoral procedures are still ongoing (media)
• Hoxhaj: We’re in a race with Vetevendosje and Kurti (media)
• Reporters threatened by the language of political parties (Radio Free Europe)
• Von Cramon: Kosovo needs stable government, reforms in several areas (media)
• EC: Haradinaj must not threaten with unification with Albania (media)
• Hoxhaj: 30% pay raise for doctors and nurses in first months in power (media)

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID – 19: 296 new cases, seven deaths (media)
• Hoti congratulates U.S. President Biden (media)
• Daka says she was threatened by political parties (Koha)
• Hoti: The decision not to certify candidates for MPs must be accepted by all (Koha)
• CDHRF seeks investigation of threats against the CEC (media)
• Haradinaj: We should move Kosovo forward, time for unity (RTK)
• Kurti: LVV’s list of candidates remains the same, I am holder of the list (Koha)
• Mustafa: Those out of LDK cannot inherit Rugova’s path (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• 16 new cases of Covid-19, 25 cured in Serbian communities (Kosovo Online)
• Selakovic: Meeting Vucic - Biden by the end of the year (RTS, FoNet, Danas)
• Serbian President Vucic’s message to US President Biden (N1)
• Mitrovica Prosecutor's Office: We are collecting information on the potential illegal entry of anti-covid vaccines in northern Kosovo (KoSSev)
• Brnabic: Confiscation of vaccines in Kosovo irresponsible act (Kosovo-online)
• Petkovic with Italian Ambassador: Impermissible intrusion into Health House in Strpce (Kosovo-online)
• Pristina's bans are in favor of the Serbian List (Danas)
• Djerlek: 436.000 citizens applied for vaccination, infection rate is about 30% (B92, Tanjug)
• Kursumlija: Vaccination of citizens from Kosovo in the Health Center continues next week (Kosovo Online)
• First private lawsuit filed against NATO in Serbian court (N1, Sputnik, Srna)
• Brnabic: Implementation of Washington agreement remains (Tanjug, Kosovo-online)

Opinion:
• The trial in the murder of Oliver Ivanovic (KoSSev)
• Under Biden, Balkans to Remain Flashpoint in US-Russia Relations (Balkan Insight)
• February 14 elections and Kosovo’s never-ending problems (aa.com.tr)

International:

• Kosovo Court Ruling Puts Kurti’s Election Candidacy at Risk (Balkan Insight)
• Serbia in 2021: Hostage to an Election Won and Another to Come (Balkan Insight)
• US targets Putin’s pipelines from Baltic Sea to Balkans (atlanticcouncil.com)

Humanitarian/Development:

• The Regional Academy for the Development of Democracy called for the region to get involved in the 'You are not alone' campaign! (Danas)
• Transparency Serbia warns of risk of corruption during pandemic (FoNet, N1)

• COVID – 19: 320 new cases, 6 deaths (media)
• Prishtina inspectorate fines LDK for second time for violating measures (media)
• Kurti comments on reports he won’t be allowed to run for MP (Kallxo)
• Court ruling puts Kurti’s election candidacy at risk (Prishtina Insight)
• Konjufca: Valdete Daka wants Kurti’s political elimination (media)
• Daka says she feels threatened by Konjufca’s remarks (media)
• Hoti: It is the obligation of LDK to safeguard Western orientation (media)
• Specialist Chambers starts investigations to Albania too (Koha)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 20, 2021

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 320 new cases, six deaths (media)
• “Kurti will not be certified to run for election” (media)
• CEC: 47 candidates for MP have had problems with law (media)
• Kurti urges members of Diaspora to register to vote (media)
• In a video address, Haradinaj appeals for unity between political parties (media)
• Thaci, Veseli and others register to vote (Epoka e Re/RTK)
• Srpska Lista facing little opposition in upcoming elections (Prishtina Insight)
• NATO: A stable Kosovo is crucial for stability in the region and our security (Klan)
• UNICEF delivers 1,344 vaccine carriers for regular immunization programme (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Petkovic requests reaction of international community to Haradinaj’s statement (Radio KIM)
• RFE: Belgrade’s support is election trump card of Serbian List
• Djuric: Attendance at Biden’s inauguration for benefit of Serbia (RTS)
• Andjelkovic: Albanians in illusion that Biden would take anti-Serbian approach (Kosovo-online)
• PM Brnabic says Bahrain aid among biggest donations to Serbia (N1)
• Gracanica: Fewer newly infected with Covid-19 (Radio KIM)
• Office for KiM: Intrusion into the Health Center in Strpce, anti-civilization behaviour of Pristina (Kosovo Online)
• Strpce Health Center Director: The intrusion of inspectors and police was unnecessary, we did not and do not have a vaccine (Kosovo Online)
• Fatherland movement’s statement regarding vaccinations of Kosovo Serbs and others (Facebook)

Opinion:

• US approach to switch from quick-fix dealmaking to experience and cooperation (intellinews.com)

International:

• Up to 20 bln euros for Western Balkan private sector by 2027, says European Investment Bank (Reuters)
• Western Balkans and Ukraine urged to scrutinise coal subsidies (intellinews.com)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Serbia Becomes First European Nation To Use China's Sinopharm Vaccine (RFE)

• COVID – 19: 294 new cases, nine deaths (media)
• Specialist Chambers summon Nezir Cocaj (media)
• AAK, NISMA fined for violating anti COVID measures in rallies (media)
• Muja: Association and division will end with Kurti in power (KTV)
• Shala: LDK competes to win the elections (media)
• Ahmeti calls for constitutional amendments (media)
• Prosecution rejects request for Veseli’s interim release (media)
• Blinken: I applaud Trump administration’s work for Kosovo and Serbia (media)