• COVID-19: 774 new cases, four deaths (media)
• Vaccinations against COVID-19 begin in Kosovo (Prishtina Insight)
• Kosovo PM gets first COVID-19 vaccine shot to encourage take-up (Reuters)
• Kurti's vaccination draws reactions in Kosovo (media)
• Ramadani: New vaccine deliveries to take place in the coming weeks (Kallxo)
• Vaccination certificates to be issued to Western Balkans citizens (RFE/Koha)
• Kurti has separate meetings with ambassadors, Kosnett and Orlando (media)
• Haziri vows LDK will play constructive role in president's election (media)
• PDK’s Haliti on voting Vjosa Osmani for president (RTK)
• Kosovo Serb Party Challenges Govt in Court Over Representation (Balkan Insight)
• Miftaraj says SL's complaint to Constitutional Court has no legal basis (media)
• Vucic: If I recongnised Kosovo, I would have won the Nobel Prize (Happy/Zeri)
• Spanish FM on the match with Kosovo: It is football (media)
• Kurti 'blocks' PAK activity (RFE/media)
• Journalist claims he was suspended for comments against Kurti (media)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 30, 2021
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 29, 2021
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 29, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 774 new cases, four deaths (media)
• Albin Kurti to receive the anti-Covid vaccine today (Express)
• Anti-COVID vaccination in Prishtina starts Tuesday (media)
• The Serbian List addresses Constitutional Court claiming bigger share in government (Express)
• Shala: We do not make compromises with candidates who lack political unity (media)
• Gashi: final decision on issue of President is made by LDK MPs (media)
• Kosnett urges parties to take a constructive position on the issue of president (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• 12 new cases of Covid-19 registered in Serbian areas on Sunday (Radio KIM, RTS)
• Serbian List filed complaint with Constitutional Court over one ministerial post (KoSSev)
• Mass vaccination of citizens and foreigners in Serbia; PM says no politics (N1)
• Cadez: 8.500 businesspeople from region vaccinated in Serbia (N1)
• German media: ‘Vaccination weekend’ new success of Serbia immunisation policy (N1)
• Bartolome: Spain will not change stance on Kosovo, no matter who requests that (Kosovo-online)
• Petkovic: Announcement of constructing KSF base in northern Kosovo dangerous (Kosovo-online)
• NSI reacts to announced KSF base at Crnusa hill above Mitrovica (media, social media)
• Andjelkovic: Formation of KSF base in northern Kosovo direct threat to Serbs (Kosovo-online)
• Milic: Disrespect of Resolution 1244 (B92)
• YIHR: Officials should stop manipulating data related to victims of Kosovo war (KoSSev)
International:
• Serbia Vaccinates Thousands from Region Over Weekend (Balkan Insight)
• Foreign vaccine-seekers flock to Serbia for COVID-19 shots (Reuters)
• Serbia vaccinates migrants amid surge in COVID-19 cases (ABC News, Associated Press)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 29, 2021
• COVID-19: 926 new cases, 10 deaths (media)
• First doses of Covid vaccine arrive in Kosovo (media)
• Kurti: We are working night and day to secure vaccine (media)
• Complications of president election increasing (Koha)
• Abdixhiku and Osmani meet again, LDK to decide on president vote on Monday (media)
• Visa liberalisation for Kosovo not in EU Council's agenda (Koha)
• Redzepi: Time for "Great Serbia" and "Great Albania" is over (media)
• Kurti appoints three political advisers and spokesperson (media)
• Kosovo leaders vow to sue Serbia over wartime ‘Genocide’ (exit.al)
• Kosovo's EU-backed war crimes court 'has full US backing' (euronews)
• Shqiprim Arifi’s party, winner of Presevo elections (RTK)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 26, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 860 new cases, six deaths (media)
• Kurti: War crimes and missing persons, priorities in dialogue with Serbia (Koha)
• KSF barracks to be constructed on a hill overlooking Mitrovica (media)
• Rosenstock-Siller: Kosovo-Serbia dialogue to be centred on mutual recognition (Klan)
Serbian Language Media:
• Covid-19 in Serbian communities: 15 new cases, two deaths (KoSSev)
• Chinese Defense Minister visiting Belgrade (N1, RTS)
• EU warns Kurti over undermining dialogue process (RTS, Tanjug)
• The countries of the Western Balkans are the least resistant to false news in Europe (KoSSev, N1, Beta)
• Selakovic: Von Cramon’s speech on Kosovo parade of political distaste (RTS)
• Businessmen from the region in Belgrade this weekend for a vaccination (Danas)
• Israeli envoy: Serbia’s Govt. office in Jerusalem step toward moving embassy (Beta, N1)
• Zakharova: NATO aggression against FRY long-term tragedy (Kosovo-online)
• Belgrade insists on concrete examples from the EP on the Serbian authorities' wrongdoings (FoNet, N1, RTS)
• Stojkovic: 180 housing units more in Kosovo for displaced persons and young couples (Radio KIM)
• Vucic: I am proud to delegitimize the statehood of Kosovo and I will continue to do so (KoSSev)
Opinion:
• How the Quint must help Kosovo (EWB)
• It's time to deliver in this time of 'firsts' (Kosovo 2.0)
• Three key foreign policy objectives for Kosovo’s new government (Emerging Europe)
International:
• European MPs Urge Serbia, Kosovo to Intensify War Grave Search (Balkan Insight)
• Unregulated and Unlicensed, War Memorials Proliferate in Kosovo Towns (Balkan Insight)
• EP discusses Reports on Western Balkans: Majority support for enlargement, but the criteria need to be met (EWB)
Humanitarian/Development:
• From Texas to Kosovo: Rape survivor returns as part of new gov’t (Al Jazeera)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 26, 2021
• COVID-19: 885 new cases, 11 deaths (media)
• Vaccine rollout delayed, expected doses also reduced (Koha)
• Rama: Albania ready to vaccinate 11,000 Kosovo healthcare staff (Koha)
• EP adopts report on Kosovo, urges EU to grant visa liberalisation (media)
• Kurti meets Osmani, refers to her as the incoming president of Kosovo (media)
• Weber: New elections are not in favour of the opposition (RFE)
• Kurti to PAK: Suspend temporarily all decisions (RTK)
• Haziri: Difficult year ahead, KSC to have huge impact in coming weeks (Telegrafi)
• Vasfije Krasniqi: Ready to take part in dialogue, throw at Serbia’s face crimes committed in Kosovo (media)
• Op-ed: It is time for Vetevendosje to finally condemn homophobia (Prishtina Insight)
• After request for her dismissal, Emilija Redzepi changes the statement (media)
• EU to Examine Whether Serbia is ‘Deleting’ Ethnic Albanian Addresses (Balkan Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 25, 2021
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 25, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 836 new cases, 10 deaths (media)
• Varhelyi: Resumption of dialogue with Serbia is essential (media)
• Kurrti continues receiving congratulating letters (media)
• Von Cramon: EU to liberalise promised visas for Kosovo citizens (media)
• Kurti to visit the U.S. as soon as possible (media)
• Kosovo government appoints deputy ministers (media)
• State Prosecutor issues 73 indictments against 76 individuals (media)
• Kurti asked to dismiss Deputy Prime Minister Emilija Rexhepi (media)
• Serbian List attempts to install parallel structures in Skenderaj and Vushtrri (Express)
Serbian Language Media:
• Covid -19 in Serbian communities: 49 new cases, one death (Kontakt plus radio)
• Vucic on Kurti’s dialogue principles, EU reaction (B92)
• Bilcik: Important to continue the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina for the sake of reconciliation (KiM radio, Tanjug)
• Lazarevic: New elections would strengthen Kurti even more, the losing parties are aware of this (Beta, KoSSev)
• Weber: The principles for dialogue presented by Kurti will make easier for the EU and the USA to reset the negotiations (Kosovo Online)
• EU on Kurti ZSO statement – Parties in the dialogue to refrain from harmful statements (Kosovo-online)
• Agreement to produce Sputnik V vaccine in Serbia reached (RTS)
• Obradovic: 904.000 citizens revaccinated in Serbia so far (Kosovo-online)
• Interpol warns citizens once again not to purchase vaccines on internet (KoSSev)
• Rakic: We continue working on return of displaced persons (Radio KIM)
• Office for KiM: KLA graffiti on health ambulance in Suvi Do (Kosovo-online)
• Serbian Chamber of Commerce set to open Jerusalem office (N1)
Opinion
• Kosovo: Kurti In Driver’s Seat Of A Driverless Vehicle – Analysis (eurasiareview)
• Serbia’s Brave Actresses Deserve Our Respect for Naming Their Abusers (Balkan Insight)
International:
• Application of the new methodology to Montenegro and Serbia: Principles remain the same, more emphasis on interim benchmarks (EWB)
• President Biden Urged to Move Hague War Court to Kosovo (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• The introduction of mutual language learning in Kosovo: A tentative roadmap (FB)
• North Mitrovica Municipality: NGO "Eko-Protekt" and UNMIK provided 75 tablet computers for school children (Kontakt plus radio, Radio Mitrovica sever)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 25, 2021
• COVID-19: 823 new cases, 17 deaths (media)
• WHO: Vaccines to reach Kosovo in three weeks' time (T7/Telegrafi)
• Kosovo business community refuses vaccines from Serbia (Koha/Klan)
• U.S. and EU confirm joint engagement in Western Balkans (RFE/Koha)
• Lajcak: Resumption of dialogue within weeks (RFE)
• Kosnett: We are not asking MPs to vote certain individual but participate and avoid fresh elections (media)
• Merkel writes to Kurti: You have a challenging work ahead (media)
• Rama says he trusts Kurti in overcoming Kosovo's challenges (Koha)
• Osmani and Abdixhiku meet, agree to continue discussions (media)
• Hoxhaj: PDK has no vote for Vjosa Osmani, she is a divisive figure (media)
• European Parliament expected to endorse report on Kosovo today (media)
• SRSG Tanin congratulates Konjufca on election (media)
• Konjufca discusses securing anti-Covid-19 vaccines with Szunyog (RTK)
• Orlando meets Konjufca: Italy supports Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic road (media)
• Holliday offers support to enlighten fate of the missing persons (media)
• Petkovic: Kurti's positions are destroying the future of dialogue (RFE/Kallxo)
• President Biden urged to move EU-backed war crimes court to Kosovo (euronews)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 24, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 781 new cases, 17 deaths (media)
• Kurti: President election to take place soon (media)
• Kurti reveals his approach to the dialogue with Serbia (Prishtina Insight)
• Kosovo leaders commemorate anniversary of NATO air strikes on Serbian forces (media)
• CEC replaces MPs who accepted government posts (media)
• EULEX refutes KLA war veterans: No one was invited to our offices (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• 42 new cases of Covid-19 in in Serbian communities (KoSSev)
• Twenty-two years ago, NATO bombs started falling on the then Yugoslavia (Beta, N1)
• Vucic with UN official: UN SC session on UNMIK in mid April (Tanjug, Kosovo-online)
• Office for KiM: Krstic’s verdict shameful, victim of persecution by Pristina (RTS)
• Defense lawyers on Krstic and Shabani verdicts (Radio KIM)
• Rakic assumed office of Minister for Communities and Returns (Kontakt plus radio)
• 22nd anniversary of the bombing marked in Gracanica (Kosovo Online)
• No easing of measures, Serbian anti-epidemic Crisis Team says (N1)
• North Macedonia journalists vaccinated in southern Serbia (N1)
International:
• 78 Days of Fear: Remembering NATO’s Bombing of Yugoslavia (Balkan Insight)
• WB2EU: Citizens need some re-branding of the idea of what the rule of law is (EWB)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Preparations for Manifesta14 underway (Prishtina Insight)
• Patagonia CEO: Hydropower Plants are not Green, Albanian Government Stop Decimating Balkan Rivers (exit.al)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 24, 2021
• COVID-19: 772 new cases, 13 deaths (media)
• Kurti: We will prepare a file with all agreement violations by Serbia (Koha/Kallxo)
• Kurti hosts EU Ambassador to Kosovo Tomas Szunyog (media)
• Abdixhiku meets Kosnett and Rohde, informs them about LDK’s role in opposition (media)
• Abdixhiku and Osmani to meet today at 14:00 hours (media)
• LDK officials comment on Vjosa Osmani’s election (media)
• Hasani says Government is internationally obliged to form Association (Klan)
• New minister Aliu denies indictment against him, prosecution confirms it (media)
• Konjufca asks CEC to provide names of MPs replacing ministers (Kosovapress)
• Krasniqi: Association of Serb municipalities undermines Kosovo (Kallxo)
• Monuments Evoke Tragic Memories of NATO Bombing of Yugoslavia (Balkan Insight)
• Kosovo Convicts Two Serb Policemen of War Crimes (Balkan Insight)
• Protesters rally in front of Kosovo embassy in Ankara (AA)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 23, 2021
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 23, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 705 new cases, 10 deaths (media)
• Albin Kurti officially assumes duties as new prime minister of Kosovo (Express)
• Kurti: It is time to prove that we deserve our positions (media)
• Quint to MPs: The first task is to elect the president (media)
• Congratulations for Kurti and the new government continue (media)
• U.S. Ambassador visits LDK offices (media)
• Z.K and D.Sh. found guilty of war crimes (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Covid-19 in Serbian communities: 67 new cases, three people died (Kontakt plus radio)
• Vucic: Pristina brutally violated its own highest legal act (Danas, Beta)
• Petkovic: Kurti's demands absurd and undermine Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (TV Most)
• Simic: Two ministries belong to the Serbian list according to the law; we will not vote for Kurti's government (Kosovo Online, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Jevtic handovers duty to Rakic today, announces continuation of a joint struggle for betterment of Serbs (TV Most)
• Rada Trajkovic to Kurti: Citizens place their hopes in you and your promise of equality for all (Kosovo Online)
• Zlatan Krstic sentenced to 14 years in prison, Shabanaj to seven years (Kosovo-online)
• Epidemiological situation in Zvecan deteriorates, authorities urge citizens to vaccinate (Kosovo-online)
• Miftaraj: The constitution is clear, the Kosovo president is elected first, then the government (KoSSev)
• Surlic: Serbs acceptable for Pristina if decision-making does not depend on them (KoSSev)
• Krasniqi: The government that consolidated the majority, with the highest number of women, I expect the president to be elected (KoSSev)
• Only open debate on Kosovo "allowed" (Danas)
• Serbian DefMin concerned over Kosovo participation in NATO exercise (N1, FoNet)
• EU top diplomat says debate on Western Balkans at next meeting of EU FMs (N1, Beta)
• RFZO: Serbia has 5.800 doses of US new anti-coronavirus drug (N1)
• WHO Belgrade representative: Epidemic situation serious, measures to remain until results seen (N1)
Opinion
• Western Balkans’ Plight is Wake-up Call for Europe (Balkan Insight)
International:
• Balkan Countries Lacking Vaccines Look to Neighbours for Jabs (Balkan Insight)
• Vaccine makers should license technology to overcome 'grotesque' inequity: WHO (Reuters)
• Coronavirus digest: EU commissioner says herd immunity by summer is possible (DW)
• NATO, US to stage large-scale military exercises around Serbia until summer (euractive.com)