UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 11, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Suspects fire shots at Kosovo police during smuggling attempt in the north (media)
• “Lifting ban on Serbian products in exchange for lifting of EU measures” (RFE)
• Rohde: Kosovar lawyers can now register with German bar associations (media)
• Initiative for dismissal; Zeqiri: I see it more problematic and less dignifying (RTV21)
• Ombudsperson treating complaints in the north; reporters deserve attention (EO)

Serbian Language Media:

• Ombudsman in Kosovo opens case of RTS journalist Svetlana Vukmirovic (Radio KIM)
• What could citizens lose without MTS in Kosovo? (RTS)
• Vucevic: Ukraine by recognizing Kosovo would create bigger problem to itself (Tanjug)
• Vucic: We have not given up on UN Security Council session, we are waiting for right moment (Kosovo Online)
• Zeqiri: Coordinated collective resignations of mayors better than petition (Kosovo Online)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti: The EU should remove the measures as soon as possible (Koha)
Stano: Measures taken because govt didn’t act in European manner (Koha)
Government Spokesman to EU: What more do you want from Kosovo? (Reporteri)
Vetevendosje MP reacts, lists series of Serbia’s “non-European” acts (media)
Osmani meets Hovenier, discuss implementation of Bratislava Agreement (RTK)
Rohde meets with Barbano: Germany stands strongly behind EULEX (Koha)
Rasic: Decision to ban Serbian goods will be lifted very soon (RTK)
Bosch: Serbian govt doing everything to undermine stability in the region (media)

Serbian Language Media:
Lawyer Vasic submitted request for Kurti to testify as defense witness (KoSSev)
Radakovic: In case of MTS.doo closure Serbs in north to remain in media darkness (RTS, Kosovo Online)
Second part of Serbian Armed Forces contingent departs for flood-hit Slovenia (Tanjug)
Stano on measures against Kosovo, says they are possible against Serbia as well, if it fails to de-escalate (N1, media)
Raska-Prizren Eparchy Bishop Teodosije visited arrested Milenkovic in Podujevo (KoSSev)
International Media:

Experts Expect Increased Migration to EU Following Kosovo Visa Liberalisation, Advise Government to Act Now (Schengen Visa)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 10, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Third murder in one week in Kosovo (media)
• Haradinaj blames Kurti-led government for recent killings (Koha)
• Citaku: PDK is working on early elections (RTK)
• Rasic on Radomirovic: He is being attacked in a surprising way (RTK)
• IMF Staff Concludes Visit to Kosovo (media)
• Ibrahimi: Law is clear, no need for administrative directive (EO)
• Graffiti against Kosovo; experts: Special war by Serbia (Kosovapress)

Serbian Language Media:

• Lawyer invites Kurti to be defence witness in case of former prison guard, claims he was bringing him books while in prison (KoSSev, media)
• Third murder in Kosovo in a week (N1, KoSSev)
• Gashi: Crime in rest of Kosovo on rise because majority police forces concentrated in north (Kosovo Online)
• Antonijevic: Attempt to shift responsibility for failed negotiations on Serbia as well (RTK)
• Jablanovic: Petition not right way to dissolve mayors in northern Kosovo (Radio KIM)
• Ferati: Resignations of mayors would lead to calming down situation in north (Kosovo Online)
• Protest in front of Mitrovica North municipality, those affected by January floods have not received aid yet (Radio kontakt plus)

Opinion:

• Prison for returnees (Politika, Radio KIM)

International:

• The Balkan Drug Route: A Snapshot from the Courtroom (BIRN)
• Timeout – Challenging the dominance of men in sports journalism (Kosovo 2.0)

Albanian Language Media:

EU calls for further steps to lift punitive measures (RTK)
Knut Abraham supports the letter of European and American MPs (RTK)
Initial draft for withdrawal of mayors in north discussed (Kosovapress)
Zubin Potok mayor doesn’t want petition, proposes resignation of mayors (media)
German Ambassador Rohde meets media representatives (media)
U.S. General: We will continue to support the Kosovo Security Force (Telegrafi)
Ragmi Mustafi appointed adviser to Bislimi (Koha)
Kurti's visit to Skopje provokes reactions in Albanian political spectrum (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:
Petković: MTS.doo has legal mechanisms to overturn decision, serious consequences for Pristina in telecommunications possible (KoSSev)
Serbian companies in Kosovo stripped of certificates due to "unconstitutional content" (media)
EULEX chief meets Raska-Prizren Eparchy Bishop Teodosije (Kosovo Online, social media)
Vucic: Serious discussion with Peach about situation in Kosovo, region (Tanjug, media)
Brnabic: Fulfillment of obligations precondition for continuation of normalization with Pristina (Tanjug, media)
Serbian Armed Forces team heads to Slovenia to join flood relief efforts (media)
International Media:

Top US and EU lawmakers say West is too soft on Serbia when it comes to easing Kosovo tensions (AP)
Kosovar PM Welcomes European, U.S. Warning Against 'Belgrade-Centered' Policy (RFE)
Pristina Asked to Explain Bar on Serbian Journalist Entering Kosovo (Balkan Insight)
Calls Grow for Kosovo Community Funding Call to be Annulled (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 9, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Justice reform is a necessity, vetting is a solution (media)
• Stano confirms receival of the letter of EU and US MPs to Borrell (RTK)
• Osmani appoints Ahmet Ismail to the post of governor of the Central Bank (media)
• Rasic: Elections should be held after resignation of mayors (media)
• LDK: We will request an investigative commission for "misuse of state reserves" (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• EFJ concerned over ban to RTS journalist Svetlana Vukmirovic to enter Kosovo and report from there (Radio KIM)
• Pristina confirms MTS.doo business certificate has been revoked (KoSSev)
• What does revocation of MTS.doo licence certificate mean for Serbs in Kosovo? (RFE, Radio KIM)
• Sentic: Work of Office for Communities Affairs degraded, allocation of funds concerning (KoSSev)
• NGOs and media file complaint to Ombudsperson on Office for Communities Affairs decision to allocate funds (Radio kontakt plus)
• Vucic presents ambitious plans worth €12 billion (N1, BETA)
• Aleksic presents new MP caucus (N1)

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani asks U.S. to help accelerate Kosovo’s membership in NATO (RFE)
Kurti thanks intl officials for letter “calling for solidarity with Kosovo” (media)
UK receives letter; “We are working for entire Western Balkans” (Express)
Growing voices in Ukraine for recognition of Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
MINT revokes licences of 15 other businesses (media)
Kurti hosts outgoing head of Belgium Diplomatic Office (media)

Serbian Language Media:
Vucic, Hill discuss Serbia-US relations, Kosovo, Serbia's international position (Tanjug)
Vucevic meets with Egyptian President, discuss Kosovo issue as well (media)
Vucic: Period until 2027 our benchmark for everything from now on (Tanjug)
Ambassador Tolkach: Stance of Ukraine on Kosovo remains unchanged (N1, Kosovo Online)
Vucic comments on possibility that Ukraine recognizes Kosovo, says he thinks Zelensky is wise (N1)
COM KFOR visited Pec Patriarchate (Kosovo Online)
International Media:
Ukrainian ambassador to Serbia: Rumors growing about Kiev recognizing Kosovo (euronews.al)
“Ukraine edging closer to recognizing Kosovo,” says Edward Joseph (euronews.al)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 8, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti appoints Ejup Maqedonci as new Minister of Defence (media)
• Citaku: Prosecution to urgently investigate affair of Kurti govt’s mediator (Klan)
• Svecla following police operation: North is moving toward normality (media)
• Ahmeti: EU measures against Kosovo are affecting municipalities too (Kosovapress)
• Kurti’s advisor stopped twice by Serbian border police on Monday (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Brnabic: Letter of EU and US parliamentarians proves Kurti enjoys support in undermining peace (Radio KIM)
• Church broken into in Suvi Do, police qualified case “as serious theft” (KoSSev)
• Office for KiM reacts to incident against Saint Petka Church in Suvi Do settlement (media)
• Serbian List condemns incidents in Suvi Do, demands increased presence of international forces (Kosovo Online)
• Ponos: Western parliamentarians’ letter should be taken seriously (N1)
• Sign in front of municipal building in ZP damaged: KP blames wind, citizens police, while mayor claims he will fix sign (KoSSev)

International:

• Media Freedom in South-East Europe Faces Escalating Digital Threats (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani thanks Kearns “for exposing Serbia’s destructive agenda” (media)
Menendez: A West’s Belgrade-centered policy will not work (Gazeta Express)
Haradinaj: Joint statement confirms Kosovo is Euro-Atlantic (media)
Kosovo says restoring of parallel bodies by Belgrade violates agreement (Koha)
Bislimi calls on Serbia to implement roadmap for energy agreement (media)
Kurti on energy efficiency measures; subsidy cover 45% of investment (media)
Osmani joins petition for Google to recognize Kosovo (media)
Govt: Radomirovic was not involved in military operations during war (Telegrafi)

Serbian Language Media:
Svecla claims north moves towards normalcy, Serbian List says he spreads lies and disinformation (Radio KIM, KoSSev)
Petkovic responds to Bislimi, says Pristina obstructs Energy Roadmap for moths (media, social media)
Defense lawyers of Pantic and Zaric filled appeals to Court of Appeals (media)
Vucevic: Serbia-Egypt cooperation seeing upward trend (Tanjug)
Drecun: Serbs in Kosovo under continuous pressure (Tanjug)
Dveri Movement: Has Vucic given up on UN SC session on Kosovo (N1)
Vulovic says Kosovo police broke a panel in Cyrillic alphabet on Zubin Potok municipal facility (Kosovo Online)
International Media:
‘Stronger reaction to Vucic’, politicians of several countries letter to EU and US (euronews.al)
Calls Grow for Kosovo Community Funding Call to be Annulled (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 7, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti's advisor: I was stopped from crossing the border by the Serbian police (media)
• Bosch: Serbian list pressuring Serbs in the north not to cooperate with Kosovo (RTK)
• The Serbian List MP speaks about alleged explosion at the bar (media)
• Police confiscate graphic cards and stun grenades in the north (media)
• Inscriptions with hateful message towards LGBTI+ community in library courtyard (Koha)
• Haradinaj: We appreciate OSCE’s continuous support (media)
• Musliu: Person who threatened me stated he was influenced by LVV’s propaganda (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• What is happening with supplies of food and medicine supplies in the North? (KoSSev)
• Simic: I have nothing to do with recording and publishing conversation with Kusari, she is afraid of new recordings (KoSSev)
• Telekom Srbija: Pristina wants to shut down our daughter company in Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Civil society organisations and media condemn commission’s decision in relation to Office for Communities public call (Radio KIM, media, social media)
• Miroslav Aleksic and a number of members are leaving the People’s Party (N1)
• Dacic: We will do everything for peace, but we do not agree to tricks like withdrawing 25 percent of police from municipal facilities (Kosovo Online)

Albanian Language Media:

Western politicians call for balance and proportionality in dealing with Kosovo and Serbia (media)
EU denies siding with Serbia, “parties responsible for agreement” (Koha)
Kosovo PM Kurti to visit North Macedonia (RTK)
Court orders 30-day detention for two Serbs suspected of war crimes (Koha)
Police give details about explosion at Serb’s bar in Ranillug (media)
Milatovic: Recognition of Kosovo, a closed matter for Montenegro (media)
Walls of institutions painted with slogans against violence against women (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:
Arrests, explosive device and threats to Serbs in Kosovo, lawyers say there is a matrix (RTS)
Serbian List, Petkovic react to bomb attack against property of Serbian List official in Ranilug (Tanjug)
Serbs in Suvi Do near Mitrovica North disturbed after “KLA” graffiti appeared on health facility entrance (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
CEO of Telekom Srbija: MTS will continue operating in Kosovo despite pressure (N1)
Serbian, RS PMs agree to build WWII death camp memorials (N1)
International Media:
West must protect Kosovo from Serbia and Russia, senior politicians warn (The Telegraph)
BIRN Wins Solar Power Investigation Case Against Kosovo Media Regulator (BIRN)