UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 4, 2024
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 04, 2024
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: Our membership in EU structures, response to Serbia threats (media)
• Osmani welcomes opening of NATO Tactical Air Base in Albania (media)
• Begaj: Banjska proved how fragile security is in our region (media)
• Maqedonci: Air base in Albania, NATO’s message for Western Balkans (media)
• Haradinaj on NATO air base in Albania: A base for regional security (media)
• Baerbock: Security and stability of Western Balkans, crucial for EU (RFE)
• Konjufca: Government can propose draft statute for Association (RTV21)
• Svecla on reports about Russia arrest warrants for Kosovo police officers (Kallxo)
• Gashi: Fake news concerning security of Kosovo – the main problem (Kallxo)
• Kurti meets anthropologist Janet Reineck (media)
• Jaksic, Trajkovic to Vucic: You suffered a debacle in Banjska (media)
• Gruhonjic: West’s reaction to terrorism on September 24, serious slap to Vucic regime (Albanian Post)
Serbian Language Media:
• Mijacic: An opportunity for OSCE to conduct an impartial study on security in Kosovo with special emphasis on Serbs and impact on migration (KoSSev, KiM radio)
• How Serbs in Kosovo live one month after dinar was abolished (RTS)
• Principals of primary schools in north: CBK regulation made regular teaching impossible (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian Democracy files appeal to Ombudsperson over rejection of petition against allocation of land to Kosovo Ministry of Internal Affairs (social media)
• KDI criticizes CEC and MLSGA – Why process of verifying signatures to recall mayors takes so long (KoSSev)
• Filipovic: It is important that KFOR’s mandate is fulfilled in line with UN Resolution 1244 (Radio KIM, EWB)
• Milicevic: Government of parties currently in opposition would respect fact that Serbs live in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Lawyer: Detention of Zarko Zaric extended for two more months (Kosovo Online)
• Fahri Musliu: ”Vucic would not end his political career if he recognized Kosovo independence” (KiM radio, Media Center)
Opinion:
• The Myth of Rising Defence Spending in Balkans Needs Unpacking (Balkan Insight)
International:
• Kosovo Journalist Chronicles Rigged Trials of Milosevic’s ‘Ferocious Regime’ (BIRN)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Leposava, one of the last remaining Serbs in Pristina dies (Radio KIM, KoSSev)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 01, 2024
Albanian Language Media:
• Osmani travels to Turkiye for the Antalya Diplomatic Forum (media)
• Konjufca: EU has no competence to propose draft for Association (Kosovapress)
• Kusari-Lila: Meaningless to keep EU measures against Kosovo in force (Koha)
• Dinar in Brussels; Tahiri: Government’s biggest favor to Serbia (Albanian Post)
• Rasic criticizes CBK: Despite Kurti’s statement on transition period, I have not seen any concrete action (Nacionale)
• Pacolli on the Dinar: Kurti is making unnecessary drama (media)
• “Comprehensive defense” – Kosovo’s new concept for defense (RFE)
• OSCE report on school dropouts within compulsory education system (media)
• Assembly, VV MP sued for discrimination against LGBTIQ+ community (Koha)
• Selimi: The parliament of Kosovo is sinking low (media)
• Kabashi-Ramaj: Kurti government failed to guarantee national security (EO)
• Suspected bag with dynamite in Pristina, police arrest a suspect (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Pensioners in Mitrovica North can not withdraw their pensions (Kosovo Online)
• The premises of the CI SDP in Mitrovica broken into, new locks installed (KiM radio)
• Elshani: KAP privatized the building in which the CI SDP premises are located, the owner changed the lock (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian flag at Zvecan fortress removed, then returned back shortly after (KoSSev, social media)
• Andric Rakic: Non-existence of Law on Referendum can not be basis to reject petitions (Kosovo Online)
• Zarrazin visited Visoki Decani Monastery (Kosovo Online)
• Hill: Lajcak’s approach to the Kosovo issue is correct (KiM radio, Tanjug, RTV)
• Serbian Chamber of Commerce says Open Balkan single labor market in place (N1)
• “From Fake to Verified”: Dialogue on Disinformation in Kosovo (KiM radio, KoSSev)
• European Parliament calls for investigation beyond scope of ODIHR report (N1)
International:
• Kosovo Activists Protest MPs Blocking Assisted Fertilization Law (BIRN)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 29, 2024
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 29, 2024
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: Our desire for peace exemplified by Basic Agreement (media)
• Krasniqi criticizes Kurti for not taking part EU-Western Balkans Summit (media)
• Freedom House: Kosovo ranked partly free despite progress (media)
• Hovenier welcomes new arrivals in KFOR (media)
• PDK: Kurti accepted Association with increased executive competencies (TeVe1)
• “Kurti sending Kosovo away from NATO, turned to Russian agenda” (Express)
• Xhaferi: Statements from Serbia, sign of possible escalation in the region (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: Western Balkans growth plan to enable closer cooperation (Tanjug)
• Varhelyi: Western Balkan economies to grow under EU plan (N1)
• What are people who have been pulled out of institutions doing now? (KoSSev)
• Vucic: Despite Kurti’s unilateral moves Belgrade will find way to help Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Suspects for attack on Serbian children in Laplje Selo released, issued financial fine (Kosovo Online)
• Sarrazin tells Kurti to implement court’s decision on Visoki Decani Monastery (KoSSev)
• Vehicle belonging to head of municipal administration in Serbian system set on fire in Leposavic last night (Kosovo Online)
• Elektrosever to start distribution of preliminary bills in four northern municipalities (Kosovo Online)
• Stano: Tangible improvements and electoral process reforms needed in Serbia (RTS, media)
• Dacic: Touadera’s visit to boost our traditional friendly ties with CAR (Tanjug)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, 28 February 2024
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 28, 2024
Albanian Language Media:
• SRSG Ziadeh meets Sarrazin, dialogue is only viable way forward (Express)
• Osmani certain Ukraine’s recognition will come with victory over Russia (Koha)
• State Department: Talks on the CBK regulation must continue urgently (RFE)
• U.S. disappointed with no progress on implementation of Basic Agreement (Koha)
• German Embassy: Kosovo to make next step, form Association (Koha)
• UNDP publishes Public Pulse Brief, “decreased satisfaction with leaders” (media)
• CBK high delegation holds meeting at Kosovo embassy in Brussels (media)
• Bislimi meets Sarrazin, calls for lifting of EU measures (media)
• Konjufca meets delegation of the German Bundestag Defense Committee (media)
• Zubin Potok mayor: We don’t rule out possibility of tensions in Zvecan (media)
• UNICEF, EU publish study of children in street situations in Kosovo (media)
• Bislimi meets United Nations Office for Project Services representative (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic from the Tirana Summit: Important topics ahead, and a conversation with Zelensky (RTS)
• “We haven’t faced our own crimes“ (KoSSev)
• Youth in Strpce employed through programme My First Salary gathered in front of post office hoping to withdraw their salaries (Kosovo Online)
• Queues in front of Zvecan Postal Saving Bank office, citizens say they feel endangered (Kosovo Online)
• Surlic: Brussels meeting showed that there is no dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina (Tanjug)
• ODIHR report on Serbian December 17 elections (N1)
• Brnabic: ODIHR recommendations show elections were fair, democratic (Tanjug)
• Lazovic: ODIHR report is just what Serbian opposition expected (N1, BETA)
• Tepic: ODIHR final report confirms election fraud (N1)
• Belgrade, Pristina dialogue without progress; this year crucial to preserve peace and security (Kosovo Online)
• Konrad: EU has pressure mechanisms, but Belgrade and Pristina must reach solution (Kosovo Online)
• Members of German Bundestag visit Visoki Decani Monastery (KoSSev)
• Without Kosovo Serbs living dignified lives, there can be no peace and stability in the Western Balkans (Kosovo Online)
International:
• Separate Kitchen, Private Gym – Life Behind Bars Comes with Perks for Albania’s VIP Prisoners (Balkan Insight)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 27, 2024
Albanian Language Media:
• Bislimi: Serbia is refusing to sign and implement the Basic Agreement (media)
• Why did the Dinar spark Kosovo-US tension? (Atlantic Council)
• Gerxhaliu on the Dinar: Biggest gift for Serbia, it speeds up the Association (EO)
• EULEX: Security situation in the north is stable but fragile (Gazeta Blic)
• U.S. European Command on meeting with Maqedonci (media)
• Svecla meets head of Institute of Crimes committed during War in Kosovo (EO)
• Maqedonci: Kosovo alongside UK continues to train Ukrainian recruits (media)
• Kastrati: Ready for census; online registration system for diaspora (media)
• Kusari welcomes European Parliament’s adoption of anti-SLAPP directive (media)
• Osmani: We are grateful for Turkiye’s enduring support (media)
• Sandulovic to Lajcak: You were silent about my assassination attempt (media)
• 16 anniversary of Kosovo independence to be celebrated in Belgrade today (Klan)
Serbian Language Media:
• Momir Stojanovic elected the new president of the Serbian National Council in KiM (Blic, N1, media)
• Members of KFOR in Prizren threatened, the police arrested one person (N1, KoSSev, Kallxo)
• Workers of Jumkos in Z.Potok, Kindergarten teachers in Leposavic, Roma in Gracanica, in front of Postal Savings Bank branches (Kosovo Online, KiM radio)
• Petrovic and Obrenovic admitted their guilt for participating in the conflict in Zvecan (KiM radio)
• Attorney Arsic: The Prosecution did not provide strong material evidence for Djokovic’s guilt (Kosovo Online)
• Mijacic: The last year’s agreement expected to calm the tensions between Kosovo and Serbia, but it didn’t happen (Kosovo Online)
Opinion:
• Zarkovic: Don’t Ignore the Real Causes of Kosovo Serbs’ Population Decline (BIRN)
International:
• Turkish Women’s Cup 2024 football: India finish runners-up after late heartbreak against Kosovo (olympics.com)
• BIRN Crew Attacked While Covering Church-Building Initiative in Kosovo (BIRN)
• Serbia Investigates Allegations of Police Assault on Two LGBT People (BIRN)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 26, 2024
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: EU is our trade partner; don’t want to cooperate with Russia (RFE)
• Osmani: Women, Peace, and Security Forum in Pristina on April 15-16 (media)
• Borrell: Meetings with Kurti and Vucic in Munich were unsuccessful (RFE)
• CBK confirms it will attend “informative meeting” in Brussels (Nacionale)
• EU confirms Kosovo and Serbia to attend meeting on Dinar in Brussels (RFE)
• Osmani to represent Kosovo at summit for Ukraine in Tirana on Wednesday (Klan)
• AAK wants assembly debate on health insurances, healthcare system (media)
• “Five months after Banjska, no indictment against Radoicic yet” (media)
• Kamberi: We don’t want posts; we want more rights for Albanians (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Continuation of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina: Both sides confirmed participation (FoNet, N1)
• The Office for KiM: The attack on the SOC priest in Prizren a direct consequence of tolerating hatred (NMagazin, Beta, Danas)
• Consultations for the new prime minister have begun with Vucic (NMagazin, Beta, media)
• Dacic: No one has the right to teach Serbia what kind of foreign policy to pursue (Beta, NMagazin, Danas, TV Pink)
• N1 learns unofficially: ODIHR report on December elections on Monday in the government of Serbia (NMagazin, Beta)
• Stojanovic: With abolishment of the dinar an attempt made to abolish the entire system that functions in Kosovo (KiM radio)
• EULEX still patrolling in front and around municipal buildings in the North, the situation stable but still fragile (KoSSev)
• Vucic: Xi’s visit to Serbia confirmed for this year (Tanjug)
• “We expect more decisive action from the international community”: Dacic at the UN about the Serbs in Kosovo (N1, Beta, KiM radio)
Opinion:
• Palokaj: One year after ‘agreement’, Kosovo, Serbia further from reconciliation (Koha)
International:
• Kosovo Artist Turns Post-War Labour Inequalities Into Sculpture at Venice Biennale (BIRN)
• ‘Not an Utopia’: Talat Xhaferi Outlines His Election as North Macedonia’s First Ethnic Albanian PM (Prishtina Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 23, 2024
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)
Read More →
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 22, 2024
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)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 21, 2024
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)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 20, 2024
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)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 19, 2024
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)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 16, 2024
Albanian Language Media:
• Biden congratulates Osmani on Kosovo independence day (media)
• Krasniqi meets Hovenier, “crucial to safeguard partnership with U.S.” (media)
• Ismaili meets Guerot, briefs on new cash payment operations regulation (media)
• Quint, EU ambassadors meet representatives of Kosovo Serb community (media)
• Joint meeting with Kurti and Vucic not on Borrell’s agenda (RFE)
• Ahmeti: Kosovo got here through cooperation with international community (KSP)
• Montenegro Deputy PM Gjeloshaj to visit Kosovo (media)
• VV MPs want IMC board dismissed, because of return of “Arena Sport” (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Quint ambassadors and head of EU delegation in Kosovo with representatives of Serbs (KiM radio)
• Borrell announced separate meetings with Kurti and Vucic in Munich (Beta, Danas)
• Vucic in Munich with Cameron and Hahn (RTS)
• Vucevic: Kurti creating impossible conditions for survival of Kosovo Serbs (Tanjug, TV Prva)
• 23 years since bomb attack against Nis-Express bus in Livadice, memorial service held in Laplje Selo (KoSSev, media)
• Office for KiM: Devastating that the Livadice crime is a closed case (RTS, media)
• Serbian List: We demand those responsible for crimes against Serbs be urgently found and punished (Kosovo Online)
• Abolition of dinar directly affects salaries, pensions, and social assistance for about 95,000 people (DW, Danas, KoSSev)
• Derikravic continues hunger strike, his representative says his condition deteriorates (KoSSev, Radio KIM)
• Sentic visits Visoki Decani Monastery, says Constitutional Court decision on monastery’s land to be implemented without delay (KoSSev, media)
Opinion:
• Weller: Serbia’s great challenge to Kosovo (Koha)
Read More →LINKS
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