UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 27, 2024

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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

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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

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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)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 22, 2024

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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)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 21, 2024

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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)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 20, 2024

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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

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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

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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)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 15, 2024

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Albanian Language Media:

• Kusari-Lila: Dinar has not been banned, it can be used like any other currency (RTK)
• Minister Gervalla leaves for Munich to participate in the Security Conference (media)
• Kryeziu-Hyseni: Focus of the reporting has been on Banjska issue (RTK)
• NCU says Bislimi’s labeling, against spirit of dialogue and European values (Koha)
• The American Chamber of Commerce proposes three alternatives for solving dinar issue (Koha)
• Georg Schnetzer: Kosovo remains a priority of Austria’s foreign policy (RTK)
• 55 NGOs request dismissal of Balje and Deme-Murtezi from Human Rights Committee (media)
• Kamberi accuses Lajcak of double standards (Koha)
• The EESC accepts 9 candidate countries, Kosovo not included (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

• Brnabic: Only strong Serbia can solve issues of national interest (Tanjug)
• Dacic meets Botsan-Kharchenko (Tanjug)
• Selimi and Thaci gave confidential information about witnesses to visitors in Hague custody (KiM radio, Beta, NMagazin, Danas)
• Joseph: Kurti scored “an own goal”, continues uncoordinated actions which damage Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Reactions to Bislimi’s statement on Serbian NGOs and Brussels meetings continue (social media, media)
• Rama: Every attack on Kosovo is an attack on Albania, but we should also think about the importance of allies every day (KoSSev)
• Kosovo police stopped and beat up Serb in northern Kosovo, claims he obstructed officers (RTS)
• Presentation of the defense in the Ivanovic case only after the Prosecution submits documents in the Serbian language (KiM radio, Radio Mitrovica sever)

International:

• US secretary of state visits Albania, a key regional ally seeking European Union membership (AP)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 14, 2024

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UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 14, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Ismaili: CBK regulation has not banned any currency (RTK)
• Murati on CBK regulation: Belgrade propaganda creating confusion (Klan)
• Kurti meets Davenport, discuss transition phase for CBK regulation (media)
• Kurti only words of praise for his government on 3rd anniversary of victory (Koha)
• Bajrami: Because of Kurti, U.S. questioning partnership with Kosovo (media)
• Serwer: EU, U.S. were wrong to appease Serbia and punish Kosovo (Kallxo)
• Kanin: Kurti’s actions make everyone forget about Banjska (RFE)
• Ex UNMIK chief: Kosovo Serbs, hostage of Belgrade destabilizing policies (media)
• “Darling, you’ve failed” – LDK with symbolic action in front of govt building (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• NATO SG urges all sides in Western Balkans to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric and actions (Tanjug)
• Yet another shipment of dinars for Kosovo stopped at Jarinje (RTS)
• Serbian List meets French MEPs (Kosovo Online)
• Biden congratulates Vucic and the Serbian people the Statehood Day (NMagazin, Beta, media)
• Exhibitions, events to mark Serbian Statehood Day (N1)
• Vucic meets Russian Ambassador Botsan-Kharchenko (Tanjug)
• Nova: Marko Djuric the new head of diplomacy? (Danas, FoNet)
• Djuric: US companies condemn Pristina’s blockade of Serbian goods (Kosovo Online)
• Ugljanin: There are no flyers calling for violence against Kosovo police on streets of Mitrovica, my statement was misinterpreted (Danas)
• Lucic: Signal for users in northern Kosovo to be restored today, criminal complaint against Hetemi filed (Kosovo Online)

International:

• Advertising inequality (Kosovo 2.0)
• New Gas Supplies For the Western Balkans Facilitates a Geopolitical Game Rather Than the Green Energy Transition (visegradinsight.eu)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 13, 2024

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Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Vucic wants to leave open the possibility of invading Kosovo (media)
• State Department: Kosovo can continue procedures to purchase Javelins (Klan)
• New pamphlets in north, police initiate case for call to resistance (Koha)
• Uglanin: Pamphlets calling for resistance, threat to population (Telegrafi)
• EU: IMC draft law should not negative effect on media freedom (RFE)
• “Postponed prohibition” of dinar, Rohde surprised “how deadlines are given without a plan?”(Nacionale)
• Gjoshi: CBK has become a shelter of Kurti’s militants (media)
• Shala: Situation in north can escalate; protest led by Belgrade-backed SL (EO)

Serbian Language Media:

• Elek: Kurti’s goal is to displace Serbs, I hope reason will prevail (Radio KIM)
• Gogic: CBK measures are phrases, they won’t ensure stable flow of funds to Serbs and Serbian institutions (Kosovo Online)
• Escobar: Unilateral moves in Kosovo will have consequences (Tanjug, RTS, KiM radio)
• Hill: We were clear about the concerns regarding the dinar ban (Tanjug, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Leaflets for “resistance to Kurti’s police” allegedly appeared in Mitrovica North (KoSSev)
• How will elections in the USA affect Serbia? (Danas, FoNet, ipese.rs)
• Szijjarto: Serbia ready to join EU tomorrow, membership not to be conditioned with Kosovo issue (Kosovo Online, Insajder)
• Livadice victims’ commemoration on Friday (KiM radio, Kontakt plus radio, radio Mitrovica sever)
Opinion:
• How a German journalist misinterprets unrelated facts: Dragutin Nenezic’s answer to Mihael Martens (Danas)

International:

• Former Allies Argue Over Prishtina Coalition Crisis (Prishtina Insight)
• As Serbian Journalist’s Murder Goes Unpunished, Verdict Comes Under Scrutiny (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 12, 2024

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Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti to Bloomberg: Euro rules won’t be reversed (media)
• Prime Minister Kurti travels to United Kingdom (media)
• Kosovo Police initiate case for new graffiti in the north (Koha)
• Rrahmani on the Dinar: Every action must be in agreement with U.S. (Gazeta Blic)
• Serbs protest: Cancel the decision on dinar (media)
• 108 million euros used for armament of KSF during 2023 (media)
• Journalists’ Association condemn threatening messages against reporter (media)
• Lack of progress in Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, one of main challenges of EU Growth Plan (Albanian Post)
• Hoti: Data from 2023 budget report create impression that there is no master of house (media)
• Tahiri: PDK to propose establishment of two Inquiry Parliamentary Commissions (media)
• Tahiri: The average salary in the public sector should be 1000 euros (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Serbs protest in Mitrovica North: CBK’s decision means end of life for Serbian people (Kosovo Online, N1, media)
• Kurti on 17th anniversary of demonstrations against Ahtisaari: We rightly opposed mono-ethnic concessions (KoSSev)
• Arsenijevic: The more Kurti speaks in Serbian; the more Serbs get beaten (Danas)
• “People are frustrated, situation on the brink of survival” – Atmosphere ahead of protest in Mitrovica North (N1)
• Serbian National Council (SNV) supported protest in North Mitrovica (Danas, KiM radio)
• President of Trade Union of Private Sector: 140,000 workers have left Kosovo since visa liberalization (Kontakt plus, N1, FoNet)
• Orban: ‘I’m afraid we’ll lose Serbia, it is key for entire EU’ (N1)
• Vucic: Serbia, Greece have always supported each other’s territorial integrity (Tanjug)
• Mitsotakis: Our position on Kosovo unchanged, dialogue only path (Tanjug)
• Dacic speaks by phone with FMs of Romania, Spain, Cyprus (Tanjug)
• North Macedonia rejects allegations from Pristina regarding Kurti’s assassination (N1, BETA, media)

International:

• ‘Kurti Hates The United Nations,’ Declares President Vucic In Interview (The Pavlovic Today)