UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 16, 2022

By OSPI-f  22 hours ago

• Albania helps Kosovo, the energy crisis is avoided (media)
• Kosovo walks back power cutoffs to consumers amid energy ‘emergency’ (RFE)
• President Osmani accuses EU of favoring Serbia (Koha)
• Begaj supports decision on reciprocity on license plates and IDs (Koha)
• Osmani on headscarves in schools: Constitution, primary orientation (media)
• Counter-petition launched against request to lift ban on religious dress in Kosovo schools (BIRN)
• Serbia does not allow Bislimi and Svecla to visit Presevo Valley (RTK)
• Kosovo to host largest field exercise in region, “Defender Europe 23” (media)
• Kurti meets OSCE Head of Mission Davenport (media)
• Haradinaj to Kurti: I am addressing you to reconsider your position (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 15, 2022

By OSPI-f  2 days ago

• EU calls on Kosovo and Serbia to immediately end inflammatory rhetoric (RFE)
• Power cuts from Monday in Kosovo (media)
• LDK leader predicts most difficult winter ever; slams government (media)
• Newly elect President of Albania to visit Kosovo today (media)
• Swiss TV: Informer that revealed plan to kill Marty was born in Kosovo (media)
• Against bleak global backdrop, Kosovo’s Dokufest ponders ‘How to Survive’ (BIRN)
• Youth Day feels bittersweet to Balkans’ frustrated youngsters (BIRN)
• Palokaj: A major shift of the workforce from Balkans toward EU (Koha)
• “Kosovo must deliver on municipal association if it wants normalisation” (BIRN)
• Kosovo women seek end to ‘period poverty (BIRN)
• COVID-19: 393 new cases (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 12, 2022

By OSPI-f  5 days ago

President Osmani hosted U.S. Ambassador Hovenier (RTK)
German emissary for Western Balkans, meets with the U.S. counterpart (RTK)
EU does not impose a solution for Kosovo and Serbia (media)
Hill: Greater opportunity for progress in dialogue than conflict (RTK)
PDK’s Hoxhaj: Kurti has no principles in dialogue (Nacionale)
Rakic, mayors of northern municipalities meet COMKFOR (Klan Kosova)
Kastrati: An attack on Kosovo would be suicidal for Serbia (Klan Kosova)
Youngsters in Gjakova urge youth not to quit Kosovo (Prishtina Insight)
Kosovo capital hosts European nomadic biennale Manifesta (BIRN)
Sunny Hill Festival-Goers Say ‘Europe, Set us Free’ (Prishtina Insight)
Govt promotes employment of people with disabilities (Albanian Daily News)
Kosovo, Germany ink WWII graves accord (Expatica.com)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 11, 2022

By OSPI-f  6 days ago

• Kosovo PM says tensions with Serbs in north could escalate (Reuters)
• Osmani: EU to be more vocal against Serbia’s destabilizing tendencies (media)
• Kurti, Vucic expected to sign joint statement on missing persons (media)
• Kosovo minister says Belgrade backing criminals (N1)
• COMKFOR meets commander of NATO, discuss security in Kosovo (RTK)
• Haradinaj presents three options how to reach Kosovo-Serbia agreement (RTK)
• Kosovo: a cap gun on the wall, a mine in the drawer (TVP World)
• Kosovo allocates 40 million Euros for Serbs’ unpaid electricity (BIRN)
• Muslims in Kosovo demand that headscarf be allowed in schools (euronews.al)
• NATO evaluating proposal for naval base in Durres (Albanian Daily News)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 10, 2022

By OSPI-f  7 days ago

NATO’s Stoltenberg repeats: Ready for intervention if stability is threatened (Klan)
Joseph: Leaders in Kosovo and Serbia should refrain from tense rhetoric (Klan)
EU: Energy agreement roadmap stalling due to “technical aspects” (Kallxo)
Decision on increased energy tariffs in two weeks (Koha)
PDK’s Tahiri: We will oppose any effort to increase energy tariffs (RTK)
Kosovo’s Central Bank is a Sleeping Giant that Needs a Poke (Prishtina Insight)
U.S. Ambassador Hovenier visits Shterpce (media)
Albania and Kosovo Poorest Countries in Region (Exit)
Face paint, folklore transform Chicago bride for traditional wedding in Kosovo (Reuters)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 9, 2022

By OSPI-f  1 week ago

• PM Kurti for RFE: Situation in north could have escalated into armed conflict
• Kosovo opposition reacts to Kurti’s mention of war (media)
• Petkovic: Kurti’s latest statements show he wants war not dialogue (media)
• Kurti meets KFOR commander, discuss security in Kosovo (media)
• Kusari-Lila: We will resist Association as we have done so far (media)
• How Russia’s Ukraine war is stoking tension in Kosovo (The Washington Post)
• Europe keeps a wary eye on Kosovo, Serbia (politico.eu)
• Bislimi meets Ambassador Ziv, talk about deepening relations (media)
• Grenell has telephone conversation with Thaci (media)
• Two deaths and 331 new cases with COVID-19 in last 24 hours (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 8, 2022

By OSPI-f  1 week ago

• Borrell confirms invitation to Vucic and Kurti to discuss way forward (Koha)
• Kosovo pledges no talks with Serbia two topics that activated the north (Koha)
• PM Kurti says “criminal gangs” behind attack against police in north (media)
• EULEX chief condemns attack against police in the north (media)
• Interior Minister Svecla visits Bernjak border crossing (Kallxo)
• Russian reporter Daria Aslamova declared persona non grata in Kosovo (media)
• Kandic: Regions where Delic operated, over 2,000 civilians killed (RTK)
• Dua Lipa Thrills Fans Performing on First Day of Sunny Hill (BIRN)
• ‘Sunny Hill was kept where it belongs’, Kurti receives Dua Lipa (euronews.al)
• 618 new cases, one death from COVID-19 in last 24 hours (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 5, 2022

By OSPI-f  2 weeks ago

• EU confirms meeting between Kurti and Vucic on August 18 (Koha)
• Borrell: Association, verdict on Decani Monastery should be implemented (media)
• Osmani and Hovenier talk about latest developments in Kosovo (RTK)
• LDK won’t cooperate with Serbian List to bring down Kurti government (media)
• AAK against cooperation with Serbian List to bring down Kurti (Kallxo)
• SL reacts to Hovenier about Radoicic: Don’t make lump sum assessments (Koha)
• What’s behind the renewed tensions between Serbia and Kosovo? (AlJazeera)
• Assembly adopts law on funding of political parties; EUSR welcomes it (media)
• Svecla: We welcomed another 146 Afghans in Kosovo today (media)
• Blakaj: Delic suspected of killing 2,000 civilians in Kosovo (Klan Kosova)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 4, 2022

By OSPI-f  2 weeks ago

• Stoltenberg talks with Vucic, makes clear NATO readiness to intervene (media)
• Germany supports Kosovo’s reciprocity towards Serbia’s documents (media)
• Serbia, Kosovo officials to meet in Brussels after tensions (BIRN)
• Serbian List: We want to bring down the Kurti-led government (media)
• Lladrovci calls on PM Kurti to dismiss Rakic (media)
• Ukraine begins to withdraw troops from Kosovo (media)
• Kosovo’s draft security strategy under fire (BIRN)
• U.S. Ambassador welcomes inauguration of Commercial Court (media)
• Justice Minister meets Prishtina Mayor, discuss domestic violence (media)
• Reactions against Delic’s election as vice president of Serbian Parliament (Koha)
• “Specialist Chambers jeopardizing Veseli’s constitutional rights” (Epoka)
• Montenegro govt faces no-confidence vote over church deal (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 3, 2022

By OSPI-f  2 weeks ago

• Osmani: Preparations by Serbia to escalate Western Balkans and Kosovo (BBC)
• Kurti: Russia is helping Serbia to destabilize the Balkans (RTK)
• Kurti-Vucic meeting on August 18? (RTK)
• Vucic: I will go to Brussels; I expect nothing from the meeting (media)
• “Moderation is needed, Pristina is doing well by postponing measures” (RTK)
• Kosovo Police issues statement rebutting reports in Serbian media (media)
• Police stops vehicle in the north suspected of smuggling medicaments (media)
• A Dispute Over License Plates Is a Reminder of Deep, Ongoing Kosovo-Serbia Tensions (Time)
• Kosovo: Why is trouble flaring between Serbs and Albanian-led government? (BBC)
• How to stop Serbia spat from spiraling out of control (atlanticcouncil.org)
• How pro-Russian and Russian Telegram channels spread misinformation about Kosovo (The Geopost)
• Hoxhaj: September will shift talks to dialogue on mutual recognition (Nacionale)
• Kosovo Issues Emergency Energy Measures Ahead of Winter (Prishtina Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 16, 2022

By OPSI-su  16 hours ago

Albanian Language Media:

• PM Kurti: September 1 will be a normal day (Klan)
• There is no normality; power cuts continue today (Koha)
• Haradinaj, Begaj discuss joint defence treaty (Koha)
• LDK leader Abdixhiku slams Kurti again (media)
• War crimes association in Gjakova presses charges against Bozidar Delic (media)
• President of Albania does not meet with Abdixiku – do not agree on the venue (Telegrafi)

Serbian Language Media:

• EC: Vucic and Kurti must discuss all open issues in Brussels (Beta, N1)
• Serbs’ representatives from Kosovo: “Quint support the decisions made by Pristina”; Petkovic: “They make effort to support independence, but no effort for CSM” (media)
• Media in the EU: ”Nothing from the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue, just to prevent war” (NMagazin, Beta)
• Janjic: Insufficient efficiency of the energy sector in Kosovo (KiM radio)
• US Ambassador: Community of Serb Municipalities is not unique (N1)
• Brnabic: Vucic to fight for peace in Brussels (Tanjug)
• Selakovic: It is known how the CSM should look like (Kosovo Online)

Opinion:

• Introducing the Far-Right Power Index (BIRN)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Refugee Commissioner says almost 10,000 migrants in Serbia (Beta, N1)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 15, 2022

By OPSI-su  2 days ago

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani, Kurti welcome Albania’s President Bajram Begaj (media)
• Osmani: All preparations are being made to implement institutions’ decisions on Brussels agreements (Telegrafi)
• Citaku: Power cuts in August, we can imagine what will happen in winter (Telegrafi)
• Tahiri: If we tolerate 2-hrs cuts now, we’ll have to tolerate 12-hrs cuts in winter! (media)
• Hoti: Power cuts are being reintroduced to cover up mismanagement (Indeksonline)
• PDK: Winter is coming, both with cuts and high tariffs (media)
• “Strike in educational system until law on wages is finalised” (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: I am going to Brussels to try to maintain peace (Tanjug)
• Brnabic on Twitter reacted to EEAS statement (media)
• Office for KiM on EEAS statement (media)
• Kosovo Internal Affairs Minister says Serbs are citizens with equal rights (N1, KoSSev)
• Kommersant: Russia asking Serbia to decide (Beta, N1)

Opinion:

• Kosovo and electricity – authorities warn, citizens worried (N1, KoSSev)

International:

• Kosovo seeks western help to boost Nato and EU ambitions (Financial Time)
• Falling Stars: Europe’s Champions in Balkans Burn Out Fast (BIRN)
• Thousands March in Belgrade to Protest Against Euro Pride (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 12, 2022

By OSPI-hh  5 days ago

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti: When Serbia talks about killing and violence, it talks about itself not Kosovo (RFE)
Kurti: We stand unwavering, but agreement depends on Serbian side (Koha)
KFOR: We are talking with security representatives of Kosovo and Serbia (Klan)
Kurti to meet NATO SG, one day prior to meeting Vucic (Nacionale/Klan Kosova)
“We don’t want instability; Serbia shouldn’t encourage criminal groups” (Kosovapress)
Will police confiscate the trucks that blocked the roads in the north? (Nacionale)
Murati: Redefinition of borders with Serbia will return; there’s no other option (media)
860 new cases with COVID-19, one death (media)
Serbian Language Media:

Mihajlovic: Negotiations with Pristina are getting more difficult because Kurti wants to end the dialogue (Kosovo Online)
Serbian Army Commander visits the bases in Ground Safety Zone (RTV RS)
Serbian Mayors from Kosovo warn that position of Serbs is becoming more difficult (Politika)
Rakic: We are not shying away from the possibility of forming Association/Community of Serbian Municipalities (A/CSM) ourselves (Kosovo Online)
“North of Kosovo is de facto a grey zone, Pristina wants to present reciprocal measures as being in service of fight against crime” (Danas)
International:

Serbia’s Leader Rejects ‘Little Putin’ Label Amid Fears of Russian Meddling (The New York Times)
NATO informs the public that SG Stoltenberg will meet with Vucic and Kurti on August 17 (nato.int)
Besides Red Carpets, Sarajevo Film Festival Confronts Traumatic Past (BIRN)
Opinion

Activists in Kosovo and Serbia Can Still Find Common Ground (Prishtina Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 11, 2022

By OSPI-f  6 days ago

Albanian Language Media:
Kurti: Disinformation led to barricades, violation of free movement in the north (media)
EU comments on possible joint statement on missing persons (Telegrafi)
PDK deputy leader Vlora Citaku interview for Ekonomia Online
780 new cases with COVID-19, one death (media)
Serbian Language Media:
Vucic: Pristina wants to attack north Kosovo, execution of Serbs being prepared (RTS)
Serbian Ministry of Culture: Çeku is diverting attention, Serbian cultural heritage is under constant threat (Kosovo Online)
“Kurti’s synchronized campaign against Serbs and Belgrade underway” (KosovoOnline)
Christopher Hill: There is a bigger possibility for progress in the talks than for the conflict on September 1 in Kosovo (euronews.rs)
Greece is not changing its position and will not recognize Kosovo-excerpt (B92)
Monks of Visoki Decani Monastery: Serbs live under the discriminatory rule of Kosovo Albanians (Radio Kontakt Plus)
International:
DokuFest Brings Kosovo and Serbia Youngsters Closer Together (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 10, 2022

By OPSI-mu  7 days ago

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 10, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti asks Serbs to get Kosovo licence plates; ‘not fall prey to misinformation’ (media)
• Minister of Economy calls for energy savings; “an extraordinary winter ahead” (Koha)
• Kosovo government pays €40 million for energy in the north (media)
• Local Government Minister: There can be no monoethnic associations (Nacionale)
• What should we expect, when we are expecting … the Association? (Albanian Post)
• Lushtaku comments on Kurti’s remarks about “threat from Serbia” (Indeksonline)
• 1,197 new cases with COVID-19 in last 24 hours (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• What is on agenda ahead of the meeting between Vucic and Kurti in Brussels? (RTS)
• Vucic: Serbia’s natural gas reserves at historic maximum (N1)
• Stoltenberg: Close partnership between NATO and Serbia (N1)
• Andjelkovic: It is time for Serbia to establish provincial administration and civil protection in KiM (Kosovo Online)
• Shop owners in Velika Hoca stage protest (Radio KIM)
• Selakovic meets with Costa Rican counterpart (Tanjug)

International:

• BIRN Fact-Check: Kosovo Sanctions on Russia – Serious or Symbolic? (BIRN)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Kosovo with 25 percent more tourists compared to last year (Kosovapress)
• Serbian farmers stage protests (N1)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 9, 2022

By OPSI-mu  1 week ago

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 9, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• PM Kurti meets Quint ambassadors and EU Head of Mission (media)
• Interior Ministry publishes FAQs for registration of vehicles with RKS plates (media)
• Whose trucks were used for the barricades in the north of Kosovo? (Radio Free Europe)
• Two deaths and 952 new cases with COVID-19 in last 24 hours (media)
• Montenegrin Minister: Abazovic-led government will be ousted on August 19 (Nacionale)

Serbian Language Media:

Petkovic: Kurti demonstrating he wants war, not agreement (Tanjug)
Petkovic meets family of Nikola Nedeljkovic arrested on June 28, at Gazimestan (Kosovo Online)
Two shops in Velika Hoca burglarized (Kosovo Online)

International:

• Who Is Daria Aslamova, The Russian Journalist Expelled From Kosovo? (RFE)
• A Range of Digital Rights Violations Disrupts the Region (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 8, 2022

By OPSI-mu  1 week ago

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 8, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• PM Kurti for RFE: Situation in north could have escalated into armed conflict
• PM Kurti interview with La Repubblica
• Joseph: Open Balkan undermines the Berlin Process (Deutsche Welle)
• Turkish President Erdogan to visit Balkans next month (Klan Kosova)
• Two deaths and 331 new cases with COVID-19 in last 24 hours (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Pristina claims licence plates not topic of 18 August meeting, Escobar, journalists think otherwise (KoSSev)
• I expect Brussels meeting to be constructive, Brnabic tells Hill (Tanjug)
• Peoples’ Party (NS) demands extraordinary Parliament session on Kosovo (KoSSev)
• Russian journalist declared ‘persona non grata’, banned from visiting Kosovo (KoSSev, Kosovo Online)
• Serbian List: Do not fall for Pristina’s provocations (RTS)
• Rohde responds to Petkovic (Kosovo Online)
• Insulting graffiti and swear-words written in Donja Brnjica (Radio KIM)
• State Secretary Starovic: Kurti’s behaviour pattern unlikely to change (N1)
• Selakovic attends inauguration of new Colombian President (N1)
• Global Firepower: Serbia ranks 61 on Global Firepower index (N1)
• Brnabic: SNS consultations on PM designate, gov’t to begin on Monday (N1)

International:

• ‘Spying’ Russian Journalist Rejected by Kosovo Back in Serbia (BIRN)
• ‘It’s a privilege to represent my country’: Dua Lipa is made an Honorary Ambassador of Kosovo by President Vjosa Osmani (Daily Mail)
• Wild east: five Balkan countries to discover for your next holiday (The Guardian)
• Bangs for Bucks: Serbian Arms Dealer Makes Mockery of US Sanctions – Again (BIRN)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Broken dreams’ of Murdered Women Become Mural in Prishtina (Prishtina Insight)
• Joksimovic: EU approves 223.7 million Euro grant for projects in Serbia (N1)
• Saudi Arabia approves meat, milk imports from Serbia (Tanjug)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 5, 2022

By OPSI-mu  2 weeks ago

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 5, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• US proposes a bipartisan bill to fight corruption in the Western Balkans (VoA)
• Vetting in the judiciary heading toward finalisation (RTK)
• 1,266 new cases with COVID-19 in last 24 hours (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: Operation Storm is no myth, we do not dream of revenge, we want peace (N1)
• UNS and DNKiM says Radio Gorazdevac journalists should be protected from threats (Radio KIM)
• Appeal of Rexhep Selimi on detention dismissed (Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic thanks Pinter for support and understanding position of Serbian people (Kosovo Online)
• “What is Serbian List really doing in Kosovo institutions?” (RFE)
• Vlajic: There are no grounds for filing criminal reports against Serbs on barricades (Kosovo Online)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 4, 2022

By OPSI-mu  2 weeks ago

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 4, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• PM Kurti responds to opposition criticism for postponing reciprocity (media)
• Haradinaj slams government for “lack of vision” (Ekonomia Online)
• Hoxhaj asks Kurti: Will you create an Association with latest actions in north? (Express)
• U.S. Ambassador Hovenier meets Serbian List leader Rakic (media)
• “Govt violating Brussels agreement; we’ll join opposition in bringing it down” (Klan)
• “The greater the resistance to the Association, the closer it gets to Serbian idea” (RFE)
• 1,155 new cases with COVID-19, one death (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• “Neither concrete solutions, nor consultations with local population” (Radio KIM)
• Vucic and Stoltenberg: Dialogue must continue, peace of vital importance (N1)
• Rakic tells US Ambassador crisis needs to be resolved while respecting needs of Serbs (TV Most)
• Brnabic, Chinese Ambassador discuss economic cooperation (N1)
• Petkovic responds to Rohde (Kosovo Online)
• Bilcik congratulates speaker, deputy speakers: More pluralism in Parliament (N1)
• Vucic: New government to be formed by end of month (Tanjug)
• Selakovic travels to Cuba, Colombia, Costa Rica, Venezuela (Tanjug)
• Selakovic: Firm support of Cuba to preserving territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia (Kosovo Online)
• Covid-19: 18 new cases in Serbian areas (Kosovo Online)

Opinion:

• N1: Crisis in Kosovo in the grip of Russian propaganda

International:

• Serbia is playing with matches again (Foreign Policy)
• Don’t Let License Plates Start a New War (Washington Post)
• Croatian Serb War Victims Hope Compensation Claims Finally Pay Off (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• DokuFest Bringing Global Award Winners to Kosovo’s Prizren (Prishtina Insight)
• Rame Lahaj International Opera Festival Finishes Second Edition on High Note (Prishtina Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 3, 2022

By OPSI-mu  2 weeks ago

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 3, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• Kosovo Interior Minister Svecla’s interview with RTK
• Serb civil society calls for peaceful solution to crisis in the north (media)
• Bundestag defence committee to discuss situation in Kosovo today (DW)
• Latvian Defence Minister: Tensions in Kosovo initiated by Serbia and Russia (Zeri)
• Serwer: Kosovo acted rightfully, the ball is now with Serbia on September 1 (Nacionale)
• CDHRF: Any backing down from reciprocity will damage Kosovo (media)
• Working group formed for bureau for verification and confiscation of wealth bill (media)
• Two deaths from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours in Kosovo (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Media: Residents in northern Kosovo report mistreatment by special police units
• Petkovic: Serb arrested in Rudare released (KoSSev)
• Drecun on Kurti and violence against Serbs (RTV, Tanjug)
• Serbian Orthodox Church and Montenegro sign Fundamental Agreement (N1, BETA)
• Kisnica: Name is Serbian covered with black paint, “KLA” board set up (Radio KIM)
• Serbian List reacts to Svecla’s statements (Kosovo Online)

Opinion:

• Op-ed by Veton Surroi: We, the residents of Mitrovica North (Koha)
• Operation Storm Anniversary Highlights Croatia and Serbia’s Bitter Mistrust (BIRN)

International:

• Kosovo War-Era General Elected as Serbian Parliament Official (BIRN)
• Montenegro Govt Faces No-confidence Vote Over Church Deal (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Radio Gorazdevac on fake news: “How did another armed conflict in Kosovo break out on TV Pink?”