UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 21, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Escobar wants Kosovo government to have “new approach” to dialogue (media)
• Osmani meets Biden in New York; “alliance of freedom, eternal alliance” (media)
• Opposition, ruling party MPs clash over inquiry committee for state reserves (Telegrafi)
• Stano on arrests of Serbs for war crimes: We’re monitoring situation (Gazeta Express)
• Begaj: We’re together with Kosovo at UN; Kurti-Rama relations are very good (media)
• “Pressure against Serbs in north comes directly from BIA and Vucic” (Kosovapress)
• German deputy ambassador: EU is not complete without Western Balkans (EO)
• Haradinaj: Kosovo Army has capacities to protect peace with NATO anywhere (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

• Escobar: Kosovo should change "take it or leave it" approach, Milatovic agrees with American position on government (VoA)
• Vucic informed Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan about violence against Serbs in Kosovo (NMagazin, Beta)
• Rada Trajkovic: Arrest of Serbs deliberate destabilisation, Kurti wanted to be Zelensky, but I'm afraid he went the way of Aliyev (KoSSev)
• Miletic resigned from position of adviser in Kosovo PM’s cabinet (KiM Radio, KoSSev)
• Radakovic: Every autumn in north is "hot", I am afraid of mass arrests (Kosovo Online)
• Hill: US does not have many details about yesterday's arrests of Serbs in Kosovo (KiM Radio, Tanjug, RTV)
• Stano: EU closely monitors situation in northern Kosovo (RTS, Tanjug, Radio KIM)
• FM Dacic holds bilateral meetings on sidelines of UNGA (N1, BETA)

International:

• Kosovo and Taiwan Eye an Alliance of Outsiders (Foreign Policy)
• Fact-Check: Kosovo Is Attracting More FDI, But Not Where It’s Needed (BIRN)
• Romania FA sanctioned over 'Serbia' chants in Kosovo match (Reuters)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 21, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Hovenier: Association needs to be one of the first steps (RFE)
• Osmani meets Blinken, “alliance with U.S. existential and unbreakable” (media)
• Osmani and Lajcak meet in New York (media)
• Kosovo conveys its position on dialogue through note verbale (RFE)
• Turner: Washington to engage more in breaking Kosovo-Serbia stalemate (VoA)
• Special Prosecution confirms arrest of three Serbs on war crime charges (media)
• Kallxo journalist wins EU first prize for investigative journalism (Kallxo)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic accuses Kurti of starting ethnic cleansing (N1)
• Vucic: We will request urgent UNSC session over situation in Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Dacic: Serbia's position stable, no chance of Pristina joining UN (Tanjug, media)
• Arrested Serbs remanded to 48-hour custody (KoSSev, media)
• Lawyer of Serb arrested in Priluzje: There is not even reasonable doubt that he committed act he is accused of (Kosovo Online)
• Pristina prosecution confirms arrest of 3 Kosovo Serbs (N1, KoSSev)
• Petkovic reacts to latest arrests of Serbs in Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Serbia to demand urgent UN session on Kosovo (Radio KIM, N1)

Albanian Language Media:

• Hovenier: We have full confidence in EU as facilitator of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (RFE)
• Konjufca supports Kurti: Key of dialogue recognition and formation of Association (EO)
• Lajcak’s advisor: Disagreements, not proof that the envoy sides with Serbia (EO)
• Borrell: Preparing for next enlargement wave (media)
• Szunyog: Hate speech falls in same group with terrorism (Gazeta Express)
• Increasing hate speech, Konjufca: Politicians not a good example (Kosovapress)
• Hoti: The degradation of dialogue during Kurti-led government (media)
• Posselt: Vucic, the political son of Milosevic! (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

• Three months without Serbian press in Kosovo (Radio KIM)
• FM Dacic: Serbia condemns Russia’s attack on Ukraine, it is not neutral (N1, FoNet, VoA)
• Two Serbs arrested in northern Kosovo (KoSSev, RTS, Kosovo Online)
• Serbian List reacts to arrests in Mitrovica North and Zvecan (Radio KIM, social media)
• Office for KIM on arrests: New deterioration and causing uneasiness among Serbs (Radio KIM, Kosovo Online)
• ACDC research: Trust in police and judiciary in northern Kosovo on drastic decline (Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic: Nervous Kurti (KiM Radio)
• PACE: Legal team to come to Kosovo and prepare a report on the compliance of the legal system with the standards of the CoE (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic: I will continue to fight for what is the best possible for Serbia (Tanjug)
• PM Brnabic on elections: Opposition says one thing, writes another (N1, BETA)

International:

• Kosovo, North Macedonia Sign Agreement for Common Border Crossing Point (BIRN)
• Serb Fighter Beat Kosovo Albanian for Aiding Journalists, Court Told (BIRN)
• Andoni: Kurti lost time with Association, this is his only mistake (Euronews Albania)

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: EU measures towards Kosovo do not contribute to advancement of dialogue (media)
• The USA, Germany and Britain side with the EU, Kurti refuses to comment (Koha)
• Stano: EU has made problem in dialogue clear, it is 'definitely' not Borrell and Lajcak (media)
• Gervalla: Basic Agreement without de jure recognition, "biggest compromise" (VoA))
• Ristuccia: Everything related to security in Kosovo must be coordinated with KFOR (media)
• Svecla: Arsenal of weapons found in the north belong to "Severna Brigada" organization, it is the latest generation weaponry produced in Serbia (media)
• Begaj thanks Borrell for engagement in Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (Albanian Post)
• Kamberi: Serbia should follow Kosovo’s example for treatment of minorities (Reporteri)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: We will be strongly protecting Serbia's position at UNGA session (Tanjug, media)
• Vucic: Many meetings in New York with almost all European leaders (Tanjug, media)
• KFOR commander in farewell visit (N1)
• Ristuccia: KFOR and NATO support the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, only political solutions bring peace (Tanjug, RTV, Kosovo Online)
• Odalovic: By filing a criminal complaint against me, Kurti blocking the process of searching for the missing (Blic, Kosovo Online)
• The first hearing in the case of MTS in Kosovo ended, both sides remained in their positions (RTS)
• Office for KiM: KLA graffiti on the elementary school in Klokot (KiM radio)
• Poll shows Serbian ruling coalition lead (N1)
• People's Party: The goal of fake surveys is to create a false picture of the popularity of parties in Serbia (Beta, NMagazin)

International Media:

• ‘Reform or rupture’ says Guterres, calling for multilateralism to be remade for the 21st century (news.un.org)

Albanian Language Media:

• Borrell on EU expectations from Serbia and Kosovo (media)
• Chollet: Good discussion with President Osmani (media)
• Lajcak meets Chollet, Escobar; “same reading of situation in Western Balkans” (media)
• Osmani meets MCC CEO Albright (media)
• Osmani: Proud of unwavering Kosovo-Germany partnership (media)
• Krasniqi: Request for resignations of mayors comes from Belgrade (EO)
• Kurti to visit ministry led by Nenad Rasic today at 15:00 (Gazeta Express)

Serbian Language Media:

• EU calls on Belgrade, Pristina to fulfil their commitments (N1, media)
• Schole: Pristina to urgently engage in dialogue with Belgrade (Radio Mitrovica sever, Tanjug)
• Lajcak discussed Western Balkans with “good friends” Cholet and Escobar in New York (N1)
• Mijacic: A note in which Kosovo complains to EU members about Lajcak ‘unprecedented amateurism’ (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Stano: Without comment on Kurti’s statement, all 27 EU member states extend full support to Lajcak (Kosovo Online)

International:

• EU Warns Kosovo, Serbia of Repercussions if Deals Not Implemented (Balkan Insight)
• In a Kosovo Mountain Resort, Villas, Bribes and a Big-Name Scandal (BIRN)
• German-French working group proposes reforms to make the EU ready for enlargement by 2030 (EWB)

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani meets Chollet and Escobar: U.S. plays key role in dialogue process (media)
Borrell requests implementation of Agreement based on EU proposal (Koha)
Department of State: Lajcak, tireless efforts for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (VoA)
Lajcak meets Chollet and Escobar: We have the same reading of the situation in the Balkans (Klan)
Osmani meets president of Kenya, and Prime Minister of Lebanon (media)
Gervalla thanks Blinken for the invitation at AI discussions (media)
Kurti welcomed the new ambassador of Austria to Kosovo (RTK)
Konjufca: Kosovo is ready to join the Council of Europe (RTK)
Kosovo and North Macedonia sign agreement for joint border points (media)
KDI: After alarming statements, Kurti should report to Assembly about dialogue (media)
AJK: Bislimi's statement against media, dangerous and unacceptable (media)
Serbia accommodates members of Serbian List in illegal institutions in Kosovo (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

State Department: Lajcak making tireless efforts in the dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia (Kosovo Online, VoA)
In New York, Borrell informs European ministers on September 14, BG-PR dialogue (KoSSev)
Vucic: A cordial meeting with Scholz, I invited him to visit Serbia (RTS, Tanjug)
The UN GA an opportunity for the voice of all of us from the Western Balkans to be heard stronger and better, says Vucic (Kosovo Online)
Dacic in a series of meetings in NY, attending and the Summit on Sustainable Development (RTS, Tanjug)
Borrell: Serbia again out of compliance with EU restrictive measures due to the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol (Beta, NMagazin, KiM radio)
The CI Serbian Survival: Referendum on the introduction of an international protectorate in the north (KiM radio, Kontakt plus radio)
Movement for the defense of KiM: Vucic deliberately missed a good opportunity to condition the holding of talks by returning to the situation from the end of February (KoSSev)
US investments in Kosovo in the first six months of this year reduced by 50 percent (FoNet, Danas, N1)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 18, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti says that Borrell and Lajcak were in sync with Serbia in September 14 meeting (media)
• Hoti: Kurti's reporting, lament and evidence of inability to lead dialogue (media)
• Osmani took part in marking the 10th anniversary of Women Leaders (RTK)
• Abdixhiku publishes the promises of the "New Road" (media)
• Tahiri: This mandate is the last one for Kurt as prime minister (media)
• Kumnova files a criminal complaint against Veljko Odallovic (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic this week in NY at the UN GA (Beta, Danas, KiM radio)
• Serbian List: Serbian people understood Kurti’s threats, KFOR and EULEX to be vigilant (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Petkovic: Kurti had it all out in open, so that everyone could see he does not want to negotiate (media)
• Serbian National Council asks bishop to allow gathering be held in Gracanica monastery (KiM radio)
• Covic: Repression against Serbs foundation of Kurti’s democracy (Kosovo Online, TV Pink)
• Opposition SSP adopts Declaration on Preventing Serbia’s Decline (N1, KoSSev)
• Kurti confirms he will respond to eventual court’s summon in case of D.M. from Gracanica (KoSSev)

Opinion:

• Surlic: The CSM (ZSO) not the priority need of Serbs in Kosovo (KiM radio, Slobodno srpski)

Albanian Language Media:

Lajcak: We’ll discuss tense situation in north with US, European partners (media)
Measures against Kosovo depend on course of dialogue (Radio Free Europe)
Commentators don’t rule out additional measures against Kosovo (Koha Ditore)
Kurti meets Ashton, discuss politics and European and regional affairs (media)
Osmani in New York, scheduled to meet world leaders, including Biden (Koha)
Kurti, Bislimi to hold press conference today (Gazeta Express)
Assembly Presidency to meet today, discuss Kurti interpellation (Gazeta Express)

Serbian Language Media:
Vucic: West ignoring Kurti's statements from Brussels (Tanjug)
Lajcak: We hoped for better outcome in dialogue, situation in Kosovo to be discussed with US and European partners (Kosovo Online, social media)
Vucic talks about upcoming challenges, says Serbian elections on March 4, or week before (RTS, Kosovo Online, Tanjug)
Orlic thanks Angola for supporting Serbia's territorial integrity (Tanjug, media)
Vucevic: After failure in Brussels situation on ground tense (Radio KIM, TV Prva)
Serbia, RS celebrate Day of Serb Unity, Freedom and National Flag (N1, media)
Visoki Decani Monastery: SOC heritage in Kosovo requires long term protection (Radio KIM, media, social media)
Rakic-Andric: De-escalation possible with effort of international community or Pristina’s willingness (media)
International Media:
Balkans’ frustration mounts over Ukraine’s fast-track to EU membership (Financial Times)

Albanian Language Media:

• U.S. will consult EU partners on next step toward Kosovo-Serbia agreement (Reporteri)
• EU denies that Kurti’s proposal was the only one on the table (RFE)
• US$34.7 mil grant agreement signed with USAID (Koha)
• Zvecan too votes in favor of joining Association of Kosovo Municipalities (Koha)
• World Democracy Day; Konjufca: Transparency, one of the key elements (KSP)
• After Radoicic threats, persons with Russian symbols place Serbian flags in north (KSP)

Serbian Language Media:

• Stano: A round of dialogue without progress, the EU did not see a willingness to compromise (FoNet, N1, Kosovo Online)
• Vucic meets Sarrazin (Tanjug, RTS)
• Petkovic: The EU said for the first time that Kurti is to blame for the failure of the dialogue in Brussels (RTS)
• Serbian List: Kurti sent a threat (KiM radio)
• Radakovic: Kurti’s message to Serbian List shameful, new type of threat (Kosovo Online)
• Gracanica: Serbian youths ordered 48 hours detention (KiM radio)
• Petkovic: Reckless beating of brothers Andrija and Mihajlo M. by the Kosovo police (Kosovo Online)
• Bus company owner: Pristina banned our vehicles from entering Kosovo – it’s discrimination (KoSSev)
• Serbian national interests in Kosovo - survival, normal life, and existence (KiM radio, KoSSev)

International:

• Struggle for Acceptance: Kosovo Societal Stigma Challenges LGBT Community’s Mental Health (BIRN)
• David Albahari, in memoriam (Kosovo 2.0)

Albanian Language Media:

No results in the dialogue, Borrell blames Kurti for rejecting the proposal (Koha)
Kurti after meeting with Vucic: I cannot compromise with old condition (media)
The U.S. State Department disappointed with lack of progress in dialogue (RFE)
Zulfaj: Document used by Borell, six months old (media)
Murati: Borrell and Lajcak on Serbia’s side, not even trying to hide it anymore (Reporteri)
Vucic announced a visit to Kosovo, Kurti responds (Kallxo)
Krasniqi: Kurti's populist calls to unite against West, madness of its own kind (Koha)
Osmani meets Hovenier, discuss about latest developments in Kosovo (media)
Suspicions of "obstruction of justice," reason for new wave of investigations by Specialist Chambers (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:
Borrell: Kurti rejected, Vucic accepted new proposal (N1, media)
Dacic: It is clear once again that Kurti is main threat to peace and stability (RTV, Tanjug)
Radoicic: Kurti’s threat to Serbian List demonstrates that he does not want dialogue (Radio KIM, media)
Vucic: Serb municipalities will not join Pristina's association (Tanjug)
Serbian List: Illegitimate decision of municipal councilors (Radio KIM)
PKS: Decisions of Leposavic and Zubin Potok MAs have no significance at all (Radio KIM)
Media: Kosovo police beat up and arrested two young Serbs in center of Gracanica (Radio KIM, Kosovo Online)
Martinovic refutes Sinani's allegations about "ethnic cleansing of Albanians in the south" (Radio KIM, media)
Vucic discusses topical issues with Orban (BETA, N1)
International Media:
Serbian, Kosovar Leaders Fail To Reach Agreement Amid Worsening Relations (RFE)
EU blames Kosovo over stalled normalisation pact with Serbia (Reuters)
Talks between Serbia and Kosovo break down again (Al Jazeera)