UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 25, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• EU Council extends mandate to Special Representative Apostolova (media)
• Lekaj: Munich agreements have been presented to Government (Zeri)
• Selimi: No differences within ruling coalition on reciprocity (Gazeta Express)
• Bahtiri meets EULEX chief: Situation in Mitrovica calm (Zeri)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: Anything less than 48.2 percent will be election failure for SNS (FoNet, N1)
• Specialist Prosecutor informed the president of this court of his intent to issue indictments (KoSSev)
• "Indicted will be known in six months" (KIM radio)
• Rakic: Tariffs have created even bigger rift between Albanians and Serbs (Vecernje Novosti)

Opinion:

• Redrawing Kosovo’s foreign policy (Prishtina Insight)

International:

• Why Serbia’s Disgruntled Citizens Aren’t Backing the Opposition (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• AoK Committee on the Rights and Interests of Communities established (RTK)
• Albania Prosecutors to Probe Panic-Mongering About Coronavirus (Balkan Insight)
• Croatia reports first confirmed coronavirus case in Balkans (medicalxpress.com)

• At EBRD summit, Kurti lists priorities of new Kosovo government (media)
• Kurti to EBRD: We could do better but EU could do more (media)
• Thaci: U.S. to maintain focus on Kosovo and the region (RTK)
• Sources: Kosovo-Serbia agreement to be reached by year's end (Klan Kosova)
• Prospect of broadening Lajcak's portfolio seen in Pristina with concern (Koha)
• Cakaj and Konjufca with a joint statement on Presevo Valley coalition (RTK)
• Specialist Chambers ready to initiate proceedings (media)
• Abrashi: We have almost collected signatures for Assembly session (T7/RTK)

Albanian Language Media:

• In London, Kurti calls for reciprocity with Serbia (RTK)
• Konjufca calls for visa liberalisation at Western Balkans conference (media)
• Cakaj: Visa liberalisation for Kosovo to boost EU credibility (Koha)
• AAK: Tax on Serbia increased employment in Kosovo, reciprocity will not work (Koha)
• Ramush Haradinaj’s family enters media business with Telecom money (Kallxo/Prishtina Insight)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic on Kosovo, ultimatum, EU, Pantsir S1 (Prva TV, B92)
• Alliance for Serbia: Vucic confirmed failure of his Kosovo politics (KoSSev, N1)
• Dacic: Spain has firm stance, does not accept unilateral acts (RTS)
• Trump: Grenell does very good job as Belgrade-Pristina envoy (RTS, VoA)
• NATO on Russian armament: National decision and Serbia’s right to choose (B92)
• Father of Serbian footballer who wants to play for Kosovo didn't lose job (Radio KIM, N1)
• President of the Specialized Chambers of Kosovo: We will stand trial fairly and independently (Blic, Kontakt plus radio)
• Janjic: Ahtisaari ++ an old idea, I don't know where it came from now (KoSSev, Kontakt plus radio)
• Milicevic: Kosovo has advanced in the last 12 years (RTK2, Slobodno Srpski)
• "Borrell discussed Kosovo partition in Berlin" (Kosovo-online, B92)

International:
• New Kosovo Leader Ready to Revoke Tariffs for Serbian Goods (VOA)
• Serbia Receives Delivery Of Russian Antiaircraft Systems Despite U.S. Sanction Threats (RFE)
• The Western Balkans: Low Hanging Fruit for China? (thediplomat.com)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Serb player’s parents fired after he joins Kosovo Under-19s (AP/WaPo)
• Airport workers sacked ‘in revenge’ for joining protest (Prishtina Insight)
• Balkan Countries Take Precautions Amid Fear of Coronavirus (Balkan Insight)

• Grenell to remain envoy for Kosovo-Serbia negotiations (Zeri/Bota Sot)
• Weber: EU heading towards a Mogherini 2.0 policy (Koha Ditore)
• Haziri requests to lift the tariff (RTK)
• Haradinaj: No guarantees that lifting tariff brings Serbia’s recognition (RTK)
• Citaku on Jamaica’s recognition: Everything will be clarified in time (Telegrafi)
• PDK blames Konjufca for Jamaica recognition affair (media)
• Thaci leaves for the U.S. to meet with U.S. Administration officials (RTK)
• Vucic: Serbia will this year face ultimatum for recognition of Kosovo (Koha)
• U.S. Embassy, Kurti support K-Serb that plays football for Kosovo (media)

• EU High Representative Josep Borrell speaks to Thaci, Kurti and Vucic (media)
• Mustafa: Kosovo to coordinate with the U.S. on reciprocity with Serbia (Express)
• Godfrey: Grenell will continue as Kosovo-Serbia dialogue envoy (Express)
• Opposition: It is a mistake not to apply for INTERPOL membership (media)
• Ismet Beqiri appointed deputy leader of the LDK (media)
• AAK deputy chair warns with protests (media)
• Hoti pelted with eggs (Express)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 21, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• President Thaci's office comments on Jamaica recognition issue (media)
• Konjufca says measures will be taken about Jamaica recognition news (Koha)
• MP Pacolli demands accountability from Amb Citaku on Jamaica recognition (media)
• Tahiri: Decision to annul notaries' appointment process, arbitrary (media)
• LVV MP: After dismissals, accountability in front of justice (ekonomiaonline)

Serbian Language Media:

• Draft recommendations for EU enlargement outlined in European Parliament (N1, Hina)
• Survey in multi-ethnic municipalities: Reconciliation needed for the vast majority but the north (KoSSev)
• Jamaica's foreign minister denies recognition of Kosovo (KoSSev, RTS, Blic)
• Dacic: Tirana and Pristina to give up campaign to lobby for recognition of Kosovo (Blic, N1)
• Thaci for BBC in Serbian: If we waste this opportunity, we will cry at the gates of Brussels (Kosovo Online, Danas, B92)
• Kenya will not change stance on Kosovo (RTV Puls)
• US Ambassador Godfrey says Grenell will continue as Kosovo envoy (Beta, N1)

International:

• Albania PM Widens His Media Wars to Include Kosovo (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Kosovo National Football Team Signs First Serb Player (Balkan Insight)

• Grenell to remain envoy for Kosovo-Serbia negotiations (media)
• Jamaica recognition: Kosovo leaders hail it, Jamaica FM refutes it (media)
• Haziri requests from Kurti to lift the tariff (RTK)
• The U.S. informed Kurti that military presence is being considered (Express)
• Konjufca dismisses 14 consuls saying their appointment was unlawful (media)
• Reka: Mini-Schengen is only in interest of Serbia (Express)
• Haradinaj: Kurti threatens national security with approach to KIA (Klan)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Border change project has failed but the idea is not dead (media)
• Kosnett in a diplomatic offensive to lift the tariff (Gazeta Express)
• Haradinaj meets Kosnett: U.S. involvement in dialogue, necessary (media)
• Osmani: Not only men will represent Kosovo in Brussels (Klan Kosova)
• Kurti warns in Stan Terg: There will be new dismissals of the boards (Express)
• Positioning prior to dialogue with Serbia, Osmani: Trepca is inviolable (Express)
• Minister Haxhiu annuls notaries appointment process (media)
• AAK continues collecting signatures, requests session on the tariff (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

• SRSG Tanin: Following integration of judiciary, Kosovo moves towards strengthening of rule of law (Radio KIM)
• Dacic: Lack of reaction to the announcement of Tirana and Pristina on joint lobbying is hypocritical (Tanjug, RTS)
• Everything changes now: A man sent to Serbia heads US national intelligence services (Tanjug, B92)
• Milena Ivanovic joins SNS (Tanjug, B92)

Opinion:

• Albin Kurti – New Hope or New Disappointment? (crnobelisvet.com)

International:

• Trump Appoints Balkan Envoy Grenell to Head National Intelligence (Balkan Insight)
• Juratovic: The arranged situation in the Western Balkans means the arranged situation in the EU (EWB)

Humanitarian/Development:

• "The suspension of the construction of MHE is very important"(KIM radio)
• Denmark’s Integration Experiment Reflects European U-turn (Balkan Insight)
• Wild and exotic animals kept captive in Kosovo ‘zoos’ (Prishtina Insight)

• Kurti: Reciprocity measures aimed at protecting local producers (media)
• “New government to decide what to do with unimplemented agreements” (Klan)
• Trump names Richard Grenell as acting intelligence chief (RFE)
• Kosnett in Mitrovica: Tariff should be lifted (RTK)
• AAK: Final agreement with Serbia to be under Kosovo's existing borders (media)
• Government of Kosovo dismisses Telecom board (media)
• Hoti: Telecom board’s dismissal, only the beginning (Telegrafi)
• Kurti to ministries: Scan the situation at ministries and submit the report (RTK)
• Cakaj: Albania cannot change Kosovo borders (TV Dukagjini/RTK)
• Reka: Visa liberalisation this year, a priority issue (RFE/Zeri)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 19, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Reciprocity measures aimed at protecting local producers (media)
• Grenell slams EUobserver story on Kosovo-Serbia land swap plan (media)
• Opposition collecting signatures for Assembly session to oppose lifting of tax (Express)
• Haradinaj writes about which option of lifting tariff he would support (Express)
• Konjufca: we will reach concrete agreements with the government of Albania (RTK)
• Haxhiu: We will annul notaries appointment process this week (Telegrafi)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: ''The only alternative is war, and we would not have survived it'' (B92)
• Macron's "plotting" with Serbia and Kosovo - UN the only place for reaching solution (Sputnik, B92)
• SNS decided on name of electoral list: "Aleksandar Vucic - For our children" (B92)
• Jevtic: Damage to Menkovic family, whose house was demolished, must be compensated (KoSSev)
• Bozovic: Indictments for murder of Oliver Ivanovic not supported by evidence (Radio kontakt plus)
• Kosovo Deputy PM Haki Abazi for Danas: We will seek compensation for war damages, so the devastation and crimes do not repeat again

International:

• Vetevendosje MP: Dialogue ‘on the verge of restarting’ (Prishtina Insight)
• Tensions take center stage as Western Balkans gets under the spotlight in Munich (EWB)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Protesters demand prominent lawyer’s license be revoked (Prishtina Insight)