• Hoti: Liberation war is sacred, territorial integrity will not be discussed (media)
• German Foreign Office: We support Specialist Chambers (Express)
• German MPs: Parliament not to give in to efforts to abolish special court (media)
• EU considers EULEX has legal mandate to continue mission (Koha)
• Schutz: Germany fully supports vital role of EULEX (media)
• Limaj calls for unity after indictment against Thaci and Veseli (media)
• “Any obstacle to Special Court and EULEX, grave consequences” (media)
• "Call for Justice" supports Specialist Chambers’ work (Kallxo)
• Cakaj after meeting Grenell: No plans for Kosovo partition (media)
• Serb “that threatens the situation” not allowed to enter Kosovo (Koha)
• 62 new coronavirus cases in last 24 hours in Kosovo (media)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 27
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 26, 2020
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 26, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Thaci to deliver address on Sunday, following war crimes accusations (media)
• Thaci: No one can rewrite Kosovo's history (media)
• Weber: Specialist prosecutors proved to be independent (DW)
• British Embassy concerned over increased attacks against Kosovo Serbs (Klan)
• Two new coronavirus-related deaths reported in Kosovo (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic from Brussels: I expect that Serbia will become a member of the European Union by 2026 (B92, Tanjug)
• Vucic met von der Leyen, Varhelyi and Lajcak in Brussels (B92, media)
• Deutsche Welle: Thaci hoped that Washington would save him? (B92)
• Covic: It is completely clear now that EU, Germany and France work directly against Trump (Kosovo-online)
• "There were indications they'll sign an agreement, why meet at White House?" (Tanjug, B92)
• Kosovo ambassador demands explanation from KSC; Hoti claims his government will not comment on KSC processes (KoSSev)
• Fabrizi: Vucic's visit to Brussels shows readiness for talks with Pristina (N1)
Opinion:
• Op-ed: Kosovo should suspend participation in dialogue (Koha)
• Serwer: Kosovo needs to hedge (Peacefare.net)
International:
• After Kosovo President War Crimes Indictment, Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue Uncertain (VOA)
• Thaci Trial ‘Should Have Happened Before’, Victims’ Families Say (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Kon: Situation with coronavirus is getting worse (Tanjug, B92)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 26
• White House meeting between Kosovo and Serbia postponed (media)
• Albanian FM Cakaj in Washington for Kosovo-Serbia agreement (Koha)
• Grenell reacts to NYT story on Washington mtg, says it has ‘lots of errors’ (media)
• Hoti: Now is the right momentum to conclude the dialogue (media)
• French Embassy: France, Germany expect dialogue to resume soon (media)
• President’s Office: EULEX’s mandate in Kosovo over (media)
• Haradinaj comments on indictment against Thaci, Veseli (Telegrafi)
• Former KLA fighter sent to The Hague (media)
• Kosovo PM to visit Tirana next week (media)
• Covid-19: 69 new cases over last 24 hours (media)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 25, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Hoti from Brussels: Dialogue has no alternative (RTK)
• Mustafa: Let us sit together once again prior to meeting Vucic (RTK)
• Hoti: Government engaged in advancing democratic processes (RTK)
• Osmani hosts a meeting with Quint Ambassadors, discuss latest developments (RTK)
• Bildt not surprised if efforts to shut down Specialist Chambers intensify (Koha)
• 106 patients with Covid-19 are being treated at Infectious Disease Clinic (RTK)
• Der Standard: Thaci and Grenell were about to reach a ‘dirty deal’ (Koha)
• Scandalous: The Specialized Prosecutor's Office violated work regulations, professional ethics and its own laws (Indeksonline)
• Association of KLA Veterans: We will ask abrogation of KSC Law in August (Koha)
Serbian Language Media:
• EU expects Belgrade-Pristina dialogue to resume in July (B92, Tanjug, RTS)
• EC head says will meet Kosovo’s Hoti, Serbia’s Vucic as planned (N1)
• Drecun: They wanted to “trade” in Washington to be excluded from indictments (RTS)
• Two new cases of Covid-19 infection in Serb areas in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
• Kandic: I expect the indictments to be confirmed, the first on the list is the Drenica group (N1, FoNet, KoSSev)
• Former Serbian War Crimes Prosecutor Vukcevic on Thaci and Veseli’s indictment (KoSSev)
• KLA graffiti and robbed house in Serb villages in Istok municipality (Kosovo-online)
• Stefanovic: Kosovo issue can’t be resolved by agreement of those indicted for war crimes and autocrats (Danas)
• “That was not fight for freedom, but brutal attack against Serbs” (RTS, Radio KIM)
• Judah: Thaci’s legs have been cut off, Vucic has no equal with whom to talk (KoSSev)
• Ahmetaj: I don’t expect resignations or protests (KoSSev)
• Petritsch doubts US success in Belgrade – Pristina talks; Sooner or later elections in Kosovo (N1, Tanjug, B92)
• Rakic and Popovic discussed strengthening of cooperation (TV Most)
Opinion:
• Two Decades on, Kosovo’s Guerrilla Boss Thaci May Finally Face Trial (Balkan Insight)
• Kosovan president’s war crimes indictment puts West in a bind (Politico)
• Presentation of Balkan barometer 2020: The shape of things to come (Regional Cooperation Council)
International:
• Kosovo scraps White House talks with Serbia after leader indicted (Reuters)
• Kosovo: War Crimes Indictment Advances Justice (HRW)
• Thaci Charges ‘Timed’ to Prevent Amnesty Deal in Washington (Balkan Insight)
• Five Things Kosovo Must Know Before Doing a Deal with Serbia (Balkan Insight)
• Kosovo president Hashim Thaçi indicted on war crimes charges (The Guardian)
• EU-backed court wrecks US plan for Kosovo summit (EUobserver)
• Telekom Srbija places 155 mln euro bid for Kosovo's IPKO - Pristina mayor (SeeNews.com)
Humanitarian/Development:
• COVID-19’s far reaching impact on global drug abuse (news.un.org)
• WHO to N1: Classification of Covid-19 cases up to national authorities (N1)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 25
• Thaci, Veseli and others accused of war crimes by Specialist Prosecutor (media)
• Thaci cancels trip to Washington amid filing of war crimes charges (media)
• Hoti cancels Washtington trip (media)
• Veseli calls indictment against him 'political' and ‘groundless’ (media)
• Hoti: No one can be considered guilty without final decision of the court (media)
• Osmani calls for maturity and unity (media)
• Kurti: Indictment, new consequence of older mistakes (media)
• Mustafa: Hoti to decide himself if he will go to Washington (media)
• Haziri: There will be no White House meeting (Syri TV/Telegrafi)
• Collaku: Disgusting to try freedom fighters in the name of justice (media)
• Limaj: KLA fighters being politically persecuted (media)
• Konjufca: Dialogue to stop until Specialist Chamber completes its work (Koha)
• Ahmeti: Events ahead of White House meeting have no good intentions (media)
• EU does not comment on indictment against Thaci and Veseli (Koha)
• State Department: Indictment, step forward in justice and reconciliation process (VOA)
• Former SITP prosecutor comments on indictment against Thaci (media)
• Rama on indictment: Cannot find words to express indignation (RTK)
• Op-ed: A planned Kosovo-Serbia meeting at the White House is falling apart. It was always a bad idea. (WaPo)
• Weber: Specialist Prosecutor feared Thaci plans to negotiate amnesty (RFE)
• Serwer: Kosovo is in trouble (Peacefare.net/Koha)
• Op-ed: Anatomy of a Kosovo Summit Catastrophe (Foreign Policy)
• 95 new coronavirus cases in last 24 hours (media)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 24, 2020
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 24, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Osmani: EU has not delivered on visa liberalisation promise (KP/Koha)
• PDK submits request for creation of committee on privatisation (Klan)
• Zemaj: We are trying to pursue mass testing for Covid-19 (Klan)
• 85 coronavirus patients receiving treatment at Infectious Clinic in Pristina (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Serbia's army among participants, Vucic among guests at Moscow parade (Beta, FoNet, N1)
• Vucic: I spoke with Macron, I expect swift continuation of Brussels dialogue (Tanjug)
• NGO: Concern over increase in incidents in Serb communities in Kosovo (Kontakt plus radio, KIM radio)
• Gracanica: First case of coronavirus infection recorded- unofficial (RTK2)
• Godfrey: America offers Serbia and Kosovo a chance (Danas)
• Grenell denies NYT report Trump will meet Vucic on June 27 (FoNet, N1)
• Vucic after meeting Putin: "We discussed issues I cannot talk about in public" (B92)
• Priluzje residents: Four people dead after ‘consuming suspicious brandy’; KP and Prosecution: Waiting for autopsy results (KoSSev)
• Lajcak: Belgrade-Pristina talks in July, EU insists on implementation of deals (N1, FoNet)
• Detention of Marko Rosic extended for two more months (Kosovo-online)
International:
• Serbia, Kosovo Leaders Expected in Brussels before Washington Meeting (Balkan Insight)
• Kosovo talks to focus on economy, less likely to affect US military role (Stars and Stripes)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Western Balkans coal power plants are still breaching pollution limits (emerging-europe.com)
• Vucic: Claims on reduced number of dead and infected in Serbia hypocritical (BETA, N1)
• Serbian anti-Covid-19 Crisis Team: Face masks mandatory in public transport (N1)
• OpisMEDIJavanje: Public service broadcasters should reflect pluralism of society (KoSSev)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 24
• 52 new cases of coronavirus in last 24 hours (media)
• Another patient succumbs to COVID – 19 (media)
• Air transport in Kosovo to resume on June 28 (media)
• Thaci: No land swap discussions in Washington (media)
• Hoti: Visits to Brussels doesn’t substitute meeting in Washington (media)
• Veseli: Kosovo’s negotiating position is very weak (Telegrafi)
• EU confirms continuation of Kosovo – Serbia dialogue in July (Lajmi)
• Stoltenberg: No one can dictate a solution for Kosovo and Serbia (Koha)
• Assembly fails to endorse international financial agreements (media)
• Internationals want Serbs to try Serb cases in Kosovo (Koha)
• U.S. Embassy calls on government to appoint experienced professionals (media)
• Vucic: We talked about things you cannot discuss publicly (media)
• Kosovo government declares Hezbollah a terrorist organisation (media)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 23, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Grenell: We will try to build an economic zone between Kosovo and Serbia (media)
• Hoti meets Thaci prior to his travelling to Brussels (media)
• EU borders may remain closed for Western Balkans (media)
• Osmani requests voting of international agreements (media)
• Assembly has no quorum to vote on the million-dollar agreements (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic and Hoti at the end of the week in Brussels, but not about the dialogue (RTS)
• Vucic: We are dealing with painful issues, compromise is not easy for Serbia (Tanjug, B92)
• New round of Belgrade – Pristina dialogue on June 25 in Brussels (N1)
• Djuric: SNS in Kosovo won 86 percent of votes (KoSSev)
• Returnee family robbed in the village of Veliko Krusevo (Kosovo Online)
• MEPs: Mocking of democracy in Serbia, stop opening negotiating chapters (N1, EWB)
Opinion:
• Aleksandar Vucic, Serbia's stabilocrat (DW)
• Serbia’s Strongman Wins Big in Election Boycotted by the Opposition (The New York Times)
• Serwer: Vucic's victory convincing but stained (VoA, N1)
International:
• Serbia's Vucic To Discuss Kosovo With Putin In Moscow On Wednesday – Ambassador (urdupoint.com)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Number of COVID-19 hospitalisations peaks (Prishtina Insight)
• Serbia’s anti-COVID-19 Crisis Team: Face masks mandatory in public transport (N1)
• OpisMEDIJavanje: Sometimes a politician’s refusal to answer a question will be the answer (KoSSev)
• Serbia Under-Reported COVID-19 Deaths and Infections, Data Shows (Balkan Insight)
• SO2 emissions in Western Balkans coal plants six times above limit in 2019 (balkanenergynews.com)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 23
• Covid-19: 47 cases reported over last 24 hours (media)
• Kosovo, Serbia leaders to meet in Brussels on Thursday (media)
• Hoti reveals details of upcoming trip to Brussels (media)
• Thaci: Washington meeting will be very difficult (RTK/Telegrafi)
• Borrell insists only “structured dialogue” is led by EU (Zeri)
• Lajcak in Belgrade: Dialogue to continue without delay (RFE)
• U.S. Ambassador Kosnett’s interview to Klan Kosova
• Haradinaj: Three key principles in dialogue with Serbia (media)
• VV MP: Thaci has violated Constitution, Hoti unprepared for dialogue (Klan)
• “Thaci’s another term in office believed to be damaging” (Koha)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 22, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Presidents Thaci, Vucic to lead delegations in Washington (Indeksonline)
• Collaku: Economy and other issues that may arise to be discussed at White House (RFE)
• Hoti's cabinet: Mainly economic issues to be discussed in Washington (Klan)
• Kosovo-Serbia final agreement to go through four stops (Klan Kosova)
• Competition between EU and U.S. on Kosovo-Serbia agreement (Koha)
• Weber: Kosovo and Serbia could get closer to final agreement by end of year (media)
• Serbian man sentenced to 22 years in prison for war crimes (media)
• One more coronavirus-related death reported in Kosovo (media)
• Ministry of Health denies contact tracing will not be pursued anymore (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Kommersant: Vucic now must make a choice (Danas)
• New REC data: 62.73 percent of electorate processed, 3 lists passed threshold (B92)
• Vucic’s SNS scores landslide victory in Serbia’s general elections (media)
• What kind of proposal does Lajcak bring to Belgrade today? (B92, Tanjug)
• President Vucic: Let's not be arrogant in forming government; experts say turnout 49 pct (N1)
• OSCE: Final turnout in Kosovo was 55.178, respectively 57.88 percent of registered voters (Kosovo-online)
• SzS: Fake elections have not succeeded, boycott did, turnout less than 50 percent (N1, BETA, FoNet)
• Director of Factor Plus: Turnout expected, boycott failed (Prva TV, B92)
• Varhelyi: "Important day for Serbia" (RTS, B92)
• N. Macedonian President: Kosovo issue could lead to domino effect (RFE, N1, FoNet)
• Newsmax TV founder: Trump is man who can bring peace to Balkans (Newsmax, N1)
Opinion:
• Serbia elections: Who's left besides Vucic? (DW)
• Wanted: EU-US cooperation on Kosovo (EUobserver)
• ''Trump and the Kremlin know very well who they are dealing with'' (KoSSev)
• Kosovar politics needs rebellious women (Prishtina Insight)
International:
• Serbia President’s Party Scores Landslide in Election Boycotted by Opposition (Balkan insight)
• Ruling Conservatives Set to Win Serbian Parliamentary Vote (VoA)
• Serbian parliament left without clear opposition as the ruling party wins partially boycotted elections (EWB)
Humanitarian/Development:
• BIRN Videos Tell Emotional Stories of Missing Fathers (Balkan Insight)
• 22 years since kidnapping of Belacevac miners (TV Most)