UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 4, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 119 new infections, three deaths (media)
• WHO recommends use of steroids in critically-ill patients (VOA/Kallxo)
• Grenell: There are no negotiations without surprises (media)
• EU informed about White House meeting agenda (RFE)
• Osmani: Final agreement with Serbia to go through Kosovo Assembly (media)
• Serwer: Serbia will be in a difficult position if it does not recognise Kosovo (media)
• Petritsch: EU to be involved in Kosovo-Serbia agreement (Klan)
• Tahiri: Agreement in Washington to have a clear political framework (Kosovapress)
• President Thaci meets new head of EU Office, Szunyog (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• One new case of Covid-19 registered in Serb areas in Kosovo, six persons recovered (KoSSev)
• Grenell: There must be surprises in negotiations, we will continue pressure (Tanjug)
• Meetings in Washington – how removal of point on recognition is interpreted (RTS)
• Vucic on Washington meeting: Point referring to recognition is no longer there (RTS)
• Dacic: Point 10 in document proposal has no significance at all (BETA)
• Dodik: Demand to recognize Kosovo would raise issue of Bosnia's RS entity status (N1)
• Bieber: It is not true point 10 demands recognition of Kosovo, Trump using dialogue (N1)
• Serbian Government adopts declaration in support of Vucic in US talks (N1)
• Obradovic: Negotiations in Washington itself represent recognition of Kosovo (N1)
• Jeremic: What is behind ‘hastily’ adopted declaration of support to Vucic (N1)

Opinion:

• Szunyog: I will do my best to support Kosovo on its European path (media)

International:

• Serbia, Kosovo ‘to Sign Economic Deal’ at White House (Balkan Insight)
• In Search for Serbia-Kosovo Deal, Everything is Political (Balkan Insight)
• Hague War Crime Prosecutors Call Kosovo Ex-PM for Questioning (Balkan Insight)

• COVID-19: 78 new cases, nine deaths (media)
• Hoti, Vucic to sign agreement with Trump in attendance (media)
• Hoti confirms there is consent for an agreement on Friday (RTK)
• O'Brien pleased with progress of discussions in Washington (media)
• Grenell denies Serbian minister’s recognition claims (Prishtina Insight)
• Vucic: Recognition of Kosovo is not on the agenda (media)
• Thaci: Kosovo to make courageous steps (media)
• Kurti: Delegation from Kosovo in a sightseeing tour of Washington (media)
• AP: Leaders of Kosovo, Serbia at White House for economic talks
• The Guardian: Donald Trump hopes for election boost from Kosovo-Serbia talks
• DW: In DC, US seeks to force new deal between Serbia and Kosovo
• LDK leader Mustafa against border change idea promoted by his deputy Haziri (Koha)
• Haradinaj reacts to Specialist Prosecutor’s summoning of former PM Ceku (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 3, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 78 new cases, nine deaths (media)
• Grenell: People of Kosovo and Serbia deserve economic normalization (media)
• Tomash Szunyog starts officially his duty as EU Ambassador to Kosovo (media)
• Hoti and Vucic set for Washington talks (PrishtinaInsight)
• Haradinaj: Kosovo with non negotiable principles at table of talks (media)
• Ex-KLA Commander Agim Ceku summoned by Specialist Prosecutor (media)
• Kosovo Specialist Chambers adopts legal aid regulations (RTK)
• Civil society establishes platform for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• One new case of Covid-19 registered in Serb areas in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
• “Washington’s recipe for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, economy in service of politics” (RTS)
• Dacic: Outcome of talks depends on what one expected from them (RTS)
• Djuric in Washington: We have prepared wide range of projects (Radio KIM)
• Godfrey: Grenell won’t limit talks (Kosovo-online)
• UNESCO: We closely monitor situation around Visoki Decani Monastery (Kosovo)
• Abbot Janjic worried about Serbian monasteries in Kosovo (Nova.rs, N1)
• Brnabic: Jeremic and Tadic make comments, and did nothing regarding Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Serbian Assembly MPs give support to President Vucic ahead of Washington meeting (Radio kontakt plus)

Opinion:

• Trump Has a Fix for Kosovo. He’s Ignoring It. (Foreign Policy)

International:

• 2020 elections in Serbia most controversial in last 20 years, new report finds (EWB)
• Latest US-EU Discord Bodes Ill for Balkan Stability (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• No test or quarantine: Serbian citizens can travel freely to 18 countries (B92)
• More companies opened than closed in Serbia in first half of 2020 (BETA, N1)

• COVID-19: 112 new cases, six deaths (media)
• WHO official: Kosovo to increase PCR testing (Telegrafi)
• Hoti: No agreement in Brussels without mutual recognition (media)
• O'Brien looking forward to welcoming Vucic and Hoti to Washington (media)
• Serwer: “Trepca” and Gazivoda could be part of table of talks in Washington (Koha)
• Non-majority community arrangements, property to be discussed in Brussels meeting (media)
• Osmani: No peace possible without apology for crimes in Kosovo (media)
• Isufi: Dialogue will be interrupted if issues of Trepca and Ujman open (media)
• Hoxhaj: Basic principles determine if Washngton meeting is in accordance with Kosovo’s interest (Kallxo)
• Tahiri: First steps of recognition will be made in Washington (RTK)
• Nitaj: If there is no consensus on president’s post, new elections (media)
• North Macedonia Albanian Leader Testifies to Kosovo War Prosecutors (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 2, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 112 new cases, six deaths (media)
• Remittances to Kosovo hit record high (Klan Kosova)
• Open Society Foundations Pledge $1.5 Million for COVID-19 tests in Kosovo (media)
• Kosovo-Serbia dialogue to continue in Brussels on Monday (media)
• DPM Tahiri hopes 'good news' will come from Washington (media)
• Abazi: Problem with Serbia is not of economic nature (Zeri)

Serbian Language Media:

• Two new cases of Covid-19 registered in Serb areas in Kosovo (KoSSev)
• Grenell: It is not decided yet if President Trump would attend meeting, no secret agreement (Tanjug)
• Return of displaced persons – Colonization: Taboo topics in dialogue (KoSSev)
• Covic: Meeting in Washington important, but not ‘Judgment Day’ (Kosovo-online)
• AFP: White House wants Kosovo deal before presidential elections (N1)
• Survey: Visit of Donald Trump to Serbia would improve relations between two states (Danas)
• Rakic and ambassadors visited northern municipalities (Radio kontakt plus)

International:

• Trump to host summit between bitter enemies Kosovo and Serbia (France 24)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Brnabic: Pandemic measures could be eased or tightened (N1)

• COVID-19: 147 new cases, eight deaths (media)
• Hoti expects strategic decisions during Washington visit (media)
• U.S. Shifts Focus To Economic Development In Serbia-Kosovo Talks In Washington (RFE)
• Grenell: If Kosovo and Serbia want U.S. dollars, progress is required (RTK)
• Haziri: Unification of Presevo Valley with Kosovo does not harm anyone (Klan)
• Von Cramon: Pristina-Belgrade dialogue soon to have concrete results (EWB/media)
• AAK: Either the president's post or elections (Koha)
• Veseli preparing the ground for new elections (Koha)
• Haliti: Dick Marty’s accusations do not stand, they will never be proven (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 1, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 147 new cases, eight deaths (media)
• Health Ministry approves import of drugs against COVID-19 (media)
• Limaj: Discussions about president unnecessary (RFE, media)
• Ali Ahmeti to travel tomorrow to The Hague (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Djuric: We will offer package to establish better economic cooperation (Kosovo-online)
• Jeremic: We will talk to world differently than predecessor (Danas)
• EU believes Belgrade-Pristina talks in US will focus on economy only (RFE, N1)
• Ambassador Rosocha: Recognition of Kosovo is not condition for Serbia (CorD, Kosovo-online)
• Vucic and Botsan-Kharchenko on preparations for Putin’s visit, fight against Covid-19 (RTS)
• Online classes in Serbian schools in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)

Opinion:

• Serbia-Kosovo Deals Require Joint International Monitoring (Balkan Insight)

International:

• Serbia, Kosovo leaders gear up for tough US talks (EurActiv)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Serbia strengthens control of anti-epidemic measures; high fines for violations (N1)
• A tiny fruit with big profits: Kosovo’s blossoming raspberry industry (Prishtina Insight)

• COVID-19: 120 new cases, nine deaths (media)
• Mustafa says institutions to act against discrimination of citizens (media)
• Lajcak wants Kosovo-Serbia dialogue be more dynamic (Express)
• Mustafa: I expect definition of the road to recognition in Washington (media)
• Haradinaj: Economy to be discussed in Washington, not recognition (T7)
• Abazi: With no agenda in Washington, Kosovo at a mercy of what Thaci has cooked (Klan)
• Kelmendi: Washington meeting, mainly to focus on economic issues (Klan)
• Konjufca: Kosovo forced to give something in return for recognition from Serbia (Telegrafi)
• EU envoy sees Serbia-Kosovo normalisation deal in months (Reuters, media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 31, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 120 new cases, nine deaths (media)
• Zemaj seeks support to increase COVID-19 testing capacity (media)
• Bytyqi family says their sons' deaths should be raised at Washington meeting (Koha)
• Konjufca: Inauguration timing of 58 houses in the north, not coincidental (media)
• Decan mayor: Road construction project will continue (Kallxo)

Serbian Language Media:

• One case of Covid-19 registered in Serb areas in Kosovo on Sunday (Radio KIM)
• Vucic spoke with Merkel, meeting with Lajcak (RTS)
• Vucic: I expect surprises in Washington; a long night between September 3rd and 4th (KoSSev)
• Ivanji: I had to laugh at Vucic’s statement that he would refuse Trump (N1, Danas)
• Tadic invites Vucic for TV debate on Kosovo (N1)
• Belgrade-Pristina meetings until all issues are resolved (B92)
• Serbian List urges KFOR to ensure safety for all citizens (Radio KIM)
• Sarcevic: School year in Kosovo to be slightly delayed (Radio KIM)
• Djuric: It is difficult to receive blows “at home” ahead of important meetings (Kosovo-online)

Opinion:

• Kosovo must not settle for a bad deal (Prishtina Insight)
• Blood on their hands (Prishtina Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Missing but not forgotten (KoSSev)
• ‘He Was Gone’: Video Memories of the Balkan Wars’ Missing Persons (Balkan Insight)
• WHO chief in Serbia says important to get kids back to school (N1)

• COVID-19: 119 new cases, eight deaths (media)
• Kurti: Illegal government needed one month to reverse our progress (media)
• Hoti: The only topic in every meeting is mutual recognition (Kosovapress)
• Vucic to discuss Kosovo with Merkel today (media)
• Hoti: Missing persons, open wound of our society (media)
• Thaci: Serbia to be pressured into shedding light to missing persons' fate (media)
• Osmani: Missing persons, biggest and most painful wound of Kosovo (media)
• Kurti: Fate of missing persons never a priority for any government (media)
• Veseli: Establishment of International Tribunal for Serbia’s crimes, inevitable (media)
• Serbs, Kosovo Albanians Make Joint Appeal for Missing Persons (Balkan Insight)
• Experts seek blood samples to identify Kosovo war missing (AP)
• Justice demanded for survivors of sexual violence during conflict (media)
• Haradinaj: Albanian’s vote, determinant for Montenegrin policy (media)