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UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, April 3, 2020

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, April 3, 2020 Albanian Language Media: • EU officially appoints Lajcak as Special Representative for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (media) • Germany congratulates Lajcak on his appointment (social media) • France: Lajcak can count on our support (media) • Italy welcomes appointment of EU special representative for dialogue (Klan/RTK) • Haradinaj: EU stalling the Kosovo-Serbia agreement process (Kallxo) • Kosovo think tank welcomes Lajcak’s appointment as EU special representative (Koha) • Heldt happy with trucks from Bosnia entering Kosovo, says this should be two-ways (Klan) Serbian Language Media: • International support does not reach Serb municipalities (Radio KIM) • A misinformation: Goran Rakic did not say the number of infected; Bahtiri, Rakic and KFOR Commander urged citizens to respect curfew (crnobelisvet.com, KoSSev, KIM radio) • Vucic: Curfew from 1 pm on Saturday till 5 am on Monday (B92) • Vucic spoke with Putin and Macron: "Significant assistance and support for Serbia" (B92) • New 111 infected, three more deaths of COVID-19, total 1171 infected (B92) • No prisoner infected with Covid-19 in Mitrovica North (Radio KIM) • Man arrested in Mitrovica North for attacking journalist on March 23 (KoSSev) Opinion: • US Burns Credibility in Grenell Quest for Foreign Policy Win, as Kosovo Government Falls (justsecurity.org) • Washington is stoking a new Balkan crisis (thehill.com) International: • Balkan Private Sector Workers Hardest Hit by Coronavirus Fallout (Balkan Insight) • On Top of COVID-19, Kosovo Faces Constitutional Crisis (Balkan Insight) Humanitarian/Development: • UNICEF delivers 3.6 tons of supplies to Kosovo to support COVID 19 response (media) • NATO and EADRCC help Western Balkans countries counter COVID-19 pandemic (EWB) • Rejecting Criticism, Commissioner Says EU Was 'Very Quick' In Helping Neighbors Fight Coronavirus (RFE)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, April 3

• No cases of COVID-19 on the second testing (media) • Acting PM Kurti meets COMKFOR Risi, discuss COVID-19 response (media) • Bahtiri, Rakic joint conference: 17 infected in the north (media) • Kurti: Thaci showed disregard for article 82.2 of Kosovo Constitution (media) • MEPs hail lifting of tax, call for visa liberalisation (Koha) • Former U.S. ambassador supports Kosovo's decision on reciprocity (media) • Bislimi specifies what reciprocity with Serbia implies (Kallxo) • Osmani: The government intended to sue Serbia for genocide (media) • Veseli: I would not have initiated no-confidence motion at this time (RTV21) • Haradinaj: Cooperation with Vetevendosje is impossible (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, April 2, 2020

Albanian Language Media: • UK: Now is not the time for political maneuvering, but cooperation (media) • Thaci set to form new government, demands from Kurti PM candidate name (Express)g • Haradinaj: Impossible to hold elections at this time (media) • Limaj: We could be part of broad based government (RTK) • 6+ parliamentary group against new elections at a time of pandemic (media) • Surroi: Kosovo politics not to take side in Quint countries’ divisions (Koha) • Kurti’s adviser to the U.S. Embassy: Why siding with Serbia? • Vitia, Jevtic call for cooperation at a time of pandemic (RFE/Koha) Serbian Language Media: • Dr Elek: There are currently 12 coronavirus infected people in the north (Kosovo Online) • Vucic today with Macron and Putin, prior to Crisis Staff (B92) • Djuric: No blockade for lorries from Kosovo (FoNet, N1) • Dacic: Pristina authorities with reciprocity measures banned trade again (Danas, TV Pink) • New measures in Mitrovica North, Zvecan and Leposavic (KoSSev) • Serbian PM: Government withdrawing decree limiting release of information (N1) • New 160 infected, total 1060 infected, five more deaths of COVID-19, total 28 deaths (B92) • Patient from Leposavic infected with Covid-19 passed away (Radio kontakt plus) • Lawyers question legality of state of emergency in Serbia (FoNet, N1) International: • U.S. calls on Kosovo to drop restrictions on Serbians (Reuters) • Despite good news, the Western Balkans are in trouble (AlJazeera) Humanitarian/Development: • VoA: Where is the international assistance for health care institutions in Serbian communities? (KiM radio, Kontakt plus radio, Kosovo Online) • No drug approved yet in treating COVID-19, expert says (N1) • Wakeup call for the Western Balkans (balkangreenenergynews.com)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, April 2

• The number of persons recovered from COVID-19 reaches ten (media) • Two correctional service officials test positive for coronavirus (media) • WHO: Kosovo to take speedy measures, situation can worsen (media) • Kurti: Reciprocity towards Serbia to be gradually implemented (media) • President Hashim Thaci's interview to T7 • Thaci to continue with consultation of political parties today (media) • Hasani: Thaci should nominate winning party to form institutions (Kallxo/KTV) • German Ambassador hails tariff removal (media) • France welcomes tariff removal (media) • Italy welcomes removal of tariff (media) • Von Cramon to Thaci: Don’t play around with Constitution while people are dying (Koha) • Abazi claims he does not understand actions of LDK leadership (RTK) • Haziri: Tariff lifted without any coordination (media) • PDK: Kurti is lying to the public about reciprocity measures (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, April 1, 2020

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, April 1, 2020 Albanian Language Media: • Thaci: We'll act based on previous practices (Indeksonline) • Kurti: Kosovo to head to fresh elections following no-confidence motion (media) • Mustafa: This is not the time for new elections (media) • Veseli: Hypocrisy to speak of extraordinary elections at this time (media) • Kurti sends letter to Thaci, after their meeting (RTK) • US Embassy statement on the tariffs (media) • Fields in which Kosovo is considering to introduce reciprocity measures (RTK) • Judah: Tariff lifted to be replaced with what equalizes Kosovo-Serbia relationship (RTK) • Vitia, Abbott discuss measures to contain coronavirus spread in Kosovo (media) Serbian Language Media: • Borell: The complete abolition of taxes is an important decision in these times of crisis (KoSSev) • Djuric: Fees have not been lifted; Pristina continues to play games (Beta, B92) • Gerxhaliu: Kosovo more damaged by tariffs than Serbia (KIM radio) • Stefanovic: Fake news that 24-hour curfew starts on Wednesday (N1, Nova S) • The first death in the Serbian Government of a coronavirus: State Secretary deceased (media) • Doctors: The worst day in Serbia: Seven more dead, 115 new cases of coronavirus (N1) • Five persons infected with Covid-19 in Mitrovica North, 7 in total in Serb-populated areas (Radio kontakt plus) • Taxi associations in Zvecan and Mitrovica suspended work until April 15 (Radio kontakt plus) • Spiric: Contact epidemiologist if you were in contact with infected individuals (Radio Mitrovica sever) Opinion: • Surroi: Constitutional coup is being prepared (media) • Coronavius is Not the Only Disease Afflicting the Balkans (Balkan Insight) International: • Kosovo Lifts 100 Percent Tariff On Serbia; Belgrade Calls It 'Fake News' (RFE) • Party leaders divided over steps to form Kosovo’s next government (Prishtina Insight) • New enlargement strategy of the EU: a new chance for the Balkans (neweasterneurope.eu) • COVID-19 pandemic as a threat to the rule of law in the Western Balkans (EWB) • Serbian Govt Takes Control of Information Flow About Pandemic (Balkan Insight) Humanitarian/Development: • Roma: Europe’s Neglected Coronavirus Victims (Balkan Insight) • Balkan Tech Enthusiasts Deploy 3D Printers against COVID-19 (Balkan Insight) • Center for Peace and Tolerance launches new cycle for graduates from non-majority communities (TV Most)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, April 1

• Four more cases with coronavirus confirmed (media) • Government decides with majority of votes for reciprocity with Serbia (media) • Kurti: Tariff is lifted and reciprocity to be implemented from tomorrow (media) • EU High Representative hails lifting of import tariff on Serbia (media) • Haradinaj opposes decision to lift import tariff on Serbia (media) • Kosovo acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti interview to KTV • Mustafa speaks about no-confidence motion in interview with Klan Kosova • Constitutional Court rules against govt’s decision to restrict movement (media) • PDK's Tahiri: We will remain in opposition (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 31, 2020

Albanian Language Media: • Two new cases with coronavirus confirmed (media) • Import tariff to be lifted on April 1, full reciprocity to enter into force (RFE) • Svecla informs OSCE chief on measures to combat COVID-19 (RTK) • Serbs don’t report coronavirus cases to Kosovo institutions (Radio Free Europe) • Kosovo budget risks losing €200 million (Radio Free Europe) • EU allocates €63 million for Kosovo’s economic recovery (RTK) • Ahmeti: Interior Ministry decided to ban public transport Kosovo-wide (Koha) Serbian Language Media: • Djuric: We expect more confirmed cases (Kosovo Online) • Epidemiologists to arrive to Mitrovica North (KIM radio, Kontakt plus radio) • Spiric: One more person in Mitrovica North infected with Covid-19 (Radio kontakt plus, KoSSev) • Serwer: New elections are not possible in Kosovo, Richard Grenell's attention doesn't mean much (Kosovo Online) • New 44 confirmed coronavirus cases in Serbia, with 3 more deaths yesterday (B92) • "Serious deterioration - a prerequisite for introducing 24-hour curfew" (B92, N1) Opinion: • Lesson No 1 From Pandemic – We’re all Interdependent (Balkan Insight) International: • Thaci Push for Unity Government in Kosovo Deemed Futile (Balkan Insight) • Kosovo Specialist Chambers: Providing compensations for victims (EWB) • Kosovo-Serbia Agreement: Why is the Trump Administration Fast-Tracking a Hasty Deal? (Medium.com) • Dismantling democracy? Virus used as excuse to quell dissent (AP) Humanitarian/Development: • Belgrade Takes Charge of Kosovo Serbs With COVID-19 (Balkan Insight) • Domestic violence shelters keeping their heads above water during pandemic (Prishtina Insight) • Two men arrested for domestic violence in Istog (Express)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 31

• 12 new cases of coronavirus confirmed (media) • President Thaci invites Kurti to meeting (media) • Veseli: Whoever incites conflict will have no room here (RTK) • Mustafa reacts to Bahtiri's statement (media) • Charges files against Mitrovica South Mayor (Indeksonline) • Acting Interior Minister files charges against Thaci (media) • US gives Kosovo $1.1 million to fight coronavirus (media) • Lajcak to start his duty as EU Envoy for dialogue in two days (RFE, RTK) • Haradinaj: Kurti gave up the tariff, if he kept it, I would support him (RTK) • “If Kurti does not meet Thaci, we call it a constitutional silence” (RTK)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, 30 March 2020

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 30, 2020 Albanian Language Media: • Thaci insists on broad-based government (media) • Nagavci: 82 MP votes for no-confidence motion, opened way to Thaci’s plans (Koha) • LDK's Hoti: Parties have two options (media) • Bahtiri denies reports, "I am man of peace" (Klan Kosova) • 97 cases of coronavirus in Kosovo (media) Serbian Language Media: • National Convention on the EU: Establish cooperation between Serbia and Kosovo in combating the coronavirus pandemic (Kontakt plus radio, KIM radio, RTK2) • EU secures 38 million Euro in aid to Western Balkans (N1) • Thaci with Quint ambassadors instead of consulting the political parties (KoSSev) • Vucic: Within 3 to 4 days decision on a 24-hour curfew (Prva TV, B92) • In Serbia, 82 new cases of coronavirus, total of 741 (B92) • Two persons in northern Kosovo tested positive for Covid-19 (media) • Ivanovic: Number of persons infected with coronavirus will increase (media) • EUROPOL: How criminals profit from the Covid-19 pandemic (KoSSev, Beta) • Two Serb families from Banje and Osojane villages robbed (Radio KIM) Opinion: • Jeffrey Sachs: The pandemic crisis will last two years, and things will no longer be the same (NMagazin) International: • Fall of the reform government in Kosovo: State crisis in the midst of Corona crisis (Der Spiegel) Humanitarian/Development: • COVID-19 pandemic adversely affects digital rights in the Balkans (globalvoices.org) • China: End of epidemic (B92, Sputnik)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 30

• 3 new coronavirus cases confirmed, 91 in total (media) • Kurti: We need to convince every family member to stay at home (media) • Kurti: Extraordinary elections are inevitable (media) • Thaci expected to invite political leaders for a consultation meeting (media) • Nagavci: There is no government without the winner, Kurti was the best PM (RTK) • LVV could delay forming of the government infinitely (media) • Kusari: LDK would have submitted motion, with or without Veliu (media) • Abazi warns on additional measures if citizens do not respect decisions (RTK)