UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 18
• COVID-19: 500 new cases, 9 deaths (media)
• PM Hoti asks intelligence chief Gashi to step down (media)
• Osmani comments on decision to relieve of duty KIA chief (media)
• Former KIA chief addresses attempts to obtain classified documents claims (media)
• Peci reacts to Gashi’s statement on attempts to open safe in President’s Office (media)
• “The red line on talks with Serbia”, acting President Vjosa Osmani on Euronews Albania
• Hoti: Missing persons, priority issue in dialogue with Serbia (media)
• LDK adds budget to the anticipated meeting of political parties (Koha)
• Hoxhaj: LVV to make serious invitation to bring down government (media)
• Haxhiu: No need to experiment by making Haradinaj president (Telegrafi)
• Jashari: Our family ready to take presidential responsibilities (Klan)
• Constitutional Court decides on LVV’s complaint against Thaci (media)
• Health Minister calls for measures to be taken after BIRN investigation (Prishtina Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 17, 2020
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 17, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID – 19: 500 new cases, 9 deaths (media)
• Osmani: We must cooperate so truth about Kosovo is not overturned (media)
• Osmani at Albanian Parliament: We are forever grateful (media)
• Defense of KLA leaders insists on postponing trial at The Hague (RFE)
• Kosnett: Excellent news, MCC reaffirmed support for Kosovo (media)
• Haradinaj-Stublla: Kosovo ready to join Adriatic Charter (media)
• Citaku returns as Kosovo’s ambassador to Washington (RFE)
• Inclusion of non-majority students at UP remains low (Prishtina Insight)
Serbian Language Media:
• 47 new cases of Covid-19, one death registered in Serbian areas in Kosovo (KoSSev)
• “It’s not just about Serbia” (B92, Tanjug, VoA)
• EU Delegation official says Serbia should step up efforts to align with Brussels (Beta, N1)
• Selakovic: EU membership is key priority (FoNet, N1)
• Serbian Health Minister: We are ready to produce vaccines with Russia (B92, Tanjug)
• Serbia does not even know its energy border with Kosovo (Danas)
• Mitrovica North MA session on electricity, water supply, non-compliance with COVID-19 measures (Kontakt plus radio)
• NGO Aktiv presented trend analysis on attitudes of Serbian community in Kosovo (social media)
Opinion:
• EU dream fading in Western Balkans, a local’s view (euobserver.com)
International:
• Clientelist Networks Lie Behind Western Balkans State Capture – Transparency (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Serbian epidemiologist: More expensive PCR test economic move and should reduce travels (N1)
Read More →Belgrade Media Report 17 December 2020
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Thursday 17 December 2020
LOCAL PRESS
Selakovic says Serbia respects territorial integrity of B&H but loves RS (Politika/TV Pink)
Joksmovic: Successful realization of program of cross-border cooperation (Tanjug)
Lorenz: Serbia should step up efforts to align with Brussels (Beta/RTV)
Less: There will be no pressures on RS, Biden needs assistance of Serbia in Kosovo (Politika/Tanjug)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Covic: Dzaferovic and Komsic act in line with instructions of SDA leader (BHT1)
Izetbegovic denies claims that he suggested or ordered Dzaferovic and Komsic not to meet with Lavrov (FTV)
Dodik congratulates Biden victory in elections (RTRS)
Palmer: Changes to Constitution of B&H as well as changes to structure of authorities will be necessary (Dnevni list)
Sabolic: Question about necessity to change DPA need to be answered by legitimate political representatives (Dnevni avaz)
HR Inzko visits Mostar, meets with ‘Coalition for Mostar 2020’ candidates; Representatives of Serb parties in Mostar reject meeting with Inzko (Hayat/ATV)
Tegeltija resigns as HJPC President; Gorusanovic-Butigan to be at head of HJPC by February next year when new leadership of HJPC should be elected (O kanal)
DF presents set of laws which should make possible full reform of HJPC (Hayat)
Croatia
Plenkovic and Lavrov talk political and economic ties between Croatia and Russia (Hina)
Lavrov says relations with Croatia are good in spite of Brussels (HRT)
Croatia and Russia sign program for boosting cultural cooperation (Hina)
Montenegro
Radulovic: Cooperation with Serbia is high on the agenda (CdM)
Radulovic initiates recall of several ambassadors (CdM)
Leposavic voted for the document which declares Mandic and Knezevic pro-Russian opposition leaders (Pobjeda)
Montenegro’s strategic goal is to be 28th EU member state (CdM)
Injac visits Alliance: NATO membership requires high level of commitment (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Zaev: We are united with the President on our EU future and resolving the issues with Bulgaria (Republika)
Albania
Meta receives Osmani (Radio Tirana)
Osmani: Mini-Schengen a bad decision, exchange of territories a dangerous adventure (Tirana Times)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
FM Szijjártó Urges EU to Accelerate North Macedonia’s Integration (Hungary Today)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 17
• COVID – 19: 348 new cases, 5 deaths (media)
• Hoti: Situation with COVID – 19 in Kosovo under control (media)
• EU Head of Office: Kosovo will get free vaccines for over 300,000 people (media)
• Osmani: Going to elections helps further democracy (Radio Free Europe)
• Hoti: New elections are not excluded (RTK)
• Gashi: No political readiness to resolve President issue (media)
• Konjufca: We expect to win up to 50 percent of votes (media)
• Xhemajli: PDK has a candidate for post of Kosovo President (media)
• Palmer: US, EU working together on Kosovo – Serbia dialogue (Indeksonline)
• Ruecker denies knowing of any corruption affair while heading KTA (EO/Koha)
• WHO vaccine scheme risks failure, leaving poor countries with no COVID shots until 2024 (Reuters)
Belgrade Media Report 16 December
LOCAL PRESS
Lavrov: We advocate a compromise based on UNSCR 1244 (Beta/Novosti/Politika)
Important information on Kosovo and RS (Novosti/Politika)
Selakovic: Russia’s great role in protecting our national interests (Tanjug)
Lavrov: EU powerless to implement Belgrade-Pristina agreements (FoNet/Beta/Politika/Novosti)
Lavrov to Dacic: Serbia can always count on Russia’s support in the international arena, especially in connection to Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug)
Brnabic expresses gratitude to Italian soldiers within KFOR who protect Visoki Decani (Tanjug)
Vucic with Kosovo Serb representatives: On conclusions within 72 hours (Tanjug/RTV)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Dodik sees Komsic and Dzaferovic’s move as damaging to B&H (Nova BH)
Dzaferovic on refusal to meet Lavrov (FTV)
Komsic: Russia cannot create obstacles on EU or NATO path as main documents were adopted by B&H (Hayat)
Turkovic meets Lavrov in Sarajevo (Hayat)
Lavrov, Vucic: Incident in Sarajevo was influenced by outside forces (BHT1)
Cvijanovic: Absence of B&H Presidency members from official meeting with Lavrov is diplomatic scandal; Cubrilovic: Komsic and Dzaferovic’s move harmed citizens of B&H, especially of FB&H (RTRS)
SDA expresses full support to Komsic and Dzaferovic; Other reactions of FB&H politicians and political parties (N1)
German Ministry of Foreign Affairs surprised by Tuesday’s undiplomatic behavior of two B&H Presidency members, Sefik Dzaferovic and Zeljko Komsic (Srna/RTRS)
Croatia
Plenkovic: It’s a mistake to ignore part of Dayton Accords on Equality of Peoples (Hina)
Milanovic and Plenkovic to meet with Sergey Lavrov (HRT)
Montenegro
Krivokapic: Montenegro will be EU’s best ally (RTCG)
Krivokapic: Montenegro has chances to complete technical part of the EU accession process with the govt now in power (CdM)
Krivokapic–Stoltenberg: I regret for NATO flag burning (Pobjeda)
Markovic: Krivokapic publicly confirmed correctness of DPS policy concerning NATO membership (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
A mine, a bank, a TV station: Zaev promised Borisov free reign to take over Macedonian companies (Republika/TV Alsat)
Albania
Kim and Soreca welcome progress made for establishment of Constitutional Court (Radio Tirana)
US Ambassador hails operation of Kosovo-Albania power transmission line (ADN)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 16, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 296 new cases, five deaths (media)
• PM Hoti’s Office issues statement on Government’s work plan draft (media)
• Kosovo Government not to apply to join international organisations until 2023 (Koha)
• Kosovo authorities allowed to visit Maqastena in Prokuplje, Serbia (Koha)
• Kosovo and Serbia representatives clash at CEFTA’s virtual meeting (media)
• Kurti writes to KSC judge to support Selimi’s bail request (Telegrafi)
Serbian Language Media:
• 52 new cases of Covid-19 registered in Serbian areas in Kosovo (KoSSev)
• Vucic met Serbs from Kosovo, EMS and EPS directors – conclusions in two, three days (KoSSev)
• Serbia won’t impose sanctions on Moscow, says Vucic; Resolution 1244 the basis for every agreement, says Lavrov (Beta, N1)
• German State Secretary: EU and Germany supported process which resulted in KOSTT independence (KoSSev)
• Jeremic: “Albanian finger” on a power supply switch in northern Kosovo as of yesterday (Danas)
• Covic: I do not believe Albright would be in negotiations, Serwer completely irrelevant (KoSSev)
Opinion:
• Who gave electricity to Pristina (Nova S)
International:
• Balkan States Race to Secure COVID-19 Vaccine Supplies (Balkan Insight)
• Kosovo Politicians Divided Over How to Choose Next President (Balkan Insight)
• Europe set to approve COVID-19 vaccine in Christmas week (Reuters)
• Mini-Schengen, Regional Economic Area and Common Regional Market: What is what? (EWB)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Last Despatches: News Team Killed the Day After Kosovo War Ended (Balkan Insight)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 16
• COVID – 19: 350 new cases, 18 deaths (media)
• Hoxhaj: President post belongs to the PDK (media)
• Konjufca: Vetevendosje doesn’t want post of Kosovo President (T7)
• Mustafa: Vetevendosje is seeing dreams that it can win 50% of votes (media)
• Bytyci: Red lines in politics are being removed (media)
• Kosovo Acting President Osmani begins 3-day visit to Albania (media)
• Serbia cuts off energy transmission to Kosovo (RFE)
• Russian Foreign Minister: EU to be impartial in the dialogue (media)
• Serbian List to meet Serbian President Vucic (Gazeta Express)
• Captured states in Western Balkans and Turkey (Transparency International)
Belgrade Media Report 15 December 2020
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Tuesday 15 December 2020
LOCAL PRESS
Lavrov reads Putin’s letter, eternal flame lit (B92/Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
Vucic: Many thanks to Russia, this temple is as much yours as it is ours (Tanjug)
Selakovic: With Lavrov about all points of contact of cooperation (RTS)
Can Lavrov alleviate pressures of West on Belgrade (Politika)
Biserko attacks Belgrade, yet praises Albright; Dodik: Political attacks encouraged by Biden’s victory (Novosti/DW)
German, EU Ambassadors want more done on rule of law (FoNet)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Lavrov arrives in B&H for official two-day visit (O kanal/N1)
Covic meets Lavrov, Covic underlines importance of changes to Election Law (Dnevni avaz)
Dzaferovic: We want to preserve the dignity and pride of our homeland (N1)
Komsic: Two examples by which Lavrov showed disrespect for institutions and the state (N1)
Biden says work to promote justice, reconciliation, and functional, multi-ethnic B&H remains incomplete (FTV)
Nelson: Now is time for action and citizens need to say what needs to be done (Oslobodjenje)
EUFOR Commander Trischak says EUFOR is last tool that should be applied in case safe and stable environment in B&H is jeopardized (Oslobodjenje)
Dzaferovic: Denial of Srebrenica genocide must be stopped and peace must be built on truth and justice (Nova BH)
RS politicians do not think there are collocutors in RS who would accept changes to Constitution of B&H, especially if those would be detrimental for RS (EuroBlic)
HNS calls on IC to protect DPA as foundation of peace in B&H amid frequent attempts to undermine it, they argue that critics against Milanovic are unfounded and inappropriate (N1)
Turkovic: My statements were twisted and abused in order to raise tensions (Nezavisne)
Field says inflammatory rhetoric and calls to one-sided changes are regressive and undermine trust (EuroBlic)
Prosecutor’s Office of B&H issues indictment against Mehmedagic and Cikotic (RTRS)
Croatia
President and Prime Minister agree on status of Croats in B&H (HRT)
Montenegro
Palmer to Djukanovic: Identity issues are always dangerous in the Balkans (CdM)
Abazovic: New government has a pro-Western character (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Mickoski announces vote of no confidence in Dimitrov as first step toward bringing down the Zaev government (Republika)
Zaev hopes to placate Bulgaria with a declaration (Republika)
Borisov calls on Macedonia to be reasonable (Republika)
Albania
Kosovo-Albania electricity markets merged (ADN)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 15, 2020
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 15, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• No ease of lockdown measures for Christmas and New Year in Kosovo (media)
• Hoti: Mustafa is dealing with the meeting on president issue (media)
• Haradinaj’s initial appearance at Special Court rescheduled to 18 December (media)
• Ambassador Jan Braathu nominated OSCE chief of the mission in Serbia (Koha)
• Kosnett and Tan support local war crime prosecution (media)
• Osmani to travel for a three day visit to Albania (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• In Serbian communities in Kosovo 56 new cases and one death (Kontakt plus radio)
• Brnabic: I’m against curfew, celebrate at home; Vucic: vaccination soon (N1, BETA)
• Russian FM arrives in Belgrade; talks to include bilateral relations, economy (N1)
• Serbia’s Foreign Minister: Close relations with Russia (N1)
• Serwer to N1: Vucic won’t recognise Kosovo, we’ll have to wait for one who will (N1)
• Trajkovic: Albright unlike Serwer recognizes opportunity for better US-Serbia relations (Kosovo-online)
• Energy agreement vaguely implanted (Danas)
• Mihajlovic: Opposition is spreading falsehoods and scaring Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
• Serbian List: Incomprehensible and unacceptable need to denigrate one’s own state (Radio Mitrovica sever)
Opinion:
• The EU and Kosovo a decade on (opendemocracy.net)
International:
• Kosovo Truth Commission’s Future in Doubt After Thaci’s Indictment (Balkan Insight)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 15
• COVID-19: 353 new cases, four deaths (media)
• Zemaj: New anti-COVID measures to be coordinated with all stakeholders (media)
• Hoti: Threatening statements from Belgrade do not help dialogue (media)
• Still no date set for discussions on Kosovo’s next president (Prishtina Insight)
• “Kosovo heading towards snap elections” (RFE)
• Aide refutes reports Osmani will call parties to discuss president post (media)
• Haradinaj: If my candidacy is not endorsed, we head to elections (Telegrafi)
• 100 days since signed, Washington agreement remains in paper only (Koha)
• Serwer: Albright to become involved in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (media)
• Kosovo War Veterans’ Leaders Indicted for Obstructing Justice (Balkan Insight)
• Status conference in case against Mustafa held at The Hague (media)
• Joint defence requests variation of time limit for preliminary motions (media)
• One of two Kosovo men arrested by Serbian authorities, released (Klan)
• Blast reported at police officer’s home in Leposavic municipality (Kallxo)
Belgrade Media Report 14 December
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic, Dodik: Friendly conversation in difficult and challenging times (Tanjug/B92)
Cyprus’ position on Kosovo issue clear and unchanged (Tanjug/Politika)
Joksimovic: Serbia shows it is a real European state in 2020 (Beta/FoNet)
Jeremic: What exactly Serbia gets by surrendering the electricity grid (Beta)
Petkovic: Serbia is not handing over anything today in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/Novosti/NSPM)
Botsan-Kharchenko: There will be more pressures (Novosti)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Special ceremony marking 25 years since DPA signing takes place in Sarajevo (BHT1)
Ambassadors Sattler and Nelson write joint column of 25th anniversary of DPA (Dnevni list)
Heads of International Missions to B&H’s joint column: Many citizens of B&H are disappointed with long-lasting lack of progress (Dnevni avaz)
Former US president addresses event marking 25th anniversary of DPA: Dayton is beginning, not end! (Dnevni avaz)
Reeker: Russia is trying to sow political chaos in the Balkans (Dnevni avaz)
Tegeltija claims that his decision to resign is final and he will not change his mind, condemns HJPC for accepting unlawful surveillance (Face TV)
Head of EUD Sattler welcomes Tegeltija’s decision to resign (O kanal)
OHR on Tegeltija’s resignation: This is beginning of much needed changes in judiciary (FTV)
Dodik says Tegeltija did his job well and did not deserve such attack and disqualification (Nova BH)
Foreign Minister Turkovic reflects on recent congressional hearing regarding Balkans policy recommendations for new US administration (Face TV)
Minister Turkovic’s statement comparing Dodik to Hitler sparks reactions (ATV)
Dodik to convene meeting with B&H top officials to discuss statements of B&H FM Turkovic who called for abolition of RS and compared him to Hitler (ATV)
US Embassy on Turkovic’s statements: The only way to secure better future for all B&H citizens is through dialogue and compromise; OHR calls on all parties in B&H to conduct dialogue and reach compromises (ATV)
Covic: Agreement between HDZ B&H and SDA on changes to election law is expected mid-January instead of 17 December; Izetbegovic: It is naive to think HDZ B&H and SDA can solve this alone (BHT1)
B&H officials react to statement of Croatian President Milanovic in regard to B&H’s future (N1)
Lavrov to visit B&H; Dodik says cooperation with Russia will continue (Nova BH)
Croatia
Lavrov’s visit to B&H comes in moment when USA and EU announce corrections of DPA (Jutarnji list)
Milanovic: You cannot change B&H system, B&H framework without will of constituent peoples (HRT1)
Croatia will continue to advocate for the rights of Croats in B&H (HRT)
Montenegro
Government wants to legalize undermining of historical continuity of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church (Pobjeda)
Medojevic kicked Sekulovic out of PzP, as he opposed closer collaboration with Serbian parties (Pobjeda)
Abazovic about Kosovo with an asterisk: I hope that such a mistake won’t repeat (CdM)
Albania
Fifth consecutive day of protests with calls for Rama’s resignation (ADN)
British Ambassador Duncan Norman: Let us resolve things peacefully (Radio Tirana)
US Embassy in Tirana: Those seeking to be in power should reject violence (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 14, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID – 19: 353 new cases, 9 deaths (media)
• Hoti: If solution on President isn’t found, Kosovo goes to new elections (media)
• Nagavci: President post to be discussed after new elections (media)
• KOSTT to operate independently; PM Hoti calls it “a joint success” (media)
• Haradinaj: Decision to form Army was not easy, but most important (media)
• Pacolli: Army was a gift from the U.S. for our people (media)
• The shocking results of a study in Serbia (Klan Kosova)
Serbian Language Media:
• 24 new cases of Covid-19, four deaths registered in Serbian areas in Kosovo (KoSSev)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: There will be more pressure (Vecernje Novosti, B92)
• Lavrov to visit Belgrade on Tuesday (Tanjug, TV Most)
• The public does not see how much NATO and Serbia work together (cfsp.rs)
• “When it comes to Serbia and Kosovo, the status quo is unsustainable” (Tanjug, B92, RFE)
• Abbot Janjic: Kosovo grotesque picture of what international community allegedly wanted to achieve 21 years ago (KoSSev)
• Brnabic: Vaccines by end of year (B92)
• Serbian Orthodox Church warns of false accounts under its name (BETA, N1)
• Mladjan Djordjevic once again urged Vucic to say to whom they handed over energy system in northern Kosovo (Direktno.rs)
• KOSTT started working as a regulatory area within the Kosovo-Albania bloc; no explanation to the citizens of the North (KoSSev)
Opinion:
• What Will a Joe Biden Presidency Mean for the Balkans? (nationalinterest.org)
International:
• Transparency concerns over Serbia’s growing military outlay (Balkan Insight)
• Kosovo’s ‘The Flying Circus’ wins debut prize in Cottbus Film Festival (Exit.al)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Reading through the pandemic (Prishtina Insight)
Read More →LINKS
UNMIK
Peacekeeping
UN News Center
From Google News- Kosovo sells 15 mln euro worth of 2-yr T-notes - SeeNews 19/04/2024Kosovo sells 15 mln euro worth of 2-yr T-notes SeeNews
- Taiwan president-elect meets bipartisan delegation from Kosovo | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News - NHK WORLD 19/04/2024Taiwan president-elect meets bipartisan delegation from Kosovo | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News NHK WORLD
- Witness to Violence: Photojournalist Recalls Decades of Documenting Kosovo's Turbulent Times - Prishtina Insight 19/04/2024Witness to Violence: Photojournalist Recalls Decades of Documenting Kosovo's Turbulent Times Prishtina Insight
- Kosovo sells 15 mln euro worth of 2-yr T-notes - SeeNews 19/04/2024
Office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General
Media Sources
