UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 29
• U.S. administration ready to assist Kosovo-Serbia agreement (RTK)
• Thaci: Wrong decisions deepen Kosovo’s isolation (media)
• Mustafa: Kosovo should not stand between the U.S. and the EU (Klan/Telegrafi)
• Haradinaj: Kurti agreed with Vucic to lift the tax (Koha)
• UK PM Johnson welcomed Kosovo’s partial withdrawal of tax (media)
• Berlin: Kurti’s decision first step towards full lifting of tax (media)
• Italy supports decision on partial removal of tax (media)
Belgrade Media Report 28 February
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: It is not my job to stop Dodik, but to speak on behalf of Belgrade (RTS)
• Joksimovic: Confirming clear European perspective for Western Balkans (Tanjug)
• V4 advocates quicker accession process for all Western Balkan countries (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik reacts to HR’s statement: Bonn Powers are past, I will fight against Inzko and against anyone else (ATV)
• Dodik’s statements at his Thursday’s press conference cause reactions of B&H politicians (N1)
• Komsic, Dzaferovic host reception on occasion of B&H Independence Day, Dodik fails to attend it (N1)
• Dodik: Reception in Presidency is private party organized by Dzaferovic and Komsic (Srna)
• Komsic: Fight for independence of B&H ended because B&H is sovereign and independent country (Hayat)
• Dzaferovic: Current political moment in B&H is very difficult (BHT1)
Montenegro
• Brajovic: Support should be expressed in the elections, not on streets (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Spanish Congress of Deputies ratifies NATO Accession Protocol (Republika)
Albania
• Cakaj at Visegard 4 focuses on Albania’s EU accession and visa liberalization for Kosovo (Radio Tirana)
• German delegation: Germany will continue to support Albania in its EU accession process (Radio Tirana)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
• Kosovo: Statement by the Spokesperson on the announcement to lift import tariffs (EEAS)
• Bosnia’s ‘Second Collapse’ is Starting to Look Inevitable (BIRN)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 28, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Kosovo government dismisses boards of Trepca, Infrakos (media)
• Osmani: Important for coalition partners to take joint decisions (media)
• Judah: Kurti defies Grenell’s team while Palmer’s team keeps quiet (media)
• Kosovo requests information from Romania on the killing of two protesters in 2007 (Zeri)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: Western allies will come out with agreed plan for Kosovo (FoNet, Beta, N1)
• A slap from America: “Kurti is making a serious mistake” (Tanjug, B92)
• “No willingness to create conditions for Serbs to live better” (KIM radio, Kontakt plus radio)
• Joseph: Kurti’s decision indicator of US power (Tanjug, Dnevnik)
• Russian MFA Spokeswoman comments on Kosovo Specialist Chambers’ readiness to initiate proceedings (Serbian media)
• Nova.rs website publishes new details about Serb politician murder in Kosovo (Nova.rs, N1)
International:
• Kosovo to partially remove tariffs on Serbian-made goods (Reuters)
• U.S. Envoy Calls Kosovo’s Decision To Partially Lift Serbian Import Tariffs A ‘Serious Mistake’ (RFE)
• Mixed reactions to Kurti’s tariff plans (Balkan Insight)
• EU’s Varhelyi: Accession Talks With Two Balkan States Could Open in Weeks (The New York Times)
• Life in the Shadow of Kosovo’s new Border/Boundaries (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Mehmet Bogujevci: Boxers from Kosovo will participate in the championship in Belgrade (RTK2, Kosovo Online)
• “Turkey will no longer stop refugees” – migrants already heading towards Europe (Tanjug, B92, Reuters)
• Social Media a Help and Hindrance in Balkan Coronavirus Fight (Balkan Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 28
• Kurti announces partial lifting of tariffs on Serbia and Bosnia (media)
• Grenell: We don’t support Kurti’s half measure (media)
• EU welcomes Kurti’s decision: calls for renewal of dialogue (Telegrafi)
• Kurti did not consult LDK about the tariff (Koha)
• Hoti: They are waiting for us at the White House if we lift the tariff (T7)
• Haziri supports Kurti for conditional lifting of tax (RTK/Klan Kosova)
• Haradinaj reacts to partial lifting of tax, calls Kurti ‘deceiver’ (media)
• Veseli: Nothing new from Albin (media)
• Hoxhaj: Tariff should be lifted, no reciprocity (media)
• Kurti: EU officials should respect independence of Kosovo (Euronews)
• Kosovo President Thaci meets National Security Advisor O’Brien (media)
• PM Kurti meets COMKFOR Risi (media)
• Konjufca meets Lajcak, urges all EU countries to recognise Kosovo (media)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 27, 2020
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 27, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Greek PM: Resumption of dialogue strengthens European perspective (Koha)
• Surroi: Thaci-Rasmussen letter exchange is an international agreement (Telegrafi)
• Gazeta Express: Kurti told U.S. he will not lift tax (RTK)
• In Washington, Thaci meets DFC chief executive, Adam Boehler (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: “They will give even more… but will seek from us de facto or de jure Kosovo’s recognition” (O2, RTS, KoSSev)
• Raskovic-Ivic: Vucic never presented proposal on resolving Kosovo issue to citizens or MPs (N1, KoSSev)
• Djuric: Kurti threatens Serbia again (Kosovo-online, RTS)
• BIRODI says President Vucic dominates prime news programme on Serbian TV stations (N1)
• US to Kosovo: We expect lifting of taxes as step toward resumption of dialogue (Beta, N1)
• Albanian attacked Serbs in Grizime village, Office for KiM condemns incident (RTV Puls, Radio KIM)
International:
• Kosovo Leaders Trade Angry Words Over ‘Secret’ NATO Deal (Balkan Insight)
• NATO contradict Haradinaj’s KSF claims (Prishtina Insight)
• U.S. Reiterates Commitment To Kosovo Independence, Urges Dropping Tariffs On Serbian Goods (RFE)
• Moravcsik: EU enlargement in the Western Balkans is in the interest of member states (EWB)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Serbs, Albanians protest together against small hydropower plants in Kosovo (FoNet, N1)
• Mitrovica Rock School unites young Albanians and Serbs in a segregated Kosovo city (globalvoices.org)
• Appeals Court Upholds Nine-Month Sentence For Kosovo Soccer Chief (RFE)
• Rallies for clean air to be held on Friday in nine Balkan cities (balkangreenenergynews.com)
Belgrade Media Report 27 February 2020
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Thursday 27 February 2020
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: They will ask us to recognize Kosovo de facto or de jure (Tanjug/TV O2)
• Vucic: Western allies to coordinate positions on Kosovo (Tanjug)
• High-quality strategic partnership of Serbia, China (RTS/RTV)
• A Serbian Army unit, self-sustainable, on peacekeeping mission for the first time (Beta/Politika)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik’s statements on Djukanovic’s visit and Frontex supported (Srna)
• Komsic, Izetbegovic and Radoncic hold meeting on political crisis in B&H: Dodik crosses red line, nobody will undermine institutions of B&H (Hayat)
• Inzko: Red line was crossed when someone refused to implement decisions of judiciary (Oslobodjenje)
• Dodik sends letter to President of ECHR warning that he was not informed about nomination of German judges as B&H CC member (RTRS)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Zaev and Kasami sign coalition agreement (Republika)
Albania
• Rama to Lavrov: Serbia should recognize Kosovo as soon as possible! (Radio Tirana)
• In Moscow, Albanian PM Rama urges Russian FM Lavrov to recognize Kosovo’s independence (Top Channel)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
• Bosnia and Herzegovina, institutions blocked at the Dayton market (Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 27
• Kurti: Hiding correspondence with NATO constitutes flagrant violation (media)
• NATO reaffirms: KSF cannot go to north without KFOR’s permission (Koha)
• Serbia had sought guarantees that KSF would not deploy to north (Koha Ditore)
• Thaci sends message to Kurti from Washington (media)
• Osmani: Calls for upholding Constitution should not be misinterpreted (media)
• Abazi says Kosovo’s partnership with int’l allies can never be questioned (media)
• Haradinaj: KSF can be deployed throughout Kosovo territory (media)
• Veseli: Concerning that a Kosovo PM questions agreements with NATO (media)
• Thaci: Kosovo blessed with trust and partnership of U.S. (media)
• Rama to Lavrov: Kosovo should be recognised by all (media)
• Vucic: Matter of time before Serbia recognises Kosovo (media)
Belgrade Media Report 26 February
LOCAL PRESS
• Botsan-Kharchenko: Military cooperation between two countries contributes to preservation of Serbia’s independence (Beta/Politika/RTS/RTV)
• Dacic: Solidarity, full support of Serbia to China (Tanjug/RTS)
• Arifi: Unification with Kosovo under three conditions (Danas/Tanjug/VoA)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Quint issues statement: B&H CC decisions are final (BNTV/Oslobodjenje)
• OHR: State-level officials are not representatives of entities, but state of B&H (Oslobodjenje/Avaz)
• SNSD and HDZ B&H submit proposal of law on appointment of judges to B&H CC into parliamentary procedure (BHT1)
Montenegro
• Markovic to EP delegation: Church places itself above state and it’s unacceptable (CdM)
• European Parliament strongly backs Montenegro’s European path (CdM)
• Opposition belongs to the parliament, Montenegro belongs to the EU (Dnevne novine)
• Montenegro strongly supports Albania’s negotiations with EU (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Derkoski: It will not be possible to vote without valid personal documents (Republika)
Albania
• German Bundestag warning: Without a C. Court with integrity negotiations are at risk (ADN)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
• Zaev Faces Judgment Day in North Macedonia Election (BIRN)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 26, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Secret letter surfaces concerning Thaci’s assurances not to have KSF go to the north (Kallxo)
• Prime Minister’s Legal Office: Sufficient basis to conclude Thaci violated Constitution (Koha)
• Hoti: Agreement with Serbia can be achieved through a government-led dialogue (media)
• Veseli: Kurti needs to clarify himself, not avoid responsibility (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Botsan-Kharchenko: Strategic partnership between Russia and Serbia on rise (BETA, N1)
• EU, US State Department comment on Serbia’s acquisition of ‘Pantsir S1’ system (VoA, N1)
• KIM radio: Mysterious dismissal of Tanja Ivic (VoA)
• Diplomats have forgotten fair play in Kosovo, some receive support, some face bans (Kosovo Online)
• Rakic met EULEX chief Wigemark (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Detention of Rosic and Spasojevic extended for two more months (Tanjug, Dnevnik)
International:
• Kosovo: 2nd Former Fighter Refuses War Crimes Court Summons (AP/NYT)
• Kurti calls for Thaci’s dismissal over ‘secret agreement’ (Prishtina Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Croatia Confirms Coronavirus Case as Balkan States Boost Precautions (Balkan Insight)
• Balkan cities united in struggle for clean air and environmental protection (BETA, N1)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 26
• Thaci calls on leading think tanks to join momentum for Kosovo and Western Balkans (media)
• U.S. coordinating for a solution in Balkans (media)
• UK Minister to Kurti: We are closer and closer in defence and security (RTK)
• Kurti: Our focus is to eliminate inequality in salaries (media)
• AAK collects signatures to call extraordinary session of Assembly (Zeri)
• Vatican urged to recognise independence of Kosovo (media)
• Presevo Mayor: We want to join Kosovo (media)
• First Specialist Chambers indictments could be confirmed within six months (Koha)
Belgrade Media Report 25 February 2020
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Tuesday 25 February 2020
LOCAL PRESS
• Brnabic: Palmer and I jointly agree stability of region is most important topic (RTS/Tanjug)
• Serbian parliament approves EAEU free trade deal and agreement with North Macedonia (Tanjug)
• ZzS breaks with SzS over Sabac vote (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Postponing Djukanovic’s visit to B&H is to benefit of peoples in RS, B&H and Montenegro (Srna)
• Sattler: Changes to work of Constitutional Court possible (Oslobodjenje)
• Komsic meets Sattler: Presence of foreign judges in B&H CC represents protection from unconstitutional acting (FTV)
• Dzaferovic and Russian Ambassador Ivantsov discuss current political situation (Oslobodjenje)
Montenegro
• Markovic: The law applies to everyone (CdM)
• Palmer praises Montenegro’s efforts to hold dialogue with the Metropolitanate (CdM)
Albania
• Cakaj – Konjufca to support Presevo Valley project (ADN)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 25, 2020
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)
LINKS
UNMIK
Peacekeeping
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