UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 25
• At EBRD summit, Kurti lists priorities of new Kosovo government (media)
• Kurti to EBRD: We could do better but EU could do more (media)
• Thaci: U.S. to maintain focus on Kosovo and the region (RTK)
• Sources: Kosovo-Serbia agreement to be reached by year’s end (Klan Kosova)
• Prospect of broadening Lajcak’s portfolio seen in Pristina with concern (Koha)
• Cakaj and Konjufca with a joint statement on Presevo Valley coalition (RTK)
• Specialist Chambers ready to initiate proceedings (media)
• Abrashi: We have almost collected signatures for Assembly session (T7/RTK)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 24, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• In London, Kurti calls for reciprocity with Serbia (RTK)
• Konjufca calls for visa liberalisation at Western Balkans conference (media)
• Cakaj: Visa liberalisation for Kosovo to boost EU credibility (Koha)
• AAK: Tax on Serbia increased employment in Kosovo, reciprocity will not work (Koha)
• Ramush Haradinaj’s family enters media business with Telecom money (Kallxo/Prishtina Insight)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic on Kosovo, ultimatum, EU, Pantsir S1 (Prva TV, B92)
• Alliance for Serbia: Vucic confirmed failure of his Kosovo politics (KoSSev, N1)
• Dacic: Spain has firm stance, does not accept unilateral acts (RTS)
• Trump: Grenell does very good job as Belgrade-Pristina envoy (RTS, VoA)
• NATO on Russian armament: National decision and Serbia’s right to choose (B92)
• Father of Serbian footballer who wants to play for Kosovo didn’t lose job (Radio KIM, N1)
• President of the Specialized Chambers of Kosovo: We will stand trial fairly and independently (Blic, Kontakt plus radio)
• Janjic: Ahtisaari ++ an old idea, I don’t know where it came from now (KoSSev, Kontakt plus radio)
• Milicevic: Kosovo has advanced in the last 12 years (RTK2, Slobodno Srpski)
• “Borrell discussed Kosovo partition in Berlin” (Kosovo-online, B92)
International:
• New Kosovo Leader Ready to Revoke Tariffs for Serbian Goods (VOA)
• Serbia Receives Delivery Of Russian Antiaircraft Systems Despite U.S. Sanction Threats (RFE)
• The Western Balkans: Low Hanging Fruit for China? (thediplomat.com)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Serb player’s parents fired after he joins Kosovo Under-19s (AP/WaPo)
• Airport workers sacked ‘in revenge’ for joining protest (Prishtina Insight)
• Balkan Countries Take Precautions Amid Fear of Coronavirus (Balkan Insight)
Belgrade Media Report 24 February
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: The ultimatum “we cannot accept, but we must not refuse”: Kosovo in exchange for EU (Prva TV/Tanjug/B92)
• Brnabic: Pristina needs to lift taxes, we need to facilitate trade (Tanjug)
• Dacic: Relations with Spain at a high level (Beta/RTS/RTV)
• Dacic: Antigua and Barbuda to accept results of Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (Tanjug/RTS)
• Jamaican Foreign Minister denies Kosovo recognition allegations (Beta)
• Vucevic: SNS and SPS running separately in the election (Tanjug)
• Zelenovic running for reelection in Sabac (N1)
• Dodik: We have constitutional right to get rid of foreign judges (Politika)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• SDA Presidency convenes in Sarajevo; Izetbegovic says there will be no talks with Dodik until he stops with blockade of state institutions; Izetbegovic calls on High Representative to use Bonn Powers (BHT1)
• SNSD Executive Committee holds session; Dodik announces meetings will all parties from RS, FB&H (N1)
• Djukanovic claims that protests against law on religious freedoms in Montenegro are strictly political issue (Face TV)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic in Geneva: Montenegro is faced with multiple attacks (CdM)
• Mugosa: MCP has a multi-million tax bill (CdM)
• Simovic: Serbia didn’t build churches in Montenegro so there’s no need to jump in now (CdM)
Albania
• Ruci receives Santos, EP rapporter for Albania: We expect positive developments in coming weeks and months (Radio Tirana)
• No ‘anti-Albanian vector’ in Russian diplomacy (ADN, by Genc Milloja, 24 February 2020)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
• Why Miroslav Lajčák is the wrong choice for EU envoy (EUobserver)
Read More →OSCE Broadcast Report 23 February
• Thaçi travels to Washington (TV stations, RTK)
• PDK calls on Kurti Government to keep hands off independent institutions (TV stations, KTV)
• Braathu: Dialogue and normalization of relations with Belgrade are priorities for Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Notaries announce lawsuit against Justice Minister Haxhiu (Kosovo portals)
• Reka: Visas might be lifted by end of year (TV21)
• US Embassy supports Serb footballer for choosing to play for Kosovo (TV stations, Klan Kosova)
• Vucic: Serbia won’t be able to accept the Kosovo solution about to be proposed (N1)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 24
• Grenell to remain envoy for Kosovo-Serbia negotiations (Zeri/Bota Sot)
• Weber: EU heading towards a Mogherini 2.0 policy (Koha Ditore)
• Haziri requests to lift the tariff (RTK)
• Haradinaj: No guarantees that lifting tariff brings Serbia’s recognition (RTK)
• Citaku on Jamaica’s recognition: Everything will be clarified in time (Telegrafi)
• PDK blames Konjufca for Jamaica recognition affair (media)
• Thaci leaves for the U.S. to meet with U.S. Administration officials (RTK)
• Vucic: Serbia will this year face ultimatum for recognition of Kosovo (Koha)
• U.S. Embassy, Kurti support K-Serb that plays football for Kosovo (media)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 22
• EU High Representative Josep Borrell speaks to Thaci, Kurti and Vucic (media)
• Mustafa: Kosovo to coordinate with the U.S. on reciprocity with Serbia (Express)
• Godfrey: Grenell will continue as Kosovo-Serbia dialogue envoy (Express)
• Opposition: It is a mistake not to apply for INTERPOL membership (media)
• Ismet Beqiri appointed deputy leader of the LDK (media)
• AAK deputy chair warns with protests (media)
• Hoti pelted with eggs (Express)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 21, 2020
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 21, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• President Thaci’s office comments on Jamaica recognition issue (media)
• Konjufca says measures will be taken about Jamaica recognition news (Koha)
• MP Pacolli demands accountability from Amb Citaku on Jamaica recognition (media)
• Tahiri: Decision to annul notaries’ appointment process, arbitrary (media)
• LVV MP: After dismissals, accountability in front of justice (ekonomiaonline)
Serbian Language Media:
• Draft recommendations for EU enlargement outlined in European Parliament (N1, Hina)
• Survey in multi-ethnic municipalities: Reconciliation needed for the vast majority but the north (KoSSev)
• Jamaica’s foreign minister denies recognition of Kosovo (KoSSev, RTS, Blic)
• Dacic: Tirana and Pristina to give up campaign to lobby for recognition of Kosovo (Blic, N1)
• Thaci for BBC in Serbian: If we waste this opportunity, we will cry at the gates of Brussels (Kosovo Online, Danas, B92)
• Kenya will not change stance on Kosovo (RTV Puls)
• US Ambassador Godfrey says Grenell will continue as Kosovo envoy (Beta, N1)
International:
• Albania PM Widens His Media Wars to Include Kosovo (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Kosovo National Football Team Signs First Serb Player (Balkan Insight)
Read More →OSCE Broadcast Report 20 February
• Jamaica recognizes Kosovo’s independence (TV stations, RTK)
• Grenell temporarily director of intelligence, Trump will appoint someone else to the post (GazetaExpress, KTV)
• US Ambassador urges Kosovo’s new Government to drop tariffs (TV stations, portals)
• US Embassy informs Kurti that US military presence in Kosovo is under consideration (GazetaExpress)
• AAK continues collecting signatures, requests session on the tariff (RTKlive)
• Minister Bajrami receives Head of OSCE Mission in Kosovo (portals, Klan Kosova)
• Haxhiu annuls notaries’ appointment process (TV stations, portals)
• Most of dismissed consuls belonged to previous ruling parties (TV stations, KTV)
• Isa Mustafa presents five new deputy ministers from LDK (TV stations, TV21)
• Two members of Serb List convicted in Kosovo for abuse of office (N1)
• Survey in multi-ethnic municipalities: Reconciliation needed for the vast majority but the north (Kossev)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 21
• Grenell to remain envoy for Kosovo-Serbia negotiations (media)
• Jamaica recognition: Kosovo leaders hail it, Jamaica FM refutes it (media)
• Haziri requests from Kurti to lift the tariff (RTK)
• The U.S. informed Kurti that military presence is being considered (Express)
• Konjufca dismisses 14 consuls saying their appointment was unlawful (media)
• Reka: Mini-Schengen is only in interest of Serbia (Express)
• Haradinaj: Kurti threatens national security with approach to KIA (Klan)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 20, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: Border change project has failed but the idea is not dead (media)
• Kosnett in a diplomatic offensive to lift the tariff (Gazeta Express)
• Haradinaj meets Kosnett: U.S. involvement in dialogue, necessary (media)
• Osmani: Not only men will represent Kosovo in Brussels (Klan Kosova)
• Kurti warns in Stan Terg: There will be new dismissals of the boards (Express)
• Positioning prior to dialogue with Serbia, Osmani: Trepca is inviolable (Express)
• Minister Haxhiu annuls notaries appointment process (media)
• AAK continues collecting signatures, requests session on the tariff (RTK)
Serbian Language Media:
• SRSG Tanin: Following integration of judiciary, Kosovo moves towards strengthening of rule of law (Radio KIM)
• Dacic: Lack of reaction to the announcement of Tirana and Pristina on joint lobbying is hypocritical (Tanjug, RTS)
• Everything changes now: A man sent to Serbia heads US national intelligence services (Tanjug, B92)
• Milena Ivanovic joins SNS (Tanjug, B92)
Opinion:
• Albin Kurti – New Hope or New Disappointment? (crnobelisvet.com)
International:
• Trump Appoints Balkan Envoy Grenell to Head National Intelligence (Balkan Insight)
• Juratovic: The arranged situation in the Western Balkans means the arranged situation in the EU (EWB)
Humanitarian/Development:
• “The suspension of the construction of MHE is very important”(KIM radio)
• Denmark’s Integration Experiment Reflects European U-turn (Balkan Insight)
• Wild and exotic animals kept captive in Kosovo ‘zoos’ (Prishtina Insight)
Belgrade Media Report 20 February
LOCAL PRESS
• Dacic: Hypocritical lack of reaction to Tirana’s and Pristina’s announcement on joint lobbying (Tanjug)
• Falconi: Paris supports Serbia in EU integration (Beta)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: Balkans should take cue from Sandzak (Beta)
• Defense, Internal and Foreign Affairs Committee members meet with German Bundestag member (Tanjug)
• Jeremic: Real opposition is boycotting (Beta)
• Serbia’s opposition: No alternative to election boycott (N1)
• Gojkovic, Pasztor: Local, provincial elections to be called the same day (Tanjug/RTV)
• EU envoy for Kosovo, Belgrade-Pristina dialogue to cover Bosnia, too (Beta)
• German MP: Serbia could join EU before 2025, but not without media freedom (N1)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Session of B&H Presidency: Dodik votes against conclusion on visit of Montenegro’s Djukanovic to B&H and decision on agreement on status between B&H and EU on activities of FRONTEX in B&H (BNTV)
• Dodik demands resignation of Komsic saying he remains silent about letter that he received earlier from ECHR on appointment of judge from Germany in B&H CC (BNTV)
• Komsic: President of ECHR decides about appointment of foreign judges and not B&H Presidency (BNTV)
• Dzaferovic: Komsic has not deceived anyone, ECHR President decides on appointment of foreign judges in B&H CC (BHT1)
• US Ambassador Nelson meets Dodik: US expects full respect for DPA and territorial integrity and sovereignty of B&H (RTRS)
• Politicians from FB&H violate DPA by refusing to participate in establishing of IEBL (RTRS)
• FB&H HoR Collegium proposes six conclusions for vote in response to conclusions passed at RS parliament’s recent special session on B&H CC (Hayat)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic: We will not withdraw the law (CdM)
• Dakic: Soldiers shall not take part in protests (CdM)
• Montenegro is our holy place (CdM)
• Vucinic: Montenegro is not on the brink of civil war (Pobjeda)
Albania
• Cakaj – Konjufca, regional cooperation discussed (ADN)
• Political crisis escalation, US Ambassador meets Albanian leaders (ADN)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
• Trump Names Ambassador To Germany To Key Intelligence Post (RFE/RL)
• Defense ministers of Belarus, Serbia discuss prospects for cooperation (BelTA)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 20
• Kurti: Reciprocity measures aimed at protecting local producers (media)
• “New government to decide what to do with unimplemented agreements” (Klan)
• Trump names Richard Grenell as acting intelligence chief (RFE)
• Kosnett in Mitrovica: Tariff should be lifted (RTK)
• AAK: Final agreement with Serbia to be under Kosovo’s existing borders (media)
• Government of Kosovo dismisses Telecom board (media)
• Hoti: Telecom board’s dismissal, only the beginning (Telegrafi)
• Kurti to ministries: Scan the situation at ministries and submit the report (RTK)
• Cakaj: Albania cannot change Kosovo borders (TV Dukagjini/RTK)
• Reka: Visa liberalisation this year, a priority issue (RFE/Zeri)