UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, April 25
• Covid-19: 34 new cases confirmed, total number 703 (media)
• UN Security Council discusses situation in Kosovo (media)
• Kurti discusses Covid-19, political situation with U.S. Congressman Engel (media)
• LDK general council endorses Hoti’s candidacy for PM (Koha)
• Kurti says LVV is not behind initiative for protests in May (Telegrafi)
• Gashi: I did not say KLA committed crimes but some of its members (media)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, April 23, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Thaci sends official request for PM candidate to Mustafa (media)
• Isa Mustafa refuses to be PM candidate (Ekonomia Online)
• Hoti as PM candidate: We will fight pandemic, govt will lead the dialogue (media)
• Bislimi: If Thaci violates Constitution, he will be dismissed (Indeksonline)
• UNICEF, USAID deliver hygiene packages to families in need (media)
• Civil society associations urge citizens to pay tribute to missing persons (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: “If anyone thinks it’s time for someone to physically take away Valac and Gazivode, I beg them not to” (B92, Tanjug)
• Serb National Forum: What happened with “we will not give Gazivode away”? (KoSSev)
• Three new cases of Covid-19 infection in north, four persons have recovered (Kosovo-online)
• Vucic: ”We’re paying for a lot of things in KiM, not because all perform their duties, but we want to strengthen the
healthcare system there” (KoSSev)
• Kurti accepts Rasic’s resignation (RTK2)
• “Movement ban to be harmonized with working hours of institutions” (Radio KIM)
• Harassment of journalists and lawyer, their vehicles photographed (Radio KIM)
• Journalists’ associations request police to determine who harassed journalists in Kuzmin (Radio KIM)
• 21st anniversary of the NATO bombing of Radio Television of Serbia (RTS, B92, N1)
• 22 years ago first massive kidnappings of Serbs in Kosovo started (Kosovo-online)
• Cadez, Palmer discuss regional economic integration after pandemic (Beta, N1)
• Vucic announces curfew for weekend from Friday to Monday (B92)
Opinion:
• Let Bill Clinton’s failed Kosovo strategy wither amid the COVID-19 pandemic (The Washington Times)
• Trump’s Political Survival Will Shape the Western Balkans (Balkan Insight)
International:
• Kosovo Closer to Getting new LDK-AAK Government (Balkan Insight)
• Thaci offers govt mandate to ‘whoever can command majority’ (Prishtina Insight)
• Kosovo, political crisis in times of coronavirus (Osservatorio)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Pandemic measures further complicate problems with human rights in the Western Balkans (EWB)
• Pandemic-Era Online Schooling Exposes Big Balkan Disparities (Balkan Insight)
Belgrade Media Report 23 April
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic: If anyone thinks it’s time to physically take Valac and Gazivode, I ask them not to (B92/Tanjug)
Vucic: EC did not offer financial aid, but favorable loans Serbia does not need (Beta/B92/RTS)
Cadez, Palmer discuss regional economic integration after pandemic (Beta)
Interior Ministry: No migrant has ever been returned to Serbia from Austria (Beta)
Another 162 cases, 1,063 patients recovered (RTS)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Solak: Order banning movement was not annulled by B&H CC (Hayat)
FB&H Minister of Health announced the possibility of relaxation of the restrictive measure of prohibition on movement as of the next week (N1)
RS Main Coordination Team proposes easing of certain measures as of 27 April (BHT1)
Dodik: New IMF loan is acceptable because interest rate is 1.05 percent low and grace period is 39 months (RTRS/Sputnik)
Tegeltija informs members of Dutch-Belgium Constituency of WB, IMF that all levels of power reacted with adequate measures to the Coronavirus and that health-epidemiological situation in B&H is under control (RTRS)
HDZ B&H calls on SDA to stop obstructions of IMF funds (FTV)
Izetbegovic: We do not need new problems (Dnevni avaz)
Radoncic: Illegal migrants need to be deported from B&H (FTV)
EU assistance for B&H will amount to 250 million Euros; Serbia excluded from the package (N1)
New Serbian donation to RS delivered to Banja Luka (RTRS)
Assistance from Azerbaijan to arrive today (Dnevni avaz)
In B&H 45 new cases as of this morning, 1,413 in total (N1)
Croatia
Plenkovic announces three stages of reactivation (HRT)
Plenkovic discusses restarting tourism with EU leaders (HRT)
There are 31 newly reported cases of coronavirus in Croatia today, in total 1,981 (N1)
Montenegro
Simovic: We must listen to what professionals say (CDM)
Montenegro to trial coronavirus treatment using blood plasma from recovered patients (CDM)
One more person tests positive for coronavirus (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Spasovski: Weekday curfew and weekend lockdown shortened as of Thursday (MIA)
Spasovski: New measures – path to stabilization and defining circumstances of life (MIA)
Thirty MPs sign SDSM initiative for parliament’s reconvening (MIA)
DUI hasn’t seen SDSM’s initiative, calls for consensus in decision-making (MIA)
Public administration in North Macedonia goes back to working full hours (Republika)
Today 29 recovered and 41 new Covid-19 positive cases in North Macedonia (Libertas)
Albania
Minister reveals plan for loosening pandemic measures (ADN)
Lajcak: Albania is playing an important role in the Western Balkan region (Radio Tirana)
Basha thanked EC for assistance to Albania (Radio Tirana)
Albanian lawmakers approve state of emergency extension (ADN)
Albania hits for second time highest number of daily new cases (ADN)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
Jews, Serbs and Roma join WWII concentration camp commemorations in Croatia (AP)
Coronavirus: Hungary-Serbia Re-open 3 Border Crossings for Commuters (Hungary Today)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, April 23
• Covid-19: 26 new cases confirmed, ten recoveries (media)
• President Thaci offers mandate to whoever can secure majority (media)
• Kurti: We will send President to Constitutional Court (media)
• Kurti to Thaci: We have not yet replied to request for proposing PM candidate (Telegrafi)
• Osmani: Thaci cannot speak on my behalf (media)
• Abazi: Thaci is using Mustafa to divide LDK (media)
• Haziri: Osmani’s post not undermined despite new circumstances (Telegrafi)
• Hasani: President trying to command political will in unconstitutional fashion (RFE)
• Haradinaj will ask his party to give one ministry to PSD (Indeksonline)
• Krasniqi: Kurti has no right to enter Assembly anymore (TV Dukagjini)
• Serbian List against new elections (RTK)
• EP rapporteur slams Thaci’s decision for new government (media)
• Lajcak thanks regional leaders for supporting dialogue (media)
Belgrade Media Report 22 April 2020
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Wednesday 22 April 2020
LOCAL PRESS
Drecun: If it were not for Belgrade, Serbs in Kosovo would not be able to survive (RTS)
Joksimovic: Important that we hear clear stand of EU and Lajcak on dialogue principles (Tanjug)
Office for Kosovo and Metohija: Belgrade is not blocking transport of goods (RTS/Tanjug)
Quint ambassadors commend government’s response to coronavirus (Tanjug)
Dacic: Powers owe us a report on the virus (Novosti)
Another 224 cases, 1,025 recovered patients (RTS)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
The Constitutional Court of B&H ruled that the ban on the movement of persons under the age of 18 and over the age of 65 violates citizens’ rights (N1)
B&H CoM fails to adopt decision to draw approved funds from IMF (BHT1)
Dodik: I do not understand why the postponement regarding IMF funds; Croats and Bosniaks now have different interpretations, but everything is clearly stated in Letter of Intent (Dnevni avaz)
Dodik: I agree with Radoncic on migrant crisis; Those who entered B&H illegally should be thrown out of B&H immediately (Dnevni avaz)
Dzaferovic and Plenkovic discuss epidemiologic situation and EU-Western Balkans Summit (FTV)
WHO’s Olsavszky: Generally speaking, RS has already achieved certain level of success through flattening curve of number of infected as recommended by WHO (RTRS)
RS Main Coordination Team recommends extending level of population testing (RTRS)
Citizens in quarantines in ZDC interrupt hunger strike (FTV)
First shipment of protective equipment arrives in Brcko from China (Nezavisne novine)
B&H sees 27 new cases, two more fatalities (N1)
Croatia
Another shipment of protective equipment arrives from China (Hina)
In Croatia, there are 1,950 coronavirus patients and a new hotspot has emerged (N1)
Montenegro
Montenegro has the lowest mortality rate of the countries in the region (Dan)
Institute for Public Health confirms one more coronavirus case in Budva (CDM)
Fajon interview: The EU keeps encouraging enlargement process (Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia
SDSM is reportedly trying to reconvene the parliament (Republika/360 Degrees)
No parliament, no elections: Macedonia is in legislative limbo (Republika)
President Pendarovski has phone call with EU’s Lajcak (MIA)
Interior Minister proposes that relaxed curfew also applies on weekends (TV Telma)
Spasovski: Measures not determined by any religious holidays or efforts of individuals (MIA/Slobodna TV)
In North Macedonia 48 patients recovered, 28 new cases of covid-19 confirmed, the total number of diagnosed cases 1259, 1 person died (Libertas)
Albania
Law Commission approves government’s decision to postpone state of emergency (Radio Tirana)
Rama: Albania to slowly ease restriction measures (ADN)
Kosovo gains energy independence (Radio Tirana)
President greets Kosovo’s deal for electricity independence (ADN)
EU donated 20 000 test kits for Albania (Radio Tirana)
In Albania 25 new Coronavirus cases reported, Ministry assures situation under control (ADN)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
Serbian envoy to Turkey grateful for aid to fight virus (Anadolu Agency)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, April 22, 2020
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, April 22, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Thaci: LVV has not proposed candidate for PM (Koha)
• EC proposes €3 billion aid package for the region, Kosovo to get 100 million (media)
• LDK, AAK leaders meet to discuss new government formation (media)
• Ahmeti: A functioning govt, broad consensus in time of pandemics (Indeksonline)
• Kosnett: Corruption made many young people go to Syria (RTK)
• 58 patients at Infectious Disease Clinic (RTK)
Serbian Language Media:
• One new case of Covid-19 infection in northern Kosovo, six persons healed (Kosovo-online)
• CoE Human Rights commissioner warns of state of human rights in Europe (N1)
• Office for KiM: Pandemic must not be reason to spread propaganda and lies (Kosovo-online)
• “No end in sight to instability in Kosovo, even the relationship among Albanians deteriorated” (RTS, B92, RTV Puls, KIM radio)
• Covic: Serbia to maintain active approach and not rush with solution for Kosovo (Prva TV, Kosovo-online)
• Reporters Without Borders: Serbia drops to 93rd, Kosovo moves up to 70th place (KoSSev)
Opinion:
• Danas: Kosovo equation with many unknowns
Humanitarian/Development:
• NGO calls on mayors to assist communities in distance learning courses (Telegrafi)
• Balkan Countries Start to Lift Some Coronavirus Restrictions (Balkan Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, April 22
• Kosovo: Six new cases of COVID-19 reported yesterday (media)
• Kurti: Kosovo faces three crises – health, economic, political (media)
• Waiting for President Thaci’s decision (Radio Free Europe)
• LDK to depend on PDK and Serbian List votes (Kallxo)
• Veseli says PDK will neither join LVV nor LDK in forming new govt (media)
• Muhaxheri: Mustafa sent letter to potential partners (media)
• Mustafa writes to Haradinaj about the new government (RTK)
• PDK names conditions for forming new government (Koha/Kallxo)
• Krasniqi: We will not vote Mustafa for Prime Minister (RTK)
• Kusari-Lila: New govt will depend on votes of Serbian List and PDK (Klan K.)
• “Mustafa isolated Osmani, she is now just an individual with votes in LDK” (media)
• Journalist association condemns publication of victims’ personal details (Telegrafi)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, April 21, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• 55 patients are being treated at the Infectious Disease Clinic, one in serious condition (Koha)
• Mustafa: We are waiting for President’s invitation to a meeting (Express)
• Abdixhiku says he’ll respect every decision of LDK Council (media)
• Albanian-American Civic League asks Trump to relieve Grenell (media)
• UNSC to hold a video conference on Kosovo on 24 April (Koha)
• Kosovo ranked five places higher at world press freedom index (media)
• LDK condemns Kurti’s ‘denigrating and insulting discourse’ (Koha)
Serbian Language Media:
• ”Reviewing of indictments against former KLA members underway” (Blic, Tanjug)
• Two new Covid-19 infection cases registered in north (Kosovo-online)
• Emergency teams from north refute Pristina’s allegations of 25 new coronavirus cases on Monday (KoSSev)
• UNS: Kosovo media to issue retraction over news that SOC is fighting COVID-19 by using “Russian methods” (KoSSev)
• Borell: EU has to explain its stabilizing role in Western Balkans (N1)
International:
• Kosovo Leaders Tussle Over Plan to Form New Govt (Balkan Insight)
• After the Pandemic: Perils and Promises for Western Balkans (Balkan Insight)
• Some Balkan States Waging ‘Crusade’ Against Media, Report Warns (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• COVID-19 and Domestic Abuse: When Home is not the Safest Place (Balkan Insight)
• Kon: State of emergency annulment before epidemic ends in Serbia (RTS, N1)
Belgrade Media Report 21 April
LOCAL PRESS
Dacic: UN SC on Kosovo and Metohija on 24 April (TV Happy/Tanjug/RTV)
Relaxation of coronavirus restrictive measures (Novosti/RTS/Tanjug)
Borell: EU has to explain its stabilizing role in Western Balkans (N1)
Dacic: Hypocrites lecturing us (Novosti)
Trifunovic: Vucic rushing to hold elections (Danas/Beta)
Kon: End of epidemic at tenth week, seventh week most dangerous (RTS)
Another 260 cases, 977 patients recovered (RTS)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Dodik: It depends on epidemiologic situation recorded over next 10 days whether measures in the RS will be more lenient or more rigorous; OHR is representative of colonial authority (RTRS)
HR Inzko: RS representatives first accepted to attend PIC SB but then changed their mind, RS depends on international aid (Dnevni list)
Viskovic: Measures will be relaxed if situation remains under control in RS (ATV)
FB&H: Situation with Coronavirus epidemic under control; Option of easing some measures being considered (FTV)
Around 70 residents of Bjelave quarantine begin hunger strike (BHT1)
Citizens quarantined in motels and hotels in Maglaj, Doboj Jug and Zenica go on hunger strike (FTV)
Residents of Mostar private quarantine complain about conditions (O kanal)
IMF Executive Board approves 330 million Euros loan to B&H (Dnevni avaz)
B&H records another 46 Covid-19 patients and two more fatalities (N1)
Croatia
Ivan Simonovic named UN General Assembly’s COVID-19 Coordinator (HRT)
HDZ regains lead in voter support according to latest poll (HRT)
In Croatia, another 27 cases of infection, a total of 1908, another person has died (HRT)
Montenegro
Government response to the Covid-19 outbreak (CDM)
Opening schools and kindergartens in Montenegro isn’t priority (CDM)
New coronavirus case detected in Montenegro, number of recovered patients increasing (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Entry and exit from Tetovo banned as of today (Republika)
Spasovski announces a gradual return to normal in early May (Republika)
Gov’t strengthening soft measures so it doesn’t have to introduce more restrictions (MIA)
Macedonia in chaos, disorder and incompetence backed by corruption (Republika/V Fokusu)
Anti-corruption watchdog warns the government that the state of emergency doesn’t excuse its corrupt actions (Republika)
In North Macedonia 24 recovered, 1 death and 7 new cases (Libertas)
Albania
The government wants to extend the state of emergency until 23 June (Radio Tirana)
The pandemic in Albania has been a mild one (Radio Tirana)
Italian Foreign Minister has welcomed Albania’s gesture to send to Italy 60 nurses to help fight COVID-19 (Radio Tirana)
Coronavirus cases in Albania jump to 609 as death toll stands at 26 (ADN)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
Western Balkans: EU funds to benefit people and support reforms (European Parliament)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, April 21
37 new cases of COVID-19 in Kosovo over the last 24-hour period (media)
Kurti speaks Covid-19 and new elections to int’l media reps (media)
Kosovan acting PM accuses Trump envoy of meddling (The Guardian)
Thaci: I’ll take final constitutional steps next week (media)
Grenell denies talk of land swaps between Kosovo and Serbia (media)
Serwer: A really bad deal (media)
Borell: EU to work to resolve differences between Kosovo and Serbia (media)
KOSTT joins European energy operators (media)
Kurti: Veliu was part of Thaci – Vucic plan for Kosovo partition (Express)
Mustafa doesn’t rule out PM candidacy (Klan Kosova)
Nagavci: Mustafa has set himself in Thaci’s service (RTK)
Shala: U.S. did not accept Kurti as head of delegation for dialogue (media)
Kurti: Covid-19 tests from Serbia should not be politicised (Telegrafi)
Osmani: No aid from Serbia can erase its committed crimes in Kosovo (RTK)
Krasniqi: Kurti enabled Vucic to try to atone genocidal crimes with tests (Klan)
EU MPs call for visa liberalisation for Kosovo as soon as possible (Express)
Belgrade Media Report 20 April 2020
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Monday 20 April 2020
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic announces opening: Stores starting Tuesday, cafes and restaurants in early May (TV Pink/B92)
Vulin: All Serbian soldiers on peacekeeping missions in good health (Beta)
SzS warns of alleged abuse of curfew passes (Beta)
Kon: Serbia to start mitigating measures after Easter (FoNet)
Tiodorovic: Serbia close to gaining full control of COVID-19 spread (TV Prva/Beta)
BETA: No questions for regular press conferences (Beta)
A total of 6,630 cases, 870 recovered (RTS)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
B&H CEC adopts initiative for changes to Election Law in order to postpone local elections due to current epidemiological situation (Hayat)
Dzaferovic: EU should have named Dodik as main obstructionist of EU integration (Dnevni avaz)
Dodik says state of emergency in RS will not be easily lifted; behavior of EU deceitful as they failed to timely unblock export of medical material and equipment (RTRS)
Dodik: All we have from EU and NATO is silent occupation for handful of dollars (EuroBlic)
Cvijanovic signs decision by which decree-law on ban on fake news spread was put out of force (BNTV)
Sarovic: It is time to think about the abolition of the state of emergency in the RS (BNTV)
EUD to B&H confirms one of their employees escaped from isolation unit in Sarajevo (FTV)
Ambassador Uebber: Political games need to be kept away from crisis management (Dnevni avaz)
Nitzan: It is now necessary to double and triple the fight against pandemic (Dnevni avaz)
B&H records 21 new cases, the country’s tally at 1,309 (N1)
Croatia
Capak: 10 counties asked for abolition of e-passes yesterday and all were approved (HRT)
Croatian and Slovenian Presidents exchange messages of support (HRT)
In Croatia 10 new cases of coronavirus infection confirmed, bringing the tally to 1881 (HRT)
Montenegro
Institute for Public Health of Montenegro confirms three more cases of coronavirus (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Citizens of Kumanovo, Tetovo and Prilep must wear protective masks and gloves as of Wednesday (MIA)
Curfew to be shortened, but it is not known if it will apply for weekends (Republika)
In North Macedonia 18 new cases of Covid-19, 21 patients recovered, 3 people died (Libertas)
Albania
Low-risk businesses will kick off operation after 20 April (Radio Tirana)
In Albania 584 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 26 victims (Tirana Times)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
EU’s New Serbia-Kosovo Envoy Dismisses Talk Of U.S. Rivalry (RFE/RL)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, April 18
• 53 patients with COVID-19 are being treated at hospital, two in serious condition (media)
• Kurti: I will only meet with the President to announce elections and for the pandemic (media)
• Thaci to Kurti: Nominate the prime minister-designate “without delay” (media)
• Kurti and Lajcak agree that dialogue should resume after pandemic (RTK)
• Lajcak: I will continue to cooperate closely with the U.S. (media)
• COVID-19 won’t stop Kosovo war crimes court from filing indictments (Express)
• Konjufca discusses support on visa liberalization with German FM Mass (media)
• Osmani joins campaign against domestic violence (RTK)