UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 26, 2021
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 26, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: Five dead, 445 new cases (media)
• Stricter implementation of measures to prevent increase in COVID cases (media)
• Lajcak to visit Kosovo on March 1 (media)
• Rugova: There are tendencies to impose a new LDK leader (media)
• Ineffective justice for attacks on journalists (Radio Free Europe)
• “Government to prepare strategy against Russia’s malign operations” (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: Serbia will continue to aid Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija (Kosovo-online)
• EU spokesman denies Lajcak bringing ultimatum to Belgrade (N1)
• Lajcak to visit Pristina and Belgrade next week (Radio KIM)
• Drecun: Lajcak pushed ZSO aside; story on non-paper appears who knows how many times (RTS)
• Selakovic says lack of EU’s reaction on “Great Albania” statements doesn’t help building trust (N1)
• One more protest held in Gracanica (RTV KIM)
• Zakharova: Agreement between Belgrade and Pristina shouldn’t be forced, rhetoric of Kosovo Albanians concerning (Kosovo-online)
• Petkovic replies to Osmani over map issue (Kosovo-online, social media)
Opinion:
• Kosovan abyss (KoSSev)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Serbia tightens anti-epidemic measures (N1)
• Half million doses of Chinese vaccines to be delivered to Serbia (B92)
Belgrade Media Report 26 February 2021
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Friday 26 February 2021
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic meets Kosovo Serbs in Kursumlija (Tanjug/RTV)
Drecun: Lajcak pushed to the side ZSO, story about a non-paper appearing for who knows how many times (RTS)
Serbia-Bulgaria gas interconnection important for whole region (RTS)
Dacic with Fabrizi on continuation of inter-party dialogue (Tanjug)
Bilcik: EP glad to help, as it did in 2019 upon Belgrade’s invitation (N1)
EU spokesman denies Lajcak bringing ultimatum to Belgrade (N1/Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
US Embassy: US continues to provide full support to Euro-Atlantic integration processes in B&H (Dnevni avaz)
Turkovic says that with Commission for NATO Cooperation we are in situation, with support of US Ambassador and the NATO General in B&H, to form functioning body (FTV)
RS opposition, ruling structures accuse each other regarding NATO path of B&H (N1)
B&H sends report on progress in realization of Program of Reforms to NATO HQ in Brussels (EuroBlic/AJB)
Dodik and candidate for HR Schmidt agree in phone conversation that responsibility for future of B&H lies on elected officials in authorities (RTRS)
Turkovic: Current situation is that on one hand we want OHR to leave and at the same time we demand DPA to be fully implemented, which is impossible (FTV)
Cubrilovic says he is not afraid of his possible removal but it would not solve problems imposed by High Representative (EuroBlic)
B&H CEC establishes results of Doboj, Srebrenica elections (Hayat)
Croatia
Bosnia and Croatia sign military cooperation plan for 2021 (Hina)
Boskovic: Croats want to elect their representative, do not want imposed ‘member’ of Croat people (Vecernji list)
Europe thinking about abolition of principle of constituent peoples in B&H; Croats to become minority? (Jutarnji list)
Montenegro
Djeljosaj and Tuzi residents block boulevard towards Podgorica (CdM)
Do secret data leak from Montenegro? (Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia
Mickoski: Mijalkov fled to Belgrade, but had to return after pressure was put on Zaev (Republika)
Mijalkov in the dock as the court will reach its verdict in the 2015 wiretapping scandal (Republika)
Izet Medziti also turns his back on Zaev and DUI (Republika)
Large-scale Albanian protests planned in Skopje over the Good Friday massacre sentences (Republika)
Albania
EP calls on EU to hold intergovernmental conference with North Macedonia and Albania (Radio Tirana)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 26, 2021
• COVID-19: 437 new cases, five deaths (media)
• Osmani reacts to Lajcak: Kosovo will always be independent, indivisible (media)
• Lajcak: It is an official EU map; line separating Kosovo from Serbia (media)
• EU tries to roll up Kosovo map flap (politico.eu)
• Lajcak to visit Kosovo on Tuesday, sources say (arbresh.info)
• Vjosa Osmani expects votes from LDK too to be elected president (media)
• Kosovo journalist Visar Duriqi physically assaulted (media)
• UNMIK chief calls for ensuring safe environment for journalists (media)
• Five years ago, Hashim Thaci was elected President of Kosovo (media)
• Kosovo’s Ambassador Ines Demiri arrives in Israel (media)
• Former KLA member Gani Koci summoned by Specialist Chambers (media)
Belgrade Media Report 25 February 2021
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Thursday 25 February 2021
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic: Wrong are those who think we will give up what is ours (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
Selakovc: EP Report inadmissible call for recognition of unilaterally declared independence of our province (RTS/Tanjug)
Selakovic: Belgrade fulfilled obligations under Brussels agreement, but Community of Serb Municipalities has not been established (Tanjug/RTV)
Dacic: I start talks with EP mediators, parties join in second half of March (RTS)
Blinken, EU Foreign Ministers discuss Kosovo dialogue policy (Beta)
Palmer and Lajcak bringing blackmail (Novosti)
Kosovo failed to enter Conference of European Constitutional Courts (Novosti)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
According to indictment Novalic prepared plan with aim to acquire illegal property gain from disputable procurement (O kanal/BHT1)
B&H CoM adopts Program of Reforms for NATO and decision on formation of Commission for Cooperation with NATO (O kanal)
Dodik: Cooperation with NATO acceptable, membership in NATO is not (ATV)
Sarovic: SNSD’s support to Program of Reforms for NATO is scandalous move and yet another shameful confirmation of SNSD leader Dodik’s true treacherous face (BN TV)
Borrell: I reject the idea that the EU is pretending that it wants Western Balkans among its ranks (Dnevni list)
Palmer: Although US is well acquainted with events in Balkans, it will not solve obligations of B&H officials (FTV/VoA)
Palmer’s statements spark reactions in RS (Glas Srpske/VoA)
Weber: Crucial for USA and Germany to join forces and define joint strategic policy towards B&H (Dnevni avaz)
Dodik says statements by Izetbegovic on Serb and Croat representatives being racists are unacceptable (RTRS)
Croatia
HDZ B&H welcomes establishing of Commission for Cooperation with NATO (Vecernji list)
Montenegro
Politics, SPC and espionage (Pobjeda)
Djukanovic issues decrees: Ambassadors recalled (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
What just happened!? (Republika)
Sela: Somebody more powerful than Zaev instructed Mijalkov to return (Republika)
Osmani flies directly from Paris to Sofia to meet Zaharieva (Republika/TV21)
Albania
DP and allies close deal on coalition (ADN)
Noto Exit Poll: The Opposition is Leading and Gaining Momentum (Tirana Times)
Borrell: EU will start the negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 25, 2021
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 25, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 437 new cases, five deaths (media)
• EU downplays Lajcak’s interview backdrop map with Kosovo as part of Serbia (Express)
• Montgomery: US committed to working with EU on Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (VoA, media)
• Kosovo journalist Visar Duriqi physically assaulted (media)
• Daka leaves the CEC meeting following LVV’s request for community votes (Koha)
• Hague Court extends detention for Kosovo war veteran leaders (Express)
• Emigrant votes are holding Kosovo’s electoral result ‘hostage’ (Euronews.al)
• LDK chairmanship to meet today at 16:30 (Express)
• Mustafa meets with Rhode, discuss latest developments in Kosovo (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• 95 new cases of Covid-19 registered in Serbian areas in Kosovo (KoSSev)
• One-month detention assigned to seven persons suspected of involvement in Laplje Selo fight (KoSSev)
• Gracanica: Students protest over decision to detain youngsters involved in Laplje Selo fight (Radio kontakt plus)
• Father Sava: It was not a lynch, but a fight of two politically opposed groups of young men (media, social media)
• Gracanica police station commander: Fight in Laplje Selo arranged in advance (KoSSev)
• Rasic: My son certainly didn’t know the fight was organized, school worked on Monday (KoSSev)
• Selakovic condemns EP call to five EU states to recognize Kosovo (B92)
• Vucic met SOC Patriarch, discussed Kosovo issue (B92)
International:
• Attack on Kosovo Investigative Journalist Condemned (Balkan Insight)
• Former intelligence chief indicted in ‘Gulenist’ case (Prishtina Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 25, 2021
COVID-19: 461 new cases, three deaths (media)
Agriculture agency officials suspected of bribery and theft detained (BIRN)
Hoti: Those responsible must receive maximal punishment (media)
“Police operation proves Kosovo deeply immersed in corruption” (media)
Serbian List silent over warning of Vetevendosje Movement (Radio Free Europe)
Parties to complaint to court over suspected vote manipulation (Koha)
“No one can be prosecuted for voting the party of another community” (media)
Rexhepi: We must vote for Osmani as Kosovo President (media)
In Kosovo, uncertain future for war crimes court nobody wanted (EuroNews)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 24, 2021
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 24, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 461 new cases, three deaths (media)
• Palmer: Kosovo-Serbia and Bosnia Herzegovina, two separate issues (VoA, media)
• European Parliament: Kosovo’s independence is irreversible (REL, media)
• Bajrami resigns from the Acting Finance Minister position (media)
• Haradinaj sees LVV movements as “powerless to face northern integration” (Koha)
• Head of Kosovo’s Agency for Agricultural Development arrested (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: Meeting with Kosovo Serb representatives on Friday; Concentrated pressure of the EU and the USA (media)
• Vucic on the fight in Laplje Selo: We have all the information; two groups of young men organized the fight (KoSSev)
• Belgrade-ordered beating or an organized fight between high school students? (KoSSev)
• Jevtic: Why is there silence about attacks on Serbian returnees? (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• MEPs: Rule of law and normalisation with Kosovo crucial for Serbia (N1)
• EP on Kosovo: No reform results, call for formation of A/CSM (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Andjelkovic: Albanians frontally attack Serbian List out of fear from Serbian unity in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
• Serbia & UAE to intensify defense ministries’ cooperation (N1)
Opinion:
• Kosovo must use this moment to reframe the narrative of the past (Kosovo 2.0)
International:
• MEPs call on Serbia to commit unambiguously to European values (europarl.europa.eu)
• Biden’s Early Move in Balkans Signals Interest in Europe (VoA)
Belgrade Media Report 24 February 2021
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Wednesday 24 February 2021
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic: I expect joint pressure from the EU and US for Serbia to recognize Kosovo (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
Selakovic: Necessary for UNMIK to continue activities in an undiminished scope and with an unchanged mandate (RTS)
MEPs: Rule of law and normalization with Kosovo crucial for Serbia (N1)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
SDA and HDZ B&H agree to form working groups in charge of FB&H-level issues primarily FB&H government formation, B&H Election Law and issues on EU path of B&H (O kanal)
Niksic: SDP B&H will not support any solution related to B&H Election Law that will introduce new segregation and new divisions (Nova BH)
International community wants to focus on election legislation reform in 2021 (Nezavisne)
Democratization Policy Council advocates ‘sandwich pressure’ strategy in B&H, in which citizens and IC would apply pressure on political elites (Dnevni list)
Dodik: Serbs were never more aware of their identity (RTRS/MIS TV)
FB&H HoP delegates Becirovic and Miletic submit proposal of amendments to B&H Criminal Code on banning genocide denial into urgent procedure (FTV)
Cubrilovic: HR’s ultimatum does not contribute to democratization and solving of some issues; Inzko is implementing conclusions of one political party (RTRS)
Eight FB&H parties address foreign embassies and seek urgent meetings on Srebrenica (Hayat)
Stromquist: Progress in area of rule of law is crucial for B&H (Fena)
Judge Blagojevic responds to Inzko: HR does not have mandate to impose laws (Glas Srpske)
Republic of North Macedonia
Mickoski calls on Zaev to resign after his latest rule of law disaster (Republika)
Zaev disappointed in LDP for leaving his group in parliament, but claims that the government will survive (Republika)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 24, 2021
• COVID-19: 285 new cases, five deaths (media)
• Kurti: We don’t avoid talks with Serbia, but first justice and employment (VOA)
• Konjufca: We’ll form government without being dependent on SL (media)
• VV says diaspora votes with expired documents should not be annulled (media)
• Pacolli: I will vote in favor of Osmani for President (media)
• Berisha: Dialogue with Serbia is in Kosovo’s national interest (Koha)
• LDK’s Rugova: Resigned chairmanship trying to impose new leader (media)
• Ahmeti: VV to form coalition with PDK or LDK for greater stability (media)
• Adrijana Hodzic denies deal with Srpska Lista (BIRN)
• “Those assumed to be obstructing justice in Kosovo must be identified” (RFE)
• Serbian church elects patriarch deemed close to president (BIRN)
• TV debate discusses multilingualism and Balkanistics program (Kanal 10)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 23, 2021
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 23, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 368 new cases, four deaths (media)
• EP criticizes Kosovo for not fighting corruption, expresses concern over closure of Task Force (Koha)
• Hoti on assault on Rasic’s son: Violence is unacceptable (media)
• Prosecutor’s office begins investigations about attack on Rasic’s son (media)
• Rasic: Attack on my son was an attempted murder (Prishtina Insight)
• Abbott: Some politicians have incited hatred and fear within communities (Koha)
• Kurti asks privatisation agency not to open new waves of privatisation (media)
• EP Foreign Affairs Committee to vote Kosovo report (Express)
• Suspicions of vote manipulation by Serbia, dozens of NGOs demand reaction of local and international institutions (Kallxo)
Serbian Language Media:
• 78 new cases of Covid-19 registered in Serbian areas in Kosovo (KoSSev)
• 14 newly infected in Gracanica (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian List and Office for KiM: Fight has nothing to do with politics (Radio KIM)
• Suspects for beating Nikola Rasic assigned detention (Radio KIM)
• Nenad Rasic believes that the attack on his son has a political background (N1)
• Rakic: Son of Nenad Rasic injured in “a private conflict” between young men (N1)
• Parents of detained young men: The fight was caused by Nikola Rasic (KiM radio)
• Sava Janjic: Dialogue with Serbs must go through Belgrade (Kosovo-online)
International:
• The world faces a pandemic of human rights abuses in the wake of Covid-19 (The Guardian)
• Small hydropower plant owner sues activist Shpresa Loshaj in Kosovo* for defamation (balkangreenenergynews.com)
• In Hostile Serbian Parliament, MP Fights for Rights of ‘Enemy’ Albanians (Balkan Insight)
• U.S. Development Bank Says It’s Committed To Balkans Amid Talk Of Serbian Office Closure (RFE)
• North Macedonia Murder Retrial Convicts Ethnic Albanians of Terrorism (Balkan Insight)
Belgrade Media Report 23 February 2021
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Tuesday 23 February 2021
LOCAL PRESS
Brnabic: Quality of life in Kosovo and Metohija depends on dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina (TV Happy/Tanjug/RTV)
Petkovic: Kurti abused attack on Nenad Rasic’s son for political purposes (RTS)
Brnabic attends dialogue with National Convent on EU (Tanjug/FoNet)
Faktor Plus: SNS, SPS would pass five-percent threshold (Tanjug/Blic)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Grujicic wins elections in Srebrenica, says that results almost similar to results from November are evidence that decision of B&H CEC to repeat elections was illegal (Nova BH)
Bosniaks announce they will not accept mandates they won in repeated elections in Srebrenica (Nova BH)
Jerinic and SNSD win elections in Doboj; Opposition claims that result of elections is evidence of frauds in November elections (RTRS)
SNSD: Someone needs to be held responsible for expenses and damages caused to Doboj and Srebrenica by annulment of elections (ATV)
Komsic: System of status of constituent peoples is outdated (Oslobodjenje/Fena)
Sattler: Current extent of presence of international community in B&H not compatible with EU integration (N1)
Cvijanovic, Viskovic meet Sattler to discuss political and economic situation (ATV)
Croatia
Croatian FM for keeping some space open for dialogue between EU and Russia (Hina)
Grlic Radman: It is important for EU and the US to continue working together on challenges that include Euro-Atlantic integration of Western Balkans (Hina)
Montenegro
Saving PM’s credibility (CdM)
Picula: Public administration reform should be based on expertise and without political revenge (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Arrest warrant issued for Saso Mijalkov, as the police are unable to locate him (Republika/Alsat-M TV)
Zaev: We’ve had another escape (Republika)
Pendarovski called on authorities to find Mijalkov (Republika)
Zaev’s key coalition partner Kasami turns on him – puts pressure on the Interior Minister, won’t help SDSM during the municipal elections (Republika)
State Department: Closely monitoring Mijalkov situation (Republika)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 23, 2021
• COVID-19: 260 new cases, three deaths (media)
• Kosovo hospitals take in fearful Albanian COVID-19 patients (BIRN)
• Nenad Rasic’s son beaten in Gracanica (media)
• Dialogue with Serbia – Kosovo’s key issue in foreign policy (Koha)
• Kosnett: Kurti and Osmani have vision and energy (media)
• Kosovo Serbs accused of fixing Bosniak, Roma election results (BIRN)
• Communities warn: We may refuse the reserved seats (Kallxo)
• Kryeziu: Votes for Hodzic delegitimise guaranteed seats for Bosniaks (Koha)
• Civil society calls for investigations into the Bosniak votes (media)
• Kosovo’s oldest party needs reality check after election rout (BIRN)
• Osmani meets UNDP Coordinator in Kosovo (media)
• Car of Vetevendosje MP caught fire (media)
• Von Cramon: Government officials and state-owned media in Serbia distributing disinformation and propaganda (media)
LINKS
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From Google News- Distria Krasniqi claimed seventh European title for Kosovo - Judoinside 25/04/2024Distria Krasniqi claimed seventh European title for Kosovo Judoinside
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- Readout of Ambassador Robert Wood's Meeting with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu - United States Mission to the United Nations 25/04/2024Readout of Ambassador Robert Wood's Meeting with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu United States Mission to the United Nations
- Distria Krasniqi claimed seventh European title for Kosovo - Judoinside 25/04/2024
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