UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 25, 2021
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 25, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 11 new cases, one death (media)
• Kosovo to receive additional vaccines from EU states (RFE)
• Kurti hails Kosovo’s participation in U.S.-led military exercise (media)
• Haradinaj calls for greater U.S. involvement in Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (media)
• Hoxhaj asks Kurti: What will be your next present to Serbia? (media)
• Foreign Minister Gervalla reports to Assembly’s foreign affairs committee (media)
• Hajdari: We want to exhaust regional tools to resolve problems with Serbia (KP/Koha)
• Serbian authorities release Kosovo man, arrested months ago (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Covid-19 in Serbian communities: Two new cases, one death (Kontakt plus radio)
• Vucic does not expect NATO would ever apologize for bombing of FRY (N1)
• The mayor of Kamenica confirms the desecration of St. Petka: Such vandalism is unacceptable (KoSSev, Gracanicaonline)
• Office for KiM: Twelfth Orthodox church desecrated since beginning of year (Kosovo-online)
• Protest in Stanisor over trucks (Kontakt plus radio, RTK2)
• Petkovic visits Church of Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Istok (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Kurti’s approach to church property is not new, but public (Danas)
Opinion:
• How to Improve the Process of Integrating the Western Balkans into the European Union (The National Interest)
International:
• Albanians Question Benefit of US Ban on Berisha (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Stop sexual harassment and abuse in Kosovo’s schools (Kosovo 2.0)
• Efforts to strengthen the WHO (B92, AP)
Belgrade Media Report 25 May 2021
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Tuesday 25 May 2021
LOCAL PRESS
Djuric reiterates that Biden administration will respect Washington agreement (TV Pink/Beta/Politika)
Selakovic: Serbia dedicated to development of overall relations with African countries (Tanjug/RTS)
Linde: Serbia making headway in reforms, quality needs work (Beta)
Mali: Financial assistance available to Kosovo Serbs as of 24 May (Beta)
Patriarch Porfirije: Assembly shows unity (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Krivokapic visits B&H (O kanal)
Krivokapic comments on Resolution on Srebrenica: Worst thing that is happening in this area is that these victims are being used for political purposes (O kanal)
Kalabukhov: Insisting on OHR remaining operational is paradox; NATO membership does not guarantee stability (Glas Srpske)
EU leaders are discussing harmonization of EU and US policies, this will have consequences for B&H (Nezavisne)
Komsic answers Covic: B&H will be civic state sooner or later (Oslobodjenje)
Dodik tells Palmer to free this region of his presence (Oslobodjenje)
Croatia
Plenkovic and Michel: Forced landing of plane unacceptable (Hina)
Republic of North Macedonia
Joint Macedonian – Bulgarian celebrations of the day of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in several European cities (Republika)
Radev insists that Macedonia’s path to the EU goes through Sofia (Republika)
Zaev calls on Bulgaria to recognize the Macedonian identity and language (Republika)
Iotova says that Bulgaria is looking into ways the historic dispute will be made part of Macedonia’s EU accession talks (Republika)
Putin: We congratulate our fraternal Macedonian people on the day of Ss. Cyril and Methodius (Republika)
Albania
Albania, a major breakthrough in diplomacy/ It is expected to be elected a member of the UN Security Council (Radio Tirana)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
Picula: Softening of rhetoric necessary in Montenegro, Government should preserve country’s core values (European Western Balkans)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, 25 May, 2021
• COVID-19: 14 new cases, one death (media)
• New measures against COVID-19 to be discussed Wednesday (media)
• Croatia confirms donation of 10,000 COVID-19 vaccines to Kosovo (media)
• Gjilan receives 133 food and hygiene packages from UNMIK (media)
• Travel to the region to be made possible through one visa (Koha)
• PM Kurti meets Presevo Valley representatives (media)
• Ministry corrects social media post following backlash (media)
• Conflicting reports about damage to Orthodox church in Shipashnica (Klan/Kallxo)
• Petkovic begins visit to Kosovo after permission from Foreign Ministry (media)
• Gjilan, Kamenica, Vitia sign MoU to support shelter for domestic violence victims (media)
Belgrade Media Report 24 May
LOCAL PRESS
Brnabic: Kurti’s letter to UNESCO culmination of hypocrisy and cynicism (RTS)
Serbian Ambassador in UNESCO: Serbian assets in Kosovo and Metohija endangered (RTS)
Petkovic: At issue is a hypocritical way of acting and deception of international community (RTS)
Belgrade sees Beijing as one of the main allies in fight for Kosovo (Beta)
Godfrey says solutions for Western Balkans must come from Western Balkans (Politika)
Mexico respects Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and acts in those positions as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (Tanjug)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Inzko sends letter to Brnabic and Viskovic expressing opposition to planned construction of ‘Buk Bijela’ Hydropower Plant (Glas Srpske)
Cvijanovic: If political representatives of Bosniak people were interested in B&H’s future, they would do something to secure it (ATV)
SDA Presidency calls on international community to impose sanctions against Dodik (Hayat)
‘Immediate Response 21’; Nelson: US is proud of B&H’s progress and remains committed to being strong partner on its Euro-Atlantic path (O kanal)
Komsic reveals that Dodik requested to meet US Army general in charge of NATO exercise in B&H alone (Face TV)
Conference ‘Integrity of Electoral Process in B&H’ held in Sarajevo (N1)
Komsic claims that Sattler and other foreign officials adopted wrong approach by holding talks on changes of Law on Elections solely between two political leaders (Face TV)
It is clear there will be no changes to Law on Elections, wonders if 2022 elections will be held at all (Dnevni list)
DNS and SNS sign agreement on joint participation in 2022 General Election (BN TV)
Reactions to Israel-Palestine Conflict (Hayat/N1/Oslobodjenje)
SDP: Grlic Radman’s visit to Stolac was full of diplomatic scandals, Croatian officials should issue apology to B&H citizens (Nova BH)
Croatia
Croatia marks 29 Years of UN Membership (Hina)
Montenegro
Abazovic on prosecutorial laws: Djukanovic not ready for justice, he is unnecessarily delaying his work (CdM)
Lajcak: Western Balkans is geostrategic priority for EU but accession is merit-based process (MINA)
Republic of North Macedonia
Zaev: I am not afraid of Greater Albania, we are a NATO member, but I can’t say “no” with certainty (MIA/Kurir)
Mickoski: Albanian parties will receive VMRO-DPMNE support in the local elections only if they respect the Macedonians (Republika/Fokus)
Albania
EU foreign ministers in Tirana, meeting with Xhacka: June is the right time to start negotiations with Albania! (Radio Tirana)
Soreca: Albania closer than ever to opening negotiations with the EU (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 24, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 14 new cases, one death (media)
• Kurti and Abdixhiku to meet on Wednesday (media)
• Minister Haxhiu received today the Italian Ambassador, Nicola Orlando (RTK)
• Kurz to meet Lajcak today to discuss Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (Insajderi)
• Kosovo marks the President’s Day (media)
• Minister Gervalla to report to the Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday (media)
• Haxhiu suspects COVID-19 death numbers are being manipulated (RTK)
Serbian Language Media:
• Serbian top officials react to Pristina UNESCO letter (media
• Serbian Orthodox Church Council, Kosovo one of the topics (KiM radio, Tanjug)
• Bishop Teodosije: Inflammatory rhetoric of Kosovo leaders directly raises ethnic and religious tensions (KoSSev)
• Visoki Decani Monastery on Pristina officials UNESCO letter (KoSSev)
• Minister Aliu: I oppose Decani-Plav bypass, it is a dangerous precedent (KoSSev)
• Davenport in Visoki Decani: OSCE to support SOC to preserve its cultural and religious heritage (KoSSev)
• Samardzic: Institutions failed in respecting the Law on Languages (KiM radio, Slobodno Srpski)
• Petkovic in two-day stay in Kosovo (Radio KIM)
• Why five EU members will not recognize Kosovo (Sputnik, B92)
• Godfrey: The United States still want everything agreed in Washington to be implemented (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
• Belgrade sees Beijing as one of main allies in fight for Kosovo (N1)
• Organized crime a major security threat in the Western Balkans (Kosovo Online, Tanjug)
• Zaev: Although we are a member of NATO, I cannot say that I am not afraid of Greater Albania (KoSSev, Kurir)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Joint exhibition of young Serbs and Albanians in Pristina (Kosovo-online)
• Foreigners vaccinated in Serbia will get green digital certificate (N1)
• Kon: Serious easing of pandemic measures in Serbia in mid-July (N1)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, 24 May, 2021
• COVID-19: 31 new cases, no deaths (media)
• Kosovo to receive another 3,500 anti-COVID 19 vaccines on Monday (media)
• Borrell supports visa liberalisation for Kosovo (media)
• Kosovo PM revives plan to sue Serbia for genocide (BIRN)
• Kosovo’s top leaders write to UNESCO (media)
• Kurti: We’re committed to protecting cultural heritage in our country (media)
• Osmani: Serbia destabilising the region by joint exercise with Russia (media)
• Kosovo with footnote in regional agreement for free movement (Koha)
• Government keeps secret international experts for dialogue with Serbia (Koha)
• Protest against sexual violence against women and girls in Peja today (media)
• Kosovo prosecution sues power plant’s Austrian manager for damages (BIRN)
UNMIK Media Report 21 May 2021
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 21, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 58 new cases, two deaths (media)
• Over 55,000 persons vaccinated so far in Kosovo (media)
• Kurti on ambassadors’ dismissals: Step towards foreign service reform (media)
• PDK’s Hoxhaj will not attend meeting called by Kurti (media)
• LDK’s Abdixhiku accepts Kurti’s meeting invitation (media)
• DPM Bislimi lists government’s plans for EU integration process (Klan)
• Government approves initiative enabling regional free movement (media)
• Agreement on KSF deployment to the north can be renegotiated, experts say (Telegrafi)
Serbian Language Media:
• RFE: There are no vaccines for Serb communities in Kosovo (RTK2, Kontakt plus radio)
• Jacimovic’s house in Vitina stoned again, again minors are suspects (KoSSev)
• Kosovo Government silent on Quinta request to implement court decision on Visoki Decani Monastery (Kosovo-online)
• Blakaj: The issue of the missing is humanitarian, not political (RTK2)
• Serbia donates 100.000 Pfizer vaccines to Czech Republic (N1)
• Vucic: Many problems and pressure on Serbia regarding Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
• Memorial tournament “Dimitrije Popovic” on June 1, in Gracanica (Radio KIM)
Opinion:
• A feminist revolt against sexual violence (Prishtina Insight)
International:
• Covid still a threat to Europe – travel should be avoided, says WHO (The Guardian)
• Deeply Divided Montenegro Marks 15 Years of Independence (Balkan Insight)
Belgrade Media Report 21 May 2021
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Friday 21 May 2021
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic: We will have a lot of problems regarding Kosovo. I’m afraid it will start these days (Tanjug/Beta/RTS/B92)
Artifacts from Kosovo and Metohija part of cultural and historical heritage of Serbia (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
Selakovic: Serbia committed to respecting ideas of multilateralism, cooperation (Tanjug/RTV)
Serbian Ambassador to Poland revoked (B92)
Dacic: Not realistic for KFOR Mission to end by UN decision (TV Happy/Beta)
Opposition: Let us unite ahead of 5 October (Beta)
Gas interconnector Serbia-Bulgaria for greater energy security (Tanjug)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
International community will not change its stances and priorities for B&H, new HR Schmidt probably to be appointed in June (Nezavisne)
Nelson visits Banja Luka: B&H needs reforms (RTRS)
SDA: International experts must be involved in negotiations about Law on Elections (Dnevni list)
‘Immediate Response 21’ continues; Komsic to attend part of exercise on Saturday, Dodik’s cabinet informs that Dodik will not attend it (N1/Oslobodjenje)
Podzic: ‘Immediate Response’ exercise proves that B&H is constructive member of Euro-Atlantic community (Nezavisne)
Sattler: Recovery must be based on truth and justice, work of Srebrenica Memorial Center is crucial for this process (Nezavisne)
Croatia
Time is running out, three people must reach agreement (Vecernji list)
Milanovic says Bulgaria is setting unrealistic conditions for N. Macedonia (HRT)
Montenegro
Djukanovic: Montenegrin state foundation reliable, it is to withstand temptation it is going through now (RTCG)
Why Djukanovic returned Law on State Prosecutor’s Office to parliament (CdM)
Krivokapic: No revanchism, Montenegro has no future with Djukanovic (Gov. Press service)
Fejzic calls on MPs to vote for Resolution on Srebrenica Genocide (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
North Macedonia’s PM: EU leaves room for Russia & China by blocking Balkans (MIA)
EU’s proposal for resolving Bulgaria’s veto on North Macedonia (MIA)
Zaharieva on Silva and Varhely’s visit: Proposal does not meet Bulgaria’s framework position (Republika)
Osmani-Angelov: Bulgaria remains open to pragmatic dialogue with Macedonia (Republika)
Zaev-Silvestri: Italy expresses strong support for Macedonia’s EU perspectives (Republika)
Osmani considers June as optimal chance for Bulgaria to remove veto on start of EU talks (Republika)
Albania
Berisha intends to sue Blinken for defamation (Tirana Times)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 21, 2021
• COVID-19: 55 new cases, two deaths (media)
• Kurti invites opposition leaders to a meeting next week (media)
• Government ignores moratorium on application in international organisations (Koha)
• Historians urge Quint not to seek implementation of court ruling (media)
• PDK: Decision to dismiss politically appointed ambassadors ‘scandalous’ (media)
• €1 million frozen, suspicion on money laundering and terror financing (media)
• Kosovo and Serbia host US and Russian-led military exercises (Exit News)
• Former minister sentenced to two years in prison for sexual assault (Koha)
Belgrade Media Report 20 May
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic: Kurti is not in a position to force anything on me (B92/Tanjug/RTS/Politika)
Selakovic: Government to discuss dismissal of Ambassador Zurovac today (TV Kurir)
Belgrade summons its Warsaw envoy for supporting Polish LGBT community (Blic/Politika/N1)
Lutovac: Vucic deceives Serbian citizens once again (Beta)
Zeman: I advised Vucic not to yield to pressure (Tanjug)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Tegeltija holds meeting with EU officials; Tegeltija expects B&H to get status of EU candidate country soon (RTRS)
Everyone hinders reforms, yet they always blame others (EuroBlic)
Inter-Agency Working Group for Electoral Reform fails to adopt RoP (FTV)
B&H officials, analysts believe B&H should not rush with recognizing of Kosovo, they are pessimistic that internal consensus on this issue is possible (Oslobodjenje)
Sattler, Ambassadors of Austria, Slovenia, Netherlands and Germany open Archive of Srebrenica-Potocari Memorial Center (Hayat)
Croatia
Local elections main topic in Croatian parliament (Hina)
Milanovic comments on outcome of local elections, sources of parties’ funding (Hina)
Inzko: Instead of ‘Greater’ Serbia, B&H and Croatia, organize things like in Tyrol (Vecernji list)
Montenegro
Djukanovic: I did not talk to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (CdM)
Djukanovic won’t sign prosecutorial laws (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Bulgaria formally protests move by Milanovic to side with Macedonia in the historic dispute (Republika)
Albania
Kim: Position on Meta is the official Washington one (Tirana Times)
Soreca about elections and accusations of electoral crimes (Radio Tirana)
Sali Berisha and family blacklisted by US State Department (Tirana Times)
DP’s Chair seeks transparency on documents related to Berisha’s US ban (ADN)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 20, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 55 new cases, two deaths (media)
• Kurti: Agreement to pass KSF mission in the North to KFOR, harmful (RTK)
• Gervalla: Ambassadors’ withdrawals, a step towards reform (Media)
• Lekaj: AAK will not be part of the dialogue (Reporteri)
• Simultaneous training – American soldiers in Kosovo, Russian ones in Serbia (Koha)
• Finance Minister: We identified suspicious transfers (media)
• Kurti: Kosovo and Montenegro are united by Euro-Atlantic orientation (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Four more case of Covid-19 registered in Serbian areas (Radio KIM)
• Antonijevic: More than 13,000 people from Kosovo Serb areas have been revaccinated (KoSSev)
• Varhelyi: The common market will accelerate the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU (RTS)
• Russia approves Torlak vaccine (media)
• Diocese of Raska-Prizren, Quint, and EU remind: Five years later, decision to return 24ha of land to V. Decani has yet to be implemented (KoSSev)
• Association “Ali Hadri” threatens with radical actions against return of land to Decani Monastery (Kosovo-online)
• New members of the CEC elected, including Gordana Laban Zuvic (Kontakt plus radio, KiM radio)
• The will of politicians affects the economy (KiM radio)
• Ministry of Culture: Pristina’s request yet another ‘misuse of culture’ (RTS)
International:
• Mass Sacking of Kosovo Ambassadors Condemned by Opposition (Balkan Insight)
• Castaldo: Western Balkans, the beating heart of the EU (balcanicaucaso.org)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Knowledge of the language connects people (RTK2)
• Kosovo Museum to Preserve Childhood Memories of Wartime (Balkan Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 20, 2021
• COVID-19: 62 new cases, eight deaths (media)
• PM Kurti comments on his recent Brussels trip (media)
• Quint calls on Government to uphold 2016 Constitutional Court ruling (media)
• FM Gervalla proposes dismissal of all politically appointed ambassadors (media)
• Kosovo requests Serbia to return museum artifacts (media)
• Vucic: I am ready to meet Kurti (RTK)
• The undoing of agreements with Serbia seen as mission impossible (Koha)
• Osmani received Director for Europe at UK’s Foreign Ministry (media)
• Di Maio: Leaving Western Balkans out of EU, a political myopia (media)
• Status conference held in Thaci et al. case at KSC (media)
• Serwer: Thaci and others are innocent for now (RTK/Kosovo Online)
• Kandic reacts to the Czech president’s apology to Serbia (media)
• Eight new members of CEC sworn in (media)
• Sex Assault Reports Spark Chain Reaction in Kosovo, Albania (BIRN)
• US sanctions former Albania leader Berisha over corruption (AP)
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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