UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 20, 2021
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 20, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 6 deaths, 48 new cases (media)
• License plates’ reciprocity, Svecla provides details on increase of police forces (RTK)
• Citizens block the roads to Brnjak and Jarinje (media)
• Kurti on action in the North: Serbia agreed to this as well (Ekonomia Online)
• MIA: Do not use Brnjak and Jarinje border points (Koha)
• The road to the Jarinje and Brnjak border points, continues to be blocked (Kallxo)
• EU: Kosovo and Serbia to immediately reduce tensions (RTK/Klan)
• KFOR: The situation in the North is stable (media)
• Serbian media: Vucic to gather National Security Council following Kosovo decision on license plates (Express)
• LDK’s Gashi: PM Kurti putting on a ‘show’ with license plates (Kallxo)
• PDK and LVV clash over Kurti’s role in the KLA (Telegrafi)
• Kurti to undertake U.S. visit in November (Kosovapress/Klan)
• Albanian Assembly Speaker Nikolla to visit Kosovo (Koha)
Serbian Language Media:
• 38 new cases of Covid-19 registered in Serbian areas on Saturday (Radio kontakt plus)
• Stano: Lower tensions immediately, sides to refrain from unilateral actions (Kosovo Online, Tanjug)
• KFOR on events in northern Kosovo: Security situation stable (Kosovo-online)
• Vucic convened an emergency session of the Security Council (B92, Vecernje Novosti)
• ROSU at Jarinje and Brnjak, confiscation of vehicle plates commenced, Rakic urges Vucic to react (RTS)
• Simic called for the restraint of the citizens (B92, TV Prva, Tanjug)
• Issuance of trial RKS vehicle plates has started (KiM radio)
• Replacement of Serbian registration plates started in Gorazdevac (Radio KIM)
• Andric: 9,500 vehicles with Serbian license plates captured in Kosovo (Beta, Danas)
• Stefanovic: ”Explain to Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija how you ‘defend’ them ” (Kosovo Online)
• Rada Trajkovic accuses Vucic of misinforming Serbs (Kosovo online)
• Petkovic: Pristina to start issuing temporary license plates for cars with Serb plates as of Monday (KoSSev)
• Milivojevic: By introducing reciprocity, Kurti practically abolishes dialogue (Kosovo-online)
• Lajcak on two-day visit to Belgrade (Radio KIM)
• Lajcak canceled a meeting with civil society in Belgrade (Kosovo Online, Danas)
• Petkovic: Either Brussels agreement will be respected or it shall not exist (Radio KIM)
• Vucic, Erdogan: Friendship with Turkey is guarantee of peace in region (N1)
Opinion:
• Janjic: Vehicle plates are just the beginning of Kurti’s measures of reciprocity, Lajcak does not understand, and that leads to war (Kosovo Online)
International:
• Tempers Flare At Serbia-Kosovo Border As Pristina Presses ‘Reciprocal’ Move Over License Plates (RFE)
• Kosovo deploys police, Serbs protest amid border tension (AP)
• Kosovo Deploys Police as Serbs Protest in Licence Plate Dispute (Balkan Insight)
• Tensions as Kosovo begins removing Serbian licence plates at border (Euronews)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 20
• COVID-19: 10 deaths, 173 new cases (media)
• Government: 35% of adult population is fully vaccinated in Kosovo (media)
• Movement of vehicles with KS license plates to be banned as of today (media)
• Kurti: If we were to sign a final agreement, Serbia would have to change its constitution (euronews.al)
• President Vjosa Osmani insists on concluding dialogue with mutual recognition (euronews.al)
• U.S. Embassy: Discussions with Kosovo government on gas pipeline ongoing (media)
• Serbs consider a possible plan on the north of Kosovo to constitute a threat (Koha)
• President Osmani travelled for official visit to United States (media)
• Rama Links Kosovo’s Membership in ‘Open Balkan’ to Its ‘Dedication to Peace’ (Exit News)
• ‘Relations with Albania Are Cooling,’ Warns Kosovo President (Exit News)
• Albanian PM Rama accepts invitation of Kurti to visit Kosovo (Express)
• Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani: Principled, yet willing to take risks (DW)
• A group of Afghan citizens leave Kosovo for United States (media)
• U.S. Seeks Acceleration Of EU-Balkan Integration, Senior Official Says (RFE)
Belgrade Media Report 17 September
LOCAL PRESS
Petkovic: Pristina’s threats of conquering the north of Kosovo and Metohija are in vain, Belgrade will not allow that (RTS)
Rakic and Simic with Lajcak on the problems of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija (RTS)
Vulin: No one minds seeing Albanian flags (Pink TV)
Vulin: Croatia’s and Montenegro’s presidents always blame Serbs (Beta)
Opposition representative: Single opposition presidential candidate only realistic solution (Blic)
Dveri: Passive boycott not an option (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Izetbegovic: Serbian politicians should be given time to blow off some steam; Croats have their own frustration (N1)
Dodik: Money for salaries of all Serbs employed in joint institutions is prepared; If we agree with others in RS, we will go to session of B&H HoR on Monday; PIC should solve issue of Inzko’s law (RTRS)
Rancic: Dodik has no legal grounds to pay salaries to Serbs employed in B&H institutions (Dnevni avaz)
Russian Ambassador Kalabukhov says Schmidt does not have legitimacy as High Representative, Inzko’s decision on prohibition of genocide denial was wrong (Nezavisne)
Radoncic: Schmidt is proving to be very sovereign personality, who is very well familiar with situation in B&H; I expect from him to act in this manner as well (Dnevni avaz)
RS is considering possibility of holding election for RSNA and RS President if 2022 General Election is not held (Nezavisne)
EU is aware of importance of electoral changes, next three months are crucial for political stability of B&H (Vecernji list)
Croatia
Croatian President expresses support to modern, civic and open Montenegro (Hina)
Djukanovic: Our Govt. servile to Belgrade; Milanovic: I see Montenegro in the West, we have been fighting against Serbian nationalism for decades (HRT)
Croatian President: I doubt Serbia sincerely wishes to join EU (Hina)
Montenegro
Djukanovic: Greater Serbia nationalism is attacking Montenegro, Serbia and SPC used the Govt (RTCG)
The request to register the Cetinje Monastery in the MCP was rejected (RTCG)
Krivokapic: I will consider all initiatives for improving work of Govt. backed by at least 41 MPs (CDM)
North Macedonia
Kosovo and North Macedonia sign 11 cooperation agreements (Libertas)
Albania
Peleshi reveals details from the visit to be paid in the USA with PM Rama (Radio Tirana)
U.S. Ambassador: Berisha designation on corruption was the result of a very long and thorough process (Tirana Times)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 17, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 19 deaths, 279 new cases (media)
• Kosovo making preparations to issue COVID-19 digital passports (RFE/media)
• Kurti: Reciprocity towards Serbia is not an act of revenge (media)
• “Kurti to not debate Washington deal but insist U.S. appoints dialogue envoy” (Euronews Albania/media)
• Rizvanolli: No decisions on gas pipeline without cost information (Koha)
Serbian Language Media:
• EU envoy Lajcak due in Belgrade on Monday (N1)
• Lajcak met Serbian List’s representatives (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Two more people infected with Covid-19 in Gracanica (KiM radio)
• Resignation after insulting president and prime minister (KiM radio)
• Drecun: Lajcak attempts to give a dynamic to a died down dialogue (RTV Puls, Tanjug)
• Petkovic to Pristina: Plans to conquer North doomed (KoSSev)
International:
• Kosovo Minister Blames Falsified COVID-19 Tests on Wrongly Licensed Labs (Balkan Insight)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 17
• COVID-19: 14 deaths, 368 new cases (media)
• Lajcak expects opposition parties in Kosovo to support the dialogue (media)
• Konjufca: There is only one Kosovo archive and is among world’s most transparent ones (Klan)
• PDK’s Krasniqi: KLA had no archives, it’s world-known fact (media)
• Kosovo not blocking Serbian vehicles’ entry despite agreement expiry (BIRN)
• Human remains recovered at the Kizevak mass gravesite to return to Kosovo (Klan)
• EU deploys 22 long-term election observers to Kosovo (EO/Koha)
• Basha: It is Albania’s duty to support Kosovo (media)
• Death of woman whose family says died after vaccination being investigated (media)
• Two government officials arrested on bribery charges (media)
• Kosovo Urged to Give Syria Returnees More Financial Help (BIRN)
Belgrade Media Report 16 September
LOCAL PRESS
Petkovic: Pristina wants to go back ten years and bury the dialogue (RTS)
Serbian Unity Day; Vucic: We will never apologize for the Serbian tricolor again (B92)
Dacic: You can’t bring genocide charges against a nearly exterminated nation (Pink TV)
Tadic: Merkel, Germany know about Vucic undermining democracy, turn blind eye on Kosovo (Beta)
EU to Belgrade: Union will do everything to help Serbia’s inter-party dialogue (FoNet)
Djukanovic has a new plan to neutralize Serbia? (Blic)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
HR Schmidt rejects claims he advocates stances of HDZ B&H regarding Election Law (O kanal)
Covic sends letter to diplomats calling for help in reform of Election Law (FTV)
Covic addresses media: Agreement on amending Election Law of B&H should be reached by end of September (N1)
Zvizdic: Celebration of Serb Unity Day is not good message; Reactions of other B&H officials (FTV)
RSNA adopts proposal of law on protection of Cyrillic in urgent procedure, Bosniaks will invoke protection of VNI (BHT1)
EC’s Von der Leyen announces visit to Western Balkans from September 28-30 (FTV)
Turkovic’s recommendation to former RBIH Army members not to travel to Serbia sparks fierce reactions in RS (Nezavisne)
Tegeltija: Turkovic acted alone, without consulting B&H Presidency, her move was anti-Dayton behavior (ATV)
Croatia
PM Andrej Plenkovic: Truth about homeland war indisputable (Hina)
Montenegro
Krivokapic and the leaders of the Western Balkans with Merkel (RTCG)
Lajcak to help resolve doubts (RTCG)
SDP to offer resolution on stabilizing political situation (CDM)
Opposition’s common position: Crisis biggest since introduction of multi-party system, transitional government and early parliamentary elections the only solution (CDM)
Current government in Montenegro can’t count on EU’s endless patience (Dnevne novine)
URA: If DF and Democrats have necessary majority for Govt. reshuffling, let them schedule Parliament session (CDM)
North Macedonia
Citizens of Bardovci protest against the building of an asylum center (Republika)
Albania
First ever joint session of Macedonia and Kosovo governments (Republika)
Rama’s priority – agreement signed with Vucic, also lobbying for Kosovo’s recognition (ADN)
The German cold shoulder to Open Balkans (Tirana Times)
The President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, visits Albania on September 28 (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 16, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 14 deaths, 368 new cases (media)
• Kurti: Kosovo, North Macedonia governments’ meeting, a historic moment (media)
• Kosovo and North Macedonia signed 11 agreements today (media)
• Konjufca: Territorial integrity and independence are non-negotiable (media)
• AAK’s Tahiri asks Lajcak to explain issue of KLA archives (Lajmi)
• 117 Afghan nationals expected to fly out of Kosovo today (Radio Free Europe)
• COVID-19 forces parties to avoid conventional campaigns (Indeksonline)
• Rama on Open Balkan: No one can lecture Albania (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Three deaths, 29 newly infected with Covid-19 in Serbian communities (KiM radio)
• “Epidemiological situation in Serb areas in Kosovo serious” (Radio Kosovska Mitrovica, KiM radio)
• Petkovic: Pristina wants to go back ten years and bury the dialogue (RTS)
• The hearing in the case of the murder of Oliver Ivanovic postponed again (KiM radio, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Petritsch: In Washington, the Balkans are increasingly seen as a problem of Europe (Kosovo Online)
• Von der Leyen to visit Belgrade on September 30 (Tanjug)
• Stojanovic: Citizens to decide on their own future (KiM radio)
• Jevtic: Serbian List’s victory will be “defeat to the devil” (KiM radio)
International:
• For Kosovo officials, training means travel on taxpayer dime (BIRN)
• European Parliament gives green light to IPA III worth 14.2 billion euro (EWB)
Humanitarian/Development:
• FRONTEX: Illegal Migration Increased by Over 90% in the Mediterranean, Balkan & Western African Route (schengenvisainfo.com)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 16
• COVID-19: 12 deaths, 410 new cases (media)
• Health Institute calls on political parties: Stop rallies with citizens (media)
• Kurti to Lajcak: Kosovo is an equal party in dialogue, not a topic (media)
• Outgoing US Ambassador to Kosovo: ‘Relations Stronger than Stone’ (BIRN)
• ‘Silenced’ Kosovo War Victims Given a Voice at Guerrilla’s Trial (BIRN)
• Kosovo won’t join ‘Open Balkan’, supports ‘Berlin Process’ (Exit News)
• “Germany, steadfast partner of Kosovo’s path to Euro-Atlantic integration” (media)
• Kosovo will be able to appoint liaison officer to Europol (media)
• Haxhiu: Vetting through constitutional amendments, if not Plan B (T7)
Belgrade Media Report 15 September
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic: Merkel’s visit is stimulus for work on rule of law (Beta)
Serbia and Republika Srpska mark the Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom and National Flag (RTS)
Stefanovic: Serbia sees its future in the European Union (Tanjug)
Serbia’s FM happy with Serbia-NATO dialogue (Beta)
Several opposition parties forward draft agreement on election process to MEPs (Beta)
Sasa Jankovic: They advised me to get closer to Vucic (Danas, Nova S)
Vucic: These are ambassadors, I know who they are (B92)
Serbian Interior Minister Vulin calls Komsic and Dzaferovic hypocrites and Vranj a war criminal (N1)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
B&H Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues travel warning for B&H citizens going to Serbia (Hayat)
RS officials claim that warning of B&H Ministry of Foreign Affairs is attempt to relativize crimes and undermine Serbia’s reputation (RTRS)
Tegeltija and Chancellor Merkel discuss RS’ rejection of Schmidt as new HR and Election Law of B&H (BHT1)
Tegeltija: Merkel’s visit to the region confirms that Western Balkans remains important both for Germany and the EU (RTRS)
Komsic, Chancellor Merkel supported Serbia’s President Vucic’s policy (N1)
HR Schmidt meets Komsic; Komsic says he disagreed with HR about solutions regarding changes to B&H Election Law (Hayat)
HR Schmidt: EU and international community will gladly help B&H politicians find joint solution, but responsibility lies on elected reps of political parties, peoples in B&H (BHT1)
SDA sends letter to OHR, EUD/EUSR and PIC Ambassadors: Representatives of international institutions in B&H, before publicly presenting their stances, should get familiar with facts and indicators (N1)
Petritsch: B&H is in biggest crisis so far and if next elections in B&H fail due to boycott of Serbs and Croats, that would be de facto end of B&H (RTRS)
Marking Serb Unity Day starts with formal ceremony in Banja Luka, central event to take place in Belgrade (RTRS)
Croatia
MP Bacic: Vucic’s call for Serbs to fly flags is ‘a provocation’ (Hina)
Pupovac: We’ll do everything so relations in Croatia are ‘not disrupted’ (Hina)
Montenegro
Merkel: Montenegro most advanced EU candidate in Western Balkans (RTCG)
Krivokapic on the status of the Cetinje monastery: “Attack on property” (CDM)
Djukanovic calls for local elections in Mojkovac, Petnjica and Cetinje on 5 December (CDM)
North Macedonia
Zaev talked to Merkel about the need to unblock Macedonia’s EU path (Republika)
Merkel expresses sorrow Macedonia was not allowed to open its EU talks, says Europe is held hostage to nationalism (Republika)
Albania
In farewell visit to the region, Merkel focuses on progress, but says ‘impatience and frustration’ with EU is understandable (Tirana Times)
“Open Balkans”: Merkel message from Tirana: I welcome the initiative, I invite other countries to join (Radio Tirana)
President Ilir Meta decrees the government “Rama 3” (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 15, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 12 deaths, 410 new cases (media)
• Osmani: “Open Balkan” is dangerous (media)
• Balkans towards insecurity without Merkel? (DW Albanian, media)
• Minister Libur Aliu brings details about the Agreement in Belgrade (media)
• Uran Ismaili hands over his MP mandate (media)
• AAK decides to hold only five days of pre-election campaign (RTK)
• Kurti testifies in court about threat he received from Haxhi Hoti in 2019 (Klan)
• Special Prosecutor issues two requests for arrest warrant against three individuals (RTK)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic on Kurti’s announcement of reciprocity: You cannot influence irrational moves (KoSSev)
• Selakovic: If Pristina launches its recognition campaign, we know what to do (RTS, Kosovo Online)
• The EC president announced a visit to the Western Balkans by the end of the month (Danas, Beta)
• The DFC continues to work with governments to promote economic opportunities in the region (VoA)
• Bieber: Merkel has supported Serbia’s undemocratic regime to some extent (N1)
• Petkovic: ‘’Everything is ready for the celebration of the National Flag Day on KiM’’ (TV Most)
• Dacic on Kurti’s announcements: The time of the election campaign (RTK2, Nova S, TV Pink)
• At the Merdare crossing, the reciprocity measure for the vehicle plates from Serbia not applied (KoSSev, KiM radio, RTK2)
• Rakic: The Serbian list and the candidates for mayors received support from President Vucic (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic: Elections to be held on April 3 or 17 (Tanjug)
Opinion:
• Leaders of dubious motives (KoSSev)
International:
• Kosovo’s Wartime ‘Commander Cali’ Emerges from the Shadows (BIRN)
• Ex-rebel denies war crimes as Kosovo tribunal opens first trial (Reuters)
• Relationship between Berlin Process and Open Balkan discussed during Merkel’s Tirana visit (EWB)
• Serb Unity Day triggers worries across the Balkans (AP)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 15, 2021
• COVID-19: 24 deaths, 357 new cases (media)
• Kurti: Kosovo to introduce reciprocity with Serbia (media)
• Merkel: Open Balkans cannot replace the Common Regional Market (Exit)
• Kosovo’s Kurti lists four crucial elements to secure peace and stability in the region (Euronews.al)
• Gervalla: We made it clear to Merkel that Kosovo cannot go back before 2008 (Klan)
• President Osmani met with President of Germany Steinmeier (media)
• U.S. ambassador Philip Kosnett gives interview to Kallxo.com
• EU envoy Miroslav Lajcak visits Kosovo today (media)
• EFJ slams Albanian PM for ignoring questions of Kosovo journalists during press conference with Merkel (Express)
• Kosovo war crimes court begins first case (AFP/France 24)
Belgrade Media Report 14 September
LOCAL PRESS
Merkel revealed her position on the recognition of the so-called Kosovo (B92)
Vucic against the frozen conflict (Beta)
Merkel: Serbia achieved a number of results, still long way to EU (Beta)
Merkel says it would be good if other countries of Western Balkans also joined ‘Open Balkan’ initiative (RTS)
Vucic and Merkel exchange pleasantries in Chancellor’s farewell visit, but little substance (Danas, VIP)
Serbia’s opposition to Merkel: Take Vucic with you; You supported dictatorship (N1, Beta)
New US envoy for the Balkans: Belgrade and Pristina should not avoid dialogue (Beta, N1)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
B&H Ambassador to Serbia invited for urgent consultations in Sarajevo regarding Vranj case (N1)
Novakovic Bursac, Borneovic criticize Komsic for his accusations against Serbian Ambassador (Glas Srpske)
HR Schmidt meets Turkish FM Cavusoglu; Cavusoglu: I will continue to support efforts of OHR for stability and unity in B&H (Nova BH)
Final preparations for Serb Unity Day in RS and Serbia underway; Dodik: Idea of ‘Serb World’ is story of preserving values of Serb people; We want to strengthen RS to extent that we can become independent state (RTRS)
Serbian National Assembly starts discussion on law on preserving Serbian language and Cyrillic script; Serbian Minister Gojkovic: This law proves unbreakable ties between RS and Serbia (RTRS)
IAWG should meet soon; Members of IAWG not convinced that solution will be reached (Oslobodjenje)
B&H CEC submits report to B&H Parliament requesting set of changes to electoral legislation (Glas Srpske)
Croatia
Milanovic comments on Vucic’s idea: Devil finds work for idle hands (Hina)
Serbian Orthodox Church head holds memorial service at Jasenovac (Hina)
Croatia launches 2021 census (HRT)
Montenegro
About the current situation with the Prime Minister (RTCG)
PM Krivokapic to meet with Chancellor Merkel in Tirana (RTCG)
Abazovic to meet with Lajcak and Belgium’s DPM in Brussels (RTCG)
North Macedonia
Another non-paper on dispute with Sofia: Will we be both Macedonians and Bulgarians?! (Republika)
The government and Pendarovski claim that there is no so-called non-paper on negotiations with Bulgaria (Republika)
Lajcak: Blockade of the EU path of Northern Macedonia due to its dispute with Bulgaria has a bad effect on the neighboring countries, especially on the relationship between Pristina and Belgrade (MIA)
Zaev to meet Merkel in Tirana (Republika)
Albania
Merkel recived by PM Rama at the Palace of Brigades (Radio Tirana)
German official: Regional cooperation to be comprehensive and open to all 6 countries (Radio Tirana)
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