UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 29, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Hovenier: Normalization process ultimately ends with mutual recognition (media)
• Osmani proposes national program for the army (Koha)
• 165 persons wanted over different offenses in the northern municipalities (media)
• Tahiri: Kurti’s government is forming the Association (Klan)
• Isufaj approved removal of Radoicic arrest warrant, cannot disclose reasons (EO)
• O’Brien slams Dodik: No right of secession, full stop (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• North Mitrovica MA voted: Land near the Military Overhaul allocated to the Kosovo’s MIA (KoSSev, Kosovo Online, Kontakt plus radio)
• The Serbian Democracy Party on the decision of Kurti’s government to request the return of the alleged debt for electricity in the north of Kosovo (Danas)
• ‘Don’t celebrate the holidays of non-Muslims’ posters in General Jankovic: Four people detained (KiM radio, KoSSev)
International:
• Kosovo Teen’s Shop Window Decorations Bring Festive Cheer (BIRN)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 29, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
Osmani: Equality in employment for all, without distinction (media)
Kurti: There is no increase in energy prices, KESCO and ERO address for complaints (media)
Osmani: Order for terrorist attack in Banjska came from Vucic himself (RTV21)
Government considers it difficult to fulfill criteria for removal of mayors in north (media)
Tahiri: Association’s draft statute, biggest failure of this government (media)
Rasic: Serbs in north are expressing great interest in being employed in institutions (Telegrafi)
Kosovo removes “mysterious” cameras in municipalities with Serb majority (media)
Turkish ambassador on Kosovo-Serbia relations: Dialogue, the only way (media)
Dick Marty, author of Kosovo War Crimes report, dies at 78 (media)
Kurti’s bodyguard obstructs journalist, AKJ: Uncertainty for media community (media)
Serbian Language Media:
Serbian List: Kurti’s regime illegally to confiscate the funds of citizens from northern Kosovo (Tanjug)
Atiq with Hetemi on next year projects (KiM radio)
KP: The organizers of a local protest involving businessmen were fined for failing to announce it in advance (KoSSev)
Dragan Mladjovic Telegram group accusations: It will not go unpunished, the police are working on the case (KoSSev)
Serbia allows RKS plates on its territory, EU welcomes and opposition criticizes the move, Pristina asks for more recognitions (KoSSev)
International Media:
‘This Barbie is the president,’ says Kosovo’s Vjosa Osmani (Politico.eu)
Read More →Belgrade Media Report 28 December
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: We won’t let them steal the will of people. Elections are as clean as a tear (TV Pink)
• Petkovic: Kurti trying to shift blame for failure of dialogue on Belgrade (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Dacic: Regardless of protests Serbia’s position on state issues will be firm (TV Prva)
• EC for N1: Complaints of election irregularities need to be properly investigated (N1)
• CoE envoy to visit Belgrade over serious election irregularities (Beta)
• Students hold protest, demand opening of voter registry, repeat of elections (N1)
• Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government: Voter registry is open (Beta/Politika)
• Zakharova: West attempting to “maidanize” protest in Belgrade, incompetent in solving Kosovo situation (Beta)
• So-called Kosovo police are again searching building near Leposavic (Tanjug)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• B&H MPs meet with B&H CEC representatives; HDZ B&H and SNSD against SDA’s proposal of changes to B&H Election Law (N1)
• Kovacevic: Schmidt does not have the possibility to impose anything, citizens elected their representatives, and we know what we need to do to protect their interest (RTRS)
• Dodik: RS will not nominate or appoint B&H CC judges (RTRS)
• Dodik: Property is red line that will not be crossed (RTRS)
• Vulin appointed RS Senator (RTRS)
• SDA Presidency adopts six conclusions; Izetbegovic urges Ambassador Murphy to present proof for his recent claims on him, says Dodik must be prevented from undermining constitutional order in B&H (Klix.ba)
• Interview with Commander of NATO HQ Sarajevo, Brigadier General Pamela McGaha; NATO cares for permanent peace in the Balkans; NATO will not allow security vacuum in B&H or Western Balkans (Oslobodjenje)
• Russian Embassy issues statement reacting to interview with NATO HQ Commander McGaha: NATO is not interested in permanent peace (Oslobodjenje)
Montenegro
• Knezevic: Referendum on independence of Montenegro stolen (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski: Political parties to meet legal requirements over caretaker government (MIA)
• Xhaferi: New parliament speaker by 20 January (MIA)
• Xhaferi: SEC in charge of administering elections, will have my full support (MIA)
Albania
• Balluku: The national strategy for combating money laundering will be ready within the first half of 2024 (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 28, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Maqedonci: Three brigades of Serbian Army along Kosovo border (media)
• Svecla: 2023, a challenge for security, but successful year for police (Dukagjini)
• Krasniqi: Monoethnic institutions are not good for Kosovo (Dukagjini)
• Citaku: Most difficult and failed year since declaration of independence (AP)
• 33 Iowa National Guard soldiers to deploy to Kosovo on Friday (media)
• Air corridors opened between Kosovo and Albania (RFE)
• Ismaili: Economic growth this year 3.4%, in 2024 expected to be 4.2% (AP)
• Abdixhiku “most undisciplined” MP, absent from 44 sessions (Demokracia)
• Kryeziu: Northern mayors should resign, the petition delays the process (media)
• Kurti meets second generation of the Citizen Diplomacy Program (media)
• SBASHK: Kurti govt avoided dialogue with wrong approach to unions (RTK)
• Cross-border theft of forests between Kosovo and Serbia (Kallxo)
• KOMF writes to government: Social services risk closure in January (media)
• Not even one fifth of properties in Kosovo owned by women (RFE)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: We’ll begin forming the parliament in January, nothing disputed (Beta, N1)
• Dacic: Kurti trying to take advantage of the events on the domestic political scene (TV Prva, KiM radio, Blic)
• PKS: The funds from the Development Fund are not for debts but for infrastructure (KiM radio)
• Mijacic: There will be further obstructions of the dismissal of mayors (Kosovo Online)
• Andric Rakic: “Overinflated” number of voters in the north could complicate the vote for the removal of the mayor (Kosovo Online)
• Businessmen in the police station and fined because of the protest against the ban on Serbian goods (Kosovo Online)
Opinion:
• Perez: Brussels Feels Only Relief Over Vucic’s Victory in Serbia (BIRN)
International:
• Kosovo’s c-bank intl reserves up 5% y/y in Nov (SeeNews)
• Kosovo Children with Autism Raise Funds with Seasonal Drawings (BIRN)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 28, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
Kurti on Association: Those who wanted it, lost their chance on October 26 (media)
Konjufca: There is no draft statute of Association that Kosovo must implement (Klan)
Osmani welcomes journalists: You are guardian of truth and integrity (RTK)
Kurti to journalists: It has been both a successful and challenging year (media)
Serbia does not respond to the request to open archives (Koha)
Government requests from north municipalities €12 million for electricity debt (media)
Indictment filed against a person for murder of Oliver Ivanovic (media)
Police raid eight locations in Leposaviq suspected of smuggled goods (media)
Petkovic: Kurti tried to blame Belgrade for failure of dialogue (media)
Serbian Language Media:
Petkovic: Kurti trying to shift blame for failure of dialogue on Belgrade (Tanjug, RTS)
Businessmen from the Kosovo north and citizens sign a petition for the lifting of the ban on Serbian goods (KiM radio)
The Prosecutor’s Office filed an indictment against M.M. in the case of the murder of Oliver Ivanovic (KiM radio, KoSSev)
Lawyer: Nedeljkovic’s autopsy findings have not arrived yet, I have contacted the Special Prosecutor’s Office (Kosovo Online)
The 10th protest ended yesterday in Belgrade: the opposition invited to a ProGlas rally on Saturday (N1)
EC: Complaints of election irregularities need to be properly investigated (N1)
CoE representative to visit Belgrade over serious election irregularities (N1)
International Media:
Kurti Cautious as Serbia Moves to Allow Kosovo Licence Plates (Balkan Insight)
Read More →Belgrade Media Report 27 December
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: Repeating elections at several polling stations cannot significantly change results (Beta/Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
• Stano: EU waiting for Kosovo to abolish stickers on Serbian licence plates (Beta)
• Dacic: All politicians have high level of responsibility not to incite violence (Tanjug/RTV)
• Nestorovic: Both government and opposition working against state interests (N1/NSPM/Beta)
• Serbia Against Violence will not run in Saturday’s partial repeat elections (Tanjug/RTV)
• ProGlas calls for new elections to be held in six months, invites citizens to peaceful protests on 30 December (Beta/N1)
• Aleksic: Police detaining opposition members involved in protests (Nova/N1)
• EU: Violence at protests in Serbia unacceptable, investigate elections irregularities (VoA/Beta/RTV)
• Ninth protest over alleged election fraud held in Belgrade (Beta/N1)
• Suspects for chaos in Belgrade interrogated: Seven pleaded guilty (RTS)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Stevandic sends letter to foreign judges in B&H CC calling them to resign (RTRS/Klix.ba)
• Cvijanovic: Legitimacy of B&H CC ends with retirement of Zlatko Knezevic (RTRS)
• Dodik: We shall never accept to abolish autonomy of the RS, to hand over property and some competencies, to form ministry of agriculture at B&H level (TV Una/Oslobodjenje)
• RS MoI continues preparations for marking of RS Day (ATV)
Montenegro
• Krapovic: Events in the Morinj camp were not a consequence of Greater-Serbia aggression, but the war in Yugoslavia (Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Xhaferi: SEC in charge of administering elections, will have my full support (MIA)
Albania
• Parliament of Albania: There is no loss of data from the cyber-attack; We are working on full recovery! (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 27, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: We will recognize Serbia’s license plates, once we make sure that it is implementing decision on RKS ones (media)
• Government approves Draft Law on the Security Council of Kosovo (RTK)
• Vetevendosje: Government persistence forced Serbia to accept plates (Koha)
• “Serbia recognizes plates; electricity in north to be paid by Kosovo rules” (Klan)
• Moscow calls USA and EU “incompetent” in solving problem between Kosovo and Serbia (Klan)
• Former Serbian prison guard charged with crimes against civilians (media)
• “Serbia will try to destabilize neighboring govts, including Kosovo” (Sinjali)
• Hoxhaj: Government gave up German condition for “legally binding agreement” with Serbia (Telegrafi)
• LVV on early elections: We will surpass result of February 14 (media)
• CEC is considering suspension of PSD today (Koha)
• Diaspora brought this year over 1.2 billion euros (media)
• Kusari-Lila admits there are high energy bills, tells citizens: “Turn to KESCO!” (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Petkovic expects from Quint to reject and condemn Svecla’s slanders about Civil Protection (Kosovo Online)
• Carabinieri commanders visited Visoki Decani (RTS, Blic)
• Dragisa Milenkovic’s lawyer hopes easing or cancellation of custody (Tanjug)
• “A month of imprisonment for a high school student, freedom for Milan Radoicic in 24 hours”: Manojlovic on the decision of prosecutor Pantelic (Danas, Beta)
• Skero Petrovic on RKS plates: Can the decision be made by the government in a technical mandate? (N1, KiM radio, KoSSev)
• Jevtic: Due to centralization, municipalities in Kosovo have fewer and fewer responsibilities (Kosovo Online)
International:
• Kosovo Citizens Warned of Consequences If They Violate Schengen Area Visa-Free Travel Rules (schengenvisainfo.com)
• Embracing the light: Religious spiritual resiliency in Kosovo (useuworldaffairs.com)
• Serbian lobby in U.S. finances project in Congress to punish Kosovo (euronews.al)
• Serbia: Year of Frustration and Delay in Facing Wartime Past (BIRN)
• Uncontrolled Sale of Devices Processing Biometric Data Raises Concerns for Privacy in Kosovo (Prishtina Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 27, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• EU to Kurti: Kosovo had 10 years to write a draft statute (Koha)
• Bislimi on Serbia’s decision on plates: Masking after failure in Banjska (Klan)
• Court rejects Law articles that reduced high salaries of public officials (Koha)
• Abdixhiku: Kurti agreed to full and unprecedented autonomy in Kosovo (Telegrafi)
• Ombudsperson: We will send Law on Elections to Constitutional Court (media)
• Haziri: Resolution of problem in the north, hostage of political motives (KTV)
• Police remove six surveillance cameras in Zubin Potok (RTK)
• KESCO: Bills are higher because of increased consumption of electricity (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Pristina’s prosecutors indict Serb for alleged war crime (Tanjug)
• Movement for the Defense of Kosovo and Metohija: The decision on the Kosovo plates, a continuation of the creeping capitulation (Danas, Beta)
• The Serbian People’s Movement to Lajcak, demands and calls presented to react so no new conflicts would not arise (KoSSev)
• Tax administration of Kosovo damaged Derikravic for 313,000 euros? (KiM radio)
• ProGlas calls protest for December 30, demands annulment of elections (N1)
International Media:
• Uncontrolled Sale of Devices Processing Biometric Data Raises Concerns for Privacy in Kosovo (BIRN)
• Serbia cracks down on protests amid ‘election fraud’ outcry (politico.eu)
• Serbia opposition plans further protests against ‘stolen’ election (ft.com)
Belgrade Media Report 26 December
LOCAL PRESS
• Brnabic: SPN demands release of “thugs” they previously claimed were “inserted elements” (Tanjug/RTV)
• Serbian government passed decision on free movement of all vehicles from Kosovo and Metohija (RTS/Tanjug)
• Aleksic: By accepting Kosovo license plates, Vucic proved willingness to cling to power at any cost (Beta/FoNet/NSPM)
• Dacic: Security situation stable, we will continue to protect constitutional order (Tanjug/Politika)
• Unified Voters’ Record one of most up-to-date records in Serbia (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Higher Court in Belgrade upholds decision by city electoral commission (Tanjug)
• Tepic on protests: The intent was to address citizens from the City Hall balcony (N1)
• Milivojevic: Riots caused by hooligans from Serbian government’s recruitment center (Beta)
• US State Department: Authorities in Serbia should investigate OSCE allegations about elections (VoA/Beta)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: Vucic possesses evidence that the West is behind protests in Belgrade (Beta/RIA Novosti)
• Nestorovic: We will not join any coalitions, protest was not Maidan attempt (Sputnik Serbia/Beta)
• Eighth protest over alleged election fraud in front of RIK seat in Belgrade (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Nesic: Serbian opposition promotes violence (Dnevni avaz)
• Kovacevic: Events in Belgrade are worrisome (ATV)
• Stevandic: Connection between events in B&H and events in Belgrade on Sunday can be found (ATV)
• Marking 9 January as RS Day again becomes top political topic in B&H; HR says celebration is crime, calls on prosecutor’s office and police to react (O Kanal)
• Dodik threatens to arrest Schmidt, claims activities of Prosecutor’s Office will be banned in the RS if they attempt to intervene in 9 January celebrations (Nova BH)
• Medvedev congratulates holidays to Dodik (RTRS)
• Dodik: RS will not appoint new judges in B&H CC until foreign judges are removed (RTRS)
• Dodik: We preserved the RS, its institutions and is economy; I would prefer the RS to leave B&H as soon as the opportunity arises (Banjaluka.net/RTRS)
• Salkic: Dodik’s continuity of approach throughout history to impose a lie as truth on the rest of the world by persistently repeating lies is doomed to failure (Klix.ba)
Montenegro
• Koprivica – Herasymenko: Montenegro firmly stands by Ukraine (CdM)
• The relations between Montenegro and B&H are friendly (CdM)
• Knezevic: We strive to reconcile Serbs and Montenegrins and equate the Serbian with Montenegrin language after the census (RTCG)
• Uljarevic: Mandic the actual leader of parliamentary majority, For the Future of Montenegro wants to enter govt asap (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• North Macedonia to become EU member by 2030 with pro-European coalition and gov’t, says PM (Civil Media/MIA)
• Kovachevski: Discussions on election coalitions ongoing (MIA)
• Alliance for Albanians yet to decide on coalition ahead of elections, says Aliu (MIA)
• Opposition coalition of ethnic Albanian parties threatens to boycott parliament if no SEC member by 31 December (MIA)
• Ahmeti: Europe is country’s future, Balkan countries to step forward together (MIA)
Albania
• Opening of the first chapters – EC confirms the process, but removes the deadline (Public TV/Radio Tirana)
• Albania-Italy agreement/ Minister Tajani in Tirana, meeting with Rama (Radio Tirana)
• Gonzato meets Dumani: Full EU support for an independent and efficient SPAK (Radio Tirana)
• Manja hosts Gonzato: Support from the EU’s best anti-corruption expertise (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 26, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Stano says Serbia’s decision to recognize Kosovo plates is positive step (Koha)
• PDK sends Law on Sovereign Fund to Constitutional Court (Koha)
• Opposition: Kurti is trying to go to elections without forming Association (EO)
• Detention extended for suspects accused of Banjska attack (media)
• Tahiri on high electricity bills: Latest blow to Kosovar families (AP)
• “Citizens paying bills equal to those in Belgium and Luxembourg” (Indeksonline)
• CHDRF calls for urgent investigations into “abnormal electricity bills” (media)
• Another action in the north, police searching for smuggled goods (AP)
• Trajkovic calls on northern Serbs to join protests in Serbia (media)
• “Disarm the men!” – Call to action against femicide in Kosovo (Kallxo)
Serbian Language Media:
• Stano: The EU welcomes Belgrade’s decision on the plates, it is expected that Pristina will respond in a similar way (N1, Kontakt plus radio)
• Vucevic: Kurti is continuing his terror against Serbs (Kosovo Online, TV Prva)
• MLGA: The collection of signatures for the replacement of the mayor in the north will begin soon (Radio Mitrovica sever, Kontakt plus radio)
• Aleksic: The Government’s decision on RKS license plates a proof that Vucic is ready to do anything to preserve power (KiM radio, N1, FoNet)
• The Kosovo’s Ministry of Culture has placed under protection and the Gornji Strmac church (Kosovo Online)
• EU: Violence unacceptable, investigate election irregularities (KiM radio, N1)
• Rada Trajkovic invited students and professors of the University in K.Mitrovica to join the protests (Danas)
Opinion:
• Palokaj: The dialogue has failed, only the culprit is being sought (Koha)
International:
• Kosovo says gunmen from Serbia are planning more attacks (Reuters)
• Kosovo’s Long-Awaited Visa Waiver Applies to Most, But Not All (Balkan Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 26, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
Bislimi: We expect removal of punitive measures (RTK)
Gervalla in the Holy See at Christmas Eve mass (RTK)
Haliti: Vulin was in Kosovo on September 24 – internationals are aware of this (Reporteri)
Potential risk of repeating Banjska scenarios, assessed (Koha)
KFOR: We do not speculate about any future scenario in the north (Koha)
Police seize dangerous equipment in Mitrovica North (media)
The U.S. KFOR conducts security patrol near Leposavic (RTK)
Northern Serbs protest against ban on import of Serbian goods (Koha)
UBO poll: LVV first with 48.5%, PDK second, LDK third (media)
Theft reported in UNMIK offices in the north, police: We found the windows broken (Telegrafi)
Petkovic on mass protests: It is clear why Kurti supported opposition in Serbia (media)
Serbian Language Media:
The Government of Serbia enable free movement of all vehicles from Kosovo from 1 January (Tanjug, RTS)
Dacic: Security situation stable, we will continue to protect constitutional order (Tanjug)
More Serbs denied Svecla’s allegations that they were logistics for Banjska (KoSSev, KiM radio)
Business owners protested in North Mitrovica over the ban on Serbian goods (Kosovo Online)
Kosovo Ministry of Culture Reconstructs Orthodox Church at Gornje Vinarce as ‘Catholic’ Without Consulting Serbian Church (eparhija-prizren.com, media)
Families of Serbs killed in Banjska still waiting for autopsy results, Vucic says (N1)
Serbian Ministry of Defense: Planning an incursion into the territory of Kosovo is a notorious lie and complete nonsense (Radio Mitrovica sever)
PKS: Satisfaction in Pristina because of the violence in Belgrade (KiM radio)
UNMIK worried about unauthorized entry into its premises (KiM radio, Tanjug, Kosovo Online, Politika)
Cameras in public areas seized in Klokot, Partes and Ranilug; Media: “They were controlled by Belgrade?” (KoSSev)
Ambassador Hill spoke about the protest (Danas, Kosovo Online)
Vucic after the protest on Sunday: Over 35 thugs arrested (N1, Beta)
Belgrade Sunday protest turned violent (N1)
International Media:
Serbia protests: Anti-government demonstrators try to storm Belgrade city hall (BBC)
Police in Serbia detain nearly 40 people as opposition plans more protests against election results (AP)
Vucic: We will not accept any Document that obliges us to support Kosovo’s Membership in the UN (sarajevotimes.com)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 22, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
President of Bulgaria to pay official visit to Kosovo today (media)
Koopman: Liberalization will help exchanges between Kosovo and EU (RTK)
Kurti met Turkish community in Prizren, talked about free movement in EU (RTK)
Svecla on attack of policeman in north: Situation there has improved significantly (Koha)
Aliu: Specialized Chambers, project of Serbia against Kosovo (RTK)
Krasniqi: Kurti government has brought regression to Kosovo (media)
Complaints of former KLA leaders about changed conditions of detention, rejected (media)
Albanians to be represented by one MP in Assembly of Serbia (media)
Serbian Language Media:
Vucic: Letter to show foreign interference (N1)
Petkovic: Rajska banja usurpation a robbery of Serbian Orthodox Church property (Tanjug)
Hoxha: Mistake to present Rajska Banja as a political triumph, it is a purely technical issue (KiM radio, Kosovo Online)
Serbian gov’t aware of ODIHR mission’s conclusions, awaits final report (Tanjug)
International Media:
Serbian tabloids accusing Germany of fuelling violent protests in Serbia, DW denies any involvement (EWB)
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