• Kurti blames past governments about energy crisis (RTK)
• Kosovo reports first cases of COVID-19 Omicron (media)
• Citizens warn protests over power outages (euronews.al)
• German expert arrives; repair of Kosova B block underway (Koha)
• Serbia blocks transit goods, Kosovo still without any action (Kosovapress)
• US-sanctioned Serb’s company subcontracts work to Kosovo Albanians (BIRN)
• “Easier to decipher Da Vinci Code, than EU position on Open Balkan” (Koha)
• Haziri: Serbia is playing a political game in Open Balkan (euronews.al)
• BIRN Kosovo Won Prize After Prize in 2021 (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: Serbia’s militarization reveals Vucic’s objective in Open Balkan (Koha)
• Milanovic: Open Balkan, useless if Kosovo is not treated equally (media)
• Health Institute: Tests that can detect Omicron expected to arrive today (RFE)

Serbian Language Media:

• Botsan-Kharchenko: Moscow urges Pristina for normal dialogue with Belgrade (Kosovo-online)
• EU Ambassador Giaufret exchanges views with Patriarch Porfirije (N1)
• EU: Serbia aligns with policy on Belarus (N1)
• Serbia pursuing responsible policy, Vucic tells Austrian ORF (Tanjug)
• France and Germany continue to co-operate on an initiative to help Serbia-Kosovo dialogue (RFE)
• Covid-19: nine new cases registered in Serbian areas (RTS)

Opinion:

• The curse of the “Open Balkan” (Koha)
• Vucic’s New Pose as Serbia’s ‘Protector’ Shouldn’t Fool Anyone (Balkan Insight)

International:

• Serbian Minister Faces New Legal Challenge for ‘Insulting Albanians’ (Balkan Insight)
• Rio Tinto controversy: Has the EU designated Serbia as a “sacrificial zone” for lithium extraction? (EWB)
• Montenegro Close to Choosing Bechtel to Build Adriatic Highway (Balkan Insight)
• Hope Fades for Missing Victims of Albania’s Communist Regime (Balkan Insight)

• EU voices support for "Open Balkan” initiative (Koha)
• Zulfaj: Four freedoms of the "Open Balkan" embodied in the common regional market (Koha)
• Konjufca: This is the "Open Balkan" they're trying to sell to us (media)
• RECOM: Unacceptable Conduct of the BIA towards Regional Reconciliation Activists (media)
• AJK condemns conduct of Serbian authorities towards journalist, Adriatik Kelmendi (media)
• Kelmendi reveals details of his encounter with Serbia’s security authorities (Klan)
• Croatian President Milanovic to begin Kosovo visit today (media)
• Kosovo Ex-Mayor Suspected of Taking Over €1 Million in Bribes (BIRN)
• Kosovo Experts Refute Danish Prison Cell Renting Plan (Exit News)
• COVID-19: Twenty new cases, no deaths (media)
• Kosovo introduces power cuts due to energy crisis (Reuters)
• EBRD extending 4 mln euro loans to Kosovo's KEP Trust (SeeNews)
• North Macedonia’s prime minister formally steps down (AP)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 22, 2021

Albanian Language Media:

• New German Government supports efforts to strengthen regional cooperation in WB (Expres)
• Hungary May Become Kosovo’s Big EU Foe (Prishtina Insight)
• Gervalla does not report to the integration committee, due to a trip (media)
• Haxhiu on the agreement with Denmark: We have the right to reject any prisoner (Klan)
• Court in Serbia legalizes derogatory term for Albanians, says Ragmi Mustafi (Express)
• Draft of the Code of Ethics for Assembly proposed after the Musliu-Peci incident (Koha)
• COVID-19: Twenty new cases, no deaths (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Failure to hold a referendum on changing the Constitution of Serbia in Kosovo is an introduction to the election ban? (Danas)
• Vucic receives invitation to attend UN conference taking place in Doha end of January (Kosovo-online)
• Serbian List Board in Strpce: Brutal intrusion and intimidation of officials’ families (Radio kontakt plus)
• Vujicic and Maric on arrests in Strpce: Continuation of policy of force against Serbs (Kosovo-online)
• Trajkovic, Rasic on arrests in Strpce (Radio KIM)
• Putin in a greeting card to Vucic: We have outlined new perspectives, I am counting on the continuation of joint work (RTS)
• Kosovo police special unit conducted search in Serbian house in Silovo (Kosovo-online)
• KiM Office reaction to Kosovo police search in Silovo village (Kosovo Online)
• Covid-19: three new cases registered in Serbian areas (Kosovo-online)

International:

• Handling Segregation: Village School Tries to Tackle Kosovo’s Ethnic Divisions (Balkan Insight)
• EU working to amend genocide denial law that is blamed for Bosnia crisis (The Guardian)
• Kosovo experts oppose Denmark prison outsourcing (Euractiv)

• Kosovo arrests ten for corruption, including ex-mayor (BIRN)
• Svecla: Action in Brezovica did not target specific ethnic groups (media)
• Leaders sign new ‘Open Balkan’ agreements in Albania (BIRN)
• Rama: Open Balkan will continue even if others refuse to join (euronews.al)
• Varhelyi invites Kosovo to join Open Balkan; PM advisor reacts (Telegrafi)
• Von Cramon denounces Serbia deregistration of Albanians from civil registry (Exit News)
• COVID-19: Nine new cases, no deaths (media)
• Kurti receives booster shot, encourages citizens to get vaccinated (euronews.al)
• Kosovo film ‘Hive’ shortlisted for Oscars’ international feature (Express)

Albanian Language Media:

• Open Balkans invite Kosovo, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina to join (RTK)
• Open Balkans member countries sign five cooperation agreements (RTK)
• Varhelyi urges WB countries to return the Common Regional Market initiative (Express)
• Ten people arrested, among them former mayor of Shterpce (media)
• Qelaj: ERO's decision to pay for electricity in the north is discriminatory (media)
• 300 cells foe 210 million euros, complete agreement document (RTK)
• COVID-19: Nine new cases, no deaths (media)
• Albania, Kosovo sign agreement to use joint ABC textbook in schools (Express)

Serbian Language Media:

• Covid-19: 12 new cases registered in Serbian areas (Radio KIM)
• Vucic on possible participation of Pristina in “Open Balkans” initiative (Kosovo-online)
• Varhelyi: Any regional cooperation based on EU values is welcome and useful (NMagazin, Beta)
• Protest in Tirana against ‘Open Balkan’ Initiative (KoSSev)
• Serbian PM says protest in Tirana had support from Belgrade (FoNet, N1)
• Reactions on setting Serbian flags on fire in Tirana (media)
• Ten persons arrested in Strpce, including former mayor; Petkovic reacts (RTS)
• Serbian List: We condemn brutal demonstration of force in Strpce (Kosovo-online portal)
• Journalist on the Strpce case: Possible arrests of people from the Kosovo government and ministries (N1)
• Vucic on action in Strpce: “Kurti did it because of Open Balkans” (B92)
• US set to name Resident Legal Advisor for Western Balkans (N1)
• N1 documentary on Kosovo Serb “Asphalt Kings” (N1)

Opinion:

• Legal framework for Kosovo Serbs tailored to Pristina (part four): Regional and/or Albanian integration (KoSSev)
• Hill’s Return to Belgrade Spells Challenge for Serbia (Balkan Insight)

International:

• Rival Albania Opposition Leader Leads Protest Against ‘Diabolical’ Serbia (Balkan Insight)
• Leaders of “Open Balkans” seek Germany’s support (Albanian Daily News)
• Kosovo Arrests Ten for Corruption, Including Ex-Mayor (Balkan Insight)
• Former UN Spokesperson Writes Novel About Kosovo Guerrilla (BIRN)

• Kosovo Police conducting operation in Shterpce area (media)
• Kosovo, Denmark sign prison rent agreement (media)
• Ministry urges refrain from actions that "could undermine Kosovo recognition process" (Klan)
• U.S. removes from blacklist Croatian-based company (Koha)
• A convoy of KFOR vehicles to arrive in Kosovo (media)
• Rival Albania Opposition Leader Leads Protest Against ‘Diabolical’ Serbia (BIRN)
• Protesters burn Serbian flags in rally called by former DP leader Sali Berisha (euronews.al)
• COVID-19: Three new cases, no deaths (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 20, 2021

Albanian Language Media:

• Pacolli claims he has secured a new recognition for Kosovo (media)
• Women make only 15% of Kosovo Police, leaders call for greater participation (EO/Koha)
• Vela: Serbia and Republika Srpska are Russia's tools for destabilisation (Telegrafi)
• COVID-19: Three new cases, no deaths (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Covid-19: 17 new cases, one death registered in Serbian areas on Saturday (Radio KIM)
• Qerkini: “Kurti has no plan to resolve missing persons issue, called us for votes only” (KoSSev)
• Vucic: No power outages expected in Serbia (N1)
• Brnabic: Situation with electricity supply stable (N1)
• Cadez: Common labour market with “Open Balkan” states next year (Kosovo-online)
• “Referendum has nothing to do with Kosovo status” (Radio KIM)
• Pristina once again blocking CEFTA, citizens and economy suffer greatest damage (RTS)
• Euronews in Serbian on Association of Serbian Municipalities, Serbian List
• Case of Dusko Arsic – matrix for usurpation of Serb properties in Kosovo and Metohija (RTS, Radio kontakt plus)

• Rohde: Kurti administration should take concrete steps (euronews.al)
• Kosovo Parliament approves €2.75 billion budget for 2022 (Exit News)
• Palokaj: There could be visa liberalisation in first half of 2022 (Koha)
• Protests called against Serbian President visit to Albania (Exit News)
• Police mobilize for Vucic visit to Tirana and Berisha rally (euronews.al)
• Albanians and Serbs ‘influence the Balkans’, says Lajcak (media)
• How can Kosovo government approach the visa liberalisation issue? (EWB)
• How did Denmark find shelter for its inmates in Kosovo? (euronews.al)
• Afghan refugees slowly leave Balkan countries for West (BIRN)
• Last despatches: Why the Balkan wars were so deadly for journalists (BIRN)
• COVID-19: Four new cases, no deaths (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 17, 2021

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: Kosovo, the most successful project of U.S.-EU foreign policy (media)
• Kosovo's new ambassador to U.S. meets Escobar (media)
• Kosovo and Croatia sign MoU in the field of security and defence (media)
• State Department publishes country reports on terrorism (VOA)
• CDHRF: Agreement with Denmark legalises discrimination of Kosovo inmates (media)
• Association of Kosovo Municipalities says mayors will boycott meeting on COVID-19 situation (media)
• COVID-19: 11 new cases, no deaths (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• NATO Joint Forces chief Admiral Burke in Belgrade (N1)
• EP adopts resolution on forced labor at Chinese plant in Serbia (N1)
• Dacic: EP Resolution, example of double standards (RTS)
• Selakovic begins visit to France (Tanjug)
• Kandic: The region’s political oligarchies glorify those convicted of war crimes (N1, Beta, KoSSev, FoNet)
• State Department: Serbia invests efforts in fight against terrorism (RTS, VoA)
• Vladislav Jovanovic: I do not expect dialogue to be accelerated because it does not suit West (Kosovo-online)
• Lawyer: Arsic threatened before arrest, he wanted to reclaim usurped property (Kosovo-online)
• Tadic former Serbian president, calls for ad-hoc coalition against Constitutional changes (N1)

International:

• Western Balkan Countries Struggle to Keep Lights On (Balkan Insight)
• Political Unrest and Propaganda Spark Online Violations (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Kindergarten construction in Gorazdevac village has started (KoSSev)
• Zvecan power issue resolved (Kosovo-online)