UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 21, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: We had 17 bilateral meetings at Munich Security Conference (media)
• Kosovo Assembly to discuss the dialogue on Thursday (Koha)
• “Decision on energy tariff increase could end up at Constitutional Court” (EO)
• Kosovo continues preparations for “Dynamic Front 22” (media)
• Ukraine – Russia conflict doesn’t dim interest in Kosovo – Serbia dialogue (RTK)
• Hoxhaj: Kosovo is first line of aggressive Russian campaign in the Balkans (media)
• COVID-19: 101 new cases, one death (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Visoki Decani Monastery: SOC will use all legal means to protect its identity (Radio KIM)
• Raska-Prizren Diocese: Unacceptable that Kurti violates court’s verdicts (RTS)
• Google Maps once again shows the wrong location of Visoki Decani (KoSSev)
• Tourist panel in centre of Decani without photo of monastery (Kosovo-online)
• Slovakian Minister of Defence: Stance on Kosovo remains unchanged (Kosovo-online)
• Vucic thanks President of Iran over stance on Kosovo (Radio KIM)
• Vucic: Everybody knows our stance on Ukraine crisis (N1)
• Media: Russian official and Vucic to discuss recruitment of warriors from Balkans (N1)
• Vucic calls National Security Council session (RTS)
• EU: Belgrade-Pristina negotiating teams to meet in Brussels on Tuesday (N1)
• “Kurti accuses Serbia at Munich conference; Petkovic reminds him of crimes against Serbs” (RTS)
• Investigation against ten Serbian List officials over not reporting assets launched in Pristina (RTS)
• Ponos: Kosovo inalienable part of Serbia, to find solution for people living there (KoSSev, Nova TV)

Opinion:

• Palokaj: Bosnia, as a warning for EU and Kosovo (Koha)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Hate speech can lead to tragedy (Kallxo)

• Kurti meets Lajcak, Borrell, insists on agreement on mutual recognition (media)
• Osmani expresses concern over Russian influence in Western Balkans (media)
• Osmani and Kurti meet Greek PM Mitsotakis (media)
• Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia deny sending ‘mercenaries’ to Ukraine (BIRN)
• Kosovo reacts to Russia's claims of involvement in recruiting mercenaries (Koha)
• Sarrazin to become German Representative for Western Balkans (EWB)
• Mehaj: Kosovo to sign security information agreement with U.S. (media)
• Why does the business community think Kosovo has failed? (euronews.al)
• COVID-19: 183 new cases, two deaths (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 18, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• President Osmani to also take part in Munich conference (media)
• Osmani meets Lebanese prime minister, agree to advance relations (media)
• In Munich, Kurti meets North Macedonian prime minister (media)
• PM Kurti asks Commissioner Hahn for more support (media)
• Russia claims Kosovo is included in recruiting people for Donbas region (Koha)
• Kurti, Konjufca met Albanian representatives from Presevo Valley (media)
• Ministry, Judicial Council and Supreme Court sign statement pledging reforms (media)
• COVID-19: 236 new cases, four deaths (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Djuric met Gabriel Escobar (Radio KIM)
• Gracanica: Provocations on February 17 (Radio KIM, KoSSev, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• State Dept welcomes Serbia’s call for diplomatic solution to Ukraine crisis (N1)
• IFIMES: Preventing Serbs to vote in Kosovo can lead to their withdrawal from Pristina institutions (Kosovo-online)
• Dacic on Kosovo and declaration of independence (Kosovo-online)
• Rasic: Relations between Serbs and Kosovo government are at lowest level ever (RTK)
• Hearing of defendants in usurped property case of Dusko Arsic takes place (Radio KIM)
• West called on Russia not to recognize DNR and LNR at UN (Tanjug, B92)

International:

• In diplomacy, Europe’s most powerful ambassador means business (Politico)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Kosovo Dedicates Independence Monument to Women’s Empowerment (BIRN)

• Kurti: The constitutional decision on Association should be respected (RTK)
• Opposition parties criticise Kurti's speech at Assembly (media)
• Kurti to travel to Germany, will take part in Munich Security Conference (media)
• Kosovo Celebrates Independence Anniversary Amid Soul-Searching (BIRN)
• Osmani and Kurti pour out words of hope on 14th Independence anniversary (euronews.al)
• Serbia establishes local election commissions in Kosovo cities (Koha)
• Kosovo Cautioned Over “Dangerous” Verbal Attacks on Media (BIRN)
• COVID-19: 411 new cases, five deaths (media)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kosovo's institutional leaders congratulate independence anniversary (media)
• Secretary Blinken: Kosovo rightly proud of progress made in 14 years (media)
• Ambassador Hovenier: Kosovo’s progress nothing less than remarkable (media)
• Gervalla-Schwarz: There can be no compromise to the detriment of independence (RTK)
• COVID-19: 411 new cases, five deaths (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Greek PM Mitsotakis: Greek stance on Kosovo unchanged (Tanjug, media)
• Vucic: I asked Greece to keep supporting Serbia's territorial integrity (Tanjug, media)
• Kosovo independence from Serbian perspective (Radio KIM)
• Petkovic: Holding elections in Kosovo April 3 is crucial (TV Most)
• Serbian central election commission takes procedural decisions for elections (N1)
• Gouillon responds to media allegations on him (Kosovo-online)
• Covid-19: 24 new cases, one death registered in Serbian areas (Kosovo-online)

Opinion:

• Janjic: ''Kosovo's status as an independent international public legal unit remains open'' (KoSSev, Kontakt plus radio)
• Spahiu: ''Albanians do not give up independence, but they also do not respect the laws, the life of Serbs not easy'' (KoSSev, Kontakt plus radio)

International:

• Muslim nations that refuse to recognize Kosovo are making a big mistake, says PM Albin Kurti (Arab News)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Former Infrastructure Minister Indicted Over Extra €53 million Highway Cost (Prishtina Insight)

• Escobar: Kosovo-Serbia agreement to center on mutual recognition (media)
• Abdixhiku: Kurti government has abandoned its duties (media)
• Kuci: Whenever there is dialogue, there will be compromises (Dukagjini TV)
• Citaku: Serbia doesn’t have Russia’s power to destabilize the Balkans (KTV)
• Ambassador Hovenier meets AAK leader Haradinaj (media)
• Ex-Infrastructure minister indicted over extra €53 million highway cost (BIRN)
• Komsic congratulates Kosovo's Independence Day, Dodik reacts (media)
• COVID-19: 508 new cases, 3 deaths (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 16, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 508 new cases, 3 deaths (media)
• “New energy tariffs will be executed from February 9” (media)
• ECRB calls on Kosovo authorities to ensure independence of ERO (media)
• German President: Fighting corruption a factor for future of Kosovo youth (RFE)
• U.S. Ambassador meets President of Constitutional Court (media)
• PSD leader Molliqaj and three other activists released from detention (Koha)
• Serbian products in Kosovo’s market drop by 37 percent (RFE)

Serbian Language Media:

• Serbian president calls early parliamentary elections for April 3 (media, N1)
• Serbian Parliament Speaker calls local elections for April 3 (media, N1)
• 21 years since Livadice buss attack, memorial service to be held in Laplje Selo (KoSSev)
• Office for KiM: Crime in Livadice stain on face of international community (KoSSev)
• Visoki Decani on Livadice crime anniversary (Kosovo-online)
• Opposition candidate Ponos goes to Kosovo, fierce reaction from Serbian authorities (N1)
• UNDP: The name of the Mitrovica Cultural Center changed after the renovation (KiM radio)
• OSCE concerned over incidents on religious sites, calls for re-establishment of Municipal Safety Councils (KoSSev)
• Survey: Half Kosovo residents ready to emigrate (RTS, media)
• Selakovic: Serbia to react if Pristina tries to secure more recognitions (Tanjug, Vecernje Novosti)
• Vucic receives Primakov (Tanjug)

Opinion:

• Serwer: Convergence is desirable but not magical (media)

International:

• 2022 Index of Economic Freedom: Kosovo (heritage.com)

• Biden: Kosovo-Serbia dialogue must conclude in mutual recognition (media)
• Albin Kurti most preferred politician, survey shows (Klan Kosova)
• Gervalla: Serbian elections won’t be automatically held in Kosovo (media)
• Concern over ‘uncontrolled’ security cameras in Serb-dominated north (BIRN)
• Kosovo mayors’ promises multiplied in last elections (BIRN)
• How the Kosovo air war foreshadowed the crisis in Ukraine (The New Yorker)
• Former secretary of Ministry of Trade caught with 50 kg of drugs (Kallxo)
• COVID-19: 373 new cases, two deaths (media)
• French ‘humanitarian’ far-right claims Kosovo as cautionary tale (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: EU to keep its promise on visa liberalisation (media)
• Foreign Ministry with new recognition strategy (RTK)
• Serbia warns of new de-recognition campaign (Reporter)
• Kosovo Academy of Sciences and Arts: 'Open Balkan' politically isolates Kosovo (Kallxo)
• In his letter to Vucic, Blinken requests recognition of Kosovo (RTK)
• Macron’s letter to Vucic: I hope Kosovo-Serbia reach final agreement in the coming months (media)
• COVID-19: 373 new cases, two deaths (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• 28 cases of Covid-19 in Serbian communities in Kosovo (KoSSev)
• Serbia celebrates Statehood Day (N1)
• Officials of countries worldwide congratulate Vucic on occasion of Statehood Day (Tanjug)
• Office for KiM, Serbian List react to latest incident against Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
• Rakic with the US Ambassador Hovenier: ''We’re not giving up the establishment of CSM'' (Radio Mitrovica sever, KiM radio, Kosovo Online)
• Head of EULEX: In Kosovo, healing the scars of war is a daily task (KiM radio, eeas.europa.eu)

• Decani Monastery between the judiciary and the executive (RFE)
• Opposition slams performance of Kurti’s government (euronews.al)
• Krasniqi: Behind 14 February elections, no vision, only propaganda (media)
• Hovenier reconfirms to Rakic the US support for independent Kosovo (Koha)
• Kosovo tells citizens to leave Ukraine now (BIRN)
• Police arrest Molliqaj and 12 PSD members over action at ERO (media)
• COVID-19: 247 new cases, two deaths (media)