UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 20, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Killing of children in Kosovo are Serbia’s most heinous crimes (Klan)
• Osmani: We are ready for any scenario from Serbia (media)
• Svecla: Illegal investment was made in Banjska hotel, it is property of AKP (Koha)
• Sources: “Banja complex, shelter of terrorists, fighting point on Sept 24” (KSP)
• Svecla: Report on Banjska and policemen kidnaped by Serbia, soon (Klan)
• In his year-end speech, Stoltenberg mentions importance of security in Kosovo for peace in Western Balkans (Klan)
• Haradinaj: AAK ready for parliamentary elections whenever they are held (EO)
• MP Musliu refuses Prime Minister Kurti's gift for the end of the year (Koha)
• Molliqaj: Santa’s 2023 balance: Many gifts for LVV, punishment for KLA, and Zajednica for Kosovo (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• US Congresswoman Tenny: Suspend aid to Pristina (KiM radio, Tanjug)
• Antonijevic: I expect sharp reaction from US and EU over incursion of Kosovo police to Rajska Banja spa complex (Kosovo Online, social media)
• US calls for investigation into election fraud claims (N1)
• Brnabic: Just 20,000 crossed border on election day (N1)
• Senators Shaheen and Ricketts call Belgrade to consider rerun of elections (VoA, N1)
• Ugljanin: The next steps in the process of replacing the mayor - when the Ministry's answer arrives (Kosovo Online)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 20, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• RLI: Likelihood of new attacks on Kosovo remains considerable (media)
• Kurti meets Barbano, discuss security, rule of law, and justice (media)
• Osmani’s office and AAK trade blame for failed meeting on Tuesday (media)
• Krasniqi: Consultative meetings have no effect on Association draft statute (Koha)
• Tahiri reacts to Vetevendosje: Panicking in fear from constitutionality (media)
• Svecla: Smuggled cigarettes confiscated in Mitrovica North, law and order (Klan)
• PAK: Complex in Banjska has been rented to Ministry of Interior Affairs (RFE)
• Kearns: Serbia sheltering man guilty of murdering Kosovo police officer (media)
• Pristina ranked 10th in list of cities with high air pollution (Indeksonline)
Serbian Language Media:
• Kosovo Privatization Agency took under its control Rajska Banja spa complex in Banjska (KoSSev, Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic reacts to decision of Kosovo Privatization Agency to take over Rajska Banja spa complex (media)
• Serbian List: Kurti in front of international community usurps Rajska Banja and Serbian properties (media)
• Serbian Democracy on Rajska Banja spa complex take over: Step towards deteriorating security situation (Radio KIM)
• Privatization Agency: Complex in Banjska given for lease to Ministry of Internal Affairs (Kosovo Online, Radio Free Europe)
• Reactions to decision of KPA: Institutional violence (media, social media)
• Serbian cemetery in Orahovac desecrated (Kosovo Online)
• European Commission on Serbian elections (N1)

Albanian Language Media:

• EU concerned – Serbia does not implement Ohrid agreement (Deutsche Welle)
• Selimi: Serbia’s path to EU is 100% conditioned by Kosovo’s path to UN (media)
• Germany on Serbia elections: Unacceptable irregularities (RFE)
• Von Cramon: Serbian elections held under uneven playing field conditions (media)
• Bilcik: We haven’t seen any systematic irregularities in Serbian elections (AP)
• Vetevendosje slams opposition parties for sending laws to Court (media)
• Rohde describes Moller’s visit to Kosovo, Grenell reacts (media)
• Bogujevci on CoE membership: On the right path, we have great support (media)
• Albania to chair Adriatic Charter in ‘24: Kosovo membership, a priority (Express)
• Szunyog advises Aliu to prioritize environment protection legislation (media)
• Hovenier meets Rizvanolli: Kosovo’s energy future is bright (media)
• Murati denies govt excluded any category from subsidies for electricity (media)
• Kurti visits Kosovo Pensions Savings Trust (media)
• Kurti meets community students that benefited from scholarships (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• CEC opened way for initiation of petitions for removal of mayors in three norhtern municipalities in Kosovo (RTS)
• KoSSev: Kosovo Ministry of Environment will maintain roads in the north as well (Beta, NMagazin)
• "KLA" sign placed above North Mitrovica (N1, RTS)
• Returnee house in Belo Polje near Pec burnt (Radio KIM, Radio Gorazdevac)
• Office for KiM: Pavlovic family has been facing pressure for months (Kosovo Online)
• Road works continue in Banov Do despite locals' opposition (KiM radio, Radio Mitrovica sever, TV Most)
• China state leadership congratulate Vucic for victory (RTS)
• Bilcik: There were no major irregularities in elections in Serbia (N1, Insajder)
• Von Cramon: Irregularities on and before Serbian elections (N1, social media)
• Five days without electricity, residents of Susice village, near Strpce ask for help (RTS)

Opinion:

• Krstic: Some went to vote for the SNS in an organized manner, others voluntarily went to vote against (KoSSev)

International:

• Kosovo Opposition LDK Slates EU Document on Serb Municipalities’ Association (BIRN)
• Kosovo Fears New Labour Shortfall as Schengen Doors Open (Balkan Insight)
• Serbia challenges NATO, by threatening Kosovo (RLI)
• Serbian Opposition Parties Demand Annulment of Belgrade Election Result (Balkan Insight)
• Serbia’s elections held under ‘unjust conditions’, say international observers (The Guardian)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti and Osmani meet Moller talk about Germany's support in the field of defense (media)
Osmani meets Abdixhiku, discuss security and Association (RFE) 
PDK’s Krasniqi turns down Osmani’s invitation for meeting (Nacionale) 
LDK: Association's draft statute gives Serbs autonomous and territorial regulation (media)
Specialist Chambers extend detention for Thaci and Veseli (Indeksonline) 
Kurti meets representatives of Montenegrin community in Kosovo (media) 
Albania to assume presidency of Adriatic Charter: Kosovo's membership, priority (Reporteri)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic: Peace, law and order will regain in Serbia, citizens should not worry (Tanjug, RTS, Kosovo Online)
Serbia Against Violence coalition holds protest rally in Belgrade (N1)
Brnabic: Opposition creates chaos and mistreats RIK (Radio KIM, social media)
Dimitrijevic: RZZS director and several members of commission attacked, RIK is not body to implement Belgrade elections (RTS)
International observers on elections, irregularities (N1)
Vucic: Good and open discussion with von Cramon (Tanjug)
State Department on cooperation with Serbia on strengthening democracy following elections (KoSSev)
Serbian List officials on elections (Kosovo Online)
Majority of Kosovo Serbs voted for Vucic’s list, Pec locals went for SPS (KoSSev)
Dimitrijevic: These elections will seal fate of Kosovo Serbs (KoSSev)

International Media:

Vaccine-Sceptic Doctor Becomes Kingmaker in Belgrade After Polls (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 18, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Rohde: Germany continues its support for Kosovo's integration into EU (RTK)
• Haxhiu: Venice Commission supports proposal for 7 members in KPC (media)
• Hoxhaj: Foreign policy without any results, only with tourist visits (media)
• LVV MPs continue boycott - meeting of Investigative Committee for Reserves fails (media)
• Kusari-Lila: Committee of Inquiry on reserves, absurd, its purpose is unknown (Klan)
• Serwer: Election results in Serbia are not good sign for dialogue (RFE, media)
• Haradinaj: The Association's draft statute has disturbing elements (media)
• Russia complains to UN about "good conditions" of former KLA leaders in The Hague (AP)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic on elections results, future of Serbia (N1, Kosovo Online, social media)
• Serbia Against Violence calls protest, alleges election fraud (N1, KoSSev, media)
• Bosnian Serb politicians respond to opposition claims (N1, media)
• Dacic on SPS election results (media)
• Petkovic: Serbian people demonstrated once again they are loyal to their state of Serbia (Kosovo Online)
• Pisonero: EU will not declare on elections in Serbia, before OSCE and ODHIR present their preliminary findings (FoNet)
• Kremlin on SNS elections results (Danas, BETA)
• Grenell on SNS election victory, Kurti (Kosovo Online, Tanjug, social media)
• Centre of Zvecan without electricity since last night because of malfunction (Radio Mitrovica sever, Radio kontakt plus)
• MFA of Germany: Our ambassador in Kosovo did not ask memorial plaque to be moved (Kosovo Online)
• Stefanovic: The checking of Radoicic's testimony ongoing, evidence being collected (N1, Kurir)

International:

• Serbian Progressives Win Parliamentary Election, Control of Belgrade in Question (Balkan Insight)
• ‘This is Kosovo’s Reality’: How Ethnic Insults Persist in TV Entertainment (Balkan Insight)
• Serbia’s Leader Tightens Grip on Power in General Election, Early Results Show (The New York Times)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti doesn’t exclude possibility of a new Serbian attack in Kosovo (media)
• Mustafi: Kamberi won another mandate as MP in Serbia (Koha)
• Lajcak: Further consultations in the coming period will be necessary (media)
• Biserko: The West will no longer tolerate Belgrade’s adventures (media)
• Coordination group on Kosovo’s membership at CoE will meet today (Telegrafi)
• Osmani on Judo Championship: Historic milestone for our country (media)
• Kurti: Association of Architects joins Architects’ Council of Europe (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Brnabic: With 50 pct of votes counted, SNS list has 47.1 pct (Tanjug, media)
• The list "Serbia must not stop" received 74.2 percent of the votes of Serbs from Kosovo, says Vucic (Kosovo Online)
• Polling stations for parliamentary, provincial, and local elections close in Serbia (Tanjug)
• Dimitrijevic: Around 22,000 voters from Kosovo voted by 6 pm (Tanjug)
• Petkovic after the vote: Today decided whether the Serbian people will survive in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Elek: Serbia must not stop, today's unity of Serbs from KiM will contribute to that (Kosovo Online, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Bogdanovic: We expect a change of government (Kosovo Online)
• The mayor of Presevo accuses Kurti of having led to the division of Albanians (Beta, NMagazin, Danas)
• Election watchdog program director expresses concern about gathering spots for voters in Belgrade (N1)
• Demostat: EU recognizes Belgrade’s hypocrisy (N1)
• Political analysts: It is too late to change the Annex, Serbia will not be able to avoid Kosovo’s entry into intl institutions (N1)
International Media:
• Serbian polls close in snap election called by Vucic (BBC)
• Live Blog: Serbian Elections 2023 (Balkan Insight)
• Serbia's populists claim a sweeping victory in the country's parliamentary election (abcnews.go.com)
• Serbia's ruling populists claim sweeping election victory (euronews.com)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti meets Hovenier and Hyland, talk about attack committed in Kosovo (Reporteri)
• Osmani: Serbia not interested in concluding dialogue, Vucic's policy same as Milosevic's (media)
• PDK and AAK boycott Osmani’s address in the Assembly today (media)
• EU to Serbia: Ohrid Agreement and Annex are legally binding (RTK)
• Baker appreciates Kosovo’s contribution to regional stability (RTK)
• Westerlund: Association draft doesn’t foresee executive competencies (TeVe1)
• Abdixhiku asks U.S. to continue support for dialogue (media)
• State Department: Russia influenced increase of tensions in Kosovo north (KTV)
• Kearns raises doubts that investigation into Banjska has ended and is not being made public (Kallxo)
• Opposition on Bislimi’s accusations: Kurti government in line with Serbia (eo)

Serbian Language Media:

• Stano: The Brussels agreement and the agreement from Ohrid are legally binding for Belgrade and Pristina (RTS)
• Ambassador: Spain will not change its position - we do not recognize Kosovo, nor the accession to the EU (N1, FoNet)
• Deadline for re-registration of vehicles to “RKS” plates expires today (KiM radio)
• RIK: Record number of controllers at Sunday elections (N1, BETA)
• No indication that Pristina will lift the embargo on Serbian goods (Kosovo Online)

International:

• Serbia Braces Again for Snap Legislative and Belgrade Elections (Balkan Insight)
• Serbia's Vucic seeks to reassert populist dominance in elections this weekend (abcnews.go.com)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kosovo Assembly adopts budget for 2024 (media)
• Deliu-Kodra: 2024 will be an election year (KTV)
• Serbia confirms in writing not considering implementing Brussels deal (Koha)
• Gervalla: Policy of appeasement towards Serbia has failed (media)
• Kearns on letter to EU to lift measures against Kosovo (Kallxo)
• Osmani to give end of year speech at Kosovo Assembly today (media)
• COMKFOR Ulutas meets Quint ambassadors (media)
• Rohde: Governments sometimes listen, and sometimes they don’t (Kosovapress)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: West will not give up on Kosovo independence (Tanjug)
• Rada Trajkovic on unveiling plaque at former Panda café: Cynical act of PM Kurti (KoSSev, Kosovo Online)
• Kurti wading into the election campaign, urges Albanians in Serbia to mobilize and vote for Kamberi (KoSSev)
• Westerlund: Pristina has to implement its obligations (Kosovo Online)
• Haradinaj says budget scandalous, discrimination of municipalities not run by Self-determination (KoSSev)

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani meets Meloni, “count on leadership” (media)
• Kurti travels to Brussels, invited by leader of European Socialists (media)
• Kurti: Serbia still hiding the truth about Panda case (media)
• Haxhiu: Early marriages in RAE communities, most unaddressed issue (media)
• KSF and Albanian Army hold joint drill in Albania (media)
• European Judo Championship to be held in Pristina on Saturday (media)
• KSC President grants Naim Haradinaj modification of sentence (media)
• Appeals Panel pronounces judgment in Salih Mustafa case (media)
• AAK’s Tahiri criticizes govt: 80% of capital projects haven’t started (Nacionale)
• Nissinen: We need strong democracies like Kosovo and Finland (Kosovapress)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: If EU message was that we have to recognise Kosovo, that will not happen (Tanjug)
• Brnabic: Serbians oppose sanctions on Russia (N1, FoNet)
• O’Brien: US expect calm and fair elections in Serbia, OSCE carefully monitors process (Voice of America)
• Six months since ban on importing Serbian goods in Kosovo was imposed (Radio KIM)
• Gogic, Rakic on non-acceptance of petitions to resolve mayors in north (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Memorial service to six murdered Serb boys served at Orthodox cemetery in Pec (KoSSev, Radio KIM)
• Election silence begins at midnight and lasts until closure of polling stations on December 17 (KiM radio, Beta)
• CRTA: Election campaign in a fog of unanswered questions (N1)
• Presevo, Bujanovac, Medvedja KLA veterans called on Albanians to boycott elections on December 17 (Kosovo Online, bujanovacke.co.rs)
• Pointing a finger at Serbian “state security”, Kurti installs a memorial plaque on the anniversary of the Panda case (KoSSev)

International:

• Kosovo Charges Four With Terrorism Over Election Office Bombing in North (BIRN)
• Hague Court Cuts Kosovo’s Commander Cali’s Sentence by Four Years (BIRN)
• Ex-Guerrilla-Turned-MP Does not Plead in First Hague Appearance (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

• Von der Leyen: Kosovo and Serbia to fulfill their commitments within dialogue (media)
• Borrell: I have invested a lot of energy in Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (Reporteri)
• Osmani: We have information that Serbia is preparing new attacks, will inform EU leaders (media)
• Kurti: Kosovo-Serbia agreement must be defended by EU and USA (VoA)
• Osmani: We will make association if it does not create additional level of governance (media)
• Bislimi: Association after elements of de-facto recognition are met (RTK)
• Lajcak in conversation with Bislimi: We agreed on the next steps in the dialogue (media)
• O'Brien meets Maqedonci: U.S. supports KSF (Koha)
• Osmani asks Von der Leyen to remove punitive measures against Kosovo (media)
• KFOR commander goes to Leposaviq, meets personnel patrolling along border line (media)
• Kurti and Abbott meet, discuss developments during 2023 (media)
• Bislimi and Blankenborg talk about economy and dialogue (RTK)
• Indictment filed against four northern Serbs, who threw bombs at offices of CEC (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

• Brnabic placed a reservation on the EU declaration: No recognition of Kosovo (Kosovo Online, Blic)
• Vucic: I do not believe that the Kosovo issue will be resolved quickly and easily (Kosovo Online, TV Prva)
• Serbian PM Brnabic met Orban and Varhelyi ahead of the summit (Tanjug, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Borrell: Both sides in the dialogue are moving slowly, but they are moving (Tanjug)
• Michel: We expect more reforms from the Western Balkans (KiM radio)
• CEC received the requests of the president of the Leposavic, North Mitrovica and Zubin Potok municipal assemblies, response in five days (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Goran Bogdanovic: The French-German plan is already being implemented (KiM radio)
• KFOR Commander Ulutas in Leposavic, visited the church of St. Vasilije Ostroski (KoSSev)
• Four persons indicted in connection with last year's attack on the premises of the MEC (KoSSev)

International Media:

• EU-Western Balkans summit, 13 December 2023 (consilium.europa.eu)
• Who Owns the Media? Only 30 Per Cent of Media in Kosovo Reported Ownership, BIRN Finds (Prishtina Insight)
• Extradition To Kosovo Of Monastery Attack Suspect 'Impossible,' Serbian FM Says (RFE)
• Vučić received an invitation to the EU-WB Summit, Serbian authorities decided Brnabić will attend (EWB)
• Countries call on the EU to remove measures against Kosovo (politico.eu)