UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 13, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Hovenier: Surprised by criticism about the draft statute of the Association (RFE)
• European legislators to Borrell and Lajcak: Remove "sanctions" on Kosovo (AP)
• Kearns: Radoicic should be extradited to Kosovo, no justification for Serbia (AP)
• Osmani: The unjust measures against Kosovo must go (media)
• Selimi: “Sources say Serbia trained and armed Radoicic terrorists” (media)
• Kurti congratulates Tusk on appointment as Polish Prime Minister (media)
• Svecla gives details about “draft law for control of state border” (Indeksonline)
• Maqedonci: By investing in the army, we’re investing in safety of citizens (Klan)
• BIRN publishes Media Ownership Monitor in Kosovo (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Pristina’s lack of goodwill to start the election process in the North is clear (KoSSev, N1)
• Hovenier: Kosovo officials at all levels to make additional efforts and enable citizens to replace mayors (KoSSev)
• What does Hovenier say about INTERPOL's "red notice" for Radoicic (KoSSev)
• Dacic: No discussion about the Franco-German plan until the CSM is formed (N1, Beta)
• Milivojevic: The EU's attempt to include the Ohrid Agreement in Chapter 35 a test for Belgrade (RTS)
• Dacic: Attitude of Caribbean states to our strategic interests important to us (Tanjug)
• Covic: EU has unrealistic approach in relation to Kosovo issue, additional pressure to come (RTS)
• The leaders of the EU and the Western Balkans meeting in Brussels, a declaration on the table (RTS)

International:

• Unclear signals from Austria ahead of Western Balkans summit (EWB)
• Wider Europe Briefing: A Crucial Week In Brussels (RFE)
• Western Balkans' integration into EU in focus at Albania summit (rfi.fr)
• EU Urged to Link Serbia’s Negotiations to Action on Kosovo Deal (BIRN)
• For Serbia’s Campaigner-in-Chief, Elections Buy Time (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

EU Council of Ministers approves conclusions for Kosovo and Serbia (RTK)
Bislimi: Government has not guaranteed there are no constitutional violations in Association’s draft (media)
Svecla: Serbia's threats are a serious problem for Kosovo and the region (RTK)
Rohde: Kosovo and Serbia should fulfill their duties (RTV21, media)
Specialist Prosecutor’s Office arrests Haxhi Shala (media)
Kurti: We distributed funds to over 380 families from non-majority communities (media)
LVV missed again meeting of Investigative Commission for state reserves (EO)
Albanians and Serbs demand depoliticization of issue of missing persons (Reporteri)
Krasniqi: Kurti government is penalizing citizens on party basis (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Petkovic on non-acceptance of requests to dissolve mayors: Kurti violates his own regulations (KoSSev)
Varhelyi: Conclusions on Serbia adopted by EU General Affairs Council (Tanjug, media)
Vucic says he fears Kosovo situation will be set up in increasingly harsh manner (Tanjug)
Hill: I have found EU good will for Serbia, but not for Serbia's problems (Tanjug)
Vice President of Peoples’ Party visits Gracanica ahead of Serbian parliamentary elections (Radio KIM, media)
CRTA NGO to deploy 3,000 election observers (media)
Serbia Against Violence rallies thousands in Belgrade (N1, media)
Serbian military get new vehicles (N1)

Albanian Language Media:

• President Osmani travels to Brussels (RTK)
• EU measures against Kosovo can be removed "if there is progress in meeting the demands" (RFE)
• Mitrovica North doesn’t accept request of initiative to remove mayor Atiq (Koha)
• Cakolli: rejection of request for Atic's removal, violation of law (Koha)
• Court cancels hearings in trial of former KLA leaders until next year (media)
• Haxhi Shala sent to Specialist Chambers in the Hague (Koha)
• Maqedonci traveled for an official visit to the USA (media)
• Survey: Only 20% of Europeans want Kosovo to join EU (Kallxo)
• “Opposition will enable Vetevendosje to win over 50% in next elections” (EO)
• Kurti discusses permanent shelter for 60 families from RAE communities (RFE)
• Malaj: Albania-Kosovo relations very good, not determined by a moment (Klan)
• Special Prosecutor's Office invites Serb accused of war crimes to appear in court (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

• North Mitrovica municipality did not accept the request for Atiq's dismissal (RTK2, Danas, media)
• Residents in north summoned for questioning in connection with December barricades? (KoSSev)
• Constitutional Court says verdict against Zoran Djokic is not in contradiction with Constitution (Radio KIM)
• The EU calls on Serbia, Kosovo to fulfill their obligations, the EC to supplement the criteria for Chapter 35 (NMagazin, Beta, media)
• Vucic meets Molina, thanks him for Spain’s principled stance on territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia (Kosovo Online)
• BBC: Vucic’s biggest test in Belgrade, Serbia Against Violence riding high in polls (N1, BETA)
• The family of Sladjan Trajkovic sent a request to international factors (KiM radio)

Albanian Language Media:
• Bislimi: Contract is step toward normalization of electricity supply in north (media)
• Lajcak meets Petkovic, discuss Association draft statute (media)
• Osmani meets Kearns, discuss security developments (media)
• Kurti meets journalists from Ukraine and Afghanistan (media)
• Rohde thanks Kosovo for hosting Ukrainian and Afghan journalists (media)
• Kosovo joins European Youth Card Association (media)
• Krasniqi slams govt for allocation of budget to certain municipalities (media)
• COMKFOR Ulutas concludes visit to Albania (media)
• Szunyog meets SL leader, discuss early local elections and dialogue (media)
• Osmani meets Foreign Minister of Somalia (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Lajcak, Petkovic discuss normalization agreement (N1, media)
• Szunyog, Elek discuss elections, dialogue (Tanjug)
• EULEX on breaking into church near Podujevo: Criminal complaint filed to prosecution (Kosovo Online)
• “White Peony” award goes to lawyer Filipovic, “Black Peony” award to PM Kurti (Kosovo Online, media)
• Vucic with ODIHR mission: I expect fair, democratic elections (FoNet)
• OSCE PA to deploy 75 election observers (N1)
International Media:
• Kosovo’s Marginalized Groups Still Discriminated Against in Workplace – Report (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 11, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti returns from visit to Berlin, describes meetings with German officials (media)
• Lajcak: Preparing for separate discussions with chief negotiators (media)
• Rohde welcomes KEDS-Elektroserver commercial contract (media)
• Schmid: Western Balkans belong to the EU (media)
• Ex-KLA senior member Haxhi Shala interviewed by Specialist Chambers (RFE)
• Abbott: Impunity is becoming cornerstone for corruption (EO)
• Isufaj elected for another term as head of Kosovo Prosecutorial Council (media)
• Osmani meets Qatar Prime Minister, discuss efforts to further cooperation (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Lajcak announces separate discussions with chief negotiators of Belgrade, Pristina (Tanjug)
• Jeremic: Kosovo must not join UN, we must reject Franco-German proposal (Kosovo Online, Danas)
• Vucic: All important topics of mutual interest discussed with Aliyev (Tanjug, media)
• Dveri Movement: Elektrosever has become part of Kosovo (Radio KIM)
• Lepaja: Serbs from Kosovo hostages of bad relations between Pristina and Belgrade (KiM radio, Slobodno Srpski)

Opinion:

• Vasic: Serbs are losing fear of regime’s election scare tactics (BIRN)

International:

• 24-year electricity dispute in northern Kosovo resolved thanks to Türkiye's intensive efforts (AA)
• Prishtina Named European City of Sports 2024: A Boost for Sports in Kosovo’s Capital (Prishtina Insight)
• With Leak Of Private Video, The Dirty Tricks Begin In Key Belgrade Election Battle (RFE)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti meets German Chancellor Scholz (RTK)
Bislimi participates at Budapest Balkan Forum (media)
Kurti in Berlin: Kosovo committed to aspiration for EU membership (RTK)
OSCE: There are no conditions for holding Serbian elections in Kosovo (RTK)
KFOR Commander: Security situation in the north calmer, but still fragile (Reporteri)
Draft of Association submitted by EU, worrying for opposition (RTK)
Von Cramon on KEDS-Elektroserver deal: Good news (RTK)
Kurti: We will continue to protect everyone's rights (media)
Haxhiu: Violence will not be normalized, we will work to protect women's lives (media)
Talat Xhaferi, Prime Minister of North Macedonia, from January 28 (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic satisfied with the signed contact between KEDS and Elektrosever (Tanjug, N1) 
Dacic congratulated the International Human Rights Day and pointed out their violation in Kosovo (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
Office for KiM: At the ambulance in Suvo Dol broken windows and metal door (KiM radio)
Serbian List: The devastation of the Suvi Dol ambulance a shameful act (KiM radio)
SNV: The catastrophic political and security situation of the Serbs in Kosovo (KiM radio, Danas)
An initiative to replace the mayor submitted in Zubin Potok (KoSSev)
An Initiative to recall mayor submitted in Leposavic as well; Radovic: No party support (KoSSev)
Natural gas from Azerbaijan: Serbia-Bulgaria gas interconnector put in trial operation (N1, Tanjug)

International Media:

SafeJournalists: Investigations of Attacks on Journalists in Western Balkans Long and Ineffective (safejournalists.net)
Türkiye's efforts help resolve electricity dispute in northern Kosovo (dailysabah.com)
United opposition poses stern test for Vučić in Serbia’s election (politico.eu)
Aleksandar Vucic: The man who remade Serbia (BBC)
Kosovo Indicts 53 Members of Serbian Forces for 1999 Village Massacre (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

• State Department expects Kosovo and Serbia to implement all obligations (VoA)
• Stano on Association's draft: It is new, balanced and European proposal (RTV21)
• Tahiri outlines some of the “serious problems” of the draft statute (media)
• Haliti: Not President’s competency to call parties to discuss draft statute (media)
• Lekaj doesn’t rule possible protests if Association draft statute is signed (RTV21)
• Krstic: If Trump comes to power, division of Kosovo will be discussed (Kanal 10)
• Lajcak: First time in a while EU is ready for enlargement (media)
• Special Prosecution: We have filed 33 indictments for war crimes in Kosovo (RFE)
• Rafuna: Economic integration of Western Balkans bring stability (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: I will protect national interests, our people in Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Orban: If the Brussels and Ohrid agreements enter the negotiation framework, Belgrade can count on Hungary (KiM radio, Tanjug)
• Hill: Recognition of Kosovo is not on the table, but normalization of relations (euronews.rs)
• Two-hour restrictions over malfunction at Valac power station (KoSSev)
• Xhufka: Do not dare to approach the church in Rakinica, because hellfire awaits you; The Diocese filed a criminal complaint
• Kurti video in Serbian: Thanks for faith in better Kosovo (N1)
• Hill: The US supports Serbia's bid to become a member of the EU (KiM radio, RTS, media)

Opinion:

• Bjelos: Pro-Democracy Forces in Serbia Targeted with Spyware (BIRN)

International:

• Week in Review: Uphill Struggles and Low Expectations (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Kurti meets Soderberg, focus on non-majority communities (media)
• Just transition roadmap sought for coal town in Kosovo* (balkangreenenergynews.com)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti: Membership in CoE brings advantages for non-majority community (Koha)
Rare momentum: Kosovo "to be resolved" before the EU elections (media)
Presidency and government criticized for lack of  transparency on Association (Koha)
AAK leadership discusses draft statute of Association (media)
Tahiri on draft of Association: Assembly is the place where we will discuss it (RTK)
CEC: We received request for removal of mayors of northern municipalities (RTK)
U.S. Embassy: Citizens have the right to request withdrawal of mayors 
SPO raiding house of Salih Mustafa's fellow fighter (media)
Dugolli: Former head of special unit in the north also wanted by Interpol (RTK)
Bojan Elek: INTERPOL warrant cannot force Serbia to arrest Radoicic (RFE, media)

Serbian Language Media:

Group of Mitrovica North citizens officially submitted initiative for removal of mayor, MA chairman has five days to respond to it (KoSSev)
Andric-Rakic on Mitrovica North MA chair remarks about petition (Kosovo Online, social media)
Krtinic: Citizens in Leposavic have not manage to submit request for petition to dissolve mayor (Kosovo Online)
US Embassy: Citizens in northern Kosovo have right to demand withdrawal of mayors (Kosovo Online)
Petkovic informs von Redecker about political situation in Kosovo, problems Serbs face there (media)
Serbia’s top security agency gets new chief (N1)
Djurdjevic Stamenkovski: People to choose between Constitution and ultimatum (Tanjug)

International Media:

Kosovo Court Jails Three for Attack on Journalist (Balkan Insight)
Interpol Issues Warrant for Radoicic Over Banjska Attack in Kosovo (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

• Rasic: INTERPOL issued arrest warrant for Radoicic (RFE)
• INTERPOL: We don’t comment on specific cases or individuals (Telegrafi)
• Rohde: Unthinkable for NATO in Kosovo to be attacked (TeVe1)
• KFOR trains for crowd riot control operations (Albanian Post)
• Wilkes: We are ready to respond to any threat (Telegrafi)
• Lajcak says there is progress in implementation of dialogue agreements (RFE)
• Police confiscate motorboat in Zvecan belonging to Radoicic (media)
• Police confiscate military uniforms and illegal tools in Mitrovica North (media)
• Border police confiscated cigarettes worth over €110,000 in the north (media)
• Rama: If Kosovo accepted my proposal, it would have had better results (media)
• Assailants of Kosovo journalist sentenced to two years in prison each (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Milosavljevic pleaded not guilty at preliminary hearing in Pristina (Kosovo Online)
• Defense lawyer of Zoran Kostic says health condition of his client extremely poor (Kosovo Online)
• Deda: There is Constitutional Court decision, property must be returned to Visoki Decani Monastery (Kosovo Online, Klan Kosova)
• Details of the warrant issued by Interpol for Milan Radoicic: 11 more persons wanted (nova.rs, media)
• Is the EU closing its doors to Serbia? (VoA)
• Davenport: Excellent discussion to support dialogue with religious communities’ representatives in Kosovo (media, social media)
• Vucic in rare interview to independent weekly (N1, NIN)
• Dacic: It is our obligation to preserve our shrines, most of which are in Kosovo (media)

International:

• On Unlevel Playing Field, Serbian Opposition Eyes Belgrade as Springboard (BIRN)
• Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak to receive Serbian passport, president says (abcnews.go.com)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Government enables employment of women survivors of violence (Indeksonline)
• Banushi: Some feelings you can’t convey with a lot of words (Kosovo 2.0)

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani says she’ll meet opposition parties over Association draft statute (media)
• CEC says requests for dismissal of mayors must be made to municipal assemblies (RFE)
• Lajcak meets members of Bundestag, discuss “dialogue and next steps” (media)
• Baerbock: Vucic cannot sit on two chairs at the same time (Koha)
• Sources: INTERPOL issued arrest warrant for Milan Radoicic (Kosovapress)
• Krstic: “SL, Vucic ordered Serbs in north of Kosovo to vote in Serbian elections” (Koha)
• Kurti: Proud to see Kosovo named as of one of Europe’s top destinations (media)
• Osmani: Our collective voice is our most powerful weapon (media)
• “Stop Femicide! Enough” protest march to be held in Pristina today (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: Two countries pushing for the Ohrid Agreement to be part of the negotiation chapter (KiM radio, NIN)
• EU Ambassador says regional economies to integrate before accession (N1, FoNet)
• Hill: US companies sure Serbia will join EU (FoNet, N1)
• Does the visit to Kosovo bring patriotic votes to the "Serbia against violence" list? (Danas)
• "Serbian List trying to return to the throne with a petition to remove the mayors" (KiM radio)
• Former OSCE official: Thaci persistently denied in 1999 that the KLA committed crimes against Serbs and Roma, and the atrocities became a pattern (KoSSev, N1, Beta)
• CEC: To dismiss the mayor in the north, turn to the municipal assemblies (KiM radio)
• Criminal prosecution for reporting a crime? (KiM radio, RTS)