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UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 23, 2021

• EU High Representative statement on situation in north of Kosovo (media) • Ethnic Serbs dig in for long protest over Kosovo ban (AFP) • Kosovo Police refute report by Kosovo Online (media) • Moscow: Kosovo police actions against Serbs, provocation (media) • Presevo Valley Albanians to be compensated for license plates payment (media) • Presevo Mayor supports Kosovo Government's decision on license plates (media) • Prime Minister Kurti meets Albanian Assembly Speaker Nikolla (media) • Opinion: Is lawfulness always good? By Arben Idrizi (Gazeta Express) • COVID-19: 5 deaths, 160 new cases (media) • Ministry of Health launches electronic COVID-19 vaccination certificate (media) • “New decision on start of school year to be made before September 26” (Kallxo) • President Osmani meets President of Guinea Bissau Embaló (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 22, 2021

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 22, 2021 Albanian Language Media: • Kurti: We’ll remove measures on license plates, if Serbia does the same (media) • EU High Representative Josep Borrell meets with regional leaders (media) • Osmani: Kosovo met visa liberalisation requirements, EU must deliver (media) • President Osmani, Foreign Minister Gervalla meet NATO SG Stoltenberg (media) • Health Minister: 500,000 Pfizer doses will arrive by year’s end (media) • COVID-19: Five deaths, 160 new cases (media) • Nikola: Let’s come together so the world knows about Serbia’s crimes (media) Serbian Language Media: • Varhelyi: Unilateral actions lead to unnecessary tensions and should be withdrawn (Kosovo Online) • Petkovic: Kurti plans to negotiate but with long barrels and armored vehicles goes against the bare-handed people (Kosovo Online) • Vulin: ''The situation in Kosovo and Metohija calm, but tense'' (Tanjug, Kosovo Online) • The Kosovo government discussing the situation in the north; no translation for Serbian media (KiM radio) • Number of people gathering at Jarinje increases, no incidents (Kosovo-online) • Covic: Now international community is on move (RTS) • Representatives of WB with Borrell at a working dinner in NY (media) • Tanjug: EU proposes Vucic-Kurti meeting in Brussels, aiming at reducing tensions (Kosovo-online) • Selakovic met foreign ministers of Tunisia, Estonia and Bolivia in NY (RTS) • EU-Western Balkans Summit in Slovenia in October (N1) • Serbian Government to set up health care centers in north Kosovo (N1) • Novakovic: Kurti introduced reciprocity because of local elections also (Kosovo-online) • NADA for more decisive response of Serbia over ROSU units in north (Kosovo-online) • The issuance of trial plates in Laplje Selo started today (KiM radio) Opinion: • Merkel’s Balkan Farewell More than Just Symbolic (Balkan Insight) International: • Restore trust and inspire hope, UN chief says in message to UNGA76 (news.un.org) • World leaders speak at United Nations General Assembly (Al Jazeera)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 22, 2021

• Kurti: Reciprocity on license plates is not a provocation or discriminatory (media) • Osmani: The region is increasingly being threatened by Serbia's actions (media) • EU: Kosovo and Serbia to resolve license plates issue through dialogue (Telegrafi) • Kamberi: Decision on license plates is just, Presevo Valley citizens to be compensated (KP) • CDHRF: Reciprocity on license plates does not violate human rights (Zeri) • Albanian PM Rama comments on license plates measures (media) • Basha: Relations between two independent countries rest on reciprocity (media) • “Only Kosovo Police members involved in operation in the north” (media) • Roadblocks near Bernjak and Jarinje border crossing points remain (media) • Pyper poll: Over 79% believe reciprocity will have positive impact on Kosovo's image (Telegrafi) • Osmani outlines meetings at the sidelines of UNGA session (media) • Grenell criticises President Biden over his UNGA speech (media) • Kosovo delegation visits Specialist Chambers at The Hague (media) • Kosovo War Crime Witness Asks Hague Court for Compensation (BIRN) • COVID-19: Seven deaths, 173 new cases (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 21, 2021

Albanian Language Media: • COVID-19: 7 deaths, 173 new cases (media) • Prime Minister Kurti received Quint ambassadors and Head of EU Office (media) • Kosovo Foreign Minister: Tensions are a unilateral action by Serbia (media) • Citizens can be provided with temporary license plates starting today (media) • Kurti: Cooperative security remains our main task and engagement (media) • Lajcak: Reduce tensions, allow freedom of movement (Express) • Civilian police officers are removing "KS" license plates in Prishtina (Koha) • Bislimi: Opening Serbia's state archives helps locating mass graves (media) Serbian Language Media: • 34 new cases of Covid-19 registered in Serbian areas (Kosovo-online) • Vucic says he refused Quint’s proposal for solution, demands withdrawal of troops from northern Kosovo (RTS) • At Jarinje and Brnjak calm; crossing possible only on foot (media) • Lajcak concerned over situation in northern Kosovo, calls for immediate de-escalation (Kosovo-online) • Vucic: I don't see the point of dialogue at the moment (media) • Petkovic: Belgrade “fought in all ways“ to extend KS licence plates (N1) • Temporary RKS license plates: The origin story (KoSSev) • Mustafa: The reciprocity measure punishes Albanians in Presevo (Beta, NMagazin) • Brnabic and Selakovic at the General Session of the UN (B92, Tanjug) • Opposition in Serbia on the issue of Pristina’s reciprocity measure (media) • Trial plates still not issued in central Kosovo (Kosovo Online, KiM radio) International: • Protesters block Kosovo-Serbia border, tension still high (AP) • Kosovo: New restrictions on Serbian license plates spark protests (DW) • EU leaders accuse Biden of disloyalty to allies (politico.eu)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 21, 2021

• Osmani: Kosovo fully implemented agreements signed in Brussels (media) • Bislimi: There is a tendency for further escalation (media) • Quiet situation in Bernjak and Jarinje (media) • Svecla: Decision on temporary license plates is legitimate (media) • U.S. Embassy calls on Kosovo and Serbia to reduce tensions (media) • Criminal groups of Radojcic and Veselinovic behind roadblocks (Kosovapress) • Vucic says he discussed crisis in Kosovo with Lajcak (N1) • Judah: Serbian military reportedly driving around close to Kosovo border (media) • Stefanovic: License plates agreement expired, Vucic's regime lying to Serbs (media) • “Government decision to be followed up with requirement to fill in forms” (Koha) • ‘Reciprocity principle’ in Kosovo license plate dispute with Serbia (Euronews Albania) • Kurti responds to questions on the gas pipeline project (RTK) • COVID-19: 6 deaths, 48 new cases (media) • First witness at Kosovo guerrilla’s trial recalls brutal beating (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 20, 2021

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 20, 2021 Albanian Language Media: • COVID-19: 6 deaths, 48 new cases (media) • License plates’ reciprocity, Svecla provides details on increase of police forces (RTK) • Citizens block the roads to Brnjak and Jarinje (media) • Kurti on action in the North: Serbia agreed to this as well (Ekonomia Online) • MIA: Do not use Brnjak and Jarinje border points (Koha) • The road to the Jarinje and Brnjak border points, continues to be blocked (Kallxo) • EU: Kosovo and Serbia to immediately reduce tensions (RTK/Klan) • KFOR: The situation in the North is stable (media) • Serbian media: Vucic to gather National Security Council following Kosovo decision on license plates (Express) • LDK's Gashi: PM Kurti putting on a 'show' with license plates (Kallxo) • PDK and LVV clash over Kurti’s role in the KLA (Telegrafi) • Kurti to undertake U.S. visit in November (Kosovapress/Klan) • Albanian Assembly Speaker Nikolla to visit Kosovo (Koha) Serbian Language Media: • 38 new cases of Covid-19 registered in Serbian areas on Saturday (Radio kontakt plus) • Stano: Lower tensions immediately, sides to refrain from unilateral actions (Kosovo Online, Tanjug) • KFOR on events in northern Kosovo: Security situation stable (Kosovo-online) • Vucic convened an emergency session of the Security Council (B92, Vecernje Novosti) • ROSU at Jarinje and Brnjak, confiscation of vehicle plates commenced, Rakic urges Vucic to react (RTS) • Simic called for the restraint of the citizens (B92, TV Prva, Tanjug) • Issuance of trial RKS vehicle plates has started (KiM radio) • Replacement of Serbian registration plates started in Gorazdevac (Radio KIM) • Andric: 9,500 vehicles with Serbian license plates captured in Kosovo (Beta, Danas) • Stefanovic: ''Explain to Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija how you ‘defend’ them '' (Kosovo Online) • Rada Trajkovic accuses Vucic of misinforming Serbs (Kosovo online) • Petkovic: Pristina to start issuing temporary license plates for cars with Serb plates as of Monday (KoSSev) • Milivojevic: By introducing reciprocity, Kurti practically abolishes dialogue (Kosovo-online) • Lajcak on two-day visit to Belgrade (Radio KIM) • Lajcak canceled a meeting with civil society in Belgrade (Kosovo Online, Danas) • Petkovic: Either Brussels agreement will be respected or it shall not exist (Radio KIM) • Vucic, Erdogan: Friendship with Turkey is guarantee of peace in region (N1) Opinion: • Janjic: Vehicle plates are just the beginning of Kurti's measures of reciprocity, Lajcak does not understand, and that leads to war (Kosovo Online) International: • Tempers Flare At Serbia-Kosovo Border As Pristina Presses 'Reciprocal' Move Over License Plates (RFE) • Kosovo deploys police, Serbs protest amid border tension (AP) • Kosovo Deploys Police as Serbs Protest in Licence Plate Dispute (Balkan Insight) • Tensions as Kosovo begins removing Serbian licence plates at border (Euronews)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 20

• COVID-19: 10 deaths, 173 new cases (media) • Government: 35% of adult population is fully vaccinated in Kosovo (media) • Movement of vehicles with KS license plates to be banned as of today (media) • Kurti: If we were to sign a final agreement, Serbia would have to change its constitution (euronews.al) • President Vjosa Osmani insists on concluding dialogue with mutual recognition (euronews.al) • U.S. Embassy: Discussions with Kosovo government on gas pipeline ongoing (media) • Serbs consider a possible plan on the north of Kosovo to constitute a threat (Koha) • President Osmani travelled for official visit to United States (media) • Rama Links Kosovo’s Membership in ‘Open Balkan’ to Its ‘Dedication to Peace’ (Exit News) • ‘Relations with Albania Are Cooling,’ Warns Kosovo President (Exit News) • Albanian PM Rama accepts invitation of Kurti to visit Kosovo (Express) • Kosovo's President Vjosa Osmani: Principled, yet willing to take risks (DW) • A group of Afghan citizens leave Kosovo for United States (media) • U.S. Seeks Acceleration Of EU-Balkan Integration, Senior Official Says (RFE)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 17, 2021

Albanian Language Media: • COVID-19: 19 deaths, 279 new cases (media) • Kosovo making preparations to issue COVID-19 digital passports (RFE/media) • Kurti: Reciprocity towards Serbia is not an act of revenge (media) • “Kurti to not debate Washington deal but insist U.S. appoints dialogue envoy” (Euronews Albania/media) • Rizvanolli: No decisions on gas pipeline without cost information (Koha) Serbian Language Media: • EU envoy Lajcak due in Belgrade on Monday (N1) • Lajcak met Serbian List’s representatives (Radio Mitrovica sever) • Two more people infected with Covid-19 in Gracanica (KiM radio) • Resignation after insulting president and prime minister (KiM radio) • Drecun: Lajcak attempts to give a dynamic to a died down dialogue (RTV Puls, Tanjug) • Petkovic to Pristina: Plans to conquer North doomed (KoSSev) International: • Kosovo Minister Blames Falsified COVID-19 Tests on Wrongly Licensed Labs (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 17

• COVID-19: 14 deaths, 368 new cases (media) • Lajcak expects opposition parties in Kosovo to support the dialogue (media) • Konjufca: There is only one Kosovo archive and is among world’s most transparent ones (Klan) • PDK’s Krasniqi: KLA had no archives, it’s world-known fact (media) • Kosovo not blocking Serbian vehicles’ entry despite agreement expiry (BIRN) • Human remains recovered at the Kizevak mass gravesite to return to Kosovo (Klan) • EU deploys 22 long-term election observers to Kosovo (EO/Koha) • Basha: It is Albania’s duty to support Kosovo (media) • Death of woman whose family says died after vaccination being investigated (media) • Two government officials arrested on bribery charges (media) • Kosovo Urged to Give Syria Returnees More Financial Help (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 16, 2021

Albanian Language Media: • COVID-19: 14 deaths, 368 new cases (media) • Kurti: Kosovo, North Macedonia governments’ meeting, a historic moment (media) • Kosovo and North Macedonia signed 11 agreements today (media) • Konjufca: Territorial integrity and independence are non-negotiable (media) • AAK’s Tahiri asks Lajcak to explain issue of KLA archives (Lajmi) • 117 Afghan nationals expected to fly out of Kosovo today (Radio Free Europe) • COVID-19 forces parties to avoid conventional campaigns (Indeksonline) • Rama on Open Balkan: No one can lecture Albania (media) Serbian Language Media: • Three deaths, 29 newly infected with Covid-19 in Serbian communities (KiM radio) • "Epidemiological situation in Serb areas in Kosovo serious" (Radio Kosovska Mitrovica, KiM radio) • Petkovic: Pristina wants to go back ten years and bury the dialogue (RTS) • The hearing in the case of the murder of Oliver Ivanovic postponed again (KiM radio, Radio Mitrovica sever) • Petritsch: In Washington, the Balkans are increasingly seen as a problem of Europe (Kosovo Online) • Von der Leyen to visit Belgrade on September 30 (Tanjug) • Stojanovic: Citizens to decide on their own future (KiM radio) • Jevtic: Serbian List's victory will be "defeat to the devil" (KiM radio) International: • For Kosovo officials, training means travel on taxpayer dime (BIRN) • European Parliament gives green light to IPA III worth 14.2 billion euro (EWB) Humanitarian/Development: • FRONTEX: Illegal Migration Increased by Over 90% in the Mediterranean, Balkan & Western African Route (schengenvisainfo.com)