UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 23, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti: Serbia’s enormous armament shows it aims escalation (media)
Gervalla meets Congressman Turner: Kosovo in NATO creates security (RTK)
PDK, LDK clarify stance on Association: Will rewrite draft with U.S. (Nacionale)
Kosovo Assembly approves two international agreements (RTK)
Haxhiu thanks MPs for adopting agreement with Denmark on prison cells (EO)
CEC begins preparations for next elections, allocates € 1 million for supply of cameras (ekonomia) 

Serbian Language Media: 

Jedinstvo newspaper staff held collegium at open, deadline for their eviction expires tomorrow (Radio Kontakt Plus, media)
Milicevic: There will be no progress in the north until new elections are called (Kosovo Online)
Stosic: Mayors of the northern municipalities have not justified their mandates (Kosovo Online)
Surlic: Mayors in the north engaged in populist measures directed by Pristina (Kosovo Online)
Citizens in north about work of mayors: Everything went downhill, potholes on streets, people are leaving (Kosovo Online)
Deda: Kosovo today is a collective defeat of building an inclusive society (KiM radio)
‘We Speak Because They Cannot’ panel in NYC hears witness testimonies (N1, media)
On the occasion of the vote on the Resolution on Srebrenica, the bells  of the churches of the SOC, and the Diocese of Raska-Prizren will ring at noon (KoSSev)

International:

Muslim majority Kosovo considers same-sex unions amid fierce opposition (Reuters)
Kosovo's trade gap widens 12% y/y in April (seenews.com)
Serbia reels at UN resolution on Srebrenica massacre (politico.eu)
UN Srebrenica resolution sets Balkan politicians at loggerheads (intellinews.com)

Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: Belgrade military parades where remains of 744 Albanians found (Koha)
• Bislimi: Dialogue faces frequent rejections from Serbia (Reporteri)
• Krasniqi: Kosovo needs EU to lift punitive measures as soon as possible (media)
• Citaku: Early elections are necessity; we don’t have spears for opposition (media)
• KFOR: Kosovo Police don’t need to notify us of all their movements (media)
• “Gallup”: Kosovo, the most ardent “fan” of the USA in the world (media)
• Hoxhaj: Kurti government is anti-European, anti-Western (Express)
• Cameron: Reconciliation and economic growth, advantage in Balkans (RFE)

Serbian Language Media:
• Three Penalized for ‘Arrogant Behavior’ Outside Main Branch of Postal Savings Bank on Monday (KoSSev)
• SD: Kosovo police tried to hand out fines for a fictitious incident (KiM radio)
• Petkovic and Chulick: Pristina's unilateral moves endanger the stability of the entire region (KiM radio)
• Vucic: Truth not one-sided, UN resolution to brand victims genocidal (Tanjug, media)
• Djuric: Serbia appeals to UN member states to oppose Srebrenica resolution (Tanjug, media)

Albanian Language Media:

• Central Bank: Activity of financial institutions without licenses is illegal (media)
• Haxhiu: Actions in north for sovereignty, internationals should support us (Zeri)
• NATO PA to discuss Kosovo’s status as associate member (media)
• Pacolli: We’re waiting for opposition to coordinate on elections date (EO)
• Two PDK MPs don’t rule out coalition with Vetevendosje (Indeksonline)
• Musliu-Shoshi: We asked for Assembly dissolution, but AAK, LDK against it (EO)
• Tahiri: AAK doesn’t support dissolution of Assembly (Gazeta Metro)
• PDK met Haradinaj to convince him on Assembly dissolution (Albanian Post)
• Escobar: Kosovo has had a better relationship with U.S. in the past (media)
• Kosovo institutional, political leaders commemorate Dubrava Massacre (media)
• Osmani congratulates Montenegro on Independence Day (media)
• NGO calls for menstrual products to be exempt from customs tariffs (media)
• Rama, Cameron discuss “strategic project for Albania and Kosovo” (Indeksonline)

Serbian Language Media:

• State Department for KoSSev: Pristina to return to dialogue, actions undermine the perception of good faith in resolving open issues (N1, NMagazin)
• Petkovic’s letter to Lajcak: Report credibly to the EU about the destabilizing actions of Pristina (RTV, Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
• A call to NATO Parliamentary Assembly not to accept Kosovo as an associate member (KiM radio, N1, KoSSev)
• Miscevic: EU accepts new members under geopolitical pressure (Beta, N1)
• Grenell: While we are calling on Serbia to get closer to the West, Kosovo is moving away (Danas, Kosovo Online)
• Besiri: Serbian institutions in Kosovo that provide services to citizens cannot be a threat to peace (Kosovo Online, KiM radio)

Opinion:

• More bad epilogues from Kosovo: 0:3 loss for the home team (KoSSev)
• UN Srebrenica resolution will cause further division in the Balkans (politico.eu)

International:

• Srebrenica Survivors Await UN Vote as Serbs Slam Genocide Resolution (BIRN)
• Serbian Officials Launch Video Campaign Against UN Srebrenica Resolution (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:
• Govt: Association isn’t an umbrella to legalize illegal structures (media)
• Kurti: In less than 2 weeks, 313 Serbs converted their driver’s licenses (media)
• Kurti meets coalition partners, non-majority communities representatives (media)
• U.S. concerned about minorities’ treatment, “leaders to listen to partners” (RFE)
• KFOR said it was notified about operation in north, but did not take part in it (RFE)
• Osmani meets Szunyog, talks need to remove measures against Kosovo (media)

Serbian Language Media:
• Ziadeh: Kosovo Police action in the north may lead to an escalation (Kosovo Online, KoSSev)
• EU concerned over Kosovo police raids on bank branches (N1)
• Hovenier and Chulik: Yesterday’s KP action was not coordinated with international partners, Kosovo government has to address the basic needs of all citizens (KoSSev)
• British Embassy: Police action in the north poses a risk for escalation of tensions (Kosovo Online)
• KFOR: We expect timely consultations on any action by the Kosovo Police or the KSF (Kosovo Online, KiM radio, KoSSev)
• Vucevic met Konrad, further cooperation, Serbia's European path, and the position of Serbs in Kosovo discussed (Tanjug)
• Petkovic spoke with the Spanish ambassador about the situation in Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Miljan Jovanovic from Leposavic arrested by the Kosovo police for the second time - by mistake (Beta, NMagazin)
• SL: The state has done everything to protect all Serbs who receive income from the budget of the Republic of Serbia (Radio Mitrovica sever)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 21, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

U.S. strongly criticizes closure of Serbian bank branches in Kosovo north (media)
UK: We’re concerned yesterday’s police actions risk escalating tensions (media)
EU spokesperson statement on police operation in Kosovo north (media)
Murati: Every action based on legality (media)
“Law enforcement institutions don’t have to coordinate over legal rights” (media)
Kusari-Lila: EU draft on Association is unacceptable for Kosovo (KTV)
Joseph: Kosovo must establish Association of Serb-majority municipalities (RTK)
Kurti on Sekiraqa’s escape: A scandal of judiciary, reforms are urgent (media)
Anusic: Our forces are in Kosovo to protect peace (media)
Bulgaria to send 100 soldiers to KFOR mission today (media)
Shabiu slams government for “hate discourse” against media, civil society (KTV)
Sandulovic: Radoicic, criminal wanted by Interpol, walking freely in Serbia (media)

Serbian Language Media: 

Stano: The raid of the Pristina police in the north of Kosovo - a move that hinders a lot (N1, Beta)
Dacic: Kurti puts his "foot in the door", thus makes steps against the Serbs (KiM radio, Beta, TV Pink)
Arsenijevic says Serbs under absolute sanctions from Pristina, following closure of Postal Savings Bank (KoSSev, social media)
Sljuka: Closure of Postal Savings Bank branches is another threat to Serbian community in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
New DSS: An attack on Postal Savings Bank is an attack on Serbia (BETA)
Fatherland: A routine agreement, four days ago Belgrade ordered termination of dinar transactions in Postal Savings Banks (KoSSev)
Postal Savings Bank: Despite raids on branches, funds in accounts of all clients are safe (Kosovo Online)
Nastic: German Government must condemn Kurti’s actions, not reward them with membership to CoE (Kosovo Online)
Vuckovic: It’s time to set ourselves free from our lack of freedom, that’s the only cure (KoSSev)
Kosovo police says large amount of money seized, Petkovic – no dinars (N1, KoSSev)
Serbian school in Gojbulja stoned again; Reaction of the Office for KiM (Kosovo Online)
Mrdalj: Kurti seeks physical conflict, which is where his strength lies, while Serbia fails to leverage its advantages (KoSSev)

Opinion:

Serbia’s Lies About UN Srebrenica Resolution are All About Power (BIRN)

International:

Kosovo Closes Six Serbia-Run Bank Offices in North (Prishtina Insight)
NZZ: Kurti is no longer trusted (DW)

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani: Every success of Kosovo also bears seal of USA (media)
Kurti meets Chulick, discuss the north and Presheva Valley (media)
U.S. Under Secretary of State: We are deeply committed to security of northern Kosovo (Klan)
Kusari-Lila: EU draft for Association is unacceptable for Kosovo (Koha)
Police close six units of Postal Savings Bank in the north (Koha)
Svecla after closure of Savings Bank units in the north: Rule of law and order, our goal (Koha)
1.6 million euros and over 74 million dinars confiscated in branches of Postal Savings Bank (Koha)
RTK held public debate with journalists and civil society of Serb community (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

Postal Savings Bank offices, Treasury Management Office closed in northern Kosovo (Tanjug, Kosovo Online, KoSSev, media)
Reactions to Postal Savings Bank offices closure (N1, Tanjug, Kosovo Online, media)
EULEX on Kosovo police action: We were not informed in advance (Kosovo Online)
Vucic arrives in New York (Tanjug)
Vucic extends condolences to Iran over Raisi's death (Tanjug)

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani and Kurti host Qatar's Minister for Social Development (media)
• U.S. official Nicole Chulick visiting Kosovo (Klan)
• Hovenier on reasons for the visit of U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary (Klan)
• Kusari-Lila: No official request to dissolve the Assembly (media)
• Tahiri: May 30 is last date to dissolve the Assembly (Indeksonline)
• AAK’s Tahiri: Government resignation, not Assembly dissolution (media)
• Kosovo government approves agreement with Denmark, Danes will serve their sentences in Gjilan prison (ekonomia)
• LVV MP: With liberalization of visas, we have put an end to isolation (ekonomia)

Serbian Language Media:

• Jevtic: I informed Theodoros Roussopoulos about institutional violence against Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Mijacic on Kosovo membership in CoE (media, social media)
• Vucevic welcomes Gabonese PM in Belgrade (Tanjug, RTS)
• Vucevic: Gabon will not vote for the resolution on Srebrenica (RTS)
• Court in Pristina refuses to commute detention measure of Sladjan Trajkovic (RTS)

International:

• Kosovo Must Learn from Croatia’s Mistakes in War Crimes Trials in Absentia (Balkan Insight)
• Vucic: “I am going to New York to fight for Serbia” (sarajevotimes.com)
• EU Policy. Commissioner touts imminent agreement with Serbia on raw materials (euronews.com)

Albanian Language Media:
• U.S. Under Secretary Allen meets Kurti (media)
• U.S. Under Secretary meets Osmani during Kosovo visit (media)
• Hovenier hails agreement on countering foreign information manipulation (media)
• Lajcak ready to host another meeting if parties willing to reach agreement (media)
• Kurti: Our govt is eliminating discriminatory criteria for social assistance (media)
• New contingent of Croatian army to join KFOR (media)

Serbian Language Media:
• Public discussion today on the report of RTK's work, Rakocevic: Evident enormous pressures (Kosovo Online)
• On Patrol with Turkish KFOR soldiers above Banjska (Kosovo Online)
• Dacic: Only votes for and against are counted when adopting the resolution on Srebrenica (FoNet, TV Prva, N1)
• Andric Rakic: Everyone is ready for elections except Kurti, who is unwilling to resign (Kosovo Online)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 17, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Baerbock another call to achieve required majority for Kosovo at CoE (media)
• French Minister: Kosovo issue can cause division at Council of Europe (media)
• Hasani: Kosovo government should act swiftly to meet its commitments (media)
• Hoxhaj: Failure to admit Kosovo would only benefit Russia and Serbia (media)
• Knaus: It would be fatal to ignore Ahtisaari formula for peace (media)
• Escobar: We should’ve insisted more on implementation of Association (media)
• Forde: EU-facilitated dialogue and CoE membership are linked (Albanian Post)
• E-Municipalities launched; Kurti: Citizens are active part of decision-making (Klan)
• Hovenier: We stand together against any form of violence or hate speech against LGBTQI+ (media)
• Bislimi, Gjeloshaj discuss ways to further Kosovo-Montenegro relations (media)
• Kurti remembers Ukshin Hoti, “perpetrators remain unpunished” (media)
• Challenges and responsibilities of Serbian media in Kosovo (Telegrafi)

Serbian Language Media: 

• No CoE Committee of Ministers debate on Pristina's membership bid (Tanjug, media)
• Vucic on Kosovo and CoE: It won't be easy for them, now they're trying another trick (Kosovo Online)
• Vogel on letter to CoE: Kosovo Government initiative “a political theater” (Kosovo Online)
• Djuric meets with Allen (media)
• Allen: We won't tell Serbia how to conduct its foreign policy; partnership with the U.S. is more important (Kosovo Online, RTS)
• Trial of Sladjan Trajkovic continues: Different statements of witness (Radio KIM)
• Vucic: UNGA resolution seeks punishment for entire Serbian nation (Tanjug)

Opinion:

• The Escobar Case: A Case Study of How Disinformation Is Created Through the Misuse of Real Events and Data (KoSSev)

International:

• U.S. Ambassador To NATO Calls On Western Balkan Countries To Increase Defense Spending (RFE)
• ‘Here You’re Nobody’: Kosovo Cannes Film Candidate Explores Lure of Migration (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

Scholz, Macron and Meloni letter to Kurti: We support Lajcak's draft (media)
Stano: We cannot assess Association draft, without knowing content (RFE)
Presidency: Government's letter sent to CoE, without consultation with Osmani (RTK)
Knaus: European trio's letter was sent before Kosovo government's letter (RTK)
President Osmani met ambassadors of U.S., Germany and UK (ekonomia)
Prime Minister Kurti met with Prime Minister of Montenegro (ekonomia)
U.S. Ambassador to NATO: Issue of four Alliance countries that do not recognize Kosovo, must be addressed (Reporteri)
Abdixhiku on Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ letter: Spectacular failure, international shame (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic, O'Brien discuss situation in region, Kosovo (Tanjug)
Civil Society Report on Human Rights in Kosovo in 2023 presented (Radio KIM, social media)
Andric Rakic: Kosovo must submit draft CSM statute prepared by EU to Constitutional Court (Kosovo Online)
Mijacic: Any advice to Pristina at expense of existing EU demands won’t lead Kosovo to CoE (KoSSev)
Stano: Content of CSM draft statute proposed by Kosovo government unknown, it was discussed neither with EU nor Serbia (Kosovo Online)
War crimes indictments raised against two Serbs (Radio KIM)
203 requests to switch Serbian to Kosovo driver’s licenses submitted thus far (KoSSev)
Djuric to visit Hungary Friday (media)

International:

Western Balkan Leaders See EU Development Plan For Region As Sign Of Bloc's Commitment (RFE)