UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 2, 2025
Albanian Language Media:
Pristina hosts International Forum for Women, Peace, and Security (RTK)
Kurti slams opposition for not voting for Haxhiu (RTK)
Kusari: Opposition is keeping the Assembly hostage (AP)
KFOR rejects claims of Serbian army concentration near Kosovo (AP)
UNMIK chief Ziadeh visited Mitrovica region on Friday (media)
Osmani: Growing friendship between Kosovo and Tanzania (media)
Why the Vatican has yet to recognize Kosovo’s independence (RFE)
“Serbia preparing new narratives for tensions in the north” (Telegrafi)
Serbian Language Media:
Vucic: Let's finish preparations for EXPO first, then we will call early elections (Tanjug)
KFOR: No significant changes in Serbian military presence along the ABL (Kosovo Online, media)
Petkovic reacts to Bislimi’s interview, says CSM draft statute presented in 2023 in Brussels (Kosovo Online, media, social media)
Serbian List reacts to event organized by Kosovo police, distributing flags and promotional material, in North Mitrovica (Kosovo Online, Alternativna, media)
KP handed out colouring books to children at Mitrovica North promenade, SD will hand out theirs titled "Prom 2025" (KoSSev, media)
Students protests in over 30 cities in Serbia demanding elections (N1)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 2, 2025
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 30, 2025
Albanian Language Media:
• PDK submits to ERO its opposition to decision on open energy market (Dukagjini)
• Company founded by Dalipi in process of licensing to supply electricity (media)
• Ombdusperson calls for suspension of decision to increase energy prices (media)
• Osmani: Kosovo not only contributes but ready to join NATO (media)
• Bislimi: VV does not need partners now (Dukagjini)
• Police with operational plan to prevent sexual harassment in north (RFE)
• Svecla on two-year anniversary of attacks against Police and KFOR (media)
• KFOR Italian Carabinieri continue to support communities in Mitrovica (media)
• Podujeva mayor Bulliqi confirmed as candidate for another mandate (media)
• Ombudsperson writes regarding suspension of child allowance payments (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Ombudsman: Irregularities in process of granting child allowance, Serbian children discriminated against (Kosovo Online, KiM radio)
• Barbano carefully following events related to break-in into Serbian Orthodox Church in Rakitnica (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian Democracy urges international organizations to prevent evictions of 15 Serbian families in Lesak (social media)
• Serbian List delegation visited refugees and displaced persons pressured to vacate apartments in Leposavic (Tanjug)
• Todic criticizes international community over approach to issues affecting Serbs in Kosovo (Tanjug, RTV, media)
• Students of Serbian universities with colleagues in Mitrovica North (Alternativna, KoSSev, KiM radio)
• Joint declaration of the region adopted: Creative economy of the Western Balkans in the focus of the Berlin process (Kosovo Online, FB)
• Protests across Serbia on June 1 (N1)
International:
• Kosovo businesses block capital entrances demanding delay of electricity market liberalisation (PI)
• Kosovo risks paying high price for weeks-long stalemate: Experts (BIRN)
• Kosovo agrees to accept compensation claims from KLA war crime victims (BIRN)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 30, 2025
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 30, 2025
Albanian Language Media:
UK calls for government formation, concerned about “uncoordinated actions” in north (media)
Hargreaves: Hate speech against Osmani unacceptable (RTK)
Abdixhiku: Impossible to form government from opposition parties, we don't have the votes (Albanian Post)
Complaints against police officers’ behavior in the north - Why was the "task force" established and what is its purpose? (Kallxo)
“If government doesn’t reflect, we will take more radical steps” (KTV)
Serbian Language Media:
Vucic: Loud silence of West to events in Kosovo (Radio KIM, RTS)
Vucic: I spoke with Putin regarding allegations of sending ammunition to Ukraine (Tanjug)
Office for KiM: Kurti continues escalatory moves, international organizations must stop persecution of Serbs (Kosovo Online, media)
Post of Serbia: Raid on closed Post Office in Priluzje a new act of violence and breach of agreements (media)
STO Leposavic employees still denied access to sports hall (media)
Discussion on security in northern Kosovo: Police increase presence, people lack trust (Kosovo Online)
Cardinal Nemet: No indication Vatican will recognize Kosovo (Nova.rs, media)
Zambian FM Haimbe confirms support to Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty (Tanjug)
“We want elections!”: Student protesters announce Belgrade rally (N1)
Novi Sad canopy collapse: Five defendants remain in custody, four released to house arrest (N1)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 29, 2025
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti on today’s protest by businesses: Time of barricades is over (media)
• Krasniqi slams Kurti for comparing protest with barricades in north (Express)
• Another failed attempt to form the new Assembly of Kosovo (media)
• Kurti: Increased Serbian military presence, reaction to Defender Europe 25 (media)
• “The economy, unemployment, living costs, among main concerns” (media)
• Westerlund about the situation in the north: It is complicated (media)
• “Berlin supports Kosovo’s CoE membership, but action needed now” (Reporteri)
• Ombudsman: Decisions without formation of institutions, with irreparable consequences (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: Development of good relations with US one of Serbia's foreign policy priorities (Tanjug)
• Leposavic municipality seeks from displaced persons to move out of apartments constructed and financed by Government of Serbia (Danas, RTS)
• Serbian Democracy: Collective centers in Leposavic neither closed nor empty, we demand accountability of those deceiving public (Alternativna)
• Aleksandar Arsenijevic comments on CEC’s decision on number of local councillors (social media)
• Kosovo Ministry bans work on a premise in church yard in Perkovac village, near Zubin Potok (Kosovo Online, media)
• Kosovo police in front of Serbian Post Office premises in Priluzje, Kostic: A show of force on Ascension Day (Kosovo Online)
• Registration of births and deaths resumes in Mitrovica North after months-long blockade (KoSSev)
• Elshani: No ban on Serbian IDs for towns in Kosovo from June 1 (KoSSev)
• Milos Vucevic appointed to new position (N1)
Opinion:
• "A bait for Pristina to change its attitude towards the Serbs": Can EU sanctions against Kosovo bear fruit? (Danas)
• Kosovo: A parliamentary telenovela in Hitchcock style (NMagazin, N1, DW, KNA)
International:
• Alleged off-the-book payments and conflict of interest at Kosovo’s Agriculture Ministry (PI)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 29, 2025
Albanian Language Media:
Businesses to block three main entrances to Pristina today (media)
Rizvanolli: We will stand alongside local businesses in every challenge (media)
Kurti: Government will support producers in liberalization of energy market (RTK)
Barduani and German Defense Chief discuss security in Kosovo (RTK)
Veterans react to Trendafilova’s statement on Specialist Chambers (media)
Maqedonci: Positioning of Serbian military near Kosovo is now news (Telegrafi)
Osmani greets KSF contingent that will be trained in USA (media)
Gender Equality Group wants immediate action to threats against Osmani (media)
Kurti meets Walker, thanks him “for historic role” for people of Kosovo (media)
Serbian Language Media:
Mojsilovic: Serbia committed to regional military cooperation (Tanjug)
Elezi: Kosovo not threatened in the way Maqedonci presented it to the media (KoSSev, Danas)
The north municipalities each to have 15 councilors after the 2025 local elections (Kosovo Online)
Leposavic Sports Facility under new management amid community concerns (KoSSev)
Systematic (non)compliance with the Law on the Use of Language: Assembly of Kosovo (KiM radio)
A memorial service held for the Serbs who died in Cernica from 1999 to 2003 (Kosovo Online, RTV Puls)
International:
Trust in the EU in the Western Balkans: Highest in Montenegro, lowest in Serbia (EWB)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 28, 2025
Albanian Language Media:
EU calls for formation of government: We need a partner (Koha)
Guerot: Association would change the mood in Paris (Klan)
Rohde: Institutions should form urgently, politicians should put the state before the parties (Koha)
Boven calls for swift formation of new government (media)
PDK demands investigation into allegations of abuse in energy sector (media)
Peci: The Epilogue of this process will be revealed (media)
Trendafilova criticizes protest of war veterans (Nacionale)
Serbian Language Media:
Protest in Leposavic over takeover of Sports Hall (KoSSev, media)
Office for KiM, Serbian Democracy on protest in Leposavic (social media)
Ombudsperson opens proceeding into case at Mitrovica North promenade (Alternativna)
Trendafilova: No one can pressure Court; demonstrations showed why proceedings are held outside Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
Kosovo authorities call on women to report any form of sexual harassment - Pristina acknowledged problem, Serbs still reserved (Danas)
Vucic awards Order of Serbian Flag, 1st class to US Congresswoman Tenney (Tanjug)
Vucic met Botsan - Kharchenko on bilateral cooperation, including energy arrangements (Blic, Tanjug, media)
Brnabic: Serbia must make up for losses from blockades, elections unnecessary (N1)
International:
Prosecution raids Ministry of Agriculture following BIRN’s investigation of dubious animal by-product processing factory (PI)
Humanitarian:
Meliza Krasniqi: An answer to the question “Don’t women write?” (Kosovo 2.0)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 28, 2025
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 28, 2025
Albanian Language Media:
‘Defender Europe 2025’, an important exercise for the KSF (RTK)
Maqedonci: Serbia with 70% of army near Kosovo (Klan)
Kosovo takes control of another facility in Leposavic (RFE)
Ziadeh reacts to inspection of sports hall in Leposavic (media)
New contracts and assessment tests for workers of sports hall in Leposavic (Klan)
Raid at Ministry of Agriculture, Minister Peci interviewed as suspect (media)
Abdixhiku: Stolen money will be returned cent by cent (media)
Kurti: Kosovo, Croatia deep ties of history, friendship, common values (media)
Rugova: US will intervene, compromise will be reached in one week (media)
Protest over decision to move businesses to open energy market (Gazeta 10)
Serbian Language Media:
Ziadeh: Access to sports must be protected for all communities, remaining issues should be resolved in dialogue (Kosovo Online)
Leposavic authorities take over the Sports hall (KoSSev)
Reactions of the Office for KiM and SL to the Leposavic Sports hall take over (KoSSev, Kosovo Online, KiM radio)
Starovic: Kurti's repressive tactics have hit rock bottom (Danas, Kosovo Online)
Serbian Democracy: Hetemi threatened our colleague and endangered the rights of children by taking over the hall in Leposavic
Sports Federation of Serbia on the police raid into the Sport Tourism Organisation in Leposavic (Kosovo Online)
Miljkovic and Delevic: The prosecution had no evidence confirming the guilt of the Serbs accused of terrorism (Kosovo Online, KoSSev)
Deputy Ombudsman : Targeting media and journalists unacceptable, without exception (Kosovo Online)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 27, 2025
Albanian Language Media:
• 22nd attempt to constitute new Assembly fails (media)
• Kurti: Formation of Assembly, responsibility of all MPs (media)
• Haxhiu: We see Nisma as partner in government (RTK)
• Citaku: Blockade thanks to Kurti's stubbornness and Haxhiu's ambition (Koha)
• Abdixhiku: LDK doesn't have “magic bag” to solve the crisis (Koha)
• Quni: Vetevendosje with special focus on two of our MPs (Koha)
• Symbolic action of civil society on the eve of Assembly session (media)
• U.S. KFOR commander: Quiet but fragile situation in the north (media)
• KFOR opens ‘Women, Peace and Security’ conference in Thessaloniki (RTK)
Serbian Language Media:
• Martinovic, Mitrovic: Svecla's statements tendential and extremely irresponsible (Tanjug, RTV, Kosovo Online)
• Barduani opened the "Women, Peace and Security" conference in Thessaloniki (KiM radio)
• The KP and the municipality of Leposavic took over the sports hall (KiM radio)
• What people do not know about the 2013 Brussels Agreement? (N1, Danas)
• NGOs from north raise alarms over police’s public disclosure of teen’s photo after incident (KoSSev, media)
• NGO Aktiv published brochure “Know your rights: Citizens’ Rights and the Powers and Responsibilities of the Police in Kosovo” (social media)
• Stefan Veljkovic on threats against Serbian Democracy (social media)
Opinion:
• Physically visible, legally invisible (newsicialinitiative.org)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 27, 2025
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 27, 2025
Albanian Language Media:
Defender Europe 2025; Kurti: Proof of growing US trust in Kosovo govt (media)
Maqedonci: Kosovo at highest peak of cooperation with U.S. in defense (KTV)
Osmani: It is time for NATO to open its doors to Kosovo (media)
Osmani meets Rutte; “Kosovo firmly committed to its path toward NATO” (media)
Former Kosovo MP first stopped then released by Serbian authorities (media)
Rexhaj: There is a great possibility for a coalition with NISMA (media)
Osmani receives a second threatening email in ten days (media)
Caretaker government ready to discuss “return hubs” for migrants with UK (RFE)
Presevo Valley Albanians risk remaining without representation in police (media)
Svecla reacts to vacancy announced for police in Serbia (media)
Serbian Language Media:
Serbian delegation calls for postponement of decision on Pristina's CoE guest status (Tanjug)
KFOR deeply concerned over recent events in Mitrovica North, calls on Kosovo police to conduct thorough investigation (Kosovo Online)
Serb in Kosovo fined 3.000 euros for wearing shirt with reference to Serbian Emperor Dusan (Tanjug)
Petkovic: Svecla is last person who can lecture Serbia about minorities (media)
People on two years since takeover of municipalities in northern Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
UNS and DNKiM: Stop labeling and criminalization of Kosovo Online editorial team (Kosovo Online, Radio kontakt plus)
Former Kosovo Assembly MP arrested then released at Merdare crossing point (KoSSev)
International Media:
Kosovo probes police officer accused of injuring Serb pupil (BIRN)
Kosovo retrial shortens Serb ex-policeman’s jail term (BIRN)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 26, 2025
Albanian Language Media:
Osmani: U.S. support was the strong hand that helped us move forward (KSP)
Begaj in Dayton: Without the U.S., there would be no independent Kosovo (AP)
Kurti blames opposition for blockade: Secret voting the only solution (media)
PDK: No cooperation with LVV with regards to government (Sinjali)
Sejdiu: Inter-party dialogue is key to breaking the deadlock (media)
Kallas on her key messages during visit to the Balkans (media)
Kosovo Judicial Council chair describes meeting with Kallas (Klan Kosova)
“KSF with nearly 1,000 troops in US-led exercise Defender Europe 2025” (KSP)
GAP publishes report on “financial impact of EU measures on Kosovo” (media)
AmCham: Kosovo to consider removing customs tariffs on U.S. products (media)
Haradinaj remembers 27 Albanians killed by Serb forces in Prizren in ’99 (media)
Musliu: Serbia in Kosovo north educating youths in hatred, nationalism (media)
Shala says Kosovo Online medium “is a proxy structure used by Serbia” (media)
AJK, NWJK condemn Mayor Rama’s sexist remarks directed at journalist (media)
Serbian Language Media:
"Pupils in blockade" condemned incident in Mitrovica: Violence against students is an open violation of human rights (KoSSev, KiM radio)
Kovac: Pristina’s request to be a special guest not on agenda of PACE political committee (Kosovo Online, Tanjug, Blic, media)
Shala: “Kosovo Online portal serves Belgrade's hybrid operations through propaganda content” (Kosovo Online, FB)
Musliu after Mitrovica incident: “Serbian structures led by Radoicic fuel youth hatred and blind nationalism” (KoSSev)
Arsenijevic reacts to statements of Minister Svecla and Kosovo Police Director (social media)
Reaction of Petkovic to EULEX HoM statement on incident at Mitrovica North promenade (social media)
German Embassy on questions about incident in North Mitrovica: We can refer to statements of EULEX head (Alternativna)
New operational plan of Kosovo police to prevent sexual harassment: Five Serbian NGOs say they did not attend meetings (Alternativna)
Spasojevic enters plea agreement on ‘inciting discord’ charges (Radio KIM)
Students on Vucic: "How I betrayed the Serbian people - from Brussels to the Ohrid Agreement" (KoSSev)
Bajatovic: Annex on gas supplies signed with Russia, to remain in effect until Sept 30 (Tanjug)
Opinion:
BJEF – A Joint Expeditionary Force for the Balkans (RUSI/Albanian Post)
International:
Keir Starmer asks Kosovo to take Channel migrants as part of 'return hubs' plan (gbnews.com)
Monday Briefing from the Balkans (BIRN)