UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 29, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• PM Kurti interview for Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
• Visa liberalisation proposal for Kosovo expected to be voted on Wednesday (RTK)
• Assembly committee to draft electoral reform soon (media)
• Four Albanians attacked in Mitrovica North, receive medical treatment (Klan)
• LVV MP: Those who were decorated by Vucic cannot return (Gazeta Blic)
• Kurti meets UN Special Rapporteur Savioli (media)
• Kurti: Inaction of judicial bodies in domestic violence cases cannot be justified (Koha)
• Association will be part of final settlement, according to analysts (RTK)
• Veliu believes return of Serbs to work in north was discussed in Brussels (Gazeta Blic)

Serbian Language Media:

• Surveys: Low level of trust in politicians (KiM radio)
• Vucic: ''If the issue of the status of Kosovo is over for Kurti, it is for me too'' (KiM radio, N1, Beta, KoSSev)
• Vucic invites Norwegian King, Crown Prince to visit Serbia (N1, BETA, Tanjug)
• Dacic meets Docherty in London (Tanjug)
• Request of Thaci’s defence for early testimony of eight foreign diplomats dismissed (Kosovo Online)

International:

• Artwork Commemorating Kosovo Protests 32 Years Ago Unveiled in Pristina (BIRN)
• Kosovo Justice Institutions Lack Training to Deal with Far-Right Extremism (BIRN)
• Sexual violence against men and boys during the Kosovo war (Kosovo 2.0)

Steinmeier: Even biggest disputes to be addressed and resolved peacefully (DW)
Fajon: Slovenia a strong advocate of visa liberalisation to Kosovo (RTK)
Kurti: Our army is consolidating professionally and operationally (media)
Ceku: Threats against me incited by media controlled by Vucic (euronews.al)
Gervalla confronts Dacic's presence in PSVI conference in London (media)
EBU writes to Konjufca and Kurti for adequate funding for RTK (RTK)
S. embassy message on 16 days of activism against gender-based violence (media)
The government says it dialogues with the Serbs, but not publicly (RFE)
Is Kosovo Application for EU Candidacy Destined to Fail? (BIRN)
Death threats for Serbian journalists criticised over wok on Ukraine, Kosovo (RFE)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Let's rejoice in the successes of each Albanian (media)
• Osmani: As we made historical path together, we will have our journey to EU family together (Klan)
• Begaj: Albania will be the voice of Kosovo (media)
• Kurti: The December 6 summit turns Tirana into a European capital (RTK)
• Candidates for mayors of municipalities in the North to be certified today (Express)
• The CEC certified candidates for mayors of municipalities in the north (Koha)
• Aktiv: 70% of Kosovo Serbs say that Russia protects their rights best (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• PM Brnabic: Serbia appreciates Romania’s principled position on Kosovo (N1)
• Dacic: There is no deadline for reaching agreement with Pristina (Danas, Kosovo Online)
• Dacic: FIFA’s decision regarding Serbia is hypocritical (N1)
• Petkovic to Kurti: No deadline for the normalisation of relations, only the clock ticking for the formation of the ZSO (KoSSev)
• Office for KiM calls on Albanians not to use Albanian flags in Serb-majority areas (KoSSev)
• “KLA” graffiti written in Brezovica (Radio KIM)
• Vucevic: Situation in Kosovo still very tense (Radio KIM)
• Petrides: Cyprus will not change stance on Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Varhelyi to visit Serbia (Tanjug)

Opinion:

• How Brussels became Aachen: A vacuum in the institutions and a change in the nature of negotiations (KoSSev)

• Osmani: We coordinate with NATO for entire territory of Kosovo (RTK/Koha)
• Kurti: Serbia is using its influence in the north of Kosovo (RTK)
• Stano: Deadline for final agreement is not in hands of EU (ABC News)
• Kurti seeks increase in Albania-Kosovo cooperation (Albanian Daily News)
• MPs call for a formal border between Kosovo and Albania (Koha Ditore)
• Kosovo minister promises ‘results’ against car burners in north (BIRN)
• Kosovo complains to FIFA about ‘aggressive’ Serbian banner in Qatar (BIRN)
• Serbia charged over locker room Kosovo flag at World Cup (AP)
• Ceku says he received hundreds of threatening messages from Serbia (media)
• Abazi ready to resign if Constitution is changed because of Association (EO)
• Gervalla to attend conf on prevention of sexual violence in conflict (Kallxo)
• Why trouble flared up between Serbs and the Albanian-led government? (BBC)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 25, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: Elections for Zvecan and Leposavic municipal assemblies on Dec 25 (media)
• Kurti travels to Spain, to attend congress of the Socialist International (media)
• Dynamic of dialogue will increase in coming days, political commentators say (RTK)
• The Assembly of Kosovo for the first time is represented in the APE Committee (RTK)
• Molliqaj: We oppose French-German plan, it does not include recognition (EO)
• Tahiri: Wrong practice not to publish reached agreements (media)
• Albania, Kosovo parliaments to hold joint session on Nov 27 (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: We don’t want Kosovo in UN – will you bomb us, make threats? (N1)
• Lazarevic on licence plates agreement, situation in northern Kosovo (Danas, N1)
• Brnabic: Licence plates deal positive signal for stability (Tanjug)
• Larcher urges full implementation of Brussels Agreement (Tanjug)
• Vucic meets Larcher (Tanjug)
• “Everything Kurti has asked for so far, Vucic has fulfilled” (Radio kontakt plus)
• Petkovic: Part of Serbian opposition wishes conflicts in Kosovo (Radio KIM)

International:

• Kosovo PM Says 'Time For Big Steps' In Normalisation Talks With Serbia (RFE)
• Albin Kurti hit with cherries by several PSD activists (euronews.al)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Kurti: Domestic violence and gender-based violence, not a private matter (Nacionale)
• International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women marked today (KP)
• Haxhiu: 2,500 cases of domestic violence reported since beginning of year (Klan)

• U.S. Ambassador Hovenier interview with Klan Kosova
• Kurti: No time for small ambitions, it’s time for big steps (media)
• Abbott welcomes agreement; “time for Serbs to return to institutions” (media)
• Kosovo PM expects final deal with Serbia early next year (Reuters)
• Krasniqi: I told Kurti, you cannot tell the U.S. “No” so often (T7)
• Albanian PM: I don’t agree with attacks against Albin Kurti (media)
• Osmani: Our bond with U.S. is stronger than ever (media)
• Serbia Claims ‘KM’ Plates Remain Valid in Kosovo Despite Deal (BIRN)
• Wages law will be in force one month after published on official gazette (Koha)
• Kosovo Faces Fresh Judicial Strike Over Draft Salary Law (BIRN)
• Szunyog surprised by decision to reduce salaries in judicial system (media)
• Peci on Berlin agreements: Serbia was pressured by a powerful EU state (KTV)
• SL List, 13 parties won’t take part in extraordinary elections in north (Kallxo)
• Albanian Foreign Minister to visit Kosovo today (media)
• Pupovci on his resignation as Deputy Minister of Education (Kallxo)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 24, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: We managed to make French-German proposal part of dialogue (media)
• Stano: Kurti and Vucic will soon meet in Brussels (Albanian Post)
• Hovenier: Agreement enhances security, advances efforts to normalise relations (media)
• UNMIK chief Ziadeh welcomes agreement reached in Brussels (media)
• Rohde on agreement: Good news, and good sign for further talks (media)
• Varhelyi welcomes Kosovo-Serbia agreement on licence plates (media)
• Tajani: Agreement on licence plates, an important step towards peace (Zeri)
• LDK’s Abdixhiku welcomes agreement; criticises Kurti (media)
• PDK’s Krasniqi welcomes deal; slams Kurti for “making Vucic a party” (media)
• Tahiri: Kurti should not dare make an agreement without mutual recognition (Kallxo)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: Pristina had better deal two days ago (Tanjug)
• Stano: EU expects establishment of ZSO and return of Serbs in institutions (Tanjug)
• RTS at Jarinje says it is peaceful, reprimands no longer issued (RTS)
• Drecun: Important the crisis was stopped, but the problem unsolved; Serbs will not return to institutions without ZSO (RTS, Blic)
• Serbian List welcomes agreement on licence plates in Brussels (Tanjug)
• Petkovic on licence plates agreement (Tanjug)
• SRSG Ziadeh welcomes agreement reached in Brussels (Kosovo Online, media)
• Trajkovic: Current KM plates “preserved” until they expire (Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic refutes Trajkovic’s remarks on licence plates (Kosovo Online)
• Miscevic: The EP resolution non-binding and without freezing funds (Tanjug, RTS)
• Bilcik: EP Resolution a signal for Serbia to impose sanctions on Russia (RFE, N1)
• Vucic says Serbia is not interested to recognize Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Aliyev: Belgrade, Baku support each other on territorial integrity (Tanjug)
• Women stage protest in Mitrovica North yesterday (N1)

Opinion:

• Licence Plates For Sovereignty (Kosovo 2.0)

International:

• Serbia Claims ‘KM’ Plates Remain Valid in Kosovo Despite Deal (BIRN)
• ‘Tale of Two Sophias’ Portrays Hope for Albanian-Serb Relations (BIRN)
• For Kosovo, the Football World Cup is More Than a Game (BIRN)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Russians fleeing Putin prepare for life in Serbian exile (france24.com)

• Kosovo, Serbia chief negotiators reach deal on licence plates (media)
• U.S. welcomes agreement to avoid further escalation of tensions (media)
• Chollet: Good call with Kurti; thanked him for constructive engagement (media)
• Osmani thanks Hovenier and U.S. Govt for active engagement in deal (media)
• EU: Kosovo, Serbia reach deal to end dangerous dispute over plates (Reuters)
• Bislimi: Borrell will soon invite Kurti and Vucic to discuss EU plan (media)
• Govt spokesman: Parties agreed to focus on French-German plan (media)
• Austria’s Foreign Minister welcomes Kosovo-Serbia agreement (media)
• Haradinaj welcomes agreement; “process to conclude with recognition” (media)
• Osmani: Elections in the north will be held, CEC is ready (RTK)
• Hebestreit: Plates shouldn’t hinder dialogue; Association to enter agenda (Klan)
• Abott: Resolving immediate issues, essential for Kosovo long-term goals (media)
• Von Cramon: Removing visa liberalisation from agenda, unacceptable (Kallxo)
• Mandl: Visa liberalisation has nothing to do with tensions in north (media)
• Government adopts official position on Kosovo’s bid for EU membership (media)
• Serbs Of Southern Kosovo See Belgrade Helping Northerners And Ask: But Who Will Take Care Of Us? (RFE)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti says that Borrell suited the purpose of Serbia (media)
• Kurti: I bought the plane ticket to Brussels because the deadline for the agreement on the invitation was March 2023 (Klan)
• Svecla: Situation in north tense but manageable; coordination with EULEX, KFOR (Klan)
• Kurti politically “alone” on licence plates (RFE)
• Haradinaj: Kosovo must accept U.S. request; dire situation in north (Nacionale)
• Serwer: Kosovo is within its right on change of licence plates (media)
• Police on Serb rallies in north: We will maintain order and public security (Telegrafi)
• Visa liberalisation removed from agenda due to situation in north (RFE)
• Compromise is near, visa liberalisation at ambassador level in coming weeks (Express)
• Hyseni compares Osmani to Milosevic, reactions follow (media)
• Bushati: There is coalition from Tirana to Belgrade to get rid of Kurti (Express)
• Montenegrin intellectuals: West to protect Montenegro, Bosnia and Kosovo from Vucic (Telegrafi)

Serbian Language Media:

• Petkovic travels to Brussels, meeting Bislimi in afternoon (Tanjug)
• Stano: Aim of meeting with Petkovic, Bislimi to find solution to current crisis (Kosovo Online)
• Simic: Tensions in Kosovo high, Kurti ignores warnings (Tanjug)
• Hill: Licence plates issue should be postponed by one year (RTS)
• Dacic: Belgrade part of solution, Pristina problem (N1)
• Poll shows rising indifference towards EU (N1)
• Gracanica, Novo Brdo, Strpce Mayors on support and unity with Serbs in north Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• PKS: “Issuance of Serbian licence plates for Kosovo suspended” (Radio KIM)
• To Brussels only for the final agreement on normalisation, with recognition; agreed that Serbia should stop registering cars with illegal licence plates, said Kurti (FoNet, N1, Beta, NMagazin, KiM radio)
• Protest in Gracanica as a support for the Serbs in the north of Kosovo (Kim radio, KoSSev)
• Serbia, Azerbaijan sign seven bilateral agreements (Tanjug)

Opinion:

• Bogdanovic on licence plates issue (Danas, Radio KIM)

International:

• Fact-Check: How Real are Kosovo’s Fears of a Serbian Military Strike? (BIRN)
• Kosovars Await Visa-Free Travel by January 2024 (Prishtina Insight)
• Between Berlin Process And Open Balkan – Analysis (eurasiareview, IFIMES)
• Drug-related health and security threats in the Western Balkans (emcdda.europa.eu)
• Judge Excludes Key Evidence in ‘Serbian Drug Farm’ Case (Balkan Insight)
• Solidarity Stories #4: Yugoslav Officer Confronts Serb Fighters During Abductions (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Women bear the burden of unpaid care work in Kosovo (Kosovo 2.0)
• MEPs Demand End to Roaming Charges for Western Balkans (Balkan Insight)

• Kosovo, Serbia chief negotiators to meet in Brussels today (RFE)
• Kosovo communicates with mediators of dialogue through the U.S. (Koha)
• U.S., EU engage diplomatically after Kosovo postpones licence plate fines (RFE)
• Borrell: We’re not a referee, we’re much more than that (Euractiv)
• Stano: We will continue the talks for a solution (Klan)
• Tajani: Italy available to find solutions and maintain stability (media)
• Osmani, Rohde discuss developments in Kosovo and dialogue with Serbia (RTK)
• France asks Kosovo to accept Borrell's proposal for license plates (RTK)
• Kupchan: Situation between Kosovo and Serbia carries risk of violence (VoA)
• CDHRF: Borell and Lajcak lined up on the side of Serbia (Paparaci)
• Tahiri: Kurti dramatizing to prepare the public for compromises (Koha)
• Kosovo-Serbia flare-up fears over car number plate row (BBC)
• Kosovo PM Postpones License Plate Fines Under Western Pressure (BIRN)
• Fears Kosovo-Serbia number plate row could spark violence (The Guardian)
• Kosovo delays crackdown on Serbian driving plates after US pressure (FT)
• EU slams Kosovo, Serbia on car plates dispute, as fears of violence grow (Politico)