UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, April 3, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• EU officially appoints Lajcak as Special Representative for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (media)
• Germany congratulates Lajcak on his appointment (social media)
• France: Lajcak can count on our support (media)
• Italy welcomes appointment of EU special representative for dialogue (Klan/RTK)
• Haradinaj: EU stalling the Kosovo-Serbia agreement process (Kallxo)
• Kosovo think tank welcomes Lajcak’s appointment as EU special representative (Koha)
• Heldt happy with trucks from Bosnia entering Kosovo, says this should be two-ways (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

• International support does not reach Serb municipalities (Radio KIM)
• A misinformation: Goran Rakic did not say the number of infected; Bahtiri, Rakic and KFOR Commander urged citizens to respect curfew (crnobelisvet.com, KoSSev, KIM radio)
• Vucic: Curfew from 1 pm on Saturday till 5 am on Monday (B92)
• Vucic spoke with Putin and Macron: "Significant assistance and support for Serbia" (B92)
• New 111 infected, three more deaths of COVID-19, total 1171 infected (B92)
• No prisoner infected with Covid-19 in Mitrovica North (Radio KIM)
• Man arrested in Mitrovica North for attacking journalist on March 23 (KoSSev)

Opinion:

• US Burns Credibility in Grenell Quest for Foreign Policy Win, as Kosovo Government Falls (justsecurity.org)
• Washington is stoking a new Balkan crisis (thehill.com)

International:

• Balkan Private Sector Workers Hardest Hit by Coronavirus Fallout (Balkan Insight)
• On Top of COVID-19, Kosovo Faces Constitutional Crisis (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• UNICEF delivers 3.6 tons of supplies to Kosovo to support COVID 19 response (media)
• NATO and EADRCC help Western Balkans countries counter COVID-19 pandemic (EWB)
• Rejecting Criticism, Commissioner Says EU Was 'Very Quick' In Helping Neighbors Fight Coronavirus (RFE)

• No cases of COVID-19 on the second testing (media)
• Acting PM Kurti meets COMKFOR Risi, discuss COVID-19 response (media)
• Bahtiri, Rakic joint conference: 17 infected in the north (media)
• Kurti: Thaci showed disregard for article 82.2 of Kosovo Constitution (media)
• MEPs hail lifting of tax, call for visa liberalisation (Koha)
• Former U.S. ambassador supports Kosovo's decision on reciprocity (media)
• Bislimi specifies what reciprocity with Serbia implies (Kallxo)
• Osmani: The government intended to sue Serbia for genocide (media)
• Veseli: I would not have initiated no-confidence motion at this time (RTV21)
• Haradinaj: Cooperation with Vetevendosje is impossible (media)

Albanian Language Media:

• UK: Now is not the time for political maneuvering, but cooperation (media)
• Thaci set to form new government, demands from Kurti PM candidate name (Express)g
• Haradinaj: Impossible to hold elections at this time (media)
• Limaj: We could be part of broad based government (RTK)
• 6+ parliamentary group against new elections at a time of pandemic (media)
• Surroi: Kosovo politics not to take side in Quint countries’ divisions (Koha)
• Kurti’s adviser to the U.S. Embassy: Why siding with Serbia?
• Vitia, Jevtic call for cooperation at a time of pandemic (RFE/Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Dr Elek: There are currently 12 coronavirus infected people in the north (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic today with Macron and Putin, prior to Crisis Staff (B92)
• Djuric: No blockade for lorries from Kosovo (FoNet, N1)
• Dacic: Pristina authorities with reciprocity measures banned trade again (Danas, TV Pink)
• New measures in Mitrovica North, Zvecan and Leposavic (KoSSev)
• Serbian PM: Government withdrawing decree limiting release of information (N1)
• New 160 infected, total 1060 infected, five more deaths of COVID-19, total 28 deaths (B92)
• Patient from Leposavic infected with Covid-19 passed away (Radio kontakt plus)
• Lawyers question legality of state of emergency in Serbia (FoNet, N1)

International:

• U.S. calls on Kosovo to drop restrictions on Serbians (Reuters)
• Despite good news, the Western Balkans are in trouble (AlJazeera)

Humanitarian/Development:

• VoA: Where is the international assistance for health care institutions in Serbian communities? (KiM radio, Kontakt plus radio, Kosovo Online)
• No drug approved yet in treating COVID-19, expert says (N1)
• Wakeup call for the Western Balkans (balkangreenenergynews.com)

• The number of persons recovered from COVID-19 reaches ten (media)
• Two correctional service officials test positive for coronavirus (media)
• WHO: Kosovo to take speedy measures, situation can worsen (media)
• Kurti: Reciprocity towards Serbia to be gradually implemented (media)
• President Hashim Thaci's interview to T7
• Thaci to continue with consultation of political parties today (media)
• Hasani: Thaci should nominate winning party to form institutions (Kallxo/KTV)
• German Ambassador hails tariff removal (media)
• France welcomes tariff removal (media)
• Italy welcomes removal of tariff (media)
• Von Cramon to Thaci: Don’t play around with Constitution while people are dying (Koha)
• Abazi claims he does not understand actions of LDK leadership (RTK)
• Haziri: Tariff lifted without any coordination (media)
• PDK: Kurti is lying to the public about reciprocity measures (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, April 1, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• Thaci: We'll act based on previous practices (Indeksonline)
• Kurti: Kosovo to head to fresh elections following no-confidence motion (media)
• Mustafa: This is not the time for new elections (media)
• Veseli: Hypocrisy to speak of extraordinary elections at this time (media)
• Kurti sends letter to Thaci, after their meeting (RTK)
• US Embassy statement on the tariffs (media)
• Fields in which Kosovo is considering to introduce reciprocity measures (RTK)
• Judah: Tariff lifted to be replaced with what equalizes Kosovo-Serbia relationship (RTK)
• Vitia, Abbott discuss measures to contain coronavirus spread in Kosovo (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Borell: The complete abolition of taxes is an important decision in these times of crisis (KoSSev)
• Djuric: Fees have not been lifted; Pristina continues to play games (Beta, B92)
• Gerxhaliu: Kosovo more damaged by tariffs than Serbia (KIM radio)
• Stefanovic: Fake news that 24-hour curfew starts on Wednesday (N1, Nova S)
• The first death in the Serbian Government of a coronavirus: State Secretary deceased (media)
• Doctors: The worst day in Serbia: Seven more dead, 115 new cases of coronavirus (N1)
• Five persons infected with Covid-19 in Mitrovica North, 7 in total in Serb-populated areas (Radio kontakt plus)
• Taxi associations in Zvecan and Mitrovica suspended work until April 15 (Radio kontakt plus)
• Spiric: Contact epidemiologist if you were in contact with infected individuals (Radio Mitrovica sever)

Opinion:

• Surroi: Constitutional coup is being prepared (media)
• Coronavius is Not the Only Disease Afflicting the Balkans (Balkan Insight)

International:

• Kosovo Lifts 100 Percent Tariff On Serbia; Belgrade Calls It 'Fake News' (RFE)
• Party leaders divided over steps to form Kosovo’s next government (Prishtina Insight)
• New enlargement strategy of the EU: a new chance for the Balkans (neweasterneurope.eu)
• COVID-19 pandemic as a threat to the rule of law in the Western Balkans (EWB)
• Serbian Govt Takes Control of Information Flow About Pandemic (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Roma: Europe’s Neglected Coronavirus Victims (Balkan Insight)
• Balkan Tech Enthusiasts Deploy 3D Printers against COVID-19 (Balkan Insight)
• Center for Peace and Tolerance launches new cycle for graduates from non-majority communities (TV Most)

• Four more cases with coronavirus confirmed (media)
• Government decides with majority of votes for reciprocity with Serbia (media)
• Kurti: Tariff is lifted and reciprocity to be implemented from tomorrow (media)
• EU High Representative hails lifting of import tariff on Serbia (media)
• Haradinaj opposes decision to lift import tariff on Serbia (media)
• Kosovo acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti interview to KTV
• Mustafa speaks about no-confidence motion in interview with Klan Kosova
• Constitutional Court rules against govt’s decision to restrict movement (media)
• PDK's Tahiri: We will remain in opposition (media)

Albanian Language Media:

• Two new cases with coronavirus confirmed (media)
• Import tariff to be lifted on April 1, full reciprocity to enter into force (RFE)
• Svecla informs OSCE chief on measures to combat COVID-19 (RTK)
• Serbs don’t report coronavirus cases to Kosovo institutions (Radio Free Europe)
• Kosovo budget risks losing €200 million (Radio Free Europe)
• EU allocates €63 million for Kosovo’s economic recovery (RTK)
• Ahmeti: Interior Ministry decided to ban public transport Kosovo-wide (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Djuric: We expect more confirmed cases (Kosovo Online)
• Epidemiologists to arrive to Mitrovica North (KIM radio, Kontakt plus radio)
• Spiric: One more person in Mitrovica North infected with Covid-19 (Radio kontakt plus, KoSSev)
• Serwer: New elections are not possible in Kosovo, Richard Grenell's attention doesn't mean much (Kosovo Online)
• New 44 confirmed coronavirus cases in Serbia, with 3 more deaths yesterday (B92)
• "Serious deterioration - a prerequisite for introducing 24-hour curfew" (B92, N1)

Opinion:

• Lesson No 1 From Pandemic – We’re all Interdependent (Balkan Insight)

International:

• Thaci Push for Unity Government in Kosovo Deemed Futile (Balkan Insight)
• Kosovo Specialist Chambers: Providing compensations for victims (EWB)
• Kosovo-Serbia Agreement: Why is the Trump Administration Fast-Tracking a Hasty Deal? (Medium.com)
• Dismantling democracy? Virus used as excuse to quell dissent (AP)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Belgrade Takes Charge of Kosovo Serbs With COVID-19 (Balkan Insight)
• Domestic violence shelters keeping their heads above water during pandemic (Prishtina Insight)
• Two men arrested for domestic violence in Istog (Express)

• 12 new cases of coronavirus confirmed (media)
• President Thaci invites Kurti to meeting (media)
• Veseli: Whoever incites conflict will have no room here (RTK)
• Mustafa reacts to Bahtiri's statement (media)
• Charges files against Mitrovica South Mayor (Indeksonline)
• Acting Interior Minister files charges against Thaci (media)
• US gives Kosovo $1.1 million to fight coronavirus (media)
• Lajcak to start his duty as EU Envoy for dialogue in two days (RFE, RTK)
• Haradinaj: Kurti gave up the tariff, if he kept it, I would support him (RTK)
• “If Kurti does not meet Thaci, we call it a constitutional silence” (RTK)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 30, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• Thaci insists on broad-based government (media)
• Nagavci: 82 MP votes for no-confidence motion, opened way to Thaci’s plans (Koha)
• LDK's Hoti: Parties have two options (media)
• Bahtiri denies reports, "I am man of peace" (Klan Kosova)
• 97 cases of coronavirus in Kosovo (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• National Convention on the EU: Establish cooperation between Serbia and Kosovo in combating the coronavirus pandemic (Kontakt plus radio, KIM radio, RTK2)
• EU secures 38 million Euro in aid to Western Balkans (N1)
• Thaci with Quint ambassadors instead of consulting the political parties (KoSSev)
• Vucic: Within 3 to 4 days decision on a 24-hour curfew (Prva TV, B92)
• In Serbia, 82 new cases of coronavirus, total of 741 (B92)
• Two persons in northern Kosovo tested positive for Covid-19 (media)
• Ivanovic: Number of persons infected with coronavirus will increase (media)
• EUROPOL: How criminals profit from the Covid-19 pandemic (KoSSev, Beta)
• Two Serb families from Banje and Osojane villages robbed (Radio KIM)

Opinion:

• Jeffrey Sachs: The pandemic crisis will last two years, and things will no longer be the same (NMagazin)

International:

• Fall of the reform government in Kosovo: State crisis in the midst of Corona crisis (Der Spiegel)

Humanitarian/Development:

• COVID-19 pandemic adversely affects digital rights in the Balkans (globalvoices.org)
• China: End of epidemic (B92, Sputnik)

• 3 new coronavirus cases confirmed, 91 in total (media)
• Kurti: We need to convince every family member to stay at home (media)
• Kurti: Extraordinary elections are inevitable (media)
• Thaci expected to invite political leaders for a consultation meeting (media)
• Nagavci: There is no government without the winner, Kurti was the best PM (RTK)
• LVV could delay forming of the government infinitely (media)
• Kusari: LDK would have submitted motion, with or without Veliu (media)
• Abazi warns on additional measures if citizens do not respect decisions (RTK)