UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 25, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti lists the government's work for municipalities and regional development (media)
• Government keeps silent about U.S. initiative to discuss Association (Koha)
• Qalaj justifies the police: The persons tried to kill the police officers (EO)
• Rohde pleased that Minister Rasic will discuss the Association (Express)
• Government approves Draft Law on Religious Freedoms (media)
• Murati invited to report to the Budget Committee about property tax increase (Koha)
• Hoti reacts harshly: We can't continue like this, lift VAT and increase wages (media)
• Media boycott Minister Murati’s press conference (media)
• War veterans’ organisation requests police protection of their facilities (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: I regret they did not understand the state outweighs party interests (N1)
• Dacic: Serbia's role to remain constructive (Tanjug, media)
• Petkovic: Gervalla’s statement shows essence of Kurti's policy (Tanjug)
• When sweets turn into bullets – another campaign to boycott Serbian products in Kosovo (KoSSev)
• Hill: Serbia started paying too high a price for not imposing sanctions on Russia, EU serious about the sanctions (Blic, Tanjug, NMagazin, Beta, RTV)
• Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung journalist: It won’t be end of the world for Serbia if it does not sign new agreement (Danas, N1)
• UNS complaint on article accusing Serbs of committing war crimes without grounds partially accepted (Radio KIM)

Opinion:

• Rising hopes can be realised or dashed (peacefare.net)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Why investing in the early years of children’s lives is critical in Kosovo (blogs.worldbank.org)

• Chollet urges Kurti to accept EU proposal (RFE)
• U.S. Embassy confirms organisation of discussion on Association (Koha)
• Rasic confirms he received invitation to discussion on Association (RFE)
• Hill: Association, an obligation from Brussels Agreement (media)
• President Osmani interview for Corriere dela Serra (media)
• Lajcak lobbying with countries that don’t recognise Kosovo (Indeksonline)
• EU, US piling pressure on Serbia to accept Kosovo plan, Vucic says (BIRN)
• Borrell meets Dacic, underlines importance to implement obligations (media)
• Lajcak meets Dacic; “exchanged views about dialogue” (media)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti talks about the Draft Law on Religious Freedoms with Bishop Dode Gjergji (media)
• Gervalla: Russia is a threat through Serbia, we demand clear messages from EU and allies (Klan)
• The Police Inspectorate starts an investigation into the incident in Leposaviq (Kallxo)
• Opposition reacts to increased property tax bills (media)
• Bogujevci at CoE: I come from a country where women and men experienced sexual violence (media)
• Vetevendosje and PDK accuse each other through videos (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic responds to the call of the right to discuss the Franco-German plan in the Parliament; parliamentary groups refused consultations? (Danas, Nova, FoNet)
• Vucic: I will inform parliamentary groups of details of European plan (Tanjug, media)
• Dacic today in Brussels at separate meetings with Borrell and Lajcak (Kontakt plus radio, RTS)
• Konrad and Cochard: There is no question of sanctions if the plan for Kosovo is not accepted (NMagazin, Beta, TV Prva)
• Lajcak with representatives of countries that have not recognized Kosovo (KiM radio)
• Juratovic: Without settled relations, no entry into the EU for either Belgrade or Pristina (N1, Beta, Nova)
• Gervalla: Community/Association of Serbian municipalities is a dead proposition (Kosovo Online, Ekonomi Online)
• Bilcik's draft report: Serbia to align its foreign policy with the EU (media)
• SNF asks Bishop Teodosije to convene a town hall meeting, after Vucic’s statements on Kosovo (KoSSev)
• Protest in North Mitrovica tomorrow (Kontakt plus radio, Danas, KiM radio)
• Petkovic and Svecla share conflicting statements; KP: M.D. & D.S. accused of almost 100 crimes, including murder (KoSSev)

Opinion:

• Lazarevic: After Vucic's address, the whole north like a deflated balloon - and Serbian List's supporters (N1)

International:

• Kosovo Police Confirm Shooting at Serb-driven Vehicle (BIRN)

• Borrell briefs EU foreign ministers on Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (RFE)
• Escobar: Kosovo has full U.S. support; we will reach our objective (media)
• Lajcak meets foreign ministers of Spain and Slovakia (media)
• U.S. Embassy to organise discussion on Association of Serb municipalities (KTV)
• One injured after Kosovo police open fire in hit-and-run incident (Reuters)
• Kosovo Police gives details about incident in Leposavic (media)
• Svecla reacts after incident in north on Monday (media)
• Osmani hosted by Italian President Mattarella (media)
• Hundreds homeless in wake of Kosovo floods (RFE)
• UN willing to help families and people affected by floods (media)
• Police arrest one person suspected of attacking a juvenile in Suhodoll (Kallxo)
• Vucic: EU will halt talks if we refuse to normalise ties with Kosovo (RFE)
• Kosovo Serbs angered with Vucic, call protest on Wednesday (Gazeta Express)

Albanian Language Media:

• Borrell to inform EU foreign ministers today on Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (RFE)
• Osmani: I thanked the Holy Father for the care he shows toward Kosovo (media)
• Kurti meets with Mufti, talks about the Draft Law on Religious Freedoms (media)
• Fajon and Lajcak talk about the situation in the Western Balkans (Klan)
• Kusari-Lila: Kosovo is not a blocking party in the dialogue (media)
• Kosovo Police unit fires shots after being attacked by a vehicle in Leposavic (Koha)
• Abdixhiku criticises government on Martin Berishaj and Oliver Ivanovic cases (media)
• Protest against Kurti's statement about Ivanovic: resign or apologise (media)
• UN willing to help families and people affected by floods (Indeksonline)

Serbian Language Media:

• Serbian Government session commence, Vucic to address public this evening (RTS, media)
• Dacic: ZSO precondition for talks on Belgrade-Pristina solution (Kosovo Online, Happy TV)
• Opposition reacts to Vucic’s willingness to accept Kosovo agreement concept (N1, Prva TV)
• Serbian Orthodox Church elders express conviction that Serbian state leadership would not and can not agree to Kosovo independence (FoNet)
• Brnabic: Nothing regarding Kosovo will be decided without the people (FoNet, N1)
• Fatherland Movement seeks referendum on French-German proposal (KoSSev)
• Lajcak: Community of Serb Municipalities crucial, German-French plan solution (Tanjug)
• Danas: European plan for Kosovo in 10 points (KoSSev)
• Professor: French-German proposal contrary to Constitution of Serbia and UN Resolution 1244 (N1)
• Nova: ZSO by the end of April, final agreement by June (Kosovo Online)
• Specialist Court without comment on media reports on theft of confidential data (Kosovo Online)
• Dacic receives Cuban ambassador in a farewell visit, thanks him for Cuban stance on Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Three key postulates for the formation of the CSM (ZSO) (Politika)
• Petkovic: Special forces shot at a vehicle near the Bistrica Bridge, a Serb was wounded (media)
• A Serbian boy attacked in Suvi Do yesterday (media)

Opinion:

• “Kosovo is a Country, and a Country Means a State, Rules the Court of Justice of the European Union” (EJILTalk)

Humanitarian/Development:

• The air is slowly but surely killing us (Kosovo 2.0)
• Floods in Western Balkans Cause Huge Damage, Drownings (Balkan Insight)

• Kurti invites his cabinet to fulfill commitments of government program (RTK)
• Vjosa Osmani to visit the Vatican in a reception by Pope Francis (media)
• Western envoys visit Pristina, Belgrade, part of reconciliation effort (RFE)
• Kosovo-Serbia talks may advance ‘in weeks’, US diplomat says (BIRN)
• Western envoys visit Kosovo, Serbia to defuse tensions (AP)
• West expects more understanding of EU proposal for Serbia, Kosovo (AA)
• EU dialogue envoy makes visit to Serbia and Kosovo amid tensions (TVP World)
• PACE may discuss recent tensions between Pristina and Belgrade (media)
• Walker: Serbia invested heavily in propaganda against Recak massacre (media)
• Analyst warns: With or without Association, north is in danger (euronews.al)
• Protest in Pristina today against Kurti’s statement about Ivanovic (EO)
• “Wagner” inscription seen at school and Health Center in Mitrovica (Koha)
• Kosovo’s green transition remains main goal of EU in 2023 (Europe House)
• Serbian president hints that agreement with Kosovo is possible (newsbase)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 20, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Lajcak after the 2-hour meeting with Kurti: We expected greater understanding (media)
• Kurti: Kosovo's membership in EU and NATO has nothing to do with Serbia (Sinjali)
• Plan for “political assassinations” in Kosovo, only a rumour (media)
• French Ambassador: I am confident news on threats will be investigated (media)
• LDK: Conduct independent investigations into assassination plan (Klan)
• Hoti to government: Do not compromise on goals of dialogue and coordinate with allies (Sinjali)
• EP to investigate Varhelyi on suspicions of favouring Serbia in negotiations (Klan)
• Kurti visits areas affected by floods (Reporteri)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: I am certain Serbia will not join EU soon (Tanjug)
• Gazivode Dam safe, no room for panic, spillway opened on time (KoSSev)
• Floods affecting Serb-populated areas (Radio KIM, KoSSev, Kosovo Online)
• Djuric: Strategic affairs to be discussed with "big five" (Tanjug)
• Odalovic banned from entering Kosovo again (RTS, Tanjug)
• Ukrainian Ambassador: We are grateful to Serbs for humanitarian support (N1)
• Vucic to meet with Lajcak, Escobar, political advisers (media)
• Vucic receives German representatives (media)
• Kenya confirms it will not recognize Kosovo (RTV)
• Lawyer of Sladjan Trajkovic filed an appeal on his detention measure (Danas)

International:

• ‘We need autonomy’: Kosovo Serbs object to western diplomacy (Financial Times)

• Chollet: Final agreement requires tough choices and political courage (RFE)
• PM Kurti hosts five envoys from U.S. and EU today (media)
• Kurti: Mutual recognition, central point of agreement with Serbia (media)
• Kosovo License-Plate Issue Flares Up Again With Ban On Cars With Kosovar City Abbreviation (RFE)
• Haradinaj warns Vetevendosje: Forcing us to consider total blockade (Telegrafi)
• Kosovo in 2023: Between ‘crisis management’ and ‘conflict resolution’ (BIRN)
• Floods hit Kosovo, cutting drinking water supply to many towns (BIRN)
• Preparation conference in Thaci et al case rescheduled for Feb 15 (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 19, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• President Osmani welcomes the European Parliament resolution for Kosovo (media)
• Western Balkans leaders gather to discuss in Davos, Switzerland (Klan)
• EU doesn’t consider Serbia has renewed KM licence plates (media)
• COMKFOR: Security situation generally calm but extremely fragile (media)
• CoE: Not aware that Kosovo membership is conditioned with Association (Klan)
• Lajcak: I believe Finland will continue its support for the dialogue (media)
• Konjufca condemns threats against Abdixhiku and Krasniqi (Nacionale)
• Abdixhiku after reported assassination plots: We don’t feel threatened at all (Telegrafi)
• Hoxhaj: Government failed to keep the recognitions we secured (EO)
• Slovenian PM on suspected affair with Martin Berishaj: Pure fabrication (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Stano: Belgrade didn’t violate agreement on licence plates (Radio KIM, RTS)
• Petkovic responds to Svecla on licence plates agreement (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Petkovic: Kurti provoking crisis again (N1)
• Serbian List calls on EU to prevent violation of licence plates agreement by Pristina (Kosovo Online)
• Ambulance vehicle with KM plates held at Jarinje (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic on Kurti, secessionism, EP resolution (Tanjug)
• Dacic: EP resolution another example of enormous hypocrisy (N1)
• Hill: Serbia itself should decide what standards it needs (Tanjug, Nedeljnik)
• Dacic met Botsan-Kharchenko (media)
• Lawyer: Calling someone who was not convicted a war criminal is a criminal act (KoSSev)
• Analyst: Who gives right to Sarrazin to make Serbia recognize Kosovo, when EU does not have unified stance (Danas, BETA, Nova.rs, N1)

International:

• Kosovo License-Plate Issue Flares Up Again With Ban On Cars With Kosovar City Abbreviation (RFE)
• Serbian Police Ex-Commander Wanted in Kosovo for War Crimes (BIRN)

• Svecla: Serbia violated agreement on license plates (Klan)
• Police on reports for assassination plans against LDK and PDK MPs (media)
• PM Kurti meets Croatian counterpart in Davos (media)
• Bislimi meets Swiss Ambassador - support of 83 million francs, confirmed (Klan)
• The shooting in Shterpce: an eye-witness’s words (Prishtina Insight)
• Bitter rhetoric: Politicisation of missing persons in post-conflict Kosovo (BIRN)
• Supreme Court suspends licences to build power plants on Lumbardh (BIRN)
• Begaj: We are sensitive but cautious about recent tensions in Kosovo (Klan)
• Vucic: 2023, one of most difficult years in Serbia’s modern history (media)
• Serbia in 2023: Against backdrop of war, pressure for deal on Kosovo (BIRN)