UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 9, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani: U.S. doesn’t want us to keep bridge closed, but to set a joint date to open it (media)
Osmani, Kurti thank Turkiye for cooperation in field of security (Koha)
"Unforeseen developments", Lajcak won’t be EU ambassador in Switzerland (Koha)
Kosovo will donate a fleet of vehicles to Ukraine (media)
Peci says VV and Guxo are in coalition (media)
Volker: West is strengthening Vucic, while undermining others in Balkans (RFE)

Serbian Language Media:

Discarded and Invisible (KoSSev, Radar)
Vucic: We will have many problems with Kurti's provocations (Kosovo Online)
Dacic met with the president of Interpol in China, discussed the regional Interpol office in Belgrade (Blic)
Elek: Kurti scores political points by mistreating Serbs, the persecution will continue because no one stops him (Kosovo Online, Tanjug, Kurir)
Vucic informs Russian ambassador of situation in Kosovo (Tanjug)
Rojevic: Interrupted checkpoint blockades; deadline to Pristina until October 1st to fulfil the demands (Danas, RTV, N1)
Jovanovic: Silent exodus of Serbs from Kosovo occurring without media attention (FoNet, N1, KiM radio)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kosovo Police celebrates 25th anniversary of establishment (media)
• Lajcak says he and Bislimi agreed on next meeting of chief negotiators (Koha)
• Gervalla: Threat to block crossings, proof of Serbia’s hegemonistic goals (Koha)
• Turkish Foreign Minister: Nothing more normal than supporting Kosovo (media)
• Valtonen: Finland and Kosovo have a strong bond (media)
• Two suspects stop bus in north, smash windshield, mirrors (media)
• Sinani calls on internationals to prevent attempts to block crossings (media)
• Canak: Vucic’s idea is to present Kosovo as place that threatens Serbs (Express)

Serbian Language Media:
• Transport organized for the announced blockade of crossings (N1)
• Todic after the questioning by KP: Political case lead against us (Kosovo Online)
• Jaksic: It seems to me that Kurti is doing the 'dirty work' for Vucic (NMagazin, Beta, N1, Nova)
• Minister Zigmanov spoke with the OSCE Vice President about the situation in Kosovo (NMagazin, Beta)
• Petkovic: The intrusion into Serbian institutions will have unforeseeable consequences for the normalization of relations with Pristina (N1, Kosovo Online, media)
• Surlic: Kurti has no interest in making any concessions before the elections (Kosovo Online)
• Vulin: Vucic did not refuse Putin’s invitation (N1, RTS)

Opinion:

• The closure of Kosovo’s parallel institutions and its ramifications (emerging-europe.com)
• Balkan arms race makes NATO membership for Bosnia more urgent (BIRN)

International:

• Kosovo’s jubilar grape festival features global stars (Prishtina Insight)
• Recent developments in the north of Kosovo: UK statement to the OSCE, September 2024 (gov.uk)
• Kosovo residents urged to avoid Serbia amid road blockades threats (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

• Lajçak to visit Kosovo today (media)
• Germany warns that CEFTA can move forward even without Kosovo (Koha)
• Rohde: Kurti was not persuaded to compromise on representation of Kosovo in CEFTA (Koha)
• Zulfaj answers to Germany about CEFTA: Serbia is setting conditions (Koha)
• U.S. Mission at OSCE concerned about uncoordinated actions in north (RTK)
• Rasic against Kurti on opening of Iber bridge: I don't see it reasonable to jeopardise progress (Zeri)
• Osmani: Kosovo and Finland are steadfast partners (Koha)
• Ambassador Orav had a busy day with meetings on Thursday (Klan)
• In a phone call with Vucic, Scholz emphasised importance of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (RTK)
• Cerkinaj: Locals are not serious at all about fate of missing (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Lajcak in Pristina today, confirmed by Stano (Tanjug, Radio Mitrovica North)
• Serbia confirmed the search of a possible mass grave near Novi Pazar (Beta, NMagazin, RFE)
• Hill: Serbia adheres to dialogue and that is the right approach (RTS, Danas, Kosovo Online, media)
• Rojevic: The blockade of the administrative crossings to Kosovo announced for today at 6 pm (Danas, beta, Insajder, media)
• Simic: I told the truth - that I didn't do anything illegal, it’s a pressure before the elections (Kosovo Online, media)
• Arsenijevic followed? (KoSSev)
• Nenad Rasic: The closure of Serbian institutions in the north not a surprise (KiM radio)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti meets leaders of Mitrovica North municipality (media)
• Sources: Lajcak to visit Kosovo on September 6 (RFE)
• Stano: Kosovo to avoid uncoordinated actions that can increase tensions (EO)
• Gervalla: Iber bridge must be opened; committed for rule of law everywhere (EO)
• UK advises its citizens “against all but essential travel” to Kosovo north (media)
• People from Kosovo, diaspora advised to avoid Kosovo-Serbia crossings (media)
• Serbian List: The institutions did not violate any law (RFE)
• Haradinaj: Kurti is instrumentalizing the police for electoral interests (media)
• Orav: Honor to meet PM Kurti; looking forward to our cooperation (media)
• Waitz: It would be an honor to be selected EP Rapporteur for Kosovo (media)
• Hoti: No coalition with VV; “if we don’t win election, we’ll be in opposition” (media)
• “Wrong if someone thinks north can be integrated with police measures” (RTV21)
• Grennell: 4 years ago we brought Kosovo and Serbia leaders together (media)
• Football Federation reacts to Romanian fans’ chants against Kosovo (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Serbian List: Political persecution of the Serbian people and part of a wider plan of institutional repression (Kosovo Online, Radio Mitrovica sever, KiM radio, TV Most, KoSSev)
• Zaporozac after questioning by KP: This is a political process against me and my colleagues (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Rector's Office: The University of Pristina with its temporary seat in North Mitrovica remains (Radio Mitrovica sever, Kosovo Online)
• Maliqi: Kosovo Serbs in a position like the Albanians during the time of Milosevic, Kurti plays similar to Vucic (NMagazin, Beta, Nedeljnik, Danas, media)
• How will Serbs living outside Kosovo vote in the February elections? (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian PM: Kurti pressuring Kosovo Serbs (N1, media)
• Vucic refuses Putin’s invitation to BRICS summit (N1)
• Vucic asks Scholz about lithium project in Germany (N1)

International:

• Herzog to visit Serbia and Albania next week (timesofisrael.com)
• Serbian Deputy PM assures Putin that Russia an 'ally' (RFE)

Albanian Language Media:

• Krasniqi: There are no more illegal institutions in north (RTK)
• MFA: Avoid entering and exiting Kosovo-Serbia border crossings (media)
• KFOR: Avoid actions that could create tensions (Express)
• Pacolli: There is no longer reason to have KFOR soldiers on Iber bridge (Zeri)
• Bislimi meets new Dutch ambassador, demands removal of EU measures (RTK)
• Finnish Foreign Minister to visit Kosovo today (Koha)
• Indictment filed against a Gorani for war crimes in Suhareka and Rahovec (RTK)
• Fried: Kosovo government is making Belgrade look like vulnerable party (RTK)
• Kurti: Mediation offers efficient solutions in cases of disputes (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: I would go to Mitrovica if international forces allowed me to (Tanjug)
• Milan Radojevic questioned by KP: A clean face and a clear conscience are the most important things to me (Tanjug, media)
• Another indictment for an alleged war crime in Kosovo (RTS)
• The Albanian mayor of Zubin Potok on whether he supports the closure of provisional authorities (Danas)
• Stano: Maintaining ties with Russia is not in line with EU values (Danas, N1, media)

International:

• Reset Required: Bring VAR to the Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue (Balkan Insight)
• Vulin with Putin: Serbia will never impose sanctions on Russia (EWB)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kosovo Intelligence Agency on visit by CIA Director William Burns (media)
• Increased number of KFOR troops on Iber bridge again (RFE)
• Police collecting evidence in premises used by Serbian-run structures (Telegrafi)
• Zubin Potok Mayor: This is not the first time I receive death threats (media)
• Hand grenade thrown in village near Zubin Potok; no injuries reported (media)
• “Heb’s” opens in north; Manager: Serbs too interested to get employed (Telegrafi)
• Kurti: Working every day for KSF to be modern, professional as possible (media)
• Kurti meets Gorgun, discuss possible cooperation in defense industry (media)
• Hoti: Kosovo lost a lot by failing to implement Washington Agreement (Nacionale)

Serbian Language Media:

• The sixth day of the blockade of institutions in the Kosovo north, reinforced KFOR forces on the Ibar bridge (RTS)
• Confiscation of equipment continues today in the PA KM municipality building; the coat of arms of Serbia and the municipality removed (Radio Mitrovica sever, KiM radio, KoSSev)
• Trajkovic and Jaksic held at Merdare crossing (KoSSev, Danas)
• A bomb thrown at the house of a Serb in the village near Zubin Potok (Kosovo Online)
• Andric Rakic: Necessary to insist on ensuring the votes of voters from central Serbia arrive by mail (Kosovo Online)
• Support to the Serbs in the north, the state will not allow a pogrom, says Jevtic (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
• Vucic met with Brammertz (Tanjug, media)
• Brnabic: Kurti conducting open ethnic cleansing (Tanjug, TV Prva)
• Dacic on the relocation of Serbs from the north: I have not yet heard that Biserko and Canak defended the Serbs somewhere (Danas, TV Pink)
• Giaufret: One and a half billion euros to Serbia in the next three years (RTS)
• U.S. State Department’s reaction to Aleksandar Vulin meeting with Putin (Danas, VoA, serbianmonitor.com)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 4, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti meets Hargreaves, discuss bilateral relations, developments (media)
Gervalla: Serbia is the one threatening the region (Koha)
Haxhiu: Serbia should be pressured to hand over war criminals, terrorists (TeVe1)
Canak: Info about plans to displace Serbs to Sandzak from sources (media)
Five Serbs summoned for interviews for “falsification of documents”(Koha)
Shea: Kosovo government needs to engage fully in the dialogue (Klan Kosova)

Serbian Language Media:

Petkovic: Hearings of the leaders of the Serbian List - brutal political persecution of Serbs from the north (Kosovo Online)
Milovic: The presidents of the provisional authorities of the municipalities were summoned to the police for questioning (RTS, Kosovo Online)
Serbian democracy: Through dialogue, Serbian institutions were recognized as a reality (KiM radio)
Leaders of closed Serbian institutions summoned for interview - suspected of "falsifying documents" (KoSSev, alternativna.com, KiM radio)
"If a child is born, there is nowhere to register": While Serbs in Kosovo live without institutions, Albanians open shops (N1, NMagazin)
Peci announces investment in agro-tourism in the North, reacts to claims of Serbian discrimination: “I cannot imagine any reason for it” (KoSSev)
Minister Miscevic in Bled: Serbia understands the importance of dialogue; Hill: EU enlargement a very complex process (RTS)
Lajcak, Miscevic discuss EU Growth Plan for Western Balkans (Tanjug)
ProGlas on the meeting with the delegation of Serbs from Kosovo: The situation in Kosovo a consequence of Vucic's policy (Danas)
RFE: EU says relations with Russia can’t be business as usual (N1, NMagazin, Danas)

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: Kosovo has met all conditions to get candidate status for EU (RFE)
• Kurti: Annual average of Foreign Direct Investments is €705.6 million (media)
• Biserko: Info that Serbia building houses for Kosovo Serbs must be verified (RFE)
• Ministry changes law on bureau for confiscation of unjustifiable wealth (media)
• Zubin Potok mayor says he has been receiving death threats (media)
• Serbs warn to block crossings until police withdraws from Kosovo north (media)
• Employees of parallel structures in north protest again (Kanal 10)
• Finnish Foreign Minister to visit Albania, Kosovo and Serbia (Albanian Post)
• Turkey arrests person for transferring money to Mossad operatives (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Provisional institutions in the north of Kosovo still blocked, workers are prevented from working (RTS, RTV, media)
• Jankovic: Violation of human rights of Serbs (KiM radio)
• The closure of Serbian institutions as compensation, because KFOR did not allow opening of the Ibar bridge? (Danas, KiM radio)
• Moma Trajkovic: In Kosovo, the people are in agony (KiM radio, Danas)
• Marsenic: Imposing a "cancel culture" on Serbs (Kosovo Online)
• Congressman Eric Swalwell on the Pristina action: Unilateral provocations are unacceptable (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)

Opinion:

• Biserko and Canak story on the resettlement of Serbs from Kosovo: "Unfounded and dangerous, Milan Radojicic is missing to make the joke complete" (Danas)
• Macron’s visit to Serbia: Business, bromance or transactional politics? (BIRN)

International:

• Out of the shadows: Kosovo hosts pioneering exhibition on queerness (BIRN)
• Making history: Kosovo’s debut at the Paralympic Games (RFE)
• Kosovo’s EFT joins Alpex power exchange (SeeNews)
• Suspect arrested in Turkey for allegedly transferring money to Mossad operatives, report says (AP)

Albanian Language Media:

• EU: Failure of parties to reduce tensions will have consequences (Koha)
• Ursula von der Leyen: In Kosovo, economic reforms are bringing benefits (RTK)
• Minister Gervalla at Bled Forum, welcomed by Tanja Fajon (RTK)
• Aivo Orav starts work as new ambassador of EU in Kosovo (RTK)
• Rohde to new head of EU: Looking forward to make Kosovo a success story (RTK)
• Elshani: As long as Radojcic is free, there is danger (Express)
• Krasniqi and Hamza meet Ambassador Hargreaves, discuss current developments (media)
• Indictment against two Serbs, suspected of war crimes against civilian population (media)
• Director of Media 10: We will be filter of truth for every resident also in north of Mitrovica (Gazeta 10)

Serbian Language Media:

• A new war crime indictment filed, two persons of Serbian nationality suspected (KiM radio, KoSSev, Kosovo Online, media)
• NKEU: Do not stop Radosavljevic and Todorovic at the crossings (KiM radio, media)
• The special political program from the Pristina studio moved to the Mitrovica promenade (KoSSev)
• ProGlas initiative for the first time with representatives of Serbs from Kosovo (KoSSev, Danas, Beta)
• Djuric met Azerbaijani FM in Baku (Tanjug)
• Vucevic: Shameful statement by Canak and Biserko about the resettlement of Serbs from Kosovo (Kosovo Online, Tanjug, RTV)
• Vulin: Quint, the EU, and NATO supported the actions against the Serbs in the north of Kosovo, Kurti doing nothing independently (Kosovo Online, Vecernje Novosti)
• Starovic: Without concrete actions against Kurti, no one will take the State Department's statements seriously (Kosovo Online, Politika)

International Media:

• Serbia Urged to Stop Holding Activists at Borders (Balkan Insight)
• Von der Leyen: I will appoint a dedicated Commissioner for enlargement (EWB)
• Transforming the Western Balkans: Trade, Energy, and Mobility as Catalysts for Growth (EWB)

Albanian Language Media:

• EU considers new round of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue a priority (media)
• Police: Protests in Mitrovica north took place peacefully, without incidents (media)
• Shea: Opening of Bridge has caused concern about possibility of violence (Albanian Post)
• Kupchan: Maneuvers in the north serve Kurti, not Kosovo (Klan)
• Tahiri: Any reckless action from wherever it comes from cannot endanger Kosovo (Klan)
• Kurti: The Kosovo Telecom has been returned to the people (media)
• Orav: Looking forward to work closely with local and intl partners (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Stano: The main goal of the EU an urgent meeting of the main negotiators, many unresolved issues (Kosovo Online, Tanjug, Radio Mitrovica sever, media)
• The Association of the Kosovo-Mitrovica district announced the blockade of all crossings from September 6 (KoSSev, KiM radio)
• Simic: The usurpers snatched the property of the Serbian state, the right to work and life of the Serbs in Kosovo was denied (Kosovo Online)
• Veljkovic: The closure of the Provisional Authorities is a direct violation of human rights (KiM radio)
• Kosovo Serbs protest closure of municipality building (N1, KoSSev, Kosovo Online)
• Vucic on the visit of Biserko and Canak to Kurti: ''I have never seen a circus like this before'' (Danas)
• Head of the School Administration: About 1,100 first-year students and the same number of high school students are enrolled (KiM radio, Kosovo Online, Kontakt plus radio, KoSSev)
• Rada Trajkovic: Kurti destroying the sovereignty of the international community (KiM radio, N1)
• Citaku: Criminal gangs encouraged, the government is reduced to propaganda (Kosovo Online)

Opinion:

• Palokaj: Societies are fed up with dialogue (Koha)

International:

• Kosovo parents struggle for textbooks as new school year begins (BIRN)
• Bulgarian military contingent departs for NATO mission in Kosovo (novinite.com)
• Vučić denies close links to Putin and says Serbia is on the path to the EU (euronews.com)