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UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 21, 2023

Albanian Language Media:
Kurti confirms participation in Brussels meeting (media)
Kurti publishes new evidence: Serbia violated the Kumanovo Agreement (RTK)
Gervalla says families expected to visit the three police officers on Friday (RTK)
The border points in Bernjak, Jarinje and Merdare, unblocked (Klan)
Escobar: Kosovo-Serbia tensions have potential to turn into "regional conflict" (media)
Lajcak meets with Undersecretary Nuland, talk about situation in the north (media)
Biden extends Western Balkans National Emergency Executive Order (Klan)
KFOR: Our intervention on May 29 in Zvecan, decisive to prevent fighting between Serbs and Albanians (Klan)
Ambassadors: Association only according to the Constitution of Kosovo (RTK)
Bujar Osmani talks to Gervalla and Dacic: Situation in the north should calm down (RTK)
Sources: Kurti to visit Vatican on Wednesday (Koha)
Serbian Language Media:
Petkovic: Serbs arrested in Kosovo harassed, beaten (Radio KIM, N1)
Bishop Tedosije: Arrests and maltreatment of Serbs lead to greater conflict (Radio KIM)
Lawyer: Vukasinovic sent to one-month detention (Radio KIM, Kosovo Online)
Peaceful night in northern Kosovo, Serbs continue protesting (RTS)
UNS and DNKiM: Participants in protest do not have right to impede work of journalists (KoSSev)
Brnabic asks EU to help preserve peace (RTS, media)
Serbian media and civil society organizations in Kosovo condemned attacks on journalists (KoSSev)
International Media:

Protests Cause Travel Disruptions and Roadblocks Between Kosovo and Serbia (BIRN)
Hungary's PM Orban urges Serbia to release arrested Kosovo policemen (Reuters)
NATO ready to react to acts of violence in Kosovo: commander (TVPWorld)
Serbian protestors block border crossings for Kosovo vehicles (SeeNews)
Trucks Blocked at Balkan Border as Serbia-Kosovo Spat Escalates (Bloomberg)
Osmani urges immediate de-escalation in Kosovo (mirage news)
Defence, Prosecution Argue Over Witness Protection at Kosovo War Court (BIRN)
In Montenegro, Memories of Pain and Generosity on the Refugee Road (BIRN)
German-French tie-up gets 12.2 mln euro contract for ID system in Kosovo (SeeNews)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 20, 2023

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 20, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Three border crossings with Serbia remain blocked for trucks and buses (RFE)
• European Parliament President: Situation in the north must de-escalate (Gazeta Metro)
• Kurti-Vucic meeting; analysts says dialogue only way to overcome situation (Telegrafi)
• Osmani and Haradinaj with messages on World Refugee Day (media)
• Surroi reacts to Grenell about “potential idea of removing NATO troops in 2020” (media)
• Gashi: Attacks against reporters extending Prime Minister Kurti’s narrative (Kallxo)
• Case initiated for throwing of Molotov cocktail at police car in Leposavic (media)
• Austrian reporter: EU sanctions against Kosovo taken seriously as it seems (Nacionale)
• CDHRF: Serbia is not allowing anyone to visit the police officers (Kosovapress)
• Populism is threatening societies and countries in the region (Kosovapress)
• Hasani on Rama’s proposal: Philosophically equal to project for Kosovo’s partition (T7)
• Abazovic: I have asked Kurti not to get into conflict with internationals (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: I will not talk to Kurti until each arrested Serb have not been released (TV Pink, Kosovo Online)
• Orban asked Vucic to release Kosovo police officers (NMagazin, Beta)
• Protests in northern Kosovo continue (Kosovo Online)
• Colleagues of arrested Vukasinovic talk to KoSSev, claim that he is innocent (KoSSev)
• Truck drivers from Serbia: We are blocking all trucks from Kosovo until they let us go (N1)
• Members of the Serbian opposition Miroslav Aleksic and Aleksandar Jovanovic in Zvecan (KiM radio)
• Serbian opposition Zvetnici party supports truck drivers blocking the roads (Kosovo Online)
• Odalovic: KFOR must order the withdrawal of special units from northern Kosovo (Radio Mitrovica sever, Kosovo Online)

Opinion:

• Behind Lajcak's sudden departure to Washington for "intensive talks on urgent steps" (Blic)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 20, 2023

Albanian Language Media:
Roads toward three border crossings with Serbia remain blocked (Telegrafi)
COMKFOR: Situation in North cannot be resolved militarily, but politically (Albanian Post)
Escobar and Lajcak in the U.S. on the resumption of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (RTK)
Osmani: Criminal groups in the north must be brought to justice (media)
Svecla says “criminals who receive orders from Belgrade” will face justice (RTK)
Union chief says policemen in Serbia are well and not being mistreated (KTV)
Haxhiu: Serbia should hand over the war criminals (Koha)
Five TV stations stopped broadcast for 5 minutes, solidarity with Klan Kosova (Reporteri)
Ministry: Klan Kosova can perform activities until IMC decision (media)
Hoti: Resignation of Kurti govt would save Kosovo’s economic and political stability (media)
Serbian Language Media:
Arrests of Serbs do not stop, truck drivers and local residents blocked roads after Jarinje crossing and near Kursumlija (RTS)
Another Serb sent to one-month detention (KoSSev)
Ristuccia: Situation in northern Kosovo still tense, we call for dialogue (Tanjug)
Petkovic reacts to Svecla’s remarks on arrests, says arrested Serbs are innocent (Kosovo Online, social media)
Vucic welcomes Hungarian PM Orban (N1, FoNet)
International Media:

NATO Ready to Act to Save Kosovo's Peace, Calls for De-Escalation (Reuters)
Brussels urges Vucic and Kurti to be 'more reasonable' and engage in talks to diffuse tensions (euronews)
Kosovo frustrated over Western threats blames Serbia (Euractiv)
NATO Chief Urges De-Escalation As Serbia, Kosovo Leaders Downplay Crisis Talks (RFE)
EU, NATO urge Kosovo, Serbia talks, de-escalation (Daily Sabah)
How Kosovo’s prime minister became America’s ardent frenemy (politico.eu)
Kosovo Serbs Protest Arrests of Serbs Suspected of Attacking Journalists (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 19, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: I’ll decide about Brussels meeting after police officers are visited (media)
• EU expects Kurti and Vucic to go to Brussels without conditions (RFE)
• NATO SG calls for lowering of tensions between Kosovo and Serbia (media)
• Osmani: Kosovo disagreements with U.S., EU, must be overcome (Euronews Albania)
• Krasniqi: Five days later, nothing is known about the condition of police officers (media)
• Rama: If officers not released this week, ice returns to relations with Serbia (media)
• Police confirms arrest of Serb suspected of assaulting reporters in north (media)
• Police denies reports that KFOR did not allow it to go to the north (RTK)
• KFOR allows police special units to go to Leposavic, but not ministers! (Indeksonline)
• Kusari-Lila says Vucic “uses masked and armed people to fight” media (media)
• Police: A shock bomb was thrown last night in Zvecan, no injuries reported (media)
• Kurti meets Ashkali community: Working for a discrimination-free society (Lajmi)

Serbian Language Media:

• Stano: The EU expects Vucic and Kurti to respond without preconditions to Borrell's invitation (RTS)
• Protests in Leposavic because of arrests of Serbs: Is our freedom barber wire? (N1)
• Office for KiM, Serbian List: Two underage children beaten up by Kosovo police (Radio KIM, Kosovo Online, social media)
• National Convention on the EU for Chapter 35: We condemn every form of violence in the North, committed by the police against Serbs or by hooligans against journalists and KFOR
• One more young Serb arrested in Leposavic this morning (KoSSev)
• The Office for KiM on today's arrest: The continuation of the torture of Albin Kurti (Beta, N1)
• Telekom Serbia: Our employee in Leposavic hijacked, we will undertake all legal activities (RTV)
• Serbian List about the arrest of Serbs in Leposavic: When will the international community react? (NMagazin, Beta)
• Citizens' protest march from Mitrovica to Zvecan in support of the arrested Serbs (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Members of kick-box club with open training extend support to their arrested trainer Milun Milenkovic (KoSSev)
• Lawyer Vlajic: Only those who are desperate or uninformed hope for justice in Kosovo (N1, Beta, RTS)
• KFOR present at all access roads to Leposavic centre (Kosovo Online)
• Radojevic: Serbs have two options, to surrender and disappear, or to defend themselves democratically (TV Pink, Kosovo Online)
• Serbian military unit commander denies involvement in arrest of Kosovo police officers (N1)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 19, 2023

Albanian Language Media:
Kurti: We’re doing everything to have the police officers released ASAP (RFE)
Osmani thanks Scholz for support on immediate release of police officers (media)
Kurti to decide this week on Borrell invitation, Vucic says no to meeting (Koha)
Kurti: Attack against media in north was organised and had clear intention (media)
Police arrest person that assaulted RTK cameraman in Leposavic (Express)
Rohde asks why SL did not condemn violence against journalists? (media)
NATO reminds all parties to their obligations to KFOR (media)
Baerbock: Serbia, Kosovo to do everything to calm down situation at border (media)
Lajcak to travel to U.S., “discussions on way forward” (media)
Kurti on Hate Speech Day: We affirm right to live without being targeted (media)
Kosovo Police deny claims of beating of two Serb youths in north (media)
Serbian Language Media:
Vucic: Dialogue meaningless, it does not cross my mind to talk until arrested Serbs have not been released (RTS)
Visoki Decani Monastery: An urgent appeal for peace and restraint in Kosovo (RTS, social media)
Todic and Simic to file lawsuit against Minister Krasniqi and a media worker for their allegations (KoSSev)
One more Serb arrested at Jarinje on June 17 (Radio KIM)
Lawyer: Serb from Leposavic arrested on June 16, sent to one-month detention (Kosovo Online)
Spokesperson: NATO takes events in Kosovo very seriously (N1)
Petkovic: Kurti’s special forces occupied Mitrovica North on Friday night (N1, KoSSev, Tanjug)
International Media:

U.S. Demands Serbia 'Immediately' Release Three Detained Kosovar Police Officers (RFE)
Kamberi: Kosovo policemen were reportedly mistreated (Euronews Albania)
Saudi Arabia, Kosovo offcials discuss ways to boost economic relations (Arab News)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 16, 2023

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 16, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Serbian judge orders detention for three Kosovo police officers (media)
• Kurti: Terrorism charges against three police officers seem to have been dropped (RFE)
• Kurti meets U.S. Permanent Representative to OSCE, Carpenter (media)
• Kurti is attending Prespa Dialogue Forum, meets BDI leader Ahmeti (media)
• UK statement on latest developments in the north of Kosovo (media)
• Rama: KFOR will submit file to NATO; there won’t be public conclusions (Gazeta Metro)
• Tahiri: Kurti, internationals to engage so that police officers return today (Kosovapress)
• Serbian lawyer: No legal basis to keep police officers in detention (Gazeta Express)
• Lajcak: We need to overcome legacy of the past and seek dialogue (media)
• Media Commission gives Klan Kosova 30-day period to complete business data (media)
• Reactions to suspension of Klan Kosova business certificate (media)
• Begaj: Kosovo an irreversible reality; leaders to sit at table of talks (Telegrafi)
• Montenegro’s Abazovic offers to host new round of Pristina-Belgrade dialogue (media)
• Trucks with Serbian goods not allowed to enter Kosovo today (RFE)
• Protesters tried to enter Leposavic municipal building; Police: Situation calm (media)
• Masked persons in Zvecan throw stones at police vehicle, no injuries (media)
• Edward P. Joseph interview with The Geopost (media)
• Haxhiu: We won’t stop fighting domestic violence, violence against women (Reporteri)

Serbian Language Media:

• Kosovo Minister of Administration entered Leposavic municipality, Serbs protest (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic: Kurti wants new crises, I informed Lajcak about latest provocations in Leposavic (Kosovo Online)
• CI 'Serbian Survival' message to the international community and KFOR (KiM radio)
• Dacic: Kurti likes constant aggravation of situation, and we like peace (Tanjug)
• Serbian Chamber of Commerce: We did not receive official notification on ban to Serbian goods from entering Kosovo (RTS, Kosovo Online)
• Kosovo special police searched vehicles in Gracanica (Tanjug, Radio KIM)
• UNS and DNKiM: Suspension of Klan Kosova television, act of censorship and threat to media freedom (medijacentar.info)
• Reporting from northern Kosovo has never been harder (medijacentar.info, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Jarinje: Kosovo police prohibited vehicle of Post Office of Serbia to enter Kosovo (media)
• Walk of support for the arrested Milun, Dusan and Rados in North Mitrovica (Kosovo Online)
• Kosovo police officers arrested in Raska sent to detention, investigation launched (RTS)

Opinion:

• Weller: Are the Brussels Negotiations on Kosovo Nearing Collapse? (Prishtina Insight)
• Kosovo Serbs stuck between Pristina and Belgrade “Trials” (KoSSev)

International:

• North of Kosovo: An extremely dangerous stalemate (DW)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 16, 2023

Albanian Language Media:
Kurti says KFOR had a mandate to prevent the incident (media)
U.S. State Department calls for unconditional release of police officers (media)
"We were not in the area", KFOR refers to "arrest" of police officers (media)
Jetish Jashari not allowed to visit the three police officers (Klan)
Blasts near police stations in Mitrovica North and Zvecan, no injuries (RFE)
Government brings details about Kurti’s meet with ambassadors (Reporteri)
Borrell to organize crisis meeting between Kosovo and Serbia next week (media)
Lajcak: We don’t want another Ukraine (media)
Von Cramon: Entry of Serbian forces into Kosovo, illegal (media)
Rohde: I would like to see a government that listens to the allies (Koha)
Escobar to hold press conference today on events in Kosovo and Serbia (media)
Kurti expected to attend Prespa Dialogue Forum today (Gazeta Express/Alsat)
Kosovo media show solidarity with Klan Kosova, place logo on screens (Klan)
RTK vehicle attacked in Zvecan (media)
Study by Marc Weller: What went wrong in the Brussels dialogue (Koha)
Serbian Language Media:
KFOR sends team to area where Kosovo Police troopers were arrested (N1)
Vucic thanks UAE president for engagement (N1, Tanjug)
State Dept spokesman says release Kosovo Police officers (N1)
Borrell to call Kosovo crisis-management meeting (media)
Lajcak: Both Serbia and Kosovo say - let the other side work, it doesn't work that way (Beta, N1)
Serbian army was not involved in arrest of Pristina's police officers – MoD (Tanjug)
International Media:
Kurti Says Kosovo Tightened Border Controls After Three Kosovar Police 'Kidnapped' (RFE)
Kosovo tightens controls on its border with Serbia, PM Kurti says (Reuters)
US: Kosovo, Serbia must both take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions (Reuters)
Kosovo tightens border security over claims police were 'kidnapped' (euronews)
Kosovo Tightens Border Security With Serbia Amid Incursion Row (Bloomberg)
Rama: KFOR won’t come up with conclusions, our focus is on release (euronews.al)
‘More oil on the fire’: Serbia-Kosovo heats up again (Politico)
Unrest threatens Kosovo Serbs’ ‘Last Bastion’ (Politico)
Texas guard unit’s training time in Germany prepares them for what may come in Kosovo (stripes.com)
Kosovo Crisis May Affect German Investments, Economic Chamber Warns (BIRN)
US and EU need a new roadmap to solve the Serbia-Kosovo conflict (emerging Europe)
Exhibition in Kosovo Showcases Wartime Civilian Invalids’ Pain (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 15, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: We are surprised by the tolerance and silence of internationals (media)
• Kurti’s advisor to EU, Germany, France, U.S.: Do we even have an agreement? (media)
• Opposition calls on Kurti to report to the Assembly today (Kallxo)
• Reactions to criminal complaint and suspension of business certificate of Klan Kosova
• Hoti: Government creating situations that increase importance of 1244 (Albanian Post)
• Haradinaj meets Rohde: Created situation is a shared concern (Kosovapress)
• Trucks with Serbian goods are not being allowed to enter Kosovo (Koha)
• Podujeva mayor confirms three Kosovars released from detention in Serbia (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Serbs continue protesting in Zvecan, demand release of arrested compatriots (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic: Situation in Kosovo very difficult, I hope EU and US will bring Kurti to reason (Tanjug)
• Guarantees that Belgrade received that Serbs who were at barricades will not be arrested (RTS)
• Milenkovic: Serbian List losing its authority, Serbs in Kosovo do not trust anyone (N1)
• Vucic: I asked Quint representatives to prevent Kurti from causing new war in Balkans (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Djuric: Urgent action needed to prevent tragedy in Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Musar: We don't want conflicts in the Western Balkans, Kosovo should do its part (Beta, NMagazin)
• Escobar tomorrow on events in Serbia and Kosovo (Kosovo Online)

Opinion:

• Kelmendi: We will not allow them! They will not make it! (Klan Kosova)

International:

• Fraternal Discord: Rama’s Cancellation of Meeting With Kurti Strains Kosovo-Albania Ties (BIRN)
• Kosovo Govt Condemned for Suspending Broadcaster’s Business Certificate (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• IOM: Language rights should be promoted and respected (RTK2, KiM radio)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 15, 2023

Albanian Language Media:
Kosovo Police press conference on incident involving three police officers (media)
Kosovo leaders react to incident involving three police officers (media)
EU: We are in contact with both sides to understand what happened (Koha)
KFOR: In contact with Serbia about the three police officers (media)
Security Council of Kosovo to meet today (media)
Svecla: We don’t know where officers are, we’re coordinating with intls (Koha)
Svecla: Serbian goods cannot enter Kosovo (media)
Gervalla: Vucic will fuel destabilization further if not stopped by NATO (media)
Kearns: Very serious escalation, if Serbian forces entered Kosovo illegally (Klan)
Rama: We are not silent, waiting for KFOR reaction (media)
Begaj: Kidnapping of police officers a serious act of provocation (media)
Borrell: Severe consequences if Kurti doesn't de-escalate situation (Reporteri)
U.S. ambassador to NATO requests restart of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (media)
Kurti-led government revokes Klan Kosova license (media)
Serbian Language Media:
Vucic: I am afraid that we have crossed the Rubicon, Kurti wants to provoke a war at any cost (RTS)
Vucic again today to meet Giaufret and representatives of Quint (media)
Pristina bans goods from Serbia, entry to vehicles with Serbian license plates (media)
Momirovic: Pristina's decision to stop the flow of goods contrary to all European principles (KiM Radio)
Stano on KP officers' arrest: EU in communication with both sides, we are trying to understand what exactly happened (Blic)
Petkovic: “Kurti's special forces were in the territory of central Serbia; our police did not cross the administrative line even a millimeter” (Radio Mitrovica sever)
Brkic: Kosovo special forces under full war gear, with automatic rifles entered the territory of central Serbia (Blic, Kosovo Online, N1)
Ristuccia spoke with Vucic and Mojsilovic: KFOR ready to face any scenario (KiM radio)
SafeJournalists: Safety of journalists in Kosovo still threatened (KoSSev, safejournalists.net)
Basic Court in Pristina: Milenkovic charged with "committing a terrorist act" in December 2022 (KiM radio)
International Media:
Kosovo says 3 border police officers 'kidnapped' by Serbia; Belgrade says they crossed illegally (AP)
Serbian arrest of three Kosovo police officers triggers new row (Reuters)
Kosovo, Serbia, Trade Conflicting Accounts Over ‘Kidnapped’ Police Officers (BIRN)
Serbia and Kosovo exchange barbs after policemen arrested in border area (euronews)
Kosovo Says Serbia 'Kidnaps' Three Police Officers In Volatile North (RFE)
EU to get tougher on Kosovo as tensions flare (Politico)
EU Announces Measures Against Kosovo Over Unrest in North (BIRN)
EU hits Kosovo with sanctions after Serb tensions flare up again (Financial Times)
EU Takes Rare Steps Against Kosovo for Failure to Lower Tension (Bloomberg)
Kosovo’s President Urges EU to Deliver a Credible EU Roadmap for Western Balkan’s Future (Schengen Visa)
Muslim-majority Kosovo wants ‘strategic partnership’ with Israel — former PM (Times of Israel)

Corrigendum: UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 14, 2023

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 14, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani on crisis in north: A challenge we will overcome, we are close (media)
• Stano: EU did not sanction Kosovo, it imposed restrictive measures (media)
• Smith: Kosovo to withdraw police from municipal buildings in north (Koha)
• Police: Border officers believed to have been kidnapped inside Kosovo territory (media)
• Svecla: Serbia kidnapped three Kosovo police officers inside Kosovo territory (media)
• Citaku: Kosovo’s future cannot be jeopardised over a fistful of votes (media)
• Hoti: Kosovo needs normality in politics, economy, and foreign relations (media)
• Haradinaj: Kosovo will safeguard and strengthen partnership with NATO, U.S. (media)
• Vllasi advises Kurti: Not the time “to show our teeth” to Americans (Indeksonline)
• Another Kosovo Police vehicle demolished in the north (Kallxo)
• Bulliqi on arrests of Kosovars: We suspect vengeful act about situation in north (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

• Serbs continue protests in Zvecan and Leposavic (Kosovo Online, media)
• Lawyer Vlajic: Arrest of Milenkovic yesterday was extremely brutal (Tanjug)
• Protest walk in support of Milun Milenkovic organised in Mitrovica North today (RTS, Kosovo Online)
• Vucic on meeting with KFOR Commander: Correct talks (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Vucic: I decided not to say a word about the meeting with Quint, it's better that way (media)
• Lazarevic: Risky police action in Mitrovica, great dissatisfaction of Serbs (N1)
• "Ensure a safe working environment for journalists" (KiM radio)
• Serbian police arrested three armed Kosovo special police officers (Novosti, Kosovo Online)
• Freedom and Justice Party demands withdrawal of special police from north, release of arrested Serbs (N1, BETA)
• American senator: Kurti placed NATO troops in danger, it will not bring good to Kosovo (FoNet, N1, Kosovo Online)
• Office for KiM: Kosovo police mistreated medical workers from Strpce (Kosovo Online)
• Milivojevic: We are on the verge of a complete escalation, there is no adequate reaction (RTS, Blic)
• EULEX mandate extended, Barbano new Head of Mission (Beta, N1)
• Drecun: Groundwork for arrest of Kosovo Serb laid days beforehand (Tanjug)
• Police didn’t allow Arsenijevic and Sadiku to place flags of communities in Kosovo Government yard (KoSSev, Radio KIM)

International:

• Kosovo could face imminent Western sanctions (Euractiv)