• COVID-19: 25 new cases, one death (media)
• Vitia: Up to 350,000 persons to be vaccinated in a month (Klan)
• Osmani: Kosovo as a sovereign and independent country is a permanent project (media)
• Kosovo, Serbia clash over Balkan border issues at summit (AP)
• Osmani meets regional leaders at the sideline of Brdo-Brijuni summit (media)
• Brdo-Brijuni Declaration: “EU is able to absorb the WB”, Serbia’s phrasing of the point on regional borders rejected (EWB)
• Kurti, Merkel agree mutual recognition should be end-result of dialogue (media)
• Lajcak meets Vucic in Brussels (media)
• NATO attempts to appease Serbian concerns over Croatian troops in Kosovo (Reuters)
• Kosovo Foreign Policy Experts Welcome Govt’s Support for Israel (BIRN)
• Kosovo Police seize 400kg of cocaine in Lipjan warehouse (media)
• Government plans to phase out PAK by next year (Koha)
• Government building lighted up in rainbow colours, in nod to LGBTIQ+ community (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 17, 2021

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 25 new cases, one death (media)
• Hoti: About 10 thousand citizens were vaccinated during the weekend (media)
• Kurti: For 55 days of government, we have done a lot of work (media)
• Trendafilova: KSC is not an ethnic court, victims are of different ethnic backgrounds (Klan)
• President Osmani met with Croatian President Zoran Milanovic (RTK)
• Gresa Caka-Nimani elected president of the Constitutional Court (media)
• Protest in front of Ministry against violence of girls in schools (media)
• Kosovo authorities seize over 2 tons of cocaine? (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Seven new cases of Covid-19 registered in Serbian areas on Saturday (Radio KIM)
• Vucic: Serbia has always advocated for inviolability of UN recognized borders (Kosovo-online)
• Stano: The dinner will be a sign of wider political engagement of the EU and the Western Balkans (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
• Western Balkans leaders' summit today in Brioni, Vucic after that in Brussels with Stoltenberg (Radio Mitrovica sever, RTS)
• Brnabic-Kurti meeting in Brussels tomorrow, geopolitics on the "menu" of the working dinner (Kosovo Online, Tanjug)
• Serbia’s Vucic will skip Western Balkans leaders’ working dinner in Brussels (N1)
• All municipal boards of the SNS in Kosovo for the removal of Stefanovic from party and state functions (KoSSev)
• Vucic: I would rather lose my head than give up Serbia, seizure of Kosovo is end of everything (KoSSev)
• Enthronement of Patriarch Porfirije in Pec Patriarchate postponed (KoSSev)
• Bishop Teodosije requested OSCE support for survival of Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo (RTS)
• Montenegro is not sending infantry platoon to KFOR (KoSSev)
• Dacic: Request for KFOR withdrawal more threat, than it is realistic (Kosovo-online)
• Health ministry official: More than 42 percent fully vaccinated in Serbia (N1)
• Petkovic: Kurti deceives public with statements on lawsuit against Belgrade (Kosovo-online)

International:

• Catalysing anti-corruption in the WB achievable only by an alliance of stakeholders, latest report highlights (EWB)
• Montenegro Scraps Plan to Join NATO Mission in Kosovo (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Another "weekend" series of domestic violence and violence against women (KoSSev)
• PM Brnabic: Celebrations as of June 21 if 50 pct of population is vaccinated (N1)
• How IDAHOBIT came to Kosovo (Kosovo 2.0)

• COVID-19: 47 new cases, 3 deaths (media)
• Kurti to travel to Brussels this week (media)
• Osmani to participate in Brdo-Brijuni process (media)
• Dialogue and regional cooperation, criteria for approximation with EU (Koha)
• Haziri: Dialogue, only way to resolve problem with Serbia (media)
• "Serbia demanding broad autonomy for Serb-majority areas in Kosovo" (RFE)
• Serwer: Serbia can still be sued for genocide in Kosovo (Telegrafi)
• LDK slams Kosovo Government's foreign policy strategy (media)
• Kosovo Government says Israel has a right to defend itself (Express)
• Palokaj: We dream about the day when NATO would leave Kosovo (Koha)
• Robelli: Russian and Serbian special war through “Zuerst” (Koha)
• Protest today for safety of girls in schools (media)

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 49 new cases, 2 deaths (media)
• Decisions on UNMIK are “made by the Security Council” (RFE)
• German Ambassador on genocide lawsuit against Serbia (Koha)
• Demiri: All Kosovars living in Israel are safe (Albanian Post)

Serbian Language Media:

• Nine new cases of Covid-19 registered in Serbian areas (KoSSev)
• NATO: We remain committed to the region; we make all decisions by consensus (Kosovo Online)
• Zakharova: Only one state does not decide on the withdrawal of KFOR, it is a collective decision (Kosovo Online, Tanjug, KiM radio, Beta)
• Vucic with Pahor: High level of cooperation, Serbia for respecting borders as determined by UN decision (RTS)
• Odalovic: Excavations will begin at several locations in Kosovo (RTK2)
• PM Brnabic: Only dialogue, compromise can ensure long-term solution (Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Osmani either does not want dialogue, or doesn’t understand concept of politics of peace (TV Most)
• Petkovic: None of international community models for return of displaced persons made significant success (Kosovo-online)
• State Department on religious freedom: Decision on V. Decani’s land still ignored, 57 incidents targeting religious sites (KoSSev)
• HLC: No chance of ICJ ruling against Serbia for genocide in Kosovo (FoNet, N1)
• Office for KiM calls for investigation into all missing persons (N1)

Opinion:

• Western Balkans economic integration – why is it needed? (EWB)

International:

• Israel-Gaza Fighting Leaves Balkan Migrants Vulnerable (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• A special budget line for shelters for victims of domestic violence (Koha)
• Ivanusa: Serbia shows how mass vaccination could affect epidemic (N1)

• COVID-19: 112 new cases, 1 death (media)
• EU’s Balkan strategy losing local support, internal paper warns (Reuters)
• Pahor: Western Balkans must join EU, this avoids border changes (media)
• Osmani: Full coordination on genocide lawsuit against Serbia (media)
• Rohde: Mutual recognition must be part of final solution in dialogue (Koha)
• Kosovo government pledges not to allow a monoethnic association (Koha Ditore)
• Vucic says great power to demand withdrawal of KFOR, UNMIK (N1)
• Greek Foreign Minister and Lajcak discuss Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (media)
• Israeli ambassador’s defence of Kosovo recognition riles Belgrade (BIRN)
• Muslims throughout Balkans gather for Eid al-Fitr prayers (BIRN)
• Kosovo war video collector seeks to preserve evidence of crimes (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 12, 2021

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 113 new cases, four deaths (media)
• Over 38,000 doses of COVID vaccine arrive in Kosovo (media)
• NIPK encourages citizens to get vaccinated against COVID-19 (media)
• Distance learning fails to reach disadvantaged pupils (Prishtina Insight)
• Pahor: Final time for Western Balkans to integrate into EU (Telegrafi)
• LDK slams government programme as 'hollow' (media)
• Police recover casings from shooting incident in Zubin Potok mountains (Kallxo)

Serbian Language Media:

• Israeli Ambassador: The decision to recognize Kosovo was made under the coercion of the US (TV Prva, KoSSev)
• Palestinian Ambassador: Against the relocation of embassies to Jerusalem (Danas, TV Prva)
• PM Ana Brnabic to attend dinner hosted by Borrell on May 18 (Tanjug, RTV Puls)
• EU: New enlargement methodology for Montenegro and Serbia (N1)
• Kosovo Albanians vaccinate in Serbia, Pristina media report (N1
• Dodik: No processes being implemented towards secession of Bosnia’s RS entity (N1)
• Selakovic: Constant support of Indonesia (RTS)
• Rakic demands urgent protection of returnees in Kosovo (Radio Mitrovica sever)

Opinion:

• Without the EU, third actors will fill the void in the Western Balkans (politikon.me, EWB)

International:

• EU's Balkan strategy losing local support, internal paper warns (Reuters)
• Democracy is in distress, finds the Council of Europe Secretary General’s annual report for 2021 (coe.int)
• Serbia, Kosovo, Greece Express Hope for Sustained Interest, Investment Through US Agency (VOA)
• In North Kosovo, Mining for Bitcoin on ‘Free’ Electricity (Balkan Insight)
• “Investment in the Western Balkans is an investment in the shared, value-oriented future of Europe” (EWB)

Humanitarian/Development:

• ‘Women’s Work’: COVID-19 Deals Blow to Gender Equality in Kosovo (Balkan Insight)
• International Nurses Day: nurses in northern Kosovo receive awards (KoSSev)
• Three Serbian hospitals to step out of COVID system (N1)

• COVID-19: 57 new cases, four deaths (media)
• Government publishes four-year programme and legislative plan (media)
• Government to condition final agreement with UN seat and recognition from EU five (Koha)
• Aliu: Kosovo to introduce reciprocity measures towards Serbia (Klan)
• What status is being sought out for Orthodox Church in Kosovo? (Klan)
• FM Gervalla denies authoring governing plan posted on Instagram (media)
• Croatia to deploy 150 peacekeeping troops to Kosovo (media)
• Hoxhaj reacts to Serbia awarding Handke highest state honour (RTK)
• Kosovo Court Confirms Indictment in Oliver Ivanovic Murder Case (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 11, 2021

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 49 new cases, three deaths (media)
• Before confronting Vucic, Kurti plans to invite party leaders to a meeting (media)
• Maas to Kurti: Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, decisive for European perspectives (media)
• Gervalla publishes 20 key government program points (RTK)
• Hoti publishes evidence that he handed over the dialogue file to Kurti (Kallxo)
• CDHRF: Strengthening justice in Kosovo, most effective method to tackle Serbia's crimes (media)
• Minister Mehaj talks to Montenegrin Defense Minister (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

• Covid-19 in Serbian areas: 8 new cases, one death (KoSSev)
• Borrell: Western Balkans has key geostrategic role for the European Union (Beta, N1)
• Vucic invited to Brussels (B92)
• Diocese of Raska-Prizren concerned over attacks on religious sites (KoSSev)
• Father Sava with Szunyog on Visoki Decani Monastery problems (Kosovo-online)
• Jutarnji List: Forget Bosnia-Herzegovina, it is a nightmare; EU has a priority, and that is Serbia (B92, Blic)
• Grubjesic: EU to convince Kurti that dialogue is a priority (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
• Court of Appeals rejects appeals filed by defense in Oliver Ivanovic murder trial (Kosovo-online)
• Serbian official says almost four million doses of vaccine administered (N1)
• Petkovic: Two returnees’ families in Dubrava village attacked (Kosovo-online)

International:

• Balkan Muslims Find Second Pandemic Ramadan a Challenge (Balkan Insight)
• Landmine Blasts on Albania-Kosovo Border Blight Survivors’ Lives (Balkan Insight)
• Serbia Honors 2019 Nobel Prize-Winner For Literature, Who Denies Srebrenica Genocide (RFE)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Serbian Chamber of Commerce to organize info day on Western Balkans common market action plan (Kosovo-online)

• COVID-19: 47 new cases, two deaths (media)
• Borrell: Kosovo – Serbia dialogue to resume before end of June (media)
• “Debate on Western Balkans result of serious difficulties in region” (EWB)
• German Foreign Minister: If not careful, we will lose Western Balkans (media)
• “Shadows of nationalism hindering cooperation in Balkans” (media)
• Opening Pandora’s Box: The EU’s dangerous Bosnia game (euractiv.com)
• Dialogue, key issue to advance toward EU (Koha Ditore)
• Kurti government aims Kosovo to have candidate status by 2025 (Koha Ditore)
• Balkan migrant-smuggling business ‘worth €50m a year’: Report (BIRN)
• China increases its influence in Balkans through universities in Serbia (RFE)

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 47 new cases, two deaths (media)
• New shipments of Covid vaccines to arrive to Kosovo in coming days (media)
• Swedish FM: Kosovo and Serbia to treat dialogue as priority (media)
• Croatian FM pledges support for Kosovo in visa liberalisation process (Koha)
• Police begin interviewing witnesses of yesterday's incident in Zubin Potok (Klan)
• Human remains recovered from Kizevak grave site (EO)
• Annual budget exceeding €100 million allocated to Ministry of Defence (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• 13 new cases of Covid-19 registered in Serbian areas on Saturday (Kontakt plus radio)
• EU: Chance for an agreement between Belgrade and Pristina, no time to lose (Tanjug, Kosovo Online, RTS)
• EU Ministers to Discuss Urgent, Reinforced Engagement in Western Balkans (Beta)
• Fabrizi: Urgent need of rule of law reforms in Serbia, BG-PR dialogue not a condition for opening more chapters (RTS, Beta, N1)
• Selakovic informed Davenport on the position of the Serb population in Kosovo (Kosovo Online, RTV)
• Office for KiM: Stoned church in Kosovska Vitina (Kosovo Online, RTV)
• Radman: Recognition of Kosovo is a reality; Vulin: What the reality is in Republika Srpska? (Hina, N1, KoSSev)
• Patriarch: Persecution of believers, occupation of their homes, and destruction of churches is a culturcide (KoSSev)
• Vucic awards Austrian writer Peter Handke the Order of Karadjordje’s Star (N1, RTS)

Opinion:

• Resuming Kosovo – Serbia Dialogue: What can be expected over next six months? (KoSSev)

Humanitarian/Development:

• EU kicks off year-long Conference on Future of Europe (N1)
• Visoki Decani and Pec Patriarchate open to limited number of visitors (Radio KIM)