UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 9, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• CBK launches the toll-free line for citizens 0800 222-55 (media)
• Prime Minister Kurti’s address at the UN Security Council session (media)
• Zulfaj: Kurti asked for the fourth time for the agreements to be signed (media)
• Kadiu: Broadcast in Serbia stopped when Kurti started his speech (media)
• Rama: A pointless session of the UN Security Council (media)
• PDK: Kurti’s wrong policy made western powers agree with Russia, China (Koha)
• Hoti: Last night for first time allies criticized us at a UNSC session (media)
• Kupchan: Kurti and Vucic are making solution difficult by playing nationalist cards (RFE)
• Rohde calls for a four-month transition phase for dinar prohibition (RTK)
• Ramadani: U.S. named group that attacked on September 24 as paramilitary (RTK)
• WB security discussed between Kosovo MPs and German delegation (Koha)
• Juratovic: Serbs manipulated by Kosovo and Serbia, Vucic under tension (Ekonomia)
• OSCE: Resignation of Serb judges and prosecutors, setback for justice system (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• CBK opened ‘toll-free line’ for Serbs to get informed about regulation, but we were unable to get a line (KoSSev)
• Vucic: Serbia spoke with facts about problems in Kosovo, Kurti responded with personal insults (Kosovo Online, media)
• Elek: Vucic pointed out everything Kurti does to our people in Kosovo (Danas, Kosovo Online)
• Brnabic: Thursday's UNSC session historic, truth about Kosovo was heard (Tanjug)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: UNSC session a glimpse of hope (Tanjug)
• Szunyog: EU expects that Pristina does more on de-escalation and implementation of agreements (Tanjug)
• Rohde: Kosovo Government to postpone CBK for four months (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Abbott: CBK regulation unilateral and harmful action (Kosovo Online)
• Member of Serbian Gendarmerie arrested at Jarinje (Kosovo Online)

International:

• Kosovo Looks to Commercial Banks to Enable its Euro-Only Rule (Balkan Insight)
• Hoti: Momentum for Kosovo-Serbia Agreement Has been Lost (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

• UN Security Council session on situation in Kosovo (media)
• Gashi: Banjska showed Serbia orchestrated, and funded the attack (Paparaci)
• Bislimi meets MPs from German Bundestag (media)
• Serbian reporter Radomir Dimic arrives in Kosovo (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

Albanian Language Media:

• UN Security Council to discuss Kosovo today following Serbia’s request (Koha)
• Kurti travels to U.S., expected to take part in UNSC session on Kosovo (media)
• Tahiri: Partners earlier advised us for PM or President not to go to UNSC (Express)
• Citaku criticizes Kurti for issue of Dinar being discussed at UNSC (media)
• Konjufca: Serbia used the Dinar to blackmail the Kosovo Serbs (Koha)
• Muja: Don’t expect Dinar issue to threaten Kosovo’s partnership with allies (KTV)
• “Romas in north can be blackmailed via uncontrolled entrance of Dinar” (Koha)
• Serbian List MPs return to Assembly to ensure continuation of mandates (media)
• “The fabricated exodus’ of Serbs from Kosovo (Deutsche Welle in Albanian/FAZ)
• Aliu: Contract signed to expand and finalize Pristina-Mitrovica road (Koha)
• KFOR MSU conducts live firing exercise (media)
• Svecla: Kosovo’s security is challenged by Russia’s satellite, Serbia (RTK)
• Danish Justice Minister to visit Kosovo on February 12-13 (Klan Kosova)
• Bregu launches new platform of Regional Cooperation Council in Pristina (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Serbian List writes to Quint, requests prevention of Serbian people exodus from Kosovo (Tanjug)
• CSOs: Blatant violation of media freedoms and direct attack on civil society (Radio KIM)
• NBS: Commercial Bank was forced to close branch office in Mitrovica because of pressure (KoSSev)
• Gogic: It is only matter of time when Pristina will go against schools and hospitals (Kosovo Online)
• Andric Rakic: Kurti is intimidating Serbs with his moves, West can prevent that, but it balances (Kosovo Online)
• Jevtic says KSF member who shot at Serbian children on Christmas Eve pressed lawsuit against him (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Serbian products expelled from the shelves in the north of Kosovo, Mitrovica residents say they "live like in a ghetto" (N1)
• Deputies of the Serbian List at the session of the Kosovo Parliament in order not to lose their mandates (NMagazin, Beta)
• Office for KiM: Fire in Odanovce village most probably planted, pressure continues (Tanjug)
• Serbian List: About a dozen Serbian families in the village of Odanovce attacked by arsonists (Kosovo Online)
• European Court of Auditors wants better protection for growth plan (N1)
• European Parliament adopts Resolution on Serbian elections (N1)

International:

• ‘Stability is fragile’: An overlooked European conflict zone is at a tipping point between peace and combat (CNBC)
• Sandulovic: I was beaten by 10 persons, Radoicic was present (Euronews Albania)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti: Dinar is not banned but euro is legal currency (AFP, media)
Bislimi: Serbia intends to create artificial tension (RTK)
Murati: We cannot allow billions of Serbian dinars to enter without authorization (Koha)
Customs: We do not allow importation of dinars without CBK’s authorization (RTK)
Pisonero: Dialogue framework is clear, Kosovo and Serbia know their obligations (media)
German minister answers to Vucic about why Germany is arming Kosovo (Koha)
Rohde: We have special relationship with Kosovo, friends like us should be listened to (Reporteri)
Gervalla in Italy: Kosovo is ready for CoE membership (RTK)
Haxhiu meets with British Minister of Justice, support for Kosovo reconfirmed (RTK)
Serwer: Pristina authorities should be more careful with Serbs (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

Dacic: The UN SC session an opportunity for Serbia to present its arguments, pressure on Guyana (Tanjug)
Office for KiM: Continuing harassment and intimidation of Serbs in Gorazdevac (Tanjug, Danas, Radio Mitrovica sever)
Serbian List: Kurti does not give up intimidation; the international community must react more harshly (Tanjug, KiM radio)
Radio Gorazdevac: Action by KP in Gorazdevac Post of Serbia, one computer seized (KoSSev)
NBS to N1: Pristina turned away Dinar cash transport (N1)
Vucic to Pistorius: ready to accept OSCE/ODIHR recommendations (N1)
Petkovic said the stopped NBS vehicle at Jarinje was another attack by Kurti on the Serbs (Tanjug, media)
Zaklin Nastic: Pristina authorities trying to expel the few Serbs who remained in Kosovo (Tanjug, Adria, Kosovo Online)

International Media:

Kosovo anticipates reviving ties with Serbia in 2024: Kurti (dailysabah.com, AFP)
Running Through Fear: Kosovar Women Jog In Groups For Safety (RFE)
Serbia Denies Budget Discrimination Against Albanian Minority (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 7, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Stano: Kosovo risks lagging in EU path because of unilateral actions (media)
• Central Bank Governor meets Minister for Communities and Returns (media)
• Rasic on CBK regulation: We are in a period of transition (RFE)
• Qalaj: Svecla is making a mistake by taking part in police actions (Indeksonline)
• Kurti meets Director of Open Society Roma for Europe, Zeljko Jovanovic (media)
• Bislimi on IMC draft law: It increases transparency of media ownership (Koha)
• Prelec: It is likely Kosovo will form an empty Association or none (RFE)
• Dimic to Kurti: I’m returning to Kosovo; Vucic’s dictatorship intolerable (RTK)
• Serbia fears documentary novel about crimes in Kosovo (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

Dacic: I received information that UNSC session will be open to public, President Vucic to attend (Tanjug, RTS, media)
First shipment of dinars following CBK decision banned from entering Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
Serbian Democracy calls upon EU to establish Fund in Kosovo (Radio KIM)
China Ambassador Li Ming: The issue of Kosovo should be resolved through dialogue (RTS)
Hovenier: Reactions of Kosovo authorities have direct impact on quality of our partnership (Radio KIM, KoSSev)
Pistorius: I am concerned, Germany has been sending additional forces to Kosovo since April (Blic, Kosovo Online, media)
Sentic: Serbs in Kosovo deprived of basic rights, existence, and dignity (Kosovo Online)
Gogic: Pristina closes down Serbian institutions, and does nothing to return Serbs in institutions in the north (N1, Kosovo Online)
10 years of KoSSev: Awards to Milivoje Mihajlović and posthumously to Belul Beqaj 
Brnabic: Draft EP resolution contains no arguments (Tanjug)

International:

Kosovo Allows Consumers to Terminate Contracts with Cable Operators Escaping Penalties (Prishtina Insight)

Albanian Language Media:
• Ziadeh: Restraint and constructive engagement to resolve outstanding issues (media)
• Kurti: Transition period needed for regulation on cash payment operations (media)
• Hovenier: Kosovo government should postpone enforcement of regulation (media)
• UN Security Council to hold session on Kosovo on Thursday (media)
• Rohde: We’re not criticizing the regulation, but the manner of enforcement (media)
• Abbott: A transition period is needed for the Dinar (media)
• Von Cramon: Current decision on Dinar came very unexpected (Gazeta Express)
• Belgian Presidency of EU Council: Implementation of agreements crucial to consider application (Koha)
• Bislimi reacts to Serbia cutting budget to Albanian National Council (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• UNMIK chief calls for resolving outstanding issues through dialogue (Tanjug, media)
• UNSC session on Kosovo to be held on Thursday (Kosovo Online)
• French Ambassador: Quint requests suspension of decision on dinar, establishment of ZSO (Tanjug)
• Zakharova reacts to Pristina’s decision on abolishing dinar (Tanjug, media)
• Rohde: We are not criticizing CBK decision, but manner of its implementation (Kosovo Online)
• SNF: Working meeting of Serb political representatives held in Mitrovica North (Radio KIM)
• Independent Media Commission to reinstate Arena sport channels (KoSSev)
• Signboard “Republic of Kosovo” placed on Zubin Potok municipal building (KoSSev, N1, media)

Albanian Language Media:

• Enforcement of regulation only through accounts in Kosovo banks (RFE)
• Is the Association becoming meaningless? (Radio Free Europe)
• Roth: Serious doubts about EU and US strategy to deescalate (Albanian Post)
• Rizvanolli: Investments in Trepca will be a priority (Gazeta 10)
• Kurti: Measures that are launched will boost economic growth (RTK)
• Court postpones execution of decision on property exchange (Koha)
• D4D: Media in Serbia publish news about public persons in Kosovo, Kosovo media translate them without verifying (EO)
• Unknown persons demolish machine for documents withdrawal in Zvecan (Koha)
• Serbian police again stop lawyer that laid flowers at Jasharaj cemetery (Express)
• Osmani wishes Charles III rapid and full recovery (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Gorazdevac residents: This has crossed all limits; we don't even have money for medicine (Kosovo Online, KiM radio, Radio Gorazdevac)
• Clinical Hospital Centre: Decision on dinar threatens to terminate medical treatment of Serbs, drive them out of Kosovo (Radio kontakt plus)
• Sarkovic on Kosovo police raid in Vidanje, Klina municipality (Kosovo Online)
• Milivojevic: If West prevents UNSC session it would mean they support Kurti’s policy (RTS)
• Vucic hands over letter for Chinese President Xi to Ambassador Li (Tanjug)
• Atiq: Call opened for reconstruction of houses for “non-majority communities” in Mitrovica North municipality (KoSSev)
• Trial to Svecla and others for throwing tear gas in Kosovo Assembly postponed (Kosovo Online)
• Serbia gets new Parliament (Tanjug, N1)
• Selimi: Kosovo Government with all its forces meddles in North Macedonia elections (media, social media)
• EP draft resolution calls for international investigation into Serbian elections (N1, media)

Opinion:

• Bogdanovic on the situation in Kosovo: "The only thing left is for them to take our lives" (N1, Danas, KiM radio)

International:

• ‘Worse Than Death’: Male Wartime Rape Survivors in Kosovo Speak Out (BIRN)
• Kosovo accused of raising ethnic tensions by banning use of Serbian dinar (The Guardian)
• ‘She is just a woman and that is brave enough’ (Kosovo 2.0)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti meets German Minister of Defense, Boris Pistorius (RTK)
Kurti gathers accredited ambassadors in Kosovo, discuss CBK Regulation (media)
Kurti handed to ambassadors documents to present factual situation (media)
Lajcak: I am closely following developments related to new CBK Regulation (media)
Kadiu to EU: Since when legality and constitutionality are worrying and contribute to escalation(Albanian Post)
Rama: Kosovo has right to implement Constitution (RTK)
Bislimi called again for removal of EU measures against Kosovo (Koha)
Gervalla presents Kosovo's successes to EU and WB ministers (RTK)
Germany to increase number of KFOR soldiers in coming months (Albanian Post)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic: “Kurti is going for open ethnic cleansing of Serbs” (Kosovo Online, media)
Serbia submits request for extraordinary UNSC session over Kosovo (Tanjug, media)
Dacic: Request for urgent UNSC session due to overall situation in Kosovo (Tanjug, media)
UN received Serbia’s request to convene extraordinary UNSC session (Kosovo Online)
Dacic: We want EU integration, recognition of Kosovo unacceptable (media)
Rector Arsic: Abolishing dinar jeopardizes survival of University, but also of Serbs (Kosovo Online, KoSSev)
Lajcak: I am closely monitoring developments regarding CBK decision (Kosovo Online)
Indictment raised against two Serbs for hooliganism in northern Kosovo (N1, BETA, Kosovo Online, KoSSev)
German DefMin: Progress in Kosovo-Serbia relations needed (N1)

nternational Media:

Germany vows security support amid Kosovo-Serbia tensions (Deutsche Welle) 
Kosovo Court Acquits Serb of Wartime Assault (Balkan Insight)
Kosovo Prosecution only Partially Investigated the Over 53-Million-Euro Extra Payment for Motorway (Prishtina Insight)
Kosovo Government Faces Backlash Over Media Licensing Draft Law (Prishtina Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 5, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• German Defense Minister arrives in Kosovo (media)
• Osmani: CBK regulation is not against dinar and it does not mention it (media)
• Hovenier insists on postponing implementation of CBK regulation (media)
• Muja: No one is fueling the fire; some statements can be used for tensions (media)
• Kosovo citizens advised not to travel through Merdare (media)
• Feith: Kosovo should be careful, don't make mistakes (Reporteri)
• Konjufca: Serbia poses a danger to our region and beyond (media)
• Gervalla in Rome with Western Balkans foreign ministers (Albanian Post)
• Zlatan Arsic acquitted of war crime charges (Koha)
• Gervalla meets Belgian Ambassador, focus on political situation (media)
• CEC: Signatures for dismissal of mayors in the north are being verified (Koha)
• Police begin investigations into posters with Radoicic in the north (media)
• Serbian police continue to mistreat Nikola Sandulovic’s family (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Stano: Concern growing in EU due to decision of CBK and police operations against Serbian entities (N1)
• Brnabic on request for extraordinary session of UN SC: We will fight with all diplomatic means (Beta, NMagazin, TV Pink)
• Dacic: Kosovo and Metohija issue of paramount state and national interest of Serbia (Tanjug)
• Hovenier after meeting Kurti: We hope to see postponement of Central Bank decision (Kosovo Online)
• China: Unilateral Pristina’s actions do not lead toward resolution of Kosovo issue (Tanjug)
• Self-determination Movement lists their January successes including ban on dinar (KoSSev)
• Zlatan Arsic acquitted (RTS, N1)
• Lawyers: Zlatan Arsic is a free man (Kosovo Online)
• OSCE: It is of crucial importance that rights of Kosovo Serbs are fully respected (Kosovo Online, media)
• Rohde: Unilateral measures only add fuel to fire, opposite of reducing tensions (Kosovo Online, KoSSev, social media)
• Simic: Serbs in Kosovo frightened by silence of international community, statements are not enough (Beta, Danas, TV Pink)
• Grenell on German officials’ reactions to latest Pristina authorities acts (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Chinese Ambassador to Belgrade: Solve Kosovo issue without double standards (Beta, NMagazin, Politika, KiM radio)
• Haziri: Government increased national sentiment, reduced European one among citizens (Kosovo Online, VoA)

Opinion:

• Palokaj: Kosovo is asked not to do what it has the right to do (Koha)
• Serwer: How to counter the Serbian world (media)

International:

• Kosovo Euro Rule, Closure of Belgrade-Run Offices, Draw International Criticism (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

• U.S., EU react to latest decisions by Kosovo authorities (media)
• Governor: This is a fight against money laundering and terrorism (Kallxo)
• German Defense Minister to visit Kosovo today (media)
• Kurti remembers Albanian civilians killed in Mitrovica North in 2000 (media)
• “Association current draft status creates room for Republika Srpska” (media)
• Kurti: First 100MW solar auction bidding process successful conclusion (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Displaced Serbs from Kosovo announced a three-hour blockade of the road in Rudare on Monday (euronews.rs, Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic: Serbs in Kosovo in a difficult situation; we ask for an urgent session of the UN SC (NMagazin, RTS, media)
• Tabakovic: Serbia cannot renounce the use of the dinar in Kosovo (Kosovo Online, Vecernje Novosti, Blic)
• Serbian List: The Quint countries responsible for the moves that Albin Kurti makes without bearing the consequences (RTS)
• SNV again sent a request to Bishop Teodosije to schedule a national assembly (Danas, KiM radio, KoSSev)
• The Bishop of Raska-Prizren visited the Serbian people in Osojane to encourage them to stay (Tanjug, KiM radio)
• Dimitrijevic: The Pristina government destroying one of the last positive examples of coexistence (KoSSev)
• The new DSS adopts the Declaration on Kosovo, requests the state to declare the occupation of that part of the territory (Beta, NMagazin, RTS)
• Surlic: Amendments to Chapter 35 call dialogue and European integration into question (Tanjug)
• Office for KiM : "Post" workers detained in Gorazdevac, Kurti's terror against Serbs continues (Kosovo Online)
• Post of Serbia: The arrest of our workers in Kosovo another in a series of attacks on Serbs (NMagazin, Beta)
• KP: Seized 4,000,000 dinars from the Post of Serbia pending the decision of the CBK (Kosovo Online)
• The Post Office in Ugljare robbed (KiM radio)
• HLC: Arsic found guilty of expulsion, robbery, burning property, and no direct evidence was provided (KoSSev)
• Serbian List: Radoica Radomirovic placed posters (KiM radio)
• Posters against Radoicic and the SL in the north of Kosovo (Danas, KoSSev)
• Reactions to acquittals in Slavko Curuvija case (Beta, N1, nova.rs)
International Media:
• US Slams Kosovo for Unnecessarily Raising Ethnic Tensions (Bloomberg)
• EU Council Formally Asked To Insert Recent Kosovo Commitments Into Serbia's Accession Talks (RFE)
• ‘They hit me so hard I lost consciousness’: Serbian opposition politician tells of secret service ordeal (The Guardian)
• Rights Groups, U.S. Assail Serbian Court's Acquittal Of Ex-Intelligence Officers In 1999 Murder Of Journalist (RFE)