UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 18, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti in Davos: Kosovo, a success story (media)
• Osmani meets Barbano, discuss security developments and rule of law (Klan)
• Gervalla: Lajcak failed dialogue process, entered without strategy and vision (Reporteri)
• EU requests clarifications from Kosovo regarding CBK's decision (media)
• Kearns: Serbia's path is increasingly authoritarian (RTK)
• Collection of signatures for dismissal of Zvecan mayor begins today (Koha)
• Zvecan mayor: Petition unfair, elections were democratic and accepted (Express)
• Hoti: Deepening of crisis, consequence of government’s inadequate measures (media)
• Serbian lawyer who visited Jashari family graves Thursday, says he was detained for 4 hours by Serbian BIA (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Stano: EC analyzes and seeks clarification on Pristina’s decision on payment transactions (Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Belgrade started with diplomatic talks to prevent termination of payment transactions (N1, FoNet)
• Mijacic: 87.000 beneficiaries in Kosovo dependent on Serbian budget, implementation of regulation to induce poverty (KoSSev)
• Stojanovic on ban of dinar, official Belgrade’s reaction (Radio KIM)
• Zvecan residents expect elections to choose their own representatives (Kosovo Online)
• Swimming for Holy Cross organized at Gazivode lake (KoSSev)

International:

• Kosovo’s Ruling Party Steers Capital Expenditure to its Own Municipalities (Balkan Insight)
• Evidence-Tampering Denied at Trial for Kosovo Serb Politician’s Murder (Balkan Insight)
• Kosovo Institutions Silent on Enforcing Euro-Only Rule in Serb Areas (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani: Kosovo together with its allies will stop any possible attack from Serbia (media)
Bislimi: Only Euro is used for banking transactions in Kosovo (RTK)
Purchase of weapons from USA, focus of meeting between Osmani and Hovenier (RTK)
KSF members travel to UK to train Ukrainian troops (Klan Kosova) 
Montgomery: Purchasing Javelin system, a right decision (VoA in Albanian) 
Kurti meets "Philips" and “Meta” representatives in Davos (media) 
Tahiri: If Kurti approves Association draft statute, he will have problem staying in Kosovo (Telegrafi)
PSD: We turned down AAK’s offer to join the coalition (Kallxo) 
Serbian attorney in Prekaz: No one will stop us on the path of reconciliation (RFE) 
Roth publishes letter of 24 senior MPs, tells Vucic “you are totally isolated” (media) 

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic met von der Leyen (Tanjug)
Dacic: Serbia not giving up on principles of international law, UN Charter (Tanjug, media)
Lavrov: EU rewriting Belgrade-Pristina agreements to deprive Serbs of rights (BETA, N1)
Vucic on banning dinars in Kosovo, EU’s request to permit Svecla visit southern Serbia (N1, BETA, Tanjug)
Drecun: Payment transactions termination biggest threat to Kosovo Serbs yet (media)
Barbano: EULEX monitored petition, everyone exercised their rights in safe and organized manner (Kosovo Online, social media)
Rohde: Collection of signatures process should commence promptly in two other northern municipalities (Kosovo Online, social media)
Vuksanovic: Collection of signatures to recall mayor starts in Zvecan (Kosovo Online, KoSSev)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 18, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti thanks Prime Minister of Bulgaria for active support (media)
• Maqedonci: In addition to USA, Kosovo also discussing with other countries about purchase of weapons (media)
• The EU appeals to Serbia: Allow Svecla’s visit to the Valley (RTK)
• Szunyog: Elections in the north should be held as soon as possible, participation of Serbs should not be conditioned (Koha)
• Rasmussen: Brussels has an obligation to integrate Kosovo and Serbia into EU, it is basis for peace and stability (VoA)
• U.S. Senator Ricketts meets ambassador Dugolli (Express)
• Opposition with resolution demands reduction of energy price, LVV against (media)
• Krasniqi demands full investigation and responsibility for explosion in Trepca (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Serbian List: By banning dinars Serbs would be expelled from Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Krtinic refutes Ugljanin’s allegations: He told us yesterday that everything is fine (KoSSev)
• Collection of signatures to recall mayors in Mitrovica North and Leposavic enters second day (Kosovo Online)
• Zeqiri: Sports hall to be signatures collection spot, collection may start as of tomorrow (KoSSev)
• Vuksanovic says local authorities in Zvecan obstruct initiation of petition to recall mayor (Kosovo Online)
• SNV on possible termination of payment transactions (KoSSev)
• Sekulic: Termination of payment transactions with central Serbia would cause humanitarian disaster (Kosovo Online)
• Covic: Announcements from Pristina on terminating payment transactions additional pressure on Serbs aiming to drive them out of Kosovo (RTS)
• Office for KiM: Two returnee’s houses in Istok robbed (media)
• Swimming for Holy Cross at Gazivode lake to be organized by House of Culture (KoSSev)
• EP debates Serbian elections, Bilcik also expresses criticism (N1)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti in Davos: Security of region, essential for European security (RTK) 
Croatia offers support for CoE membership, Vucic complains to Lajcak about Kurti's policies (Koha) 
Osmani: The Kosovo Army is getting stronger (Koha) 
AAK, NISMA reach agreement on pre-election coalition (media)  
Petition to dismiss Mitrovica North mayor could end on Thursday (Express)  
Signing of petition by Serb citizens triggers reactions (Koha) 
Rasic: Signing of petition in the north, an expected step (RTK)  
Hetemi and Ugljanin: Petition is being influenced by Serbian List (media) 
12 miners injured in Trepca (Radio Free Europe)  
Bislimi: We allocated €3 mil for Presevo Valley this year (Lajmi)  

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic: Kurti attempting to destroy dialogue, expel Serbs (Tanjug)
Vucic: I had many meetings, position of Serbs in Kosovo discussed with Lajcak (Tanjug, media)
Serbs in Kosovo face threats on daily basis, Vucic tells Lajcak (media, social media)
Lajcak believes Pristina’s announcements on terminating payment transaction will not lead to dangerous situation, hopes for solution (N1, BETA, KoSSev)
Kosovo Central Bank: As of February 1, Euro is only currency for cash transactions in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
Serbian Democracy calls for signing petition against decision to allocate land parcel to Kosovo Interior Ministry (Radio KIM)
Traditional swimming for Holy Cross at Gazivode lake canceled (KoSSev, media)

International Media:

Kosovo North Serbs Collect Signatures to Dismiss Their ‘Unwanted’ Mayors (Balkan Insight)
Balkan Migrant Route Still Active Despite Falling Numbers – Frontex (Balkan Insight)
Serbian opposition leader says secret service tortured and threatened him (The Guardian) 

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 17, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti meets member of Switzerland’s Federal Council, discuss terrorist attack in Banjska (Reporteri)
• Osmani: EU should urgently lift measures, unequal treatment is blow to credibility of dialogue process (Reporteri)
• Kurti remembers Ivanovic: His killers still roam free in Serbia (media)
• Signing of petition for Atiq’s dismissal begins (media)
• Osmani on petition for dismissal of mayors: Kosovo Laws allow this procedure (media)
• Svecla meets with Szunyog, discuss about the security situation in Kosovo (Koha)
• Russia strongly condemns purchase of "Javelins" by Kosovo (Koha)
• AAK: Decision on pre-election coalition with Nisma, today (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Brnabic: Pristina's moves a problem for any dialogue whatsoever (Tanjug)
• Who exactly was Oliver Ivanovic, according to Kosovo PM Kurti? (KoSSev)
• Vucic after meeting O’Brien: I believe that greater trust and cooperation with US is possible (Tanjug)
• Mitrovica North and Leposavic citizens about petitions (Kosovo Online)
• Lawyer: Detention of Sladjan Trajkovic extended for two more months (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian Democracy: Kosovo Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports workers in the north should receive their salaries (Radio KIM)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti meets with O'Brien: the USA is a precious friend and ally of Kosovo (media)
Osmani expects new recognitions of Kosovo (Reporteri)
Cramon: Borrell has not dealt with Kosovo enough (Telegrafi)
Two suspects related to the attack in North Mitrovica identified (Koha)
Bislimi meets Minister Hasani, discuss about the Albanians in the Valley (media)
Serbian Language Media:

Vucic: Announcement of payment transactions termination puts all processes in question (Tanjug)
Kosovo police said it identified two persons “of interest for investigation” in relation to explosion in Mitrovica North (KoSSev)
Signing of petition to recall mayor in Mitrovic North commences today at 9.00 (Kosovo Online)
Signing of petition to recall mayor in Leposavic commences today at 9.00 (Kosovo Online)
Vucevic: Pristina making survival of Serbs in Kosovo impossible (media)
Mijacic: By abolishing payment transactions, Pristina would prevent functioning of all Serbian institutions in Kosovo (Kosovo Online, Euronews)
Serbian opposition holds new protest in Belgrade (N1)
KFOR donated food and clothing to families in need (Kosovo Online, social media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 16, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Lajcak meets O’Brien: Good to reconfirm we are fully on same page (media)
• Hasani: Region is under threat; Albania and Kosovo to cooperate (media)
• Osmani hosts Hasani: We count on Albania’s support in every journey (Koha)
• Maqedonci: Procedures to purchase Javelins initiated in 2019 (TeVe1)
• Trajkovic: Bomb in the north was Radojicic’s message to Serbs (media)
• Hartwell: Vucic wants to portray Kosovo as threat for all Serbs in region (media)
• Novakovic: Serbia has become state of political assassinations (Kosovapress)
• Kamberi: Presevo Valley Albanians must reject compulsory military service (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic arrives in Switzerland for WEF meeting in Davos (Tanjug)
• Six years since murder of Oliver Ivanovic, commemorations in Belgrade and Mitrovica North (RTS)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: Kosovo issue to be resolved after change of geopolitical circumstances (Kosovo Online, Politika)
• Ten years since murder of Dimitrije Janicijevic (KoSSev, Radio kontakt plus)
• One person injured in explosion admitted to hospital, Kosovo police present in front and inside health facility (Kosovo Online)
• Press conference of Gervala and Hasani without translation in Serbian language (Kosovo Online)
• Senior Bundeswehr General in Kosovo (N1, KoSSev)

International:

• Election in the Air: Might Kosovo’s Kurti go to the Polls Early? (Balkan Insight)
• Candles Lit for Kosovo Serb Politician on Murder Anniversary (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti on the eve of the Davos Forum: Kosovo's security is a priority (RTK) 
Lajcak meets Bislimi: Agreed that swift implementation of agreement is urgent (media)  
Kurti’s message on 25th anniversary of Recak massacre (media)  
Maqedonci: Danger from Serbia remains high, we are more prepared than ever (TeVe1) 
Svecla: If prosecution wasn’t late, attack in Banjska wouldn’t have happened (media)  
Explosion in Mitrovica North, two people injured, several cars damaged (media)
Haradinaj to Von Cramon: EU membership, imperative of the time (RTK) 
Serbian opposition politician Sandulovic released from detention (RFE)  
Serbian Language Media:

An explosion in Mitrovica North, two persons injured (KoSSev)
EC: Our proposal for Serbian passport holders from Kosovo being considered by EP and EU Council (Kosovo Online)
Von Cramon: Serbs feel as second-class citizens (RTS, Kosovo Online, Radio KIM)
Romano: NATO has nothing to do with sale of armament to Kosovo, does not support KSF (Tanjug, media)
Property of Miodrag Kostic from Plemetina robbed (RTS)
EP puts post-election situation in Serbia on agenda (Tanjug)
Former member of Verification Mission, Schifanelli: In Racak, there was KLA stronghold (Kosovo Online)
International Media:

Kosovo Commemorates Massacre That Catalysed NATO Intervention (BIRN) 
Kosovo Unplugged: End To Free Electricity After 25 Years (RFE) 
Kosovo remembers 45 people killed in 1999 and denounces Serbia for not apologizing (AP) 
Kosovo residents gather to remember 45 people killed by Serb forces in 1999 massacre (Fox News) 

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 15, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Recak Massacre commemoration (media)
• Kurti meets Walker; “one of key voices calling massacres what they were” (media)
• Bislimi and Von Cramon discuss Visas and dialogue with Serbia (Koha)
• Szunyog and Cramon talk about political and security situation in Kosovo (RTK)
• Cramon: Want to see more progress in dialogue before EU elections (Telegrafi)
• Tahiri: Vetevendosje will not form government after next elections (media)
• Albares: Recognition of passports doesn’t mean recognition of Kosovo (media)
• Albania’s Foreign Minister to visit Kosovo (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: UNSC Resolution 1244 foresees demilitarization, part of international community creates Kosovo army (media)
• Raska-Prizren Eparchy: Bishop Teodosije informed von Cramon about problems of SOC and Serbs in Kosovo (media)
• Von Cramon on Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, position of Serbs, visa liberalization (Kosovo Online)
• Ambassador: Vatican’s stance on Kosovo unchanged, Osmani’s statement pompous (Tanjug)
• Dacic: SOC must work with Vatican, interest to have Pope on Serbia’s side (KoSSev, Tanjug)
• Collection of signatures to recall Mitrovica North mayor to take place at Sports Hall (media)
• Petkovic receives former judge Marinkovic who carried out investigation in Racak (Kosovo Online, Radio KIM)

Opinion:

• Palokaj: Kosovo’s problem with people leaving, not with visa liberalization (Koha)

International:

• Investigating Arkan: How Serbian Warlord’s Death Ended Kosovo Murder Probe (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media: