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UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 5, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Germany defies Macron over Kosovo visa liberalisation threat (media)
• Administrative instruction for removal of mayors in north finalised (Telegrafi)
• Rama: Thaci trial raises question of level of respect for democratic principle (media)
• Interior Minister comments on weapons seized in Zvecan (media)
• AmCham calls for lifting of measures on imports from Serbia (RFE)
• Haziri: Second package of measures against Kosovo is ready, govt knows this (TeVe1)
• Rukiqi criticises govt: Failed to initiate a single important economic project (Nacionale)
• Hoxhaj criticises Kurti government for “awfully wrong foreign policy” (media)
• Tahiri: U.S. will no longer allow Kurti to hide content of talks (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• FM Dacic with Philippines FM Manalo in Jakarta (Tanjug)
• Minister Marsudi: Indonesia will not change its position regarding the non-recognition of Kosovo's independence (Politika, Beta)
• Former KP police officers received a summons for questioning as suspects in the "murder of Prime Minister of R. Kosova" (KoSSev)
• Weapons recovered in house raid in northern Kosovo; Svecla: We raided a weapons base in the North (N1, KoSSev)
• Rakic with Barbano on the withdrawal of special units from the north, and bigger presence of EULEX and KFOR (Tanjug)
• Opposition demands immediate parliamentary and Belgrade elections (N1)
• Popov: Kurti does not want to form the ZSO, imposes extreme topics and sways the West (Kosovo Online, Blic)

Opinion:

• Issue of missing persons shouldn’t have become part of Brussels dialogue (Koha)

International:

• Hashim Thaçi’s Interview From The Hague – by Petrit Selimi (medium.com)
• Kosovo’s Thaci Gives First Interview from Detention in The Hague (BIRN)
• Lynching and Public Propaganda Remain a Challenge for Women in Kosovo (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 5, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani meets Rama: Kosovo and Albania can pave way for brighter future (media)
Osmani on reaction to Macron: It was not a threat, I was just being honest (media)
Thaci: Peace with Serbia must be achieved through mutual recognition (media)
Germany requests additional steps in the north prior to lifting sanctions (Koha)
“Not much willingness in the north to participate in dismissal of mayors” (Koha)
Daka: CEC does not have mandate to organize referendum in the north (Klan)
Kryeziu on Assembly session: conclusion was drawn before start of debate (RTK)
Opposition warns of criminal charges against Minister Nagavci (media)
Bislimi: Kosovo committed to protection of rights in the Valley (RTK)
Selmanaj: Kurti government has an anti-national approach with our allies (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucevic: I do not expect any de-escalation in Kosovo (KiM radio)
Chief of Staff in Ground Safety Zone (N1)
Petkovic to Osmani: Instead of sabotaging normalization, ask yourself what good the constant warming of the war atmosphere brings to the Albanian people in Kosovo (KoSSev)
Tax Administration of Kosovo: Business owners in Mitrovica given a deadline to register, ‘our aim is not to punish them’ (KoSSev)
Office for KiM: ''New incursion into Serbian buildings, continuation of terror in Pristina'' (Beta, Danas)
Radomirovic: We are not in favor of forced entry into apartments, Todic sharing false solutions and moving in "his own people" (Kosovo Online)
International Media:

Kosovo's President accuses Serbia of following 'Putin's plan' by destabilizing Balkans (RFE)
Kosovo Albanian Witness Testifies About Relative’s Abduction by Guerrillas (BIRN)
Serbia Signs Cooperation Treaty with Southeast Asian Association (Balkan Insight)
Balkans Grapples with Escalating Cyberviolence Against Women (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 4, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani begins her visit to Albania, welcomed by Begaj (media)
• Begaj: Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, the only way to peace and normalization of relations (media)
• Government MPs do not participate in Assembly's extraordinary session (media)
• Hoti: Opponents of the Washington Agreement are bearing consequences today (media)
• Three Serbian citizens arrested for entering Kosovo illegally (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• FM Dacic to attend ASEAN Summit, sign Instrument of Accession (N1, RTS, Tanjug, Beta)
• Grenell: Three years after the Washington Agreement, relations between Belgrade and Pristina have deteriorated (Tanjug, Blic)
• Adjancic: The Prosecution Council requests the release of the building in Mitrovica, by September 8 (KiM radio, Slobodno srpski)

Opinion:

• Bazdulj on the Kosovo issue: The war is not a reality, the agreement is, provide the CSM to the Serbs (KoSSev, Fonet, Danas)

International:

• Three years since the Washington Agreement between Serbia and Kosovo: What has been implemented? (EWB)
• Albanian-Supplied AKs Fuel Violence on Refugee Route through Serbia (Balkan Insight)
• Kosovo Inspectors Search Lakes in Clampdown on Illegal Fishing (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 4, 2023

Albanian Language Media:
Lajcak: Dialogue agreements remain valid, need to be fully implemented (media)
Osmani begins two-day visit to Albania today (media)
Stano: Elections in the north of Kosovo ASAP (media)
Analysts: Elections through petition not expected to solve situation in north (VoA)
Assembly to hold extraordinary session today, discuss school books (Express)
Increase in direct foreign investments in Kosovo (Radio Free Europe)
VV MP blames previous governments for EU measures (KTV)
Halimi: Discrimination of women in RTK decision-making posts, evident (EO)
Special Prosecution will file indictment for massacre at Dubrava Prison (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:
Lajcak: Concern about the situation in the north, all agreements binding (KiM radio, media)
Vucic: Challenging times await us, we must defend Serbia's interests (RTS, media)
Radakovic: Resignations of the mayors in the north of Kosovo maybe in mid-November, December (Tanjug)
Petkovic: Serbs accused in the "Brezovica" case released from custody (RTS)
The Kosovo police conducted a control of fishermen on Lake Gazivode (Blic, KiM radio)
KFOR: In the battalion for intelligence work, surveillance and reconnaissance in Kosovo, soldiers from eight countries (Radio Mitrovica sever)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 1, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani wishes “best of luck” to Albania as it takes over UNSC Presidency (media)
• Opposition MPs call extraordinary session for school books (Ekonomia Online)
• September is here; opposition doesn’t plan to organise protests (Albanian Post)
• Sources: Milan Radoicic brutally assaulted Aleksandar Spiric (Dukagjini)
• Rama suspends decision to block road that leads to former RTP (Express)
• Emini: Kosovo’s membership in EPC, major step for athletes (Kosovapress)

Serbian Language Media:

• Petkovic: ''We are fighting for every Serb in Kosovo and Metohija'' (Tanjug)
• The session of the N.Mitrovica MA marked by chairman’s accusations against the mayor (KoSSev)
• The Prosecutor’s Office received a request to question Vucic in the case of the murder of Serb youths in the “Panda” café (KoSSev)
• Dusan Janjic: Vucic does not have a strategic policy towards Kosovo, he is only interested in Serbian List (Danas, Beta)

International:

• Kosovo School Year Starts Amid Turmoil Over Missing Textbooks (BIRN)
• Schallenberg: It is time to be bold about EU enlargement, we cannot wait (EWB)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 1, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

Borrell to meet Kurti and Vucic on September 14, in Brussels (media)
Zulfaj: We go to Brussels for implementation of Agreement (KTV)
Atiq: I would leave through a petition, I don't think it appropriate to resign (RTK)
Abdixhiku: The government's incompetence is costing us (Koha)
PDK calls for early elections: Government is harming the state (Reporteri)
Dreshaj: We hope to overthrow the government in September (Reporteri)
Graffiti “when the army returns to Kosovo” appears in Zubin Potok (Koha)
AI: Lack of proper treatment for domestic violence victims in Kosovo (VoA)
State reserves affair; suspects released from detention (media)

Serbian Language Media:
Borrell: The next round of high-level dialogue on September 14 in Brussels (media)
Michel: If the EU does not set a goal, it will never be ready for enlargement (Tanjug, Hina, N1)
Petkovic: Pristina does not want peace, but escalation (KiM radio, Danas)
Djuric met Chollet: Serbia a reliable partner of the USA, not only in words, but also in actions (Danas, Kosovo Online)
Pantovic: Family members of the arrested in the "Brezovica" case when paying the bail detained because of the origin of the money (KoSSev, KiM radio, Kontakt plus radio, Kosovo Online)
The detention of those arrested in the case of embezzlement of Kosovo's reserves has been terminated (Beta, N1, Kontakt plus radio)
Serb A. A. stopped by KP at the checkpoint near the Bistrica Bridge; KP: Interrogated, then released (KoSSev)
International Media:

Kosovo's President Criticizes Macron Over Visa-Free Travel Comments (Schengen Visa)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 31, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: We’ve made substantial steps to de-escalate situation in north (media)
• Reuten: We received no signal that visa liberalisation for Kosovo is at risk (Express)
• Serwer: Escobar, Hill believe they turned Serbia to West, facts show opposite (media)
• Tahiri: This govt deceived everyone that expected economic development (media)
• Collaku: Government’s approach is irritating the EU (Nacionale)
• Explosive device thrown at house of Trepca board chair (Kallxo)
• Kosovo police find graffiti inciting violence in Zubin Potok (Nacionale)
• Kusari-Lila blames AAK for not protecting Museum of Music in Gjakova (Koha)
• Xhacka reveals priorities of Albanian Presidency of UN Security Council (Albanian Post)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: Difficult to find a solution when the other side is looking for reasons for conflicts and attacks (RTS)
• Drecun: The pressure on Kurti weakening (RTS, Kosovo Online, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Mijacic: Pressures will be great, while the deadlines will be short (N1)
• Rekom: The countries of SFRY to stop hiding data on mass graves (KiM radio, N1, NMagazin)
• Turner: The US and European partners are looking for a solution to the Kosovo issue (RTS, Kosovo Online)

Opinion:

• A wake-up call for Kosovo’s prime minister (emerging-europe.com)

International:

• Várhelyi: If the Council wants to make enlargement happen, that is welcome news (EWB)
• How realistic is the 2030 target for EU enlargement? (EWB)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 31, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani to meet Stoltenberg at NATO headquarters on September 7 (media)
Lajcak: Kurti-Vucic high-level meeting in Brussels in September (Reporteri)
Joint message of Lajcak, Szynuog and Barbano on missing persons (media)
Ziadeh: Fate of missing persons should be resolved in spirit of reconciliation, building trust and respect for human rights, not politicised (media)
OSCE calls on parties to implement Declaration on Missing Persons (media)
Hoti: Neither the EU nor Vucic answered me about the missing persons (Klan)
Gara: Serbia has politicized issue of missing persons (RTK)
Administrative instruction announced for public consultation (RTK)
KDI: Administrative instruction for removal of mayors exceeds law (RTK)
Citaku to Osmani: Concluding dialogue is Kosovo’s state interest (Reporteri)

Serbian Language Media:
Lajcak: Substantive discussion with Vucic (N1, NMagazin)
PM Brnabic met Congressman Turner (RTS)
Vucevic met Turner: The two countries are strengthening cooperation, without leaving the framework of Serbia's military neutrality (RTS)
Sir Stuart Peach: EU has to say the region has a better future (N1)
Miscevic: The declaration of the EU's readiness for enlargement by 2030 is a goal, not a promise (Beta, KiM radio)
Office for KiM: Solving the issue of missing persons a prerequisite for reconciliation (Tanjug)
Brnabic comment draws protest from Albanian MP (N1)
Momcilo Trajkovic hospitalized after being held in Merage crossing more than four hours yesterday (Danas)
International Media:

Kosovo’s president lashes out at Macron for saying France may review visa-free travel for Kosovars (AP)
Kosovo: Authorities are failing domestic violence victims (Amnesty International)
International Missing Persons Day Commemorated in Ex-Yugoslav Countries (Balkan Insight)
Jazz Fest Unites Music Fans In Divided Kosovo Town (RFE)
Pristina Festival the ‘Next Step’ for Queer Culture in Kosovo (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 30, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: Visa suspension would kill the dialogue (media)
• EU: Kosovo and Serbia should create conditions for continuation of the dialogue (RFE)
• Kurti appeals to the international community: Increase pressure on Serbia to find our citizens (media)
• Serbia requested to open archives: It is violating Brussels agreement (media)
• UNMIK: Fate of missing persons must be resolved in spirit of reconciliation, not politicized (Koha)
• Rohde calls for the implementation of the Declaration on Missing Persons (RTK)
• Grubi: Prizren-Tetovo road, initiative of Macedonian Government, Kurti used it for his campaign (media)
• Klinaku interviewed by Police about his statement on Kurti (media)
• Mayor of Zvecan requests meeting with Kurti and Osmani (Reporteri)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic met Lajcak: I am worried about Kurti's plan to expel the Serbs and occupy the north by force (Kosovo online)
• Vucic met Congressman Turner: We are committed to the additional development of overall cooperation with the USA (Tanjug, Kosov Online)
• Dacic: Macron's threat with visas not realistic (Blic)
• International Day of Missing Persons marked in Gracanica: Why is the truth being kidnapped from us? (KiM radio, Kosovo Online, KoSSev)
• Ziadeh calls for the implementation of the Declaration on the missing persons (KiM radio, Radio Mitrovica sever, Tanjug)
• Lucic: Telekom Srbija filed an appeal against Pristina's decision, we expect a positive result (Kosovo Online, TV Happy)
• Surlic: The dialogue clinically dead, Lajcak trying to revive it for the umpteenth time (RTS)

International:

• 2030? Pffft! Balkan leaders slam EU chief’s enlargement timeline (politico.eu)

UNMIK Media Observer, August 30, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti concludes Bled visit “with greater hope about Kosovo’s bright future” (KSP)
Gervalla and Lajcak optimistic about end of dialogue, Dacic wants Association (Koha)
“Western Balkans must use momentum for enlargement” (Kosovapress)
Rama: Better in the EU bus without a seat than in a Russian plane (media)
“Delay of school books, a mismanagement by the Education Ministry” (Kosovapress)
Osmani, Konjufca and Kurti to pay homage at Missing Persons Monument today (media)
Lushaku-Sadriu: Opposition of LDK differs from other parties (Nacionale/TV Dukagjini)
Klinaku: I’d rather kill Albin Kurti than leave Kosovo (Kallxo)
“When the army returns to Kosovo” graffiti appears in Leposavic (Kallxo)
NATO official in Serbia: We expect full de-escalation in north of Kosovo (RFE)

Serbian Language Media:
Vucic: Elections because opposition wants them; Kurti delaying a meeting deliberately (N1, Blic, media)
Panel of WB FMs in Bled: Gervalla and Lajcak optimistic unlike Dacic on the next year's normalization in spring (KoSSev)
New personnel decisions: Maric on the “Mreza-Most” board; Simic still at the Academy of Vocational Studies (KoSSev)
Kosovo: The number of drug addicts seeking help increasing (KiM radio, Beta, RFE)
International Media:

Commission snubs Charles Michel’s 2030 EU enlargement target (politico.eu)
Among the Dead: Forensic Scientists Recall Horror of Kosovo’s Mass Graves (BIRN)
Roma Protesters Allege Police Brutality in Kosovo Town (BIRN)
Start-up nation – how Kosovan companies are defying expectations to lead the country into the future (Economist Impact)
What After Migrating to Germany? Experiences from Kosovar Nurses (Prishtina Insight)