UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 15, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: Legal basis for petition for elections in north, a matter of days (Albanian Post)
• Osmani comments on reactions to Kurti’s visit in North Macedonia (Dukagjini)
• Gervalla: New recognitions of Kosovo expected (RTK)
• Police confiscate over 1,200 bullets in a village near Zvecan (Nacionale)
• Government comments on media reports about number of Kurti’s advisors (media)
• VV municipal councillor in Pristina arrested in anti-drug operation in Tirana (Koha)
• AJK condemns lynching campaign against Nacionale reporters in Prizren (Kallxo)

Serbian Language Media:

• Von Cramon: Pristina to meet its obligations, then talk about Serbia, special police to leave municipal facilities (KoSSev)
• Deadline for vacating public spaces in Mitrovica North expired, what will happen with decision (KoSSev)
• Serbian List reacts to Atiq’s decision on free public spaces in Mitrovica North (Kosovo Online, media)
• Odalovic: Kurti playing with fire, Europe on vacation, Belgrade does not suit idling (RTS)

International:

• Kosovo Presses Montenegro Not to Allow Serbia to Sell its Assets (BIRN)

Kurti and Bozay, talk about strengthening Kosovo-Turkiye relations (media)
Osmani invites Erdogan for a visit to Kosovo (media)
Minister Rasic’s meetings in Brussels canceled (Reporteri)
Zeqiri: I see no conditions for holding new elections in the north (media)
Rasic: Hovenier is true friend of Kosovo and communities (Reporteri)
Kearns: A complete lack of balance is being witnessed in the EU's relations with Kosovo (Koha)
Vela: Belgrade is turning into the capital of extreme political ideologies (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

Stanic: The damage caused by the blockade of the import of Serbian goods to Kosovo not only financial (Tanjug, Radio Mitrovica sever)
The indictment against the former deputy mayor of Klokot (KiM radio)
Vujovic: BG lobbies to improve Vucic’s bad image, PR because of the trouble Kurti got them into (KoSSev)
International Media:

The vetting process in Kosovo’s judiciary, where is it stuck? (euronews.al)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti and Bozay, talk about strengthening Kosovo-Turkiye relations (media)
Osmani invites Erdogan for a visit to Kosovo (media)
Minister Rasic’s meetings in Brussels canceled (Reporteri)
Zeqiri: I see no conditions for holding new elections in the north (media)
Rasic: Hovenier is true friend of Kosovo and communities (Reporteri)
Kearns: A complete lack of balance is being witnessed in the EU's relations with Kosovo (Koha)
Vela: Belgrade is turning into the capital of extreme political ideologies (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:
Stanic: The damage caused by the blockade of the import of Serbian goods to Kosovo not only financial (Tanjug, Radio Mitrovica sever)
The indictment against the former deputy mayor of Klokot (KiM radio)
Vujovic: BG lobbies to improve Vucic’s bad image, PR because of the trouble Kurti got them into (KoSSev)
International Media:

The vetting process in Kosovo’s judiciary, where is it stuck? (euronews.al)

Albanian Language Media:

• Abdixhiku: Government has not been able to take a single step in infrastructure (media)
• The Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister meets the head of the PDK (media)
• Thaci's defense asks court to tell that charges in this case are not related to organ trafficking (media)
• Special Prosecutor's Office begins investigations into lack of wheat and oil reserves (Albanian Post)
• Experts advise cooperation with EU and US regarding elections in the north (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

• Sentic: Citizens and journalists in Kosovo have right to receive documents in Serbian language (KoSSev)
• Covic says some Quint states tolerate Kurti’s behaviour (RTS, Radio KIM)
• Maric: “Kurti is now promoting the “Great Albanian” idea in North Macedonia as well” (TV Most)
• "Kurti is a miracle from God": How is the support group for the Kosovo Prime Minister commented in Kosovo? (Danas)

Opinion:

• Are Kosovo and the "lithium trade" connected? (Danas, FoNet)
• "Kosovo should get a seat in the UN" and Serbia has committed to that, says Todorovic from YIHR (FoNet, Danas, RTK2)

International:

• Serbian Pride Condemns President’s Vow to Veto Law on Same Sex Unions (Balkan Insight)
• Pilot Exhibition Explores Enduring Legacy of Yugoslavia’s ‘Fateful Decade’ (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti gives details about cost and construction of Prizren-Tetovo road (Kallxo)
Symbolics of Kurti’s visit trigger reactions from Pendarovski and Vucic (Koha)
Mustafi reacts to Vucic’s statement against Kurti (media)
Hoti: Serbia not respecting agreement to open missing persons archive (TeVe1)
Kosovo joins Open Government Partnership (RTK)
Trial against former KLA leaders resumes today (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:
Vucic on Kurti’s visit to North Macedonia, says “Greater Albania“ promoted in Tetovo (KoSSev, media)
Kurti’s visit in North Macedonia caused reactions from country and Serbia (KoSSev, media)
Pendarovski condemns display of Albanian nationalist symbols in North Macedonia (N1, Radio KIM, KoSSev)
Office for KiM honors Gorazdevac victims (N1, media)
Serbian List: As per rule, when criminals are not punished, crimes reoccur again (Radio KIM, Kosovo Online, media)
EULEX: Documents handed over, Kosovo authorities have jurisdiction (Radio KIM)
Army of Serbia ranked as 58th in world (N1)
International Media:
As Poverty Rises, More Romany Children In Kosovo Are Being Forced To Beg (RFE)
The West’s ‘see no evil’ approach to Serbia’s Vucic is destabilizing the Balkans (CNN)
Controversial Singer’s Show Stirs Protest Against Kosovo Film Festival (Balkan Insight)
North Macedonia Leftists Slam Renaming of Anti-Fascist Brigade Street (Balkan Insight)
Serbia’s Vucic ’Does Not Think’ Ukraine Will Recognise Kosovo (Balkan Insight)
Bosnia to Investigate Online Admirers of Livestream Mass Shooter (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 11, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Suspects fire shots at Kosovo police during smuggling attempt in the north (media)
• “Lifting ban on Serbian products in exchange for lifting of EU measures” (RFE)
• Rohde: Kosovar lawyers can now register with German bar associations (media)
• Initiative for dismissal; Zeqiri: I see it more problematic and less dignifying (RTV21)
• Ombudsperson treating complaints in the north; reporters deserve attention (EO)

Serbian Language Media:

• Ombudsman in Kosovo opens case of RTS journalist Svetlana Vukmirovic (Radio KIM)
• What could citizens lose without MTS in Kosovo? (RTS)
• Vucevic: Ukraine by recognizing Kosovo would create bigger problem to itself (Tanjug)
• Vucic: We have not given up on UN Security Council session, we are waiting for right moment (Kosovo Online)
• Zeqiri: Coordinated collective resignations of mayors better than petition (Kosovo Online)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti: The EU should remove the measures as soon as possible (Koha)
Stano: Measures taken because govt didn’t act in European manner (Koha)
Government Spokesman to EU: What more do you want from Kosovo? (Reporteri)
Vetevendosje MP reacts, lists series of Serbia’s “non-European” acts (media)
Osmani meets Hovenier, discuss implementation of Bratislava Agreement (RTK)
Rohde meets with Barbano: Germany stands strongly behind EULEX (Koha)
Rasic: Decision to ban Serbian goods will be lifted very soon (RTK)
Bosch: Serbian govt doing everything to undermine stability in the region (media)

Serbian Language Media:
Lawyer Vasic submitted request for Kurti to testify as defense witness (KoSSev)
Radakovic: In case of MTS.doo closure Serbs in north to remain in media darkness (RTS, Kosovo Online)
Second part of Serbian Armed Forces contingent departs for flood-hit Slovenia (Tanjug)
Stano on measures against Kosovo, says they are possible against Serbia as well, if it fails to de-escalate (N1, media)
Raska-Prizren Eparchy Bishop Teodosije visited arrested Milenkovic in Podujevo (KoSSev)
International Media:

Experts Expect Increased Migration to EU Following Kosovo Visa Liberalisation, Advise Government to Act Now (Schengen Visa)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 10, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Third murder in one week in Kosovo (media)
• Haradinaj blames Kurti-led government for recent killings (Koha)
• Citaku: PDK is working on early elections (RTK)
• Rasic on Radomirovic: He is being attacked in a surprising way (RTK)
• IMF Staff Concludes Visit to Kosovo (media)
• Ibrahimi: Law is clear, no need for administrative directive (EO)
• Graffiti against Kosovo; experts: Special war by Serbia (Kosovapress)

Serbian Language Media:

• Lawyer invites Kurti to be defence witness in case of former prison guard, claims he was bringing him books while in prison (KoSSev, media)
• Third murder in Kosovo in a week (N1, KoSSev)
• Gashi: Crime in rest of Kosovo on rise because majority police forces concentrated in north (Kosovo Online)
• Antonijevic: Attempt to shift responsibility for failed negotiations on Serbia as well (RTK)
• Jablanovic: Petition not right way to dissolve mayors in northern Kosovo (Radio KIM)
• Ferati: Resignations of mayors would lead to calming down situation in north (Kosovo Online)
• Protest in front of Mitrovica North municipality, those affected by January floods have not received aid yet (Radio kontakt plus)

Opinion:

• Prison for returnees (Politika, Radio KIM)

International:

• The Balkan Drug Route: A Snapshot from the Courtroom (BIRN)
• Timeout – Challenging the dominance of men in sports journalism (Kosovo 2.0)

Albanian Language Media:

EU calls for further steps to lift punitive measures (RTK)
Knut Abraham supports the letter of European and American MPs (RTK)
Initial draft for withdrawal of mayors in north discussed (Kosovapress)
Zubin Potok mayor doesn’t want petition, proposes resignation of mayors (media)
German Ambassador Rohde meets media representatives (media)
U.S. General: We will continue to support the Kosovo Security Force (Telegrafi)
Ragmi Mustafi appointed adviser to Bislimi (Koha)
Kurti's visit to Skopje provokes reactions in Albanian political spectrum (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:
Petković: MTS.doo has legal mechanisms to overturn decision, serious consequences for Pristina in telecommunications possible (KoSSev)
Serbian companies in Kosovo stripped of certificates due to "unconstitutional content" (media)
EULEX chief meets Raska-Prizren Eparchy Bishop Teodosije (Kosovo Online, social media)
Vucic: Serious discussion with Peach about situation in Kosovo, region (Tanjug, media)
Brnabic: Fulfillment of obligations precondition for continuation of normalization with Pristina (Tanjug, media)
Serbian Armed Forces team heads to Slovenia to join flood relief efforts (media)
International Media:

Top US and EU lawmakers say West is too soft on Serbia when it comes to easing Kosovo tensions (AP)
Kosovar PM Welcomes European, U.S. Warning Against 'Belgrade-Centered' Policy (RFE)
Pristina Asked to Explain Bar on Serbian Journalist Entering Kosovo (Balkan Insight)
Calls Grow for Kosovo Community Funding Call to be Annulled (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 9, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Justice reform is a necessity, vetting is a solution (media)
• Stano confirms receival of the letter of EU and US MPs to Borrell (RTK)
• Osmani appoints Ahmet Ismail to the post of governor of the Central Bank (media)
• Rasic: Elections should be held after resignation of mayors (media)
• LDK: We will request an investigative commission for "misuse of state reserves" (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• EFJ concerned over ban to RTS journalist Svetlana Vukmirovic to enter Kosovo and report from there (Radio KIM)
• Pristina confirms MTS.doo business certificate has been revoked (KoSSev)
• What does revocation of MTS.doo licence certificate mean for Serbs in Kosovo? (RFE, Radio KIM)
• Sentic: Work of Office for Communities Affairs degraded, allocation of funds concerning (KoSSev)
• NGOs and media file complaint to Ombudsperson on Office for Communities Affairs decision to allocate funds (Radio kontakt plus)
• Vucic presents ambitious plans worth €12 billion (N1, BETA)
• Aleksic presents new MP caucus (N1)