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UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, November 1, 2023

Albanian Language Media:
Von der Leyen in Belgrade demands 'de facto' recognition of Kosovo's independence (RTK)
Hovenier: Agreements are binding even without signatures (media)
AAK calls on government to implement dialogue obligations as soon as possible (Koha)
Paparaci claims to possess draft statute of Association agreed by Kurti (media)
Government approves Draft Law for Budget of 2024 (media)
Court of Appeal confirms Basic Court Decision on three Banjska attackers (media)
Rama surprised by EU's non-reaction to Dodik's statements (Koha)
Artan Behrami's lawyer calls SPO’s orders for raid unconstitutional (media)
Citaku: SPO conducting  "witch hunt" against anyone connected to KLA (media)
Serbian Language Media:
Von der Leyen from Belgrade: De facto recognition means documents, institutions, CSM (N1)
Von der Leyen, Brnabic discuss EU growth plan, reforms (Tanjug)
Search of the "Metal" store in Zvecan, Elshani says not related to Banjska (Radio Mitrovica sever)
The Court of Appeal rejected the appeal, the three detained for the Banjska case remain in custody (KiM radio)
Rada Trajkovic: Vucic will first recognize Kosovo documents and passports, and the rest after the election (Beta, Danas)
Petkovic: Rada Trajkovic has neither a moral nor a legitimate right to attack Vucic (Radio Mitrovica sever)
Serbia Names New Ambassadors to Vienna, Sarajevo, Riyadh, and UNESCO (Beta)
Dveri Movement: Statehood and patriotic opposition parties to join forces pre or post-election (Beta, media)
International Media:
EU Chief Demands Kosovo and Serbia Stick to Normalisation Deal (Balkan insight)
The best deal Kosovo and Serbia can get (EUobserver)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 31, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• An Explanatory Note on the Kosovo-Serbia agreement (Albanian Post)
• SPO raids apartment of Thaci’s former advisor, Artan Behrami (Koha)
• Palokaj: No sign that measures against Kosovo will be lifted (KTV)
• Rasic comments on decision for free registration of vehicles into RKS plates (media)
• Haradinaj: NATO membership guarantees more security and peace in the region (media)
• “I will get the Kosovo passport as soon as possible” (RFE)

Serbian Language Media:

• Hill: The proposals "on the table" for some time, Belgrade and Pristina should reach an agreement as soon as possible (Tanjug)
• Clinical Hospital Center Kosovska Mitrovica: The hospital pharmacy almost empty, patients sent to central Serbia (Beta, NMagazin, Politika, N1)
• Issuance of documents overshadowed by high-level politics (KoSSev)
• Brnabic on elections: If we lose, we will be a responsible opposition (N1, Beta)
• International law professor Milanovic: We don't know what exactly it means when they ask for de facto recognition (NMagazin, Beta)
• Momcilo Trajkovic: The Serbian List does not have the support of the people (KIM radio)

Opinion:

• Glenny: Same problems 20 years later (N1)

International:

• Leaked – Serbia signs lithium exploitation agreement with European Commission (balkangreenenergynews.com)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, October 31, 2023

Albanian Language Media:
• Von der Leyen: Kosovo to accept Association, Serbia de facto recognition (media)
• Osmani: EU should open its doors to Kosovo, lift measures (RTK)
• Kurti pointed out to Von der Leyen the need for extradition of Radoicic to Kosovo (media)
• Haxhiu: Our reform journey in justice will continue (Klan)
• Specialized Chambers confiscate materials from Shala’s and Smakaj’s properties (media)
• CDHRF: Specialized Chambers causing psychological violence (media)
• Deadline for registration of cars with RKS license plates postponed until December 1 (media)
• Indictment for Bislimi, Beqa, Haxhiu and Lushtaku’s fight in the Assembly (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Serbian gov't proposes dissolution of parliament, calling of elections (Tanjug, media)
• Vucic to receive von der Leyen in Belgrade Tuesday (media)
• Vucic says he will discuss all important issues with von der Leyen (RTS)
• Von der Leyen to Osmani: EU accession only after normalization with Belgrade (N1)
• Lawyer: Detention of Dusan Obrenovic extended for two more months (Kosovo Online, KoSsev, media)
• Montenegrin Minister of Justice refuses to extradite another Serb Pristina accuses of alleged war crimes (Kosovo Online, media)
• “State-building opposition” negotiations fall through (N1, media)
International Media:
• Faced with Growing Discontent, Kosovo’s Kurti Reinstates Police Hazard Pay (Balkan Insight)
• What of Inter-Ethnic Relations in Post-Banjska Kosovo? (Balkan Insight)
• Videos Show Kosovo Serb Politician Being Followed Before Murder (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 30, 2023

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 30, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti - to QUINT ambassadors: Kosovo ready to sign basic agreement, Serbia refusing (media)
• Szunyog on Ursula von der Leyen's meetings: Waiting for fruitful discussions (Klan)
• Sources from Special Prosecution: “Almost all terrorists of Sept 24 are identified” (AP)
• Specialist Prosecutor’s Office raids houses of Thaci’s former advisors (media)
• Court sentences Bozovic to seven months in prison for incidents in the north (Koha)
• Delawie: The EU really needs to stop coddling Vucic (media)
• PDK: We do not vote international agreements without setting date for elections (Reporteri)
• Kurti expected to report to Assembly on developments in dialogue on Friday (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: I will call elections on Wednesday or Thursday (media)
• Serbia Against Violence parties will offer cooperation to right wing parties if need be (media)
• Less: It's no secret that London has more understanding for Pristina than other Western actors (Kosovo Online)
• Janjic: Brussels talks ended without an agreement, but showed a change in work methodology (Kim radio, Slobodno srpski)
• Milovan Bozovic from Zubin Potok sentenced to seven months in prison (KoSSev, media)
• Larger number of Kosovo police present in Zubin Potok, works on police station construction continue (Kosovo Online)
• "Fatherland" on construction of police station: “The brutality of Pristina while Belgrade is busy collecting voters” (KiM radio)
• Office for KiM: Tractor stolen from Djuric family in Osojane village (Kontakt plus radio, KiM radio, N1)
• Vucic receives farewell visit from Albanian ambassador (Tanjug)

Opinion:

• Palokaj: Vucic continues to successfully challenge the EU (Koha)

International:

• Kosovo’s Report Reveals Banjska Terrorist Attack Details (Prishtina Insight)
• After BIRN Investigation, Prishtina Court Sentenced 13 Police Officers for Smuggling Operations (Prishtina Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, October 30, 2023

Albanian Language Media:
Joint statement by Macron, Scholz and Melon on Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (media)
Lajcak: Leaders showed readiness, although couldn’t agree on modalities (media)
Von der Leyen will visit Kosovo today, to meet Osmani and Kurti (media)
Gervalla: Kosovo-Serbia agreement must be implemented in its entirety (VoA)
Haradinaj: Kosovo needs to implement the French-German plan (media)
Kearns calls on Borrell and von der Leyen to lift sanctions on Kosovo (media)
On sixth day of strike, mineworkers want Kurti to visit them (Koha)
Kosovo Police reacts to SL accusations about Zubin Potok police station (Kallxo)
Serbian Language Media:
Three European leaders call on Belgrade to deliver on de-facto recognition, on Pristina to establish CSM (N1, media)
Vucic: Deadlines about agreement with Pristina nonsense, we are ready for everything but recognition (Radio KIM, media)
EU: Failure to de-escalate tensions will have consequences (N1, BETA)
Scholz: Negotiations with Belgrade, Pristina did not end in failure (media)
Surlic: Meeting of Belgrade and Pristina leaders with EU officials – a successful failure (Tanjug)
Local residents object plan to build police station near elementary school in Zubin Potok (KoSSev, media)
Office for KiM, Serbian List react to decision to build police station near elementary school, say Pristina continues escalation (Radio KIM, media)
International Media:
A mysterious attack in northern Kosovo rattles everyone (The Economist)
Kurti, Vucic Trade Blame as Tensions in North Kosovo Worry EU (BIRN)
Kosovo-Serbia Stalemate Lets Convicted Criminals Walk Free (BIRN)
Op-ed: What of Inter-Ethnic Relations in Post-Banjska Kosovo? (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 27, 2023

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 27, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Von der Leyen in Western Balkans next week to present details of Growth Plan (media)
• Rama: Kosova accepted EU proposal, time for Serbia to do the same (media)
• Haradinaj: A big step forward, we are in the right position (Albanian Post)
• Kearns: A month since Radoicic admitted guilt, yet he remains free in Serbia (media)
• U.S. Senator Peters meets Gervalla (media)
• Kelmendi criticises Borrell for never putting blame on Serbia (media)
• Selimi: Do we let the progress of Kosovo be hostage to Serbian refusal? (media)
• “Former chief of special police for north was involved in Banjska group” (Kallxo)

Serbian Language Media:

• Michel: At European Council summit today on dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia (Kosovo Online, RTV)
• Vucevic: In Brussels, Serbia avoided scenario of being culprit and disruptive factor (N1, Beta)
• KFOR, Serbian military commanders meet in Kosovo (N1)
• The trial in the case of Ivanovic's murder postponed due to the impossibility of broadcasting the video material (KiM radio)
• Von der Leyen visiting the Western Balkans next week (Kosovo Online)
• Part of Serbian opposition reaches final agreement on elections (N1)

International:

• Kosovo’s Ruling Party Takes Risk in Snubbing Parliamentary Inquiry (BIRN)
• OSCE, Serbian Church Criticise Damage to Serb Cemetery in Kosovo (Balkan Insight)
• Leaders of Serbia, Kosovo End Talks In Brussels With No Sign Of Progress On Normalizing Relations (RFE)
• Pressure builds on Serbia over controversial new media laws (Euractive)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Kosovo Alpinist Uta Ibrahimi featured at a UNHQ exhibition honoring 50 women from around the world for their contributions to Women, Peace and Security (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, October 27, 2023

Albanian Language Media:
Borrell: Kurti and Vucic were not ready to agree - they set conditions for each other (media)
Kurti insists on signing the agreement, Vucic on implementing what was signed (RFE)
Michel: The normalization of Kosovo-Serbia relations is essential (media)
OSCE Chairman: I welcome resumption of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia (Klan)
Konjufca: New draft proposed for Association, quite different from those we have criticized (Klan)
Gervalla: Serbia refused to normalize relations with Kosovo (Klan)
Kurti's advisor: Serbia does not want normalization or self-management for Kosovo Serbs (media)
Bajrami: Kurti accepted complete Brussels package, unfortunately Serbia refused (Klan)
Rama: I congratulate Prime Minister of Kosovo for accepting EU proposal (media)
Svecla: Sanctioning Serbia prevents repetition of attacks (RTK)
KFOR and Serbian army talk about border line with Kosovo (Reporteri)
Civil society in Kosovo and Serbia calls for normalization of relations (Koha)
Palokaj: In the EU, there is greater optimism for reaching an agreement (Koha)
Serbian Language Media:
Vucic says Belgrade if favor of agreement implementation, but can not accept Kosovo independence and membership to UN (Tanjug, N1, media)
Charles Michel: Normalization of Belgrade-Pristina relations essential (FoNet, N1)
Meloni: We asked Vucic, Kurti to implement reached agreements (N1, media)
Grenell: EU must not allow Osmani and Kurti ignore previous agreements (media, social media)
Soil with mortal remains from old Orthodox cemetery in Mitrovica North taken to landfill (RTS, Tanjug, media)
KM Church Committee files criminal complaint over destruction of old cemetery (KoSSev)
Kryeziu says government not responsible for decision on construction of road that went across Orthodox cemetery (KoSSev)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 26, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Scholz, Macron and Meloni to meet Kurti then Vucic, meeting starts at 14:00 (Telegrafi)
• Osmani in Iowa: September 24 attack was aimed at annexing north of Kosovo (media)
• Internationals express support for KSF, condemn attack in Banjska (media)
• Kosovo agreed to European “new plan” on Saturday; Vucic and Kurti expected to meet at Paris Peace Forum and sanctions lifted after the meeting (Albanian Post)
• Gervalla meets U.S. Congressman Torres (media)
• Citaku: U.S. always supported an Association in line with Constitution (media)
• Nitaj: Implementation of French-German plan today is a patriotic duty (Klan Kosova)
• Hehir: Vucic’s appeasement does not end in Mitrovica (KTV)
• “No Republika Srpska in Kosovo”; Albanians protest in Brussels (Telegrafi)
• Over €1 billion sent by diaspora to Kosovo this year (Kallxo)
• Kurti in Athens meets leaders of companies from energy field (media)
• Kosovo Judicial Council publishes decision to dismiss Stefanovic (Klan Kosova)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: Guler's visit extremely significant for peace, stability in Balkans (Tanjug)
• SNF: Albanisation of Serbian municipality at stake in Caglavica (Radio KIM)
• One person interviewed in relation to old Orthodox cemetery desecration, case goes in regular procedure (Tanjug)
• Montenegrin Minister of Justice refused to extradite Serbian citizen Pristina accused of alleged war crimes (Tanjug)
• Brnabic speaks about Kosovo, Serbia's EU perspective in Brussels (Tanjug)
• Most Serbian citizens see China as friendly (N1)
• Stoltenberg in an official visit to Serbia in November (N1, RFE)
• EU Office in Kosovo: We are closely following the case of Abbot Fotije's deportation (Kosovo Online)
• Serbs upon arrests sent to detention in 90 percent of cases (Kosovo Online)
• Church of Saint Gabriel in Osojane robbed (Radio Gorazdevac)
• Djuric: Support to KSF transformation into army encourages extremism of Pristina government (Kosovo Online, social media)

International:

• Feuding Serbia and Kosovo leaders set for talks Thursday on the sidelines of an EU summit (AP)
• Serbian List gets new leadership, more Kosovo Serb parties are emerging (EWB)
• Montenegro Refuses to Extradite War Crime Suspect to Kosovo (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, October 26, 2023

Albanian Language Media:
• No meeting between Kurti and Vucic in Brussels today (media)
• Serbian Ministry of Defense demands only KFOR guard border of Kosovo (RFE)
• EULEX observed raids in the north, members of KFOR stayed nearby (media)
• NATO: Investigations on Banjska are being carried out by Kosovo Police (Klan)
• MLGA rejects accusations of Serbian List: There is no decision on excavations in Orthodox cemeteries in Mitrovica north (Kallxo)
• Nikolla: Escobar described U.S. as most pro-Kosovo country in the world (Klan)
• Locked for six months, Hetemi demands KFOR leave municipality facility (RTK)
• Tuhina: Thursday will not determine only the fate of the dialogue (RTK)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: It won't be easy, but they are knocking on the open door when it comes to Belgrade (RTS)
• Brnabic met Varhelyi: All current topics discussed, also the upcoming report of the European Commission (Blic)
• Vucevic: Serbs in Kosovo have no problem with KFOR presence (N1, FoNet)
• The Raska-Prizren Diocese: Desecration of graves goes on for 24 years with impunity (Tanjug, KiM radio)
• Serbian List: Kurti's regime is populist and fraudulently shows false concern for citizens (Tanjug)
International Media:
• Kosovo to Probe Damage to Old Cemetery in Serb-Majority North (Balkan Insight)
• The Situation of Women in Kosovo: A Gloomy Reality in International and Local Reports (Prishtina Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 25, 2023

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 25, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• EU says meetings on Thursday are “support” for dialogue (RFE)
• Kurti: No dialogue if no condemnation and sanctions on Serbia (media)
• Kosovo agrees for plan of envoys to be framework for further discussions (media)
• Konjufca on EU plan: I haven’t read it in detail, but it is in line with Constitution (media)
• Osmani hosted by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (media)
• Gervalla: Important to hold Serbia accountable for aggression (media)
• Elshani does not rule out another attack in Kosovo (TeVe1)
• 182 kilograms of marijuana seized at border with Serbia (Telegrafi)

Serbian Language Media:

• New searches in relation to Banjska incident in northern Kosovo (KoSSev, Kosovo Online)
• Odalovic: Kurti made every agreement meaningless; the missing persons investigation neglected (RTS)
• Works on a road passing across old Orthodox cemetery in Mitrovica North halted (KoSSev)
• Brnabic and Rama today with Varhelyi (NMagazin, Beta)
• Drecun: West trying to expedite normalisation and get Belgrade recognize Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Goran Bogdanovic on change of Serbian List leadership (N1, Danas)
• Davenport: Excessive use of detention measure represents problem not only in Kosovo, but wider as well (Kosovo Online)
• Pasalic: ''I am amazed because the international institutions do not react to the evidence about the situation of Serbian prisoners in Kosovo'' (Kosovo Online)
• Former High Court Judge in North Mitrovica Kabasic: Serbs in Kosovo completely disenfranchised (Kosovo Online)
• Mobile mammograph in Mitrovica North (KoSSev)

Opinion:

• Serwer: “A failed terrorist provocation” (peacefare.net)

International:

• Kosovo’s premier slams Serbia ahead of fresh round of talks (Financial Times)