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:

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 12, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti and Vucic expected to participate at Economic Forum in Davos next week (Reporteri)
• Osmani expects that U.S. Congress will approve sale of "Javelins" to Kosovo (RTK)
• Kosovo to host again "Defender Europe" (Klan)
• Viola von Cramon starts her four-day visit to Kosovo on Monday (Klan)
• Spanish FM: Recognition of Kosovo passports not related to agreement with Catalonia (Klan)
• GAP: Large migration of Kosovars expected in the first quarter of the year (media)
• Bajqinovci: Association should be designed by the Kosovo government (media)
• Court session of four Serbs suspected of riots in the north postponed (media)
• Kosovo-Albania trade exchange in 2023 set record with around €440 million (Albanian Post)
• Kosovo, North Macedonia sign agreement for Tetovo-Prizren road (Indeksonline)
• CDHRF: Installation of cameras in Pristina, in complete violation of human rights (Reporteri)

Serbian Language Media:

• Dacic: Serbs in Kosovo live in a situation of permanent danger (Kosovo Online)
• Situation in Kosovo calm but fragile - KFOR Commander (Tanjug)
• Serbian Democracy calls on citizens to sign petition and prevent reconstruction of police base in Mitrovica North (Radio KIM, KoSSev)
• Preliminary hearing of four Serbs cancelled, case files without translation into Serbian language (KoSSev)
• Malfunction on electric grid in Caglavica repaired after more than a month (Radio KIM)
• Submission of requests for diploma verification as of Monday at municipal building in Mitrovica North (KoSSev)
• European Parliament will most likely not discuss Serbian elections next week (Tanjug)

International:

• Serbia says it is disappointed with possible US sale of anti-tank missiles to Kosovo (AP)

Albanian Language Media:

O’Brien: We will not allow violence in northern Kosovo (RFE)
State Department confirms Kosovo requested Javelin Missiles (media)
Osmani: Kosovo deserves the EU candidate country status (media)
Maqedonci: Kosovo has returned to Defender exercises (Koha)
Kosovo Police: Competencies of Special Intervention Unit remain the same (media)
COMKFOR meets Chief of General Staff of Serbian Armed Forces (media)
Media from Presevo Valley complain over discrimination by Serbia (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Arsenijevic: I have submitted request aiming at overturning decision on land allocation to Kosovo Interior Ministry (KoSSev)
Vucic: US decision to accept Pristina's request to buy missiles greatly disappointing (Tanjug)
Congresswoman Tenney: Dangerous decision of US to sell Kosovo anti-tank missiles (Kosovo Online, media)
Mojsilovic, KFOR Commander discuss security situation in Kosovo (Tanjug, media)
O'Brien: Serbia and Kosovo should take their share of responsibility and avoid provocations in the north (Kosovo Online)
Office for KiM: Two Serb houses robbed during holidays in Ljubozda village (Radio KIM)
Prosecution on Sandulovic: Collected evidence does not point to mistreatment (N1)

International Media: 

US Confirms Kosovo’s Request for Anti-Tank Missiles, Serbia ‘Disappointed’ (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 11, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: First basic agreement, implementation annex, then Association (media)
• Osmani thanks United Arab Emirates for abolishing visa requirements (media)
• 2024 starts with mass “internal reorganization” of Kosovo Tax Administration (EO)
• Gjoshi asks western ambassadors to react to govt’s criticism of court (Nacionale)
• Sources: Kurti strips SIU from competencies on terrorism (Albanian Post)
• Molliqaj: Closer we get to autonomy for Serbs, Kurti talks of war more (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Decision on land expropriation in north annulled; Nenezic: After judgment becomes final, we’ll send a request to remove bases (KoSSev)
• Rapajic: Decision of court in Pristina positive step, but I do not expect changes (Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic: Kurti continues systematic and institutional oppression of Serbs (Tanjug, media)
• Friedman: Crucial issue not Kosovo, but Serbia emerging as economic power (N1)
• Sandulovic case: From post on visit to Jashari complex, arrest, Vulin, BIA to the West (KoSSev, DW)
• Trial of Zlatan Arsic continues (Kosovo Online)
• Abolishing visas for Kosovo Serbs: When could negotiations start (N1, Radio KIM)
• Bilcik: It is high time for Pristina to solve major issue (Radio KIM)
• Lawyer: Detention of Dragisa Milenkovic extended for two more months (Tanjug, media)

Opinion:

• Serbian Democracy is Paying a Price for Western Geopolitical Interests (BIRN)

International:

• Serbian opposition leader left partly paralyzed by attack, say family (The Guardian)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti welcomes Irish PM at Pristina Airport (media)
• Foreign Ministry: Dakaj confirmed Serbia accusing him of war crimes (media)
• Candles to be lit for “victims of Serbian genocide in Kosovo” on Jan 15 (media)
• Begaj: Non-recognizing countries should recognize Kosovo (media)
• Haxhiu forecasts early elections if Kurti doesn’t form Association (Express)
• Gjinovci: Armed conflict in Kosovo is inevitable (KTV)
• BIA denies that Sandulovic was tortured (Koha)
• NATO: Reintroducing compulsory military service, Serbia’s matter (RFE)
Serbian Language Media:
• Court in Pristina annulled government’s decision on land expropriation in northern Kosovo (RTS, Kosovo Online)
• Radovic: Krasniqi’s statement inaccurate, we have not received necessary documentation to initiate petition (Kosovo Online)
• BIA refutes Sandulovic: No unlawful physical force was used (KoSSev)
• NATO Office in Belgrade on obligatory military service in Serbia (N1, RFE)
• Is there a connection between seizure of Serbian properties in Kosovo and competencies CSM should have? (Kosovo Online)
International Media:
• A Chronicle of Investigations: Stories of Journalists that Documented Injustices (Balkan Insight)