UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 11, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• Thaci on Lajcak’s visit: Kosovo to be treated as a state (media)
• Hoti: We are waiting clarification of the dialogue process (RFE, media)
• Hoti receives congratulating telegram from EPP (media)
• LVV rejects Hoti’s roundtable (media)
• Hoti: Rakic did not remove Kosovo state symbols from his office (media)
• Zemaj: We lacked COVID-19 tests (media)
• Kurti invites citizens at Friday’s gathering (media)
• EU to open borders for Western Balkans on 1 July? (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

• Does continuation of dialogue open the option of replacing UNSC Resolution 1244? (Vecernje Novosti)
• Brnabic: No talks about territories, Kosovo is Serbia (RTS)
• “Missing persons issue must be part of Belgrade-Pristina agreement” (Radio KIM)
• Spokesman says EU ready to continue Kosovo dialogue (N1, VoA, FRE)
• Independent Liberal Party removed from political parties’ registry (Radio KIM)
• More than 50 trucks with Serbian goods entered Kosovo in two days (KoSSev)
• Rakic met Abbott, discussed political situation and pandemic (TV Most)
• European Commission recommends opening borders (BETA, N1)

International:

• At a Crossroads, Kosovo’s Vetevendosje Ponders Change of Strategy (Balkan Insight)
• Kosovo Speaker Rejects President’s Accusations About ‘Collaborator’ Father (Balkan Insight)
• 'Lame' Kosovo president boycotts EU talks (euobserver.com)
• Faces Of The Balkans, 100 Years Ago (RFE)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Reporting Democracy Report Warns of ‘Democratic Emergency’ in Region (Balkan Insight)

• Coronavirus: 29 new cases in last 24 hours (media)
• Hoti gives interview to Klan Kosova
• Kurti: Elections are the solution (RTK)
• Lajcak to zealously start with his negotiating mission next week (RFE/RTK)
• Macron writes to Hoti, proposes dialogue resume in Paris (Koha)
• German Ambassador Heldt meets Hoti (media)
• Haxhiu: PDK to reform if it wants cooperation with LVV (media)
• Swiss ambassador condemns 'denigrating' language against Osmani (media)
• KWN calls for end to attacks on Osmani (media)
• Mustafa: There were no discussions to dismiss Osmani (Arberesh.info/RTK)
• Kosovo criticised for not implementing court ruling on Decan Monastery (media)
• Hoti's cabinet: Rakic has not removed Kosovo symbols from office (Klan/Koha)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 10, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• Hoti: I will lead dialogue with Serbia (Koha/Kallxo)
• Thaci: Kosovo removed barriers, Serbia has no excuse to delay dialogue (media)
• Kurti: LVV will closely monitor recruitment of public enterprises directors (media)
• Veseli: Only PDK can end political pandemic in Kosovo (media)
• Thaci: Those that don’t respect Kosovo laws, shouldn’t be in institutions (Klan)
• Minister of Economy: Better with reciprocity than without it (Klan Kosova)
• Prishtina Mayor: Over 1,000 victims if another wave outbreaks (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• The 21st anniversary of the adoption of UN SC Resolution 1244 (Kontakt plus radio, RTS, KoSSev, Telegraf)
• Drecun: A solution to the Kosovo issue has yet to be sought (KoSSev, RTS)
• Vucic: Resolution 1244 is not what we think it is, no need for referendum to say Kosovo is Serbia (TV Pink, Tanjug, Kosovo-online)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: ''Return to Resolution 1244 is the best way for Kosovo and Metohija'' (Politika, Tanjug)
• Vucic: West is clear on the issue of Kosovo, the only question is who will lead the game (Politika, TV Pink)
• EU Commissioner Varhelyi replies to MEPs (Radio Free Europe, N1)
• No new Covid-19 infection cases in northern Kosovo (Radio KIM)
• Rakic and Apostolova discuss political situation and Covid-19 (media)

Opinion:

• All Black Lives Matter (Kosovo 2.0)

International:

• EU Recovery Plan Splits CEE, Raises Absorption Capacity Questions (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Kon: We can reintroduce certain measures; the situation is a bit worrying (B92)

• Six new cases of coronavirus in last 24 hours (media)
• Health Ministry: Situation with COVID – 19 under control (media)
• Kosovo President Hashim Thaci’s interview to Klan Kosova
• Trump: Around 640 U.S. troops to remain in Kosovo (media)
• Vetevendosje wants interpellation with PM Hoti on lifting of reciprocity (media)
• Reservations over Lajcak’s visit to Prishtina (KTV)
• Thaci suggests Osmani's family 'served' Serbia (Telegrafi)
• Osmani: Thaci considers serving Rugova was treason (media)
• Bahtiri reveals “Kosovo partition plan” Thaci allegedly presented to him (TV Dukagjini)
• Beqaj: Kosovo MPs would vote even for partition (KTV)
• Helsinki Committee in Serbia calls on EU to reject Kosovo partition (media)
• More land swap lobbying uncovered (Prishtina Insight/BIRN)
• Kosovo’s Ambassador to France reacts to BIRN article (media)

Albanian Language Media:

• Abbott and Hoti discuss dialogue and rule of law (RTK)
• Minister: Kosovo to reopen its airport within 10 days (Radio Free Europe)
• Research: 54% of citizens reject unification with Albania (RTK)
• Mustafa: Decisions of majority in LDK to be respect as basic rule (media)
• Kamberi: If borders change, entire Presevo Valley should be with Kosovo (Koha)
• 23 cases with coronavirus at Infectious Clinic, one in critical condition (Koha)
• Ministry of Education staff infected with coronavirus (media)
• Lajcak meets Montenegrin President, on eve of Kosovo and Serbia visits (Lajmi)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: Resolution 1244 has its downsides, but I do not see any other valid document (media)
• “Belgrade never used excuses not to continue dialogue” (Tanjug)
• Dacic: ''If it’s either recognition of Kosovo or nothing - then nothing'' (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
• How would Serbian politicians solve the Kosovo problem (KIM radio, Tanjug)
• DW: There’s no campaign in Kosovo for Serbian elections, but also no Kosovo in campaign
• “Constructive partners committed to stability” (Radio KIM)
• Montgomery: Only one person in region strong enough to reach Kosovo solution (B92)
• MEPs warn of critical political situation in Serbia (N1)
• No new cases of Covid-19 infection in northern Kosovo (Radio kontakt plus)
• REC confirms two more lists; 7 candidates with Kosovo residence so far (KoSSev)

Opinion:

• Trump, elections, and the Balkans (balcanicaucaso.org)

International:

• Lavrov Visit to Serbia ‘Timed to Coincide With Elections’ (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• ‘Significant increase’ in job seekers following COVID-19 shutdown (Prishtina Insight)
• COVID-19 Pandemic Ebbs and Flows in Balkans, Eastern Europe (Balkan Insight)
• Kon: Two more weeks needed to have zero number of newly infected in Serbia (B92)
• Can Prishtina become a bike friendly city? (Balkan Insight)

• 29 new cases of coronavirus in last 24 hours (media)
• Ministry of Health refutes reports of two fatalities from COVID-19 (media)
• Thaci, Kurti clash again over state of emergency (Koha)
• Assembly President Osmani insists on clear platform for dialogue (media)
• EU’s Lajcak expected to visit Kosovo this week (Express/Koha)
• Merkel to Hoti: You have major challenges ahead of you (media)
• France supports dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia (RTK)
• Italy for a swift resumption of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (media)
• LVV expects over 200,000 signatures in election petition this week (media)
• Nagavci: Illegitimate government making futile plans with President (media)
• LDK leadership meets to discuss Vjosa Osmani (Infokusi)
• Rashiti: An agreement with Serbia likely in autumn, but not final (Klan)
• Dacic: Final settlement with Kosovo, after Association/Community (Telegrafi)
• Kosovo Serb ministers meet U.S. Ambassador Kosnett (media)
• Interior Minister Veliu reactivates National Reaction Plan (media)
• LVV submits legal initiative to enable Diaspora voting at embassies (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 8, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• Thaci: Kosovo is ready to resume dialogue with Serbia (media)
• Osmani: Kosovo ready for dialogue but not the type Thaci wants (media)
• Nagavci: Thaci no longer needs state of emergency to take power (media)
• Czech diplomat tipped to replace Apostolova in Kosovo (RFE)
• Lajcak to visit Kosovo, Serbia at earliest convenience (Klan Kosova)
• Latifi: Specialist Chambers chief prosecutor expected to resign post (Kallxo)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic confirms attendance at Moscow Victory Day Parade (Beta, N1)
• Vucic: I gave up on big initiatives; I am waiting for a proposal for Kosovo (RFE, N1)
• Jeremic: Grenell works on final solution, many indicators of exchange of territories (BETA, N1)
• Janjic: Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina will take place in two streams, intensive negotiations from August to March (Kosovo Online)
• Specialist Prosecutor’s Office denies that Jack Smith resigned (KoSSev)
• Ristic: Serbs in Kosovo fear forthcoming elections (N1)
• Rakocevic: Thaci absolute ‘master of situation’ (Radio KIM)
• Lavrov in Serbia on June 18th and 19th (media)
• Kosovo North: No infected with coronavirus in the last 24 hours (Kontakt plus radio)
• UNS: Serbian press available in Kosovo again (N1)

Opinion:

• Do Not Rush Enlargement (visegradinsight.eu)

International:

• Serbian President Says Kosovo's Tariff Move 'Opens Possibility' For Resuming Talks (RFE)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Media Literacy Project: News that tells you how you should feel is not used to inform but manipulate you (KoSSev)
• New coronavirus cases rise sharply (Prishtina Insight)

• 40 new cases of coronavirus in last 24 hours (media)
• Health Minister: Situation with coronavirus is under control (media)
• PM Hoti: Starting Monday, free movement in Albania and region (media)
• Haxhiu reacts to further easing of coronavirus restrictions (media)
• COVID-19: Three kindergartens in Pristina close (media)
• Hoti: Kosovo removed all obstacles (media)
• The U.S. expects speedy resumption of dialogue (Koha)
• Kosovo’s ex-PM Kurti announces public gathering on 12 June (media)
• Vetevendosje: 150,000 signatures for new elections in one week (media)
• MCC resumes programs for Kosovo (media)
• Hoti welcomes unlocking of US funds (media)
• Osmani reacts to allegations made against her father (media)
• Vucic: I am waiting for a proposal for Kosovo (media)
• The EU remains Kosovo’s best route to peace with Serbia (Prishtina Insight)

• 11 new cases of coronavirus in last 24 hours (media)
• Hoti government lifts reciprocity measures towards Serbia (media)
• Thaci welcomes removal of reciprocity measures (media)
• Kurti: Lifting reciprocity does service to Serbia (media)
• Osmani criticises decision to lift reciprocity measures (media)
• Lajcak hails government's decision to lift reciprocity measures (media)
• Kosovo's Ex-PM Kurti Stands Firm On Demand For New Elections (RFE)
• Hoti meets Kosnett, briefs him on priorities of the new government (media)

Albanian Language Media:

• Hoti: Battling pandemic and economic recovery, main objectives (media)
• Thaci meets Meta in Tirana (media)
• Haskuka: Hoti government will bring no good to Kosovo (Kosovapress)
• EU delivers ambulances, beds and medical equipment to Kosovo (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Stoltenberg: NATO continues to contribute to security in Kosovo (media)
• Brnabic, Fabrizi on new Pristina government, Lajcak’s role, dialogue (RTS)
• Serbian PM Brnabic: ''Thaci really needs to wake up and understand what reality is'' (media)
• Serbia will be exposed to strong pressure (B92, Tanjug)
• Dacic refutes news that Serbia ceased campaign to revoke recognitions of Kosovo (Radio KIM, Tanjug)
• Djuric: Fake news on ceasing de-recognition campaign meddling into Serbia’s elections (KoSSev)
• Kosovo PM will abolish measures on Serbian goods; Belgrade: Daily loss € 1 mill (N1, KoSSev)
• Prosecution in Gnjilane requests detention of person suspected of harassing KSF member (KoSSev)
• No new cases of Covid-19 infection in Serb-populated areas in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
• Fukuyama: Neither Serbia or Montenegro are close to EU (N1, Beta)

Opinion:

• A weak prime minister and a powerful president (Prishtina Insight)
• Tough love as a recipe for Europeanisation in the Western Balkans (emerging-europe.com)

International:

• EU concerned by US approach to Kosovo and Serbia (euobserver.com)

Humanitarian/Development:

• EIB investing 11 mln euro in wastewater treatment project in Kosovo (seenews.com)
• Serbia applies for money from EU Solidarity Fund, Joksimovic says (N1)
• OpisMEDIJavanje: Integrity, not clicks (KoSSev)