Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.
Skip to main content

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, October 1, 2021

• Bislimi: Agreement on license plates does not undermine reciprocity (Koha) • Escobar: Kosovo was right on reciprocity but implementation caught us by surprise (media) • NATO committed to implementation of Kosovo-Serbia agreement (media) • Svecla: Stickers to be put on every car with Serbian license plates (media) • PDK: License plates agreement further strengthens Serbia's position (media) • LDK: Government made one step forwards, two steps back (media) • Haradinaj: Brussels agreement, setback with grave consequences for Kosovo (media) • Kosovo-Serbia: Can the EU really broker a peace deal? (Euronews) • War victims found in Serbian mass grave repatriated to Kosovo (BIRN) • Kosovo will not go ahead with gas project (Koha/Klan) • Resorts or Refugee Camps: Fleeing Afghans Get Mixed Reception in Balkans (BIRN) • COVID-19: Four deaths, 45 new cases (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 30, 2021

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 30, 2021 Albanian Language Media: • Miroslav Lajcak: We have reached an agreement (media) • Lajcak thanks Escobar: EU-US unity for Western Balkans success (RTK) • Borell welcomes agreement reached between Kosovo and Serbia (RTK) • Godfrey calls Brussels Agreement excellent news (media) • Kurti: the era when Serbia gets used to reciprocity, begins now (media) • Albania welcomes agreement reached between Kosovo and Serbia (Klan) • LVV: Bislim's statement was deliberately misunderstood (Koha) • Vehicle Registration Center in Zubin Potok reopens (Klan) • The EU confirms that there are meetings of dialogue delegations today (Klan) • Special unit with patrols also on mountain roads around Brnjak (Klan) • Konjufca receives KFOR Commander Franco Frederici (RTK) • Hoti: Kosovo applied the agreement, but Kurti failed to coordinate with partners (euronews.al) • Human remains from Rezalla massacre return to Kosovo (media) • Kandic: Vucic and Brnabic are lying to Serbs in Kosovo (media) • COVID-19: Four deaths, 45 new cases (media) Serbian Language Media: • Covid-19: 34 new cases in Serbian areas in Kosovo (Kontakt plus radio) • Vucic: Serbian side accepted the compromise proposal for de-escalation of the situation in Kosovo (media) • EU welcomes Belgrade-Pristina agreement, “calls for ZSO implementation” (Tanjug, Kosovo Online) • Petkovic-Lajcak talks in Brussels ended, deal made (RTS) • "Citizens suffer because of election games" (Radio KIM) • Ursula von der Leyen: Important to find a sustainable friendly solution to the crisis in Kosovo (media) • Protests in northern Kosovo continue (RTS) • Ambassador Godfrey: Great news, anything is possible through a serious and dedicated dialogue (Kosovo Online) • EC denied Reuters allegations: EC firmly committed to advancing the accession process of the Western Balkan countries (N1, FoNet, VoA) • Dacic rejects possible foreign military engagement in Kosovo (N1) • Principled position of Spain not to recognize Kosovo (Kosovo-online) International: • Von der Leyen urges end to Serbia-Kosovo border tensions (politico.eu)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 30, 2021

• What does agreement with Serbia on license plates contain? (RTK) • “Settlement on license plates reached, but no final deal” (Euronews.al) • Stano: Negotiations to solve crisis in the north to continue (media) • Talks on the license plates to continue, sources say (Radio Free Europe) • Serbia withdraws armored vehicles from Kosovo border (Euronews.al) • Protesters and Police maintain uneasy stand-off at Kosovo border (BIRN) • Kosovo PM Kurti interview with HRT (media) • Serbia helping Russia create trouble in the Balkans, Serwer says (Express) • Visions of the dialogue (II) (Kosovo 2.0) • PDK: Government to immediately approve U.S.-funded gas project (media) • Kosovo FM Gervalla meets EC President von der Leyen (media) • COVID-19: Two deaths, 66 new cases (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 29, 2021

Albanian Language Media: • Kurti: Serbia draws EU funds while being militarised by Russia and China (media) • Osmani: International community to condemn Serbia's tendencies for destabilisation (media) • Von der Leyen: Dialogue is the only way to move forward (media) • Escobar meets Bislimi and Petkovic (RFE) • Lajcak meets Kosovo and Serbia chief negotiators (media) • Kosovo Ministry reacts to campaign against RKS plates (Koha/Telegrafi) • "The Game" to be changed with U.S. at the Kosovo-Serbia negotiating table (Kallxo) • Kosovo-Serbia border dispute ‘driven by internal politics’ (Prishtina Insight) • United States appoint envoy for Europe (Klan) • COVID-19: Two deaths, 66 new cases (media) Serbian Language Media: • Protests in northern Kosovo continue (RTS) • Vucic met Ambassador Chen Bo: ''China's position on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija is consistent and clear'' (RTS) • Vucic met Russian Ambassador Kharchenko (media) • Tadic: Situation in northern Kosovo consequence of Vucic and Kurti pre-election interests (N1) • Serb mayors: ''We do not want northern Kosovo-Metohija to become ghetto'' (media) • Elek: Epidemiological situation in northern Kosovo alarming (Radio KIM) • Selakovic: Consistent stance of Guatemala on Kosovo issue (Kosovo-online) Opinion: • Reciprocity is right, and making it stick is vital (Peacefare.net/Kallxo) International: • Differing interpretations of Open Balkan brought up again during von der Leyen’s visit to Albania (EWB) • German Parliament Gets 24 New MPs with Balkan Roots (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 29, 2021

• Osmani meets US Embassy Charge d'Affaires Nicholas J. Giacobbe (media) • “Special Police presence is unnecessary if barricades are removed” (media) • Hoxhaj: Backed by Russia, Serbia threatening entire region (Euronews Albania) • Threats at the borders as means of political pressure (Radio Free Europe) • Visions of the dialogue (Kosovo 2.0) • Phillips: China, not Russia, is the greater threat to Kosovo (BIRN) • ICRC refutes media report that Ukshin Hoti remains were found (Kallxo) • EU no longer agrees on Balkan membership guarantee, diplomats say (Reuters) • COVID-19: Eight deaths, 68 new cases (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 28, 2021

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 28, 2021 Albanian Language Media: • Situation in the north, Kosovo and Serbia meet tomorrow in Brussels (RTK) • Von der Leyen: Increase of tensions between Kosovo and Serbia, worrying (media) • US confirms Escobar will take part in Bislimi-Petkovic meeting in Brussels (Kallxo) • MEPs concerned over recent tensions at the Kosovo-Serbia border crossings (media) • Stano to Escobar: Dialogue is between Kosovo, Serbia and EU (Express) • Germany requests removal of special forces and barricades from north (Express) • Nehammer: Kosovo is acting carefully and positively (media) • Vetting proceeded to government (Express) • European Union election observers visit CEC (RTK) • COVID-19: Eight deaths, 68 new cases (media) Serbian Language Media: • Covid - 19 in Serbian communities: 40 new case, three deaths (KiM radio) • Protests in northern Kosovo continue (RTS) • "Meetings just to have meetings, unnecessary" (KiM radio) • Dialogue depends on the situation in the north (KiM radio, RTS) • Group of Serbs attacked in South Mitrovica, ten suspects arrested (Radio KIM, Kontakt plus radio) • Drecun: If KFOR is stability factor, it should act like one (Tanjug) • Defence Minister Stefanovic: "KFOR arrived at the crossings according to the agreement between Vucic and Stoltenberg" (Blic, TV Pink) • North Mitrovica citizens on license plates reciprocity: We want the same thing Pristina wants – autonomy (KoSSev) • Selakovic: Serbia highly appreciates consistent stance of Mexico not to recognize Kosovo (Kosovo-online) • Borrell: EU, Western Balkans share responsibility for united Europe (N1) International: • Ordinary Serbs, Albanians Pay Price of Serbia-Kosovo Vehicle Row (Balkan Insight) • Are Serbia and Kosovo Ready to Open Their War Archives? (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 28, 2021

• Bislimi and Petkovic to meet in Brussels, agreement on license plates expected (Koha) • EU: Chief negotiators to come to Brussels soon (Klan) • President Osmani meets heads of security institutions (media) • KFOR's proposal for resolving situation in the north accepted by Kurti but not by Vucic (Koha) • KFOR meets Kosovo institution representatives and mayors of northern municipalities (media) • NATO-led mission increases patrols on Kosovo-Serbia border (AP) • Osmani’s office denies claims U.S. criticised Kosovo over actions in the north (Kallxo) • Closing border point not to allow Albanians from Presevo movement deemed discriminatory (media) • Milanovic: Kosovo responded to Serbia with same standards (media) • Women candidates fight for gender equality in municipalities (BIRN) • Court rejects university's lawsuit against municipality regarding Orthodox Church building (media) • COVID-19: Three deaths, 23 new cases (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 27, 2021

Albanian Language Media: • Kurti: No information that KFOR is preparing to intervene in north (Telegrafi) • KFOR confirms increased patrolling in the north (Koha) • Sources: Kosovo, Serbia chief negotiators could meet in Brussels this week (RFE) • Rama: Serbia must stop theatrical military maneuvers (RFE) • Over 10,000 provisional license plates administered since reciprocity (media) • COVID-19: Three deaths, 23 new cases (media) • Kosovo, Albanian governments to meet in late November (Klan Kosova) • EC President to visit Kosovo on Wednesday as part of Balkans tour (Express) Serbian Language Media: • The EU expects Kurti and Vucic by the end of this week in Brussels (Kosovo Online, Tanjug) • Protests in north enter second week, positions unchanged (RTS) • KFOR members arrived at Jarinje (Kosovo-online) • Armored vehicles of the Serbian Army near Jarinje (N1) • Vucic: NATO to react within 24 hours if violence breaks out (N1) • Stefanovic and Mojsilovic accompanied by Russian Ambassador visit army units in Raska (RTS) • Brnabic on EU, current situation in northern Kosovo (TV Pink, media) • Brnabic met UN SG Guterres in New York, reacted to Rama’s statement on Kosovo recognition (Tanjug, RTS) • Gabriel Escobar in Brussels on the situation at the administrative crossings (Blic, Tanjug, RFE) • Zubin Potok municipality: Old installation possible cause of fire (KoSSev) • Vucic to meet Quint ambassadors today (RTS) • Europol: Balkan drug cartel broken up (N1) International: • Albania defends Kosovo sovereignty, criticizes Serbia’s military maneuvers (Exit) • NATO, EU call for deescalation in the north of Kosovo as tensions continue (EWB) • Can Selling Weapons to Serbia Create Peace in the Balkans? (The National Interest)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 27, 2021

• Registration centres in Zubin Potok and Zvecan attacked on weekend (media) • Kurti: Dialogue is the only way to find solutions (media) • Kurti and Svecla hold press conference following attacks in the north (media) • Kosovo’s Security Council convened in light of recent incidents (media) • President Osmani cuts short New York visit following events in the north (media) • Opposition leaders support Kosovo institutions in upholding rule of law (media) • International community calls on Kosovo and Serbia to de-escalate the situation (media) • Vucic to Stoltenberg: Serbia did not violate agreements or jeopardised peace (N1) • CDHRF: Serbia’s objective is the destabilisation of the situation (media) • Serbian troops on heightened alert at Kosovo border (France 24) • Police: Reciprocity with license plates continues to be implemented at border crossings (RTK) • Russian ambassador inspects Serb military troops near Kosovo border (media) • Albanian PM Rama to visit Kosovo today (media) • Court concludes ruling on registration of land to Decan Monastery is not enforced (media) • COVID-19: Five deaths, 77 new cases (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 24, 2021

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 24, 2021 Albanian Language Media: • Bislimi: License plates decision is unrelated to Brussels agreement (media) • Tensions following reciprocity change dialogue's course (Koha) • Court rejects SL's claims that Kosovo Government's formation was unconstitutional (media) • In Hungary, Speaker Konjufca criticises EU over visa liberalisation (media) • KSF and Kosovo Police conclude joint exercise with KFOR (media) • Committee approves national programme for implementation of SAA (Kosovapress) • COVID-19: Four deaths, 84 new cases (media) Serbian Language Media: • Peaceful protest of Serbs in northern Kosovo continues (RTS, Kosovo-online) • One of three Serbs beaten by police in wood close to Brnjak speaks about attack; police denies local media report (KoSSev, media) • Elek: Beaten Serbs spent difficult night at hospital (Tanjug, Kosovo-online) • Serbian PM tells Belgian counterpart Pristina perpetrating violence (N1) • Brnabic to address UN General Debate of world leaders today (B92) • Washington more strongly involved with the EU in renewing the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and calming the crisis in Kosovo (NMagazin, Beta) • Kosovo police removed poster “Welcome to ZSO” in Strpce (Radio KIM) • Vulin: ''We are not negotiating with a gun pointed at the forehead'' (NMagazin, Beta, N1, TV Pink) • Former Greek ambassador: "In the end, we will recognize the so-called Kosovo" (B92) • Brnabic: We have much to lose if we fall for Pristina’s provocations (Tanjug) • Ursula von der Leyen to visit Belgrade on September 29 (Tanjug) • Commission for Missing Persons: Mortal remains of three Serbs taken over at the Merdare crossing (FoNet, Danas) • Kosovo Constitutional Court issues Decision on non-execution of its verdict which confirmed ownership of Visoki Decani Monastery (Danas) Opinion: • The Potemkin facade of Vucic's rule (Kosovo 2.0)