UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 4, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 1,853 new cases, one death (media)
• KPI recommends suspension of three border police officers (RTK)
• Scandalous: Cameras did not work when Milan Radoicic escaped from border crossing (Kallxo)
• Status conference on cases of Thaci, Veseli, Selimi and Krasniqi to take place today (media)
• LVV MPs withdraw from travel expenses (media)
• PSD: Dardan Molliqaj was illegally deprived from freedom (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic travels to China for working visit (Tanjug)
• US, EU envoys: All agreed between Belgrade and Pristina must be implemented (N1)
• Escobar meets Serbia’s opposition; US says doesn’t support political parties (Beta, N1)
• Brnabic: Serbia expects formation of ZSO (N1)
• US Embassy: Kosovo Serbs should be allowed to vote in Serbian elections (FoNet, N1)
• Mihajlovic, Besiri on the visit of Lajcak and Escobar (KoSSev, N1)
• Varhelyi: EU ready to work on energy transition in Western Balkans (N1)
• Raska-Prizren Eparchy once again expresses deep concern due to frequent cases of burglaries of its churches in Kosovo (Eparchy website, media)
• Petkovic, Serbian List on Radojicic’s arrest attempt (Kosovo-online)
• Businessmen with Lajcak on the problems of placing goods on the Kosovo's market (Kontakt plus radio)
• Mijacic: Goal of Escobar and Lajcak is to prepare negotiations with Pristina after elections (Radio kontakt plus)

Opinion:

• Serbia can never reverse Kosovo’s Independence (Tirana Times)

International:

• Wanted Kosovo Serb Businessman Escapes Arrest on Border (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Nagavci reacts after autistic student was dismissed from school (RTK)

• COVID-19: 2,110 new cases, five deaths (media)
• Kosovo expected to ease COVID-19 measures for visitors (media)
• Kurti: Kosovo the only country in the region not to have used Russian, Chinese vaccines (media)
• EU envoy in Serbia-Kosovo talks optimistic of progress soon (AP)
• Serbia Demands Association of Municipalities and Elections in Kosovo in Meetings with EU, US Envoys (Exit)
• Reeker: U.S. continues to support Kosovo's sovereignty and territorial integrity (Koha/Klan)
• Ambassador Hovenier reaffirms U.S. support for Kosovo Security Force (media)
• Osmani: Ethnic cleansing of Albanians in the north continued post-war (media)
• Dardan Molliqaj released from detention (media)
• Radojicic narrowly avoids arrest at Bernjak border crossing (Kallxo)
• Kosovo arrests, then releases, cameraman recording company eviction (BIRN)
• FAZ reporter: According to a German diplomat, Rugova had no substantial objection to partition of northern Kosovo (Express)
• Teachers' trade union reacts to payment of Serb officials who did not show up for work (media)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: No need for an Association that increases tensions (RTK/Telegrafi)
• "CEC has advanced in organising elections" (Kosovapress)
• Kosovo Government appoints members of boards in "Trepca" and "KEK" (media)
• Rukiqi: Arbitrary intervention in “Agrokosova Holding”, negative precedent (Zeri)
• AJK condemns arrest of Ekonomia Online cameraman (media)
• COVID-19: 2,110 new cases, five deaths (media)
• Krasniqi: No new COVID-19 measures expected today (Telegrafi)
• Committee meets to discuss modification of COVID-19 measures (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

• Covid-19: 96 new cases, one death registered in Serbian areas (Radio KIM)
• Vucic discusses dialogue, regional stability with Escobar, Lajcak (Tanjug)
• Lajcak: Discussion with Vucic about dialogue constructive (Tanjug)
• US embassy: We want Serbia to succeed (Tanjug)
• Dacic: The key issue for the envoys is holding elections in Kosovo and Metohija (Kontakt plus radio, Tanjug)
• Selakovic with Escobar and Lajcak: Pristina has not fulfilled main part of Brussels agreement – ZSO (Kosovo-online)
• Escobar and Lajcak will try to convince Vucic to meet with Kurti before the elections (Danas)
• ''Oslobodjenje'' movement activists covered Belgrade center with posters against Vucic, Lajcak, Escobar and Schmidt (Danas, Beta)
• Covic: If Brussels agreement is constantly blocked, one should turn to Resolution 1244 (Radio KIM)
• Orthodox cemetery in Djakovica cleaned up (Radio KIM)
• Serbian PM tells Moscow’s envoy Belgrade expects Russian PM’s visit soon (N1)
• Brnabic: Serbia hopes for opening cluster 3 during French EU presidency (N1)
• Stano: Legally binding agreement on normalisation goal of dialogue (Tanjug)
• Ministers Stefanovic, Vulin with General Mojsilovic on the situation in the Ground Security Zone (Kosovo Online, Vecernje Novosti)
• Serbian minister calls KFOR to prevent incursions by armed gangs from Kosovo (Beta, N1)
• Bisevac: Additional exam term in March approved due to anti-Covid measures and restriction of movement (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Lawyer on Pristina University and SOC dispute: Eparchy requests lawsuit be revoked (Kosovo-online)
• Vucic receives Bundestag rapporteur for Western Balkans (Tanjug)

International:

• US aircraft carrier visits Adriatic to take part in a NATO-led military exercise (Hina, N1 Zagreb)
• Serbian opposition parties unite against Vucic’s populists (AP)
• Big Tech Has Engineered the Triumph of Click-Bait in Media (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Central European, Balkan, Athletes Dream of Glory in Beijing (Balkan Insight)

• U.S. Embassy: Kosovo’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, Constitution are sacrosanct (media)
• UK Balkans envoy expected to visit Kosovo next week (Express)
• Bislimi: We are concerned with Borrell's bias (Koha)
• Belgrade-bound, Lajcak visits Kosovo-Serbia common border crossing point (Express)
• Vucic to US and EU envoys: Belgrade responsible, Pristina avoids obligations (N1)
• Lajcak: Kosovo deserves to be granted a visa-free regime (euronews.al)
• EU, US Urge Kosovo to Propose Models for Association of Serb Municipalities (Exit)
• U.S. Envoy urges implementation of all Kosovo-Serbia agreements (RFE)
• Spahiu: Association is the price Kosovo will pay for recognition from Serbia (Klan)
• Commentators assess visit of EU, U.S. envoys, Kurti’s position (Telegrafi)
• EU Election Observation Mission in Kosovo present report on local elections (media)
• Prime Minister Kurti received the leader of the Alliance for Albanians Zijadin Sela (media)
• Albania-Kosovo power exchange ALPEX joins Europex (SeeNews)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 2, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 2,590 new cases, six deaths (media)
• EU, U.S. envoys, Lajcak and Escobar, hold press conference at conclusion of Kosovo visit (media)
• Kurti: Kosovo not afraid of implementing agreement on Association (Kosovapress)
• Osmani meets Escobar on his final day of visit to Kosovo (media)
• Serwer: Dialogue has stalled on domestic politics (Koha)
• Haradinaj: No way round the decision on Decan Monastery property (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

• Number of infected people in Serbian areas growing (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Vucic to meet with Escobar, Lajcak on Wednesday (Tanjug)
• Haradinaj on Visoki Decani Monastery land case (Kosovo-online)
• The families of the missing Serbs asked Hoti to appoint their member to the Commission for Missing Persons (KiM radio)
• Lajcak: Belgrade-Pristina dialogue not about status of Kosovo (Beta, N1)
• Surlic: Visit of Escobar and Lajcak is a courteous gesture, without any progress (RTV, Tanjug)
• Kurti: We are not afraid of the Community of Municipalities with a Serb majority, but we are careful (Beta, Danas)
• Bilbija: Establishment of ZSO would stabilise region (Kosovo-online)
• Serbian Ministry of Culture: Enable media to work unhindered (Radio KIM)
• Kosovo government assistance to families who lost someone from Covid; "not valid" for Serbs from the north (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian opposition presidential candidate Ponos says he wanted unity, will respect Constitution (N1, media)

International:

• EU, US want faster progress in Serbia-Kosovo talks (AP)
• U.S., EU urge Kosovo to honour local autonomy deal for Serb region (Reuters)
• North Macedonia, its Balkan Neighbours, Can’t Fight Terrorism Alone (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Society will be safe only when women will feel safe (Radio kontakt plus)
• Last Despatches: Kosovo Journalist Disappears After Visiting Guerrilla Base (Balkan Insight)

• Pressure mounts on dialogue process as Lajcak and Escobar visit Kosovo (euronews.al)
• Lajcak pleased with understanding and support of opposition for dialogue (media)
• Lajcak and Escobar meet with the Serbian List (media)
• Civil society representatives meet Lajcak (media)
• What kind of association did envoys ask of Kurti? (Klan)
• EU, US Unified over Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue, Say Envoys (Exit.al)
• PSD: Molliqaj arrested without arrest warrant (media)
• Kosovo’s opposition parties react to Molliqaj’s arrest (media)
• Szunyog: Financial sustainability, problem for domestic violence survivors (Kallxo)
• Pupovci: No salaries this month for Serb officials paid without working (Telegrafi)
• Kosovo: Daring to think about the Future of Europe (EWB)
• COVID-19: 2,033 new cases, six deaths (media)
• WHO warns it is 'premature' to declare victory or stop fight against Covid-19 (France 24)

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 2,033 new cases, six deaths (media)
• Krasniqi: PDK supports a final agreement that does not undermine state sovereignty (media)
• LDK: Kosovo-Serbia dialogue to conclude in mutual recognition (media)
• Haradinaj: Kosovo-Serbia agreement to include mutual recognition under existing borders (media)
• Tahiri: EU to speak in a clear voice, avoid ambiguous communication (media)
• Analysts view Escobar, Lajcak visit as pressure on dialogue and Association (RFE)
• Government to ERO: Block tariff to be 1,000 instead of 600kWh (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Covid-19: 140 new cases, three deaths registered in Serbian areas (KoSSev)
• Petkovic: Dialogue cannot be treated as a monologue of one side that blackmails; return to the negotiating table (media)
• UNS, Cup: Systematic discrimination of Serbian media outlets (KoSSev, Kosovo-online, TV Most)
• Yugoslav Army General who signed agreement ending Kosovo war dies (N1)
• Brnabic says April elections crucial (N1, Happy TV)

Opinion:

• Diplomacy over War; Truth over Lies (Gazeta Metro/media)

International:

• Džihić: The awakening of civic movements has imposed the logic that change is possible (EWB)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Could Sundance stormer 'Hive' be Kosovo’s first-ever Oscar contender? (euronews)
• "We are losing the Balkan lynx" (balcanicaucaso.org)
• Media: Kosovo has lowest minimum wage in Europe (Beta, N1)
• Kosovo Albanians Join Video Campaign to Support Folk-Dancing Teacher (Balkan Insight)
• NGO LINK with the support of UNMIK encourage the development of youth entrepreneurship (Radio Mitrovica sever)

• In visit to Kosovo, Lajcak and Escobar meet institutional leaders (media)
• Kurti: Kosovo's territorial integrity, sovereignty, functioning not to be undermined by anyone (media)
• Osmani: Serbia blocking progress in dialogue (media)
• Kosovo's DPM Bislimi meets U.S. and EU envoys, Escobar and Lajcak (media)
• Vela: Escobar's positions in line with those of Kosovo (Telegrafi)
• Experts: Almost impossible to reach Kosovo-Serbia agreement in 2022 (VOA)
• COVID-19: 1,593 new cases, three deaths (media)
• Fejzullahu: Energy in the north is a political issue (KTV)
• Balkan parties join rightist summit in Madrid to “Defend Europe” (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 31, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 1,593 new cases, three deaths (media)
• Osmani: We have not received new proposals about the Association (media)
• Kurti: It is not possible to have no subsidies, no increase in prices, no disconnection (media)
• Escobar and Lajcak to meet opposition parties as well (demokracia.com)
• LDK against increase of electricity tariffs (media)
• Krasniqi: Government will be responsible for increase of electricity price (media)
• Kosovo "respects" the Washington moratorium even after expiration (RFE Albanian)
• Haliti: Negotiations with Serbia on contested matters should begin (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Covid-19: 107 new cases registered in Serbian areas on Saturday (Radio kontakt plus)
• Kosovo, Albania to form cross-border administrative area (N1, Kosovo-online)
• Escobar: US, EU don’t decide on distribution of power in Serbia (N1)
• Two largest Serbian ruling parties to run separate lists in upcoming elections (N1)
• Serbian List is not interested in social policy; Simic: Incorrect (Kim Radio, Kosovo Online, Kosova press)
• Lajcak: Experts from Belgrade, Pristina discuss license plates (N1)
• Selakovic on the "Belgian model": The Brussels Agreement clearly states what the ZSO is (N1, Beta, TV Pink)
• Drecun: Model of Community of Serb-majority Municipalities agreed in Brussels only acceptable one (Tanjug)
• KLA flag placed at entry of Velika Hoca (Radio KIM)

Opinion:

• The Kosovo case (KiM radio, NMagazin)

International:

• Serbia's Foreign Minister Signals Dead End On Kosovo Talks (RFE)
• Protesters Over Hike in Electricity Price Scuffle With Police (Prishtina Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Energy poverty leads to pollution-related deaths in Albania and Western Balkans (Euractive)
• Tomanić: Environmental issues have a mobilising potential in the entire Western Balkans (EWB)

• Escobar and Lajcak arrive in Kosovo today (media)
• EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak interview with Gazeta Express
• COVID-19: 2,390 new cases, no deaths (media)
• Pristina protesters storm government building over energy prices (RFE)
• Kosovo sends two athletes to Beijing despite backing US boycott (BIRN)
• Hope and healing in Kosovo’s Oscar entry ‘Hive’ (AP)
• Serbian media: Albanians attacked police in Kursumlija (Klan Kosova)