UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 15, 2021

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 178 new cases, one death (media)
• With 99% of votes counted, LVV stands at 47.88 (media)
• LDK leader Isa Mustafa resigns post (media)
• EU issues statement on the early legislative elections in Kosovo (media)
• Lajcak: I am looking forward to working with new government of Kosovo (media)
• Pacolli: Important to accept election result (media)
• Limaj congratulates Vetevendosje on election result (Klan)
• LDK's Quni congratulates LVV on its victory (media)
• Albanian president, prime minister congratulate Kosovo on democratic elections (media)
• Presevo Valley's Mustafa congratulates Kosovo on free and fair elections (RTK)
• Spahiu: Expected election outcome (Klan)
• ECAP has yet to receive any complaint over election process (Kallxo)

Serbian Language Media:

• In Serbian communities in Kosovo, 41 new cases of coronavirus, one deceased (Kontakt plus radio)
• EU: New authorities of Pristina to continue dialogue with Belgrade (Tanjug, B92, RTV Puls)
• Lajcak: I look forward to cooperation with incoming government in continuing Brussels dialogue (Kosovo-online)
• Vakat coalition gets a large number of votes (RTK2)
• Simic: 95 percent of votes for Serbian List (Tanjug, RTV Puls)
• Reactions after the election (KiM radio)
• Selakovic: We do not agree that the recognition of Kosovo is the only choice (RTV Puls, Vecernje Novosti, Tanjug)
• Blinken congratulates Serbian Statehood Day: ''Comprehensive agreement aimed at mutual recognition, with compromise on both sides'' (Kosovo Online)
• Statehood Day marked in Serbia (N1)
• Bishop Grigorije: I will never be a politician, but will always speak the truth (N1, DW, KoSSev)
• Dusan Janjic: Verdict of Zoran Djokic must be discussed in Brussels (N1)
• Lawyer Pantovic in open letter to Haradinaj-Stublla: You violated the presumption of innocence (KoSSev)
• Russian Deputy PM Borisov visits Belgrade (N1)
• Emini: Vote for LVV is punishment for old ruling elite for how they governed Kosovo (KoSSev)

Opinion:

• The end of an inglorious era (Prishtina Insight)

International:

• Ex-Kosovo PM Stages Comeback That May Hurt Serbia Ties More (Bloomberg)
• Serbia Donates Thousands Of Doses Of COVID-19 Vaccine To North Macedonia (RFE)

Humanitarian/Development:

• New doses of Pfizer’s vaccine arrived in Serbia, almost 850.000 people inoculated (Tanjug)

Albanian Language Media:

CEC: 47.08 percent voter turnout in Sunday’s election, Vetevendosje leads
Kurti, Osmani pledge for justice and equal opportunities for all (media)
Vetevendosje on course for landslide victory (Prishtina Insight)
Political leaders react to initial election results (media)
Leaders in the region congratulate Kosovo for successful elections (media)
Kosovo leaders urged people to exercise their right to vote (media)
International officials called on people of Kosovo to go out and vote (media)
Skenderaj mayor boycotts voting in protest of CEC’s stance on security cameras (media)
Allegations of ballot absence reported in several polling stations (media)
Voting irregularities confirmed during Kosovo’s snap elections (BIRN)
Serbia claims two TV crews banned from entering Kosovo (BIRN)

Serbian Language Media:

Serbian List: Convincing victory, we won all ten mandates (RTS)
President Vucic congratulates to Serbian List (RTS)
Selakovic congratulates Serbian List, wished happy Statehood Day (RTS)
Petkovic: Policy of Serbian unity has won (RTS)
Djuric: I am looking forward to success of brothers and sisters from Serbian List (RTS)
Capussela: Tectonic change for Kosovo and hope for other movements in the region (KoSSev)
Janjic:"If the Albanian political scene is changing, the autochthonous change of the Serbian one should be allowed" (KoSSev)
Surlic: Kurti and Haradinaj will form government (Sputnik, Kosovo Online)
Office for KiM strongly condemns Pristina’s decision not to allow TV Pink and RTV Kraljevo teams to enter Kosovo (media)
Djordjevic: By calling Serbs to participate in elections Vucic endangered integrity and independence of Serbia (KoSSev)

Opinion:

Political analysts comment on election results (media)

International:

Early results point to Kosovo opposition party win in parliamentary vote (Reuters)
Leftist opposition party heads to victory in Kosovo election (AP)
Kosovo left-wing opposition set to win election: exit polls (DW)
Opposition Vetevendosje Movement eyes landslide win in election (BIRN)
Kosovo election: Exit poll gives victory to left-wing party Vetëvendosje (euronews)
Kosovo voters choose a new parliament amid the pandemic (AP)
Ousted ex-PM wins historic victory in Kosovo election (politico.eu)
Kosovo Anti-Establishment Party Set for Landslide Win (VoA)

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 372 new cases, six deaths (media)
• Parties in Kosovo to hold final rallies, as Friday marks last day of election campaign (Euronews.al)
• Selimi and Lumezi meet to discuss the flow of the election process (Koha)
• EU expects transparent election process in Kosovo (RFE, media)
• Vetevendosje and LDK split over DC deal (Prishtina Insight)
• Hoxhaj for Die Presse: My government will be pro-Western (RTK)
• LVV claims it has support of the Socialist International (RTK)
• AAK: Vucic gets anxious from Haradinaj’s candidacy for President (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

• Putin congratulates Serbia’s National Day: Fraternal friendship (N1, RTS)
• “Political options that offer nothing new” (Radio KIM)
• Krasniqi: Voters expect changes and for the old guard to be removed from power (KoSSev)
• Petkovic: No one was held accountable for murders of Serbs, families have been waiting for justice 20 years (Kosovo-online)
• Office for KiM: Djokic’s verdict trampling on justice and law (RTS)
• “Convicted along with absence of evidence” (Radio KIM)
• HLC: Amendments to indictment in Djokic’s case submitted to court without elaboration (Radio KIM)
• No political pluralism among Serbs in Kosovo (N1)
• Rakic: Pressures from Pristina will not cut our ties with Belgrade (Politika, TV Most)
• Rasic: Our task is to bring back the normalcy (RTK2)
• AstraZeneca vaccine in Serbia soon, confirmation awaited, Brnabic says (N1)

Opinion:

• Dialogue, knowledge and social progress (KiM radio)
• Kosovo can thrive with help from Britain (The Times)
• How does Kurti see the dialogue? (EWB, Novi Magazin)
• Key Challenges for the Incoming Government of Kosovo (Democracy Speaks)

International:

• Kosovo heads for political shake-up in elections on Sunday (Reuters)
• Economy, not Serbia, dominates Kosovo election campaign (AP)
• Geoană: The future of the Western Balkans lies with the Euro-Atlantic community (EWB)

Humanitarian/Development:

• RCC and UNDP: Women’s empowerment is essential to Western Balkans’ efforts to build back better from the pandemic (EWB)
• UNESCO: Pandemic Has Worsened Minorities’ Schooling in Balkans, Central Europe (Balkan Insight)

• COVID-19: 381 new cases, three deaths (media)
• Ministry: Latest COVID measures in line with our recommendations (media)
• Curfew scrapped amid controversy (BIRN)
• NGOs concerned recent Covid rules curtail rights of diaspora voters (media)
• Quint ambassadors call for fair and safe elections (Klan)
• In a video message, Kurti urges citizens to vote (media)
• Hoxhaj: PDK raised Kosovo flag; won’t allow an authoritarian system (media)
• Osmani to youth: Let's turn 14 February into a true celebration (media)
• LDK’s Veliu predicts his party will get 31 MPs, VV 27 and PDK 25 (media)
• Predictions of analysts on T7 about Sunday’s elections (Gazeta Express)
• Abbott: In any negotiation there needs to be a readiness to compromise (Gazeta Express)
• KSC judge turns down applications of alleged Mustafa's victims (media)
• Selimi's defence requests 'JCE' be struck from indictment (media)
• NATO announces opening of a new lower airspace route over Kosovo (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 11, 2021

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 344 new cases, three deaths (media)
• Kosovo Government to ease coronavirus rules (media)
• Hoti: LDK's victory becoming increasingly evident (Koha)
• Kurti: Sunday's victory to be a landslide (Klan/RTK)
• Haradinaj: With me as president, KLA will not remain orphaned (RTK)
• CEC has received nearly 15,000 of ballot packages from diaspora (Kallxo)
• FAZ: Major political change expected in Kosovo (Telegrafi)
• Von Cramon: France not yet convinced to support visa liberalisation (Albanian Post)
• Former Serb fighter sentenced to 12 years in prison for war crimes (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• 37 new cases, one deceased in Serbian communities in Kosovo (KoSSev)
• Jevtic: House of Vuckovic family in village of Berkovo looted (KoSSev)
• Billboard “Freedom has a name – KLA” placed in Caglavica, Office for KiM condemns act (KoSSev)
• Zoran Djokic from Pec sentenced to 12 years in prison (RTV Puls)
• Kamberi to Vulin: By insulting minorities in Serbia, you are insulting your own country! (KoSSev)
• Half a million doses of the Chinese vaccine have arrived (B92)
• Petar Petkovic: Only Serbian List guaranties remain of Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
• “This is quasi-democratic process in which people are told who to vote for” (Radio KIM)
• Prorokovic: Coordination between the USA and the EU on the issue of Kosovo is not enough for a final solution (Vecernje Novosti, Kosovo Online)
• Milojevic: Organized transportation from Kraljevo for IDPs who will vote in elections (Kosovo-online)
• Vucic: Good relations with France important for Serbia (N1)

International:

• COVID: Using AstraZeneca vaccine is ‘right thing to do’ for everyone, says WHO expert panel (UN News)
• Kosovo Parties’ Glittering Promises Leave Many Voters Cold (Balkan Insight)
• New air routes established over Kosovo with NATO support (nato.int)
• No “Navalnying” in the Balkans is the uncompromising message from Russia (intellinews.com)
• ‘We had to take care of ourselves’ in COVID-19 vaccine rollout, says Serbian president (euronews.com)
• 2021 Early Elections on Kosovo: Chance for New Beginning? (ifimes.org)

• COVID-19: 307 new cases, four deaths (media)
• Sixth election in 12 years reveals growing pains of young nation (EuroNews)
• Hoxhaj: PDK believes in the U.S. and dialogue (media)
• Krasniqi: PDK will restore the good relations with the U.S. (media)
• Limaj expects NISMA to win 50,000 – 55,000 votes (media)
• SL aiming for all parliament seats reserved for Kosovo Serbs (Exit News)
• Political parties with old solutions for new economic challenges (Koha)
• Constitutional Court terminates review of Vetevendosje’s referral (media)
• Citaku: Change of governments cannot be compared to capital events (media)
• International analysts see shift in U.S. positions on dialogue (media)
• “US sledgehammer diplomacy on Kosovo won’t budge Serbia” (BIRN)
• “Kosovo should establish embassy in West Jerusalem” (media)
• Kosovo religious groups still divided on law offering legal status (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 307 new cases, four deaths (media)
• Raka: Mass anti-COVID vaccination to begin in summer (media)
• US Embassy in Belgrade: We know the dangers caused by offensive speech (Express)
• “It is good for Serbia to hear Washington's repeated calls for mutual recognition” (Koha)
• Kurti: Kosovo is on the eve of a referendum (media)
• Hoti: we have no red lines (Radio Free Europe)
• Status conference in Thaci et al case rescheduled for February 16 (media)
• Nasim Haradinaj remains in detention (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Antonijevic: Jump in the number of Covid positives cases in Serbian communities (Kosovo Online, TV Most)
• Palestine Ambassador to Serbia: In Pristina, they should be careful what they do, they are deceived that they will get something from the embassy in Jerusalem (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian FM: US Embassy was wrong, Trump, Biden messages different (RTS, N1)
• "The situation around Kosovo and BiH is worrying, Russia is pushing a position that suits Belgrade" (RTS, Tanjug)
• US Embassy: The goal of the US is Serbia's membership in the EU and mutual recognition of Belgrade and Pristina (RTS, Tanjug)
• Dagens Nyheter: Kosovo's Jerusalem embassy a betrayal (B92, Tanjug, RTS)
• Covic: Tough statements during the campaign in Kosovo, additional pressure on Belgrade (RTS)
• Czech PM visits Serbia, political talks, gathers information on immunization (N1, Beta)
• NGO Aktiv virtual debate on vaccines: Dr Panic says he has no reason to doubt any vaccine (KiM radio)

Opinion:

• Serbia’s President Will Struggle to Get Patriarch He Can Control (Balkan Insight)
• Time For Kosovo To Secure Its True Independence (eurasiareview.com)

International:

• Western Balkans goes east for coronavirus vaccines (politico.eu)

COVID-19: 272 new cases, 3 deaths (media)
Szunyog: Supply with vaccines from COVAX after June (RTK)
Kosovo – Serbia dialogue not expected to resume before summer (Koha)
CEC spokesman: CEC will publish results of certified candidates only (RTK)
Women largely absent from election campaign (BIRN)
Haradinaj: Idea of national unification speeds up recognition from Serbia (media)
Kurti: We will not form coalitions after the elections (media)
Hoti: Visa liberalisation and recognition from Serbia this year (media)
PIPOS publishes results of poll on potential seats of political parties (media)
SPO insists trial of KLA leaders to begin in September (media)
Berlin objects to Prishtina’s decision to open embassy in Jerusalem (Klan Kosova)
Citaku: Serbia courts sealed their approval of racism against Albanians (media)
It’s time for Kosovo to secure its true independence (The New Leam)
Russia concerned with situation in Kosovo and Bosnia (Klan Kosova)

• COVID-19: 272 new cases, 3 deaths (media)
• Szunyog: Supply with vaccines from COVAX after June (RTK)
• Kosovo – Serbia dialogue not expected to resume before summer (Koha)
• CEC spokesman: CEC will publish results of certified candidates only (RTK)
• Women largely absent from election campaign (BIRN)
• Haradinaj: Idea of national unification speeds up recognition from Serbia (media)
• Kurti: We will not form coalitions after the elections (media)
• Hoti: Visa liberalisation and recognition from Serbia this year (media)
• PIPOS publishes results of poll on potential seats of political parties (media)
• SPO insists trial of KLA leaders to begin in September (media)
• Berlin objects to Prishtina’s decision to open embassy in Jerusalem (Klan Kosova)
• Citaku: Serbia courts sealed their approval of racism against Albanians (media)
• It’s time for Kosovo to secure its true independence (The New Leam)
• Russia concerned with situation in Kosovo and Bosnia (Klan Kosova)

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 272 new cases, 3 deaths (media)
• Kurti: Only victory with 61+ MPs brings change (media)
• Szunyog: Supply with vaccines from COVAX after June (RTK)
• Ombudsperson slams political parties for violating COVID-19 measures (BIRN)
• CDHRF: The election campaign, “Kosovo’s Wuhan” (media)
• Healthcare unions warn to charge politicians if number of infections rises (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• In Serbian communities in Kosovo 38 new cases, one deceased (Kontakt plus radio)
• Lajcak no longer talks about months when reaching Kosovo-Serbia agreement is in question (RFE)
• Simic: Reducing the number of voters a way of pressure on Serbs and the Serbian List (Vecernje Novosti, Kosovo Online)
• Re-vaccination of Kosovo residents starts today (KoSSev)
• Vucic for Chinese media: A friend in need is a friend indeed (B92)
• Father Sava: Archaeological artefacts looted from hermitage near Prizren, three Albanians arrested, one escaped (KoSSev, Kosovo-online)
• Trajkovic in Mitrovica North on elections, Ivanovic, possible coalition with Kurti (KoSSev, Radio KIM)
• Petkovic: Rada Trajkovic offers cooperation to a man advocating for a project of “Great Albania” (Kosovo-online)
• Maliqi: New US approach to dialogue expected; a letter to Pristina to prepare for compromise (Kosovo Online)
• Analysts: Vigorous election campaign, known winners, Serbs tired of promises (KoSSev)
• UN: Western Balkan nationals among refugees in Syria (N1, VoA)
• Serbian President met Slovak Foreign Minister (N1)
• Jovanovic family house in Mogila village burglarized twice in a month (Radio KIM)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Serbia sticks to current anti-epidemic measures despite political pressure (N1, FoNet)