UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 4, 2021

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID – 19: 318 new cases, five deaths (media)
• Kosovo leaders violate Law on KIA (media)
• United Arab Emirates committed to cooperation with Kosovo (media)
• Kurti and Abbott meet, discuss elections (media)
• Vetëvendosje clarifies what will happen to Kurti's votes (media)
• Political parties outline plans for fighting corruption (Prishtina Insight)
• Hoti promises to conclude dialogue with Serbia and visa liberalization this year (media)
• Konjufca: No court can declare invalid ballot for Kurti (media)
• Haradinaj: Vote for President is referendum for a safe homeland (media)
• Kosovo allocates 210 thousand € for Ulcinj and Bujanovc (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• In Serbian communities in Kosovo, one death, 15 new cases (Kontakt plus radio)
• Until this morning almost 514.000 people inoculated in Serbia (N1, FoNet)
• Vucic and Putin discussed Covid-19 pandemic, vaccines, Kosovo issue (B92, KoSSev)
• Vucic with Chinese Ambassador Chen Bo on vaccines (RTS)
• US grants for Serbia (N1)
• Palestinian Foreign Ministry disappointed by Kosovo (BETA, N1)
• Xharra: Kurti’s removal from the electoral ballot is a boomerang for the outcome of the elections (KoSSev)
• Weber: Mogherini, Grenell and Bolton made damage in connection with Kosovo; story of innovative solutions nebulous (Kosovo Online)
• Salijevic: The goal is to improve the position of Roma in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Sporazum TV Show: New year, new elections (RTV Puls, KiM radio)
• Hodzic: Bosniak community neglected, institutional support needed (KiM radio)
• Rasic: We’ll work on youth employment (RTK)
• Milan Dabic: Door to door campaign of CI “For Freedom, Justice and Survival” (Radio kontakt plus, RTV KIM)
• Panotivc: Prosecutor biased, presents wrongful interpretations in case of Zoran Djokic (Kosovo-online)
• Western Balkan businessmen demand removal of business barriers in the region (RTV Puls, Tanjug)
• SPC Synod to elect new patriarch (Tanjug, B92)

International:

• EU: No Kosovo accession to the EU if it opens an embassy in Jerusalem (eureporter)

• COVID – 19: 341 new cases, 3 deaths (media)
• Szunyog: Kosovo to get over 100,000 vaccine doses for free (media)
• Kurti: Difficult road, we paid great personal and political costs (media)
• Haradinaj: I am open to cooperation with Vetevendosje (media)
• Limaj compares Kurti to the Serbian President (media)
• Vetevendosje pledges to form investigation bureau for senior officials (media)
• Election campaign starts with violations of anti-COVID measures (RFE)
• Price: Kosovo – Israel agreement, a historic event (media)
• “Recognition from Israel, positive signal for non-recognising countries” (media)
• The explainer: The EU’s Kosovo awkward squad (Emerging Europe)
• Next status conference on Thaci et al on February 11 (media)
• Putin reaffirms Russia’s position on balanced solution over Kosovo (media)

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 341 new cases, three deaths (media)
• Humolli: First vaccines in Kosovo expected to be from AstraZeneca (RFE)
• State Department: United States will stand by Kosovo (media)
• Osmani: Israel's recognition strengthens Kosovo's international standing (media)
• Kosovo ministry heralds new horizons in relations with UAE (media)
• Hoti: We will win on February 14 (Kallxo)
• Kurti and Osmani declare the arrival of "2021 spring" (Kallxo/Klan)
• Haradinaj promises the opening of a new chapter for Kosovo (Klan)
• Limaj: NISMA will be the surprise of February elections (Telegrafi)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic will talk to Putin soon; main topic – vaccines (B92)
• Brnabic: Vaccination is about saving lives, not geo-politics (DW, Focus, N1)
• Rakic: The fight for Serbian interests is not easy, but it is an honourable duty (RTS)
• Merkel: Serbia vaccinates faster than the rest of Europe (B92)
• Seventeen protected witnesses to testify at Kosovo former leaders’ trial (Beta, N1)
• Dacic: ''We have always said that Kosovo is our Jerusalem'' (RTV, Tanjug, Politika)
• Now, Serbia could not fulfill what has been signed (B92, Sputnik)
• Shooting in majority-Serb Kosovo village (media)
• KLA graffiti inscribed on a wall in Gorazdevac, Office for KiM reacts (Radio kontakt plus, Radio Gorazdevac)
• Arlov: KP rejected appeal to ban on entry with no explanation and a “rejected“ stamp (KoSSev)
• NGO Aktiv launches initiative to amend the Law on the Use of Languages (KiM radio)
• Slavisa Petkovic: We will try to change everything (Radio KIM)
• Telekom General Director: Ambitious plans to expand “Telekom Serbia” in Kosovo (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Still no answer from Serbia’s Commission to Telekom-Telenor deal; Others react (N1)
• Fabrizi: Serbia showed resilience during coronavirus pandemic (N1)

Opinion:

• Could the Kosovo story end in Greater Albania? (opendemocracy.net)
• Thunder On, Sistes! (Kosovo 2.0)

International:

• Lunić: It is understandable why Serbia wants KFOR to stay in Kosovo (EWB)
• Kosovo Visa Liberalization Not in Portuguese Council Presidency Agenda Either (schengenvisainfo.com)
• French citizens’ convictions against enlargement are not firmly held (EWB)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Kosovo film wins three awards at Sundance Film Festival (Prishtina Insight)
• Varhelyi and Viola Von Cramon tackle issue of illegally kept lion in Gnjilane (KoSSev)

• COVID – 19: 245 new cases, three deaths (media)
• Kurti: I lead the Vetevendosje list (media)
• CEC allows unverified voters to vote too (media)
• Vetevendosje leads with 51 percent, according to poll (media)
• Voting in Kosovo election delayed for citizens living abroad (BIRN)
• Hoti: U.S. is helping us manage the situation (media)
• EU: Kosovo decision to open embassy in Jerusalem, regrettable (media)
• “Kosovo recognition sends clear message to EU non-recognising states” (media)
• Arab League condemns Kosovo opening of embassy in Jerusalem (DNE)
• AKR leader Behgjet Pacolli, candidate for Kosovo President (media)
• U.S. Embassy supports “Future is in Our Hands” campaign (media)
• Kosovo urged to establish museum in child war victims’ memory (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 2, 2021

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID – 19: 245 new cases, three deaths (media)
• Election campaign starts tomorrow, CEC in process of verifying final list of voters (media)
• European Parliament MP: Recognition of Kosovo by Israel, clear signal for EU (RTK)
• Dialogue with Serbia, visa liberalization do not find place in parties’ campaign (media)
• Mustafa slams Kurti: No one is the first if he must barricade from citizens (media)
• LVV accuses CEC for not making lists from abroad public (media)
• PSD with a symbolic action: “All power to the Soviets” (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• 26 new cases of Covid-19, one death registered in Serbian areas in Kosovo (KoSSev)
• Selakovic: We are not happy with the actions of Israel (RTS, B92, Beta, N1)
• Vucic on meeting with Macron, Kosovo issue, Israel
• Mihajlovic: Kurti will win, there is no Hashim or Grenell any longer (KoSSev)
• Prosecutor Smith: Possible new indictments for crimes in Kosovo (Radio KIM)
• KFOR: Situation in Kosovo calm, we do not interfere in politics (Kosovo Online, Tanjug)
• Grubjesic: An innovative solution would be for Serbs and Albanians to solve problems on their own (Tanjug, Kosovo online, K1)
• Drecun on visits of Albanian politicians to the north (Kosovo-online)
• Mehmeti: Police has operational plan for elections in Kosovo (RTK)
• More than 1.400 people from Kosovo vaccinated in Kursumlija (Kosovo-online)

International:

• Kosovo, Israel establish diplomatic ties (AP)
• Serbia ‘not happy’ with Israel’s recognition of Kosovo, says it will impact ties (The Times of Israel)
• Kosovo's embassy move violates UN resolutions: Turkey (Anadolu Agency)
• EU urges Kosovo to rethink Jerusalem move (Euobserver)
• Balkan nations turn to China and Russia for jabs (FT)
• China Is Helping a European Ally Get Ahead on Vaccines (Bloomberg)
• Book Unpacks Balkans’ ‘Love-Hate’ Relationship With Turkey (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• 'You are not alone': Balkan women seize #MeToo moment (japantimes.co.jp)

• COVID – 19: 282 new cases, five deaths (media)
• EU continues to oppose Kosovo’s Jerusalem embassy plans (Prishtina Insight)
• Kosovo establishes relations with Israel, ‘breaking blockade on recognitions’ (BI)
• Citaku reacts to EU opposition on embassy in Jerusalem: Hypocrisy (media)
• US Embassy welcomes Kosovo – Israel diplomatic relations (media)
• PDK’s Hoxhaj: Grateful to US for important milestone (media)
• Eggs thrown at Kurti during visit to Skenderaj (media)
• Pacolli: All my doors are closed for Vetevendosje (media)
• CEC to organise elections in the north too (media)
• CEC draws ballot for numbers of political parties (media)
• In Sundance Film, a Kosovo war widow rebuilds against the odds (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 282 new cases, five deaths (media)
• Zemaj insists: Covid vaccine will arrive in February (media)
• Kosovo and Israel formally establish diplomatic relations (media)
• Osmani: Kosovo-Israel relations, historically strong (media)
• Hoti and Szunyog discuss current developments in Kosovo (media)
• CEC draws ballot determining order of parties in elections (media)
• CEC approves over 100,000 voter applications, rejects nearly 30,000 (media)
• Survey shows perception of citizens in Kosovo and Serbia on Dialogue (media)
• Status conference in Mustafa case held today at Specialist Chambers (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic with Macron in Paris, solemn reception in front of the Elysee Palace (RTS)
• Janjic: Formation of government in Pristina will depend exclusively on Serbian List (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic: Hysteria in Kosovo; Serbs exposed to provocations (B92)
• Brnabic: Serbs in KiM kept their composure and showed dignity (RTV)
• “What awaits us in dialogue with Pristina after arrival of new White House administration” (RTS)
• Szunyog: EU expects Visoki Decani monastery’s property to be registered in cadastre (KoSSev)
• Serbian List officials and Office for KiM Director received Covid-19 vaccines in Raska (KoSSev)
• Serbia signing contract for another 11 million Covid-19 vaccine doses, PM says (N1)

Opinion:

• Elections 2021: Week 2 — What Did I Miss? (Kosovo 2.0)

International:

• Serbian President Sends Lieutenant To Washington As Belgrade Seeks Tighter U.S. Relations (RFE)
• Justice on Hold: War Trial Delays Jeopardise Serbia’s Progress to EU (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• "Vaccine nationalism" (B92, Tanjug)
• Serbia’s foreign trade at EUR 40 billion in 2020 (N1)

• COVID – 19: 287 new cases, six deaths (media)
• Osmani, Kurti visit Mitrovica North, locals protest (media)
• Kosnett: US never supported land swap idea (media)
• Smith: Charges are against individuals, not against KLA or Kosovo (Koha)
• Haradinaj: America is Kosovo’s guardian angel (media)
• Hoxhaj: We’ll end isolation; strengthen ties with U.S. and Germany (media)
• Kosovo, Israel to establish diplomatic relations today (media)
• Haradinaj hails Israel announcement on diplomatic relations (Prishtina Insight)
• Von Cramon: Idea of national unification, not right for Kosovo (media)
• Kosovo election complaint highlights problem in proving ethnic identity (BIRN)
• Vucic says visits by Kosovo politicians in the north are “provocations” (media)
• Feasibility study, making Serbia shareholder in Gazivoda Lake, begins (Koha)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 29, 2021

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 342 new cases, five deaths (media)
• British variant of the coronavirus in Kosovo (media)
• Hoti urges Quint, EU to react to Serbian president inciting statements (Express)
• Kosovo-Israel diplomatic relations to establish on 1 February (RTK)
• The Supreme allows Liburn Aliu and Labinota Demi to run, Albin Kurti remains out (Express)
• Former US envoy says Democrats have failed to solve Kosovo issue (media)
• Excavations in Kizhevak expected to resume by the end of March (RTK)
• Daka: EU election experts arrived in Kosovo (media)
• Cornerstone for Krusha e Madhe victims laid today (media)
• LDK-LVV coalition in Vushtrri breached (media)
• Haradinaj meets Austrian Ambassador, discuss strengthening of relations (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

• Selakovic: New US and EU unity also means new pressure on Serbia (Kosovo-online)
• 40.000 doses of Sputnik V vaccine arrived to Serbia, new shipments to follow (B92)
• Head of WHO Office in Serbia says country’s results in fight against coronavirus impressive (B92, Tanjug)
• No easing of Covid-19 relating measures in Serbia (B92)
• Minister Joksimovic says no dilemma about Serbia’s commitment to integration (N1)
• Radakovic: Democracy in Action only independent observer in upcoming elections (Radio kontakt plus)
• Brnabic: When it comes to recognition of diplomas, we’re waiting for interlocutors in Pristina (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Office for KiM: Popovic banned from entering Kosovo (Radio kontakt plus)
• Bolton: It would be a mistake if Biden let EU deal with Balkans alone (N1)
• EU Office on Haradinaj’s statement (B92, Kosovo-online)

International:

• Serbia announced 'illegal' vaccine programme in Kosovo (euobsrver)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Emigrant Life in Switzerland Inspires Prize-Winning Kosovo Writer (Balkan Insight)

• COVID-19: 334 new cases, three deaths (media)
• Coronavirus: Serbia provokes Kosovo with vaccination scheme (DW)
• Ramadani: Covid vaccines will arrive soon (Telegrafi)
• Hoti: Vucic's statement does not serve peace and stability in the region (media)
• Haradinaj: Vucic's threats to Kosovo don't help regional stability (media)
• U.S. follows implementation of Washington agreement, Israel recognition (media)
• Kurti meets Norwegian envoy for Balkans (media)
• Hoxhaj: No coalition with LVV, we will lead the government (Klan/media)
• Limaj: When we fought, Hoxhaj pondered seeking asylum in Serbia (Koha)
• Serbian List MP candidate beats up a Serb opposition member (media)
• Hodzic: I do not have an agreement with Serbian List (Kallxo/Telegrafi)
• Serbia opens parallel hotline, CEC not informed (Klan)
• CDHRF slams KSC for not granting release to former KLA leaders (media)
• Serbian government official not allowed entry to Kosovo (Telegrafi)
• In Kosovo, War Prisoners Campaign to Save Their Old Jail (Balkan Insight)