UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 06, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Leaders’ homage in Prekaz: Jashari family personify highest sacrifice (Telegrafi)
• Cameron mentions Kosovo visit: Investing in countries that need stability (media)
• Martens: If govt doesn’t act, Council of Europe doors remain closed (media)
• Surroi: The Decani Monastery as a turning point (Koha)
• Bajrami: We don’t coordinate with VV on vote for international agreements (media)
• Hoti: Level of capital investments in Mustafa’s government was bigger (media)
• Haradinaj: Kurti must manage relations with allies in a better way (Kanal 10)
• Basic Prosecution in Pristina issues statement on summon for Mehmetaj (media)
• Explosive device thrown at closed store in Ranillug, no injuries (Klan Kosova)
• Stradner warns about “another round” of escalation (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Workers of utility companies in northern Kosovo cannot withdraw their salaries (RTS)
• Novo Brdo residents after CBK’s decision: They want to expel us, what should we live from? (Kosovo Online)
• Economy minister says 60% of FDI from EU (Beta, N1)
• Dragisic: NATO base in Albania can be useful for Serbs in Kosovo (KiM Radio, Danas)
• Stosic: If number of Kosovo Serbs becomes a statistical error, solutions to their problems will not be of essential importance (Kosovo Online)
• Lajcak: Implementation of Basic Agreement blocked by Kosovo; formation of A/CSM inevitable (Kosovo Online, Politika, Tanjug, Euronews Serbia, Nacionale)
• Antonijevic: Appointment of Nemec as EP Rapporteur good news for Serbs from Kosovo (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Dacic receives new Syrian ambassador to Serbia (Tanjug)

International:

• TikTok Used Across Balkans to ‘Slutshame’ Women and Girls (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media:
• USAID Assistant Administrator McKee visits Kosovo (media)
• Osmani: Impunity for crimes encouraged successors of attack in Banjska (Koha)
• Osmani accepts credentials of new UK ambassador, discuss dialogue (media)
• Kusari-Lila: Conversation between Radoicic, Vucic; plan to attack Kosovo (media)
• Palokaj: EU measures won’t be lifted until elections in north announced (KTV)
• Why does Russia demand the arrest of at least three Kosovar policemen? (RFE)
• AJK reacts to Prosecution's call to interview journalist (media)
• CoE report: Tensions in north impacted safety of journalists (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• A month detention the Serb arrested two days ago; Lawyer Delevic: One of the many cases where witnesses suddenly appear (KoSSev)
• UNS and DNKiM: Mayor of Gracanica not to discriminate against the media (Radio Mitrovica sever, KiM Radio)
• Bakoyannis: Non-enforcement of the Visoki Decani Monastery judgment a failure to uphold the rule of law, establishing the A/CSM essential (Kosovo Online)
• Rohde: The ESI supported the settlement of the dispute over the Visoki Decani monastery (Kosovo Online, X)
• The Moldovan delegation visited the Visoki Decani monastery (Tanjug)

Albanian Language Media:

• Lajcak plans to organize meeting of chief negotiators in coming days (media)
• Kosovo marks 26th anniversary of KLA Epopee (media)
• Kurti says it isn’t true he’s ruining relations with internationals (EO)
• Hoxhaj: Serbia wants to north municipalities to be tensest point in Europe (media)
• Kurti joins call for Gaza ceasefire, hostage release, more humanitarian aid (media) 

Albanian Language Media:
• Hovenier, Szunyog ask Kosovo to implement dialogue agreements if it wants membership in EU and NATO (RFE)
• Rohde: Kosovo to do its homework for Council of Europe membership (Telegrafi)
• Lajcak and Bislimi to meet in Pristina today (media)
• Maqedonci: NATO base in Albania, message to those that want instability (media)
• Kurti, Aliu visit construction sites of Pristina – Mitrovica road (media)
• Kosovo Police arrest Serb suspected of war crimes in Vushtrri region (media)
• Bieber: Risk of Banjska 2 not over; Serbia wants to test NATO (Telegrafi)
• Central Bank sends SMS notifying citizens about account access and the possibility of receiving funds in their Euro accounts (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• CBK calls for opening bank accounts by sending messages – help, confusion or discrimination? (KoSSev)
• Petkovic: Expulsion of Serbs real reason for Pristina's dinar ban (Tanjug, media)
• Dacic thanks Mexico for supporting Serbia's sovereignty, territorial integrity (Tanjug)
• Serb arrested in Mitrovica North over alleged war crimes (Kosovo Online, media)
• Serbian List: Kosovo institutions to stop persecuting Serbs (media)
• Office for KiM: New arrest evidence of legal lynch and intimidation of Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Bishop Teodosije and Abbot Sava visited archaeological remains of SOC Holy Mother of Hvostan Monastery (KoSSev, social media)
• Vucevic: We informed Vucic we have majority (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 04, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Our membership in EU structures, response to Serbia threats (media)
• Osmani welcomes opening of NATO Tactical Air Base in Albania (media)
• Begaj: Banjska proved how fragile security is in our region (media)
• Maqedonci: Air base in Albania, NATO’s message for Western Balkans (media)
• Haradinaj on NATO air base in Albania: A base for regional security (media)
• Baerbock: Security and stability of Western Balkans, crucial for EU (RFE)
• Konjufca: Government can propose draft statute for Association (RTV21)
• Svecla on reports about Russia arrest warrants for Kosovo police officers (Kallxo)
• Gashi: Fake news concerning security of Kosovo – the main problem (Kallxo)
• Kurti meets anthropologist Janet Reineck (media)
• Jaksic, Trajkovic to Vucic: You suffered a debacle in Banjska (media)
• Gruhonjic: West’s reaction to terrorism on September 24, serious slap to Vucic regime (Albanian Post)

Serbian Language Media:

• Mijacic: An opportunity for OSCE to conduct an impartial study on security in Kosovo with special emphasis on Serbs and impact on migration (KoSSev, KiM radio)
• How Serbs in Kosovo live one month after dinar was abolished (RTS)
• Principals of primary schools in north: CBK regulation made regular teaching impossible (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian Democracy files appeal to Ombudsperson over rejection of petition against allocation of land to Kosovo Ministry of Internal Affairs (social media)
• KDI criticizes CEC and MLSGA – Why process of verifying signatures to recall mayors takes so long (KoSSev)
• Filipovic: It is important that KFOR’s mandate is fulfilled in line with UN Resolution 1244 (Radio KIM, EWB)
• Milicevic: Government of parties currently in opposition would respect fact that Serbs live in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Lawyer: Detention of Zarko Zaric extended for two more months (Kosovo Online)
• Fahri Musliu: ''Vucic would not end his political career if he recognized Kosovo independence'' (KiM radio, Media Center)

Opinion:

• The Myth of Rising Defence Spending in Balkans Needs Unpacking (Balkan Insight)

International:

• Kosovo Journalist Chronicles Rigged Trials of Milosevic’s ‘Ferocious Regime’ (BIRN)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Leposava, one of the last remaining Serbs in Pristina dies (Radio KIM, KoSSev)

Albanian Language Media:
• Osmani and Erdogan reconfirm deepening of relations (RTK)
• Kurti: We still have problems on the border with Serbia (RTK)
• Kurti participates in opening of PES campaign for European elections (RTK)
• Krasniqi asks Lajcak to play a role in lifting measures against Kosovo (RTK)
• Ukrainian ambassador in Albania: Recognition of Kosovo, a matter of time (media)
• Reuten: EU has surrendered to two destabilizers like Vucic and Dodik (media)
• PDK calls for elections: Government characterized by corrupt affairs (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: The situation will be increasingly difficult; we need unity to save Kosovo (Kosovo Online, Tanjug, RTV)
• Elek: Due to the dinar ban, employees at the CHC in Mitrovica North are at risk; a shortage of food for patients (Kosovo Online, KoSSev, RTS)
• SL: Kurti's attacks are proof that we are working in the interest of the Serbs (Tanjug, Kosovo Online, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Dacic meets Lavrov in Antalya (N1)
• Peach: Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina should create a multi-ethnic future (KiM radio, Tanjug)
• National Convention on the EU: Vucic’s claims about conspiracies are a distraction from certain topics (N1)

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani travels to Turkiye for the Antalya Diplomatic Forum (media)
• Konjufca: EU has no competence to propose draft for Association (Kosovapress)
• Kusari-Lila: Meaningless to keep EU measures against Kosovo in force (Koha)
• Dinar in Brussels; Tahiri: Government’s biggest favor to Serbia (Albanian Post)
• Rasic criticizes CBK: Despite Kurti’s statement on transition period, I have not seen any concrete action (Nacionale)
• Pacolli on the Dinar: Kurti is making unnecessary drama (media)
• “Comprehensive defense” – Kosovo’s new concept for defense (RFE)
• OSCE report on school dropouts within compulsory education system (media)
• Assembly, VV MP sued for discrimination against LGBTIQ+ community (Koha)
• Selimi: The parliament of Kosovo is sinking low (media)
• Kabashi-Ramaj: Kurti government failed to guarantee national security (EO)
• Suspected bag with dynamite in Pristina, police arrest a suspect (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Pensioners in Mitrovica North can not withdraw their pensions (Kosovo Online)
• The premises of the CI SDP in Mitrovica broken into, new locks installed (KiM radio)
• Elshani: KAP privatized the building in which the CI SDP premises are located, the owner changed the lock (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian flag at Zvecan fortress removed, then returned back shortly after (KoSSev, social media)
• Andric Rakic: Non-existence of Law on Referendum can not be basis to reject petitions (Kosovo Online)
• Zarrazin visited Visoki Decani Monastery (Kosovo Online)
• Hill: Lajcak's approach to the Kosovo issue is correct (KiM radio, Tanjug, RTV)
• Serbian Chamber of Commerce says Open Balkan single labor market in place (N1)
• "From Fake to Verified": Dialogue on Disinformation in Kosovo (KiM radio, KoSSev)
• European Parliament calls for investigation beyond scope of ODIHR report (N1)

International:

• Kosovo Activists Protest MPs Blocking Assisted Fertilization Law (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti on absence in Tirana Summit: Visit to Britain was planned a year ago (Koha)
Kurti meets Northern Ireland’s Secretary of State, discuss cooperation (Reporteri)
European Parliament asks EU to change its approach to dialogue (media)
Hovenier: CBK regulation should be implemented after preparatory process (media)
Bislimi: Discussions with allies, always welcome (RTK)
Xhaferi: Kurti's intervention in North Macedonia’s elections, damages Kosovo’s image (Reporteri)
Hoti: Lectures in Northern Ireland, just an excuse to avoid Tirana Summit (Reporteri)
Signatures in the north verified, vote to dismiss mayors soon (Koha)
Electricity billing starts in the north (media)
A person arrested in the north for behaving aggressively towards KFOR soldiers with a toy gun (Klan)
Serbian Language Media:

Hovenier: US dissatisfied with quality of partnership with Kurti’s government (N1, BETA, KoSSev)
Petkovic, Kekic met representatives of US Embassy in Belgrade (Kosovo Online)
Serbian Democracy request for referendum against decision to allocate land parcel to Kosovo MIA rejected (KoSSev)
Sadiku: 2.216 citizens who signed petition should be respected (KoSSev)
Koha: CEC completed verification of signatures, 20 percent quote achieved (Kosovo Online)
Serbian List condemns arson of vehicle in Leposavic, demands international involvement in case (Radio Kontakt plus)
Vucic: We extremely appreciate friendship with Central African Republic (Tanjug)
State Department: Serbia should implement ODIHR recommendations without delay (N1)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 29, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Our desire for peace exemplified by Basic Agreement (media)
• Krasniqi criticizes Kurti for not taking part EU-Western Balkans Summit (media)
• Freedom House: Kosovo ranked partly free despite progress (media)
• Hovenier welcomes new arrivals in KFOR (media)
• PDK: Kurti accepted Association with increased executive competencies (TeVe1)
• “Kurti sending Kosovo away from NATO, turned to Russian agenda” (Express)
• Xhaferi: Statements from Serbia, sign of possible escalation in the region (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: Western Balkans growth plan to enable closer cooperation (Tanjug)
• Varhelyi: Western Balkan economies to grow under EU plan (N1)
• What are people who have been pulled out of institutions doing now? (KoSSev)
• Vucic: Despite Kurti’s unilateral moves Belgrade will find way to help Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Suspects for attack on Serbian children in Laplje Selo released, issued financial fine (Kosovo Online)
• Sarrazin tells Kurti to implement court’s decision on Visoki Decani Monastery (KoSSev)
• Vehicle belonging to head of municipal administration in Serbian system set on fire in Leposavic last night (Kosovo Online)
• Elektrosever to start distribution of preliminary bills in four northern municipalities (Kosovo Online)
• Stano: Tangible improvements and electoral process reforms needed in Serbia (RTS, media)
• Dacic: Touadera's visit to boost our traditional friendly ties with CAR (Tanjug)

Albanian Language Media:
• Sarrazin: We’ve asked for sanctions on Radoicic, we don’t have quorum (Klan)
• Barbano: Decision on Decani Monastery land is binding (media)
• Osmani meets Zelenskyy: Ukraine’s victory is Europe’s victory (media)
• Osmani meets Albanian PM Rama, “discussions and coordination” (media)
• New KFOR Turkish contingent arrives in Kosovo (media)
• Kurti visits St Matthew School in Belfast (media)
• Kamberi: Vucic won’t meet Albanians’ requests in Valley if no intl pressure (RTK)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: Ukraine a friend of Serbia, does not recognise Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Vucic and Zelenskyy met in Tirana (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Vucic: At our request, Tirana declaration makes no mention of sanctions on Russia (media)
• Barbano: Court’s decision on Visoki Decani land binding to all individuals and institutions in Kosovo (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Vucic: Kurti wants to become a legend by destroying Serbs (Kosovo Online, media)
• Sarrazin: Refusal of Kosovo politicians to participate in meetings discussing dinar indicates less sovereignty (Kosovo Online)
• Brnabic: Serbian Government to continue to cooperate with ODIHR (Tanjug, media)
International Media:
• Both Sides in Serbia Claim Victory Over ODIHR Election Report (Balkan Insight)