UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 31, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: CBK's decision is non-negotiable (RTK)
• Osmani on dinar: Each time we act along with allies, constitution is protected (media)
• CBK Board Chairman: Discussion to postpone regulation, no suspension (RFE)
• Gervalla meets Germany’s Minister of Defense, discuss security in region (RTK)
• Osmani believes CEC will take appropriate actions for dismissal of mayors in north (Koha)
• Former minister sentenced to 3 years in prison in “€53 million case” (media)
• ICG: If not Association, parties to find other alternatives (Koha)
• Haradinaj: Kosovo, its army ready to be NATO member alongside U.S. (media)
• Rohde: More ambition is possible and expected (media)
• Ministry: Nearly €23 million for attorneys of eight former KLA members (Kallxo)
• Radakovic: Only 30% of Serbs that left institutions don’t want to return (KTV)

Serbian Language Media:

• UNS and DNKiM: Central Bank of Kosovo not to violate right to information in Serbian language; translation provided after reaction (Radio Mitrovica sever, KiM radio)
• Lucic: Pristina's action against MTS makes life difficult for Serbs (Radio Mitrovica sever, RTS)
• Hill: I support Quint stance on postponing KCB decision (Kosovo Online)
• Amendments to laws on citizenship and property: Granting rights to Albanians from southern Serbia or depriving rights of Serbs in Kosovo? (Kosovo Online)
• COMKFOR discusses security with Lajcak (N1)
• Vucic to meet Quint ambassadors, EU delegation head today (Tanjug)
• Rohde: Concern over interference of Kosovo Government in judiciary (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Haradinaj: Kosovo should show flexibility in resolving dinar issue (Kosovo Online, media)
• MTS security staff staged warning strike in Gracanica (RTS, Radio kontakt plus)
• Commercial Bank as of today no longer works in Kosovo (Radio KIM)
• Vucevic: “We will never recognize independence of Kosovo, even if not even one of us remains there” (Kosovo Online, Beta, TV Happy)

International:

• Kosovo ban on Serbian dinar risks new crisis (AFP)
• EU envoy urges Kosovo and Serbia to step up normalization efforts before the bloc’s June elections (AP)
• Toward Normal Relations between Kosovo and Serbia (ICG)
• Kosovo* enters day-ahead market on Albanian Power Exchange (BGEN)
• With Billions in Conditional Aid, EU Offers Balkan States ‘Taste’ of Accession (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti: Kosovo committed to normalization centered on mutual recognition (media)
Osmani: Brussels agreement, Ohrid annex must be fully implemented (media)
Lajcak: Important results but little progress on big picture (media)
Osmani meets Rohde, discuss latest developments (media)
Tahiri: We asked Kosovo’s membership in NATO from Escobar (Klan Kosova)
Ahmeti: Kosovo-Serbia reconciliation for quiet and peace in Balkans (RTK)
Cakolli: Firing of whistleblowers is intimidation for others (KTV)

Serbian Language Media:

ICG: Constant pressure drives Serbs out of Kosovo, tensions increased since Kurti came to power (Kosovo Online, media)
Media: Vucic held meeting with ministers last night over Kurti’s decision to ban dinar (Tanjug)
Lajcak: Kosovo government to announce information about dinar decision (Kosovo Online)
Petkovic: Quint statement different this time (media)
Witness at Thaci’s trial: KLA was killing Albanians declared collaborators near Orahovac (N1, BETA)
Vucic: Serbia has to be prepared (N1)
Businessman from Zvecan to go on hunger strike, Tax Administration damaged him for 310.000 euros (KoSSev)
Cvetkovic, Marinkovic meet with Escobar in Washington (Tanjug)

International Media:

Pavlovic Today: Diplomatic Memo Outlines Risks To Serbs Amid Suspension Of Serbian Dinar In Kosovo
Four Kosovo Men Jailed for Plotting Acts of Terrorism (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

• Central Bank Governor Ismaili meets Hovenier (media)
• Woelk: Politics taken towards Kosovo by EU is deeply unfair, unjust (media)
• Haradinaj says decision to ban Serbian Dinar in line with EU standards (media)
• Baraliu: They’re asking for Serbia to have a say in CBK decisions (KTV)
• German Defense Minister to visit Kosovo on February 5 (Gazeta Express)
• TI: No political will to give up from interference in judicial affairs (media)
• Rohde: Integration of north is important for KOSTT sustainable business (media)
• Serwer: Lajcak didn’t say word about Belgrade-sponsored Sept 24 attack (media)
• Hoare: Trump return, Serbia’s goals – threat for Kosovo, Western Balkans (media)
• Four Serbs suspected of attacking CEC premises in north plead innocent (Koha)
• Police in Zvecan find bags with sand, were used for trenches, roadblocks (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucevic: We are concerned about the military agreement between Pristina and Turkey, we will respond adequately (Danas, Beta)
• Serbs to be left without dinar in Kosovo: Can decision be suspended? (Radio KIM)
• Dragana Miletic dismissed from the post of vice president of Leposavic municipality (RTK2, RTKlive, Kosovo Online)
• Party of Kosovo Serbs demands urgent investigation into events in Leposavic municipal building (Radio KIM)
• Thaci's lawyers requested to withdraw from the case (Kosovo Online)
• Witnesses at Thaci’s trial: KLA in 1999 kidnapped, mistreated and murdered civilians in Prizren and Podujevo (KoSSev, BETA)
• Four Serbs accused of terrorism pleaded not guilty at a preliminary hearing held today (KiM radio)
• Lawyer of Milun Milenkovic: It would be fair to approve bail measure (Radio KIM)
• Ulutas met the head of UNMIK in Pristina (Kosovo Online)
• Mladenovic: Language rights violated in almost all institutions (KiM radio, Radio Gorazdevac)
• Serbia drops on the Transparency International CPI (N1)
• The Assembly of Serbia constitutive session scheduled for February 6, before the EP votes on the resolution and the Serbian elections (Danas, FoNet)

Opinion:

• A few words about the course of the struggle against lawlessness: We must fight (KoSSev)

International:

• Little Change in Balkan Corruption Perceptions Bar Decline in Bosnia (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

O'Brien: U.S. demands full implementation of agreements (media)
Lajcak announces next Kosovo-Serbia meeting at level of chief negotiators (Reporteri)
Israel to lift visas for Kosovars, Osmani calls it a positive development (RTK)
Haxhiu meets head of EULEX, discuss reforms in justice and vetting (media)
Haradinaj at U.S. Department of State, meets Escobar (media)
CEC starts verifying signatures from citizens' petition in the north (Koha)
Kurti and Svecla visit Police Inspectorate (media)
Weber: West aware that Serbia’s high levels are involved in attack in Banjska (Reporteri)

Serbian Language Media:

Lajcak met Vucic, says they discussed next steps in normalization of relations (Kosovo Online, social media)
Andric Rakic: Implementation of cash operations regulation would mean recognition of Serbian institutions in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
Lucic: We explained that Competition Authority operates contrary to European practise norms and regulations (Kosovo Online)
Protest over timber poachers from Kosovo held in Kursumlija (N1)
Portal: Plaque of Kosovo institutions placed on center for social welfare, firefighters’ station in Zubin Potok (KoSSev)
Vucevic: We are not preparing for wars, but we will be ready to defend Serbia (Tanjug)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 29, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Hovenier urges enforcement of cash operations regulation be postponed (media)
• EU calls on Kosovo to resolve issue of Serbian Dinar through dialogue (Klan)
• Mustafa against talks in Brussels about use of Dinar in Kosovo (Gazeta Blic)
• EU confirms Lajcak visit to Pristina, “dialogue a key topic” (Reporteri)
• Kurti: Kosovo neither forgives nor forgets Serbia’s crimes (Albanian Post)
• Kosovo and Türkiye sign military framework agreement (media)
• Kastrati: PDK aims to be the leading party in the next elections (media)
• AAK calls for extraordinary assembly session on healthcare (Lajmi)
• Parallel municipalities that operated illegally in Dragash closed (media)
• Kosovo buses pelted with stones while traveling through Serbia (Indeksonline)
• Police confiscate 3 hunting rifles, 3 radios and 2 knives in Leposavic (media)
• Daughter of Serbian opposition politician pays homage in Prekaz (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic meets Lajcak, says it is necessary to establish ZSO, hold elections in northern Kosovo (RTS)
• Petkovic: During meeting with Lajcak, Vucic emphasized difficult position of Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online, Tanjug)
• SNV: “Hold on a bit Mr. Kurti, put portraits of Djokovic and Krivokapic back, those of Vucic and Djuric we leave to you” (KoSSev)
• Vorgucic about Kurti: If someone speaks Serbian and beats you at the same time, it doesn't mean much to us (N1)
• What happened to the tent in Leposavic? (KoSSev)
• Endangered cultural and historical monuments in Kosovo: Barbed wire does not protect against political games (KoSSev, Insajder, KiM radio)
• Spahiu on banned official visits (Kosovo Online)

International:

• Time is the Enemy for Kosovo’s New War Crimes Institute (BIRN)
• Sandulovic’s daughter on being stopped by Serbian agents (Euronews Albania)
• Bilčik: The problems of Serbia’s elections can never be resolved inside the EU institutions (EWB)
• Talat Xhaferi, Taboo-Breaker who Became North Macedonia’s First Albanian PM (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

• Quint embassies statement on recent regulation of Kosovo Central Bank (media)
• Lajcak to visit Serbia today, Kosovo tomorrow (RTK)
• Xhaferi elected head of caretaker government in North Macedonia (media)
• Bauer: Not enough to expect EU and NATO to do everything in Balkans (Lajmi)
• Car of president of Leposavic municipal assembly set on fire (RFE)
• Lajcak: Busy week in Brussels (media)
• Lajcak meets Von Cramon, discuss developments in Kosovo and region (media)
• Kosovo leaders’ messages on Holocaust Remembrance Day (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic to meet Lajcak (media)
• Quint calls for suspension of CBK regulation due to concern over its impact on K. Serb community (KoSSev)
• Mijacic: A strong message would be for the Central European Bank to prohibit the euro in Kosovo (Kosovo Online, KoSSev, N1)
• KP suspects arson after Leposavic MA president’s car partially torched (KoSSev)
• In Ljubozda returnee village seven houses robbed since the beginning of the year (Kosovo Online)
• Vasic: Milosavljevic and Zaric’s unfounded detention a clear message to all Serbs who want to return to Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Jevtic: Attacks on Serbian returnees are a result of the policy of the regime in Pristina (Kosovo Online, Tanjug)
• Czech minister: Kosovo’s political scene united on nationalism (N1, Beta, KoSSev)
• Kurti: No former Kosovo PM maintained dialogue with Serbia as much as I do (Beta, N1)
International Media:
• North Macedonia's Parliament Elects First Ethnic Albanian PM (RFE)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Belgrade’s destructiveness must not translate into slower EU integration for Kosovo (EO)
• Bislimi: We sent Banjska report to EU; let prosecution publish it (Albanian Post)
• After Oct 26, Kurti didn’t ask for additional discussions on Association or send comments to Brussels (Express)
• Stoltenberg: Fragile situation, with potential tensions in Kosovo, Bosnia (RFE)
• Who wants early elections? (RFE)
• 374 businesses registered in north of Kosovo, around 280 paid taxes (RFE)
• Pajaziti: PDK has no responsibility for the Association (TeVe1)
• Hoti: We’ll meet Serbian delegation on Jan 31; hoping to get archives (media)
• Kosovar arrested in Serbia no longer worked for Interior Ministry (Indeksonline)
• Over 20,000 electricity bills issued for January in north of Kosovo (Klan Kosova)

Serbian Language Media:

• Stano: New elections in northern Kosovo should be held as soon as possible (Euronews Serbia)
• KoSSev: Northern mayors consider possibility of filing appeal to court, to declare instruction for their replacement unconstitutional
• KoSSev: Zeqiri refutes himself, filing of appeal not considered
• O’Brien: Finding evidence of what happened in Belgrade election takes time (N1, Beta)
• Petkovic informed Ambassador Gori that ''Pristina wants to expel Serbs with the decision to cancel the dinar'' (Kosovo Online)
• Lucic: Problems of MTS.doo to be discussed in Pristina as of Monday (Tanjug)
• Odalovic: Pristina’s decisions provoke and make lives of Serbs in Kosovo difficult (RTS, Kosovo Online)
• Vucic: Serbian embassy in Pristina “Svecla’s bad dream” (Kosovo Online)
• Lawyer: Proceeding against Sladjan Trajkovic unlawful (Euronews Serbia)
• Rasic responds to Strpce municipality authorities: ''Prosecutor's Office is seriously knocking on their door'' (KiM Radio)
• Pendarovski: KFOR important for stability of Kosovo and entire region (KiM radio, Danas, Beta)

International:

• Kosovo Removes Billboard In Volatile North With 'Honorary Citizens' Vucic, Djokovic, Putin (RFE)
• ‘It Is In the Best Interest Of All Impacted Parties,’ That Kosovo PM Albin Kurti Takes US Position On Suspension Of Serbian Dinar Seriously (thepavlovictoday.com)
• Kosovo Navigates Formidable Challenges in Ambitious Bid for Digital Transformation by 2030 (Prishtina Insight)
• Government Of North Macedonia Resigns Under Roadmap For General Elections (RFE)

Albanian Language Media:

O’Brien: Leaders of the Balkans to do more to take the region forward (RFE)
Kurti meets Pendarovski, “strengthening good neighborly relations” (media)
State Department comments again on “ban” of Serbian dinar (Express)
CEC chief: Received petitions from municipalities; need time to verify them (EO)
Atiq: Petition was signed with pressure from the Serbian List (RTK)
EU: Looking forward to the investigation report about Banjska (media)
Abbott calls for better communication with affected communities (media)
Hoxhaj asked if changes can happen to Special Court after U.S. elections (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Petitions to recall mayors in northern municipalities submitted to CEC (RTS)
Reactions to billboard removal in Zvecan (Kosovo Online, KoSSev, social media)
US on abolishing dinars: Constructive engagement of Pristina and Belgrade would bring lasting benefits for citizens (Kosovo Online, The Pavlovic Today)
Serbian Democracy submitted petition against land allocation to Kosovo Interior Ministry in Mitrovica North (KoSSev)
Ugljanin says there is no law on referendum, MA decision on land allocation valid as it is approved by ministry (KoSSev)
New deadline given to Serbs to remove tent in Leposavic by 15.00 hrs today (Kosovo Online)
Hearing in case of Sladjan Trajkovic postponed (Radio KIM)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 25, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• EU: Resolving neighborly problems through dialogue, key for enlargement (RFE)
• Osmani meets Pendarovski: Kosovo deserves EU candidate status (media)
• Peach: Kosovo’s future is a multiethnic republic (media)
• Rasic on removal of mayors through petition: Right and legitimate solution (EO)
• Svecla: Serbia’s only symbol in Kosovo will be its embassy in Pristina (media)
• Kurti discusses priorities for 2024 with EBRD representatives (Albanian Post)
• Osmani: My focus is increased participation of women and girls in business (EO)
• Hoxhaj: No political process in the north without the Serbs (KTV)
• Abdixhiku: Latest poll shows LDK leads with 39-40% in Dukagjin (Nacionale)
• Haziri: Kurti has no other priority but dialogue with Serbia (media)
• Ahmeti: Kosovo one step closer to membership in Council of Europe (RTK)
• Kelmendi: Don’t comprehend so-called controversy on ban of Serbia dinar (media)
• Kosovo national arrested in Serbia; caught with 18 kg of marijuana (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Dacic: Kurti will have a million ideas to prove that he has what he doesn't have - statehood (Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic meets with ambassadors of EU member states (Tanjug)
• Serbs in Leposavic told to remove tent across municipal building (Kosovo Online)
• Billboard with honorary citizens of Zvecan removed (KoSSev)
• Trial in case of Dusko Arsic continues, prosecution and defense to present concluding remarks (Kosovo Online)
• Vlajic on Arsic’s case: Acquittal can be the only justice (Radio KIM)
• Zeqiri: According to Constitution, referendums are organized based on special law, and such law has not been enacted (Kosovo Online)
• Giaufre expects progress in normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina at beginning of this year (Danas, Nedeljnik)
• Peach: Serbia should impose sanctions on Russia, support to normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina (Kosovo Online, Tanjug, Hina)
• New protest on Friday, opposition official says (N1)
• CINS reveals secret REM data on pro-government TV stations’ campaign reporting (N1)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti thanks Czech Republic for continuous support given to Kosovo (RTK)
Koopman: EU funds, only after region fulfills prerequisites (RTK)
Bislimi on Association: Illogical to deal with tenth job before first (Express)
Dinar ban, Ismaili: CBK's decisions do not affect any citizen (RTK)
Stano: European path for Kosovo moves through dialogue (media)
Konjufca: Kosovo's membership in CoE, significant in its 75th anniversary (media)
Gervalla and Berro-Amadei committed to strengthening cooperation (media)
Maqedonci meets KFOR commander, talk about security situation (media)
Krasniqi, to ambassadors: Constructive PDK for Euro-Atlantic future (RTK)
Citaku to Bislimi: You behave like disruptive oppositionists (RTK)
Police intervene in two houses in north, confiscate 59 machines for production of cryptocurrencies (media)

Serbian Language Media:

The Office for KiM: Kurti continues with attempts to shut down Serbian institutions in Kosovo, Lajcak informed (Tanjug)
Vucevic and Botsan-Kharchenko on the security situation in Kosovo (NMagazin)
Ismaili: Citizens can receive money from Serbia only in euros (KiM radio, N1, RTK2, Kosovo Online)
Head of UNMIK: Trust and reconciliation are the key to stability, peace and security (Kontakt plus radio)
The Serbian List delegation met with the head of UNMIK, Caroline Ziadeh (Radio Mitrovica sever, Tanjug)
UNMIK on the removal of the UN flag in Leposavic: We are establishing the facts, UN property inviolable (Danas, FoNet, Kosovo Online)
A man arrested in Novi Pazar for espionage for Albania and Kosovo (Radio Mitrovica North, Tanjug)

International Media:

Kosovo wants back in EU good graces, comeuppance for Serbia (politico.eu)
Banning The Dinar, Kosovo Tries To Sever Lifeline Between Serbs In North And Belgrade (RFE)