UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 18, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: Resignation of Serb policemen, result of threats from Serbia (media)
• Internationals react to resignation of Serb police officers (RTK)
• Basha calls international reactions on Serb police officers "fairy tales" (media)
• Head of EULEX and U.S. Ambassador meet, Police and law main topic (RTK)
• Haradinaj to Kurti regarding mayors in north: proceed with resignations (media)
• Hovenier on delicensing of MTS: The government should be very careful (Klan)
• EU has not yet established the joint commission on missing persons (RTK)
• Klinaku to Albanian institutions: Do not extradite Dritan Goxhaj (Reporteri)

Serbian Language Media:

• Constitutional Court rules that rights of third detained Serb in Brezovica case have been violated (Kosovo Online, social media)
• EULEX, OSCE concerned by resignation of Kosovo Serb police officers (N1, BETA)
• Stano: The EU was clear; we are ready to introduce drastic measures if there is no de-escalation (RTS)
• Kurti and Zogaj discussed the work of the court in North Mitrovica (Kontakt plus radio)

International Media:

• Serb Witness Tells Thaci Trial KLA Kidnapped Her Husband and Son (Balkan Insight)
• Ethnic Albanian Producer Slates Serbian Ban on his Films as ‘Censorship’ (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 17, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Government: We expect EU measures to be lifted as soon as possible (Telegrafi)
• Stano on further steps for Kosovo; doesn’t say if measures will be lifted (Kallxo)
• Sources: At least another three new Serb police officers in north resign (veriu.info)
• Kurti meets head of Kosovo Judicial Council, Albert Zogaj (media)
• Census in 2023, still not known if process will start on September 1 (TeVe1)
• House arrest for second suspect in assault against Nacionale team (Nacionale)
• North Macedonia Prime Minister: Kurti was misused for daily politics (RTV21/Nacionale)
• “Construction of Prizren-Tetovo tunnel could start in six months” (media)
• Gjeloshaj: We want govt that will support without question Kosovo sovereignty (Sinjali)
• Increase in cases with meningitis, Health Ministry calls for increased vigilance (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Drecun: Survival of North Macedonia and Montenegro is defended in Kosovo (RTS, Danas, N1, Politika, Euronews)
• Milovic denies Hovenier: We have not received medicines or medical supplies for months (Kosovo Online)
• Telekom Serbia Director General on Ambassador Hovenier’s statement, MTS.doo situation (Kosovo Online)
• EU: Elections in northern Kosovo should be organised as soon as possible (Radio KIM, N1)
• The Embassy of Serbia "with fear and concern" responds to the text in "Berliner Zeitung" (DW, NMagazin)
• Although some think that Germany has had enough of Vucic, there is no change in the attitude of the West (N1, NMagazin)

Humanitarian/Development:

• We’ll write our own history (Kosovo 2.0)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 17, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• The "cold-hot" relations between Ambassador Hovenier and PM Kurti (Klan)
• OSCE: Ready to provide advice on MLGA administrative guidance for elections in north (media)
• Opposition dissatisfied with government's work towards de-escalation (Reporteri)
• Haxhiu's statement on the Constitution is seen as interference (Koha)
• Grubi: Kurti's visit to North Macedonia, misused (media)
• Reuten praises CNN's article about Vucic (Reporteri)

Serbian Language Media:

• Hovenier: MTS certificate under discussion, Pristina to act cautiously (RFE, Radio KIM)
• Serbs in Leposavic continue protesting entry of Deputy Minister of Communities and Returns to municipal facility (Kosovo Online)
• Court of Appeals in Slovenia dismissed Berishaj’s complaint for slander against journalist (Kosovo Online)
• Jakup Krasniqi’s request for temporary release rejected (KoSSev)
• Opposition leader to sue Pink TV for cloning his voice in video clip (N1)

Albanian Language Media:

• Hovenier: US does not support either "Greater Albania" or "Greater Serbia" (Reporteri)
• Abbott meets Maqedonci, wishes him success in his new task (media)
• Swiss press: Kurti part of SP election campaign in Switzerland, other parties see it as "completely wrong" (Reporteri)
• Minister Aliu meets Ali Ahmeti at Kurti's request, discuss Prizren - Tetovo road (media)
• Peci against the petition: Why should someone else sack us? (Koha)
• Daka: Asking international help to organize elections in north, a step back for Kosovo (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

• Simic: Each Kurti’s decision is attack on Serbs, new elections not “magical solution” (RTS)
• Odalovic: The process of finding the missing is stopped by Pristina, not Belgrade (Politika, Tanjug)
• KFOR announced the increased movement of vehicles and testing of capabilities (Tanjug)
• The citizens of Leposavic greeted the Deputy Minister for Communities and Return with whistles (Danas, Kosovo Online, KiM radio, KoSSev))
• Peci does not support petition to dissolve mayors, says better to make different agreement (Kosovo Online, media)
• Public parking lot construction started, Pristina sends message it holds power (Tanjug, Novosti)

International:

• Over Half of Kosovo Nationals Don’t Intend to Move to EU After Visa Liberalisation, Survey Shows (schengenvisainfo.com)

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani on penalty measures: They were not in proportion with EU’s dissatisfaction (Koha)
Torres: Kosovo to be treated as sovereign state in EU-facilitated dialogue (Kosovapress)
Serwer: West’s pressure on Kosovo is unfair (TeVe1)
Vetevendosje excludes Besnik Mujeci, arrested in anti-drug operation in Albania (Kallxo)
Haxhiu: Opposition is ridiculous; Mujeci’s actions, individual responsibility (KTV)
Haradinaj: Kurti-led government returned the north to pre-independence period (RTK)
Charges filed against mayors of Tetovo and Cair for Kurti reception (RFE)
Taravari: Kurti is welcome in all Albanian municipalities and lands (media)
Krasniqi proud of municipalities led by PDK (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Hill on Kurti's visit to Tetovo: I'll leave it up to your imagination or ask someone else (RTS)
Petkovic: Pristina is not capable of understanding that the time has passed when Kurti was allowed to do everything (Radio Mitrovica sever)
Beqa: Telekom Serbia illegally bought operators for more than 20 million euros (RTK2, Kosovo Online) 

International Media:

Kosovo Ruling Party Expels Pristina Member Drug Arrest (BIRN)
Newborn Festival in Kosovo unites global cultures through dance (Prishtina Insight)
Telecom, a new Pristina-Belgrade issue, Kosovo government reacts (Euronews Albania)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 15, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: Legal basis for petition for elections in north, a matter of days (Albanian Post)
• Osmani comments on reactions to Kurti’s visit in North Macedonia (Dukagjini)
• Gervalla: New recognitions of Kosovo expected (RTK)
• Police confiscate over 1,200 bullets in a village near Zvecan (Nacionale)
• Government comments on media reports about number of Kurti’s advisors (media)
• VV municipal councillor in Pristina arrested in anti-drug operation in Tirana (Koha)
• AJK condemns lynching campaign against Nacionale reporters in Prizren (Kallxo)

Serbian Language Media:

• Von Cramon: Pristina to meet its obligations, then talk about Serbia, special police to leave municipal facilities (KoSSev)
• Deadline for vacating public spaces in Mitrovica North expired, what will happen with decision (KoSSev)
• Serbian List reacts to Atiq’s decision on free public spaces in Mitrovica North (Kosovo Online, media)
• Odalovic: Kurti playing with fire, Europe on vacation, Belgrade does not suit idling (RTS)

International:

• Kosovo Presses Montenegro Not to Allow Serbia to Sell its Assets (BIRN)

Kurti and Bozay, talk about strengthening Kosovo-Turkiye relations (media)
Osmani invites Erdogan for a visit to Kosovo (media)
Minister Rasic’s meetings in Brussels canceled (Reporteri)
Zeqiri: I see no conditions for holding new elections in the north (media)
Rasic: Hovenier is true friend of Kosovo and communities (Reporteri)
Kearns: A complete lack of balance is being witnessed in the EU's relations with Kosovo (Koha)
Vela: Belgrade is turning into the capital of extreme political ideologies (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

Stanic: The damage caused by the blockade of the import of Serbian goods to Kosovo not only financial (Tanjug, Radio Mitrovica sever)
The indictment against the former deputy mayor of Klokot (KiM radio)
Vujovic: BG lobbies to improve Vucic’s bad image, PR because of the trouble Kurti got them into (KoSSev)
International Media:

The vetting process in Kosovo’s judiciary, where is it stuck? (euronews.al)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti and Bozay, talk about strengthening Kosovo-Turkiye relations (media)
Osmani invites Erdogan for a visit to Kosovo (media)
Minister Rasic’s meetings in Brussels canceled (Reporteri)
Zeqiri: I see no conditions for holding new elections in the north (media)
Rasic: Hovenier is true friend of Kosovo and communities (Reporteri)
Kearns: A complete lack of balance is being witnessed in the EU's relations with Kosovo (Koha)
Vela: Belgrade is turning into the capital of extreme political ideologies (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:
Stanic: The damage caused by the blockade of the import of Serbian goods to Kosovo not only financial (Tanjug, Radio Mitrovica sever)
The indictment against the former deputy mayor of Klokot (KiM radio)
Vujovic: BG lobbies to improve Vucic’s bad image, PR because of the trouble Kurti got them into (KoSSev)
International Media:

The vetting process in Kosovo’s judiciary, where is it stuck? (euronews.al)

Albanian Language Media:

• Abdixhiku: Government has not been able to take a single step in infrastructure (media)
• The Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister meets the head of the PDK (media)
• Thaci's defense asks court to tell that charges in this case are not related to organ trafficking (media)
• Special Prosecutor's Office begins investigations into lack of wheat and oil reserves (Albanian Post)
• Experts advise cooperation with EU and US regarding elections in the north (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

• Sentic: Citizens and journalists in Kosovo have right to receive documents in Serbian language (KoSSev)
• Covic says some Quint states tolerate Kurti’s behaviour (RTS, Radio KIM)
• Maric: “Kurti is now promoting the “Great Albanian” idea in North Macedonia as well” (TV Most)
• "Kurti is a miracle from God": How is the support group for the Kosovo Prime Minister commented in Kosovo? (Danas)

Opinion:

• Are Kosovo and the "lithium trade" connected? (Danas, FoNet)
• "Kosovo should get a seat in the UN" and Serbia has committed to that, says Todorovic from YIHR (FoNet, Danas, RTK2)

International:

• Serbian Pride Condemns President’s Vow to Veto Law on Same Sex Unions (Balkan Insight)
• Pilot Exhibition Explores Enduring Legacy of Yugoslavia’s ‘Fateful Decade’ (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti gives details about cost and construction of Prizren-Tetovo road (Kallxo)
Symbolics of Kurti’s visit trigger reactions from Pendarovski and Vucic (Koha)
Mustafi reacts to Vucic’s statement against Kurti (media)
Hoti: Serbia not respecting agreement to open missing persons archive (TeVe1)
Kosovo joins Open Government Partnership (RTK)
Trial against former KLA leaders resumes today (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:
Vucic on Kurti’s visit to North Macedonia, says “Greater Albania“ promoted in Tetovo (KoSSev, media)
Kurti’s visit in North Macedonia caused reactions from country and Serbia (KoSSev, media)
Pendarovski condemns display of Albanian nationalist symbols in North Macedonia (N1, Radio KIM, KoSSev)
Office for KiM honors Gorazdevac victims (N1, media)
Serbian List: As per rule, when criminals are not punished, crimes reoccur again (Radio KIM, Kosovo Online, media)
EULEX: Documents handed over, Kosovo authorities have jurisdiction (Radio KIM)
Army of Serbia ranked as 58th in world (N1)
International Media:
As Poverty Rises, More Romany Children In Kosovo Are Being Forced To Beg (RFE)
The West’s ‘see no evil’ approach to Serbia’s Vucic is destabilizing the Balkans (CNN)
Controversial Singer’s Show Stirs Protest Against Kosovo Film Festival (Balkan Insight)
North Macedonia Leftists Slam Renaming of Anti-Fascist Brigade Street (Balkan Insight)
Serbia’s Vucic ’Does Not Think’ Ukraine Will Recognise Kosovo (Balkan Insight)
Bosnia to Investigate Online Admirers of Livestream Mass Shooter (Balkan Insight)