UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 28, 2021

Albanian Language Media:

• Situation in the north, Kosovo and Serbia meet tomorrow in Brussels (RTK)
• Von der Leyen: Increase of tensions between Kosovo and Serbia, worrying (media)
• US confirms Escobar will take part in Bislimi-Petkovic meeting in Brussels (Kallxo)
• MEPs concerned over recent tensions at the Kosovo-Serbia border crossings (media)
• Stano to Escobar: Dialogue is between Kosovo, Serbia and EU (Express)
• Germany requests removal of special forces and barricades from north (Express)
• Nehammer: Kosovo is acting carefully and positively (media)
• Vetting proceeded to government (Express)
• European Union election observers visit CEC (RTK)
• COVID-19: Eight deaths, 68 new cases (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Covid - 19 in Serbian communities: 40 new case, three deaths (KiM radio)
• Protests in northern Kosovo continue (RTS)
• "Meetings just to have meetings, unnecessary" (KiM radio)
• Dialogue depends on the situation in the north (KiM radio, RTS)
• Group of Serbs attacked in South Mitrovica, ten suspects arrested (Radio KIM, Kontakt plus radio)
• Drecun: If KFOR is stability factor, it should act like one (Tanjug)
• Defence Minister Stefanovic: "KFOR arrived at the crossings according to the agreement between Vucic and Stoltenberg" (Blic, TV Pink)
• North Mitrovica citizens on license plates reciprocity: We want the same thing Pristina wants – autonomy (KoSSev)
• Selakovic: Serbia highly appreciates consistent stance of Mexico not to recognize Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
• Borrell: EU, Western Balkans share responsibility for united Europe (N1)

International:

• Ordinary Serbs, Albanians Pay Price of Serbia-Kosovo Vehicle Row (Balkan Insight)
• Are Serbia and Kosovo Ready to Open Their War Archives? (Balkan Insight)

• Bislimi and Petkovic to meet in Brussels, agreement on license plates expected (Koha)
• EU: Chief negotiators to come to Brussels soon (Klan)
• President Osmani meets heads of security institutions (media)
• KFOR's proposal for resolving situation in the north accepted by Kurti but not by Vucic (Koha)
• KFOR meets Kosovo institution representatives and mayors of northern municipalities (media)
• NATO-led mission increases patrols on Kosovo-Serbia border (AP)
• Osmani’s office denies claims U.S. criticised Kosovo over actions in the north (Kallxo)
• Closing border point not to allow Albanians from Presevo movement deemed discriminatory (media)
• Milanovic: Kosovo responded to Serbia with same standards (media)
• Women candidates fight for gender equality in municipalities (BIRN)
• Court rejects university's lawsuit against municipality regarding Orthodox Church building (media)
• COVID-19: Three deaths, 23 new cases (media)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: No information that KFOR is preparing to intervene in north (Telegrafi)
• KFOR confirms increased patrolling in the north (Koha)
• Sources: Kosovo, Serbia chief negotiators could meet in Brussels this week (RFE)
• Rama: Serbia must stop theatrical military maneuvers (RFE)
• Over 10,000 provisional license plates administered since reciprocity (media)
• COVID-19: Three deaths, 23 new cases (media)
• Kosovo, Albanian governments to meet in late November (Klan Kosova)
• EC President to visit Kosovo on Wednesday as part of Balkans tour (Express)

Serbian Language Media:

• The EU expects Kurti and Vucic by the end of this week in Brussels (Kosovo Online, Tanjug)
• Protests in north enter second week, positions unchanged (RTS)
• KFOR members arrived at Jarinje (Kosovo-online)
• Armored vehicles of the Serbian Army near Jarinje (N1)
• Vucic: NATO to react within 24 hours if violence breaks out (N1)
• Stefanovic and Mojsilovic accompanied by Russian Ambassador visit army units in Raska (RTS)
• Brnabic on EU, current situation in northern Kosovo (TV Pink, media)
• Brnabic met UN SG Guterres in New York, reacted to Rama’s statement on Kosovo recognition (Tanjug, RTS)
• Gabriel Escobar in Brussels on the situation at the administrative crossings (Blic, Tanjug, RFE)
• Zubin Potok municipality: Old installation possible cause of fire (KoSSev)
• Vucic to meet Quint ambassadors today (RTS)
• Europol: Balkan drug cartel broken up (N1)

International:
• Albania defends Kosovo sovereignty, criticizes Serbia’s military maneuvers (Exit)
• NATO, EU call for deescalation in the north of Kosovo as tensions continue (EWB)
• Can Selling Weapons to Serbia Create Peace in the Balkans? (The National Interest)

• Registration centres in Zubin Potok and Zvecan attacked on weekend (media)
• Kurti: Dialogue is the only way to find solutions (media)
• Kurti and Svecla hold press conference following attacks in the north (media)
• Kosovo’s Security Council convened in light of recent incidents (media)
• President Osmani cuts short New York visit following events in the north (media)
• Opposition leaders support Kosovo institutions in upholding rule of law (media)
• International community calls on Kosovo and Serbia to de-escalate the situation (media)
• Vucic to Stoltenberg: Serbia did not violate agreements or jeopardised peace (N1)
• CDHRF: Serbia’s objective is the destabilisation of the situation (media)
• Serbian troops on heightened alert at Kosovo border (France 24)
• Police: Reciprocity with license plates continues to be implemented at border crossings (RTK)
• Russian ambassador inspects Serb military troops near Kosovo border (media)
• Albanian PM Rama to visit Kosovo today (media)
• Court concludes ruling on registration of land to Decan Monastery is not enforced (media)
• COVID-19: Five deaths, 77 new cases (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 24, 2021

Albanian Language Media:

• Bislimi: License plates decision is unrelated to Brussels agreement (media)
• Tensions following reciprocity change dialogue's course (Koha)
• Court rejects SL's claims that Kosovo Government's formation was unconstitutional (media)
• In Hungary, Speaker Konjufca criticises EU over visa liberalisation (media)
• KSF and Kosovo Police conclude joint exercise with KFOR (media)
• Committee approves national programme for implementation of SAA (Kosovapress)
• COVID-19: Four deaths, 84 new cases (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Peaceful protest of Serbs in northern Kosovo continues (RTS, Kosovo-online)
• One of three Serbs beaten by police in wood close to Brnjak speaks about attack; police denies local media report (KoSSev, media)
• Elek: Beaten Serbs spent difficult night at hospital (Tanjug, Kosovo-online)
• Serbian PM tells Belgian counterpart Pristina perpetrating violence (N1)
• Brnabic to address UN General Debate of world leaders today (B92)
• Washington more strongly involved with the EU in renewing the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and calming the crisis in Kosovo (NMagazin, Beta)
• Kosovo police removed poster “Welcome to ZSO” in Strpce (Radio KIM)
• Vulin: ''We are not negotiating with a gun pointed at the forehead'' (NMagazin, Beta, N1, TV Pink)
• Former Greek ambassador: "In the end, we will recognize the so-called Kosovo" (B92)
• Brnabic: We have much to lose if we fall for Pristina’s provocations (Tanjug)
• Ursula von der Leyen to visit Belgrade on September 29 (Tanjug)
• Commission for Missing Persons: Mortal remains of three Serbs taken over at the Merdare crossing (FoNet, Danas)
• Kosovo Constitutional Court issues Decision on non-execution of its verdict which confirmed ownership of Visoki Decani Monastery (Danas)

Opinion:

• The Potemkin facade of Vucic's rule (Kosovo 2.0)

• US Embassy: Immediate steps needed to de-escalate tensions (media)
• Osmani, Djukanovic and Komsic concerned over latest developments (media)
• Montenegro President: Balkans, again an arena of geopolitical clashes (Kallxo)
• Serbian govt, state-affiliated media falsely accuse Kosovo police of brutality (Exit News)
• Serbian troops on alert on Kosovo border as tensions mount (AP)
• Reports of Russian nationals joining Serbs protesting in the north (media)
• Osmani: Kosovo is blessed with friends like President Clinton (media)
• Abdixhiku: Lack of governance can’t be compensated with actions in north (media)
• ‘Fake War Veterans’ case causes long-term recriminations in Kosovo (BIRN)
• COVID-19: 7 deaths, 173 new cases (media)
• Minister of Health announces new measures against COVID-19 (media)

Albanian Language Media:

• Tanin calls for reducing of tensions: Responsible leadership to be shown (media)
• Kosovo Police rejects reports that its officers beat up three Serbs (media)
• Svecla on situation in the north: We do not expect escalation (media)
• EU with diplomatic commitment to reduce tensions in the north (RFE Albanian)
• The situation in Brnjak, tense (Kallxo.com)
• Serbian gendarmerie vehicles patrol near the Kosovo Police in Jarinje (Koha)
• Police give details on situation in Jarinje and Brnjak (Express)
• ARC has administered 6375 license plates after establishing reciprocity (media)
• Police are not allowing anyone to cross the barricade leading to Brnjak (Klan)
• Vucic sets four conditions to return to dialogue, Kurti sets one to remove reciprocity (Express)
• Municipal mayors to discuss new anti-COVID measures with Health Minister (media)
• PSD files charges against Minister Vitia (media)
• Meeting of Assembly chairmanship fails, due to lack of quorum (media)
• Geopolitics expert: Kosovo’s two messages to Brussels (euronews.al)
• COVID-19: 7 deaths, 173 new cases (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• UNMIK chief: All sides to take steps to avoid tensions in Kosovo (media)
• Protests at Jarinje and Brnjak continues (RTS)
• Petkovic: Three Serbs beaten near the Brnjak crossing (KiM radio, Radio Mitrovica sever, TV Most)
• Stefanovic: Combat readiness of Army of Serbia garrisons in Raska and Novi Pazar raised (RTS)
• Vucic: No talks until Pristina withdraws forces from north Kosovo (N1)
• Petkovic: Situation to return to the one prior to September 20 (Radio KIM)
• Civil sector and media call for urgent de-escalation; discuss freedom of movement in Brussels (Radio Kontakt plus, KoSSev, RTK2, Kosovo Online)
• Kosovo police arrest three Serbs over poster; Serbian officials condemned the act (N1, Radio KIM, Kosovo-online)
• What message billboards “Welcome to ZSO” convey? (Radio KIM)
• Selakovic to Borrell: Belgrade committed to dialogue, but doesn’t accept unilateral acts (media)
• A book by Albin Kurti's wife promoted in Belgrade (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
• Covid-19 in Serbian communities: 24 new cases (KiM radio)

• EU High Representative statement on situation in north of Kosovo (media)
• Ethnic Serbs dig in for long protest over Kosovo ban (AFP)
• Kosovo Police refute report by Kosovo Online (media)
• Moscow: Kosovo police actions against Serbs, provocation (media)
• Presevo Valley Albanians to be compensated for license plates payment (media)
• Presevo Mayor supports Kosovo Government's decision on license plates (media)
• Prime Minister Kurti meets Albanian Assembly Speaker Nikolla (media)
• Opinion: Is lawfulness always good? By Arben Idrizi (Gazeta Express)
• COVID-19: 5 deaths, 160 new cases (media)
• Ministry of Health launches electronic COVID-19 vaccination certificate (media)
• “New decision on start of school year to be made before September 26” (Kallxo)
• President Osmani meets President of Guinea Bissau Embaló (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 22, 2021

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: We’ll remove measures on license plates, if Serbia does the same (media)
• EU High Representative Josep Borrell meets with regional leaders (media)
• Osmani: Kosovo met visa liberalisation requirements, EU must deliver (media)
• President Osmani, Foreign Minister Gervalla meet NATO SG Stoltenberg (media)
• Health Minister: 500,000 Pfizer doses will arrive by year’s end (media)
• COVID-19: Five deaths, 160 new cases (media)
• Nikola: Let’s come together so the world knows about Serbia’s crimes (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Varhelyi: Unilateral actions lead to unnecessary tensions and should be withdrawn (Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic: Kurti plans to negotiate but with long barrels and armored vehicles goes against the bare-handed people (Kosovo Online)
• Vulin: ''The situation in Kosovo and Metohija calm, but tense'' (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
• The Kosovo government discussing the situation in the north; no translation for Serbian media (KiM radio)
• Number of people gathering at Jarinje increases, no incidents (Kosovo-online)
• Covic: Now international community is on move (RTS)
• Representatives of WB with Borrell at a working dinner in NY (media)
• Tanjug: EU proposes Vucic-Kurti meeting in Brussels, aiming at reducing tensions (Kosovo-online)
• Selakovic met foreign ministers of Tunisia, Estonia and Bolivia in NY (RTS)
• EU-Western Balkans Summit in Slovenia in October (N1)
• Serbian Government to set up health care centers in north Kosovo (N1)
• Novakovic: Kurti introduced reciprocity because of local elections also (Kosovo-online)
• NADA for more decisive response of Serbia over ROSU units in north (Kosovo-online)
• The issuance of trial plates in Laplje Selo started today (KiM radio)

Opinion:

• Merkel’s Balkan Farewell More than Just Symbolic (Balkan Insight)

International:

• Restore trust and inspire hope, UN chief says in message to UNGA76 (news.un.org)
• World leaders speak at United Nations General Assembly (Al Jazeera)

• Kurti: Reciprocity on license plates is not a provocation or discriminatory (media)
• Osmani: The region is increasingly being threatened by Serbia's actions (media)
• EU: Kosovo and Serbia to resolve license plates issue through dialogue (Telegrafi)
• Kamberi: Decision on license plates is just, Presevo Valley citizens to be compensated (KP)
• CDHRF: Reciprocity on license plates does not violate human rights (Zeri)
• Albanian PM Rama comments on license plates measures (media)
• Basha: Relations between two independent countries rest on reciprocity (media)
• “Only Kosovo Police members involved in operation in the north” (media)
• Roadblocks near Bernjak and Jarinje border crossing points remain (media)
• Pyper poll: Over 79% believe reciprocity will have positive impact on Kosovo's image (Telegrafi)
• Osmani outlines meetings at the sidelines of UNGA session (media)
• Grenell criticises President Biden over his UNGA speech (media)
• Kosovo delegation visits Specialist Chambers at The Hague (media)
• Kosovo War Crime Witness Asks Hague Court for Compensation (BIRN)
• COVID-19: Seven deaths, 173 new cases (media)