UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 1, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• EP demands Association and agreement with mutual recognition between Kosovo and Serbia (Sinjali)
• Kurti: An ethnic association is not possible in a multi-ethnic Kosovo (media)
• Hovenier: The U.S. thinks it is time to move forward with the Association (Telegrafi)
• Rohde: You are late with the Association (Nacionale)
• PDK’s Krasniqi meets with Escobar, discuss developments in Kosovo and the region (Reporteri)
• Kurti: The biggest salary increase ever in independent Kosovo (Klan)
• Murati: With new law, average gross salary will be 730 euros (Klan)
• The value of coefficient for salaries of over 80 thousand workers, published (media)
• Abdixhiku on salary coefficient: Kosovo's emptying coefficient (Albanian Post)
• The opposition leaves Assembly session in protest of salary coefficient (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• EU sources: Kosovo Constitutional Court did not dispute the establishment of the CSM (ZSO) (Beta, NMagazin)
• Serbian Parliament Speaker says MPs will debate report, not proposal for Kosovo (N1)
• Vucic: Parties not interested in Kosovo proposal (N1)
• Aleksic: Peoples’ Party submits Resolution against European plan to Serbian Assembly (KoSSev)
• Police secures works on disputed land in Dren village in Leposavic (Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic: Clear intention to cause new crisis and tensions by land expropriation in Leposavic (Kosovo Online)
• SL attended the discussion at the embassy: It was underlined that the ASM should have executive powers (KoSSev)
• Arsenijevic: Hovenier brought the incompatible under one roof, productive discussions (KoSSev)
• Brnabic says it is unclear to her why Friedrich Ebert Foundation deals with ZSO establishment (Radio KIM)
• Hill with Vucevic: The USA ready to help the process of equipping the Serbian Armed Forces (RTS)
• Kosovo police searched Milan Radojevic, former Mitrovica North mayor, after shooting a video (Radio KIM, media)
• Pristina's application for membership in the Council of Europe not on the Committee's agenda (Tanjug)

International:

• In Kosovo, Proposal to Research Post-War Crimes Sparks Controversy (Balkan Insight)
• Kosovo Ruling Party Accused of ‘Capturing’ Public Broadcaster (Balkan Insight)
• A Serb Association in Kosovo Would Threaten Integration and Peace (BIRN)

• US hosts ‘constructive’ talks on contested Kosovo Serb municipality body (BIRN)
• Hovenier: We don’t support an agreement that threatens Kosovo sovereignty (RFE)
• Serbian List: Association must have executive competencies (RFE)
• Abbott: There is no question of creating a monoethnic enclave (media)
• State Department doesn’t comment on reports of blocking Kosovo at CoE (media)
• Haradinaj: Association, the only way to reach final agreement (media)
• Serwer: Put the ball in Serbia’s court (peacefare.net)
• Von Cramon submits draft report on Kosovo to European Parliament (RFE)
• Kosovo progress on – but still doesn’t control – corruption (Prishtina Insight)
• Opposition parties accuse Vetevendosje of “capturing the RTK” (Koha)
• Kosovo and Serbia: Synchronising the timing for peace (Euractiv)
• UNMIK supports Kosovo families as they recover from recent floods (Kallxo)

Albanian Language Media:

• Hovenier: We continue to advocate for implementation of all commitments (media)
• “It went very well” source says about meeting at U.S. Embassy (Albanian Post)
• EU comments on Kurti’s recent statement on Association (Reporteri)
• Vetevendosje MPs comment on Association of Serb-majority municipalities (media)
• Analysts: Association should be postponed; should be part of final agreement (RTK)
• Haxhiu: Our government is uncompromised in fight against corruption (Indeksonline)
• Hoxhaj in Vecernji List slams Milanovic’s statement about Kosovo (Express)

Serbian Language Media:

• American Embassy in Pristina: A critical element for the future of Kosovo is the formation of the ASM (ZSO) (Kosovo Online)
• The Serbian community was unanimous at the meeting on the ZSO at the US Embassy in Pristina (N1)
• Serbian Government submits proposal to Parliament for special session on Kosovo (N1, FoNet)
• Vucic: Why is only Serbia's territorial integrity not respected? (Tanjug)
• Zeman: We have not derecognised Kosovo, but we never sent ambassador to Pristina (Tanjug)
• Dacic welcomes Croatian President’s “principled” statement on Kosovo (Hina, Tanjug, N1)
• Hill: Formation of ZSO is a legal obligation of Pristina (NMagazin, AP, Beta, TV Pink)
• Drecun: Political maneuvers to adapt the CSM (ZSO) to Pristina's view (FoNet, Danas, RTS)
• Dacic to begin three-day visit to Washington (Tanjug)
• The editor of the show “Pravo na sutra” still prohibited from entering Kosovo (uns.org, KiM radio, Kontakt plus radio)

International:

• Bosnia, Serbia, Turkey, Hungary Corruption Worsening, Transparency Says (BIRN)

• U.S.: Kurti and Osmani’s offices confirmed attendance in discussion (RFE)
• U.S. presses Kosovo on municipal body in Serb-majority areas (AP)
• German ambassador insists on establishment of Association (media)
• Kusari-Lila: Bigger pressure on Kosovo, because only govt is resisting (T7)
• Haradinaj meets Escobar: Final agreement must be a joint victory (media)
• Schlee: According to statute, Association won’t have executive powers (KTV)
• Gorani: This government has not said no to the Association (media)
• Walker: It is not good to form the Association (Telegrafi)
• TI: Despite the fight, Kosovo has yet to control corruption (RFE)
• Croatian Prime Minister reacts to President Milanovic: Kosovo is an independent state, no one has annexed it (Koha)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kusari-Lila: The association can only be formed by the institutions of Kosovo (media)
• LVV MPs after the U.S. position on the Association: Zajednica does not pass (media)
• LVV against the establishment of an association on ethnic grounds (RTK)
• LDK confirms it will attend discussion on Association (Telegrafi)
• PDK’s Tahiri: Kurti has brought Kosovo to miserable position vis-à-vis USA (media)
• Kurti's advisor publishes 1999 documents when the EU had sanctioned Vucic (RTK)
• According to the FES statute, the Association will have its own official symbols (RTK)
• If the Basic Agreement is not signed, integration process will be blocked, support frozen, and there will be a setback in the relations with the West (Albanian Post)
• Serbian national arrested driving truck with 107 kg of drugs in Kosovo (Nacionale)

Serbian Language Media:

• Chollet, Escobar: The Time for Establishing the ASM is Now (KoSSev)
• Vucic: Serbia wants a compromise, but it also has principles and expectations (FoNet, N1, media)
• Councilors of the CI "For Zubin Potok" took over their mandates, then submitted their resignations (Kosovo Online)
• Djuric: CSM (ZSO) is a condition for continuation of talks with Pristina (KiM radio, KoSSev, Beta, TV Pink)
• ‘Kreni-Promeni’ movement launches a petition for the withdrawal of Kosovo special forces and bases from the north (KoSSev)
• Dacic defends Brussels Agreement: It was the maximum Belgrade could achieve (Politika, Beta, N1)
• Office for KiM: Stoned vehicle with 'KG' plates in Suvi Do (KiM radio)

Opinion:

• The solution to the Kosovo problem suggests political retirement for many (euractive.com)

International:

• Italy Seeks Higher Profile Role in Western Balkans (Balkan Insight)
• KFOR: It is important to refrain from provocations and seek solutions through dialogue (EWB)

• Kurti: The European proposal is not a final agreement (Radio Free Europe)
• Kurti: I didn’t receive satisfactory explanations for Association formation (RTK2)
• U.S. reiterates necessity to form Association of Serb municipalities (Koha)
• Hoti: Because of Kurti’s actions, Association is asked right now (Kosovapress)
• Krasniqi: Most difficult days since liberation; people want to leave (media)
• Petritsch: Kurti cannot avoid Association (media)
• Abazovic supports Kurti on Association (Top Channel/Koha)
• KFOR: Refrain from provocations, seek solutions through dialogue (EWB)
• How Investigators Found the Yugoslav Wars’ Disappeared (BIRN)
• Rama: Vucic and I, completely different views on Kosovo (Albanian Daily News)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 27, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Austria, a great friend of Kosovo and an important partner (media)
• Osmani welcomes the friendly delegation of Austria and MEP Mandl (media)
• Without recognition, EU proposal is unacceptable for the opposition (RFE)
• Serwer: Association was included in second version of proposal (media)
• British MP: An article of the French-German proposal, is disturbing (Reporteri)
• German MP advises Kurti for compromise regarding EU and Association proposal (media)
• Murati: Property tax increase was initiated by former governments (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Serbian List announces complaint on decision on land expropriation in Leposavic (Radio KIM, media)
• Leposavic: Municipality to meet residents affected by expropriation of land (Kosovo Online, Radio Mitrovica sever, media)
• Plazma biscuit again in the campaign - the American one: “Open market, open mind” (KoSSev)
• Dacic: Serbia's position on French-German proposal very clear, responsible (Tanjug)
• Dacic: Turkey will insist on honouring of Belgrade-Pristina agreements (Beta, N1)
• Demostat: The PM, not Vucic, will sign the future agreement (Beta, N1)
• Vucic receives farewell visit from Palestinian ambassador (Tanjug)
• Ambassador of Greece to Serbia: We are not changing our position on Kosovo (Blic, Tanjug)
• Danas: West expects normalisation of Belgrade-Pristina relations by year end (N1, FoNet)
• Borko Stefanovic: To solve the Kosovo problem without recognizing independent Kosovo (NMagazin, Euronews, Beta)
• Jeremic: No normal person should sign the agreement that takes Kosovo to the UN
• Petkovic: Kurti’s attacks on ZSO cynical (Radio KIM)

International:

• Kosovo’s War Rape Survivors Scheme Hindered by Enduring Stigmas (BIRN)

• Donfried: Kosovo and Serbia must make difficult decisions (VoA)
• Kurti: Constitution, independence don’t tolerate monoethnic Association (Koha)
• Osmani meets with Hovenier, discuss about latest developments (media)
• Government: Request for Association, against the state of Kosovo (KTV)
• Rohde: No guarantee that Kosovo will be recognized by EU’s non-recognizing five at the end of dialogue (media)
• The EU 10-point plan that West envoys presented to Kurti and Vucic (Reporteri)
• Sign deal or face consequences, EU envoy tells Kosovo, Serbia (Reuters)
• US Urges Kosovo to Accept EU proposal (Prishtina Insight)
• Dare we hope agreement between Serbia and Kosovo is possible? (Emerging Europe)
• Konjufca: Kosovo, strong support from MEPs for CoE membership (media)
• The north, topic for which Kosovars are misinformed the most (RFE)
• Kamberi writes letter to Escobar about Presevo Valley (media)
• Serbia asks Turkey to influence Kosovo (Armenia News)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti on meeting with Lajcak: Agreement must be centred on mutual recognition (media)
• Miroslav Lajcak’s interview with Klan Kosova (Klan)
• Kurti: Government is working on digital transformation (EO)
• Haradinaj wants Kurti to explain what he agreed with Lajcak (media)
• Vacancy for new police officers in the north extended to February 10 (RFE)
• Petritsch: Kosovo to fulfil its obligations and establish the Association (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

• Serbian Parliament on February 2 on Kosovo, Vucic to attend (Tanjug)
• Lajcak: 11-point plan to normalise Belgrade-Pristina relations (N1, Kosovo Online)
• Djilas calls for publication of EU proposal for Kosovo (N1)
• Aleksic: Serbian parliament to adopt red lines on the Kosovo issue (NMagazin, Beta, N1)
• Dacic thanks Romania for principled stance on Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Protest against EU proposal for Kosovo in Mitrovica North (KoSSev, N1)
• Mijacic: Franco-German plan aims at Slovakia, Greece and Romania to recognize Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• CI For Zubin Potok assumed their councillor’s mandates in MA (KoSSev)
• Euronews Serbia: Fragility of agreement on licence plates
• Kurti: There are no Serbian municipalities in Kosovo (KiM radio)

Opinion:

• Analyst on intimidation of Serbian public and “boiling frog” (Nova S)

International:

• US Urges Kosovo to Accept EU proposal (Prishtina Insight)

• Lajcak: With European proposal, Kosovo gains a lot and loses nothing (Klan)
• Lajcak meets Kurti and Bislimi in Pristina (media)
• Price: Kosovo, Serbia want rapid progress in dialogue to avoid escalation (Klan)
• Howell: Kosovo should be accepted to the Council of Europe (RFE)
• What is happening in Kosovo? The U.S. invites politicians to the embassy, journalist shares details (euronews.al)
• PDK’s Krasniqi confirms he will attend discussion on Association (media)
• FES to present draft statute of Association on January 30 (Nacionale)
• EU and Germany help improve waste management in Kosovo; invest additional €49 mil in the sector (eeas.europa.eu)
• UN Committee: Switzerland shouldn’t deport Turkish couple to Kosovo (BIRN)
• Plisi shouldn’t exist only in museums (Prishtina Insight)
• Serbia Jeopardises EU Integration Path If It Rejects Kosovo Plan, Vucic Says (schengenvisainfo)
• Serbian parliament to debate Kosovo, Vucic calls opposition for talks (Euractiv)