UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 19, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• Kosovo PM Hoti: Thaci knows I will lead the dialogue (Gazeta Express)
• Grenell: Land swap was Bolton’s idea, not Trump’s (Fox News, RTK)
• Von Cramon hopes visa liberalization for Kosovo during Germany’s presidency (Klan)
• Pompeo congratulates Hoti for peaceful government formation (media)
• Osmani demands visa liberalization from the EU (media)
• Number of hospitalized with COVID-19 increases, 65 today (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: Talks on Kosovo as “chess game”, we are ready for compromise (RTV)
• “Without rule of law, any agreement is dead letter on paper” (Radio KIM)
• Dacic thanks Lavrov for Russia’s support on Kosovo issue (N1)
• European Parliament to debate report on Western Balkans (N1)
• Lajcak to visit Belgrade on June 22 and 23 (FoNet)
• REC adopted election instruction for Sunday elections in KiM (TV Most)
• OSCE will implement practice established and applied in past during these elections (RTK2)
• US Embassy in Pristina: We will not observe elections on Sunday (Kosovo-online, RTV KIM)
• "If exchanging territories is the way..." (Kosovo-online, B92)
• Vucic urged citizens to vote on Sunday’s elections (B92)
• Pre-election silence in Serbia starts at midnight until Sunday evening (N1, FoNet)

Opinion:

• Race for Serbia-Kosovo Deal Betrays America’s Best Principles (Balkan Insight)
• Five mounting challenges for China in the Western Balkans (ECFR)

International:

• Moscow's Approval Necessary For Any Deal Between Serbia, Kosovo, Lavrov Says (RFE)
• Serbia ready to sacrifice EU membership over Kosovo deal (Reuters)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Balkan Countries Relax Guard Despite COVID-19’s Second Wave (Balkan Insight)
• Media Literacy Project: Beware of hybrid objective journalism (KoSSev)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 18, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• Grenell: Kosovo, Serbia leaders to begin new era of stability and prosperity (media)
• Lajcak: Dialogue ready to resume, date to be set soon (media)
• Hoti meets political leaders, VV and PDK boycott meeting (media)
• Nagavci: Hoti and government to know there's a point they cannot cross (media)
• Limaj: Dialogue should have a name (Telegrafi)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic worried about ''Russia’s assessments regarding various plans and ideas'' for solving the Kosovo issues (KoSSev, B92)
• Jeremic: Some announcement on Kosovo at White House on June 27 (N1)
• Lavrov today in Belgrade, what are the key topics of conversation (RTS)
• Vucic, Lajcak, Moscow, Washington ... and Mile (B92)
• Vucic: EU doesn't know what to offer us for Kosovo's UN membership (Vecernje Novosti, Beta, N1)
• Stoltenberg: Meeting in Washington right step in right direction (RTS)
• Why Trump's withdrawal of 10,000 troops from Germany relates to the Balkans (Klix.ba, B92)
• Lajcak meet Serbian List officials, mayors (N1)
• Djuric: Hoti buries dialogue (RTS)
• Vucic: If SNS doesn't win an absolute majority, it will not ask for a mandate (B92, RTS)
• Rakic met northern Kosovo mayors (Kosovo-online)

Opinion:

• Don’t count on a White House Kosovo-Serbia breakthrough (Atlantic Council)
• Russia-Serbia partnership does not depend on Belgrade’s dialogue with Brussels (Info Ros)

International:

• Europe Worries Trump May Wreck Chunk of Merkel’s Legacy (Bloomberg)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Film festivals in Kosovo postponed until August (Prishtina Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

• Hoti invites entity leaders to coordinate prior to visit to Washington (Express)
• Lajcak: Kosovo to speak with one voice about the dialogue (media)
• AAK to Lajcak: We hail EU’s engagement for dialogue led by the U.S. (Express)
• Hoti: Intention of dialogue is recognition, territory cannot be discussed (media)
• Swiss Ambassador: U.S. inclusion in dialogue, welcomed (media)
• LVV rejects Hoti’s invitation for a meeting (media)
• CDHRF: Opposition should take on responsibility for dialogue (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

• EU’s Lajčák: Details about meetings in Pristina on Thursday (N1)
• Vucic about Hoti's platform for dialogue: Then do not come to negotiations (KoSSev)
• American surprise and "Kosovo battle" on the eve of Vidovdan (B92, Sputnik)
• Milivojevic: We have maneuvering space, our arguments grew stronger (RTS)
• The first case of coronavirus in Serbian areas South of the Ibar (RTV Puls)
• Dacic: Moscow will support every solution in Belgrade's interest (Beta, N1)
• European Parliament rapporteurs welcome Lajcak visit to Kosovo (N1)
• The ''Smuggling'' case trial begins; Prosecution witnesses also plead not guilty (KoSSev)
• White House ready to host Belgrade – Pristina meeting (N1, VOA)
• Brnabic: If they wanted to find out who killed Ivanovic, they would have found out by now (KoSSev)
• RIK President: Information is expected for elections in Kosovo and Metohija (KoSSev)

Opinion:

• The signing ceremony is on (Prishtina Insight)
• US and EU Policy on Kosovo is in Disarray (Balkan Insight)

International:

• Borrell nominates three new Heads of EU Delegations to the Western Balkans (EWB)
• EU, US display differences over Serbia-Kosovo negotiation (AP)
• Balkan nations must not be faced with choice between West and Russia, says Lavrov (TASS)
• Serbia, Kosovo Prepare for Restart of Talks in Washington (Balkan Insight)
• Parliament extends and beefs up Swiss peacekeeping mission in Kosovo (swissinfo.ch)
• Trade barriers and wary eye on Serbia hold back Balkan economies (Financial Times)
• Trump envoy brokers White House meeting for Kosovo and Serbia presidents (The Guardian)
• Red Flag: Ahead Of Serbian Vote, Vucic And Allies Lean On China Ties (RFE)

Humanitarian/Development:

• 16 Fathers and Sons Massacred, One Kosovo Family Torn Apart (Balkan Insight)
• OSCE Mission published report on property rights claims resolution in post-conflict Kosovo (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 16, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• Thaci to meet Lajcak today, president's office confirms (media)
• Thaci: U.S. was clear that dialogue's aim is mutual recognition (media)
• Von Cramon: Let's strive for a sustainable and well negotiated agreement (media)
• Lajcak on his way to Kosovo (media)
• Osmani: This is the true face of Serbia (media)
• Abazi: Thaci spent millions to make partition of Kosovo a reality (Kallxo/Telegrafi)
• Spokesperson: PDK supports Washington meeting (Telegrafi)
• Another patient succumbs to COVID – 19 (media)
• Prishtina Mayor: Latest figures with coronavirus are alarming! (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: I feel ashamed to talk about recognition of Kosovo on eve of Vidovdan (B92)
• Trajkovic: Grenell’s invitation to White House implies signature on Kosovo agreement (N1)
• Vucic's predictions coming true now? (B92, Tanjug)
• Brnabic: Topic of next Belgrade-Pristina meeting economic development, significant investments in Kosovo (TV Most)
• Milic: Grenell would focus on economy; US offer should be accepted (Kosovo-online)
• Dacic: UN to verify solution of Kosovo issue (Vecernje Novosti, N1)
• EU Office in Pristina without comment on White House meeting (Tanjug)
• Vucic says polling stations would be open in Kosovo on June 21 (N1, BETA)
• Serb-populated areas in Kosovo without new Covid-19 infection cases in June (KoSSev)

International:

• White House to host Kosovo peace talks, envoy says (Politico)
• Land Swap Idea Resurfaces to Haunt Serbia-Kosovo Talks (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Kosovo War Crime Victims Losing Hope of Compensation (Balkan Insight)
• Prosecution indicts MP for punching journalist (Prishtina Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 15, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• Lajcak tomorrow in Kosovo (media)
• Thaci: Dialogue with Serbia will conclude with mutual recognition (media)
• Hoti says there is no dilemma he will lead the dialogue (Koha)
• Meeting between Lajcak and Thaci remains unconfirmed (RTK)
• Kosovo Government Priorities: Economic Recovery and Dialogue with Serbia (Express)
• The Ministry of Health presents the manual for virus protection (Express)

Serbian Language Media:

• Serbian house in Orahovac burned down (RTK2, KIM radio, B92)
• Petrich: Thaci insulted EU, Lajcak responsible for European resolution of Kosovo issue (Kosovo-online)
• Dacic: Lack of ideas for compromise regarding Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (TV Pink, N1)
• Djuric: We will inform Lajcak about terror Serbs are exposed to, no imposed solutions (media)
• Vucic: Elections won't be postponed, many ministers will be replaced (FoNet, N1, TV Pink)
• Sekulic: Negotiations on Kosovo have already continued, government will not last full term (N1, KoSSev)
• Members of academic community, public figures request Vucic's resignation (FoNet, N1)

Opinion:

• Are the troubles of returnees greater than their love for Metohija? (KoSSev)
• Autocratic contagion: Here come the 'tyrants' (Balkan Insight)

International:

• Kosovo’s Vetevendosje Celebrates Anniversary Peacefully (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Coronavirus cases continue to rise (Prishtina Insight)
• Most EU member states have opened their borders as of today, but... (Tanjug, B92)