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UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 03, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: We cannot allow our good will be undermined by Serbia (media)
• Konjufca reacts to reports that Sierra Leone has revoked recognition of Kosovo (media)
• Thaci plans to address Kosovo Assembly tomorrow (Telegrafi)
• Grenell reacts to Judah concerning Thaci-Vucic meeting (Klan)
• Kurti: Reciprocity will happen (Klan Kosova/RTK)
• Kosovo, Albania, Croatia form initiative to deepen tripartite relations (Zeri/Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

• Dacic: Sierra Leone 18th state to withdraw Kosovo’s recognition; Pristina: We have nothing to confirm (KoSSev)
• Successful discussion followed by a great dinner with bacon from Wisconsin (B92, Tanjug)
• Vucic and Thaci met at the White House; "I only asked Albanians one thing" (VoA, Tanjug, B92)
• Gerxhaliu: Pristina's decision to abolish tariffs by the end of this or next week (nova.rs, Tanjug)
• Rama: "I've highly appreciated Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj. However, he is a big liar" (Kosovo Online, B92, Gazeta Express)
• Djuric: Withdrawal of recognition is a confirmation of Serbia’s persistence (RTS)

International:

• Kosovar, Serbian Presidents Hold 'Goodwill' Meeting At White House (RFE)
• Kosovo Lays Out Prospect of Tariff Cut on Serb Goods (AP/NYT)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Kosovo's new government includes most women since independence (Al Jazeera)
• Advice To My Younger Self: Women From The Balkans (RFE)
• 'Balkan route' countries pledge to stop asylum seekers (euobserver.com)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 02, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

Kosovo PM Kurti writes to President Trump, Secretary Pompeo (media)
Selimi: Opposition not clear on what is asking regarding tax (media)
Gashi: Citizens have voted for removal of tax (media)
Hamza: Kosovo needs to preserve relations with U.S. and EU (Telegrafi)
Haradinaj: We kept the tax despite pressure, new government to do likewise (Koha)
Kurti invites Veseli, Haradinaj to a meeting (Kallxo)
CEC holds ballot draw for extraordinary mayoral elections in Podujeve (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Odalovic: Most important is for Kosovo to abolish tariffs and create conditions to continue the dialogue (N1, Kosovo Online)
Vucic: Parliamentary elections on March 4 (Beta, RTS, N1)
Serbia's Vucic: Grenell's right, Kurti's offer attempted hoax (FoNet, N1)
Law on the Use of Languages in Kosovo is a dead letter on paper (KoSSev)

Opinion:

The Balkans in the New Decade: Regional Opportunities Ahead (theglobalist.com)

International:

Serbia to open diplomatic mission in Jerusalem (israelnationalnews.com)
Serbian pres tells ‘Post’ he will buy weapons from Israel (jpost.com)

Humanitarian/Development:

Situation on Greek border to deteriorate, confidential Frontex report warns (ekathimerini.com)
Mirgrad – a new city for the reconciliation of Serbs and Albanians (KoSSev)
Balkans brace for another migration crisis, urge EU to wake up (euractiv.com)
Association of Journalists condemns physical assault on RTK staff (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 28, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• Kosovo government dismisses boards of Trepca, Infrakos (media)
• Osmani: Important for coalition partners to take joint decisions (media)
• Judah: Kurti defies Grenell's team while Palmer's team keeps quiet (media)
• Kosovo requests information from Romania on the killing of two protesters in 2007 (Zeri)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: Western allies will come out with agreed plan for Kosovo (FoNet, Beta, N1)
• A slap from America: "Kurti is making a serious mistake" (Tanjug, B92)
• "No willingness to create conditions for Serbs to live better" (KIM radio, Kontakt plus radio)
• Joseph: Kurti’s decision indicator of US power (Tanjug, Dnevnik)
• Russian MFA Spokeswoman comments on Kosovo Specialist Chambers’ readiness to initiate proceedings (Serbian media)
• Nova.rs website publishes new details about Serb politician murder in Kosovo (Nova.rs, N1)

International:

• Kosovo to partially remove tariffs on Serbian-made goods (Reuters)
• U.S. Envoy Calls Kosovo's Decision To Partially Lift Serbian Import Tariffs A 'Serious Mistake' (RFE)
• Mixed reactions to Kurti’s tariff plans (Balkan Insight)
• EU's Varhelyi: Accession Talks With Two Balkan States Could Open in Weeks (The New York Times)
• Life in the Shadow of Kosovo’s new Border/Boundaries (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Mehmet Bogujevci: Boxers from Kosovo will participate in the championship in Belgrade (RTK2, Kosovo Online)
• "Turkey will no longer stop refugees" - migrants already heading towards Europe (Tanjug, B92, Reuters)
• Social Media a Help and Hindrance in Balkan Coronavirus Fight (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 27, 2020

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 27, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• Greek PM: Resumption of dialogue strengthens European perspective (Koha)
• Surroi: Thaci-Rasmussen letter exchange is an international agreement (Telegrafi)
• Gazeta Express: Kurti told U.S. he will not lift tax (RTK)
• In Washington, Thaci meets DFC chief executive, Adam Boehler (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: "They will give even more... but will seek from us de facto or de jure Kosovo's recognition" (O2, RTS, KoSSev)
• Raskovic-Ivic: Vucic never presented proposal on resolving Kosovo issue to citizens or MPs (N1, KoSSev)
• Djuric: Kurti threatens Serbia again (Kosovo-online, RTS)
• BIRODI says President Vucic dominates prime news programme on Serbian TV stations (N1)
• US to Kosovo: We expect lifting of taxes as step toward resumption of dialogue (Beta, N1)
• Albanian attacked Serbs in Grizime village, Office for KiM condemns incident (RTV Puls, Radio KIM)

International:

• Kosovo Leaders Trade Angry Words Over ‘Secret’ NATO Deal (Balkan Insight)
• NATO contradict Haradinaj’s KSF claims (Prishtina Insight)
• U.S. Reiterates Commitment To Kosovo Independence, Urges Dropping Tariffs On Serbian Goods (RFE)
• Moravcsik: EU enlargement in the Western Balkans is in the interest of member states (EWB)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Serbs, Albanians protest together against small hydropower plants in Kosovo (FoNet, N1)
• Mitrovica Rock School unites young Albanians and Serbs in a segregated Kosovo city (globalvoices.org)
• Appeals Court Upholds Nine-Month Sentence For Kosovo Soccer Chief (RFE)
• Rallies for clean air to be held on Friday in nine Balkan cities (balkangreenenergynews.com)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 26, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• Secret letter surfaces concerning Thaci's assurances not to have KSF go to the north (Kallxo)
• Prime Minister’s Legal Office: Sufficient basis to conclude Thaci violated Constitution (Koha)
• Hoti: Agreement with Serbia can be achieved through a government-led dialogue (media)
• Veseli: Kurti needs to clarify himself, not avoid responsibility (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Botsan-Kharchenko: Strategic partnership between Russia and Serbia on rise (BETA, N1)
• EU, US State Department comment on Serbia’s acquisition of 'Pantsir S1' system (VoA, N1)
• KIM radio: Mysterious dismissal of Tanja Ivic (VoA)
• Diplomats have forgotten fair play in Kosovo, some receive support, some face bans (Kosovo Online)
• Rakic met EULEX chief Wigemark (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Detention of Rosic and Spasojevic extended for two more months (Tanjug, Dnevnik)

International:

• Kosovo: 2nd Former Fighter Refuses War Crimes Court Summons (AP/NYT)
• Kurti calls for Thaci’s dismissal over ‘secret agreement’ (Prishtina Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Croatia Confirms Coronavirus Case as Balkan States Boost Precautions (Balkan Insight)
• Balkan cities united in struggle for clean air and environmental protection (BETA, N1)