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UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 23, 2024

Albanian Language Media: Kurti: Four days left for diaspora to register to vote (media) Lajcak: Encouraged by formation of joint commission on missing persons (media) Hill: U.S. doesn’t see evidence linking Belgrade to attack on Iber Lepenci (media) Kurti: Vetevendosje, a full member of the Socialist International (media) Former member of Serbian forces charged with war crimes in Kosovo (media) Tajani in Kosovo today, visits Italian KFOR for Christmas (RTK) Ramadani reacts to mass protests in Belgrade (media) Serbian Language Media: Elek: Orchestrated attacks from Pristina on SL proof that we are bastion of Serbs' protection (Kosovo Online) Rasic: SL responsible for dismissals and inconveniences caused to members of my party (Kosovo Online, Dukagjini) Jevtic: Greatest strength and need of Serbian people in Kosovo is unity (Kosovo Online, RTV, Tanjug) Archives of public gatherings: Between two and three times more people than official estimate of MIA (NMagazin, N1, Danas) Vucic acknowledges ‘exceptionally large gathering’ in Belgrade (N1) Visoki Decani: A large group of believers in the monastery, but there were more of them at Slavija (Kontakt plus radio, FB) US Ambassador Hill on NIS, Community of Serbian Municipalities, Ibar-Lepenac canal investigation (RTS) Reactions to Kosovo Government decision to allocate 100 euros to pensioners, youth, say ‘vote buying’ with public money (Kosovo Online, KoSSev) Djuric meets with China's Wang (media) Dacic receives Russian deputy minister of emergencies (Tanjug) Opinion: Kaja Kallas, hope and scepticism in Western Balkans diplomacy (ukandeu.ac) International Media: Silence over Kosovo canal blast fuels political tensions (Barron’s, AFP) Headcount results show Kosovo faces declining population, rising urbanization (PI) Investing in climate action would boost Kosovo’s economy and human capital (Emerging Europe) Proposed street mural of convicted Serbian general ‘glorifies war criminal’ (BIRN) Humanitarian: Animal protection in Kosovo: A long road ahead (KoSSev)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 23, 2024

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 23, 2024 Albanian Language Media: EU hopes for progress in Serb integration after Kosovo elections (RFE) Kurti: 2024 is the year of our passport (media) Kurti and Osmani welcome launch of Starlink services in Kosovo (media) Albin Kurti called again for testimony by Special Prosecution (media) PM Rama: Kosovo should freeze dialogue with Serbia indefinitely (euronews.al) Rohde thanks Kosovo for support after attack in Germany (media) Government allocates 100 euro allowances for pensioners and children (media) Rasic: SL threatening and removing from work Serbs who support us (media) Graffiti with divisive content in North Mitrovica, case under investigation (RTK) Serbian Language Media: Vucic on the Jarinje-Mitrovica road reconstruction: We will pay everything; the Americans to solve the political problems (KoSSev) Ninic: Serbia gave something, surrendered something, but got nothing in return (KiM radio) Party in the wigwam, from the south Mitrovica say: First holiday square in the North since '99 (KoSSev) Kosovo Police Director responds to criticism over security lapses and ethnic issues (KoSSev) Milicevic: We face a turbulent election campaign, evident decline in support for Self-Determination (Kosovo Online) Mijacic: The EU should not remain silent on Rama's statements (Kosovo Online, KiM radio) International Media: Thousands stream into Belgrade square to protest against populist Serbian president (abc.go.com) Tens of thousands of Serbs protest against President Aleksandar Vucic (euronews.com) Student blockades roil Serbia as teaching unions back young protesters (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 20, 2024

Albanian Language Media: • Kosovo, Albanian parliaments hold joint session in Pristina (media) • European Union deploys election observation mission to Kosovo (media) • Kurti: During Hovenier’s time here, Kosovo made incredible progress (media) • Kurti calls on diaspora to register for February 9 elections (media) • “Damage caused by attack on Iber-Lepenci canal, around €400 thousand” (RFE) • Osmani meets Fellin in Brussels, “our shared goal is clear” (media) • Kamberi: Serbia trying to isolate Presevo Valley Albanians from Kosovo (media) Serbian Language Media: • CSOs: The only viable, long-term solution lies in achieving ethnic balance within Kosovo police in four northern municipalities (Kosovo Online, social media) • Nemanja Vidic: Kosovo Serbs are fighters, keep striving for a better life (KoSSev) • Bisevac: Manipulating Serb numbers in Kosovo driven by the goal to change their status (Kosovo Online) • Ministry for Communities and Returns says Rasic did not support establishment of ‘Museum of Genocide’ (Radio KIM) • Police vehicle slid off the road near Varage, three officers injured (KoSSev) • Vucic: Serbia's cooperation with OSCE exceptional (Tanjug) International Media: • Kosovo census shows shrinking population as many Serbs heed political party calls to boycott (AP) • Danger of external interference in Balkans high: Mattarella (ANSA) • What Grenell’s return means for US diplomacy in the Balkans (intellinews.com) • BIRN reality check: Kosovo still failing children forced into street work

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 20, 2024

Albanian Language Media: • Ceku: Serbia violated the Brussels agreement (media) • Joint session of Kosovo’s and Albania’s Assembly MPs to be held today (media) • Italian President: Without KFOR, violence would have devastated region (RTK) • Wisner: Trump administration shouldn’t be tempted by territorial solutions in Balkans (RFE) • Albanian-American community organizations “regarding injustice” at the Hague (media) • Kurti at Hovenier's farewell reception: Ambassador, Kosovo will always be your home (media) • Rohde surprised no senior officials attended handover of head of Constitutional Court duty (Express) Serbian Language Media: • Vucic: Cluster 3 to be opened, respect given to Serbia more important (media) • Vucic meets with O'Brien (Tanjug) • Djuric meets with President of China Institute of International Studies (Tanjug) • UNS and DNKiM request Kosovo police to investigate threats against journalist Ilir Mirena (Kosovo Online, media) • Serbian People’s Movement extends support to youth and students in central Serbia (Radio KIM) • Elezi: All political subjects and candidates passed verification by Kosovo Judicial Council (media) • Kurti's Balkan tour: Messages for Belgrade, Brussels, or voters in Kosovo? (Kosovo Online) International Media: • Serbia mulls shutting schools early for winter as protests spread (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 19, 2024

Albanian Language Media: Osmani: Holding Serbia accountable for aggression against Kosovo is key (media) First final census results published, Kosovo with 1,586,659 inhabitants (Koha) Kurti: Census, essential for national planning and development (media) Government: Kosovo did not start the tensions in the north (Klan Kosova) Ceku's request for a visit to Presevo, rejected (Koha) Hamza: Dialogue has degraded, Brussels agreement insufficient (media) Konjufca meets outgoing US Ambassador Hovenier (media) AJK condemns the death threat against Ilir Mirena (media) Serbian Language Media: Petkovic: First convening of Joint Commission for Missing Persons in January (RTS) Office for KiM: Miladinov banned from entering Kosovo, Pavicevic from visiting detained Serbs (Kosovo Online, media) D.D. sentenced for attack on KFOR and KP last year in Zvecan (Kosovo Online, KoSSev) Ilir Mirena, Periskopi director, receives death threats (KoSSev) Barbano welcomes MIA initiative to develop regulatory framework on use of social media by KP, Andric Rakic says regulation exists but not implemented (social media) Vucic meets with Tajani, thanks Italy for supporting Serbia on EU path (Tanjug) International Media: Kosovo government unveils plan for museum of genocide (PI) Kosovo, Serbia pledge to implement Declaration on Missing Persons (BIRN) Humanitarian: Inclusive education is just words on paper (Kosovo 2.0)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 18, 2024

Albanian Language Media: Kurti: Kosovo has great natural potential for renewable energy (media) Lajcak: Banjska, Association and recognition of Kosovo symbols (media) Haradinaj: I’ll send Association draft to court in my first week as PM (media) Kurti calls on diaspora to register for next year’s elections (media) Musliu: Milan Radoicic is behind attack on Iber Lepenc water canal (media) Kosovo to have Museum of Genocide and Efforts for Freedom (Koha) Kurti’s message to people of Vanuatu after devastating earthquake (media) AJK condemns Nexhmedin Spahiu’s insulting remarks against Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities (media) Serbian Language Media: Ambassador: China committed to implementing consensus between Xi Jinping, Vucic (N1) Radosavljevic: It is not possible that Pristina bans Serbian List from participation in elections (Kosovo Online) EU welcomes agreement between Belgrade and Pristina on implementation of missing persons declaration (Radio KIM) Odalovic: Restoring the Declaration on Missing Persons gives hope to families (RTS, Tanjug, Kosovo Online) Blakaj: Agreement on implementation of declaration on missing is positive, carefully with expectations (KiM radio) A year of tragedy and protest: Professor Oliver Toskovic reflects on 2024 (KoSSev) International Media: Report highlights Kosovo’s struggle to detect early warning signs of terrorism and radicalization (PI) Kosovo political prisoner’s stories highlight Yugoslav state’s brutal tactics (BIRN) Sandhurst graduate from Kosovo hails Army's role in keeping peace with KFOR (Forces News) Dutch government to block Serbia’s next step toward EU membership (Dutch Times)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 18, 2024

Albanian Language Media: • EU to gradually lift measures, in line with other steps by Kosovo (media) • Kosovo and Serbia agree on implementation of declaration on missing persons (media) • EU on agreement on missing persons: Important step towards normalization (Koha) • Government Commission on Missing Persons: Agreement in Brussels, an important step (media) • Osmani travels to Brussels for the EU-Western Balkans Summit (Albanian Post) • Kosovo and Germany sign agreement in the field of defense and security (media) • “DutchTimes”: Without normalization with Kosovo, Netherlands does not open door to Serbia in EU (Klan) Serbian Language Media: • Petkovic: Last obstacle to implementing declaration on missing persons removed (Tanjug) • Vucic meets with Munsch (media) • Mojsilovic, Munsch discuss security situation in Kosovo, region (media) • Vucic receives UK Special Envoy (media) • Elektrosever says its workers attacked in Brdjani settlement despite police and KEDS presence (KoSSev) • EU-Western Balkans Summit - New Brussels leadership, old expectations (Kosovo Online) • Vucic to visit Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday (Kosovo Online) International Media: • Council of EU adopts conclusions on enlargement, outlines next steps for candidates (European Western Balkans)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 17, 2024

Albanian Language Media: • Chief negotiators in Kosovo-Serbia dialogue to meet today in Brussels (media) • EU: Serbian delegation at CoE violated agreement with Kosovo (Koha) • Kurti: Documenting war crimes, a moral and historical obligation (media) • Svecla: Ammunition factory, important step in strengthening security capacities (media) • Maqedonci: Kosovo will also produce weapons for export (media) • Turkish manufacturer: Factory in Kosovo according to NATO standards (Reporteri) • Haxhi Shala and Sabit Januzi plead guilty to witness intimidation charges (media) • Kosovo extradites murder suspect to U.S. (RFE) • Orav: We aim to bring Kosovo closer to EU as soon as possible (Indeksonline) Serbian Language Media: • Pristina to declare Serbs guilty of attack on canal to stop SL from participating in elections, says Vucic (Tanjug) • Meeting between Petkovic and Lajcak began in Brussels (Kosovo Online, N1) • Vucic receives Cypriot Defense Minister (Tanjug) • Patriarch Porfirije: Gratitude to Vatican for principled position on Kosovo (Radio Mitrovica sever) • Increased presence of Kosovo police in the north: Security needs or political message? (Radio kontakt plus, media) • PIK: Return to work of police officers suspended in relation to Milos Subotic’s case does not impede further investigation (KoSSev) • Support for the students’ protests from 350 professors and students from Kosovo (KiM radio, Insajder, Beta) • RTS: EU to open Cluster 3 (N1) • Djuric: Good news from Brussels, we are prepared for progress on EU path (media) International Media: • Serbian Govt’s document dump raises new questions about train station tragedy (Balkan Insight) • Silent spying: how Serbian intelligence hacks activists’ phones – without them knowing (Balkan Insight) • Bechtel bespoke: US engineering giant’s modus operandi in the Balkans causes concern (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 17, 2024

Albanian Language Media: • Kosovo signs agreement for ammunition factory with Turkish company (media) • Rutte on attack in the north: Stability in Western Balkans fragile (media) • Costa: Progress in dialogue helps Kosovo on candidate status (media) • KFOR Commander meets Croatian Defense Minister, talks about security (Media) • Nenad Rasic's party accuses Serbian List of blackmail and pressure (RTK) • Maqedonci meets Anusic, informs him about situation in the north (media) • US soldiers patrol northern Kosovo (Reporteri) • Behrami: Visit of Special Chambers Chief Prosecutor, interference in justice (Reporteri) • Richard Grenell is returning to the Balkans, here is his role (Nacionale) Serbian Language Media: • Vucic: I hope EU enlargement policy will become clearer, more vigorous (Tanjug) • Rutte: Attack on water canal in Kosovo underline fragility of the stability in Western Balkans (Kosovo Online) • US KFOR members conducted routine patrols in northern Kosovo (KoSSev, social media) • Hetemi defends budget allocation for roads in Albanian-majority villages of Leposavic (KoSSev) • New round of Belgrade-Pristina dialogue to be held in Brussels Tuesday (media) • Western Balkans' future is in EU – declaration (Tanjug) • Internal Affairs Ministry denies Amnesty report on forensic tools (N1)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 16, 2024

Albanian Language Media: President Osmani continues meetings in the USA (media) Kurti does not appear at Special Prosecution Office, he is abroad (media) Opposition: Kurti's behavior towards judiciary and prosecution, unacceptable and wrong (Koha) KFOR: We do not have a ‘blacklist’ (media) Costa: The future of the Western Balkans is in the EU (media) Hill: There is no basis to point finger at anyone about Iber-Lepenc attack yet (media) Joint meeting of the Assembly of Kosovo and Albania to be held on December 20 (media) Serbian Language Media: Jevtic: Kurti will do nothing to establish ZSO, will continue pressuring Serbs (media) Djuric: Serbs must be united before elections in Kosovo; Grenell’s appointment is good for region (Kosovo Online) Andric Rakic: Concerning trend of ethnicization of Kosovo security institutions (Kosovo Online) PIK on CSOs report: We will analyze content (Alternativna.com, media) Police officers suspended in relation to Milos Subotic’s case returned to work (KoSSev) EU ambassadors to again discuss opening Cluster 3 in accession talks with Serbia (Tanjug) FM: German MFA's interference in our internal affairs risks undermining relations (Tanjug) Vucic claims student demands met, students disagree (N1) Serbian security agency says Amnesty report trivial (N1) International Media: Kosovo’s 2025 budget: Government picks populism over ambition (Sbunker.org)