UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 25, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• The Western Balkans Summit starts in Prishtina (media)
• Kurti: We have achieved a lot during a year and a half of governance (media)
• Peach: UK supports Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe (media)
• Hovenier: Kosovo should be in NATO (Klan)
• Kurti confirms, there is no postponement of deadline for license plates (RTK)
• “There are hopes for positive response on visa liberalisation by year’s end” (Telegrafi)
• Deputy PM: Another solution must be found for the Association (Kosovapress)
• PDK supports government on license plates if it is in coordination with the USA (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

• About phone messages from Kosovo MIA, Vucic says: ''We are facing a difficult time'' (KoSSev)
• Petkovic on licence plates issue, says Kurti changes tactics in vain (Kosovo Online)
• Survey: Two thirds of Serbs in northern Kosovo ready for protests and civic disobedience (Kosovo Online)
• The Kosovan MIA calls for vehicle re-registration via SMS in the Serbian language
• (KoSSev, media)
• Survey says most Serbs against sanctions on Russia (N1, Blic)

International:

• LNG Alliance ensuring energy security for landlocked Balkan nations (gasworld.com)
• Fiscal pressure grows in Western Balkans as region heads into new storm (intellinews.com)

Blinken: Pristina, Belgrade to peacefully resolve their dispute (media)
Kosovo-Serbia relations, topic of discussion between Kurti and Peach (media)
Osmani: Kosovo remains committed to peace and security (media)
Kosovo authorities don’t expect quick agreement with Serbia (Koha)
Osmani received Albanian representatives from Presevo Valley (media)
Visas scrapped between Kosovo and Bosnia (BIRN)
Von Cramon: Franco-German proposal should be considered (media)
Ischinger: Because of history, Balkan region carries explosive potential (Klan)
Ischinger: I believe a final agreement will be reached by 2024 (T7)
Hasani: German-German model would be a disaster for Kosovo (media)
Summit on security, economy, and peace to be held today in Pristina (Telegrafi)
Mustafi: No Kosovo-Serbia agreement without U.S. involvement (Koha)
Rohde: Germany will support Kosovo in building a solar park (media)
Discussions over Kosovo-Serbia intensify, whispers of snap elections emerge (Exit)
Military service could become compulsory in Kosovo (euronews.al)
Greek, Kosovar ministers meet to enhance economic collaboration (Ekathimerini)
Russia hopes to exploit conflicts in Balkans, British expert warns (BIRN)

• Blinken: Pristina, Belgrade to peacefully resolve their dispute (media)
• Kosovo-Serbia relations, topic of discussion between Kurti and Peach (media)
• Osmani: Kosovo remains committed to peace and security (media)
• Kosovo authorities don’t expect quick agreement with Serbia (Koha)
• Osmani received Albanian representatives from Presevo Valley (media)
• Visas scrapped between Kosovo and Bosnia (BIRN)
• Von Cramon: Franco-German proposal should be considered (media)
• Ischinger: Because of history, Balkan region carries explosive potential (Klan)
• Ischinger: I believe a final agreement will be reached by 2024 (T7)
• Hasani: German-German model would be a disaster for Kosovo (media)
• Summit on security, economy, and peace to be held today in Pristina (Telegrafi)
• Mustafi: No Kosovo-Serbia agreement without U.S. involvement (Koha)
• Rohde: Germany will support Kosovo in building a solar park (media)
• Discussions over Kosovo-Serbia intensify, whispers of snap elections emerge (Exit)
• Military service could become compulsory in Kosovo (euronews.al)
• Greek, Kosovar ministers meet to enhance economic collaboration (Ekathimerini)
• Russia hopes to exploit conflicts in Balkans, British expert warns (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: There is misinformation about requests of our partners (Kosovapress)
• Von Cramon: French-German initiative, great opportunity for EU integration (Telegrafi)
• Kurti: We consulted the Quint too on Kosovo’s Security Strategy (Nacionale)
• Stewart Peach for an official visit to Kosovo (media)
• Osmani invites justice institutions to be part of the vetting process (media)
• Hovenier: More commitment in fight against organized crime and sexual violence (Klan)
• Nikolla to CoE: Correct tragic mistake against Albania and Kosovo (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic met German Minister Luhrmann (Tanjug, media)
• Vucic met Bocan-Kharchenko: Serbia continues to lead a policy of peace and cooperation (RTS)
• Vucic presented candidates for new Government of Serbia (N1)
• Petkovic accuses Pristina chief negotiator of ‘excelling in lies’ (N1)
• Von der Leyen to visit Belgrade on Friday (Tanjug, media)
• Withdrawal of witnesses in case of Oliver Ivanovic (RFE, KiM radio)
• Djukanovic’s DPS falls from power in local elections (N1, Vijesti)

International:

• Discussions over Kosovo-Serbia intensify, whispers of snap election emerge (euractive.com)
• Vucic Continues ‘East-West Balancing Act’ With New Serbian Govt (BIRN)
• ‘Winter will be difficult’ (Kosovo 2.0)
• World Bank sees Western Balkans economy growing 3.4% in'22, 2.8% in '23 (Reuters)
• Dubravka Đedović Negre to become Serbia’s energy, mining minister (balkangreenenergynews.com)

• Osmani: U.S. never asked for agreement without mutual recognition (media)
• Kurti: We do not tolerate touching sovereignty and integrity of Kosovo (media)
• As Deadline Looms, Kosovo Licence Plates Push Falls Flat (BIRN)
• President Osmani held meetings with high officials of several countries (media)
• Vetevendosje Movement elects the new leadership (media)
• Lajcak: Up to Kosovo, Serbia to decide on final deal (Albanian Daily News)
• EP Rapporteur for Kosovo to hold press conference today in Pristina (media)
• EU-Balkans Summit will be held in Tirana (Gazeta Express)
• “UNMIK, EULEX criticised for doing little in addressing war crimes” (Koha)
• Serbia’s Electronic Registration to Legalise ‘Passivation’ of Albanians (Exit)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 21, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• German government denies involvement in draft statute of Association (Telegrafi)
• EU: We expect the Association to be formed (Gazeta Express)
• Haradinaj: Final agreement with Serbia must have U.S. seal (media)
• Abazi: There is no German proposal for the Association (Kosovapress)
• Defence Minister Mehaj meets NALT leaders (media)
• U.S. Embassy: Escobar had full and productive visit to Kosovo (media)s
• Murati: Redefinition of borders, only solution to Albanian-Serbian problem (Lajmi)
• Mustafi: Presevo Valley is on Washington’s agenda (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: Important talks with Quint ambassadors and EU (Kosovo Online)
• Quint ambassadors concerned over possible impairment of stability in region (N1)
• Vucic: Pressure growing, I could resign to buy time (N1, Prva TV)
• Personal documents, usurped properties, and lack of language rights respect - three main problems affecting Serbs in Klina (Radio KIM, Radio Gorazdevac)
• Albanian flag placed on Christ the Saviour Temple’s door in Pristina (Kosovo Online, RTS)
• McCarthy: Postponing implementation of decision on vehicle re-registration would be constructive measure
• Serbia introduces visas for citizens of Tunisia and Burundi (RTS)
• Stano: EU does not set deadlines for reaching Belgrade-Pristina agreement (RTS)
• Escobar says there are no deadlines (RTS, Kosovo Online)
• Serbian Army Chief of Staff and new KFOR Commander discuss security situation in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)

• Government: Ethnicity-based associations, in conflict with Constitution (Koha)
• Vucic: “German” draft was written in Belgrade (Gazeta Express)
• Hasani: “German draft” is anti-constitutional; can lead to total paralysis (Koha)
• Escobar: I expect dynamic continuation of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (Euronews)
• Bislimi meets Hovenier: Kosovo remains an active party in dialogue (RTK)
• Rohde: Berlin Process is back, don't miss opportunity for cooperation (media)
• Svecla: Kosovo committed to the initiatives of the Berlin Process (media)
• Krasniqi rejects Kurti’s call: No reason to invite us for technical issues (Koha)
• LDK too rejects Kurti’s invitation to a meeting (Koha)
• Palokaj: If Germany authored the draft, govt should consider it (Koha)
• Rashiti: Postpone deadline on licence plates in exchange for Green Card (RTK)
• Body art ban: Kosovo Army expels recruits with tattoos (BIRN)
• War games: Replaying Yugoslavia’s military conflicts as entertainment (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 20, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani meets ambassadors of Norway, Greece and Luxembourg, discuss visas (Klan)
• KFOR and government coordinated on security in Kosovo (RTK)
• The German minister for Europe is visiting Kosovo this week (Koha)
• Ursula von der Leyen next week in Kosovo (KosovaPress)
• Government on Esobar's proposal on licence plates: We have rule of law as our obligation (Koha)
• Exclusive: Pre-agreement draft between Kosovo and Serbia (Koha, Albanian Post)
• Police arrest Serb suspect in Oliver Ivanovic assassination case (media)
• Kurti's former advisor: Legal entity separated from Kosovo is being created (Nacionale)
• The draft statute of the "new" Association with its old points financed by Serbia (Reporteri)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic with Escobar about the possibilities for finding "sustainable solutions" (N1)
• Petkovic with Escobar: Belgrade for the continuation of negotiations, but also for the implementation of all agreements reached (Beta, Danas)
• Escobar: We asked implementation of decision on re-registration be postponed by ten months (N1)
• Pristina increasingly asking the end of the UNMIK mandate, the Serbs saying that this mission is necessary (euronews.rs)
• Reactions to Todosijevic’s verdict over his remarks on Racak (Kosovo Online, media)
• EU Ambassador: No deadline for Belgrade to impose sanctions on Russia (N1)
• Varhelyi: Serbia to step up efforts to align with EU, including sanctions (Beta, N1, media)
• Gracanica: Decision on land swap annulled (KoSSev)
• Selakovic to attend Berlin Process meeting tomorrow (Kosovo Online)

Opinion:

• Montgomery: The irony is that we defend Ukraine, and Kosovo was taken by force; the EU has nothing to offer Serbia (Kosovo Online, Politika, RTV)

International:

• Kosovo-Serbia Talks May Advance ‘in Weeks’, US Diplomat Says (Balkan Insight)
• Defaced Putin Mural Tells the Story of Russia's Waning Influence (Financial Post)
• Serbia’s Parliamentary Rightists Unite on Platform to Reclaim Kosovo (Balkan Insight)

• Escobar: Agreement between Kosovo and Serbia - a matter of weeks (Kanal10)
• Kosovo ‘ready to intensify’ Serbia dialogue, President tells Escobar (BIRN)
• Kurti calls opposition leaders to meet, Haradinaj confirms participation (media)
• Escobar met with Serbian List representatives (Koha)
• After Pristina, Escobar will visit Belgrade (media)
• Agreement reached between KOSTT and Elektrosever (RTK)
• Kosovo Serb Ex-Minister Convicted of Inciting Hatred After Retrial (BIRN)
• Serbia reacts after Todosievic's sentence regarding Recak statements (BIRN)
• Civil society organisations sign joint statement on dialogue (media)
• Kosovo Police arrest war crimes suspect (media)
• Freedom of Information in the Balkans: No Access and no Progress (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani after meeting Escobar: Ready to intensify dialogue (Telegrafi)
• Escobar expresses U.S. support for Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations (media)
• Kurti: Kosovo is a constructive party in dialogue; Escobar confirms support (Koha)
• Interior Ministry: Vucic’s criminal structures in north are intimidating people (Telegrafi)
• Ivan Todosijevic sentenced to one year in prison (Radio Free Europe)

Serbian Language Media:

• Serbian FM Selakovic in the UNSC session: Pristina consciously sabotaging all efforts, aims to persecute Serbs (Tanjug, media)
• UN Security Council permanent members differ on Kosovo (Beta, media)
• Heated debate between Serbia, Kosovo foreign ministers at the UN SC session (Beta, N1, NMagazin)
• Selakovic met Ziadeh in New York (Tanjug, media)
• Mijatovic: Court decision on Visoki Decani must be implemented promptly (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• KFOR: We monitor situation, everybody to avoid actions that could lead to violence (Kosovo Online)
• Russian Patriarch calls for unity of Serbian, Russian churches (N1, SRNA)
• Botsan-Kharchenko to RTS: I believe Serbia will not stand in a sorrow line of states not thinking of their own national benefits
• Hill to RTS: I would warn the Serbs to understand that this is not their "mother Russia" (N1)
• NGOs: Citizens must not be hostages of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina (Beta, N1, Danas)
• “Petkovic’s visit should have been approved” (Tanjug)
• Vulin: Interpol has Serbia’s full support (N1)

International:

• Kosovo issue has expanded Serbian far-right’s global reach (BIRN)
• Radicalised on the Net? Albanian Plumber Charged With ‘Jihadist Propaganda’ (Balkan Insight)
• Freedom of Information Summary (Balkan Insight)