• Western Balkans leaders to sign deals on closer integration in Berlin (Reuters)
• Number-plate crackdown raises tensions in Kosovo (BBC)
• Serbia sends troops to Kosovo border as NATO could face conflict (Newsweek)
• Tension brews anew between Kosovo, Serbia over car plates (AP)
• KFOR ready to intervene if stability comes under threat (Nacionale)
• “Kurti sent proposals to Scholz and Macron on agreement with Serbia” (RFE)
• Mehaj refutes Vucic’s remarks about drones: Fabrication to instill fear (media)
• UK MPs promise support for Kosovo membership in intl institutions (Koha)
• Haziri: Early elections, even if agreement reached with Serbia (media)
• Tadic calls for protection for Rada Trajkovic (media)

Albanian Language Media:

• Lajcak to participate at the Berlin Process summit (RTK)
• Latest poll: Abdixhiku’s LDK continues to rise, Vetevendosje declines (Nacionale)
• Rizvanolli: Can’t rule out energy price increase after temperatures drop (Kosovapress)
• Caplan: Kurti is within his rights, but he should consider how dangerous the license plate decision is (Albanian Post)
• MPs and Swiss ambassador talk about continuation of Swiss KFOR mandate (Koha)
• Maliqi: Kosovo in danger of losing in peace what it gained in war (Express)
• Over 125,000 Albanians registered in Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja (Klan Kosova)

Serbian Language Media:

• Radojevic: Serbs will not change stance on re-registration (RTS, Kosovo Online)
• Hill: Licence plates dispute will not resolve crucial issues (KoSSev, RTS)
• COM KFOR visits Visoki Decani Monastery (Kosovo Online)
• Odalovic: US offered “honourable way out” to Pristina, Kurti ignored it (Kosovo Online)
• Dacic: We will not invite the Serbs to accept licence plates with 'Republic of Kosovo' markings (NMagazin, Beta)
• Vucevic: Army in state of alert because of Kosovo, combat readiness level raised (N1)
• Malikovic: Usurped property and bureaucracy are the main problems of the Serbian community in Istok (KoSSev, Radio Gorazdevac, KiM radio)
• Kosovo police start handing out warnings over licence plates (N1)
• Vucic meets IMF delegation (Tanjug)
• Office for KiM: KLA inscription on a family house in Suvi Do (RTS, KiM radio)
• Rada Trajkovic says she “de facto lives under house arrest”, Serbian and Albanian stakeholders cooperate in her persecution (Radio KIM)

Opinion:

• Full Euroization of Kosovo: A Sustainable Strategy? (Prishtina Insight)
• Synchronicity is the path to the solution for Kosovo (Euractiv)
• Vucic Keeps Options Open With Serbia’s new Govt (Balkan Insight)

International:

• Expired: Unused COVID Vaccines Cost Balkans Tens of Millions (BIRN)

• Price: We asked Kurti to postpone deadline, not implement in stages (media)
• EU: Decision on plates is legitimate, but should be within the dialogue (RTK)
• Kryeziu: All terms of the Agreement have expired (Koha)
• Police publish reprimand form for illegal license plates (Kallxo)
• Svecla: Kosovo Police will start issuing reprimands from Tuesday (media)
• UK Foreign Secretary meets Kurti, values Kosovo achievements (media)
• Serbs: New decision, a choice between burned or confiscated cars (Telegrafi)
• In Northern Kosovo, Tensions Threaten to Boil Over (Foreign Policy)
• Compromise on license plates doesn’t abate intl pressure on Kosovo (Exit)
• KFOR’s Regional Command-East welcomes new maneuver battalion (army.mil)
• The right to act does not necessarily mean the right act (Euractiv)
• We need to empower women, engage them as active agents of peace (media)
• Roma language becomes official language in municipality of Prizren (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 31, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• Reprimand measures for drivers with illegal licence plates start tomorrow (RTK)
• Kurti calls for international monitoring of census process in the Valley (media)
• Scholz to meet with the Presidents of the Balkans this week (Express)
• Over 100,000 Albanians living in Presevo Valley, census shows (media)
• CDHRF slams both government and opposition (media)
• Limaj calls for united democratic front against Kurti-led government (Kallxo)
• “Kurti put pride before national interests” (Zeri)
• Haziri on French-German proposal: Govt must use the momentum (Albanian Post)
• Analysts: Government not transparent regarding the French-German document (RTK)
• PDK: Government has started seizure of the Public Administration (media)
• Sheholli: Kurti disappointed the U.S.; Serbian List is installing fear among Serbs (EO)
• Kosovo govt signs memorandum with Albanian Council from Presevo Valley (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• EC spokeswoman: The decision on the plates not in accordance with the agreements from the dialogue (N1)
• Radojevic: We do our utmost to maintain peace, but we do not accept unilateral decisions (Kosovo Online)
• Dacic: New withdrawals of recognition real and possible; With full force against the admission of Kosovo to CoE (KoSSev, Kurir)
• Kosovo cannot get more than 83 votes for UN membership, says Dacic (FoNet, N1, TV Happy)
• Djuric: If Pristina starts Council of Europe process, de-recognitions notes would surface (N1)
• Petkovic: We wait concrete action of Washington and Brussels (Tanjug)
• Office for KiM: Pristina bans holding of elections for national minority councils (Kosovo Online)
• Botsan- Kharchenko: The introduction of sanctions would disappoint us, no trade of Kosovo for Donbass (media)
• Serbian List on latest decision on re-registration (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic, Brnabic with the US economic delegation (FoNet, N1)
• Lazarevic about license plates: The police in the north of Kosovo have not received any instructions (N1)
• Von der Leyen announces 160 mln euro energy assistance to Serbia (Tanjug)

Opinion:

• Restrictive EU visa policy risks further Western Balkan disillusionment (BIRN)
• In Josep Borrell’s garden utopia, Balkan savages are a threat (Sbunker.net)
• Rada Trajkovic: "Kurti's punishment of Serbs reminiscent of Milosevic's disciplining of Albanians" (KiM radio)

International:

• Family First: The Rise of the Anti-Gender Movement in North Macedonia (BIRN)
• Richard Grenell: Republican or Democrat, Albin Kurti has rejected every idea that the Americans have put forward (The Pavlovic Today)
• Does Spain Support Proposal to Link Kosovo’s Visa Liberalisation Process With the Operationalisation of ETIAS? (schengenvisainfo.com)
• US Sanctions towards Western Balkan entities: “Red flags” without much effect on the ground (EWB)

• Kurti: Implementation decision ensures rule of law, peace and security (media)
• Kosovo PM postpones controversial licence plate change for Serbs (BIRN)
• Kosovo backs off from Serb car plate rule after West warnings (Reuters)
• Kosovo should give Serbs more time to change car plates, EU says (Reuters)
• The U.S. urges Kosovo to extend licence plate implementation deadline (media)
• Calm situation in north, "reprimand measures" start on November 1 (media)
• Serbs ask Belgrade to allocate €2 million for license plate fines (Telegrafi)
• PDK: Decision not serious; Kosovo turning into destructive party (RTK)
• Haradinaj: Decision on plates not coordinated with strategic partners (Telegrafi)
• Bislimi speaks about the Franco-German draft (Klan)
• European capital where Kosovo-Serbia deal will be signed, selected (AP)
• Serbia continues efforts to block Kosovo path to the Council of Europe (media)

Albanian Language Media:

• EU: Parties to respect the agreement on official visits (media)
• Osmani: Serbia wants tensions (media)
• LVV MP asks to postpone deadline for licence plates for another two months (Koha)
• The opposition demands licence plate issue coordinated with internationals (EO)
• “Let’s solve issue of licence plates in partnership with U.S.” (Gazeta Express)
• Besnik Bislimi will participate online in the conference held today in Serbia (media)
• Szunyog: Kosovo is on the right track (RTK)
• Zemaj: Kurti-led government incapable of managing healthcare sector (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Official Kyiv - Goncharenko is not authorised to represent the position of Rada in Kosovo (Politika, Tanjug, Interfax Ukraine)
• Mojsilovic met with Bauer (Tanjug)
• Vucic meets Bauer (Kosovo Online)
• Hovenier: Important to postpone implementation of new rules on licence plates (Kosovo Online)
• Bishop Teodosije: We are facing a serious crisis, we appeal to everyone to preserve peace (Kosovo Online)
• European Commission: Deadline for re-registration expires in three days, we hope for solution (Tanjug)
• People in northern Kosovo complain of mistreatment by special police, Kosovo police say its officers do not provoke but ensure safety (KoSSev)
• Police confirms stoning of bus transporting Serbs in Mitrovica South (KoSSev)
• Dacic: There will be no pogrom, do not force us to defend ourselves (TV Pink, Danas, FoNet)
• Trajkovic on Bislimi’s cancelled visit (Kosovo Online)

Opinion:

• Trajkovic: “CSM last stone in foundation of independent Kosovo, yet Kurti doesn’t want it either, but emigration of Serbs”
• How Karadzic tried to dodge justice, claiming US ‘immunity deal’ (BIRN)
• Jovana Radosavljevic: In Kosovo, there is silence, and not the good kind of silence (Insajder)
• Mijacic: "If the decision on the plates is not postponed next week, a conflict in Kosovo is possible" (N1)

International:

• EU revisits Balkans to win friends, seek more influence (AP)
• Open Balkan and Berlin Process for successful regional cooperation (EWB)
• ‘I never imagined this could be done also to men’ (Kosovo 2.0)
• To US Concern, Turkish-Russian Trade Flourishes in Face of Sanctions (Balkan Insight)

• Blinken’s advisor calls for postponement of licence plates deadline (media)
• Kurti thanks Von der Leyen for supporting Kosovo (media)
• Serbs warn they will block roads if license-plate deal not extended (RFE)
• Sources: “Northern Brigade”, criminal group terrorising Serbs in north (media)
• Incidents on eve of expiry of deadline for re-registration of vehicles (RFE)
• Bislimi banned from his visit shortly before arriving to Belgrade (media)
• Hovenier congratulates Kosovo on progress in rule of law index (RTK)
• “Erdogan may mediate in dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia” (media)
• Haradinaj: Final agreement will regulate Kosovo-Serbia relations (Express)
• Kurti: Kosovo stands in support and solidarity with Ukraine (media)
• Kurti meets with EULEX chief Lars Gunnar Wigemark (media)
• Art world came to Kosovo. What happens when it leaves? (NYT)
• Manifesta: Turning rubble into art (Prishtina Insight)
• Albania opposition parties join forces for 2023 local elections (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 27, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti calls again on Serbs to convert their licence plates to RKS (media)
• Osmani: We fight against gangs, not citizens, we expect support (media)
• Von der Leyen on licence plates: Very short and very clear, the rules must be respected (media)
• Kurti meets Von der Leyen: Kosovo to apply for EU membership this year (media)
• NATO: If stability is endangered, KFOR is ready to intervene (Klan)
• Interior Ministry: Three incidents in the north related to RKS licence plates (RFE)
• Serwer: Kurti wielding sovereignty; hope he is ready to face consequences (Express)
• Rohde: Kosovars deserve visa liberalisation (RTK)
• Bajrami: LVV ignores WJP report, goes to page 40 to find something to be proud of (Express)
• A car burned in Leposaviq after the conversion of licence plates (Express)

Serbian Language Media:

• Ambassador Hill: We are disappointed by Pristina's refusal to extend the deadline for re-registration (Blic, N1)
• Stano: Kosovo's decision on the plates is legitimate, avoid increasing tensions and violence (N1)
• Vucic: We fully stand by the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija (RTS, media)
• New Serbian Government elected (N1)
• Djuric urges international community to maintain peace in Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Zarrazin: Kosovo to demonstrate flexibility on licence plates (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic with Serbs from Kosovo, Rakic: “If Pristina starts violently, we will block the roads” (media)
• Serbian Minister of Defense: Kurti’s threats undermine peace (Kosovo Online)
• Office for KiM: Bus transporting Serbs pelted with stones in Mitrovica South (Kosovo Online)
• COM KFOR meets Raska-Prizren Eparchy Bishop Teodosije (Kosovo Online)
• Von Cramon: "The Kosovo government does not hold a dialogue with the Serbs, and it promised that" (Kosovo Online, Blic, Kallxo)
• Moscow’s Kommersant: Serbia’s new Government turned toward East (N1)

International:

• In Race to Lure Russian Talent and Capital, Serbia Emerges as Front-Runner (The Wall Street Journal)
• EU announces €500 million energy support package for Western Balkans (euractive.com)
• North Macedonia Pays Dear for Cancelled Power Plants (BIRN)
• Kosovo will not delay Serbian car plate rule despite calls by the West (eureporter)

• Escobar: Franco-German plan details expected to be made public soon (VoA)
• Osmani: Request to postpone license plate deadline is not pressure (media)
• Serbia and Russia ‘using licence plate dispute’, Foreign Minister says (BIRN)
• Ursula von der Leyen to meet with Kosovo leaders today (RTK)
• U.S. intends to implement the license plate ruling peacefully (RFE)
• EU: Kosovo, Serbia should refrain, we don't want escalation (Klan)
• Kurti: Our justice reforms are working fast (RTK)
• Haradinaj: I’ve seen Franco-German plan, it includes recognition (RTK)
• Vehicle of Serb who converted licence plates to RKS, set on fire (media)
• Grenades, equipment seized during anti-drug operation in Leposavic (media)
• Corruption File: How 150,000 euros was paid to sway court verdict (BIRN)
• EU assesses food safety situation in Western Balkans (Food Safety News)
• EU gives €80 million to North Macedonia to tackle energy crisis (Reuters)

Albanian Language Media:

• KFOR: We have no changes in our presence in the north (media)
• EULEX confirms there were armed people during July 31 tensions in the north (Kallxo)
• EULEX: We have not seen armed people in the north since July 31 (Gazeta Express)
• Contingent of Serbian and Russian forces in Kosovo north, security expert says (EO)
• Car of Serb police officer, who was attacked three days ago, set on fire (Kosovapress)
• Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi, tomorrow in Belgrade (RTK)
• Special Prosecution starts investigations into major bribe affair (media)
• Kosovo government adopts co-funding agreement for Prizren-Tetovo road (Telegrafi)
• Police arrest person for burning Serbian flag in Gjakova sports hall (Koha)
• Mustafi accuses Vucic of trying to distort number of Albanians in Serbia (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic scheduled a session of the National Security Council (Kosovo Online, Vecernje Novosti)
• President Vucic will respond to the invitation of the Serbian List within the most urgent deadline, says Petkovic (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian List: We demand an urgent meeting with President Vucic (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian List and the new KFOR commander on the situation in the north (Kontakt plus radio)
• Vucic, Rama and Kovacevski on the energy situation (media)
• Brnabic to MPs: Serbia’s interests and independence are the red lines (N1)
• Petkovic cuts his visit in Kosovo short, says most of his program not approved (Kosovo Online)
• European Commission wants new Frontex agreements in Western Balkans (N1, Tanjug)
• Former US ambassador: Serbia seems to be siding with Russia (N1, FoNet, VoA)
• IPKO: SMS requested by the Kosovo MIA; The Deputy Ombudsperson demands an investigation (KoSSev)
• Vucic: Major military exercise underway in Serbia (Tanjug)
• Von Cramon visited Gorazdevac, spoke with local Serbs (Radio KIM)
• “In a wave of fake news, Serbian media in Kosovo are more careful” (Radio KIM)
• Von der Leyen to visit Western Balkans (N1)

International:

• Armed Persons ‘Worryingly Present’ in North Kosovo in July, EULEX Confirms (BIRN)
• Rape Used as Weapon During Kosovo War, Says NGO (BIRN)
• “The Other Serbia” Srdja Popović (Sbunker.net)
• Serbia Shuns Ukraine’s Crimea Summit After Russian Diplomat’s Plea (BIRN)
• Why Putin has proposed an energy hub in Turkey (arabnews.com)
• Electricity prices in Balkans: highest in Montenegro, lowest in Kosovo* (balkangreenenergynews.com)
• Authoritarianism as a Cause of War and a Duty to Resist (EWB)