Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.
Skip to main content

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, November 3, 2022

• Berlin Summit begins today, three agreements expected to be signed (Koha) • Agreement to remain silent about the plan, source says (RTK) • Kosovo Police in the north refuses to issue reprimand letters (RFE) • Svecla: Members of Serbian BIA and Russian GRU in the north (media) • Serbia says drones enter its airspace from Kosovo amid rise in tensions (Reuters) • LDK leader calls on government to cooperate closely with U.S. and allies (Klan) • Franz welcomes decision for official use of Roma language in Prizren (media) • Courts ignore aggravating circumstances when journalists are attacked (BIRN) • “Withdrawing funds from Pension Trust would further fuel inflation” (RFE) • Political leaders condemn mistreatment of elderly woman in a care home (media) • Albania PM accuses media of ‘Blackmail’ with negative coverage (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 2, 2022

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 2, 2022 Albanian Language Media: • U.S. condemns burning property; calls for full extension for plates (media) • KFOR refutes Serbia’s claims about drones from Kosovo: No evidence! (Indeksonline) • Rohde: More common sense needed on issue of licence plates (media) • Serbia continues provocations; sends heavy artillery to Kosovo border (Indeksonline) • Vehicle with RKS plates belonging to a Serb set on fire in Zubin Potok (Lajmi) • Jamie Shea comments on Vucic’s objectives with army mobilisation (Albanian Post) • Germany confirms: EU-Western Balkans summit to be held on December 6 (RTK) • Berlin Process and Open Balkan as two parallel initiatives for a final goal (Albanian Post) • “Relations with Serbia determine Kosovo’s European future” (Dukagjini) • European MP: Kosovo now has a key role for peace in Europe (Klan Kosova) • Memli Krasniqi for an official visit to Washington and Brussels next week (Telegrafi) Serbian Language Media: • KFOR: At the moment, no evidence of drones flying over from Kosovo to Serbia (KiM radio, Radio Mitrovica sever) • Vucevic to RTS: Drones were coming from several directions to central Serbia, MiGs-29 were not raised because of them (media) • Aleksic: Agreed transfer of authorities to Pristina, Vucic presents as ‘snatching’ (N1) • Balkan leaders off to Berlin: Serbia to choose between EU and Russia (FoNet, N1) • Dacic meets Chen Bo: Gratitude to China for support on Kosovo issue (Kosovo Online) • Orlic to Ambassador Tolkach: We thank Ukraine for its support on Kosovo issue (N1) • Orlic: We appreciate principled stance of Russia on Kosovo (Kosovo Online) • Trajkovic: I’m being threatened for testifying in Oliver Ivanovic’s murder case (KoSSev) • Bislimi: Licence plates can no longer be part of the dialog (RFE, media) • KP in north to also issue reprimands (KoSSev, Kosovo Online) • Ambassador Koshar: We are not guided by the logic of blackmail in our relations with Belgrade (Tanjug, media) Opinion: • Expert says Belgrade has advantage over Pristina (N1) International: • Serbia, Kosovo, Trade Accusations Over Mystery Drones (BIRN) • Berlin Process 2022: Western Balkans week in Berlin (EWB) • Relations between Serbia and Kosovo should be normalized (EWB)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, November 2, 2022

• 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)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 1, 2022

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)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, November 1, 2022

• 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

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)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, October 31, 2022

• 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)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 28, 2022

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)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, October 28, 2022

• 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

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)