UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 25, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Kosovo to apply this year for EU membership (media)
• Kosovo adopts sanctions against Russia (RFE)
• Kosovo MPs discuss dialogue with Serbia (media)
• COVID-19: 140 new cases, three deaths (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• New session of Serbian National Security Council takes place today (RTS)
• Ponos: Military resolution of Ukrainian crisis unacceptable, Serbia went through such experience in 1999 (KoSSev)
• Serbian political parties continue reacting to situation in Ukraine (Danas, media)
• Serbia, Morocco to celebrate 65 years of diplomatic relations (RTS)
• Rakic-Andric: Announcements of spillover of violence in Balkans and Kosovo unfounded (Danas)
• Milivojevic: Pristina lobbies for new recognitions with US support (Kosovo-online)
• Serbia ranked partly free in Freedom House report (N1)
• Serbian opposition named another presidential candidate (N1)

International:

• Balkan Countries Evacuate Citizens From Ukraine, Assess Security Threats (Balkan Insight)

• Kosovo institutional leaders strongly condemn Russia's assault in Ukraine (media)
• Osmani: Serbia wants to achieve in Western Balkans what Russia wants in Ukraine (Klan)
• Kurti: Our thoughts and prayers are with people of Ukraine (media)
• UK's Johnson compares Russian assault in Ukraine to that of Milosevic's in Kosovo (media)
• Kosovo Leaders Condemn Russian Attack, Affirm Solidarity With Ukraine (BIRN)
• Fake news in Kosovo sponsored by Russia and Serbia – part of hybrid war, panelists say (Kallxo.com)
• PM Kurti meets KFOR Commander, MG Kajari (media)
• Kosovo Assembly expected to debate on Kosovo-Serbia dialogue today (Koha)
• EU Doubles Bosnia Peacekeepers as Global Security ‘Deteriorates’ (BIRN)
• COVID-19: 189 new cases, three deaths (media)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Russian attack, the biggest military aggression since World War II (media)
• Osmani: We stand with people of Ukraine - Russian hegemony will fail again (media)
• Kosovo Assembly condemns Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine (media)
• Mehaj: We are monitoring the critical security situation in Europe (media)
• Osmani meets U.S. Ambassador Jeff Hovenier (media)
• Abdixhiku: NATO membership a necessity of the time (media)
• Krasniqi: Today, in our minds and prayers, we are with people of Ukraine (media)
• Haradinaj: We support democratic world against Russian aggression in Ukraine (media)
• Voting on State Bureau Draft Law suspended, Konjufca to address Venice Commission (media)
• Kurti: Public administration reform, key standard for EU membership (media)
• Kosovo Police closes illegal smuggling routes at border with Serbia and North Macedonia (Express)
• COVID-19: 189 new cases, three deaths (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic urgently scheduled a session of the National Security Council (media)
• Vucic meets with ambassadors of Quint states, EU delegation chief (N1)
• Dacic, Tadic on attack against Ukraine (N1)
• Serbian political parties on attack against Ukraine (media)
• Covic: If West remembers international law now, let them de-recognize Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
• CoE: Strong condemnation of Russian attack on Ukraine, ''dark hour for Europe'' (N1)
• Varhelyi: There can never be a reason to attack another country (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic: Spain will not recognize Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Vucic: Serbian response on EU sanctions on Russia in next 48 hours (media)
• Peci: There are no minimal conditions to vote on April 3 elections at Liaison Office (Kosovo-online)
• Covid-19 in Serbian areas: Nine new cases (Kontakt plus radio)

International:

• EUFOR sending 500 additional troops to Bosnia as a “precautionary measure” (N1 Sarajevo)
• Ukraine Border States Prepare for Wave of Refugees (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Marija Novakovic reclaims her apartment in Pristina (VoA, media)
• Serbia Welcomes WHO Permit to Produce COVID Vaccines (Balkan Insight)
• Supermarket Giants Crush the Life out of Kosovo’s Small Stores (Prishtina Insight)
• Healthy Media Ecosystem Best Disinformation Antidote (Beta)

• NATO Secretary General statement on Russia’s attack on Ukraine (media)
• EU condemns Russia’s attack on Ukraine (media)
• UN Secretary-General’s remarks following Security Council meeting on Ukraine
• Statement by U.S. President Biden on Russia’s attack on Ukraine (media)
• Osmani: Kosovo stands with Ukraine and its people (media)
• U.S. Ambassador Hovenier meets Bishop Teodosije (media)
• Struggling Kosovo Telecom hit by €13 million arbitration ruling (BIRN)
• Kosovo faith leaders unite against same-sex marriages (BIRN)
• The end of the Russian defence of Kosovo (media)
• Serbia feels the heat as Ukraine conflict burns (BIRN)
• 4000 Albanians struck from voter lists with Serbian elections looming (Exit News)
• COVID-19: 257 new cases, three deaths (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 23, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• Lajcak: We are close to reaching an agreement on some issues (media)
• Bislimi informs about Tuesday’s meeting with Lajcak (media)
• Haxhiu: Serbia has territorial claims against Kosovo (RTK)
• Kurti: We will soon propose the level of minimum salary (media)
• Kosovo to convene its National Security Council to discuss Ukraine crisis (Express)
• Szunyog: Lack of quorum in the Assembly of Kosovo is worrying (media)
• Azemi: ITUPSK will not accept minimum salaries under €400 (media)
• Population Census to be held this year (media)
• IPA prohibits processing of personal data collected in collective buildings and orders their destruction (Telegrafi)
• COVID-19: 257 new cases, three deaths (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic responds to Ukrainian ambassador: Kiev must condemn aggression on Serbia (Tanjug)
• Petkovic expects new round of talks soon; Bislimi refused to meet face to face (N1, Tanjug, RTS)
• Vucic visits Spain (RTS)
• EU expects Serbia to align with sanctions against Russia; US welcomes Serbia's respect of Ukraine’s territorial integrity (N1, VoA)
• Haxhiu: Serbs can vote by mail or the Liaison Office (KiM radio, media)
• Trajkovic reacts to Haxhiu’s statement (Kosovo-online)
• Opposition People’s Party: Serbia to remain militarily neutral, respect territorial integrity of all countries (N1)

International:

• Serbia and Kosovo Negotiators Fail to Meet in Brussels (Balkan Insight)

• Dialogue without a direct meeting between the delegations (Koha)
• Kurti: Mistake some Muslim-majority countries don’t recognize Kosovo (media)
• Kosovo government building lights up in colors of Ukraine flag (media)
• Putin calls for recognition of Crimea as Russia, compares it to Kosovo (RFE)
• Haziri proposes internal dialogue before new phase of talks with Serbia (media)
• Surroi: Agreement with Serbia not expected to be finalised this year (RTK)
• Kosovo murder trial witnesses nervous about accusing Serb gang (BIRN)
• COVID-19: 158 new cases, one death (media)

Albanian Language Media:

• Lajcak: Intense discussions underway in Brussels (media)
• Kurti: Kosovo supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity (media)
• Foreign Ministry: Kosovo stands with Ukraine (media)
• PDK’s Hoxhaj says National Security Council must meet urgently (media)
• Gervalla: New recognitions did not stall only last year (RTK)
• Mehaj: Together with NATO and US, we will confront any threat (media)
• President Osmani discusses deepening of relations with the Holy See (media)
• COVID-19: 158 new cases, one death (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: Pressures on Serbia after Putin’s decision will be even stronger (RTS)
• Ukrainian ambassador: Ukraine expects Serbia to condemn Putin’s recognition of Donetsk, Luhansk (N1, Kosovo Online)
• “Witnesses against Thaci fear they could be murdered” (Radio KIM)
• A new round of Belgrade and Pristina dialogue in Brussels (N1)
• Covid-19: 14 new cases, two deaths registered in Serbian areas (Kosovo-online)

Opinion:

• The Ukraine Crisis And Great Power Rivalry In The Balkans – OpEd (eurasiareview.com, TransConflict)

International:

• Greece says recognition of Ukraine breakaway regions violates international law (ekathimerini.com)
• Serbia Under Pressure to Join Sanctions Against Russia, Says Vucic (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Patriarchal mindset and fragile institutions, a challenge for victims of violence (EO)
• Mladenovic: Serbian language endangered (Radio KIM)

• Chief negotiators resume dialogue, to discuss missing, license plates (KP/Koha)
• Serbia includes April elections in dialogue agenda (RFE)
• Russia facing new sanctions after Putin recognises breakaway regions (Reuters)
• With all eyes on Ukraine, Putin to send his envoy to Balkans (AP)
• Robelli: All of Europe, not only Ukraine, is under threat (Koha)
• Kurti: Work on increasing minimum wage begins (media)
• Kosovo indicts ex-minister over extra 53 million payment for motorway (BIRN)
• Pristina Mayor meets UNMIK chief (media)
• Youth participation and culture are important for Europeanisation and democratization of Kosovo (EWB)
• Women’s low employment in Kosovo blamed on kindergarten shortage (BIRN)
• COVID-19: 101 new cases, one death (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 21, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: We had 17 bilateral meetings at Munich Security Conference (media)
• Kosovo Assembly to discuss the dialogue on Thursday (Koha)
• “Decision on energy tariff increase could end up at Constitutional Court” (EO)
• Kosovo continues preparations for “Dynamic Front 22” (media)
• Ukraine – Russia conflict doesn’t dim interest in Kosovo – Serbia dialogue (RTK)
• Hoxhaj: Kosovo is first line of aggressive Russian campaign in the Balkans (media)
• COVID-19: 101 new cases, one death (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Visoki Decani Monastery: SOC will use all legal means to protect its identity (Radio KIM)
• Raska-Prizren Diocese: Unacceptable that Kurti violates court’s verdicts (RTS)
• Google Maps once again shows the wrong location of Visoki Decani (KoSSev)
• Tourist panel in centre of Decani without photo of monastery (Kosovo-online)
• Slovakian Minister of Defence: Stance on Kosovo remains unchanged (Kosovo-online)
• Vucic thanks President of Iran over stance on Kosovo (Radio KIM)
• Vucic: Everybody knows our stance on Ukraine crisis (N1)
• Media: Russian official and Vucic to discuss recruitment of warriors from Balkans (N1)
• Vucic calls National Security Council session (RTS)
• EU: Belgrade-Pristina negotiating teams to meet in Brussels on Tuesday (N1)
• “Kurti accuses Serbia at Munich conference; Petkovic reminds him of crimes against Serbs” (RTS)
• Investigation against ten Serbian List officials over not reporting assets launched in Pristina (RTS)
• Ponos: Kosovo inalienable part of Serbia, to find solution for people living there (KoSSev, Nova TV)

Opinion:

• Palokaj: Bosnia, as a warning for EU and Kosovo (Koha)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Hate speech can lead to tragedy (Kallxo)

• Kurti meets Lajcak, Borrell, insists on agreement on mutual recognition (media)
• Osmani expresses concern over Russian influence in Western Balkans (media)
• Osmani and Kurti meet Greek PM Mitsotakis (media)
• Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia deny sending ‘mercenaries’ to Ukraine (BIRN)
• Kosovo reacts to Russia's claims of involvement in recruiting mercenaries (Koha)
• Sarrazin to become German Representative for Western Balkans (EWB)
• Mehaj: Kosovo to sign security information agreement with U.S. (media)
• Why does the business community think Kosovo has failed? (euronews.al)
• COVID-19: 183 new cases, two deaths (media)