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UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 21, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Borrell: We discussed how to build a more united Europe together (media)
• EU foreign ministers to meet Western Balkans counterparts on June 24 (media)
• Sources: France and Italy against full removal of measures (Koha)
• Murati: 5.6% economic growth in the first quarter of the year (media)
• Gervalla: Kosovo and Portugal hold their first Economic Forum in Pristina (media)
• Clinton Center publishes photo with Kosovo children, families in June ’99 (media)
• Citaku: Sexual violence was used as weapon of war by Serbia (media)
• Hoxhaj: Letter of EU leaders is a new veto for Kosovo (Telegrafi)
• Kurti expresses support for Montenegro’s Democratic Party of Socialists (media)
• Serwer: Dodik and Vucic could attempt an attack like Banjska in Bosnia (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic asked Macron to stand by Serbia on the road to preserving peace (RTS, Tanjug,
Kosovo Online)
• Vucic: With Hecker about the security situation in the country and the region, especially in
Kosovo (Kosovo Online, Tanjug)
• Mijacic on the possible opening of the Ibar bridge: We are entering a new period of crisis
(Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic: “Shameless lies of Osmani, 200.000 Serbs expelled from Kosovo, new ethnic
cleansing in place” (media, social media)
• Milenkovic’s defence: Witness excluded existence of an act that could be qualified as
crime (Radio KIM)
• Special prosecution dropped criminal prosecution of Rade Basara, defendant in Oliver
Ivanovic’s murder case (media)
• Austria’s FM: No shortcuts in Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (Beta, N1)
• Gashi: The goal of cooperation between Pristina and Sarajevo another UN resolution
against Serbia (Kosovo Online)

Opinion:

• Iber river bridge: From symbol of division to a symbol of coexistence (Koha)
• EU voters are normalising the far right (Kosovo 2.0)

International:

• Serbia fans in Munich chant anti-Kosovo slogans (Reuters)
• Romanian President withdraws NATO bid, clearing final hurdle for Rutte (RFE)
• Serbia urged to recognise wartime sexual violence victims (BIRN)
• Pro-Russian Telegram channels push Kremlin’s line in Balkans (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 21, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Rubin: Long-term goal of Kosovo-Serbia normalisation means recognition (media)
• RIDEA: 49% of citizens dissatisfied with the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (Koha)
• Osmani meets Slovenian president: Kosovo proud of partnership (media)
• Konjufca meets speaker of North Macedonia’s Assembly (RTK)
• Gervalla travels to Austria, to attend “Friends of Western Balkans" meeting (Klan)
• Osmani’s message on World Refugee Day (media)
• Krasniqi, French ambassador discuss political developments in Kosovo (media)
• Over 1,200 Serbs equipped with Kosovo drivers’ licences (TeVe1)

Serbian Language Media:

• Drecun: Lifting punitive measures on Kosovo would encourage Kurti to continue terror against Serbs (Kosovo Online, media)
• Selakovic meets Azoulay, says unilateral Pristina’s acts directed against Serbian heritage in Kosovo (media, social media)
• Ragus meets delegation of Parliament of Ireland, says “ethnic cleansing unfolding in heart of Europe, 15 percent of Serbs left Kosovo” (media)
• RTK board appointed Aleksandra Jovanovic director of Serbian language TV channel (Radio KIM)
• UEFA launches investigation against Albanian and Croatian football federations over chanting “Kill Serb” (media)

International Media:

• Vucic, Kurti to meet on June 26 in EU-mediated talks on normalising relations (RFE)
• Euro 2024 becomes arena for Balkan nationalist score-settling (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 20, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti and Vucic to meet on June 26 in Brussels (RFE)
• Sources: No agreement in EU on full removal of measures (Koha)
• Rohde: Measures should be removed; it is in the hands of member states (EO)
• Borrell travels to Austria to advance EU – Western Balkans relations (media)
• Albanians and most Serbs support opening of Iber bridge (RTV21)
• Konjufca: Banjska, blow against cooperation, stability, security in region (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Djuric: The dialogue in a coma; the new arrests of Serbs threw gloves in the face of the USA and the EU (RTS, media)
• Detention ordered for a Serb from Zvecan arrested yesterday on the Bistrica Bridge (RTS, Kosovo Online, media)
• Lawyer: I hope L.D. would be released, strange he got arrested after a year and so (Kosovo Online)
• Office for KiM: Arrest of Serb at Bistrica bridge is Kurti's attempt to provoke new crisis (media)
• Serbian List: If innocent Serbs are arrested, because of what Kurti deserved lifting of punitive measures (Kosovo Online, media)
• A decade since the creation of the Peace Park on the Ibar Bridge, new fears for Serbs (Kosovo Online)

International:

• Anti-corruption fight in Balkans sees progress, but also regression: report (BIRN)
• Growing diaspora vote becomes game-changer in Balkan elections (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 20, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Victims of sexual violence, Osmani: Let's bring perpetrators to justice (RTK)

Kurti: We’re interested in X-ray scanners that enhance security at borders (media)

Lajcak: Vucic and I agreed on next steps in dialogue (RTK)

Bislimi after recommendation to lift measures: Association not a condition (RTK)

COMKFOR, Naples Command reps talk about security and dialogue (media)

EULEX present in delivery of body remains to Serbian authorities (Reporteri)

Kosovo government provides financial support to Presevo Valley (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

Lajcak and Vucic agreed on the next steps in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina (Beta, N1)

Djuric met Lajcak: The position of Serbs in Kosovo dramatically worsened with the arrival of Albin Kurti to power (Kosovo Online)

Petkovic met Lajcak: The CSM formation the only way forward, we do not fall for Kurti's tricks (Kosovo Online)

Pristina court sentences Rakic to three-month suspended prison sentence (N1, Beta, KoSSev)

Paunovic: Pristina submitted amendments to SEECP PA to provoke Belgrade (RTS, Tanjug)

"Kill, kill the Serb" performed in unison by Albanians and Croats (N1, KoSSev, SK)

UEFA also fined the Football Association of Serbia (Kosovo Online)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 19, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Sources: Borrell recommends lifting of EU measures against Kosovo (RFE)
• Kurti: In 1998-99, Serbia used sexual violence as weapon of war in Kosovo (media)
• U.S. is committed to supporting victims and survivors of CRSV (media)
• Maqedonci: Kosovo determined to join NATO (media)
• Lajcak meets international community representatives in Kosovo (media)
• Citaku: PDK is ready for new elections (media)
• Bogujevci, Perestrello talk Kosovo’s membership in intl organisations (media)
• Kurti travelled to Hamburg following invitation by Sarrazin (Klan Kosova)

Serbian Language Media:

• Lajcak appreciates reports of international community in Kosovo about situation on ground
(Kosovo Online)
• Lajcak: My work continues; I am confident the CSM will be established, we have considered
red lines of both sides (Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic: Pristina misuses sexual violence victims for daily political purposes (Radio KIM)
• Odalovic: 567 Serbs are still listed as missing (Radio KIM)
• The strengthening of the right not a good signal for the region's membership in the EU,
and the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina (Kosovo Online, VoA)
• Darko Tanaskovic: Border changes in the Balkans as a distant possibility not impossible (N1,
NMagazin, Danas)
• UEFA fines Albanian Football Federation (Kosovo Online, media)

International:

• Crosetto: NATO intervention in Kosovo, pillar of peace and democracy in world (Nova)
• Unconnected: Kosovo’s health information system remains ‘forgotten promise’ (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 19, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

•    Borrell submits report on possibility of lifting measures against Kosovo (RTK)
•    Bislimi meets Lajcak, discuss way forward for agreement implementation (media)
•    Lajcak: Implementation of agreement on normalization must be accelerated (RFE)
•    Osmani did not meet Lajcak due to different agendas (Telegrafi)
•    Meeting between Kurti and Lajcak in Pristina does not take place (media)
•    Kurti, Arbel discuss strengthening economic cooperation (media)
•    Israel removes visas for Kosovars (RTK)
•    Maqedonci: Radoicic’s group is still organized; “poses threat to Kosovo” (media)

Serbian Language Media:

•    Vucic to meet Lajcak today (Kosovo Online, media)
•    Lajcak met KFOR commander: Decisions about the bridge in Mitrovica should be made in Brussels (KoSSev, N1, NMagazin)
•    Rasic: The silent surrender of Kosovo, especially of the Kosovo Serbs, continues (N1, NMagazin)
•    Serbian List: Rasic tells lies about Vucic and our party (Kosovo Online)
•    Festival "Mirdita, Dobar dan" – Aims for dialogue, accompanied by disagreements (Kosovo Online)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 18, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

•    Kurti: I don’t think I should speculate over speculations (media)
•    Pacolli: We’ve heard from EU that lifting of measures has been foreseen (media)
•    Lajcak arrives in Pristina, scheduled to meet Osmani, Kurti and Bislimi (media)
•    Osmani: Unwavering commitment to lasting and just peace in Ukraine (media)
•    Kurti shares British reporter’s story who recorded attack on Jashari family (media)
•    Lajcak: We have a new momentum, which should not be missed (media)
•    UN Special Rapporteur publishes report from visit to Kosovo and Serbia (media)
•    Aliu gives details on construction of Pristina-Durres railway (media)
•    Kosovo to hand over to Serbia remains of three persons killed during war (RFE)
•    Prizren to host biggest cycling festival in Kosovo this weekend (media)
•    Klinaku: Kurti govt worked against veterans; we will protest (media)
•    KSC issues final warning to Nasim Haradinaj re. his media contacts (media)
•    UEFA initiates disciplinary proceedings against Serbia (media)

Serbian Language Media:

•    Vucic meets Jenca, discusses situation in Kosovo, necessity to establish CSM (Kosovo Online)
•    Djuric meets SRSG Ziadeh, says dialogue at stalemate because of Pristina (Kosovo Online, social media)
•    PM Vucevic with Lajcak: Time for Europe to give a clear signal (N1)
•    Lajcak says he discussed with Vucevic Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, EU relations with Serbia (RTS)
•    Dacic called on the organisers to cancel the "Mirdita, Dobar dan" festival (KiM radio)
•    A land parcel and field of Ilija Draskovic usurped in Kosovo Polje, one of usurpers threatened him with death (Radio KIM)
•    The remains of three Serbian civilians killed in 1999 handed over at Merdare (KiM radio)

Opinion:
•    Mutual recognition between Serbia and Kosovo: How do we get there? (IDN)
•    Serbia’s new intelligence chief will guard Vucic’s ‘captured’ state (BIRN)

International:

•    Reporter reflects “25 years after Kosovo’s secession from state of Serbia” (BBC)
•    UEFA opens disciplinary proceedings, prove over Serbian fact actions at Euro 2024 (RFE)
•    UEFA open disciplinary probe against Albania FA after Euro 2024 match (DPA International, MSN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 18, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

•    Kurti: Opposition cannot postpone elections indefinitely (Koha)
•    Stano on report on EU measures for Kosovo: No exact date, don’t speculate (RTK)
•    Svecla: Partners did not criticize us, they expressed concern (media)
•    Rasic: Vucic and Serbian List used the north for money laundering (media)
•    Osmani meets leaders at Peace Summit for Ukraine (media)
•    Svecla: Serbian government is financing terrorism (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

•    Djuric meets Jenca, discusses Kosovo issue (Kosovo Online, media)
•    Dacic: Role of UNMIK of crucial importance for security of Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
•    Petkovic meets ASG Jenca, SRSG Ziadeh, informs them of unilateral Pristina acts (Radio KIM, media)
•    Kosovo police entered two schools in Leposavic without warrant, photographed premises (Kosovo Online, media)
•    Kosovo police searched for “illegal things” at two schools in Leposavic, without explaining what it was (KoSSev, social media)
•    Two Serb youths say they were mistreated by Kosovo police in Leposavic (Kosovo Online, social media)
•    Serbian List, Office for KiM react to Rasic’s remarks he is ready to engage in preparing CSM draft statute (KoSSev, Kosovo Online, media)
•    Mortal remains of three Serbian civilians killed in Kosovo to be handed over to Belgrade delegation at Merdare (media)
•    25 years since kidnapping of several Serbs in Orahovac (Radio Gorazdevac, media)
•    Insulting graffiti written on House of Culture, children’s playground in Susica (KoSSev, media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 14, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

•    State Department: Long-term U.S. policy is mutual recognition (Express)
•    Rohde recalls 'Scholz’s clear statement during visits to Kosovo and Serbia’ (media)
•    Bajrami: Without mutual recognition, there can be no normalisation (media)
•    State Department comments on declaration of All-Serbian Assembly (media)
•    De Riu: Opening Iber bridge has "political and electoral purposes" (media)
•    Investigation of war crimes; Svecla, Haxhiu meet senior police officers (Kallxo)
•    Government ministers, MPs help clean shores of lake in north Kosovo (media)
•    Kurti: Walker is among Kosovo’s greatest friends (media)
•    Sources: “Shabani wanted BIA to act faster, stronger in Kosovo” (Express)
•    Arifi: “Elections in October; increase in public sector wages in summer” (media)

Serbian Language Media:

•    Petkovic says 150 Serb families to be evicted from their apartments in the north by Kosovo Verification Agency: "Ethnic cleansing continues" (Kosovo Online, RTS)
•    Petkovic: Shameful and anti-civilized decision of Pristina to ban goods from central Serbia (Tanjug)
•    People in the north, Strpce on Serbian goods import ban (Kosovo Online)
•    Gracanica residents: "We buy what we must" - dissatisfaction with quality and prices of available goods (Kosovo Online)
•    Shahini: Serbs affected the most with goods import ban, Albanians were buying those goods also (Kosovo Online)
•    Gogic: Ban on Serbian goods an illegal measure violating human rights (media)
•    Vucic meets with Sarrazin (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
•    Stano on banning the import of Serbian goods: Refrain from unilateral steps (KiM radio)

Opinion:

•    Qirezi: “All-Serbian Assembly is a shameful return to the 1990s” (Koha)

International:

•    Kosovo ‘child of war’ wins competition to rebuild war-destroyed school in Ukraine (Prishtina Insight)
•    Suffering in silence: The horrors of giving birth in Kosovo state hospitals (BIRN)
•    People are convinced Tony Blair statue unveiled in Kosovo is Jason Donovan (The Independent)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 14, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

•    Svecla on weapons found in Uglare: There is no compromise on crime (RTK)
•    Osmani meets with president of North Macedonia (Klan)
•    Hovenier: We’ll help protect Kosovo from cyberattacks, false information (media)
•    NDI deputy chief: TV stations are the main source of information (Koha)
•    Kosovo joins Demining Coalition for Ukraine (media)
•    Rohde remembers “German journalists killed during war in Kosovo” (Telegrafi)
•    Municipality of Mitrovica North continues to free public spaces (media)

Serbian Language Media:

•    Vucevic: We preserve peace and protect Serbs in Kosovo, but we are far from resolving status issues (Kosovo Online)
•    Djuric: Serbia wants relationship of trust and cooperation with all EU member states (Tanjug)
•    Djuric: Serbia does not accept violations of Resolution 1244 or the rights of Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
•    Petkovic informs Latin American ambassadors of situation in Kosovo (Tanjug, media)
•    Serbs could not attend liturgy at Christ the Savior Temple in Pristina centre (Radio KIM)
•    More than 1000 requests submitted to switching driver’s licences (KoSSev)
•    EU: Belgrade violating agreement on path to normalisation of relations with Pristina (N1, FoNet)
•    Vulin meets with Russian security services leadership in Moscow (BETA, N1)