UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 26, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• Govt spokesman: PM won't dismiss LDK ministers (media)
• Kurti: We will continue as a government in duty (RTK)
• Pisonero: Kosovo in a difficult political situation (media)
• Bieber: EU - US alliance damaged (media)
• Mustafa: LDK Ministers to remain in duty until new govt. is elected (media)
• Viola von Cramon: Totally irresponsible political class (media)
• Pack critices LDK for no-confidence motion (Telegrafi)

Serbian Language Media:

• Empirica public statement: Equal treatment of all communities in combating Covid19 (Radio Mitrovica Sever, KIM radio, Kontakt plus radio, RTV Mir)
• “Respect measures of Serbian Government, Albanians deal with politics not health” (B92)
• Fajon: Coronavirus is not an excuse for locking democracy (Danas, N1, Beta)
• Djuric: Serbian List not to interfere in ''Albanian-Albanian'' conflict (Kosovo Online, Tanjug)
• Trajkovic: Ousting of government irresponsible (RTV KIM)
• EC: Kosovo is in difficult political situation (Tanjug, RTV Puls)
• Three more returnees’ houses in Novake village burglarized (RTV KIM)
• Roma in Gracanica face supply difficulties in period of coronavirus pandemic (RTK2)
• Total of 384 coronavirus cases confirmed in Serbia (N1, covid19.rs)

International:

• No-Confidence Vote Topples Kurti Govt in Kosovo (Balkan Insight)
• EU and US in opposite camps as Kosovo government toppled (Euractiv)
• Coronavirus row helps topple Kosovo government (BBC)
• Coronavirus Helps Bring Down Kosovo’s Government, With Nudge From U.S. (The New York Times)
• Germany’s cautious support to Kosovo’s visa liberalization (EWB)

Humanitarian/Development:

• The virus in Italy is finally slowing down, the coming days are crucial in the fight (B92, Tanjug)

• MPs vote to dismiss Kurti-led government (media)
• Mustafa: It is better that the motion was voted, session showed our differences (RTK)
• These are the next steps to create the government (RTK)
• Acting PM Kurti dismisses deputy PM Avdullah Hoti (Koha)
• Haxhiu: Thaci and Mustafa brought Kurti’s government down (RTK)
• Haradinaj welcomes vote on no-confidence motion (media)
• Ruge: EU, France and Germany to be commended for their strong support of Kurti (Klan Kosova)
• Eight new cases of coronavirus confirmed (media)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Govt is being brought down to make way for land swap agreement (media)
• Roth: Corona doesn't care about disputes between politicians (media)
• Kosnett meets Osmani shortly before Assembly session (media)
• Mustafa: Motion is a democratic instrument (RTK)
• Kurti informs on his response to the Constitutional Court, right before the motion (RTK)
• Thaci: We'll overcome this, stay at home (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Simic: All 10 Serbian List MPs to vote in favour of no-confidence motion (Kosovo Online, Vecernje novosti)
• Tanin urge political leaders in Kosovo to show unity in fight against COVID-19 (Kontakt plus radio, KIM radio, RTK2, Kosovo Online)
• Hasani: Both Kurti’s measure to ban movement and Thaci’s call to oppose a government decision are unconstitutional (KoSSev)
• Germany and France support Kurti, the US welcomes the vote of no-confidence motion against the government (KoSSev)
• US Embassy in Pristina: Burglaries of returnees’ houses must not be tolerated (N1, BETA)
• 54 new cases of coronavirus registered in Serbia, more than 300 people infected (B92)

International:

• Macron and Merkel to organise Serbia-Kosovo Summit when conditions are established (EWB)

Humanitarian/Development:

• The ‘father figures’ of Kosovo politics (Prishtina Insight)

• Thaci: EU continues to discriminate Kosovo (media)
• Osmani: I will not vote in favor of non-confidence motion, MPs should vote against it (media)
• Kosnett: Pleased to see Assembly session tomorrow (media)
• Von Cramon reacts harshly to Kosnett, calls his statements irresponsible (Koha)
• Joint statement of France and Germany (media)
• Switzerland calls on ruling coalition to overcome disagreements (media)
• Kurti tweets about call with Merkel (media)
• Constitutional Court: Thaci’s request will be treated with urgency (RTK)
• Abazi with serious accusations against Thaci and Mustafa (RTK)
• Behrami: Pressure on LDK, interference in internal matters (RTK)
• Two new cases confirmed, number of infected with COVID-19 reaches 63 (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 24, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti calls on people to respect govt decisions (media)
• Thaci addresses Constitutional Court on government’s restriction measures (media)
• Thaci writes to Kurti: Suspend the decision, you have caused panic, fear and uncertainty (media)
• Quint Ambassadors: Prioritise fight against COVID-19 (media)
• Thaci welcomes Quint statement (media)
• EU calls on Kosovo leaders to work together (media)
• Kosnett: Follow guidance to protect our families and communities (media)
• Stjernvall: No more fights against each other (Kallxo)

Serbian Language Media:

• In Serbia, 27 newly infected coronavirus patients, a total of 249 (B92)
• Pristina quarantine measure creates problems for emergency transportation of patients from Kosovo Serb communities (KoSSev)
• Pristina Mayor: The City of Pristina offers assistance to all communities in Kosovo (RTK2, Kontakt plus, RTV Puls)
• "There is no flour in Gracanica for ten days" (RTK2, Kontakt plus radio, KoSSev)
• Djuric: We are not interested in their ‘games of thrones’ (Tanjug, B92, Politika)
• 21 years since NATO bombing of Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Tanjug, B92)
• 21 anniversary of NATO bombing marked in Mitrovica North (RTV Puls, TV Most)

International:

• President calls on citizens to disobey government measures (Prishtina Insight)
• Europe’s Other Coronavirus Victim: Information and Data Rights (Balkan Insight)
• Kosovo Opposition to Back No-Confidence Motion in Govt (Balkan Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Inspired by NATO Bombing, Serbian Artist Turns Trauma into Art (Balkan Insight)

• Government restricts movements of private vehicles and citizens (media)
Thaci opposes government decision, calls it anti-constitutional (media)
• Mustafa: Government decision, anti-constitutional (Koha)
• Haradinaj: Govt decision, a flagrant violation (media)
Nagavci: Citizens to submit to government’s decisions (T7, RTK)
• Abazi: Government’s decision in accordance with the Constitution (RTK)
• Merkel hails lifting of the tariff (RTK)
• Assembly chairmanship to decide today on non-confidence motion session (Express)
• Kurti’s government to establish reciprocity measures towards Serbia on April 1 (media)
• 21 new cases of coronavirus confirmed (media)
Albanian reporters assaulted in Mitrovica North (media)

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani asks Institute for professional opinion on Assembly session (media)
• LDK Minister: We will proceed with non-confidence motion (Express)
• Merkel and Kurti to have videocall today (Express)
• Swiss MPs: Stop the political games (Koha)
• Heldt: Include Kosovo in corona global updates (media)
• Kosovo Serbs send COVID-19 tests to Belgrade (RFE, Express)

Serbian Language Media:

• Petritsch: Kosovo issue put on hold due to pandemic (Kosovo Online)
• Borrell: Lajcak will do an excellent job mediating Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (Beta, N1)
• Jevtic: We are working to provide help, in particular to vulnerable groups in return areas (Kosovo-online)
• Vucic and Orban discuss economic cooperation after coronavirus pandemic ends (FoNet, N1, RTS)
• 34 new coronavirus cases confirmed - total of 222 infected (B92)
• Chinese team: 29 days needed to calm down COVID-19, will present new steps (FoNet, N1, RTS)
• DW: People in Balkans fear coronavirus the least (N1)

Opinion:

• COVID-19: Truth and Viral Consequences (Balkan Insight)

International:

• MEPs: Western Balkans should be included in EU+ export authorization scheme (EWB)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Schools emptying in Drenica’s villages (Prishtina Insight)

• Kosovo partially lifts import tariff on Serbian, Bosnian goods (media)
• LDK ignores calls, activates non-confidence motion (Koha)
• Abazi: LDK pressured yesterday not to vote lifting of the tariff (RTK)
• Number of confirmed cases with coronavirus reaches 24 (media)
• All parks in Kosovo to be closed from today (media)
• Thaci: Lajcak's mission destined to fail (media)
• EU spokesman reacts to Thaci tweet (media)
• EP member: Fight corona, not each other (RTK)
• Meanwhile, America’s Kosovo Strategy Is Melting Down (Foreign Policy)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 20, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• EU calls for unity among party leaders (Telegrafi)
• Mustafa: Kurti to lift tariff, annul dismissal decision, and apologize (RTK)
• Thaci: KPHI and the police are promptly doing their job, KSF ready (RTK)
• KDI argues against non-confidence motion (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• New 15 cases of coronavirus in Serbia - 118 in total (B92)
• Serbia closed its borders, intercity traffic stops at noon (B92)
• Vucic: Curfew will be extended (B92, RTS)
• Most of us will be affected for some months, UN's Antonio Guterres says (N1)
• Website of Trustbuilding Platform in Kosovo introduced (KoSSev)
• Passengers at Jarinje crossing point told they would have to be quarantined in Pristina? (KoSSev)
• COVID-19: Governments must promote and protect access to and free flow of information during pandemic (KoSSev)
• Serbian Commissioner says right to information not suspended (N1)
• Norway donates to Serbia EUR 5 million to fight coronavirus (RTS)

International:

• Pandemic Forces Balkan Politicians to Get Serious, At Last (Balkan Insight)
• Kosovo seeks help from Turkey to fight coronavirus (aa.com.tr)
• Prishtina protests from its balconies (Prishtina Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Serbia’s virologist: Vaccine is urgent, or coronavirus will be seasonal disease (N1)
• Kon: Epidemic will last another six weeks in this regime (Tanjug, B92)