Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti meets Sarrazin, discuss Berlin Process agreements (media)
• Osmani meets Sarrazin, “grateful for Germany’s support” (media)
• Kurti says U.S. and EU are too soft on Serbia (media)
• EU report on eventual lifting of measures not finalized yet (media)
• Torres: I will continue to push for their full inclusion into NATO (media)
• Citaku: We want Kurti to resign, but Assembly dissolution only possibility (EO)
• LDK General Council to meet this evening, will discuss early elections (media)
• Osmani hosts heads of Judicial Council and Prosecutorial Council (media)
• Gervalla: Serbia poses a threat to stability in Western Balkans (media)
• AJK: Assembly to improve draft law on Independent Media Commission (media)
• Osmani congratulates Kosovo cadets on graduating from West Point (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• A series of bans in Kosovo that mostly apply to Serbs living there (Euronews Serbia)
• Djuric: Admission of Kosovo to NATO PA sends bad signal, Kurti's regime rewarded for violating rights of Serbs (Kosovo Online)
• SNV, SNF and Otadzbina disappointed by the lack of a response from the SOC to their invitation to talk (KiM radio, KoSSev, N1)
• Introductory remarks in trial of Dragisa Milenkovic by prosecution and defense (KoSSev, Radio KIM)
• Awards for building peace and trust in Kosovo (KiM radio)

International:

• US and EU ‘too soft’ on Serbia, Kosovo PM says (Financial Times)
• Kosovo Granted NATO Parliamentary Assembly Status Upgrade (Prishtina Insight)
• ‘Out of Control’: Kosovo Struggles to Curb Online Sexual Harassment (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Data from population census, a basis for better decisions (RFE)
• PDK leader sends letters to VV, LDK and AAK leaders for early elections (media)
• LDK’s Rukiqi: Kurti’s resignation only way to new elections (EO)
• KFOR denies it negotiated the withdrawal of terrorist group from Banjska (media)
• Gervalla: Serbia has turned again into real threat for the whole region (media)
• Rohde: Kosovo has a diverse and interesting culture (media)
• 360 Serbs applied to convert drivers’ licenses to Kosovo licenses (EO)

Serbian Language Media:

• KFOR denies negotiating withdrawal of attackers from Banjska (KoSSev, N1, media)
• Office for KiM: A hand grenade planted in the yard of a Serbian family, new pressure (RTS, media)
• Serbs in Kosovo physically, legally, and politically endangered, said the Serbian Assembly delegation in the NATO
Parliamentary Assembly (Kosovo Online, RTS, media)
• Milicevic: The census will be used for political purposes, there was no will for it to be inclusive (Kosovo Online)
• Europol: Decoding the EU’s most threatening criminal networks (KoSSev)
• EU media: Resolution on Srebrenica forced in a divided UN General Assembly (N1, Beta)
• “While we were watching the UN meeting on Srebrenica, lithium mining was approved”: Activists start a storm on social
networks (N1, KoSSev)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: New embassy building in Washington strong proof of our alliance (media)
• Gervalla: Thankful for unbreakable bond with U.S. (media)
• Advancement of Kosovo’s status on agenda of NATO Parliamentary Assembly (media)
• AAK through resolution, demands Kurti’s resignation and dissolution of Assembly (media)
• Maqedonci meets COMKFOR, discuss transitioning of KSF (media)
• Kryeziu: LDK, AAK mustn’t allow this government to continue functioning (media)
• Haradinaj: Without resolution on genocide in Kosovo, justice incomplete (media)
• Kosovo citizens advised to avoid crossings with Serbia on Saturday (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Survey: Serbs in Kosovo trust the most SOC, the least Kurti (Kosovo Online, social media)
• EFJ Annual Assembly: UNS resolution proposal on murdered, kidnapped, and missing journalists adopted (Radio Mitrovica sever, KiM radio)
• UNS writes to EFJ Annual Assembly participants about problems journalists face in Kosovo, refuses to take part in gathering (Radio KIM, media)
• Komazec: Jedinstvo newspaper definitely the most endangered in Europe, request return of their premises in Pristina (Kosovo Online, media)
• Pensions for residents of KiM at four administrative crossings (Politika)
• Tajani: Italy will advocate for Serbia’s accession to the EU even before 2030 (RTV, Kosovo Online)
• EU, US launch anti-disinformation mechanism for Western Balkans (N1)
• Stano: EU does not comment on UN sessions, states voted based on national decisions (Tanjug)

International:

• Europe anxious over potential Trump return, Kosovo PM admits (Semafor)
• UN declares 11 July Srebrenica massacre remembrance day (BBC)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 23, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti: Serbia’s enormous armament shows it aims escalation (media)
Gervalla meets Congressman Turner: Kosovo in NATO creates security (RTK)
PDK, LDK clarify stance on Association: Will rewrite draft with U.S. (Nacionale)
Kosovo Assembly approves two international agreements (RTK)
Haxhiu thanks MPs for adopting agreement with Denmark on prison cells (EO)
CEC begins preparations for next elections, allocates € 1 million for supply of cameras (ekonomia) 

Serbian Language Media: 

Jedinstvo newspaper staff held collegium at open, deadline for their eviction expires tomorrow (Radio Kontakt Plus, media)
Milicevic: There will be no progress in the north until new elections are called (Kosovo Online)
Stosic: Mayors of the northern municipalities have not justified their mandates (Kosovo Online)
Surlic: Mayors in the north engaged in populist measures directed by Pristina (Kosovo Online)
Citizens in north about work of mayors: Everything went downhill, potholes on streets, people are leaving (Kosovo Online)
Deda: Kosovo today is a collective defeat of building an inclusive society (KiM radio)
‘We Speak Because They Cannot’ panel in NYC hears witness testimonies (N1, media)
On the occasion of the vote on the Resolution on Srebrenica, the bells  of the churches of the SOC, and the Diocese of Raska-Prizren will ring at noon (KoSSev)

International:

Muslim majority Kosovo considers same-sex unions amid fierce opposition (Reuters)
Kosovo's trade gap widens 12% y/y in April (seenews.com)
Serbia reels at UN resolution on Srebrenica massacre (politico.eu)
UN Srebrenica resolution sets Balkan politicians at loggerheads (intellinews.com)

Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: Belgrade military parades where remains of 744 Albanians found (Koha)
• Bislimi: Dialogue faces frequent rejections from Serbia (Reporteri)
• Krasniqi: Kosovo needs EU to lift punitive measures as soon as possible (media)
• Citaku: Early elections are necessity; we don’t have spears for opposition (media)
• KFOR: Kosovo Police don’t need to notify us of all their movements (media)
• “Gallup”: Kosovo, the most ardent “fan” of the USA in the world (media)
• Hoxhaj: Kurti government is anti-European, anti-Western (Express)
• Cameron: Reconciliation and economic growth, advantage in Balkans (RFE)

Serbian Language Media:
• Three Penalized for ‘Arrogant Behavior’ Outside Main Branch of Postal Savings Bank on Monday (KoSSev)
• SD: Kosovo police tried to hand out fines for a fictitious incident (KiM radio)
• Petkovic and Chulick: Pristina's unilateral moves endanger the stability of the entire region (KiM radio)
• Vucic: Truth not one-sided, UN resolution to brand victims genocidal (Tanjug, media)
• Djuric: Serbia appeals to UN member states to oppose Srebrenica resolution (Tanjug, media)

Albanian Language Media:

• Central Bank: Activity of financial institutions without licenses is illegal (media)
• Haxhiu: Actions in north for sovereignty, internationals should support us (Zeri)
• NATO PA to discuss Kosovo’s status as associate member (media)
• Pacolli: We’re waiting for opposition to coordinate on elections date (EO)
• Two PDK MPs don’t rule out coalition with Vetevendosje (Indeksonline)
• Musliu-Shoshi: We asked for Assembly dissolution, but AAK, LDK against it (EO)
• Tahiri: AAK doesn’t support dissolution of Assembly (Gazeta Metro)
• PDK met Haradinaj to convince him on Assembly dissolution (Albanian Post)
• Escobar: Kosovo has had a better relationship with U.S. in the past (media)
• Kosovo institutional, political leaders commemorate Dubrava Massacre (media)
• Osmani congratulates Montenegro on Independence Day (media)
• NGO calls for menstrual products to be exempt from customs tariffs (media)
• Rama, Cameron discuss “strategic project for Albania and Kosovo” (Indeksonline)

Serbian Language Media:

• State Department for KoSSev: Pristina to return to dialogue, actions undermine the perception of good faith in resolving open issues (N1, NMagazin)
• Petkovic’s letter to Lajcak: Report credibly to the EU about the destabilizing actions of Pristina (RTV, Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
• A call to NATO Parliamentary Assembly not to accept Kosovo as an associate member (KiM radio, N1, KoSSev)
• Miscevic: EU accepts new members under geopolitical pressure (Beta, N1)
• Grenell: While we are calling on Serbia to get closer to the West, Kosovo is moving away (Danas, Kosovo Online)
• Besiri: Serbian institutions in Kosovo that provide services to citizens cannot be a threat to peace (Kosovo Online, KiM radio)

Opinion:

• More bad epilogues from Kosovo: 0:3 loss for the home team (KoSSev)
• UN Srebrenica resolution will cause further division in the Balkans (politico.eu)

International:

• Srebrenica Survivors Await UN Vote as Serbs Slam Genocide Resolution (BIRN)
• Serbian Officials Launch Video Campaign Against UN Srebrenica Resolution (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:
• Govt: Association isn’t an umbrella to legalize illegal structures (media)
• Kurti: In less than 2 weeks, 313 Serbs converted their driver’s licenses (media)
• Kurti meets coalition partners, non-majority communities representatives (media)
• U.S. concerned about minorities’ treatment, “leaders to listen to partners” (RFE)
• KFOR said it was notified about operation in north, but did not take part in it (RFE)
• Osmani meets Szunyog, talks need to remove measures against Kosovo (media)

Serbian Language Media:
• Ziadeh: Kosovo Police action in the north may lead to an escalation (Kosovo Online, KoSSev)
• EU concerned over Kosovo police raids on bank branches (N1)
• Hovenier and Chulik: Yesterday’s KP action was not coordinated with international partners, Kosovo government has to address the basic needs of all citizens (KoSSev)
• British Embassy: Police action in the north poses a risk for escalation of tensions (Kosovo Online)
• KFOR: We expect timely consultations on any action by the Kosovo Police or the KSF (Kosovo Online, KiM radio, KoSSev)
• Vucevic met Konrad, further cooperation, Serbia's European path, and the position of Serbs in Kosovo discussed (Tanjug)
• Petkovic spoke with the Spanish ambassador about the situation in Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Miljan Jovanovic from Leposavic arrested by the Kosovo police for the second time - by mistake (Beta, NMagazin)
• SL: The state has done everything to protect all Serbs who receive income from the budget of the Republic of Serbia (Radio Mitrovica sever)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 21, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

U.S. strongly criticizes closure of Serbian bank branches in Kosovo north (media)
UK: We’re concerned yesterday’s police actions risk escalating tensions (media)
EU spokesperson statement on police operation in Kosovo north (media)
Murati: Every action based on legality (media)
“Law enforcement institutions don’t have to coordinate over legal rights” (media)
Kusari-Lila: EU draft on Association is unacceptable for Kosovo (KTV)
Joseph: Kosovo must establish Association of Serb-majority municipalities (RTK)
Kurti on Sekiraqa’s escape: A scandal of judiciary, reforms are urgent (media)
Anusic: Our forces are in Kosovo to protect peace (media)
Bulgaria to send 100 soldiers to KFOR mission today (media)
Shabiu slams government for “hate discourse” against media, civil society (KTV)
Sandulovic: Radoicic, criminal wanted by Interpol, walking freely in Serbia (media)

Serbian Language Media: 

Stano: The raid of the Pristina police in the north of Kosovo - a move that hinders a lot (N1, Beta)
Dacic: Kurti puts his "foot in the door", thus makes steps against the Serbs (KiM radio, Beta, TV Pink)
Arsenijevic says Serbs under absolute sanctions from Pristina, following closure of Postal Savings Bank (KoSSev, social media)
Sljuka: Closure of Postal Savings Bank branches is another threat to Serbian community in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
New DSS: An attack on Postal Savings Bank is an attack on Serbia (BETA)
Fatherland: A routine agreement, four days ago Belgrade ordered termination of dinar transactions in Postal Savings Banks (KoSSev)
Postal Savings Bank: Despite raids on branches, funds in accounts of all clients are safe (Kosovo Online)
Nastic: German Government must condemn Kurti’s actions, not reward them with membership to CoE (Kosovo Online)
Vuckovic: It’s time to set ourselves free from our lack of freedom, that’s the only cure (KoSSev)
Kosovo police says large amount of money seized, Petkovic – no dinars (N1, KoSSev)
Serbian school in Gojbulja stoned again; Reaction of the Office for KiM (Kosovo Online)
Mrdalj: Kurti seeks physical conflict, which is where his strength lies, while Serbia fails to leverage its advantages (KoSSev)

Opinion:

Serbia’s Lies About UN Srebrenica Resolution are All About Power (BIRN)

International:

Kosovo Closes Six Serbia-Run Bank Offices in North (Prishtina Insight)
NZZ: Kurti is no longer trusted (DW)

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani: Every success of Kosovo also bears seal of USA (media)
Kurti meets Chulick, discuss the north and Presheva Valley (media)
U.S. Under Secretary of State: We are deeply committed to security of northern Kosovo (Klan)
Kusari-Lila: EU draft for Association is unacceptable for Kosovo (Koha)
Police close six units of Postal Savings Bank in the north (Koha)
Svecla after closure of Savings Bank units in the north: Rule of law and order, our goal (Koha)
1.6 million euros and over 74 million dinars confiscated in branches of Postal Savings Bank (Koha)
RTK held public debate with journalists and civil society of Serb community (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

Postal Savings Bank offices, Treasury Management Office closed in northern Kosovo (Tanjug, Kosovo Online, KoSSev, media)
Reactions to Postal Savings Bank offices closure (N1, Tanjug, Kosovo Online, media)
EULEX on Kosovo police action: We were not informed in advance (Kosovo Online)
Vucic arrives in New York (Tanjug)
Vucic extends condolences to Iran over Raisi's death (Tanjug)

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani and Kurti host Qatar's Minister for Social Development (media)
• U.S. official Nicole Chulick visiting Kosovo (Klan)
• Hovenier on reasons for the visit of U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary (Klan)
• Kusari-Lila: No official request to dissolve the Assembly (media)
• Tahiri: May 30 is last date to dissolve the Assembly (Indeksonline)
• AAK’s Tahiri: Government resignation, not Assembly dissolution (media)
• Kosovo government approves agreement with Denmark, Danes will serve their sentences in Gjilan prison (ekonomia)
• LVV MP: With liberalization of visas, we have put an end to isolation (ekonomia)

Serbian Language Media:

• Jevtic: I informed Theodoros Roussopoulos about institutional violence against Serbs in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Mijacic on Kosovo membership in CoE (media, social media)
• Vucevic welcomes Gabonese PM in Belgrade (Tanjug, RTS)
• Vucevic: Gabon will not vote for the resolution on Srebrenica (RTS)
• Court in Pristina refuses to commute detention measure of Sladjan Trajkovic (RTS)

International:

• Kosovo Must Learn from Croatia’s Mistakes in War Crimes Trials in Absentia (Balkan Insight)
• Vucic: “I am going to New York to fight for Serbia” (sarajevotimes.com)
• EU Policy. Commissioner touts imminent agreement with Serbia on raw materials (euronews.com)