UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 14, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani to participate in Copenhagen Democracy Summit (media)
• Lajcak optimistic that agreement on dinar can be reached (media)
• Sources: PDK proposed dissolution of Assembly next week (Indeksonline)
• Tahiri: Assembly dissolution only after Kurti’s dismissal or resignation (Koha)
• Krasniqi slams conditioning of CoE membership with Association (media)
• Weber: Kosovo won’t be included in agenda to avoid failed vote (Sinjali)
• Gervalla: Serbia against EU-proposed agreement, wants only Association (media)
• Bislimi speaks of importance of Kosovo’s membership in CoE (media)
• Reuten reacts to Vahelyi: Serbian President destabilizes the region (media)
• Lajcak “insightful and inspiring meeting” with Finnish President (media)

Serbian Language Media: 

• Quint and EU statement on Kosovo Government May 13 decision not to allow entry of Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch and accompanying clergy (media, social media)
• Stano: Pristina violated the Agreement on official visits by banning the Patriarch of the SOC to enter (Kosovo Online)
• The Mesihat of the Islamic Community of Serbia condemned Pristina's decision (KiM radio, Blic)
• Office for KiM: Transport of Zvezdara Theater equipment to Kosovo forbidden (KiM radio, N1, RTS, Kosovo Online)
• Zvezdara Theater: Crew of theater play The Book of Milutin banned from entering Kosovo (Tanjug, KoSSev, Kosovo Online)
• Vucic: Pristina's moves, Srebrenica draft resolution not contributing to regional stability (Tanjug)
• Varhelyi: I hope for Serbia’s membership in EU by 2029 (Beta, N1)
• Indictment raised against Goran Rakic for not reporting incomes while being a minister (N1, KoSSev)
• Andric-Rakic: Until there is agreement on how people will receive money from Serbia, it is irrational to start with punitive measures (Kosovo Online)
• Tutin: Unknown assailants shot at police officers in the Ground Security Zone (Tanjug)
• Olena Zelenska thanked Serbia for its support to Ukraine (RTS, media)

International:

• Kosovo Nears the End of a Challenged Census Process (Prishtina Insight)
• Political Attacks, Misogynistic Insults Continue to Pollute Balkan Online Space (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti: We must discuss with all parties about date of elections (media)
Krasniqi after meeting with Kurti: Kosovo is in agony, elections are necessity not desire (Koha)
Scholz reminds Vucic of importance of implementing Ohrid Agreement (media)
U.S. Undersecretary of State to visit Kosovo, will meet Osmani and Kurti (media)
Bislimi begins his visit to Hungary, meets head of Committee for Foreign Affairs (media)
French Embassy: Uncoordinated implementation of CBK regulation presents difficulties (Klan)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejects Serbian patriarch's request to visit Kosovo (RTK)
Two Russians detained in north Kosovo, sentenced and deported (Koha)
Haradinaj: AAK supports dissolution of parliament only if Kurti resigns or is dismissed (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

Pristina authorities banned Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch from entering Kosovo (Tanjug, media)
Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Porfirije react to Pristina’s ban (media, social media)
Reactions to decision of Pristina authorities to ban Serbian Patriarch Porfirije from entering Kosovo (media, social media)
Lajcak: Solution to dinar issue in Kosovo can be reached with compromise from both sides (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
Vucic meets with Kuleba (Tanjug, media)
Vucic receives letter of gratitude from Xi (media)
Vucic: I am heading to New York to respond to those wishing to accuse Serbia (Tanjug, media)
After switching to Kosovo driver’s license, hole is punched in Serbian one, 77 requests for replacement submitted so far (KoSSev)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: CBK regulation aims at legality, not punishment (RTK)
• Kosovo, Serbia to discuss Serbian Dinar in Brussels on Wednesday (Telegrafi)
• Kosovo off the agenda at meeting of CoE Committee of Ministers (Koha)
• Statistics Agency: Over 1,420,000 persons registered in census so far (EO)
• Heads of opposition parliamentary groups also refuse Kurti’s invitation (media)
• Svecla and Tomlinson discuss intensifying cooperation on border security (media)
• Osmani commemorates Korisha massacre: Serbia wanted extermination (Koha)
• Zimmerman: Kosovo can be accepted in CoE as associate member (Albanian Post)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: I informed Scholz about the almost unbearable situation for the Serbian community in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Ukraine’s first lady pays visit to Belgrade (N1, Tanjug)
• Lawyer: Slobodan Miletic did not take part in clash in Zvecan, was standing next to church, watching what was going on (KoSSev)
• Petkovic meets with Quint ambassadors, EU delegation head (Tanjug)
• Komazec: Jedinstvo newspaper expelled for second time, threatened by forced eviction (Kosovo Online, media)
• SPM formed Municipal Committee, opened office in Zubin Potok (Radio KIM)
• Pristina’s admission to the CoE opens numerous questions: Is Serbia ready for thousands of lawsuits from Kosovo (NIN)

International:

• Fresh start for Belgrade-Pristina after the elections? (Euractive)

Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti invites opposition leaders to a meeting today (media)
• Chief negotiators to meet this week on the Serbian Dinar in Kosovo (media)
• One month detention for Serb suspected of hooliganism in north (RFE)
• Osmani visits Texas Guard; expresses deep gratitude for U.S. Army (media)
• Kurti: Presevo Valley Albanians have unwavering support of Kosovo govt (media)
• Quni: Serbia, Russia can repeat Banjska to create political disadvantages (KTV)
• “The discrimination of Albanians in Gracanica” (Telegrafi)

Serbian Language Media:
• Serbian Finance Minister: EU our most significant partner, China an opportunity not to be missed (N1, Beta)
• The dinar: Media announced punitive measures as transition period “ends”, CBK silent, KP has no orders (KoSSev)
• Svecla with kayakers rowed from Radoicic's pontoon on Lake Gazivode (KoSSev)
• Krivokapic: Slobodan Miletic has been detained for one month (Kosovo Online)
• Office for KiM: S. M. detained as a victim of betrayed and empty promises of the international community (Kosovo Online, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Editor of Vreme: Vucic and Thaci could have reached an agreement (N1)
International Media:
• North Macedonia's First Female President Sworn In, Declines To Use 'North' (RFE)
• Greece reacts to North Macedonian president’s swearing-in speech (ekathimerini.com)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 10, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Albanians of the Valley have their unwavering support (media)
• Kurti: All evidence of crimes committed during war is being collected (RTK)
• Lajcak meets with DiCarlo, discuss the Western Balkans (ekonomia)
• EC: Progress in dialogue, condition for financial benefits for Kosovo and Serbia (media)
• Rohde urges Kosovo to take bold decision: the agenda in CoE can change (Koha)
• Osmani in Texas visits the 'Bell' helicopter company (RTK)
• Kosovo inaugurates General Consulate in Poland (media)
• Conversion of illegal driver’s license to RKS, Italy congratulates Kosovo (Koha)
• Biserko: Serbia "Trojan Horse" of Russia and China in Europe (Albanian Post)

Serbian Language Media: 

• EU: Serbia and Kosovo risk missing out on funds from the Growth Plan due to lack of dialogue (RFE, KiM radio)
• Joint statement of presidents Vucic and Xi: Objecting imposition of solution on Kosovo issue and call for compliance with Resolution 1244 (Kosovo Online, Novosti)
• Djuric: Awarding Kosovo membership in Council of Europe would be an international scandal (Kosovo Online, euronews.rs)
• Serbian List: Displaying and posting national symbols is an internationally recognized right, even according to the Kosovo constitution (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Novosti daily on new incriminating video in Leposavic municipality (Kosovo Online)
• Two Serbs arrested at Jarinje crossing point (KoSSev)
• RCC: The Western Balkans citizens' support for EU membership has declined significantly (Beta, KiM radio)
• KFOR gets new Chief of Staff (N1)
• Vucic receives UAE defense minister (Tanjug)
• Djuric meets ambassador of Mexico, expresses gratitude for support on Kosovo issue (Kosovo Online)

Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti on Europe Day: Kosovo should join EU to contribute even more (media)
• Kastrati: Kosovo expected to have 1.5 million residents (KTV)
• Rohde: Kurti was aware of our positions on the Association (media)
• Reuten: Kosovo deserves to become a member of the Council of Europe (media)
• UK Ambassador to OSCE calls for establishment of Association (Klan)
• Knaus: The text is next week. Will Germany fail it? (media)
• Serwer: Farewell to failure (media)

Serbian Language Media:
• Europe Day marked in Belgrade (Tanjug, media)
• Serbia marks WWII Victory Day (Tanjug)
• Lajcak met Guterres, discussed situation in Western Balkans (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Djuric: Strengthening ties with US among Serbia's foreign policy priorities (media)
• Djuric thanks his Cypriot counterpart for consistent stance on Kosovo (Kosovo Online, media)
• Brnabic: Xi's visit additional impetus to relations with China (media)
• FSS: Serbia and Albania jointly applied to host European Championship for junior football players (Kosovo Online, B92)

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani congratulates first woman president of RNM: I am looking forward to deepening cooperation (RTK)
• Gervalla: Kosovo supports Ukraine unconditionally, even though it does not recognize us (Albanian Post)
• Kosovo not on next week’s agenda of Council of Ministers (Koha)
• Belgian presidency in favor of lifting measures against Kosovo (media)
• Basha: Europe committed to keeping Kosovo out due to lack of favors to Serbia (Reporteri)
• Serwer: The U.S. should reevaluate its policy towards Serbia (RTK)
• Hoti: When Kosovo coordinates with its allies, it becomes member, it is not conditioned (media)
• Hoxhaj: Kosovo without a single recognition in four years (media)
• Haxhiu: Kurti divided Albanians in North Macedonia, unified Macedonians around VMRO (ekonomia)

Serbian Language Media:

• Hasani: The French and the Germans conditioned Kosovo because of distrust towards Kurti (KiM radio, KoSSev, Beta)
• Press Council of Kosovo rejected the UNS appeal regarding the RTK's repeated fake news (Kontakt plus radio, KiM radio, Kosovo Online)
• Giafreut: Focus on expansion (N1, RTS)
• Blakaj on European of the Year award – Confirmation that we are doing right (Radio KIM)
• Vitia with the managers of the health sector in the North, appointed in the Kosovo system (KoSSev)
• Vucic congratulates new North Macedonian President on election win (Tanjug)
• Mali: Xi's visit opens new chapter of cooperation and Serbia's economic growth (Tanjug, media)

International:

• Russian Hackers Accused of Cyberattacks on Kosovo Government Websites (Prishtina Insight)
• North Macedonia's Right-Wing Nationalists Win Both Presidential And Parliamentary Polls (RFE)

Albanian Language Media:
• Escobar: There are concerns Kosovo might not have votes for CoE (RFE)
• Italy: Only sending draft to court includes Kosovo on Committee’ agenda (Express)
• Association – an obstacle on Kosovo’s path toward CoE (Radio Free Europe)
• O’Brien, Escobar and Lajcak coordinate strategies for Kosovo and Serbia (Koha)
• Osmani: Kosovo, success story of values of freedom and democracy nurtured by U.S. (media)
• Osmani meets Bush, “staunch champion of Kosovo” (media)
• Online platform for communities inaugurated (media)
• Kurti: Reducing administrative burden, important step for all citizens to have equal opportunities to benefit from government services (media)

Serbian Language Media:
• Italian ambassador: Not the time for Kosovo to join the Council of Europe; the A/CSM is condition (N1, Tanjug)
• O'Brien, Escobar and Lajcak: USA supports dialogue leading to productive relations (Kosovo Online)
• Switching to Kosovo driver's licenses: Additional costs, Serbian health certificate unacceptable (N1, KoSSev)
• Vucic: China to back Serbia on all issues raised in UN (Tanjug)
• Vucic, Xi sign joint statement, 28 agreements on cooperation exchanged (Tanjug, media)
International Media:

• Gabriel Escobar Unveils The Message Miroslav Lajcak Will Convey To Belgrade And Pristina From Foggy Bottom (thepavlovictoday.com)
• Kosovo PM Hits Out At 'Conditions' To Join European Rights Body (barrons.com)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, 8 May, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Conditioning membership in CoE with the Association is absurd (media)
• Hacker: Linking Kosovo CoE membership with Association, grave mistake (media)
• Kurti on the Dinar: I cannot put myself above the Central Bank Governor (Express)
• Zulfaj: EU must lift measures in order not to damage its credibility (EO)
• Kosovo Police, EULEX and KFOR conclude “Golden Sabre 2024” exercise (KSP)
• Police find camera on mountain road on eastern border with Serbia (RFE)

Serbian Language Media: 

• Vucic: We are making history today, Xi's visit historic (Tanjug, media)
• Xi Jinping: China supports Serbia’s efforts to preserve territorial integrity regarding Kosovo issue (Tanjug)
• Rajic: We can expect China's support both on the issue of Kosovo and on the issue of the Resolution on Srebrenica (Radio Mitrovica sever, RTS)
• RTK website changed name of page in Serbian, instead of “RTK2” it now says “Serbian” (Radio KIM)
• The State Department had insight into the draft amendments of the Montenegro to the resolution on Srebrenica (KiM radio, Beta, N1)

Opinion:

• EU’s ‘Foreign Agent Law’ is Misguided (Balkan Insight)

International:

• Berlin hints at insistence of Serb association in Kosovo before CoE membership (Euractiv)
• Austria plans to deport convicts to Kosovo (politico.eu)
• China's Xi Arrives In Belgrade In Push For Greater Influence In Europe (RFE)
• Montenegro Accused of Kowtowing to Serbs on UN Srebrenica Resolution (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani meets  U.S. ambassador to UN, talk about advancement of Kosovo in international arena(media)
Stano: Borrell's report on lifting of EU measures towards Kosovo,  finalizing (Klan)
Kosovo not on agenda of CoE Committee of Ministers’ meeting  (Telegrafi)
Lajcak and President Biden's assistant discuss Western Balkans (RTK)
Osmani: Kosovo, special guest at US-Africa Summit (RTK)
Russian hackers attacked websites of Kosovo institutions (media)
Gervalla: Russia is carrying out hybrid attack on Kosovo (RTK)
Maqedonci: Serbia is continuing with aggressive approach towards Kosovo (Reporteri)
Austria also wants to send prisoners to Kosovo (media)
Kosovo not in CoE Committee agenda, Musliu-Shoshi: To Kurti, propaganda is important (Reporteri)

Serbian Language Media:

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived to Belgrade, welcomed by Vucic at airport (Tanjug, RTS, media)
Mali welcomes Chinese ministers at Belgrade airport (Tanjug)
Djuric: Full membership in the EU remains Serbia's strategic priority (Kosovo Online, media)
Petkovic to continue heading Office for KiM (RTS, Tanjug, media)
Lawyer: Most important witnesses in Trajkovic’s case may be heard in May (Radio KIM)
UNS laid wreaths at place where Chinese journalists were killed in NATO bombing (Radio KIM, media)