• Kurti announces partial lifting of tariffs on Serbia and Bosnia (media)
• Grenell: We don’t support Kurti's half measure (media)
• EU welcomes Kurti's decision: calls for renewal of dialogue (Telegrafi)
• Kurti did not consult LDK about the tariff (Koha)
• Hoti: They are waiting for us at the White House if we lift the tariff (T7)
• Haziri supports Kurti for conditional lifting of tax (RTK/Klan Kosova)
• Haradinaj reacts to partial lifting of tax, calls Kurti 'deceiver' (media)
• Veseli: Nothing new from Albin (media)
• Hoxhaj: Tariff should be lifted, no reciprocity (media)
• Kurti: EU officials should respect independence of Kosovo (Euronews)
• Kosovo President Thaci meets National Security Advisor O'Brien (media)
• PM Kurti meets COMKFOR Risi (media)
• Konjufca meets Lajcak, urges all EU countries to recognise Kosovo (media)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 28
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 27, 2020
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 27, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Greek PM: Resumption of dialogue strengthens European perspective (Koha)
• Surroi: Thaci-Rasmussen letter exchange is an international agreement (Telegrafi)
• Gazeta Express: Kurti told U.S. he will not lift tax (RTK)
• In Washington, Thaci meets DFC chief executive, Adam Boehler (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: "They will give even more... but will seek from us de facto or de jure Kosovo's recognition" (O2, RTS, KoSSev)
• Raskovic-Ivic: Vucic never presented proposal on resolving Kosovo issue to citizens or MPs (N1, KoSSev)
• Djuric: Kurti threatens Serbia again (Kosovo-online, RTS)
• BIRODI says President Vucic dominates prime news programme on Serbian TV stations (N1)
• US to Kosovo: We expect lifting of taxes as step toward resumption of dialogue (Beta, N1)
• Albanian attacked Serbs in Grizime village, Office for KiM condemns incident (RTV Puls, Radio KIM)
International:
• Kosovo Leaders Trade Angry Words Over ‘Secret’ NATO Deal (Balkan Insight)
• NATO contradict Haradinaj’s KSF claims (Prishtina Insight)
• U.S. Reiterates Commitment To Kosovo Independence, Urges Dropping Tariffs On Serbian Goods (RFE)
• Moravcsik: EU enlargement in the Western Balkans is in the interest of member states (EWB)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Serbs, Albanians protest together against small hydropower plants in Kosovo (FoNet, N1)
• Mitrovica Rock School unites young Albanians and Serbs in a segregated Kosovo city (globalvoices.org)
• Appeals Court Upholds Nine-Month Sentence For Kosovo Soccer Chief (RFE)
• Rallies for clean air to be held on Friday in nine Balkan cities (balkangreenenergynews.com)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 27
• Kurti: Hiding correspondence with NATO constitutes flagrant violation (media)
• NATO reaffirms: KSF cannot go to north without KFOR’s permission (Koha)
• Serbia had sought guarantees that KSF would not deploy to north (Koha Ditore)
• Thaci sends message to Kurti from Washington (media)
• Osmani: Calls for upholding Constitution should not be misinterpreted (media)
• Abazi says Kosovo's partnership with int’l allies can never be questioned (media)
• Haradinaj: KSF can be deployed throughout Kosovo territory (media)
• Veseli: Concerning that a Kosovo PM questions agreements with NATO (media)
• Thaci: Kosovo blessed with trust and partnership of U.S. (media)
• Rama to Lavrov: Kosovo should be recognised by all (media)
• Vucic: Matter of time before Serbia recognises Kosovo (media)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 26, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Secret letter surfaces concerning Thaci's assurances not to have KSF go to the north (Kallxo)
• Prime Minister’s Legal Office: Sufficient basis to conclude Thaci violated Constitution (Koha)
• Hoti: Agreement with Serbia can be achieved through a government-led dialogue (media)
• Veseli: Kurti needs to clarify himself, not avoid responsibility (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Botsan-Kharchenko: Strategic partnership between Russia and Serbia on rise (BETA, N1)
• EU, US State Department comment on Serbia’s acquisition of 'Pantsir S1' system (VoA, N1)
• KIM radio: Mysterious dismissal of Tanja Ivic (VoA)
• Diplomats have forgotten fair play in Kosovo, some receive support, some face bans (Kosovo Online)
• Rakic met EULEX chief Wigemark (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Detention of Rosic and Spasojevic extended for two more months (Tanjug, Dnevnik)
International:
• Kosovo: 2nd Former Fighter Refuses War Crimes Court Summons (AP/NYT)
• Kurti calls for Thaci’s dismissal over ‘secret agreement’ (Prishtina Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Croatia Confirms Coronavirus Case as Balkan States Boost Precautions (Balkan Insight)
• Balkan cities united in struggle for clean air and environmental protection (BETA, N1)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 26
• Thaci calls on leading think tanks to join momentum for Kosovo and Western Balkans (media)
• U.S. coordinating for a solution in Balkans (media)
• UK Minister to Kurti: We are closer and closer in defence and security (RTK)
• Kurti: Our focus is to eliminate inequality in salaries (media)
• AAK collects signatures to call extraordinary session of Assembly (Zeri)
• Vatican urged to recognise independence of Kosovo (media)
• Presevo Mayor: We want to join Kosovo (media)
• First Specialist Chambers indictments could be confirmed within six months (Koha)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 25, 2020
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 25, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• EU Council extends mandate to Special Representative Apostolova (media)
• Lekaj: Munich agreements have been presented to Government (Zeri)
• Selimi: No differences within ruling coalition on reciprocity (Gazeta Express)
• Bahtiri meets EULEX chief: Situation in Mitrovica calm (Zeri)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: Anything less than 48.2 percent will be election failure for SNS (FoNet, N1)
• Specialist Prosecutor informed the president of this court of his intent to issue indictments (KoSSev)
• "Indicted will be known in six months" (KIM radio)
• Rakic: Tariffs have created even bigger rift between Albanians and Serbs (Vecernje Novosti)
Opinion:
• Redrawing Kosovo’s foreign policy (Prishtina Insight)
International:
• Why Serbia’s Disgruntled Citizens Aren’t Backing the Opposition (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• AoK Committee on the Rights and Interests of Communities established (RTK)
• Albania Prosecutors to Probe Panic-Mongering About Coronavirus (Balkan Insight)
• Croatia reports first confirmed coronavirus case in Balkans (medicalxpress.com)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 25
• At EBRD summit, Kurti lists priorities of new Kosovo government (media)
• Kurti to EBRD: We could do better but EU could do more (media)
• Thaci: U.S. to maintain focus on Kosovo and the region (RTK)
• Sources: Kosovo-Serbia agreement to be reached by year's end (Klan Kosova)
• Prospect of broadening Lajcak's portfolio seen in Pristina with concern (Koha)
• Cakaj and Konjufca with a joint statement on Presevo Valley coalition (RTK)
• Specialist Chambers ready to initiate proceedings (media)
• Abrashi: We have almost collected signatures for Assembly session (T7/RTK)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 24, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• In London, Kurti calls for reciprocity with Serbia (RTK)
• Konjufca calls for visa liberalisation at Western Balkans conference (media)
• Cakaj: Visa liberalisation for Kosovo to boost EU credibility (Koha)
• AAK: Tax on Serbia increased employment in Kosovo, reciprocity will not work (Koha)
• Ramush Haradinaj’s family enters media business with Telecom money (Kallxo/Prishtina Insight)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic on Kosovo, ultimatum, EU, Pantsir S1 (Prva TV, B92)
• Alliance for Serbia: Vucic confirmed failure of his Kosovo politics (KoSSev, N1)
• Dacic: Spain has firm stance, does not accept unilateral acts (RTS)
• Trump: Grenell does very good job as Belgrade-Pristina envoy (RTS, VoA)
• NATO on Russian armament: National decision and Serbia’s right to choose (B92)
• Father of Serbian footballer who wants to play for Kosovo didn't lose job (Radio KIM, N1)
• President of the Specialized Chambers of Kosovo: We will stand trial fairly and independently (Blic, Kontakt plus radio)
• Janjic: Ahtisaari ++ an old idea, I don't know where it came from now (KoSSev, Kontakt plus radio)
• Milicevic: Kosovo has advanced in the last 12 years (RTK2, Slobodno Srpski)
• "Borrell discussed Kosovo partition in Berlin" (Kosovo-online, B92)
International:
• New Kosovo Leader Ready to Revoke Tariffs for Serbian Goods (VOA)
• Serbia Receives Delivery Of Russian Antiaircraft Systems Despite U.S. Sanction Threats (RFE)
• The Western Balkans: Low Hanging Fruit for China? (thediplomat.com)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Serb player’s parents fired after he joins Kosovo Under-19s (AP/WaPo)
• Airport workers sacked ‘in revenge’ for joining protest (Prishtina Insight)
• Balkan Countries Take Precautions Amid Fear of Coronavirus (Balkan Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 24
• Grenell to remain envoy for Kosovo-Serbia negotiations (Zeri/Bota Sot)
• Weber: EU heading towards a Mogherini 2.0 policy (Koha Ditore)
• Haziri requests to lift the tariff (RTK)
• Haradinaj: No guarantees that lifting tariff brings Serbia’s recognition (RTK)
• Citaku on Jamaica’s recognition: Everything will be clarified in time (Telegrafi)
• PDK blames Konjufca for Jamaica recognition affair (media)
• Thaci leaves for the U.S. to meet with U.S. Administration officials (RTK)
• Vucic: Serbia will this year face ultimatum for recognition of Kosovo (Koha)
• U.S. Embassy, Kurti support K-Serb that plays football for Kosovo (media)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 22
• EU High Representative Josep Borrell speaks to Thaci, Kurti and Vucic (media)
• Mustafa: Kosovo to coordinate with the U.S. on reciprocity with Serbia (Express)
• Godfrey: Grenell will continue as Kosovo-Serbia dialogue envoy (Express)
• Opposition: It is a mistake not to apply for INTERPOL membership (media)
• Ismet Beqiri appointed deputy leader of the LDK (media)
• AAK deputy chair warns with protests (media)
• Hoti pelted with eggs (Express)