UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 20, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: Serbia can’t be a member of NATO, it still sleeps on massive graves (EO)
• Hovenier on Vucic's threat: Neither we, nor people of Kosovo should stay sleepless about this - NATO is ready and prepared (Klan)
• Monastery of Decan registers ownership of 24 hectares of land (Koha)
• Bislimi: Kosovo has little control over outcome of dialogue process (Albanian Post)
• Robertson: Being tough with Serbia pays off (media)
• Cliff: What is EU doing with Kosovo report on Banjska attack? (Albanian Post)
• EU to present soon mandatory roadmap for implementation of Basic Agreement (Albanian Post)
• Osmani: When girls and women are excluded from decision-making processes, entire society is limited (Klan)
• Kosovo Police prevents two cases of smuggling in the north (Albanian Post)

Serbian Language Media:

• Hill on NATO membership: It is up to Serbia to decide (RTS, Kosovo Online, N1)
• Visoki Decani Monastery land registered in Kosovo cadastre, special thanks to Ms Bakoyannis (Raska-Prizren Diocese, media, social media)
• Hovenier: I have not heard Pristina’s proposal to resolve issue with dinars (Kosovo Online)
• Mushkolaj: Kurti’s stories on independence of CBK ‘fairytales for children’ (Kosovo Online)
• How is Brussels dialogue viewed on the ground: "We have the impression that the agreement is to not to agree on anything" (KoSSev, N1)
• Mijacic: Modality on dinar issue is sought, each has technical difficulties and political consequences (Kosovo Online)
• Dacic: UNSC session on 1999 bombing of FR Yugoslavia still uncertain (Tanjug)
• Serbian List: The competent institutions to arrest Radomirovic, and conduct criminal proceedings (KiM radio)

International:

• Kosovo Court Ruling Awarding Serb Monastery Disputed Land Implemented (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: Britain should send more troops to protect us from Serbian invasion (media)
• Lajcak meets chief negotiators; discussions on Dinar to continue on Monday (media)
• State Department: Discussions on Dinar must continue urgently (media)
• Osmani on Vucic’s threats against Kosovo: He will fail again (Telegrafi)
• Government spokesperson: Vucic, a hostage of the past and desperate (RTK)
• Roth: With Vucic at helm, no way for Serbia to enter the EU (media)
• COMKFOR Ulutas meets Quint ambassadors in Kosovo (media)
• Maqedonci announces second package of military aid for Ukraine (media)
• Haradinaj: I can make Kosovo a member of NATO (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Petkovic: We pointed out all difficulties for Serbs in Kosovo (Tanjug, media)
• Petkovic: Solution must include continued Postal Savings Bank operations in Kosovo (media)
• Lajcak: Dialogue to be continued next Monday (media)
• State Department: Dialogue adequate channel to resolve problems related to CBK decision (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian List met Swedish Ambassador, tell him dinar decision has political not economic background (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic congratulates Putin on election win, informs him of situation in Kosovo (Tanjug)
• KFOR Commander met ambassadors, discussed security situation in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian Parliament fails to elect speaker, MPs in war of words (N1)
International Media:
• Albanian PM’s ‘Intimidation’ of Woman Journalist Condemned (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: There are no proposals that are accepted and which are in opposition with CBK regulation (RFE)
• Varhelyi on Kosovo’s EU application: Seeing new elements of escalation (Klan)
• Assistant Secretary of State Robinson to visit Albania, Kosovo this month (media)
• KCSS: What is Serbia’s 5000 project and why should we be concerned? (media)
• Reactions to Vucic’s statement about West choosing between Serbia and, Kosovo (media)
• Korac: Banjska raised EU awareness, Europeans won’t forgive Vucic (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• KIN: People with disabilities have not received pensions and social benefits since January due to the dinar ban (KiM radio)
• The tripartite meeting of Lajcak, Petkovic and Bislimi began in Brussels (Kosovo Online)
• Meeting of Belgrade and EU delegations headed by Petkovic and Lajcak started in Brussels (Tanjug)
• Varhelyi: We are not considering Kosovo request for EU membership yet (Kosovo Online)
• UNS and DNKiM reacted to the RTK's news corrections (KiM Radio)
• Controversies in reporting: March violence and RTK - lesson not learned (?) (Kontakt plus radio, KiM radio)
• Elshani says investigation into burning of Dusan Milanovic’s car ongoing, EULEX monitoring case (Kosovo Online)
• Cleaning of spray-painted traffic signs from Rudar to Jarinje underway (KoSSev)
• Law professor writes to Kurti: After Cyrilic signboards, to remove green religious signboards from streets (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Open Balkan: Serbia and Albania agreed on the text of the Agreement on Social Security (KoSSev)
• Parliament to reconvene Tuesday, Brnabic not elected Speaker (N1)
• Aleksic: Vucic buying foreign support using realty, lithium, Kosovo (N1)

Opinion:

• The EU’s new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans: solid foundations but shaky details (WiiW)

International:

• Kosovo President Demands ‘Equal Treatment’ in Implementation of Normalisation Deal with Serbia (Prishtina Insight)
• Common Regional Market: How far did ratification of the signed agreements go? (EWB)
• ‘Dangerous Trend’: Serbia Ignoring Alleged Trafficking Cases, UN Rapporteur Says (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani: U.S. proposal on dinar partially accepted, the rest to be discussed in Brussels (media)
Kurti on international criticism: Welcome, but I must protect Kosovo (Koha)
Kurti meets NDI director, discuss about advancement of cooperation (media)
Konjufca criticizes Escobar: he is pushing Lajcak’s biased concept (media)
U.S. official to visit Albania and Kosovo, to meet with Rama and Osmani (media)
Vucic warns the West with a threatening statement about Kosovo (Klan)
Petkovic used harsh language towards Osmani, Presidency reacts (Express)
Rama: Kosovo-Serbia agreement should be included as part of EU membership (RTK)
Knaus: Association desirable, but not a condition for CoE membership (RFE)
Over 46,000 citizens with right to vote for process of dismissing mayors in the north (Koha)
Haliti: I have information that after elections in north, Serbia will unilaterally announce Association (Koha)
Haradinaj: Kosovo would provide regional and global security as NATO member (RTK)
President of Germany awards Flutura Kusari medal of Order of Merit (media)
The U.S. sanctions former mayor of Kacanik, Xhabir Zharku (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Petkovic: No agreement regarding dinar has been reached (Kosovo Online, social media)
Dacic: UNSC session on NATO bombing of FRY scheduled for March 25 (Tanjug)
1.153 voters more than for local elections in 2023 in northern Kosovo (KoSSev)
Vucic meets with Dodik, Patriarch Porfirije (Tanjug, Kosovo Online, social media)
Brnabic: De-recognitions of Kosovo biggest success of Serbian authorities (media)
Employees of RTK2 and RTK1 Serbian redaction distance themselves from article on March violence (Radio KIM, KoSSev)
Vanovac: UNS and DNKiM expect thorough investigation into burning of Dusan Milanovic's car (Kosovo Online)
ODIHR confirms invitation to observe Belgrade elections (N1)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 18, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Borell: Serbia and Kosovo have achieved very limited progress (RTK)
• Rama: Implementation of Agreement between Kosovo and Serbia, important (RTK)
• Von Cramon: Kosovo is lacking political will for progress in European integration (Klan)
• CEC to decide today on voting centers in the north (media)
• Escobar met during his visit, Director of Police and Afrim Bunjaku’s family (media)
• Biserko: Vucic destabilizing neighbors through Serbian Orthodox Church and security services (Nacionale)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: There is no agreement on dinar issue (Kosovo Online, RTV, Tanjug)
• Sentic: Instead of healing wounds that still hurt, we face attempts to relativize tragic events (KoSSev)
• SNV says Kurti’s statement about March violence aim to further intimidate and expel Serbs, call upon Rasic and Trajkovic to resign (KoSSev)
• UNS and DNKiM condemned RTK reporting over repeated untruth in relation to March riots (Kosovo Online, Radio KIM, media)
• Vucic: Meeting with Lajcak addressed unbearable living conditions for Kosovo Serbs (Tanjug)
• Kosovo Online: We expect arson vehicle case of our portal’s owner to be resolved (Kosovo Online)
• Since CBK decision entered in force, stock market and banks without interest for work in northern municipalities (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian List: Kosovo police to investigate Radoica Radomirovic over arsons of vehicles (Tanjug, media)
• Stojanovic: Vucic admitted that his policy is harmful to Serbia and the Serbian people in Kosovo (Beta, NMagazin)
• Smiljanic: The Serbs in the YU program building in Pristina survived a calvary on March 17, thought we would all be killed (Kosovo Online)
• The UN SC meeting on March 25 on the anniversary of the NATO bombing against the FRY (Kosovo Online)

Albanian Language Media:

• Borrell’s statement on anniversary of agreement on path to normalization, and the implementation annex (media)
• Blinken calls on Kosovo and Serbia to implement all agreements (media)
• Roth on new U.S. extra conditions for Kosovo at CoE: Unfair and unjust (media)
• Kurti’s message on 20th anniversary of March 17 riots (media)
• Government: Placing of signs in north in line with the constitution (Koha)
• Police arrest Serbian national for damaging traffic signs in Leposavic (media)
• COMKFOR: KFOR continues efforts to prevent any escalation (VoA in Albanian)
• Pacolli: Delays in meeting obligations lead to pressure and damage (media)
• Tahiri: Two important moments this week for CoE membership (media)
• Historians’ League wants Kurti to resign over Decani Monastery decision (media)
• CAA: U.S. must remain engaged in the Western Balkans (VoA in Albanian)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: We will change our approach to the Kosovo issue; Serbia will no longer be subjected to a fait accompli (Kosovo Online)
• Borrell: It is high time for Kosovo and Serbia to break current vicious cycle of crises and tensions (N1)
• 20th anniversary of the March pogrom (KoSSev)
• Diocese on who paid the restoration of holy sites destroyed in the March pogrom (KoSSev)
• Kurti from Cabra: Children jumped into Ibar to avoid the escort of Serbian youths; unclear who then directed the demonstrators towards the Serbs (KoSSev)
• The SL: Self-Determination's brutal lies – a continuation of a dangerous policy of hatred towards the Serbs (Kosovo Online)
• Self-Determination ahead of March 17: 3 children were killed in Cabra, peaceful Albanian demonstrators were shot by Serbian criminals, justice was not served (KoSSev)
• First referendum then elections: Four municipalities in north of Kosovo still without mayors (N1)
• Blinken: We need to see both Kosovo and Serbia keep tensions low (KoSSev, N1)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 15, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Successes of Kosovo and its people shared successes with U.S. media)
• New round of dialogue between chief negotiators on March 19 (RFE)
• CoE doesn’t confirm Kurti’s dates, says more steps in the process (Kallxo)
• COMKFOR Ulutas welcomes decision on Decani Monastery (Voice of America)
• Haliti: Decision on Decani Monastery late; Association too can be condition (RTK)
• Decani Monastery could take another property 2 kilometers away (Albanian Post)
• Gervalla: Internationals shocked when they saw report on Banjska attack (media)
• Vogel comments on Szynuog’s remark about Banjska investigations (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Escobar for RFE: Kurti refused proposal on dinar (RFE, KoSSev, Kosovo Online)
• Stano: Discussions continue in Brussels on the abolition of the dinar in Kosovo (N1)
• Justice Minister Haxhiu: We implemented the unjust constitutional decision because of the membership in the CoE (Kosovo Online)
• Hill: Clear and sharp messages from Escobar to Kosovo, dinar latest issue, formation of CSM is fundamental (Euronews, Kosovo Online, KoSSev, media)
• Aliu confirmed removal of Serbian roads signs will continue, an avalanche of reactions on both sides – Cyrillic at center (KoSSev)
• Antonijevic: Decision to change signboards violently and poorly carried out (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian Peoples’ Movement criticizes Kosovo Government action to remove signboards in Cyrillic in northern Kosovo (Radio KIM)
• Inscriptions in Albanian language painted over on bilingual boards set yesterday in North Kosovo (KiM radio, Kontakt plus radio)
• Zigmanov: Serbs in Kosovo face violations of their civil and political rights (Tanjug, Danas, FoNet)
• Escobar and Hovenier met Bishop Teodosije, Abbot Sava in Visoki Decani Monastery yesterday (KoSSev, social media)
• Lajcak due to meet Vucic in Belgrade (media)
• Soder: Serbia key state for W Balkan stability, important partner for Bavaria (Tanjug)

International:

• ‘Worst Day of My Life’: Kosovo Serbs Still Scarred by 2004 Unrest (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

Escobar: U.S. has worked in favor of Kosovo, we hope Kosovo will listen to our concerns (media)
Kurti to Escobar: It is necessary that Serbia be held accountable for attack in Banjska (Koha)
EU announces meeting at level of chief negotiators in Brussels on March 19 (RTK)
NATO presence in Kosovo necessary for maintaining peace (media)
Escobar: We will hold government responsible for security of Serbs in Kosovo (Koha)
QUINT welcomes implementation of decision to register the lands of Monastery (RTK)
U.S. Ambassador to Serbia: Establishment of Association is a matter of time (media)
Maqedonci meets the British ambassador, discuss security in Kosovo (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

Escobar after meeting Kurti: Emergent humanitarian issue, Pristina to be flexible on Tuesday (KoSSev, media)
Kurti after meeting Escobar: I stressed need to hold Serbia accountable for attack in Banjska (KoSSev)
Serbian List on changed signboards: They installed Albanized names of Serbian places (Radio KIM, media)
Language Commissioner: The order of languages on signboards had to be reversed (Radio KIM)
Pantic Pilja: Emergency meeting at Council of Europe on March 27, voting on Bakoyannis report (Kosovo Online)
Dacic meets with HCCH Secretary General (Tanjug)
Stoltenberg’s report says NATO crucial to Western Balkan stability (N1)
Association of Families of Kidnapped and Missing Persons: International community respects Albanian victims more than Serbian ones (Kosovo Online)

Albanian Language Media:

• Escobar visits Decan Monastery (Nacionale)
• Stano: The investigations on Banjska are in hands of Kosovo authorities (Koha)
• Radar: After Banjska, Serbia gave 8.5 million euros to Radoicic's company (media)
• Gervalla: Kosovo has proven to be reliable partner alongside allies (RTK)
• Abdixiku: Kurti came to power with false causes, but decisions of Constitutional Court are uncontested (Reporteri)
• Haradinaj asks Prime Minister Kurti to implement the Franco-German plan (RTK)
• Signs of settlements in Albanian and Serbian placed in the north (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

• Escobar: The Serbian community is suffering - urgently needed solutions (Radio Gorazdevac, KoSSev, KiM radio)
• Starovic on Pristina's decision on the Visoki Decani monastery: Attempts to present a small belated step as a big step forward (KiM radio, RTS)
• Bilingual signs placed in northern Kosovo, Albanian version first, Cyrillic alphabet removed (KoSSev, Radio KIM)
• Serbian Democracy: Kosovo Government continues its fight against Serbian identity, by violating its own Constitution (Radio KIM)
• Antonijevic on removal of Cyrillic signs in the north of Kosovo: Open humiliation of Serbian community (Danas)
• Petkovic on removal of Cyrillic signboards (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Comparative Analysis: Numerous challenges in the application of the law on the position of minorities (KiM radio)
• Sekulic: How come raw materials from Serbia are not dangerous for Kosovo security, but biscuits are? (Kosovo Online)
• Klaus, Zeman: Prague should not have recognised Kosovo (Tanjug)

Opinion:

• Kosovo Takes a Crucial Step to Join Council of Europe (Prishtina Insight)

Albanian Language Media:
 Ziadeh notes with appreciation Kosovo govt’s announcement on Decani Monastery (media)
 EULEX chief welcomes decision on Decan Monastery land (media)
 Von Cramon welcomes decision to implement ruling on Decani Monastery (media)
 Escobar meets opposition leaders in Pristina (media)
 Escobar discusses Dinar with Serb politicians in Kosovo (RFE)
 EU agrees with Escobar on communication problems with Kurti (Koha)
 Kurti and Maqedonci meet COMKFOR, discuss security situation (media)
 COMKFOR Ulutas meets Escobar and Hovenier (media)
 COMKFOR: We increased presence, aim is to prevent violence (Telegrafi)
Serbian Language Media:
 Serbian List after the meeting with Escobar: Urgent and decisive reactions are needed (KiM radio, KoSSev)
 Escobar with representatives of Serbian non-parliamentary parties from Kosovo (KiM radio, KoSSev)
 Escobar spoke with representatives of Serbian NGOs (Kosovo Online)
 Stano: The EU and the USA demand that Pristina establish A/CSM,  which also solves the dinar issue (Beta, NMagazin)
 Lawyer Miljkovic: Milun Milenkovic Lune's detention extended for another two months (Kosovo Online)
 Dacic received Roquefeil (Tanjug)