UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, July 20, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Konjufca meets French President of the National Assembly Yawl Braun-Pivet (media)
• Stoltenberg: 93 KFOR troops were injured by the violence in the north (Klan)
• Szunyog: The EU's priority is the de-escalation to the north (RTK)
• Hovenier: We support KSF as it transforms into territorial defence force interacting with NATO (media)
• Rama appeals to EU: We cannot allow north of Kosovo to become a small Donbas (media)
• Krasniqi meets Hovenier: Elections have no alternative (Express)
• Borrell extends Tomas Szunyog’s mandate as EU head in Kosovo for another year (Express)
• Milorad Djokovic's trial for war crimes in Kosovo begins today (Koha)
• Specialized Chambers on summer break, KLA leaders’ trial continues in August (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucevic: We want dialogue with Pristina, not war (Radio KIM, Nova)
• Ledwidge at Thaci’s trial: KLA in 1998 kidnapped and murdered 47 Serbs, Roma and couple of Albanians in Orahovac (KoSSev, BETA)
• Why are some defendants in the Brezovica case in detention for 19 months? (VoA, KoSSev, Radio KIM)
• Vucic: We are prepared for any surprises, people need not worry (Tanjug)
• Milivojevic: KFOR to influence Pristina immediately so de-escalation can happen (RTV)
• Dacic: Kurti’s plan is escalation, Pristina dissatisfied with negotiations (Kosovo Online, Kurir)

Albanian Language Media:

​​Lajcak meets Kosovo and Serbia chief negotiators in Brussels (media)
Kosovo joins International Committee for Missing Persons (media)
Lajcak meets Vucic; “agreed on importance to urgently take steps to de-escalate” (media)
Stoltenberg after meeting Vucic: Parties to refrain from tensions (RFE/Klan Kosova)
Kurti meets Bakoyannis and Papandreou during stay in Greece (media)
Haradinaj: High time for Kurti to properly read messages of Kosovo’s friends (Kosovapress)
Mehaj: Our military capacities are built in cooperation with the U.S. (Koha)
Abdixiku: Kusari-Lila committed criminal offense by talking to a terrorist like Radojicic (Klan)
Szunyog writes to Konjufca, asks him to send new draft law for KPC to Venice (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic: I requested that NATO take control to ensure life worthy of humans to Serbs (Tanjug, media)
Vucic: Latest round of Belgrade-Pristina technical dialogue discussed with Lajcak (media)
Brussels meetings on dialogue conclude, no trilateral meeting held (Tanjug, media)
Uros Vukasinovic from Leposavic released on bail (Kosovo Online, media)
Serbian List: Silence about Serbian victims done on purpose (Kosovo Online, social media)

International Media:

U.S. Envoy Optimistic About Progress On Normalization Between Kosovo And Serbia (RFE)
Distant Goal: Balkan Women’s Football Struggles to Get Ball Rolling (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, July 18, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: We are establishing the Institute of crimes committed during the war (media)
• The U.S. expected to allow Kosovo in military exercises with NATO forces (media)
• Former KIA head sentenced to four years and eight months in prison for the "Gülenists" case (Koha)
• Kearns calls the policies of the USA and the EU for Kosovo hasty (RTK)
• North Mitrovica close to membership in Kosovo Municipalities Association (media)
• Another Serb arrested for attacking journalists in the north, released (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• New round of dialogue starts in Brussels, Vucic to meet Lajcak this evening (RTS)
• Vucevic: NATO important stakeholder, crucial for security of all people in Kosovo (TV Pink, Kosovo Online)
• Messages from Washington about significance of de-escalation (Voice of America)
• Daka: Kosovo does not have Law on referendum, elections in north are not a matter for CEC (Kosovo Online)

Opinion:

• Rama-Kurti Feud Reveals Deeper Rift Between Albania and Kosovo (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

​​Kurti: We’re starting to pave way for early elections in north (media)
Escobar: We received pledges Serbia will not oppose elections in north of Kosovo (RFE)
Bislimi and Petkovic to meet today in Brussels (media)
Osmani meets delegation of KLA War Veterans Organisation (media)
PDK: Kosovo needs early general elections; government lacks credibility (media)
Szunyog: Central Election Commission will have EU support (RTK)
Gutierrez: Violation of media freedom impedes Kosovo’s integration in EU (Klan Kosova)
Serbian Language Media:

NATO confirms Stoltenberg-Vucic meeting (N1, media)
Escobar at Congress: Pristina must establish CSM, both sides to fulfill their obligations faster (RTS)
Dacic signs cooperation deal with Anti-Corruption Agency (N1)
Milivojevic on upcoming dialogue meeting, says pressure on Belgrade to continue, Pristina will not change stance (Kosovo Online)
Witness at Thaci’s trial: KLA coordinated action of abducting large number of Serbs (KoSSev, BETA)
International Media:

The U.S. Should Stand With Kosovo (Foreign Policy)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, July 18, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Chief negotiators to meet on Wednesday in Brussels (Koha)
• Lajcak: We talked with Kurti about north and implementation of dialogue agreements (Koha)
• The US reiterates call for de-escalation: The parties should return to dialogue (Reporteri)
• Varhely and Sarrazinin discuss the Western Balkans (RTK)
• Konjufca travels to France for an official visit (Reporteri)
• Serb NGOs complain to Escobar about presence of Kosovo Police in north (Klan)
• Hoti after Kurti's meeting with Lajcak: Stop dialogue in beach hotels and hideaways (media)
• Meeting of the Committee for the Supervision of Public Finances fails (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• EU: Lajcak to meet tomorrow Belgrade and Pristina chief negotiators (Tanjug, media)
• Belgrade's delegation arrives in Brussels, dialogue with Pristina to resume on Wednesday (Tanjug)
• 25 years after no one held responsible for crimes against Serbs in Orahovac (Kosovo Online)
• Anniversary of crimes against Serbs and Roma in Orahovac marked in Velika Hoca (Kosovo Online, RTS, media)
• Lawyers say war crimes indictments put additional pressure on Serbs - to drive some away, and prevent others from returning (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian official says Turkey arming Kosovo (N1, RTS, Radio KIM)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti meets Lajcak, discuss de-escalation and normalisation of relations with Serbia (media)
Escobar in Congress: Kosovo and Serbia fulfill all obligations (RTK)
De-escalation in north and sequencing plan to be discussed in Brussels (Koha)
Bayraktar drones cannot be used without KFOR authorization (Radio Free Europe)
KLA War Veterans Organisation request meeting with President Osmani (media)
Kurti and Papandreou open Balkans panel at SYMI Symposium in Greece (media)
Rama doesn’t want to comment on Kurti’s absence, “who wanted came” (media)
Mujka: I will not allow to be used for attacks against PM’s successes (media)
Hovenier meets Devolli, discuss also Klan Kosova situation (media)
RTK: Serbia continues silent cleansing of Albanians

Serbian Language Media:

Association of Journalists of Serbia requests international organizations to support RTS reporter over her years-long ban to enter Kosovo (RTS, Kosovo Online)
KFOR on KSF acquiring Turkish drones: KFOR Commander has primary authority for airspace over Kosovo (KoSSev)
Dalibor Spasic released on bail (Kosovo Online, media)
Brnabic attends Tirana meeting of Western Balkan leaders (Tanjug)
Varhelyi discusses economic, social integration with WB PMs (N1)
Grenell says Escobar’s report devoid of facts from ground (Kosovo Online, social media)

International Media:

Guerrilla Leaders Were Outside Kosovo for Most of War, Trial Told (Prishtina Insight)
Wings of Change: Why Armed Drones Are Proliferating in Western Balkans (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, July 17, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Rama gathers leaders of region, Kosovo expected to be represented by Bislimi (Klan)
• Bislimi’s participation at informal meeting of regional leaders, refused (Reporteri)
• Mehaj calls on citizens to contribute to Security Fund: To guarantee a safe Kosovo (media)
• Citaku to Kurti: Your approach is harming Kosovo (media)
• Hoti: Kurti's non-participation in the meeting in Tirana, lack of seriousness (media)
• Albanians of Presheva Valley demand justice (RTK)
• CDRF on the fight in Parliament: Bislimi was a guest, had no right to tear photo of opposition (media)
• Association of Municipalities has not received membership application from Mitrovica North (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• A lot of what I’ve seen in the north reminds me of Northern Ireland, that’s why the dialogue is important (KoSSev)
• Detention of Dejan Pantic extended for two more months (Radio KIM, Radio kontakt plus)
• Lawyer: Nemanja Vlaskovic from Leposavic released on bail (Radio KIM)
• Serbian journalists associations request Kosovo police to stop mistreating Serbian media outlets journalists (Radio KIM)
• Dacic: Still no evidence against Vulin from US, and I don’t expect it to come (BETA, Politika, N1)
• Serbian PM: Open Balkan has a bright future, I don’t think Rama is against it (N1, BETA)
• Vucic: Our ties with US a priority in Kosovo crisis (Tanjug)
• Mitrovica North MA: Land parcel near firefighter station allocated for use of Directorate of emergency situations (KoSSev)

Albanian Language Media:

Kosovo buys Bayraktar drones; Kurti: Kosovo now even safer (media)
Lajcak mentions meetings with Bislimi and Krasniqi (media)
KFOR: Kosovo institutions responsible for reducing police presence in north (Express)
Task Force investigating at least five ministers and one deputy minister (Betimi per Drejtesi)
Two shocks bombs thrown at house in Mitrovica North (Koha)
Rama to gather leaders of region in Tirana on Monday, not known if Kurti will attend (media)
Albanian neighbors after Serb house burnt: We never had any bad words (RFE)

Serbian Language Media: 

Serbian President Vucic: Albin Kurti is not interested in peace or what United States thinks of him (The Pavlovic Today, media)
Abbott: I am concerned over specificities of agreement on de-escalation, we need to see more of EULEX instead of special police (KoSSev)
Kurti refers to detained Serb from north as “notorious criminal” at KP graduation ceremony address (KoSSev, media)
Serbian List, Petkovic react to Kurti’s remarks on Kosovo police being continuation of KLA (Kosovo Online, KoSSev, Radio KIM, media)

International Media:

Kosovo buys Turkish Bayraktar drones (Reuters)
 After BIRN’s Investigation, Member of Ruling Party Arrested by Police (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, July 14, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Work of police officers ruined comfort of criminal gangs in north (RFE)
• Francken: Kosovo should become part of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (media)
• Kurti hosts new head of Albanian National Council in Serbia, Nevzad Lutfiu (media)
• The prosecution interviews Bislimi as a suspect and Murati as a victim (Klan)
• Kurti: The EU should follow the example of the USA in sanctioning Vulin (Koha)
• The EU expects further steps from Kosovo to lift the measures (RFE Albanian)
• Haradinaj: The government is stabbing us in the back (media)
• Hydro-economic enterprise CEO arrested for suspected corruption (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Sarrazin: ZSO crucial for international community, people in north of Kosovo literally suffering because of situation (RTS)
• Dacic: We will insist to present situation in Kosovo at UN SC session (RTV)
• Milivojevic: Returning to previous situation necessary for de-escalation (RTS, Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic meets Hungarian Ambassador, tells him violence on ethnic and religious grounds carried out in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Ambassador of France: Normalisation of relations has no alternative, that is clearer today than ever (NMagazin, Beta, Politika)
• Timothy Less: Decision to withdraw KP a reluctant concession to please US and EU (Tanjug)
• PM adviser asked media to turn off cameras and leave event (KiM radio, KoSSev, Kontakt plus radio)
• Vucic meets Foreign Minister of Venezuela, thanks him for respecting territorial integrity of Serbia (Kosovo Online)
• Krajiste: The celebration of the Saint Vraci holiday followed by a loud music in praise of ‘’UQK” and Jashari (KiM radio, gracanicaonlone.info)

International:

• Platinum Wolf 23 and Defender 23: Two military exercises show changing relationship of Serbia and Kosovo with the West? (EWB)

Albanian Language Media:
Osmani, Hovenier, civil society organisations condemn violence (media)
Osmani expects new mayors in northern municipalities in autumn (Koha)
Osmani meets Hovenier, discuss actions to de-escalate situation in north (media)
U.S. welcome Kosovo-EU agreement on de-escalation in north (Klan Kosova)
Sarrazin: Measures will be lifted only after three EU points are implemented (RTK)
Assembly adopts law on minimum wage; war veterans warn with steps (media)
Ahmet Ismaili elected governor of Central Bank of Kosovo (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic: Withdrawal of 25 percent of Kosovo police in north – a trick (Kosovo Online, TV Pink, media)
Elshani said 25 percent of police forces withdrew from municipal facilities in northern Kosovo, but provided no details (KoSSev, media)
EULEX: Fewer people in front of northern municipalities, all efforts focused on de-escalation (RTS, Tanjug)
Detention of Milun Milenkovic extended for two more months (KoSSev, media)
Lawyer: Indictment against Trajkovic delivered in Albanian only, without documents from case file (Kosovo online)
DefMin: US Sanctions don’t mean Vulin dismissal (BETA, N1, RTV)

International Media:

Brawl erupts at Kosovo parliament after lawmaker throws water on PM (Reuters)
MPs Clash Physically as PM Kurti Speaks in Parliament (BIRN)
Tempers Flare In Kosovo's Parliament Over Wiretaps Of Contact With Fugitive Serbian Party Chief (RFE)
Put to Bed by Albania, ‘Open Balkan’ Had Long Flattered to Deceive (BIRN)