UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, July 13, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Physical confrontation at Kosovo Assembly today (media)
• Osmani: We expect EU to remove unjust measures against Kosovo (Koha)
• Ismaili: Kusari-Simic conversation, biggest political scandal of this government (media)
• Abdixhiku: Kosovo going backwards, no progress because of Kurti (RTV21)
• Krasniqi calls for early elections “to return Kosovo in right direction” (media)
• Journalists Association condemns pressure against Buzhala (media)
• Deadline to review Klan Kosova complaint extended to July 28 (Klan Kosova)
• Police arrest renowned attorney and three other persons today (media)
• Janjic: Serbian List has lost credibility among Serb citizens (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic informs Botsan-Kharchenko about Pristina’s violence against Serbs in Kosovo (RTS)
• Vucic meets Chen Bo, says UN SC session on Kosovo necessary (Kosovo Online)
• Dacic, Cohen: Time to return to positive agenda in Serbia-Israel ties (Tanjug)
• Vucic meets Cohen, expects understanding for Serbian position on Kosovo (Tanjug, media)
• Hill: Sanctions imposed on Vulin do not mean worse relations with Serbia (Beta, NMagazin)
• Dusan Janjic: Serbian List has lost its credibility among Kosovo Serbs (RTK2)
• Fake News: During June, more tendentious texts, and headlines on an ethnic basis (KiM radio, Radio Gorazdevac)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Maliqi: Kosovo still far in including people with disabilities in society (ATV)

Kosovo Police begins reducing presence in municipal premises in north (Koha)
Kurti publishes calendar and plan for de-escalation of situation in north (Kallxo)
Borrell welcomes agreement: I expect "other positive steps" from Kosovo (media)
Gervalla explains agreement with EU on de-escalation (Euronews Albania)
Mehaj: Initiative to conclude two agreements with Turkiye is approved (RTK)
Svecla demands quick investigation into burning of a Serb's house in Istog (Koha)
Indictment filed against individual suspected of war crimes in Kosovo (media)
Acting leader of war veterans: Protests are inevitable (media)
Three bodies missing from the war found in North Mitrovica (media)
Media freedom groups call for Klan Kosova business certificate issue to be resolved (media)
Serbian Language Media:
The withdrawal of the Kosovo police from municipal buildings in the north of Kosovo begun (RTS)
An old man from the village of Beluce raised his sajkaca (hat) to greet Kosovo policemen, they entered his yard and told him not to provoke them? (KoSSev)
Svecla: I requested the engagement of all resources to quickly solve the case of the burning house in Veric (NMagazin, Beta)
An indictment for war crimes against Serb S.T. (Radio Mitrovica sever, KiM radio)
A Serb from Kosovo accused of violently changing the constitutional order released from custody (KiM radio, BIRN)
International Media:
Kosovo to partially withdraw special police officers from northern Serb-majority municipalities (AP)
Kosovo Announces Reduction Of Police Presence In Serb-Majority North, Fresh Elections (RFE)
Kosovo Supreme Court Clears Serb Ex-Minister of Inciting Hate (BIRN)
Tensions in Kosovo have led to an appalling stifling of free speech (Chicago Tribune)
Kosovo Government and EU Agree on De-escalation Steps in the North (Prishtina Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti expects sanctions will be lifted after de-escalation agreement (Koha)
• Bislimi: The moment has come for Serbia to stick to its commitments (Kanal10)
• Von der Leyen: There is clear plan to de-escalate situation in Kosovo (media)
• Croatian president demands recognition of Kosovo by NATO member countries (Klan)
• Kurti: Government has zero dependency on the Serbian List (Koha)
• Haradinaj: de-escalation and cooperation between communities, the only way to stability (Klan)
• Former minister Ivan Todosijevic acquitted of charges (media)
• Memli Krasniqi on an official visit to Paris and Brussels (media)
• Rama meets with Erdogan, discuss about the north of Kosovo (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Party of Kosovo Serbs on reducing presence of Kosovo police: Poor marketing trick (N1)
• Vulovic: Situation in Zubin Potok difficult and tense, Bozovic’s detention extended (TV Most)
• Rohde condemns burning of returnee house near Istok (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Ivan Todosijevic acquitted of all charges (KoSSev, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Visoki Decani on burning of returnee house near Istok (KoSSev)
• Radakovic: The partial withdrawal of the police means nothing, their presence unnecessary (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian Parliament dismisses Economy Minister Rade Basta (N1)
• Vucic says sanctions on Vulin imposed because of Russia, not crime (RTS)
• Opposition calls for Vulin dismissal over US sanctions (N1)
• Vucic: I expect to meet with Stoltenberg in coming days (Tanjug)
• Israeli FM: Serbia a friendly country, strongest ally in region (BETA, N1)

Opinion:

• Under Spain’s EU presidency, the issue of the Western Balkans will be sidelined (Balkan Insight)

International:

• Duggan Flanakin: Tensions in Kosovo between Albanians and Serbians have led to an appalling stifling of free speech (Chicago Tribune)

Albanian Language Media:
Government: Police presence reduced by 25%, elections in north after summer (Koha)
EU: Kosovo agreed to immediately reduce police presence in municipal buildings in north (Koha)
NATO leaders: Western Balkans requires continued attention (Reporteri)
Kurti: Vulin proved a threat to peace and security (Koha)
Osmani: Together with our allies we will fight the influence of ill-wishers (media)
Rama: North of Kosovo can become hotbed with threat of opening conflict (Klan)
Hovenier goes to burnt house of Serb who was planning to return to Istog (media)
Haradinaj condemns burning of Serb's house, calls for arrest of perpetrators (Klan)
SRSG Ziadeh condemns arson attack on returnee home in Veric (media)
Presidency, Assembly and Government buildings illuminated with Srebrenica symbol (Koha)
Abbott meets KFOR Commander, discuss security situation (RTK)
Serbian Language Media:
NATO wants better relations with Serbia, condemns tensions in Kosovo (N1)
Hovenier: We hope for a complete de-escalation in the north (Radio Gorazdevac, Radio Mitrovica sever)
Hovenier condemned the burning of the house of the Jozic family in Istok (Kosovo Online)
An invitation to Kosovo to lift all restrictions on the movement of Serbian goods (Kontakt plus radio)
Doyle-Price: Kearnes's statements do not reflect positions of UK gov't , parliament (Tanjug)
Kosovo and EU flags, and the banner “United in Diversity” displayed on the Ibar Bridge (KoSSev)
US Embassy: The sanctions against Vulin are not aimed at any Serbian institution, we support the citizens of Serbia (KoSSev)
US Treasury imposes sanctions on Serbia’s top security agency chief (N1)
International Media:
US Sanctions Serbia’s Intelligence Chief Over Alleged Corruption (Balkan Insight)
Kosovo Opposition Scents Opportunity in Kurti’s Rift With West (BIRN)
KFOR confirms that injured soldier in Zvecan had his leg amputated (euronews.al)
Bridging the Language Gap Between the Serbian and Albanian Communities (BIRN)
Eurobarometer survey: Trust in the EU varies across the Western Balkans (EWB)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, July 11, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Stoltenberg calls for de-escalation in the north (Reporteri)
• Osmani: It is the turn of Kosovo, Ukraine and Bosnia-Herzegovina in NATO (Koha)
• LDK calls for new elections in north, mobilisation to draft statute of Association (Koha)
• Hovenier: Management of north is sensitive, we want coordination (Koha)
• Kurti: Still no justice and peace for Srebrenica (Radio Free Europe)
• Haradinaj: Kurti has built a paper castle (Gazeta Express)
• Zulfaj: Serbia rejected everything, but the EU is punishing Kosovo (Albanian Post)
• “Risk of Klan Kosova being closed is serious and real; process is political” (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

• Serbs keep protesting in Zvecan for 44 days (Kosovo Online)
• Sentic: Kurti should say why there are no Serbs in many institutions (Radio KIM, Media Centre)
• OSCE condemns arson attack on Serb returnee house, calls on police to investigate case (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Milatovic: Montenegro is worried due to the situation in northern Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Day does not go by without having Kurti make fun of law and justice and twisting very essence and concept of democracy (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Milatovic concludes visit to Serbia with meeting with Patriarch Porfirije (Tanjug)

Albanian Language Media:
Osmani: Kosovo proved will for de-escalation, by offering to hold elections in north (media)
Kurti: International soft policy towards Serbia will not work (BBC)
Lajcak on de-escalation of situation in north: We agreed on the first steps (RTK)
Bislimi confirms they agreed with Lajcak on steps for de-escalation (Reporteri)
Germany: We don’t need tensions in the Balkans (Deutsche Welle)
Kurti and Hovenier meet representatives of businesses in Kosovo (RTK)
Hovenier: Tensions, instability negatively affect investment climate (Reporteri)
Mehaj expresses regret for Hungarian soldier: criminals should be punished (RTK)
Kusari-Lila: Wiretapping, an attempt to tarnish the government (RTK)
Serbian Language Media:
Lajcak, Bislimi agree steps for de-escalation (N1)
Office for KiM on returnee’s house arson: An attempt to prevent return of displaced persons (Radio KIM)
Vucic: We are trying to make relations with Montenegro incomparably better (Tanjug)
Milatovic: My visit turns new page in Serbia-Montenegro relations (Tanjug)
Moliqaj on situation in north, says Bislimi announces ‘withdrawal’ and Kurti ‘battles’ (Kosovo Online)
KoSSev on conversation between Simic and Kusari (KoSSev)
International Media:
Assembly of Kosovo honors victims of Srebrenica genocide (euronews.al)
Kosovo Indicts Roma Ex-Member of Serbian Forces for War Crime (BIRN)
Dismissal of Police Special Investigations Director Raises Political Concern (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

• PDK wants Assembly to be dissolved: Time for Kosovo to go to elections (Telegrafi)
• Escobar: We need new elections in north; there can be even bigger crisis (media)
• LDK demands minister Gervalla’s resignation (media)
• Recica on Gervalla’s remarks: US, EU could ponder even harsher sanctions (EO)
• Osmani hosts UNDP representative in Kosovo (media)
• Nic: Kosovo is closer to open conflict than Bosnia (Radio Free Europe)
• Hungarian KFOR soldier who was wounded in north has leg amputated (media)
• Rexhepi on Kosovo-Bosnia relations: Stagnation comes from Serbian entity (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

• Pasalic: Arrested Serbs and those protesting in Kosovo are exposed to terror (NMagazin, Vecernje Novosti, Beta, KiM radio)
• Dukagjin Gorani: Kurti's attitude unreasonable (KiM radio, medijacentar.info)
• Jozic family house burnt in the village of Veric near Istok (KiM radio, Radio Gorazdevac)
• Montenegro’s Milatovic with Vucic: Turning a new leaf in our relations (N1)
• British MPs distance themselves from Alicia Kearn's statement about arms smuggling in the SPC (SOC) (N1, KiM radio)

International:

• Serbia Ready to Use Planned Gas Terminal in Montenegro (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media:
Escobar: KFOR not leaving! Partner with people, not parties, figures (media)
Konjufca: We are in very important battle for state orientation, we must win it (T7)
Svecla: I’m not against Serbian people (media)
Borrell: We must be united for de-escalation of situation in north (Reporteri)
Sunak: Kurti and Vucic have responsibility to reduce tensions (media)
Peach: It's painful that army had to be used in north 30 years after the war (media)
Opposition slams Gervalla for calling the EU a paper tiger (Koha)
Lajcak: Effort to return on path of normalisation of relations continues (media)
PDK accuses government of interfering in judiciary (KTV)
Serbian Language Media:
Petkovic: Svecla waging a hybrid war from Pristina (Blic, NMagazin, KoSSev)
Svecla: “The special police are deployed in the north to ensure that the law prevails” (KoSSev)
KP is expanding the Bistrica checkpoint, Arsenijevic to submit a report on alleged violations of the Law on Water (KoSSev)
Vucic: Tajani asked Serbia to do everything to maintain stability in the region (RTS)
Zakharova: Vucic's initiative for the UNSC session on Kosovo is timely (RTS)
Petkovic: UNSC session to raise issue of Kurti’s campaign against the Serbs (N1, Beta, Kurir)
Serbia’s Vucic talks to France’s Macron about Kosovo (Beta, N1)
Vucic: We started changing things after decades of silence in Serbian-Albanian relations (Tanjug)
International Media:
Abdullah bin Zayed, Kosovo Prime Minister discuss bilateral relations (zawya)
From Strife to Success: KFV Prishtina Girls Pave the Way for Multiethnic Harmony Through Football (Prishtina Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, July 7, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• EU on Rama’s proposal: Any such initiative should be coordinated (Reporteri)
• Kurti meets new head of EULEX, discuss developments in Kosovo (media)
• Germany temporarily suspends cooperation with Kosovo (DW, media)
• Swiss MPs writes to EC: Stop measures against Kosovo, blame is more on Serbia (KSP)
• Haziri: LDK will propose a draft for the Association (media)
• Krasniqi: Serious situation due to crises produced by Kurti, we demand early elections (media)
• Davenport: Klan Kosova case, watched closely in Kosovo and internationally (media)
• Kearns receives support after Vucic threatens her with investigations (Telegrafi)
• Pristina Mayor accuses Minister of Finance of blocking projects for Pristina (Kallxo)

Serbian Language Media:

• Drecun: Situation in KiM is entering into a dramatic phase of development (RTS)
• Kosovo to lose up to 500 million euros if the measures last until the end of the year (KoSSev, RTK2)
• 'Announcements' of arrests and false lists scare Serbs in Kosovo (RFE)
• Kurti did not get the floor at US Independence Day celebration in Pristina (RTS, Tanjug)
• Kosovo customs confirms that ban on Serbian goods is still in force (Radio KIM)
• Berlin: Germany could send additional troops to reinforce KFOR forces in Kosovo (Kosovo Online, RTV)
• Vucic: I conveyed Serbian stances on situation in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• US Embassy calls for justice for Bytyqi brothers (N1)

Opinion:

• When will the elections take place in the north of Kosovo and will the Serbs turn out unconditionally? (Danas)

International:

• Joseph: Failure of the Serbia-Kosovo agreement would be a failure of Brussels and Washington (EWB)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Learning history and culture of Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities – means against discrimination (Koha)

Albanian Language Media:
Osmani: Kosovo demonstrated will for de-escalation in north (media)
Konjufca: Rama's proposal for Association contains territorial autonomy (media)
Rama on draft statute: Konjufca hasn’t read it - how can he comment on it? (Klan)
U.S. Ambassador Hovenier meets Albanian PM Rama (media)
Hovenier: Kosovo should fulfill ideals of its Declaration of Independence (media)
Italian Ambassador: EU measures towards Kosovo are reversible (RTK)
Kosovo, Albania governments sign 13 agreements (media)
Kurti meets Abbott, discuss current developments and bilateral relations (media)
Serbian Language Media:
Petkovic: Kosovo police again entered Serbia proper (N1, KoSSev, Kosovo Online)
Dacic says Kurti can do anything and face no consequences (BETA)
Pavicevic says ‘hunting season on Serbs’ opened in Kosovo, everybody can be arrested (RTS, Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
Botsan-Kharchenko: We share assessments of President Vucic regarding situation in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
Strpce Municipality freezes cooperation with Kosovo Privatization Agency (media, social media)
Kosovo police stopped ambulance vehicle in Grabovac, near Zvecan (Kosovo Online)
Montenegrin President to pay official visit to Serbia (N1, BETA)
International Media:
Belgrade to Stop Arms Exports ‘In Case of Aggression Against Serbia’ (BIRN)
Serbia to seek meeting with NATO chief, UN Security Council session on Kosovo tensions (AP)
Serb hardliners make a comeback in northern Kosovo (Financial Times)
NATO denies claims ambulances are smuggling weapons into North Kosovo (EU-OCS)
EU wants concrete steps by Kosovo to ease tensions before lifting sanctions, envoy says (Reuters)