UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 25, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti: Serbia is responsible, it must be held accountable (media)
One year from the attack that can be repeated (Koha)
Osmani: The women of Kosovo have always been at the forefront (media)
Osmani meets Albright and Rand during stay in NY (media)
Lajcak meets O’Brien and Kasanof, discuss Kosovo-Serbia normalisations (media)
CEFTA, German minister: We’re trying to find a solution on Kosovo (media)
Study: High level of mistrust between Albanians and Serbs in Kosovo (RFE)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic: There is no justice for Serbs in Kosovo, why UN Charter was not respected in case of Serbia (Kosovo Online, Tanjug, media)
Petkovic in Paris talks about situation of Serbs in Kosovo, difficulties they face (Kosovo Online)
Petkovic: “Who authorised Stano to violate status neutrality and recognise Kosovo?” (Tanjug)
Trade Minister: Blockade on Serbian goods in Kosovo must end (N1)
Dacic: No dramatic turn to West, relations with Russia, China not in jeopardy (Tanjug)
Marinkovic: Banjska discredited interests of Serbian community (Radio KIM)
Banjska: A year later, poll highlights fear and unresolved questions (KoSSev)
Serbian diaspora in New York warns of difficult situation Serbs face in Kosovo (Kosovo Online, KoSSev)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kosovo leaders remember police sergeant killed during Banjska attack (media)
• Stano: EU reiterates call for swift prosecution of those responsible (media)
• Hovenier: Perpetrators and all those involved in horrific crime must be held fully accountable (media)
• EU Ambassador Orav pays his respects to Afrim Bunjaku (media)
• German Embassy: Radoicic free in Serbia, although he is behind the crime (RTK)
• Elshani: Situation in north compared to last year is like night and day (media)
• Weapons and confiscations; a history of police actions in north of Kosovo (RFE)
• Kosovo PM Kurti’s interview with the Financial Times (media)
• Shahini: Kosovo will lift ban on Serbian goods, but trying to score twice (media)
• IMC adopts fake news complaint: RTK obliged to give Nacionale room for rebuttal

Serbian Language Media:

• COMKFOR discusses security with NATO, allied ambassadors (N1)
• Vucic attends reception hosted by German chancellor, Namibian president (Tanjug)
• One year after, Banjska still in shadow of armed conflict: Life between silence and bitter reality (Alternativna.com)
• Stojanovic, Sheholli on Banjska (KiM radio)
• A board with name of fallen police officer placed on street in Banjska (KiM radio)
• What protects Radoicic? (RFE, Danas, N1)
• Donald Trump Jr at business dinner in Belgrade (N1)

International:

• A year after Banjska attack, Kosovo indictment chronicles Serb ‘land grab plot’ (BIRN)
• A year after brazen attack in Kosovo, questions remain (RFE)
• Kosovo’s leader defies western pressure to compromise with Serbia (FT)
• Kosovo’s 90s turmoil: Elez Biberaj recounts key interviews in VOA (Prishtina Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani meets with Bill and Hillary Clinton, as well as with Sultan of Brunei (media)
• Gervalla arrives in New York, starts with the meetings (media)
• KFOR commander and ambassadors discusses security in Kosovo (RTK)
• Kusari-Lila: Ban on Serbian products will be lifted when illegal smuggling can be prevented (Klan)
• Prime Minister Kurti met ambassador of Finland, discussed cooperation (RTK)
• Svecla from Banjska: According to the law, attackers can be tried even in absentia (media)
• KFOR, together with Kosovo Police, increase patrols in the north (Klan)
• Sarrazin next week in Kosovo (Albanian Post)
• AJK: Number of attacks on journalists in 2023 has increased significantly (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: Cypriot President interested in resolution of Kosovo issue (Tanjug, media)
• Djuric: Reinforcing Serbia’s position at UN (N1)
• Djuric: Serbia continues to be responsible, constructive partner in Western Balkans (Tanjug, media)
• KFOR, Kosovo police step up patrols in northern Kosovo (N1, media)
• Rizvanolli and Krasniqi visited yesterday Mitrovica North, Svecla in Banjska (KoSSev)
• EU formalises visa-free access for Serbian Coordination Directorate passport holders with Official Journal announcement (KoSSev)
• Seized archives in Leposavic – Serbian cultural heritage being processed in Pristina (Kosovo Online)

International Media:

• Kosovo risks deeper isolation over ban on Serbian imports: German diplomat (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kusari-Lila: No time to form new parliamentary inquiry committees (EO)
• Kosovo joins Istanbul Convention of World Customs Organization (media)
• Germany wants swift actions from Serbia for authors for Banjska attack (KTV)
• Shea: EU measures against Kosovo could be lifted in autumn (RTK)
• The CEC invites diaspora to register as voters outside Kosovo (media)
• Osmani at West Point: U.S. soldiers, a symbol of freedom for Kosovo (media)
• Haradinaj: Over 11 percent of soldiers left KSF in two years (media)
• BIRN Kosova, KCSS train journalists, students of journalism to identify and combat disinformation (Kallxo)

Serbian Language Media:

• The Diocese of Raska-Prizren expresses deep concern over the Medjugore’s church site desecration (Tanjug, RTS, Kosovo Online)
• Serbian Ministry of Culture: Destroyed icons; fired at a historic church site in Kosovo (N1, KoSSev, NMagazin)
• Mijacic: EU lost the capacity to organize a trilateral meeting; Deda: The situation never worse (Kosovo Online)
• Celic: Possible misuse of the confiscated archives, Serbia should demand their return (Kosovo Online, Tanjug)
• Nedeljkovic speaks on Banjska’s struggles: “A village turned ghost town after the violence” (KoSSev)
• Vucic met Erdogan in New York (Tanjug, media)
• Djuric thanked Kazakhstan for the support to the Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty (Radio Mitrovica sever, Kosovo Online)
• Holders of Serbian passports in Kosovo in 20 days without visas to EU countries (KiM radio, KoSSev, Kosovo Online)

Opinion:

• EU and US need to be more concrete about Banjska (Koha)

International:

• Kosovo risks deeper isolation over ban on Serbian imports: German Diplomat (BIRN)
• Disinformation undermining Kosovo’s justice system (Prishtina Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 23, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti: Kosovo, a beacon of democracy in Western Balkans and beyond (media)
Gervalla arrives in NY for meetings as part of UN High-Level Week (media)
UN adopts Pact for the Future (media)
Kurti meets Koopman in Brussels (media)
Osmani: Albanian diaspora, driving force for many historical processes (media)
Maqedonci: Process of transformation into army in the second phase (EO)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic: International law applies only to "small" countries; peace important than anything else (Kosovo Online, Tanjug, RTS)
Djuric at the UN Future Summit: Serbia committed to maintaining international peace and security (Beta, Tanjug, media)
Kosinus: Lazovic and Trajkovic on solving the Kosovo problem (KiM radio, FoNet)
Marsenic (New DSS) proposes declaring Kosovo an occupied territory as the only solution to the crisis (Beta, N1, Nova)
Serbian Democracy: The holy place in Zubin Potok desecrated (Kontakt plus radio)
Serbia to delay appointment of ambassador to the U.S. until after American elections (N1)

International Media:

The Roma Forced to Clean up Serbia’s Crimes in Kosovo (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani in NY to represent Kosovo at UNGA79 High-Level Week (media)
• Dejona Mihali interviewed by the Special Prosecution (media)
• Maqedonci: There is a risk of Banjska happening again (EO)
• Dugolli: Gangs that fled the north regrouping in Serbia for another attack (RTV21)
• Vokrri: Opening of bridge will be postponed because of coordination (media)
• “Massacres in Kosovo 1998-1999” book published (Kallxo)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic meets General Harris, requests stronger support from US in protection of Serbs in Kosovo (Radio Kontakt plus, media)
• Office for KiM: Serb beaten and robbed in Staro Gracko, near Lipljan (Tanjug, KiM radio, media)
• Serbian List: Attack on Radic consequence of Pristina’s anti-Serb policy (Kosovo Online, media)
• Rector Arsic: No plans to relocate University, it stays in Mitrovica North (Kosovo Online)
• Kabasic: Belgrade's measures a form of political declaration, but without concrete consequences for Pristina (Kosovo Online, Danas)
• Celic: Unilateral implementation of Cadastral Agreement endangers Serbian property in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Kosovo's Ministry of Culture renovated the house of Xhafer Deva in South Mitrovica despite the opposition of the EU (Kosovo Online)
• Nova: A law on Kosovo being prepared, almost the entire opposition agrees (Danas)
• Zakharova: Russia supports Vucic’s initiative on Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Congressman Swalwell: Serbia has proven to be an important partner of the USA in relation to Ukraine (VoA, Danas)

International:

• War of words between Serbia and Kosovo intensifies as EU talks stall (politico.eu)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 20, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti: EU enlargement, best response to those who threaten peace (media)
U.S. wants to see progress in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (Klan Kosova)
Lajcak: We outlined important follow-up steps to guide next discussion (media)
Kurti remembers Lithuanian EULEX officer killed in north 11 years ago (media)
UK: No good governance without equal inclusion of women in public life (media)
Haziri rules out post-election coalition with Vetevendosje (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic: Balkan market condition for European one, those who want will stay in game (KoSSev, N1, media)
Von der Leyen: Efforts to bring Western Balkans closer to EU (N1)
Varhelyi: Good meeting with Vucic on next steps, growth plan in full swing (Tanjug, media)
Djedovic Handanovic: Serbia-US strategic energy deal very important (media)
Serbian Ministry of Culture says Pristina attempting to appropriate Serbian cultural heritage (Kosovo Online, KoSSev, media)
Bisevac asks if new police base is built in Cecevo village, Zubin Potok municipality (Alternativna.com)
EULEX pays tribute to its customs officer killed 11 years ago (Radio kontakt plus, social media)
The new EU Special Representative visits Gracanica Monastery (media, social media)
Banjska Monastery closed for visits in period from September 23-26 (KoSSev, media)

Albanian Language Media:

Osmani travels to New York, will meet world leaders (media)
Rohde on the 10th anniversary of the Berlin Process (media)
Ceku: We’ll never stop seeking justice and compensation vis-à-vis Serbia (media)
Krasniqi implies closure of Serbian-run municipality in Gracanica (T7)
Stano: No other step required for Ohrid Agreement to be in force (Nacionale)
Molliqaj: According to VV criteria, Kurti and Svecla are Vucic’s associates (Koha)
Serwer: Serbia trying to regain influence in north through loyal Serbs (KTV)
Hoti: Ask Kurti, Osmani why Washington Agreement wasn’t implemented? (media)
OSCE congratulates RTK on 25th anniversary (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Kasanof: Lithium project helps Serbia; US wants progress in dialogue with Kosovo (VoA, media)
PIK interrogates young men arrested last week in North Mitrovica regarding actions of police officers (KoSSev, Kosovo Online, media)
Police Inspectorate confirmed it opened preliminary investigation in relation to arrest of four young Serbs in Mitrovica North (KoSSev)
Patriarch Porfirije with Cardinal Parolin discusses endangerment of Christian heritage in Kosovo (Kosovo Online, N1)
Nemec: Unacceptable for a small group of people in the WB to remain discriminated against (Kosovo Online)
Vokrri criticizes EU decision to lift visa requirements for Serbian Coordination Directorate passports (KoSSev)
Vucic informed Varhelyi about worrying situation in Kosovo (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
Gogic: Goal of social protection measures is to mitigate consequences of Pristina's unilateral decisions (Kosovo Online, media)

International:

Rural renaissance: Agritourism offers new vitality to Kosovo’s emptying villages (Prishtina Insight)

Humanitarian/Development:

Mural against femicide in Kosovo unveiled (Kosovapress)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 19, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti to take part in working lunch of Western Balkans leaders (media)
Osmani meets Hovenier, discuss strengthening Kosovo-US cooperation (media)
Conference on Survey with Multiple Indicators – MICS – held in Pristina (media)
KJC, KPC consider now not the right time to review resignation of Serbs (KTV)
Kurti on report that “documents Serbia’s culturicide in Kosovo” (media)
Royal Yorkshire Regiment troops assigned to NATO deploy to Kosovo (media)
Petritsch: If Trump returns, there’ll be a different policy toward Kosovo (media)

Serbian Language Media:

Vucic: Pristina trying to put blame on Belgrade (N1, TV Pink, media)
Djuric: Kurti and his aides have no intention of giving up on unilateral moves (Tanjug)
Djuric and Fernandez signed Agreement on Strategic Partnership between Serbia and USA in field of energy (Kosovo Online, media)
Serbian Coordination Directorate passports enter EU visa-free regime (KoSSev)
Residents of northern municipalities pleased with decision to lift visas for Coordination Directorate passport holders (Kosovo Online)
KFOR deploys reserves for routine exercise (N1)
Miroce landowners’ 24-year struggle: a battle for justice and property rights (KoSSev)

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: Who dialogues with Serbia about the bridge violates Constitution (media)
• Kurti meets representatives of UN agencies in Kosovo (media)
• Krasniqi: Government will build 102 new houses in north by year’s end (media)
• Palokaj: Strangely enough, we should trust Belgrade more than Lajcak (KTV)
• Krasniqi: Kurti a master in propaganda; actions in north for election goals (EO)
• Qalaj reacts to Totaj comparing Kurti’s actions with Milosevic (media)
• Begaj: Kosovo in Adriatic Charter, crucial for regional stability (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• SNV: Kosovo Serbs to meet the opposition in Belgrade, on Saturday, September 28 (NMagazin, Beta, N1, KiM radio)
• Vucic, Parolin discuss protection of Serbian heritage sites in Kosovo (Tanjug, media)
• Szijjarto: Hungary will not support Pristina's membership in the CoE (Tanjug, RTS)
• Lucic: Telekom on a "counter-offensive" in Kosovo, we will participate in the distribution of part of the spectrum (TV Prva, Kosovo Online, RTV)
• Vucic to participate in the WB leaders' working lunch on Thursday (Kosovo Online)
• Serbia, US to sign agreement on strategic partnership in energy sector (Tanjug, Danas)

International:

• Kosovar PM dismisses Serbia's demands as EU dialogue fails to bring negotiators together (RFE)
• Kosovo’s minimum wage hike won’t rock economy, but may win votes (BIRN)