UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 29, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• “Civil Protection” and “Northern Brigade” declared terrorist organisations (media)
• Kurti on measures: EU finds in Kosovo most honest ally and partner in region (media)
• Kusari-Lila reacts to the measures that the EU may eventually impose on Kosovo (RTK)
• Borrell: If there is no contribution for de-escalation, there will be costs (media)
• Stoltenberg: Situation in Kosovo demonstrates importance of NATO-EU cooperation (Koha)
• Charles Michel supports Rama's idea for an international conference (RTK)
• Svecla: Kosovo's borders are being protected better than ever before (media)
• Scholz calls for new elections in the municipalities of northern Kosovo (DW, media)
• Svecla: Vucic is a chronic liar; his son was stopped only once (Koha)
• Explosive device thrown at KP in north, a static point/container burned (Express)
• Abdixhiku: We’ll soon present LDK plan to overcome isolation and crisis (media)
• Haradinaj: Government should listen to Secretary Blinken’s advice (media)
• Weapons and licence plates of Novi Pazar in North Mitrovica confiscated (Kallxo)

Serbian Language Media:

• Situation in northern Kosovo calm but tense, Patriarch Porfirije visits Pec Patriarchate (RTS)
• Serbian List reacts to Kurti’s visit to north (Radio KIM, media)
• Molliqaj: Kosovo police arrested Serbs without court order (Kosovo Online)
• Pristina declared "Northern Brigade" and "Civil Protection" as “terrorist organisations” (KiM radio, Danas)
• Arsenijevic: "Civil Protection" and "Northern Brigade" do not exist in the north of Kosovo (KiM radio)
• NGOs Aktiv and KIPRED published report on institutional responses to incidents targeting non-majority communities in Kosovo (media, social media)
• Pyrotechnic device with “inflammable material” thrown at police kiosk in Mitrovica North (KoSSev)
• Kosovo special police pursued a car in Mitrovica North, disturbing local residents (KoSSev)
• Vucic says guns pointed at his son, his jersey was not taken off (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Lawyer: The Pristina court extended Dusan Obrenovic's detention for another two months (NMagazin, Beta, Kosovo Online)
• The EU demands de-escalation in northern Kosovo, warns of negative consequences (Radio Mitrovica sever, RTS)
• A new international conference on Kosovo? (Danas, FoNet)
• Ilazi: Equating protests with criminal gangs means you don't know the situation in the north (KiM radio)

International:

• BIRN Presents ‘Telco Accountability Research Using Ranking Digital Rights Methodology’ (Balkan Insight)
• Balkan Mobile Users Roam Freely – Unless They’re in Kosovo (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:
Kosovo government responds to EU on penalty measures (media)
EU leaders: Failure to de-escalate tensions will have consequences (RTK)
U.S. administration shares Congress’ concerns on tensions in north Kosovo (VoA)
Kurti visited the north of Kosovo on Wednesday (media)
Osmani: There’s a solution for the north; we are contacting internationals (RTK)
Kurti concludes his visit to London: I met the supporters of Kosovo (RTK)
Lajcak: Kurti and Vucic agreed on elections, but not on extension (media)
Stoltenberg: Kosovo and Serbia must return to dialogue (media)
KFOR calls for de-escalation, reiterates its mission (RTK)
Palokaj: Albania is joining the dance for Kosovo’s isolation (Koha)
Police stop Vucic's son to remove his jersey with anti-Kosovo slogans (media)
Hate speech against Albanians and calls for Vucic’s resignation (RFE)
Serbian Language Media:
Lajcak: Vucic and Kurti agreed on new elections, Blinken and Von der Leyen deal with solving the crisis (Euronews Serbia)
Vucic: Many difficulties await us in Kosovo (N1, Beta)
Petkovic: West united in condemning Kosovo’s Kurti (N1, RTS, Beta)
Patriarch in Gracanica on St.Vitus: Kosovo is a holy land where there is room for everyone and for every type of prayer (KoSSev)
Gathering for Kosovo Serbs in central Belgrade (N1)
Pasalic: St. Vitus determined the path and destiny of the Serbian people throughout history (NMagazin, Beta)
Journalist Svetlana Vukmirovic's appeal on the ban on entering Kosovo rejected (KiM radio, UNS)
The Serbian National Council invite individuals and parties to participate in its constitution (KiM radio)
Trajkovic: Excessive caution spreads defeatism and apathy among our people (KoSSev)
International Media:
Kosovo Convicts Wartime Guerrilla of Kidnapping Suspected Collaborator (BIRN)
EU warns of punitive measures against Kosovo (European Western Balkans)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: I call on Serbia to cease its incitements to violence before lives are lost (media)
• Von der Leyen talks to Kurti, requests de-escalation and return to dialogue (media)
• Borrell thanks Rama for engaging in dialogue: Happy to work with you on this issue (Klan)
• Osmani: I am in Podgorica to reaffirm Kosovo's peace efforts (RTK)
• Atic reacts to hand grenade attack: “organised terrorist attack” (media)
• Rama: Kurti and Vucic should not leave next conference without an agreement (Klan)
• Serbian reporter seeks help from KP, says he was assaulted at Gazivoda Lake (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• The Vidovdan declaration read in Gracanica and Mitrovica (RTS)
• Vucevic: Security situation complex, we will protect Serbs in Kosovo (Beta, Vecernje Novosti, N1)
• Vucic: Everybody knows who wishes war at any cost, Serbia does not want it (Kosovo Online)
• Serbs gathering today in North Mitrovica, Gracanica on St. Vitus; a declaration expected (Kosovo Online, Blic)
• Drecun: I do not rule out new provocations by Pristina (Kosovo Online, TV Pink)

International:

• Bajrami: Our strategic orientation is Euro-Atlantic integration. We have no doubts about this (Diplomatic World Institute)

Albanian Language Media:
Kurti, Blinken agree on regular communication for purpose of peace (media)
Borrell: Ready for new measures if situation in north does not deescalate (media)
Varhelyi welcomes release of three Kosovo policemen (media)
UK asks Kosovo to de-escalate the situation in the north (media)
Kurti informs British MPs on constructive engagement in the dialogue (RTK)
8 U.S. senators call on Biden to take measures against Kosovo and Serbia if there is no de-escalation (Koha)
Krasniqi: New elections can’t be organized in north without Referendum Law (Koha)
Explosion at Mitrovica North municipal building, two police cars damaged (Telegrafi)
Serbian Language Media:
Protests of Serbs in northern Kosovo continues, without traditional gathering for Saint Vitus Day (RTS)
Vucic talks to Blinken, tells him Serbia acts seriously, while Kosovo police arbitrarily arrest Serbs (RTS, media)
Belgrade liaison officer report on treatment of Serb detainees in Gnjilane prison (KoSSev)
Hill: We now expect additional efforts to further de-escalate situation (media)
Vlajic: Appeal to decision on detention measure for Dragisa Milenkovic from Kisnica filed (Kosovo Online, media)
Grenell on release of three Kosovo special police officers (Kosovo Online, social media)
International Media:
Foreign Secretary's meeting with Kosovan Prime Minister Kurti, 26 June 2023 (gov.uk)
Serbia releases three detained Kosovo policemen, easing crisis (Reuters)
Serbian court releases three Kosovo police officers charged with illegal possession of weapons (euronews)
Serbia releases detained Kosovo police officers (DW)
Serbia releases three captured Kosovo police officers (24 France)
Serbia frees Kosovo police officers but tensions persist (Politico)
Kosovo more than a local flareup (European Leadership Network)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 26, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• The three Kosovo policemen released from Serbian prison (media)
• Kurti: Despite the joy, Serbia's serious offense must be reprimanded (media)
• Osmani thanks the USA for releasing the policemen (Koha)
• Svecla after release of policemen: Serbia continues to play its games (media)
• The EU considers the release of the policemen as a de-escalation step (Albanian Post)
• Krasniqi welcomes release of policemen, “now time to defuse tensions in north” (media)
• Rama: Release of Kosovo police officers paves way to de-escalation (media)
• Bujar Osmani welcomes release of three Kosovo policemen (media)
• Kearns: Release took too far, without evident repercussions for Serbian govt (Telegrafi)
• Hungary takes the credit for the release of Kosovo policemen from Serbia (Koha)
• Rama in Brussels with a new proposal for reach of Kosovo-Serbia agreement (RTK)
• Kosovo and Iowa sign agreement to further cooperation (Radio Free Europe)
• Kurti meets Foreign Secretary Cleverly in London (media)
• The new EULEX chief takes office (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Belgrade liaison officer report on Serb detainees in Podujevo and Gnjilane prisons (KoSSev)
• Court in Kraljevo confirmed indictment and released Kosovo police officers pending trial (Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic: A judicial, not a political decision - we will fight for the release of all arrested Serbs (Radio Mitrovica sever, Tanjug)
• House of Miladinovic family in Donja Brnjica robbed (Radio KIM)
• Wigemark: People in north feel unsafe, urgent de-escalation and new elections needed (Kosovo Online)
• Drecun: Situation in northern Kosovo can only be defused by withdrawal of special units and cessation of arrests (Tanjug, RTV, RTS)
• Serbian Ombudsman: All acts of maltreatment and torture against arrested Serbs in Kosovo to be investigated (Kosovo Online)
• Antonijevic: Torture of detained Serbs from the north is an alarm for everyone (Kosovo Online, Tanjug, Twitter)
• Varhelyi welcomes release of three Kosovo police officers (Kosovo Online, social media)

Opinion:

• Zoran Ostojic: Serbs in Kosovo are hostages of the West's struggle against “Greater Albania” (KiM radio, medijacentar.info)

International:

• Serbia releases 3 Kosovo police officers whose arrest fueled tensions between the Balkan foes (AP)
• Serbia Releases Three Seized Kosovo Policemen (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media:
Kurti: Amount of armament indicates size of the planned action (RTK)
Svecla: "Civil Defense" and "North Brigade" should be declared terrorist organizations (media)
KFOR and EULEX were present when the arsenal was found in north (Klan)
Svecla reacts to suspicion that officer published video of an arrested person (Kallxo)
Claims of mistreatment of arrested Serbs, EULEX: We’re monitoring 108 cases (Nacionale)
Lajcak lists EU demands for Kurti and Vucic (media)
Wigemark: Criminality in north concerning; no other long-term solution but dialogue (AP)
British MP criticizes West for “unfair approach” to the Kosovo-Serbia crisis (Klan)
Rama in Brussels in Brussels today, to meet Charles Michel (Albanian Post)
Abazovic: Turkey's mediating role, very important (Klan)
Congressman Torres: EU dialogue weaponized against Kosovo (euronews.al)
Mother and her young child died after Kosovo floods (media)
Serbian Language Media:
Vucic: Kurti does not want ZSO but war and conflict, weapons in Zvecan planted by Kosovo authorities (RTS, N1)
Petkovic about Zvecan case: Special units planted explosive in order to arrest Serbs, BIA informed foreign services (KoSSev)
Serbian List says Pristina constantly attempts to criminalize entire north (Kosovo Online, social media)
Petkovic: Nemanja Orlovic arrested in Mitrovica North on Friday without court order (KoSSev, Kosovo Online, media)
Belgrade liaison officer: Arrested Serbs brutally mistreated by Kosovo police (RTS, Novosti)
Memorial service on Saint Vitus Day to be served in Gracanica, instead of Gazimestan, because of security concerns (media, social media)
Bishop Teodosije met KFOR commander, expressed concerns over escalation of tensions (Radio kontakt plus, social media)
Rados Petrovic arrested in Zvecan released on bail (Kosovo Online, N1, media)
Serbian military chief: We demand KFOR’s immediate reaction to protect Serbs (N1, media)
International Media:
Police seize multiple weapons in northern Kosovo (TVP)
Serbia again threatens armed intervention in Kosovo as tension escalates (AP)
The race for Balkan influence amid Serbia-Kosovo tensions (Arab News)
Serb Official Accuses Kosovo Police Of 'Planting' Weapons In Restive North (RFE)
Kosovo PM wants to drag Serbia into open war with NATO: President (TRTWorld)
Kosovo Arrests Another Suspect for Attacks on KFOR (BIRN)
Serbia army chief urges NATO, international agencies to protect Kosovo Serbs (Reuters)
Serbian army commander urges NATO to increase protections to minority Serbs in Kosovo (Jurist)
NATO-led peacekeepers guard medieval monastery in Kosovo (Yahoo)
Serbia Threatens Military Intervention in Kosovo, Calls on NATO to Protect Serb Minority (Bloomberg)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kosovo Police arrest suspect of violence against KFOR (media)
• Svecla: 15-20 persons beat up two Albanian youths in the north last night (media)
• Kurti: De-escalation, new elections and full implementation of Basic Agreement (media)
• Kosovo institutions don’t know how shock bombs are entering the north (RFE)
• Rama: Without return of three policemen, tensions in north cannot be defused (RFE)
• Kurti: We need help Vatican’s help to promote peace in unsettling times (media)
• Kurti: Serbia must recognise Kosovo; I am not stubborn, I am principled (media)
• Maliqi: Kurti no longer has credibility to set conditions in dialogue (Gazeta Blic)
• Surroi compares Serbian List to Dodik (Nacionale)

Serbian Language Media:

• Arrest in North Mitrovica; KP: Arrested Serb suspected of attack on members of KFOR (Kosovo Online)
• Office for KiM: New arrest just a day after the dialogue an indication that Kurti wants new crises (gracanicaonline.info)
• Serbian List: Unfounded and arbitrary arrests as a method of persecution (KiM radio)
• We want peace, freedom and harmony, message from protest in Gracanica (KiM radio)
• Protests continue in the north, trucks with Serbian goods still at the crossings (KiM radio, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Borrell to submit report on Belgrade-Pristina dialogue to the heads of EU diplomacy on Monday (Kosovo Online)
• Joseph in Zvecan: It is important to hear the views of Kosovo (Kosovo Online, Twitter)
• DW: The German government seeking an explanation for Gasic's accusations (KiM radio)

Albanian Language Media:
No agreement on de-escalation in the north (Koha)
Kurti: The police cannot withdraw if the extremists do not (Koha)
Osmani calls for unity between institutions and parties to face challenges (media)
Stoltenberg: Situation in Kosovo proves NATO’s presence is important (media)
Osmani and Hovenier talk about de-escalation of the situation (media)
Rama: There is no progress without the release of the policemen (Koha)
Court orders 30 days of detention for Serb suspected of war crimes (media)
Police publishes a video regarding claims of protester in Gracanica that he was injured by a moving vehicle (Kallxo)
BRA suspends business certificate of Klan Kosova again (media)
Serbian Language Media:

Vucic in Brussels: All that applies to Ukraine doesn’t to Serbia (N1)
Borrell: Arbitrary arrests unacceptable, EULEX to play more robust monitoring role (N1, BETA, Kosovo Online)
Grenell meets Serb political representatives in Mitrovica North (Kosovo Online)
Serb arrested near Gracanica sent to one-month detention (BETA, media)
Visoki Decani Monastery on protests in Gracanica and Ranilug (social media, Radio KIM, Kosovo Online)
Third protest in Gracanica over arrest of Serb called for today (Radio KIM)
Hill: Great to see Serbian and American forces working side by side (FoNet, social media)
Economy Minister says he is being dismissed for requesting sanctions against Russia (Danas, N1)
International Media:
Kosovo-Serbia: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell (eeas.europa.eu)
No breakthrough as EU's Borrell holds crisis talks with Kosovo, Serbia leaders (Reuters)
No breakthrough after EU summons Kosovo and Serbia leaders for emergency talks (AP)
EU holds talks with Kosovo, Serbia leaders amid tension (Aljazeera)
EU Calls for New Elections in North Kosovo ‘As Soon as Possible’ (Bloomberg)

Albanian Language Media:

• Borrell to host series of meetings with Vucic and Kurti in Brussels today (media)
• Hovenier says Kurti should accept EU three-point plan today (RTV21)
• Sources: Osmani to call a meeting with leaders of parliamentary parties (Nacionale)
• Haradinaj to PDK and LDK: Why don’t you vote on a motion against govt? (Telegrafi)
• Osmani calls for unified international reaction for release of Kosovo officers (media)
• Stoltenberg, Milatovic call for lowering of tensions between Kosovo and Serbia (RFE)
• Citaku compares Gervalla to ministers of totalitarian countries (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Dacic: Pristina's ultimate goal is the complete emigration of the Serbian people from Kosovo (Tanjug, Blic)
• The EU member states leaders to discuss the tensions between Belgrade and Pristina at the Summit in June (Danas, FoNet, RFE)
• Office for KiM: The perpetrators of the crimes against the Belacevac miners have not been found a quarter of a century (Radio Mitrovica sever, KiM radio)
• German embassy denies Minister Gasic claims on Ivanovic murder (N1)
• A humanitarian disaster threatens because of Kurti, says doctor Elek (Kosovo Online)
• Gracanica: New protest due to the arrest of D.M. (KiM radio)
• When Svecla finally remembered the presumption of innocence (KoSSev)

Opinion:

• Evil spring in the north of Kosovo: A plain and simple account of a situation that is neither (KoSSev)
• Effect of the Brussels meeting today, deterioration of relations or de-escalation? (Danas)

International:

• German minister points at Pristina to deescalate Kosovo tensions (Euractive)

Albanian Language Media:
Kurti: In Brussels I will insist on urgent unconditional release of policemen (Koha)
Escobar: Kurti-Vucic meeting is not expected to happen this week (VoA)
Lajcak meets U.S. senators: De-escalation and return to dialogue is needed (Klan)
Chollet, Lajcak discuss situation in Kosovo (media)
Gervalla: West should change strategy, send other diplomats to Balkans (media)
Police arrest Serb in Gracanica suspected of war crimes (media)
Svecla: Arrested suspected of violence against Albanian prisoners (Koha)
KFOR renews cooperation with Kosovo Security Force (RTK)
Rohde denies reports that 200 German companies are leaving Kosovo (Koha)
KBRA revokes decision to suspend Klan Kosova certificate (media)
Study by Mark Weller on “lessons from Kosovo-Serbia dialogue” (Koha)
Serbian Language Media:
Vucic for RTS: I will go to Brussels, but I will not talk to Kurti (RTS)
Serbian List: Kurti’s intention to deceive Serbs in Kosovo doom to fail (Radio KIM, media)
Jablanovic reacts to Kurti’s allegations on receiving one million euros and two apartments in Belgrade to withdraw from April elections (Radio KIM, social media)
Lawyer: Serb arrested in Gracanica under 48-hour police custody, expects him to be released (Radio KIM, media)
Pristina amends decision, bans only Serbian goods (N1, BETA)
Serbs in Pomoravlje region protest over recent arrests (Kosovo Online)
Lazarevic: Trained and experienced security personnel were pulled away, while children were pushed to ‘front line’ (KoSSev)
Petkovic responds to Svecla’s remarks on arrest place of Kosovo police officers (Kosovo Online, social media)
International Media:

War Crimes Arrest Sparks Protest by Kosovo Serbs (BIRN)
North Mitrovica: Profound challenge in Kosovo-Serbia ties (The Daily Sabah)
Turkey eyes Balkan influence amid Serbia-Kosovo tensions (The Arab Weekly)
US, EU Warn of Serbia-Kosovo Unrest Igniting Broader Conflict (Bloomberg)