UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 14, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani on crisis in north: A challenge we will overcome, we are close (media)
• Stano: EU did not sanction Kosovo, it imposed restrictive measures (media)
• Smith: Kosovo to withdraw police from municipal buildings in north (Koha)
• Police: Border officers believed to have been kidnapped inside Kosovo territory (media)
• Svecla: Serbia kidnapped three Kosovo police officers inside Kosovo territory (media)
• Citaku: Kosovo’s future cannot be jeopardised over a fistful of votes (media)
• Hoti: Kosovo needs normality in politics, economy, and foreign relations (media)
• Haradinaj: Kosovo will safeguard and strengthen partnership with NATO, U.S. (media)
• Vllasi advises Kurti: Not the time “to show our teeth” to Americans (Indeksonline)
• Another Kosovo Police vehicle demolished in the north (Kallxo)
• Bulliqi on arrests of Kosovars: We suspect vengeful act about situation in north (Klan)

Serbian Language Media:

• Serbs continue protests in Zvecan and Leposavic (Kosovo Online, media)
• Lawyer Vlajic: Arrest of Milenkovic yesterday was extremely brutal (Tanjug)
• Protest walk in support of Milun Milenkovic organised in Mitrovica North today (RTS, Kosovo Online)
• Vucic on meeting with KFOR Commander: Correct talks (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Vucic: I decided not to say a word about the meeting with Quint, it's better that way (media)
• Lazarevic: Risky police action in Mitrovica, great dissatisfaction of Serbs (N1)
• "Ensure a safe working environment for journalists" (KiM radio)
• Serbian police arrested three armed Kosovo special police officers (Novosti, Kosovo Online)
• Freedom and Justice Party demands withdrawal of special police from north, release of arrested Serbs (N1, BETA)
• American senator: Kurti placed NATO troops in danger, it will not bring good to Kosovo (FoNet, N1, Kosovo Online)
• Office for KiM: Kosovo police mistreated medical workers from Strpce (Kosovo Online)
• Milivojevic: We are on the verge of a complete escalation, there is no adequate reaction (RTS, Blic)
• EULEX mandate extended, Barbano new Head of Mission (Beta, N1)
• Drecun: Groundwork for arrest of Kosovo Serb laid days beforehand (Tanjug)
• Police didn’t allow Arsenijevic and Sadiku to place flags of communities in Kosovo Government yard (KoSSev, Radio KIM)

International:

• Kosovo could face imminent Western sanctions (Euractiv)

Albanian Language Media:

• EU is preparing a package of sanctions against Kosovo (RFE)
• EU on Kurti’s plan: We haven’t seen decisive steps towards de-escalation (media)
• U.S. calls again on parties to reduce tensions in the north of Kosovo (Koha)
• Geoana: NATO and the EU are making efforts for de-escalation (Koha)
• UK: First steps should be taken to de-escalate the situation (media)
• Lajcak's report, Osmani closer to EU requirements (Top Channel, Koha)
• Albania-Kosovo meeting cancelled! Rama: I asked Kurti for bilateral meet (media)
• Kosovo govt reacts: First time a joint meeting is canceled unilaterally (media)
• AAK to Kurti: Urgently work with allies, Kosovo is in a difficult situation (Klan)
• Krasniqi reacts to not holding the meeting of governments: Alarming! (media)
• Osmani: Membership in the Council of Europe, an important step (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Peaceful night in the north of Kosovo; Vucic today with the representatives of the Quint countries (Danas)
• Vucic discussed situation in Kosovo with US senators (Tanjug)
• Brnabic: Kurti causing fresh escalation to avoid commitments (Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Situation in north of Kosovo toughest to date (Tanjug, media)
• Decani: The situation on the verge of a serious escalation, we pray to prevent deaths (KoSSev, Twitter)
• SNF: The Serbian List has lost credibility to represent Serbs from Kosovo (KoSSev)
• Serbian List leader Rakic assaulted by Kosovo Serb protesters (N1, nova.rs)
• RFE: Borrell cabinet to impose sanctions on Pristina (N1)
• Lajcak briefs North Atlantic Council on developments in Kosovo (N1)

International Media:

• Kosovo PM presents plan to defuse tensions in Serb-majority area (Reuters)
• The United States Is Creating a Kosovo Crisis (Financial Times)
• Kosovo proposes 5-point plan to defuse tensions with Serbia (Euractiv)
• Arrest in Northern Kosovo Tests De-Escalation Efforts (BIRN)
• Witnesses Accuse Serbian Ex-Police Officer of Abuse and Murder (BIRN)
• Kosovo PM Presents Plan to Defuse Tensions in Serb-Majority Area (VoA)
• Kosovo: Why is tension flaring up again? (DW)
• Plan To Defuse Tensions In Northern Kosovo Presented As Arrest Made In Clash With Peacekeepers (RFE)
• 3 Kosovo police officers injured during arrest of alleged organizer of Serb protests (AP)
• US Senator: Kosovo to establish Association and hold elections in north (euronews.al)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 13, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti presents five-point plan for “full de-escalation” (media)
• Svecla: One of organisers of attacks against KFOR is arrested (media)
• Hundreds of Serbs gather in Mitrovica North, many of them wearing masks (Nacionale)
• Haxhiu: Every criminal must be identified, prosecuted, and adjudicated (Klan)
• Sanctions could start today; “if he doesn’t reflect, Kurti must be isolated” (AP)
• Osmani to address European Parliament on Wednesday (media)
• Congressman Self: Nothing is new about disputes in the North Kosovo region (media)
• German Embassy: We didn’t boycott state reception for Liberation Day (RFE)
• Ahmeti: CoE membership strengthens vital pillars of democracy in Kosovo (KSP)
• Paint thrown at Kosovo minister’s car in Leposavic (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Serb arrested in Mitrovica North, sirens went off (RTS, Kosovo Online, social media)
• Protests in northern Kosovo continue (KoSSev)
• Milovic: Serbs are citizens of their municipality, on their own land, not terrorists (Kosovo Online)
• Pristina minister briefly visited Leposavic municipal building (RTS, KoSSev)
• Place where fiercest conflicts in Zvecan took place turned into a promenade (RFE)
• Singer displays an Albanian flag in the north: “Everything Albanian is ours, thanks to Albin Kurti…“ (KoSSev, Radio kontakt plus, Kosovo Online, social media)
• Milivojevic terms Kurti’s plan for north an attempt to avoid Quint sanctions, shift blame on Belgrade (Kosovo Online)

International:

• What Kosovo PM represents to BiH: Some Interests cannot be bought by Lobbying (Sarajevo Times)
• The reasons to stay (Kosovo 2.0)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Kurti: Kosovo most democratic in WB; number of women in institutions must increase (EO)

Albanian Language Media:
Kosovo leaders thank NATO for military intervention in 1999 (media)
U.S. and UK remember 12 June 1999 (media)
Osmani: Arrest of criminal groups, necessary for non-repetition of actions (Koha)
Rama: Kurti, Vucic to decide for themselves, but region is not only theirs (media)
Palokaj: Suspension of visa liberalisation not an option (KTV)
Osmani talks with Milanovic, thanks Croatia for continued support (media)
Abazovic: I don't like Kurti's disagreement with internationals (media)
Belgium to open its embassy in Pristina (media)
Serbian Language Media:
Vucic says talks with Serbs from Kosovo difficult, concerned over situation (RTS, Tanjug)
Brnabic: Situation in Kosovo to be main topic of House of Lords dinner (Tanjug)
Quint ambassadors did not attend ceremony organized by Osmani and Kurti (Kosovo Online, N1)
International Media:
The Pursuit of ‘Stabilocracy’ in Kosovo has Failed (BIRN)
Kosovo: Decades-long search for missing persons continues (Al Jazeera)
Voices from Prishtina Pride (Kosovo 2.0)

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: Forever grateful to friends for helping us make independence a reality (EO)
• Kurti: NATO intervention stopped Serbia’s genocide, forever grateful (Indeksonline)
• Krasniqi: Past should serve to strengthen ties with strategic partners (Reporteri)
• Haradinaj: Forever grateful to KLA and NATO led by U.S. (Lajmi)
• Escobar reported – U.S. does not intend to overthrow Kurti; penalties for irresponsible parties are being considered (Albanian Post)
• Rama: Without strategic allies, there would be no Republic of Kosovo (media)
• Serwer on Rama’s draft: An unnecessary complication (media)
• Kastrati: Kosovo should have national strategy for the north (KTV)
• “Border redefinition best solution, not radical or dangerous as autonomy” (Nacionale)
• Serb politician says interviewed by BIA for supporting Kosovo (Nacionale/Sinjali)

Serbian Language Media:

• Peaceful protests in northern Kosovo continue (Kosovo Online)
• Serb political representatives from Kosovo meet Vucic, inform him of difficult situation they face (Kosovo Online, media)
• Petkovic: Resolution 1244 should be basis for Kurti’s political actions (Radio KIM)
• Radosavljevic: The crisis in the north is the culmination of unilateral moves from Pristina (KiM radio)
• ''The placing of the flags of constitutionally recognized communities in front of the Government of Kosovo'', Arsenijevic announced (KiM radio, Danas)
• Serb from Pomoravlje arrested last Thursday for alleged war crime released (Radio KIM, KoSSev)
• Le Figaro: Macron and Scholz discussed how to join the Western Balkans and Ukraine to the EU (Beta, KiM radio)
• Petkovic: “Kurti's extremist policy stoking attacks against Serbs” (Tanjug)

Albanian Language Media:
Kurti says removing ‘criminal gangs’ resolves tensions in north Kosovo (media)
Escobar on Kurti: Sometimes he’s a difficult partner, but he’s a partner (RFE)
Rama’s draft statute for association, Kosovo government reacts (media)
Konjufca on Rama’s draft statute: Unilateral action (media)
Lajcak: We hoped for more, tensions remain high (media)
Leaders pay homage at Rugova’s grave on Day of Liberation (Klan Kosova)
A few Serbs protested in Zvecan, while in Zubin Potok, none (Klan)
Milatovic: First elections in north, then the Association (Reporteri)
Police confiscate cryptocurrency production equipment in Zubin Potok (media)
Presevo Valley Albanians to raise their concerns at European Parliament (media)
Serbian Language Media:
Elections in northern Kosovo only half-solution, Kurti took over role of a judge (KoSSev)
Lajcak on outcomes of Pristina and Belgrade visits, says tensions still high (Kosovo Online)
Jevtic responds to Kurti’s chief of cabinet about Serbs “being the most protected ethnic group” (social media, media)
Prosecution in Vranje refutes allegations that cultural house director in Bujanovac was arrested (Radio KIM)

International Media:
Pride Parade Shines Under Rainbow Flags in Prishtina (Prishtina Insight)
For Some, Kosovo’s NATO Anniversary Stirs Mixed Emotions (BIRN)
US-Kosovo Diplomatic Spat Casts Shadow on Bilateral Relations (VoA)
Bitter at US Snub, Kosovo Leader Signals Hard Line Amid Flareup (Bloomberg)
The West has lost the plot in the Balkans (Aljazeera)
'Monotony And Tension': Life's On Pause As Familiar Unrest Roils Kosovo (RFE)
“Rama’s draft leads to Kosovo-Serbia mutual recognition” (Euronews Albania)
Serbia's Vucic demands Kosovo concessions on autonomy for local Serbs before new vote (Reuters)
Montenegro's Europe Now Movement Wins Snap Vote (RFE)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 9, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• KFOR: Criminal groups were behind violent protests in Zvecan (RFE)
• Kurti: Rule of law needed in north for fair campaign before elections (media)
• Berlin on Rama’s draft: We received it, cannot comment the content (Nacionale)
• For EU, Rama’s draft statute for Association “a serious text” (RFE)
• Wisner: We’re Kosovo’s friends, Kurti knows this; disagreements suit only Vucic (AP)
• Kurti travels to Croatia, participates in an international conference (Kallxo)
• Molliqaj: Kurti’s actions in north are dangerous, door to compromise must open (EO)
• Suspension of visa liberalisation for Kosovo is not an option (RFE)
• Ben-Meir criticises Kurti of shortsightedness, “he must now correct” (Nacionale)
• Police armoured vehicles are leaving Leposaviq (Express)
• Kosovo Police arrest a Serb suspected of war crimes in Kamenica (Kallxo)
• Explosion in Mitrovica South, suspected hand grenade (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Gallieni: KFOR present in northern Kosovo because of crisis (Kosovo Online)
• Situation in Zvecan calm, Serbs continue gathering (media)
• Serb from Pomoravlje region arrested yesterday over war crimes allegations (KoSSev)
• Office for KIM says arrest in Bosce intimidation aimed at driving Serbs away from their places (Kosovo Online)
• Liturgy that “inspires Serbs to violence” and deleted text (Radio KIM)
• Vucic to participate at UN conference in Dubai (Tanjug)

Humanitarian/Development:

• The Fifth Assembly of The United Nations Youth in Kosovo is held (Klan)
• The Fifth UN Kosovo Youth Assembly began in Prizren (Media Centar Caglavica)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti to Cleverly: Only rule of law can pave way for early elections (Koha)
Osmani talks to Senators Shaheen and Ricketts (media)
Abdixhiku calls on Osmani to have clear position on the north (T7)
Hill: Vucic, a good partner - I don't know if we can consider Kurt as such (VoA)
Abbott: Difficult time, Kosovo should listen to advice of friends (Express)
Muja: Police, mayors won’t withdraw as long as there are ‘criminal gangs’ (media)
Hungarian President: Situation in Kosovo can quickly escalate (NZZ/Klan)
Limaj: Resolution 1244 is becoming current again in north (TV Dukagjini)

Serbian Language Media:

Lawyer: Serb from Zvecan arrested at Jarinje yesterday released (Kosovo Online)
KFOR removed barbed wire in Leposavic (Kosovo Online, KoSSev)
Lajcak and Escobar to report on outcomes of talks in Belgrade and Pristina today (RTS)
“Self-determination Movement with new video – “fascist militia”, “genocidal Serbia” and “triumph” of Kosovo” (KoSSev)
US Ambassador: Serbia is our partner, the question is whether Kurti is (N1, BETA)
British Ambassador to Kosovo Govt: Listen to international friends (FoNet, Radio Free Europe)
RS Parliament adopts Resolution on Protection of Serbs in Kosovo (N1)

International Media:

Kosovo complains of biased western envoys in talks with its former foe (AP)
Kosovo Cautious on Albania PM’s Plan for Serb Municipalities Association (BIRN)
Fewer sticks, more carrots (peacefare.net)
Behind the Renewed Troubles in Northern Kosovo (ICG)
Fears simmer as an interethnic conflict brews in Kosovo (Aljazeera)
Kosovo adopts IHRA antisemitism definition (The Jerusalem Post)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 8, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: If there is compatibility, I can deepen my draft vision for Association (Reporteri)
• Albanian PM Rama submits draft on Association to Macron and Scholz (media)
• Hoxhaj: Rama is trying to help Kosovo, not damage it (Nacionale/Paparaci)
• Gashi to Rama: Only government of Kosovo is competent for Association (Koha)
• Bislimi: Belgrade wants Association as Trojan Horse, preparing way for partition (Koha)
• U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Robinson postpones visit to Kosovo (Nacionale)
• Kearns and Kurti talk about the need to de-escalate the situation (RTK)
• Ambassador Szunyog reiterates the EU's call for return to dialogue (Reporteri)
• Mehaj talks to Clark about the latest situation and easing tensions (Klan)
• Kurti attends farewell reception for EULEX chief (media)
• “Vucic's pretence coming out, surprisingly international factor trusts him” (Koha)
• AmCham in Kosovo calls on govt to take measures to lower tensions in north (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Serbs in northern Kosovo continue gathering (KoSSev, media)
• Petkovic: Kurti’s accusations of Belgrade no longer fly in West (Kosovo Online)
• Andric-Rakic, Petronic about situation in northern Kosovo, ‘lists of Serbs’ (Radio Mitrovica Sever)
• Vucic thanks India for supporting Serbia's territorial integrity (Tanjug)
• President Murmu delighted to visit Serbia on her first trip to Europe (Tanjug, media)
• Vucic: There will be no transitional gov't as long as I am president (Tanjug, media)
• Opposition reacts to Vucic, Brnabic public address (N1)

International:

• Turkey Likely to Take Command of NATO-led Force in Kosovo (Bloomberg)
• Kosovo’s Kurti Under Mounting Pressure Amid Quarrel with Western Allies (BIRN)

UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 8, 2023

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti, Escobar deny claims of deadlines for proposals on situation in north (Koha)
• Escobar: For Euro-integration, Kosovo should give more autonomy to Serbs in north (media)
• Kurti replies to Escobar: Kosovo has not written a Draft for the Association (Express)
• U.S. Senators call for calm between Kosovo and Serbia (media)
• Kurti at Camp Belvedere: Amazing successes on law and order in north (media)
• Durmishi: We’ll never compromise with sovereign and territorial integrity (Koha)
• “Kosovo, not Kurti and Osmani, to pay price of breaking relations with US” (media)
• Begaj: Violence is not a solution, sovereignty is indisputable (media)
• Grenell: I’ve seen the consequences, it isn’t pretty (media)
• Vucic promises envoy he will convince Serbs to take part in elections (Koha)
• World Bank affirms Kosovo’s 3.7% GDP growth forecast for 2023 (SeeNews)

Serbian Language Media:

• PM Brnabic, President Vucic addressed public last night (N1, RTS)
• Vucic, Peach discuss developments in Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Drecun on plan for de-escalation, Pristina acts (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
• Grenell: Severe consequences for Kosovo if Kurti refuses US and EU demands (Danas, social media)
• Petkovic conveys concerns for safety of Kosovo Serbs to German ambassador (Tanjug)
• Srdjan Sentic appointed deputy Ombudsman in Kosovo (Radio KIM)
• President of India visits Serbia (RTS)

International Media:

• Kosovo president open to new elections in Serb-majority municipalities (Reuters)
• Kosovo PM slams 'Belgrade's intrusion', welcomes elections once 'fascist militia' brought to justice (France 24)
• US Balkan envoy urges Kosovo and Serbia to deescalate tensions or jeopardize progress toward EU (AP)
• US envoy urges Kosovo to grant Serbs autonomy (DW)
• Belgrade To Prod Ethnic Serbs In North Kosovo To Vote In Elections (RFE)
• To join EU, NATO, Kosovo needs to give Serbs more autonomy: U.S. envoy (tvpworld)
• EU, US want Serb-Kosovo spat resolved, demand new elections, dialogue (Euractiv)
• In North Kosovo, Expect the Expected (BIRN)
• Decades-old tensions drive escalating conflict in northern Kosovo (Courthouse News Service)
• Insights of an Adventurous Political Tour to Kosovo (Prishtina Insight)