UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 22, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: It is necessary to correct Borrell’s mistake (Koha)
• U.S. disappointed Kosovo and Serbia fail to reach agreement, State Dept says (media)
• Rohde: We need more statesmanship, less brinkmanship (media)
• Kurti in Skopje: Fortunately, Kosovo not dependent on Russian gas (Express)
• Mehaj repeats request for permanent U.S. military base in Kosovo (media)
• RFE: The proposal for the liberalization of visas in January 2024 passed (media)
• Vogel: The dialogue is suffering a crisis every month, Kurti lost his patience (Koha)
• LDK Women’s Forum leader asks Kurti to explain his change of position (Indeksonline)
• Kurti: Reform in public administration, essential in program of our government (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Rakic on talks with Vucic, Pristina’s acts (Kosovo Online)
• Hill after the meeting with Vucic: Only a constructive approach leads to a solution (RTS)
• Petkovic: Kurti doesn’t wish peace, dialogue serves to meet halfway (RTS)
• Vucic's call to Serbs from Kosovo for calmness and preservation of peace (media)
• Situation in Mitrovica North calm, people do not want to talk in front of cameras (Radio KIM)
• Vucic: I am proud we tried to maintain peace at all costs (Tanjug)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: Vucic once again demonstrated constructive approach (RTS)
• Stano: EU has not given up on its proposal (N1, Kosovo Online)
• KFOR commander discusses tensions with Kosovo minister (N1)
• US senators concerned about risk of violence in region (Kosovo Online)
• Vehicle with Serbian licence plates set on fire in Mitrovica North (KoSSev)
• Detention of Krasniqi, Selimi and Mustafa extended (Kosovo Online)
• Italy tells Pristina that unilateral moves do not lead to a solution (NMagazin, Beta)
• Lulzim Rafuna, the new president of the Board of the Chamber Investment Forum of the Western Balkans (Kosovo Online)

Opinion:

• Janjic: Vucic gave up ‘KM’ plates, Kurti asking for guarantees (Beta, NMagazin)
• Italy as Inspiration for the Balkan Far-Right (BIRN)

International:

• Kosovo Postpones Imposition Of License Plate Fines For 48 Hours (RFE)
• EU Blames Kosovo for Failing to Ease Spat Amid Tensions (Bloomberg)

• Kurti accepts U.S. Ambassador call for 48-hour postponement of fines (media)
• EU’s Borrell Blames Kosovo for Fresh Licence Plates Stalemate (BIRN)
• Kurti’s remarks to the media after meetings in Brussels (media)
• Osmani: Borrell was biased; accommodated the aggressor (media)
• EU responds to Kurti: We haven’t given up on normalisation agreement (media)
• U.S. State Department: Parties to refrain from provocative steps (Klan Kosova)
• Bajrami: Kosovo proposed to suspend further phases of plate conversion (media)
• NATO SG: Disappointed that licence plate dispute wasn’t solved (media)
• UNMIK chief Ziadeh calls for calm and commitment to dialogue (media)
• Abbott: Immediate need to make progress on a normalisation agreement (media)
• Svecla: Police ready to ensure and security throughout Kosovo (media)
• Haradinaj: Decision on licence plates must be suspended (media)
• Palokaj: With this pace, dialogue can last 11 years (Koha)
• Floods Cause Six Deaths in Montenegro, Albania, Serbia (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

Kurti to meet citizens in Prizren on Tuesday; to present budget for 2023 (Klan Kosova)
American congressman, Ritchie Torres meets Osmani (Koha) 
Kosovo Defence Minister meets Swedish counterpart, discuss cooperation (media)
Gjoshi: Kurti is negotiating with Vucic on an internal issue (media)
Elezi: CEC considering postponement of some election deadlines (RTK)
Lutfiu: Presevo Valley Albanians discuss withdrawal from Serbian institutions (Klan)
Interview with President of Special Court, Ekaterina Trendafilova (Albanian Post)
Noam Chomsky: I was never opposed to Kosovo’s independence (Albanian Post)

Serbian Language Media:

Dacic: Two possible outcomes in Brussels - reason or riots (Tanjug, RTS)
Minister says Serbian Army ready to defend Kosovo Serbs (N1, Beta, Telegraf)
Kosovo journalist: Without plates agreement, small armed conflict is possible (N1, FoNet)
Janjic: Suspension of the Brussels Agreement being discussed (N1)

International:

Floods Across Kosovo Damage Land, hit Drinking Water Supply (BIRN)
Letter from Belgrade (Financial Times)

• The penalty measure for license plates postponed for one day (media)
• Borrell: We need to de-escalate situation, move toward normalisation (media)
• EU to hold emergency talks with Kosovo-Serbia as deadline looms (Euractiv)
• EU police patrol Kosovo's north after Serb officers quit (Reuters)
• US hopes an agreement on licence plates will be reached (RFE, media)
• EULEX chief and KFOR commander walk in the north of Mitrovica (RTK)
• Kurti: Frank and important phone conversation with Chollet (media)
• Bugajski: Fundamental problem – Serbia’s non-recognition of Kosovo (media)
• Kosovo, Serbia delegations clash at NATO Parliamentary Assembly (RTK)
• Kosovo war crimes expert named Special Counsel in January 6 and Trump documents investigations in U.S. (RFE)
• Kosovo Public Broadcaster Complains of ‘Smallest Ever’ Budget (BIRN)
• Media Climate in Albania Worsening, Press Freedom Advocates Say (BIRN)
• Kosovo Public Broadcaster Complains of ‘Smallest Ever’ Budget (BIRN)
• Special Prosecution Charges Serbian Citizen with Torturing Civilians (BIRN)
• The need for lies (Kosovo 2.0)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: I am optimistic about licence plate issue, but Belgrade's approach is quite destructive (media)
• Brussels sends an invitation for a meeting to Kurti and Vucic (media)
• Kusari-Lila announces solution for licence plates "within hours" (Express)
• Osmani thanks Pelosi for her commitment and connection with Kosovo (media)
• EC convinces Netherlands – now they are in favour of visa liberalisation (Express)
• Kusari-Lila: EU plan has U.S. support and includes two phases (RTK)
• Peci: In one version I’ve seen, plan includes Serb Orthodox Church (Klan)
• Abazi: Kosovo to return to table of talks and coordinate with partners (Kallxo)
• Hoti: Kurti doesn’t listen to U.S., but sends police to coordinate with EULEX (Koha)
• EULEX on patrols in north of Kosovo: We have not assumed police responsibility (Telegrafi)

Serbian Language Media:

• The EU invited Vucic and Kurti to Brussels: Find a European solution to get out of the crisis (N1)
• Office for KiM: No agreement has been reached with Pristina (RTS, Blic)
• Brnabic: No agreement with Pristina, it must implement agreements (Tanjug, media)
• UNS and DNKiM: Urgently to determine who attacked the Insajderi cameraman (KiM radio, NMagazin, Insajder)
• The KP confirms the attack on an Albanian cameraman and a student, but not a kidnapping (KoSSev)
• NGO Aktiv launches a phone line for reporting cases of mistreatment by the police (KiM radio)
• Drecun: We should expect Pristina to accept the EU's suggestions (Tanjug)
• UNS and DNKiM not invited to the meeting of the CoE Platform for the Safety of Journalists (KiM radio)

International:

• UN expert on truth and justice to visit Serbia and Kosovo* (ohchr.org)
• Spain Suggests Kosovo’s Visa Liberalisation Process Be Finalised on January 1, 2024 (schengenvisainfo.com)
• BIRN Conference Warns of Far-Right Groups’ Influence in Balkans (BIRN)

• Kosovo Assembly adopts in principle budget for 2023 (media)
• Osmani: Paneuropa supported Kosovo people in most difficult times (media)
• Kurti travels to Estonia to meet Prime Minister Kaja Kallas (media)
• Belgrade-backed Serb party retakes seats in Kosovo Parliament (BIRN)
• Bislimi: Serbian List’s return to Assembly exposes Belgrade’s agenda (media)
• SL return to Assembly interpreted as weakening of Vucic’s position (Koha)
• A cameraman and a teenager assaulted in the north of Kosovo (BIRN)
• Szunyog: Refrain from actions that could lead to confrontation (Koha)
• OSCE Mission in Kosovo condemns violence in Mitrovica North (media)
• Krasniqi: Association in line with Constitution; U.S. call to be heeded (media)
• Head of Mitrovica North-based NGO talks about assault (Koha)
• “It is difficult to explain why Ukraine does not recognize Kosovo” (Koha)

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Dialogue with Serbia has never been more transparent (Klan)
• New Serbian List MPs sworn in today (Koha)
• Krasniqi meets Escobar: Alignment, coordination with U.S. has no alternative (media)
• Rohde: Urgent need for solution to avoid escalation; more internal dialogue (Express)
• Osmani: Dialogue should be centred on mutual recognition (RTK)
• Italian Foreign and Defence Ministers to visit Kosovo and Serbia next week (Klan)
• Svecla: Government ready to shelter up to 5,000 Ukrainian refugees (media)
• Abdixhiku: Bondsteel should be a permanent military base (Kosovapress)
• Haziri: U.S. first signs of reevaluating relations with Kosovo govt officials (Telegrafi)
• AJK reacts to the attack on the journalist in the north (Telegrafi)

Serbian Language Media:

• Members of the SL verified their mandates: Kurti’s plan prevented (media)
• Serbian Assembly Committee for KiM: The security situation in Kosovo unstable and tense (KoSSev)
• EULEX chief says his officers can’t replace Kosovo Police (N1, KoSSev)
• In North Mitrovica, two Albanians were injured, one of them a journalist (KoSSev, N1, Danas, KiM radio)
• Serbia, Hungary, Austria reach agreement on readmission (N1)
• Licence plates and diplomacy behind closed doors: What’s on the table in an attempt to avoid a “dangerous situation” (euronews.rs)
• Vucic: Serbia grateful to Angola for principled stance on Kosovo-Metohija (Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Verifying the mandate of the SL does not mean their return to parliament (RTS)
• The signing of contracts with Serbs who left the institutions in Kosovo and Metohija has begun (RTS)

International:

• Guessing Games over Franco-German ‘Compass’ for Kosovo Conundrum (BIRN)
• Media Freedom in Kosovo ‘Undermined by Political Pressure’ (BIRN)

• Time for Kurti-led government to “listen to the allies” (Radio Free Europe)
• EULEX: As of Wednesday, we’re also patrolling on foot in north (Front Online)
• Osmani in Vienna: Austria, strategic partner of Kosovo (media)
• Stano: No new proposals for solving crisis in north of Kosovo (media)
• Sarrazin: There is no French-German plan, published parts not correct (RTK)
• Kosovo Serbs Report Arson Attacks Amid Licence Plates Dispute (BIRN)
• Czech proposal for visa liberalisation for Kosovo has stalled (media)
• Concerns over the freedom of media in Kosovo (Voice of America)
• SLAPP Lawsuits Want to ‘Silence’ Crticism; Solution Required for WB (BIRN)
• Kosovo participating in COP27 Conference for the first time (media)
• Was the "Valley Association" discussed in Brussels? (Albanian Post)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 16, 2022

Albanian Language Media:

• Bislimi denies agreement on licence plates has been reached (Koha)
• Source: Agreement on licence plates must be reached before Nov 21 (Indeksonline)
• Serbs in north different positions on elections; don’t take resistance calls seriously (KP)
• The EU is waiting for Kosovo's response about new proposal on license plates (RFE, media)
• EULEX chief: Situation in the North fragile, citizens afraid (media)
• Trajkovic: Unlikely there will be elections in north on December 18 (RTK)
• “Serbia threatening Serbs they’ll suffer if they cooperate with Kosovo govt” (EO)
• Budget for KSF next year expected to be €123 million (RTK)
• Hoti: Visit of LDK leadership in U.S., sign they see us as partners (T7)
• LDK spokeswoman slams FM Gervalla for being “so undiplomatic” (media)
• Vetevendosje MP indicates he could leave the party (media)
• Szunyog: I believe decision on liberalization will be made before the end of this year (Koha)

Serbian Language Media:

• Brnabic: Brussels agreement cannot be transferred onto some other agreements (Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic: Kurti attempts to destabilise situation with unilateral decisions (Radio KIM)
• Rakic and Simic meet EULEX Head, discuss security situation in northern Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic: China has always demonstrated its sincere friendship (Tanjug)
• Another Serbian cemetery renamed on Google maps, this one to Illyrian (Kosovo Online)
• Three prosecutors from other areas temporarily transferred to Basic Prosecution in Mitrovica North (KoSSev)
• Investigation into mistreatment of Miodrag Milicevic, NGO Aktiv Director initiated (Kosovo Online)
• Serbia to get honorary consul in Singapore (Tanjug)
• RTS: 100,000 Russians and 18,000 Ukrainians in Serbia (N1)
• RFE: Elections in the north of Kosovo between law and politics (RFE)
• Danas daily on the elections in northern Kosovo: There would be new conflicts on ground
• Vucic met Greek Ambassador, thanked him for Greek support to territorial integrity of Serbia (Kosovo Online)

International:

• Disinformation everywhere (Kosovo 2.0)
• BIRN Launches Interactive Map of Far-Right and Extremist Groups (BIRN)

• Kurti: With Association, Belgrade wants compensation for lost war (media)
• Leaders condemn killing of civilians near Polish-Ukrainian border (media)
• Dialogue, licence plates discussed at meeting between Bislimi and Lajcak (media)
• Sources: Deal reached on licence plates, return of Serbs to institutions (Paparaci)
• Osmani hosts meeting with U.S. officials (media)
• Belgrade-Backed Kosovo Serb Party to Boycott Local Elections (BIRN)
• Kraut: Kosovo-Germany relations are strong, to be deepened even more (media)
• LDK leader Abdixhiku meets Escobar in Washington (media)
• Berlin Process agreements cannot enter into force before two years (RTK)
• Kosovo, Serbia NGOs Condemn Police 'Attack' on Serb Activist (BIRN)