UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 13, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 98 new cases, one death (media)
• EU Special Representative Lajcak to arrive in Kosovo today (Gazeta Express)
• Government to Lajcak's question on Association shortly before his arrival in Kosovo (Express)
• To Russia, thesis of removing borders between Albania and Kosovo is alarming (Koha)
• France fades Kosovo hopes for visa liberalisation any time soon (Express)
• Hoti receives new U.S. Military Attaché Stephen Rose (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• If Pristina continues blocking ZSO, Serbs announce possibility of leaving all Kosovo institutions (Kosovo-online)
• Várhelyi: Boosting and connecting the Western Balkans on the EU path (N1)
• EU envoy Lajcak makes first report on the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue to foreign ministers (N1)
• Djuric: Pristina makes efforts to suspend dialogue (Radio KIM)
• Grubjesic: Lajcak to convince Pristina establish ZSO and continue dialogue (TV Most)
• “1000 candles” lit in Ivanovic’s honor in Belgrade and North Mitrovica (KoSSev)
• Srebrenica Mothers: Serbian FM threatens all who speak of mass graves in Serbia (N1)
• Odalovic: Serbia does not hide mass graves; we checked everything that was asked of us (Kosovo Online)
• Senior German diplomat says region’s problems can no longer be put off (N1, BETA)

Opinion:

• Ring them Bells (EWB)

Humanitarian/Development:

• Balkan Govts Mull Tightened Rules as COVID-19 Cases Rise (Balkan Insight)

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 68 new cases, one death (media)
• Kosovo Assembly adopts law on economic recovery (media)
• Pacolli: Talks on president's post not to take place at this time (Klan)
• Kosovo minister complains over trade barriers by Serbia (Koha/RTK)
• VV calls for announcement of local elections in Podujeve, Mitrovica North (media)
• In Kosovo, 40 persons convicted for war crimes (RFE)

Serbian Language Media:

• Three new cases of Covid-19 registered in Serbian areas in Kosovo on Saturday (Radio kontakt plus)
• Lajcak: Vucic wonders whether the EU is offering a European perspective (FoNet, N1)
• RTS: Lajcak to visit Belgrade and Pristina
• Dacic: We are grateful to China for supporting sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia (Kosovo-online)
• 1,000 candles for Oliver Ivanovic for one thousand days of silence in Mitrovica North as well (KoSSev)
• Vucic: We'll see if there will be extraordinary parliamentary elections in 2022 (BETA, N1)
• Petkovic: Once again Thaci has shown that he is essentially against dialogue (Kosovo Online, B92)
• Rakic and Szunyog visit northern municipalities (Radio Mitrovica sever)

Opinion:

• COVID-19 Crisis Could Slow Southeast Europe’s Economies for Years (Balkan Insight)
• In times like these anchored cooperation-bashkepunim-saradnja-suradnja-саработка-сарадња, takes on more importance (EWB)

International:

• ‘A Hero Returns’: How Freed War Criminals are Glorified in Kosovo (Balkan Insight)
• Serbia cultivates both US and China in Balkans tug of war (Financial Times)
• Why the Kosovo Conflict Remains a Problem for the EU (The Washington Post)

Humanitarian/Development:

• In pictures: Prishtina Pride Parade 2020 (Prishtina Insight)
• Pride Week: PM Hoti expresses government's support for LGBTIQ+ members' rights (media)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 9, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 79 new cases, three deaths (media)
• Hoti receives letter from U.S. President Trump (RTK)
• Hoti: We have worked hard on the main principles (media)
• Greek Foreign Minister Dendias visits Kosovo (media)
• The IMF objects to the 10 percent withdrawal from the Trust (Koha)
• NISMA demands international reaction to Dacic’s statement (RTK)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic on Varhelyi’s visit, EC report, Covid, Kosovo (B92)
• Vucic: A big assignment for new pro-European government (B92)
• Vucic accepts responsibility for claims in EC report (N1)
• Brnabic says European Commission assessment arbitrary (FoNet, N1)
• EP rapporteur says EC investments will be tightly controlled (N1)
• Serbian Government appoints Marko Djuric ambassador in Washington (media)
• “Djuric’s appointment as ambassador in US would change nothing” (Radio KIM)
• “Kosovo police violates Law on use of languages” (Radio KIM)
• Hasani: Point on Gazivode Lake in Washington Agreement doesn’t endanger Kosovo territory (Kosovo-online)

Opinion:

• DW: ''Citizens of Serbia and Kosovo need to be prepared for the truth'' (Danas)
• Kosovo: Three governments, one country report (EWB)

International:

• EC report on Serbia – Not a pleasant read for the citizens of Serbia (EWB)
• Nobel Peace Prize goes to UN World Food Programme (BBC)

Humanitarian/Development:

• EU presents guidelines on Green Agenda for Western Balkans (balkangreenenergynews.com)
• Workshop on human rights protection organized for RAE students (Radio KIM)

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 33 new cases, no deaths (media)
• Varhelyi: All EU states need to be convinced Kosovo has met visa liberalisation criteria (media)
• Hoti: If no agreement, Kosovo and Serbia will remain independent neighbouring countries (Koha)
• Osmani: Kosovo should be granted visa liberalisation, all criteria met (media)
• Economic recovery draft law fails to be adopted, yet again (media)
• Draft law on KLA values fails to pass Assembly (media)
• Civil society activists protest against KLA values law (media)
• Greek FM Dendias to visit Kosovo tomorrow (Klan)
• Hoti rejects reports about establishment of new ministry (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Godfrey: Solution of the Kosovo issue possible in a year or two (media)
• Bilcik: European Commission report on Serbia objective (N1)
• Serbia sends protest note to Albania (media)
• Empirika on MIA decision relating to “KS” registration plates (media)
• Police arrested suspect for shooting in Donja Brnjica (Radio KIM)
• Harassment of girl in Babin Most (RTS, Radio KIM, KoSSev)
• Jevtic: Stop pandemic of intimidation of Serbs (TV Most)
• Spahiu: ''Constitution should be amended regarding the election of President'' (Kosovo Online)
• Odalovic: Most EULEX documentation in Pristina's hands (Radio Mitrovica Sever, TV Prva)

Opinion:

• ‘Scientific’ views on sexual harassment in Kosovo (and why it matters) (Prishtina Insight)

International:

• Várhelyi: Kosovo has fulfilled the conditions for visa liberalization (EWB)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 7, 2020

Albanian Language Media:

• COVID-19: 49 new cases, three deaths (media)
• Selimi: No final agreement without inclusion of missing persons issue (Koha)
• LVV: Government disregarding fate of the missing (Express)
• Von Cramon: European Commission report, positive on Kosovo (Express)
• Kosovo visa liberalization not on EU Council’s October agenda (Express)
• EU Commission: ‘Corruption is widespread and remains an issue of serious concern’ (Prishtina Insight)
• Hamza: PDK will remain in opposition (media)
• WB: Kosovo’s economy expected to contract by 8.8 percent (Express)
• Thaci orders Ambassador Vlora Citaku to leave Washington (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Eight new cases of Covid-19 registered in Serbian areas in Kosovo (Radio KIM)
• PCR testing at personal request available twice a week in Mitrovica North (Radio kontakt plus)
• Risi: Gender equality important at all levels (Radio KIM)
• EC report says Serbia made little or no progress in key areas (N1)
• Varhelyi: Report as guidance for new Serbian Government (N1)
• Djuric: Serbs in Kosovo will not be Hoti’s hostages (RTS)
• EU Office Head: Existing agreements must be implemented (Kosovo-online)
• Vucic with Prince Albert II of Monaco: Serbia to join UN Alliance for Multilateralism (B92)
• Antonijevic: Vucic observed minute of silence for Kosovo Albanians (N1)
• On Saturday’s event at Our Lady of Ljevis: No crime took place and police does not comment on non-police activities (KoSSev)

International:

• Kosovo’s Fragile Govt Aims to Lure PDK into Broader Coalition (Balkan Insight)
• Albania, North Macedonia ‘Should Start EU Accession Talks This Year’ (Balkan Insight)