UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, 8 May, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: Conditioning membership in CoE with the Association is absurd (media)
• Hacker: Linking Kosovo CoE membership with Association, grave mistake (media)
• Kurti on the Dinar: I cannot put myself above the Central Bank Governor (Express)
• Zulfaj: EU must lift measures in order not to damage its credibility (EO)
• Kosovo Police, EULEX and KFOR conclude “Golden Sabre 2024” exercise (KSP)
• Police find camera on mountain road on eastern border with Serbia (RFE)

Serbian Language Media: 

• Vucic: We are making history today, Xi's visit historic (Tanjug, media)
• Xi Jinping: China supports Serbia’s efforts to preserve territorial integrity regarding Kosovo issue (Tanjug)
• Rajic: We can expect China's support both on the issue of Kosovo and on the issue of the Resolution on Srebrenica (Radio Mitrovica sever, RTS)
• RTK website changed name of page in Serbian, instead of “RTK2” it now says “Serbian” (Radio KIM)
• The State Department had insight into the draft amendments of the Montenegro to the resolution on Srebrenica (KiM radio, Beta, N1)

Opinion:

• EU’s ‘Foreign Agent Law’ is Misguided (Balkan Insight)

International:

• Berlin hints at insistence of Serb association in Kosovo before CoE membership (Euractiv)
• Austria plans to deport convicts to Kosovo (politico.eu)
• China's Xi Arrives In Belgrade In Push For Greater Influence In Europe (RFE)
• Montenegro Accused of Kowtowing to Serbs on UN Srebrenica Resolution (BIRN)

Albanian Language Media:

• Germany expects from Kosovo “other concrete steps” on Association (Koha)
• France: Sending draft statute to court would secure membership support (Koha)
• France calls for postponed decision on Kosovo CoE membership (Albanian Post)
• Osmani: U.S. decisive role for Kosovo’s fate; U.S. in DNA of our success (media)
• 1,204,560 citizens registered in Kosovo so far (EO)
• Govt enables Serbs to replace drivers’ licenses with Kosovo licenses (media)
• Kosovo Police installing cameras in Zvecan municipality today (Indeksonline)
• Numerous graffiti inciting hatred in Mitrovica North (Kosovapress)
• Osmani meets President of Liberia, discuss furthering cooperation (media)
• Lajcak meets Escobar, “in-depth discussions” (media)
• Kurti meets Jashari, praises him for “unprecedented growth” of KSF (media)
• Pahor won’t give interviews until completion of EUSR selection (media)
• Albanian President meets Pope Francis, mentions Kosovo’s progress too (Kallxo)

Serbian Language Media:

• For Kurti, Serbs killed in domestic violence are "proof" that violence against Serbs is propaganda from Belgrade (KoSSev)
• Petkovic: By criminalizing north, Kurti justifies violence against Serbian people (Tanjug, Kosovo Online, social media)
• SL: Ethnically motivated attacks on Serbs are not propaganda (KiM radio)
• Surveillance cameras installed in Zvecan (Radio kontakt plus)
• Xi in Belgrade on anniversary of embassy bombing (N1)
• Kosovo families dependent on remittances (N1)

International:

• Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans adopted (consilium.europa.eu)
• FDI Alone Won’t Close Gap Between Balkan and EU Economies (BIRN)
• ‘A Special Voice’: How a Much-Loved Kosovo Singer Was Silenced Forever (BIRN)
• 53 Civilians Were Massacred In This Home In Kosovo. Now It's A Museum (RFE)
• Chinese-Made Surveillance Cameras Are Spreading Across Eastern Europe, Despite Security Concerns (RFE)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, 3 May, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: Press freedom is a basic human right, crucial for democracy (media)
• US Embassy: A strong democracy encourages a free press (media)
• Reactions to Reporters without Borders latest report on Kosovo (media)
• Nissen: Kosovo’s membership in NATO will become reality (media)
• Kurti meets Yildirim, thanks his group for choosing to invest in Kosovo (media)
• Osmani joins dedication ceremony of U.S. embassy conference rooms (media)
• Petkovic says Kosovo authorities rejected his visit request (RFE)

Serbian Language Media: 

• Vucic: I believe in new government, challenging times are ahead (Tanjug)
• Yet another illegal expropriation in the north of Kosovo? New road through Banov Do village, residents say they did not need it at all (Radio kontakt plus, Alternativna)
• Vucic: Eswatini's support especially important amid pressure on Serbia (Tanjug)
• Kosovo drops 19, Serbia 7 points on RSF Press Freedom Index (KoSSev)
• Matic: Commission for investigating murders of journalists in Kosovo must have an international mandate (Kosovo Online)
• A year of pain: Serbia marks school shooting anniversary (N1, media)

Opinion:

• Mujanovic: The Case for Admitting Kosovo to the Council of Europe (media)
 
International:

• An Artist From Kosovo Takes Flight (The New York Times)
• Serbian Media ‘Lost Public Trust’ Amid School Shooting Hysteria (Balkan Insight)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, 2 May, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti: We met all EU requests to lift restrictive measures (RFE)
• Kosovo and MCC launch largest energy program in Kosovo (media)
• Tahiri: Assembly must meet and discuss date of new elections (EO)
• Kusari-Lila: State Department report has errors and inaccuracies (Koha)
• Kurti meets deputy mayors of Mitrovica North, Zvecan and Leposavic (media)
• Tuppurainen: Careful with Association not to be Vucic’s instrument (Express)
• Tahiri argues Association should not be given to join Council of Europe (media)
• Balje: I will not vote for same sex marriages (media)

Serbian Language Media: 

• Vucevic says Serbia has its red lines, no recognition of Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Belgrade supports Lajcak’s process for establishing CSM (Kosovo Online)
• Albanian Top Channel citing a 1943 census claims Orthodox Kosovo Albanians were "exterminated", "converted to Serbs" and their "churches taken over" by Serbia (KoSSev)
• Three persons arrested over attack on Serb in Bosniak Mahala sent to house arrest (KoSSev)
• Pristina banned Milorad Arlov from visiting Kosovo for Easter (Kosovo Online)
• 25th anniversary of siblings Marija and Nikola death in Luzane bus attack commemorated in Gracanica (Radio KIM, KoSSev, RTS, media)
• 25 years since bombing of MUP building in Mitrovica North (KoSSev, media)
• Radio KIM: Kurti at ceremony of already handed over keys of apartments in Suvi Do, near Lipljan (media)
• Surveillance cameras installed near Tzar Lazar Monument in Mitrovica North (Kosovo Online)

International:

• UK warned to pay more attention to risks of conflict in the Balkans (The Standard)
• Forgetting Covid: Kosovo Sleepwalks Towards the Next Pandemic (BIRN)
• Ukrainian Photo Exhibit In Kosovo Offers Hope For The Future (RFE)

UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, 30 April, 2024

Albanian Language Media:

• Osmani: €200 million U.S. grant will transform our energy sector (media)
• Kurti on Banjska attack: I think they wanted a new war (media)
• Kryeziu reacts to Stano: Lack of progress is not due to both sides (media)
• Gervalla: Kosovo, a champion of democracy and rule of law in Balkans (media)
• Pahor preparing a document for dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia (Koha)
• Kosovo Teacher’s Union to protest on Wednesday (Indeksonline)
• Kurti attends opening of exhibition “Ukraine, a war crime” in Pristina (media)
• Kosovo Assembly committee adopts Code of Conduct for MPs (media)
• U.S. sanctioned Serbian politician nominated for Deputy Prime Minister (media)
• Stradner: Vucic “preparing new escalation” to remain in power for years (media)

Serbian Language Media: 

• Vucevic announces composition of new Serbian Government (N1, media)
• Pro-Russian sentiments rising in Serbia, EU losing support (VoA, N1)
• Kilometers-long queues at Jarinje crossing point (KoSSev, Radio KIM)
• Serbs in the north of Kosovo on census: Neither is one knocking on our door, nor would we have open it (RFE)
• SRSG meets Partes mayor, encourages work on building trust between people (KoSSev, Kosovo Online, social media)
• Vukicevic: We are finding ways as best we can; Pristina's regulations make life difficult for everyone (Kosovo Online)
• Kosovo police installing cameras at another four locations in Mitrovica North (KoSSev)
• Trial to Thaci and others: KLA legal adviser requested release of two Albanian women from KLA prison camp, both found dead (KoSSev, BETA, media)
• Serbia is China's first comprehensive strategic partner in CEE - Chinese MFA (Tanjug)

International:

• Kosovo Lacks Capacities to Fight Disinformation (Prishtina Insight)
• Hindered in many ways (Kosovo 2.0)