Belgrade Media Report 30 December 2019
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Monday 30 December 2019
LOCAL PRESS
• Brnabic: “Serbia 2025” project (Tanjug/RTS/Beta)
• Vucic: Serbia to experience rebirth by 2025 (Tanjug/Beta/RTS)
• Vucic: A main prerequisite is to preserve peace and stability in the region (TV Prva/B92)
• Djuric: Moraca and Ostrog the same as Gracanica and Decani (RTS)
• Djuric: Gathering around five principles of national policy (Politika/RTV/Tanjug)
• Vucic: Both Sarajevo and Dodik criticized us because of Serbia’s national defense strategy (RTS)
• Vulin: I expected Sarajevo’s gratitude to Serbia’s Defense Strategy (Tanjug/Novosti)
• Fabrizi: Continuation of Kosovo negotiations top priority for EU (Blic/Beta)
• Parliament passes army act (Beta)
• Serbian parliament ends regular session with incidents (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• B&H Presidency split on Serbia’s new National Security and Defense Strategy (Fena/Srna/N1)
• Dodik to ask Serbia to remove RS from their Defense Strategy (N1)
• Becirovic: Vucic revealed his true plans with adoption of Defense Strategy, he is on road that leads to The Hague (Oslobodjenje)
• Bosnian political parties slam Serbia’s Defense Strategy as anti-Bosnian (N1)
• OHR spokesperson: Serbia agreed to respect B&H’s sovereignty (Fena)
• Dodik: Law on Freedom of Religion and Legal Status of Religious Communities does not do credit to state which claims that it advocates rights of all its citizens (FTV)
• Gatherings of citizens held in Pale, Banja Luka and Trebinje to protest against Law on Religious Freedoms in Montenegro (O kanal)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic signs Law on Freedom of Religion or Belief (CDM)
• Parliament adopts Law on absolute freedom of use of national symbols (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Outgoing Prime Minister: The interim government must organize free and fair elections and continue working for the benefit of citizens (Republika)
• Government accepts VMRO-DPMNE’s proposal for early ratification of NATO Treaty (Republika)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
• Freedom to plunder? Russian Church slams contentious religious law approved in Montenegro (TASS)
• Hundreds protest in Serbia against new Montenegro church law (Euronews/AP)
• Montenegrin Police Says Four Officers Injured in Clashes With Anti-Church Law Protesters (Sputnik)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 31
• Kurti rejects Thaci’s invitation for the third time (media)
• Haziri: LVV to have strong reason to bring us back at the table (RTK)
• UK: LVV, LDK to overcome differences, form new government (media)
• Apostolova calls for swift formation of new institutions (Zeri/Klan)
• Haradinaj: Kurti should form the government or move away (RTK)
• Rama about Kurti and Mustafa: Seats more important than Kosovo (media)
• LVV changes statute, its leader can keep (T7/Zeri)
• Former Kosovo Serb minister accused for abusing official post (Telegrafi)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 30, 2019
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 30, 2019
Albanian Language Media:
• President Thaci invites Kurti for a meeting for the third time (RTK)
• Kosnett engages for LVV-LDK agreement, meets leaders of the two political parties (Express)
• Konjufca: Shedding light on the fate of the missing to be condition during negotiations (Express)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic, Brnabic present ‘Serbia 2025’ program (Serbian media)
• Vucic: Main prerequisite is to preserve peace and stability in the region (B92)
• Hearing of defendants in Oliver Ivanovic’s murder case postponed, indictment changed (Radio kontakt plus)
• “Trial is charade and farce” (Radio KIM)
• Djuric on Kosovo, Serbian List and new investments (RTS, KoSSev)
• Popovic, Rakic on new Serbia’s investments in Kosovo (TV Most, Kosovo-online)
• Fabrizi: Continuation of Belgrade-Pristina dialogue EU’s priority (Danas, BETA, Blic)
• Police in Gracanica arrested two persons under suspicion of committing grievous thefts (Radio KIM, Kosovo-online)
• Vucic: I will remain SNS leader until June 2020 and will not run again (FoNet, BETA, N1)
International:
• Serbian Church Expels Montenegro Govt Officials and MPs (Balkan Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 30
Kurti: Date for formation of government not set by president (Koha)
Mustafa: Elections have not produced absolute but relative winners (media)
Haradinaj: Kurti is a cheater, will fail to form government (media)
PDK elects new presidency (RTK)
Pacolli to Vucic: let people celebrate in peace (media)
Haradinaj denies murder in Gjilan was member of his close protection team (media)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 28
• Thaci reinvites Kurti for meeting (media)
• Kurti: We are not in high school to organise meetings in a day (Klan Kosova)
• “LVV to present Thaci with PM nominee and 61 signatures of MPs (Koha)
• Haxhiu: Mandate for forming government follows party’s proposal (Telegrafi)
• Osmani: LDK-LVV relations impaired with Konjufca’s election (T7/Klan)
Belgrade Media Report 27 December 2019
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Friday 27 December 2019
LOCAL PRESS
• Brnabic: Authorities working solely for benefit of Serbia and its people (Beta)
• Vucic: We are just one of guarantors of the Dayton (Novosti)
• Disputed articles in the controversial Law on Freedom of Religion (Telegraf)
• Patriarch Irinej deeply distressed over events in Montenegro (RTS)
• Police beat up Bishop Metodije (Beta/B92)
• SzS: Montenegro to declare controversial law null and void, de-escalate tensions (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Komsic on Serbia’s Strategy of Defense: Unless this document is suspended, relations between two countries will be seriously undermined (Hayat)
• Dodik: B&H Presidency did not take position on Defense and National Security Strategy of Serbia which is why Komsic cannot speak neither on behalf of B&H Presidency nor on behalf of B&H (Srna)
• Protest of opposition in RS held in Banja Luka, protestors request removal of Lukac and criticize RS authorities for failure to deliver original Program of Reforms of B&H to RS parliament (BNTV)
• Stanivukovic files criminal report against Lukac (N1)
• SDS launches initiative for removal of Lukac (BNTV)
Montenegro
• Parliament adopts the Law on Freedom of Religion (CDM/N1)
• Markovic following Law adoption: We will make sure that everything runs smoothly (RTCG)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
• EU’s broken promises in the Balkans lead to rocky road in 2020 (Deutsche Welle)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 27, 2019
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 27, 2019
Albanian Language Media:
• Thaci invites Kurti to give him mandate to form new government (media)
• Kurti turns down Thaci’s invitation, he is not in Pristina (Gazeta Express)
• Konjufca: It was clear to LDK that Vetevendosje would not block Assembly (KTV)
• EU Office welcomes constitution of new Assembly (media)
• Albanian President comments on Vucic’s remarks about Recak massacre (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Drecun: Serbian List must not be marginalized in new government (RTS)
• CI SDP: Ivanovic’s murder trial will be a farce (KoSSev)
International:
• Kosovo Parliament Convenes as Coalition Deal Remains Elusive (The New York Times)
• LDK to Support Kosovo Minority Government From Opposition (Balkan Insight)
• War Commanders Questioned as Prosecutors Step Up Probes (Balkan Insight)
• Western Balkans Have Yet to Embrace Freedom of Information (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Gorazdevac: We’ve survived the worst, but we are slowly disappearing (KoSSev)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 27
• New Kosovo Assembly constituted, Konjufca elected Assembly speaker (media)
• Sources: Thaci to give Kurti mandate today to form new government (Express)
• Kurti: Konjufca’s election was not a surprise (media)
• LVV: LDK seeking to get more than it is entitled to (media)
• U.S., UK, congratulate constitution of Kosovo Assembly (media)
• President Thaci hails constitution of Assembly (media)
• Mustafa: LVV acted in a biased manner (KTV)
• Veseli: LVV-LDK coalition is ‘give or take’ (media)
• Haradinaj: Kosovo to be more vigilant to movement of Russian nationals (Zeri)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 26, 2019
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 26, 2019
Albanian Language Media:
• LDK presents five-point offer to LVV (media)
• Mustafa: LDK to remain in opposition if LVV rejects offer (media)
• LVV’s Nagavci: Not the time for new elections (media)
• Only swearing in of MPs expected in today’s Assembly session (Kosovapress)
• KDI’s Murati: Not reasonable to talk of fresh elections (RTK)
Serbian Language Media:
• Donja Brnjica village: A Serbian house robbed (KIM radio)
• “Serbia will not join NATO while Vucic is in power” (BETA, B92)
• Ombudsman: An increasing number of children using drugs (KIM radio)
International:
• Coalition Talks Remain Deadlocked in Kosovo (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Heroes of 2019: People Who Took Action for Positive Change (BIRN)
Read More →Belgrade Media Report 26 December 2019
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Thursday 25 December 2019
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: I will not be dividing our people any further (Tanjug/RTS/Beta)
• Brnabic: We need to talk to the government of Montenegro (RTS)
• Patriarch Irinej: Stand to be defended in parliament not on the street (RTS/Vijesti)
• Communique of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church (spc.rs)
• Drecun: What’s most important for Serbs is to respect their election will (TV Pink/Tanjug)
• Jeremic: Kosovo is issue of all issues (RTS)
• Tepic: Dacic took money from arms dealers to finance revoking of other countries’ recognitions of Kosovo (Beta)
• Serbian government proposes changes to law on local elections (N1)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Komsic urges Vucic to suspend national defense and security strategy of Serbia as it would undermine regional peace and stability; Dzaferovic warns of violation of sovereignty of B&H (N1/BHT1/Al Jazeera)
• Dodik reacts to comments of Dzaferovic and Komsic (ATV/RTRS/Srna)
• Dzaferovic: Program of Reforms of B&H is first ANP for NATO (BNTV)
• SDS caucus in RS parliament demands entire text of Program of Reforms of B&H (BHT1)
• Stanivukovic calls on Lukac to resign; Opposition to organize protests on Thursday (O Kanal/N1)
• Banja Luka Police Administration says it is establishing facts on incident at RS parliament (ATV)
• Pavic and Rodic resign as DNS leader and deputy president, Trninic to be removed as RS Minister of Transport and Communications (ATV)
• US Embassy: No room for threats in democratic discussion (Hayat/FTV/N1)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic: Nobody can jeopardize Montenegro’s stability (CDM)
• Patriarch Irinej met with DF leaders, Mandic and Knezevic received blessing for fighting in defense of SPC (IN4S)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Outgoing Prime Minister: If the opposition stalls laws, I will not resign on 3 January (Republika)
• Zaev expects a new mandate and a continuation of the economy’s growth (Meta/MRTV)
Albania
• Debate with PM Rama, Haradinaj apologizes to Albanians (ADN)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 26
Assembly convenes today, LVV-LDK fail to reach agreement (media)
Mustafa: Negotiations have not failed, LVV’s strategy did (media)
LDK to hold leadership meeting ahead of Assembly session (Koha)
Konjufca: Osmani, acceptable candidate for any post (Telegrafi)
Veliu: LVV has no right to decide who will be LDK’s presidential candidate (Zeri)
Osmani: There is nothing more sacred than the will of citizens (Klan)
LVV MP on lack of reach of agreement for governing coalition (RTK)
Abazi: LVV-led government is last hope for the people (media)
Bulliqi: LDK turned down Assembly Speaker and President posts (RTK)
Pacolli reacts to changes in Serbia’s special army brigade (media)
Belgrade Media Report 24 December 2019
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Tuesday 24 December 2019
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: Next year, Putin, Jinping, Merkel and Johnson are coming to Serbia(O2/B92/Beta)
• Vucic: Whatever we say we are interfering in internal politics (NSPM/Tanjug/O2)
• Portals close to Montenegrin authorities spin Vucic’s words (Novosti)
• Djuric: Perhaps there will be new elections in Kosovo and Metohija (TV Happy/Tanjug)
• Law on religious freedom adopted, SPC priests gathered (B92/Vijesti/Tanjug)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Incomplete new convocation of B&H CoM appointed (FTV)
• Brief biographies of new ministers in B&H CoM (Hayat)
• International community welcomes appointment of new convocation of B&H CoM (FTV/ATV/BHT1)
• B&H submits Program of Reforms to NATO HQ in Brussels (FTV)
Croatia
• Presidential elections in Croatia to go into second round (HRT)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Citizens’ disappointment in the government growing, the judiciary and the Prime Minister rated very low, VMRO-DPMNE leads convincingly ahead of SDSM (Republika)
• Zaev: If Mickoski wins the elections, he will do everything to annul agreements with Greece and Bulgaria (Republika)
• Outgoing PM Zaev: There is great trust between SDSM and DUI (Republika)
Albania
• EC President Ursula von der Leyen fully supports opening accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania (Radio Tirana)
• RCC Secretary General Bregu reveals beneficiaries from Balkan Schengen (Radio Tirana)
LINKS
UNMIK
Peacekeeping
UN News Center
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- Measures against Kosovo on the table of EU institutions - Eunews 26/04/2024Measures against Kosovo on the table of EU institutions Eunews
- Kosovo fails to overturn power plant award - GAR 26/04/2024
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