Belgrade Media Report 12 March
LOCAL PRESS
• Dacic gives Diplomatic Academy students lecture on Serbian foreign policy priorities (Beta/Politika)
• Serbia, NATO committed to further improving partnership cooperation (Tanjug/Beta/Politika)
• Government passes new measures against coronavirus spread (Tanjug/RTS/RTV/Beta)
• EU wants Belgrade-Pristina dialogue to resume as soon as possible (Tanjug)
• Analyst: Russia’s three steps in preventing international recognition of Kosovo (Beta/Regnum)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• B&H bans entry for foreigners from countries severely affected by COVID-19 (ATV)
• Field: Dayton Agreement is not perfect, but consensus is needed for adoption of changes (Nezavisne novine)
• Croatian Ambassador Sabolic presents program of Croatia’s EU Presidency to delegation of Federation of B&H HoR Commission for European Integration (FTV)
Croatia
• Number of coronavirus cases in Croatia rises to 19 (Hina)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic: There have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Montenegro; On negotiations between the government and Metropolitanate, useless to organize talks if nobody was willing to change anything (CDM)
• Markovic: The coronavirus situation is serious, public assemblies will be banned in case virus breaks out in Montenegro (CDM)
• Boskovic: Montenegro is our one and only sanctity (Avangarda)
• Fejzic: Cultural heritage is state-owned everywhere in the world (Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia
• US Department of State releases report on Macedonia: High-level corruption main issue (Republika)
• Spanish Senate closes down due to coronavirus: Vote on Macedonia’s NATO accession protocol postponed (Republika)
• Prohor Pcinjski border crossing closes on Thursday (Republika)
Albania
• Rama imposes tougher preventative measures (Radio Tirana)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
• Migrants in new clashes on Greek-Turkish border (ANSAMed)
• Migrants on Greek islands to be offered €2,000 to go home (The Guardian)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 12, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Public health institute dispatches medical staff all over Kosovo (media)
• Minister wants strict measures against businesses that increase prices (media)
• Interior minister Veliu calls for closure of schools in north of Kosovo (media)
• CEC to consult President and Government regarding elections in Podujeve (Kallxo)
• Kosovo prisons freeze visits over coronavirus fears (Koha)
• PM Kurti meets EULEX chief, Wigemark (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Djuric: Schools in Serbian communities in Kosovo will not work from Monday (TV Most)
• All schools in the municipality of Gracanica working today (KIM radio)
• Gracanica: Police will start implementing the decision of the Government of Kosovo (KIM radio)
• Head of WHO office in Belgrade: Serbia is doing what it takes (BETA, B92)
• Goran Rakic, Milena Popovic suggested as witnesses in Milan Radoicic defamation lawsuit against Rada Trajkovic (KoSSev)
• Rakocevic: UN SC Resolution 1244 would be most realistic offer for normalization of relations (Kosovo-online, RTV Puls)
International:
• Is the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue really reaching and historic moment? (K2.0)
• MPs discuss Kosovo-US relations (Prishtina Insight)
• EU or US: Who’s in charge of Kosovo-Serbia talks? (Euobserver)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Further measures taken by Kosovo Govt to tackle coronavirus pandemic (Prishtina Insight)
• Serbia closes some border crossings with regional countries (N1)
• Hungary declared a state of emergency (B92, Tanjug)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 12
• Kosovo MPs discuss relations with the U.S. (media)
• In a Facebook post, Thaci calls Kurti ‘coward’ and ‘devilish’ (media)
• Osmani: Tariff and president to be removed simultaneously (KP/Telegrafi)
• Government adopts 11 preventive measures from coronavirus (media)
• Kurti speaks after government’s preventive steps against coronavirus (media)
• NATO remains committed to mission in Kosovo (Gazeta Express)
• Kosovo Government opposes Lajcak’s appointment (media)
• State Department: Corrupt officials in Kosovo are not punished (Epoka)