UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 23
• 21 new cases of coronavirus in last 24 hours (media)
• Kurti to respect Court’s ruling if it is no more than legal interpretation (Koha)
• Germany and France: Re-start the EU-led dialogue now (media)
• Kurti meets Quint, EU reps – discusses political situation, Covid-19 (media)
• Switzerland considers Kosovo’s borders unquestionable (Koha)
• Kurti, BiH presidency chairman agree land swap is dangerous (media)
• U.S. commits additional $500,000 for Kosovo’s response to Covid-19 (media)
Belgrade Media Report 22 May 2020
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Friday 22 May 2020
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic: If the offer is what I assume, the answer will be ‘no’ (RTS/Tanjug/Beta)
Vucic meets Quint Ambassadors (RTS/Tanjug/Beta)
Dacic: Serbia cannot pretend to be blind to the problems of Serbs in Montenegro (TV Studio B/Beta)
Rosocha: Slovakia adheres to the principled stance of not recognizing Kosovo’s independence (Beta)
Godfrey: I hope those responsible for murder of Bytyqi brothers will be brought to justice (FoNet/NSPM)
Djuric: Clash of great powers regarding Albanian leaders in Pristina (TV Happy/Tanjug/RTV)
Biscevic: Stable Serbia in Croatia’s interest (N1)
Entry into Serbia without coronavirus test and commission permission (Tanjug)
No deaths over past 24 hours (RTS)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
B&H CoM fails to adopt decision on distribution of 330 million Euros provided by IMF (N1)
Softic: We cannot launch distribution of IMF funds without decision of B&H CoM; IMF: No deadline for distribution of funds and no mechanism exists for funds to be returned (BHT1)
Covic: It is shame B&H is incapable to distribute IMF funds, SDA and HDZ B&H are no longer coalition partners (O kanal)
HDZ B&H: Illegal B&H CEC is an obstacle to election activities (Vecernji list)
Funds needed for preparation for local election not secured for B&H CEC (BHT1)
Ambassador: Russia advocates for abolition of High Representative in B&H (Srna/Russian Gazette)
RS parliament adopts decision to abolish state of emergency (RTRS)
Mandatory 14-day isolation upon entering B&H territory abolished (BHT1)
B&H records 21 new Covid-19 infections for a total of 2,372 cases (N1)
Croatia
Croatia, Slovenia to initial agreement simplifying border-crossing procedure (Hina)
Easing of border restrictions sees 132K foreigners arrive to Croatia (Hina)
Croatia supports Merkel-Macron rescue plan (Hina/Jutarnji list)
Six newly infected in Croatia, a total of 2243, two people died (N1)
Montenegro
Markovic: Those who were against independence are now attacking Montenegro’s sovereignty (CDM)
Boskovic: Attacks on Montenegrin independence are doomed to fail (CDM)
Darmanovic: We won’t allow Serbia to meddle in Montenegro’s internal affairs (Pobjeda)
Serbian national positive for coronavirus transported to Serbia (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Electoral Commission President says that he is under over political pressure as SDSM insists on having elections in June (Republika/Telma TV)
Pendarovski, Kurti discuss pandemic, cooperation in phone call (MIA)
Number of infections in Skopje and Tetovo on the rise (MIA)
COVID-19: 23 new cases in North Macedonia, 9 patients recover, 1 dies (MIA)
Albania
President Meta proposes a “peace” plan (Tirana Times)
Albania to open borders within May (Tirana Times)
Vice Minister and family banned from entering US (ADN)
In Albania 12 new COVID-19 cases (Tirana Times)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
Picula: I call for a constructive dialogue in Montenegro (EWB)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 22, 2020
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 22, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Haxhiu concerned over Constitutional Court’s leaks of possible ruling (media)
• Abazi: No underground scenario can prevent LVV’s governance (Kosovapress)
• Kosnett, Osmani discuss pandemic and political developments (media)
• Grenell’s office denies September is deadline for agreement (Express/RTK)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: The “big ones” do not care about the opinion of Serbs and Albanians on resolving the Kosovo issue (Beta, N1)
• No new Covid-19 infection cases in Serb areas, one person cured (Kosovo-online)
• Vucic and Quint ambassador discuss Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, situation in region (FoNet, N1)
• Thaci says no land swap with Belgrade, dreams about parts of Serbia in Kosovo (N1, KoSSev)
• Djuric: Thaci once again reminds world about true face of his politics (Kosovo-online)
• There is no consensus on Kosovo’s NATO membership (AlJazeera, Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
• Member of Project Evaluation Commission of Office for Communities resigns (Kosovo-online)
International:
• Balkans Not Ready to Declare Victory Over COVID-19 (Balkan Insight)
• Week in Review: Times Too Interesting (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• CoE Development Bank chief says Serbia doing well in pandemic (N1, Radio Free Europe)
• Number of people who can gather in public places in Serbia changed (B92)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 22
• One new case of coronavirus in last 24 hours (media)
• President Hashim Thaci’s interview to Klan Kosova
• Abazi: Prosecution to interview Thaci regarding his statements (Klan Kosova)
• “Seven Constitutional Court judges on Thaci’s side” (Koha)
• LDK’s Gashi: Kosovo to have new government next week (media)
• Haxhiu reacts to Gashi: Tendency to interfere in Court’s work (media)
• Haradinaj: U.S. not EU to lead Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (Koha)
• Pacolli’s advisor: We’ve yet to decide on new government vote (media)
• Bislimi: Serbia failed to reflect, reciprocity measures to be stepped up (Kallxo)
• Hoti: MPs to have lot of work on economic revival measures (media)
• Kurti, Pendarovski discuss cooperation and Covid-19 (media)
• Ahmeti: Measures against COVID – 19 must be reviewed (media)
Belgrade Media Report 21 May
LOCAL PRESS
Brnabic: We didn’t hide data at any time (Tanjug/B92)
Dacic: Not possible to reach solution for Kosovo before US presidential elections in November (Tanjug/Sputnik)
Dacic: Borders to open with four countries on 1 June (TV Prva/Beta)
First Air Serbia commercial flight after state of emergency (Tanjug/Beta)
Another 86 cases, 5,370 recovered (RTS)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
SNSD and HDZ B&H agree Governor of B&H Central Bank needs to allocate IMF funds; agree that current composition B&H CEC is illegal (RTRS)
Komsic: Dodik’s and Covic’s threats regarding elections represent attack on state institutions (FTV)
Covic, Izetbegovic, Sattler attend dinner in Residency of US Ambassador in Sarajevo (FTV)
Covic meets Izetbegovic: There is no trust at B&H level, for that reason HDZ B&H does not have a partner in the FB&H (RTRS)
B&H CEC decides to wait for B&H CoM’s decision on financing, otherwise it might postpone local elections (BHT1)
B&H HoR adopts amendments to Law on VAT and resolution on respect for victims of Ustasha regime and discusses issue of foreign judges at B&H Constitutional Court (N1)
Dodik: Resolution on Respect for Victims of Ustasha Regime is in function of Bosniak elite and revision of history (RTRS)
Dodik: Opposition politicians were not wiretapped, I was just teasing them (N1)
Measure of self-isolation abolished in both B&H entities (O kanal)
A total of 2,350 people is now infected with the coronavirus in B&H (N1)
Croatia
Three new infections of coronavirus in Croatia, one more person dies (N1)
Montenegro
Markovic: We have passed the most difficult exam (Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia
Minister Filipche: Too early to open borders (MIA)
Committee for Infectious Diseases proposes lockdown during holiday weekend (MIA)
European Council adopts COVID-19 assistance package to support North Macedonia and other neighboring partners (MIA)
In North Macedonia 40 new COVID-19 cases, 11 patients recover, 1 dies (MIA)
Albania
Citizens gather in second National Theatre protest (Tirana Times)
In Albania 5 new COVID-19 cases (Tirana Times)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
Hungary closing border transit zones for asylum-seekers (AP)
Hungary to reject EU top court’s ruling on migrant transit zones (New Europe)
Romania not ready to join Bulgaria and Greece in cross-border tourism initiative(Romania Insider)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 21, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti says next dialogue with Serbia meeting depends on Brussels (KP/Koha)
• LDK vows to distribute at least €400 mill for economic recovery if in power (media)
• Hamza: PDK to be constructive on international financial agreements (Telegrafi)
• Tahiri: Kurti could not strengthen relations with internationals (KP)
Serbian Language Media:
• No new Covid-19 infection cases in Serb areas in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
• The Balkans will be one of the US main fronts, so they want the Kosovo issue resolved (Kosovo Online, B92)
• Djuric: Kurti’s audacity is surprising, he is hitting out at US diplomacy (KoSSev, TV Happy)
• Gorazdevac: Kosovo police intend to remove Serbian flags (Kontakt plus radio, Kosovo Online)
• EU for Kosovo-online: Taken property to return to Visoki Decani Monastery (Kosovo-online)
• “Initiatives to face past were unsuccessful” (Radio KIM)
• US Ambassador: Washington allocates additional € 850,000 to Serbia (FoNet, N1)
• Opening of the administrative line towards Serbia as of tomorrow (Radio Mitrovica Sever)
International:
• Kosovo Tries Again to Establish War Crimes Research Institute (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• KWN concerned with approach to women in decision making posts (media)
• Bringing Back the Bodies: The Balkan Emigrants Repatriated in Death (Balkan Insight)
• Serbian epidemiologist criticizes political gatherings during epidemic (N1)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 21
• Health Institute confirms 14 new cases of coronavirus (media)
• EU adopts €3 billion assistance package for neighbouring partners (media)
• Kurti: The Presidential fourth attempt to bring down the Republic of Kosovo
• Lajcak: Everyone ready for resumption of dialogue (Koha)
• Thaci pressures Quint into declaring on Court’s ruling, they refuse (Koha)
• Kurti denies putting pressure on Constitutional Court (media)
• Osmani for reciprocity with Serbia and against border changes (Kallxo)
• LDK’s Gashi adamant: LDK is against territorial exchange (Koha)
• PDK MP: Elections within one year, Vetevendosje will mark a decline (media)
• Government allocates €3.5 million for Trepca mine (Kosovapress)
• Haxhiu: War crimes institute to be set up through special law (media)
Belgrade Media Report 20 May 2020
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Wednesday 20 May 2020
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic with Patriarch Irinej: In Montenegro politics interfering in internal organization of church (RTS)
Joksimovic: Slovakia favors speeding up Serbia’s EU integrations (Beta)
Obradovic and Kostic end their hunger strike (RTS/B92)
EP tells N1 it receives invitation to monitor 21 June elections (N1)
Crisis Response Team recommends opening of administrative crossing; PCR test no longer mandatory when entering Serbia (Tanjug)
Freedom House stands by conclusions on Serbia (Beta/VoA)
Another 100 cases, 5,067 recovered (RTS)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
With EU officials about pandemic (Dnevni avaz)
SDA warns public and international community not to underestimate reasons behind HDZ B&H’s blockade of distribution of IMF money (Dnevni list)
Elections related stories (Dnevni list/FTV/Dnevni avaz)
Prosecutor’s Office of B&H launches investigation in case of issuing of falsified visas for Pakistani citizens (Dnevni avaz)
New coronavirus cases reported in B&H, a total of 2,338 infected (N1)
Croatia
Milanovic calls elections for 5 July (N1)
Plenkovic, Pompeo exchange views about situation in B&H (Jutarnji list)
Borders open between Croatia and Slovenia (Hina)
Coronavirus – 2 newly infected in Croatia, 2234 in total (N1)
Montenegro
Joanikije and priests indicted for violating health regulations (Pobjeda)
Dialogue until solution to law on religious freedom is achieved (RTCG)
Savkovic: SPC and pro-Serbian opposition parties want to destabilize Montenegro (CDM)
DF warned Djukanovic “not to play with fire” (Dnevne novine)
Varhelyi: Peaceful solution needed in Montenegro (N1)
Coronavirus-free Montenegro: Announcement that sparked great interest of UAE (CDM)
First phase of the airport opening starts today (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Filipche says Commission for Infectious Diseases not competent for elections (MIA)
Zaev: Election to be held according to laws if there’s no agreement (MIA)
Mickoski says ‘good luck’ if SDSM decides on June elections (MIA/Sitel TV)
If the elections are held in June, VMRO will not participate, Nikoloski tells Sekerinska (Republika)
PM Spasovski: Competent institutions awaiting election date to be set (MIA)
Filipche: Preparing for second COVID-19 autumn wave, launching big investment in health sector (MIA)
Varhelyi: Negotiating frameworks for North Macedonia and Albania to come in June (MIA)
COVID-19: 19 new confirmed cases in North Macedonia, 16 patients recovered, 4 died (MIA)
Albania
President Meta calls for int’l investigation into demolition of Theatre (Tirana Times)
Kim met with Pm Edi Rama (Radio Tirana)
In Albania 15 new COVID-19 cases, 79% recovered (Tirana Times)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 20, 2020
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 20, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• “Governmental regulations against Covid-19 to be respected by all” (media)
• Thaci meets Quint members, urges respect for independent institutions (media)
• Constitutional Court receives “arguments” favoring Thaci (Koha)
• “Another political pressure on Constitutional Court” (Kosovapress/Koha)
• Authorities launch investigations into threats against Kurti (media)
• Osmani implies Assembly will convene on June 4 (media)
• Reka: Dialogue to lead in mutual recognition and no territorial changes (Telegrafi)
• Government allocates €20 million for subsidising public enterprises (Zeri)
Serbian Language Media:
• No new Covid-19 infection cases in Serb areas in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
• Lajcak and Djuric on the continuation of the dialogue (media)
• Dacic: We are far from restoring dialogue (Blic, Kosovo-online)
• US, UK embassies call for implementation of court’s ruling on Visoki Decani Monastery’s land case, EU and OSCE join call (B92, Kosovo-online)
• Varhelyi to N1: EC report on EU candidate countries in autumn (N1)
• President Vucic on Serbian Orthodox Church, situation in Montenegro (B92)
• Freedom House stands by report conclusions on Serbia (N1, VoA)
Opinion:
• Confronting rape myths (Prishtina Insight)
International:
• Kosovo’s Political Rivals Lock Horns Ahead of Court Verdict (Balkan Insight)
• Kosovo Muslims Hold Protest Prayers in Pristina Square (Balkan Insight)
• Hague indictments give Kosovo’s war crime victims a voice after 20 years (The Times)
Humanitarian/Development:
• No tests or other requirements to enter Serbia, pandemic Crisis Committee says (N1)
• UNMIK donated humanitarian aid to Zubin Potok municipality (Kosovo-online)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 20
• Only one new case with coronavirus in last 24 hours (media)
• Kosovo institutions can’t say when borders will be opened (media)
• PM Kurti receives threat from so-called “Albanian Volunteers Guard” (media)
• Constitutional Court condemns interference by the heads of state (media)
• Nagavci: We will respect Court’s decision on PM candidate (Klan Kosova)
• Grenell doesn’t rule out Russia’s involvement in dialogue (Lajmi)
• Konjufca attends Thessaloniki Ministerial Forum through video link (media)
• Regional foreign ministers adopt joint statement on Covid-19 (media)
• EC to postpone progress reports for Western Balkans (Kallxo/Telegrafi)
• Serwer: Kosovo’s decisive summer (Peacefare.net/Koha)
• China on sideline as Japan plays bigger role in Kosovo (The Diplomat/Koha)
Belgrade Media Report 19 May
LOCAL PRESS
Brnabic: Montenegrin officials have so far not been open to talk (Tanjug/RTV/B92)
Vucic: Serbia agrees to open borders on 1 June (RTS/Tanjug)
Dacic: Importance of regional cooperation during coronavirus pandemic (Tanjug/RTS)
Djuric: Kurti is afraid of Vucic (FoNet/TV Pink)
Jeremic: 21 June elections uncertain, boycott to last until fair conditions are ensured (Beta)
Godfrey:Everyone should take part in Serbia’s June elections; solution to Kosovo issueonly if both sides want it (TV Prva/Beta/RTV)
Fajon: Image of Serbia not good (N1)
Another 34 cases, 4,904 recovered (RTS)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Political parties in the RS launch several initiatives to lift curfew (N1)
Tegeltija confirms opening of B&H borders on 1 June (O kanal)
Tegeltija calls on B&H CEC to do its job, stressing that funds to finance elections will be ensured by competent authorities (N1)
SDA calls on B&H CoM to act in line with conclusion of B&H Presidency and prepare budget as soon as possible (Glas Srpske)
Radoncic: It would not be bad to merge local and general elections in two years (Vecernji list)
Radmanovic: There is no parliamentary majority to support proposal of law on appointment of foreign judges at B&H CC in B&H HoR (RTRS)
EU might postpone presentation of enlargement package for October, in order to present it simultaneously with economic investment plan for WB region (Nezavisne)
Radoncic: I will not allow opening of a new migrant camp in Sarajevo (N1)
B&H Ambassador to Pakistan Foric: I did not falsify visas for the Pakistanis, I expect apology from Dodik and Radoncic (Dnevni list)
B&H confirms 19 new Covid-19 cases and 1 death (N1)
Croatia
In Croatia, 4 new cases of infection, a total of 2232, 1 person died (N1)
Montenegro
Two years of office: President’s public address (CDM)
Djukanovic: Enough of the Serbian Orthodox Church circus (CDM)
Democratic Front won’t boycott the elections (Pobjeda)
Montenegro halfway to the end of the epidemic (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Leaders’ meeting: No agreement on election date (MIA)
Zaev: Elections should be held on 21 June (MIA)
Mickoski: VMRO-DPMNE proposed August 23 and 30, September 13 as possible election dates (MIA)
Gashi and Sela favor 26 July elections (MIA)
Ahmeti: Election date must be set by consensus; people’s health is top priority (MIA)
Kasami: Election date to be determined after state of emergency ends (MIA)
No outcome of second leaders’ meeting means use of defined timelines, says Zaev (MIA)
Spasovski: The date for holding elections has been determined since the adoption of the Decree having the force of law to stop all election activities (Republika/TV Klan)
Covid-19: 22 new confirmed cases, 50 patients recovered, 2 died (MIA)
Albania
Citizens gather in protest against demolition of National Theatre (Tirana Times)
Gjiknuri makes an appeal to the opposition to carry on the negotiations for the electoral reform and take their role (Radio Tirana)
Basha informs on topics discussed with ambassadors (ADN)
UN team in Albania expresses concern following the tensions triggered by the collapse of TK! (Radio Tirana)
Only 1 new COVID-19 case in Albania (Tirana Times)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
Bulgaria, Serbia and Greece Agree on Travel Without Quarantine (BTA)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 19, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• “Talks to resume as soon as possible” (Lajmi)
• Albania to open border with Kosovo this month (Klan Kosova)
Serbian Language Media:
• Fifth day in a row no new Covid-19 infection cases in Serb-majority areas in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
• Godfrey: The solution for Kosovo can only be an agreement between the two sides (Kosovo Online, TV Prva)
• Djuric: Kosovo PM fears resumption of talks with Serbia’s Vucic (FoNet, N1)
• Serbian PM Brnabic: Crisis Staff today on possibility of opening administrative crossings with Kosovo (Tanjug, B92)
• Godfrey: Everyone should take part in June elections in Serbia (BETA, N1)
Opinion:
• What happened with Metohija? (KoSSev)
• WWII Commemoration Dispute Shows Balkan Weaknesses and Strengths (Balkan Insight)
International:
• China on the Sideline as Japan Plays Bigger Role in Kosovo (thediplomat.com)
• Not just apps: privacy, personal data and COVID-19 in the western Balkans (balcanicaucaso.org)
Humanitarian/Development:
• OpisMEDIJavanje: You have the right to know what the institutions are doing (KoSSev)
• UNMIK donation distributed in Klokot municipality (Kosovo-online)
• Kawasaki syndrome in children also appeared in Serbia after the coronavirus (B92, Sputnik)
LINKS
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- Readout of Ambassador Robert Wood's Meeting with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu - United States Mission to the United Nations 25/04/2024Readout of Ambassador Robert Wood's Meeting with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu United States Mission to the United Nations
- Distria Krasniqi claimed seventh European title for Kosovo - Judoinside 25/04/2024
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