UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 19
• Three new Covid-19 cases in last 24 hours (media)
• Kurti: Grenell wants deal with Serbia by September (media)
• Burns: US and EU to preserve Kosovo territorial integrity (media)
• Osmani: Russia’s involvement in talks, a step backwards (media)
• Kurti: Productive phone call with Lajcak (media)
• Selimi: LDK and partners continuing to keep Assembly hostage (Klan Kosova)
• Hamza: LVV blocking Assembly’s work (Ekonomia Online)
• Ahmeti: MPs don’t deserve full salary, failed to meet during pandemic (Kallxo)
• Haxhiu: Ministry of Justice to support victims’ safe houses (media)
Belgrade Media Report 18 May 2020
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Monday 18 May 2020
LOCAL PRESS
Dacic: Serbia wants dialogue and peace and not hegemony over Montenegro (Tanjug)
Shieb: Change of borders would only open new problems instead of resolving them (Politika)
Joksimovic: Serbia expects to open new negotiation chapters (Tanjug)
Cucic: During the state of emergency there were 9,100 migrants in Serbia, now there are 7,700 (RTS/Beta)
Another 89 cases, recovered 4,799 (RTS)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
B&H HoR puts Proposal of Resolution on Respect for the Victims of the Ustasha Regime on agenda but for Tuesday’s discussion (Hayat)
Mass for victims of Bleiburg served in Sarajevo (N1)
Dodik, Cvijanovic condemn serving of mass for Bleiburg victims (RTRS)
Genjac: Problem related to local elections in B&H getting bigger as time and deadlines are passing (N1)
Two protests held in Mostar – citizens request local elections to be finally held in this city (N1)
SDP: SDA and CEC obstruct elections (Dnevni avaz)
Inzko: One party could again block state level, other party is already blocking IMF money (Klix)
Dodik: Radoncic said that B&H Ambassador to Pakistan falsified entry visas for 3,000 Pakistani migrants (ATV)
B&H Covid-19 report (Nezavisne)
Croatia
75th anniversary of Bleiburg tragedy marked in Bleiburg, Zagreb; Grlic Radman says that
Croatia will send protest note to CoE’s Commissioner Mijatovic (HRT)
Croatian parliament dissolved (N1)
Opposition parties gearing up for parliamentary elections (HRT)
SDP leader rejects idea of grand coalition with HDZ (HRT)
Downward trend in coronavirus cases in Croatia continues (HRT)
Montenegro
Serbia priests released from detention (Dan)
Amfilohije asks Markovic to set new date for the meeting: Expert dialogue instead of torture (Dan)
Nikolic: In the absence of vision and idea, opposition is desperate to postpone elections in Montenegro (Dnevne novine)
Republic of North Macedonia
Pendarovski did not comment on the statements from Serbia (Libertas)
Pendarovski declared a new state of emergency lasting 14 days (Libertas)
Decisions to lift restrictive measures based on experts’ opinions, says Spasovski (MIA)
As party leaders meet, VMRO says it will oppose holding elections before it is safe to vote (Republika)
Osmani: DUI in favor of holding elections only if conditions are met (Republika)
There will be no quarantine once the borders open (Republika)
Another 25 cases of Covid-19 in North Macedonia, a total of 1,817 diagnosed, 8 recovered, 3 died (MIA)
Albania
Albanian National Theatre demolished in early morning hours (Tirana Times)
MEPs and German Ambassador condemn demolition of National Theatre (Tirana Times)
Only 2 new cases in 24 hours in Albania (Tirana Times)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
All four planes with Russian troops return from Serbia (TASS)
Montenegro: Coronavirus ban feeds clash between state and Serbian Orthodox Church (DW)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 18, 2020
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 18, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti says signed documents in Berlin don’t constitute agreement (Koha)
• U.S. Embassy calls on parties to refrain from politicised rhetoric (media)
• Kosovo Assembly to hold plenary session on 4 June (Indeksonline)
• EU negotiating mandate extension for its rule of law mission in Kosovo (RFE)
• Haradinaj: Kosovo not to delay reopening of economy (Klan Kosova)
Serbian Language Media:
• No new cases of Covid-19 infection in north, four persons cured (Kosovo-online)
• The official start of classes in primary schools is expected on June 1 (Kontakt plus radio)
• Radovic: Taxi associations in north will start working as of June 1 (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• War crimes’ trials in Kosovo still at beginning (KoSSev)
• UNS: Serbian List to apologize to journalist Budimir Nicic (KoSSev)
• Vucic: If situation with coronavirus epidemic worsens, elections won’t be priority (N1, RTS)
International:
• Serbian President: Skopje betrayed Serbia on Kosovo to impress Germany (greekcitytimes.com)
Humanitarian/Development:
• WHO Assembly is scheduled for today, the main topic will be the COVID-19 pandemic (B92)
• UNICEF calls for greater inclusion of children with disabilities (media)
• Kosovo enters second phase of lockdown restrictions (Prishtina Insight)
• Media Literacy Project: Young journalists rarely have the opportunity to work in professional newsrooms (KoSSev)
• Belgrade airport opens, passengers to come three hours ahead of departure (N1)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 18
• Health Institute: Seven new cases of coronavirus (media)
• Kosovo begins second stage of easing lockdown measures (media)
• Govt allocates €10 million to implement emergency fiscal package (media)
• Kurti: Thaci not comfortable in his seat, wants to increase powers (T7/RTK)
• Govt reacts to Haziri: Kurti and ministers not on U.S. visa blacklist (media)
• Specialist chambers continue work during coronavirus pandemic (Koha)
• Tahiri: Kosovo not ready for final phase of dialogue with Serbia (media)
• Kosovo condemns plans to build a church at Batajnica mass grave site (media)
• Kurti: Discrimination has no place in our society (media)
• Thaci: New mechanisms to address concerns of LGBTIQ community (media)
• EULEX chief: Phobias have no place in our societies (media)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 16
Health Institute: 10 new cases of coronavirus (media)
Kurti: Second phase of reopening begins on May 18 (media)
Borrell: Kosovo and Serbia need more agreements (media)
PDK’s Hoxhaj on possible cooperation with Vetevendosje (media)
Haxhiu: 30 percent increase in cases of domestic violence in Kosovo (media)
President Thaci challenges government, seen walking out of restaurant (Kallxo)
EU is negotiating extension of EULEX mandate (Radio Free Europe)
North Macedonia President against border changes in the Balkans (media)
Belgrade Media Report 15 May
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic and Putin discuss bilateral relations, region, coronavirus epidemic (Beta/RTS)
Freedom House report unfounded and unsubstantiated (Tanjug)
Djuric: Yet another dangerous diversion by Pristina, charging again taxes on goods from Serbia proper (RTS)
Now they have finally confirmed that Kosovo is a NATO project (Tanjug/B92)
Borell: EU shares regional agenda with US (N1)
Europeans against independence of Kosovo (Politika)
Another 64 cases, 4,301 recovered (RTS)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Proposal for removal of foreign judges in B&H CC does not receive support (BHT1)
B&H Ministry of Finance and Treasury informs B&H CEC it rejects CEC’s request to finance 2020 local elections from current reserves (FTV)
B&H lifts ban on movement for minors and seniors (N1)
RS government adopts proposal of decision to abolish state of emergency in RS and forwards it to RS parliament (ATV)
B&H confirms 22 new Covid-19 cases and no deaths over the past 24 hours (N1)
Croatia
Plenkovic: Parliamentary elections between 21 June and 12 July (HRT)
Jandrokovic formally proposes dissolution of Croatian Parliament (HRT)
Prime Minister lays wreath and lights candle in Macelj (HRT)
Croatia to open its borders to tourists (HRT)
In Croatia, only 1new case of infection, a total of 2,222; 1 person died (N1)
Montenegro
Markovic: Montenegro is exposed to brutal attack, you don’t have to love Montenegro, but you must respect it (CDM)
Cavor: Threatening stability as part of the opposition’s election campaign (Pobjeda)
26 policemen injured, 32 people detained in Niksic (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
Constitutional Court lifts movement restriction for senior citizens, teenagers (MIA)
Mickoski: Infectious diseases committee to say if conditions are right for election (MIA/Telma TV)
The state of emergency in North Macedonia to be declared for the third time (Fokus)
In North Macedonia 17 new COVID-19 cases, 16 patients recover, 2 die (MIA)
Gerberich: ‘A mistake’ to ruin negotiations achievement by politicizing history (MIA)
Albania
Steady growth in number of daily cases disturbs Albania (ADN)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
Bulgaria and Serbia Partially Opened Border Crossings for their Citizens (Novinite)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 15, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Thaci: Constitutional Court to work independently, free of pressure (media)
• Mustafa and Lajcak agree resumption of dialogue is a priority (Klan)
• Mustafa: LDK focused for the dialogue with Serbia to start soon (Klan)
• Haradinaj: Governing program with LDK, in its final phase (Klan)
• Kosovo-Switzerland air travel to resume by 15 June (media)
• Kurti and Minxhozi discuss economic cooperation, Covid-19 pandemic (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Borell: EU shares regional agenda with US (N1)
• No new Covid-19 infection cases in north (Radio KIM)
• Vucic & Putin on mutual relations, region and fight against coronavirus (Beta, N1)
• Pristina reinstates taxes on flour from Serbia; Belgrade’s doctors turned back (Beta, N1)
• “Now they have finally confirmed that Kosovo is a NATO project” (B92)
• Kosovo Health Ministry: Serb doctors prevented from entering Kosovo due to unclear purpose of their visit (KoSSev)
• Doctors: We were not allowed to enter Kosovo, because we had Serbian documents only (TV Most)
• Over 200 medical workers from Kosovo await permission to visit Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja (KoSSev, Gazeta Express)
• Opposition Alliance for Serbia says it won’t recognize election results (BETA, N1)
Opinion:
• Will Serbia have to choose between China and the EU? (EWB)
International:
• IMF Offers Emergency Support to the Balkans (imf.org)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Kosovo families seek answers 21 years after Serb conflict (AP)
• ‘Until the last person is found, we will not be satisfied’ (Prishtina Insight)
• Pastrimi protests exclusion from emergency package (Prishtina Insight)
• First country in Europe to declare end of epidemic (B92)
• UNMIK donated aid packages in Gracanica municipality (KIM radio)
• Distribution of aid packages continues in Novo Brdo (Kosovo Online)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 15
• Health Institute confirms 18 new cases with COVID-19 (media)
• Acting PM Kurti says he will lead government until new elections (media)
• Thaci: US-guaranteed dialogue will result in mutual recognition (media)
• Haxhiu: Grenell wanted a quick agreement (Klan Kosova)
• Haziri: After Court’s ruling, we need 24 hours to form government (media)
• Osmani: For Serbia, road to EU should go through justice institutions (Zeri)
• Hoti: Over €1 billion in new govt’s economic recovery package (media)
• Kosovo has an international obligation to keep Specialist Chambers (Koha)
• Pacolli ironises with EU, Apostolova and Heldt reply (media)
• Beqaj: Going to new elections is legitimate (Koha)
• “EU & US should prevent Russian involvement” (media)
Belgrade Media Report 14 May 2020
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Thursday 14 May 2020
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic: There is not any kind of solution on the table regarding the issue of Kosovo and Metohija (RTS/Tanjug)
Vucic: We do not understand reasons for detaining Bishops (Tanjug/B92)
SPC Holy Synod called upon authorities in Montenegro to stop persecuting the Church (RTS/Tanjug/NSPM)
Ljajic: 18.5 million Euros of goods exported to Kosovo (TV Pink/FoNet)
Pristina bans Serbian doctors and nurses from entering Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug)
Obradovic requests from police to be allowed visits while on hunger strike (Beta/RTV)
Another 79 cases, 4,084 recovered (RTS)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
B&H Bishops’ Conference rejects all unjust insinuations regarding Holy Mass for Bleiburg in Sarajevo (FTV)
Covic: Mass is not act of hatred nor extremism (FTV)
Dzaferovic: If one is to pray for anything in Sarajevo, then one will pray for victims of Ustasha regime (O kanal)
Dodik: Holy mass is attempt to rehabilitate Ustasha movement (RTRS)
Sattler: Every religious community has right to organize religious ceremonies, but they have to secure that these are not politically abused (Dnevni avaz)
Doboj registers increase in number of COVID-19 cases; Doboj District Prosecutor’s Office launches investigation (BHT1)
B&H gets loan from World Bank worth 33.1 million Euros for prevention and fight against COVID-19 (O kanal/BHT1)
Riot of large number of migrants in Lipa migrant camp (ATV)
B&H Covid-19 tally over 2,200, 39 new cases reported on Thursday (N1)
Croatia
Grlic Radman sends message of support to Cardinal Puljic (Fenix magazine)
World Jewish Congress condemns plans to hold masses honouring Bleiburg events (N1)
33rd Croatian Contingent leaves for Kosovo (Hina)
EC publishes recommendations for opening borders (Hina)
Croatia has 8 new Covid-19 cases bringing the tally to 2.221 (N1)
Montenegro
Police used tear gas to break up protest in Niksic (Vijesti)
No more COVID-19 patients in Podgorica (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Infectious diseases committee drafts protocol on election process activities (MIA)
Zaev: Election date will be set next week (MIA/TV Telma)
Health Minister: We’ll request extension of state of emergency in North Macedonia (MIA)
In North Macedonia 29 new COVID-19 cases, 6 patients recover (MIA)
Albania
Rama rejects opposition’s proposal for transitional gov’t (Tirana Times)
Political Council gathers to discuss Electoral Reform (Radio Tirana)
Coronavirus infection in Albania jumps to 18 in the last 24 hrs (Radio Tirana)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
Head of Office of Kosovo and Metohija: Serbs and Albanians should decide on Kosovo fate (TASS)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 14, 2020
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 14, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: Let’s make sure we don’t lose the match in the last minutes (media)
• Public Health Institute appeals for caution (media)
• Malisheva receives donation from UN Mission in Kosovo (media)
• Konjufca: LDK brought down LVV-led govt as it was fighting corruption (Koha)
• Maas: Games with borders lead to dead end, delay solution (Express)
• Pacolli: Forming new government would be anti-constitutional (RTK)
Serbian Language Media:
• One person positive of coronavirus in northern Kosovo (Kontakt plus radio)
• Non-majority communities’ problems with the package of measures of the Government of Kosovo (Kontakt plus radio)
• Office for KiM: 20 healthcare workers prevented to enter Kosovo (KoSSev)
• President Vucic denies claims of talks to recognize Kosovo (N1)
• Pristina sees thousands ‘cleansed’ Albanians in southern Serbia, who never lived there (Sputnik)
• EC ready to include Western Balkans into plans on opening borders (Beta, N1)
• Serbian trade minister says 18.5 million Euro of goods exported to Kosovo (FoNet, N1)
• Serbian Government replies to Freedom House – report full of contradictions (FoNet, N1, RTS)
International:
• Head of Office of Kosovo and Metohija: Serbs and Albanians should decide on Kosovo fate (TASS)
• Kosovo Activists to Continue ‘Rehearsing’ Protests Despite Movement Restrictions (Balkan Insight)
• Wildly Wrong: North Macedonia’s Population Mystery (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Reports of domestic violence increase in 2020 (Prishtina Insight)
• Kosovo Businesses Complain Government’s Support Package Falls Short (Balkan Insight)
• Rakic received UNMIK delegation, thanked them for delivered aid (Radio Mitrovica Sever)
• UNMIK donates aid to Ranilug municipality (RTV Puls)
• Strpce, to whom does the land by the river belong? (KoSSev)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 14
• Health Institute confirms 8 new cases with COVID-19 (media)
• A group of doctors from Serbia not allowed entry to Kosovo (Kallxo)
• Abazi: Grenell has insufficient info about Kosovo-Serbia relations (Telegrafi)
• Konjufca: Serbia’s discriminatory approach to Kosovo (media)
• Civil society against Kosovo-Serbia agreement ending up at SC (Koha)
• Kurti: We do not encourage gatherings (media)
• Police: Protests allowed if in line with health recommendations (media)
• LDK: Mock protest, tendency for state capture (Telegrafi)
• Hoti: New government will promote institutional standards (media)
• PDK’s Haliti: PDK and LDK should have formed a coalition (KTV)
Belgrade Media Report 13 May
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic and Partiarch Irinej express concern over Bishop’s arrest in Montenegro (B92/RTS)
Dacic: Opening borders is not a unilateral decision (RTS)
Entry into Serbia with negative PCR test or self-isolation (Tanjug/RTS/B92)
Martinovic ends hunger strike (Beta)
Obradovic: Police and prosecutors haven’t contacted me yet (Beta/N1)
Another 52 cases, 3,824 recovered (RTS)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Dodik: SNSD agrees CoM should approve funds for holding of local elections; Elections should be held (RTRS)
Sarovic expects local elections in B&H to be postponed for November (Glas Srpske)
Izetbegovic: Bosniaks will not make any more concessions in Mostar (N1/Dnevni list)
Kavazovic on announced mass for Bleiburg victims: Organizer of this event is parliament of Croatia (Hayat/VoA)
Radoncic: Huge voice of reason amid political cacophony (Dnevni avaz)
Dodik: Holy mass for Bleiburg in Sarajevo is unacceptable (ATV)
Tourist Organization of Bihac City films video at location of Garavice scaffold that sparks strong reactions in RS (RTRS)
Minister Bevanda meets UN Resident Coordinator in B&H Macdonald (Dnevni list)
Ambassador Nelson interview (EuroBlic)
B&H Covid-19 update: 24 new cases and 2 more deaths (N1)
Croatia
Plenkovic: Electoral Commission responsible for election (Hina)
Bandic says not likely to support dissolution of parliament without Law on Zagreb (Hina)
EU defense ministers discuss impact of COVID-19 (HRT)
Croatia COVID-19 update: 1,834 have recovered from the coronavirus (HRT)
Montenegro
Joanikije and other seven priests ordered to be detained for up to 72 hours (CDM)
Coronavirus recovery rates in Montenegro rising, no new infections reported today (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Zaev: Party leaders discussed several election dates (MIA)
Mickoski: Election date to be set only after infectious diseases committee is consulted (MIA)
No elections without OSCE/ODIHR observation mission, says Sela (MIA)
Kasami: BESA will support every consensual decision regarding election (MIA)
Spasovski: Election deadlines to be reinstated once state of emergency is over (MIA)
President’s Office: Party leaders to meet again next week to discuss further steps (MIA)
Government unveils three-phase plan to ease coronavirus restrictions (MIA)
North Macedonia gets access to EU Solidarity Fund (MIA)
In North Macedonia 20 new COVID-19 cases, 24 patients recover, 3 die (MIA)
Albania
Edi Rama for N1: The best ideas for the future of Europe are in the Balkans (N1)
Albania and Kosovo to unify embassy and consulate offices (Radio Tirana)
Four new cases of COVID-19 in Albania (Radio Tirana)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
Russia’s assistance was of great moral importance for Serbia, says politician (TASS)
Read More →