UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 7, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Thaci on EU-WB summit: I asked for visa liberalisation, recognition of Kosovo (media)
• Von der Leyen: Regional cooperation key for Western Balkans’ economic recovery (KP/Indeksonline)
• Veseli: EU-WB summit left a bleak enlargement perspective (media)
• Mustafa: Border change is in our hands, not in that of Grenell, Borrell or Lajcak (media)
• Beyer slams Borrell: Germany is against change of borders (express, media)
• Serwer: An agreement for exchange of territories and people is being prepared, Borrell is moving in that direction (Express)
Serbian Language Media:
• North Kosovo: No newly infected, two people cured (Kontakt plus radio)
• Vucic: Serbia confirmed determination to join EU at Zagreb summit (RTS, N1)
• “Serbia is part of the ‘Europe team'” (Tanjug, B92)
• EU confirms support for Western Balkans’ European perspective (N1)
• EBRD chief announces more finances for Western Balkans (Beta, N1)
• Vucic calls for lifting of trade barriers for Western Balkans (N1)
• The state of emergency in Serbia has been lifted (B92, Tanjug)
• Wreaths laid at Chinese Embassy old location in Belgrade in memory of 1999 bombing (BETA, N1)
Opinion:
• China’s Balkan Investments Are Paradoxically Speeding Region’s EU Integration (Balkan Insight)
• A constitutional battle with far-reaching political consequences (Prishtina Insight)
International:
• Kosovo Albanian Woman Charged With Joining IS Terror Group (The New York Times)
Humanitarian/Development:
• A Woman’s Work is Never Done (Kosovo 2.0)
Read More →Belgrade Media Report 07 May
LOCAL PRESS
Serbia lifts state of emergency (Tanjug/Beta/RTS)
Vucic congratulates Victory Day to Putin (RTS)
Vucic: Less talk about perspective and more about enlargement (RTS)
Serbia is part of the ‘Europe team’ (B92/Tanjug)
Djilas at PES meeting ahead of EU-Western Balkans Summit: No conditions for fair elections, Serbia is a dictatorship (Beta)
Another 57 cases, 2,160 recovered (RTS)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
HR Inzko presents regular semiannual report to UN SC (O kanal)
Russia’s UN SC representative accuses Inzko of ‘demonizing Serbs’ (O kanal)
Leaders of 27 EU member states, six Western Balkan countries pass Zagreb Declaration (BHT1)
Dzaferovic and European Council President Michel discuss B&H’s EU path (O kanal)
Croat officials stress importance of European path of B&H and necessity to change Law on Elections (Vecernji list)
Prosecutor’s Office of B&H announces new steps in investigation in case of procurement of 100 respirators for FB&H health system (BHT1)
SC Office for Fight against Corruption investigates procurement of protective masks ordered from company, owned by son of SBB representative (N1)
Seranic: People will have to learn to live with the virus and get used to certain measures (ATV)
RS Public Health Institute publishes precise instructions and recommendations on gradual easing of measures (ATV)
Kresic: Reaction to Russian experts was caused by those who are allergic because Covic submitted request for Russian assistance (Dnevni avaz)
B&H records 39 new Covid-19 cases and 4 deaths, tally now at 2,026 (N1)
Croatia
Zagreb Declaration adopted at Western Balkans Summit (HRT)
Zovko: Holding the summit is the biggest success of Croatia’s foreign policy; Picula: EU needs to resolve its internal issues before thinking about accession talks (HRT)
In Croatia, 6 new cases of infection, a total of 2125, 1 person died (N1)
Montenegro
Djukanovic: We must not leave Balkans to third parties (CDM)
Greater connection between the Balkans and the EU is needed (RTCG)
Freedom House Report on Montenegro offers plenty of reasons for debate (Dnevne novine)
Number of recovered cases rises to 265, as Institute for Public Health reports no new cases of coronavirus (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
North Macedonia prepared to start negotiations using new methodology, Spasovski tells Zagreb summit (MIA)
Mitsotakis: Good neighborly relations only way to European future of North Macedonia (MIA)
Osmani: Bulgaria not planning to block EU process, supported start of negotiations (MIA)
Constitutional Justices won’t reconsider constitutionality & legality of parliamentary dissolution (MIA)
SDSM push for early elections and rule by decree collides with Venice Commission rules (Republika)
Deskoska insists that government decrees will remain in effect even after the state of emergency has been lifted (Republika)
In Macedonia 33 new Covid-19 cases, patient dies during emergency transport from Veles to Skopje (Republika)
Albania
Albanian Premier’s harsh reaction over Freedom House Report (ADN)
Protesters beaten by police during anti-isolation rally in Albania (ADN)
Ten new Coronavirus cases detected in Albania (ADN)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
4 takeaways from the EU’s virtual Balkan summit (Politico)
EU-Western Balkans Zagreb Summit held via video link (Al Jazeera Balkans)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 7
• Four new cases of Covid-19, 43 recoveries (media)
• The declaration of the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Zagreb (media)
• Thaci wants visa liberalisation, candidate status for Kosovo (media)
• Kurti: Elections after pandemic the only way forward (media)
• Mustafa: We want a pro-European Kosovo, in friendship with U.S. (media)
• Kurti: No dialogue with maps, no agreement on partition (Express)
• Sources: Kurti complains to Pence that Thaci misinformed Grenell (media)
• Court says it will make merited decision on Thaci’s decree (Lajmi)
• PDK calls for resignation of government ministers (media)
• Hoxhaj: No to debates on whether we side more with U.S. or Europe (media)
Belgrade Media Report 6 May 2020
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Wednesday 6 May 2020
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic spoke with Charles Michel (Tanjug/B92)
Gratitude to Georgia on non-recognition of Kosovo (Politika)
Brnabic: There are no longer grounds for state of emergency (Tanjug/RTS)
Dacic: Opening state borders complicated process (Tanjug)
Borell concerned over political situation prior to Serbian elections (N1)
Borrell: Belgrade, Pristina need to find their own solution to normalizing relations (Beta)
Lajcak: Slovakia can pass on its experience of joining EU to Western Balkan countries (Tanjug/TASR/B92)
Grubjesic: Zagreb Summit to confirm region’s EU integration, enlargement not on agenda (Beta/Euraktiv)
Increase in number of certifying officers for electoral rolls (Tanjug)
Another 114 cases, 1,971 recovered (RTS)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
EP: Summit on Western Balkans is opportunity to deepen ties between the EU and the region (Dnevni list)
Dodik sends letter to EC, as well as to leaders of EU countries and leaders of the Western Balkans countries (RTRS)
Covic: EU will not have understanding for our divisions and conflicts (Vecernji list)
Sattler: B&H citizens want new beginning, not in 20 years but today and Summit in Zagreb is chance for B&H’s new beginning (Oslobodjenje)
Sattler says Covic was leader in process of preparation of B&H’s application for membership in EU but EU has been waiting for B&H authorities to respond to EC’s Opinion for long time (Dnevni list/RFE)
Djonlagic: Covic is promoter of Russian interests in B&H and that is now clear to everyone (Hayat)
Inzko talks to Guterres ahead of his semi-annual address to UN SC (Oslobodjenje)
Cvijanovic: It is hypocritical Inzko says policies could hurt DPA since HRs have ruined capacities for internal agreements (Srna)
New affair called ‘corona party’ in B&H (FTV)
EU approves 250 million Euros worth assistance to B&H (RTRS)
FB&H adopts long awaited ‘Corona law’ (Hayat)
FB&H prepared a plan of easing of restrictive measures (O kanal)
RS authorities decide to impose new movement restrictions on 6-7 May on occasion of Feast of Saint George, they announce easing of measures as of 11 May (BHT1)
Decision on prohibition of entrance of B&H citizens to Croatia remains in force (O kanal)
B&H sees another 41 Covid-19 cases, 6 more deaths (N1)
Croatia
Croatia’s FM: Zagreb summit to confirm European perspective of Western Balkans (Hina)
Croatian MEP calls for solidarity ahead of Western Balkan Summit (HRT/Avaz)
Grlic Radman: All those who want to return to Croatia are welcome! (HRT)
More than 1,600 people have recovered from the coronavirus in Croatia (HRT)
Montenegro
Djukanovic sent telegrams of condolences to Putin and Kovind (CDM)
Montenegro reports no new cases of coronavirus, number of recovered cases amounts to 261 (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
EU-Western Balkans Summit takes place today (MIA)
Dimitrov: EU draft-negotiating framework expected in early June (MIA)
Dimitrov: Impossible to build friendship if challenging neighbor’s identity (MIA/Telma TV)
Zaev: Elections in mid-June if possible (MIA)
Mickoski: Elections in mid-July at the earliest (MIA/TV 24)
Osmani: Start of accession negotiations in 2020 to put European integration in spotlight (MIA)
Macedonia continues to be considered a hybrid regime in transit, according to the latest Freedom House report (Republika)
In Macedonia 13 new COVID-19 cases, 44 patients recover, 2 died (Republika)
Albania
Rama: The justice reform brought the opening of accession negotiations with EU (Radio Tirana)
President deeply concerned by conclusions of ‘Freedom House’ Report (ADN)
Albania’s democracy in decline; Freedom House (ADN)
Latest update on COVID-19 situation in Albania (Radio Tirana)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
EU focuses on Western Balkans despite coronavirus pandemic (DW)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 6, 2020
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 6, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Thaci has telephone call with Croatian PM Plenkovic ahead of Zagreb summit (media)
• Ahead of Zagreb summit, Thaci calls for visa liberalisation (Koha)
• Varhelyi: Western Balkans, EU’s priority (DW, media)
• AAK reacts against Borrell’s statement on border changes (Telegrafi)
• LVV submits answers on the PM candidate to the Constitutional Court (RTK)
• FH: Kosovo making continuous progress (RFE)
Serbian Language Media:
• Kosovo North: One new case, two cured of coronavirus in the last 24h (Kontakt plus radio)
• Borell concerned over political situation prior to Serbian elections (N1)
• EU-Western Balkans video summit takes place today: Vucic represents Serbia (B92)
• President Vucic thanked EU for help (SRNA, N1)
• Fajon: Not wise to stage elections now (DW, N1)
• Serbian opposition to discuss whether to boycott June elections (BETA, N1)
• Lajcak: Slovakia’s experience can have an impact on WB countries joining EU (Tanjug, TASR, B92)
• EBRD warns that Western Balkans can’t deal with pandemic fallout alone (N1)
• Gashi received death threats during broadcast (Kosovo-online)
• NAO: MLGA mostly allocated projects to Serbian municipalities without criteria (KoSSev)
Opinion:
• Against all odds, the COVID-19 pandemic cemented EU ties with the Western Balkans (media)
• An opportunity to end Kosovo’s isolation in Europe (EurActiv)
• Time for a new approach to the Western Balkans (EurActiv)
International:
• Freedom House: Serbia, Montenegro, Hungary ‘No Longer Democracies’ (Balkan Insight)
• EU aims to counter Chinese, Russian influence at Balkan summit (Reuters)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Minority media in Kosovo are important but financially vulnerable (KoSSev)
• Women entrepreneurs feel the strain amid COVID-19 pandemic (Prishtina Insight)
• Kosovo’s Museums in the Post-Corona World: an Opportunity for Change (Kosovo 2.0)
• Kosovo Film Festivals to Go Ahead Despite COVID-19 (Balkan Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 6
• One new case of Covid-19, 87 recoveries (media)
• Borrell is not against Kosovo border changes (Koha)
• Osmani: Intl community must stop border changes attempts (media)
• Von Cramon: Ethnoterritorial shifts are dangerous (media)
• Rouge: How did we get back to this dangerous idea? (media)
• Kurti: Vjosa Osmani, true leader of LDK (media)
• Participants of Zagreb summit without state symbols (RTK)
• Venice Commission replies to PM Kurti (media)
• President Thaci on reply from the Venice Commission (media)
• Osmani seeks legal interpretation on MP’s mandate (media)
• OECD expresses solidarity with Kosovo govt during pandemic (media)
• Kosovo loses around €6 million daily from the pandemic (RFE)
• Kurti appoints new head of Office for Community Affairs (media)
Belgrade Media Report 05 May
LOCAL PRESS
Elections in Serbia slated for 21 June (Tanjug)
Proposal of decision on abolition of the state of emergency submitted to the parliament (Tanjug/B92)
Another 120 cases, 1,723 recovered (RTS)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
RS officials express concern over increase of number of infected in RS, they argue that control of protection measures must be strengthened (ATV)
Dodik: RS government ready to propose to RS parliament to lift state of emergency and return to emergency situation in upcoming days (N1)
Chinese President sends letter to Dodik, wishing authorities and citizens in B&H fast victory over pandemic (RTRS)
Russian Embassy dismisses insinuations that Russian medical workers visit B&H for different reasons other than assistance to hospital in Mostar (BHT1)
US Embassy: All assistance needs to be adequately coordinated with relevant authorities (Dnevni avaz)
FB&H House of Peoples adopts Law on Mitigation of Negative Economic Consequences of Coronavirus Pandemic (FTV)
Working group tasked to launch reform process and implementation of 14 priorities from EC’s Opinion holds meeting (BHT1)
B&H’s Covid-19 tally nears 2,000, death toll stands at 79 (N1)
Croatia
Coronavirus has turned public’s focus away from upcoming parliamentary election in Croatia (HRT)
EU promises greater assistance to Balkans, but does not mention membership or enlargement (Jutarnji list)
In Croatia, 11 new infections, totaling 2.112, 3 more died (N1)
Montenegro
Around €1,9 million for subsidies, sport activities to resume on Wednesday, competition without audience on 1 June (CDM)
Only one test coronavirus positive in Montenegro (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Sela rejects Pendarovski’s warning that Macedonia may give up its EU integration, claims that the Albanian language is discriminated against (Republika)
Gruevski: You’re naive if you think that the Bulgarian demands will end with the Macedonian language and history (Republika)
Filipche: Elections in North Macedonia to be administered using strict protocol (MIA)
Government plans to reduce the curfew, re-open restaurants and cafes (Republika)
In North Macedonia 8 new cases of Covid-19, 21 recovered, 1 died (Libertas)
Albania
First medical aid from the EU arrives in Albania (Radio Tirana)
In Albania lockdown loosened, COVID-19 cases rise again (ADN)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
Zagreb Declaration in shadow of COVID-19: WB has an EU perspective, EU assistance deserves public acknowledgement (EWB)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 5, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Zagreb summit: EU to reaffirm Western Balkans perspective (RFE/Koha)
• President Thaci to represent Kosovo at Zagreb Summit (media)
• EU: Kosovo to decide who represents it at the Zagreb Summit (Express)
• Borrell is not against Kosovo border changes (Koha)
• Mayors’ call on citizens: Danger has not passed, be cautious (Telegrafi)
• PDK: Special committee to investigate quarantine centre death case (media)
• CoE rapporteur urges political responsibility and respect for the rule of law (Koha)
• U.S. Embassy: Success of youth is our top priority, education is key (media)
• Police commander suspended over social media comments (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• North Mitrovica: One new person infected of Covid-19 (Kontakt plus radio)
• Vucic says elections for Serbian parliament on June 21 (N1)
• Bilcik: Belgrade-Pristina dialogue important for EU perspective (media)
• Pavicevic: Horrible and flagrant violation of Pristina’s obligations (TV Most)
• Dacic: Opening of borders doesn’t depend on Serbia (FoNet, N1)
Opinion:
• Balkans Face Same Problems, Only Worse, Once Pandemic Ends (Balkan Insight)
International:
• Spain: We will not boycott Zagreb Summit over Kosovo’s presence (EWB)
• MEPs: Westerns Balkans summit must bring step-change and strengthen democracy (EWB)
• EU to reassure Balkan hopefuls they are not forgotten (france24.com)
• Elections Return to Balkan Agenda as Pandemic Wanes (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• OpisMEDIJavanje: Even-steven, only in the interest of truth (KoSSev)
• Coronavirus Causes Massive Layoffs Across the Balkans (Balkan Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 5
• Health Institute confirms four new cases of COVID-19 (media)
• Ministry reacts to reports concerning the death at quarantine centre (media)
• Opposition calls for resignations of Health and Interior ministers (media)
• Haziri: Agon Musliu case must not be politicised (media)
• Mushkolaj: LDK-led govt will be short-lived (Koha)
• EU and Western Balkans to hold a virtual summit (RTK)
• “Kosovo will suffer first recession since independence” (Koha)
• Serbia to hold elections on June 21 (RFE)
Belgrade Media Report 4 May 2020
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Monday 4 May 2020
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic: The state of emergency to be lifted on 6 May (TV Pink/B92)
Ghebreyesus praises Serbia’s results in fight against COVID-19 (RTS)
Brnabic: State of emergency to be lifted soon while keeping precautionary measures (TV Prva/Tanjug)
Dacic: Agreement on opening border reached with Hungary (TV Prva/Tanjug)
Another 93 cases, 1,574 recovered (RTS)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
B&H CEC announces calling of local elections next week and calls on authorities to secure funding for holding of elections (Hayat)
OSCE’s Kavalec: It is too early to decide on postponement of elections (Dnevni avaz)
Deadline set by ECHR to amend Election Law and allow elections in Mostar expires, with no solution in sight (Dnevni list)
Anniversary of exodus of Serbs from Slavonija region marked in Gradiska (ATV)
Anniversary of Operation ‘Bljesak’ marked in Croatia; Milanovic leaves official ceremony because of Ustasha insignia worn by participants (BHT1/O kanal)
Reactions to announced coming of Russian military unit to Mostar (FTV)
Cvijanovic: RS could have been satisfied with epidemiological situation up until several days ago, but some indicators right now are not encouraging (Nezavisne)
Over 14,760 citizens enter B&H as of abolition of mandatory quarantines in FB&H until today (BHT1)
B&H confirms 79 new Covid-19 cases (N1)
Croatia
President: I can understand that it’s in govt’s interest to hold elections soon (Hina)
Non-emergency medical and personal care services reopen in Croatia (HRT)
In Croatia, 5 new cases of Covid-19, a total of 2101, 1 person has died (N1)
Montenegro
Rakocevic: Parliamentary elections won’t be postponed (Dan)
Second phase of easing of the measures in Montenegro has begun today (CDM)
Institute for Public Health of Montenegro reports 1 new coronavirus case (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Election date once infectious diseases committee approves it, says Filipche (MIA/Telma TV)
Pendarovski says he’ll think twice about extending state of emergency (MIA)
Pendarovski: Bulgaria declaration could be real political hurdle (MIA/Alsat-M)
In North Macedonia 7 new cases of Covid-19 confirmed, 47 patients recovered, 1 person died (Libertas)
Albania
Rama explains the rules for the weeks to come (Radio Tirana)
Albania sees only 8 new Coronavirus cases (ADN)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
China’s medical experts honored for Serbia COVID-19 aid (CGTN)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 4, 2020
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 4, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• LDK-AAK-NISMA meet to harmonise programs (ekonomia)
• Vitia: I considered resigning, I’m also responsible to shed light on case (media)
• Kurti calls on MPs to leave aside political calculations (RTK)
• Abrashi: We don’t have names of ministers yet (Lajmi)
• Pacolli expected to travel back to Switzerland today (Koha)
• Public Health Institute urges caution in light of lockdown relaxation steps (media)
• Haradinaj: Acting government is commiting recidive violation of the Constitution (RTK)
Serbian Language Media:
• No new Covid-19 infection cases in north, quarantine measure lifted (Kosovo online, Radio Mitrovica sever, Radio KIM)
• Jevtic: Wave of attacks against Serb returnees in Kosovo continues, two persons arrested (Kosovo-online, KoSSev, RTK 2)
• Head of UNMIK Tanin concerned over recent incidents against non-majority communities (social media)
• Empirika: Institutions to take measures to protect Serb property (KIM radio, Kontakt plus radio)
• EU in Pristina concerned over incidents in Serb-populated areas (RTS)
• OSCE Mission expresses concern over incidents in Gojbulja village (social media)
• Vucic: State of emergency to be lifted on Saint George Day, May 6 (B92)
• Borrell: Covid-19 pandemic has shown essential role of journalism (N1)
International:
• Kosovo Orders Retrial of Wartime Guerrilla Unit Commander (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Brnabic: If numbers are not under control, restrictive measures again (Prva TV, B92)
• Contact Tracing: Europe’s Coronavirus Tech Tangle (Balkan Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 4
• Public Health Institute: 11 new cases of COVID-19 (media)
• Authorities urged to instigate death of young man in quarantine centre (media)
• Kurti: Govt was brought down because they want a quick agreement to divide territories (media)
• Bajrami: Court must rule in line with people’s will (Infokusi)
• Hooper: Grenell to convince EU on Kosovo-Serbia agreement (VoA, RTK)
• Vucic foresees protests and riots in Kosovo (media)
• In less than a month, Serbia imported €12.4 million worth of goods to Kosovo (Koha)
LINKS
UNMIK
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UN News Center
From Google News- SOC Patriarch banned from entering Kosovo; Kosovo MIA: Entry ban due to Serbia's campaign - KoSSev 13/05/2024SOC Patriarch banned from entering Kosovo; Kosovo MIA: Entry ban due to Serbia's campaign KoSSev
- Pristina has banned the Patriarch of Serbia from entering Kosovo - Orthodox Times - Orthodoxtimes.com 13/05/2024Pristina has banned the Patriarch of Serbia from entering Kosovo Orthodox Times - Orthodoxtimes.com
- New graduate Peyton D'Anthony wins Fulbright award to teach in Kosovo - Rochester Institute of Technology 13/05/2024New graduate Peyton D'Anthony wins Fulbright award to teach in Kosovo Rochester Institute of Technology
- SOC Patriarch banned from entering Kosovo; Kosovo MIA: Entry ban due to Serbia's campaign - KoSSev 13/05/2024
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