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)