Belgrade Media Report 30 June 2020
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Tuesday 30 June 2020
LOCAL PRESS
Vulin: Edi Rama’s friendship cannot be trusted (Tanjug/RTV)
Loncar, Brnabic: Hospital in Novi Pazar has enough medical equipment, health workers (Tanjug/RTS)
Loncar, Brnabic booed in Novi Pazar (N1)
Schieb: Serbia’s EU integration depends on progress in reforms (FoNet)
Due to worsening epidemic situation, CRTA won’t monitor vote in Serbia, CIP will (Beta)
Another 276 cases (B92)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
B&H CEC: Budget of institutions of B&H not adopted yet (BNTV)
RS Emergency Situation HQ adopts decision on closing down all quarantine facilities as of 1 July (BHT1)
Crisis HQ of FB&H Ministry of Health strengthens measures of prevention from spreading of Coronavirus (Hayat/O kanal)
Dzaferovic calls upon B&H institutions to help Sandzak region in Serbia in their fight against Coronavirus pandemic (N1)
Another 109 Covid-19 cases in Bosnia and one fatality (N1)
Croatia
Skoro says in favor of Croat federal unit in B&H (Hina)
Electoral Commission issues rules for voting during pandemic (HRT)
PM discusses EU Presidency with foreign diplomats (HRT)
Bozinovic: List of 15 countries for open borders to include Bosnia and Herzegovina (Hina)
Croatia reports 52 new cases of Covid-19 (N1)
Montenegro
Montenegro opens today last chapter in negotiations with the EU (CDM)
Another three cases of coronavirus in Montenegro (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Sela: Albanians believed for years, but always disappointed by parties (MIA)
Dimitrov to Siljanovska: Do you want to have Prespa Agreement rescinded? (MIA)
Skopje, Ohrid airports to reopen 1, 2 July with Wizz Air flights (Republika)
North Macedonia reports 126 new cases of Covid-19, 4 died (Libertas.mk)
Albania
Rama to Hoti: Albania will help Kosovo in all its processes (Radio Tirana)
Rama showed support for the leaders of UÇK (Radio Tirana)
Rama meetings with political leaders in Kosovo (Radio Tirana)
Greece confirms opening its borders with Albania (Radio Tirana)
Another 69 COVID-19 cases (Radio Tirana)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
The Brief – Going to the polls after COVID-19 (EurActiv)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 30, 2020
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 30, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Rama: I am here to support Kosovo and its politicians (media)
• PM Rama annuls his meeting with Haradinaj (RTK)
• Orlando: We look forward to visa liberalisation for Kosovo soon! (media)
• 111 patients with coronavirus currently treated at Prishtina Hospital (media)
• Council reacts to Hoti and Zemaj on facemasks remarks (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Tanjug: The EU ‘took note’ of Thaci’s announcement (B92)
• Mihajlovic: Thaci thinks he would manage to ‘cleanse’ his biography as Haradinaj did (Kosovo-online)
• Kosovo police to assist municipal inspectors in enforcing new measures on Covid-19 (Radio kontakt plus)
• Bieber: Enthusiasm for Serbia’s Vucic declining in Germany (Beta, Danas, N1)
• German Ambassador: Serbia’s EU integration depends on progress in reforms (N1, FoNet)
• DPM Rakic met Norwegian Ambassador Grondahi (TV Most)
Opinion:
• PDK’s lawsuit against BIRN can’t hide the truth (Prishtina Insight)
International:
• Kosovo’s president hits out at ‘fabricated’ war crimes charges (Politico)
• Serbia’s Vučić: Kosovo talks must go on despite Thaçi indictment (Politico.eu)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Coronavirus: Worst could be yet to come, WHO warns (BBC)
• Live Blog: Central, Southeast Europe Responds to Uptick in COVID-19 Pandemic (Balkan Insight)
• OpisMEDIJavanje: Fact-checking protects the journalist and the reputation of the media (KoSSev)
• 60 organizations condemn Austrian embassy’s role in ‘illegal’ hydropower operation (Prishtina Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 30
• President Thaci’s address to the people after proposed indictment (media)
• Hoti: We will react with dignity toward new developments (media)
• Rama starts his day by distributing his speech on defense of KLA (media)
• Vetevendosje’s Nagavci says Thaci’s address was scandalous (media)
• Haradinaj: A great power behind Specialist Chambers (media)
• Zeka: List includes other very powerful political actors (Klan Kosova)
• Abrahams: EU, US to seek justice in Serbia for Kosovo crimes (media)
• Kicmari: I think the President should’ve resigned tonight (T7)
• 136 new coronavirus cases in last 24 hours (media)
• US State Department Country Report on Terrorism for Kosovo (media)
Belgrade Media Report 29 June
LOCAL PRESS
Pahor informs Vucic on postponement of Brdo-Brioni Process (RTS)
Michel: Belgrade–Pristina dialogue under EU auspices key to European integration (FoNet)
Serbia will not open any new Chapters (N1)
Djuric: Beating Serbs in Gazimestan points to Pristina’s rule by fear (Tanjug)
If Thaci were convicted, Bill Clinton, Madeleine Albright, Joschka Fischer and Wesley Clark would also have to be convicted (Tanjug/RTV/B92)
Russia counts on RS (Novosti)
Crisis Response Team introduces new measures (Tanjug)
Another 242 cases (RTS)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Dodik says appointments at level of B&H will be discussed more detailed next week (ATV)
Nikola Spiric takes over post of B&H HoP speaker (ATV)
B&H not on list of countries for which EU borders will be opened as of 1 July (N1)
Transit of certain number of B&H citizens through territory of Croatia to Neum was not allowed on Sunday; B&H Ministry of Foreign Affairs to request introduction of reciprocal measures for Croatia (O kanal)
Recommendations of FB&H Crisis HQ became orders on Sunday (FTV)
B&H sees another 128 Covid-19 cases, one fatality (N1)
Croatia
President says postponement of elections theoretically possible, but won’t happen (Hina)
Voting rights assured during pandemic, says Bozinovic (HRT)
HRejting: Major parliamentary elections poll Restart 60, HDZ 54 (TCN)
Croatia reports 34 new cases of Covid-19 (N1)
Montenegro
Chaos in Budva municipal assembly: Tear gas, insults, threats… (CDM)
We won’t organize religious processions, claims MCP (CDM)
Institute for Public Health confirms 17 new coronavirus cases (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Zaev: We took bold decisions, Mickoski has no stance on important issues (MIA)
Mickoski: Time to beat our political opponent (MIA)
Kasami: Time for DUI to go into opposition (MIA)
North Macedonia reports 132 new cases of Covid-19, 12 died (24.mk)
Albania
Cakaj-Grenell: No plans for partition of the Republic of Kosovo, no territorial exchanges (Radio Tirana)
Cakaj meets Reeker and Palmer: US-Albania relations, of irreplaceable significance and with an inalienable value for Albania (Radio Tirana)
Meta working lunch with V-4 Group countries: A period of great challenges for Europe (Radio Tirana)
Rama on a two-day visit to Kosovo (Tirana Times)
Consensus reached, the agreement on the changes in the Electoral Code disclosed (Radio Tirana)
In Albania 64 new Covid-19 cases (Tirana Times)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
Serbia’s Vučić: Kosovo talks must go on despite Thaçi indictment (Politico)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 29, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Rama: Indictment, a stain of shame (media)
• Selimi: Lack of transparency in dialogue, bad signal for the country (media)
• Osmani denies allegations for KFOR protection and discussing special court with Ambassadors (Express)
• Concerning spread of coronavirus in Kosovo (RFE, media)
• Von Cramon: Macron does not want liberalisation of visas for Kosovars (media)
• Hoti: Not wearing masks represents a criminal offence (media)
• “Trump gives Grenell last chance for Kosovo-Serbia dialogue” (Klan Kosova)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: If Trump wins, it will be easier for Serbia (Kurir, B92)
• Vucic: Dialogue should resume despite indictment against Thaci (BETA, N1)
• “The indictment in ‘carrot and stick’ fashion intended for Belgrade” (Tanjug, B92)
• Antonijevic: Increase in the number of newly infected in Serbian communities (Kontakt plus radio)
• New measures to curb Covid-19 in northern municipalities (KoSSev, Radio kontakt plus)
• Djilas: Reconciliation of the people, but not with Vucic and Thaci (KoSSev, N1)
• Serbs mark Vidovdan at Gazimestan Monument (KoSSev, N1)
• Serbian List, Djuric condemned beating of Serbian men at Gazimestan (Kosovo-online)
• Serb house in Gracanica robbed (Radio KIM)
Opinion:
• Nationalism May Well Haunt a Post-Pandemic Balkans (Balkan Insight)
International:
• Kosovo’s President To Address War Crimes Charges In Speech To Nation (RFE)
• Germany: Merkel’s CDU eyes Western Balkans immigration curbs amid coronavirus (infomigrants.net, DW)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Safe house opened in Zubin Potok (Radio Mitrovica Sever)
• Crisis Staff session ended, new measures to be introduced (B92)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 29
• 87 new coronavirus cases in last 24 hours (media)
• Due to increased cases of Covid-19, EU borders remain closed for Kosovo (Koha)
• PM Hoti: We might have to reintroduce isolation measures (media)
• Osmani: Significant rise requires government’s urgent attention (media)
• Coronavirus spreads in the Assembly (Indeksonline)
• Assembly Presidency and committees should not meet, Council suggests (media)
• President Thaci to address the media on Monday (media)
• Specialist Chambers comment on accusations against Thaci (Klan/Telegrafi)
• Albanian PM Rama to visit Kosovo on Monday (media)
• EULEX work not affected by lack of letter exchange (Koha)
• Serwer: Shore up the Kosovo state (Peacefare.net/Koha)
• EU undercut the U.S.-led Kosovo–Serbia summit (National Review/media)
• Police detain then release two persons during St. Vitus celebrations (media)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 27
• Hoti: Liberation war is sacred, territorial integrity will not be discussed (media)
• German Foreign Office: We support Specialist Chambers (Express)
• German MPs: Parliament not to give in to efforts to abolish special court (media)
• EU considers EULEX has legal mandate to continue mission (Koha)
• Schutz: Germany fully supports vital role of EULEX (media)
• Limaj calls for unity after indictment against Thaci and Veseli (media)
• “Any obstacle to Special Court and EULEX, grave consequences” (media)
• “Call for Justice” supports Specialist Chambers’ work (Kallxo)
• Cakaj after meeting Grenell: No plans for Kosovo partition (media)
• Serb “that threatens the situation” not allowed to enter Kosovo (Koha)
• 62 new coronavirus cases in last 24 hours in Kosovo (media)
Belgrade Media Report 26 June 2020
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Friday 26 June 2020
LOCAL PRESS
Grenell and Vucic rescheduled the meeting (Tanjug/B92)
Vucic: I expect Serbia to become a member of the EU by 2026 (Tanjug/B92/RTS)
Fabrizi: Vucic’s visit to Brussels shows readiness for talks with Pristina (TV Prva/FoNet)
“There’re indications that they’ll sign an agreement, why meet at the White House?” (Tanjug/B92)
Sapic says he is ready to join cabinet (Beta)
Another 193 cases (RTS)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Dodik: RS purchases three helicopters from Russia, B&H will not be member of NATO (RTRS)
Coordination of Serbs Mostar: Serbs need equal representation in Mostar (FTV)
Dodik: I will impose topic of migrants and demand they be expelled from B&H (ATV)
Croatia implements 14-day self-isolation obligation for citizens of B&H and other countries (O kanal)
SDA: Croatia’s decision was hasty and shortsighted (Hayat)
Other reactions to introduction of self-isolation for B&H citizens in Croatia (N1)
B&H reports 140 new Covid-19 cases in one day (N1)
Croatia
Prime Minister issues message on Independence Day (Hina)
Croatian general election preview (TCN)
Croatia reports 56 new cases of Covid-19 (N1)
Montenegro
Markovic: Dialogue should be held in the institutions (CDM)
National Coordination Body bans religious and political gatherings in open public spaces (CDM)
Institute for Public Health confirms another 35 coronavirus cases (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
SEC dismisses complaints over early election campaigning (MIA)
Zaev: We cannot go back to where we used to be (MIA)
Mickoski: VMRO-DPMNE will protect nation’s dignity (MIA)
Alliance for Albanians and Alternativa hold campaign convention in Tetovo (MIA)
North Macedonia registered 163 new cases of Covid-19, 3 persons died (24.mk)
Albania
Accusations against Thaci and Veseli, Rama: Experimental trial that throws mud on all Albanians (Radio Tirana)
Albanian Acting Minister in Washington for Kosovo-Serbia agreement (ADN)
Former minister urges Kosovo-Serbia dialogue to continue (ADN)
In Albania 77 new Covid-19 cases (Tirana Times)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
Kremlin Says Monitoring Impact Of Accusations Against Kosovo Leader On Talks With Serbia (UrduPoint News/Sputnik)
Broken Or A Breakthrough? Surprise Kosovo War-Crime Charges Have Put Balkan Talks In Limbo (RFE/RL)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 26, 2020
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 26, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Thaci to deliver address on Sunday, following war crimes accusations (media)
• Thaci: No one can rewrite Kosovo’s history (media)
• Weber: Specialist prosecutors proved to be independent (DW)
• British Embassy concerned over increased attacks against Kosovo Serbs (Klan)
• Two new coronavirus-related deaths reported in Kosovo (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic from Brussels: I expect that Serbia will become a member of the European Union by 2026 (B92, Tanjug)
• Vucic met von der Leyen, Varhelyi and Lajcak in Brussels (B92, media)
• Deutsche Welle: Thaci hoped that Washington would save him? (B92)
• Covic: It is completely clear now that EU, Germany and France work directly against Trump (Kosovo-online)
• “There were indications they’ll sign an agreement, why meet at White House?” (Tanjug, B92)
• Kosovo ambassador demands explanation from KSC; Hoti claims his government will not comment on KSC processes (KoSSev)
• Fabrizi: Vucic’s visit to Brussels shows readiness for talks with Pristina (N1)
Opinion:
• Op-ed: Kosovo should suspend participation in dialogue (Koha)
• Serwer: Kosovo needs to hedge (Peacefare.net)
International:
• After Kosovo President War Crimes Indictment, Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue Uncertain (VOA)
• Thaci Trial ‘Should Have Happened Before’, Victims’ Families Say (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Kon: Situation with coronavirus is getting worse (Tanjug, B92)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 26
• White House meeting between Kosovo and Serbia postponed (media)
• Albanian FM Cakaj in Washington for Kosovo-Serbia agreement (Koha)
• Grenell reacts to NYT story on Washington mtg, says it has ‘lots of errors’ (media)
• Hoti: Now is the right momentum to conclude the dialogue (media)
• French Embassy: France, Germany expect dialogue to resume soon (media)
• President’s Office: EULEX’s mandate in Kosovo over (media)
• Haradinaj comments on indictment against Thaci, Veseli (Telegrafi)
• Former KLA fighter sent to The Hague (media)
• Kosovo PM to visit Tirana next week (media)
• Covid-19: 69 new cases over last 24 hours (media)
Belgrade Media Report 25 June
LOCAL PRESS
Drecun: They wanted to trade in Washington in order to be removed from indictments (RTS)
Gratitude for Brazil’s firm and principled support on non-recognition of so-called Kosovo (Tanjug/RTS)
Djuric: Terror against Serb population in Metohija continues (RTS)
“Presently, Pristina is a big factor of insecurity, and as for Vucic…” (Tanjug/B92)
Petritsch doubts US success in Belgrade – Pristina talks (N1)
Local elections in Sabac to be repeated (Glas Podrinja/N1)
RIK rejects all complaints about Serbia’s elections; ENEMO: Race imperiled (Beta)
Another 137 cases (B92)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Victory Parade held in Moscow; Dodik attends ceremony (ATV)
New EUROPOL report: Western Balkans is still home to radical groups (Dnevni list)
Croatian President Milanovic refers to B&H as state with three entities (O kanal)
Mesic: Story about third entity is dangerous for the region (Dnevni avaz)
Increasing the number of infected in B&H: 119 new cases in one day (N1)
Croatia
Croatia imposes new 14-day quarantine for travelers from four Balkan countries (N1)
Croatia reports 95 new cases of Covid-19, a total of 2,483 (N1)
Montenegro
Djukanovic: SPC is an instrument in the hands of the Great Serbian nationalism (CDM/HRT)
Markovic: Nowhere in the world can you see MPs boycotting the parliament for four years (CDM)
Another six persons in Montenegro test positive for coronavirus (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Zaev: The citizens alone decide who will be the next prime minister (MIA)
Vote for renewal of Macedonia, VMRO-DPMNE’s Mickoski tells Ohrid rally (MIA)
Telma poll: SDSM holds slight lead over VMRO-DPMNE (MIA)
North Macedonia reports 153 new cases of Covid-19, 6 patients died (24.mk)
Albania
Meta: KLA’s war resulted right and decisive (ADN)
Bushati: Vucic has a ‘one color’ parliament and more MPs than Putin and Erdogan (ADN)
Bushati: Possible indictments cannot deviate historical significance of Kosovo liberation war (ADN)
The Political Council concludes its work with the Electoral Code (Radio Tirana)
Albania tops 2.192 cases as Coronavirus spreads (ADN)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
Kosovan president’s war crimes indictment puts West in a bind (Politico)
Hashim Thaci’s past catches up with Kosovo’s future (DW)
Indictments Are against Individuals, Not an Attack on KLA, Says Former Chief Prosecutor Clint Williamson (Exit news)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 25, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Hoti from Brussels: Dialogue has no alternative (RTK)
• Mustafa: Let us sit together once again prior to meeting Vucic (RTK)
• Hoti: Government engaged in advancing democratic processes (RTK)
• Osmani hosts a meeting with Quint Ambassadors, discuss latest developments (RTK)
• Bildt not surprised if efforts to shut down Specialist Chambers intensify (Koha)
• 106 patients with Covid-19 are being treated at Infectious Disease Clinic (RTK)
• Der Standard: Thaci and Grenell were about to reach a ‘dirty deal’ (Koha)
• Scandalous: The Specialized Prosecutor’s Office violated work regulations, professional ethics and its own laws (Indeksonline)
• Association of KLA Veterans: We will ask abrogation of KSC Law in August (Koha)
Serbian Language Media:
• EU expects Belgrade-Pristina dialogue to resume in July (B92, Tanjug, RTS)
• EC head says will meet Kosovo’s Hoti, Serbia’s Vucic as planned (N1)
• Drecun: They wanted to “trade” in Washington to be excluded from indictments (RTS)
• Two new cases of Covid-19 infection in Serb areas in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
• Kandic: I expect the indictments to be confirmed, the first on the list is the Drenica group (N1, FoNet, KoSSev)
• Former Serbian War Crimes Prosecutor Vukcevic on Thaci and Veseli’s indictment (KoSSev)
• KLA graffiti and robbed house in Serb villages in Istok municipality (Kosovo-online)
• Stefanovic: Kosovo issue can’t be resolved by agreement of those indicted for war crimes and autocrats (Danas)
• “That was not fight for freedom, but brutal attack against Serbs” (RTS, Radio KIM)
• Judah: Thaci’s legs have been cut off, Vucic has no equal with whom to talk (KoSSev)
• Ahmetaj: I don’t expect resignations or protests (KoSSev)
• Petritsch doubts US success in Belgrade – Pristina talks; Sooner or later elections in Kosovo (N1, Tanjug, B92)
• Rakic and Popovic discussed strengthening of cooperation (TV Most)
Opinion:
• Two Decades on, Kosovo’s Guerrilla Boss Thaci May Finally Face Trial (Balkan Insight)
• Kosovan president’s war crimes indictment puts West in a bind (Politico)
• Presentation of Balkan barometer 2020: The shape of things to come (Regional Cooperation Council)
International:
• Kosovo scraps White House talks with Serbia after leader indicted (Reuters)
• Kosovo: War Crimes Indictment Advances Justice (HRW)
• Thaci Charges ‘Timed’ to Prevent Amnesty Deal in Washington (Balkan Insight)
• Five Things Kosovo Must Know Before Doing a Deal with Serbia (Balkan Insight)
• Kosovo president Hashim Thaçi indicted on war crimes charges (The Guardian)
• EU-backed court wrecks US plan for Kosovo summit (EUobserver)
• Telekom Srbija places 155 mln euro bid for Kosovo’s IPKO – Pristina mayor (SeeNews.com)
Humanitarian/Development:
• COVID-19’s far reaching impact on global drug abuse (news.un.org)
• WHO to N1: Classification of Covid-19 cases up to national authorities (N1)
LINKS
UNMIK
Peacekeeping
UN News Center
From Google News- Foreign remittances to Kosovo up 5% y/y in Q1 - SeeNews 26/04/2024Foreign remittances to Kosovo up 5% y/y in Q1 SeeNews
- The Meeting of the chief Negotiators of Kosovo and Serbia ended without concrete Results - Sarajevo Times 26/04/2024The Meeting of the chief Negotiators of Kosovo and Serbia ended without concrete Results Sarajevo Times
- War in Kosovo and sexual violence, a painful legacy - Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso 26/04/2024War in Kosovo and sexual violence, a painful legacy Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso
- Foreign remittances to Kosovo up 5% y/y in Q1 - SeeNews 26/04/2024
Office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General
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