Belgrade Media Report 16 June 2020
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Tuesday 16 June 2020
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic: Recognition of Kosovo will not be a topic in Washington, nor will we allow this (RTS/B92/Tanjug)
Grenell: Representatives of Belgrade and Pristina to meet on 27 June in the White House (RTS)
Putin: Russia support Serbia when it comes to Kosovo and Metohija; it is clear that no decision can be made without the UN SC (RTS/RTV/Tanjug)
Vucic: Brussels agreement did not change constitutional status of part of Serbia (Beta/N1)
Dacic on Grenell’s announcement: The problem is that we don’t trust the Albanians in Pristina (Tanjug/RTS)
Dacic: Serbia to request solution to the Kosovo issue to be verified in broadest international framework, ideally within the United Nations (Novosti)
Dacic, Falconi: Constant improvement of political, economic relations with France (Tanjug)
Processing of all war crimes cases is not suitable for Bosniaks (Politika)
RS will not negotiate again on what has already been agreed upon by (Politika)
Another 59 cases (B92)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
SNSD and HDZ B&H against Cikotic’s appointment to the post of B&H Security Minister (N1)
HDZ B&H insists on amending of Election Law as precondition for formation of new FB&H government (BHT1)
Izetbegovic: In order to reach agreement on local elections in Mostar, it is necessary to solve issue of so called double signature; Comments (BHT1)
SDP, DF and HRS say all parties should be involved in negotiations about elections in Mostar (Dnevni list)
Due to stalemate in public administration reform, Sweden and Denmark decide to withdraw their donations (Nezavisne novine)
SIPA members arrest Topcagic for abuse of office (FTV)
SIPA arrests Councilor in Municipal Council of Novi Grad Sarajevo Hasan Hodzic for taking bribe (FTV)
SIPA arrests man in Sarajevo, suspected of public instigating of terrorist activities and threatening US citizens (Dnevni avaz)
EU borders still closed for citizens of Western Balkan countries (N1)
Tuzla Canton continues to be coronavirus hotspot (FTV)
Inspectors in FB&H intensify controls of catering facilities, supermarkets (O kanal)
B&H reports three new Covid-19 deaths, 45 coronavirus infections (N1)
Croatia
One more coronavirus case confirmed in Croatia, a total of 2,255 so far (Hina)
Montenegro
Djukanovic hands Order of the Montenegrin Flag to senior justice advisor in the US Embassy (CDM)
Pazin: There’s unacceptable concentration of power in courts which reflects in multiple terms of office of presidents (CDM)
Moscow does not believe in Serbian tears (Dnevne novine/Regnum)
Republic of North Macedonia
Political parties agree to hold elections on 15th of July (MIA)
Speaker Xhaferi signs decision scheduling 15 July elections (MIA)
International community welcomes agreement on 15 July elections (MIA)
July 15 elections: Three days for casting votes, 14-hour election day (MIA)
Zaev says health protocols to be coordinated for campaign and Election Day (MIA)
SEC plans election activities, wants protocol for their implementation (MIA)
President Pendarovski declares 8-day state of emergency (MIA)
In North Macedonia 134 new cases of Covid-19, 34 patients recover, 8 die (MIA)
Albania
Cakaj calls Roth: German EC presidency, maximum attention to Western Balkans (Radio Tirana)
EPP calls for inclusion of 15 conditions in resolution (Tirana Times)
In Albania 82 new Covid-19 cases (Tirana Times)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
Balkan Foes Head to White House as U.S. Swipes Talks From EU (American Journal of Transportation)
Does he want a statue too? Trump to host ‘Serbia-Kosovo’ summit in Washington on ominous anniversary (RT)
Foreign ministers discuss Belarusian-Serbian cooperation over phone (BelTA)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 16, 2020
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 16, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• Thaci to meet Lajcak today, president’s office confirms (media)
• Thaci: U.S. was clear that dialogue’s aim is mutual recognition (media)
• Von Cramon: Let’s strive for a sustainable and well negotiated agreement (media)
• Lajcak on his way to Kosovo (media)
• Osmani: This is the true face of Serbia (media)
• Abazi: Thaci spent millions to make partition of Kosovo a reality (Kallxo/Telegrafi)
• Spokesperson: PDK supports Washington meeting (Telegrafi)
• Another patient succumbs to COVID – 19 (media)
• Prishtina Mayor: Latest figures with coronavirus are alarming! (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: I feel ashamed to talk about recognition of Kosovo on eve of Vidovdan (B92)
• Trajkovic: Grenell’s invitation to White House implies signature on Kosovo agreement (N1)
• Vucic’s predictions coming true now? (B92, Tanjug)
• Brnabic: Topic of next Belgrade-Pristina meeting economic development, significant investments in Kosovo (TV Most)
• Milic: Grenell would focus on economy; US offer should be accepted (Kosovo-online)
• Dacic: UN to verify solution of Kosovo issue (Vecernje Novosti, N1)
• EU Office in Pristina without comment on White House meeting (Tanjug)
• Vucic says polling stations would be open in Kosovo on June 21 (N1, BETA)
• Serb-populated areas in Kosovo without new Covid-19 infection cases in June (KoSSev)
International:
• White House to host Kosovo peace talks, envoy says (Politico)
• Land Swap Idea Resurfaces to Haunt Serbia-Kosovo Talks (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Kosovo War Crime Victims Losing Hope of Compensation (Balkan Insight)
• Prosecution indicts MP for punching journalist (Prishtina Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 16
• 129 new cases of coronavirus confirmed in last 24 hours (media)
• Hoti: New cases, result of carelessness after relaxation of measures (media)
• Grenell: Kosovo-Serbia dialogue discussions in Washington on June 27 (media)
• President Thaci welcomes invitation to resume the dialogue (media)
• Hoti: Continuation of dialogue, key to normalisation of relations (media)
• Thaci, Hoti to represent Kosovo at White House meeting with Serbia (RFE)
• Thaci: Time to deliver finality of peace (media)
• Vetevendosje: Thaci’s government in the same line with Serbia (media)
• Dacic: Serbia could temporarily halt derecognition campaign (media)
• Lajcak will bring to Prishtina dates for resumption of dialogue (Koha)
• Lajcak’a plane unable to land to Tirana from Zurich (media)
• Serwer: Bidening their time (Peacefare.net/Koha)
• Through peace dialogue in Balkans, Trump aims to improve credentials (WSJ)
• Putin, Vucic discuss Kosovo issue in telephone conversation (media)
• Hoxhaj: Russia, Serbia using SOC to undermine Montenegro’s independence (media)