Belgrade Media Report 30 September 2020
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Wednesday 30 September 2020
LOCAL PRESS
Godfrey: Washington agreement shows political commitment, carries huge benefit (Nova S)
Angola does not recognize Kosovo (RTV/FoNet)
Israel interested in developing overall relations with Serbia (Tanjug)
Djuric: Serbia will neither implicitly nor explicitly recognize the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo (RTV/Tanjug)
Stano: EC works daily to set Belgrade-Pristina new round of talks (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Izetbegovic on Zagreb meeting: Sincere talks lasted for hours (Fena)
Komsic says he would like official Zagreb to back off little from B&H and not to interfere in issue of changes to B&H Election Law (ATV)
Dacic comments Dodik’s visit to Zagreb, calls Bosniak leaders ‘hypocrites’ in regards to their policies on Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict (N1)
SDA officials Dzaferovic, Izetbegovic express support to Azerbaijan (EuroBlic)
Montenegro
Krivokapic starts making plans about posts in a new government (CdM)
Knezevic suggests withdrawal of the Freedom of Religion Law prior to formation of new government (CdM)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
Risi: KFOR is still dealing with a complex security situation in Kosovo (EWB)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 30, 2020
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 30, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 46 new cases, no deaths (media)
• German ambassador calls on MPs to adopt economic recovery law (media)
• EU insists the Brussels meeting was called off due to pandemic (Klan)
• VV accuses other parties of trying to manipulate election process (media)
• Municipality of Decan expresses concern over ‘unjust’ arrest of former KLA fighters (media)
• Kosovo Government entry restrictions based on nonexistent list (Prishtina Insight)
Serbian Language Media:
• Four newly infected with Covid-19, eight recovered in Serb areas in Kosovo (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Trial of KLA crimes – diversions, (in)justice, and covering-up (RTS)
• US envoy to Serbia: Washington agreement shows political commitment, carries huge benefit (Nova S, N1)
• Novosti: Pristina still lobbies for recognitions despite Washington agreement
• New head of EU Office: Northern Kosovo important for Union (KoSSev,N1)
• Serb child attacked in Plemetina (Radio KIM)
• Brnabic: It is not suitable for Pristina for truth on Ivanovic’s murder to come out (B92)
• SANU President Kostic: The future of Serbia is in academic competence, education, understanding the signs of the times (Radio Mitrovica Sever)
International:
• COVID-19 Exacerbates Ethnic Serb Limbo in Kosovo (Balkan Insight)
• Hague court begins long-delayed hearings on Kosovan war crimes (The Guardian)
• ‘Leaked files, organ removal and irrepressible anger’: What’s behind the Kosovo war crimes probe? (euronews.com)
• Risi: KFOR is still dealing with a complex security situation in Kosovo (EWB)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 30
• COVID-19: 53 new cases, no deaths in last 24 hours (media)
• Haradinaj says he does not recognise Specialist Chambers (media)
• Gashi: EULEX did not carry out arrests in Kosovo (T7/RTK)
• Hoti: Agreement on Kosovo’s energy independence to enter into force (media)
• Kosovo minister accuses Serbia of violating Washington agreement (media)
• Godfrey: Washington agreement is political commitment, not legally binding (Express)
• Stano: Work on Kosovo-Serbia dialogue continues (RFE/Koha)
• Haziri: Elections viable option, Kosovo war needs to be purified (media)
• EU HR Borrell warns of threat from misinformation in Western Balkans (RTK)
• MP Arifi set to serve prison sentence after surrendering to authorities (Prishtina Insight)
• Kosovo parliamentarians establish Group of Greens (Koha)
Belgrade Media Report 29 September
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic: Signed must be implemented, but not according to Pristina’s regulations (RTV/Tanjug)
Dacic: EU plays the deaf and dumb mediator; Conflicts in Nagorno-Karabakh can be a warning for all in the region (RTS)
Djuric: If the ZSO idea is dead, then the possibility of success of dialogue is also dead (TV Prva)
Abazovic: It is logical that my coalition wants functions in security services (Danas)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
All three B&H Presidency members to pay official visit to Brussels on Tuesday (N1)
Dodik: Time when only one side in B&H was blamed by EU and international factor for everything has passed, new dialogue is necessary (RTRS)
Komsic: I was slightly surprised with the invitation to visit Brussels, this meeting was not initiated by B&H (FTV)
Tegeltija: B&H could confirm its participation in initiative ‘Mini Schengen’ by end of this year (ATV)
Komsic on meeting of SDA and HDZ B&H leaders with Plenkovic: I am against this type of communication, because Croatia obviously observes us as territory and not as country (FTV)
Croatia
PM: Important to talk with the representatives of all peoples in B&H (Hina)
Plenkovic, Covic and Izetbegovic discuss the rights of Bosnian Croats (HRT)
B&H’s Croat leader: Bosnia can’t function without equality of Croats (Hina)
Montenegro
The Law on Freedom of Religion to be suspended as soon as possible (CdM)
Albania
Opposition Draft on the Electoral Code / Yuri Kim: The opposition took over the responsibilities and continues to stay engaged (Radio Tirana)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
Migrants pitch tents in Serbia, prepare to cross into EU states (Reuters)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 29, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID – 19: 53 new cases, no deaths in last 24 hours (media)
• EU Head of Office: Association must be discussed in Brussels (media)
• PDK leaders Veseli slams Hoti government (media)
• Convicted MP hands himself over to police (media)
• PM advisor: We don’t expect any difficulties after Arifi went to jail (media)
• Serwer: Americans are wrong, Vucic won’t recognise Kosovo (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: The signed in Brussels must be implemented, but not according to the Pristina’s regulations (media)
• Dacic: Azeri-Armenian conflict a warning to the region (FoNet, N1)
• Djuric: If the idea of ZSO is dead, the possibility of success of the dialogue is also dead (TV Prva, Tanjug, Politika)
• Serbian FM: Thaci facing indictment soon (FoNet, N1)
• KFOR Commander: The formation of the ZSO is a controversial issue (Kontakt plus radio)
• Petkovic: Necessary to establish permanent police and international presence in Babin Most (Kosovo Online)
• Robbery attempt in Babin Most village (KIM radio)
• ”Fatherland” movement: Banner placed on Vucic’s initiative; he will need to say now “I will not give Trump” (KoSSev)
Opinion:
• A self-inflicted drama (Koha)
• Are ‘Serb’ churches Serb? Critique of an unwise choice (EWB)
International:
• “Western Balkans should join the EU, but regional political elites should do their job” (EWB)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 29
• COVID-19: 48 new cases, three deaths (media)
• In first court appearance, Mustafa refuses to plead (media)
• German government: Association in accordance with Kosovo law (DW/media)
• Grenell: Washington agreement, result of parties seeking U.S. involvement (media)
• COMKFOR: Establishment of Association of Serb-majority municipalities, disputed (media)
• Haxhiu: We should dismiss the Prime Minister who hugged Vucic (media)
• Biserko: Serbia, Russia seem to divert focus from Kosovo to Montenegro (Zeri)
• Kosovo War: Salih Mustafa’s case is the first for Hague court (BBC)
• Op-ed: How to defend the liberation war? (Prishtina Insight)
Belgrade Media Report 28 September 2020
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Monday 28 September 2020
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic on Kosovo: We are ready for difficult solutions, as there’re no easy ones (Tanjug/B92)
Lajcak: Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina in Brussels postponed (Tanjug)
Drecun: EU continues to yield to Pristina (TV Pink)
Djuric: Hoti cannot run away from formation of ZSO (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
Ambassador: Israel not yet technically recognized Kosovo, process is underway (Politika)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Recent Dodik’s statement on possible Serb-Croat declaration to leave B&H resumes to spark reactions (N1)
Mehmedovic: Dayton Agreement needs to be completely revised (Oslobodjenje)
Sarovic and Borenovic harshly react to Plenkovic’s request before UN GA for change of DPA (BN TV)
DF: EU institutions should penalize Croatian Prime Minister Plenkovic (Dnevni list)
Croatia
Plenkovic before UN GA: Equality of Croats in B&H remains our highest priority (TCN)
Croatian officials will discuss status of B&H Croats with US State Secretary Pompeo (Vecernji list)
Dodik: Croats in B&H have been pushed to the limit; if Bosniaks keep insisting on civic state, Croats and Serbs will probably demand to leave B&H (Vecernji list)
Djukanovic: SPC is an instrument of great Serbian nationalism and Russian interests in the Balkans (Jutarnji.hr)
Montenegro
Thorny road to a new government: How to cope with negative emotions (CdM)
Abazovic and Medojevic are potential candidates for the function of coordinator of all security services (Dnevne novine)
Picula: New government should be formed within deadline set by Constitution (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
Zaev spoke to Borisov in an attempt to avoid the Bulgarian veto (Republika)
Albania
Croatian Ambassador: Serbia must forget myths (ADN)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
Serbia to boost ties with Turkey: President (Anadolu Agency)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 28, 2020
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 28, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 48 new cases, three deaths (media)
• Assembly fails to pass economic recovery law, yet again (media)
• North Macedonian health authorities recommend easing border restrictions (Koha)
• Hoti: If dialogue stalls, it means Serbia is not ready for final agreement (media)
• Kosovo Assembly elects new Ombudsperson (media)
• Kosovo to open support office for Presevo Valley residents (media)
• Agim Ceku concludes interview with specialist prosecutor (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Djuric: Hoti can lie the public, but he will not escape the creation of the Community of Serbian Municipalities (Kosovo Online)
• Milivojevic: Dialogue under question mark again, EU on test (Kosovo-online)
• Kandic: The goal of the campaign against the court met – there are no witnesses (KoSSev)
• Mihajlovic: Analysts think Ceku is first one Thaci “let go off” (N1)
• Vucic on Kosovo: We are ready for difficult solutions, as there are no easy ones (media)
• SDP: Someone wants to prolong and cover-up Ivanovic’s murder case (Radio kontakt plus)
• Vucic on the ”Trump Lake” banner: Kosovo Serbs love Trump, they made and hung the banner themselves (KoSSev)
• Trump on Serb & Kosovo leaders: They hugged in the Oval Office, it was a beautiful thing to see (KoSSev)
• Serbs and Albanians from Decani are jointly erecting a monument to Bosko Ciric (direktno.rs, KoSSev)
Opinion:
• Trump’s Kosovo-Serbia normalisation deal is all about Israel (Aljazeera)
International:
• Access Denied: Most Balkan War Crimes Case Files Not Public (Balkan Insight)
• Middle East’s troubles spill over to the Balkans (arabnews.com)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Kosovo’s adoption of Istanbul Convention hailed by international community (social media)
• Balkan Insight’s Week in Pictures (Balkan Insight)
• N. Macedonia Minister: Balkan states considering simultaneous opening of borders (N1, Beta)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 28
• COVID-19: Three deaths, 47 new cases (media)
• Salih Mustafa to appear before Specialist Chambers courtroom today (media)
• Hoti: KSC activity part of legal and constitutional responsibilities (media)
• Kurti: VV would’ve protected KLA members from specialist chambers (media)
• “Serbia, Specialist Chambers fabricating evidence against KLA” (media)
• LDK’s Mustafa: We have removed red lines for PDK (media)
• Osmani: Justice has not been served (media)
• Vucic: Prishtina must understand that compromise is only solution (media)
• Etno Fest celebrates women and the sun in its 10thyear (Prishtina Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 26
• COVID-19: 49 new cases, one death (media)
• EU Police Raid Kosovo War Veterans’ HQ, Arrest Leader (Balkan Insight)
• Kosovo War Cimes Court publishes details after Gucati’s detention at The Hague (media)
• Specialist Chambers to start with hearings on Monday (RTK)
• Thaci: Kosovo has always been on the side of justice (media)
• PDK MP: Friday’s arrests, a humiliating scene (RTK)
• Lajcak: Belgrade – Pristina expert teams meeting postponed (N1)
• Israeli Ambassador to Belgrade: Recognition of Kosovo is a fact (media)
• Kuci and Abrashi meet DFC delegation, discuss projects (media)
• Kosovo veterans leader arrested on witness intimidation charges – tribunal (Reuters)
• EU police arrest Kosovo war veterans’ leader, raid offices (AP)
Belgrade Media Report 25 September
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic: They will provoke a new 17 March and they’ll finish the job (TV Pink/B92/RTV)
Dacic: ZSO closed topic for Serbia as well (TV Palma Plus/Tanjug/RTV)
Drecun: First arrest of Chambers for KLA crimes is crucial step, new indictments being prepared (RTS)
Djuric: Only technical level talks on Monday (Tanjug)
Mandic: Vijesti concern wants to turn dominant victory of Serbian people into somebody else’s victory (TV Pink)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
B&H Council of Ministers adopts Revised Strategy for Processing of War Crimes (N1)
Viskovic announces lawsuits over false accusations (RTRS/Srna)
Izetbegovic: SDA defends civic principle, HDZ B&H defends ethnic principle; Serbia “de facto” recognizes Kosovo without saying it “de jure” (FTV)
Montenegro
Djukanovic congratulates Becic: I firmly believe that together we will ensure maximum commitment to Montenegro’s development (CdM)
Djukanovic to put forward proposal for the prime minister-designate by 23 October (CdM)
Djukanovic -Toudic: New political reality is the confirmation of democratic maturity (CdM)
Pesic: Montenegro will continue to implement NATO policies (CdM)
Picula: All political actors must respect state symbols of Montenegro (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Karakacanov says Bulgaria will act to postpone the opening of EU accession talks with Macedonia (Republika)
Albania
Electoral reform, opposition – majority clash continues (Tirana Times)
Varhelyi: Constitutional Court should be completed prior to the First Intergovernmental Conference between Albania and the EU (Radio Tirana)
Speaker Ruci met with Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo Tahiri (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 25, 2020
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 49 new cases, one death (media)
• EULEX raids KLA war veterans’ offices (media)
• Head of KLA war veterans, Hysni Gucati, arrested by EULEX (media)
• Specialist Chambers do not comment on today’s operation (Kallxo)
• Haradinaj: Kosovo has always stood on the side of justice (media)
• EU confirms: Next meeting in Brussels on 28 September (Klan)
• Assembly fails to pass law on economic recovery (media)
• PDK pushes for approval of its version of economic recovery plan (media)
• No quorum to vote draft law on KLA values (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Four infected with Covid-19, five cured in Serbian communities in Kosovo (Kontakt plus radio)
• Vucic ahead of meeting Erdoğan: Turkey is one of most significant power in world (media)
• Drecun: First arrest of Court for KLA crimes crucial step, new indictments underway (RTS)
• “EU not responsible for agenda of Belgrade-Pristina dialogue” (Tanjug, Radio KIM)
• Dacic to Lajcak: When would Brussels deal with ZSO? (NMagazin, TV Prva, Beta)
• Djuric: On Monday talks at technical level only (Radio kontakt plus)
• Vucic: “They will prepare a new March 17th and they’ll finish the job” (B92)
• “Trump Bridge“ over Gazivode: Serbs grateful to Trump for “bringing peace“ (KoSSev)
• KEK violated Law on use of languages (Radio KIM)
• Trial of Nenad Arsic continues (Radio KIM)
Opinion:
• Israel in the Balkans: Why did Serbia and Kosovo sign up to Trump’s deal? (middleeasteye.net)
• Russia and Serbia: A Partnership Past its Prime (RUSI, media)
• Next year in Jerusalem: The Serbian Embassy and Kosovo go on pilgrimage with Trump (diem25.0rg)
International:
• Week in Review: The Possible and the Impossible (Balkan Insight)
• Adam Boehler On New Era Of Serbia-US Relations (The Pavlovic Today)
• Undermining EU enlargement: The destructive effects of state capture in the Wester Balkans (N1, clingendael.org)
• Hague Prosecutors Publish Kosovo Guerrilla’s War Crimes Indictment (Balkan Insight)
• Ex-army leader is first suspect arrested by Kosovo war crimes tribunal (The Guardian)
• PM’s Welcome For ‘Lake Trump’ Proposal Baffles Kosovo Officials (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Gracanica municipality donates computers, UNMIK tablet devices to primary and secondary schools (Radio kontakt plus)
LINKS
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