Belgrade Media Report 31 March 2021
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Wednesday 31 March 2021
LOCAL PRESS
Selakovic: Traditionally good and friendly relations with the Czech Repubic (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
European Parliament facilitators complete preparations for Serbia dialogue (N1)
Opposition party calls on EP to activate government-opposition dialogue as soon as possible (Beta)
EU, US to cooperate much more tightly in policy on Western Balkans (Beta)
US State Department: Human rights violations, corruption cases in Serbia in 2020 (N1)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Di Maio holds meetings with B&H senior officials; says Italy advocates enlargement of EU to Western Balkans and continuation of reforms and EU integration of B&H (RTRS)
Inzko informs Di Maio about status and challenges regarding implementation of Dayton agreement (Dnevni list)
‘Pod lupom’ conference on election reform: International officials agree it is necessary to change B&H Election Law (Nezavisne novine)
Constitutional law expert Lukic on Dodik’s initiative to merge offices of RS President and B&H Presidency member from RS: It is not realistic because it would require constitutional changes (Glas Srpske)
Constitutional law expert Lukic on Dodik’s initiative to merge offices of RS President and B&H Presidency member from RS: It is not realistic because it would require constitutional changes (Glas Srpske)
Basic: Nelson’s and Inzko’s letter regarding changes to Law on Internal Affairs is not a negative reaction (Oslobodjenje)
Croatia
Croatia demands changes to Election Law in B&H (Hina)
Montenegro
Radovic: Injac failed to tell truth, we’re waiting for Krivokapic to suggest new date (CdM)
Krivokapic speaks with Lavrov (PM PR Service)
Abazovic: Genocide happened in Srebrenica, whoever doesn’t understand it can’t be on public post (CdM)
Becanovic already spoke about Srebrenica as Leposavic is telling now (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Amendments to Electoral Code, signed by all parliamentary groups, submitted (Republika)
Pendarovski and Filipce clash over the Serbian vaccination fiasco (Republika)
High level spat erupts as top Zaev officials blame each other for the vaccine fiasco (Republika)
Palmer calls on Zaev to do more to fight corruption (Republika/VoA)
Albania
US will have observers for 25 April elections (Radio Tirana)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 31, 2021
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 31, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 923 new cases, 14 deaths (media)
• Donika Gervalla: We are not an experiment, we are a sovereign state (Prishtina Insight)
• Rohde, Von Cramon: MPs should follow LDK’s example (media)
• Krasniqi: Decision not to vote Vjosa Osmani is final (RTK)
• Haradinaj: We have not changed our position, we do not support Osmani (media)
• Konjufca: Serbia has not detached from Milosevic’s policy (media)
• Blinken to Vucic: US goal is to see Kosovo, Serbia reach an agreement centered on mutual recognition (Express)
• Kosovo economy to expand by 4% in 2021, according to World Bank report (Express)
• Man arrested over 1999 Kosovo Massacre (Express)
• EU expects Kurti government to be fully committed to dialogue (RFE Albanian, media)
Serbian Language Media:
• 26 new cases of Covid-19 registered in Serbian areas in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
• Office for KiM: Arrest of Mila Andjelkovic yet another brutal example of returnees’ intimidation (Kosovo-online)
• EU and US join forces in support of WB to prevent Russia and China influence (N1)
• US State Department: Human rights violations, corruption cases in Serbia in 2020 (N1)
• More frequent provocations of group of Albanian youngsters in front of school in Ugljare (Kosovo-online)
• Vucic: Reconstruction of Jarinje-Mitrovica North motorway to start in a month (KoSSev)
Humanitarian/Development:
• WHO report: Coronavirus likely came from animal, not a lab (CNN, N1)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 31, 2021
• COVID-19: 811 new cases, 14 deaths (media)
• Zemaj says Kosovo has secured 100,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine (media)
• Humolli from WHO: Covid measures need to be toughened (RTV21/Telegrafi)
• Kosovo FM Gervalla: Embassy in Jerusalem is a done deal (media)
• State Department: Many corrupt officials continue to hold public posts (media)
• PM Kurti meets British ambassador Abbott (media)
• Abdixhiku: LDK with 12% could not condition a party with 50% of votes (Telegrafi)
• Opposition Party Clears Path to Parliament Vote on Kosovo President (Balkan Insight)
• PDK’s Deliu-Kodra slamms FM Gervalla for agreement with Serbia remarks (media)
• Haxhiu: Serious action needed to fight organised crime and corruption (Klan)
• U.S. Embassy opposes holding government meetings outside of Kosovo (media)
Belgrade Media Report 30 March 2021
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Tuesday 30 March 2021
LOCAL PRESS
Drecun: Military base and exercise threatens security of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija (RTV/Tanjug)
Petkovic: Dangerous announcement of construction of KSF base in northern Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTV)
Cooperation with National Convention on EU on Sustainable Development (Tanjug)
Presevo, no list able to form government on its own (RTS)
Milivojevic: Elections without opposition represent defeat for SNS (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Coalition for Free and Fair Elections ‘Pod Lupom’ hosts online conference on 2021 electoral reform; Sattler says country cannot let itself implement next elections under current system (BN TV)
Dodik: Proposed change to Election Law contribute to strengthening of RS; Cvijanovic welcomes initiative; Other reactions (RTRS)
Zvizdic: Time will tell whether statement of Russian Ambassador can be brought in connection with vaccines (Oslobodjenje)
Dodik criticizes EU due to failure to deliver vaccines through COVAX (Nova BH)
Vucic: Serbia cannot be successful if people in the region are not vaccinated (Nova BH)
Nelson and Inzko warn: There is intention to impose direct political control over ZDC Police (Dnevni avaz)
On political influence on police in FB&H (Dnevni avaz)
Montenegro
Leposavic: I won’t resign, I didn’t deny Srebrenica genocide (Government of Montenegro)
Government: We respect the Declaration on Srebrenica, stop politicking and manipulating the victims (Government of Montenegro)
EU condemns denial of Srebrenica genocide (RTCG)
German Ambassador: I’m worried about path Montenegro is taking (CdM)
Injac: Rise of extremism not good for Montenegro (Dan)
Bishop Bojovic: CPC cherishes no hatred for anyone (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Mickoski got Zaev to postpone his “corona census” for September (Republika)
Xhaferi opposes agreement to postpone census (Republika)
Albanian opposition leaders denounce decision to postpone the census (Republika)
Albania
Electoral College decides: DP with 69 candidates less in April elections (ADN)
Kim: Do not sell your right. Do not surrender your power to criminals. Only you have to choose your future (Radio Tirana)
Kim-Soreca: Cooperation in support of Albania is stronger than ever (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 30, 2021
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 30, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 752 new cases, 14 deaths (media)
• UNICEF: 76,800 doses of Covid vaccine expected by May (media)
• PM Kurti meets representatives of UN agencies in Kosovo (media)
• Abdixhiku: LDK will take part in president’s election session (media)
• Assembly presidency discusses division of parliamentary committees (media)
• CEC replaces 13 MPs with new ones (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• 59 new cases of Covid-19 registered in Serbian areas in Kosovo (KoSSev)
• Vucic: Vaccination of people from region – signal we can move ahead together (RTS)
• Von der Leyen promises 650,000 Covid-19 vaccines for Western Balkan countries (N1)
• Gerxhaliu: Excavation of mortal remains on three locations in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
• Rakic: Houses for two families in Klokot municipality to be constructed soon (Radio kontakt plus)
International:
• Albania, Greece, Romania, Serbia Join Global Pandemic Treaty Call (Balkan Insight)
• EU move on vaccine exports puts Serbia’s leader on edge (The Financial Times)
• World leaders back treaty to prepare for next pandemic (DW)
Humanitarian/Development:
• ‘Nothing Like Home’ exhibition showcases Kosovo’s young artists (Prishtina Insight)
• Greece accepts all vaccines for Serbia’s tourists as of May 14 (N1)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 30, 2021
• COVID-19: 774 new cases, four deaths (media)
• Vaccinations against COVID-19 begin in Kosovo (Prishtina Insight)
• Kosovo PM gets first COVID-19 vaccine shot to encourage take-up (Reuters)
• Kurti’s vaccination draws reactions in Kosovo (media)
• Ramadani: New vaccine deliveries to take place in the coming weeks (Kallxo)
• Vaccination certificates to be issued to Western Balkans citizens (RFE/Koha)
• Kurti has separate meetings with ambassadors, Kosnett and Orlando (media)
• Haziri vows LDK will play constructive role in president’s election (media)
• PDK’s Haliti on voting Vjosa Osmani for president (RTK)
• Kosovo Serb Party Challenges Govt in Court Over Representation (Balkan Insight)
• Miftaraj says SL’s complaint to Constitutional Court has no legal basis (media)
• Vucic: If I recongnised Kosovo, I would have won the Nobel Prize (Happy/Zeri)
• Spanish FM on the match with Kosovo: It is football (media)
• Kurti ‘blocks’ PAK activity (RFE/media)
• Journalist claims he was suspended for comments against Kurti (media)
Belgrade Media Report 29 March 2021
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Monday 29 March 2021
LOCAL PRESS
Brnabic: Resolution speaks about EP (TV Happy/RTV/FoNet)
Vucic on EP Report: Blatant lies, lost in time and space (Beta/RTS/Politika)
Petkovic: Dangerous intentions of Kurti to end dialogue (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
Joksimovic: Serbia examines responsibly opinions from EP Resolution (Tanjug)
Opposition parties favor joining forces in dialogue on election conditions (Beta)
Preliminary results of the local elections in Presevo, Zajecar and Kosjeric (Nova.rs)
SNS declares victory in local vote in two towns in Serbia; Analyst: SNS’ fall (N1)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Dodik: Europe does not want joining of this region (Nezavisne)
Dodik proposes change to Election Law which unifies post of RS President and Serb member of B&H Presidency; Opposition strongly criticizes initiative (BN TV)
Kalabukhov claims Bosniaks are still searching for their national identity, singles out OHR as main reason for current situation which resembles suffering (Face TV)
Sattler: For the EU, Western Balkans is strategic part of Europe (Oslobodjenje)
Brod Refinery connected to gas network in Croatia; Dzaferovic, Komsic claim project violates B&H’s sovereignty (N1)
Large number of B&H citizens travelled to Serbia to get vaccinated (FTV)
Zvizdic: Vucic’s visit and donations of vaccines to B&H represent efforts to present himself as a benefactor in the region (ATV)
Croatia
B&H gives up on Turk-Russian Stream, gas pipeline with Republic of Croatia priority (Vecernji list)
Montenegro
Leposavic doesn’t acknowledge Srebrenica genocide and disputes Hague Tribunal legitimacy (CdM)
Leposavic’s statement ‘dangerous and upsetting’, political parties seek his resignation (CdM)
Djukanovic: As long as there’re ideologies denying committed crimes, danger from new losses won’t cease (CdM)
Suljagic: Open Bosniaks hunting in Montenegro (Pobjeda)
US and UK Embassies: Krivokapic’s government to call the massacre what it was – genocide (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
North Macedonia announces greater participation in KFOR mission (MIA)
Albania
Rama calls on Albanians in North Macedonia to take part in the census (Radio Tirana)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 29, 2021
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 29, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 774 new cases, four deaths (media)
• Albin Kurti to receive the anti-Covid vaccine today (Express)
• Anti-COVID vaccination in Prishtina starts Tuesday (media)
• The Serbian List addresses Constitutional Court claiming bigger share in government (Express)
• Shala: We do not make compromises with candidates who lack political unity (media)
• Gashi: final decision on issue of President is made by LDK MPs (media)
• Kosnett urges parties to take a constructive position on the issue of president (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• 12 new cases of Covid-19 registered in Serbian areas on Sunday (Radio KIM, RTS)
• Serbian List filed complaint with Constitutional Court over one ministerial post (KoSSev)
• Mass vaccination of citizens and foreigners in Serbia; PM says no politics (N1)
• Cadez: 8.500 businesspeople from region vaccinated in Serbia (N1)
• German media: ‘Vaccination weekend’ new success of Serbia immunisation policy (N1)
• Bartolome: Spain will not change stance on Kosovo, no matter who requests that (Kosovo-online)
• Petkovic: Announcement of constructing KSF base in northern Kosovo dangerous (Kosovo-online)
• NSI reacts to announced KSF base at Crnusa hill above Mitrovica (media, social media)
• Andjelkovic: Formation of KSF base in northern Kosovo direct threat to Serbs (Kosovo-online)
• Milic: Disrespect of Resolution 1244 (B92)
• YIHR: Officials should stop manipulating data related to victims of Kosovo war (KoSSev)
International:
• Serbia Vaccinates Thousands from Region Over Weekend (Balkan Insight)
• Foreign vaccine-seekers flock to Serbia for COVID-19 shots (Reuters)
• Serbia vaccinates migrants amid surge in COVID-19 cases (ABC News, Associated Press)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 29, 2021
• COVID-19: 926 new cases, 10 deaths (media)
• First doses of Covid vaccine arrive in Kosovo (media)
• Kurti: We are working night and day to secure vaccine (media)
• Complications of president election increasing (Koha)
• Abdixhiku and Osmani meet again, LDK to decide on president vote on Monday (media)
• Visa liberalisation for Kosovo not in EU Council’s agenda (Koha)
• Redzepi: Time for “Great Serbia” and “Great Albania” is over (media)
• Kurti appoints three political advisers and spokesperson (media)
• Kosovo leaders vow to sue Serbia over wartime ‘Genocide’ (exit.al)
• Kosovo’s EU-backed war crimes court ‘has full US backing’ (euronews)
• Shqiprim Arifi’s party, winner of Presevo elections (RTK)
Belgrade Media Report 26 March
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic: We are ready for dialogue with Pristina, but never for blackmail and threats (Tanjug/RTS)
Vucic appreciative of China’s consistent stance regarding respect of Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty (Tanjug)
Normalization with Pristina, respect of laws key – EP report (Tanjug/RTS/Beta)
Selakovic: Von Kramon against Serbia (Politika/Tanjug/RTS)
Bilcik: Serbia has to achieve progress in several areas (Beta)
Vulin: Kosovo cannot be a member of any international organization (Tanjug)
Lajcak: Vucic and Kurti meeting may happen soon (RFE/Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Kalabukhov: B&H and NATO getting closer (Dnevni list/RTRS)
SDA sends yet another reply to Embassy of Russia to B&H and says NATO is defense alliance and not aggressor (Glas Srpske)
Komsic: We chose NATO with consensus and for several consecutive years (Hayat)
Brkic: B&H is ready to contribute to security and stability (Oslobodjenje)
Working Group of representatives of SNSD, HDZ B&H and SDA meets (Glas Srpske)
Dodik: I advocate agreement among Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats but dissolution of B&H remains last option if all other alternatives fail (Glas Srpske/TRT)
Chinese Ambassador to B&H Ji Ping; Solidarity and cooperation are most powerful weapons (Nezavisne)
US to introduce sanctions to all individuals, companies and organizations from B&H which in any way take part in Russian gas projects ‘Nord Stream’ and ‘TurkStream’ (Dnevni avaz)
One and a half years after Priebe’s report, his recommendations are still not implemented (Nezavisne)
Croatia
EP: Albania, N. Macedonia and Kosovo making progress towards membership (Hina)
Energoinvest’ company signs annex with Russian ‘Gazprom’ company, which undermines South Interconnection of Gas Network (Vecernji list)
Montenegro
Krivokapic: DPS shows by its actions that Montenegro has no greater enemy than themselves (RTCG)
Health and openness of Montenegro to the region are priority (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
Another Albanian protest over the 2012 Good Friday massacre sentencing planned for today (Republika)
No obstacle for Macedonian citizens to get vaccinated in Serbia if they receive proper confirmation, says Health Ministry (Republika/SDK.mk)
Albania
DP gathers hundreds of supporters at opening of electoral campaign amid pandemic (ADN)
Premier attacks DP’s electoral campaign for mass gathering amid pandemic (ADN)
OSCE supports the CEC Head Celibashi, who asked parties and institutions to show restraint during election campaign (Radio Tirana)
Statement by Head of EU Delegation and Heads of EU Member States Missions to Albania on the 25 April parliamentary elections (Radio Tirana)
Rama sends congratulatory letter to Kurti (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 26, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 860 new cases, six deaths (media)
• Kurti: War crimes and missing persons, priorities in dialogue with Serbia (Koha)
• KSF barracks to be constructed on a hill overlooking Mitrovica (media)
• Rosenstock-Siller: Kosovo-Serbia dialogue to be centred on mutual recognition (Klan)
Serbian Language Media:
• Covid-19 in Serbian communities: 15 new cases, two deaths (KoSSev)
• Chinese Defense Minister visiting Belgrade (N1, RTS)
• EU warns Kurti over undermining dialogue process (RTS, Tanjug)
• The countries of the Western Balkans are the least resistant to false news in Europe (KoSSev, N1, Beta)
• Selakovic: Von Cramon’s speech on Kosovo parade of political distaste (RTS)
• Businessmen from the region in Belgrade this weekend for a vaccination (Danas)
• Israeli envoy: Serbia’s Govt. office in Jerusalem step toward moving embassy (Beta, N1)
• Zakharova: NATO aggression against FRY long-term tragedy (Kosovo-online)
• Belgrade insists on concrete examples from the EP on the Serbian authorities’ wrongdoings (FoNet, N1, RTS)
• Stojkovic: 180 housing units more in Kosovo for displaced persons and young couples (Radio KIM)
• Vucic: I am proud to delegitimize the statehood of Kosovo and I will continue to do so (KoSSev)
Opinion:
• How the Quint must help Kosovo (EWB)
• It’s time to deliver in this time of ‘firsts’ (Kosovo 2.0)
• Three key foreign policy objectives for Kosovo’s new government (Emerging Europe)
International:
• European MPs Urge Serbia, Kosovo to Intensify War Grave Search (Balkan Insight)
• Unregulated and Unlicensed, War Memorials Proliferate in Kosovo Towns (Balkan Insight)
• EP discusses Reports on Western Balkans: Majority support for enlargement, but the criteria need to be met (EWB)
Humanitarian/Development:
• From Texas to Kosovo: Rape survivor returns as part of new gov’t (Al Jazeera)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 26, 2021
• COVID-19: 885 new cases, 11 deaths (media)
• Vaccine rollout delayed, expected doses also reduced (Koha)
• Rama: Albania ready to vaccinate 11,000 Kosovo healthcare staff (Koha)
• EP adopts report on Kosovo, urges EU to grant visa liberalisation (media)
• Kurti meets Osmani, refers to her as the incoming president of Kosovo (media)
• Weber: New elections are not in favour of the opposition (RFE)
• Kurti to PAK: Suspend temporarily all decisions (RTK)
• Haziri: Difficult year ahead, KSC to have huge impact in coming weeks (Telegrafi)
• Vasfije Krasniqi: Ready to take part in dialogue, throw at Serbia’s face crimes committed in Kosovo (media)
• Op-ed: It is time for Vetevendosje to finally condemn homophobia (Prishtina Insight)
• After request for her dismissal, Emilija Redzepi changes the statement (media)
• EU to Examine Whether Serbia is ‘Deleting’ Ethnic Albanian Addresses (Balkan Insight)
LINKS
UNMIK
Peacekeeping
UN News Center
From Google News- Kosovo fails to overturn power plant award - GAR 26/04/2024Kosovo fails to overturn power plant award GAR
- Kosovo-Serbia Declaration on Missing Persons Remains Unimplemented - Balkan Insight 26/04/2024Kosovo-Serbia Declaration on Missing Persons Remains Unimplemented Balkan Insight
- Measures against Kosovo on the table of EU institutions - Eunews 26/04/2024Measures against Kosovo on the table of EU institutions Eunews
- Kosovo fails to overturn power plant award - GAR 26/04/2024
Office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General
Media Sources
