Belgrade Media Report 29 April 2021
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Thursday 29 April 2021
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic: Non-paper surprise, Serbia to face growing pressure (Tanjug/RTS)
Vucic to Godfrey: Belgrade ready for open talks with Pristina (FoNet)
Fabrizi: Serbia should show commitment to achieve progress (N1)
No statements from Serbian ruling, opposition parties after meeting (N1)
Serbian parliament backtracks on adopting resolution on EP report (N1)
Janjic: Serbian Minister Vulin’s statement related to solution for Kosovo and RS is political propaganda not official stance of Serbia (Al Jazeera Balkans)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Nelson: The future of all citizens is single B&H of two entities, three constituent peoples (Dnevni avaz)
SDA: We have been warning of dangers of rhetoric that Ambassador Nelson talks about; Other reactions to Nelson’s blog (Nova BH)
US Embassy: State Department’s Chollet calls on B&H leaders to discuss progress on key reforms and reaffirms Blinken’s message (Dnevni avaz)
Dodik: Komsic left meeting with Borrell after I highlighted his illegitimacy (FTV)
Dzaferovic: Dodik acted inappropriately towards Komsic during meeting with Borrell; I will not be candidate for member of B&H Presidency in 2022 (Nova BH)
SNSD: Postponement of discussions creates room for harmonization of joint conclusions with opposition and public in general, we will not accept any kind of HR’s ultimatums or deadlines (ATV)
US, UK Embassies to B&H criticize rhetoric of genocide denial and glorification of war criminals (Oslobodjenje)
Izetbegovic will reject all proposals for electoral reform in order to push legitimate Croat representatives out of political scene after 2022 elections (Glas Srpske)
Croatia
Plenkovic: State is functioning normally, I am not squabbling with President Milanovic (Hina)
Grlic Radman says Ambassador Biscevic enjoys government’s support (Hina)
Montenegro
Krivokapic: Leposavic expressed his personal position on Srebrenica, and he wasn’t entitled to that (CdM)
Moscow silent on government messages that Russians can come unconditionally (Pobjeda/Business FM)
Albania
Socialists secure 74 mandates as the opposition moves towards non-recognizing the results (Tirana Times)
US DOS: Respect for the results of legitimate elections strengthens Albania’s democracy (Tirana Times)
UK pushes Albania to investigate alleged 25 April polls irregularities (ADN)
Ambassador Bucci congratulates Rama on elections’ victory (ADN)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, April 29, 2021
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, April 29, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 269 new cases, 9 deaths (media)
• Kurti meets NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (media)
• Borrell: Kosovo’s European path goes through dialogue (media)
• Government engages external experts to help prepare for dialogue (Express)
• LDK demands greater commitment on dealing with the dialogue (Kallxo)
• Lekaj: Non-paper document unacceptable (Kosova Press, media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Covid-19 in Serbian communities: 17 new cases, one death (Kontakt plus radio)
• Petkovic to international missions in Kosovo: Protect believers and SOC facilities during the holidays (KoSSev)
• “Flammable rhetoric and inefficiency of police and judiciary affects security” (KiM radio)
• On “genocide in Kosovo”: Use of terminology that has not been officially proven (VoA, KoSSev, KiM radio)
• Stano: EU ready for continuation of dialogue as soon as Pristina and Belgrade agree on acceptable dates (Kosovo-online)
• Vucic in meeting with Godfrey: Serbia has always been ready for open dialogue with Pristina (Kosovo-online)
• Matthew Palmer: US unconditionally supports Bosnia’s territorial integrity (N1)
• Serbian Patriarch prays for COVID patients, Serbs in Kosovo (N1)
• Stoltenberg: Dialogue the only way to achieve a lasting political solution (Kosovo-online)
• EU Delegation denies Serbian tabloid’s claims about non-paper (N1, Kosovo Online)
Humanitarian/Development:
• WHO: The rich used 82 percent of all corona vaccines (FoNet, N1, AP)
• Deputy mayor says almost half of Belgrade residents vaccinated (N1)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, April 29, 2021
• COVID-19: 327 new cases, five deaths (media)
• Osmani meets Vitia: COVID-19 vaccines will be secured (media)
• VV’s Shkreta: Vaccine shipments to start arriving in May (Klan)
• PM Kurti continues meetings in Brussels (media)
• Miftaraj: Kurti’s refusal to go to Brussels meeting, scolding for EU (Telegrafi)
• Stoltenberg: Speculations on border changes do not help stability (RTK)
• EP rapportuer Von Cramon comments on recent non-paper (media)
• Kurti congratulates Albania’s Rama on election victory (media)
• Committee approves KOSTT’s request for electricity in the north (media)
• BIRN debate puts road safety in the spotlight (Prishtina Insight)
Belgrade Media Report 28 April
LOCAL PRESS
Dacic: Every time dialogue was stopped it was exclusively because of Pristina (RTS/Tanjug)
Petkovic: Pristina manipulates with so-called non-paper (RTV)
Bilcik: Serbia not ready for EU membership (N1)
Djuric meets with Reeker (Tanjug)
First meeting on dialogue without EP mediation to be held on 28 April (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
EC President’s office say EU unequivocally supports integrity of B&H (Dnevni list)
B&H Presidency members hold online meeting with Borrell; Dodik: Interest of RS is to discuss open issues (ATV)
Dzaferovic: B&H will remain integral (Oslobodjenje)
Dodik: PIC is maintaining stereotype that the RS is to be blamed for everything (RTRS)
Viskovic: PIC stances are hypocritical; Other reactions to PIC SB’s statement (RTRS)
Sarovic: There will be no war, but stories about referendum, third entity or abolition of entities will continue for as long as these parties are in power (Oslobodjenje)
B&H HoP forms inter-institutional working group that will be tasked with preparing amendments to B&H Election Law (ATV)
B&H HoP rejects SDP’s proposals of changes to B&H Election Law preventing dual mandates (N1)
Covic with State Department’s Chollet: Political agreement on electoral reforms and limited changes to the Constitution are necessary (Dnevni avaz)
Croatia
Milanovic to recall ambassador to Serbia over his alleged disregard for ethnic Croats (Hina)
Montenegro
Abazovic: We shouldn’t spark tensions over the agreement with SPC (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
In addition to vaccines, Macedonia will receive high-speed railroad line from Vucic (Republika)
Pendarovski meets top EU officials, says Macedonia is ready to resume talks with Bulgaria any time (Republika)
Zaev congratulates Edi Rama in Albanian (Republika)
Albania
Rama declares victory as elections are marked again by vote-buying (Tirana Times)
President delivers a message to the citizens (Radio Tirana)
EU calls for acceptance of result (Radio Tirana)
Rapporteur for Albania in Bundestag: We need cooperation and not warfare! (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, April 28, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 327 new cases, five deaths (media)
• Kurti will not be part of 11 May dialogue meeting (media)
• Kurti kicks off Brussels visit by meeting Belgian PM (media)
• Germany reiterates it has not authored latest non-paper (media)
• Kosovo needs systematic vetting process, U.S. Embassy says (RFE)
• Thaci congratulates Albania’s Rama on projected election win (media)
• Kosovo to take part in multinational military exercise (media)
• Following petition, Netflix includes Kosovo to the list of countries (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Kurti: A new round of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina will not be held on May 11 (N1)
• Freedom House says situation in Serbia continues to deteriorate (N1)
• Serbia donated to North Macedonia additional 13.000 vaccines (Kosovo-online)
• Office for KiM: Pristina cannot attribute non-paper to Belgrade (Beta, Novi Magazin)
• Vucic on non-paper, Osmani’s statement, Netflix (Kosovo-online)
• Jeremic: Non-paper trial balloon for Serbian Orthodox Church (KoSSev)
• Stojanovic: Non-paper on Kosovo not acceptable for Serbian citizens (N1)
• The idea of the autonomy of the North close to both Berlin and Paris (Danas)
• Trial to former minister Rikalo and others continues (Kontakt plus radio)
• Army of Serbia donates anti-Covid equipment to EU missions in Africa (N1)
• Djuric with Reeker: Confirmation of Serbia-US partnership (RTS)
• Kandic: ”Why is the Special Court of Kosovo controversial?” (Kosovo Online, Twitter)
Opinion:
• Dangerous map games in the Balkans (ekathimerini.com)
• The baleful phantom of border changes haunts the Balkans (Financial Times)
International:
• Kosovo recalls war victims on National Missing Person’s Day (AP)
• Kosovo War Survivors Nervous About Participating in Guerrillas’ Trials (Balkan Insight)
• Serbia’s Vucic ‘treating the EU as if stupid were its middle name’ (euractive.com)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, April 28, 2021
• COVID-19: 217 new cases, 8 deaths (media)
• “We want vaccines fast – not coffins for our parents” (RTK)
• EU: Non-paper does not present the position of the EU (RFE)
• Osmani: Every destabilising idea originates from Serbia (media)
• Bajrami: Points described in non-paper are talked about in dialogue (media)
• Content of non-paper not denied (Koha Ditore)
• Bislimi: Kurti will have informative meeting with Lajcak (media)
• Vetevendosje MP reacts to non-paper (media)
• Government plans “long-term” solution for paying electricity in north (Koha)
• Kurti pays homage to missing persons: Our future misses them (media)
• Freedom House: Kosovo marks decrease in level of democracy (media)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, April 27, 2021
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, April 27, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 194 new cases, 8 deaths (media)
• Rohde: Non-paper published by Koha Ditore is fake news! (media)
• French Embassy: We are not the source of the non-paper (media)
• Kosovo government reacts to non-paper (media)
• Kosnett: Dialogue essential to Kosovo economic success and integration (media)
• Michel to Kurti: Looking forward to working together (media)
• Kosnett: Fate of missing persons should not be hostage to politics (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Covid-19 in Serbian areas: 23 new cases, one death (KoSSev)
• Vucic: Non-paper composed by somebody “very, very smart” (N1)
• Deimel: No one, including Berlin officials, knows about the non-paper, maybe the test balloon (KoSSev)
• Vucic: Imagine sanctions on Russia and its support of us in return (Beta, N1)
• EU to Serbia: Improve rule of law, media freedom; adjust foreign policy (N1)
• US State Dept: Speculation on redrawing Balkan borders may foster instability (VoA, N1)
• BCSP: Majority of Serbian citizens want broad autonomy for Kosovo, but they know it is unrealistic (KoSSev)
• Serbian List condemns attack on Lazar Djordjevic in Gojbulja (TV Most)
• Bilcik: Vucic commitment to reforms crucial (N1)
• Vucic: Kosovo Serbs want to be vaccinated, Pristina authorities ban our help (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
• Gerxhaliu: Excavations in Kizevak will start again on May 5 (Kosovo Online, RFE)
Opinion:
• Demands to relocate the Specialist Chambers are unlikely to be met (Kosovo 2.0)
International:
• Serbia, Kosovo Must Make Missing Persons a Priority: Report (Balkan Insight)
• Brussels steps up pressure on Serbia over Kosovo talks (euronews.com)
• Small is Beautiful: Citizens’ Movements Are Bringing Democratic Change to Balkans (Balkan Insight)
• Edi Rama declares victory in Albanian elections, 92% polling stations counted (EWB)
Belgrade Media Report 27 April 2021
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Tuesday 27 April 2021
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic: Meeting on dialogue will not be easy for either side (Tanjug/RTS)
Borrell: Reforms, alignment with EU foreign policy required (Tanjug/RTS/Beta)
Bilcik: Vucic commitment to reforms crucial (N1)
Vucic: We will analyze the non-paper, recognition of so-called independence of Kosovo unacceptable (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
EC: We haven’t seen non-paper; Bloc is against border changes (N1/Beta)
Dveri agrees to take part in inter-party dialogue (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
PIC SB condemns moves of RS regarding peaceful separation in B&H (O kanal, Nova BH)
Russian Embassy to B&H responds to PIC SB’s statement: Inadequate steps were taken by all sides (RTRS)
Dodik: Croats are meaningless because Bosniaks sideline them, I am convinced B&H will fall apart (Dnevni list)
Izetbegovic reveals that few years ago Pahor asked him about breakup in B&H (BHT1)
RS parliament expected to discuss proposal of initiative for talks between RS and FB&H and three constituent peoples on possible solutions for B&H (BHT1)
B&H HoP to discuss changes to Election Law eliminating double functions in legislative and executive institutions (Nezavisne)
Montenegro
Ministers Spajic, Milatovic: Croatia strongly supports Montenegro’s European path (Gov. PR Service)
Republic of North Macedonia
Mickoski: The Macedonian Spring is coming (Republika)
Albania
Vote buying marks Albanian elections (Tirana Times)
Joint Observation Mission of the OSCE/ODIHR, the OSCE PA and PACE make preliminary remarks on elections in Albania (Radio Tirana)
Last ballot boxes to be counted – results (ADN)
NATO’s Defender 21 exercise kicks off (ADN)
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
U.S. Commitment to the Western Balkans (Press Statement)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, April 27, 2021
• COVID-19: 154 new cases, 11 deaths (media)
• Non-paper: Kosovo and Serbia to recognise each other’s sovereignty (Koha)
• U.S.: Speculation about border changes, unnecessary threat to stability (RFE)
• Osmani speaks with US Assistant Secretary of State Reeker (media)
• Kosovo government questions meeting with Serbia announced by EU (media)
• PDK MP: Vetevendosje will do everything it rejected while in opposition (KTV)
• Rama takes narrow lead in Albania’s slow election count (BIRN)
Belgrade Media Report 26 April
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic after talks with Lajcak: Ready for dialogue, we understood Kurti’s messages (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
Von der Leyen: EU ready to support Belgrade-N. Macedonia railway (Tanjug)
Drecun: Continuation of Belgrade-Pristina dialogue not disputable, the agenda is (RTS)
Vucic: I don’t expect pressures in Brussels but talks on Serbia’s future (RTS)
Godfrey: Unresolved Kosovo issue main obstacle on EU path (Beta/Tanjug)
Vucic likely to attend dialogue with opposition that is not mediated by MEPs (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Slovenian government issues statement on disputable non-paper (BHT1)
OHR: Entities do not have right to secession (Glas Srpske/RFE)
SDA: Dodik hides responsibility for secessionist policy with lies (Hayat)
Osmanovic writes to EP, expects from EP to condemn the non-paper (Oslobodjenje)
Dodik: It is clear that concept of unified B&H under principles of SDA and international community has not succeeded (RTRS)
Ivanic: It is obvious that non-paper most of all benefited Dodik and Izetbegovic; Constitution changes are not possible; CoM is not inefficient as if it does not exist (Oslobodjenje)
Radmanovic: Non-paper goes in favor of creating of Greater-Albania and there is no doubt it was created in Albanian kitchen (Glas Srpske)
Niksic: Ethno-nationalist leaders in B&H have lost touch with reality and they are either trying to persuade everyone that everything is good or to increase tensions with warmongering (Face TV)
Dodik: Position of RS is clear, High Representative in B&H is not welcome (RTRS)
Istraga.ba publishes NATO’s document sent to B&H which clearly shows that B&H is aspirant to NATO membership and has activated MAP (O kanal/Istraga.ba)
Komsic confirms authenticity of NATO document (N1)
Cikotic at own initiative stops deployment of B&H police officers to UN Mission in South Sudan (RTRS)
Croatia
President: Croatia flag removal from ambassadorial residence in Belgrade could not happen in Zagreb (Hina)
Montenegro
Djukanovic: Montenegro ready to share experiences with Kosovo for progress on EU and NATO path (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Protesters demand release of the imprisoned patriots and early elections in October (Republika)
No progress in the latest round of talks between Macedonian and Bulgarian historians (Republika)
Macedonian diplomats plan a mass vaccination trip to Serbia (Republika/MKD.mk)
Albania
Preliminary election results (Tirana Times)
First reaction of the Socialist party after the closure of voting stations (Radio Tirana)
Opposition leader announces victory (ADN)
Kim and Soreca: Be patient and accept the election result! (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, April 26, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 154 new cases, 11 deaths (media)
• Vaccine rollout gets off to a shaky start (Prishtina Insight)
• EU confirms PM Kurti’s upcoming visit to Brussels (Kallxo)
• Kosovo has written to Romania about the killing of two VV activists (media)
• Assembly adopts in principle bill easing trial in absentia procedures (Kosovapress)
• AAK accuses government of having no vision (media)
• VV’s Kusari-Lila responds to AAK’s criticism against government (media)
• EC stresses position against border changes in the Balkans (RFE)
Serbian Language Media:
• 23 new cases of Covid-19 registered in Serbian areas on Saturday (Radio KIM)
• Vucic’s two-day visit to Brussels (media)
• Vucic: Ready for dialogue, we understood Kurti’s messages (Tanjug, RTS)
• Petkovic: Kurti showed his aim is to create “Great Albania” (Radio KIM)
• Djuric: Dialog is not a priority, but voting in Albania is (Kosovo-online)
• Drecun: Continuation of Belgrade-Pristina dialogue is not disputable; but agenda is (RTS)
• Godfrey: Unresolved relations with Pristina are obstacles to Serbia’s European integration (KiM radio, Novi Magazin)
• Liberation Movement forms Council for Kosovo and Metohija (BETA)
• Health Ministry official: Epidemic measures and mass vaccination in Serbia still necessary (N1)
• Half a million doses of Sinopharm vaccine arrived in Serbia (RTS)
• Serbian Army Chief of Staff: Mandatory military service a long-term solution (N1, Politika)
• Dodik: Idea of RS seceding from Bosnia-Herzegovina discussed in Europe (N1)
Opinion:
• West should stop pushing Kosovo on new Serbian entity (euobserver)
• Kosovo Needs Rescuing From its Middle Eastern Imbroglio (Balkan Insight)
International:
• Kurti’s vote in Albanian elections – controversial but not unprecedented in the Balkans (EWB)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, April 26, 2021
• COVID-19: 227 new cases, four deaths (media)
• Assembly to discuss management of COVID-19 pandemic (media)
• Kurti slammed for decision to vote in Albania’s elections (media)
• Kurti pledges to present programme upon return from Brussels (media)
• Kosovo without political consensus towards the grand finale (Koha)
• Klan Kosova: Surroi, Shala invited to join Kosovo negotiating team (media)
• Gervalla: Petkovic to respect Brussels Agreement during Kosovo visit (Express/Klan)
• Lajcak and Vucic meet in Brussels (media)
• Op-ed: Kosovo should rule out any further compromise (BIRN)
• Pjeter Shala: Kosovo Liberation Army’s Shadowy ‘Commander Wolf’ (BIRN)
• Exit polls: Tight race in Albania’s parliamentary vote (AP)
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- Statue to Tony Blair honours “Tonibler” cult in Kosovo - ThePrint 16/04/2024Statue to Tony Blair honours “Tonibler” cult in Kosovo ThePrint
- Statue to Tony Blair honours "Tonibler" cult in Kosovo - Yahoo! Voices 16/04/2024
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