Belgrade Media Report 30 July
LOCAL PRESS
Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania sign three documents for better regional cooperation (Tanjug/RTS)
Vucic: Kurti is wrong, but I have nothing against it (Tanjug/B92/Politika/RTS)
Vucic: Belgrade expects Berlin’s support in dialogue with Pristina (Beta/RTV)
Cadez: Economies got strong political support (FoNet)
Dveri: Union with Montenegro, RS in Serbia’s interest (Beta)
EC denies access to document about non-paper on Western Balkan borders (Beta/APA/N1)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
B&H CoM’s session cancelled due to Serb political representatives’ boycott (O kanal)
EU officials from Brussels warn that blockade of B&H institutions is unacceptable (AJB)
B&H institutions faced with blockade as RS representatives in B&H institutions continue to boycott their work; Izetbegovic comment on current situation (N1)
Sarovic: Srebrenica should be place of reconciliation, we will never be opposition to RS (Dnevni list)
Stevandic says survey on 10,000 citizens of RS show that 95.7 percent of them do not support HR’s decision (RTRS)
Inzko says reactions from RS to his decision to prohibit genocide denial were even milder than expected (Dnevni list)
Covic: Inzko came to B&H as friend yet he is leaving as someone who significantly set back projects in B&H (FTV)
Dodik: I am willing to resign from post of B&H Presidency member but I demand that new Serb member is not elected (Nova BH/ATV)
Dodik causes uproar with statements about police and acting against SIPA (Nova BH)
RS government approves two law proposals ahead of RS parliament session (BN TV/BHT1)
Dzaferovic says facts established by courts cannot be punishable under any law (BHT1)
Ahmetovic: RS is genocidal trophy which lives on (Oslobodjenje)
Borenovic: Opposition does not wish to be part of SNSD-led government (BN TV)
Impact of HR’s decision on judiciary, journalists, security agencies (FTV/BHT1)
HR’s decision to impose law banning genocide denial causes confusion in B&H judiciary (RTRS)
Croatia
Grlic-Radman: Everyone ‘can be happy’ with Peljesac Bridge, including B&H (Hina)
Montenegro
Krivokapic: Staying in the Prime Minister armchair it not my interest (RTCG)
Janjic: I expect DF to stage political rebellion and overthrow the government (Dnevne novine)
Republic of North Macedonia
“Open Balkans” aims to contribute positively to the common future of citizens and the entire Western Balkans (Republika)
Mickoski: Mini Schengen can’t be an alternative to EU integration (Republika)
Macedonian parliament adopts the VMRO proposed resolution that draws red lines in the negotiations with Bulgaria (Republika)
Albania
OPEN BALKANS: no borders between three countries as early as 2023 (Tirana Times)
Economic Forum/ Vucic: “On 1 January 2023 we will have no borders” (Radio Tirana)
Balkans Schengen, DP’s Chair: Hypocrisy must end for free movement to work (ADN)
Mini-Schengen, SMI accuses premier of selling Albania and hating Kosovo (ADN)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, July 30, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• President Biden to be awarded Kosovo medal on behalf of late son, Beau (media)
• Gervalla says ‘Open Balkans’ is a dangerous initiative (Kosovapress)
• Abdixhiku: Economic integration of the region to be preceded by political recognition (media)
• Haradinaj accuses Kurti of ‘selling’ patriotism while protecting Serbia’s products (media)
• Vitia: The pandemic is far from over, our only weapon is vaccination (media)
• COVID-19: 70 new cases, one death (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• EC on the Open Balkans Initiative: We support the leaders’ commitment to regional cooperation (Kosovo Online, Danas)
• Belgrade expects constructive Berlin’s support in dialogue with Pristina (N1)
• “Open Balkan” criticized in Pristina and Tirana (KoSSev)
• Vucic: Kurti mistaken in thinking he’ll win with chauvinistic messages and closing Pristina (KoSSev)
• Petkovic: We have delivered food and insulin to Dragica Gasic (Radio KIM)
International:
• Balkan ‘Mini-Schengen’ Leaders Eye Open Borders by 2023 (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• US State Department again lists BIRN as a resource for fighting corruption (Prishtina Insight)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, July 30, 2021
• Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania Push Forward On ‘Open Balkans’ Initiative (RFE)
• Government of Kosovo reiterates position against Open Balkans initiative (media)
• Analysts support Kosovo’s position on Mini-Schengen (Kosovapress)
• LDK: Berlin Process should be the starting point for Kosovo (Telegrafi)
• Kosovo Dismisses ‘Visionless Mini Schengen’, Urges for Trade Deal with the EU (Exit)
• Over 55% of respondents consider rejection of “Open Balkans” will not negatively affect Kosovo’s economy (Telegrafi)
• Demi: Easy for Rama and Vucic to make calls for not keeping hostage to the past (Koha)
• Spahiu: Kosovo loses politically by not joining Open Balkans initiative (Klan)
• Osmani, Kurti, and Konjufca pay respects to the victims of bus crash (media)
• Kurti: Ireland, an important voice in speeding up the visa liberalization (media)
• President Osmani has telephone conversation with Israeli President Herzog (media)
• Gervalla to pay an official visit to North Macedonia today (media)
• Four laws in four months (RFE, media)
• COVID-19: 72 new cases, no deaths (media)