Belgrade Media Report 31 August
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic speaks with Kofod (Tanjug/RTV)
Denmark dedicated to European integration of Serbia (Tanjug)
Selakovic: Belgrade has chance to be center of world on 11-12 October (TV Pink)
Stefanovic: Defense cooperation with Russia at an all-time high (Tanjug)
Escobar is Biden’s new ‘special man’ for Balkans (Politika/Tanjug)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Erdogan: The condition is for Serbs, Bosniaks and Croats to unite (N1)
RS opposition leaders warn that any unpacking of Dayton Agreement would cause new crisis (N1/BNTV)
Dodik: RS opposition leaders are making things up, no one mentioned ‘Dayton 2’ (RTRS)
Salkic: I did not expect anything new from RS opposition (Hayat)
Izetbegovic: No new agreements on future of B&H to be reached in format Dodik demands (Nova BH)
Milanovic: Dodik’s initiative on involving officials of Turkey, Serbia, and Croatia in talks on B&H future well-intentioned but unrealistic (Nova BH)
Komsic: No one has ever called Croatia criminal state, no need for Milanovic to twist our words (Nova BH)
Cubrilovic: Conclusions of leaders of parties allow Serb representatives to vote in joint institutions of B&H if this puts in danger interests of RS (Srna/ATV)
Montenegro
Krivokapic: I won’t go to Cetinje on 5 September, I promised EU ambassadors, ban on enthronement is the last resort (CdM)
Government’s goal is crime-free Montenegro and full EU membership (gov.me)
Abazovic on the occasion of 30 August: Long live European, civil and ecological Montenegro (gov.me)
Republic of North Macedonia
Zaev tells EU it has moral obligation to ensure Macedonia begins its accession talks (Republika)
Mickoski: We will delegitimize the ruling coalition at the local elections, and will lead a new coalition in parliament (Sitel TV)
Albania
Rama interview for ANSA: We will be part of the EU at all costs (Radio Tirana)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 31, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 1,383 new cases, 26 deaths (media)
• First meeting of Committee for coordination and assessment of situation with COVID-19, held (media)
• Kurti discusses COVID-19 measures with municipal mayors (media)
• President Osmani to participate in the Swiss Economic Forum (media)
• Kurti to participate at Bled Strategic Forum (media)
• The third group of 139 Afghan refugees is expected to arrive today (media)
• Haradinaj: Kosovo government is joking with diplomatic missions (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Covid-19 in Serbian communities: 26 new cases, two deaths (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Rakic and Simic with Jenča: A large number of unresolved incidents against Serbs (Kosovo Online)
• UNICEF and WHO call for schools to remain open, with respect for measures (KiM radio, N1, FoNet)
• Trial for the murder of Oliver Ivanovic continues (KoSSev)
• The International Day of the Missing in Kosovo marked separately in Gracanica and Pristina (RTS, Radio Mitrovica sever, KiM radio)
• Blakaj: 22 years after the war, the two sides continue to count only the victims of one side (KoSSev)
• Petkovic: Evidence shows that there is a KLA archive (RTV Puls, Tanjug)
Opinion:
• Afghan Disaster Holds Lessons for Western Policy in Balkans (Balkan Insight)
International:
• EU Council Recommends Reinstating Travel Restrictions for Visitors from US, Israel, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia & Lebanon (schengenvisainfo.com)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 31, 2021
• COVID-19: 932 new cases, 20 deaths (media)
• EU drops Kosovo from list of COVID-safe countries (Radio Free Europe)
• Kurti: EU to create new momentum for reforms; make enlargement fairer (media)
• Osmani: United Nations membership, a continuous goal of ours (media)
• Lajcak: Kosovo’s full international integration, a priority in dialogue (Koha)
• Haradinaj offers recommendations for managing COVID-19 situation (media)
• PDK calls on government to change approach to vaccination process (media)
• Kosovo PM urges Serbia to reveal truth about wartime missing (BIRN)
• “Kurti, Osmani won’t enter into talks before Serbia returns our loved ones” (ATV)
• Hoti: Kosovo to be ready; dialogue must end with mutual recognition (media)
Belgrade Media Report 30 August
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic: I still have not made the decision on whether I will attend enthronement of Moteropolitan Joanikije (RTS)
Patriarch spoke about the situation in Montenegro: I feel sad (B92)
Selakovic: Gratitude to Vietnam for principled and active support to Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty (Tanjug)
Petkovic: More than 1,600 still missing (Beta)
Escobar to succeed Palmer as US Western Balkans envoy (Tanjug)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Erdogan, B&H Presidency members discuss infrastructural projects, economic cooperation (N1)
Dodik: Situation in B&H could be resolved through mediation of Erdogan, Vucic and Milanovic (RTRS/BNTV)
Nesic: Serb parties did not agree on any type of ‘Dayton 2’ (BNTV)
Komsic on Dodik’s statement about DPA (Hayat)
Dodik: I believe Erdogan is deeply aware about division within B&H (ATV)
We intend to raise trade with B&H to one billion Euros (Dnevni list)
FB&H, RS agree on model for distribution of IMF funds (N1)
Schmidt is guest in B&H (Srna)
Inzko’s decision can lead Srpska do independence (Glas Srpske)
Croatia
Grlic Radman on Dodik’s call: Croatia views B&H as country with European perspective (HRT1)
Montenegro
Krivokapic, Erdogan: The future of relations between Montenegro and Turkey is in richer economic cooperation (gov.me)
Djukanovic and Erdogan: Relations between Montenegro and Turkey are friendly (CdM)
Djukanovic: I urge relocation of Joanikije’s enthronement outside Cetinje (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Cooperation agreement with the Alliance for Albanians and Alternative is a historic step for both Macedonia and VMRO-DPMNE, says Mickoski (Republika)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 30, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 932 new cases, 20 deaths (media)
• Kurti appeals to citizens to get vaccinated against COVID-19 (media)
• Kosovo leaders: Fate of the forcibly disappeared, top priority in relations with Serbia (media)
• ICRC: 23 years on, 1,630 people still missing in Kosovo (media)
• UNMIK calls on Pristina and Belgrade to redouble efforts for clarifying the fate of missing persons (Koha)
• EULEX and Kosovo Police develop database to facilitate investigation of war crimes and enforced disappearances (RFE/RTK)
• Kosovo receives U.S. donation of military vehicles (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Tanin reminds of the importance of clarifying the fate of missing persons (RTK2, Radio Mitrovica North, Kosovo Online)
• Gabriel Escobar the new State Department’s envoy for the Western Balkans (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
• Vucic at the Bled Forum; Rama, Zaev and Kurti at the panel on EU enlargement (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
• ”Serbian list withdrawing from the elections is unrealistic scenario” (Danas)
• The trial for the murder of Oliver Ivanovic continued today (Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic: And today, we ask when it will be possible to search nine locations in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Rakic: Society’s moral obligation to uncover the truth about missing (Kosovo Online)
• In Gracanica six Covid-19 cases during the weekend (RTK2)
International:
• Afghans Evacuated From Kabul In U.S. Airlift Arrive In Kosovo (RFE)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 30, 2021
• COVID-19: A record 36 deaths in last 24 hours (media)
• “Over 90 percent of victims in last 24 hours were not vaccinated” (RFE)
• Kurti: Impossible to have a long lockdown in the country (Koha/RFE)
• PDK leader: Another tragic day for Kosovo (media)
• LDK gives recommendations to government in fight against COVID-19 (media)
• First group of Afghan refugees arrive in Kosovo (media)
• Rama doubles down on Open Balkan, promises new approach with Kosovo (Exit News)
• Businesses eye boost, but also barriers, in ‘Open Balkan’ initiative (BIRN)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 27, 2021
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 27, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 2,098 new cases, 16 deaths (media)
• Government says 650,000 vaccines to arrive in early September (media)
• “Return to schools is not an alternative until COVID-19 numbers drop” (EO)
• Kosovo – Serbia dialogue to resume on September 7-8 (Radio Free Europe)
• KSF to receive donation of armoured vehicles from US on Monday (Klan Kosova)
• Ministry of Justice says vetting concept document is being finalised (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Petkovic: Annulment of verdict precondition for participation of Serbian List (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Lajcak spoke with heads of Belgrade and Pristina negotiation teams (Radio KIM)
• Selakovic thanks Vietnam for support to Serbia’s territorial integrity (Kosovo-online)
• Serbs in Berkovo village, near Klina without water supply since July 13 (Radio KIM)
• KSF to receive armored vehicles, US donation (Kosovo-online)
International:
• Afghan Refugees Fleeing Taliban Arrive in Albania (Balkan Insight)
Read More →Belgrade Office Report 27 August 2021
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Friday 27 August 2021
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic presents preliminary draft of joint law to Dodik (Tanjug/RTS)
Dacic: Shifts in the first track dialogue, resumption of talks with EP on 17 September (RTS)
Petkovic: Resumption of technical dialogue at beginning of September (Tanjug/RTV)
Lajcak meets technical delegation chiefs Petkovic and Bislimi (N1)
Vucic received an invitation (Novosti/B92/Blic/Tanjug)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Erdogan to visit B&H on Friday (FTV)
Sarovic: Dodik does not have SDS’ consent to attend meeting with Erdogan (BNTV)
Agreement between Dodik and Erdogan is all that is waited for (Oslobodjenje)
Covic meets with Konakovic, says broader consensus of all political parties in B&H needed for adoption of changes to B&H Election Law (FTV)
Changes to Election Law blocked, and maybe elections too (Glas Srpke, by Darko Momic)
Lukac: Inzko’s law will not be implemented on RS territory (Glas Srpske)
FB&H government defines criteria for distribution of BAM 200 million to Cantons from arrangement with IMF (BHT1)
Montenegro
Press release from 35th Cabinet session (gov.me)
Press release from Defense and Security Council’s session (gov.me)
URA: Metropolitanate should give up on Joanikije’s enthronement in Cetinje (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Osmani: For now, we will shelter 750 Afghans, but that number fluctuates (Republika)
Albania
US ambassador Yuri Kim thanked Albania for the hospitality shown towards the Afghan refugees (Radio Tirana)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 27, 2021
• COVID-19: 2,295 new cases, 18 deaths (media)
• PDK leader: Kosovo going through tragedy; Government needs clear plan (EO)
• Lajcak: Next dialogue meeting in early September (media)
• Brussels says 2013 agreement violated, government and KJC silent (Koha)
• KLI: Court of Appeals acted correctly in case of Ivan Todosijevic (media)
• Founders and opponents of Open Balkan to meet in Slovenia (Koha)
• 23 Albanians believed to be in suspected mass grave in the north (Telegrafi)
• Ex-Trump spy chief Grenell celebrates pro-Moscow Serb strongman (Spytalk)
Belgrade Media Report 26 August 2021
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Thursday 26 August 2021
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic receives credentials from Ambassadors of Azerbaijan, India and Kazakhstan (Beta)
Vucic: Verdict to Todosijevic is verdict to Brussels agreement (Politika/RTS/Tanjug/B92)
Drecun: Prison sentence to Todosijevic part of a broader campaign (Tanjug/RTV)
EU: Pristina has violated the agreement (Tanjug/RTS)
Establishing cooperation with Jordan in several areas (Tanjug/RTV)
He is spitting on RS which feeds him (Novosti)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Criticism at expense of Dodik after he decides to meet Erdogan on Friday (N1)
Vucic’s transparent lectures (Oslobodjenje)
Viskovic: IMF funds transferred to B&H not loan but rather deposit of prior investment (ATV)
Montenegro
Krivokapic: It is our duty to reduce tensions; Kascelan: Enthronement should take place outside Cetinje (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Zaev now offers to take 780 Afghans (Republika)
Sekerinska: Every arrival of evacuated Afghan citizens will be registered (Republika)
Albania
The new government cabinet to be announced next week (Radio Tirana)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 26, 2021
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 25, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• COVID-19: 2,295 new cases, 18 deaths (media)
• Prime Minister Kurti received the Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj (media)
• Trendafilova rejects request of Thaci’s defense for her withdrawal (RTK)
• AAK: The situation is very serious, get out of your shell of political interests (RTK)
• Suspicion that Mitrovica intellectuals are buried in a mass grave in Dreth (Koha)
• Protest: Killing of women to be treated as a national emergency (media)
• The U.S. Embassy: As long as domestic violence continues, women will never be equal (Koha)
Serbian Language Media:
• 23 new cases of Covid-19, one death registered in Serbian areas in Kosovo (KoSSev)
• EU: Pristina violated Brussels agreement in case of Ivan Todosijevic (Radio KIM)
• Raska-Prizren Eparchy, NGOs react to verdict to Ivan Todosijevic (media)
• Northern mayors urge Pristina to determine responsibility for Brussels agreement violation (RTS)
• Vucic: Todosijevic convicted because of truth (Radio KIM)
• Djuric: Vucic and I know people coming to State Department (N1)
• Hearing on lawsuit regarding Christ the Savior Temple land in Pristina postponed (Kosovo-online)
• Kosovo Judicial Council: Court employees in Mitrovica resumed working (KoSSev)
International:
• Kosovo Serbs Furious About Jailing of MP for ‘Ethnic Hatred’ (BIRN)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Stamenkovic: Kamenica has always been good example of co-existence (Kosovo-online, RTK2)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 26, 2021
• COVID-19: 2,541 new cases, 14 deaths (media)
• Education Ministry not convinced by record number of infected children (Koha)
• Murder of 18 year old girl forces the state to act (Koha)
• Protest march in defense of women to be held in Prishtina today (media)
• Government allocates €40 million for economic recovery (Koha)
• President Osmani met with US Ambassador to Kosovo Philip Kosnett (media)
• Kosovo will provide shelter to around 2.000 Afghans (Radio Free Europe)
• Baraliu: Government not obliged to implement Association agreement (media)
• Suspected mass grave in village in Mitrovica North (RTK)
• Kosovo’s trade gap widens 39.5% y/y in July (Seenews.com)