Belgrade Media Report 20 October
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic: We respect Dayton Agreement, but not what is contrary to it (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
Selakovic: Despite pressure, Holy See’s position on Kosovo unchanged (Tanjug/RTS/Politika/RTV)
Brnabic: Serbia’s progress noted in European Commission report (RTS/Tanjug)
Varhelyi: Serbia has fulfilled benchmarks for opening Clusters 3, 4 (Tanjug)
European Commission says Serbia achieved limited progress in key areas (N1)
Bilcik: Western Balkans should focus on reforms (N1)
Petkovic: Belgrade-Pristina working group to meet in Brussels on Thursday (Tanjug/RTV)
Stano: Working group to seek permanent solution for registration plates (Tanjug/RTV)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Interview with Serbian President Vucic (Dnevni avaz)
RS parliament to discuss proposal of law on medicinal products and medical devices which stipulates formation of agency for medicinal products of RS on Wednesday (Nova BH)
Tegeltija: RS does not want war and it will respect territorial integrity of B&H (ATV)
Kalabukhov: DPA does not stipulate formation of B&H AF (RTRS/Izvestiya)
Crnadak requests from RS PM to make public record from Monday’s special session of RS government that was dedicated to preparation of new laws (BN TV)
RS opposition: It is inacceptable that return of RS’ competences comes in violent manner (O Kanal)
Izetbegovic: Dodik’s threats to abolish state institutions will not be implemented (N1)
Komsic, Dzaferovic and UN Assistant SG Jenca discuss current political situation and blockade of B&H institutions (BHT1)
Niksic informs PES and Socialist Interna about current crisis in B&H, accuses SNSD’s actions of threatening to cause new war (Oslobodjenje/Glas Srpske)
Vukanovic urges Vucic to bring Dodik to reason so that he stops with destructive policy (BN TV)
EC adopts 2021 Enlargement Package; B&H fails to achieve progress and even makes regression in certain fields; European Commissioner Varhelyi: B&H needs to make progress in all 14 key priorities from EC’s Opinion (FTV)
MEPs comment situation in B&H during presenting of Enlargement Package; Warn about dangers of Dodik’s behavior (Oslobodjenje)
Appointment of five experienced US diplomats to positions in charge of region means US is returning ‘in grand style’ (EuroBlic)
Croatia
PM welcomes B&H deputy chairman in Zagreb (Hina)
Montenegro
Boskovic: Nothing helps, government has come down, institutions are destroyed, new elections likely to happen (Dnevne novine)
Escobar: Montenegro and United States are not only friends but also allies (Gov. Press office)
Latest EC report on MNE: Composition of Assembly unprecedented (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Mickoski calls on opposition to unite to topple the government (Republika)
EU releases report on Macedonia – progress and reforms assessed as moderate (Republika)
Varhelyi: EU has to deliver for Macedonia and Albania by year’s end (MIA)
Albania
Key EU report says opening talks with Albania is overdue, highlights concerns on reforms, elections and freedoms (Tirana Times)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 20, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: No individual or group will be more powerful than the state (media)
• U.S. and EU support Kosovo’s commitment to fight corruption (RTK)
• Enlargement Package 2021 delivered to Konjufca (RTK)
• Stano speaks about meeting tomorrow between technical teams of Kosovo and Serbia (RFE Albanian)
• Rohde: Germany is Kosovo’s steadfast partner (media)
• Public debt increases to 1.5 billion euros during the COVID-19 pandemic (media)
• COVID-19: 14 new cases, no deaths (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Borrell and Blinken called for a “sustainable reduction of tensions” in Kosovo (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
• Stano: The Working Group goal is to find a permanent solution for license plates (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic: Tomorrow in Brussels on freedom of movement and license plates (Tanjug, Kosovo Online)
• Bilcik: Western Balkans should focus on reforms (N1)
• Elections should have been postponed until demilitarization is carried out, security marketing is dangerous (KoSSev)
• Serbian List: Winning the local elections was not very pleasant for those who worked against the interests of our people (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Momcilo Trajkovic: Ever since I wrote an open letter to Vucic, I have been “on measures” (N1, KoSSev)
Opinion:
• America’s new instrument in the Balkans (Euractive)
International:
• Kremlin says Putin-Biden meeting this year is possible (Reuters)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Kosovo* Supreme Court: Kelag’s three small hydropower plants must be shut down (balkangreenenergynews.com)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, October 20, 2021
• European Commission presents report on Kosovo (media)
• Kurti: Our government has made progress during six months (media)
• Osmani: European Union membership is Kosovo’s priority (media)
• Szunyog: Past agreements with Serbia need to be implemented (media)
• Citaku criticises EC report, calls on Government to insist on U.S. inclusion in dialogue (Koha)
• Kurti: No meeting with Serbian president expected this month (Koha/Kallxo)
• Licence plates: Technical groups of Kosovo and Serbia to meet Thursday (T7/RTK)
• Albania, North Macedonia Ready for EU Accession Talks: European Commission (BIRN)
• European Commission Raps Serbia’s ‘Weak’ War Crimes Case Record (BIRN)
• Israel interested in twinning municipalities with Kosovo (media)
• COVID-19: 17 new cases, one death (media)