Belgrade Media Report 18 November 2021
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Thursday 18 November 2021
LOCAL PRESS
• Selakovic: Serbia for lasting peace and stability in Western Balkans (mfa.gov.rs)
• Selakovic: Intense dialogue with high EU officials (Beta)
• Popovic: Numerous bilateral agreements with Russian Federation being prepared (Tanjug)
• Drecun: Pristina playing games, EU should return mandate to UN (TV Prva/Tanjug)
• America launches attack on Dodik and RS (Novosti)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Chollet ends visit to B&H, says US and European partners will continue to sanction destabilizing conduct and put focus on corruptive networks (O Kanal/EurActiv/AP)
• Nelson: US’ clear message that B&H must move forward and implement reforms (BN TV)
• Blinken’s letter calls on B&H Presidency members to commit to de-escalation of current political crisis in B&H and to get engaged in program of reforms (FTV)
• RFE learns that Germany has launched issue of imposing sanctions against RS officials who endanger DPA (O Kanal/RFE)
• Zakharova: Moscow is convinced that Maas’ biased assessment regarding internal crisis in B&H is disastrous (RTRS)
• Letter of Blinken sparks reactions; Dodik: In case of sanctions, our moves will be even more radical (ATV)
• Sarovic says that people need to be convinced that they should not go into adventurism and endanger RS because they do not need any other agreement for B&H besides DPA (BN TV)
• Covic says sanctions have never been part of solution, he sees solution to current political crisis in amending Election Law of B&H (FTV)
• Instead of talks, Sarajevo believes only in sanctions against Dodik (EuroBlic)
• Vucic says it is important for Serbia to preserve peace in B&H at any cost, sanctions do not bring good to anyone (FTV)
Montenegro
• Minister Radulovic meets with MEPs in Brussels (Gov. Press service)
• Djukanovic: I believe we’ll be first next EU member (CdM)
• Djukanovic: We’ll support every initiative for government removal; goal is not for it to be launched, but to be successful (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Lorer: 14 December unrealistic date as deadline for resolving dispute between Sofia and Skopje (Republika/BTV/Tribuna)
• Brussels should not play with feelings of citizens, there should be a date for negotiations (Republika/Telma TV)
Albania
• Draghi: We fully support the EU integration of Albania (Radio Tirana)
• Foreign Minister of Italy, Di Maio: Albania a close partner of Italy (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, November 18, 2021
• The proactive role of the U.S. will depend on Kosovo’s readiness to seek it (Koha)
• Serbian List boycott of institutions, as blackmail for the Association (RFE Albanian)
• Bugajski: Serbia is using the issue of the Association to obstruct the dialogue (RTK)
• Krasniqi: Kurti to assume his responsibility for dialogue with Serbia, and its conclusion (Klan)
• Konjufca: The governing coalition is stable (T7)
• Zeya: Kosovo and Serbia invited to the summit as a reflection of inclusiveness (media)
• EU to assist Kosovo in fighting crime (media)
• Soaring Prices Leave Kosovo’s Poorest on the Brink (Prishtina Insight)
• Italian Police Arrest Kosovo Woman, ‘Fervent IS Supporter’ (Balkan Insight)
• Another 2 murals of Serbian Army Generals show up in Belgrade (euronews.al)
• COVID-19: 17 new cases, no deaths (media)
Belgrade Media Report 17 November
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic: Serbia must pursue independent policy (TV Happy/Tanjug/Beta)
Brnabic: Reports that Grennel, Palmer are Serbian lobbyists a vicious lie (Beta)
Without meeting of Belgrade and Pristina delegations in Brussels; Petkovic:Pristina refused to discuss ZSO (RTS)
Lajcak in separate meetings with Belgrade, Pristina chief negotiators (N1)
Mickoski: Balkans tired of waiting and false hopes (Politika)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Chollet meets B&H Presidency members (O Kanal/Nova BH)
Dodik: We expect international community to implement DPA and B&H Constitution; RS has no plan for secession (BNTV)
Chollet meets Covic, Izetbegovic to discuss election legislation reform (O Kanal/FTV)
Chollet: US created new set of sanctions that could be deployed against individuals who are seeking to undermine stability and unity of B&H (N1)
Turkovic: Varhelyi takes situation in B&H seriously, I think sanctions are only matter of timing (Nova BH)
OHR reminds entity competences in field of judiciary were validly transferred to B&H (N1)
EU, US and NATO should help B&H get out of crisis (Dnevni list)
Montenegro
Krivokapic meets with newly appointed Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro (gov.me)
Waag congratulates Abazovic on government’s commitment to fight crime (gov.me)
They say “when power goes to his head…” (CdM)
Democrats claim: Everyone has the right to opinion, we don’t want to influence anyone (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Zaev: Besa is still part of the government (Sloboden pecat)
Kasami denies Zaev’s claim that his party is still part of the ruling coalition (Republika)
As Minister Osmani visits Brussels, EU Commission says it hopes Macedonia and Albania will be able to open accession talks soon (Republika/TV24)
Bytyqi: We will soon get a new government “Zaev 3” with six or seven new ministers (Republika)
Albania
Blinken sends a letter to Xhacka (Radio Tirana)
Kim: Do not forget the past, democracy should be preserved (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 17, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• The dialogue in Brussels ends without a tripartite meeting (Radio Free Europe)
• US Embassy calls for real progress on Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (Telegrafi)
• D4D survey on people’s perception of first six months of Kurti government (media)
• Mustafa: Synergy was created not to leave Prishtina to Vetevendosje (Kosovapress)
• EULEX: We’re supporting communication between Kosovo and Serbia (Kallxo)
• COVID-19: 17 new cases, no deaths (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: Grenell and Palmer lobbying for Serbia – terrible lie; Pristina does not want to fulfill its obligations (KoSSev, TV Happy)
• Serbian PM expects opening of one cluster in talks with EU, hopes for two (N1)
• Mijacic: Exaggerated assessment that Kurti lost the elections due to non-acceptance of the Washington agreement (Danas)
• “No need to ask your grandfather or grand-grandfather about genocide in Kosovo” (Radio KIM)
• Petkovic: Pristina refused to take part in direct talks, refused to talk about ZSO (Kosovo-online)
• Remains of only 15 missing people from Kosovo have been found over the last two years (RTV Puls)
Opinion:
• Kosovo and Serbia expose Summit for Democracy’s conundrum (atlanticcouncil.org)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Serbian QR COVID-19 code valid in EU with some exceptions (N1)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, November 17, 2021
• Kurti: Expectable for agreement with Serbia to be achieved during my term in office (RFE)
• Kosovo’s chief negotiator Bislimi meets EU’s Lajcak in Brussels (media)
• Lajcak: It is high time for real progress (media)
• Petkovic: Kurti making the dialogue meaningless (Koha)
• Krasniqi: If Kurti reaches agreement with Serbia, we will support it (Gazeta Express)
• EU Observers Say Kosovo Voters Misled by ‘Opaque’ Facebook Pages (BIRN)
• Von Cramon: Commission compromising Rule of Law standards in the interest of Orban-Vucic axis (EurActiv)
• Kosovo authorities order expulsion of four Russian citizens (media)
• COVID-19: Five new cases, no deaths (media)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 16, 2021
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 16, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti says meeting in Brussels will focus on missing persons (media)
• Kurti appoints new minister of health (media)
• Konjufca: Serbian List openly blackmailing the Assembly (Klan)
• Osmani: Women in Kosovo continue to face challenges (RTK)
• State Department comments on Afghans housed at Camp Bondsteel (Telegrafi)
• COVID-19: Five new cases, no deaths (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Covid-19: 78 new cases, one death registered in Serbian areas (KoSSev)
• Dialogue in Brussels to continue in afternoon, Belgrade insists on ZSO (Kosovo-online)
• Vucic on today’s talks in Brussels, meeting with Putin (RTS)
• Brnabic, Dacic: Serbia a militarily neutral country but seeks cooperation with NATO (Tanjug)
• Stefanovic: KFOR to prevent reckless Pristina’s acts (Tanjug)
• Serbian PM invited to Moscow International Export Forum (N1)
• Lavrov and Selakovic on Kosovo, the Balkans and bilateral relations (Tanjug, RTS)
• Lawyer Pantovic: Zoran Djokic, an innocent convict (Beta, Danas)
Opinion:
• Only room for progress on the missing persons in the Brussels talks today (Danas)
International:
• NATO Deputy Secretary General highlights 15 years of NATO-Serbia partnership (nato.int)
Read More →Belgrade Media Report 16 November 2021
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Tuesday 16 November 2021
LOCAL PRESS
• Brnabic, Dacic: Serbia a militarily neutral country but seeks cooperation with NATO (Tanjug/Politika)
• Botsan-Kharchenko with Brnabic on relations, cooperation (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Selakovic: Hypocritical to accuse Serbia that it wants instability and war (Tanjug/RTV/B92)
• Full EU membership strategic commitment of Serbia (Tanjug/RTV)
• Borrell: EU expecting implementation of all Belgrade-Pristina agreements (Beta)
• EU Foreign Ministers expect progress in Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (N1)
• “Open Balkans” for better economic cooperation of Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia (Tanjug/Politika)
• Office for Kosovo and Metohija: Shameful verdict to Zoran Djokic (Tanjug/RTV)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Vucic meets Dodik; Vucic: Serbia will always support DPA, Constitution of B&H and their full implementation; Dodik: RS will peacefully advocate restoring of its competences (ATV)
• Dodik: RS does not give up on return of competences transferred to level of B&H, preparation of documents for RSNA MPs is underway (RTRS)
• RS parliament receives documents on plan of return of RS’ competences, ATV publishes main conclusions from documents (ATV)
• Mazalica claims that new RS Constitution can be passed by RS parliament only because RS CoP is illegal (Nezavisne)
• Nesic invites leaders of opposition parties to meeting on 19 November (Glas Srpske)
• Dunovic blames HDZ B&H of blocking FB&H, claims HDZ B&H and SNSD support each other (Oslobodjenje)
• Field meets Cvijanovic, Cubrilovic, discuss current political, economic situation in B&H (RTRS)
• FAC discusses situation in Western Balkans, B&H at session in Brussels; Borrell: We are concerned because situation is serious, we support European perspective of B&H (N1)
• Chollet starts visit to B&H, meets Schmidt, Izetbegovic, Covic; Chollet: US supports OHR’s role in B&H (FTV)
• Dzaferovic: Sanctions represent solution to Dodik’s unconstitutional behavior and to his attack on constitutional order of state (O Kanal)
Croatia
• Croatian PM calls on Kosovo, Serbia to hold dialogue, normalize relations (Hina)
• Milanovic and Pope Francis touch upon situation in B&H; Milanovic: I support demand of Croats in B&H regarding election in B&H Presidency (Jutarnji list)
• Croatian FM: B&H’s Milorad Dodik ‘is a fact’ (Hina)
Montenegro
• Democrats and DF don’t mind external influences (Pobjeda)
• ACG a new target of Serbian World (Dnevne novine)
• Krivokapic meets with UN Resident Coordinator in Montenegro Peter Lundberg (Gov. Press service)
• Filipovic filing complaint against Informer editor Vucicevic (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Rexhepi: Let there be no speculation, I voluntarily decided not to vote for a new majority (Libertas)
• Varhelyi expects a solution to the dispute between Macedonia and Bulgaria (Nezavisen vesnik/Albanian Post)
Albania
• Bregu: The remedy against the slowdown of the EU enlargement process is the integration of the Balkans! (Radio Tirana)
• Borrell confirms support for EU integration of Albania, N. Macedonia (ADN)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, November 16, 2021
• New round of Kosovo – Serbia talks will be held today (Kosovapress)
• President Osmani met with US Embassy Charge d’Affaires (media)
• Borrell: Kurti-Vucic meeting to be held before end of year (media)
• Gervalla in Brussels: NATO should not tolerate Serbia’s aggressiveness (RTK)
• ENEMO’s IEOM to Kosovo presents findings and conclusion (media)
• WB Foreign Ministers urge EU to play a more active role (EWB)
• Serbian PM invites neighbor countries to join Open Balkan (euronews.al)
• Kosovo awards Croatian PM with Humanitarian Medal (euronews.al)
• Kosovo court upholds jailing of Serb ex-fighter for war crimes (BIRN)
• Police arrest four Russians for illegal border crossing from Serbia to Kosovo (RTK)
• COVID-19: Four new cases, no deaths (media)
Belgrade Media Report 15 November
LOCAL PRESS
Vucic says natural gas to be main topic of talks with Putin (Beta/TASS/Solovyev Live)
Brnabic: Serbia continues to insist on protection of world cultural heritage (Tanjug)
Brnabic: Serbia does not aspire to NATO membership, but wants to maintain dialogue and cooperation (RTS/Tanjug)
Open Balkans for better flow of goods and single labor market (Beta/Politika)
Drecun: Double warning for Kurti (RTS)
Popovic: Kosovo and Metohija to remain in preamble of Serbian Constitution (Novosti)
Dacic: Referendum on constitutional amendments due on 16 January (TV Pink)
EU foreign ministers to discuss Belgrade-Pristina dialogue on 15 November (Tanjug)
“Final solution” for Republika Srpska (Politika)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Collegium of RS parliament fails to schedule special session to discuss transfer of competences (RTRS)
Details of proposed Declaration on Constitutional Principles (Nezavisne)
Opposition parties claim RS ruling coalition is withdrawing from process of restoration of competences (RTRS)
Dodik: Opposition should not get excited about special session of RS parliament (FTV/RTRS)
Colo says Dodik and RS’ goal is secession and possible annexation to Serbia in some future period (Hayat)
MEPs Strik, Koester visit B&H: EU must urgently impose financial sanctions against Dodik (BHT1)
Sattler: EU has different measures at its disposal including ‘carrot and stick’, but compromise is better solution (FTV/Dnevni list)
Schmidt says there is risk of B&H’s breakdown if degradation of DPA continues, Inzko agrees (Hayat/FTV)
Lavrov says western countries have chosen risky path (ATV)
Tegeltija and Kosarac react to Mehmedovic’s request for Kalabukhov to be declared persona non grata (ATV)
Croatia
EEAS prepares document which underlines worsening of political situation in B&H and prevailing of inflammatory rhetoric (Jutarnji list)
Montenegro
We have huge support of the US administration (RTCG)
Djukanovic & Lajcak: Dialogue in region and EU integration a precondition for regional and an important factor in European security (CdM)
DF announces it will continue to talk to parliamentary majority (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
Kiril Petkov announced a new approach and better relations with Northern Macedonia (Nezavisen vesnik)
Albania
Rama: Bulgaria is hindering the integration process of Albania (Radio Tirana/France24)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 15, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• Croatian PM Plenkovic visits Kosovo (media)
• Kosovo officially invited to Biden’s democracy summit (media)
• Osmani rejects reports she secured summit invitation by ‘promising land to Decan Monastery’ (media)
• Kurti comments on local election results (media)
• First interview of architect and mayor-elect of Prishtina (Euronews Albania)
• COVID-19: Four new cases, no deaths (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Covid-19 in Serbian communities: 59 new cases (KoSSev)
• Serbian List wins in Klokot (KiM radio)
• Brnabic: Compulsory military service in Kosovo concerning for Serbs (Kosovo-online)
• The Western Balkans – the first item on the EU agenda (B92, Tanjug)
• Citizens punished the demagoguery of Self-Determination in the elections (Kosovo Online, B92)
• Velika Hoca: Broken cross, flag removed from the monument to missing and kidnapped Serbs (KiM radio, N1)
• Bieber: Serbia as such will never become part of EU, Vucic knows that (nova.rs, N1)
• Serbia invited to attend Summit for Democracy in US (Tanjug)
Opinion:
• Are we equal, and why are we not? – the fate of the Serbs south of the Ibar (newsocialinitiative.org)
International:
• Kosovo Ruling Party Loses Capital in Local Election Setbacks (Balkan Insight)
• In a sign of thaw in tensions, Serbia opens trade office in Jerusalem (timesofisrael.com)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Varhelyi: EU to recognize Serbian Covid-19 certificates (N1)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, November 15, 2021
• The Big Inversion (Koha Ditore)
• Kosovo governing party loses capital in runoff mayoral vote yesterday (AP News)
• Kosovo’s opposition wins the run-off election for Mayor of Prishtina (Exit News)
• The punitive spirit of the local elections (Radio Free Europe)
• Palokaj: No guaranteed votes in Kosovo (Koha)
• Albanian PM congratulates Rama on victory in Prishtina (media)
• Shpend Ahmeti congratulates Perparim Rama on winning (Euronews.al)
• EU Council to discuss Kosovo-Serbia dialogue today (Koha)
• Borrell: A Strategic Compass for Europe (media)
• “Kosovo to be invited to Biden’s democracy summit” (media)
• Kurti: It is our task as leaders to advocate for more equality and justice (media)
• Vela: Vucic doing all to block reconciliation with neighbours (media)
• Rama: Serbia to recognise Kosovo as a sovereign and independent country (Kallxo)
• COVID-19: 14 new cases, no deaths (media)
• Survivors of sexual violence and the transmission of trauma (Kosovo 2.0)
Belgrade Media Report 12 November 2021
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Friday 12 November 2021
LOCAL PRESS
• State officials pay tribute to fallen soldiers in First World War (Politika/Novosti/RTS/RTV/Tanjug)
• Brnabic: UNESCO’s role extremely important for preservation of Serbian heritage in Kosovo and Metohija (RTS/Tanjug)
• Brnabic: Kosovo membership in UNESCO would be a catastrophe (FoNet/Politika)
• Brnabic: World facing five main challenges at same time (Tanjug)
• Djuric: Serbia a reliable partner (RTS)
• Djuric wrote to all members of US Congress (Tanjug/B92)
• Department of State: We do not comment on why some countries were not invited to Summit (VoA/Beta)
• Stano: Petkovic, Bislimi to discuss implementation of agreements on 16 November (Tanjug)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Vucic comments Escobar visit to B&H: Escobar is the one that should be asked about his visit – results and his satisfaction with the visit; Serbia will always support DPA (BN TV)
• Schmidt pays visit to Banja Luka, expresses support to state institutions (AJB/Glas Srpske)
• Schmidt and Baroness Helic tell CNN that dissolution of B&H must be prevented (O Kanal)
• PIC Steering Board reiterates firm support to authority and mandate of Schmidt (AJB)
• Zakharova slams PIC SB for issuing press statement in support to ‘so called High Representative’, argues Russia was not informed about it (RTRS)
• Dodik: No political goal is worth sacrificing peace; Dodik reiterates that the RS will withdraw from B&H AF, judiciary and ITA (Reuters/N1)
• Sattler: Plan of RS officials for returning entity competencies will lead nowhere; I fully support Schmidt (FTV)
• RS ministers in B&H CoM vote against all items on agenda (N1)
• Poirel talks about Election Law with B&H lawmakers (BN TV)
• IAWG fails hold session due to lack of quorum (N1)
• Maas: Crisis in B&H is concerning (Klix.ba)
• Germany has started talks in Brussels about sanctions against Dodik and others (Klix.ba/FTV)
• Dzaferovic calls for more intensive international engagement in B&H (O Kanal/N1/TRT)
• Russian Ambassador: Russia would support more autonomy for B&H’s RS entity (BHRT)
• Mehmedovic demands that Kalabukhov is declared a persona non grata (N1)
Montenegro
• Krivokapic: I won’t resign, political leaders caused crisis (CdM)
• Escobar: US to continue supporting Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Montenegro and its citizens (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• The government has survived, the government is holding on to glass legs (Libertas)
Albania
• Two EU Ambassadors: We are working to hold the Intergovernmental Conference within the Slovenian Presidency (Radio Tirana)
• Xhacka: The inclusion of Kosovo, essential for a more efficient regional cooperation (Radio Tirana)
• Rama attends Peace Forum in France (ADN)
LINKS
UNMIK
Peacekeeping
UN News Center
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- Kosovo to Celebrate Birth Anniversary of Albanians' National Hero Skanderbeg - БТА 28/04/2024
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