Belgrade Media Report 17 December 2021
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Friday 17 December 2021
LOCAL PRESS
• Selakovic, Le Drian: Bilateral relations between two countries on an upward trajectory (RTS/Tanjug)
• Selakovic: Partnership with France gained strength with Macron’s visit to Serbia (Politika/Tanjug)
• Cochard: Western Balkans remains a priority for France (Politika/Beta)
• Stefanovic: We expect KFOR to continue its status neutral mission (Tanjug/Politika/Beta)
• Italian General Zanitti takes over as Chief of NATO Liaison Office in Belgrade (Beta)
• CEFTA rejects Pristina’s request to represented without UNMIK (RTS)
• Drecun: Pristina’s unilateral moves are not sanctioned (RTS)
• EP adopts resolution on forced labor, environmental protests in Serbia (Beta/Politika)
• Dacic: EP resolution an example of hypocrisy (Tanjug/RTV/Politika)
• The so-called Kosovo is being offered to “rent” a prison (B92/Danish Radio)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• German Foreign Ministry says Germany will not cooperate with entity that works on B&H’s destruction (O Kanal)
• Dodik talks to Varhelyi: RS remains dedicated to peace, dialogue and B&H Constitution (Oslobodjenje)
• Field: UK government is negotiating sanctions against certain individuals and Dodik, but behind closed doors (BHT)
• UK House of Lords discusses situation in B&H; Helic says crisis in B&H is not political, but security crisis which requires urgent, security response (FTV)
• Turkovic discusses political situation in B&H with UK envoy Peach; Peach announces close cooperation with US and EU (O Kanal)
• Chollet warns Dodik of consequences for anti-Dayton actions; Dodik: it would have been fair if Chollet had said what I told him (BHT1)
• Zakharova says Schmidt does not have mandate to make decisions, impose measures (RTRS)
• Covic hosts Christmas reception in Mostar; Dodik: RS has no intention to give up on its interests and goals (N1)
• SDP calls on NATO to deploy its troops in Brcko District and some other areas in B&H (N1)
• Dacic: Serbia will not allow sidelining of Serbs in B&H (Dnevni avaz/Dnevni list)
• SDP and DF withdraw from negotiations on amendments to Election Law and Constitution of B&H (BHT1)
• Osmanovic: First unblock state and continue talks on change of B&H Election Law when political situation calms down (FTV)
• Stevandic, Novakovic-Bursac claim Bosniaks are trying to find excuse for failure of talks on electoral reform so they blame RS (EuroBlic)
Croatia
• President’s office publishes contents of entire letter to PM (HRT)
• Plenkovic comments on Council Conclusions on Bosnia (Hina)
Montenegro
• Markovic: DF has our support for shortening the mandate (RTCG)
• Jokovic: As for the SNP, goodbye to Krivokapic and this government; Ibrahimovic: The government is doomed, it is counting the last days (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Mickoski: In 2022 I expect early parliamentary elections and a stable government formed by VMRO-DPMNE (TV21)
• Mickoski: Ahmeti and I talked about a new agreement with Bulgaria and early parliamentary elections (TV21)
• Bulgarian President Radev tells Macedonia that it must change its Constitution (Republika/Euractiv)
Albania
• On the eve of the National Assembly, head of DP Basha calls for democrats to choose the future (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 17, 2021
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, December 17, 2021
Albanian Language Media:
• Osmani: Kosovo, the most successful project of U.S.-EU foreign policy (media)
• Kosovo’s new ambassador to U.S. meets Escobar (media)
• Kosovo and Croatia sign MoU in the field of security and defence (media)
• State Department publishes country reports on terrorism (VOA)
• CDHRF: Agreement with Denmark legalises discrimination of Kosovo inmates (media)
• Association of Kosovo Municipalities says mayors will boycott meeting on COVID-19 situation (media)
• COVID-19: 11 new cases, no deaths (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• NATO Joint Forces chief Admiral Burke in Belgrade (N1)
• EP adopts resolution on forced labor at Chinese plant in Serbia (N1)
• Dacic: EP Resolution, example of double standards (RTS)
• Selakovic begins visit to France (Tanjug)
• Kandic: The region’s political oligarchies glorify those convicted of war crimes (N1, Beta, KoSSev, FoNet)
• State Department: Serbia invests efforts in fight against terrorism (RTS, VoA)
• Vladislav Jovanovic: I do not expect dialogue to be accelerated because it does not suit West (Kosovo-online)
• Lawyer: Arsic threatened before arrest, he wanted to reclaim usurped property (Kosovo-online)
• Tadic former Serbian president, calls for ad-hoc coalition against Constitutional changes (N1)
International:
• Western Balkan Countries Struggle to Keep Lights On (Balkan Insight)
• Political Unrest and Propaganda Spark Online Violations (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Kindergarten construction in Gorazdevac village has started (KoSSev)
• Zvecan power issue resolved (Kosovo-online)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 17, 2021
• Kurti: With the Association, Kosovo falls for Serbia’s game (Koha)
• President Osmani to deliver annual address in parliament today (media)
• Kosovo seeks equality in CEFTA, Serbia toughens barriers (Klan Kosova)
• Denmark to rent 300 prison cells in Kosovo for deportees (Prishtina Insight)
• Croatian Defense Minister to visit Kosovo today (RTK)
• President Osmani thanks Macron and French people for vaccine donation (media)
• COVID-19: 8 new cases, no deaths (media)
• Kajtazi reports threats to police; AJK wants protection for Kajtazi (Telegrafi)
• Kosovo murder trial witness refuses to name Serb crime gangs (BIRN)
• EU to finance new wastewater plant in Kosovo (webalkans.eu)
• EP adopts Resolution on fight against organised crime in Western Balkans (EWB)
• Online Intimidation: Controlling the Narrative in the Balkans (Balkan Insight)
• Vucic to visit Tirana on December 20; Berisha announces protest (Indeksonline)