Belgrade Media Report 25 January 2022

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United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 25 January 2022

LOCAL PRESS
• Brnabic in Brussels at the meeting of the Stabilization and Association Council (RTS)
• Pristina, investigation against several officials of the Serbian List (RTS)
• Petkovic: Kurti’s efforts to ban the elections on April 3 in KiM will lead to unforeseeable consequences (RTS)
• Stefanovic with the British Minister of Defense: Serbia is determined to strengthen its relations between the two countries (RTS)
• Obradovic filed criminal charges on suspicion of election theft in a referendum (RTS)
• Enough is Enough, Healthy Serbia and I live for Serbia together in the elections (RTS)
• Democratic Party: Talks on joint candidates to be suspended over Ponos nomination, or democrat leaders to step down (Beta)
• Djilas: Party not to give up on Ponos (Beta)
• Former Army Chief-of-Staff Ponos most suitable candidate opposition can currently offer (Danas)
• Fear from ‘non-paper’ again starts spreading in region (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• HR Schmidt for German media: EU could easily reach consent on introduction of sanctions to Dodik (Nova BH, O kanal)
• Group of MEPs calls on EU to change strategy towards Dodik (BHT1)
• UK Ambassador Field publishes blog post ‘End to B&H’s consequence-free environment’ warning that current crisis is dangerous distraction from corruption (BN TV)
• Dodik: Field confirms thesis that B&H is last colony in Europe (RTRS)
• Cubrilovic calls on Izetbegovic, Covic to address RSNA; Osmanovic: They should first address B&H Parliament (RTRS)
• B&H HoR to discuss changes to Law on B&H HJPC on February 3; RS representatives say it is pointless to discuss those changes right when RS is about to adopt law on formation of RS HJPC (EuroBlic)
• SDA, DF MPs demand that the December 10 RSNA conclusions are put out of force; RS representatives reject request calling it “very irritating” (Glas Srpske)
• Sarovic: US and EU probably exerted pressure on Orban, and Orban showed that relations with US and EU countries are more important to him (BN TV)
• New round of negotiations on electoral reform in B&H (N1)
• HDZ B&H’s Kozul: Solution for electoral reform is possible, but atmosphere in political Sarajevo is hindering progress (Dnevni avaz)
• SNSD’s Prodanovic on changes to B&H Election Law: It would be very important to remove obstacles regarding election of Croat member of B&H Presidency (O kanal)
• Sejdic prepares his own proposal of changes to Election Law, criticizes Eishhorst and Palmer for advocating their own and not EU’s and US’ interests in talks on electoral reform (Glas Srpske)
Croatia
• Croatian FM Grlic-Radman: EU must send clear message to those who inhibit process of election reform in B&H (Hina)
• Grlic Radman; There are no reasons to withdraw diplomats from Ukraine (Hina)
• Milanovic on the conflict in Ukraine: If there is an escalation, we will withdraw our troops to the last Croatian soldier (Jutarnji list)
Montenegro
• Abazovic: If someone touches the security sector against Constitution to provoke tensions, outbursts of nationalism, they’ll get an adequate response immediately (CDM)
• Krivokapic: A coup attempt is underway in Montenegro (Antena M)
• Govt. dismisses Radulovic from Delegation for EU Accession Negotiations, Milatovic replaces him (CDM)
• Krivokapic dismisses Sekulovic and appoints himself head of Ministry of Justice, Human and Minority Rights (CDM)
• URA: The minority government model is currently the optimal solution for overcoming the political crisis (FoNet)
• Medojevic: DF will not support the minority government (RTCG)
• US Embassy: Political leaders to avoid inflammatory nationalist rhetoric (VOA)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Key parties agree to abolish the technical Government rule, but SDSM and DUI don’t want it to lead to early elections (Republika)
• The Macedonian Army is preparing a plan for possible participation in NATO intervention in Ukraine (Telma TV)
Albania
• Meta: Albania appeals for the settlement of Ukraine-Russia disputes through dialogue (Radio Tirana)

Belgrade Media Report 24 January

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LOCAL PRESS

Vulin: Organized crime group plotting to assassinate Vucic (Tanjug/RTS/Politika/Novosti)
Brnabic: Vucic’s murder planned in the first half of February, we have it in writing (TV Prva/B92)
Vucic on assassination threat: I don’t want to panic (TV Pink)
US, British and German Embassies dismiss allegations of financial support to protests in Serbia (Beta)
Djilas for Ponos as opposition’s presidential candidate (Beta)
People’s Party says learned from media that Djilas wants Ponos for president (Beta)
New US strategy in Western Balkans: Fight against corruption according to political criteria (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Power meets B&H Presidency: Focus of B&H need to be reforms (N1)
Dodik expresses gratitude to Power for projects in RS, argues US officials always have hidden agenda of removing him and SNSD from political scene (ATV)
OHR: High Representative supports efforts of EU and USA related to electoral reform in B&H; EU Delegation to B&H says electoral and constitutional reforms are of crucial importance on B&H’s path to EU (Oslobodjenje)
Izetbegovic: Electoral reform talks are good, US’ engagement should be used to B&H’s benefit (Hayat)
Serb representatives dismiss Izetbegovic’s proposal of indirect election of B&H Presidency members (Glas Srpske)
Izetbegovic: Bosniaks are afraid what will happen if Covic and Dodik are elected in B&H Presidency (RTRS)
US Senators call for review of approach to key reforms in B&H (FTV)
Inzko confirms ‘non-paper’ on change of borders in Balkans existed, claims it was stashed in his drawer for four years (Necenzurirano/Klix.ba)
Dodik: B&H is a failed project – Croats, Muslims and Serbs should separate (El Mundo/Nezavisne)
Field: We will not allow division of B&H (Dnevni avaz)
Croatia

Grlic Radman: B&H needs changes to B&H Election Law (Hina)
Izetbegovic: Croats and Bosniaks do not have a single reason for conflicts, while they have hundreds of reasons for cooperation (Vecernji list)
Montenegro

According to the Constitution, the new Prime Minister cannot be appointed without elections (RTCG)
Montenegrin Prime Minister wants new elections (Nova)
Krivokapic to form Christian Democratic Party, coalition with Democrats possible (RTCG/CdM)
Democrats set out conditions to take part in negotiations over minority govt, they want written guarantees (CdM)
Opposition MPs signed: Proposal for Becic’s dismissal submitted (CdM)
DF will vote for Abazovic’s dismissal (CdM)
Maddocks: If a minority government is formed, it’s a decision of representatives of people – that’s how democracy works (CdM)
Weber: Formation of a new government a legitimate move (Pobjeda)
Political forces to work on reducing divisions in Montenegro (RTCG)
EU urges political actors in Montenegro to lower tensions (Nova)
Republic of North Macedonia

VMRO-DPMNE will submit a proposal for changes to the electoral code and for early elections to parliament (Republika)

Belgrade Media Report 21 January 2022

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United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Friday 21 January 2022
LOCAL PRESS

• Brnabic: Government revokes spatial plan for Jadar (Tanjug/RTS)
• Rio Tinto voices concern over statements by Serbian government officials (Tanjug/Beta)
• Dacic: Friendly relations between Serbia and Venezuela (RTV/Tanjug)
• Dacic: I will not run for president so as not to endanger Vucic (TV Pink/Beta)
• Petkovic: We continue to fight for “Brezovica” (TV Tanjug)
• RIK: 59.59 percent of voters voted “yes” in Serbian referendum (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Power: US has shown we will not hesitate to act against those who pursue corruption, destabilization and division at expense of citizens of this country (O Kanal)
• Kovacevic criticizes Power’s statements regarding RS and its representatives (Nova BH)
• Spiric states moratorium on so-called Inzko’s law is sufficient for return to institutions of B&H (Srna/BN TV)
• RS ruling coalition preparing proposal that might serve as solution to ongoing crisis in B&H (Glas Srpske)
• Izetbegovic says there is no agreement on meeting of leaders of three peoples with Presidents of Turkey and Serbia, B&H will be represented by institutions (Dnevni list)
• Analysts say dialogue between representatives of peoples in resolving crisis in B&H is not option for Bosniaks because they still do not give up on idea of civic state (RTRS)
• Sattler: US and EU are ready to provide necessary support next week; Elections will take place on 5 October (Dnevni avaz)
• New final round of negotiations on changes to B&H Election Law expected to begin on Monday; HNS puts forward its proposal which has been assessed as discriminatory (N1)
• CEC asks for OHR’s help in solving the issue with financing of elections (Glas Srpske)
Croatia
• Western Balkans important to Macron in security context (Hina)
• PM says Croatia to respond “clearly and resolutely” if Russia attacks Ukraine (Hina)
Montenegro
• Government seeks shortening of parliament’s mandate (CdM)
• Elections suit government now that it’s about to fall (CdM)
• There is no place for the DPS on the road to the EU (RTCG)
• Spajic meets Escobar (Gov. Press service)
• US Embassy: We have no position on the proposals regarding the composition of the government (CdM)
• Details of Krivokapic’s letter to Porfirije: Part of the Fundamental Agreement is not in accordance with the Law on Freedom of Religion (CdM)
• Protests against the minority government held in several cities (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Grubi: Even if there is no technical government, there will be an Albanian Prime Minister (Sloboden pecat)
• Kovacevski hopes to improve relations with Bulgaria by early summer (Republika)
Albania
• Work begins / NATO air base in Kucova; Peleshi: Message for actors with rival intentions in the Western Balkans (Radio Tirana)
• Rama: Kucova air base increases our political and military role! (Radio Tirana)
• US Embassy shares details on new NATO base in Kucova (ADN)
• Military ships from Albania and the USA, manoeuvre operations in the Adriatic (Radio Tirana)
• President Meta decrees date for local by-elections (ADN)

Belgrade Media Report 20 January 2022

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United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Thursday 20 January 2022
LOCAL PRESS

• Brnabic: Serbian citizens understood importance of changes leading to more independent judiciary (RTS/Tanjug)
• Mojsilovic: SAF to react to unilateral actions in north of Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTS/Novosti)
• Stefanovic: Serbia no threat to anyone (Tanjug/Beta/N1/Novosti)
• Dacic: Sanctions for Kurti for announcing to ban vote in April (B92/Beta)
• Petkovic: Kurti’s claims untrue (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Serbia’s activist announces new protests to make regime keeps its word (N1)
• Macron advocates clear perspective for Western Balkans’ EU accession (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• US Embassy officials look for prosecutor to press charges against Dodik (RTRS/Srna)
• Biden responds to letters of B&H diaspora; we will always stand by the side of our friends (Dnevni avaz)
• Schallenberg calls for reaction of international community due to undermining of B&H (FTV)
• Power arrives to reaffirm US’ commitment to partnering with citizens of B&H (O Kanal)
• Turkovic: There will be sanctions, however I do not believe that they will be unanimous when it comes to the EU (Hayat)
• Stanivukovic, others condemn sanctions against ATV (ATV)
• ATV investigates if Serb representatives will return to work in joint institutions of B&H (ATV)
• Dodik grateful to Vucic, Erdogan for caring for B&H (RTRS)
• Izetbegovic: There is no agreement on holding meeting of leaders of the three peoples in B&H with Vucic and Erdogan (BHT1)
• SBB B&H criticizes Turkish, Serbian initiative, arguing that Bosniaks must not take part in this (Dnevni avaz)
• Sattler: Regardless of final outcome of negotiations, October elections will take place (FTV)
Croatia
• Milanovic expresses readiness to mediate talks of representatives of three peoples in B&H together with Presidents of Turkey and Serbia (Vecernji list)
Montenegro
• URA submits initiative to parliament for vote of no confidence in government (CdM)
• Krivokapic submitted an initiative to remove Abazovic, proposing Spajic as vice president (CdM)
• Protest in Podgorica due to the initiative for a vote of no confidence in the government (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Mickoski called for snap elections without a technical government (Republika)
Albania
• Laws on the border regime and social security with Kosovo are approved (Radio Tirana)