Belgrade Media Report 28 February

By OSCPA S  /  28/02/2022  /  UN Office in Belgrade Media Report  /  Comments Off on Belgrade Media Report 28 February

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: Serbia considers the Russian and Ukrainian people to be fraternal peoples, we respect the norms of international law (RTS, B92)
The Government adopted the Conclusion of the National Security Council (Tanjug)
Brnabic: Serbia will protect its interests (Prva TV)
Dacic: Serbia to look after its own interests in Russia Ukraine conflict (Beta)
Foreign Minister: Serbia believes that violating Ukraine’s territorial integrity is a big mistake (Beta)
Selakovic informed the Ukrainian ambassador about the conclusion of the National Security Council (RTS)
Sharp response from Ana Brnabic to Philip Kosnett: Vucic chose international law and peace (B92)
The American embassy supported Vucic’s position regarding Ukraine (Danas)
EP rapporteur for Serbia Bilcik: Serbia’s decision on sanctions will define relations with EU (N1)
The European Union is analysing Vucic’s assessments regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (FoNet)
Ambassador of Ukraine in Belgrade on the position of Serbia (RTS)
Russian Ambassador on the position of our country: We understand Serbia, we are not asking for anything (Tanjug)
Trifunovic: All embassies welcomed Serbia’s position on Ukraine, taking into account very specific position in which Serbia finds itself (Nezavisne)
Vucic: The situation is not naive; I should remind them what they did to Serbia (Tanjug)
Bildt: Serbia disqualified itself from EU accession (N1)
Former Serbian Prime Minister Covic slams USA for violating international resolutions and agreements, claims USA is accusing Russia of what it has been doing worldwide for decades (Vecernje Novosti)
DF Mandic: The Serbian people from Montenegro welcome Vucic’s decision! (Novosti)
Kosovo police are stepping up logistics at the Brnjak checkpoint near Zubin Potok (RTS)
Vucic on the provocations of Pristina: We are monitoring the situation, but we do not want to agree to their game (RTS)
Vulin with the president of Interpol on Pristina’s request for membership (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Dodik: B&H has no united foreign policy due to SDA (RTRS, Oslobodjenje)
RS President Cvijanovic: RS has neutral stance regarding conflict in Ukraine (ATV)
Turkovic: B&H will follow EU’s position on Ukrainian crisis (Nova BH)
HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic calls for end to conflict in Ukraine, calling it invasion (O kanal)
HNS condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (N1)
EUSR Sattler: EU wants B&H to harmonize its foreign policy with EU foreign policy and take EU’s stance on Ukraine (Nezavisne)
SDS Main Board: Dodik to present his stance about Ukrainian-Russian conflict in B&H Presidency; Sarovic: SDS respects territorial integrity of Ukraine but it opposes sanctions; Radovic: Authorities to find ways to address economic consequences of conflict (BN TV)
B&H officials claim that international community is considering sending NATO troops to B&H (N1)
MEP von Cramon-Taubadel says EU member states think about possible impact of Ukrainian conflict on security situation and stability in B&H (Face TV)
Borrell says EU is afraid that Russia will not stop in Ukraine; stresses that EU has to remain vigilant on impact of crisis in Western Balkans and look at what is happening (AJB)
Croatia

Milanovic, Plenkovic criticize Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (Hina)
Plenkovic: Croatia on right side of history (Hina)
Plenkovic: Croatian Government will adopt package of measures to oppose Russian aggression on Ukraine (AJB)
Former Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kovac condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, points out importance of membership in NATO (Oslobodjenje)
Coalition partners support government measures against Russia, aid for Ukraine (Hina)
First Croatian volunteers arrive to join the Ukrainian Army (TCN)
Croatia begins taking in Ukrainian refugees (HRT)
Montenegro

Abazovic left for London, Ukraine conflict accelerated processes over the formation of a new govt (CDM)
MFA: Montenegro has joined the European Council’s restrictive measures against Russia; Bilchik: Putin’s attempt to weaken the EU failed (CDM)
Djukanovic: Montenegro stands in solidarity with Ukraine, it’s a security threat, both NATO and EU values have to be preserved (CDM)
Konjevic: It is important that all parties clearly define their attitude towards the tragic Ukrainian events (CDM)
URA: Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine for harsher condemnation (CDM)
GP New Left: Impose full sanctions on Russia, provide all necessary military and financial assistance to Ukraine (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Mickoski distances himself from Russophiles in party, demands declaration of support for Ukraine (Nezavisen vesnik)
Zaev: I strongly condemn the aggression against Ukraine, the whole democratic world is on the side of peace (Libertas)
Government: Banned flight for Russian planes over Macedonian territory! (Libertas)
Sela: Open Balkans risks becoming Putin’s Trojan horse (Libertas)
Albania

Kurti and Rama express solidarity with Ukraine (Radio Tirana)
Xhacka: Resolution proposed by Albania & USA, condemning the attack on Ukraine had been adopted (Radio Tirana)
Meta: I encourage civil society to pursue humanitarian assistance (Radio Tirana)

Belgrade Media Report 25 February 2022

By OSCPA M  /  25/02/2022  /  UN Office in Belgrade Media Report  /  Comments Off on Belgrade Media Report 25 February 2022

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 25 February 2022

LOCAL PRESS
• Serbia rejects EU suggestion to support Ukraine territorial integrity (Nova.rs)
• Serbia opposes the suspension of Russia’s membership in the CoE (VIP)
• Ukrainian ambassador expects strong Serbian support (N1)
• Zdravko Ponos: Military Solution is Unacceptable (Twitter)
• Right-Wing coalition demands not taking sides (VIP)
• Roth calls for concrete political moves of EU regarding Western Balkans (N1)
• German politician in Bundestag: We have no moral right to criticize, remember Serbia (Tanjug)
• The Year of Morocco in Serbia and Serbia in Morocco – strong diplomatic and friendly ties (RTS)
• Serbia’s opposition named another presidential candidate (Beta, N1)
• Selakovic and Osmani: Extremely good and friendly relations between Serbia and Northern Macedonia (RTS)
REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Komsic, Dzaferovic strongly condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (O kanal)
• Komsic: You cannot invade other people’s countries because you do not like something (Hayat)
• RS President Cvijanovic: Stances of Komsic and Dzaferovic represent their personal stances that contribute to deeper divisions in B&H (RTRS)
• Dodik: Alkalaj acts without authorization when joining B&H to EU statement on Russian-Ukrainian crisis; B&H should remain neutral in regard to Ukraine (ATV)
• B&H MFA establishes crisis headquarters that monitors situation in Ukraine and undertakes activities related to assisting B&H citizens located in Ukraine; B&H nationals in Ukraine advised to contact B&H Embassies in Hungary, Moscow and Warsaw (BHT1)
• EUFOR sends 500 additional soldiers to B&H as precautionary measure (O kanal)
Croatia
• Parliamentary committee condemns aggression against Ukraine with a declaration (HRT)
• Croatian President condemns aggression on Ukraine, NATO should not expand eastward (Hina)
• Croatian PM talks with his Ukrainian counterpart (Hina)
• Croatia plans to send up to 10 Soldiers to NATO’s Rapid Response Force (Hina)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic starts consultations on PM-designate (CDM)
• We are waiting for the position of the SNP; I would like them to be part of the government (CDM)
• Kascelan: DPS has capacity to gather and lead sovereigntist bloc (Pobjeda)
• Bulajic won’t schedule parliamentary session, he seeks agreement from parliamentary majority (CDM)
• DF blocks 17 roads throughout Montenegro (CDM)
• Mihailo writes to Biden: New Montenegrin govt. violates Constitution and discriminates against Orthodox Montenegrins (Pobjeda)
• Djukanovic at the invitation of Stoltenberg at the extraordinary summit of NATO heads of state and government (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovacevski condemns Russia of open military aggression against Ukraine (Republika)
• Defense Minister Petrovska and US Ambassador Byrnes jointly addressed the war in Ukraine (Republika)
• Nikoloski: Military aggression is unacceptable, we fully support the territorial integrity of Ukraine (Republika)
• Russia prepares its own sanctions against the West; Macedonia will also be targeted (Republika)
• New demand from Sofia: Bulgarians insist that everywhere is stated that Tsar Samuil was Bulgarian ruler (Pressing TV)
• Proposal to make the Bulgarian demands part of Macedonia’s EU accession process is unacceptable to VMRO-DPMNE (Republika)
• If Kovacevski accepts Bulgarian demands to enter the negotiating framework, then it could lead to deprivation of identity (Republika)
Albania
• Meta in a press conference/ We condemn the Russian attack on Ukraine (Radio Tirana)
• Kim meets Rama: US and Albania will coordinate actions against Russia (Radio Tirana)
• The US and Albania submit to the Security Council a draft resolution condemning Russia (Radio Tirana)
• Rama announces an extraordinary conference, after the invasion that Russia made of Ukraine (Radio Tirana)

Belgrade Media Report 24 February

By OSCPA S  /  24/02/2022  /  UN Office in Belgrade Media Report  /  Comments Off on Belgrade Media Report 24 February

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic from Madrid: It is clear that Spain will not recognize Kosovo’s independence (B92, RTS)
Germany’s MFA: Baerbock will probably visit Serbia in March (Nova.rs)
Vucic: Our stance on Ukrainian crisis in next 48 hours (Beta)
A session of the National Security Council was held (RTS)
Dacic: We must not act on their request, as they didn’t help us during air-raids on Serbia (RTS)
Tadic: Serbia must have a clear position on Ukraine (RTS)
Petkovic: If Bislimi wanted to have talks with me, he would have them (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

B&H joins EU statement which condemns Russia’s moves in Ukraine (BN TV)
B&H Ambassador to UN Alkalaj, analyst Ahatovic discuss situation in Ukraine (Hayat)
B&H Presidency member Dodik: B&H remains neutral on matter of Russia and Ukraine (RTRS)
RS President Cvijanovic: B&H FM Turkovic has no right to express views on Russian moves; Other reactions (RTRS)
Izetbegovic: Aggression in Ukraine must be stopped (Nezavisne)
Situation in Ukraine divides politicians in B&H; Comments by B&H politicians (N1)
Slovenian Minister Tonin fears something bad will happen in Western Balkans, argues ‘Putin’s friend Dodik’ is making strange moves (Dnevni list)
Covic: I would not support Dodik’s ‘declaration of independence,’ how could I? (N1)
SDA leader Izetbegovic: EU’s strategy of blocking funds for entire B&H is bad (N1)
B&H HoP: SNSD, HDZ B&H delegates support RSNA’s initiative for dialogue of entities, three peoples about possible solutions for B&H; Delegates of other parties from FB&H strongly oppose it (Nova BH)
Owing to votes of HDZ B&H and Serb Caucus, B&H HoP adopts conclusion in which it is demanded that CEC members are appointed based on public vacancy notice; B&H CEC: We are not legislative body; We act in line with our competences (N1)
Izetbegovic: Croats are not endangered in B&H; Election can be postponed by maximum of one month (Dnevni avaz)

Croatia

PM Plenkovic: We strongly condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine (Hina)
Croatian cyber-soldiers being used to help Ukraine as Russia invades (HRT)

Montenegro

Djukanovic condemns attack on Ukraine: Russia violates all fundamental principles of international law (CDM)
Krivokapic: We hope that Russia will turn to a reasonable and diplomatic path (CDM)

Abazovic: Mandate is given to those who can certainly form govt; country doesn’t change by sitting passively and waiting (CDM)
DF starts blockade of Montenegro (CDM)

Republic of North Macedonia

Osmani: In these difficult times we stand with Ukraine (Republika)

Albania

Rama: We strongly condemn Russian aggression, our thoughts are for the Ukrainian people (Radio Tirana)
Stabilization and Association Committee convenes, Xhacka on Moscow-Kiev crisis: Joining EU for additional sanctions on Russia (Radio Tirana)
“The EC has given its assessment” / Soreca: We are determined for the Intergovernmental conference! (Radio Tirana)

Belgrade Media Report 23 February 2022

By OSCPA M  /  23/02/2022  /  UN Office in Belgrade Media Report  /  Comments Off on Belgrade Media Report 23 February 2022

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 23 February 2022

LOCAL PRESS
• Putin: How is it different from Kosovo? (B92)
• Vucic says will condemn Russia when Zelenskyy condemns NATO aggression against Serbia (Beta)
• Vucic: Every country thinks it has the right to demand something from us (RTS)
• US State Department: Belgrade should harmonize its positions with the West, including sanctions (Tanjug)
• Both authorities and opposition ignore events in Ukraine (VIP)
• Liberation Movement: Vucic’s anti-Russian address is excuse before Western sponsors (Beta)
• The arrival of Western diplomats in the Balkans – old players, new rules (RTS)
• Serbia’s negotiator says Kosovo’s Bislimi refused to meet face to face (N1)
• Lajcak: Belgrade-Pristina agreement on some documents is close (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Head of RS Representative Office in Russia Perovic: Recognition and sanctions were expected; Halt of Nord Stream 2 certification will cause biggest damage to people in EU (ATV)
• Komsic and Dzaferovic strongly condemn Russia’s recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk (FTV)
• Dodik meets Kalabukhov; Dodik: It would be best if B&H remains neutral on matter of situation in Ukraine; Kalabukhov: This is historical day for Russia and people in Donetsk and Luhansk (O kanal)
• B&H FM Turkovic: Russia is violating international law (Nova BH)
• SDP’s Magazinovic: Whole world will be affected by development of events in Ukraine, not just B&H (N1)
• SDP’s Niksic: President Putin admitted there was genocide in B&H (Dnevni list)
• B&H politicians react to EC’s decision on payment of EUR 600 million to B&H (Nova BH)
• Dodik on FAC meeting: There are still forces in the EU, primarily in Germany, which, in pursuit of their interests, do not shy away from anything (RTRS)
• SNSD’s Prodanovic: FAC session demonstrated a well-balanced approach of EU officials to crisis in B&H, B&H must focus on reforms (Glas Srpske)
• SDA leader Izetbegovic sends letter to EU HR Borrell asking him to avoid mentioning disintegration of BiH in his public statements (FTV)
• RSNA Committee for Constitutional Affairs: Request of Bosniak Caucus is direct violation of constitutionality of B&H (RTRS)
• Meeting on changes to B&H Election Law cancelled due to absence of representatives of Bosniak parties (Nova BH)
• EUD, OHR call for continuation of dialogue on electoral reform; EUD: We expect general elections to take place in October (Oslobodjenje)
• Head of EU Delegation to B&H Sattler meets B&H HJPC President Lagumdzija, says RS’ plan on RS HJPC is unacceptable (Dnevni list)
•
Croatia
• Croatia wants March EU Summit to discuss Bosnia (Hina)
• Opposition proposes dissolution of parliament (HRT)

Montenegro
• Konatar: We agreed to elect parliament speaker at first next session, Bulajic won’t derail the work of parliament (CDM)
• Zivkovic: We are to elect parliament speaker on 1 March in Cetinje, I believe Bulajic will convene session (CDM)
• Radunovic: DF soon to block Montenegro, part of parliamentary majority urges session to elect new parliament speaker (CDM)
•

Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovacevski is negotiating about the Macedonian language and nation with Bulgaria, Republika has learnt (Republika)
• Mickoski: We also demand, from Brussels and official Sofia, a guarantee for the Macedonian language, people and identity (Republika)
•

Albania
• Minister of Justice Manja met with Croatian counterpart Ivan Malenica (Radio Tirana)