Belgrade Media Report 22 February

By OSCPA S  /  22/02/2022  /  UN Office in Belgrade Media Report  /  Comments Off on Belgrade Media Report 22 February

LOCAL PRESS

Belgrade-Pristina teams negotiate key issues in Brussels, outcome uncertain (N1)
Vucic: The pressure on Serbia after Putin’s decision will be greater than ever before (FoNet, Tanjug)
Ukraine expects Serbia to condemn Putin’s recognition of Donetsk, Luhansk (N1)
Vucic talked with Macron: “Serbia is not in an easy position” (B92)
Austrian politician about Ukraine: We told you so; The so-called Kosovo is to blame (B92)
Dveri Leader: Number of voters drastically increased in areas in which SNS is losing support (FoNet)
Jankovic: We will give power back to the citizens (FoNet, VIP)
Vucic received the Grand Cross of the Order of Saint-Charles (B92)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

EUD comments HNS conclusions: Threats with unilateral steps toward new institutional and territorial organization of B&H, are not helping (Dnevni avaz)
OHR comments HNS conclusions: Leaders have to continue talks (Dnevni avaz)
UK Embassy comments HNS conclusions, Covic’s letter: Legislative grounds for holding of elections have been met already (Oslobodjenje)
SDA does not know anything about new meeting on election law, which should be held on Tuesday; Osmanovic: It is hard to accept what HDZ wants, and that is not in accordance with ECHR’s judgements (BHT1)
NS presents proposal of changes to B&H Election Law at forum held at B&H Parliament Monday; Kojovic explains why NS left negotiations on electoral reform (N1)
EU FAC discusses situation in B&H, warns of deepest post-war crisis in B&H; Borrell: Restrictive measures will be used as last resort; Media: EU FMs do not agree on imposing of sanctions but they rather call on political leaders in B&H to take responsibility (FTV)
European Commissioner Varhelyi: EU has decided to block EUR 600 million for projects of B&H due to Dodik’s policies (RTRS)
Dodik comments on possible EU sanctions: If they are imposed RS will block development projects in FB&H; RS to request change in regulation for elections at RSNA for delegation for B&H HoP; Bosniaks are trying to reduce Serbs and Croats to ethnic minorities (RTRS)
RS officials deem foreign officials are inadequately informed about real situation in B&H, make their decisions based on stereotypes and lobbying (EuroBlic)
Dodik: RS will seek neutrality at B&H level regarding issue of Ukraine (ATV)
Head of RS Representation Office in Moscow Perovic and B&H Ambassador to Russia Samardzija comment current situation in Ukraine, blame West for crisis (Glas Srpske)

Croatia

Grlic Radman after EU FAC’s meeting: Two countries insisted on elections in any situation, but, after my intervention, general agreement was that electoral reform is necessary (N1)
Croatia condemns Russia’s recognition of Ukrainian separatist regions (Hina)

Montenegro

Nikolic to Marovic: Minority govt. formation and each of its decisions will depend exclusively on us (CDM)
Radunovic: Would URA support technical govt.’s prime minister-designate with support of parliamentary majority and minorities? (CDM)
Djukanovic: We’re currently closest to minority govt; it’s important that a solution is reached (CDM)
Montenegrin President Djukanovic meets President of EU Council Michel; Djukanovic: Inactive European enlargement policy has led to Western Balkans becoming target of retrograde powers (N1)
Djukanovic: Montenegro condemns all acts of recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent entities (CDM)
Abazovic: Russia’s decisions violate security and international law (Libertas)

Republic of North Macedonia

Osmani: It is our request to have a comprehensive document that will close all political issues with Bulgaria (TV Telma)
Government and opposition officials express support for Ukraine (Republika)

Albania

Meta receives in the Presidency the former Prime Minister of Kosovo, Avdullah Hoti (Radio Tirana)
Putin recognizes the independence of separatist regions; Meta: Serious violation of international law (Radio Tirana)

Belgrade Media Report 21 February 2022

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United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Monday 21 February 2022
LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic says Serbian people do not want NATO (Beta/RTS/Tanjug/Politika)
• Vucic: Everybody knows our position on Ukraine crisis (Tanjug)
• Iran to continue to respect Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty (Beta/Politika)
• Selakovic thanks Guatemala for principled position regarding Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Cooperation with China important for region’s dynamic development (Tanjug)
• Petkovic: We want normalization of relations with Pristina but two are necessary for dialogue (RTS)
• Stano: Petkovic, Bislimi to meet in Brussels on Tuesday (Tanjug)
• Cadez: Western Balkans a priority for new German government (Tanjug)
• Manuel Sarrazin becomes Germany’s first envoy for Western Balkans (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• HNS conclusions: In case that de-constitution of Croat people continues, HNS will launch all legal procedures and political steps for new institutional and territorial organization of B&H based on principles of federalism and consociation democracy (ATV)
• Covic sends letter about HNS’s conclusions to international addresses (Hayat)
• Dodik: There is nothing disputable about HNS conclusions (RTRS)
• SDA: HNS’ conclusions are unacceptable, territorial reorganization and additional ethnic divisions will not happen; Statements of SDA officials (ATV)
• Komsic on HNS’ conclusions: Elections will be held despite efforts to block or postpone them (Nova BH)
• SDP on HNS’ conclusions: Elections will be held and no boycott can prevent them from taking place (O Kanal)
• Mijatovic: I will request formation of government of national salvation of B&H (Dnevni list)
• SBB B&H comments HNS conclusions stressing there is no alternative to talks and dialogue and calls for stronger mediation of Washington and Brussels (Dnevni avaz)
• NiP: HDZ B&H does not want agreement, but they copy Dodik’s approach (O Kanal)
• Borrell: We will not allow dissolution of B&H (Nova BH)
• Schmidt: Threat with re-establishing RS army has weakened (Dnevni avaz)
• Stevandic criticizes Schmidt for meeting with Kurti (Glas Srpske)
• Dodik deems statement of Lavrov that citizens of B&H are hired for Ukrainian battlefield should be taken seriously (ATV)
• Radoncic reacts to Lavrov’s statements: Statement are anti-Muslim and attempt to present Muslims from the Balkans as security threat in heart of Europe (Dnevni avaz)
• Truss: Putin wants to take over Western Balkans (Dnevni list)
Croatia
• Covic: HNS session had major historical dimension and it sends message of unity of Croat people in B&H (HRT1)
• Croatia opposed to elections in B&H if legislation remains unchanged (Hina)
• Milanovic on elections in B&H (Hina)
• Fleming: There are two problems with regard to progress of B&H – problem of rhetoric and separatist acting of the RS and limited constitutional and electoral reform (Slobodna Dalmacija)
Montenegro
• Abazovic: If there’s wisdom, we’ll form government quickly (CdM)
• Bosniak Party: By the end of the week, it will be known who will enter government (Gradska RTV)
• Vucurovic: DF offers two proposals for technical government (RTCG)
• Becic: We are going to the elections (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovacevski: The clear EU perspective for Northern Macedonia is of strategic importance for the region (Libertas)
Albania
• Munich Conference / Chancellor Scholz: “We must advance with the integration of the Balkans” (Radio Tirana)
• Xhacka meets with German and regional counterpart in Munich, discussions on the situation in the Western Balkans (Radio Tirana)

Belgrade Media Report 18 February 2022

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United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Friday 18 February 2022
LOCAL PRESS

• Petkovic: Holding of 3 April elections in Kosovo and Metohija crucial (Tanjug/RTV)
• Office for Kosovo and Metohija: Several cars stoned from vehicles with the KLA flag in Kosovo (Beta/Politika/Novosti)
• Ponos says his policies are civic and national (Nova S)
• Eight opposition parties sign Agreement for Responsible Serbia (N1/Beta)
• United Serbia submits election list (N1/NSPM)
• Djuric with Escobar: Serbia will always be devoted to peace (RTS)
• US State Department: We welcome Serbia’s position on Ukrainian crisis (VoA/Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• HDZ Croatia against EP’s amendment on B&H and assesses it as detrimental and irresponsible, noting that it comes at a decisive moment of sensitive negotiations on legitimate representation of Croats in B&H (AJB/FTV)
• Dodik: Positions of EP on B&H show that MEPs do not know what is happening in B&H (Srna/RTRS)
• Other RS politicians comment on EP’s move (BHT1)
• Dzaferovic welcomes EP’s decision (FTV)
• Magazinovic: EP’s move is powerful tool to shake up sluggish European administration; NS: Sanctions against Dodik must be efficient (N1)
• Nesic: Aim is to leave RS without any kind property (Dnevni list)
• Konakovic criticizes PIC for too mild reaction to RS parliament actions, says he would talk to Dodik but not shake his hand (Glas Srpske)
• Zvizdic informs UN Secretary-General of current developments in B&H; Guterres: UN monitors and strongly support B&H’s Euro-Atlantic path (O Kanal)
• Escobar once again admitted that he closely cooperates with RS opposition in order to undermine Dodik; Reactions of RS politicians (ATV/RTRS)
Croatia
• Plenkovic: Additional efforts should be made to reach agreement primarily between Bosniak political parties and HNS (N1)
Montenegro
• Concept subject to change: CdM announces minority govt structure and envisaged ministries (CdM)
• Abazovic: We don’t have to have a minority, we can have a technical government (CdM)
• Abazovic talked with the Democrats (CdM)
• Picula: New government should turn to Chapters 23 and 24 (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Mickoski met with EU Ambassador David Geer (Republika)
• Energy crisis: Macedonia begins work on a power line to Albania (Republika)
Albania
• Rama: Albania was highly praised by the US officials (Radio Tirana)
• Peleshi: Albania ready to increase its contribution to the south-eastern borders of the Alliance (Radio Tirana)
• Rama congratulated citizens of Kosovo on 14th anniversary of Independence (Radio Tirana)

Belgrade Media Report 17 February

By OSCPA S  /  17/02/2022  /  UN Office in Belgrade Media Report  /  Comments Off on Belgrade Media Report 17 February

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: I asked for Greece to keep supporting Serbia’s territorial integrity (Politika/RTS/Tanjug)
Mitsotakis: Greek stance on Kosovo unchanged (Politika/RTS/Tanjug)
Serbian, Cypriot MFAs hold political consultations in Nicosia (Tanjug)
Esobar: US supports ZSO, but not to undermine Kosovo’s sovereignty or functionality (RTV/Tanjug/KoSSev/B92)
Rakic: Attacks on Serbs a message they are not wanted (Novosti)
SNS first submits list for Belgrade elections; Sapic: Belgrade is better than ever (Tanjug/B92)
SPS submits election lists (Beta)
Parliamentary list of United Serbia coalition (Nova/Beta)
Recommendation to citizens of the Republic of Serbia residing in Ukraine (mfa.gov.rs)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Dodik: Komsic’s congratulation to Kosovo is provocation (Srna/RTRS)
Vulic: It is evident that Komsic worries about his post, which is why he does things like this (ATV)
European Parliament calls for sanctions against Milorad Dodik (N1)
Escobar testifies before US Senate: B&H most corrupt country in Balkans (Dnevni avaz)
Cvijanovic meets Mecacci; Cvijanovic: Overcoming current political crisis in B&H requires mutual understanding and internal dialogue of domestic political actors (RTRS)
Zvizdic meets President of the UN General Assembly Shahid: It is necessary to secure functionality of B&H institutions (Oslobodjenje)
Toudic: France supports constitutional and electoral reform in B&H (Dnevni list)
Prosecutor’s Office of B&H launches investigation into Buzim events (ATV)
Croatia

Defense Minister: Croatia hasn’t defined its participation in NATO operations (Hina)
Montenegro

Becic at the protest: Majority of the 49 deputies fell apart like a tower of cards (CdM)
Konjevic: DPS unacceptable for Old Guard, Djuraskovic’s reaction hasty and unnecessary (Antena M)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs congratulated Kosovo’s Independence Day (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Zabrcanec named as coordinator of the Mini Schengen initiative – Macedonia’s consolation prize after the EU prospects grew more distant (Republika)
Albania

Constitutional Court rules in favor of President Meta in impeachment case (Tirana Times)
UN Security Council seat, US relations focus of PM visit to New York, Washington (VoA/Tirana Times)
Rama receives decoration in US for Afghans’ sheltering (ADN)