Belgrade Media Report 18 February 2022
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)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 18, 2022
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 18, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• President Osmani to also take part in Munich conference (media)
• Osmani meets Lebanese prime minister, agree to advance relations (media)
• In Munich, Kurti meets North Macedonian prime minister (media)
• PM Kurti asks Commissioner Hahn for more support (media)
• Russia claims Kosovo is included in recruiting people for Donbas region (Koha)
• Kurti, Konjufca met Albanian representatives from Presevo Valley (media)
• Ministry, Judicial Council and Supreme Court sign statement pledging reforms (media)
• COVID-19: 236 new cases, four deaths (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Djuric met Gabriel Escobar (Radio KIM)
• Gracanica: Provocations on February 17 (Radio KIM, KoSSev, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• State Dept welcomes Serbia’s call for diplomatic solution to Ukraine crisis (N1)
• IFIMES: Preventing Serbs to vote in Kosovo can lead to their withdrawal from Pristina institutions (Kosovo-online)
• Dacic on Kosovo and declaration of independence (Kosovo-online)
• Rasic: Relations between Serbs and Kosovo government are at lowest level ever (RTK)
• Hearing of defendants in usurped property case of Dusko Arsic takes place (Radio KIM)
• West called on Russia not to recognize DNR and LNR at UN (Tanjug, B92)
International:
• In diplomacy, Europe’s most powerful ambassador means business (Politico)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Kosovo Dedicates Independence Monument to Women’s Empowerment (BIRN)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 18, 2022
• Kurti: The constitutional decision on Association should be respected (RTK)
• Opposition parties criticise Kurti’s speech at Assembly (media)
• Kurti to travel to Germany, will take part in Munich Security Conference (media)
• Kosovo Celebrates Independence Anniversary Amid Soul-Searching (BIRN)
• Osmani and Kurti pour out words of hope on 14th Independence anniversary (euronews.al)
• Serbia establishes local election commissions in Kosovo cities (Koha)
• Kosovo Cautioned Over “Dangerous” Verbal Attacks on Media (BIRN)
• COVID-19: 411 new cases, five deaths (media)