Belgrade Media Report 31 March 2022
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Thursday 31 March 2022
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: Here’s how I see Serbia in 2025 (Blic)
• Dacic: Kingdom of Eswatini recognizes Kosovo because of undeveloped ties with Serbia (Beta)
• Office: There’s neither justice nor fair trials for Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija (RTV/Tanjug)
• Ukrainian Ambassador to Serbia: Putin started the war, and can stop it right away (RTS/Beta)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: Moscow expects Ukrainian provocations (TV Happy/Beta)
• Dacic: Serbia right place for peace talks (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Messages ahead of Sunday presidential vote in Serbia: Pride, warnings, promises (N1)
• Serbia’s opposition: We want to restore justice, crackdown on corruption (FoNet/N1)
• Jankovic: Opposition stands real chance of winning in Belgrade (Nova/Beta)
• Ponos: Rigging elections would be playing with fire (Danas/Beta)
• Faktor Plus: SNS to win 53.6 pct of votes, United for Victory, SPS follow (Blic)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Ujic: Around 300 people banned from entering B&H including 27 Serbian citizens (RTRS)
• Dzaferovic pays visit to Brussels, accuses RS authorities of undermining all reforms implemented in B&H in post-war period (O Kanal)
• Dzaferovic meets Von der Leyen; EU committed to country’s sovereignty, integrity and EU path (Dnevni avaz)
• EU Delegation warns that B&H politicians must start turning their pro-EU rhetoric into concrete action that will bring country closer to EU (Nezavisne)
• B&H CoM in session: B&H Ministers from the RS vote against resolution banning and changing access of Russia and Belarus to EBRD resources (FTV)
• Sarovic: Consultations of RS authority and opposition underway ahead of B&H HoR’s session in order to take single stance about issues that are not in interest of RS (RTRS)
• Nesic, Stevandic: Zvizdic is abusing his position to convene urgent session on Ukraine and thus provoke new crisis in B&H (BHRT/Glas Srpske)
• Sattler meets Sarrazin: Looking forward to cooperation supporting B&H’s path to EU (Dnevni avaz)
• Sarrazin meets Forto, Turkovic; Discussions focus on electoral reform and upcoming general elections (Oslobodjenje)
• Arnautovic elected new President of B&H CEC (O Kanal)
Croatia
• Croatian Ambassador to Serbia criticized in Croatian parliament (Hina)
• Opposition meets reshuffle announcement with call for snap election (HRT)
• JANAF to suspend business with Serbian company NIS over EU sanctions (HRT)
Montenegro
• Radulovic and Hahn: Montenegro and the EU together and in the new geopolitical reality (CdM)
• Will the outgoing Prime Minister Krivokapic again refuse to impose sanctions on Russia (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• US Secretary Blinken spoke with Kovacevski on Ukraine (Republika)
• Tomorrow will be known who made concessions: Positive atmosphere between Macedonian and Bulgarian historians (MIA)
• Census results: Macedonians 54.21 percent, Albanians 29.52 percent (Republika)
Albania
• Rama: The government is closely monitoring the difficult situation (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 31, 2022
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 31, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• Osmani: American people pledge $32 million for Kosovo (media)
• Lajcak discusses Balkans security with France’s secretary of state (Klan)
• Rizvanolli: Kosovo not depended on Gazprom; Government focused on energy efficiency projects (Klan)
• Nagavci: We have discontinued payment of 32 Serb officials (Kosovapress)
• AAK presses Government to pass law on salaries (media)
• COVID-19: 32 new cases, two deaths (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• “180 incidents against Serbian community recorded during pandemic” (Radio KIM)
• Office for KiM on Zoran Djokic’s case: No right to fair trial (Radio KIM, media)
• Brnabic on ban to hold Serbian elections in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
• Dacic: Kurti respects neither Brussels agreement nor international community (Kosovo-online)
• EU Ambassador says sanctions on Serbia not considered (N1)
• Vucic stepping down as party leader after new government formed (N1)
International:
• Kosovo Opposition Party Criticises PM Kurti Over Serbs’ Vote (Balkan Insight)
• Belgrade Slams War Crimes Conviction of Serb in Kosovo (Balkan Insight)
• Bound by a Sense of Victimhood, Serbia Sticks With Russia (NYT)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Serbia donates 35 tons of food to Lesotho (Tanjug)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 31, 2022
• Prime Minister Kurti interview with Le Monde
• Haradinaj threatens Kurti about veterans’ list (media)
• Draft law on wages – risk of outbreak of social dissatisfaction (RFE)
• Hovenier: Kosovo’s multiethnic diversity, among its greatest strengths (media)
• 5 to 7 percent increase in prices by end of year, financial expert says (Koha)
• COVID-19: 30 new cases, no deaths (media)
• Serbia sues person who “discovered” killer of Oliver Ivanovic (Koha)
Belgrade Media Report 30 March 2022
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Wednesday 30 March 2022
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic thanks Italy for support, protection of Kosovo Serbs (Politika/Tanjug/RTV)
• Mihajlovic: National security depends on energy stability (Tanjug)
• Ukrainian Embassy calls on Serbian authorities to remove letter “Z” and support Ukrainians (Beta)
• Opposition United for Serbia’s Victory calls on people to vote on Sunday (N1)
• Ponos: I will unite Serbia and be president of all citizens (Tanjug)
• PACE delegation to observe Serbian elections (Tanjug/Beta)
• Serbia’s officer killed in UN mission in Congo (FoNet/N1/Reuters)
• Demostat: Voter sentiment has changed (Tanjug)
• Demostat: 13 percent of Serbian citizens believe that Serbia should be on Ukraine’s side (Beta)
• Man says Kosovo Serb businessmen were behind politician’s killing in 2018 (KRIK/N1)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• EU, US ambassadors and OSCE submit package of integrity changes to B&H Election law (FTV)
• Zvizdic: B&H needs European perspective; Jandrokovic: Croats are constituent people and must have same rights as other peoples (Oslobodjenje)
• Lovrinovic: There is still time for agreement about Law on Elections (FTV)
• Dodik and Kalabukhov discuss political and economic situation in B&H (RTRS)
Croatia
• Jandrokovic: EU should focus on SE Europe, Moscow might use vulnerabilities (Hina)
• PM given green light for cabinet reshuffle (HRT)
• Croatian oil pipeline Janaf will stop transports to Serbia due to EU sanctions (Hina)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic with Lundberg: Quickly elect a new government in order to fulfil its obligations with the UN (CdM)
• Pisonero: Montenegro should refrain from measures that would jeopardize EU path (RTCG)
• US General’s report: Russia and China encourage divisions in the Balkans (AJB)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Macedonian historians expected to make major concessions to Bulgaria in a meeting later this week (Republika/MIA)
Albania
• Meta receives Soreca: Opening of membership negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia is of primary importance for the EU itself (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 30, 2022
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 30, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• COMKFOR: No indications of threats; ready to react against threats (Telegrafi)
• Clark: I hope Kosovo will be invited to join NATO soon (Gazeta Express)
• Tahiri: With Kurti-led government, everyone toward emigration (Indeksonline)
• Some Serb judges go to work at Mitrovica court, others continue boycott (media)
• “Kosovo, a success story in administering vaccines against COVID-19” (Klan Kosova)
• COVID-19: 30 new cases, no deaths (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Dacic: Serbia ready to host Kiev-Moscow negotiations (RTS)
• Ukrainian Ambassador on Belgrade’s offer to host negotiations (Tanjug)
• Arsenijevic: Neutral registration points for transporting voters from Kosovo should be formed (Radio kontakt plus)
• Opposition ‘United for Serbia’s Victory’ calls on people to vote on Sunday (N1)
• Vucic on April 3 presidential elections (N1)
• Kosovo Supreme Court upheld verdict of 12 years in prison to Zoran Djokic (Kosovo-online)
• MIA on allegations relating to murder of Oliver Ivanovic (RTS)
Opinion:
• Serbia’s Vucic Should Learn from Russia’s Ukraine Debacle (BIRN)
• More on “Kurti’s doctrine”: much ado about elections and semantics as destiny (KoSSev)
International:
• BIRN Fact-Check: Does Kosovo Still Rely on Goods from Serbia? (BIRN)
• Kosovo Charges Ex-Fighter with Wartime Massacre of Villagers (BIRN)
• North Macedonia census reveals over 29% of population is Albanian (euronews.al)
Humanitarian/Development:
• “Withdrawal of savings, a competency of the Kosovo Assembly” (Telegrafi)
• Authorities look into suspicions of orchestrated rise in oil prices (Koha)
• Fuel prices in Kosovo increased again (Radio KIM)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 30, 2022
• U.S. expresses “unwavering support” for Kosovo (RFE)
• Osmani: Strengthening existing alliances and forging new ones remains strategic objective (media)
• Roth: EU to keep promise, grant Kosovo visa liberalisation (media)
• Haziri: Kosovo Government did not ban Serbian elections, it conditioned them (Kallxo)
• Gjini: AAK is against Serbia’s elections in Kosovo without prior agreement (Kallxo)
• PDK: Inquiry committee to determine how €100 million were spent (media)
• Germany striving for independence from Russian gas, commends Kosovo (Koha)
• Montenegro declares border demarcation issue closed (media)
• Panel dismisses Krasniqi and Selimi appeals against detention (media)
• Kosovo man, detained by Serbian authorities, released (media)
• Kosovo Albanian indicted for 1999 war crimes (AP)
• War Criminals Campaign for Ruling Parties in Serbian Elections (BIRN)
• Konjufca: Shameful if members of LGBTI are not considered as human beings (Koha)
• COVID-19: 32 new cases, no deaths (media)
Belgrade Media Report 29 March 2022
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Tuesday 29 March 2022
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: I think I know what Putin is waiting for – that worries me (TV Happy/B92)
• Lavrov: There is no place to Nazism among European values (Politika/Novosti/Tanjug)
• Ukrainian Embassy tells Serbian Minister Ukraine has always stood with Serbia and expects sanctions against Russia (Beta)
• Serbia, Angola sign four agreements on cooperation (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Stefanovic meets with Dos Santos (Tanjug)
• High-level defense cooperation with Italy (RTS)
• Cochard: France wants to bring dynamics into Western Balkans’ EU accession (Beta)
• New US Ambassador arrives in Belgrade soon, says: Let’s look to the future (Tampa Bay Times/N1)
• Scholz: W. Balkans progress to EU necessary to prevent other players’ influence (Beta/N1/Reuters)
• Lutovac: We’ll use all means to defend the will of the people (Beta)
• Lompar: Vucic-Brnabic regime abolishes Serbian statehood in Kosovo (Beta)
• Report: 80 percent of electoral lists in Serbia deny Srebrenica genocide (FoNet/N1)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dzaferovic and EU ambassadors about aggression of Russia against Ukraine (Nova BH)
• Dodik: B&H Presidency has not discussed restrictive measures against Russia (Srna)
• Schmidt and B&H CEC members discuss organization of general elections (FTV)
• Cvijanovic: Manipulation with votes from abroad unacceptable and should be penalized (RTRS)
• Zovko: If elections in B&H are held, they will be absolutely illegitimate (Dnevni list)
Croatia
• Croat representatives will insist on new round of talks on electoral reform, but if it fails they will file lawsuit with ECHR (Vecernji list)
• Government silent on possible cabinet reshuffle (HRT)
• Moscow protests over Croatian FM’s insulting language (Hina)
Montenegro
• URA celebrates too early: Ulcinj’s DPS, DUA and FORCA have thin majority (CDM)
• Abazovic: During the week we will know who will be in the minority government, personally I have nothing against SD and SDP joining (CdM)
• Krivokapic on local elections: Great defeat of the constituents of the minority government (RTCG)
• Joanikije hosted refugees from Ukraine in Bar (CdM)
• Petition of the Embassy of Ukraine: Rename the street where the Russian Embassy in Podgorica is located (CdM)
• Lavrov: Russia is introducing visas for hostile countries, including Montenegro (CdM/TASS)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Macedonia expels five Russian diplomats; Moscow announces “adequate response” (Republika/Nezavisen)
• Petkov announced “good news” for lifting the Bulgarian blockade (Libertas)
• Scholz: EU negotiations with Skopje and Tirana should start as soon as possible (Libertas)
Albania
• Meta decrees agreements with Kosovo on social security and border crossing rules (Radio Tirana)
• Soreca: Political co-operation remains key to EU integration (Radio Tirana)
• Mazi: Albania has met all the requirements to start membership talks (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 29, 2022
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 29, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti meets Norwegian Prime Minister Store (media)
• Osmani meets business community in Qatar (media)
• Vela: Vucic should be sanctioned for endangering peace and stability (media)
• Haxhiu travels to Hague today to meet former KLA leaders (RTK)
• Kosovo and Albania aim to protect together from possible attacks (EO)
• Indictment filed against a person for Izbica massacre (RFE)
• Hajdari: 62 percent increase in export in 2021; foreign investments almost €500 (media)
• Ben-Meir: Result of Ukraine war could change Serbia position toward Kosovo (Zeri)
• COVID-19: 32 new cases, no deaths (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: We are ready to offer Belgrade to Russian and Ukrainian negotiators (N1, Happy TV)
• Guerini: Cooperation with Serbia important (RTS)
• New US ambassador arrives in Belgrade soon, says let’s look to future (N1)
• Vucic: Serbia’s economic success best answer to attacks from region (N1)
• RFE: Kurti ‘forgot’ internal dialogue with Serbs (media)
• Head of OSCE Mission visits Visoki Decani Monastery (Kosovo-online)
• Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi to remain in detention (Radio KIM)
• REC makes decision on polling stations’ committees for voting of Serbs from Kosovo (Radio Mitrovica sever)
International:
• Kosovo Backs EU Fast-Track for Ukraine Despite Dutch Balkans Warning (Newsweek)
• Frightened witnesses jeopardise Kosovo politician’s assassination trial (BIRN)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Ukrainian Refugees in Southeast Europe Risk Being Cash-Strapped (Balkan Insight)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 29, 2022
• Osmani to Al Jazeera: Threats do not stop Kosovo from aspirations to join NATO (Telegrafi)
• EU Urges Serbia and Kosovo for Restrain over Judge’s Suspension (Exit)
• NATO on Serbia’s elections: Act responsibly, refrain from actions that escalate the situation (Nacionale)
• PM Kurti begins official visit to Norway (media)
• Lavrov: Pristina taking advantage of situation to get quasi-independence recognised (Tanjug/Klan)
• PDK approves formation of good governance cabinet (media)
• Haradinaj: Kurti mas much more important matters than that of KLA veterans (RTK)
• EULEX to transfer dialogue-related issues to EU Office (Klan)
• Kosovo Hails Solar Energy Project as Potential Game Changer (BIRN)
• COVID-19: 16 new cases, two deaths (media)
Belgrade Media Report 28 March
LOCAL PRESS
Brnabic: Serbia’s policy will not be shaped by desires of big powers (Politika)
Vucic: We appreciate Angola’s support for Serbia’s territorial integrity (RTS/Tanjug)
Vucic: Kosovo Albanian police would shoot Serbs if they vote (RTS)
Vucic: Serbia is nobody’s servant (TV Prva/Politika)
Vucic: Brussels agreement no longer exists (B92)
Stefanovic finishes visit to Serbian peacekeepers in Lebanon (Politika/RTS)
Peach: I am disappointed that Pristina rejected the election proposal (Politika/Vijesti)
Lavrov to Serbian reporters: Belgrade should continue smart choices (Novosti)
CRTA asks Ministry to shed light on voting notice issue (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Pilipson says Russia’s announcement of counter-measures to sanctions imposed against it is justified, rejects claims that it is trying to destabilize B&H (Oslobodjenje)
International community disappointed with work of B&H parliaments (Nova BH)
Covic comments on B&H HoP’s session: Only reason not to vote for reform laws was the fact these laws were proposed by the opposition (FTV)
Cudic slams SNSD, HDZ B&H for rejecting laws needed for obtaining of candidate status, slams Dzaferovic for not informing collocutors in Brussels about it (Dnevni list)
Ruling coalition’s leaders convene in Banja Luka; Dodik comments on conclusion on B&H at NATO Summit saying that the RS will not succumb to pressure to impose sanctions against Russia or anyone else and will remain neutral in regard to Ukraine (ATV)
EU Council adopts ‘Strategic Compass’ which calls for non-discrimination of citizens and constituent peoples in B&H; Netherlands and three other countries express discontent with fact discriminatory concept of constituent peoples was included in this document (O Kanal)
HDZ B&H and HNS welcome text of Strategic Compass and conclusions by European Council; Covic says it is opportunity continue with negotiations and implement what has already been agreed (AJB)
Mazalica: ‘Strategic Compass’ is good for Croats, but also for position of RS in case of changes of Constitution and electoral reform; Ambassador Kalabukhov comments on ‘Strategic Compass’ (RTRS)
Komsic holds meeting with Delegation of Committee for European Affairs of Netherlands; Komsic’s cabinet announces after meeting: Concept of constituent peoples is unacceptable and elections must be held (FTV)
Izetbegovic addresses EU and Croatian officials in response to Covic’s letter (FTV)
Croatia
PM pushes for election reform in B&H (HRT)
Ambassador: B&H media invent allegations on Croatia pushing for polls’ postponement (Hina)
Montenegro
Abazovic announces fast agreement regarding new Montenegrin government (CdM)
URA won the most mandate in Ulcinj, coalition around DPS won in Berane (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
Skopje and Sofia have come closer, but are still far from an agreement (MIA)
Albania
Xhacka: Albania and US at forefront of condemning Russian aggression (Radio Tirana)
Rama receives Abdixhik: Friendly conversation with the chairman of LDK! (Radio Tirana)
Ambassador of North Macedonia: The two Balkan countries have achieved stability! (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 28, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• “A dirty game”, the opposition feels betrayed by Vetevendosje (Express)
• Prime Minister Albin Kurti on official visit to Norway (Express)
• President Osmani meets IMF Managing Director Georgieva (media)
• Hoxhaj: Membership in NATO more important than technical dialogue (media)
• COVID-19: 16 new cases, two deaths (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• EU: Disciplinary proceedings are not part of the Brussels Agreement (KiM radio, RFE)
• Vucic: We exceptionally value support of Angola to Serbian territorial integrity and sovereignty (Kosovo-online)
• Lavrov: Peace talks could also be held in Belgrade (Tanjug)
• Office for KiM: Flammable device thrown into Vesic family yard (Radio KIM)
• Vulin: International community doesn’t implement its mandate in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
• French Ambassador says EU integration has to speed up (FoNet, N1)
• Mojsilovic visits Serbian army units in Raska and Novi Pazar on Saturday (Kosovo-online)
• Brnabic: Serbia’s policy will not be shaped by desires of big powers (Tanjug)
Opinion:
• “Depriving Serbs in Kosovo from right to vote: Consequences of Kurti’s or Vucic’s policy?”
International:
• North Macedonia expels five Russian diplomats for ‘inappropriate’ activities (RFE)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Trade Unions call on government to draft Law on Wages (Indeksonline)
• Decision on strike in educational system expected on April 2 (Telegrafi)
• Last containers settlement closes down (Radio KIM)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 28, 2022
• Kurti to Kosovo Serbs: Do not be influenced by Belgrade’s authoritarian regime (media)
• Szunyog: Practice of OSCE collecting ballots should have continued (media)
• UK envoy comments on Serbia’s elections in Kosovo, dialogue process (media)
• “No easy discussions” between Lajcak and Bislimi (Koha)
• Kosovo President Osmani attended Doha Forum (media)
• Kosovo reburies remains of seven persons from Krusha e Vogel (media)
• Smuggling of Novoberde castle artifacts to Serbia confirmed (Koha)
• Kosovo Ministry reacts after citizen arrested by Serbia’s authorities (media)
• Kosnett: It seems Vucic chose Putin over the West (Express)
• Abazovic: There is no issue that will not be discussed with Kosovo (Klan)
• Last group of Afghan citizens depart Kosovo (media)
• COVID-19: 37 new cases, no deaths (media)
LINKS
UNMIK
Peacekeeping
UN News Center
From Google News- Kosovo, Serbia Clash at UN Security Council Meeting - TRT World 24/04/2024Kosovo, Serbia Clash at UN Security Council Meeting TRT World
- European Integration of Kosovo: Macron Urges Progress on Serb Minority - Bloomberg 24/04/2024European Integration of Kosovo: Macron Urges Progress on Serb Minority Bloomberg
- Kosovo Fails to Offer Protection to Whistleblowers - Prishtina Insight 24/04/2024Kosovo Fails to Offer Protection to Whistleblowers Prishtina Insight
- Kosovo, Serbia Clash at UN Security Council Meeting - TRT World 24/04/2024
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