Belgrade Media Report 9 March 2022
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Wednesday 9 March 2022
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: There will be a big fight – I am waiting for Putin’s response (B92)
• Jovanovic: Balkans does not need tutors; Karanovic: There will be pressures related to Kosovo and RS (Vecernje Novosti)
• Vucic Szijjarto : Together we will overcome the world crisis (B92)
• Prime Minister: Cooperation with Council of Europe in conducting reforms vital (Beta)
• “We Must” coalition: First we win Belgrade, then Serbia (Beta)
• Opposition: Chance for winning in Belgrade must not be missed (Beta)
• Opposition ‘United Serbia’ promotional booth banned due to COVID-19 (Nova.rs)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik: Overflight of Italian military planes gross violation of B&H borders; This is another proof that B&H an international protectorate (RTRS)
• Dodik says conflicts in Ukraine cannot be compared to past civil war in B&H (RTRS)
• N1 investigates if war in Ukraine silence the rhetoric of divisions and dangerous announcements in B&H (N1)
• EP to discuss B&H and sanctions against Dodk; HR Schmidt comments on issue ahead discussion: EP does not have mandate for sanctions, but I know it has strong political influence (Hayat)
• EP starts discussion on situation in B&H; Varhelyi: B&H is crucial for Western Balkans and instead of internal conflicts, it is necessary to focus on European agenda (FTV)
Croatia
• President downplays tensions in B&H (Hina)
• Milanovic: I do not support Georgia in NATO (HRT)
Montenegro
• Abazovic: Congrats to SNP Main Board; if we don’t reach an agreement quickly, then we shouldn’t make it at all (CDM)
• What are the key tasks of the new government in the agreed agreement in principle (Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Osmani: There is no information about military conflict in the Balkans at the moment (TV21)
Albania
• Head of the opposition under pressure since the defeat of Sunday’s local elections (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 9, 2022
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 9, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• Kosovo establishes working group for NATO integration (media)
• Kosovo lifts visa regime for Ukrainian citizens (media)
• PDK: Now is the right time for Kosovo to apply for CoE membership (media)
• Kosovo is protected by KFOR, assures German ambassador (euronews.al)
• CEC calls for expulsion of Russia and Belarus from ACEEEO (media)
• IMC to identify media outlets spreading disinformation, roundtable hears (Kosovapress)
• COVID-19: 49 new cases, two deaths (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic on April 3 elections and voting in Kosovo (Radio kontakt plus)
• Vucic announces measures aimed at protecting fuel, food markets (Tanjug)
• Hearing in property usurpation case of Dusko Arsic postponed again (Radio KIM)
• European Federation of Journalists against the abolition of RT and Sputnik: Do not fight propaganda by censorship (KoSSev, KiM radio)
• Covid-19: Three new cases, one death registered in Serbian areas (Radio KIM)
Opinion:
• How the ‘Kosovo Precedent’ Shaped Putin’s Plan to Invade Ukraine (Balkan Insight)
International:
• Balkan Fighters Risk Criminal Charges for Joining Ukraine’s Defence (Balkan Insight)
• How is the oil crisis manifesting itself in Kosovo? (Euronews Albania)
• Kosovo Says NATO, EU Risk Repeating Ukraine Mistakes in Balkans (Newsweek)
• Across South-East Europe, Marchers Stand Up for Women’s Rights (Balkan Insight)
• Ukraine War May Change Balkan Calculations, for Greece Too (Balkan Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 9, 2022
• Make membership easier, Kosovo PM tells NATO, EU (AFP)
• Kosovo President Osmani interview for Huffington Post (media)
• President Osmani discusses Ukraine situation with Kosovo ambassadors (media)
• Lajcak: Support for Western Balkans, more important than ever (media)
• Kosovars protest in red over violence against women (BIRN)
• “Open Balkan failed as Serbia did not condemn Russian aggression” (media)
• Ukraine to withdraw troops from Kosovo NATO mission (BIRN)
• Sheholli: Some Serbs who wear Kosovo Police uniforms, serve Serbia (Express)
• Hovenier, Ceku discuss investments in heritage sites (media)
• COVID-19: 32 new cases, one death (media)