Belgrade Media Report 15 March 2022
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Tuesday 15 March 2022
LOCAL PRESS
• European Commission expects Serbia to gradually align policy on Russia with EU’s (Beta)
• Vucic: It is easiest to lash out powerlessness and anger on Serbia (Blic)
• Vucic on drone crash in Zagreb: Such a plane would be shot down in Serbia in five minutes (Nova)
• Dacic: Sanctions against Russia to hurt Serbia, not Russia (Prva TV)
• It has been revealed which country is behind the pressure on Serbia (Tanjug)
• Center for Foreign Policy: Probably at least 80 percent of citizens” against introduction of Sanctions (Danas)
• Ukrainian embassy in Serbia calls on Belgrade to condemn support to Russian invasion (Beta)
• Seselj: We must stand with Russia just like it always stands with us (Politika)
• Ponos: Vucic will deceive someone – either his voters, or his western partners (Nova)
• SPC Rejects Claims from EP Resolution on Foreign Interference (VIP)
• Opposition leader: Serbia to seek its chance in the east, not the west (Pink TV)
• Another false bomb threat aimed at Air Serbia flight to Moscow (N1)
• UN’s Guterres: We must do everything possible to avert hurricane of hunger and meltdown of global food system (Vecernje Novosti)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Vucic: Serbia will do everything to preserve peace; One wrong statement in region can provoke madness (Dnevni avaz)
• Dzaferovic: It is hard to expect Ukrainian scenario in Balkans (N1, TRT)
• AFET’s session on EU perspective of B&H and political situation in country starts in Brussels; EUSR Sattler and HR Schmidt talk to EU officials ahead of Tuesday’s meeting (FTV)
• McAllister calls on EU countries to cooperate with Western Balkans countries in finding solution for problems that hinder implementation of reform processes (BHT1)
• B&H Presidency members and HDZ B&H leader Covic to meet with AFET members in Brussels on Tuesday (N1)
• EU HR Borrell responds to Dodik’s letter from February 18 and comments RS moves to return once transferred competencies: Such moves significantly undermine chances for B&H’s accession to EU (Dnevni avaz)
• EU Delegation to B&H calls RS to return to B&H institutions (Oslobodjenje)
• IAWG Deputy Chair Colak: There are not changes to Law on Elections because of SDA (Srna)
Croatia
• PM Plenkovic talks with EU HR Borrell about changing Law on Elections of B&H (Dnevni list)
• Croatian FM visits Estonia, says Russian invasion could destabilise B&H (Hina)
• Milanovic: We need to start building an air defense system (HRT)
• PM: France will help us control Croatian airspace (Hina)
Montenegro
• Joanikije: Montenegro is projected to be a small Ukraine (Politika, Beta)
• Reactions to the Metropolitan Joanikije statement (Antena M)
• Djukanovic: By visiting Kosovo, I want to contribute to interstate understanding (CDM)
• Djukanovic: Threats are Serbia’s way of solving problems (CDM)
• Fuel prices hitting record highs, Bulajic blocked parliament (CDM)
• Zivkovic: Blockade of Parliament not a forced move, but a deliberate action; Montenegro has no time to lose (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Borrell announces fourth package of EU sanctions against Russia; says Russian invasion of Ukraine is moment of awakening Europe to revive process of enlargement to Western Balkans (AJB)
• Nikoloski: The Macedonian national identity is denied by Bulgaria just like Russia denies the Ukrainian identity (Republika)
• Internal divisions develop both in Macedonia and in Bulgaria as the June deadline draws closer (Republika)
Albania
• Borrel: Albania has met the conditions and Brussels is working hard to open negotiations within the French presidency (Radio Tirana)
• Crisis shows why we need an Open Balkans, Vucic: We will export wheat, flour and oil to Albania, we will adhere to contracts with countries in the region (Radio Tirana)
• Serbian wheat and corn market opens for Albania, Agriculture ministers reconfirm Open Balkans agreement (Radio Tirana)
• German Minister pushes for Albania’s EU accession talks (ADN)
• Balla official visit to Germany / Meeting with the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Roth (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 15, 2022
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 15, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: Kosovo-Serbia high-level meetings have become very difficult (Kosovapress)
• Chollet holds telephone conversation with Kurti (Klan Kosova/Gazeta Express)
• Kosovo authorities refuse to comment why illegal cameras are still up in north (Kallxo)
• Komsic: We in Bosnia who are against crimes recognise Kosovo (Gazeta Express)
• Glorified and Vilified: Who Was Kosovo’s Nazi Ally, Xhafer Deva? (BIRN)
• COVID-19: 22 new cases, no deaths (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Serbia between requests to terminate its negotiations with EU and those calling for urgent membership (N1)
• Stano: EU urges Serbia to introduce all political, economic, and financial measures against Russia (Tanjug, N1)
• Dacic: Europe doesn’t want to retract recognition of Kosovo, pushes for its membership in all institutions (Kosovo-online, N1)
• Hill: I am coming with a new perspective to Serbia (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian President says haters behind letter by MEPs (N1)
• Vucic: Our people should know that Serbia is with them, time of pogroms and persecution is over (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Hofer: International pressure on Serbia unjustified and wrong (Tanjug, B92)
• Trajkovic: When it comes to rights of Serbs, US appeals have thus far fallen on deaf ears (Kosovo-online)
• Five new Covid-19 cases in Serbian communities (Kontakt plus radio)
International:
• The president of Kosovo warns against the appeasement of autocrats (The Economist)
• Serbia under pressure to choose EU as Ukraine war raises stakes for Vucic (Financial Times)
• War in Ukraine triggers energy dilemma in Central Europe (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• NDI marks Week of Women; organises two-day conference (EO)
• Serbia to export wheat to Albania (Kosovo-online)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 15, 2022
• EULEX to deploy additional police officers to Kosovo (media)
• Kurti meets Norway’s special envoy to Western Balkans (media)
• Djukanovic: Situation in Ukraine risks destabilising Western Balkans (Koha)
• General Buhler: Kosovo is safe, it has NATO (RTK)
• Kosovo arrests 50 police, customs officers in bribe probe (Reuters)
• German MFA says Kosovo has done its part on visa liberalisation (schengenvisainfo)
• Kosovo War Veterans’ Leaders ‘Tried to Derail Hague Court’ (BIRN)
• Anti-Corruption Agency files lawsuit against Minister Hajdari over asset declaration (media)
• Kosovo ministry cuts payment for staff that don’t report to work (RFE)
• Kosovo’s annual inflation accelerates to 7.5% in Feb (SeeNews)
• COVID-19: 18 new cases, no deaths (media)