Belgrade Media Report 25 May 2022
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Wednesday 25 May 2022
LOCAL PRESS
• Serbian Patriarch: SPC unanimously approves autocephaly of Macedonian Orthodox Church (Beta/Politika/RTS/Tanjug)
• Vucic, Pendaroviski on Serbian Orthodox Church’s decision, ties, Open Balkans (Beta)
• Vucic from Davos: Only topic in Davos is Ukraine (TV Pink/B92)
• Hill: US supports Serbia’s path to EU, Open Balkans, dialogue with Pristina (Beta)
• Selakovic meets with ASEAN Secretary-General (Politika/Beta)
• Support of Indonesia to territorial integrity of Serbia (Tanjug/RTS)
• Stefanovic meets with Wiermann (Tanjug/Politika)
• Mali: Serbia to store natural gas in Hungary next winter (Tanjug/RTS)
• Dacic expects cooperation with SNS to continue (TV Happy/Beta)
• Bilcik says sanctions against Russia important, already in report (Beta/Kosovo Online)
• SANU notes primitive tones of hatred in Croatian counterpart’s announcement (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• B&H HoP rejects conclusion proposed by Bosniak Caucus to pressure B&H CoM to approve BAM 12.5 million for elections; HDZ B&H and SNSD’s delegates vote against proposal (O Kanal)
• Izetbegovic on B&H HoP’s session: It is time for HR Schmidt to react given that all other options have been exhausted (O Kanal)
• Komsic accuses Covic and Dodik of working together with renegade IC representatives who are working with HDZ on blocking of elections (O Kanal)
• Borenovic: SNSD and HDZ B&H want to prevent holding of the elections (Glas Srpske)
• Arnautovic discusses elections with Murphy, Kavalec: Postponing of elections is illegal; Murphy: Denying citizens’ right to vote is unconstitutional and anti-Dayton (Hayat)
• Sattler: Holding of elections in October as planned is not questionable (N1/O Kanal/Istraga.ba/Oslobodjenje)
• Bajrovic: Covic enjoys support of part of international community (Hayat)
• Dodik: I have received information that Schmidt will impose necessary decisions so that elections are held; This is unacceptable (Nova BH)
• Kavalec: Criminally persecute perpetrators of election frauds (Dnevni list)
• Dodik: Podzic and Masovic’s attendance at meeting on military assistance to Ukraine is part of Bosniaks’ joint enterprise aimed at destroying Dayton-based B&H (RTRS)
• Dodik calls for peaceful dissolution of B&H, stresses any kind of agreement on B&H’s future is impossible (RTRS)
• 30th anniversary of death of 12 Banja Luka babies marked (ATV)
• SDA comments Milanovic’s statements: This is threat to stability and peace in entire region (Dnevni avaz)
Croatia
• Milanovic: If Croats in fall start implementing what they announced, it may happen that someone turns international military forces against them (N1)
• Croatian President rules out possibility of armed conflicts in B&H (Hina)
• Milanovic tells Serbia indictment against Croatian pilots will cost it (Hina)
Montenegro
• Abazovic and Kurti: Dedicated to the development of infrastructure projects that will better connect the two countries (CdM)
• In Davos, Plenkovic invited Abazovic to officially visit Zagreb in June (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Pendarovski believes the recognition of the Macedonian church will advance reconciliation in our society: Pendarovski met with Vucic in Davos as Serbia recognized the Macedonian church (Republika)
• No progress in the meeting between Kovacevski and Petkov in Rome (Republika)
Albania
• McAllister: EU should start accession talks with Albania (Radio Tirana)
• Meta meets McAllister (Radio Tirana)
• Greece warns it will put up barriers on EU bid if Albania brings up Cham issue (Tirana Times)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 25, 2022
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 25, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• KDI: Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, necessary and of national interest (EO)
• Abazi resigns from parliamentary inquiry committee on energy (media)
• Excavations in Serbia end, no human remains uncovered (RFE)
• Osmani participates at international conference on trafficking of human beings (media)
• Blerim Kuci leaves AAK, resigns from all structures (Reporteri)
• Chairman of Kosovo-Israel Friendship Group Avdullah Hoti, sends request to PM Kurti (Express)
• COVID-19: 8 new cases (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• No remains found near the Stavalj mine (KiM radio, Nova S)
• Jevtic: Serbs do want Community of Serbian Municipalities (Jedinstvo)
• Jeremic: Imposing sanctions on Russia could lead to Kosovo membership in UN (KoSSev)
• SOC recognizes autocephaly of Orthodox Church in North Macedonia (KoSSev)
• Russian official praises Vucic for resisting pressure on sanctions (N1)
• Gracanica mayor met UNMIK chief (KiM radio)
• Vucic, Pendarovski discuss Open Balkan (Tanjug)
• Vucic with Mitsotakis: We thanks Greek people for support to territorial integrity of Serbia (Kosovo-online)
• UNS and DNKiM: Enable journalists to report on protest in Osojane (KoSSev)
• Stefanovic met Wiermann (Tanjug)
• Selakovic speaks with ASEAN Secretary General (Tanjug)
Opinion:
• A distillate of regional fears (KoSSev)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Halt to Waste Collection Leaves Prishtina Covered by Garbage (BIRN)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 25, 2022
• Scholz’s office on the messages that the Chancellor will bring to the Balkans (RTK)
• Kurti urges Greece to join other EU countries in recognising Kosovo (media)
• Kurti meets Abazovic in Davos (media)
• Vucic about Kurti: He will say terrible things about Serbia (media)
• Kosovo’s diplomatic corps visit Decan Monastery (media)
• Albania’s ambassador to CoE: We will do all it takes to support Kosovo joining (Telegrafi)
• Muja: The north will begin paying electricity bills very soon (Koha)
• Police officer in the north arrested damaging evidence charges (media)
• Arrest warrant issued for former Kosovo Police senior official (Kosovapress)
• Petkovic brings Vucic’s message to Prizren, calls Kosovo “our province” (Klan)
• U.S. Begins Denying U.S. Entry to Afghans Housed on Military Base in Kosovo (WSJ)
• COVID-19: 12 new cases (media)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 24, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti meets Vice President Berset: Switzerland strongly supports Kosovo’s CoE membership (media)
• Austria supports visa liberalization for Kosovo (media)
• Serbian Ministry of Interior uses derogatory term for Albanians ‘Siptari’ (Kallxo)
• Suspicions of possible explosion in UP Rectorate, Police surround the building (Kallxo)
• MPs suspect in KEK procurement process, Board admits there was mismanagement (Koha)
• COVID-19: 12 new cases (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic in World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, Wednesday (Tanjug, media)
• Petkovic: Bislimi’s statement confirms that we are fighting resolutely in Brussels (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Vucic: Serbia’s position on Ukraine conflict unchanged (Tanjug)
• Petkovic on the protest in Osojane: We solve problem by problem, we follow priorities (Kontakt plus radio, gracanicaonline.info)
International:
• Serbia buying our homes to kick us out, say Albanians living in Mitrovica (euronews.al)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 24, 2022
• German Chancellor Scholz to visit Kosovo early June (media)
• Bislimi: Serbia leads with number of non-implemented agreements (Koha)
• Kosovo Police bust cannabis farm in the north (media)
• Mehaj attends meeting of Ukraine Defense Contact Group (RTK)
• Svecla talks to Johansson, calls for visa liberalization (RTK)
• Hague prosecutors to quiz intelligence chief on wartime whereabouts (BIRN)
• Local Serbs block Serbia-run administration offices in Istog (Koha/Klan)
• Kosovo welcomes two more Ukrainian journalists (Prishtina Insight)
• Crops and carcinogens: Kosovo’s market for unsafe, illegal pesticides (BIRN)
• Vucic and Hill: Efforts to focus on Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (media)
• COVID-19: One new case (media)
Belgrade Media Report 23 May
LOCAL PRESS
• Brnabic: Serbia’s stance on war in Ukraine clear, but excludes sanctions (TV Happy/Beta)
• Orban, Vucic herald rough winter (Beta)
• Biden congratules Vucic second mandate: I am sure we can deepen close ties (RTS)
• Hill: There’s only one path for Serbia to the West, and the EU (Politika/Beta)
• Vucic: We joined none of EU’s 23 declarations against Russia (Beta)
• Brnabic: Serbia fighting to protect its position, decide independently (B92/Tanjug)
• Selakovic: Serbia will not be alone in fighting Pristina’s CoE membership bid (Tanjug)
• Cuban Ambassador: For Cuba Kosovo is part of Serbia (RTV Panon)
• Djilas: Zero chance of Freedom and Justice Party joining Vucic’s government (Nova/Beta)
• Jeremic says hid party is no longer allied with Djilas after meeting Vucic (TV Prva/Beta)
• RIK confirms Vucic’s electoral victory, new vote in Veliki Trnovac (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Deadline for securing funds for organizing general elections in B&H expires (O Kanal)
• HR Schmidt: We will not allow that the elections fail; There is money in B&H (DW/Dnevni list)
• Deadline for political parties and independent candidates to apply for general elections in B&H expires, comments (Nova BH)
• B&H CEC: Application for participation in elections was submitted by 108 political entities (ATV)
• Seven opposition parties in FB&H announce Becirovic will be their joint candidate for Bosniak member of Presidency of B&H (Nova BH)
• Becirovic urges opposition not to underestimate ruling parties but to be cautious, serious and do everything that is required to ensure victory in 2022 general elections (Face TV)
• Becirovic assesses B&H’s relations with Croatia and Serbia, claims that both Croatia and Serbia must truly respect B&H’s sovereignty and not just profess commitment to its territorial integrity (Face TV)
• Izetbegovic, Covic meet with Michel in Sarajevo; Michel says he will help encourage further dialogue between all parties in B&H (Hayat)
• Stevandic on Izetbegovic’s statement that electoral reform will be discussed after elections: It is maneuvering to allow Bosniaks to elect Croat member of B&H Presidency, interfere with election of Serb member (RTRS)
• Dodik comments on his meeting with European Council President Michel (ATV)
• Komsic: President Milanovic acts on Russia’s instructions (Oslobodjenje)
Croatia
• Milanovic: Plenkovic only wants to show off and present himself as someone who cares for Croats in B&H, Michel does not decide on anything anyways (HRT1)
• Milanovic sends Stoltenberg a letter, does not mention vetoing Finland, Sweden bids to join NATO (Jutarnji list)
• Plenkovic meets Hahn, speaks about need to change Law on Elections of B&H (Jutarnji list)
• Covic: It would be wrong for HNS B&H to choose between Milanovic or Plenkovic (Hina)
Montenegro
• Montenegro celebrates 21 May – Independence Day (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Bulgarian parliament speaker announces that the veto against Macedonia will stay in place (Republika)
• Hopes for full EU membership evaporate with the latest Macron – Michel initiative (Republika)
Albania
• Stoltenberg telephone conversation with Rama: Finland and Sweden in NATO would strengthen the alliance (Radio Tirana)
• EU membership/ Meta makes an appeal to politics for urgent reflection! Focus on the resolution! (Radio Tirana)
• Durres port project / Rama: The extension in Prishtina makes us the gateway to the whole (Radio Tirana)
• Sali Berisha re-elected Chair of DP with 99% of votes (ADN)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 23, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti pays homage at graves of Bytyqi brothers (media)
• Kurti to attend World Economic Forum in Davos (media)
• Assembly to hold session this week, opposition highlights energy tariffs (media)
• KESCO: Energy Regulatory Office’s decision in not clear (media)
• Kosovo’s Ombudsperson: ERO’s decision on energy tariffs, discriminatory (media)
• SPO sends witness summons to General Inspector of AKI (Telegrafi)
• Kosovo’s Justice Minister clashes with Serbian State Secretary of Justice (Telegrafi)
• Montenegro to join the Open Balkan initiative? (RTK)
• COVID-19: 1 new case (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Bilcik: There is no alternative to dialogue because we have nothing else (Kosovo Online)
• Ambassador Hill’s interview with Politika: No third way – East or West (media)
• ”The EU and the US very dissatisfied with Kurti’s refusal to renew the Dialogue with Belgrade” (Beta, NMagazin, Danas)
• Vucic, Hill meeting: All efforts should be directed towards the dialogue under the EU auspices (RTS)
• Petkovic in a two-day visit to Kosovo (KiM radio, Kosovo Online)
• ”Property of Decani, hotels in Brezovica, and Brezovica Ski Centre go into the Sovereign Wealth Fund” (KiM radio)
• Scholz in Serbia on June 10 (KiM radio, DW, N1)
• Vucic to speak with Putin about gas supplies on Wednesday or Thursday (Tanjug, media)
International:
• Berisha claims he’s back in charge of Albania’s Democratic Party (BIRN)
• Albanian PM supports new community for non-EU countries (Euractiv)
• US would defend Taiwan if attacked by China, says Joe Biden (The Guardian)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Krasniqi: 14 municipalities to benefit from the €8 million performance grant (EO)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 23, 2022
• Kurti at World Affairs Forum: Kosovo to become part of NATO’s PfP (media)
• Biden to Vucic: Normalise relations with Kosovo (Koha/Telegrafi)
• U.S. Ambassador to Belgrade: Kosovo and Serbia are neighboring countries (media)
• President of Albania, Ilir Meta, to visit Kosovo (Klan)
• Two more Ukrainian journalists arrive in Kosovo (media)
• Mehaj: 600 new soldiers to be admitted this year; purchase of weapons, priority (media)
• Concerns raised over possible human rights violations at KSC (Koha)
• Chief State Prosecutor not decreed yet (RTK)
• Afghans lacking complete security checks won’t be able to travel to U.S. (BIRN)
• COVID-19: Nine new cases (media)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 20, 2022
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 20, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• Quint: Fully implement lawful registration of Decani Monastery land (media)
• EU Head of Office: Swiftly and fully implement court’s decision (media)
• “Implementation of court decision, precondition to CoE and NATO integration” (media)
• Decan Mayor on pressure from Quint: Albin Kurti should respond (Periskopi)
• Senator Murphy: Unbreakable bond between America and Kosovo (Reporteri)
• Prime Minister Kurti meets Congresswoman Maloney (media)
• President Osmani: Our objective is NATO membership (media)
• Independent Unions call on PM to act and prevent general strike (Telegrafi)
• Hoxhaj: The Balkans can be the second front of a hybrid war (media)
• COVID-19: 14 new cases (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Quint and EU appeal to Kosovo institutions to return the property to the Visoki Decani monastery (Kontakt plus radio, RTK2)
• SOC: International institutions to enable rule of law and respect for religious freedoms in Kosovo (Kosovo-online)
• Petkovic: International community to exert pressure on Pristina to return land to Visoki Decani (Kosovo-online)
• Selakovic in Turin: Pristina’s request attempt to misuse Council of Europe (N1)
• Vucic: All crucial issues discussed with Michel (Tanjug)
• Michel: We want to deepen cooperation with Serbia, accelerate EU accession (Tanjug)
• Petkovic on Kurti’s latest statements about Community of Serb-majroity Municipalities (Radio KIM)
• Platform for trust-building in Kosovo presented (Radio KIM)
• Fresh bomb threats sent to 134 schools in Serbia (Radio KIM, N1)
• DefMin says Serbia committed to respect for territorial integrity (N1)
• Petkovic and Rakic: Displaced families from Pec received support to return (TV Most)
• US to provide grants worth 19.5 mln dollars to Serbia (Tanjug)
• Serbia has complied with EU sanctions on Belarus over the war in Ukraine (EWB)
International:
• Competition or Complement? Calls to restart Berlin Process revive Balkan dilemma (BIRN)
• ‘Return us Home’: Exhibition seeks return of artefacts held in Serbia (BIRN)
• Wave of False Bomb Threats in Region Again Hits Kosovo (Balkan Insight)
Belgrade Media Report 20 May 2022
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Friday 20 May 2022
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: All crucial issues discussed with Michel (Tanjug/RTS)
• Michel: We want to deepen cooperation with Serbia, accelerate EU accession (Tanjug/RTS)
• Vucic: Science and technology parks reflect our change for better (Tanjug/Politika)
• Agreement for financing Serbian start-up community signed (Tanjug/Politika)
• Selakovic: Legally inadmissible and unacceptable request of Pristina (RTV/Tanjug)
• Serbia builds bridges of cooperation with all neighboring states (Tanjug)
• Pristina refuses six years to return land to Visoki Decani (RTV/Tanjug)
• Porfirije: After 55 years, the wound of schism with the Macedonian Church has been healed (Tanjug/Politika)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• B&H CEC cancels number of public procurement procedures due to lack of funds; It calls on authorities to ensure funds by midnight on Thursday (Hayat)
• OHR calls on B&H Council of Ministers to allocate funds (AJB)
• Covic: Someone deliberately wants to create crisis in B&H (ATV)
• SDA: Blocking of elections is criminal offense, judicial institutions must react (N1)
• Dodik: Agreement on changes to Law on Elections of B&H will happen when Bosniaks want it (Nova TV)
• Dodik: B&H will not impose sanctions on Russia (Sputnik/RTRS)
• Russian Federation: B&H is friendly country as far as Russia is concerned; Kalabukhov: B&H is not on Russia’s list of enemy states (RTRS)
• Dodik comments constant attacks on RS authorities done by RS opposition and international community officials (RTRS)
Croatia
• Plenkovic: Milanovic’s threats that he will block NATO accession of Finland and Sweden not helpful (HRT1)
Montenegro
• Abazovic & Bilcik: Positive energy in Brussels for Montenegro (CdM)
• Abazovic: Montenegro has a historic chance (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Mickoski on the Macron initiative – If it includes the Bulgarian demands, it would lead to our full capitulation and assimilation (Republika)
• Nikoloski: Bulgaria needs to give us guarantees before we amend the Constitution (Republika/Makfax)
Albania
• European Parliament approves report on Albania, Santos: Time to move ahead with the accession negotiations (Radio Tirana)
• EP urges EU to start opening negotiations on Albania, Foreign Minister welcomes decision: Time to show strategic vision (Radio Tirana)
• Nikolla welcomes EP vote: Albania unwavering towards the European family (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 20, 2022
• Kurti: To normalise relations – Serbia needs to change (VOA)
• Sarrazin: Germany’s final goal is to have Kosovo part of NATO (Kallxo)
• Lajcak and Escobar discuss way forward in dialogue (media)
• Foreign ministers of CoE member states set to meet today (RTK)
• Citaku: Kosovo to be serious and present an offer in dialogue (Koha)
• Svecla: All security mechanisms need to exercise added vigilance (Koha)
• Rizvanolli: Clean energy, objective of MCC’s Compact project (Telegrafi)
• Mehaj: National Security Strategy to soon be presented to the Assembly (Kosovapress)
• Peja School Denies Discrimination Against Minority Pupils (BIRN)
• COVID-19: 12 new cases (media)
Belgrade Media Report 19 May
LOCAL PRESS
• Regional cooperation first priority of Western Balkan countries (Tanjug)
• Kovacevski: Open Balkans boosted trade with Serbia (Tanjug)
• Petkovic with Hill: Pristina persists in its efforts to close door to dialogue (Tanjug/RTV)
• Patriarch welcomes Macedonian church’s decision to restore unity with Serbian church (Beta)
• Michel: European geopolitical community should include Western Balkans as well (Politika/Tanjug)
• Dzaferovic attacks Serb ministers as well (Novosti)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Tegeltija calls for preparations for elections not to be suspended: Unnecessary insisting on securing funds by a specific date brought us to this situation (Nova BH)
• Covic says that pressure on HDZ B&H is unfounded and that he is not afraid of sanctions (Nova BH)
• Djolnagic calls on HR Schmidt to resolve issue of securing funds for general elections (Hayat)
• Sepic: In the end, the OHR will solve issue of securing funds for general elections (Hayat)
• Hadzikadic expects that international community will engage more actively in issue of securing funds for elections (O Kanal)
• Dodik: I support idea to hold RS parliament session in order for RS to give its share of funds for elections (FTV)
• OHR: Citizens must be enabled to exercise their democratic right to free, fair and democratic elections (O Kanal)
• EU Delegation to B&H: Elections should take place on 2 October in accordance with law and Constitution (N1)
• US Embassy: HDZ B&H’s decision to block financing of elections is irresponsible and unjustified (Hayat)
• UK, German Ambassadors and OSCE comment financing of elections (FTV)
• Boskovic: International community is allowing that the elections are held in line with unconstitutional Law on Elections (Dnevni list)
• Dzaferovic’s claims about blockade of sanctions against Russia disprove accusations of RS opposition that Dodik allowed imposing of sanctions; Comments (RTRS)
Croatia
• Milanovic calls on Plenkovic to follow Turkey’s example and get favor for B&H by blackmailing Sweden and Finland (AJB)
• FM: Finland and Sweden’s NATO aspirations have Croatia’s “unreserved” support (Hina/Croatian Radio)
• PM: Croatia looks forward to deepening political and economic ties with China (Hina/Xinhua)
• State Department: At this moment we have nothing to announce, and we are not discussing sanctions against politicians in B&H (Vecernji list)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic: Relations between Montenegro and Kosovo exemplary, we support political dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Serbian PM meets N. Macedonian counterpart, economic cooperation on focus (MIA)
• Macron intervention in the dispute between Macedonia and Bulgaria (Republika)
• Bulgaria dismisses Osmani’s statement that the ball is in their court – this is not a football match (Republika)
• Kovacevski blasts Bulgaria for holding Macedonia and Albania hostage (Republika)
Albania
• Election of the President/ The opposition will bring the names of candidates in the second and third round (Radio Tirana)
LINKS
UNMIK
Peacekeeping
UN News Center
From Google News- Distria Krasniqi claimed seventh European title for Kosovo - Judoinside 25/04/2024Distria Krasniqi claimed seventh European title for Kosovo Judoinside
- Kosovo Ex-Guerrilla Officer Sylejman Selimi Cleared of Assaulting Prisoner - Prishtina Insight 25/04/2024Kosovo Ex-Guerrilla Officer Sylejman Selimi Cleared of Assaulting Prisoner Prishtina Insight
- Readout of Ambassador Robert Wood's Meeting with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu - United States Mission to the United Nations 25/04/2024Readout of Ambassador Robert Wood's Meeting with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu United States Mission to the United Nations
- Distria Krasniqi claimed seventh European title for Kosovo - Judoinside 25/04/2024
Office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General
Media Sources
