Belgrade Media Report 12 May 2022

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United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 12 May 2022

LOCAL PRESS

• Kosovo applies for membership in CoE; Vucic: Our answer must be smart (B92)
• Vucic from Brussels: It won’t be so easy for those who think they can blackmail us (B92)
• Serbia actively involved in fighting terrorism, radicalism, extremism (Politika)
• Selakovic with Spanish colleague on situation Western Balkans (RTV)
• Dacic thanked Mexican Ambassador for Mexico’s principled position on issue of Kosovo (Beta)
• Brnabic begins her working visit to Dubai (Tanjug)
• Improving economic cooperation with United Kingdom (Tanjug)
• Serbia wants to be part of Saudi Vision 2030 investment plan (Politika/Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• HR Schmidt presents Report on situation in B&H before UN SC (BN TV)
• HR Schmidt has several meetings prior to his UN SC address: Security and integrity of states is not negotiable (Dnevni list)
• Dzaferovic addresses UN SC: International community’s support is necessary in relation to RS authorities’ activities that undermine DPA (Nova BH)
• Tegeltija does not address UN SC; Office of Chairperson of B&H CoM: Mission of B&H to UN refused to send requested note, confirming it is directly involved in obstructing Tegeltija’s address (Nova BH)
• Dodik: Schmidt’s address before UN SC and UK Ambassador to UN Woodward’s accusations against RS are result of West’s lack of power to control processes in Balkans (RTRS)
• Ruling parties in RS condemn Arnautovic’s statements and Dzaferovic’s address before UN SC (ATV)
• Viskovic: RS government’s reports to UN SC on situation in B&H changed stereotype about B&H, which was represented by OHR and some other centers of power (Glas Srpske)
• Avdovic: Schmidt did not convey any strong messages or political instructions to independent political institutions in B&H, such as B&H CEC (FTV)
• Brussels and EU administration confirm that there are no plans to open new round of negotiations on changing B&H Election Law (Dnevni list)
• Covic with HDZ of HNC: HDZ B&H must convincingly get the trust in general elections in Croat majority areas (Dnevni list)
• Cavara; Agreement on electoral reform is possible if good will exists, despite the fact elections are announced; HNS conclusions remain in force (Oslobodjenje)
• Members of B&H CEC Bjelica-Prutina and Rogic distance themselves from views of Arnautovic, emphasizing that many issues he raised were not discussed at B&H CEC Collegium and at CEC session (Nezavisne)
• Borrell organizes informal dinner for leaders of Western Balkans in Brussels; Dodik among participants of event (N1)
Croatia
• Milanovic reiterates he will veto NATO membership of Finland with aim to protect Croats in B&H (N1)
• Economy Minister: Croatia wants stability and progress of B&H (Hina)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic: We desperately need message that all WB countries have a place in EU (CdM)
• Djukanovic: More intensive integration is the only answer that the Balkans would not be a source of instability due to influence of anti-European policy (CdM)
• Djukanovic met with Lajcak in Brussels (CdM)
• Djukanovic met with Vucic, Varhelji, Rama… (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Misajlovski: Parliament blockade is only way to raise awareness to crises we are facing (Republika)
• Mickoski offers an immediate vote to amend the electoral model (Republika)
• VMRO-DPMNE will win 61 seats in next elections, and will not allow DUI to control Macedonian politics any longer (Telma TV)
Albania
• Rama meets Borell before informal dinner in Brussels (ADN)

Belgrade Media Report 11 May

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LOCAL PRESS

• Guterres congratulates Vucic (RTS)
• Vucic meets Sarrazin; Says imposed solutions cannot bring prosperity and stability in B&H, Serbia advocates consistent, full implementation of DPA (N1/RTS)
• Vucic: The West logically demands that Serbia align with their foreign policy (Beta/Tanjug)
• German Envoy: Berlin backs region’s EU membership, active engagement with Serbia (Beta)
• Sarrazin: EU path only right path for Serbia (Tanjug)
• Mihajlovic: Germany important partner of Serbia in energy transition (Tanjug)
• Selakovic: Terrorism is the most serious threat to peace (Beta)
• Opposition leader calls state TV to open up (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Chollet thanks Schmidt for Report on situation in B&H: US remains committed to implementation of DPA and HR’s mandate (O Kanal)
• Dodik: Dzaferovic’s visit to New York is not authorized (ATV)
• Zakharova: Christian Schmidt is a fraud (ATV)
• HNS: Croat political parties will participate in elections but will not give up on territorial reorganization of B&H; Magazinovic: Current HDZ B&H’s conditioning may mean complete institutional blockade after elections (O Kanal)
• Following new threats with third entity and reorganization of B&H, daily researches whether Bosnian and pro-Bosnian representatives have adequate response; SDA officials underline responsibility of Prosecutor’s Office of B&H (Oslobodjenje)
• Issue of financing of general elections in B&H still unresolved (Hayat)
• Sattler meets MEPs: Great to see strong engagement from MEPs (Dnevni avaz)
Croatia
• Plenkovic announces new visit of EU officials to B&H and new talks on Election Law (Vecernji list)
• Croatian bishops and Plenkovic seek equal position for Croats in B&H (Vecernji list)
Montenegro
• Abazovic: I stand for the Open Balkans – an initiative made for six countries; Issue of demarcation with Kosovo is over for Montenegro (CdM/Klan Kosova)
• Mandic: We call on the opposition to organize big protests together (RTNK)
• Elections in Podgorica and another 13 municipalities to be held on 23 October (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• VMRO began its full blockade of parliament (Republika)
• Another small coalition partner threatens to bring down the government (TV21)
• EU says still no change to the accession process, even after Macron outlined a radical vision (MIA)
Albania
• First round for the election of the new president set on 16 May (Radio Tirana)

Belgrade Media Report 10 May 2022

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United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 10 May 2022

LOCAL PRESS

• Brnabic: EU most important political, trade partner of Serbia (Tanjug/RTS)
• Giaufret: Russia starts a war, strong EU required, able to defense itself (Beta)
• Vucic meets with Sarrazin (B92)
• Dacic meets with German Ambassador (Tanjug/Politika)
• Mihajlovic: Serbia must defend its energy stability even if it would require changing ownership structure in oil and NIS (Beta)
• Macron: Western Balkans should continue its path towards EU membership (RTS)
• RIK confirms Vucic election win (N1)
• GIK adopts results of Belgrade elections (Tanjug)
• Will Dodik be prohibited to participate in elections (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• May 9 as Victory Day, Europe Day and Day of ‘Golden Lilies’ of RBiH Army marked with protest walk in Sarajevo in support of Ukraine; Dzaferovic: B&H has condemned Russian aggression on Ukraine despite internal disagreements (Hayat)
• Cvijanovic: RS celebrates and observes two days of victory – 9 May and 9 January (RTRS)
• Komsic and Dzaferovic’s statements on Victory Day spark reactions of Dodik (N1/ATV)
• MEPs Schieder, Koster and Reuten arrive in B&H; Schieder says MEPs and especially Social Democrats will do everything they can to ensure B&H obtains status of candidate for membership in EU as soon as possible (AJB)
• Dodik says that he will be candidate in general elections in B&H despite messages coming from Sarajevo (ATV)
• Kosarac slams Arnautovic, warns of dangerous intentions of leading Bosniak politicians (Dnevni list)
• Komsic announces he will run for Presidency again, Dodik accuses Komsic of preparing another electoral theft (Nezavisne)
• HNS Presidency and HDZ B&H Presidency hold separate sessions; HNS will participate in general elections (Hayat)
• Izetbegovic: New negotiations will not bring any significant results because political atmosphere is bad; Dzaferovic: It is too late for changes election changes (Nova BH)
• Granic: Big number of EU states do not understand problem in B&H (Dnevni list)
Croatia
• Grlic Radman: Elections in B&H are implemented against constitution due to failure to implement verdicts of ECHR and B&H CC (HRT1)
• Croatia will continue to assist Ukraine, says PM (Hina)
• Croatia understands best what Ukraine is going through, FM says (Hina)
Montenegro
• Elections put off to autumn (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• EU and US diplomats call for quick opening of Macedonia’s accession talks (Republika)
• War in Ukraine last call for EU decision on enlargement (MIA)
• Macron raises prospect of a two-tier Europe, that would likely leave Macedonia on the outside (Republika)
• Political leaders welcome the church decision – Mickoski says it supports the Macedonian national identity (Republika)
• The Russian church dismisses Bartholomew’s move, says it still considers Macedonia under jurisdiction of the Serbian church (Republika)
Albania
• Meta meets with Bundestag MP: Germany is an important partner and constant supporter of our country (Radio Tirana)
• Romania in support of Albania’s EU integration process (Radio Tirana)

Belgarde Media Report 9 May

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LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: After Putin’s statement, our situation has changed for the worse (B92)
• Serbia’s goal to enter EU as soon as possible (Tanjug/Politika)
• Brnabic meets with Borrell (Tanjug/RTS)
• Selakovic: Serbia seeks sustained partnership with US (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Selakovic thanks Brazil for support on Kosovo and Metohija issue (Politika/Tanjug)
• Selakovic: We must fight together for Serbia to pass less damaged through unfavorable times (RTS)
• Stefanovic: EU is where Serbia sees its place (Tanjug)
• Joksimovic: Non-introduction of sanctions against Russia will not stop EU path, but will slow us down (RTS)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: The West is putting incredible pressure on Serbia (Politika)
• On what kind of faith are foreign troops in B&H facing (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Ambassador Kalabukhov writes editorial on occasion of Victory Day (Glas Srpske)
• RS government’s report to UN SC states that RS categorically rejects violence and fully accepts European values of democracy and rule of law built into DPA (ATV)
• Media on second part of 27th report sent by RS government to UN SC: There is orchestrated campaign aimed at strengthening of foreign intervention in B&H (ATV)
• Dzaferovic: If there is no European action, then way is opened for Russian influence, and we do not want that (Nova BH)
• Dodik on Dzaferovic’s statement on B&H and Ukraine: B&H is destabilized by Muslims helped by several Western embassies, while everything else is product of Dzaferovic’s fantasy; other reactions (ATV)
• Podzic: Scenario in which Dodik causes conflict in B&H with help of Putin is possible, but other countries like Moldova and Georgia are in much worse position (Oslobodjenje)
• Covic announces new attempt at agreement on changes to Election Law; Izetbegovic thinks it will be in vain (Nova BH)
• Sattler says problems must be solved in B&H parliament, calls politicians to respect existing Election Law of B&H (BHT1)
• Kofod welcomes decision to hold elections in October (FTV)
• Arnautovic threatens Dodik and Covic’s nominations will not be verified if Schmidt states before UN SC that they violate B&H Constitution and DPA (FACE TV/FTV)
• Komsic says Milanovic’s activities cannot be called friendly or good-neighborly policy (Hayat)
• Plenkovic says rights of Croats as one of constituent people in B&H are currently jeopardized (Dnevni list)
Croatia
• SDA’s Izetbegovic confirms that he expects another EU mediation attempt to change B&H Election Law soon, but says it will not yield results in current circumstances (HRT)
• Milanovic says HDZ B&H’s announcement on third entity in B&H is extreme, but that he will have to support it (N1)
• President of SDP of Croatia Grbin says SDP supports admission of Finland and Sweden to NATO, confirms SDP of Croatia would not support Covic’s idea on territorial reorganization of B&H (Jutarnji list)
• Plenkovic visits Ukraine, visits Kyiv, meets with Zelensky (TCN)
• Plenkovic: Croatia admires resistance of Ukrainian people (Hina)
• Bozinovic comments on case of Croatian national taken prisoner in Ukraine (Hina)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic: We are facing difficult time, time of strategic decisions, Montenegro is determined to regain reform enthusiasm (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovacevski calls on EU to finally keep its promise an allow Macedonia to open its accession talks (Republika)
• Xhaferi calls on Bulgaria to lift its veto (Republika)
• Byrnes wants to see Macedonia join EU as soon as possible, says strategic partnership with the US is no substitute (Republika)
• Kovacevski refuses to discuss holding early elections – I will not accept blackmail from VMRO-DPMNE (Republika)
Albania
• Rama: Our continent celebrates today under the sign of Ukraine (Radio Tirana)
• Open Balkans agreement, Minister Krifca receives counterpart from the Republic of Northern Macedonia (Radio Tirana)