UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 14, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• Kosovo Assembly adopts in principle law on minimum wage (media)
• PDK announces boycott of today’s Assembly session (media)
• EP: Final agreement between Kosovo and Serbia to centre on mutual recognition (media)
• Austria’s FM Schallenberg visits Kosovo, calls for visa liberalisation (media)
• “Open Balkan has meaning only if six countries are involved” (Klan Kosova)
• Delegation from Croatian parliament visits Kosovo Assembly (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: There will be no power anywhere, hard winter ahead; no mention of mutual recognition in the negotiating framework with the EU (Danas, Beta)
• AFET adopts report on Serbia: “Urgent” sanctions on Russia demanded; legally binding agreement based on mutual recognition between Belgrade and Pristina (Danas)
• Bilcik on the report: “It is not an ultimatum, the government in Serbia should decide whether it will be on the right side of history” (Danas)
• Bilcik against the wording ‘mutual recognition’ (KoSSev, RFE)
• Vucic: Non-paper presented, Austria wants tangible enlargement process (N1, Beta, FoNet)
International:
• Western Balkan migrant route most used in 2022 (Euractive)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 14, 2022
• Bislimi: Agreement on energy in the north is very close (media)
• Haradinaj: All citizens must be included in a single energy system (media)
• European Parliament foreign committee to discuss report on Kosovo (RFE)
• Kosovo leaders meet to coordinate actions on foreign policy (media)
• Foreign Minister Gervalla reacts to critics, shares video praising KLA (Telegrafi)
• Kurti’s opposition to Open Balkan leaves Kosovo looking isolated (BIRN)
• Austrian Foreign Minister to visit Kosovo today (media)
• Assembly President Konjufca to visit former KLA leaders on June 17 (media)
• A determining week for the pension trust and the minimum wage (Koha)
• Draft strategy on transitional justice aimed in three months (Koha)
Belgrade Media Report 13 June
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: We never heard request for mutual recognition before (RTS/Politika/Tanjug)
• Scholz: Germany expects EU membership candidates to join Russia sanctions (Tanjug/Politika)
• Mitsotakis: Western Balkans should join EU by 2033 (RTS/Tanjug)
• Petkovic with Hill and McDowell on Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (RTV/RTS/Tanjug)
• Djuric: Relations between Serbia and the United States constantly on the rise (Politika)
• Hill: Serbia needs to think where its future is and whether neutral position is sustainable (RTS/Tanjug)
• Nikodijevic re-elected as Belgrade City Assembly speaker (N1)
• Members of We Must coalition establish political organization (Beta)
• Jeremic: Reports about Trojan horse not surprising (Beta)
• Yishu: Serbia has right to choose partners on its own (Politika)
• Open borders for Open Balkans (Politika)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik, Tegeltija, RS officials extend greetings on occasion of Day of Russia – 12 June (RTRS)
• B&H political leaders meet Michel in Brussels, most leaders accept offered political agreement (Dnevni avaz)
• Dodik tells Borrell RS is committed to peace and EU path; I will not allow any political document to be signed that qualifies conflicts in Ukraine in any way (RTRS)
• Nesic explains why he rejected joint statement at meeting with Michel; Borenovic comments on the meeting in Brussels (Dnevni avaz)
• Michel offers political agreement for functional B&H and speeding up EU path (FTV)
Croatia
• 19th General Assembly of HDZ of Croatia held in Zagreb; Covic says B&H does not exist without Croat people (N1)
• Milanovic: Croats in B&H deserve at least a sense of justice (HRT1)
• Future of Western Balkans in focus of SEECP summit in Greece (HRT)
• Covic went to Brussels but he did not want to be at the meeting in the same room with Komsic (Vecernji list)
Montenegro
• Support for Berlin Process, Open Balkans “buried”? (N1)
• Djukanovic: World in never more serious crisis, as Europeans we must be able to understand messages of Russian aggression and respond decisively to consequences (CdM)
• Abazovic accepted Zelensky’s invitation, would call on leaders of the region to visit Kyiv (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Scholz calls for EU to open accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania (Nova)
• Kovacevski: North Macedonia and Albania have met the conditions for negotiations (MIA)
Albania
• Open Balkans initiative has increased the trade volume between the countries of the region (Radio Tirana)
• Kosovo Liberation Day/Nikolla shared a greeting message (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 13, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• PDK, AAK call for minimum wage bill to be removed from assembly agenda (RFE)
• LDK leader Abdixhiku insists on removing excise duty on fuel products (media)
• Finance minister Murati rejects proposal to lift excise duty on fuel (media)
• Austrian chief diplomat to stay in Prishtina on Tuesday (Gazeta Express)
• Mehaj: U.S. support, irreplaceable in our development processes (Klan Kosova)
• Abazovic, Rama and Kovacevski to visit Kyiv together? (RTV21)
Serbian Language Media:
• Selakovic on sanctions against Russia: Serbia cannot impose sanctions to someone who respects its territorial integrity (Kosovo Online, RTV, Tanjug)
• Austrian FM expects region in the EU (FoNet, N1)
• Petkovic with US Ambassador Hill on dialogue and situation in Kosovo (RTS, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Djuric: Serbia-US relations on constant upward trajectory (Tanjug, N1, Politika)
• Ambassador Hill: Serbia to consider its neutral position (N1)
• Vucic: Scholz requested that Serbia join sanctions on Russia (Tanjug)
• Scholz: Germany expects EU membership candidates to join Russia sanctions (media)
• Two young Serbs stabbed in Straze village, near Gnjilane (Beta, NMagazin, RTV Puls, Kosovo Online)
• Office for KiM: Two shops in Velika Hoca robbed (Kontakt plus radio)
• Novo Brdo: Several returnee homes broken into in Ceranovica hamlet (Kontakt plus radio, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Displaced persons from Suva Reka forbidden to attend the monastery’s celebration (KiM radio)
Opinion:
• The Balkan chessboard and notable absentees (ekathimerini.com)
International:
• EU Parliament urges Serbia to reconsider relationship with Russia (Euractive)
• How to keep the EU accession dream alive (intellinews.com)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 13, 2022
• Anniversary of NATO troops entering marked in Kosovo (media)
• Osmani at SEECP summit: Kosovo’s membership in CoE of interest to all citizens (media)
• Kurti: To achieve reconciliation, Serbia needs to apologise (Koha)
• German, Serbian leaders clash over Kosovo, Russia sanctions (Politico)
• Scholz: Serbia, Kosovo must recognize each other to join EU (AP)
• Kosovo President Osmani and Greek PM Mitsotakis discuss intensifying relations (media)
• Vucic signals agreement with KEDS over electricity in the north (RFE)
• Gervalla-Schwarz: Kosovo couldn’t have a truer friend than the U.S. (media)
• Serbian List should be interviewed, voluntarily or otherwise, former prosecutor says (RFE)
• Group of Kosovo and Serbia NGOs call for upholding of the rule of law in Decan (media)
• Municipality says problems with Decan Monastery prevent infrastructure investments (RTK)
• In Kosovo, Frustration Grows over Promised Road to Montenegro (BIRN)
Belgrade Media Report 10 June 2022
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Friday 10 June 2022
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic thanked Equatorial Guinea for its consistent support for preservation of Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity (Tanjug/Politika)
• Agreement on cooperation in defense with Equatorial Guinea signed (Tanjug)
• Selakovic: Stability, good neighborly relations crucial for region’s development (Tanjug/RTV)
• Vucic with Szijjarto: For even closer cooperation in energy (Tanjug/RTV)
• Serbia signs agreement on storing natural gas in Hungary (Tanjug/RTS)
• Vucic: Serbia, Montenegro need to reset relationship (Adria TV/Tanjug)
• Diplomats: Common European future only solution to region’s past problems (Beta/Politika)
• Serb List representatives refuse to receive summons of Kosovo Special Prosecution (Politika)
• Serbia faces with the ultimatum (RTS)
• RIK rejects complaint of Coalition of Albanians of the Valley (Novosti)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Money for holding B&H general elections finally paid into B&H CEC’s account (BHT1)
• Dodik: RS has hired legal team to file lawsuit in Germany against Schmidt (Nova BH)
• HR Schmidt says functional state does not need international community and B&H tends to become EU member state, adds he will keep using Bonn Powers but with high level of restraint (FTV)
• Cvijanovic: Imposing of decisions by foreigners is unacceptable (ATV)
• Novakovic-Bursac on outvoting of Dodik in B&H Presidency: Stronghold for outvoting are stances of part of international community and behavior of opposition in RS (Nezavisne)
• Zakharova: PIC SB’s decisions adopted without Russia, as full member of the body, are not legitimate and do not reflect the position of international community, and such meetings cannot have legal consequences in B&H (RTRS)
• Dodik: Dzaferovic has no consent for participation in SEECP meeting in Thessaloniki (RTRS)
• Komsic: Hosts of summits in Thessaloniki and Ohrid refused to allow Dodik to take part in those meetings (BN TV/Istraga.ba)
• Cikotic: B&H has capacity to become full member of NATO (Hayat)
• Zakharova claims part of weapons intended for Ukraine already smuggled to B&H, Albania and Kosovo (N1)
• Cikotic: Zakharova’s allegations are unfounded, untrue and ill-intentioned (O Kanal)
Croatia
• Plenkovic: All that Cavara has done was for the goal of improving the status of Croats in B&H (N1)
Montenegro
• Zelensky invites Abazovic to visit Kiev (CdM)
• Abazovic: With smart foreign policy, Montenegro overcame the negative experience with Russia (Pobjeda/CNN)
Republic of North Macedonia
• There will be elections in May 2024 together with the presidential ones, said Osmani (TV Kanal 5)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 10, 2022
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 10, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visits Kosovo (media)
• FAZ on Scholz’s visit: Two days, five countries, many conflicts (Telegrafi)
• Kosovo insurance bureau hopes to join Green Card in weeks’ time (Koha)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: Serbia, Montenegro need to reset relationship (Tanjug)
• Serbian Government to provide EUR 3 million aid to Ukrainian children, refugees (Tanjug)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: There is no dependence and inequalities in Moscow-Belgrade relations (Danas)
• NGOs from central Serbia and Kosovo call for rule of law to be respected in Decani (Danas)
• Scholz to visit Belgrade (Tanjug)
• EEAS: Open Balkan Initiative full effects only if truly inclusive (N1)
• US Ambassador says Serbians chose path to EU (FoNet, N1)
Opinion:
• It’s time to get European enlargement back on track (Politico)
International:
• Germany’s Olaf Scholz visits Greece: Crisis management takes center stage (DW)
• Data Delay Casts Shadow over Kosovo Government’s Jobs Claim (BIRN)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Finance Ministry, GIZ sign €11 mil agreement for Innovation and Training Park (media)
• Kosovo Mother Declares: ‘I am Proud of My Gay Son’ (BIRN)
• Media tragedy of family tragedy (KoSSev)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 10, 2022
• German Chancellor Scholz to stay in Kosovo today (media)
• Kosovo PM unimpressed with Serbian President’s energy deal offer (BIRN)
• President Osmani travels to Greece to attend SEECP leaders’ meeting (media)
• Kosovo war court extends ex-President Thaci’s detention again (BIRN)
• Thaci and others accept Assembly President Konjufca’s visit (RTK)
• Serbian List officials rejects invitations from the prosecution (RFE)
• Osmani visits KSF: “Kosovo’s present and future are in safe hands” (media)
• Kurti: We launched new online government services on e-Kosova platform (media)
• Interior Minister: 4,000 bullets confiscated at Jarinje border crossing (media)
Belgrade Media Report 9 June
LOCAL PRESS
• Open Balkans states sign agreements on cooperation (Tanjug/RTS)
• Vucic: We are much stronger together (Tanjug/Politika)
• Mangue: Serbia important partner to Equatorial Guinea (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Varhelyi: Open Balkans could change reality of region (Beta/Politika)
• Serbian Foreign Ministry: A series of untruths on Kosovo and Metohija in Schieb’s interview (Politika/Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• 23rd anniversary of the Kumanovo Agreement (RTS)
• Arifi: US promises special treatment of Albanian issue in southern Serbia (Bujanovacke/Beta)
• Belgrade court confirms indictment against Croatian pilots (N1/Politika)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• PIC SB adopts conclusions: B&H faces unprecedented political crisis that threatens stability and prosperity of B&H as well as Balkans (FTV)
• Russian Embassy to B&H: Russia has nothing to do with Communique issued by SB PIC (ATV)
• US Embassy to B&H issues statement regarding PIC SB meeting, expresses full support to HR Schmidt (N1)
• Crnadak on PIC SB conclusions: RS authorities deceive citizens in regards to transfer of RS competences (BN TV)
• B&H Presidency adopts draft budget which provides BAM 12.5 million for elections and funds for increasing salaries of workers in B&H institutions; Dodik proposes Dzaferovic’s removal; Dodik invokes Vital National Interest to reject agreement on trade and cooperation with UK (ATV)
• All items proposed by Dodik rejected at B&H Presidency session, including item on B&H Presidency’s position on unconstitutional and illegitimate activities of Christian Schmidt (RTRS)
• Russian Embassy to B&H: Schmidt’s decision on financing elections is shameless (O Kanal)
• HNS reacts to HR Schmidt’s use of Bonn powers: Foreigners’ imposing of decisions undermines sovereignty rather than contributing to functionality of B&H (FTV)
• B&H CEC expresses gratitude to HR Schmidt and disappointment with B&H authorities (Nova BH)
• Tegeltija at ‘Open Balkans’ summit in Ohrid: I am certain B&H will become member of ‘Open Balkans’ sooner or later (FTV)
Croatia
• Grlic Radman: Proposal for declaration on B&H, prepared by representatives of ruling coalition in Germany, does not send good messages and strong Bosniak lobby is visible in it (Hina)
• Belgrade court confirms indictments against Croatian pilots (HRT)
Montenegro
• Vucic to Abazovic: If you want to – join Open Balkan, if you don’t – it’s your own will, no one will force you; Abazovic: Hand outstretched for all initiatives that mean progress (CdM)
• Abazovic: Final decision on Open Balkans when we sum up everything (CdM)
• Escobar: Open Balkans should remain economic initiative, I want more clarity on how it should work (CdM)
• Djukanovic: We’re witnessing start of new geopolitical cycle, no one can say for sure what it will look like (CdM)
• Abazovic to officially visit Serbia on 29 June (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovacevski: Open Balkan is an excellent initiative, but no substitute for EU (Republika)
• Macedonia, Serbia, Albania connect toll systems (Republika)
• Mickoski after meeting Varhelyi: Macedonia to start EU negotiations as soon as possible (Republika)
Albania
• Regional leaders gather for Open Balkan summit, with Kosovo absence and Russian meddling looming over meeting (Tirana Times)
• EU integration, Rama: The war has made it the most necessary initiative! The problems of the past are solved through rapprochement (Radio Tirana)
• Ministerial Dialogue on the food crisis/Xhacka asks countries to put pressure on Russia (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 9, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• German Chancellor Scholz in Prishtina tomorrow; will meet only Kurti (RTK)
• European Council President Charles Michel to visit Kosovo next week (RFE)
• Kurti: To have Open Balkan, Serbia needs to open to Kosovo (Zeri/Telegrafi)
• State Department supports all initiatives that economically empower the Balkans (RFE)
• Pacolli urges Kosovo to join Open Balkan (media)
• “Kosovo to consider joining Open Balkan only if given equal status” (Portali D/Telegrafi)
• Former PM Hoti comments on Open Balkan initiative (media)
• Mehaj: We are preparing for our objective, NATO membership (media)
• Kurti meets Irish non-resident ambassador (media)
• LDK to propose resolution on reducing excise duty on fuel products (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic dismisses RFE report (N1)
• Brnabic met Equatorial Guinea President, thanked him for stance on Kosovo (Tanjug)
• State Department without comment on Pristina’s stance on Open Balkan (Radio KIM)
• Open Balkan initiative leaders sign agreements, memoranda in Ohrid (N1, Beta)
• EP report on Serbia: Alignment with EU foreign policy to determine further course of accession negotiations (RTS)
• Borrell: Failure to enable Serbian elections in Kosovo contrary to European values commitment (NMagazin, Beta)
• One year since return of Dragica Gasic to Djakovica (Kosovo-online)
• 23rd anniversary of the Kumanovo Agreement (N1)
• DW: Scholz to focus on blocked issues in Western Balkans (N1)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Reporting news from online portals – social networks and influence on public (media)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 9, 2022
• Montenegro mulls joining ‘Open Balkan’, Kosovo remains opposed (BIRN)
• President Osmani meets Greek Foreign Minister Dendias (media)
• PM Kurti: Kosovo’s relationship with Greece grows closer every day (media)
• Dendias meets heads of international missions and Quint ambassadors (media)
• Interior Minister Svecla interview with KTV
• LDK leader Abdixhiku meets US Ambassador Hovenier (media)
• Mehaj: Turkey supports Kosovo’s membership in security organisations (RTK)
• Rama and Vucic debunk Lavrov’s claims on Open Balkan (euronews.al)
• “Vucic spectacular achievement by dividing Tirana and Prishtina” (euronews.al)
• Kosovo theatre director takes on controversy over Handke Nobel Prize (BIRN)
• Pride Parade today in Prishtina; will leaders attend? (Gazeta Express)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 8, 2022
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 8, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• Open Balkan summit enters its second day (media)
• On Global Open Day, calls made for greater participation of women in decision-making processes (media)
• AAK requests removal of tax on oil, staple items (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• The Open Balkans are expanding despite Russian obstructions (Danas)
• Vucic: This is initiative of people from Balkans, and it is unstoppable (Kosovo Online)
• Escobar: “Include all six countries in the Open Balkan”, Varhelyi: “Initiative that accelerates the path to the EU” (Danas)
• Vucic speaks with Borrell, receives invitation to EU-Western Balkans summit (Tanjug)
• Selakovic confirms he accepted Lavrov’s invitation to visit Moscow (Danas)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: Moscow does not change stance on Kosovo (Radio KIM)
• Arifi: US promises special treatment of the issue of Albanians from Bujanovac, Presevo and Medvedja (KoSSev, N1, Beta)
• Belgrade schools receive fresh bomb threats (RTS, N1)
• Abazovic to visit Belgrade on June 29 (RTS)
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