Belgrade Media Report 23 June
LOCAL PRESS
• Leaders of the region and the EU arrived at the summit (RTS)
• The main topics of the summit in Brussels (RTS)
• Borrell disappointed with lack of progress on Western Balkans (Beta)
• European Integration Minister says Serbia isn’t closing eyes to Ukraine (FoNet)
• Gratitude to Italy for supporting Serbia’s European integration (RTS)
• German Special Representative Sarrazin: Promises about enlargement from Thessaloniki are still in force; I am skeptical toward ‘Open Balkan’ (Vecernje Novosti)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Cvijanovic criticizes Sarrazin: Is it possible that someone who comes from Germany sees certain competition in ‘Open Balkan’ initiative, compared to the earlier initiative from Germany, the Berlin Process (RTRS)
• B&H Presidency Chairperson Dzaferovic: Offering EU candidate status would be clear signal to pro-Russian forces that their policy has lost its influence in B&H (BHT1)
• B&H Presidency member Dodik: I am ready to respect Brussels agreement and implement it if B&H gets candidate status (RTRS)
• Komsic’s Advisor Kovacevic: Brussels meeting beneficial for B&H; Unlikely for B&H to receive EU candidate status this week; B&H will not joint EU and NATO with current constitution (Hayat)
• Austrian Chancellor Nehammer: There must be no double criteria and first or second class candidates (N1)
• German Chancellor Scholz advocates strengthening EU membership perspective for Western Balkan countries (FTV)
• New European Parliament draft resolution on B&H acknowledges concept of constituent peoples and expresses regret over failure to implement judgement in ‘Ljubic’ case (Vecernji list)
• UN High Commissioner Bachelet meets Joint Commission on Human Rights in B&H Parliament; She calls for dialogue on adoption of Law on Protection of Civilian Victims of War and Torture, amendments to Law on Human Rights Ombudsman (AJB)
• Bachelet and Prosecutor’s Office of B&H officials discuss strengthening rule of law and protection of rights of victims and citizens (AJB)
• SNSD’s Kovacevic meets with Bachelet, warns of poor status of Serbs in FB&H (Glas Srpske)
Croatia
• Croatian PM Plenkovic addresses EP plenary session in Brussels, supports granting Ukraine EU candidate status and EU future of B&H (HRT1)
• Plenkovic meets Metsola: Croatia supports the EU accession of all of its neighboring countries (HRT1)
• PM Phones Zelenskyy to convey Croatia’s support to Ukraine’s EU membership bid (Hina)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic in Brussels (CDM)
• Djukanovic: Aggression against Ukraine additionally points out importance of further integration of WB into EU (CDM)
• Picula: Last year’s events in Montenegro were marked by political blockades and stagnation on the European path (RTCG)
• Jokovic: I had an insight into the Fundamental Agreement, there are disputes over the status of the Serbian Orthodox Church (RTNK)
• Ivanovic: The agreement with the Serbian Orthodox Church remains a priority, I believe that common sense will prevail (RTCG)
• Kosovo PM says border with Montenegro to be reviewed (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Pendarovski: Kosovo should join Open Balkan Initiative (TV 24)
• Mickoski: I would be happy if the French proposal is not accepted (TV Alfa)
• DOM to leave Government if French proposal accepted (Republika)
• People gather in front of government building to protest against the French proposal (Republika)
• Bulgarian government loses no-confidence vote (Republika)
Albania
• The fall of the Bulgarian government seems to delay EU enlargement plans in the Balkans (Radio Tirana)
• Bulgarian opposition to remove the veto on North Macedonia, Pm Rama: We will attend the EU summit (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 23, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• Osmani to EU leaders: This has just gone too far, my citizens feel discriminated (media)
• Osmani meets with EU leaders (RTK)
• Metsola: Visa liberalization for Kosovo must happen (Kallxo)
• Kajari: Kosovo-Serbia agreement brings stability to region (Klan)
• The Dutch Parliament votes in favor of abolishing visas for Kosovo (media)
• Osmani: No country can follow both Russia’s and EU’s path (Reporteri)
Serbian Language Media:
• EU-Western Balkans summit in Brussels ends (NMagazin, Beta)
• Vucic: We believe in the European future of Serbia and the region (RTS, Tanjug)
• Nehammer: No double standards in the accession process (Tanjug)
• Dzaferovic asked Michel to support BiH’s candidacy (RTS, N1)
• Michel: The Western Balkans is an EU priority (RTS, Tanjug)
• Borrell: Consensus problem, good thing there is progress in the dialogue (Tanjug)
• Scholz: Western Balkans need ‘realistic opportunity’ for EU membership (Hina, N1)
• Rama: Shameful “kidnapping” of two countries on the way to the EU (RTS)
• Petkov: Solution should be found in Bulgarian parliament (RTS, Tanjug)
• Varhelyi: The time for responsible decisions, Western Balkans to be part of the EU (RTS)
• The main topics of the summit in Brussels (RTS)
• “Who is switching off the lights in the north” protest in Mitrovica North tomorrow (Kontakt plus radio)
• Lazarevic: Citizens from the North disappointed with the agreement – new confirmation of Serbia’s withdrawal (KoSSev, N1)
International:
• EU will ‘stand by its promises’ on Western Balkans enlargement (DW)
• Western Balkans leaders will attend EU summit, dropping boycott threats (Politico)
• Bulgarian government ousted in blow to EU enlargement hopes (Financial Times)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 23, 2022
• Osmani: EP’s support – a guarantee for Kosovo’s European path (media)
• The Netherlands gives positive signals for visa liberalization (Telegrafi)
• Slim chances for decision-making on visa liberalization at EU Summit (Koha)
• Shala: Kosovo-Serbia agreement on energy must be implemented (KTV)
• Rohde on Open Balkan: It doesn’t seem to be a comprehensive initiative (Kallxo)
• Majority, opposition trade blames for interruption of Assembly session (media)
• Osmani and Konjufca most liked politicians, according to poll (media)
• Germany extends military deployment in Kosovo (Euractiv)
• Balkans losing hope of progress on EU membership (VOA)