Belgrade Media Report 1 August 2022
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Monday 1 August 2022
LOCAL PRESS
• Due to Pristina’s unilateral moves, situation in Kosovo and Metohija has never been more difficult (Tanjug/RTS)
• Pristina postpones decision; Crossing points closed (Novosti/B92)
• Vucic: I believe situation will be de-escalated (TV Pink/Tanjug)
• Brnabic: Serbia not responsible for crisis in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/Politika)
• Serbian Army denies that it entered Kosovo (Politika)
• Petkovic: Kurti unilaterally decided to set fire to powder keg (RTS)
• Petkovic with Kosovo Serbs: Unacceptable abolishment of IDs, aim expulsion of Serbs (Tanjug/RTV)
• Sanchez said that Spain supports Serbia when it comes to issue of Kosovo (Tanjug/Politika)
• Dacic with Sanchez: Spain always with Serbia (RTS)
• Selakovic: Serbia proud of outstanding relations with China (Politika)
• Serbia gets new parliament (RTS/Tanjug)
• Dacic: SPS will be part of the parliamentary majority (RTS)
• EU Ambassador: Serbia should oppose Russia’s aggression (Blic)
• On why Bosniaks are intimidated by rights of Croats in B&H (Politika)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Izetbegovic: Bosniaks have the right to be careful, but also the right to defend themselves (ATV)
• Izetbegovic’s statements receive more criticism, comments by Milanovic, Plenkovic, Vucic (ATV)
• HNS Presidency convenes, calls for OHR’s urgent relocation from Sarajevo to Brussels to protect OHR’s safety and independence (FTV)
• Ljubic speaks about technical changes to B&H Election Law (HRT1)
• Izetbegovic: It is unrealistic to believe leaders will reach agreement on B&H Election Law (FTV)
• Dodik: There was no Bosnia before me, there will not be after too; Schmidt proved his actions are managed by politicians from Sarajevo (Glas Srpske)
• Cubrilovic reacts to Schmidt’s decision: Only binding documents for RS parliament are the ones adopted by RS parliament (FTV)
• NS calls on Prosecutor’s Office of B&H to investigate information about ‘possible unrests in south of the country’ (Dnevni list)
• US Embassy: It is hypocritical for Covic and HNS to criticize inflammatory rhetoric of other political leaders (Dnevni list)
• Dodik: SNSD is forced to participate in general elections (Hayat)
• Sanchez meets with B&H Presidency members within his official visit to B&H (Hayat)
Croatia
• Medved: Croat people in B&H need to be represented in authorities adequately (HRT1)
Montenegro
• Abazovic: I don’t know when the Agreement with the SPC is going to be signed (CdM)
• Djukanovic։ If this kind of Agreement with SPC is signed, government will fall (N1)
• Initiative to overthrow government after signing Agreement with SPC (Pobjeda)
• Abazovic discussed investments in energy and tourism with Saudi Crown Prince (Pobjeda)
• Sanchez: Montenegro is part of Europe; Djukanovic: The only good choice for the Western Balkans is the European perspective (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• National anthem cut short again: The Spanish Prime Minister didn’t hear about the Krusevo Republic, Goce Delcev and Pitu Guli (Republika)
• Kovacevski-Sanchez: Macedonia and Spain are strong allies, decades-long cooperation is deepening (Republika)
Albania
• The integration process towards the EU, the Prime Minister of Spain visits Tirana (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 1, 2022
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, August 1, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: We expect all barricades to be removed today (media)
• Kosovo institutions continue coordination on latest developments (media)
• Jarinje, Bernjak remain closed; four cases of mistreatment against Albanians (media)
• Over 1,500 entry-exit documents issued so far at border crossing points (Koha)
• Borrell invites Kurti and Vucic to Brussels to resume dialogue (RFE)
• EU is following events in Kosovo with concern, spokesperson says (media)
• Rama: Kosovo is right in its sovereignty; Vucic mustn’t feed groups in north (media)
• Begaj: Kosovo authorities avoided a serious provocation (media)
• PDK: Unprepared action in the north; government must coordinate with allies (Koha)
• Haradinaj: Security operations must be studied, analysed and explained well (media)
• Majko: Serbia has launched an aggression against the state of Kosovo (media)
• Kosovo government adopts emergency measures in energy supply (Kallxo)
• 513 new cases with COVID-19 in Kosovo (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Serbs in northern Kosovo spent night at barricades set up in protest (Tanjug)
• Reactions on situation in northern Kosovo, Pristina’s decision (Tanjug, media)
• Visoki Decani: Interethnic relations have never been worse due to attitude of Kosovo authorities (media, social media)
• Obradovic from Dveri Movement to demand session on Kosovo (Danas)
• Dendias on situation in Kosovo: Caution and respect of international law needed (Kosovo Online)
• Kremlin: Rights of Serbs in KiM must be guaranteed with resolution (Kosovo Online)
• Survey: Most people in northern Kosovo unwilling to change licence plates (N1, KoSSev)
• Billboards “Welcome to ZSO” posted in four northern municipalities (Kosovo Online, media)
• Starovic responds to Osmani’s chief of cabinet (Kosovo Online)
• Sanchez: We support Serbia regarding Kosovo (Radio KIM, KoSSev)
• Long vehicles queues at Merdare and Konculj crossing points (Kosovo Online, Tanjug)
• Kosovo police arrested two Serbs, case goes in regular procedure (Kosovo Online, RTS)
International:
• Russia’s war in Ukraine finds echoes in the Balkans (The Washington Post)
• Serb Barricades Still up in North Kosovo Despite Govt Climbdown (BIRN)
• Kosovo delays plan for volatile north as tensions rise near Serbian border (The Guardian)
• Serbia Awards National TV Licences to Pro Govt Stations – Again (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Serbia Ignores Calls to Free Kurdish Politician on Hunger Strike (Balkan Insight)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, August 1, 2022
• Kosovo agrees to delay new rules after tensions rise at Serbian border (RFE)
• Kurti: Reciprocity will be postponed if all barricades are removed (media)
• Svecla: Decision is being implemented except in Jarinje and Bernjak (RTK)
• Roads in the north of Kosovo remain blocked (RFE/Koha)
• Borell welcomes decision to move measures; “roadblocks to be removed” (media)
• Lajcak welcomes decision to postpone implementation by 1 month (media)
• Osmani: Vucic’s efforts to destabilise Kosovo will fail (media)
• Vela: Repetition of Putin’s playbook by Vucic’s regime (media)
• UNMIK chief Ziadeh calls for calm amid developments in the north (media)
• LDK leader Abdixhiku condemns attack of local Serbs against police (media)
• Turkish FM: Peace, stability in Balkans, always a priority for Turkey (media)
• Russian Foreign Ministry reacts to development in the north (media)
• Nearly 10,000 active cases with COVID-19 in Kosovo (media)