Belgrade Media Report 30 September 2022
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Friday 30 September 2022
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic with Bilcik: Serbia on the EU path, but as an independent country (RTS)
• Bilcik with parliamentary groups in the Serbian Parliament
• Lajcak on the dialogue with Scholz’s adviser, Jens Ploetner (RTV)
• Germans work on drafting CSM statute, the document is secret; How did that happen? (Novosti)
• Lajcak and Germans drafting statute for Community of Serb municipalities (Novosti)
• U.S. Officials: Agreement between Serbia, Russia step in the wrong direction (Beta)
• Vulin: Serbia is not a reserve, we make our own decisions (N1)
• Oath keepers oppose sanctions against Russia (Beta)
• MEP Groselj: Nobody Is Forcing Serbia to Join EU (N1)
• Vucic at the reception marking China’s National Day: “Steel friendship” (Tanjug)
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REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• General elections in B&H scheduled for Sunday, October 2 (Hayat)
• HR Schmidt sends letter to 20 prosecutors in B&H: Fair and democratic elections must be protected (Dnevni avaz)
• HR Schmidt: I have not given up on changes of electoral legislation; B&H is too close to elections for major interventions (Nova BH)
• Ambassador Sattler calls on citizens of B&H to vote: There is chance on October 2 (Dnevni avaz)
• OSCE PA Charalambides meets Genjac in Sarajevo: There is big interest of international officials for general elections in B&H (Nova BH)
• SNSD’s Dodik says he does not need to prove his patriotism, notes SNSD has clear program for strengthening of RS: I want to see RS on its own, stable and proud (Glas Srpske)
• Cvijanovic: I will represent interests of RS and work to preserve its autonomy using all available means; I want to crrate conditions for prosperity and development of both entities if possible, but I will not hesitate to use mechanisms to protect RS (Nezavisne)
• Sarovic: SNSD has nothing to offer except staged crises, Dodik run away from B&H Presidency sessions and hid behind false patriotism; I do not have to prove my patriotism, we will focus on progress and EU path (Nezavisne)
• PDP’s Trivic rejects accusations on receiving financial aid from USA, lists measures which she plans to implement if she is elected RS President (Glas Srpske)
• Covic calls on Croat voters to go to the polls in mass numbers, says it is hard to predict when election results will be implemented (Vecernji list)
• Orban expresses support for Dodik at general elections (RTRS)
Croatia
• Croatia’s PM: EP initiative to suspend negotiations with Serbia “logical” (Hina)
• Croatian Prime Minister Plenkovic says it is very important for Croats to be represented by legitimate representatives (Vecernji list)
Montenegro
• Several people suspected of collaborating with Russian secret serviceꓼ no one arrested yet (CDM)
• Abazovic: Several people arrested, their names can only be revealed by SDT; Prosecutor Radonjic: No one currently arrested (CDM)
• Montenegro declared six Russian diplomats persona non grata; Embassy of Russia: Hostile behavior of the Montenegrin authorities, we are suspending the work of the consular department until further notice (CDM)
• Djukanovic: Montenegro strongly condemns any attempt to appropriate parts of the territory of Ukraine (CDM)
North Macedonia
• What should Macedonia expect from the elections in Bulgaria? (Libertas)
Albania
• Four regions seek union with Russia! USA and Albania, resolution against Moscow referendums (Radio Tirana)
• President Bajram Begaj receives the US Ambassador to our country, Yuri Kim, in the Presidency (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 30, 2022
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 30, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• Official confirmation: Visa liberalisation on EU agenda on Oct 13 (Koha)
• Decision on strike suspension will be made today, announced on Saturday (Koha)
• UNICEF expresses concern over delayed start of the school year (media)
• Parents Council: If classes don’t start on Oct 3, mass deregistration (Indeksonline)
• Kurti: Kosovo and Germany have special friendship (media)
• Osmani receives credentials of new French Ambassador Guerot (media)
• Osmani meets FIFA President Gianni Infantino (media)
• Haxhiu: Info that cameras in Dehari case were taken by order of former minister (Kallxo)
• LDK leader: Government is strangling businesses, failing to support them (Koha)
• Mustafi wants Presevo Valley to be included in Kosovo-Serbia agreement (RTK)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: Serbia to remain on European path, as independent and sovereign state (N1)
• Vucic, Sarrazin discuss Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, situation in region (Tanjug)
• Bo: Serbia, China example of mutual respect, cooperation (Tanjug)
• RFE: The EU’s latest package of sanctions foresees an exemption for the Western Balkans (Kontakt plus radio, Danas)
• The Management Team, the only one responsible for drafting the ZSO statute, completed the work in August 2018 (Kosovo Online)
• Vulin: Serbia is not a reserve, we make our own decisions (N1)
• Gracanica Mayor statement on the municipality decision to exchange land (Kosovo Online)
Opinion:
• A text the author will never read – on the mad race between the government and the unions over the teachers’ strike (KoSSev)
International:
• Coffee Festival Helps Bridge Divide in City of Mitrovica (Prishtina Insight)
• Serbia’s Minorities Hope for Better Results in 2022 Census (BIRN)
• Montenegro Launches Probe Into Suspected Russian Spies (BIRN)
• North Macedonia Opposition Stalls ‘Open Balkan’ Free Flow of Workers (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• PriFilm Fest’s Controversial Prizes Spark Gender Debate (Prishtina Insight)
• Serbian Government allows some higher food prices (N1)
• Former SFRY New York mansion sold for $50 million (N1)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 30, 2022
• Kurti thanks Lipavsky for Czech Republic’s visa liberalisation support (RTK)
• Von Cramon: France, Netherlands will not block visa liberalisation (T7)
• Osmani to attend inaugural meeting of European Political Community (media)
• Osmani meets Abbott and Knox, discuss political developments (RTK)
• Kurti calls on Serbs to register Kosovo license plates, gives Incentive (Exit)
• Lajcak meets Chancellor Scholz’s advisor, discuss next steps in dialogue (Koha)
• SBASHK to announce vote results on strike suspension during weekend (Koha)
• Abdixhiku accuses government of arrogance and undemocratic behavior (media)
• Albania and Russia clash over Kosovo, PM welcomes fleeing Russians (Exit)
• How One Gesture Curbed Ethnic Discrimination (Prishtina Insight)
Belgrade Media Report 29 September
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: I will address the citizens on October 8 and I will talk about all important issues (RTS)
• Djuric with Escobar: We are continuing agreements to improve cooperation (RTS)
• Now quite precisely, compiled by Picula: Either sanctions or negotiations’ suspension (Tanjug)
• Healthy Serbia Party proposes referendum on Serbian sanctions against Russia (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik: EU produces more problems than solutions (ATV)
• Dzaferovic: B&H does not recognize referendum in Ukraine (BHT1)
• Dodik: No one is asking B&H whether it will recognize referendums in Ukraine (ATV)
• EU Delegation calls on B&H citizens to vote in elections; Sattler sends message to B&H citizens: Do not miss your chance (BHT1)
• Dodik: We will create wide coalition; There are good people in PDP and SDS, but their current leaderships are not good (Nezavisne)
• Trivic: My key promise is to return institutions to the framework of law and to oust corruption from institutions; all elements of statehood that make RS state within state remain in our hands (Nezavisne)
• Pendes says she is convinced Kristo will be elected Croat member of B&H Presidency (Dnevni avaz)
• Komsic: Zagreb wanted amendments to Election Law that would enable permanent participation of HDZ B&H in FB&H and B&H authorities (Hayat)
• Komsic: Visits of Milanovic and Vucic to specific places in B&H are attempt to mark borders of future division of B&H territory (Hayat)
Croatia
• Plenkovic: There is still time for the HR to impose changes to B&H Election Law (N1)
Montenegro
• Kovac: Djukanovic does not have the authority to shorten the Parliament’s mandate, unless it does so itself (RTNK)
• Krivokapic: Serbia’s creeping aggression on Montenegro can turn into a more active one, legal actions need to be taken (CDM)
Albania
• Rama: Russians who do not want to go to war are welcome in Albania (ADN)
• Hoxha responds to the Russian delegation at the UN: You cannot compare the war in Ukraine with Kosovo (Radio Tirana)
• Nikolla: It’s high time Indonesia recognized Kosovo as an independent state (Radio Tirana)
• Tabaku, meets Sarraz: We welcome the return of the Berlin Process (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 29, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• Czech Foreign Minister: I have high expectations for visa liberalisation (media)
• Osmani: Crucial for visa liberalisation to conclude during Czech EU Presidency (media)
• FES: It’s not true EU engaged us to draft Association statute (Albanian Post)
• Assembly lacks quorum to extend energy emergency measures (media)
• Central Bank Governor refuses invitation to summit because of footnote (RTK)
Serbian Language Media:
• USA: Serbia’s agreement with Russia surprising and a step in the wrong direction (VoA)
• Vucic and Hill on the details of cooperation between Serbia and the USA (Kosovo Online)
• Djuric met Escobar (Tanjug)
• Bilcik in Belgrade today, tomorrow with Vucic (Politika, Tanjug)
• Dendias talked to Lajcak, Borrell (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic: Serbia, China maintains steely friendship (Tanjug)
• Ziadeh with Von Cramon in Brussels on the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina (Kosovo Online)
• EP to request suspension of EU accession negotiations with Serbia (FoNet, N1)
• Ruling party ally calls for referendum on Russia sanctions (Danas, N1)
• Tadic: Vucic’s disastrous failure at the UN regarding Kosovo’s membership (KiM radio, N1, NIN, Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic: Tadic hurt by the successes of the Serbian government (Kosovo Online)
• Zubin Potok: A lawyer was hired because of the usurpation of land owned by Serbs (Kosovo Online, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Gracanica municipality exchanges 17 hectares of municipal land for 18 acres of private land (medijacentar.info, Kontakt plus radio, KoSSev, KiM radio, N1)
Opinion:
• Croatia’s Ethnic Homogenisation Continues as Serb Minority Dwindles (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Belgrade’s Russian Émigrés Grapple With New Lives In Serbia, The Ukraine War, And What Comes Next (RFE)
• Opening a window on audiovisual archives in the Western Balkans (tech.ebu.ch)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 29, 2022
• Czech Foreign Minister to visit Kosovo today (media)
• Kosovo Foreign Minister: EU has no reason to deny visa liberalisation (VoA)
• Deputy Minister of Education believes classes will start on Oct 3 (RTK)
• Rohde: Kosovo and Serbia will have to make difficult decisions (Radio Kosova)
• Two foreign organisations drafting Association statute, Novosti reports (Koha)
• Lajcak and von Cramon discuss state of play in EU-facilitated dialogue (media)
• Chollet and Peach meet, “elevating focus of Serbia-Kosovo dialogue” (media)
• Albanian politicians see jailed Kosovo leaders in Hague (The Washington Post)
• Vucic: International pressure to recognize Kosovo (Albanian Daily News)
• North Macedonia opposition against Open Balkan, blocks laws (RFE)
Belgrade Media Report 28 September
LOCAL PRESS
• Drecun: Prishtina is trying in every way to destabilize the situation (RTS)
• Hill: With the consultation plan, Russia wants to justify the war in Ukraine (FoNet)
• Russian Embassy: Hill’s statement is inappropriate (FoNet)
• Russia at the UN Security Council: What about Kosovo? “Double standards of the West” (Tanjug)
• KFOR held the “Golden Sabre” exercise (RTS)
• Djilas pays visit to U.S., says Serbia must not make the mistake of disconnecting from civilizational trends (Beta)
• MP: Either we will impose sanctions on Russia, or sanctions will be imposed on us (N1)
• Brnabic: Serbia is not neutral regarding the war in Ukraine, we condemned the aggression (Beta)
• Selakovic: Vucic’s address to the nation will most likely be on October 8 (Tanjug)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Croatian Government admits that proposals of changes to B&H Election Law from July this year are the result of secret negotiations between the leaders of Croatia and HR Schmidt; OHR did not confirm Croatia’s involvement in changes to B&H Election Law (FTV)
• Komsic comments on Croatian Government’s admitting that it negotiated changes to B&H Election Law with HR: Things have finally come to surface (Nova BH)
• HDZ 1990’s Cvitanovic expects OHR will make necessary interventions into Election Law (Vecernji list)
• Dodik: Bosniaks want political domination and elimination of Serbs and Croats; Croats should have their own third entity in B&H (Glas Srpske)
• RUGIPP: Constitutional Court decision refers to property registered as property owned by B&H, there is no such property in RS (Glas Srpske)
Croatia
• Croatian Parliament’s Committee for Croats outside Republic of Croatia holds theme session ahead of general elections in B&H (HRT1)
• Head of Istria County: Italian far-right’s election victory is due to turmoil (Hina)
Montenegro
• Picula: Former ruling majority offers unsustainable options; U.S. Embassy reiterates that DF is not their partner (Gradski portal)
• Malliotakis presented Abazovic with a special award from the US Congress (CDM)
• Local elections in 14 municipalities, the main battle for Podgorica (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovacevski says talks being held with Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey on gas, electricity purchases (MIA)
Albania
• Homman meets Celibash: EU will continue to support the strengthening of Albania’s electoral process (Radio Tirana)
• Sarrazin in Tirana: Germany by Albania’s side in this reform process (Radio Tirana)
• Exports to Kosovo increase by 1.5 billion ALL (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 28, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• SBASHK: Let’s suspend strike until January, classes to start on Oct 3 (Express)
• SBASHK: Strike may be suspended temporarily but not stopped (Koha)
• Maragos: EU willing to continue support for Kosovo (RTK)
• German MP: Kosovo has deserved visa liberalisation for long now (Telegrafi)
• Vetevendosje MP denies reports he has decided to leave the party (EO)
• Serious violations suspected in Dehari case; Ministry suspends chief inspector (media)
• Police arrest seven people in anti-drug operation in Dukagjin region (Klan Kosova)
• Police arrest Russian national at Kulla crossing, had undeclared money (Express)
• Haradinaj recalls meeting with former U.S. Secretary of Defence (Nacionale)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic’s public address on all key issues on October 8 (Tanjug, media)
• Selakovic on Kosovo’s application to the CoE, Consultation plan signed with Lavrov, Vucic’s meetings (NMagazin, Beta, Kosovo Online, TV Happy)
• Russian Embassy: Hill’s statement is inappropriate (N1, FoNet)
• Djilas to US officials: Serbia must align its foreign policy with EU (N1)
• Drecun: Pristina is trying to destabilize the situation in every way (RTS, Kosovo Online)
• Today is the International Day of Bosniaks (KoSSev, Kosovo Online)
• Deputy PM: 700,000 citizens left North Macedonia in eight years (Beta, N1)
International:
• EBRD affirms Kosovo’s 2022 economic growth f’cast at 4% (SeeNews)
• ‘This is a War’: Albania Struggles to Keep Lid on Hacked Data (BIRN)
• Two coal plants in Western Balkans go offline due to malfunctions (balkangreenenergynews.com)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 28, 2022
• Osmani: Hopes should not be raised high for visa liberalisation (media)
• Czech EU Presidency to discuss free visa for Kosovo (Euractiv)
• Hopes raised; no new requirements for visa liberalisation (Lajmi)
• Osmani meets Under Secretary General of United Nations DiCarlo (media)
• Osmani: Returning to Kosovo, fully confident Kosovo is on right path (media)
• Konjufca to meet Vassilis Maragos today in Prishtina (media)
• Rohde: No threat of war between Kosovo and Serbia (media)
• Kosovo does not approve Petkovic visit; Foreign Ministry tells reasons (media)·
• Italian KFOR removes Serbian flag near Ibar Bridge (media)
• Citaku: Schools remain closed; Kurti wants to make Kosovo unlivable (media)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 27, 2022
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, September 27, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• Prime Minister Kurti’s interview with Republik (media)
• Ternava: We support the teachers’ demands, but strike must end today (Klan)
• KFOR says KSF did not ask to go north; did Rakic and Petkovic lie? (Express)
• Carpenter: Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, slow but steady progress (Telegrafi)
• U.S. Embassy: Russia-Serbia agreement, a wrong step! (Indeksonline)
• The Union of Education gives signs that the strike in education could end! (Gazeta Blic)
• Abdixhiku slams Kurti for Japan visit when education sector on strike (media)
• Osmani calls on Iranian women not to give up on their rights (Koha)
• International partners promise continued support for KSF (Koha)
Serbian Language Media:
• Mayor Vulovic: “The situation in Zubin Potok still tense” (Blic, Tanjug, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• KFOR, Mehaj on KSF in northern Kosovo (KoSSev)
• Petkovic: EU to condemn Kurti’s war threats (Kosovo Online)
• Selakovic: Croatia has stepped beyond framework of EU policy (Tanjug)
• Kurti congratulated the European Day of Languages; The experience of Serbs from Kosovo bitter, they say – he brags about other people’s results (KoSSev)
• Petkovic banned from visiting Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• The Socialists and Democrats MEPs: No accession talks if Serbia doesn’t align with sanctions on Russia (N1, media)
• Media published document signed by Lavrov and Selakovic – An ordinary plan of meetings, without those at highest level (Danas)
• Hill: I saw the Serbia-Russia Consultation Plan (FoNet, N1)
International:
• Ned Price: We Desire To Be A Partner To The Countries Of The Western Balkans (thepavlovictoday.com)
• Serbia Rules Out Recognizing Russian Referendum in Occupied Ukraine (Balkan Insight)
• Slim chance for Serbia’s progress towards the EU by the end of the year, relationship with Russia remains the biggest problem (EWB)
• Junior Ruling Party Turmoil Could Shake North Macedonia Govt (BIRN)
Belgrade Media Report 27 September 2022
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Tuesday 27 September 2022
LOCAL PRESS
• Petar Petkovic was banned from visiting the KiM (RTS)
• Serbia prepared a fierce response to Brussels, Vucic addresses public within 72 hours (Novosti)
• No accession talks if Serbia doesn’t align with sanctions on Russia (N1)
• Giaufret: Signing agreement with Russia sends contrary message (Beta)
• Ambassador Konrad: Germany expects of Serbia to introduce sanctions to Russia (VIP)
• “Hysterical” reaction to the signing of a technical document, says Brnabic (TV Pink)
• Vulin: Unprecedented EU pressure on Vucic (Beta)
• Freedom and Justice Party travels to U.S. to discuss Kosovo, Serbian foreign policy (Beta)
• Grlic-Radman: Recognition of the so-called Kosovo by Serbia “inevitability” (RTV)
• Selakovic: Croatia has left the framework of EU policy (RTS)
• Dodik about the conversation with Putin and the elections in B&H (RTS)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• US blacklists Prosecutor Kajmakovic to corruption and undermining of democratic processes or institutions in the Western Balkans (FTV)
• B&H Presidency member Dodik: RS to pass new law on immovable property, B&H CC is inquisition court (Hayat)
• HNS’ Kristo: Possible imposition of political representatives to Croats would lead B&H into no way out and bad situation; Institution of legitimate representation must be respected (Vecernji list)
• HDZ B&H’s Bradara: There are no conditions for implementation of election results (Glas Srpske)
Croatia
• Croatian Government tweets: We discreetly discussed electoral reform in B&H (Hina)
Montenegro
• Deputies on September 30 about Djukanovic’s proposal to shorten the mandate of the Assembly (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Osmani: North Macedonia ready to assist in Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (N1)
• North Macedonia will not recognize the manipulative referendums in Ukraine, Osmani said (Libertas)
• Pendarovski: War in Ukraine ushered energy crisis and security challenges (Republika)
Albania
• Rama for The Washington Post: Why Iran picked up Albania and failure to destroy state cyber-structure (Radio Tirana)
• Screening Process, next meeting of Albania and North Macedonia with the EC on Tuesday (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, September 27, 2022
• President Osmani interview with the Voice of America
• Defence Ministry refutes Serbian media reports about KSF in north (media)
• Jasharaj: Strikers are united despite attempts to divide us (Ekonomia Online)
• Kurti travels to Japan to attend funeral of former PM Shinzo Abe (media)
• Osmani meets Albanian diaspora in US, “immense support for Kosovo” (media)
• Ex-Minister for European Integration: Visas could be lifted on Oct 13 (Klan)
• “New agenda expected in talks between Prishtina and Belgrade” (Express)
• Kurti: Kosovo a multilingual society, value of our country (RTK)
• Berisha: Rama is acting like Belgrade’s lawyer (Euronews Albania)
• Kanal 10 Director Arben Ahmeti arrested for domestic violence (media)
LINKS
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UN News Center
From Google News- European Parliament adopts exemption of visa requirement for Serbian citizens residing in Kosovo - European Western Balkans 23/04/2024European Parliament adopts exemption of visa requirement for Serbian citizens residing in Kosovo European Western Balkans
- UNDP Kosovo and Partners Launch Earth Day Celebrations - undp.org 23/04/2024UNDP Kosovo and Partners Launch Earth Day Celebrations undp.org
- Serbian president warns of unpredictable scenarios in Kosovo - Türkiye Newspaper 23/04/2024Serbian president warns of unpredictable scenarios in Kosovo Türkiye Newspaper
- European Parliament adopts exemption of visa requirement for Serbian citizens residing in Kosovo - European Western Balkans 23/04/2024
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