Belgrade Media Report 25 October 2022
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Tuesday 25 October 2022
LOCAL PRESS
• Brnabic: We continue the EU path, but also unselective respect of international law (RTS)
• Vucic: Serbia will be with Kosovo Serbs (Tanjug/RTS)
• Excellent business, economic cooperation with Germany (Tanjug/RTS/Beta/Politika)
• Joksimovic, Luhrmann discuss European integration (Tanjug)
• Osmani: Mass registration means political, institutional empowerment of Albanians (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• HR Schmidt addresses press conference before protest of citizens in Sarajevo: B&H parliament must finally adopt Law on State Property (FTV)
• Citizens protest in front of OHR building in Sarajevo to express their dissatisfaction with imposed amendments to B&H Election Law and FB&H Constitution; They demand withdrawal of HR’s decision or his removal (O Kanal/N1/Nova BH)
• Dzaferovic: Protests in front of OHR are justified (Oslobodjenje)
• Recounting of ballots for RS President resumes (RTRS)
Croatia
• Pelosi: Parliamentary Summit in Zagreb is “timely and important” (Hina)
• Stefanchuk: Military training is extremely valuable aid for Ukraine (HRT)
• President calls on USA and Russia to end proxy war in Ukraine (HRT)
Montenegro
• Day after elections: What did voters say (CdM)
• DPS: Parliamentary elections imminent, parliamentary majority in significant decline (CdM)
• Besic: DPS didn’t understand message from 2020, Europe Now and DF have most reason to be satisfied (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Besa, as well as Alliance for Albanians, conditions support for including of Bulgarians into the Constitution (Sitel)
• EU needs clear plan and strategy for enlargement, says Marichikj in Salzburg (MIA)
• Spasovski meets Czech counterpart Rakusan in Prague (MIA)
• Xhaferi – Adamova: Czech Republic is a strong supporter of North Macedonia’s European Integration (MIA)
Albania
• Albania-USA dialogue for strategic partnership begins, present and Blinken: For the first time in a comprehensive format (Radio Tirana)
• EU-Western Balkan summit/Rama: It affirms Albania as a respected voice, dignified member of international community (Radio Tirana)
• Ambassador Hohmann: EU expects Albania to redouble efforts to address key reforms (Radio Tirana)
• President Begaj, local elections on 14 May 2023 (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 25, 2022
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 25, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• The Western Balkans Summit starts in Prishtina (media)
• Kurti: We have achieved a lot during a year and a half of governance (media)
• Peach: UK supports Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe (media)
• Hovenier: Kosovo should be in NATO (Klan)
• Kurti confirms, there is no postponement of deadline for license plates (RTK)
• “There are hopes for positive response on visa liberalisation by year’s end” (Telegrafi)
• Deputy PM: Another solution must be found for the Association (Kosovapress)
• PDK supports government on license plates if it is in coordination with the USA (RTK)
Serbian Language Media:
• About phone messages from Kosovo MIA, Vucic says: ”We are facing a difficult time” (KoSSev)
• Petkovic on licence plates issue, says Kurti changes tactics in vain (Kosovo Online)
• Survey: Two thirds of Serbs in northern Kosovo ready for protests and civic disobedience (Kosovo Online)
• The Kosovan MIA calls for vehicle re-registration via SMS in the Serbian language
• (KoSSev, media)
• Survey says most Serbs against sanctions on Russia (N1, Blic)
International:
• LNG Alliance ensuring energy security for landlocked Balkan nations (gasworld.com)
• Fiscal pressure grows in Western Balkans as region heads into new storm (intellinews.com)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, October 25, 2022
Blinken: Pristina, Belgrade to peacefully resolve their dispute (media)
Kosovo-Serbia relations, topic of discussion between Kurti and Peach (media)
Osmani: Kosovo remains committed to peace and security (media)
Kosovo authorities don’t expect quick agreement with Serbia (Koha)
Osmani received Albanian representatives from Presevo Valley (media)
Visas scrapped between Kosovo and Bosnia (BIRN)
Von Cramon: Franco-German proposal should be considered (media)
Ischinger: Because of history, Balkan region carries explosive potential (Klan)
Ischinger: I believe a final agreement will be reached by 2024 (T7)
Hasani: German-German model would be a disaster for Kosovo (media)
Summit on security, economy, and peace to be held today in Pristina (Telegrafi)
Mustafi: No Kosovo-Serbia agreement without U.S. involvement (Koha)
Rohde: Germany will support Kosovo in building a solar park (media)
Discussions over Kosovo-Serbia intensify, whispers of snap elections emerge (Exit)
Military service could become compulsory in Kosovo (euronews.al)
Greek, Kosovar ministers meet to enhance economic collaboration (Ekathimerini)
Russia hopes to exploit conflicts in Balkans, British expert warns (BIRN)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, October 25, 2022
• Blinken: Pristina, Belgrade to peacefully resolve their dispute (media)
• Kosovo-Serbia relations, topic of discussion between Kurti and Peach (media)
• Osmani: Kosovo remains committed to peace and security (media)
• Kosovo authorities don’t expect quick agreement with Serbia (Koha)
• Osmani received Albanian representatives from Presevo Valley (media)
• Visas scrapped between Kosovo and Bosnia (BIRN)
• Von Cramon: Franco-German proposal should be considered (media)
• Ischinger: Because of history, Balkan region carries explosive potential (Klan)
• Ischinger: I believe a final agreement will be reached by 2024 (T7)
• Hasani: German-German model would be a disaster for Kosovo (media)
• Summit on security, economy, and peace to be held today in Pristina (Telegrafi)
• Mustafi: No Kosovo-Serbia agreement without U.S. involvement (Koha)
• Rohde: Germany will support Kosovo in building a solar park (media)
• Discussions over Kosovo-Serbia intensify, whispers of snap elections emerge (Exit)
• Military service could become compulsory in Kosovo (euronews.al)
• Greek, Kosovar ministers meet to enhance economic collaboration (Ekathimerini)
• Russia hopes to exploit conflicts in Balkans, British expert warns (BIRN)
Belgrade Media Report 24 October
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic presents the ministers in the new government of Serbia (B92/Tanjug)
• Vucevic: New government to decide on new intelligence chief (N1)
• Brnabic: Government is pro-Serbian (TV Pink)
• Amendments to Law on Ministries adopted (Tanjug/RTS)
• Vucic: No progress in reaching consensus on license plates (Beta)
• Petkovic accuses Pristina chief negotiator of ‘excelling in lies’ (N1/RTS/Politika)
• Formation of common regional market considered at Berlin Process meeting (Tanjug/Politika)
• Mojsilovic voices concern over assistance to so-called Kosovo Security Force (RTV/Tanjug)
• Vucic with Botsan-Kharchenko: Much-needed peace in Europe to be established (RTV/Tanjug)
• Escobar: No deadline for Kosovo agreement (RTS)
• Borrell: Sustainable solution paramount in Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• B&H CEC publishes results of elections for all authority levels except for RS President and Vice-Presidents (N1)
• CEC’s Piric: CEC has one-month deadline to determine who will be Croat representatives in RS parliament (Glas Srpske)
• Control recount of votes for elections for RS President and Vice-Presidents continue at Main Vote Counting Center in Sarajevo (O Kanal)
• Sattler: B&H CEC is very important institution, and its right and duty is to examine every claim of irregularity in the election process (Glas Srpske)
• Dodik says RS will restore competences for organization of elections in RS, announces protest rally in Banja Luka (RTRS)
• Opposition to citizens: Ruling authorities cannot make you attend Tuesday’s gathering (BN TV)
• Informal group of citizens to organize protest in front of OHR on Monday (O Kanal)
• SPC: Patriarch Porfirije did not meet with Schmidt (ATV)
Croatia
• The leader of the Croat minority in Serbia candidate for human rights minister (HRT)
• Foreign Minister says EU candidates must align with the bloc’s common values (HRT)
• Ukrainian soldiers welcome to train in Croatia, say retired generals (HRT)
Montenegro
• Local election results (RTCG)
• Vukovic: Respectable result achievedꓼ encouraging is the fact that the idea of civic and European Podgorica received convincing support from citizens (CdM)
• Djukanovic’s DPS falls from power in local elections (Vijesti)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Mickoski ready to negotiate on anything, but seeks guarantees from EU first (Alsat M)
• Taravari: Alliance for the Albanians to reveal conditions for voting on constitutional amendments next week (RFE/RL)
• FM Osmani at Berlin Process meeting: Common regional market and Open Balkans share same goal (MIA)
• Zelensky awarded the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise to Talat Xhaferi (Republika)
Albania
• EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tirana, Michel: We need each other (Radio Tirana)
• Meloni thanks Rama: We will cultivate strategic cooperation (Radio Tirana)
• Rama meets the Prime Minister of Israel, cyber security at the center of the talks (Radio Tirana)
• Resolution against Dick Marty’s report/Nikolla letter to Speakers of Parliaments of the member countries of EC (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 24, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• Osmani: There is misinformation about requests of our partners (Kosovapress)
• Von Cramon: French-German initiative, great opportunity for EU integration (Telegrafi)
• Kurti: We consulted the Quint too on Kosovo’s Security Strategy (Nacionale)
• Stewart Peach for an official visit to Kosovo (media)
• Osmani invites justice institutions to be part of the vetting process (media)
• Hovenier: More commitment in fight against organized crime and sexual violence (Klan)
• Nikolla to CoE: Correct tragic mistake against Albania and Kosovo (Klan)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic met German Minister Luhrmann (Tanjug, media)
• Vucic met Bocan-Kharchenko: Serbia continues to lead a policy of peace and cooperation (RTS)
• Vucic presented candidates for new Government of Serbia (N1)
• Petkovic accuses Pristina chief negotiator of ‘excelling in lies’ (N1)
• Von der Leyen to visit Belgrade on Friday (Tanjug, media)
• Withdrawal of witnesses in case of Oliver Ivanovic (RFE, KiM radio)
• Djukanovic’s DPS falls from power in local elections (N1, Vijesti)
International:
• Discussions over Kosovo-Serbia intensify, whispers of snap election emerge (euractive.com)
• Vucic Continues ‘East-West Balancing Act’ With New Serbian Govt (BIRN)
• ‘Winter will be difficult’ (Kosovo 2.0)
• World Bank sees Western Balkans economy growing 3.4% in’22, 2.8% in ’23 (Reuters)
• Dubravka Đedović Negre to become Serbia’s energy, mining minister (balkangreenenergynews.com)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, October 24, 2022
• Osmani: U.S. never asked for agreement without mutual recognition (media)
• Kurti: We do not tolerate touching sovereignty and integrity of Kosovo (media)
• As Deadline Looms, Kosovo Licence Plates Push Falls Flat (BIRN)
• President Osmani held meetings with high officials of several countries (media)
• Vetevendosje Movement elects the new leadership (media)
• Lajcak: Up to Kosovo, Serbia to decide on final deal (Albanian Daily News)
• EP Rapporteur for Kosovo to hold press conference today in Pristina (media)
• EU-Balkans Summit will be held in Tirana (Gazeta Express)
• “UNMIK, EULEX criticised for doing little in addressing war crimes” (Koha)
• Serbia’s Electronic Registration to Legalise ‘Passivation’ of Albanians (Exit)
Belgrade Media Report 21 October 2022
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Friday 21 October 2022
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: Everyone wants to see end to Kosovo saga (TV Prva/Tanjug)
• Vucic receives Ambassadors of Quint states, EU (Tanjug/RTS)
• Strong US support for normalization of relations between Belgrade, Pristina (RTS/RTV/Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Belgrade wants to resume talks with Pristina (Beta)
• Petkovic: Expression of greatest primitivism and aggression (Tanjug)
• Joksimovic: EC report fair but geopolitics prevailed (Tanjug/RTV)
• Orlic with Romanian and Georgian diplomats: Together on the side of international law (RTV/Tanjug)
• Albanian Post: Serbia-Kosovo agreement by February (N1)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• B&H CEC rejects PDP and SDS’ requests to annul election for RS President as premature, orders opening ballot bags for 22 polling stations (Nova BH)
• OHR sends letter of support to B&H Central Election Commission (N1)
• Recounting of ballots for RS President resumes (RTRS)
• Dodik announces that rally of SNSD and its coalition partners will be held on Tuesday (BHT1/RTRS)
• Cvijanovic accuses B&H Central Election Commission of serving RS opposition (RTRS)
• Stevanovic says there was no election theft in Zvornik (BNTV)
• RS opposition presents new claims on electoral theft (FTV)
• Many intellectuals in RS, Serbia, abroad sign petition of support to Dodik, Serb people in RS (ATV)
• Kajganic appointed as new Chief Prosecutor of Prosecutor’s Office of B&H (BNTV)
• US Embassy to B&H congratulates Kajganic (Nova BH)
• OSCE welcomes appointment of Kajganic (Oslobodjenje)
• Signatories of declaration on constitutional and other reforms of B&H on path to Euro-Atlantic integration say HR’s decisions are exclusively of political nature (BHT1)
Montenegro
• ‘Everyone for Our City’ Movement personifies European policy (Pobjeda)
• Djukanovic: We’re facing a major political upheaval in Montenegro, the day when we’ll have snap elections is approaching (CdM)
• Abazovic: Criminal charges against several ex-officials filed (CdM)
• Vukovic re-elected Podgorica mayor (CdM)
• We cannot exit crisis with unconstitutional moves (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Spasovski: Strong political will to fight transnational organized crime (MIA)
• Geer: Process of EU accession doesn’t need to involve surrender of history and identity, but brings stability and prosperity (All media)
• MFA: Blagoevgrad Municipal Council Declaration contradicts intention of building trust between North Macedonia and Bulgaria (All media)
• Bulgarian MFA: Any public statements insulting or provoking the other side absolutely unacceptable (MIA)
Albania
• Cuci at the meeting of Berlin Process: Albania, pioneer of regional cooperation (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 21, 2022
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 21, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• German government denies involvement in draft statute of Association (Telegrafi)
• EU: We expect the Association to be formed (Gazeta Express)
• Haradinaj: Final agreement with Serbia must have U.S. seal (media)
• Abazi: There is no German proposal for the Association (Kosovapress)
• Defence Minister Mehaj meets NALT leaders (media)
• U.S. Embassy: Escobar had full and productive visit to Kosovo (media)s
• Murati: Redefinition of borders, only solution to Albanian-Serbian problem (Lajmi)
• Mustafi: Presevo Valley is on Washington’s agenda (Koha)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: Important talks with Quint ambassadors and EU (Kosovo Online)
• Quint ambassadors concerned over possible impairment of stability in region (N1)
• Vucic: Pressure growing, I could resign to buy time (N1, Prva TV)
• Personal documents, usurped properties, and lack of language rights respect – three main problems affecting Serbs in Klina (Radio KIM, Radio Gorazdevac)
• Albanian flag placed on Christ the Saviour Temple’s door in Pristina (Kosovo Online, RTS)
• McCarthy: Postponing implementation of decision on vehicle re-registration would be constructive measure
• Serbia introduces visas for citizens of Tunisia and Burundi (RTS)
• Stano: EU does not set deadlines for reaching Belgrade-Pristina agreement (RTS)
• Escobar says there are no deadlines (RTS, Kosovo Online)
• Serbian Army Chief of Staff and new KFOR Commander discuss security situation in Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, October 21, 2022
• Government: Ethnicity-based associations, in conflict with Constitution (Koha)
• Vucic: “German” draft was written in Belgrade (Gazeta Express)
• Hasani: “German draft” is anti-constitutional; can lead to total paralysis (Koha)
• Escobar: I expect dynamic continuation of Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (Euronews)
• Bislimi meets Hovenier: Kosovo remains an active party in dialogue (RTK)
• Rohde: Berlin Process is back, don’t miss opportunity for cooperation (media)
• Svecla: Kosovo committed to the initiatives of the Berlin Process (media)
• Krasniqi rejects Kurti’s call: No reason to invite us for technical issues (Koha)
• LDK too rejects Kurti’s invitation to a meeting (Koha)
• Palokaj: If Germany authored the draft, govt should consider it (Koha)
• Rashiti: Postpone deadline on licence plates in exchange for Green Card (RTK)
• Body art ban: Kosovo Army expels recruits with tattoos (BIRN)
• War games: Replaying Yugoslavia’s military conflicts as entertainment (BIRN)
Belgrade Media Report 20 October 2022
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Thursday 20 October 2022
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: Serbia committed to dialogue, agreements must be implemented (Tanjug/RTV)
• Commitment to further development of bilateral relations with Montenegro (Tanjug/RTS)
• Orlic meets with Djurovic (Tanjug/RTS)
• Pristina to show constructiveness by forming of ZSO (Tanjug/RTV)
• Dveri, Oath-Keepers, NADA Coalition form parliamentary coalition for preserving Kosovo (Beta/Politika)
• NGO: Citizens not to be hostages to Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (Beta)
• Lajcak: Petkovic’s visit to Kosovo and Metohija should have been approved (Novosti)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• B&H CEC orders another control recount of votes from 14 polling stations (BHT1/ATV/O Kanal)
• Members of Doboj City Election Commission announce collective resignation (RTRS)
• SNSD files to B&H Prosecutor’s Office supplemental crime report against B&H CEC members for abuse of office or power (BHT1/RTRS)
• FB&H House of Peoples confirms appointment of three judges for FB&H Constitutional Court (BHT1/FTV)
• FB&H House of Peoples fails to agree on appointment of fourth judge in FB&H Constitutional Court (Nova BH)
• Schmidt expects remaining vacant seat in FB&H CC to be filled as soon as possible (BHT1)
• Deny support to Schmidt and close OHR (Srna)
• Karamatic: HNS to dispute Komsic’s mandate before B&H CC (Avaz)
• European Parliament discusses reports on progress of countries of Western Balkans (N1)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic: It’s true when they say – if you don’t vote for DF, vote for URA, it’s all the same (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Mickoski: We’ll wait to see how things go in government, and then we’ll discuss inclusion in EU process (All media)
• VMRO-DPMNE filed no-confidence motion against Committee on Election and appointment Chairperson, Marija Georgievska (Alsat-M/Sitel)
Albania
• Begaj: The judicial reform brought positive developments for the Constitutional Court (Radio Tirana)
• EU Ambassador: Reform in Justice, success in the journey towards the EU! Not perfect, but its legitimacy has always been confirmed (Radio Tirana)
• Kim: Stop threats against the courts (Radio Tirana)
• Kodheli: Albania must find pragmatic solutions for what is to come (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 20, 2022
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, October 20, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• Osmani meets ambassadors of Norway, Greece and Luxembourg, discuss visas (Klan)
• KFOR and government coordinated on security in Kosovo (RTK)
• The German minister for Europe is visiting Kosovo this week (Koha)
• Ursula von der Leyen next week in Kosovo (KosovaPress)
• Government on Esobar’s proposal on licence plates: We have rule of law as our obligation (Koha)
• Exclusive: Pre-agreement draft between Kosovo and Serbia (Koha, Albanian Post)
• Police arrest Serb suspect in Oliver Ivanovic assassination case (media)
• Kurti’s former advisor: Legal entity separated from Kosovo is being created (Nacionale)
• The draft statute of the “new” Association with its old points financed by Serbia (Reporteri)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic with Escobar about the possibilities for finding “sustainable solutions” (N1)
• Petkovic with Escobar: Belgrade for the continuation of negotiations, but also for the implementation of all agreements reached (Beta, Danas)
• Escobar: We asked implementation of decision on re-registration be postponed by ten months (N1)
• Pristina increasingly asking the end of the UNMIK mandate, the Serbs saying that this mission is necessary (euronews.rs)
• Reactions to Todosijevic’s verdict over his remarks on Racak (Kosovo Online, media)
• EU Ambassador: No deadline for Belgrade to impose sanctions on Russia (N1)
• Varhelyi: Serbia to step up efforts to align with EU, including sanctions (Beta, N1, media)
• Gracanica: Decision on land swap annulled (KoSSev)
• Selakovic to attend Berlin Process meeting tomorrow (Kosovo Online)
Opinion:
• Montgomery: The irony is that we defend Ukraine, and Kosovo was taken by force; the EU has nothing to offer Serbia (Kosovo Online, Politika, RTV)
International:
• Kosovo-Serbia Talks May Advance ‘in Weeks’, US Diplomat Says (Balkan Insight)
• Defaced Putin Mural Tells the Story of Russia’s Waning Influence (Financial Post)
• Serbia’s Parliamentary Rightists Unite on Platform to Reclaim Kosovo (Balkan Insight)
LINKS
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From Google News- Call for the EU Investigative Journalism Award 2024 is open - EEAS 14/05/2024Call for the EU Investigative Journalism Award 2024 is open EEAS
- EBRD, EU and Japan boost residential energy-saving investments in Kosovo - EBRD 14/05/2024EBRD, EU and Japan boost residential energy-saving investments in Kosovo EBRD
- Kosovo's unemployment falls to 10.7% in Q2 '23 - SeeNews 14/05/2024Kosovo's unemployment falls to 10.7% in Q2 '23 SeeNews
- Call for the EU Investigative Journalism Award 2024 is open - EEAS 14/05/2024
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