Belgrade Media Report 24 November 2022
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Thursday 24 November 2022
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: The situation is boiling, Serbs are fed up with terror (B92)
• Brnabic: Gratitude to Aliyev for support to Serbia’s territorial integrity (Tanjug/RTV)
• Petkovic: There is no punitive policy (B92)
• Borrell statement confirms agreement to avoid escalation (N1)
• Drecun: Important that this crisis is stopped, but the problem is not resolved (RTS)
• US Ambassador: Solve more important issues, postpone license plates (FoNet)
• US welcomes Belgrade-Pristina agreement (N1)
• Serbia’s commitment to European integration unquestionable (Tanjug/RTS)
• Stefanovic submits draft resolution on imposing sanctions on Russia (FoNet)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik grants RS PM-Designate Viskovic mandate to form new RS government (RTRS)
• Representatives of opposition in RS comment on Viskovic’s appointment (BNTV)
• Biden extends best wishes to B&H Presidency members, B&H citizens for B&H Statehood Day (FTV)
• Cvijanovic comments Biden’s letter congratulating Statehood Day, says this is not holiday in entire B&H (Srna)
• Komsic, Becirovic meet with UK Special Envoy Peach (Nezavisne)
• US Embassy to B&H: US regrets that B&H abstained from voting on UNGA’s Third Committee session resolution on Iran’s human rights situation (FTV)
• EU Delegation criticizes B&H for abstaining for vote on UN resolution on human rights in Iran (Nezavisne)
Montenegro
• Dritan Abazovic’s diplomatic purge (Pobjeda)
• Jokovic: I believe that this government will sign accession to OB (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• President Pendarovski meets new Head of OSCE Mission in Skopje (MKD.mk/Opserver/Centar/MakPress/Kurir/MIA)
• Xhaferi-Wahl: Challenging times ahead, need for larger mutual cooperation (MakPress/VecerPress/24 info/Press 24/Nova Makedonija/MIA)
Albania
• Meeting with the Minister of Justice, Kim: The fight against corruption, an essential interest of national security (Radio Tirana)
• King-Smith meeting with Begaj: Support to Albania for cyber defense (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 24, 2022
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 24, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: We managed to make French-German proposal part of dialogue (media)
• Stano: Kurti and Vucic will soon meet in Brussels (Albanian Post)
• Hovenier: Agreement enhances security, advances efforts to normalise relations (media)
• UNMIK chief Ziadeh welcomes agreement reached in Brussels (media)
• Rohde on agreement: Good news, and good sign for further talks (media)
• Varhelyi welcomes Kosovo-Serbia agreement on licence plates (media)
• Tajani: Agreement on licence plates, an important step towards peace (Zeri)
• LDK’s Abdixhiku welcomes agreement; criticises Kurti (media)
• PDK’s Krasniqi welcomes deal; slams Kurti for “making Vucic a party” (media)
• Tahiri: Kurti should not dare make an agreement without mutual recognition (Kallxo)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: Pristina had better deal two days ago (Tanjug)
• Stano: EU expects establishment of ZSO and return of Serbs in institutions (Tanjug)
• RTS at Jarinje says it is peaceful, reprimands no longer issued (RTS)
• Drecun: Important the crisis was stopped, but the problem unsolved; Serbs will not return to institutions without ZSO (RTS, Blic)
• Serbian List welcomes agreement on licence plates in Brussels (Tanjug)
• Petkovic on licence plates agreement (Tanjug)
• SRSG Ziadeh welcomes agreement reached in Brussels (Kosovo Online, media)
• Trajkovic: Current KM plates “preserved” until they expire (Kosovo Online)
• Petkovic refutes Trajkovic’s remarks on licence plates (Kosovo Online)
• Miscevic: The EP resolution non-binding and without freezing funds (Tanjug, RTS)
• Bilcik: EP Resolution a signal for Serbia to impose sanctions on Russia (RFE, N1)
• Vucic says Serbia is not interested to recognize Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Aliyev: Belgrade, Baku support each other on territorial integrity (Tanjug)
• Women stage protest in Mitrovica North yesterday (N1)
Opinion:
• Licence Plates For Sovereignty (Kosovo 2.0)
International:
• Serbia Claims ‘KM’ Plates Remain Valid in Kosovo Despite Deal (BIRN)
• ‘Tale of Two Sophias’ Portrays Hope for Albanian-Serb Relations (BIRN)
• For Kosovo, the Football World Cup is More Than a Game (BIRN)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Russians fleeing Putin prepare for life in Serbian exile (france24.com)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, November 24, 2022
• Kosovo, Serbia chief negotiators reach deal on licence plates (media)
• U.S. welcomes agreement to avoid further escalation of tensions (media)
• Chollet: Good call with Kurti; thanked him for constructive engagement (media)
• Osmani thanks Hovenier and U.S. Govt for active engagement in deal (media)
• EU: Kosovo, Serbia reach deal to end dangerous dispute over plates (Reuters)
• Bislimi: Borrell will soon invite Kurti and Vucic to discuss EU plan (media)
• Govt spokesman: Parties agreed to focus on French-German plan (media)
• Austria’s Foreign Minister welcomes Kosovo-Serbia agreement (media)
• Haradinaj welcomes agreement; “process to conclude with recognition” (media)
• Osmani: Elections in the north will be held, CEC is ready (RTK)
• Hebestreit: Plates shouldn’t hinder dialogue; Association to enter agenda (Klan)
• Abott: Resolving immediate issues, essential for Kosovo long-term goals (media)
• Von Cramon: Removing visa liberalisation from agenda, unacceptable (Kallxo)
• Mandl: Visa liberalisation has nothing to do with tensions in north (media)
• Government adopts official position on Kosovo’s bid for EU membership (media)
• Serbs Of Southern Kosovo See Belgrade Helping Northerners And Ask: But Who Will Take Care Of Us? (RFE)
Belgrade Media report 23 November
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: Our relations are raised to a new level (B92)
• All agreements within the Brussels agreement must be implemented (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Tajani with Dacic: Unilateral initiatives cannot lead to a solution to the problem (Tanjug/Politika/RTS)
• Dacic: Serbia acting responsibly; we want to preserve peace (TV Pink)
• Odalovic: The situation in the north of Kosovo sets us back to 2013 (RTS)
• Presenting benefits of European integration process to citizens of Serbia necessary (Tanjug)
• France urges Serbia and “especially Kosovo” to accept EU car plates proposal (Beta)
• EP: Serbia to align with EU sanctions policy (N1)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• RS President Dodik hosts consultations with RS parliamentary parties (ATV)
• RS opposition refuses to attend consultations with Dodik (BNTV)
• SDA Collegium says Salkic will not take any steps to enable SNSD gaining fourth delegate in B&H HoP (Hayat)
• Dodik hosts reception on occasion of his inauguration to position of RS President (ATV)
• Peach meets with B&H Presidency; Cvijanovic fails to attend the meeting (N1)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic: We wish to attract foreign investors from the environment we ourselves want to belong to (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski-Cattler: Timely information exchange and cooperation among NATO members important for security of country and region (MIA)
• Linde extends gratitude for North Macedonia’s support to Sweden’s NATO membership bid (MIA)
Albania
• Minister of Justice Ulsi Manja: EuroJust, project to increase the striking power of the law against organized crime (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 23, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti says that Borrell suited the purpose of Serbia (media)
• Kurti: I bought the plane ticket to Brussels because the deadline for the agreement on the invitation was March 2023 (Klan)
• Svecla: Situation in north tense but manageable; coordination with EULEX, KFOR (Klan)
• Kurti politically “alone” on licence plates (RFE)
• Haradinaj: Kosovo must accept U.S. request; dire situation in north (Nacionale)
• Serwer: Kosovo is within its right on change of licence plates (media)
• Police on Serb rallies in north: We will maintain order and public security (Telegrafi)
• Visa liberalisation removed from agenda due to situation in north (RFE)
• Compromise is near, visa liberalisation at ambassador level in coming weeks (Express)
• Hyseni compares Osmani to Milosevic, reactions follow (media)
• Bushati: There is coalition from Tirana to Belgrade to get rid of Kurti (Express)
• Montenegrin intellectuals: West to protect Montenegro, Bosnia and Kosovo from Vucic (Telegrafi)
Serbian Language Media:
• Petkovic travels to Brussels, meeting Bislimi in afternoon (Tanjug)
• Stano: Aim of meeting with Petkovic, Bislimi to find solution to current crisis (Kosovo Online)
• Simic: Tensions in Kosovo high, Kurti ignores warnings (Tanjug)
• Hill: Licence plates issue should be postponed by one year (RTS)
• Dacic: Belgrade part of solution, Pristina problem (N1)
• Poll shows rising indifference towards EU (N1)
• Gracanica, Novo Brdo, Strpce Mayors on support and unity with Serbs in north Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• PKS: “Issuance of Serbian licence plates for Kosovo suspended” (Radio KIM)
• To Brussels only for the final agreement on normalisation, with recognition; agreed that Serbia should stop registering cars with illegal licence plates, said Kurti (FoNet, N1, Beta, NMagazin, KiM radio)
• Protest in Gracanica as a support for the Serbs in the north of Kosovo (Kim radio, KoSSev)
• Serbia, Azerbaijan sign seven bilateral agreements (Tanjug)
Opinion:
• Bogdanovic on licence plates issue (Danas, Radio KIM)
International:
• Fact-Check: How Real are Kosovo’s Fears of a Serbian Military Strike? (BIRN)
• Kosovars Await Visa-Free Travel by January 2024 (Prishtina Insight)
• Between Berlin Process And Open Balkan – Analysis (eurasiareview, IFIMES)
• Drug-related health and security threats in the Western Balkans (emcdda.europa.eu)
• Judge Excludes Key Evidence in ‘Serbian Drug Farm’ Case (Balkan Insight)
• Solidarity Stories #4: Yugoslav Officer Confronts Serb Fighters During Abductions (Balkan Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Women bear the burden of unpaid care work in Kosovo (Kosovo 2.0)
• MEPs Demand End to Roaming Charges for Western Balkans (Balkan Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, November 23, 2022
• Kosovo, Serbia chief negotiators to meet in Brussels today (RFE)
• Kosovo communicates with mediators of dialogue through the U.S. (Koha)
• U.S., EU engage diplomatically after Kosovo postpones licence plate fines (RFE)
• Borrell: We’re not a referee, we’re much more than that (Euractiv)
• Stano: We will continue the talks for a solution (Klan)
• Tajani: Italy available to find solutions and maintain stability (media)
• Osmani, Rohde discuss developments in Kosovo and dialogue with Serbia (RTK)
• France asks Kosovo to accept Borrell’s proposal for license plates (RTK)
• Kupchan: Situation between Kosovo and Serbia carries risk of violence (VoA)
• CDHRF: Borell and Lajcak lined up on the side of Serbia (Paparaci)
• Tahiri: Kurti dramatizing to prepare the public for compromises (Koha)
• Kosovo-Serbia flare-up fears over car number plate row (BBC)
• Kosovo PM Postpones License Plate Fines Under Western Pressure (BIRN)
• Fears Kosovo-Serbia number plate row could spark violence (The Guardian)
• Kosovo delays crackdown on Serbian driving plates after US pressure (FT)
• EU slams Kosovo, Serbia on car plates dispute, as fears of violence grow (Politico)
Belgrade Media Report 22 November 2022
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Tuesday 22 November 2022
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: The Albanian side does not want a solution (B92/RTS/Tanjug/RTV)
• Vucic after meeting Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija: We just want to save what’s ours (Tanjug)
• Vucic and Hill on Brussels dialogue and situation in the region (Tanjug/RTV)
• Brnabic: Only peace can ensure prosperity in Balkans (Tanjug/RTV)
• Petkovic: International community understood Vucic’s request (RTS)
• Stano: EU has not given up on its proposal on Belgrade-Pristina relations (N1)
• US calls on Serbia, Kosovo to de-escalate tensions (Beta)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: Vucic once again showed constructive commitment (Tanjug/RTV)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Representatives of ‘The Eight’ meet in Sarajevo, announce signing of program coalition agreement with HDZ B&H (FTV/Nova BH)
• SDA, SDP B&H and DF hold talks on election of delegates from the RS to B&H HoP (FTV/Hayat)
• All parliamentary parties in the RS called to negotiations on formation of authorities (ATV)
• We respect existence of RS, Dayton remains firm basis (Nezavisne)
• Dodik: RS is stable, this is most important (RTRS)
• Cvijanovic: There is need to go back to original Dayton (ATV)
• RS opposition politicians comment on DPA (BNTV)
• Russian Embassy in B&H: Attempts by outside players to revise the foundations of Dayton are dangerous (ATV)
• Becirovic sends letter to Djukanovic: Assistance of Montenegro to B&H’s NATO path is important (Avaz)
Montenegro
• Kordic: We hope for agreement on Constitutional Court, opposition to support candidates (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Osmani – Wahl: Support to North Macedonia’s 2023 OSCE Chairmanship (RFE/Republika/Tochka/Makfax/MIA)
Albania
• Agreement with Poland on cooperation in field of defense, ratified (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 22, 2022
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 22, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: It is necessary to correct Borrell’s mistake (Koha)
• U.S. disappointed Kosovo and Serbia fail to reach agreement, State Dept says (media)
• Rohde: We need more statesmanship, less brinkmanship (media)
• Kurti in Skopje: Fortunately, Kosovo not dependent on Russian gas (Express)
• Mehaj repeats request for permanent U.S. military base in Kosovo (media)
• RFE: The proposal for the liberalization of visas in January 2024 passed (media)
• Vogel: The dialogue is suffering a crisis every month, Kurti lost his patience (Koha)
• LDK Women’s Forum leader asks Kurti to explain his change of position (Indeksonline)
• Kurti: Reform in public administration, essential in program of our government (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Rakic on talks with Vucic, Pristina’s acts (Kosovo Online)
• Hill after the meeting with Vucic: Only a constructive approach leads to a solution (RTS)
• Petkovic: Kurti doesn’t wish peace, dialogue serves to meet halfway (RTS)
• Vucic’s call to Serbs from Kosovo for calmness and preservation of peace (media)
• Situation in Mitrovica North calm, people do not want to talk in front of cameras (Radio KIM)
• Vucic: I am proud we tried to maintain peace at all costs (Tanjug)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: Vucic once again demonstrated constructive approach (RTS)
• Stano: EU has not given up on its proposal (N1, Kosovo Online)
• KFOR commander discusses tensions with Kosovo minister (N1)
• US senators concerned about risk of violence in region (Kosovo Online)
• Vehicle with Serbian licence plates set on fire in Mitrovica North (KoSSev)
• Detention of Krasniqi, Selimi and Mustafa extended (Kosovo Online)
• Italy tells Pristina that unilateral moves do not lead to a solution (NMagazin, Beta)
• Lulzim Rafuna, the new president of the Board of the Chamber Investment Forum of the Western Balkans (Kosovo Online)
Opinion:
• Janjic: Vucic gave up ‘KM’ plates, Kurti asking for guarantees (Beta, NMagazin)
• Italy as Inspiration for the Balkan Far-Right (BIRN)
International:
• Kosovo Postpones Imposition Of License Plate Fines For 48 Hours (RFE)
• EU Blames Kosovo for Failing to Ease Spat Amid Tensions (Bloomberg)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, November 22, 2022
• Kurti accepts U.S. Ambassador call for 48-hour postponement of fines (media)
• EU’s Borrell Blames Kosovo for Fresh Licence Plates Stalemate (BIRN)
• Kurti’s remarks to the media after meetings in Brussels (media)
• Osmani: Borrell was biased; accommodated the aggressor (media)
• EU responds to Kurti: We haven’t given up on normalisation agreement (media)
• U.S. State Department: Parties to refrain from provocative steps (Klan Kosova)
• Bajrami: Kosovo proposed to suspend further phases of plate conversion (media)
• NATO SG: Disappointed that licence plate dispute wasn’t solved (media)
• UNMIK chief Ziadeh calls for calm and commitment to dialogue (media)
• Abbott: Immediate need to make progress on a normalisation agreement (media)
• Svecla: Police ready to ensure and security throughout Kosovo (media)
• Haradinaj: Decision on licence plates must be suspended (media)
• Palokaj: With this pace, dialogue can last 11 years (Koha)
• Floods Cause Six Deaths in Montenegro, Albania, Serbia (BIRN)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, November 21, 2022
Albanian Language Media:
Kurti to meet citizens in Prizren on Tuesday; to present budget for 2023 (Klan Kosova)
American congressman, Ritchie Torres meets Osmani (Koha)
Kosovo Defence Minister meets Swedish counterpart, discuss cooperation (media)
Gjoshi: Kurti is negotiating with Vucic on an internal issue (media)
Elezi: CEC considering postponement of some election deadlines (RTK)
Lutfiu: Presevo Valley Albanians discuss withdrawal from Serbian institutions (Klan)
Interview with President of Special Court, Ekaterina Trendafilova (Albanian Post)
Noam Chomsky: I was never opposed to Kosovo’s independence (Albanian Post)
Serbian Language Media:
Dacic: Two possible outcomes in Brussels – reason or riots (Tanjug, RTS)
Minister says Serbian Army ready to defend Kosovo Serbs (N1, Beta, Telegraf)
Kosovo journalist: Without plates agreement, small armed conflict is possible (N1, FoNet)
Janjic: Suspension of the Brussels Agreement being discussed (N1)
International:
Floods Across Kosovo Damage Land, hit Drinking Water Supply (BIRN)
Letter from Belgrade (Financial Times)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, November 21, 2022
• The penalty measure for license plates postponed for one day (media)
• Borrell: We need to de-escalate situation, move toward normalisation (media)
• EU to hold emergency talks with Kosovo-Serbia as deadline looms (Euractiv)
• EU police patrol Kosovo’s north after Serb officers quit (Reuters)
• US hopes an agreement on licence plates will be reached (RFE, media)
• EULEX chief and KFOR commander walk in the north of Mitrovica (RTK)
• Kurti: Frank and important phone conversation with Chollet (media)
• Bugajski: Fundamental problem – Serbia’s non-recognition of Kosovo (media)
• Kosovo, Serbia delegations clash at NATO Parliamentary Assembly (RTK)
• Kosovo war crimes expert named Special Counsel in January 6 and Trump documents investigations in U.S. (RFE)
• Kosovo Public Broadcaster Complains of ‘Smallest Ever’ Budget (BIRN)
• Media Climate in Albania Worsening, Press Freedom Advocates Say (BIRN)
• Kosovo Public Broadcaster Complains of ‘Smallest Ever’ Budget (BIRN)
• Special Prosecution Charges Serbian Citizen with Torturing Civilians (BIRN)
• The need for lies (Kosovo 2.0)
Belgrade Media Report 18 November
LOCAL PRESS
• Brnabic: No agreement with Pristina, it must implement agreements (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Office for Kosovo and Metohija: No agreement with Pristina has been achieved (RTS)
• Reactions of Serbs who left Pristina institutions (TV Most/Tanjug)
• EU invites Vucic and Kurti to Brussels (N1)
• Janjic: Vucic’s and Serbia’s negotiation position weakened (Beta)
• Serbia, Angola sign security cooperation agreement (Tanjug/RTV)
• Serbia wants to participate in UN, EU peacekeeping missions (Beta)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: No one gave you the right to lecture Russians (Politika)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Schmidt congratulates newly- elected members of B&H Presidency on their election (O Kanal/FTV)
• Konakovic denies that PDA’s Puzic of ‘The Eight’ coalition joined SDA’s list in Posavina Canton for FB&H HoP (O Kanal)
• HNC Assembly holds inaugural session (BHT1)
• MEP Zovko from Croatia: Croatia has never and will never block status of EU candidate for B&H (Dnevni list)
Montenegro
• Djurovic: We haven’t reached agreement on any issue (CdM)
• Lekic: Head of state causes problems with his unconstitutional behavior (CdM)
• Konjevic: Djurovic doesn’t have capacity to lead process of reaching agreement for solution to political crisis (CdM)
• Bosnjak: Djukanovic said he had no intention of giving mandate to Lekic (CdM)
• Abazovic: If Milo Djukanovic and DPS wish Montenegro well, they’ll vote for Constitutional Court judges (RTCG)
• Thousands of citizens at WE ARE NUMEROUS protest (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski: N. Macedonia and Serbia closer to agreement on natural gas (Telma/MIA)
• Marichikj: Not far from 80 MPs required for constitutional amendments (Alsat M/MIA)
Albania
• Rama in Belgrade: We will have a regional master plan and investment guide! (Radio Tirana)
• Minister of Interior Cuci: 52% alignment with EU laws for the order and security chapter (Radio Tirana)
• Ambassador King-Smith: The Albanian community will receive the appropriate assessment (Radio Tirana)
• Ambassador Yuri Kim warns: There will be more American investments when courts are clean! (Radio Tirana)
LINKS
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