Belgrade Media Report 22 February 2023
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Wednesday 22 February 2023
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: West wants Kosovo card out of Putin’s hands (TV Pink/FoNet)
• Vucic speaks with Sanchez (RTS/Tanjug)
• Vucevic meets with Egyptian, Cypriot military officials in Abu Dhabi (Beta/RTV)
• Improving cooperation of Serbia, NATO in order to preserve peace, stability in region (Tanjug/RTV)
• Judicial conference: Judicial reform in Serbia should include changes to legal and political culture (Beta)
• Popovic says judiciary free of political influence (N1)
• Zubin Potok residents demand removal of special police bases (RTS/Politika/Novosti)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• RS parliament delegation pays visit to Moscow; Stevandic: RS will continue to cherish its neutrality (RTRS/FTV/Srna)
• Becirovic submits request for assessment of constitutionality of law on immovable property used for functioning of public authorities of RS (RTRS)
• HR Schmidt has passed decision amending law on Srebrenica-Potocari Memorial Center (O Kanal)
• Srebrenica-Potocari Memorial Center: Decision of HR to amend Law on Center for Srebrenica-Potocari Memorial and Cemetery for Victims of 1995 Genocide is historic (N1)
• Dodik: There was no genocide in Srebrenica (AJB/N1)
• Kristo, Covic meet Dodik in Banja Luka, discuss CoM, EU path of B&H, ways to unblock projects (RTRS)
• Kosarac calls for affirming of ‘New Eastern Interconnection’ project, claims Izetbegovic is regional problem (Dnevni avaz)
• Kosarac threatens that RS will block projects in FB&H if RS is not allowed to connect to gas pipeline from Serbia; Comments of politicians (Nova BH)
• Keso slams Konakovic’s announcement on B&H CoM and Croatian government talking about reform to Constitution, Election Law of B&H (Dnevni list)
Croatia
• Konakovic meets Croatian officials; Importance of bilateral and economic cooperation, readiness for addressing open issues underlined (HRT1)
Montenegro
• Strujic Harbic: Most important thing is that Constitutional Court starts working from Monday (Portal Analitika)
Albania
• Rama meeting with the speaker of the Assembly of Japan, Hosoda (Radio Tirana)
• Balla: Assembly, a special role in the process of European integration (Radio Tirana)
• Albania and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, cooperation in the fight against cybercrime (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 22, 2023
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 22, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Borrell, Lajcak to hold separate meetings with leaders, followed by joint meeting (media)
• Kurti on confiscation of 6,000 bullets in north: Another victory for rule of law (media)
• Kurti: Sending of draft law on Bureau to Constitutional Court, desperate move (media)
• Hoti reacts to Kurti: Who fears laws being sent to court, has political aims (Nacionale)
• Govt adopts formation of structures that will draft anti-corruption strategy (Gazeta 10)
• Govt spokesman: Court did not address 2013 agreement on Association (teve1)
• Kadrijaj: Support Govt in talks with Serbia if approach is in line with U.S. (Gazeta Blic)
• LDK official: If Kurti forms Association, agreement with Serbia reached (Gazeta Blic)
• Rasic: Serb parallel bodies pressuring Kosovo Serbs not to apply for aid (Express)
• Ahmeti on reserved seats: They shouldn’t exist forever (Nacionale)
• Specialist Chambers raid apartment of Thaci’s former advisor, reasons unknown (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Residents of ZP: What if someone came to your property, and then turned up to negotiate over that same property? (KoSSev, media)
• Nenezic: To paraphrase Reagan’s words to Gorbachev – Mr. Kurti, tear down this base, and then we’ll talk (KoSSev, media)
• Jaksic announces lawsuit at public discussion in ZP, asking for suspension of expropriation (KoSSev, media)
• Andric Rakic: Meeting failed to fulfil legal requirements, what will be built on the expropriated land was not revealed (KoSSev, media)
• Vucic: CSM will be discussed in Brussels (FoNet, N1)
• Vucic talks to Spanish PM about Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (Kosovo Online)
• Dacic meets with NATO’s San (Tanjug)
• Kurti claims “Wagner” around, KFOR says “no evidence” (Kosovo Online, Reporteri, France 24, Klan Kosova)
• NADA: Foreign investors will not leave Serbia, if it refuses Franco-German proposal (Danas, Kosovo Online)
Opinion:
• Janjic: Vucic should not go to Brussels if there is no talk of CSM (ZSO) (KoSSev, Beta, N1)
International:
• EEAS statement on Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (eeas.europa.eu)
• Lührmann: European proposal would remove obstacles on Serbia and Kosovo EU paths (EWB)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 22, 2023
• Borrell to meet Kurti and Vucic separately before joint meeting (media)
• Osmani, Steinmeier agree there is “special momentum” with EU proposal (RFE)
• COMKFOR Ristuccia interview with Klan Kosova
• Svecla: Groups orchestrated by Belgrade trying to destabilise Kosovo (RTK)
• ‘Do not go Away’ Sends Powerful Message to Youth of Kosovo (Prishtina Insight)
• Kosovo Started Year With Inflation Over 12 Per Cent (Prishtina Insight)
• Glimmer of Hope, Glimmer of Flame Comes to The Hague (Prishtina Insight)
• Kosovo Ex-Guerrilla Accused of Torturing Prisoners as Hague Trial Opens (BIRN)
Belgrade Media Report 21 February
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: Agreement with UAE on kamikaze drone purchase due within 48 hours (Tanjug/RTV)
• Brnabic: If Vucic was going to allow capitulation, he wouldn’t be dealing with the Kosovo and Metohija issue (TV Pink/Tanjug)
• Miscevic: Change of neutral military status not on agenda (Beta)
• Serbia reliable partner in combating illegal migrations (Tanjug/Politika)
• Dveri calls on patriots to unite on Kosovo, Russia issues (Beta)
• Kosovo NGOs to Serbian Patriarch: “We feel like lambs before slaughter” (Beta)
• NGO activist: Nearly 40,000 Serbs have left Kosovo over the past 10 years (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Bradara and Stojanovic decide Bradara will be FB&H President; Lendo says this is unconstitutional decision (BHT1)
• Bradara: SDA wants to stay in power through blackmails and threats (Dnevni avaz)
• Lendo: What Bradara and Stojanovic think they decided is not legally valid and it will most likely go to FB&H HoR (O Kanal)
• Izetbegovic sends letter to Covic and Niksic, proposing them to meet and reach political agreement which will enable formation of new FB&H government (FTV)
• Covic: There is no need for anyone to write any letters to us; SDA is trying to block processes (Nova BH)
• Kosarac threatens with blockades in FB&H if eastern interconnection is not approved; Viskovic: This is important strategic project and it is high time that individuals from the FB&H stop obstructing it (RTRS)
• Konakovic on Kosarac’s statement: We are not ready for any blackmail; Konakovic says he was greeted by pro-Russian offensive upon returning to B&H (O Kanal)
• UN is preparing new resolution condemning Russian aggression against Ukraine, EU and USA expect B&H to support it (Nezavisne)
Croatia
• Croatia plans to help diversify B&H’s natural gas supply (HRT)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic: After executive power consolidation, we’ll work on reaching standards for Montenegro to be the first next EU member (CdM)
• Radev to Djukanovic: We are convinced that Montenegro will preserve its leadership role in European integration (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Some people don’t want good bilateral ties with Bulgaria and EU-integrated region, Kovachevski says (MIA)
• Kovachevski: No alternative to international security cooperation (MIA)
• Osmani visits Turkiye (Republika)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 21, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti on February 27 meeting: I believe they’ll stick to proposal, not one party’s interest (media)
• Szunyog: Govt, Assembly didn’t take into account EU comments on several laws (RFE)
• Sergiy Maslichenko appointed the new director of the EBRD in Kosovo (media)
• Abazi after interview by prosecution on Dehari case: I will not stop (media)
• Kurti on Abazi’s statements: Untrue and incorrect (media)
• PDK sends the Draft Law on the Bureau to the Constitutional Court (media)
• Hovenier: The U.S. is proud partner of KSF (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Public discussion on expropriation in Zubin Potok concluded (KoSSev, media)
• Mijacic: Pristina ruined tourist season in Zubin Potok (Kosovo Online, media)
• Vulovic sends letter to Quint, international missions over expropriation in Zubin Potok (Kosovo Online, media)
• The Court of Appeal confirmed the verdict against Svetomir Bacevic (Kontakt plus radio)
• Vucic: Agreement with UAE on kamikaze drone purchase due within 48 hours (Tanjug)
Opinion:
• Kurti’s wrong argument: CSM (ZSO) much more multi-ethnic than all of Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 21, 2023
• Kurti very optimistic that a deal can be reached this year (media)
• Kosovo ready for any threat says president (Euractiv)
• ‘Partial independence’: Kosovo reflects on secession from Serbia (Al Jazeera)
• Krasniqi: I haven’t received reply from Brnabic on model of National Council of Serbs (media)
• “Kurti advanced level of meetings, from corridors to official tables” (media)
• Haliti: Association paves the way for Kosovo’s integration (media)
• Kosovo’s ‘Commander Wolf’ Cries Foul as War Crimes Trial Begins (BIRN)
• Kosovo Miners Remember Bravery and Betrayal of Underground Strike (BIRN)
• Serbia ready for Kosovo dialogue if Serb municipalities are discussed (Euractiv)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 20, 2023
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 20, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti talks about meetings he held in Munich (Reporteri)
• Kearns: Britain will not support the formation of Republika Srpska in Kosovo (RTK)
• Rohde: Kosovo and Germany are connected by partnership and common values (media)
• Buhler: Kosovo’s membership in NATO, after final political solution (media)
• “Only Kurti knows how he brought Kosovo to this state, he was badly ignored by Blinken” (media)
• PDK: Prosecution should interview Kurti and Haxhiu about the Dehari case (media)
• Tahiri: There is a risk that Serbia will keep Kosovo in a frozen conflict (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: We will invest heavily in the defence industry, military (N1, Beta)
• Podcast: Nenezic on expropriation: In a perfect world, these decisions would be rejected, bases demolished, and works suspended (KoSSev)
• Vucic discusses Kosovo with Blinken, Scholz, Macron (N1, BETA)
• US State Secretary: Productive conversation with Vucic (N1, social media)
• Lajcak on CSM: Assumed obligations must be fulfilled (Politika, BETA)
• Dveri calls on patriots to unite on Kosovo, Russia issues (media)
• Vucic: We have new note of Kosovo derecognition (Tanjug)
• Trajkovic, Jovic and Ristic sent joint letter to Patriarch (KoSSev, N1)
• Marinkovic: About 40,000 Serbs left Kosovo in the last ten years (NMagazin, N1, KiM radio, Beta)
International:
• Putin is attempting to destabilise European countries to divert attention from Ukraine, warns Kosovo’s president (Sky News)
Read More →Belgrade Media Report 20 February 2023
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Monday 20 February 2023
LOCAL PRESS
• Another country decided to withdraw recognition of Kosovo’s independence (B92)
• Vucic: Serbia reproached for not imposing sanctions against Russia (Beta)
• Serbia pays special attention to improving bilateral relations with Germany (Tanjug/RTV)
• Serbia committed to strengthening relations with China (RTS/RTV/Tanjug)
• Dacic: Serbia’s stance crustal clear (Euronews/Beta/Politika)
• Orlic receives Bundestag representatives (Tanjug)
• People’s Party: ZSO a Serbian delusion (Beta)
• Russian Patriarch thanks SPC for supporting canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Sputnik/N1)
• Lajcak: Undertaken obligations must be fulfilled (Politika)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Ceremony held in Sarajevo on occasion of Kosovo’s declaration of independence (Hayat)
• Becirovic has launched issue of border demarcation between B&H and Serbia (N1)
• Lendo fails to attend meeting organized by Bradara and Stojanovic to decide who will be new FB&H President (BHT1)
• Zukic argues FB&H government cannot be formed without SDA, says political agreement must be reached first (Dnevni list)
• Zvizdic criticizes attempts of SDA to block formation of FB&H government, says he expects High Representative to react should these blockades continue (Dnevni avaz)
• Marinkovic-Lepic says Lendo’s behavior is form of blockade, OHR should at least be consulted (Oslobodjenje)
• Konakovic meets French colleague Collona, talk about France’s support to B&H on its EU path (Dnevni list)
• Fajon: Slovenia offers technical support to B&H so that it can adopt 14 EU criteria (AJB)
• NATO approves package of assistance to defense and security system of B&H (ATV)
• Kristo and Kovacevski discuss intensifying of cooperation between two states and EU integration (Oslobodjenje)
Croatia
• Croatian PM meets HR Schmidt: Croatia continues to provide support to B&H on its European path (Hina)
• North Macedonia, Croatia firmly committed to shared values (Hina)
• Croatia PM at MSC: We continue supporting Ukraine according to our capabilities (Hina)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic and Plenkovic: Presidential and parliamentary elections the top priority for Montenegro (CdM)
• US supports contribution of Montenegrin armed forces to NATO-led missions (CdM)
• Herasymenko: We won’t forget Montenegro’s friendly gesture, Russia underestimated Ukrainians (RTCG)
• Democrats’ central election headquarters: Becic will run for country’s presidency (CdM)
• Djukanovic: I still haven’t made decision on whether to take part in presidential run (DW/CdM)
• DIK didn’t approve of Spajic’s presidential run (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• The government pushes for constitutional amendments, the opposition calls for early elections (Republika)
Albania
• Rama at the Security Conference in Munich (Radio Tirana)
• Rama meets Commissioner Timmermans, increasing support for the Western Balkans (Radio Tirana)
• Xhacka: Albania, a worthy ally for security in the region and beyond (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 20, 2023
• Kurti for Le Monde: EU plan enables the de-facto recognition (media)
• Kurti meets Borrell, Lajcak; talk EU proposal and meet with Vucic (Telegrafi)
• Borrell optimistic for February 27 meeting, hopes parties will accept plan (DW)
• Osmani: Peace and security sustainable only when women included in all decision-making and policy-making processes (media)
• Blinken: Normalisation of Kosovo-Serbia relations essential to strengthen security in the Balkans (RFE)
• Osmani meets Admiral Munch at Munich Security Conference (media)
• Kurti meets INTERPOL Secretary General: Kosovo is a reliable partner (media)
• Gervalla: All countries to seriously address threats to international order (media)
• Lekaj: Kurti must not accept Association with executive competencies (Nacionale)
• Newborn monument dedicated to threat to Republic’s future (BIRN)
• Djuric’s statement triggers reactions in Kosovo (Koha)
Belgrade Media Report 17 February
LOCAL PRESS
• Brnabic: Russia serious state, I do not believe it is behind protest (Tanjug/RTV)
• Jevtic: Position of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija never worse 15 years since unilateral declaration of independence (RTS)
• Petkovic: Despite ceremonies, Kosovo is a political chamber (RTV/Tanjug)
• Selakovic meets with Babayev (Tanjug/Politika)
• Right-wing parliamentary parties deny accusations (N1)
• Russian Ambassador condemns threats against Vucic (N1)
• US authorities: Stance on Belgrade-Pristina mutual recognition unchanged (RFE/Beta)
• Biden seriously angered the Russians, Serbia is the main “culprit” (Sputnik/B92)
• Zakharova: Cooperating with West instead of Russia would have harmed Serbia (Beta/TASS)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• FB&H HoR, HoP confirm new FB&H leadership, but SDA’s Lendo fails to show up at meeting and finish procedure (FTV)
• OHR welcomes election of FB&H leadership (Oslobodjenje)
• SNSD’s Spiric appointed as B&H HoP speaker, NiP’s Ademovic and HDZ B&H’s Covic appointed as deputy speakers (FTV)
• Kristo meets Plenkovic during her official visit to Croatia (Nova BH/N1)
• Cvijanovic on Borrell’s statement: If we introduced sanctions, why they convince us we should do it (Srna/RTRS)
• Borenovic: EU officials confirm that B&H introduced sanctions against Russia (BNTV)
• NATO approves military assistance to B&H (Nova BH)
Montenegro
• Abazovic: Those who acted unlawfully won’t escape the hands of justice (CdM)
• Spajic: I renounced my Serbian citizenship (MINA)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Parliamentary majority is greater than it was before, says PM Kovachevski (Libertas/Kajgana/MIA)
• State officials welcome the decision of ECHR (MIA)
• Bulgarian clubs that align with law and change names to resume operations, says PM (MIA)
• Cabinet reshuffle proposal debate in parliament continues (MakPress/360 stepeni/Opserver/Alsat M)
Albania
• Rama: Serbia must recognize Kosovo and at the end of this process the Albanians must unite (Radio Tirana)
• The 15th anniversary of Independence/ Begaj received by Osmani: No one can prevent Kosovo from building its independent future (Radio Tirana)
• May 14 elections/ OSCE-ODIHR brings 24 long-term observers and 300 short-term observers (RTSH)
• The Swedish Ambassador: Opening the first chapters of the negotiation by the end of the year, great ambition, but achievable (RTSH)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, February 17, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: Kosovo is a good example of democracy (RFE)
• Blinken congratulates people of Kosovo on 15th anniversary of independence (media)
• EU: Kurti and Vucic will meet in Brussels on February 27 (media)
• Hovenier congratulates Kosovo on 15th anniversary of independence (media)
• Sandulovic: On behalf of Serbia, I apologise for the crimes against you (Kosovapress)
• Germans imply talks on French-German plan at Munich Security Conference (Express)
Serbian Language Media:
• EC says Vucic, Kurti confirmed meeting in Brussels next week on 27 February (N1)
• Vucic: We will announce good news on Kosovo-Metohija today and in seven days (Tanjug)
• Pristina authorities marked the 15th anniversary of the unilateral declaration of independence (N1)
• Dalibor Jevtic: The position of Serbs in Kosovo has never been worse (RTS, KiM radio, Kontakt plus radio)
• Rasic: Agreement soon, Belgrade and Pristina have little room for “no” (N1, KoSSev, KiM radio)
• Amendment by the Greens: EULEX to become a response unit in the north of Kosovo (KoSSev, N1)
• Rama: Kurti and I have the same goal – for the Albanians to unite and they must, but we have different approaches to get there (KoSSev, Danas, Blic)
International:
• It’s Official: One Serbian diplomat per year to join the State Department for up to 12 months (thepavlovictoday.com)
• Week in Review: Spies, Coups and Earthquakes (Balkan Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, February 17, 2023
• Kurti: There is work to turn EU proposal into an agreement (DW, media)
• Biden congratulates on 15th anniversary of Independence, mentions mutual recognition with Serbia (media)
• European leaders congratulate Osmani on Independence Day (Koha)
• Kurti hosted candidate for president of Serbia, Nikola Sandulovic (RTK)
• Sandulovic: I came to offer historic solutions (RTK)
• Kurti: Kosovo, common state of all (media)
• Independent Kosovo is a success story. Now we need a European epilogue (Politico.eu)
• Kosovo marks 15 uneasy years of independence from Serbia (The Independent)
• North Kosovo won’t be stable while Belgrade and Pristina are at loggerheads (BIRN)
• Kosovo: How football helps build bridges (Deutsche Welle)
• Kosovo Women’s 1990s Fight for Freedom Documented on Film (BIRN)
• Study Shows Therapy Benefits Mothers Exposed to Violence in Kosovo War (BIRN)
• Serbian nationalists protest against Western plan to normalise ties with breakaway Kosovo (euronews.com)
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- 'We're being used': the politics behind Kosovo's LGBT trailblazing - The Times 15/05/2024'We're being used': the politics behind Kosovo's LGBT trailblazing The Times
- Kosovo's ProCredit Bank Q1 net profit up 14% y/y - SeeNews 15/05/2024
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