Belgrade Media Report 31 March
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic, Kovacevski: Serbia-North Macedonia relations best in modern history (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
• Brnabic: Economic, political ties with North Macedonia steadily improving (Tanjug/RTV)
• Serbia, North Macedonia sign three MoUs on cooperation (Tanjug/RTS)
• Serbia committed to promotion of rights to freedom of opinion, expression (Tanjug/Politika)
• Serbian parliament speaker meets with UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur (Politika)
• Regional cooperation one of Serbia’s foreign policy priorities (Tanjug/Politika)
• Dacic: Government did not discuss sanctions against Russia (Kurir/Nova)
• Stano says license plate agreement has no deadline (N1)
• Pisonero: Serbia’s EU accession depends on judiciary, relations with Pristina (Beta/EWB)
• Poll: Number of citizens for and against membership in EU almost equal (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Blinken compares Dodik to Putin, Dodik flattered by comparison (ATV)
• RS officials responds to Blinken’s statements about Dodik (ATV)
• Russian Embassy to B&H comments on Blinken’s statement, says Putin’s path is path to independence and sovereignty (ATV)
• Kristo attends Summit for Democracy hosted by President Biden (Vecernji list)
• Bradara makes decision on new FB&H government appointment after concessions made within ‘The Troika’ (BHT1)
• Lendo holds meeting with Sattler to discuss formation of FB&H government; Lendo hopes agreement will be reached soon (FTV)
• OHR answers inquiry on speculation on amending FB&H Constitution: Whatever appeared in the media was pure speculation aimed to provoke (Oslobodjenje)
• ReStart, Krug 99 call for protests in front of OHR on Friday (Hayat)
• B&H HoP adopts Law on Budget of Institutions and International Obligations of B&H for 2023 (RTRS)
• Milanovic meets Karamatic, agree that legitimate representatives of Croats have to be in all institutions (Dnevni list)
Croatia
• Defence Minister: Croatian helicopters will soon arrive in Ukraine (Hina)
• Croatian and Slovenian Prime Ministers address the fight against illegal migration (HRT)
Montenegro
• MCP calls on citizens to vote against Djukanovic (CdM)
• Komsic: Support for Djukanovic – He made relations between B&H and Montenegro extremely friendly (CdM)
Albania
• Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Montenegro, platform for 100% harmonization with EU foreign policy (Radio Tirana)
• The Assembly of Albania and Kosova, cooperation for the drafting of the Code of Ethics (Radio Tirana)
• Spiropali meetings with representatives of the US Congress (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 31, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Another three vehicles of Serbs with RKS plates burnt in the north (media)
• Vela: Serbia’s illegal structures continue campaign of intimidation (media)
• Szunyog: We condemn the act, those responsible should be identified (media)
• Von Cramon: Both Kosovo and Serbia guilty for lack of progress in dialogue (Klan)
• KFOR ready to deal with any scenario during the elections in the north (Express)
• Haradinaj: The Brussels agreement reflects the return of normality in the north (media)
• PDK invites citizens to join the “March for Justice” (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Brnabic: Kurti’s senseless statement that the Open Balkans is not according to EU rules (Kosovo Online)
• Odalovic: The indictment against Thaci mentions 445 imprisoned, tortured and killed persons (NMagazin, RTS, Beta)
• Petkovic: “Kurti cannot forbid Vucic from visiting Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, he is not asked anything” (NMagazin, Beta)
• Bregu thanks Serbian gov’t for supporting RCC (Tanjug)
• Pisonero: Serbia’s EU accession depends on judiciary, relations with Pristina (N1, EWB)
• Kurti on Klan Kosovo: I won’t give Vucic permission to come to Kosovo (KoSSev)
• “KM remains“: Deadline for (re)registration expires today? Queues in front of AMSS (KoSSev)
• Last night, three more vehicles with RKS license plates burned in the north (KoSSev)
• Stano: The agreement on plates has no deadline or expiration date (N1)
• The Milic family in Plemetina robbed (KiM radio, Medija Centar Caglavica)
International:
• Fake News ‘Virus’ Needs ‘Vaccine’, BIRN Media Conference Concludes (BIRN)
• Kosovo: War Crimes Trial to Begin in The Hague (hrw.org)
• Witnesses Claim Kosovo’s ‘Commander Wolf’ Tortured Their Relatives (Balkan Insight)
• Report Warns of Challenges in Western Balkans’ Energy Transition (Balkan Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 31, 2023
• Kurti: Self-management will not be self-government (TV Klan)
• Osmani: Integrated Kosovo, stability for the region (media)
• Hovenier: Part of agreement has already started to be implemented (Reporteri)
• Vela: Serbia is violating the Brussels agreement (Reporteri)
• US ambassador to Serbia pushes for Ohrid Agreement (Albanian Daily News)
• Spain welcomes Kosovo-Serbia agreement; “don’t miss opportunity” (Telegrafi)
• Krasniqi: This is not about Association at all, but about autonomy (KTV)
• Haradinaj: Ohrid agreement paves way to Kosovo’s NATO membership (media)
• Time for Kosovo to Show Its Full Potential (The Geopolitics)
• Kosovo Albanians skeptical about Hague trial of liberation fighters (BIRN)
• Hate speech and disinformation fuel digital rights abuses in Balkans (BIRN)
• BIRN, NGOs, win court battle against ministry on power plant construction (BIRN)
• Over 65% Serbs don’t believe Kosovo can return under Serbian rule (media)
Belgrade Media Report 30 March
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: Challenges require unity, respect of international law (Politika/Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Concrete steps to be discussed in Brussels, our red lines to stay (Radio Belgrade)
• NADA coalition: Vucic’s scandalous tactic on Kosovo (Beta/Politika)
• Opposition party: Unacceptable for Serbia to apply agreement without government or parliament approval (Beta)
• Cadez says EU needs stable Western Balkans (N1)
• PFG with Israel: Reconsider decision to recognise Kosovo (RTV/Tanjug)
• Will the Kosovo police apologize to Miljan (Novosti)
• Hill: Ohrid agreement will positively affect Balkans, not only Serbia (RTS/Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Bradara fails to appoint FB&H government due to demand of Niksic to carry out additional consultations (BHT1)
• Becirovic reacts to possible new interventions by HR (Oslobodjenje/FTV)
• Zvizdic: If the blockade continues, the HR should react (Dnevni list)
• Sattler on FB&H government formation: Citizens expect that their election will is implemented (Dnevni list)
• Blinken: Dodik is on Putin’s authoritarian path (FTV)
• Senate of University of Sarajevo strips Izetbegovic of title of professor (N1)
Montenegro
• Government dismissed Brdjanin; Terzic new acting director of police administration (CdM)
• Djukanovic: Diaspora’s voting rights completely clear; diaspora shows exceptional devotion to state (TVCG)
• Gjeloshaj: It is disgrace to question diaspora, of course they should be allowed to vote in election (CdM)
• Knezevic: Nice to see Dritan’s adviser at the summit of Greater Albania (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Pendarovski acknowledged that the only way to make constitutional amendments is through VMRO-DPMNE (TV Sitel/TV24/Makpress/PlusInfo)
• Kovacevski: Constitutional amendments will not be delayed (Republika)
• Kovachevski – Stoltenberg: United and strong together in NATO, North Macedonia a factor of stability (MIA)
Albania
• Information society and media, meeting in Brussels for chapter 10 of the negotiations (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 30, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Konjufca at Summit for Democracy: Kosovo has made extraordinary progress (media)
• Vela on reports that Constitutional Court “will bring down” Osmani: attempted coup against institutions (Klan)
• KSF will have a military airport (media)
• Two vehicles with RKS license plates burned in Zubin Potok (media)
• Vela reacts to vehicles of Kosovo Serbs set on fire in Zubin Potok (RTK)
• Haradinaj after meeting Szunyog: Parties should fulfill obligations arising from Ohrid agreement (Klan)
• GLPS with a report on achievements and setbacks in second year of Kurti government (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• ”If the Constitutional Court accepts the request of the former MP Berisha, it may lead to the dismissal of the President of Kosovo” (NMagazin, Beta)
• Hopes and fears of families regarding the Declaration on Missing Persons in Kosovo (RFE)
• Dveri: Serbs in the north left to themselves, they are re-registering their cars massively (NMagazin, Beta)
• Pantovic: Every Serb accused of a war crime in Kosovo accused in advance (KoSSev)
• Serbian Chamber of Commerce chief says EU needs stable Western Balkans (N1)
• Petkovic: Pristina has no intention of allowing the CSM (ZSO), it wants to deceive Brussels again (Blic, Tanjug)
International:
• Kosovo Guerrilla Chiefs’ Landmark Trial: What are the Charges? (Balkan Insight)
• Four Western Balkan countries launched “100% Alignment with CFSP” platform (EWB)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 30, 2023
Kurti: Agreement is de facto recognition, that’s why Serbia is not signing (media)
EU doesn’t talk about Kurti’s offer for Association, mentions consequences in case of non-implementation of agreement (Koha)
Osmani calls on non-recognising countries to recognise Kosovo (media)
Government: Term “forcibly disappeared persons” will be part of Kosovo-Serbia Declaration (Koha)
Elections in north, KFOR: No indicators of security threats (Gazeta Express)
Kurti: Government made concrete steps for gender equality (EO)
Rafuna: We will meet the Serbian Chamber of Commerce tomorrow (Klan)
Bashkim Nurboja takes post of Central Bank temporarily (Kallxo)
Rakic meets UNMIK chief, calls for formation of Association (media)
Belgrade Media Report 29 March
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: Serbia wants to join EU but knows that does not depend only on us (RTS/RTV/Tanjug)
• Sakellaropoulou: Pressure does exist, but our stance on Kosovo remains unchanged (Tanjug)
• US Ambassador: Progress after difficult decisions (FoNet)
• Kosovo Serb arrested at Jarinje released from detention (Tanjug)
• Stano says EU will take first steps on Kosovo agreement (Beta)
• EU invites Pristina and Belgrade chief negotiators to Brussels on 4 April (Tanjug)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Bradara informs Lendo and Stojanovic that she will adopt decision on FB&H government formation (Hayat)
• Ambassador Murphy meets Head of Istocna Ilidza Bozovic (Oslobodjenje)
• Dodik: US Ambassador and his staff are hostile for the RS when they claim that the property belongs to the level of B&H; Dodik condemns Bozovic’s meeting with Murphy (ATV)
• Dodik claims he did not terminate cooperation with US but with US Embassy in B&H (BNTV)
• Dodik again makes homophobic comments referring to LGBTIQ community (ATV)
• EUD to B&H says latest developments in RS have quite terrifying effect both on minorities and LGBT community (N1)
Montenegro
• Milatovic addressed diaspora just like Zdravko Krivokapic back in 2021 (CdM)
• Abazovic: I told Brdjanin that he should resign (CdM)
• Djurovic: Parliament continues its work (MINA)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Osmani: Constitutional amendments to focus on EU, not to be burdened by other political issues (MIA/Alsat-M/Sitel/Telma/360 Stepeni)
• Kovachevski: Citizens want to live in EU but in our country, brave decisions needed (MIA/Netpress/Biznis Vesti)
Albania
• Xhacka meets the counterpart of North Macedonia: Cooperation and challenges in the region are in focus! (Radio Tirana)
• Xhacka meets with Xhaferi, Albanians in North Macedonia, an important role for the Euro-Atlantic perspective (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 29, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: We need accurate and swift implementation of the agreement (Koha)
• Dialogue continues: Bislimi, Lajcak and Petkovic to meet in Brussels on April 4 (RTK)
• Osmani: Democracy is more than a mere system of governance (media)
• OSCE: SL decision regrettable, communities should take part in elections (Express)
• Elections in north, fear of tensions and low turnout (Lajmi)
• Konjufca meets Torres; discuss close cooperation between Kosovo and U.S. (media)
• Arifi: Agreement avoided legitimate requests of Albanians from the Valley (Indeksonline)
Serbian Language Media:
• Petkovic: In Brussels on concrete steps to implement the agreement from Ohrid (Radio Mitrovica sever, Kosovo online)
• Skopje: Meeting of Chambers of Commerce of Serbia and Kosovo on removing obstacles in economic cooperation (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Rakic met UNMIK head: Necessary to form the CSM ( ZSO) as soon as possible, withdraw special units from the north and stop political arrests (Radio Mitrovica sever)
• The former police officer arrested at Jarinje released from custody (RTS)
• Former Serb Kosovo police officer arrested at Jarinje checkpoint (N1, KoSSev, FoNet, Kosovo Online)
• Hill in Presevo: It was not easy for Albin Kurti or Aleksandar Vucic, but I feel progress (FoNet, Danas)
• Does the Serbian List violate the Agreement on Normalization if it does not participate in the Kosovo elections and are new barricades possible? (Danas)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 29, 2023
Kosovo-Serbia dialogue to continue next week at level of chief negotiators (RFE) Kurti: There cannot be a super minority in Kosovo (media) Kosovo gets assurances from U.S. that there will be no association that threatens sovereignty (Koha Ditore) Police stations in north to be used as premises for election officers (Dukagjini) Wigemark meets Viehe, discuss […]
Read More →Belgrade Media Report 28 March
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic with Giaufret: Serbia dedicated to its European path (RTS)
• Lajcak and Bilcik on the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina (RTS)
• Von Cramon: Vucic statement badly received (N1)
• Beta: Stano says EU will take first steps on Kosovo agreement (Beta)
• Djilas: Topic of Kosovo’s UN membership depends on Russia, China (RTV)
• Former minister: Serbia must not allow Kosovo to join UNESCO (Beta)
• U.S. Ambassador: Albanian minority in Serbia exclusively a matter for Serbian state to address (Beta)
• More houses in KiM have been robbed (RTS)
• Vucic with the President of Greece: Fraternal relations between Athens and Belgrade, territorial integrity of the two countries supported (RTS)
• PM Brnabic welcomes Greek President (FoNet, Beta)
• Dacic and Botsan-Kharchenko on the situation in the region and further cooperation between the two countries (RTS)
• FM Dacic says Serbia will not be led into isolation over Ukraine (N1)
• Minister to Ukrainian Ambassador: We want to help restore your cities (FoNet)
• Serbian PM, Hessian minister talk advancing relations, cooperation (Beta)
• Orlic with Orban in Budapest: Serbia deeply appreciates the level of cooperation with Hungarian friends (RTS)
• Hungarian Foreign Minister in Budapest (Beta)
• Opposition leader: Authorities form new movement to shun responsibility (Beta)
• Dveri: Vucic doesn’t dare utter the word “election”, President, Foreign Minister responsible for capitulation (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• HR Schmidt: Deadline for formation of the FB&H Government is just around the corner, it is time for political actors to act responsibly (FTV)
• ‘The Troika’ issues joint press statement commenting formation of FB&H Government (Dnevni list)
• Media carry details of HR’s possible interventions to FB&H Constitution; Comments of politicians (FTV)
• Deadline to appoint new ministers in FB&H Government expires, Lendo will not support them, some speculate HR is seeking for solution (BHT1)
• SDA demands from Schmidt to confirm or deny speculations on his possible imposition of new decisions in FB&H; SDA prepared to let HDZ and ‘The Eight’ to form FB&H authorities if they amend FB&H Constitution (Nova BH)
• US Ambassador Murphy: USA is not enemy of Serb people and there is no intention to abolish RS, we deeply respect all citizens of B&H; Dodik used to be promising politicians but he has changed (Nezavisne)
• Murphy: B&H Parliament needs to adopt law on state property, RS’s interests will be represented by its representatives in Parliament (Nezavisne)
• RS authorities announced rigorous measures if property law is imposed in B&H (O kanal)
• Vucic draws comparison between Sandzak and RS: Times of secession have passed (Dnevni avaz)
• Spiric and Radmanovic respectively meet with Ambassador Kalabukhov; They discuss current situation in B&H and region as well as global challenges (RTRS)
• Becirovic proposes adoption of action plan for fulfilling 14 key priorities from EC’s Opinion (Dnevni avaz)
• EUD says proposed laws in RS on defamation and non-profit organizations are step in wrong direction, Dodik’s statements on discriminating LGBT people in educational institutions are inappropriate (BN TV)
• RS politicians criticize EUD’s call to RS authorities to withdraw proposed laws regarding defamation and non-governmental organizations (ATV)
Montenegro
• Abazovic offers that Montenegro hosts a new round of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Western Balkans vulnerable to third-party influence (MIA)
• Skopje, Tirana urge Serbia and Kosovo to implement Ohrid Agreement without delay (MIA)
• Xhaferi-Xhacka: North Macedonia and Albania build excellent bilateral relations (MIA)
• Moscow: Skopje’s decision to donate helicopters to Ukraine is a huge mistake (MIA)
Albania
• Xhacka-Pendarovski: The EU must maintain the intensity of the integration process (Radio Tirana)
• Begaj at the Austrian Business Forum: To enhance economic ties (Radio Tirana)
• Memorandum of Understanding with Italy on trade and investment opportunities for agricultural enterprises (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 28, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Konjufca meets Escobar; “no association that threatens Kosovo’s sovereignty” (media)
• Kosovo-Serbia dialogue to continue next week at level of chief negotiators (RFE)
• Kurti: EU and U.S. to apply more pressure on Belgrade (media)
• LDK leader calls for resignation of Justice Minister (media)
• Osmani and Kurti: Serbia committed genocide in Kosovo (RTK)
Serbian Language Media:
• Stano: The main negotiators of Belgrade and Pristina next week in Brussels (Blic, RFE, Kosovo Online, N1)
• Greek President Sakellaropoulou on two-day visit to Serbia, stance on Kosovo remains unchanged (Tanjug, RTS)
• Petkovic: Pristina stages political process against Todosijevic (Kosovo Online)
• Stano: The EU institutions with Belgrade and Pristina starting to implement the Ohrid agreement (Beta, NMagazin, N1, KiM radio)
• Dacic, Botsan-Kharchenko discuss situation in region, bilateral ties (Tanjug)
• Djilas: Topic of Kosovo UN membership depends on Russia, China (Beta, N1)
• House of Zikica Stevic in Laplje Selo broken into (RTS)
• Serbia committed to its European path, Vucic tells Giaufret (media)
International:
• EU history offers a model for Kosovo-Serbia reconciliation (Euractive)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Serbian climbers rescued by Albanian military (N1)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 28, 2023
• Government’s two approaches on footnote, for EU it remains in power (Koha)
• Haxhiu: Constitutional Court slammed reforms in judiciary (Telegrafi)
• Haliti: Due to violations of Constitution, two Presidents resigned (media)
• Daka: Elections in the north can happen; legitimacy under question (Koha)
• Two years of Kurti’s government: How is it going? (Kosovo 2.0)
• “Non-majority communities, crucial role in Kosovo integration path” (media)
• Begaj: Albania will not accept a Republika Srpska in Kosovo (Zeri)
• Witness claims Kosovo’s ‘Commander Wolf’ tortured his father (BIRN)