Belgrade Media Report 27 March 2023
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Monday 27 March 2023
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: “They planned a bleak fate for our people”; “We will save Serbia” (B92)
• General Romano: Serbia, NATO cannot forget the past, but are nevertheless moving forward (Beta)
• Stano: The first steps to start the implementation of the agreement from Ohrid in the coming days (RTS)
• Macron: Serbia-Kosovo agreement a major step forward, needs to be fully implemented right away (Beta)
• Member of European Parliament: Serb List’s refusal to run in election contravenes Feb. 27 agreement (Beta)
• The countries of the Quinte expressed their regret that the Serbian List is not participating in the elections (RTS)
• Jeremic: Referendum on EU Plan is only way to prevent high treason (Danas)
• Right-Wing supporters block traffic in front of the government for an hour (Danas)
• Defense Minister says Kosovo events high risk for Serbia (Beta)
• Office for KiM: Serbs are not legitimate targets, greater protection is necessary (RTS)
• Vucic meets with Hungarian Prime Minister in Belgrade (Beta)
• Serbia opens a consulate in Minsk – honorary consul Zivorad Smiljkovic (RTS)
• Declaration on cooperation of green parties of W. Balkans signed in Sarajevo (N1)
• Djilas: The party’s mission – Serbia’s membership in the EU (N1)
• Vucic: Major changes in global politics will change the dynamics of Serbia’s relations with the EU (RTS)
• Dacic: Sanctions against Russia possible if economy, citizens start suffering (Kurir)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Milanovic attends ceremony marking 31st anniversary of formation of 103rd brigade of Croat Defense Council Derventa (O kanal)
• RS officials criticise Croatian president’s visit (N1)
• Dodik’s Cabinet: NATO’s annual report is unilateral (ATV)
• Dodik: March 26 of every year is a difficult, sad and painful date for all Serbs (RTRS)
• ‘The Eight’ and HDZ B&H signed agreement on distribution of positions in FB&H Government, names of candidates for ministers to be submitted by March 28 (O kanal)
• Lendo on agreement of HDZ B&H and ‘The Eight’: Signatories obviously plan to ignore FB&H Constitution (O kanal)
• Niksic: I believe HR Schmidt will react in case FB&H VP Lendo (SDA) decides not to sign decision on appointment of FB&H Government (Face TV)
• EUD: EU calls on RS to withdraw draft amendments to RS Criminal Code (Dnevni list)
• Varhelyi calls RSNA’s decision step in wrong direction (BN TV)
• Dodik says RS Government was forced to pass decision to terminate cooperation with US and UK diplomats in B&H as “they were imposing problems on RS for 20 years” (ATV)
• US, UK Embassies: Decision to terminate contact with US and UK diplomats is one more step down dangerous path Dodik has chosen (N1)
• Becirovic: It is high time for Putin’s vassal to get united response of West (FTV)
• Dodik, Russian Embassy comment on Becirovic’s statement regarding RS’ decision to break off relations with US, UK diplomats (ATV)
• Members of RS ruling coalition support decision on termination of contacts with US and UK diplomats (ATV)
• RS opposition parties criticize RS Government’s decision to terminate contact with US and UK diplomats (BN TV)
• HDZ B&H leader Covic comments RS Government’s decision to terminate communication with US, UK diplomats, says everyone has right to make their own decisions (Glas Srpske)
• Niksic: RS Govt. decision will not influence cooperation with UK and US (Face TV)
• Milorad Dodik announces anti-LGBT legislation in RS (O kanal)
Croatia
• PM comments following two-day European Council meeting (HRT)
Montenegro
• Associations of Montenegrins from Kosovo: Diaspora should vote for Djukanovic (CDM)
• Djukanovic: I expect no less than 40,000 new votes, Milatovic’s statement unfounded and without any cover (CDM)
• Montenegro supported sanctions for the commander of the Moscow police, the Taliban minister… (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• DUI holds Central Presidency meeting – establishes “European front” (Telma)
• Party reactions to DUI initiative for “European front” (Alsat M)
• Petrovska: North Macedonia to donate 12 Mi-24 Helicopters to Ukraine (Alsat TV)
• Kovachevski-Chollet: North Macedonia, credible partner of EU and US, model of successful resolution of open issues (MIA)
• Spasovski-Meyer: North Macedonia-US cooperation to intensify in the upcoming period (MIA)
• Osmani meets ambassadors of EU member states (MIA)
Albania
• President Bajram Begaj receives the President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen (Radio Tirana)
• The President of Austria: We will enhance economic cooperation! We encourage Albania to develop reforms! (Radio Tirana)
• Rama: Kurti has taken important steps in the normalization of relations with Serbia (Radio Tirana)
• Begaj receives Prime Minister Kurti, Ohrid agreement must be fully observed (Radio Tirana)
• Kurti meets Speaker Nikolla (Radio Tirana)
• Head of Freedom Party receives Kurti, the dialogue with Serbia should have the support of all political factors (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 27, 2023
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 27, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Leaders pledge to bring justice for war crimes in Kosovo (RFE)
• Kurti: Serbia must face its criminal past in Kosovo (Klan Kosova)
• Van der Bellen: Ohrid agreement, cornerstone in process of normalising relations (media)
• CEC certifies candidates for elections in the north (Reporteri)
• EU regrets that Serbian List didn’t use right to take part in elections (RFE)
• Abazovic: European proposal, a good solution (Reporteri)
• Molliqaj: What is Kosovo gaining from the Ohrid agreement? (Nacionale)
• Constitutional Court judges will not undergo vetting (RTK)
Serbian Language Media:
• Brnabic: We will never forget NATO aggression (Tanjug)
• Serbian President, Patriarch say keeping peace important (N1)
• Greece remains on its stance not to recognize Kosovo, supports agreements from Brussels and Ohrid (Tanjug)
• Jeremic: Referendum only way to prevent treason of Kosovo (BETA, Danas, KoSSev)
• Trajkovic: ”The price for CSM (ZSO) is an independent Kosovo” (Slobodno Srpski, NMagazin, Beta, Danas)
• Vucevic: Serbia must stay at negotiating table in Kosovo talks (Tanjug)
• Slavic family house broken into in Lepina, near Liplljan (Radio KIM)
• Vucic: Serbia, Hungary to set up strategic council (TV Pink, Tanjug)
• Hill: The issue of the Albanian minority in Serbia is exclusively the issue of the state of Serbia (Beta, NMagazin, N1)
• President of the EKF: The Kosovo karate delegation received instructions from the government not to participate in the European Championship (KoSSev, insidethegames)
Opinion:
• Janjic: No more buying time in Kosovo; The time of SL has passed; Serious political cleansing ahead (N1, KoSSev)
International:
• Wider Europe Briefing: The Obstacles Still Remaining To A Serbia-Kosovo Deal; EU Steps Up Military Aid To Georgia, Moldova (RFE)
• Kosovo prevented from competing under flag at EKF Senior Championships in Spain (insidethegames.biz)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 27, 2023
• Quint statement on local elections scheduled for April 23 (media)
• Kurti: Agreement with Serbia is de facto mutual recognition (Koha/Klan)
• PDK: As opposition, we will commit to protection of constitutionality (RTK)
• AAK: Drafting of anti-constitutional laws becoming a norm (Koha)
• Prosecution gives details about fire at Institute of Forensic Medicine (media)
• Kurti: Serbian forces destroyed bodies in an attempt to destroy the truth (Koha)
• LDK: The government is punishing the municipalities of Kosovo (RTK)
• Trajkovic talks about life threats she is receiving (Koha)
• Albanians in Kosovo protest EU proposal to establish Union of Serb Municipalities (Anadolu Agency)
• Right-Wing Serbian parties protest agreement with Kosovo on anniversary of NATO bombing campaign (RFE)
• Athens assures Belgrade it will not recognize Kosovo (Anadolu Agency)
Belgrade Media Report 24 March 2023
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Friday 24 March 2023
LOCAL PRESS
• Serbia marks 24 years since the beginning of NATO aggression (Tanjug)
• Aggression on Serbia ongoing, but by different means – conference (Tanjug/RTV)
• Gasic meets with Botsan-Kharchenko (Tanjug/Politika)
• US Embassy: Independent judiciary crucial to progress (N1)
• Dacic: Open and flagrant meddling in internal affairs of a sovereign country (Politika)
• Chollet thanks Vucic for constructive engagement in Ohrid (Tanjug)
• Part of opposition in letter to EU: European plan for Kosovo is null and void (Beta/RTV)
• EU leaders welcome Belgrade-Pristina agreement (N1)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• RS parliament adopts Draft Amendments to RS Criminal Code which reinstate defamation and insult as criminal offenses (N1)
• Representatives of journalist community say that they will take part in upcoming public discussions, but with only one request – to withdraw controversial draft amendments to RS Criminal Code (N1)
• Stano: Adoption of Draft Amendments to RS Criminal Code is step in wrong direction (Oslobodjenje)
• RS government adopts Draft Law on Special Register and Publicity of Work of Non-profit Organizations (RTRS)
• RS government adopts information on termination of cooperation with US and UK diplomats in B&H due to anti-Dayton activities (RTRS)
• Dodik confirms termination of contacts with US and UK Embassies in B&H: This is answer to those who are ready to throw depleted uranium (ATV)
• US Embassy to B&H: Terminating cooperation with US and UK diplomats is another step on dangerous road Dodik chose (AJB)
• UK Embassy to B&H says unpredictable decisions of Dodik harm interests and reputation of RS (Oslobodjenje)
• Constitutional Court of B&H rejects motions of Komsic and Dzaferovic regarding Schmidt’s changes to B&H Election Law (N1)
• Komsic’s Cabinet on B&H CC’s decision: B&H CC has obviously succumbed to pressure of international community (N1)
• Dodik: Explanation of B&H CC’s decision which concerns legal violence of false high representative Christian Schmidt reflects B&H more strongly than anything else (RTRS)
• Lendo discusses issues in formation of FB&H government, he expects that the FB&H government will be formed during Ramadan: I will not sign any appointment in which I do not participate (FTV)
• Cvijanovic meets with President of UN General Assembly, stresses importance of consistent respect for DPA and constitutional position of different authority levels (RTRS)
• US Ambassador to Hungary Pressman criticizes Szijjarto’s messages from Sarajevo (Dnevni list)
Croatia
• MEP: Serbian claims on Croatian cultural heritage are “form of hybrid assault” (Hina)
Montenegro
• Picula: Vucic is allowed too much room to maneuver in Montenegro (N1)
• Zivkovic: DPS files criminal complaint against Adzic, Djukanovic to win convincingly in second round of election (CdM)
• Milatovic: On 2 April, Djukanovic won’t even get the 120,000 votes, but below 100,000, some of the DPS and SDP voters will also vote for me (CdM)
• Abazovic – Lamborn: Montenegro is fully committed to further strengthening relations with the USA (CdM)
• Abazovic – Spartz: The expansion of the Montenegrin caucus is the way to closer ties between Montenegro and the USA (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• No one above UN Charter, responsibility for Ukraine crimes must be borne, say Baerbock and Osmani (MIA)
• Kovachevski – Baerbock: New concrete support from Germany for North Macedonia’s next step forward in EU integration (MIA)
• Baerbock: If you don’t want the youth to move to the EU, then you should bring the EU here (MIA)
• Mickoski meets Baerbock: No constitutional amendments under Bulgarian dictate (Telma)
• Kovachevski: Not true that MPs of majority won’t vote for constitutional amendments (MIA)
• Mickoski: We face pressures for constitutional changes, but we won’t give up (Kanal 5)
Albania
• British govt press release: Bilateral meeting between Sunak and Rama (Radio Tirana)
• The Head of the Assembly of Great Britain welcomes Edi Rama: Joint fight against criminal networks (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 24, 2023
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 24, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• European Council welcomes agreement on path to normalisation (media)
• Gervalla: We don’t have agreement, Serbia refused to sign (Nacionale/Diario de Noticias)
• American Chamber of Commerce welcomes Kosovo-Serbia agreement (Klan Kosova)
• Osmani: NATO prevented extermination of people of Kosovo (Klan Kosova)
• U.S.: NATO’s use of force was both necessary and legitimate (media)
• Kurti to visit Tirana on March 26, will meet Rama and Nikolla (media)
• Krasniqi: Increase of energy tariffs, latest blow against Kosovo families (media)
• PDK spokesperson: We’ll get visa liberalisation as Kurti yielded on Association (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• 24th anniversary of NATO bombing commemorated (N1, media)
• Serbian List: We do not take part in elections because of institutional violence against Serbs (RTS, media)
• Brigadier General Giampiero Romano: We do not forget past, but we can go forward (Tanjug)
• Ambassador Hill offers condolence to families of those killed in war and NATO bombing (KoSSev, social media)
• Gasic met Botsan-Kharchenko (Tanjug)
• Four Serbian opposition parties send letter to EU officials and non-recognizers on European plan (Radio KIM)
• Vucic met Dendias (Tanjug)
• Bishop Grigorije: Great Problems Require Great Men to Solve Them (KoSSev)
• Members of opposition parties block traffic in front of Serbian Government (BETA)
• Grenell: No one signed “agreement” (media, social media)
• Chollet thanks Vucic for constructive engagement in Ohrid (Tanjug)
• Jovanovic: Authorities avoid discussion on Kosovo, that is why there is no assembly session (KoSSev)
International:
• Kurti demands condemnation of Serbian List by EU, after their boycott of local elections (BIRN)
• In pictures: 24 years from NATO’s bombing of Yugoslavia (Prishtina Insight)
• As NATO Bombed Yugoslavia, Fear Gripped Serbs in Kosovo (BIRN)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 24, 2023
• Borrell: Any attempt to question the agreement is futile (media)
• U.S. expects agreement to pave way to recognition by 5 EU members (Koha)
• Kosovo will implement measures agreed on with Serbia, PM says (Reuters)
• If Association with executive powers becomes mandatory, Kosovo faces new elections, Assembly Speaker says (Prishtina Insight)
• Kurti: SL decision not to take part in elections, sign of Belgrade control (media)
• Von Cramon calls on Serbian List to take part in elections (RFE)
• Vela: Serbia is violating the agreement, sanctions should follow (Albanian Post)
• Hill: Talks for a Kurti-Vucic meeting to explain several things (media)
• U.S. Ambassador to EU meets Kosovo Ambassador to Brussels (media)
• Osmani: NATO membership, one of main objectives (Albanian Daily News)
• Kosovo and Serbia must keep their promise on missing persons (BIRN)
• In Serbia, cooperation with Kosovo scientists can bring threats of violence (BIRN)
• Hovenier: Kosovo remains a champion of Religious Freedom (media)
• Kosovo dervishes welcome spring with centuries-old mystical practices (RFE)
Belgrade Media Report 22 March
LOCAL PRESS
• US Ambassador: Ohrid Agreement Legally Binding Even without Signatures (FoNet)
• Lajcak: EU had ambitious plan for Kosovo and Serbia to sign agreement, draft annex (Beta)
• Borrell: Ohrid agreement important milestone (N1)
• Normalization to red lines (RTS)
• Vucic has no legitimacy or mandate to give up part of Serbia’s territory (Beta)
• Petkovic: Kurti cannot justify not forming the ZSO (Tanjug)
• European leaders will call on Belgrade and Pristina to implement what was agreed in Ohrid without delay (RTS)
• French Ambassador warns of consequences if agreement is not implemented (Beta)
• Italy satisfied with Vucic’s fight for stability of region (Beta)
• Dacic with the head of Italian diplomacy: High level of bilateral relations between the two countries (RTS)
• Vucic thanked Major General Lasica for the professional behavior of KFOR (RTS)
• Mojsilovic with the commander of KFOR about the security situation in KiM (RTS)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• RSNA discusses Draft Law on amendments to RS Criminal Code that criminalize defamation; Voting expected to take place on Thursday (N1)
• German Embassy: Germany concerned about attacks on freedom of expression and media freedom in RS (Nova BH)
• B&H CoM Chair Kristo addresses AFET, stresses importance of changes to B&H Election Law (N1)
• B&H CoM Chair Kristo discusses cooperation with EC with EC President Von der Leyen, B&H’s Euro-Atlantic path with EU HR Borrell; Kristo meets Metsola as well (BN TV)
• NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg presents 2022 Annual Report; B&H aspires to become NATO member (Oslobodjenje)
• Izetbegovic: SDA is not blocking processes in the FB&H; Other FB&H politicians speak of process of FB&H Government formation (N1)
• Efendic reacts to Izetbegovic’ statement: I do not know why he says SBIH, NES will take SDA side when it comes to formation of authorities in FB&H (FTV)
• Dodik: RS is advocating for B&H to return to the framework of the Constitution; Entities have sovereignty, not B&H (ATV)
Croatia
• FM: Every EU member state must send ammunition to Ukraine (Hina)
Montenegro
• Garcevic: Double, increasingly strong influence of SPC on MNE politics since 2020 elections (VOA)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Grubi: Working for all of VMRO-DPMNE to endorse constitutional changes (Telma)
• VMRO-DPMNE rejects the offer to be part of the working group on constitutional changes (Libertas)
• Osmani: VMRO-DPMNE should think about its political positions, not engage in daily politics (TV21)
Albania
• Rama: Guterres should explain why he uses the name “Belgrade-Pristina Agreement” (Radio Tirana)
• Nikolla: Intense cooperation with the Assembly of Kosovo (Radio Tirana)
• The Greek Speaker welcomes Rama: We are interested in Albania’s membership in the EU (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 22, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: The EU must ensure that the agreed agreements are implemented (media)
• Osmani: Borrelli cannot agree on behalf of Vucic (media)
• Kurti lists “obstacles” in his two-year mandate as prime minister (Koha)
• Abdixiku: Letters of U.S. presidents talked about a final agreement with recognition (media)
• Ziv: Israel and Kosovo committed to opening new chapters of cooperation (RTK)
• Government allocates around €300 thousand for Ukrainian and Afghan journalists in Kosovo (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Simic: ZSO and withdrawal of special police preconditions for Serbs’ return to institutions (N1, FoNet, Politika)
• Vucic: KFOR acted professionally during crisis in Kosovo (N1, media)
• Vucevic: Impression is that Serbia was more constructive partner in Ohrid (Tanjug)
• Sekulic: I am afraid of the unfolding of an extra-institutional nature, elections are also very possible (N1)
• Students opposing the European agreement announced participation in the blockades of institutions (KoSSev, Danas, Beta)
• Hill: Signing the agreement is not very important, implementation is the real issue (NMagazin, FoNet, N1)
• Andric Rakic: If Pristina remains consistent – from April 1, Serbs with KM licence plates will not be able to drive in Kosovo and use crossings (Danas)
• The first test of the Ohrid agreement is the Serbian List participation in the elections on April 23 (Danas, FoNet)
• Dacic meets with OSCE’s Schmidt in Vienna (Tanjug)
• Kurti: The degree of self-management will not be the same as the CSM (ZSO) (RTS)
Humanitarian/Development:
• How did Crossplag go global? The success story of a Kosovar start-up (BIRN)
• Every village in Kosovo now connected to high-speed broadband internet, with World Bank support (worldbank.org)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 22, 2023
• EU Envoy says agreement reached by leaders of Kosovo, Serbia is turning point on road to normalisation (Radio Free Europe)
• Kurti: Vucic declined generous offer of self-management for K-Serbs (media)
• Starovic reacts to Kurti’s offer for self-management for K-Serbs (media)
• Vela reacts to Vucic saying Serbia won’t agree to Kosovo UN membership (media)
• NATO chief on Ohrid agreement: Parties to fully implement it (Klan Kosova)
• Kurti: We’ll address shortcomings identified in State Department report (media)
• State Department report: Domestic violence still a problem in Kosovo (BIRN)
• Szunyog meets Krasniqi, discuss opposition’s support for agreement (media)
• Lajcak, ICRC President discuss missing persons cases in Balkans (Express)
• Hasani: South Tyrol can be a model for the Association in Kosovo (T7)
• Kurti meets generals Hoppe and Hammerstein (media)
• COMKFOR Ristuccia meets Mojsilovic in Belgrade (media)
Belgrade Media Report 21 March 2023
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Tuesday 21 March 2023
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: There is no question of membership in the UN and no recognition (RTS)
• Escobar: The agreement in Ohrid is legally binding, even though it has not been signed (RTS)
• Borrell: EU membership depends on the implementation of the European proposal (RTS)
• Serb List to US Ambassador: ZSO before elections (N1)
• Fajon: Kosovo-Serbia deal implementation important, should be assisted (Beta)
• Georgian PM tells Serbian speaker his country supports Serbia in dispute over Kosovo (Beta)
• Vucic spoke with Orban, meeting in Belgrade soon (RTS)
• Brnabic with Roth on bilateral relations (RTS)
• Vucic with Tajani, after the meeting of the Forum for Business and Scientific Cooperation between Serbia and Italy (RTS)
• Dacic: The conference on Stepinac in Brussels was wrong and provocative (RTS)
• The EU refused the participation of the Pristina delegation without a footnote at the donor conference (RTS)
• Dacic: Serbia sends 1.5 million euros in aid to Turkey and Syria (RTS)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik: Becirovic is a Bosniak member of B&H Presidency, he does not have any rights or jurisdiction when it comes to the property of the RS, and therefore his request to Attorney General’s Office of B&H is unfounded (ATV)
• Cvijanovic on Becirovic’s request to Office of Attorney General of B&H regarding activities related to state property: Becirovic did not file request on behalf of B&H Presidency (BHT1)
• B&H Presidency adopts Proposal of Law on Budget of Institutions of B&H and International Obligations of B&H for 2023; Komsic votes against Proposal over salary increase for politicians and lack of funds for AF B&H (BHT1)
• SDA: Adoption of 2023 draft budget that does not stipulate funds for equipping B&H AF undermines B&H’s defense capacities, prevents NATO accession (Hayat)
• B&H CoM adopts Program of Economic Reforms for the period 2023-2025 (N1)
• B&H CoM Chair Kristo discusses B&H’s EU path with European Council President Michel, EU Commissioner Varhelyi, EP President Metsola in Brussels (BHT1)
• EC VP Schinas: Status of candidate for B&H is first tangible legal step in the enlargement process (Vecernji list)
• B&H Presidency confirms names of new ambassadors (ATV)
Croatia
• KOS director sentenced to 20 years in absentia for war crimes (HRT)
• Doris Pack: Putin wants to restore the Soviet Union (HRT)
Montenegro
• SEC: Djukanovic won 35.37 percent, Milatovic 28.92 percent (CDM)
• Abazovic boasted: Election day like in the countries of Western Europe, ministers contributed to Montenegro getting out of the jaws of the past (CDM)
• Uljarevic: Far more uncertain race in the second round, the result of Milatovic will depend on the real support of Becic and Mandic (Gradski portal)
North Macedonia
• Kovachevski: All parties responsible for constitutional amendments, not only declaratively but concretely (MIA)
• Marichikj: EU membership no longer a theoretical chance, but real possibility (Telma TV)
• Escobar: Ohrid agreement aimed at regional reconciliation and accelerated EU membership for Western Balkans (MIA)
Albania
• The Security Council, Albania rejects Russia’s request: The case of Donetsk cannot be compared with Kosovo (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 21, 2023
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 21, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• UN hails agreement between Serbia and Kosovo (media)
• Kurti: I expect international factors to reprimand Serbia (media)
• Musliu: For PDK, the agreement is unacceptable (Kallxo)
• Krasniqi: State Department report shows failure of Kurti’s government (media)
• Rexhepi on Association: Doesn’t have to do with minority rights (KTV)
• “Bad ending”; Selimi, Ischinger and Maliqi predict failure of Ohrid agreement (Express)
• Mustafa: Kosovo didn’t win anything; deal helped avoid instability in the north (media)
• What is self-management? (Albanian Post)
• Serwer: Ohrid agreement did not have any major content (RTK)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: Legally binding for Serbia when it signs or verbally agrees (KiM radio, N1, FoNet)
• Todic on expropriation, international organisations’ responses (Kosovo-Online)
• Belgrade and Pristina complicate life for Serbs from the North of Kosovo with moves around vehicle plates: Is a new crisis approaching? (Danas)
• Vucic: Italy a sincere friend, has never put Serbia under grave pressure (Tanjug)
• Tajani: Balkans has strategic significance (Tanjug, media)
• Dacic: Serbia has set aside 1.5 mln euros more in aid to Syria, Turkey (Tanjug)
Opinion:
• Power Has Corrupted Vetëvendosje’s ‘Operating Map’ (BIRN)
International:
• After Agreement, Kosovo and Serbia Argue Over Implementation (Balkan Insight)
• 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (state.gov.)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 21, 2023
• Borrell: Ohrid Agreement creates new status-quo in dialogue, Association is an urgent matter (media)
• Kurti: We have enough votes for membership in the Council of Europe (TeVe1)
• Murati: Kosovo wasn’t allowed at donors’ conference without a footnote (media)
• State Department: Government corruption and gender-based violence, among key problems in Kosovo (media)
• Guerot: There will be consequences if agreements are not respected (media)
• Hovenier thanks Osmani for sharing experiences and thoughts (RTK)
• Haradinaj: Three objectives must be achieved in first phase of implementation of agreement (TeVe1)
• Serbia, Kosovo ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ on EU-backed deal unpacked (euractiv)
• Serbia and Kosovo Weren’t Desperate Enough for an Ohrid Breakthrough (BIRN)
• UAE welcomes Serbia-Kosovo agreement on plan to normalise relations (wam.ae)
• Analysts on Ohrid meeting: It did not bring what was expected, there is no agreement without compromise (eoronews.al)
• Prosecution Case in Kosovo Ex-Guerrillas’ Trial ‘Could Take Six Years’ (BIRN)
• Serbian List: We won’t take part in elections without Association (gazeta10)
• Suspect for Arson Attack on Kosovo Journalist’s House Detained (BIRN)
• Francophonie Week Starts in Peja (Prishtina Insight)
LINKS
UNMIK
Peacekeeping
UN News Center
From Google News- Kosovo fails to overturn power plant award - GAR 26/04/2024Kosovo fails to overturn power plant award GAR
- Kosovo-Serbia Declaration on Missing Persons Remains Unimplemented - Balkan Insight 26/04/2024Kosovo-Serbia Declaration on Missing Persons Remains Unimplemented Balkan Insight
- N-VA wants to build prison in Kosovo for undocumented migrants - The Brussels Times 26/04/2024N-VA wants to build prison in Kosovo for undocumented migrants The Brussels Times
- Kosovo fails to overturn power plant award - GAR 26/04/2024
Office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General
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