Belgrade Media Report 9 March 2023
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Thursday 9 March 2023
LOCAL PRESS
• Brnabic: State has shown that it can deal with crises (RTS/RTV/Tanjug/Novosti)
• Vucic with Botsan-Kharchenko about situation in Kosovo and Metohija (RTS/RTV/Tanjug)
• Dacic: EU enlargement policy needs to be revitalised (RTV/Tanjug)
• International community should condemn beating of Serb young men in Josanica (Tanjug/RTV)
• Todic: It is not easy to be a Serb in Kosovo, they hit where it hurts the most (TV Pink)
• Orlic: Part of opposition never requested special session on Kosovo (TV Pink/Beta)
• Dveri: European Parliament to stop pressure against Serbia (Beta)
• Stojanovic: Forming of People’s Movement for the state – one more manipulation by Vucic (Beta)
• Serbian army unit sent to peacekeeping operation mission in Lebanon (Tanjug)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik: International efforts to intensify pressure to solve Balkan issues, during conflict in Ukraine, are visible (RTRS)
• Dodik discusses issues of functioning and formation of authorities with Covic at working breakfast in Banja Luka (O Kanal)
• FB&H leadership comments on the authority formation in FB&H and on HR Schmidt’s possible intervention; Bradara: I am in favor agreement instead of any intervention (Nova BH/RTV)
• Sattler visits Posavina Canton (FTV)
• HR Schmidt meets Sarrazin; OHR: HR expressed his appreciation for Germany’s continued support to B&H’s efforts on European integration path (Dnevni avaz)
• Sarazzin meets with Becirovic; Sarazzin says goal of his visit to B&H is to get information on how Germany can help B&H fulfil its obligations in continuation of European path (BHT1)
• Kristo and Sarrazin discuss how to speed up Euro-Atlantic integration of B&H (FTV)
• Ambassador Murphy: Our reaction to Reis Kavazovic was not personal; Rhetoric in the country is horrible (Dnevni avaz)
• Dodik announces new law on non-governmental organizations identical to US law that labels NGO members as foreign agents (Nova BH)
Croatia
• Strong support for Kosovo on the European path (HRT)
Montenegro
• Vuksanovic Stankovic to submit SDP’s initiative: Fundamental Agreement with SPC to be assessed for constitutionality (CdM)
• Picula head of EP mission at presidential elections in Montenegro (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Strengthening judiciary at all levels in North Macedonia a top priority, says US Ambassador Aggeler (MIA)
• NATO official: Skopje under sustained hybrid attack (MIA)
• Skopje signs agreement with Bechtel Enka to build roads to Albania, Greece (MIA)
Albania
• Nikolla-La Russa: Albania, a model partner that generates stability and security in the region (Radio Tirana)
• Kim on administrative elections: The state guarantees the right to choose freely and in secret (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 9, 2023
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, March 9, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti and Lajcak to discuss roadmap for implementation of European plan (Koha)
• U.S. calls for mutual recognition after European plan (Demokracia/The Pavlovic Today)
• Freedom in the World: Kosovo, among countries with greatest improvement (RFE)
• The last diplomatic shuttle (Albanian Post)
• Haziri: How can we support Kurti? We don’t know what he negotiated (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Serbian List says it will not take part at extraordinary elections in northern Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Brnabic: We are pursuing best but most difficult policy for our country (Tanjug)
• Vucic with Botsan-Kharchenko on situation in Kosovo (social media, media)
• Office for KiM reacts to beating of two young Serbs by Kosovo police (Danas, Kosovo Online)
• Protest in Josanica over beating of two young Serbs by Kosovo police (RTV)
• Kosovo police on media reports on beatings in Josanica (KoSSev)
• Zlatan Arsic sent to one month detention (Radio KIM)
• UNS and DNKiM: Sanctions for organisers of conferences in Kosovo for not providing translation in Serbian language (Radio KIM, media)
• Ombudsman met landowners in Leposavic affected by expropriation (KoSSev)
• Analysts on announcements of creating Peoples’ Movement for State (Danas, media)
• Opposition failed to collect signatures necessary for extraordinary assembly session on European plan (media)
• Freedom House: ‘Dramatic’ decline in liberties in Serbia (Voice of America, N1)
International:
• Southeast Europe Marches for Women’s Rights (Balkan Insight)
• US Urges Prompt Mutual Recognition Between Serbia And Kosovo Following EU Proposal (The Pavlovic Today)
• Freedom House: Southeast, Central Europe – Except Kosovo – Sees Freedoms Decline (Balkan Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, March 9, 2023
• Kurti: On March 18, we discuss implementation plan (RTK)
• Lajcak to arrive in Kosovo today (media)
• U.S. concerned with opposition’s objection to European plan (Koha)
• Konjufca: Association should not be formed before agreement (Zeri)
• EU Council is expected to adopt visa liberalization for Kosovo today (media)
• Abdixhiku: Agreement with Serbia must have recognition at center (media)
• Krasniqi: We expressed our reservations regarding agreement (Reporteri)
• Southeast Europe Marches for Women’s Rights (BIRN)
• Kosovo Serb Policeman Arrested on War Crimes Charges (BIRN)
• Right-Wing Serbian Students Protest Against EU Kosovo Deal (BIRN)