Belgrade Media Report 28 April

By OSCPA S  /  28/04/2023  /  UN Office in Belgrade Media Report  /  Comments Off on Belgrade Media Report 28 April

LOCAL PRESS

• Petkovic: Kurti is provoking by ordering that the Assembly of North Mitrovica decide on the opening of the bridge on the Ibar (RTS)
• Vucic: Kurti wants to open a bridge over the Ibar in Kosovska Mitrovica to expel the Serbs (RTS)
• Borrell called a meeting for May 2, Vucic and Kurti confirmed their arrival (B92)
• Vucic: I want good relations with NATO, but we will not cross certain lines (Tanjug)
• Report on the situation in KiM before the United Nations Security Council (RTS, Beta)
• Dacic: We will continue to insist on the ZSO as the first point of implementation of the agreement (RTS)
• Dacic: UN SC members noted Pristina’s obligation to form ZSO (Tanjug)
• Chollet after the conversation with Vucic: Urgent formation of ZSO is needed (RTS)
• Serbia again only country in the region not to align with EU Council’s measures for Ukraine (Beta)
• SNS Official says Serbia must urgently introduce sanctions against Russia and apply for NATO Membership (Danas)
• The meeting of the head of state with the representatives of the Working Group of the EU Council for Enlargement (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• HR Schmidt imposes decision on formation of FB&H Government (N1)
• US Embassy comment HR Schmidt’s decision: It is regrettable that the High Representative had to intervene to ensure success of such a basic democratic process (Dnevni avaz)
• SDP President Niksic welcomes decision of HR Schmidt (FTV)
• Our Party on HR’s decision: It is good that decision envisages possibility of early elections, which will prevent anyone’s usurpation of power and blockades (FTV)
• SDA criticizes Schmidt’s decision to unblock appointment of FB&H Government (AJB, FTV)
• DF criticizes Schmidt’s decision to unblock appointment of FB&H Government (FTV)
• NES leader Ogresevic condemns changes imposed by HR Schmidt (FTV)
• Session of FB&H HoR scheduled for Friday with appointment of new FB&H Government on agenda (BHT1)
• HDZ B&H, ‘Troika’ agree on new distribution of ministerial positions in FB&H Government, instead of NES, SBIH, HDZ 1990, Isak will join them (BHT1)
• B&H CC harshly condemns decisions adopted by RSNA on Wednesday (FTV)
• Dodik: B&H CC demonstrated it is inquisition court against Serbs (Nova BH)
• Becirovic: B&H CC judge acts within B&H CC in his personal capacity, and not in capacity of representative of entity or of some other subject (O kanal)
• Becirovic meets Sattler and calls on EU to impose sanctions against Dodik over RSNA’s conclusions on protection of property and resignation of RS judge from B&H CC (BHT1)
• US Embassy calls on political leaders to stop with boycotts, blockades, as well as legislative and other activities directed toward undermining of the state (Fena)
Croatia
• Milanovic: Anti-Muslim sentiment is slowing down Albania’s EU accession (HRT)
Montenegro
• Trouble in paradise: Is Europe Now tearing apart? (CDM)
• Europe Now to run in elections by itself, Spajic its list holder (CDM)
• Govt hasn’t invited international organizations and Council of Europe to monitor elections (MINA, Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Session for election of new Judicial Council President postponed to May 2 (Alsat-M)
• Pendarovski: Events at Wednesday’s session don’t befit the Judicial Council (Telma)
• Wave of reactions following Dameva’s dismissal (Sitel)
Albania
• Croatian President: Let’s help Albania integrate into the EU, otherwise someone else will do it (Radio Tirana)
• Albania will participate in the exercise “Defender Europe 2023” (Radio Tirana)
• Prime Minister Rama travels to Greece today, to take part in the 8th Delphi Economic Forum (Radio Tirana)

Belgrade Media Report 27 April 2023

By OSCPA M  /  27/04/2023  /  UN Office in Belgrade Media Report  /  Comments Off on Belgrade Media Report 27 April 2023

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 27 April 2023

LOCAL PRESS
• EP in the report on Serbia: Negotiations can only continue if you comply with the sanctions imposed on Russia (RTS)
• Von Cramon: We seek changes domestically from both Serbia and Kosovo (Beta)
• MEPs praise Kosovo, urge five EU countries to recognize it (Beta)
• DVERI criticizes recognition of Kosovo, sanctions against Russia (Beta)
• Vucic thanked Azerbaijan for voting in the Council of Europe (RTS)
• Workers of “Post of Serbia” detained on the Bistrica bridge (RTS)
• The UN Security Council today on the report on KiM (RTS)
• Dacic with the US ambassador to the UN: We will maintain a constructive attitude in the dialogue on Kosovo and Metohija, but there are red lines (RTS)
• Opposition coalition: Serbia to support RS’s effort to restore Dayton powers (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Izetbegovic and Bradara respectively meet with HR on Wednesday; Izetbegovic: The HR did not hint at what he is planning to do, he just stated that he will wait for Constitutional-Legal Commission of FBiH Parliament to try and solve the situation (BHT1)
• Representatives of HDZ B&H, HDZ 1990 and HNP meet on Wednesday; Collegium of HDZ 1990 holds meeting as well (FTV)
• Details of HR Schmidt’s decisions, Schmidt enacted two decisions, one provisional and one permanent (Dnevni avaz)
• RSNA adopts set of conclusions regarding B&H CC and transfer of competences from B&H to RS’ level; Statements of RSNA representatives (AJB)
• Becirovic: Number of EUFOR soldiers should be increased in B&H; Cvijanovic: Security situation in B&H is not jeopardized, no need for increase of members of EUFOR (FTV, RTRS)
• Cvijanovic and Cuba President on relations between two countries (RTRS)
• Viskovic: Visit to China resulted in many business deals which will be beneficial for RS (Glas Srpske)
Croatia
• Ukrainian wounded arrive in Croatia (Hina)
Montenegro
• EP Report: Russia creates tensions in MNE through pro-Serbian sentiments in country and SPC (CDM)
• Committee to consider initiatives for the evaluation of the constitutionality of the Law on the President (MINA)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Pendarovski – Osmani: Common future in Euro-Atlantic institutions an investment in further stabilization of Western Balkans (MIA)
• Speaker Xhaferi meets Kosovo President Osmani-Sadriu (MIA)
• Osmani Sadriu: No doubts that N. Macedonia will support Kosovo’s NATO and EU integration (MIA)
• Kovachevski – Osmani Sadriu: No open disputes between N. Macedonia and Kosovo, deepening cooperation (MIA)
• Kosatka: EU doors to open if Parliament blockade on constitutional changes removed (MIA)
• Western Balkans ESG Summit in Porto Montenegro (MIA)
Albania
• Rama interview for the RAI “Porta a Porta”, Albania, a distinct voice in the region (Radio Tirana)
• Heads of EU missions meeting for elections, Hohmann: Compliance with standards is important (Radio Tirana)
• Nikolla hosted the delegation of the French Senate: Strong support for EU membership (Radio Tirana)

Belgrade Media Report 26 April

By OSCPA S  /  26/04/2023  /  UN Office in Belgrade Media Report  /  Comments Off on Belgrade Media Report 26 April

LOCAL PRESS

• Guterres submitted a biannual report on KiM (RTS)
• Bilcik says report supports Serbia’s strategic goal (N1)
• Stano: EU has noted Serbia’s vote against Kosovo joining CoE (Beta)
• Brnabic to Stano: Serbia takes note that EU violated Brussels Agreement (Beta)
• Djilas: Had Serbia joined some of the EU’s measures against Russia, Kosovo would not have been a subject in CoE (Beta)
• DVERI Movement leader claims ruling majority leaves option for imposing sanctions against Russia open (Beta)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: Pristina’s support for the Council of Europe is Kurti’s reward for his anti-Serb policy (Blic)
• US Ambassador to the UN for the rapid implementation of the agreement between Belgrade and Pristina (RTV)
• Lajcak spoke with the MEPs about the Brussels dialogue and the Western Balkans (FoNet)
• Petkovic: Kurti should write announcements on the networks, the draft of the statute of the ZSO, a job for the Management Team (RTS)
• Serbian Government confirms working on new foreign policy strategy (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• SNSD blames PDP for the fact that B&H abstained from voting on Kosovo’s membership in CoE; PDP rejects accusations (RTRS)
• Borenovic discusses issue of B&H’s abstaining from vote on Kosovo’s membership in CoE with Serbian Permanent Representative to CoE Ambassador Djurovic (BN TV)
• RSNA to discuss withdrawal of judge of Constitutional Court of B&H who is from RS and removal of six-month deadline for formation of RS army, judiciary and tax system (ATV)
• Kosarac decides to withdraw representative from his Ministry from Commission on Cooperation with NATO (BHT1)
• Becirovic and Murphy discuss current situation in B&H (FTV)
• NES, SBiH issue joint statement, say there is no parliamentary majority in FB&H for completing formation of authorities; NES, SBiH condemn actions of ‘The Troika’ (O kanal)
• ‘Troika’ responds to NES and SBiH accusations, call on OHR to reach decision (AJB)
• Covic and Schmidt hold meeting in OHR; Media speculate that they talked about issue of majority in FB&H HoR (BHT1)
• HR Schmidt to impose solution for forming of FB&H Government in following days; Schmidt’s solution will probably copy solution from state level; There is solution for bypassing NES and SBiH (Dnevni avaz)
• Lendo tells Schmidt that domestic politicians should agree on authority formation in FB&H (Nova BH)
• Citizens protest outside OHR Tuesday under slogan ‘Why is there embargo on democracy?’ over Dodik’s secessionist announcements and HR Schmidt’s moves and announced invocation of Bonn Powers (Hayat)
Croatia
• Croatia supports Kosovo’s membership of Council of Europe (Hina)
• Croatian, Austrian, Slovenian FMs support EU enlargement to Western Balkans (Hina)
Montenegro
• Lekic: The Government’s decision on Kosovo is frivolous and irresponsible, adopted in some para-state and para-diplomatic way (CDM)
• Jokovic: Ministers from the SNP would certainly not vote for the admission of Kosovo to the Council of Europe (CDM)
• EP: Russia is trying to destabilize Montenegro through pro-Serbian feelings and the SPC (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski – Michel: Further strong EU support for North Macedonia on path to European integration (MIA)
• FM Osmani to visit Brussels on Wednesday (MIA)
• Xhaferi – Stefanchuk: Ukraine thanks N. Macedonia for its unconditional support (MIA)
• Petrovska – Tilvar: North Macedonia contributor to regional security and stability, will also be reliable friend in EU (MIA)
• Pendarovski to host Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu (MIA)
Albania
• A Cooperation plan in the field of Defense between Albania and Austria (Radio Tirana)
• Kodheli: Expansion of cooperation with Turkey (Radio Tirana)
• President Begaj starts his state visit to Croatia today (Radio Tirana)

Belgrade Media Report 25 April 2023

By OSCPA M  /  25/04/2023  /  UN Office in Belgrade Media Report  /  Comments Off on Belgrade Media Report 25 April 2023

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 25 April 2023

LOCAL PRESS
• Request of the so-called Kosovo for membership in the Council of Europe approved? (B92)
• Dacic: Expected decision of the Council of Europe, a day they will be ashamed of (RTS)
• The session of the Government of Serbia held, Vucic was present (Tanjug)
• Brnabic: The European Union never intended to implement the Brussels Agreement (B92)
• Drecun: Pristina has shown that for it there are no Serbs in the north of Kosovo (RTS)
• Defense Minister: Peace with Albanians a national interest (N1)
• Brnabic spars with Von Cramon (N1)
• Dacic and Hill: Continuation of dialogue the only path to concrete results (Beta)
• Lavrov: Pristina does not represent Serbs in Kosovo, neither Kyiv represents Donbas (Novosti)
• Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs does not accept proposal of resolution on imposing sanctions to Russia (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Parliamentary parties from RS sign joint declaration on protection of property as plan of activity for further action of RS authorities and representatives in B&H institutions (FTV)
• SDS and PDP refuse to sign joint document on RS property; Dodik replies to statements of opposition leaders (N1)
• High Representative denies RS’ claims: State property not settled in Dayton (N1)
• OHR forms group of experts to deal with state property issue (FTV)
• US Embassy reacts to joint document of RS’ parliamentary parties: The RS is an entity in B&H; It does not exist outside of B&H (ATV)
• Dodik reacts to US Embassy’s statement: Whether US interferes or not, we will adopt political decisions (ATV)
• SNSD’s Vulic reacts to US Embassy’s statement: You should not defend Serbs from Dodik; Stop protecting interests of Bosniaks and creating Islamic B&H (Glas Srpske)
• EUD: Dodik continues to make provocative statements that cause divisions and cause additional pain to victims of genocide (FTV)
• Komsic: Dodik should not be underestimated because he is saying what he really believes (O kanal)
• Becirovic: Every activity against independence, sovereignty and integrity of B&H must be prosecuted and sanctioned (ATV)
• SDP B&H leader Niksic: All issues at level of state of B&H should be resolved in institutions at state level (AJB)
• Ogresevic calls on PIC and HR Schmidt to stop Dodik’s attempts to undermine constitutional order (NAP)
• Covic: Similar dangerous statements frequently conveyed from Sarajevo and from Banja Luka (N1)
• SDA Collegium calls on High Representative to react to Dodik’s statements (Hayat)
Croatia
• Croatian President Milanovic says Dodik’s secessionist statements are unrealistic (N1)
Montenegro
• Knezevic: Voting for the admission of Kosovo to the Council of Europe is a national shame, an opportunity to start collecting signatures in churches to withdraw recognition (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Working Group for Constitutional Changes to hold first meeting Wednesday (MIA)
• Gashi: We do not form a coalition with those who are against constitutional changes (TV21)
Albania
• Begaj congratulates and wishes Kosova to be a full member of the Council of Europe as soon as possible (Radio Tirana)
• Begaj: Albania, contributor and exporter of security (Radio Tirana)