Belgrade Media Report 24 April
LOCAL PRESS
• Elections in the north of Kosovo and Metohija were held without the participation of Serbs – the demands remain the same, and the political problems remain unresolved (RTS)
• Petkovic: 1,566 Albanians and 13 Serbs voted, a complete fiasco of the authorities in Pristina (RTS)
• Kosovo elections: What Belgrade and the Serbs say (N1)
• Vucic: We don’t really have a dialogue, we get imposed papers that are always in favor of Pristina (RTS)
• EU Spokesman say Kosovo elections not business as usual (N1)
• Lajcak: At the meeting in Brussels, the main topics were the first draft of the ZSO statute and the issue of the missing persons (Tanjug)
• Head of Spanish diplomacy: We do not accept Kosovo passports (Tanjug)
• Djurovic: We will fight until the end so that Pristina’s request is not on the agenda of the Council of Europe (RTS)
• Vucic: “When a Serb gets fed up, there is no going back” (B92, Tanjug)
• Vucic: They want a referendum? Let’s have it! (Tanjug)
• EP Report to urge Serbia to award 5th national broadcasting license (N1)
• Vucic draws connection between lack of decision on 5th TV frequency and Kosovo (N1)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik again denies Srebrenica genocide, speaks about merging of RS, Serbia; Vucic: Serbs must be united, to be proud of who they are and to be only Serbs (FTV)
• Member of B&H Presidency Becirovic: Dodik publicly admitted that criminal project ‘Greater Serbia’ is not dead; Becirovic calls on EU, Prosecutor’s Office of B&H to react (Dnevni avaz)
• Konakovic tells Dodik and all those who want conflicts to stop making such statements: Instead of constant polemics with Dodik, I chose the concept of work and concrete activities (O kanal)
• Komsic criticizes statements of both Dodik and Konakovic (FTV)
• SDA’s Osmanovic on Dodik’s statements: Reaction of B&H judiciary and IC is long overdue (Nova BH)
• Political parties from the RS attend meeting in Banja Luka called by RS RSNA to discuss withdrawal of B&H CC judges from the RS; Statements of officials (BHT1)
• Covic: It is completely unnecessary to sign any kind of documents that burden B&H (Nova BH)
• RS President Dodik says issue of property permanently resolved through DPA, Constitution of B&H and will not be discussed at B&H HoR (ATV)
• Helez, Becirovic strongly criticize RS draft statement stipulating establishment of special police unit for control of IEBL; SNSD’s Vulic says Becirovic must accept fact that there will never be ‘Islamic B&H’ (Vecernje Novosti)
• US Ambassador in B&H: Dodik is going down a dangerous path; Dodik: Murphy has no right to comment on constitutional position of the RS or its property (ATV, RTRS)
• Ambassador Murphy calls for ending of blockades in FB&H (Dnevni avaz)
Croatia
• Jasenovac Commemoration marked by unity for first time in years (HRT)
• PM says no NATO consensus on Ukraine membershipyet (HRT)
Montenegro
• Zivkovic: Montenegro won’t be some kind of Belarus but a modern country (CDM)
• Milatovic: It’s better to be part of the Open than the closed Balkans, friendly relations with Vucic (RTCG)
• Spajic meets Escobar in Washington: Joint forces should transform and economically develop Montenegro (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• The working group for constitutional amendments is expected to start work on Wednesday or Thursday (Alsat-M)
• Mickoski: The government, through former VMRO-DPMNE officials, is blackmailing MPs for the constitutional amendments (Sitel)
Albania
• Albania restores the visa regime for Russian citizens (Radio Tirana)
• Contribution and close cooperation with NATO structures (Radio Tirana)
• Italy committed to the integration of the Balkans in the EU; Craxi for RTSH: Albania, leader for peace in the region (Radio Tirana)
• Gjiknuri meets Glover: Discussions on the conduct of the elections (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, April 24, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Osmani: Serbia’s engagement to obstruct elections is against Ohrid agreement (media)
• Kurti: Low turnout because of intimidation and blackmail by Belgrade (media)
• EU: These elections don’t offer long-term political solution for municipalities (media)
• Kosovo govt statement on April 23 local elections in north (media)
• Kurti and Hovenier expect full implementation of agreement reached in Ohrid (Telegrafi)
• Krasniqi: Govt to enable forming of institutions in four northern municipalities (Kallxo)
• Access to municipal premises, first challenge of the new mayors (RFE)
• Bielamowicz: Lost opportunity for Kosovo Serbs (RTK)
• Why according to Trajkovic, Radoicic called for boycott of elections (Express)
• Kosovo’s application on the agenda of the Council of Europe (RFE)
• PDK calls extraordinary session for Nagip Krasniqi’s arrest (EO)
• Hovenier: We appreciate Iowa’s partnership with KSF (media)
• Osmani: Turkish community enriches mosaic of diversity in Kosovo (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: What happened yesterday is much more than Albin Kurti’s defeat (Tanjug, media)
• Serb-majority north Kosovo towns get Albanian mayors (N1)
• Elections in northern Kosovo: What Belgrade and Serbs say (N1)
• Petkovic: Empty ballot boxes debacle of Kurti and international community (RTS)
• Jablanovic expects elections to be annulled (DW, Kosovo Online)
• Arsenijevic: If the new mayor works against the interests of the Serbs, we can hold a referendum (KoSSev, N1)
• Bisevac: If elections are not annulled and Albanians really take over, many people will move away (Danas)
• Civil sector: The elections in the north improvised, the Serbs boycotted them (KiM radio)
• Memorial service for RTS workers killed in the NATO bombing (RTS, BETA, N1)
• Hill: Dialogue needs “new momentum”, it is time for CSM (ZSO) (N1, Beta)
Opinion:
• A debacle of half a million euros (KiM radio)
International:
• North Kosovo elections trigger harsh words, criticisms from Belgrade (Euractive)
• Kosovo Dreams of Turning Mining Heritage into Tourist Trail (Prishtina Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, April 24, 2023
• Serbs in north of Kosovo boycott local snap elections (media)
• “Kosovo’s application for CoE membership on agenda for Monday” (media)
• Lajcak: Time of intense preparation for next high-level meeting (media)
• Escobar: We expect concrete proposal on Association from Kosovo (media)
• Kurti reacts to Serbian armed forces’ exercise in Batajnica (media)
• 25 years after Kosovo war, rape victims find the courage to heal (RFE)
Belgrade Media Report 20 April 2023
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Thursday 20 April 2023
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: We had a meaningful and open conversation (RTS/RTV/Tanjug/Politika)
• Dacic: So-called Kosovo has almost no chance of joining UNESCO (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
• Dacic: Community first and decisive step for implementation of EU proposal (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Billstrom: All provisions of Ohrid deal must be implemented immediately (Tanjug/Beta)
• Escobar: US will recognize Kosovo election results (Tanjug/N1)
• Russian parliament delegation in Belgrade (FoNet)
• KFOR commander says Belgrade, Pristina to implement agreement (N1/RTV)
• No visa liberalization for Serbian passport holders in Kosovo (N1)
• Norway ready to transfer its experience in energy transition to Serbia (RTV/Tanjug)
• Milatovic: Open Balkans better than closed Balkans (NIN)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• New round of talks on amendments to FB&H Constitution with aim to form FB&H government takes place (BHT1)
• Covic expects formation of FB&H government next week considering Schmidt should make decision which would enable that (RTV Herceg Bosna/O Kanal)
• Izetbegovic believes HR Schmidt will not dare enact a temporary solution that would favor HDZ B&H (Dnveni list)
• Dodik comments formation of FB&H government (O Kanal/ATV)
• Plenkovic expects that formation of FB&H government will be brought to an end (BHRT.ba)
• Becirovic, Komsic, leaders of SDA, SDP, NiP, NES and SB&H sign joint statement about state property (Oslobodjenje)
• Dodik threatens with secession after parties in the FBiH signed joint statement on state property (FTV)
• Cvijanovic, Viskovic, Stevandic condemn joint statement on state property (RTRS)
Montenegro
• Maddocks makes decisions about Milo Bozovic, Knezevic claims (CdM)
• Kovac seeks Lepa Medenica’s dismissal (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Justice Ministry releases names of experts in constitutional changes working group (Sitel/Faktor/Alfa)
• Kovachevski: Opposition to submit its proposals to Constitutional Affairs Commission (MIA)
• Mickoski: Constitutional amendments and coat of arms are different processes, no change to Constitution in this parliament (MIA)
• Interior Minister Spasovski welcomes Frontex police officers (MIA)
Albania
• Begaj at the Marshall Security Studies Center: The region deserves attention, there are spaces that carry potential instability (Radio Tirana)
• Nikolla receives the Chairman of the Italian Foreign and Defense Committee Stefania Gabriella Anastasia Craxi: Albania, leader for cooperation, integration and peace in the region (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, April 20, 2023
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, April 20, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: There’s a negative mood in the State Prosecution against our government (KSP)
• PDK’s Tahiri calls on Kurti to dismiss KEK Board and CEO (Indeksonline)
• Rizvanolli on arrest of KEK CEO: We will wait for the facts (media)
• Escobar: Waiting for concrete proposal from Kosovo for Association by May 2 (RTK)
• Konjufca: Can’t accept Association without de facto recognition from Serbia (media)
• “Kurti govt’s seriousness prevented further conditioning of visa liberalisation” (Kallxo)
• Government with €3 million aid package for non-majority communities (Klan)
• Election commission accredits around 360 observers for elections in north (Kallxo)
Serbian Language Media:
• Milatovic: Open Balkans better than closed Balkans (Beta, NIN, N1)
• Dacic: We have returned to the pre-Brussels era (NMagazin, Politika, RTV)
• Escobar: US will recognize Kosovo election results (Tanjug, N1)
• Botsan-Kharchenko on Community of Serb Municipalities (Danas)
• KP: Three minors admitted that they damaged the door of the church in Prizren (KiM radio)
• Ponos: Ten years after Brussels Agreement, Kosovo further from Serbia (N1, Danas)
• No visa liberalisation for Serbian passport holders in Kosovo (N1, media)
• Petkovic reacts to von Cramon statement, says make Pristina establish ZSO (Radio KIM)
• Court of Appeals increases sentence to Vukotic, lawyer announces complaint to Supreme Court (KoSSev, media)
• Dacic: Pristina has almost no chance of becoming a UNESCO member (Tanjug)
• US ambassadors discuss regional stability with Vucic (N1, social media)
Opinion:
• Editor of RTV KiM: Serbs got a one-way ticket, Albanians an unsettled situation (Danas, Insajder)
• “Serbs from Kosovo humiliated, term Kosovar insulting” (N1)
International:
• Kosovo Parties Split Over Energy Corporation Head’s Arrest (BIRN)
• Serbia, Kosovo, Take First Steps To Implement EU Ohrid Deal (BIRN)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, April 20, 2023
• KEK director Nagip Krasniqi arrested (media)
• COMKFOR: We will act if stability and security are threatened (media)
• OSCE calls for calm and democratic elections in the north (ATV)
• UNMIK chief Ziadeh welcomes visa liberalisation for Kosovo (media)
• Szunyog disappointed with absence of MPs during plenary sessions (media)
• Freedom of Information in Balkans still ‘on paper only’, panel hears (BIRN)
• Police identify three juveniles that damaged church door in Prizren (media)
• UNMIK chief condemns arson incident against church in Prizren (media)
• Population anxiety mustn’t be resolved at cost of women’s rights (BIRN)
Belgrade Media Report 19 April
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: We will not support UN membership for Kosovo (RTS/Tanjug)
• Dacic: Brussels agreement our greatest achievement since 1999 and UNSCR 1244 (TV Prva/RTV/Tanjug)
• Dacic: There is no alternative to political dialogue (Tanjug/RTS/RTV/Politika)
• Membership of “Kosovo” will not be on agenda of Wednesday’s meeting of Council of Europe (Tanjug/RTS)
• Djurovic: Quint states pressuring Iceland to put Pristina’s CoE bid on agenda (Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Next round of dialogue to address concrete steps to establish ZSO (RTS)
• Odalovic: Ten years of not doing anything – Kurti doesn’t want ZSO, but would like to take everything that suits him (RTS)
• Office: Explosive device thrown at St. Panteleimon Church in Prizren (Tanjug)
• Hill: I too would like to know why ZSO hasn’t been created 10 years after Brussels agreement (Beta)
• EU confirms formation of committee on Monitoring Implementation of Serbia-Kosovo agreement (Beta)
• Ten years pass since signing of First Brussels agreement (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• MPs from FB&H HoR hold meeting in Sarajevo; NiP’s Delic says if HR imposes decisions, those decisions should be in favor of civic commitment and in favor of bringing B&H closer to EU and NATO (Hayat)
• Representatives of NES and SB&H hold consultations regarding formation of authorities in FB&H with OHR’s legal team (Nova BH)
• The Eight’ and HDZ B&H representatives discuss FB&H government formation and functioning at B&H parliament (Nova BH)
• Konakovic: Focus of meeting was on forming of FB&H government (Fena/Dnevni avaz)
• Goganovic: RS’ representatives in B&H MoD and Commission for Cooperation with NATO to suspend cooperation with NATO (O Kanal)
• Helez reacts to Goganovic’s statements: I must react when someone in B&H says they will secede from B&H (O Kanal)
• Fitschen says German government decided to deny loans to RS for four infrastructure projects because it cannot direct German taxpayers’ money into entity whose leadership uses secessionist rhetoric and attempts to weaken country as whole (BN TV)
Croatia
• FM: Croatia can help Albania on its EU journey with knowledge and experience (Hina)
• Agriculture Minister to propose emergency measures as crop farmers sound alarm (Hina)
Montenegro
• Rakocevic: We are creating a new personnel offer; Vucurovic: Elections certain, Montenegro is moving forward (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• MFA: 24 hours for VMRO-DPMNE to provide apology to FM Osmani (MIA)
• VMRO-DPMNE: Kovacevski is unable to control Bujar Osmani (Republika)
• Danielsson and Sohlstrom meet Marichikj and Mickoski in Skopje (MIA)
Albania
• Begaj: Croatia, a good example for the integration of Albania in the EU (Radio Tirana)
• Meeting with the Croatian Minister, Xhacka: Croatia concrete technical expertise for the integration of Albania in the EU (Radio Tirana)
• Croatian Foreign Minister: Albania-Croatia airline should be built! Protection of the Adriatic Sea of strategic importance (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, April 19, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Serbia continues “old habit of violating agreements” (Radio Free Europe)
• Beyer: Ohrid agreement, only path for normalisation and EU membership (Express)
• Kosovo Police raid central offices of Kosovo Power Corporation (media)
• OSCE: Not part of team that drafts Association statute; if needed will help (Express)
• Hoti: Dialogue wasn’t kept on tracks of mutual recognition (TV Dukagjini/Nacionale)
• Serb candidate for Zvecan: If I win, I will return to work all those who resigned (Insajderi)
• Krasniqi: Polls show that Vetevendosje has dropped to 36-37 percent (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: We will fulfil everything we said, but only when Pristina forms the CSM (ZSO) (N1)
• Tenth anniversary of the First Brussels Agreement (N1)
• Odalovic: On the 10th anniversary of the Brussels Agreement, Pristina awarded visa-free status (KiM radio, RTS, Beta)
• Petkovic: The next round of dialogue in Brussels on CSM (ZSO) (Beta, N1, RTS)
• Dacic: Pristina’s CoE bid will not be on agenda on Wednesday (Tanjug)
• Kosovo Police calls minorities to apply for jobs (KoSSev, N1)
• Ziadeh: Perpetrators to be held responsible for arson incident at the church in Prizren (euronews.rs, Tanjug, RTS, Kosovo Online)
• Elections in the north: Voting containers in places inhabited by Albanians and at crossings (Kontakt plus radio, Klan)
• Jevtic: The elections in the north of Kosovo contrary to democracy (Beta, TV Prva, KiM radio)
• Simic: We will not stop demanding the CSM (ZSO), we will remain a thorn to Pristina (Kosovo Online, TV Pink)
• Analysis from Ljubljana: Montenegro’s agreement with the SOC, a model for Kosovo (Danas)
• The EU decision on visas: Residents of Kosovo with Serbian passports are the most discriminated group in Europe (Kosovo Online)
International:
• American Corners Bring US Closer to Kosovar Youth (Prishtina Insight)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Energy from the wind in Bajgora (Kosovo 2.0)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, April 19, 2023
• European Parliament votes to scarp visa regime for Kosovo citizens (BIRN)
• Visa liberalisation agreement to be signed on Wednesday (SchengenVisaInfo)
• Gervalla, Kosovo delegation thank MEPs for visa liberalisation (Klan)
• Kurti and Vucic to meet in Brussels on May 2 (Albanian Post)
• Joint monitoring committee for Kosovo-Serbia agreement established (media)
• U.S. expects implementation of past agreements, including Association (VoA)
• Vela: Serbian List informed of all developments regarding elections (Klan)
• Hovenier condemns arson incident in Orthodox church in Prizren (media)
• Montenegro Urged to Reinvestigate 1999 Killings of Kosovo Albanians (BIRN)
Belgrade Media Report 18 April
LOCAL PRESS
• Dacic: Serbia appreciates Gabon’s support to territorial integrity and sovereignty (Tanjug/RTS)
• Vucevic, Nyonda discuss potential defence cooperation (RTV/Tanjug)
• Ministry: Dacic off to Strasbourg to try stop Kosovo’s admission to CoE (Beta)
• Petkovic: International community responsible for Kurti’s attempts to enslave northern Kosovo (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Only SDA leader Izetbegovic shows up at meeting organized by FB&H VP Lendo (BHT1)
• Niksic sends letter to Lendo: Only solution to current deadlock would be Lendo’s approving appointment of new FB&H government that has support of parliamentary majority (BHT1)
• Ambassador Murphy: Blockade of formation of authority is not pro-Bosnian behaviour but narrow partisan interests (Dnevni list)
Croatia
• Plenkovic and Covic meet in Zagreb, expect quick formation of FB&H government and new electoral reforms (Vecernji list)
Montenegro
• Babaic: Montenegro should have been part of the EU, not the Open Balkans (CdM)
• Recommendation to Montenegro: Check signatures supporting candidates in more detail, check donations and loans (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Osmani claims that he has the right to use the Albanian language during official meetings (Republika)
• Archbishop Stefan: We celebrate our first Easter as equal among other Orthodox churches (Republika)
Albania
• Meta receives the head of ODIHR observer mission (Radio Tirana)
• Berisha, meeting with Glover: We introduced her with the determination of the DP to advance the electoral process (Radio Tirana)
• Peleshi: Our troops, an important contribution to the KFOR mission (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, April 18, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: Serbia should be more responsible for implementing the agreement (RTK)
• Rohde: Implementation of the agreement and avoidance of any tension, needed (Klan)
• European Parliament Approves Visa Liberalization for Kosovo (Prishtina Insight)
• Reuten proud that the EP removed visas from Kosovars (media)
• Von Cramon: Congratulations to Kosovo for the long-awaited visa liberalization (media)
• Austria congratulates Kosovo on visa liberalization (ekonomia)
• Kurti: Visa liberalization brings us one step closer to the European Union (media)
• Osmani: The liberalisation of visas, a merit of the people of Kosovo (media)
• The government takes credit for the visas (media)
• Opposition parties hail EP decision on liberalisation of visas (media)
• Church door in Prizren set on fire, police say gasoline smell was present at scene (Kallxo)
Serbian Language Media:
• Hill: We will not give up until CSM (ZSO) becomes a reality (N1, FoNet, Kontakt plus radio)
• Pristina’s request for membership will not be on the CoE agenda tomorrow (Kosovo Online, Danas)
• Dacic may cancel Strasbourg visit over Pristina’s CoE membership bid;MFA: Dacic to attend the COE Committee of Ministers (Tanjug)
• Signing of the petition for the withdrawal of special units of Kosovo police continued today in the north (Kosovo Online)
• Lajcak concerned about developments in North Kosovo (Beta, N1, KoSSev)
• KP: Attempt to set fire to the door of the Church of St. Panteleimon in Prizren; Office for KiM: An example of Pristina’s intolerance towards everything Serbian (Kontakt plus radio)
Opinion:
• Andric Rakic: Almost impossible to stop the escalation of ‘non-normalization’ with the current negotiators (medijacentar.info, Kontakt plus radio, KiM radio)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, April 18, 2023
• Kurti: No partial implementation of agreement, no delays (media)
• Deadline to form Monitoring Committee expires (Koha)
• European Parliament expected to vote on visa liberalisation today (media)
• Kurti meets Davenport, discuss elections in the north (media)
• Vela: Serbian Govt trying to interfere with local elections in north (media)
• Serbian government adopts measures to protect Serbs in Kosovo (Euractiv)
• Jablanovic: Situation in the north can escalate (media)
• Kurti: Pleased to announce agreement with IMF for up to €260M (media)
• Vela reacts to Dacic’s remarks about Kosovo’s CoE membership (media)
• Private hearing of first witness in Thaci trial causes concern (BIRN)
• 20 cases of criminal acts against reporters this year (RTK)
• Seizing crypto-mining equipment has saved Kosovo ‘millions’: Govt (BIRN)
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