UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 19, 2023
• Quint: All parties should refrain from use of force or actions that inflame tensions or promote conflict (media)
• New mayor of Mitrovica North expected to be sworn in today (media)
• Hovenier: Do not use violence to enter municipal buildings in the north (media)
• Vucic: We will not accept the mayors in the north (media)
• Despite challenges, negotiators optimistic about next steps of Western Balkans countries toward EU (RFE)
• Osmani thanks Menendez for “unwavering commitment to democracy” (media)
• Serwer: What the State Department forgot to say (peacefare.net)
• Kosovo govt against Lajcak’s ‘methodology’ for Article 7 implementation (Koha)
• Mustafa: Borrell must respect Mogherini’s commitment on Association (RTK)
• Limaj: Association will have executive powers; devil is in Article 7 (media)
• Kosovo court jails Naser Kelmendi for drug trafficking (BIRN)
Belgrade Media Report 18 May
LOCAL PRESS
• Tense situation in north of Kosovo and Metohija, they will try to elect fake mayors (RTV/Tanjug)
• Vucic, Serbian Patriarch discuss fateful matters (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Vucic speaks with Chollet (Tanjug/RTS)
• Serbia focused on attracting new investments (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Intensification of political dialogue with Gabon (Tanjug/Politika)
• Improving cooperation with US strategic commitment of Serbia (Tanjug/RTV)
• Djurovic: Serbia forced to consider purpose and modalities of membership in CoE (Beta)
• Molina: Necessity to form ZSO in order to have normalization of relations (RTV/Tanjug)
• Kosovo Serbs set off to Belgrade on foot for Vucic’s counter rally (Tanjug)
• Serbian government says security situation stable (FoNet/N1)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Participants of EU-B&H High-Level Political Forum adopt set of conclusions (Nezavisne)
• Varhelyi attends High- Level Political Forum in Sarajevo: Conditions for EU accession need to be met; Varhelyi; Our allies do not go to Moscow; Kristo: B&H belongs to the EU family (Hayat)
• Viskovic: I openly told Varhelyi that solutions should be negotiated within B&H and that is why I did not accept the action plan (RTRS)
• Varhelyi meets HR Schmidt; Schmidt: B&H needs to use benefits of EU candidate country status (Nova BH)
• Dodik: Property is red line that the RS will not cross (ATV)
• Dodik and Kalabukhov discuss upcoming energy projects, potential investments from Russia and Dodik’s planned meeting with Putin (ATV)
• B&H supports declaration on recognition of territorial integrity of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova at Council of Europe summit (RTRS)
• Bakir reveals his dangerous Islamist face (Dnevni avaz)
Montenegro
• SEC determined the list of the coalition around DPS, the Democrats and URE, BS and HGI, and returned the list of SDP and “Yes, we can” for revision (CdM)
• Medojevic: The Church must stop interfering in politics, Spajic cleared Milatovic from the list (Gradski.me)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski from Reykjavik: Western Balkans’ joining EU is investment in Europe’s security (MIA)
• Osmani: OSCE and Council of Europe to safeguard shared values and principles (MIA)
• Pendarovski: If we weren’t in NATO and didn’t share information in that system, we wouldn’t be able to deal with Russian propaganda (MIA)
• Country to be isolated without constitutional changes, says FM Osmani (TV Klan/MIA)
• Miloshoski after meeting Sarrazin: This parliament will not vote for constitutional changes (MIA)
Albania
• Rama asks to the CoE to pave the way for the withdrawal of the infamous report (Radio Tirana)
• Albania-Kosovo increase cooperation between the cabinets of the speakers (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 18, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti talks with Chollet, calls for unconditional implementation of agreement (media)
• Czech and Finnish presidents call for Kosovo’s membership at CoE (Gazeta 10)
• Bislimi: Kosovo evaluated for highest economic growth in the region (media)
• Kosovo Police Union admitted in European Council of Police Unions (Klan)
• Police ready for swearing-in of new mayors of northern municipalities (RTV21)
• Selimi says Kosovo falling for traps set up by Vucic in the north (media)
• Expropriation in the north, a slippery slope for the Kosovo Government (RFE)
• Pamuk’s visit to Kosovo postponed to autumn, Ministry says (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic says situation in northern Kosovo is very tense (Danas, FoNet, Kosovo Online)
• Vucic speaks with Chollet (Tanjug)
• Serbian Government says security situation stable (FoNet, N1)
• Vucic, Serbian patriarch discuss fateful matters (Tanjug)
• “Serbia forced to reconsider meaningfulness of Council of Europe membership” (BETA, Radio KIM, media)
• PIK launches preliminary investigation of Rakocevic’s complaint about police mistreatment (KoSSev)
• West’s plan being prepared for Kosovo, Dayton 2? (Blic)
• Ficovic: Local media are essential for objectively informing Serbs in Kosovo (KiM radio)
Opinion:
• If It Ain’t Broken, Don’t Fix It: Turkish Foreign Policy in the Balkans After the Elections (EWB)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 18, 2023
• Kurti meets Wieland, “unconditional implementation of agreement” (media)
• Chollet, Escobar to discuss about Western Balkans at U.S. Senate (Dukagjini)
• Chollet: Provocations between Kosovo and Serbia must be avoided (media)
• Koopman meets Kurti: Kosovo is part of the European family (media)
• Kosovo Police joins the operational network against organized crime (media)
• Zubin Potok mayor: Harmonizing actions with U.S. and other factors (media)
• LVV MP: Lajcak should’ve made his statement in Belgrade (Telegrafi)
• Switzerland grants visa-free travel to Kosovars starting on 2024 (Schengen Visa)
• Kosovo failing to punish violent crime, BIRN Finds (BIRN)
• Kosovo government building illuminated in colors of LGBTQI+ flag (media)
• SL List claims persons that shot in Uglare were speaking in Albanian (media)
• OSCE mission releases guidelines on domestic violence coordination (media)
• EU Council urges Kosovo to step up energy transition (SeeNews)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 17, 2023
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 17, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Hovenier: We expect new mayors to take on technical not political role (Telegrafi)
• Kurti: Kosovo’s progress acknowledged in international reports (media)
• Vela: Criminal groups in north preparing lists to send Serbs to Vucic rally (media)
• Shala: Some MPs from majority have different positions from their party (Demokracia)
• Switzerland decides to lift visas for Kosovo (media)
• Police conduct raids over suspected abuse of duty at Public Housing Enterprise (RFE)
Serbian Language Media:
• Shooting in Ugljare, no one was injured (Radio KIM, RTS)
• Petkovic reacts to shooting in Ugljare (Kosovo Online, TV Pink)
• Serbian List condemns shooting in Ugljare (Kosovo Online)
• Hill: Solving technical issues is not for people who want quick fixes; In the end we will have CSM (ZSO) (KoSSev, Nova S)
• Wigemark: Opening of a bridge should not be a unilateral decision (Radio KIM, KoSSev, Kosovo Online)
• Vucic: Rally of hope not of anger (N1)
• European Commission welcomes gun amnesty campaign in Serbia (N1)
• Vucic: 20,000 pieces of weapons handed in, SNS to elect new leadership on May 27 (N1)
• Complaint to the mayor of Gracanica about abuses; Municipality: Anonymous document (medijacentar.info, KiM radio)
• Gracanica municipality on the construction in Caglavica: The building permit has not been issued (KiM radio, KoSSev)
International:
• In Kosovo, Fake Online Accounts are Turbocharging Tensions (BIRN)
Read More →Belgrade Media Report 17 May 2023
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Wednesday 17 May 2023
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: Everything ready for biggest rally ever, SNS to decide whether to join movement (Beta)
• Significant contribution of Serbian Army to UN missions (Beta/Tanjug)
• Drecun: Goal is to force Belgrade to give up from ZSO by destabilizing dialogue (Tanjug/RTV)
• Petkovic: This is last moment to discipline Kurti (Tanjug/RTV)
• Petkovic: Shooting in the direction of the Serbian school in the village of Ugljare – 331st attack on Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija (TV Pink)
• Azerbaijan and Serbia, together in defence of international law (RTV)
• Serbia implements judgments of European Court of Human Rights (Tanjug)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Third expert consultation meeting on state property held; Forestry assets in focus of discussion (Nova BH)
• OHR’s media campaign on state property sparks reactions in the RS; Stevandic: OHR does not respect institutions; Mazalica: Schmidt might be preparing to impose new decisions (RTRS)
• Dodik says US Embassy’s interpretation of B&H Constitution is malicious (Nezavisne)
• Izetbegovic: Dodik and Covic got servile structure (Dnevni list)
• RS and Serbia can build ‘New Eastern Interconnection’ pipeline without state institutions (Nezavisne)
Montenegro
• Awaiting DIK’s confirmation: 17 parliamentary candidates lists submitted (CdM)
• Varhelyi: Montenegro needs a stable government and parliament capable of progressing in accession negotiations (CdM)
• US Department of State on religious freedom: Incidents across Montenegro prompt worries (CdM/VoA)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Bytyqi with EP delegation: Implementing comprehensive reforms for EU integration (MIA)
• EU-North Macedonia Joint Parliamentary Committee meets in Skopje (MIA)
• Pendarovski meets with Germany’s special envoy Sarrazin (MIA)
Albania
• Official/Celibashi: 38% of voters who were on the voter list took part in the election (Radio Tirana)
• SP wins 53 municipalities/ Rama thanks the citizens (Radio Tirana)
• Ruling Socialists score sweeping victory in Albania’s municipal elections (Tirana Times)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 17, 2023
• Osmani appeals to EU to honor agreement and address Serbia’s violations (BIRN)
• Kosovo: Serbia normalisation dialogue articles not conditional on each other (euractiv)
• Largest international military exercise to start this week in Kosovo (euronews.al)
• Census in north will be difficult, says Kosovo’s Statistics Agency (euronews.al)
• Council of Europe summit started Tuesday, Kosovo not on agenda (euronews.al)
• U.S. criticizes govt again for not implementing decision on Decani Monastery (media)
• Why is the South Tyrol model seen as harmful for Kosovo? (RTK)
• Tahiri: Kurti should condition Association with amendment of Constitution of Serbia (Klan)
• EBRD raises Kosovo’s economic growth forecast to 3.5% in 2023 (SeeNews)
• Poll finds optimism with Serbia, progress fighting corruption, support for EU membership (media)
Belgrade Media Report 16 May
LOCAL PRESS
• Continuation of engagement of UNMIK of crucial importance for Serbia (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Brnabic: Necessity of implementing Brussels agreement and obligation to form Community of Serb Municipalities (RTS/RTV/Tanjug)
• EU membership remains Serbia’s strategic commitment (Tanjug)
• Miscevic, EC official discuss accelerating Serbia’s EU admission process (Beta)
• Petkovic: Situation difficult, Bislimi’s behaviour was scandalous (Tanjug/RTS/Politika/RTV)
• Lajcak: Meeting discussed agreement implementation (N1)
• Dacic against early election, favor regime-opposition talks (TV B92)
• Ukrainian Embassy: Ukraine does not expect criticism of its path to Europe, but rather of Russian aggression (Beta)
• Custody extended for two months to Trajkovic (Tanjug)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• HR Schmidt: Dodik needs to understand that no one supports playing with future of B&H (Nova BH)
• US Embassy issues statement on state property: Spurious claims from RS prolong resolution of the issue (Dnevni avaz)
• Dodik comments on US Embassy’s statement on property by saying this issue was resolved in Dayton Peace Agreement (BHT1)
• Escobar: Any country that firmly believes that Russia will be its long-term strategic partner is making big mistake and playing the wrong card (ATV)
• Cvijanovic: I am not going to CoE summit because it will again be mockery of international law; B&H, as post-conflict community, should remain neutral on issue of any armed conflict, not siding with any warring party (RTRS)
• Niksic meets Reilly, says FB&H government is ready to tackle difficult issues despite attacks and pressure (Dnevni avaz)
• Konakovic with Neukirch, discuss cooperation between B&H and CoE, B&H’s EU path (Dnevni list)
• Becirovic: I told Milanovic to his face that I expect respect for state of B&H and equal cooperation, that B&H Presidency members, including Komsic, are legal members of B&H Presidency (Nova BH)
Croatia
• Milanovic: B&H must join EU as soon as possible and Croats must achieve their constitutional equality first of all through amendments to B&H Election Law and Constitution (HRT1)
• Justice Minister received in Ukraine (HRT1)
Montenegro
• SNP left by Djurovic, Kovac, Vojinovic, Damjanovic… (CdM)
• Political stage challenged by turbulences: Party splits, sudden changes of policies by officials (CdM)
• In Bar, the unloading of NATO equipment for Defender Europe 23 (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Without constitutional changes, N. Macedonia will join group of countries with no long-term perspective: Gov’t officials (MIA)
• Gov’t: Washington sends direct message to opposition to support country’s European path, constitutional amendments (MIA)
Albania
• Local elections, SP wins in 52 municipalities, wins Shkoder, while Together We Win coalition takes 7 municipalities! In Tirana, actual Mayor Veliaj (SP) close to victory (Radio Tirana)
• Celbashi: Counting in 34 municipalities ended, turnout 37% (Radio Tirana)
• Glover: The 14 May elections were generally well administered and competitive (Radio Tirana)
• The British Embassy congratulates elected officials who will represent Albanian citizens at the local level (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 16, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Osmani: Need to convince partners, every process in line with Constitution (EO)
• Kurti says Association is part of agreement, but not the whole agreement (EO)
• Kurti: Forcible disappearances were part of Serbia’s project (media)
• EBRD: Kosovo’s economic growth, highest in the Balkans this year (Telegrafi)
• Municipalities ask govt to urgently amend law to unblock own revenues (Nacionale)
• Gola: Serb Orthodox Church will not have additional competencies (KTV)
• Borrell: We need a safe and peaceful Western Balkans (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Petkovic: Situation difficult, Bislimi’s behaviour was scandalous (Tanjug, RTS)
• Brnabic: Continuation of UNMIK’s engagement is of key importance to Belgrade (Danas, FoNet)
• Dacic discusses Kosovo, peacekeeping with UN officials (N1, media)
• Decani: SOC sites in Kosovo are of particular importance for Orthodox Serbs, but also source of pride for all Kosovo residents (KoSSev)
• State Department Report: Constitutional Court decision on returning land to Visoki Decani had not been implemented (Kosovo Online)
• Dacic thanks Cypriot ambassador for non-recognition of Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina: “Neighbour, are you okay” (KiM radio, Danas, FoNet)
• Demostat: Pristina’s refusal to form the CSM (ZSO) a risk for the security of the region (NMagazin, Beta, Danas, Euronews Serbia)
• The Party of Kosovo Serbs calls for a rally on May 26 in Belgrade: We support Aleksandar Vucic (KiM radio, Danas)
• “The Serbian List will use the mechanism of blackmail to bring the Kosovo Serbs to the SNS rally” (Danas)
• Belgrade insists on resolution of visa liberalisation for Serbs from Kosovo: Are they going to be only ones who need visas? (Euronews)
International:
• High gas prices and inflation dampen growth in EBRD regions (ebrd.com)
• ‘We have a violent society’: hate speech in spotlight after Serbian mass shootings (The Guardian)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 16, 2023
• Lajcak: Discussions will continue (media)
• No results from new round of negotiations between Kosovo and Serbia (media)
• Bislimi: Petkovic not interested to hear about the Constitution of Kosovo (media)
• Wigemark: Situation in the north is fragile (RTV21)
• Kurti: Communities and diversity are assets for Kosovo (media)
• Serbia continues its attempts to prevent Kosovo’s membership at CoE (Koha)
• Strpce man reported as missing found in Suhareka in good health (Klan)
• Kosovo Women Leaving Their Mark in ICT (Prishtina Insight)
• EU Director-General for DG NEAR Koopman visits Western Balkans (media)
Belgrade Media Report 15 May 2023
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Monday 15 May 2023
LOCAL PRESS
• Dacic with UN Under-Secretary for Peace Operations and UNMIK Head (Serbian Foreign Ministry)
• Vucic: Elections to be held in September at the latest (Tanjug/RTS/RTV/Politika)
• Vucevic: Kurti plans to physically occupy 4 northern municipalities by 28 May, situation is terribly tense (TV Pink)
• Gratitude for continued support of Cyprus to Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity (Tanjug/RTV)
• Dacic expressed regret over Israel’s decision to recognise unilaterally declared independence of so-called Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Vucic defends Brnabic: She was only telling the truth about the protests (Nova)
• Dacic on protest: Not a word about the victims, just threats against Vucic (Tanjug)
• Serbia wishes to be part of European family (Tanjug)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Sattler: In week that we celebrate Europe Day we are marking big step that B&H has taken in direction of joining European family; Reform process must take place faster (O Kanal)
• Aggeler: Restoring of defamation into RS Criminal Code presents step back and Mission points out insufficient transparency in legislation process (Nezavisne)
• State property issue: International officials may offer solution, this spark big reactions in B&H (N1)
• Disputes on Open Balkans in focus of public again (BHT1)
Croatia
• Croatia marks anniversary of Bleiburg tragedy (HRT)
Montenegro
• Democratic Front dissolves after 11 years (CdM)
• Mandic, Medojevic, Knezevic confirm DF split: From now on we’ll act independently (CdM)
• Medojevic: DF ceases to exist, we started to bother each other (CdM/Sputnik)
• Rasko Konjevic withdraws from politics (CdM)
• SDP to run in June elections independently (CdM)
• No postponement: Parties still calculating how and with whom they’ll run in elections (RTCG)
• Abazovic: I don’t expect anything from Constitutional Court, very indecisive people, let’s organize elections, even though it’s insane (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• PM: Ruling coalition is stable (MIA)
• Escobar: Not asking opposition to support PM but North Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic path (MIA/VoA)
Albania
• Administrative elections, 144 candidates running for mayors and 23,763 for members of municipal councils (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 15, 2023
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 15, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: Budget for municipalities for 2024 is €740 million (media)
• Bajrami to Kurti: You have blocked over €37 million for the municipalities (Nacionale)
• Sarrazin: There might not be an agreement yet, but there are concepts (media)
• Szunyog: Non-implementation of Ohrid agreement will have consequences (Reporteri)
• Government and opposition clashes over World Bank’s report on Kosovo (media)
• Muja: Lajcak’s goal is to offer an extreme version for the Association (Reporteri)
• Dugolli writes to Specialist Chambers again; “I won’t stop seeking justice” (media)
• Five persons arrested in police counter-terrorism operation (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Miroce village residents’ another appeal to the Kosovo authorities and international representatives over their usurped properties (KoSSev)
• Petkovic met Lajcak ahead of the new round of dialogue with Pristina (RTS, Tanjug)
• Power visits Gracanica Monastery while visiting Kosovo (KoSSev)
• New “Serbia Against Violence” protest held in Belgrade (N1, media)
• Dacic on protest: Not a word about the victims, just threats against Vucic (N1, Tanjug)
• Dacic regrets Israel’s decision to recognize Kosovo independence (BETA, media)
• Ambassador of Cyprus: Stance on Kosovo principled and consistent (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian List: Entering the municipalities may endanger the peace (KiM radio, Radio Mitrovica sever, Kosovo Online)
• Fatherland Movement fully supports the requests of the opposition (KoSSev)
• Detention of Trajkovic extended for two more months (Kosovo Online)
International:
• Serbian president says snap election on cards after mass shootings spark protests (Politico)
• Ruling Socialists Defeat Divided Opposition in Albanian Local Polls (BIRN)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Kosovo Assembly hosts seminar “Promoting a gender-sensitive parliament” (EO)
• Share Your Experience: School Violence in South Eastern Europe (Balkan Insight)
• Awareness march for mental health for first time in Kosovo (Klan Kosova)
LINKS
UNMIK
Peacekeeping
UN News Center
From Google News- Baerbock: “Kosovo should be part of the Council of Europe” - deutschland.de 18/05/2024Baerbock: “Kosovo should be part of the Council of Europe” deutschland.de
- Hungarian minister: no to Srebrenica, no to Kosovo! - dailynewshungary.com 18/05/2024Hungarian minister: no to Srebrenica, no to Kosovo! dailynewshungary.com
- Kosovo hospitals implement United Imaging's MR, CT - AuntMinnie Europe 17/05/2024Kosovo hospitals implement United Imaging's MR, CT AuntMinnie Europe
- Baerbock: “Kosovo should be part of the Council of Europe” - deutschland.de 18/05/2024
Office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General
Media Sources
