Belgrade Media Report 6 June
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: Situation escalating unnecessarily due to constant unilateral moves and provocations by Pristina (Politika)
• Vucic thanks UK Ambassador for contribution to strengthening of bilateral ties (RTS/Tanjug)
• Vucic: Good conversation with Dacic, tomorrow we will present what we have been working on for weeks (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Dynamic development of economic cooperation between Serbia, UK (Tanjug)
• Visible results achieved in field of military cooperation with China (Tanjug/RTV)
• Milivojevic: Parliamentary elections after Belgrade local vote (Beta)
• UN rapporteur urges Serbian authorities to probe, punish intimidation (Beta)
• Serb List to run for office only after police withdraw from Kosovo’s north, ZSO is formed (RFE/Beta)
• Bilcik, Nemec see deep polarization between opposition, regime in Belgrade (Blic/Beta)
• Stano: EU prepared to call Vucic-Kurti meeting if tensions stop in Kosovo (Beta/Tanjug)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• OHR Working Group for issue of state property of B&H starts its work (Nova BH)
• OHR reminds mandate of High Representative and his authority to impose decisions is based on Annex 10 of DPA and PIC declarations (Nezavisne)
• Kosarac pushing for decision that would secure advantage to import of fuel produced by Russian oil refinery in Serbia (RFE/Dnevni list)
• Ambassador Sattler assesses that B&H achieved modest improvement in terms of rule of law, but that significant steps forward have been observed when it comes to fight against organized crime and corruption at high level (FTV)
• Brkic attends SEECP ministerial meetings in Podgorica (Glas Srpske)
Montenegro
• Abazovic: We are proud to be part of the Euro-Atlantic family; Adzic: Montenegro confirmed the status of a credible ally (CdM)
• Milatovic and Djurovic attended the reception on the occasion of the sixth anniversary of Montenegro joining NATO (CdM)
• Novakovic Djurovic: It is time to further strengthen the ties of the Western Balkans with the EU (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• MoJ sends draft-initiative on constitutional amendments to government (MIA)
• Government to review draft-initiative on constitutional amendments at a later session (MIA)
• Marichikj-Bregu: EU is our goal, important to work on regional cooperation in parallel (MIA)
• Marichikj: Reforms and difficult decisions to be delivered, EU to deliver membership in foreseeable future (MIA)
• Osmani: Let’s open up to opportunities offered by reconciliation, dialogue and dispute resolution (MIA)
• Xhaferi – Tabaku: Good neighborly relations ensure regional progress (MIA)
Albania
• Britain-Albania/Sunak Agreement: The number of Albanian immigrants has decreased by 90% (Radio Tirana)
• Albanian PM lashes out at Rishi Sunak for ‘bad taste’ over small boats (Radio Tirana)
• Xhacka: The countries of the region have the responsibility to engage to dialogue and strengthen cooperation (Radio Tirana)
• Albania restored visa regime for Russian citizens, EC: The right decision, positive steps for EU objectives (Radio Tirana)
• Kosovo government takes the initiative for an agreement with Albania (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, June 6, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Osmani meets Escobar and Lajcak (media)
• Krasniqi: I’ve never seen such concern among internationals (Telegrafi)
• Abdixiku: Kurti to reflect, Kosovo at a critical moment (Koha)
• Escobar: U.S. is waiting for Kosovo to present draft on Association (media)
• OSCE Head of Mission: Strong support for EU call (media)
• Gervalla: Elections in north should be held, but preliminary actions are required (Koha)
• Svecla: Person who threatened Leposavic deputy mayor, arrested (Koha)
• Isufaj confirms investigations about tensions in the north (Nacionale)
• Haradinaj: Kurti is in love with the plan for Kosovo’s partition (Telegrafi)
• Hoti: Kosovo losing friends and allies because of Kurti and Osmani (media)
• Gashi: Opposition leaders concerned that internationals are concerned that Serbia is concerned (Nacionale)
• Sheholli: Albanians over 30 in Medvedja getting military service summons (Demokracia)
• The CEC says it is ready for new elections in the north (Koha)
• Hoxha: Advertisement for police officers in north closed, sufficient number applied (Kosovapress)
Serbian Language Media:
• Lajcak and Escobar met Serbian List representatives (Kosovo Online)
• Andric Rakic about the meeting with Lajcak and Escobar (KiM radio)
• Crisis in northern Kosovo day 12, citizens continue protesting, envoys to meet Vucic (KoSSev)
• Drecun: Escobar and Lajcak have a wrong view of the situation in the north of Kosovo (NMagazin, Danas, RTS, N1)
• Davenport meets Lajcak, emphasises importance of all communities participation in elections and institutions (KoSSev)
• DefMin: Serbian military still on high alert (N1)
• The EU Council extend the EULEX mandate until 2025 (RTS)
International:
• Why is there trouble in Kosovo again? (The Economist)
• Serbia backs ammunition shipments to Ukraine in westward pivot (Financial Times)
• Richard Grenell: If Kurti’s mayors are duly elected then why is the EU calling for new elections? (The Pavlovic Today)
• Joseph: Failure of the Serbia-Kosovo agreement would be a failure of Brussels and Washington (EWB)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Kosovar Artist’s Work in Amsterdam Art Week (Prishtina Insight)
• CAN Europe: Western Balkans took little to no action in preparing NECPs (balkangreenenergynews.com)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, June 6, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
International requests: Calm situation in north, elections, return to dialogue (media)
Escobar, Lajcak to meet President Osmani and opposition parties today (media)
State Department again calls on Kurti and Vucic to reduce tensions (Koha)
Rohde: Fulfillment of EU requirements to begin urgently (Koha)
Opposition: OSCE intervention in elections in north, backtracking (Klan)
British Parliament debates on situation in north of Kosovo (Koha)
Sladjana Pantovic appointed deputy mayor of Zvecan (Reporteri)
Svecla speaks about Police actions in north of Kosovo (Koha)
“Mayors taken by police, sent to offices, not knowing where they’re going” (media)
Kurti in Pride Week: Freedom to love is a universal right (Koha)
Gervalla attends SEECP Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Budva (media)
Serbian Language Media:
Serbs continue gathering in northern Kosovo, voice same demands (RTS, media)
London calls on Pristina to withdraw special police forces from north (N1, SRNA)
Sladjana Pantovic appointed deputy mayor of Zvecan (KoSSev, media)
Vucic to meet Lajcak and Escobar this evening (media)
Moliqaj criticized Kurti for making list of Serbs (Kosovo Online)
International Media:
I won’t appease friends of Putin, says Kosovo PM (The Times)
US commander describes attack on troops in Kosovo by Serb ‘agitators’ after elections (Stripes)
Serbia’s cunning Kosovo deflection (IPS Journal)
Ethnic Albanian journalists attacked, vehicles vandalized during Serb protests in northern Kosovo (CPJ)
Turkish forces arrive in Kosovo to bolster NATO-led peacekeepers after recent violence (AP)
UN Expert Assails Serbia For Using Mass Killings To ‘Stir Up Hatred,’ Attack Rights Defenders (RFE)