Belgrade Media Report 31 July 2023
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Monday 31 July 2023
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic says Kurti wants to drag Serbia into a conflict with NATO (TV Prva/Beta/N1/RTS)
• Vucic: Gratitude to Museveni for supporting sovereignty of Serbia throughout its territory (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Dacic: No reason to call for snap elections in Serbia (TV Pink)
• Drecun: Elections are not way out of crisis in Kosovo, since there is still no ZSO (Tanjug/RTV)
• Continuation of China’s support to Serbia’s territorial integrity (Tanjug/RTV)
• Simic: In the US everybody aware of Kurti’s responsibility for situation in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTS)
• Djilas says Vucic’s policy on Kosovo is wrong (Beta)
• Ukrainian Embassy: Serbia should urge Russia to stop aggression, we did that to stop NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999 (Beta)
• New Serbia Against Violence protest held in Belgrade (Beta)
• Another Serb in Kosovo and Metohija accused of an alleged war crime (Tanjug/Ekonomija online)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dacic: The only ‘spirit of Dayton’ is the consistent application of the original ‘letter of the Dayton’ (Glas Srpske)
• Dodik: I am not Russian, I am not American player, my only goal is to preserve and protect the RS (Glas Srpske)
• Cvijanovic: Veto is not a whim, but a reaction to plain, insolent policy that comes from Sarajevo (Glas Srpske)
• RS and Serbia will jointly commemorate Day of Remembrance of martyred and exiled Serbs in ‘Oluja’ operation (RTRS)
• RS officials condemn Kavazovic’s message that Bosniaks will not give up and that they will fight for every inch of B&H (ATV)
• Komsic and Becirovic ask B&H Ministry of Foreign Affairs to urgently invite Vranjes for consultations; Cvijanovic expresses support to Vranjes; Konakovic comments on the case (BHT1)
• Visit of US officials Finer and Chollet postponed until further notice (Dnevni list)
Croatia
• Croatian PM: Open issues straining relations with Serbia (N1)
• President and government spar over protocol (HRT)
Montenegro
• Milatovic to start consultations on PM-designate today (CdM)
• Ibrahimovic talked to Bilcik: New govt should be committed to following the European agenda (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• DUI-nominated ministers submit resignations, effective once VMRO-DPMNE votes for constitutional amendments (Kanal 5)
• Ahmeti: All DUI ministers resign to unblock country’s European future (MIA)
Albania
• US Embassy on 101st anniversary of diplomatic relations between US-Albania/ “Strong strategic alliance between US and Albania (Radio Tirana)
• 101 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations Albania-USA/ Rama: Friends and allies (Radio Tirana)
• Begaj on 101st anniversary of USA-Albania relations establishment/USA has always been by our side (Radio Tirana)
CORRIGENDUM: UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, July 31, 2023
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, July 31, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Journalists protest in downtown Pristina in support of Klan Kosova (media)
• Ministry: First decision on Klan Kosova was right (Kosovapress)
• Kusari-Lila: All facts to be revealed; no one can threaten media freedom (media)
• Ministry suspends certificates of five more businesses (Koha)
• Rohde welcomes decision to send KPC draft law to Venice Commission (media)
• Turkish Ambassador to Kosovo: No military solution for the north (Telegrafi)
• Haradinaj: Kosovo is in deep crisis; opposition to unite on no-confidence motion (KSP)
• Abdixhiku asks for support for “New Road”: National awakening is necessary (AP)
Serbian Language Media:
• Disconnecting water supply in Kosovo with violation of citizens’ rights (Voice of America, Kosovo Online, media)
• Petkovic meets Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister, discuss with him security situation in Kosovo (RTS)
• Vucic thanks Uganda for supporting Serbia’s territorial integrity (Tanjug)
• N.Mitrovica municipality promised to be at service of citizens, yet they refuse to answer journalists’ questions (KoSSev)
• Djuric: Not sure US will supply evidence for sanctions against BIA chief (N1)
• UNS: Unobstructed work of Klan Kosova TV should be enabled (Radio KIM)
• MTS DOO: We acquired operators when Act on which investigation was based was not in force (KoSSev)
Opinion:
• With destructive ambiguity, EU itself sank dialogue, and now sanctioned Kosovo (Koha)
International:
• Kosovo journalists protest government’s suspension of private television station (AP)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, July 31, 2023
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, July 31, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Journalists protest in downtown Pristina in support of Klan Kosova (media)
• Ministry: First decision on Klan Kosova was right (Kosovapress)
• Kusari-Lila: All facts to be revealed; no one can threaten media freedom (media)
• Ministry suspends certificates of five more businesses (Koha)
• Rohde welcomes decision to send KPC draft law to Venice Commission (media)
• Turkish Ambassador to Kosovo: No military solution for the north (Telegrafi)
• Haradinaj: Kosovo is in deep crisis; opposition to unite on no-confidence motion (KSP)
• Abdixhiku asks for support for “New Road”: National awakening is necessary (AP)
Serbian Language Media:
• Disconnecting water supply in Kosovo with violation of citizens’ rights (Voice of America, Kosovo Online, media)
• Petkovic meets Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister, discuss with him security situation in Kosovo (RTS)
• Vucic thanks Uganda for supporting Serbia’s territorial integrity (Tanjug)
• N.Mitrovica municipality promised to be at service of citizens, yet they refuse to answer journalists’ questions (KoSSev)
• Djuric: Not sure US will supply evidence for sanctions against BIA chief (N1)
• UNS: Unobstructed work of Klan Kosova TV should be enabled (Radio KIM)
• MTS DOO: We acquired operators when Act on which investigation was based was in force (KoSSev)
Opinion:
• With destructive ambiguity, EU itself sank dialogue, and now sanctioned Kosovo (Koha)
International:
• Kosovo journalists protest government’s suspension of private television station (AP)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, July 31, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
Kurti denies Klan Kosova case is an attack on freedom of media (media)
Osmani: Clarify legal dilemmas in Klan Kosova case (media)
Media to protest today against suspension of Klan Kosova certificate (Kosovapress)
Derek Chollet’s visit to Kosovo and the Balkan countries postponed (RTK)
Kurti talks about 400,000 active employees, opposition disputes figures (media)
Konjufca sent Draft Law for KPC to the Venice Commission (media)
Szunyog welcomes Konjufca decision to consult Venice Commission (KSP)
PDK accuses govt of misuse of state reserves, demands investigations (media)
UN alarms over risk from new conflict between Kosovo and Serbia (Koha)
Serbian Language Media:
New Social Initiative reacts to Regional water supply company’s manner of disconnecting Serb households in Gracanica (media, social media)
Vucic says Kurti wants to drag Serbia into a conflict with NATO (N1, FoNet, BETA)
Reactions to decision to shut down Klan Kosova continue (KoSSev)
Simic: Without de-escalation talking about elections is pointless (VoA, Kosovo Online)
Vucic: Serbian List visit to Washington important (media)
Lawyer Vasic: Health condition of Svetomir Bacevic deteriorates (KoSSev)
Saint Ilija Church near Urosevac desecrated (Tanjug)
Djilas: Vucic’s policy towards Kosovo is wrong, Serbs are emigrating en masse (N1)
International Media:
In Kosovo, graffiti rejuvenates Pristina’s concrete jungle (Reuters)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, July 28, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
The U.S. and Italy reaffirm their commitment to de-escalation in the north (RTK)
Zvecan mayor does not see resignation as an option (Klan)
Mandl reacts to scandalous choreography of fans in Serbia (RTK)
PDK MPs remove barrier tapes that have limited space for journalists (media)
Session fails to be held due to lack of quorum, Assembly goes on leave (RTK)
PDK: We will engage for new elections as soon as possible (media)
Prosecution files indictment against Serb for war crimes, and ‘inhumanely torturing a person’ (media)
Serbian Language Media:
Serbian List officials met Escobar in Washington (Kosovo Online, media)
KFOR donates modern water pump system to Devic Monastery (Kosovo Online, KoSSev)
Dacic meets with El Gebaly (Tanjug)
Mitsotakis thanks Serbia for assisting Greece’s firefighting efforts (Tanjug, media)
Radojica Mrdjinac and Dardan Beqiri new members of RTK board (Radio KIM)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, July 28, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
EU prefers resignation of mayors in north for elections as soon as possible (Koha)
Zubin Potok mayor: I’ll resign if agreement between govt, PDK and internationals (Telegrafi)
Chollet expected to visit Pristina on July 30-31 (Koha)
Kurti reacts to calls by Serbian football club fans for return of Serbian army to Kosovo (media)
Abdixhiku meets businesses: “New Road” is being supported everywhere (Kosovapress)
Independent Media Commission head: For us, Klan Kosova is all good (Klan Kosova)
U.S. State Department report on climate investment in Kosovo (media)
Serbian Language Media:
Borrell statement says Serbia aligned with EU sanctions on Syria (N1)
“Kurti is the problem…” (B92)
Brnabic meets with Egypt’s El Gebaly (Tanjug)
Belgrade Media Report 27 July 2023
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Thursday 27 July 2023
LOCAL PRESS
• OSCE support for strengthening media independence through the adoption of quality laws (Tanjug/RTV)
• Petkovic: Kosovo Premier creating alibi for new actions against Serb people (Beta/RTV/RTS/Politika)
• Odalovic: Kurti is obsessed with northern Kosovo, it will not be able to last long (RTS)
• Vucevic meets with Botsan-Kharchenko (Tanjug)
• Dacic receives B&H’s new Ambassador to Serbia (Tanjug)
• Army’s Trade Union: Vucic yet to learn what a 21st century army should look like (Beta)
• Djilas: SNS lose 20 percent of voter support (TV Nova S/Beta)
• EC’s official: Pristina and Belgrade far from de-escalation, normalization (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Opposition in both B&H entities, Helez criticize agreement of partners in power at B&H level to approve purchase of building for B&H ITA in Banja Luka (N1/BHT1/Nova BH)
• Dodik: RS opposition launched persecution of me and some FB&H parties like SDA agreed to join in (Nova BH/AJB/Glas Srpske)
• Executive Board of RS Academy of Sciences and Arts points out that illegal decisions of Schmidt and B&H CC are main generators of political crisis in B&H (RTRS)
• Vukanovic: Agreement that Dodik reached with partners at B&H level during the recent meeting in Sarajevo is nothing but capitulation and national humiliation (BNTV)
• Zakharova: Christian Schmidt was neither before nor now High Representative in B&H (RTRS)
• TI B&H: B&H fully implemented only one out of 14 priorities defined by EC, deterioration in regards to democracy and human rights registered (BNTV)
Montenegro
• New convocation of Montenegrin parliament constituted (CdM)
• Abazovic neither confirms nor denies that Sukovic’s murder was planned, nor whether he himself was also a target (CdM)
• What ZBCG seeks from PES (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Marichikj: Trying to convince opposition this is the right step (Kanal 5/MIA)
• All political forces to work together for EU future of North Macedonia, Pisonero (MIA)
Albania
• Krifca at the UN summit: Albania, an important regional and European exporter (Radio Tirana)
• US investments tripled over the last 3 years (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, July 27, 2023
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, July 27, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• German embassy calls Kurti-Sarrazin meeting “informal and confidential” (Nacionale)
• Turkish Ambassador: Arrival of drones in Kosovo was result of agreement not donation (media)
• PDK leaves the assembly hall, does not participate in the vote (Klan)
• Trajkovic: The northern Serbs must accept the new policemen of Kosovo (media)
• Threats against new Serb KP policemen continue (Kosovapress)
• Analysts: Internationals should pressure Serbia to stop blackmailing (RTK)
Serbian Language Media:
• Odalovic tells RTS Kurti obsessed with north (RTS)
• Trial of Sladjan Trajkovic stars today (Kosovo Online)
• Lawyer Vasic terms acts of prosecution as scandalous, says Trajkovic sent to detention before being interviewed first (Kosovo Online, Radio KIM)
• Daka: There are two ways to snap elections in north of Kosovo (Kosovo Online)
• Miftaraj: Resignations of mayors solution to new elections in northern Kosovo (RFE, Kosovo Online)
• Brnabic: Serbia has become full EU member in digital sphere (Tanjug)
International:
• On the Trail of an Elusive Organ-Trafficking Decision in Kosovo (Balkan Insight)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, July 27, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
Foreign ambassadors react to threats against new Serb police officers in north (media)
Krasniqi: We can agree to go to new elections on Friday (Klan)
Chollet and senior member of National Security Council to visit Kosovo (Albanian Post)
Mehaj meets head of company that manufactures Bayraktar drones (media)
Two Serbian List officials to stay in Washington on Thursday (media)
Action for disconnecting illegal users of water in Gracanica is politicized (KTV)
“Aware of the danger”: young Serb policemen start work in the north of Kosovo (RFE)
Serbian Language Media:
Petkovic: Kurti’s messages alibi for new Pristina’s unilateral acts against Serbs (RTS)
Serbian List on official visit to Washington (Kosovo Online, media)
Vucevic meets with Botsan-Kharchenko (Tanjug)
Varhelyi welcomes inauguration of Nis-Merdare highway section (Kosovo Online, social media)
EC official says Pristina and Belgrade far away from de-escalation and normalization (Radio KIM, BETA, Danas)
Serbian firefighters deployed in northern Greece (N1)
International Media:
Intimidation Campaign Against Serb Policemen Condemned by Kosovo and International Community (Prishtina Insight)
Read More →Belgrade Media Report 26 July 2023
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Wednesday 26 July 2023
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: Authorities in Pristina do not want elections, detained Serbs harassed (Beta/Politika)
• Joint military exercise held in Pasuljanske Livade (Beta/RTS/RTV/Politika)
• Vucic to B&H Ambassador: Belgrade supports B&H integrity and RS within it (Beta)
• Vucic welcomes UK’s new Ambassador (Tanjug)
• Vucic receives credentials of new Cypriot Ambassador (Tanjug)
• Gratitude to Palestine for principled position regarding non-recognition of “Kosovo” (Tanjug)
• Orlic: Strengthening friendly relations between Serbia and Suriname is a permanent commitment (RTV/Tanjug)
• Forty-three Serbs join the police ranks in north Kosovo (Beta/Kossev)
• Serb Survival Initiative President says over 1,000 Serbs have moved out of north Kosovo (Beta)
• Kosovo flags raised in Mitrovica North (N1)
• Slavica Djukic Dejanovic elected Minister of Education (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• RS ruling politicians commend Monday’s meeting of SNSD, HDZ B&H and ‘The Troika’ (ATV/O Kanal)
• Representatives of RS opposition criticize agreement reached by ruling coalition leaders (BHT1)
• Trivic: Dodik was withdrawing like a coward and acting in a defensive way at meeting on Monday (Nova BH/FTV/O Kanal)
• FB&H politicians, political parties comment on meeting of ruling coalition at state level (BHT1/Hayat)
• B&H HoP adopts Proposal Law on Freedom of Access to Information (Hayat)
• RS reps in B&H CoM pass decision to file criminal reports against competent officials at B&H Ministry of Finance and Treasury and B&H Ministry of Defense for spending funds from budget reserve without decision of B&H CoM (RTRS)
• Cvijanovic: Triggering a veto is not just a caprice (RTRS)
• Kristo meets Sattler; Kristo: Progress on EU path is possible through dialogue, mutual respect and consensus (BHT1/Nezavisne)
• Dodik meets Milanovic on Hvar island, they discuss current situation in B&H (Avaz)
Montenegro
• Ibrahimovic after meeting with Spajic: When we agree on principles, discussion about the distribution of ministries will begin (CdM)
• What BS proposed to PES (CdM)
• Djukanovic: Current govt obviously doesn’t tolerate any critical thinking and to our collective misfortune, shows signs of dictatorship, totalitarianism and repression (CdM)
• Popa: Civil society should be allowed to act freely, without unnecessary political pressures (Antena M)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Committee on Constitutional Affairs supports proposal for constitutional changes (MIA)
• Osmani: Country at a critical point, time to take responsibility (TV21)
• Judicial Council elects 25 new judges, swears in new member (MIA)
Albania
• President Begaj receives Letters of Credentials from the new Ambassador of the French Republic, Catherine Suard (Radio Tirana)
• Ambassador of Switzerland, Ruth: Albania is moving ahead with the diversification of renewable energy sources (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, July 26, 2023
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, July 26, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: It is logical for measures to be removed before the new elections (Koha)
• Szunyog: EU measures towards Kosovo remain unchanged (RTK)
• Osmani: Threats to policemen in the north come from Serbia and its criminal groups (media)
• Kurti: Internationals should be vocal against Belgrade’s pressure against integration of Serbs (Koha)
• Hovenier: Intimidation against young police officers is unacceptable (Koha)
• Rohde: Stop intimidation of Serbs who were employed in Kosovo Police (media)
• Haradinaj: Threats to policemen in the north, unacceptable (media)
• Serbs welcome work of new policemen from this community in northern municipalities (Kosovapress)
• Kosovo imposes the 11th package of sanctions against Russia and Belarus (Klan)
• Criticism of Kosovo’s contract for lobbying in America returns – what did Serbia sign? (Nacionale)
Serbian Language Media:
• Dacic: Kurti wants to create environment of fear and drive Serbs out of Kosovo (Radio KIM, TV Pink, Kosovo Online)
• Arsenijevic: More than 1000 Serbs left northern Kosovo (Radio KIM, KoSSev)
• Head of EU Office in Pristina: There will be negative consequences if requests and expectations of EU are not respected (Tanjug)
• Vucic: Nis-Merdare motorway to boost development (Tanjug)
• Giaufret: “Peace Highway” to be backbone of regional road network (Tanjug, media)
• Ambassadors in Pristina: Intimidation campaign against new Serb members of KP should stop immediately (KoSSev)
Humanitarian/Development:
• Kosovo’s Other Deadlock: LGBT Rights in a Time of Strife (BIRN)
Read More →UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, July 26, 2023
Albanian Language Media:
Public Pulse Brief shows growing satisfaction with government’s work (media)
EULEX chief reacts to threats against new Serb police officers in north (Telegrafi)
EU asks Kosovo to announce elections in north “as soon as possible” (RFE)
Citaku slams Bislimi for “setting conditions” (media)
Analysts: Measures to be removed gradually, there is a compromise for elections (RTK)
Haradinaj meets Szunyog, express concern over “government’s legislative agenda” (media)
Who is the White House official that will visit Kosovo? (Albanian Post)
Rafuna criticizes government for lack of capital investments (Telegrafi)
Serbian Language Media:
Two Kosovo flags hoisted in front of Mitrovica North municipality (KoSSev)
EULEX chief: Any intimidation of non-majority communities membres in Kosovo police unacceptable (N1, KoSSev)
Rakic-Andric on EULEX chief statement about Kosovo police (Kosovo Online, social media)
Vucic: Pristina does not want elections, we ask EULEX to take part in saving lives of Serb detainees (RTS)
Serbia sending firefighters to Greece (N1)
LINKS
UNMIK
Peacekeeping
UN News Center
From Google News- Serb majority in N.Kosovo shuns vote on ethnic Albanian mayors - San Francisco Examiner 29/04/2024Serb majority in N.Kosovo shuns vote on ethnic Albanian mayors San Francisco Examiner
- Ex-Slovenian President plans to revive Kosovo-Serbia dialogue - Türkiye Newspaper 29/04/2024Ex-Slovenian President plans to revive Kosovo-Serbia dialogue Türkiye Newspaper
- Slovenia President Backs Predecessor as New Kosovo-Serbia Envoy - Prishtina Insight 29/04/2024Slovenia President Backs Predecessor as New Kosovo-Serbia Envoy Prishtina Insight
- Serb majority in N.Kosovo shuns vote on ethnic Albanian mayors - San Francisco Examiner 29/04/2024
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