Belgrade Media Report 8 May 2024
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Wednesday 08 May 2024
LOCAL PRESS
• Xi Jinping started his visit to Serbia; Vucic: “Dear friend, welcome” (Tanjug, B92)
• The meeting between Vucic and Xi: “I am extremely grateful for the support” (B92)
• Vucic after the meeting with Xi Jinping: “Xi told me two important news; We will have China’s support in the UN” (B92)
• Djuric: Full EU membership is a strategic priority for the new Government of Serbia (RTS)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Berlin: B&H Presidency Chairman Becirovic meets German Chancellor Scholz (N1)
• Dodik criticizes Scholz’s statement about sovereignty and integrity (Vijesti.ba)
• Niksic; State-level authority is in crisis because of blockades from RS because they are not satisfied with the decision of the High Representative to impose changes to Election Law and stance of ‘Troika’ regarding Srebrenica Resolution (Dnevni avaz)
• Draft amendments to B&H Election Law, draft law on Court of B&H withdrawn from B&H CoM’s agenda and sent to B&H Ministry of Justice for further harmonization (RTRS)
Croatia
• HDZ and Homeland Movement hold another round of talks on post-election coalition (HRT)
• More than one ethnic minority MP supports Plenkovic as prime minister designate, SDSS will not (N1, Hina)
Montenegro
• Vucurovic: The resolution on Srebrenica directed against the Serbian people represents a new point of discord in the region (CDM)
• Knezevic: Voting for the resolution on Srebrenica would be a disastrous move for Montenegro (CDM)
• Embassy: Montenegro to continue to adhere to the principle of one China (CDM)
North Macedonia
• PM Xhaferi meets EP delegation: Elections to determine North Macedonia’s path (MIA)
• Gov’t adopts decision sending troops to drills in Germany and Bulgaria, NATO operation in Kosovo (MIA)
Albania
• Assembly of Albania, Solidarity Activity with Ukrainian Families Affected by War (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 8, 2024
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, 8 May, 2024
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: Conditioning membership in CoE with the Association is absurd (media)
• Hacker: Linking Kosovo CoE membership with Association, grave mistake (media)
• Kurti on the Dinar: I cannot put myself above the Central Bank Governor (Express)
• Zulfaj: EU must lift measures in order not to damage its credibility (EO)
• Kosovo Police, EULEX and KFOR conclude “Golden Sabre 2024” exercise (KSP)
• Police find camera on mountain road on eastern border with Serbia (RFE)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: We are making history today, Xi’s visit historic (Tanjug, media)
• Xi Jinping: China supports Serbia’s efforts to preserve territorial integrity regarding Kosovo issue (Tanjug)
• Rajic: We can expect China’s support both on the issue of Kosovo and on the issue of the Resolution on Srebrenica (Radio Mitrovica sever, RTS)
• RTK website changed name of page in Serbian, instead of “RTK2” it now says “Serbian” (Radio KIM)
• The State Department had insight into the draft amendments of the Montenegro to the resolution on Srebrenica (KiM radio, Beta, N1)
Opinion:
• EU’s ‘Foreign Agent Law’ is Misguided (Balkan Insight)
International:
• Berlin hints at insistence of Serb association in Kosovo before CoE membership (Euractiv)
• Austria plans to deport convicts to Kosovo (politico.eu)
• China’s Xi Arrives In Belgrade In Push For Greater Influence In Europe (RFE)
• Montenegro Accused of Kowtowing to Serbs on UN Srebrenica Resolution (BIRN)
Belgrade Media Report 7 May
LOCAL PRESS
• France requests the postponement of decision on admission of the so-called of Kosovo in the Council of Europe (B92)
• Xi Jinping ahead of his arrival in Belgrade: Steel friendship (Politika, Novosti)
• Vucic’s interview with China’s CCTV: Taiwan is China. Period (Beta)
• Vucic with the Chinese ambassador: We are looking forward to the visit of President Xi (RTS)
• Vucic with Tokayev on strengthening the strategic partnership between Serbia and Kazakhstan (RTS)
• Lavrov with Serbian officials: Inadmissible labeling of countries and peoples (RTS)
• Montenegrin Government to submit amendments to UN Resolution on Srebrenica; Comments of Serbian, Montenegrin officials (Novosti)
• Lajcak in Washington, meets Escobar (N1)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Viskovic: RS must use all available diplomatic means and truth to defend itself (Glas Srpske)
• Becirovic meets with Steinmeier in Berlin, points out importance of adopting resolution on July 11 as International Day of Remembrance of Genocide in Srebrenica (BHT1)
• Chargé d’affaires of Czech Embassy to B&H Zrzavecky: There are many benefits of EU integration, if divisive rhetoric prevails, B&H will have a big problem (Nezavisne)
Montenegro
• Montenegrin minister on amendments to the UN Resolution: Podgorica is guided only by its own interests (Vijesti)
• Pusic: If politicians are devoted to EU membership, Russia can’t prevent it (CDM)
North Macedonia
• Election silence begins ahead of Wednesday’s vote (MIA)
Albania
• Begaj received in a special audience by Pope Francis (Radio Tirana)
• PM Edi Rama to gather deputies and ministers at the Chairmanship of the Assembly on Tuesday (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 8, 2024
Albanian Language Media:
Osmani meets U.S. ambassador to UN, talk about advancement of Kosovo in international arena(media)
Stano: Borrell’s report on lifting of EU measures towards Kosovo, finalizing (Klan)
Kosovo not on agenda of CoE Committee of Ministers’ meeting (Telegrafi)
Lajcak and President Biden’s assistant discuss Western Balkans (RTK)
Osmani: Kosovo, special guest at US-Africa Summit (RTK)
Russian hackers attacked websites of Kosovo institutions (media)
Gervalla: Russia is carrying out hybrid attack on Kosovo (RTK)
Maqedonci: Serbia is continuing with aggressive approach towards Kosovo (Reporteri)
Austria also wants to send prisoners to Kosovo (media)
Kosovo not in CoE Committee agenda, Musliu-Shoshi: To Kurti, propaganda is important (Reporteri)
Serbian Language Media:
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived to Belgrade, welcomed by Vucic at airport (Tanjug, RTS, media)
Mali welcomes Chinese ministers at Belgrade airport (Tanjug)
Djuric: Full membership in the EU remains Serbia’s strategic priority (Kosovo Online, media)
Petkovic to continue heading Office for KiM (RTS, Tanjug, media)
Lawyer: Most important witnesses in Trajkovic’s case may be heard in May (Radio KIM)
UNS laid wreaths at place where Chinese journalists were killed in NATO bombing (Radio KIM, media)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, 7 May, 2024
Albanian Language Media:
• Germany expects from Kosovo “other concrete steps” on Association (Koha)
• France: Sending draft statute to court would secure membership support (Koha)
• France calls for postponed decision on Kosovo CoE membership (Albanian Post)
• Osmani: U.S. decisive role for Kosovo’s fate; U.S. in DNA of our success (media)
• 1,204,560 citizens registered in Kosovo so far (EO)
• Govt enables Serbs to replace drivers’ licenses with Kosovo licenses (media)
• Kosovo Police installing cameras in Zvecan municipality today (Indeksonline)
• Numerous graffiti inciting hatred in Mitrovica North (Kosovapress)
• Osmani meets President of Liberia, discuss furthering cooperation (media)
• Lajcak meets Escobar, “in-depth discussions” (media)
• Kurti meets Jashari, praises him for “unprecedented growth” of KSF (media)
• Pahor won’t give interviews until completion of EUSR selection (media)
• Albanian President meets Pope Francis, mentions Kosovo’s progress too (Kallxo)
Serbian Language Media:
• For Kurti, Serbs killed in domestic violence are “proof” that violence against Serbs is propaganda from Belgrade (KoSSev)
• Petkovic: By criminalizing north, Kurti justifies violence against Serbian people (Tanjug, Kosovo Online, social media)
• SL: Ethnically motivated attacks on Serbs are not propaganda (KiM radio)
• Surveillance cameras installed in Zvecan (Radio kontakt plus)
• Xi in Belgrade on anniversary of embassy bombing (N1)
• Kosovo families dependent on remittances (N1)
International:
• Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans adopted (consilium.europa.eu)
• FDI Alone Won’t Close Gap Between Balkan and EU Economies (BIRN)
• ‘A Special Voice’: How a Much-Loved Kosovo Singer Was Silenced Forever (BIRN)
• 53 Civilians Were Massacred In This Home In Kosovo. Now It’s A Museum (RFE)
• Chinese-Made Surveillance Cameras Are Spreading Across Eastern Europe, Despite Security Concerns (RFE)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 7, 2024
Albanian Language Media:
Kurti meets ambassadors of QUINT, asks for their support in CoE (Klan)
Kurti meets with Davenport and Sprecher, talk about the Control Office (media)
Kurti: Serbia propagandizing violence against Serbs in Kosovo, facts say the opposite (Koha)
O’Brien and Escobar to meet this week with Lajcak (Koha)
Osmani: The MCC is bringing important benefits to the people of Kosovo (media)
Gervalla in Warsaw, participates in the “Defence24 Days” conference (media)
Maqedonci: Serbian security structures are supporting terrorist groups (RTK)
Prosecution requests deportation of Russians arrested in Jarinje (media)
Police investigating suspected case of attempted murder in the north (RTK)
Police reports on an incident against Kosovo Police and U.S. KFOR in Leposavic (RTK)
Citaku on reactions to Escobar: Political misery (media)
Serbian Language Media:
For now, Kosovo’s admission not on the agenda of the CoE’s May meeting (NMagazin, Beta, N1)
Petkovic: Serb municipalities backbone of Brussels Agreement (Tanjug, Blic, Radio Mitrovica sever, N1)
Vucic met Chinese ambassador ahead of Xi’s visit (Tanjug, RTS, media)
Djuric: New Serbian government looking to future (Tanjug, TV Pink)
Lavrov spoke with Brnabic, Djuric, and Dacic about the situation in Kosovo, BiH (Kosovo Online)
State Department denies claims Escobar dismissed (N1, Tanjug)
RTK2: The channel in Serbian language does not have a website, a Facebook page, or a YouTube channel under its authority (media)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 3, 2024
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, 3 May, 2024
Albanian Language Media:
• Osmani: Press freedom is a basic human right, crucial for democracy (media)
• US Embassy: A strong democracy encourages a free press (media)
• Reactions to Reporters without Borders latest report on Kosovo (media)
• Nissen: Kosovo’s membership in NATO will become reality (media)
• Kurti meets Yildirim, thanks his group for choosing to invest in Kosovo (media)
• Osmani joins dedication ceremony of U.S. embassy conference rooms (media)
• Petkovic says Kosovo authorities rejected his visit request (RFE)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic: I believe in new government, challenging times are ahead (Tanjug)
• Yet another illegal expropriation in the north of Kosovo? New road through Banov Do village, residents say they did not need it at all (Radio kontakt plus, Alternativna)
• Vucic: Eswatini’s support especially important amid pressure on Serbia (Tanjug)
• Kosovo drops 19, Serbia 7 points on RSF Press Freedom Index (KoSSev)
• Matic: Commission for investigating murders of journalists in Kosovo must have an international mandate (Kosovo Online)
• A year of pain: Serbia marks school shooting anniversary (N1, media)
Opinion:
• Mujanovic: The Case for Admitting Kosovo to the Council of Europe (media)
International:
• An Artist From Kosovo Takes Flight (The New York Times)
• Serbian Media ‘Lost Public Trust’ Amid School Shooting Hysteria (Balkan Insight)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 3, 2024
Albanian Language Media:
• Osmani meets Hovenier: EU’s measures are unfair and must be removed (media)
• Stano: EU decides on lifting of measures, not government of Kosovo (media)
• Government reacts: De-escalation took place, measures must be lifted (media)
• Zulfaj: By not lifting measures against Kosovo, EU loses credibility (RTK)
• British Parliament approved Alicia Kearns’ motion for Kosovo (media)
• Reporters without Borders latest report on Kosovo (media)
• Kurti’s “digital army” on the frontline against reporters (RFE)
• Bajqinovci: Serbia is training 400 extremists in Kopaonik (KTV)
• Ministry changes article on marriage, doesn’t say when govt will vote on it (Koha)
Serbian Language Media:
• Parliament elects new Serbian Government (Tanjug)
• Stano: Serbian Government expected to show commitment to EU (N1)
• Stano: EU members, not Kosovo politicians, decide on abolition of punitive measures (Kosovo Online, KoSSev)
• SRSG Ziadeh meets Bishop Teodosije in Gracanica (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Kosovo Assembly on State Department report, opposition harshly criticized government over corruption (KoSSev, Radio KIM)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, May 2, 2024
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, 2 May, 2024
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: We met all EU requests to lift restrictive measures (RFE)
• Kosovo and MCC launch largest energy program in Kosovo (media)
• Tahiri: Assembly must meet and discuss date of new elections (EO)
• Kusari-Lila: State Department report has errors and inaccuracies (Koha)
• Kurti meets deputy mayors of Mitrovica North, Zvecan and Leposavic (media)
• Tuppurainen: Careful with Association not to be Vucic’s instrument (Express)
• Tahiri argues Association should not be given to join Council of Europe (media)
• Balje: I will not vote for same sex marriages (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucevic says Serbia has its red lines, no recognition of Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Belgrade supports Lajcak’s process for establishing CSM (Kosovo Online)
• Albanian Top Channel citing a 1943 census claims Orthodox Kosovo Albanians were “exterminated”, “converted to Serbs” and their “churches taken over” by Serbia (KoSSev)
• Three persons arrested over attack on Serb in Bosniak Mahala sent to house arrest (KoSSev)
• Pristina banned Milorad Arlov from visiting Kosovo for Easter (Kosovo Online)
• 25th anniversary of siblings Marija and Nikola death in Luzane bus attack commemorated in Gracanica (Radio KIM, KoSSev, RTS, media)
• 25 years since bombing of MUP building in Mitrovica North (KoSSev, media)
• Radio KIM: Kurti at ceremony of already handed over keys of apartments in Suvi Do, near Lipljan (media)
• Surveillance cameras installed near Tzar Lazar Monument in Mitrovica North (Kosovo Online)
International:
• UK warned to pay more attention to risks of conflict in the Balkans (The Standard)
• Forgetting Covid: Kosovo Sleepwalks Towards the Next Pandemic (BIRN)
• Ukrainian Photo Exhibit In Kosovo Offers Hope For The Future (RFE)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, May 2, 2024
Albanian Language Media:
• For successful vote, Germany asks Kosovo to take decisive step on Association (Koha)
• Bakoyannis: No candidate has been asked for so many reforms (media)
• Gervalla: Kosovo has met all conditions for membership in CoE (media)
• Bislimi in Switzerland discusses CoE membership and dialogue (Reporteri)
• Biserko on Kosovo at CoE: Positive for Serbs in Kosovo (media)
• Kurti calls on SPO to charge criminals who committed genocide during war (media)
• Kurti: With powerful unions, tendencies of oligarchic employers are repelled (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Serbian Parliament hears PM-designate’s program, discusses new Government (N1, media)
• Vucevic: Defending Serbia’s sovereignty to be our biggest challenge (Tanjug)
• Serbian officials slam Bakoyannis remarks on CoE and Kosovo (Tanjug, media, social media)
• US disappointed with nomination of sanctioned individuals as ministers (VoA, N1)
• Petkovic reacts to Kurti’s BBC interview, says the only one belonging to last century is Kurti (Kosovo Online)
• KoSSev: Kosovo Union protest demanding social dialogue and wages increase, Kurti with lessons from history and praises of system (BETA)
International Media:
• Bakoyannis: Everyone was aware of my special ties with the Serbian people (European Western Balkans)
• Boys Preferred: Sex-Selective Abortion Still Happening in the Balkans (Balkan Insight)
Belgrade Media Report 30 April 2024
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Tuesday 30 April 2024
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: There is a comprehensive campaign of falsehoods, a campaign of flexible interpretation of Pristina obligations; The result of the vote on the resolution on Srebrenica will not be humiliating for the Serbian people (RTS)
• Brnabic speaks about Srebrenica Resolution, says authorities of Serbia have done their best to make sure truth is presented (Blic)
• Serbian Parliament Speaker Brnabic: Konakovic’s message to Vucic and Serbia is shameful (Nezavisne)
• Vucevic read the proposed composition of the Government of the Republic of Serbia (B92)
• Vucevic: Serbia committed to EU membership (N1)
• Stano: NO progress due to lack of will among politicians from Serbia, Kosovo (Beta)
• Authorities, opposition unhappy with state TV reporting (N1)
• Chinese President to visit Serbia next week (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Cvijanovic to address UN Security Council via video on Tuesday; U.S. files request asking for Schmidt to address UN SC (ATV)
• Dodik: Konakovic again talks rubbish, story about Srebrenica is a lie (RTRS)
• Cvijanovic answers to Konakovic: He thinks everyone has to have foreign mentor (RTRS)
• Court of B&H confirms indictment against President of Association ‘Istocna Alternativa’ Vojin Pavlovic for denying genocide in Srebrenica (Nova BH)
• Trial of Dodik and Lukic continues before Court of B&H; Dodik says everything is farce and politically rigged process (Nova BH)
• RS’ 31st Report for UN Security Council adopted and sent: It welcomes EU integration of B&H, condemns HR Schmidt (RTRS)
• Ministers Helez and Nesic: There will be no war! (Dnevni avaz)
• First National Prayer Breakfast held in Sarajevo under slogan ‘Let us all be one’ (Nova BH)
Croatia
• Homeland Movement meets with HDZ and SDP (HRT)
• EU looks to expand budget as it faces a future with multiple challenges (HRT)
Montenegro
• Scholz: It’s high time for Montenegro’s membership in EU, I’m delighted with ambition; Spajic: I don’t expect any blockage (Antena M, RTCG)
• Milatovic-Lajcak: Montenegro should take advantage of the positive moment and become the first next member of the EU (CDM)
• Ivanovic – Lajcak: Montenegro is in the best position to be the next member of the EU (CDM)
• Nic: Spajic said that Montenegro will support the Resolution on Srebrenica, but will not co-sponsor it (CDM)
• Dodik on Montenegro’s decision to support the resolution on Srebrenica: The new government, like Djukanovic’s, is anti-Serbian (CDM)
North Macedonia
• Osmani: People’s will to be seen on May 8, it cannot be trampled (MIA)
• Mexhiti: Worth It coalition doesn’t want to be part of anti-European gov’t at any cost (MIA)
• Osmani on MFA’s 55th anniversary: We are reliable members of every important international organization (MIA)
Albania
• Albania-Kosovo, cooperation in respecting citizens’ rights (Radio Tirana)
• Hasani: Use of systems should be based on international laws and human rights (Radio Tirana)
• Mazniku in Brussels for the establishment of the Joint Consultative Council (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, April 30, 2024
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, 30 April, 2024
Albanian Language Media:
• Osmani: €200 million U.S. grant will transform our energy sector (media)
• Kurti on Banjska attack: I think they wanted a new war (media)
• Kryeziu reacts to Stano: Lack of progress is not due to both sides (media)
• Gervalla: Kosovo, a champion of democracy and rule of law in Balkans (media)
• Pahor preparing a document for dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia (Koha)
• Kosovo Teacher’s Union to protest on Wednesday (Indeksonline)
• Kurti attends opening of exhibition “Ukraine, a war crime” in Pristina (media)
• Kosovo Assembly committee adopts Code of Conduct for MPs (media)
• U.S. sanctioned Serbian politician nominated for Deputy Prime Minister (media)
• Stradner: Vucic “preparing new escalation” to remain in power for years (media)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucevic announces composition of new Serbian Government (N1, media)
• Pro-Russian sentiments rising in Serbia, EU losing support (VoA, N1)
• Kilometers-long queues at Jarinje crossing point (KoSSev, Radio KIM)
• Serbs in the north of Kosovo on census: Neither is one knocking on our door, nor would we have open it (RFE)
• SRSG meets Partes mayor, encourages work on building trust between people (KoSSev, Kosovo Online, social media)
• Vukicevic: We are finding ways as best we can; Pristina’s regulations make life difficult for everyone (Kosovo Online)
• Kosovo police installing cameras at another four locations in Mitrovica North (KoSSev)
• Trial to Thaci and others: KLA legal adviser requested release of two Albanian women from KLA prison camp, both found dead (KoSSev, BETA, media)
• Serbia is China’s first comprehensive strategic partner in CEE – Chinese MFA (Tanjug)
International:
• Kosovo Lacks Capacities to Fight Disinformation (Prishtina Insight)
• Hindered in many ways (Kosovo 2.0)
LINKS
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UN News Center
From Google News- Russian hackers target Kosovo over support for Ukraine - bne IntelliNews 08/05/2024Russian hackers target Kosovo over support for Ukraine bne IntelliNews
- Russia launches hybrid cyber attack on Kosovo over Ukraine support - Türkiye Newspaper 08/05/2024Russia launches hybrid cyber attack on Kosovo over Ukraine support Türkiye Newspaper
- One in three UK women are sad - worse than Saudi Arabia and Kosovo - The Telegraph 08/05/2024One in three UK women are sad - worse than Saudi Arabia and Kosovo The Telegraph
- Russian hackers target Kosovo over support for Ukraine - bne IntelliNews 08/05/2024
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