Belgrade Media Report 10 January 2024
United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Wednesday 10 January 2024
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: Serbia-Russia relations very good, Serbia is no one’s protectorate (RTS/Tanjug)
• Brnabic dismisses claims that number of voters has increased by almost 100,000 since 2020 (Beta)
• European Socialists call on Brnabic to allow investigation of election irregularities (Beta)
• Stano: We expect implementation of Belgrade-Pristina agreements (N1)
• Vucevic accuses independent media of breaking election law (N1)
• Djilas reveals more false residence registration (N1)
• Opposition will not refuse to accept seats in parliament (Nova/Beta)
• Tolkach urges Serbia to condemn Russia attacks during the holiday season (Beta)
• Vulin: Each Serb should get Serbian passport and right to vote no matter where they live (Politika)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Seventy-seven echelons participate in RS Day parade; Dodik: We do not need tutors and colonizers because this people never allowed to be enslaved (ATV/RTRS)
• Award ceremony for most deserving individuals and institutions held in Banja Luka on occasion of RS Day; Hungarian PM Orban awarded with highest RS decoration (RTRS)
• Marking of RS Day starts with liturgy led by Patriarch Porfirije (ATV)
• Dodik talks with Porfirije, Orlic, Vucevic and Kalabukhov in Palace of RS (RTRS)
• Dodik: If fake HR dares to pass law on state property, the RS will not hesitate to declare independent status; Something was declared on 9 January, and it cannot be observed on the other date; US Ambassador is not welcome to RS (ATV/RTRS)
• Cvijanovic: 9 January is day of victory, symbol and holiday of freedom (RTRS)
• Viskovic: Freedom is something brought in connection with Serb people (RTRS)
• Konakovic: Reaction to any kind of secessionist decisions would be more determined than ever (Dnevni avaz)
• Zvizdic: Disgracing, anti-civilizational and provocative celebration of the RS Day organized in the RS (Oslobodjenje)
• ‘Our Party’: There is nothing to celebrate today (Dnevni avaz)
• Komsic: Celebrating 9 January means celebrating historical defeat of idea of Greater Serbia (Slobodna Bosna)
• Remembrance Day of victims of genocide marked in Potocari in response to unconstitutional RS Day marking (FTV)
• Council of the Congress of Bosniak Intellectuals request punishment for celebrating Day of RS and all those who participate in it (Hayat)
• US Embassy: We will not hesitate to address anti-Dayton actions (Dnevni avaz)
• Stano on the RS Day: EU always underlines that sovereignty, territorial integrity, constitutional organization and international distinctiveness of B&H must be preserved; All activities against these principles will lead to serious consequences (Slobodna Bosna)
• Ambassador Reilly: Selection of 9 January violates several provisions of Constitution (Oslobodjenje)
• Leaders of FB&H-level ruling coalition hold meeting where they presented their views on amendments to the Election Law of B&H (FTV)
• Komsic: HDZ B&H will wear down Troika and they will accept Covic’s demands regarding Election Law (Slobodna Bosna)
• EU comments on Schmidt’s announcement about possible imposition of changes to B&H Election Law (N1)
• Komsic: Schmidt acts as High Representative exclusively for Bosniaks; B&H needs strong pro-Bosnian bloc to protect state interests (Slobodna Bosna)
Montenegro
• Montenegro among the signatories: US and partners condemn transfer of weapons between North Korea and Russia (Vijesti)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Ahmeti: Unlike Rama, Kurti interferes in internal affairs of Albanians in North Macedonia (Top Channel/MIA)
• Parliament to hold sessions leading to election of caretaker government on 22-28 January (MIA)
Albania
• A two-day meeting of the government cabinet (Radio Tirana)
• Pre-accession funds, EU 250 million Euros for national programs in Albania (Radio Tirana)
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 10, 2024
UNMIK Media Observer, Afternoon Edition, January 10, 2024
Albanian Language Media:
• Kurti: Serbia with “Putin-like methods” threat to Kosovo, Serbian citizens (RFE)
• Kearns: A Five Eyes country delivered an investigation into Banjska (Telegrafi)
• 12 days left to collect signatures for dismissal of mayors in the north (RFE)
• Haxhiu: Constitutional Court is obstructing the implementation of reforms (Kallxo)
• Zeka: Prices remain high; the economy has not been priority of any govt (EO)
• Nearly €300,000 for shelters, NGOs that offer social and family services (Kallxo)
• Palokaj: EU and U.S. concerned that Serbia is strongly behind Dodik (Koha)
Serbian Language Media:
• Celic: Seizure of Rajska Banja part of strategy to leave CSM without economic power and resources (Kosovo Online)
• Vucic: Serbia-Russia relations very good, Serbia is no one’s protectorate (Tanjug, media)
• Lawyers to demand dismissal of indictment against Milenkovic, house arrest measure instead of detention (Kosovo Online)
• Kosovo Online: Kurti said Petrit Dula is in Serbian prison, he was released in April last year
• Vucic: Everyone is arming themselves, we are not lagging behind (Tanjug)
UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, January 10, 2024
Albanian Language Media:
• Cameron at UK Parliament comments Banjska attack, commends police (media)
• Krasniqi, Quint representatives discuss civic initiative in the north (media)
• Lajcak: Grateful for strong French support to EU-facilitated dialogue (media)
• Krasniqi: Association statute with executive competencies, unacceptable (media)
• One month detention for former KLA member arrested in Serbia (RFE)
• European Commission: We are following Sandulovic’s case (Koha)
• Saudi Arabia waives visas for Kosovo citizens with diplomatic, official passports (media)
• Kamberi: All those with different opinions in Serbia are being threatened (Koha)
Serbian Language Media:
• Vucic to attend WEF meeting in Davos, Kurti’s name ‘asterisked’ (Tanjug, media)
• Krasniqi met EU and Quint representatives, discussed citizens’ petitions to dissolve mayors in four northern municipalities (Kosovo Online, social media)
• Attempted “appropriation” of Our Lady of Ljevis – falsifying history (Kosovo Online)
• Ban on importing Serbian goods in Kosovo still in force (N1)
• State Department said it closely monitors initiative to reinstate obligatory military service in Serbia (Kosovo Online)
• Serbian PM rejects claims of illegal voter registration (N1)
International Media:
• Share Your Experience: Consumer Rights’ Violations in Kosovo (Balkan Insight)