United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Thursday 10 February 2022
LOCAL PRESS

• Serbian parliament approves constitutional amendments (Tanjug/RTS)
• EU: Serbia free to sign agreement with China, but needs to cancel it upon entry into EU (Beta)
• Stefanovic meets with Russian Ambassador (Tanjug/RTV)
• Serbian Patriarch says Kosovo dialogue is duty and mission (N1/Politika)
• Peach: Britain supports Belgrade-Pristina dialogue with EU mediation (RTV/Tanjug)
• ZSO must not be deprived of content (Politika)
• US Ambassador releases memory video before leaving Serbia (N1)
• Diplomacy privatized for destroying of RS (Novosti)
• Momcilo Babic is the new Serbian Ambassador to Russia (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• RS parliament discusses proposal of law on origin of property (RTRS)
• RS parliament discusses changes to Law on Republic Administration which stipulates establishment of Agency for Medicines and Medicinal Devices of RS (Oslobodjenje)
• RS parliament starts discussion on RS HJPC on Wednesday but they interrupt it and schedule it for Thursday; Dodik: I will personally advocate for law on RS HJPC to be implemented within 90 days after its adoption in March (BHT1)
• HJPC B&H: Latest activities of RS authorities on adoption of draft law on formation of HJPC RS violate constitutional order of B&H (BHT1)
• Zvizdic: Prosecutor's Office of B&H and B&H CC can react to unconstitutional action by RS representatives (O Kanal)
• SDA officials criticize RS parliament conclusions (AJB)
• RS Representation Office in Brussels: RS respects constitutional organization of B&H (RTRS)
• Sarovic: If Komsic visited Kosovo as Presidency member, it would be diplomatic scandal (Nezavisne)
• Schmidt welcomes willingness to continue negotiation on improving Election Law (Dnevni avaz)
Croatia
• Croatian and Kosovo agriculture ministers meet in Zagreb (Hina)
Montenegro
• Protest in Podgorica: People of Montenegro, get ready for the elections (RTCG)
• Democrats: Abazovic stands behind arrests; He owes us an apology (CdM)
• Djukanovic expects a report on consultations today (Pobjeda)
• Djukanovic: There’s high level of concurrence, government should be elected quickly (CdM)
• Without the support of SDP, if the goals are Fundamental Agreement, the census, Vucic’s initiatives (RTCG)
• Maddocks: Both new government and elections legitimate solutions (RTNK)
Albania
• Internationals increase pressure on MPs to extend vetting bodies’ mandate (Tirana Times)
• Meta: My mandate ends on 24 July, there will be no dismissal (Radio Tirana)
• Rama meets Kim prior to his visit to Washington DC (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

Brnabic, Peach: EU membership, stable region Serbia’s priorities (Tanjug/Politika)
Liberation Movement believes Peach should have been denied visit over his role in air strikes (Beta)
Bulgaria will support Serbia on its EU path (Tanjug)
Vucic, Petkov discuss energy ties, economy (Tanjug/Politika/RTV/RTS)
Mihajlovic: Connecting with Bulgaria towards region's energy security (Tanjug)
Serbia and US as partners in energy transition, energy infrastructure construction (RTV/FoNet/Tanjug)
Vucic, Slutsky discuss further development of bilateral ties (Politika/RTS/Tanjug)
Stano: Readiness of both sides necessary for specific progress (RTS/RTV/Tanjug)
Ponos: Serbian authorities manipulating people from Republika Srpska (Beta)
Lutovac: Votes stolen before elections in Serbia; We’ll defend people’s will (N1)
Four thousand migrants in, some thousand outside reception center (Beta)
Stoltenberg: We respect Serbia's decision not to join NATO (TV Vesti)
Restoration of Nazi collaborator’s house in Kosovo halted (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Draft Law on RS HJPC on agenda of RS parliament session; Representatives of ruling majority in RS say they see nothing controversial in adoption of Law on RS HJPC (BHT1)
RS parliament opposition harshly criticizes draft law on RS HJPC (N1)
Schmidt: Establishment of single, state-level HJPC was pivotal consensual reform to modernize B&H judiciary in accordance with European and international standards (BHT1)
European Commission: HJPC RS is undermining of European standards (AJB)
US Embassy deems moves of RS parliament representatives as violation of constitutional and legal order of B&H (BHT1)
German Embassy reacts to draft law on HJPC: Solutions for problems are to be advocated and found within state institutions (Oslobodjenje)
SDS Presidency holds session; Sarovic: Adopting Law on RS HJPC would cause chaos and will be used to cover up crime of current authorities (BN TV)
Dzaferovic and Komsic: Draft Law on RS HJPC is attempt to take away competences of state judiciary and is part of secessionist project led by Dodik (N1)
SDA comments on RS parliament’s decisions; Osmanovic calls on HR and international community to react (Hayat)
SBB B&H comments draft law on HJPC: Defending of state of B&H has no alternative and SBB will act in this direction (Dnevni avaz)
DF: We believe that all given activities of seizing competences from the state of B&H are in function of creating conditions for secession, which is obviously supported by Vucic (N1)
RS parliament discusses Law on Immovable Property; Bratic: This law is attack on DPA; Entities cannot be owners of property (RTRS)
Vucic: DPA needs to be respected by everyone; DPA defines that forests and land belong to the RS (ATV)
Dzaferovic: Vucic’s statements on B&H state property represent interference in internal matters pertaining to sovereignty (Glas Srpske)
Dodik: Dzaferovic’s attack on Vucic comes at the time when Dzaferovic knows Komsic is visiting ‘Kosovo and Metohija’ contrary to B&H Presidency’s decision (Srna/RTRS)
RS parliament discusses amendments to Law on RS Administration which envisages establishment of RS Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (BN TV)
Turkovic meets with Stoltenberg in Brussels; says B&H citizens are concerned that political crisis caused by anti-Dayton actions is increasingly turning into security crisis (BHT1)
Montenegro

Bilcik & Picula: Time must no longer be wasted; new government must be formed and parliament speaker appointed (CdM)
Krivokapic says he will make decisions and adds he isn’t interested in technical mandate (Pobjeda)
Minority government to have 3 DPMs, ministries and non-party-affiliated persons (CdM)
SD: Ready for talks, all models are on the table (RTCG)
Djukanovic & Mitsotakis: WB needs Greek support to protect region from third-party malignancy (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia

EU hasn’t fulfilled its promise, but N. Macedonia should remain committed to EU goals, says the Council of Europe (MIA)
Albania

Rama speaks from Kruja about on Albania's European journey (Radio Tirana)
Achievements of Albania have been approved by 27 EU countries, minister Xhacka underlined (Radio Tirana)
Mazi: EU member states agree with the negotiating framework for Albania, the membership process will be difficult! (Radio Tirana)
Schutz: Judicial reform decisive for the accession into EU (Radio Tirana)
Joint press statement of the EU delegation to Albania and US Embassy in Tirana (Radio Tirana)
German Ambassador: It is important that Vetting's mandate be extended (Radio Tirana)
British Embassy: We encourage the Assembly to support the extension of the Vetting (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Tuesday 8 February 2022
LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic meets with Peach (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Petkovic calls international community to prevent consequences by the Brussels agreement (Politika/RTS)
• Stano denies reports of plan to allow Kosovo Serbs to vote (KoSSev/N1/RTS)
• Brnabic: Serbia recognized as leader in IT industry (Politika/Tanjug)
• Cooperation between Serbia, Hungary reaches its historical peak (Tanjug/RTS)
• Joksimovic and Szijjarto: Hungary strategic partner of Serbia on its path to EU (Tanjug/RTV)
• Cochard: France will fully back Serbia’s bid to join EU (Beta)
• Stefanovic attacks Ponos (FoNet)
• Djilas: Regime brings people from Bosnia to vote in Belgrade election (N1)
• Coup in Montenegro; They said that Abazovic was a thug (TV Prva/B92)
• Zuroff’s protest letter over renovation of Deva’s house (Tanjug/Politika)
• Croatian Ambassador says Serbia and Croatia need to intensify political cooperation (Kurir)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Politicians react to announced discussion about draft law on RS High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council; Dodik: Treatment of this law will determine further movement of B&H (O Kanal)
• US Embassy calls on leaders to reject activities which undermine constitutional order of B&H (RFE/Dnevni avaz)
• EUD/EUSR: RS’ activities on establishing parallel institutions are steps towards escalation; EC is considering concrete actions in response to RS’ activities (Oslobodjenje)
• Zvizdic rejects claims that FB&H is turning into Bosniak entity, slams SNSD because of Proposal on Law on Prohibition of Use of Term ‘Genocide’ (Oslobodjenje)
• RS officials comment Covic’s statement that there can be no elections without new Election Law (Glas Srpske)
• Dodik reacts to Turkovic’s decision on use of coat of arms, flag, anthem of B&H (ATV)
Croatia
• Presidencies of HDZ Croatia and HDZ B&H discuss outcome of negotiations on electoral reform at joint session (AJB)
Montenegro
• Aleksa Becic dismissed (CdM)
• Konatar: Minority government should be formed asap; if we fail, we’ll organize elections (CdM)
• Djukanovic: We’ll support minority government and we won’t take part in it (DW/CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovacevski rejects call for early elections (Republika)
• Kovacevski meets Ambassador Voutsas: Strong support from Austria for the European perspectives of our country (Republika)
• Maricic-Jan Kopp: Support from the Kingdom of Netherlands important to country’s EU path and reform process (Republika)
Albania
• President to address European Court if dismissed by C.C (ADN)
• President's dismissal, Kryemadhi sees political pressure on C.C (ADN)
• Tahiri in prison / Soreca: We are looking at good signals, we expect more from justice institutions (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: Discussions with Xi significant (Tanjug/RTS/Politika/Novosti)
Selakovic: Renewal of Serbia-US cooperation priority (Tanjug/Politika)
Djuric: Thank you for supporting my country (FoNet)
Upward trend of cooperation between Serbia, US in the field of defense (Tanjug)
Selakovic: Serbia seeks better overall cooperation with Germany (Tanjug)
Cadez, representatives of Serbian companies meet with Lajcak (Tanjug)
Project of reconstruction of house of Xhafer Deva should not be implemented (RTS/Tanjug)
Ambassador on using Belgian model in Kosovo: Some interesting elements to consider (Beta)
Framework for cooperation with UN for sustainable development until 2025 defined (Beta)
Serbian parliament adopts changes to a set of election laws (N1)
Social Democratic Party, Democrats of Serbia unite (Beta)
Knezevic: Abazovic bans Serbs to enter government of Montenegro (TV Prva/B92)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

SNSD and its coalition partners submit proposal to parliament of B&H for adoption of Law on Banning Misuse of Term Genocide in urgent procedure (Nova BH)
German MEP Marquardt: EU should join US sanctions against Dodik and others, Varhelyi does not represent stances of EC; We do not want ethnic gerrymandering in B&H (Oslobodjenje)
Izetbegovic calls on foreigners to intensify sanctions against Dodik and impose sanctions against RS as a whole (ATV)
OSCE, UK Embassy condemn RS authorities’ moves towards establishing of entity judicial and prosecutorial council (Oslobodjenje)
Lagumdzija: Schmidt promised that he will not allow establishing of RS judicial and prosecutorial council (Dnevni avaz)
Kovacevic: Dodik is for agreement, Izetbegovic for foreigners imposing solutions (Dnevni list)
Tegeltija and Keqiang discuss improvement of relations between China and B&H (RTRS)
Croatia

Milanovic: Behavior of Bosniak leadership in B&H same as pattern of behavior of Slobodan Milosevic; HDZ Croatia: Milanovic used to be Komsic’s passionate supporter (HRT)
Croatian parliament discusses Croatia’s policy towards B&H and comments on Covic’s statement on RS (N1)
Grlic Radman says Milanovic is responsible for current position of Croats in B&H (Vecernji list)
Covic: Croat people must elect its 17 delegates in the Croat Caucus in the House of Peoples and its member of Presidency of B&H (Vecernji list)
Montenegro

Krivokapic’s government overthrown (CdM)
Konjevic: PM and technical govt to perform tasks in line with good practice (CdM)
Vuksanovic Stankovic: Jokovic, there can’t be both Serbian World and EU; Jokovic: Open Balkans isn’t Serbian World (CdM)
Court: Djukanovic didn’t violate Constitution (CdM)
Albania

Albania-Kosovo start trade facilitation (ADN)
Kim: US appreciates Albania's leadership on UN Security Council as co-pen holder with us on Ukraine issue (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Friday 4 February 2022
LOCAL PRESS

• Brnabic: Serbia expects full implementation of Brussels agreement (Tanjug/RTS/Politika)
• Lajcak: All agreements must be implemented (Tanjug/Politika/N1)
• Escobar meets Serbia’s opposition; US says doesn’t support political parties (Beta/N1)
• Serbia committed to strengthening all forms of cooperation with USA (Tanjug/RTS)
• US Embassy: Kosovo Serbs should be allowed to vote in Serbian elections (FoNet)
• Selakovic: One B&H constituent people wants to abolish Republika Srpska (Beta)
• Army and police will protect citizens and property in Ground Safety Zone (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• B&H HoR session: Blockade is still present, RS representatives from ruling coalition show up just to vote for four international agreements, while opposition did not show up at all (FTV)
• Sarovic: Our proposal was to freeze the so-called ‘Inzko’s law’ until compromise is found (Dnevni list)
• RS government adopts amendments to RS Law on Administration (AJB)
• RS government sends draft law on HJPC to RS parliament (AJB)
• Sarovic, Borenovic, Nesic comment on draft law on HJPC (BN TV/RTRS)
• Zunic, Petkovic: Basis for adoption of law on HJPC of RS is RS Constitution and conclusions of RS parliament from 2004 (Glas Srpske)
• Schmidt meets HJPC officials: Rule of law crucial for B&H’s progress (Dnevni avaz)
• Dodik claims Izetbegovic still lives on stereotypes from 90s and tells him to give up on Islamic B&H (Srna/RTRS)
• Izetbegovic states elections under existing law would suit Covic; In case Komsic wins elections again, Covic sacrifices post of B&H Presidency member, but gets everything else (FTV)
• Croat Party of B&H slams Covic over his speech in RS oarkuanebt and discussion on changes to Election Law of B&H only in part related to FB&H (Dnevni list)
• UN Resident Coordinator in B&H: 47% of youth in B&H is thinking of leaving country (Nezavisne)
Croatia
• Plenkovic, Covic meet; Covic informs him about failed negotiations in Neum (HRT)
• Milanovic criticizes Schmidt for statement on elections (N1)
• Croatian parliament’s Commissions discuss status of Croats in B&H (HRT)
Montenegro
• MPs to discuss today parliament mandate shortening and no confidence in govt. (CdM)
• Constitutional Court today deciding whether Djukanovic violated the Constitution (RTCG)
Albania
• President's dismissal, Meta reacts after C.C. postpones decision (ADN)
• Russia asks Albania to clarify stance on Ukraine's NATO membership (ADN)