United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Thursday 27 January 2022
LOCAL PRESS

• Brnabic: Never closer to EU, never further from agreement with Pristina (RTS)
• Von der Leyen: Good meeting with Brnabic (Tanjug)
• Vucic, Botsan-Kharchenko discuss bilateral, global affairs (RTS/RTV/Tanjug)
• Stefanovic: Serbia has significant role to play in stability of region (RTV/Tanjug)
• Serbia, UK sign readmission agreement (RTS)
• Petkovic acquainted Dmohovski with Pristina’s announcement that it will ban Serbs to vote in elections (RTV/Tanjug)
• Drecun presents report to Committee for Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/FoNet)
• Dacic: SNS, SPS to meet by end of week to discuss elections (Tanjug)
• Sapic confirms he will run for Belgrade mayor (Tanjug)
• Abazovic in Belgrade (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Schmidt briefs members of Committee on EU Affairs of German Bundestag on current situation in B&H (BN TV)
• Dzaferovic and Dodik welcome UK parliament Foreign Affairs Committee; Current political and economic situation in B&H discussed (RTRS)
• Dodik: RS will propose law which will stop misuses of Inzko Law; This law is condition to return to B&H institutions (ATV)
• Izetbegovic rejects Cubrilovic's proposal for him to address RS parliament at its next session (Hayat)
• Palmer and Eichhorst meet members of Collegium of both Houses of B&H parliament (Hayat/Nova BH)
• Palmer and Eichhorst hold meetings with representatives of ruling and opposition parties in B&H (BN TV)
• Palmer, Eichhorst meet Izetbegovic, Covic, Dzaferovic (BHT1)
• US Embassy: It is necessary to discuss electoral reform, as well as integrity and functionality of state institutions (Dnevni avaz)
• DF, SDP DF refuse to participate in negotiations on changes to Election Law, Our Party will participate only if their proposal is on agenda (O Kanal/Dnevni avaz)
• Vukadin, Cvitanovic, Karamatic: Croats should insist not to erase ethnic prefix in negotiations on changes to B&H Election Law (Nezavisne)
Croatia
• Milanovic: Survival, constituent status and well-being of Croats in B&H is Croatia’s strategic interest (HRT1)
• Martinovic: FB&H would be entity of majority people if there were no constitutional protection instruments (Vecernji list)
• Ukraine summons Croatian Ambassador over Milanovic's statements (Hina)
• PM: Croatia continues to foster friendly ties with Ukraine, normal ties with Russia (Hina)
Montenegro
• Adzic: We must not be prisoners of fear of the return of the DPS (RTCG)
• Minority government as a transitional solution (RTCG)
• Spajic: Fundamental Agreement the best possible at the moment (RTCG)
• Abazovic's desperate attempt to involve the SPC in the policy of overthrowing the Montenegrin government (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Xhaferi is buying time before putting VMRO proposal for changes in the electoral code to a vote (Republika)
• Kaevski: We will overcome all open issues with Bulgaria in the next six months (Republika)
Albania
• Albania-Kosovo agreements, draft laws on customs facilities approved (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

Belgrade and Brussels are committed to Serbia's EU perspective (Tanjug)
Brnabic: The visit to Brussels was successful, the talks show how committed the EU is to Serbia (Tanjug)
Brnabic: Serbia has never progressed so swiftly towards EU (RTS)
Petkovic with Davenport on the situation in Kosovo and Metohija (RTS)
Selakovic with Davenport: We expect that voting in the elections will be possible in KiM (RTS)
Davenport on holding elections in Kosovo and Metohija: OSCE ready to help (RTS)
Stefanovic with the envoy of the British Government for the Western Balkans (RTS)
SNS says will run as single party in Serbia’s April elections; SPS: We will see (Nova daily)
Democrats’ leader refuses to run for Belgrade mayor (Beta)
Djilas certain Vucic will be ousted in April elections (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

EU HR Borrell replies to group of MEPs: For now dialogue is option, EU has instruments if the situation continues to escalate (Dnevni list)
French MEPs Mariani and Juvin: Sanctions to individuals do not bring anything good (RTRS)
Croatian President Milanovic: If someone votes for sanctions against Dodik, he is traitor; Izetbegovic is trying to buy time so that elections in B&H can be held according to the old system that discriminates against Croats (ATV)
Cubrilovic: Dialogue is needed to solve problems in B&H in consensus; RS officials never mentioned war as an option (Glas Srpske)
RS opposition on Cubrilovic’s call to Covic, Izetbegovic to attend RSNA session: This is Dodik’s order, he is inviting his coalition partners (BN TV)
Kavalec says elections will be held regardless of outcome of talks on election reform, calls citizens to elect politicians who will secure prosperous and stable future for B&H (Dnevni avaz)
HDZ B&H leader Covic: Constituent status of people, legitimate representation and competences of FB&H HoP are minimum below which they will not go (FTV)
Stances of B&H political parties ahead of new round of negotiations on election reform (Nova BH)
Sejdic: HNS proposal of election changes does not resolve issue of judgement in ‘Sejdic-Finci’ case (N1)
B&H Presidency Chairman Komsic addresses PACE session: Some political forces want to create new constitutional arrangements and electoral system with deeper discrimination; Neighbouring countries want to achieve wartime goals (O kanal, N1)
Komsic’s speech at PACE session met with harsh criticism, his attendance assessed as ‘misused option of speaking on behalf of B&H’ (Glas Srpske)
Croatia

Croatian President says Ukraine should not be part of NATO (Hina)
Plenkovic apologizes to Ukraine for Milanovic's statement that it is corrupt (AJB)
Montenegro

Krivokapic: Government ready to sign Fundamental Agreement with SOC (RTCG)

Krivokapic: Minister Radulovic works for minority government since September (RTCG)

Abazovic: I don't care about dismissals, they are a reflection of helplessness (RTCG)
DF asks Abazovic: Seek solution within parliamentary majority, there must be no cooperation with DPS (CDM)
Krivokapic's Cabinet: Session of National Security Council not held, Prime Minister to schedule new session (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Nikolovski: With the current government, the foundations of the state are being destroyed, early elections needed (TV Sonce)
Borissov: Don’t repeat our mistake, immediately resolve the most difficult issues in Bulgarian-Macedonian relations (Republika)
The Macedonian Army is preparing a plan for possible participation in NATO intervention in Ukraine (Telma TV)
Reaction of the Russian Embassy in Skopje: We are surprised by the statements of the Macedonian Minister of Defense (Republika)
Albania

President Meta explains decision to hold elections on March 6 (ADN)
President meets head of Armed Forces, focus on Ukraine conflict (ADN)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 25 January 2022

LOCAL PRESS
• Brnabic in Brussels at the meeting of the Stabilization and Association Council (RTS)
• Pristina, investigation against several officials of the Serbian List (RTS)
• Petkovic: Kurti's efforts to ban the elections on April 3 in KiM will lead to unforeseeable consequences (RTS)
• Stefanovic with the British Minister of Defense: Serbia is determined to strengthen its relations between the two countries (RTS)
• Obradovic filed criminal charges on suspicion of election theft in a referendum (RTS)
• Enough is Enough, Healthy Serbia and I live for Serbia together in the elections (RTS)
• Democratic Party: Talks on joint candidates to be suspended over Ponos nomination, or democrat leaders to step down (Beta)
• Djilas: Party not to give up on Ponos (Beta)
• Former Army Chief-of-Staff Ponos most suitable candidate opposition can currently offer (Danas)
• Fear from ‘non-paper’ again starts spreading in region (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• HR Schmidt for German media: EU could easily reach consent on introduction of sanctions to Dodik (Nova BH, O kanal)
• Group of MEPs calls on EU to change strategy towards Dodik (BHT1)
• UK Ambassador Field publishes blog post ‘End to B&H’s consequence-free environment’ warning that current crisis is dangerous distraction from corruption (BN TV)
• Dodik: Field confirms thesis that B&H is last colony in Europe (RTRS)
• Cubrilovic calls on Izetbegovic, Covic to address RSNA; Osmanovic: They should first address B&H Parliament (RTRS)
• B&H HoR to discuss changes to Law on B&H HJPC on February 3; RS representatives say it is pointless to discuss those changes right when RS is about to adopt law on formation of RS HJPC (EuroBlic)
• SDA, DF MPs demand that the December 10 RSNA conclusions are put out of force; RS representatives reject request calling it “very irritating” (Glas Srpske)
• Sarovic: US and EU probably exerted pressure on Orban, and Orban showed that relations with US and EU countries are more important to him (BN TV)
• New round of negotiations on electoral reform in B&H (N1)
• HDZ B&H’s Kozul: Solution for electoral reform is possible, but atmosphere in political Sarajevo is hindering progress (Dnevni avaz)
• SNSD’s Prodanovic on changes to B&H Election Law: It would be very important to remove obstacles regarding election of Croat member of B&H Presidency (O kanal)
• Sejdic prepares his own proposal of changes to Election Law, criticizes Eishhorst and Palmer for advocating their own and not EU’s and US’ interests in talks on electoral reform (Glas Srpske)
Croatia
• Croatian FM Grlic-Radman: EU must send clear message to those who inhibit process of election reform in B&H (Hina)
• Grlic Radman; There are no reasons to withdraw diplomats from Ukraine (Hina)
• Milanovic on the conflict in Ukraine: If there is an escalation, we will withdraw our troops to the last Croatian soldier (Jutarnji list)
Montenegro
• Abazovic: If someone touches the security sector against Constitution to provoke tensions, outbursts of nationalism, they’ll get an adequate response immediately (CDM)
• Krivokapic: A coup attempt is underway in Montenegro (Antena M)
• Govt. dismisses Radulovic from Delegation for EU Accession Negotiations, Milatovic replaces him (CDM)
• Krivokapic dismisses Sekulovic and appoints himself head of Ministry of Justice, Human and Minority Rights (CDM)
• URA: The minority government model is currently the optimal solution for overcoming the political crisis (FoNet)
• Medojevic: DF will not support the minority government (RTCG)
• US Embassy: Political leaders to avoid inflammatory nationalist rhetoric (VOA)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Key parties agree to abolish the technical Government rule, but SDSM and DUI don’t want it to lead to early elections (Republika)
• The Macedonian Army is preparing a plan for possible participation in NATO intervention in Ukraine (Telma TV)
Albania
• Meta: Albania appeals for the settlement of Ukraine-Russia disputes through dialogue (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

Vulin: Organized crime group plotting to assassinate Vucic (Tanjug/RTS/Politika/Novosti)
Brnabic: Vucic's murder planned in the first half of February, we have it in writing (TV Prva/B92)
Vucic on assassination threat: I don’t want to panic (TV Pink)
US, British and German Embassies dismiss allegations of financial support to protests in Serbia (Beta)
Djilas for Ponos as opposition’s presidential candidate (Beta)
People’s Party says learned from media that Djilas wants Ponos for president (Beta)
New US strategy in Western Balkans: Fight against corruption according to political criteria (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Power meets B&H Presidency: Focus of B&H need to be reforms (N1)
Dodik expresses gratitude to Power for projects in RS, argues US officials always have hidden agenda of removing him and SNSD from political scene (ATV)
OHR: High Representative supports efforts of EU and USA related to electoral reform in B&H; EU Delegation to B&H says electoral and constitutional reforms are of crucial importance on B&H’s path to EU (Oslobodjenje)
Izetbegovic: Electoral reform talks are good, US’ engagement should be used to B&H’s benefit (Hayat)
Serb representatives dismiss Izetbegovic’s proposal of indirect election of B&H Presidency members (Glas Srpske)
Izetbegovic: Bosniaks are afraid what will happen if Covic and Dodik are elected in B&H Presidency (RTRS)
US Senators call for review of approach to key reforms in B&H (FTV)
Inzko confirms ‘non-paper’ on change of borders in Balkans existed, claims it was stashed in his drawer for four years (Necenzurirano/Klix.ba)
Dodik: B&H is a failed project - Croats, Muslims and Serbs should separate (El Mundo/Nezavisne)
Field: We will not allow division of B&H (Dnevni avaz)
Croatia

Grlic Radman: B&H needs changes to B&H Election Law (Hina)
Izetbegovic: Croats and Bosniaks do not have a single reason for conflicts, while they have hundreds of reasons for cooperation (Vecernji list)
Montenegro

According to the Constitution, the new Prime Minister cannot be appointed without elections (RTCG)
Montenegrin Prime Minister wants new elections (Nova)
Krivokapic to form Christian Democratic Party, coalition with Democrats possible (RTCG/CdM)
Democrats set out conditions to take part in negotiations over minority govt, they want written guarantees (CdM)
Opposition MPs signed: Proposal for Becic’s dismissal submitted (CdM)
DF will vote for Abazovic’s dismissal (CdM)
Maddocks: If a minority government is formed, it’s a decision of representatives of people – that’s how democracy works (CdM)
Weber: Formation of a new government a legitimate move (Pobjeda)
Political forces to work on reducing divisions in Montenegro (RTCG)
EU urges political actors in Montenegro to lower tensions (Nova)
Republic of North Macedonia

VMRO-DPMNE will submit a proposal for changes to the electoral code and for early elections to parliament (Republika)

United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Friday 21 January 2022
LOCAL PRESS

• Brnabic: Government revokes spatial plan for Jadar (Tanjug/RTS)
• Rio Tinto voices concern over statements by Serbian government officials (Tanjug/Beta)
• Dacic: Friendly relations between Serbia and Venezuela (RTV/Tanjug)
• Dacic: I will not run for president so as not to endanger Vucic (TV Pink/Beta)
• Petkovic: We continue to fight for “Brezovica” (TV Tanjug)
• RIK: 59.59 percent of voters voted "yes" in Serbian referendum (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Power: US has shown we will not hesitate to act against those who pursue corruption, destabilization and division at expense of citizens of this country (O Kanal)
• Kovacevic criticizes Power’s statements regarding RS and its representatives (Nova BH)
• Spiric states moratorium on so-called Inzko’s law is sufficient for return to institutions of B&H (Srna/BN TV)
• RS ruling coalition preparing proposal that might serve as solution to ongoing crisis in B&H (Glas Srpske)
• Izetbegovic says there is no agreement on meeting of leaders of three peoples with Presidents of Turkey and Serbia, B&H will be represented by institutions (Dnevni list)
• Analysts say dialogue between representatives of peoples in resolving crisis in B&H is not option for Bosniaks because they still do not give up on idea of civic state (RTRS)
• Sattler: US and EU are ready to provide necessary support next week; Elections will take place on 5 October (Dnevni avaz)
• New final round of negotiations on changes to B&H Election Law expected to begin on Monday; HNS puts forward its proposal which has been assessed as discriminatory (N1)
• CEC asks for OHR’s help in solving the issue with financing of elections (Glas Srpske)
Croatia
• Western Balkans important to Macron in security context (Hina)
• PM says Croatia to respond "clearly and resolutely" if Russia attacks Ukraine (Hina)
Montenegro
• Government seeks shortening of parliament’s mandate (CdM)
• Elections suit government now that it’s about to fall (CdM)
• There is no place for the DPS on the road to the EU (RTCG)
• Spajic meets Escobar (Gov. Press service)
• US Embassy: We have no position on the proposals regarding the composition of the government (CdM)
• Details of Krivokapic's letter to Porfirije: Part of the Fundamental Agreement is not in accordance with the Law on Freedom of Religion (CdM)
• Protests against the minority government held in several cities (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Grubi: Even if there is no technical government, there will be an Albanian Prime Minister (Sloboden pecat)
• Kovacevski hopes to improve relations with Bulgaria by early summer (Republika)
Albania
• Work begins / NATO air base in Kucova; Peleshi: Message for actors with rival intentions in the Western Balkans (Radio Tirana)
• Rama: Kucova air base increases our political and military role! (Radio Tirana)
• US Embassy shares details on new NATO base in Kucova (ADN)
• Military ships from Albania and the USA, manoeuvre operations in the Adriatic (Radio Tirana)
• President Meta decrees date for local by-elections (ADN)