LOCAL PRESS

Vucic attends United Russia conference, thanks Putin (Tanjug/RTS)
Dacic calls referendum on constitutional amendments for 16 January (Tanjug/RTS/RTV/Beta/Politika/Novosti)
Selakovic: Serbia fosters friendly relations with African states (Tanjug/RTV)
Selakovic meets with Agius, Brammertz (Tanjug/Politika)
New KSF commander is a cousin of Adem Jashari, one of the founders of the terrorist KLA (Novosti/Tanjug/Indeks Online)
Stefanovic: I do not expect essential change of policy conducted by Pristina institutions (RTV/Kosovo Online)
Romanian Embassy condemns hate speech against Romanian minority in Serbia (Beta/Politika)
Romanian MEP: Insults to Serbia’s politician sad, shame for state (Nova/N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Dodik: I will inform Putin about initiative to return RS competencies (RTRS/ATV)
Schmidt: I was told I have support of Moscow; I have support of Vucic and Plenkovic (Oslobodjenje)
Palmer and Eichhorst meet with leaders of HDZ B&H and SDA; Radoncic: Both Izetbegovic and Covic are showing full readiness and will for reaching compromise solution (AJB/BHT1)
Palmer, Eichhorst meet Komsic; Komsic not optimistic about reaching of agreement (Nova BH)
US Embassy comments talks on electoral reform (Dnevni avaz)
Komsic, Dzaferovic meet Kalabukhov who informs them about Russian response to their letter: Russia supports sovereignty, territorial integrity of B&H (BHT1)
Borrell: Enough of past, reforms are priority (N1)
Stoltenberg: NATO concerned over rhetoric in B&H (BHT1)
Banozic meets Covic; Banozic: HDZ in B&H advocates equality of all peoples and they are heading in this direction when it comes to changes to B&H Election Law (BHT1)
Tegeltija meets Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon; Tegeltija: It is necessary to immediately abolish Inzko’s decision regarding genocide denial (RTRS)
Bosniak delegates in B&H HoP vote against conclusions proposed by Serb Caucus (EuroBlic)
Komsic on B&H HoP’s session: HDZ B&H ranked itself among those who deny genocide (N1)
DF Presidency: Concessions to Dodik and Covic lead to undermining of state institutions (Oslobodjene)
Borenovic: We will not follow Dodik’s political conformism (Dnevni list)
Croatia

Serbia continues to block efforts to find missing persons from the Homeland War (HRT)
Netherlands refusing to confirm Croatia's admission to Schengen (Vecernji List)
Montenegro

Krivokapic meets with Director for the Western Balkans in the German Foreign Office (Office of the Prime Minister)
German companies show increased interest in investing in Montenegro (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister)
Republic of North Macedonia

Ahmeti does not “accept” Zaev’s resignation until March (Sloboden pecat)
Grubi: Alternative is welcome in the government (Alsat TV)
Radev-Zaev: Dialogue at high level crucial for building trust, solving disputes (MIA)
Serbian government approves opening of Macedonian consulate (MIA)
Albania

Bulgaria proposed start of EU negotiations for Albania, President welcomes decision (ADN)
Former Velipoja mayor and MP gunned down (Tirana Times)

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic isn’t sure if he signed Law on Referendum, which entered force (N1/TVPink)
Vucic on Law on Expropriation: It seems to me that I will sign it (B92)
Selakovic: Support of Netherlands to Open Balkans an encouragement (Politika)
Von Cramon: Berlin could change approach towards Belgrade (N1)
Brnabic: Von Cramon has double standards for Belgrade and Pristina (Tanjug/RTV/B92)
Referendum question designed: Serbian citizens should provide answer to this question (RTS)
Part of opposition supports new environmental protest (Beta)
Some 28,000 refugees in Serbia with unresolved status (Beta/Danas)
Tanjug to join EU's European newsroom (Tanjug)
Disputes of ruling and opposition parties ahead of RS parliament session (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

New round of talks on election changes starts, Palmer and Eichhorst meet with leaders of SDA and HDZ B&H; Palmer: We are not here to advocate for any plan (Hayat)
Sattler hosts working dinner for Dodik, Covic, Izetbegovic and US, EU representatives for election reform in B&H (RTRS)
Palmer and Eichhorst meet with representatives of opposition parties in FB&H, opposition insist on fair elections (BN TV)
Palmer and Eichhorst meet civil sector and B&H CEC members (Hayat)
Dodik: I will not succumb to threats of western sanctions, sanctions and abolition of EU financing will only force me to accept investment offers from China, if West introduces sanctions, Russia and China will support RS (RTRS/The Guardian)
Vulin: Very powerful centers are working to ensure that RS is not guarded and preserved (Nezavisne)
B&H House of Peoples holds session about current blockade of B&H parliament (BHT1)
MPs disagree on whether Inzko’s decision on prohibition of genocide denial should be revoked before politicians try to reach agreement on changes to Criminal Code of B&H (EuroBlic)
Croatia

Bosniak media and politicians attacking US’ and EU’s envoys for not supporting their agenda (Vecernji list)
Croatia buys 12 Rafale fighter jets, Serbia responds by announcing a similar purchase (TCN)
Montenegro

Opposition’s proposal: Reasons for voting on no confidence in Krivokapic’s governement (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Zaev-Gashi meeting ended with agreement for cooperation, consultations on government positions underway (Republika)
Dimovski: Grubi can stop Zaev’s resignation (Republika)
Albania

Lajcak: EU should accelerate integration process of Western Balkans (Radio Tirana)
Ambassador of Croatia: Open Balkans legitimizes 'Serbian World' (ADN)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 29 November 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic at SNS ceremony (Tanjug/B92/Politika/Novosti/RTS/RTV/Beta)
Vucic meets with Pahor in Belgrade; Pahor says enlargement of EU to Western Balkans is only answer to growth of nationalism and idea of changing borders in region (RTS)
Blinken: Serbia has indispensable role in promoting regional stability (Tanjug)
Serbian, US special forces hold joint exercise in Serbia (Beta/Politika)
Spanish government: We do not recognize unilateral independence of Kosovo (Blic/Europa Press)
Serbian Ambassador to chair UNESCO Executive Board (Tanjug)
Serbian MPs adopt changes to expropriation law; Opposition: Unconstitutional (N1)
Environmental activists, citizens stop traffic in several cities (Beta/NSPM)
Opposition say will run in election albeit unfair (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Dodik meets Vucic: RS will not let anyone abolish or destroy RS’ right to existence (ATV)
Bratic: Situation in B&H is coordinated activity of RS authorities led by SNSD’s Dodik, Serbia led by Vucic, and Russia, it undermines peace in B&H and region (Hayat)
Dodik: Escobar's message is very serious (RTRS)
Stoltenberg: NATO strongly supports unique state structure in B&H and multiethnic AF but it is concerned due to inflammatory rhetoric from RS (N1)
Dodik: No issues will be discussed until OHR recalls law imposed by Inzko; Denies Izetbegovic has proposed prohibition of denial of crimes committed in Jasenovac to be included (ATV)
SDA Presidency holds session; Izetbegovic presents conclusions: SNSD to stop with blockades (O Kanal)
Dodik responds to claims of Izetbegovic that there is no original Dayton (ATV)
Avaz analyzes Izetbegovic’s behavior, arguing that he is only pretending to act in interest of the state, while in fact he is working on dismantling of B&H and his end goal is forming of small Muslim state in heart of Europe (Dnevni avaz)
Palmer and Eichhorst arrive in B&H for new round of negotiations on changes to B&H Election Law (BHT/FTV)
Komsic criticizes certain international officials involved in electoral reform (Oslobodjene)
Covic announces negotiations on changes to B&H Election Law from Monday until Thursday; Covic: It would be easier to discuss civic model if B&H had three federal units (Nova BH)
Croatia

Escobar: US and B&H political actors are working on changes to B&H Election Law (Hina)
Vecernji list reveals details of Macron-Plenkovic talks about B&H Croats (Vecernji list)
Montenegro

Balkan Integration Forum 2021 in Podgorica, participants convey message that process of EU enlargement to Western Balkans has stopped (O Kanal)
Djukanovic: Montenegro needs government in order to continue with EU process, and we don’t have it now (CdM)
Abazovic: We’re not for minority government (CdM)
Djukanovic: There are two options we prefer – elections or political government (CdM)
Opposition to file a no-confidence motion against Krivokapic’s government (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Zaev: First to end the majority agreements and then resignation from the PM (Telma/Republika)
Albania

Meta meeting with Lajçak: We appreciated the importance of the Berlin process! Albania fully supports the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (Radio Tirana)
The borders between Albania and Kosovo are 'merged', the movements will be monitored only with cameras (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade
Daily Media Highlights
Friday 26 November 2021
LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Russia will not leave Serbia in lurch (Tanjug/Politika/Novosti/RTS/RTV)
• Putin: Russia's position on Kosovo has not changed, Moscow supports Belgrade (B92/Politika/Tanjug/TASS)
• Brnabic: Unchanged gas price gives sense of security to citizens, businesses (TV Pink/Tanjug)
• Mihajlovic: Gas price agreement great result for energy stability (RTS)
• Serbian parliament passes controversial Law on referendum (N1/Beta)
• Dacic: Law on Referendum has nothing to do with Rio Tinto (TV Happy/Beta)
• Serbia, Hungary friendly and fraternal states (Tanjug)
• Tepic to spearhead opposition ticket in parliamentary elections (Nova/Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• FB&H celebrates B&H Statehood Day, many delegations visit memorials; Dzaferovic: B&H is stronger than retrograde forces; Izetbegovic: B&H will exist as long B&H’s patriots, those who want to defend B&H, want that (Nova BH)
• Dodik: 25 November means nothing historically (ATV)
• World officials congratulate B&H Statehood Day (O Kanal/FTV)
• Varhelyi discusses Election Law and political situation in B&H with Covic in Mostar (BHT1)
• Dodik says he conveyed RS stance at meeting with Varhelyi, Covic, Izetbegovic that current crisis in B&H can be resolved only through withdrawal of imposed law banning genocide denial in B&H, resolving issue of B&H CC (RTRS)
• Izetbegovic assesses as successful working dinner with Varhelyi, Covic and Dodik (Nova BH)
• Schmidt says that Dodik gave up on his plan to establish RS Army under pressure from regional leaders (O Kanal/Guardian/VoA/N1)
• Dodik: Schmidt tells lies, initiatives launched by RS will not be devalued (RTRS)
• Sarovic states Dodik is withdrawing from his plans and entering negotiation phase; He has no true intention to do something (BN TV)
• Szijjarto says European politicians who criticize Dodik do not understand his stances (RTRS)
• Anonymous diplomat claims USA intends to impose sanctions against Dodik and those who support him to weaken them ahead of 2022 elections (EuroBlic)
Croatia
• Need for changes to B&H Election Law mentioned during Macron’s visit to Croatia (Jutarnji list)
Montenegro
• Djeljosaj: Minorities ready to support Abazovic as PM, government should be without DPS (Antena M)
• Omeragic: Djeljosaj’s proposal one of possible solutions, but we still have a lot of talks ahead of us (CdM)
• PM: Minority government a high-risk move, I don’t know where that would take Montenegro (CdM)
• Abazovic, Abdrakhmanov: Minority rights are best protected through strengthening the rule of law (Gov. Press service)
Republic of North Macedonia
• SDSM Central Board to discuss Zaev’s resignation (Republika)
• New developments on Zaev’s resignation expected on Friday (Republika)
• Bulgaria expects dialogue with Macedonia to produce concrete results, Radev tells Varhelyi (MIA)
Albania
• Albania-Kosovo governments' meeting to be held in Elbasan (ADN)
• Sixteen agreements expected to be signed between the governments of Albania and Kosovo in Elbasan (Radio Tirana)
• Integration process/ Bulgaria officially demands that Albania be separated from North Macedonia (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic meets with Putin in Sochi (Tanjug/RTS/RTV/Beta)
Brnabic: Open Balkans one of Serbia’s main priorities (Tanjug/RTV)
Mihajlovic: Connecting region's energy sector a must (Tanjug)
Godfrey on Open Balkans: We support economic linkage; Escobar agrees (FoNet/N1)
France's support stimulus to European path of Serbia and the region (RTS)
Stano calls on Pristina to allow Petkovic to visit Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug)
Venice Commission: Revised constitutional amendments fulfill majority of recommendations (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Varhelyi meets with B&H Presidency members; Varhelyi: EU expects all political leaders in B&H to bring attention back to implementation of reforms (AJB)
Tegeltija with Varhelyi: There need to be talks without threats and imposition of solutions (Dnevni list)
Varhelyi meets with opposition parties from FB&H and RS, opposition leaders claim authorities are not capable to make progress on EU path (FTV)
Dodik, Cvijanovic, Viskovic meet with Varhelyi in Banja Luka; Dodik says countries supporting law imposed by former HR Inzko are responsible for situation in B&H (ATV)
Sattler, Varhelyi meet SDA, HDZ, SNSD leaders (Dnevni avaz)
Dodik meets with Nelson in Sarajevo, emphasizes that RS is committed to respecting Constitution and DPA (RTRS)
RS opposition criticizes Dodik for meeting Nelson in private; Trivic: If opposition did this they would be considered traitors (BN TV)
Bosniak Caucus in RS CoP files motion for review of RS law on non-application of B&H Criminal Code on territory of RS (BHT1)
B&H was selected for geopolitical mini show-down between USA and Russia (Glas Srpske)
Dodik says he discussed Open Balkans with Vucic; There is no willingness in B&H to support it; Vucic: It is important to lower tensions, talk about overcoming issues, and I think Dodik will persist in that manner (ATV)
Croatia

French President arrives to cement new strategic partnership with Croatia (HRT)
Austrian report recommends banning Bleiburg commemoration (HRT)
Montenegro

Belgium strongly supports Montenegro's European path (Gov. Press service)
Abazovic: The DF platform has already been seen (RTCG)
Martinovic to Abazovic: Admit that you asked Mandic for you to be PM (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia

US official-Zaev phone call on EU Integration of N. Macedonia, Albania (MIA)
Despite the renewed Bulgarian veto, Foreign Minister Osmani says Macedonia will keep pushing (Republika/BGNES)
Janev: Bulgaria will not relinquish its position on Northern Macedonia (Libertas.mk/MIA)
Albania

Rama: Open Balkans can help resolve Serbia-Kosovo issue (ADN)
New German government: Opening of the first chapters of negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia proposed (Radio Tirana)
"We will not have refugee camps", Cuci: Kosovo-Albania agreement on residence permits (Radio Tirana)