LOCAL PRESS

Upward trend in cooperation with US in field of defense (Politika/RTS)
Petkovic: Osmani did not pay attention to messages from the State Department (Tanjug/RTV)
Schmidt: There will be no peaceful dismissal of B&H army (Politika)
Viola von Cramon-Taubadel: Kosovo and RS cannot be compared (Novosti)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Escobar holds separate meetings with B&H Presidency members: There will be no war in B&H; Escobar: I had productive meeting with Dodik where possibility to withdraw all decisions on transfer of competences was opened (Hayat)
Escobar meets with members of Collegium of both Houses of B&H parliament, says DPA remains basis of US policy towards B&H and that no one has right to unilaterally change its essence nor achieved level of reforms in B&H (FTV)
Escobar and FB&H MPs discuss political situation in B&H and FB&H (Hayat)
Representatives of opposition parties in RS accuse Dodik of double-dealing (BN TV)
US Embassy comment Escobar’s meetings: It is in everyone's interest to come back to the table (Oslobodjenje)
Erdogan: We will not allow B&H's suffering from the 1990s to be repeated (O Kanal)
Izetbegovic says Erdogan’s good relations with Vucic and Dodik should be used to create more normal state and rejects idea of meetings of political parties’ leaders with Erdogan, Milanovic and Vucic to discuss solution for B&H (N1)
Ruling coalition to submit proposal on Information on competencies taken away from RS with imposed laws and competencies transferred with RS’ approval; Action Plan to be developed after session; Dodik says finalization of RS activities is expected within six months (RTRS)
Croatia

Croatian FM meets Montenegrin Deputy PM to talk about ‘deepening relations’ (Hina)
Montenegro

DF v PM: In their language – hypocrites against clown (CdM)
Nikolic: Coalition with DF impossible, we need a majority of 54 MPs (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Mickoski and Ahmeti meet as the vote of no confidence in Zaev’s government looms (Republika)
Nikoloski: More than 61 lawmakers will support the government no-confidence vote on Thursday (Republika)
Apasiev asks Albanian opposition parties to set aside emotions and use the opportunity to finally remove DUI from power (Republika)
Rutte will visit Macedonia a day before the vote of no confidence in Zaev (Republika)
Albania

Rama welcomes US congressmen in office: "Friendship is strengthening day by day" (Radio Tirana)
EP supports the launch of membership negotiations with Albania (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

Brnabic at National Convention on EU regular plenary session (Tanjug/RTS)
Dacic at National Convention on EU regular plenary session (parliament.gov.rs)
Vucic: Everyone is entitled to evaluate someone else’s democracy as they see fit (Beta)
Djilas meets Escobar, says all we expect is support for democracy (Beta/VoA)
Dacic announces candidates for Supervisory Body for Media Monitoring (TV Pink/FoNet)
Serbian deputy speaker Zukorlic buried (Beta)
Schmidt says solution for B&H is in dialogue of different subjects, calls Dodik to ‘come down to ground’ (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Hungarian PM Orban meets with Dodik in Banja Luka, focus on economic issues (BHT1)
Dodik meets Jansa and informs him about RS' commitment to preserve DPA and return competences (RTRS)
Schmidt: RS’ withdrawal from B&H and formation of its own, separate army within B&H would be crossing ‘red line’ (BHT1/Reuters)
Dodik: B&H does not have armed forces under Constitution and DPA clearly allowed entities to have their own armies (RTRS/BBC)
Dodik condemns HRs, foreign judges in B&H CC for creating large mess in B&H and US, EU for backing this mess, claims that RS seeks reinstatement of all its constitutional rights and competences and not to ruin B&H Constitution (RTRS)
Escobar: We are committed that there will be no new war; Dodik is trying to look for ways to protect his power and his money; Schmidt: We cannot offer to him to talk only with him, because there are many politicians in RS, many groups that do not fully agree with Dodik (FTV/RFE)
Dodik on Escobar’s visit: B&H can have future only based on B&H Constitution that everyone agreed with in 1995 and if its peoples and entities fight for it and not Americans, Russian, Europeans or HRs (ATV)
Tadic: Dodik is leading dangerous policy, he did not act in this way in my time (Dnevni avaz)
Panel on Western Balkans hosted during Baku Forum; Perspective of region lies in EU (N1)
Serbia, RS hold exercise ‘System 2021’; Vulin dismisses claims this is preparation for war and says they test preparations for natural disasters (BN TV/N1)
FB&H Police Administration says joint exercise with RS MoI and SIPA was organized by US Special Forces team and was carried out successfully (Oslobodjenje)
Montenegro

Djukanovic: NATO and EU need to defend B&H and Western Balkans more strongly from malignant policies that want chaos (Podgorica TV)
Djukanovic: Greater Serbia nationalists have broken their teeth in MNE and it’s just the beginning (Gradska RTV)
Djukanovic on govt’s intention to postpone local elections: Inappropriate political idea in defiance of constitutional and legal system of Montenegro (CdM)
Djukanovic’s office: Becic’s priorities – govt reshuffle and to include DF in it (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia

DUI leadership authorized Ahmeti to make decisions regarding inter-party negotiations alone (Republika)
Lukarevska: We are working on solutions and decisions to reorganize SDSM (Fokus)
Mickoski: This is the majority that guarantees that the government of Zoran Zaev is over (Republika)
Albania

US can persuade Serbia to end tensions (ADN)
Peleshi visits North Macedonia: The future of the two countries, Euro-Atlantic integration (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 5 November 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Open Balkans leaders call EU to speed up integration (N1)
Rama: Open Balkans to produce concrete results at Tirana meeting (Tanjug)
Dimitrov: Regional cooperation wise, European choice (Tanjug)
Vucic: Pristina will try to take over power substation in northern Kosovo (Beta/Tanjug)
Drecun: Possible attempt by Pristina to take over transmission substations in northern Kosovo and Metohija (RTS)
Robles: Spain’s position on non-recognition of so-called Kosovo remains unchanged (RTS/Politika)
Stefanovic presents military memorial medal to General Martinez-Faler (Tanjug)
EU: Pristina must fulfill agreement in dialogue with Belgrade (Beta)
Serbian opposition leaders meet Escobar in Washington (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Stano: It is not up to EU to comment decisions of UN SC (Oslobodjenje)
EUD welcomes extension of EUFOR mandate, reiterates its full support to High Representative (Dnevni list)
Sattler: EU strongly supports Schmidt and OHR in B&H, as well as his mandate (BN TV)
Kalabukhov: UN SC session represents victory of international law (RTRS)
Dodik: It is clear Schmidt does not have mandate (RTRS)
Turkovic: It is essential that Schmidt’s report was delivered to all UN SC members and that it reached those it needed to reach; Dodik is irrelevant in context of geopolitical developments (Hayat)
Cvijanovic held talks with Escobar and Palmer (Srna)
Dodik expressed regret for B&H not being a part of the Open Balkans initiative (Srna)
RS disagrees with removing prefix "Serb" from Constitution (Srna)
Croatia

Milanovic says all criticism against Dodik are lies; It is questionable what kind of mandate Schmidt actually has (HRT)
Milanovic calls for trilateral mediation in B&H (HRT)
Montenegro

Krivokapic meets with the Chairman of the EP's Delegation to the EU-Montenegro SAPC (Gov.Press service)
Without dialogue there is no Europe for Montenegro (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Ahmeti determined to have an Albanian appointed Prime Minister at the end of the government’s term, is still trying to change Zaev’s mind about resigning (Sloboden Pecat)
Zaev consulted with the coalition partners, today to hold coordination meeting in SDSM (Fokus.mk)
Three names enter the final selection to replace Zaev (Alfa)
Macedonia is a great example of EU’s unfulfilled promises, say Vucic, Rama and Dimitrov in a joint statement (Republika)
Albania

Open Balkans leaders push forward on agreements, urge rest of region to join (Tirana Times)
Rama in Belgrade: The heavy burden of bureaucracy at the border must end up (Radio Tirana)
Rama: Kosovo should be part of Open Balkans (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: Open Balkans best way for overcoming problems (RTV/Tanjug/RTS/Beta/FoNet)
Rama, Dimitrov arrive in Belgrade (Tanjug)
Krivokapic’s visit to Serbia a positive impulse for intensifying cooperation between the two countries (Politika)
Dacic, Krivokapic discuss stronger bilateral ties (Tanjug/RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

UN Security Council unanimously adopts Resolution on B&H extending mandate of EUFOR mission in B&H for another twelve months (FTV/Al Jazeera)
US Embassy, OHR comment UN SC session; US supports territorial integrity and sovereignty of B&H (Oslobodjenje)
EC: Escalation of political crisis in B&H causes serious concern, EUFOR Althea has important role for stability and security in B&H (FTV)
EUFOR Commander Platzer: Situation in B&H is stable (Hayat)
Dzaferovic: Most important thing is that EUFOR’s mandate will be extended and OHR will remain in its capacity (BHT1)
SNSD submits proposal of documents to RS parliament on behalf of ruling coalition and with regard to restoring RS’ competences (BHT1)
Plenkovic: Milanovic was fierce advocator of Komsic, and now he is best friend with Dodik (Dnevni list)
Croatia

Covic meets Plenkovic, Milanovic and Grlic Radman in Zagreb, says rights of constituent peoples must be fully protected (HRT)
PM: Milanovic's statements are primitive and brutal insults (Hina)
Montenegro

Krivokapic after dinner with Vucic and Rama: I support all useful regional initiatives (RTCG)
Krivokapic on DF initiative: I don’t tolerate blackmail, citizens more important than invisible political leaders (CdM)
Mandic: DF’s goal isn’t to overthrow government, but to change Montenegro (RTCG)
DF getting back to parliament by end of December for at least two sessions (Gradski.me)
Knezevic: Either new government or elections; whoever wants things to stay as they are, doesn’t have our support (Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia

Dimitrov in Belgrade: I come at a time of political challenges in our country, but we are fully committed to the “Open Balkans” initiative (Republika)
SEC releases final results of second round of local elections (Republika)
Mickoski demands that early elections are held without delay (Republika)
Foreign Minister Osmani says there should be no early elections (Republika)
Kasami says government reconstruction needed – DUI and SDSM coalition partners without concrete answer (Republika)
Albania

Nikolla: Cooperation between Albania and Kosovo a model for regional cooperation (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 3 November 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Brnabic: Serbia wants closest relations with Montenegro (Tanjug/RTS)
Vucic with Krivokapic: Dialogue prerequisite for understanding (RTV/Tanjug)
Vucic: We want decent relations with Montenegro, but have no big expectations (TV Pink/Beta)
Krivokapic starts first visit to Serbia (N1/RTS)
Selakovic: Gratitude to Greece for principled and clear support for Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty (RTS/RTV/Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Schmidt submits his first report on situation in B&H with UN SC, warns country is in danger of falling apart (FTV)
Dodik: Schmidt’s report is full of lies (BN TV)
Stevandic: Schmidt, just like Inzko, has quickly become part of Sarajevo political establishment; Other RS politicians comment on Schmidt’s report (RTRS)
UN Security Council agrees text of Resolution extending EUFOR’s mandate without mentioning OHR; Schmidt not to address UN SC (Dnevni avaz)
Izetbegovic informs Erdogan about current situation in B&H (N1)
US Embassy: Entity cannot unilaterally withdraw from state institutions (Dnevni avaz)
Opposition in RS rejects Dodik’s call for Serb unity because Dodik’s intentions are not sincere; Sarovic says Dodik expects from opposition to save him through Serb unity (BN TV)
Milanovic had problems with Plenkovic criticizing Dodik’s policy in Brussels (Dnevni list)
Croatia

Plenkovic: Croatia aware of the dangerous situation in B&H (HRT)
Time to remove President from Office, says Defense Minister (Hina)
Milanovic denies names FM released as candidates for ambassadors (Hina/RTL)
Milanovic: Plenkovic has to resolve "the Banozic problem" (Hina)
Montenegro

Extraordinary election unlikely to happen in next six months, Peric claims (Pobjeda)
Krivokapic meets with ambassadors in Belgrade (Gov. Press service)
Republic of North Macedonia

The government denies that Zaev will delay his resignation until December (MIA)
Osmani: If there is no solution to Bulgaria dispute in December, Macedonia will remain isolated (Republika/Alsat)
Albania

Open Balkans today in Belgrade / Zaev, replaced by Dimitrov (Radio Tirana)
Ambassador Kim: US Supports Open Balkans (Radio Tirana)
Former DP leader criticizes Open Balkans initiative (ADN)