United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 4 October 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic satisfied with withdrawal of ROSU from north Kosovo (TV Prva/Tanjug)
Vucic: The game was imposed on us, but we played better (TV Pink/B92/Politika)
Brnabic: World reminded of provisions of UNSCR 1244 (Tanjug/RTV)
Odalovic: KFOR finally started doing its job (RTS)
KFOR confirms deployment at Jarinje, Brnjak (Beta)
NATO, EU share interest in permanent political solution for the region (Beta)
Godfrey: Glad to see Brussels agreement being implemented; We must now focus on a durable solution (Beta/NSPM/RTV)
Petkovic: Implementation of all agreements from Brussels is starting (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Dodik praises Vucic for solving crisis in Kosovo (Srna)
Representatives of ruling parties in RS hold meeting in Banja Luka; Dodik says leaders of ruling parties agreed to be resolute in protecting RS' competences (BHT1)
Dodik says to Escobar he does not care about new US sanctions (O Kanal)
Political analyst Kesic argues US diplomacy came down to threats, violence and ignoring of political will of Serb people, says one should have no doubt that threats with sanctions can be realized (RTRS)
Sattler: Dodik’s secessionist statements are road to nowhere (N1)
Palmer: Fuele’s model is not only one, we would also support variant of Fuele’s model (Hayat)
Palmer ends his visit to B&H after talks with opposition leaders on electoral reform (BHT1)
Komsic says Fuele’s model is unacceptable (FTV)
Sarovic, Borenovic meet Palmer, Sarovic argued SNSD, SDA and HDZ B&H are key to Election Law (BN TV)
Izetbegovic says Palmer expects him and Covic to untie knot in electoral reform (Hayat)
Sattler: With attention of EU and US, this is right moment to address constitutional and electoral reforms before 2022 (N1)
Banja Luka: Thousands of citizens gather at opposition protest under slogan 'Stop choking media freedom, truth, rights and democracy!' (Nova BH/RTRS/BN TV/BHT1)
Dodik: Gathering in Banja Luka showed that opposition is without program and ambition (RTRS)
Croatia

Plenkovic meets with Ambassadors of EU Member States; stresses need to ensure equality of all three constituent peoples in B&H (HRT1)
Montenegro

Krivokapic’s office: Previous disagreements as well as issues that halt work of government and parliamentary majority must end (CdM)
Consultations on government reshuffle begin, elections if no agreement reached; PzP wants Medojevic instead of Abazovic (CdM)
MANS: The Djukanovics set up trusts and companies at offshore destinations (Pobjeda)
Djukanovic’s office: Victoria Trust existed solely on paper, this is MANS’ malicious spin (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Local elections campaign: VMRO-DPMNE holds a rally in Strumica, and SDSM goes to Kavadarci (Republika)
Bomb thrown at the house of Roma politician Gabriel Bajram (Republika)
Albania

Rama meets Borrell: We must maintain the momentum of reforms (Radio Tirana)
Escobar: US hopes that Tirana and Skopje will start negotiations with EU this year (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic pleased with agreement reached in Brussels (Beta)
Vucic: No one could give me such a compliment as Albin Kurti did (Tanjug/B92)
Petkovic: There is no free lunch in Brussels, important that we have a good agreement (RTS)
EU welcomes agreement to solve crisis in north of Kosovo (Beta/RTS/RTV/Tanjug)
NATO welcomes agreement to de-escalate situation in Kosovo (N1/RTS/Tanjug)
Escobar: More work remains in Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (Beta)
Escobar: The Washington agreement is important to us (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
Moscow accuses Kosovo authorities of violating 2016 agreement (Beta)
Mortal remains of Albanians exhumed in Serbia handed over at Merdare (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

EC President visits B&H, meets all three members of B&H Presidency (Hayat)
Escobar warns Dodik that threats of secession lead to isolation; Dodik: If they continue to threaten, then we will not talk (FTV)
Sarovic and Borenovic will not attend Friday’s meeting called by RS President Cvijanovic (BHT1)
Schmidt says he supports electoral reform that will bring B&H closer to EU (O Kanal)
Palmer holds talks on electoral reform with leaders of political parties in B&H (O Kanal)
Izetbegovic: Palmer did not come up with any new proposals re electoral reform but he expects that HDZ B&H and SDA leaders find solution, this is not how it goes (FTV)
Weber: Erasing of ethnic prefixes for election of members of B&H Presidency does not represent a true reform that B&H needs (Dnevni avaz)
Croatia

Von der Leyen opens Svilaj bridge between Bosnia and Croatia (N1)
Montenegro

The EU to be more actively involved in resolving the crisis in Montenegro (RTCG)
September goes by, but brings no census law: Is DF to overthrow Govt. as promised by Radunovic and Knezevic? (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Greece disagrees with Bulgaria’s veto against Macedonia (Republika)
Kyuchyuk: There is still time to reach agreement between Macedonia and Bulgaria before the end of the year (Republika)
Albania

Kosovo-Serbia license plate agreement / Minister Xhaçka: Continuation of dialogue helps cooperation (Radio Tirana)
CEC receives OSCE delegation to discuss 25 April polls' findings (ADN)
EU calls for consolidation of Albania’s Justice reform (ADN)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 30 September 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Agreement reached; Vucic: ROSU to withdraw; “Such Albanian actions won’t be repeated” (B92)
We will not be granted EU membership until we resolve relations with Pristina (Beta)
Brnabic: Regional cooperation strong impetus for European integration process (Tanjug/Politika)
Stefanovic: Spain’s principled position on non-recognition of so-called Kosovo (RTV/Tanjug)
Stefanovic: Security situation does not permit reduction of KFOR troops (Beta)
Agreement on abolition of visas between Serbia, Guatemala (RTV/Tanjug)
Dacic meets with Venice Commission delegation (RTV)
Belgrade to EC President: ‘Herzlich Willkommen’ (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Sarovic: Dayton gave RS autonomy, anything else is problematic (N1)
Dodik and Kalabukhov agree that solution to political crisis in B&H lies in revoking of law imposed by Inzko (RTRS)
Tegeltija denies RS opposition’s accusations of violation of RS parliament conclusions (RTRS)
Mektic: I believe we should return to institutions and introduce moratorium to difficult political topics (O Kanal)
Palmer: We would like to see limited changes of Constitution (FTV/VoA/Vecernji list/Hayat)
Domestic politicians present different stances on Palmer’s announcement on election reform (EuroBlic)
Delegation of UK parliament visits B&H, meets delegation of B&H parliament (Oslobodenje)
Croatia

Croatia is against simplification of Dayton peace accords (Hina)
Milanovic: I talked with Izetbegovic about relations between B&H and Croatia, primarily between Bosniaks and Croats (N1)
Grlic-Radman: Bosniak ethnic minority is ‘precious to Croatia’ (Hina)
Montenegro

Becic welcomes Ursula von der Leyen: Welcome to the next EU member state (CdM)
Von der Leyen: Montenegro not forced to do anything; Djukanovic: WB stability being tested (CdM)
Krivokapic, Von der Leyen: Montenegro remains unreservedly and consistently committed to its European path (Gov. Press service)
Montenegro is a leader in the region (Gov. Press service)
Republic of North Macedonia

Commissioner Varhelyi’s quiet visit to Macedonia (Republika)
Albania

An attempt of Serbia to dominate Western Balkans (ADN)
DP to submit request on continuing electoral reform to parliament (ADN)

LOCAL PRESS

Brnabic: Praise of Venice Commission regarding text of constitutional amendments (Tanjug)
China’s position on Kosovo issue consistent and clear (RTS/Tanjug)
Vucic thanks Russia for support on Kosovo and Metohija issue (Tanjug/RTS)
Serbs rejected the proposal (RTS/B92/Tanjug)
Lajcak: Separate meetings with Petkovic and Bislimi in Brussels (N1)
Escobar: Find a solution, urgently (RFE/Tanjug/B92)
Russia sends clear message: Exert pressure on Pristina (B92/Tanjug)
Escobar will not attend today’s talks in Brussels; Chizhov warns of risk of conflicts (Politika/Gazeta ekspres/TV Russia 24/Sputnik)
Serbia highly appreciates Guatemala’s consistent stance regarding Kosovo and Metohija and its non-recognition of unilaterally proclaimed independence (RTV/Tanjug)
Schieb: Western Balkans’ EU integration remain high priority for Berlin (Kurir/Beta)
Fajon: Many similarities between Serbia’s Vucic and Slovenia’s Jansa (N1)
Inzko’s laws not valid in territory of RS (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

B&H CoM adopts decision on temporary financing of B&H institutions for 2021 (N1)
RS opposition harshly reacts to RS ministers’ participation in work and decision-making in B&H CoM; Sarovic: By casting their votes at B&H CoM’s session, B&H officials from the RS practically recognized Schmidt as HR (BN TV)
SNSD Executive Committee: B&H CC’s and work of judges at this institution are intolerable; Dodik: Our proposal will be to reject all laws that were adopted beyond DPA and B&H Constitution (RTRS)
Komsic on Dodik’s threats: RS parliament cannot withdraw anything; Dzaferovic: Competencies of B&H remain permanent (N1)
Brkic: HR Schmidt will not allow borders of B&H to be redrawn (BHT1)
Sattler: I think it is high time to come back to table and start talks on issues of substantial importance (Hayat)
US envoy: B&H electoral law issue to be resolved by removing ethnic prefixes (N1)
Lovrinovic: If there is no legitimate representation, there is no B&H too; Djonlagic: Majority of people in B&H is for civic state (Dnevni list)
EU can no longer guarantee membership to Western Balkans countries (O Kanal/Reuters)
Croatia

Plenkovic: All statements that would lead to separatism or secession of one of entities in B&H are not productive or useful (N1)
Izetbegovic and Milanovic discuss relations between Bosniaks and Croats (Hina)
Montenegro

Varhelyi: The goal is for at least one country in the Western Balkans to join the EU by the end of my term (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Von der Layen: Believe me, my goal is to start negotiations by the end of the year (Nezavisen vesnik)
Zaev insists that he won’t negotiate on national identity issues with Bulgaria (Republika)
EU Enlargement Commissioner Varhelyi in Skopje (Nezavisen vesnik)
Albania

EC president starts WB reassurance tour in Tirana (Tirana Times)
Meeting of the first intergovernmental conference / Rama: It does not depend on us, but on a state that rises in anger! (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 28 September 2021

LOCAL PRESS

We won’t allow humiliation of Serbia (TV Prva/B92/Tanjug)
Stefanovic: Serbian Army hasn’t trespassed anywhere where it shouldn’t be (TV Pink/Beta)
Moscow calls on NATO, EU to get Pristina to withdraw forces from north and prevent escalation (Sputnik/B92/Tanjug)
Drecun: If KFOR wants to be a stability factor, let it act like that (RTS)
Starovic: Whether they will go to Brussels depends on the development of the situation (RTS)
Selakovic: Serbia and Mexico committed to same values (RTV/Tanjug)
Serbia highly appreciates Mexico’s consistent position not to recognize so-called independent Kosovo (Tanjug/RTV)
Office for Kosovo and Metohija: Serbs will not be a target for extremists (Tanjug/Kosovo Online)
EU expects chief negotiators of Belgrade, Pristina in Brussels by end of week (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Schmidt and Turkovic call on B Tegeltija to convene B&H CoM’s session; Tegeltija: We will respect RS parliament’s conclusions and act in interest of RS (Nova BH/Oslobodjenje/BHT1)
Arnaut: If Tegeltija fails to organize holding of B&H CoM session in two consequent weeks, deputy chairs from SDA and HDZ B&H have right to organize it (O Kanal)
Cenic: It is not legally possible that salaries for 7,000 civil servants from the RS are paid from the RS budget (Nova BH/BHT1)
Tegeltija meets UK, Russian Ambassadors to B&H, points out that policy of imposing solutions is unacceptable (RTRS)
Dodik: RS will withdraw consent from agreements on B&H AF and HJPC (FTV)
RS CC finds amendments to RS Criminal Code and Law on non-implementing decision of HR do not violate vital national interest of Bosniaks (BHT1)
Our Party proposes constitutional reforms, including abolition of B&H Presidency (Nova BH)
Our Party’s proposal of constitutional changes unacceptable to SNSD (ATV)
US Embassy: None of B&H's two entities has right to secede (Fena)
Messages about EU enlargement sent after meeting of speakers of parliament of Western Balkan countries in Slovenia (AJB)
Dzaferovic visits N. Macedonia: EU not complete without Western Balkans (N1)
Croatia

Milanovic: There is a government in Belgrade that talks about a "Serbian world" (HRT)
Plenkovic: Croatia is ‘keeping its eyes open’ to events in the region (Hina)
Montenegro

Abazovic on government reshuffle: I am not sure we are close to a solution (TV Vijesti)
Minority or government of electoral trust as the way out of crisis (Pobjeda)
The enlargement of the Western Balkans is the path to stability (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia

Zaev concedes that early general elections are possible if he loses the local elections in October (Republika/Sitel TV)
Zaev began the election campaign in Bitola (Republika)
VMRO-DPMNE begins the election campaign – Mickoski promises change and new values (Republika)
Albania

Rama in Kosovo as tensions rise, Serbia threatens military intervention (Tirana Times)
Rama: Disputes should be resolved through dialogue (Radio Tirana)
Rama stresses Kosovo won war, Serbians fly around in helicopters (ADN)
Rama considers Berlin Process too slow (ADN)
Kurti: We should remove barriers between our countries, to boost cooperation (Radio Tirana)