LOCAL PRESS

Brnabic: Pristina seriously jeopardized regional stability (Tanjug/RTS)
Brnabic: US forming teams for Western Balkans (Tanjug)
Brnabic: Guterres told me Kosovo is not a state (RTV/Tanjug/Politika)
Brnabic: Nothing nice can be said about EU behavior (TV Pink/RTV/RTS/Tanjug)
Selakovic: Countries worldwide seeking cooperation with Serbia (Tanjug/RTS)
Selakovic: Great importance of selfless, principled Russian support for Serbia (Tanjug/Politika)
Vucic: In case NATO does not react, Serbia will (TV Pink/Politika)
Stoltenberg calls for dialogue; Belgrade, Pristina need to show restraint (Beta)
Borrell: Additional provocations in northern Kosovo unacceptable (Beta)
Michel urges Belgrade and Pristina to resume dialogue (FoNet)
Escobar: Serbia, Kosovo should not militarize situation (Beta)
Stefanovic visits Raska and Rudnica bases in company of Mojsilovic and Botsan-Kharchenko (Beta/Politika)
Russian Embassy: Serbia acts with greatest responsibility in Kosovo and Metohija (TASS/Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Dodik threatens with new withdrawal and ban on work in B&H institutions over B&H CC decision on RS Law on Forests (FTV)
Cvijanovic deems B&H CC's decision as coup and anti-Dayton attack on RS and its competences defined by Constitution (RTRS)
Dzaferovic: B&H CC's decision is in accordance with Constitution of B&H (N1)
Izetbegovic: B&H’s path to EU blocked by RS (Hayat)
Cubrilovic: Izetbegovic thinks democracy is what he says or what his political option dictates (RTRS)
Dodik claims that declaration of RS’ independence would cause loud reaction across globe but nothing more than that (RTRS)
Komsic meets Osmani and Djukanovic in New York; Dodik: This meeting shows what kind of state B&H is; Other comments (Glas Srpske)
Croatia

Milanovic: My words will be superfluous when Croats are equal people in B&H (Hina)
Croatian Security and Intelligence Agency: Western Balkans remains burdened by unfinished stabilization processes (HRT1)
Montenegro

Djukanovic: Stability of the Balkans and EU integrations should be treated equally (Pobjeda)
Escobar: Russia destabilizes Montenegro (CdM/VoA)
Abazovic: Those who don’t believe changes are possible but based on clear principles should find other partners (CdM)
Krivokapic's Op-Ed: The facts we don't hear due to their noise (The PM press service)
Republic of North Macedonia

EU needs to step up decision-making process (Republika/Der Standard)
Zaev and Mickoski again at the same table, but in a relaxed atmosphere (Republika)
Zaev to respect the resolution proposed by VMRO-DPMNE in parliament, and supported by SDSM, not to defocus the public (Republika)
1.824.864 citizens are eligible to vote in upcoming local elections (Republika)
Albania

Rama calls for recognition of Kosovo at UN General Assembly (Tirana Times)
Rama visits Kosovo amid tensions with Serbia (ADN)
The Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania: We call on Serbia to withdraw its armed forces (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: Independent Kosovo is in their interest, forcing Serbia to participate in it (B92/Tanjug/RTS/N1)
Petkovic: State-of-affairs to return to the one prior to 20 September, then we can go to Brussels (RTS)
Pristina exerts violence over bare-handed people in north of province (Tanjug)
Sincere, traditional friendship of peoples of Serbia and Israel (RTV/Tanjug)
Selakovic thanks Cyprus on firm position regarding Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTV)
Selakovic: Principled position of Armenia on issue of Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug)
Selakovic to Borrell: Belgrade committed to dialogue (FoNet)
Borrell: EU calls for immediate de-escalation in Kosovo (N1)
Russia reacted: Provocation on Kosovo and Metohija, immediate withdrawal needed (Tanjug/B92/TASS/Sputnik)
Brnabic at Global COVID-19 summit organized by White House (RTS)
Patriarch warns he won’t allow any manipulation with church (N1)
There is no solution to current crisis in B&H in sight (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Dodik calls Sattler’s statement on B&H’s European path ‘tragicomic’, says he is accomplice in degradation of B&H’s European path (Dnevni list)
Dodik speaks with Jansa on B&H during official visit to Hungary (RTRS)
Komsic addresses 76th session of UN General Assembly; Complex political system in B&H prefers ethnicity and that based on that ethnicity, citizens of B&H have greater or lesser rights depending on which part of country they live in (Hayat)
Komsic: This concept that we live in and how our state is organized naturally leads us into constant conflicts and it would be wise to give up on it (N1)
Dodik: Komsic addresses UN GA without Presidency’s consent (BHT)
Komsic on Milanovic’s statements on B&H: I used to believe that Milanovic has some serious stances (AJB/Oslobodjenje)
Milanovic’s speech at UN General Assembly sparks reactions in B&H and Serbia (Nezavisne)
Chinese President Xi Jingping announces that China will no longer finance construction of coal-fired power plants abroad (O Kanal)
Dzindic comments on announcement that China will no longer invest in thermal power plants abroad: This will affect construction of Block 7 (N1)
Croatia

Milanovic: I think Vucic is proud of his wartime role (N1/Hina)
Milanovic addresses UN GA: B&H requires framework that is based on federalism, decentralization and legitimate representation in order to make progress; I am President of Croats in B&H too (HRT)
Milanovic says is also president of B&H citizens with Croatian citizenship (Hina)
Montenegro

Becic: Agreement on government reshuffling possible, URA not left out (CdM)
URA: We see Krivokapic’s statement as reaction to Mandic-Becic agreement; things are not solved through press releases (CdM)
Djukanovic: Region experiencing global political upheavals having led to awakening of retrograde ideas (CdM)
Djukanovic meets Pahor and Pendarovski: Our countries’ integration of into European structures common interest (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Pendarovski met with former US Ambassador Baily (Republika)
Karakacanov blasts new US Balkan envoy after he called on Bulgaria to lift its veto against Macedonia (Republika)
Albania

License plate reciprocity / Meta: Preserving Kosovo's sovereignty, the basis for building stable relations with Serbia (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 22 September 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Selakovic at session of UN General Assembly (RTS/RTV)
Borrell hosts informal dinner with Western Balkan leaders in New York (Beta)
Dacic: We will not allow ethnic cleansing of Serbs; the EU should declare itself (Tanjug/B92)
Lajcak concerned over crisis in Kosovo, calls for urgent lowering of tensions (Beta)
Dveri call for cancellation of Brussels agreement, placing army on high alert (Beta)
Community health centers to be established in Zubin Potok, Zvecan (Tanjug)
More people join protesters at Jarinje, Brnjak (Tanjug/Kosovo Online)
EU proposes Vucic-Kurti meeting in Brussels (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Kovacevic: Dodik voted against decision on appointing and sending delegation to 76th session of UN General Assembly; Dodik: UN Secretary General Guterres contributes to dissolution of B&H (Nova BH)
Covic: Komsic should not have gone to New York (Dnevni list)
B&H Presidency confirms that controversial session scheduled for 9 August was not held (RTRS)
Sattler: It is time to return to institutions because it is citizens who pay the price of the blockade (Hayat)
Dzaferovic and Nelson emphasize need to remove blockades in work of state institutions (FTV)
SNSD proposes that OHR should annul Inzko’s law in order to resolve crisis, SDA says that Inzko’s law should be adopted by B&H parliament and then amended (EuroBlic)
Magazinovic: Solution can be sought through dialogue; Mehmedovic: Schmidt is obliged to ensure normal functioning of B&H institutions (O Kanal)
Stevandic: Biggest crisis in B&H ever is caused by actions of Bosniak politicians (EuroBlic)
Izetbegovic says he believes Schmidt will not take sides (Nova BH)
Schmidt talks to Escobar; State Department supports OHR (Dnevni avaz)
US Embassy comments ‘Recording’ affair: Domestic institutions obliged to strengthen rule of law (Dnevni avaz)
Croatia

Prime Minister meets with HR Schmidt (HRT)
Schmidt says that the decision on B&H Election Law is task of people in B&H and international community is there only to assist (HRT)
Montenegro

Expert government crashed in less than a year (CdM)
Krivokapic: Government to have 3 DPMs, I’ll elect ministers (CdM)
There were no official negotiations on joining the government (RTCG)
Djukanovic’s cabinet: Shame on Russia for the way it treats Montenegro and its President (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Pendarovski: Uncertainty in EU integration could affect peace in Western Balkans (MIA)
In meeting with Mickoski, Orban expresses his support for Macedonia’s EU path (Republika)
Albania

Albania welcomes coop to advance world peace cause (ADN)

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: I rejected the document (Tanjug/B92)
Vucic: Situation in Kosovo and Metohija very serious, grave (Tanjug/RTS/B92)
Vucic meets with Lajcak (Tanjug)
Petkovic: The Brussels agreement cannot represent a buffet where Kurti will take what suits him (RTS)
Stano calls Belgrade, Pristina to immediately reduce tensions in north Kosovo (N1)
Vucic – Brammertz meeting: Exchange of indictments for war crimes between Serbia and B&H would be a step towards reconciliation in the region (Novosti)
Selakovic: Top-level meeting under preparation with India (RTS/Tanjug)
Dodik could be arrested if he refuses to respond to summons for interview on genocide denial charges (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Dodik: The situation in Kosovo and Metohija is a hoax of the international community (RTRS)
B&H HoR holds session without RS representatives; Proposal of budget sent for further harmonization at Collegium; Reactions of RS representatives (BHT1)
Osmanovic: OHR should react and undertake further moves (BHT1)
Softic: Behavior of RS politicians is in line with Greater Serbia policy (Hayat)
Former HR Petritsch: I am extremely concerned because of B&H, boycott of RS politicians has to be taken seriously (Dnevni avaz/Die Presse)
B&H Presidency Chairman Komsic to address UN General Assembly (O Kanal)
Komsic meets UN Secretary-General Guterres in New York (N1)
Dodik: OHR’s mandate ended with departure Inzko; Schmidt falsely presents himself (RTRS)
EU, OSCE: Allegations involving B&H secret service director must be investigated (N1)
Croatia

Milanovic: Croatia very safe country, has never been more stable (Hina)
Milanovic in New York: Serbia has no strong intention to join EU (Hina/N1)
Talks on electoral reform resume at the end of September in presence of US, EU officials (Vecernji list)
Montenegro

Djukanovic’s cabinet: Latest evidence of open Russian interference in Montenegro (CdM)
Djukanovic at session of UN General Assembly (CdM)
Milanovic: Some again see Montenegro as a geopolitical prey (Vijesti)
Republic of North Macedonia

Pendarovski will represent Macedonia at the UN General Assembly (Republika)
Albania

New York, Xhacka meets Egyptian counterpart: Holding the first session of the Joint Economic Commission is important (Radio Tirana)
Nikolla meets Soreca: Integration, at the top of the Assembly agenda (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

Petkovic: Pristina's threats of conquering the north of Kosovo and Metohija are in vain, Belgrade will not allow that (RTS)
Rakic ​​and Simic with Lajcak on the problems of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija (RTS)
Vulin: No one minds seeing Albanian flags (Pink TV)
Vulin: Croatia’s and Montenegro’s presidents always blame Serbs (Beta)
Opposition representative: Single opposition presidential candidate only realistic solution (Blic)
Dveri: Passive boycott not an option (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Izetbegovic: Serbian politicians should be given time to blow off some steam; Croats have their own frustration (N1)
Dodik: Money for salaries of all Serbs employed in joint institutions is prepared; If we agree with others in RS, we will go to session of B&H HoR on Monday; PIC should solve issue of Inzko’s law (RTRS)
Rancic: Dodik has no legal grounds to pay salaries to Serbs employed in B&H institutions (Dnevni avaz)
Russian Ambassador Kalabukhov says Schmidt does not have legitimacy as High Representative, Inzko’s decision on prohibition of genocide denial was wrong (Nezavisne)
Radoncic: Schmidt is proving to be very sovereign personality, who is very well familiar with situation in B&H; I expect from him to act in this manner as well (Dnevni avaz)
RS is considering possibility of holding election for RSNA and RS President if 2022 General Election is not held (Nezavisne)
EU is aware of importance of electoral changes, next three months are crucial for political stability of B&H (Vecernji list)

Croatia
Croatian President expresses support to modern, civic and open Montenegro (Hina)
Djukanovic: Our Govt. servile to Belgrade; Milanovic: I see Montenegro in the West, we have been fighting against Serbian nationalism for decades (HRT)
Croatian President: I doubt Serbia sincerely wishes to join EU (Hina)

Montenegro

Djukanovic: Greater Serbia nationalism is attacking Montenegro, Serbia and SPC used the Govt (RTCG)
The request to register the Cetinje Monastery in the MCP was rejected (RTCG)
Krivokapic: I will consider all initiatives for improving work of Govt. backed by at least 41 MPs (CDM)

North Macedonia
Kosovo and North Macedonia sign 11 cooperation agreements (Libertas)

Albania

Peleshi reveals details from the visit to be paid in the USA with PM Rama (Radio Tirana)
U.S. Ambassador: Berisha designation on corruption was the result of a very long and thorough process (Tirana Times)