LOCAL PRESS

Petkovic: Pristina wants to go back ten years and bury the dialogue (RTS)
Serbian Unity Day; Vucic: We will never apologize for the Serbian tricolor again (B92)
Dacic: You can't bring genocide charges against a nearly exterminated nation (Pink TV)
Tadic: Merkel, Germany know about Vucic undermining democracy, turn blind eye on Kosovo (Beta)
EU to Belgrade: Union will do everything to help Serbia’s inter-party dialogue (FoNet)
Djukanovic has a new plan to neutralize Serbia? (Blic)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

HR Schmidt rejects claims he advocates stances of HDZ B&H regarding Election Law (O kanal)
Covic sends letter to diplomats calling for help in reform of Election Law (FTV)
Covic addresses media: Agreement on amending Election Law of B&H should be reached by end of September (N1)
Zvizdic: Celebration of Serb Unity Day is not good message; Reactions of other B&H officials (FTV)
RSNA adopts proposal of law on protection of Cyrillic in urgent procedure, Bosniaks will invoke protection of VNI (BHT1)
EC’s Von der Leyen announces visit to Western Balkans from September 28-30 (FTV)
Turkovic’s recommendation to former RBIH Army members not to travel to Serbia sparks fierce reactions in RS (Nezavisne)
Tegeltija: Turkovic acted alone, without consulting B&H Presidency, her move was anti-Dayton behavior (ATV)

Croatia
PM Andrej Plenkovic: Truth about homeland war indisputable (Hina)

Montenegro

Krivokapic and the leaders of the Western Balkans with Merkel (RTCG)
Lajcak to help resolve doubts (RTCG)
SDP to offer resolution on stabilizing political situation (CDM)
Opposition’s common position: Crisis biggest since introduction of multi-party system, transitional government and early parliamentary elections the only solution (CDM)
Current government in Montenegro can’t count on EU’s endless patience (Dnevne novine)
URA: If DF and Democrats have necessary majority for Govt. reshuffling, let them schedule Parliament session (CDM)

North Macedonia
Citizens of Bardovci protest against the building of an asylum center (Republika)

Albania

First ever joint session of Macedonia and Kosovo governments (Republika)
Rama's priority - agreement signed with Vucic, also lobbying for Kosovo's recognition (ADN)
The German cold shoulder to Open Balkans (Tirana Times)
The President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, visits Albania on September 28 (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: Merkel’s visit is stimulus for work on rule of law (Beta)
Serbia and Republika Srpska mark the Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom and National Flag (RTS)
Stefanovic: Serbia sees its future in the European Union (Tanjug)
Serbia’s FM happy with Serbia-NATO dialogue (Beta)
Several opposition parties forward draft agreement on election process to MEPs (Beta)
Sasa Jankovic: They advised me to get closer to Vucic (Danas, Nova S)
Vucic: These are ambassadors, I know who they are (B92)
Serbian Interior Minister Vulin calls Komsic and Dzaferovic hypocrites and Vranj a war criminal (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

B&H Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues travel warning for B&H citizens going to Serbia (Hayat)
RS officials claim that warning of B&H Ministry of Foreign Affairs is attempt to relativize crimes and undermine Serbia's reputation (RTRS)
Tegeltija and Chancellor Merkel discuss RS’ rejection of Schmidt as new HR and Election Law of B&H (BHT1)
Tegeltija: Merkel's visit to the region confirms that Western Balkans remains important both for Germany and the EU (RTRS)
Komsic, Chancellor Merkel supported Serbia’s President Vucic’s policy (N1)
HR Schmidt meets Komsic; Komsic says he disagreed with HR about solutions regarding changes to B&H Election Law (Hayat)
HR Schmidt: EU and international community will gladly help B&H politicians find joint solution, but responsibility lies on elected reps of political parties, peoples in B&H (BHT1)
SDA sends letter to OHR, EUD/EUSR and PIC Ambassadors: Representatives of international institutions in B&H, before publicly presenting their stances, should get familiar with facts and indicators (N1)
Petritsch: B&H is in biggest crisis so far and if next elections in B&H fail due to boycott of Serbs and Croats, that would be de facto end of B&H (RTRS)
Marking Serb Unity Day starts with formal ceremony in Banja Luka, central event to take place in Belgrade (RTRS)

Croatia
MP Bacic: Vucic’s call for Serbs to fly flags is ‘a provocation’ (Hina)
Pupovac: We’ll do everything so relations in Croatia are ‘not disrupted’ (Hina)

Montenegro

Merkel: Montenegro most advanced EU candidate in Western Balkans (RTCG)
Krivokapic on the status of the Cetinje monastery: "Attack on property" (CDM)
Djukanovic calls for local elections in Mojkovac, Petnjica and Cetinje on 5 December (CDM)

North Macedonia
Zaev talked to Merkel about the need to unblock Macedonia’s EU path (Republika)
Merkel expresses sorrow Macedonia was not allowed to open its EU talks, says Europe is held hostage to nationalism (Republika)

Albania

In farewell visit to the region, Merkel focuses on progress, but says ‘impatience and frustration’ with EU is understandable (Tirana Times)
"Open Balkans": Merkel message from Tirana: I welcome the initiative, I invite other countries to join (Radio Tirana)
President Ilir Meta decrees the government "Rama 3" (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

Merkel revealed her position on the recognition of the so-called Kosovo (B92)
Vucic against the frozen conflict (Beta)
Merkel: Serbia achieved a number of results, still long way to EU (Beta)
Merkel says it would be good if other countries of Western Balkans also joined 'Open Balkan' initiative (RTS)
Vucic and Merkel exchange pleasantries in Chancellor’s farewell visit, but little substance (Danas, VIP)
Serbia’s opposition to Merkel: Take Vucic with you; You supported dictatorship (N1, Beta)
New US envoy for the Balkans: Belgrade and Pristina should not avoid dialogue (Beta, N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

B&H Ambassador to Serbia invited for urgent consultations in Sarajevo regarding Vranj case (N1)
Novakovic Bursac, Borneovic criticize Komsic for his accusations against Serbian Ambassador (Glas Srpske)
HR Schmidt meets Turkish FM Cavusoglu; Cavusoglu: I will continue to support efforts of OHR for stability and unity in B&H (Nova BH)
Final preparations for Serb Unity Day in RS and Serbia underway; Dodik: Idea of ‘Serb World’ is story of preserving values of Serb people; We want to strengthen RS to extent that we can become independent state (RTRS)
Serbian National Assembly starts discussion on law on preserving Serbian language and Cyrillic script; Serbian Minister Gojkovic: This law proves unbreakable ties between RS and Serbia (RTRS)
IAWG should meet soon; Members of IAWG not convinced that solution will be reached (Oslobodjenje)
B&H CEC submits report to B&H Parliament requesting set of changes to electoral legislation (Glas Srpske)

Croatia
Milanovic comments on Vucic’s idea: Devil finds work for idle hands (Hina)
Serbian Orthodox Church head holds memorial service at Jasenovac (Hina)
Croatia launches 2021 census (HRT)

Montenegro

About the current situation with the Prime Minister (RTCG)
PM Krivokapic to meet with Chancellor Merkel in Tirana (RTCG)
Abazovic to meet with Lajcak and Belgium's DPM in Brussels (RTCG)

North Macedonia
Another non-paper on dispute with Sofia: Will we be both Macedonians and Bulgarians?! (Republika)
The government and Pendarovski claim that there is no so-called non-paper on negotiations with Bulgaria (Republika)
Lajcak: Blockade of the EU path of Northern Macedonia due to its dispute with Bulgaria has a bad effect on the neighboring countries, especially on the relationship between Pristina and Belgrade (MIA)
Zaev to meet Merkel in Tirana (Republika)

Albania

Merkel recived by PM Rama at the Palace of Brigades (Radio Tirana)
German official: Regional cooperation to be comprehensive and open to all 6 countries (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: The faster Serbia grows the more pressure it will face (Beta)
Vucic: Djukanovic wants Montenegro without Serbs (B92)
Jan Braathu: Tensions, conflicts in the region of no use to anyone (Beta)
Vucic: It is a great honor that I will have more meetings with Angela Merkel (RTS)
Serbian opposition party leader: Free and fair elections nowhere in sight (FoNet)
Belgrade and Washington agree: Fighting terrorism successful only in partnership (Beta, N1)
Serbia & RS to build Jasenovac memorial center (FoNet)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Dodik, Vucic discuss construction of Donja Gradina memorial complex, current situation in B&H, Merkel’s visit to Serbia; Dodik and reiterates his stance that Schmidt is not legitimate HR in B&H (RTRS)
Minister Turkovic says building memorial center in B&H without approval of B&H institutions is unacceptable (RTRS)
Dodik reacts to Turkovic’s statement on construction of Jasenovac memorial center (ATV)
Dodik meets with Metropolitan of Montenegro and Littoral Joanikije, says Serb people and SOC are one and they must survive as such (N1)
Dodik: I believe that on January 9 RS should be independent state, accuses opposition of working for Western intelligence (Dnevni list)
IFIMES Director Becirovic says HR Schmidt is introducing new practice, i.e. official meetings and meetings in institutions of B&H (FTV)
RS and Serbia launch campaign with aim to inform interested Serbs in FB&H how they can protect their rights (RTRS)
Comments from RS politicians on upcoming session of B&H House of Representatives (ATV)
Vranj arrested upon entering Serbia on suspicion of committing war crimes (N1)
Serbian Ambassador rejects a meeting with B&H Presidency after being summoned (N1)

Croatia
Croatia’s FM: Amended election law would ensure B&H’s stability and prosperity (Hina)

Montenegro

Djukanovic: Vucic would like Kosovo without Albanians and Montenegro without Montenegrins (Jutarnji list)
Volker: West must understand that Serbian Church pursues policy of Belgrade and Moscow (Pobjeda)
Weak and quarreling Montenegro easier prey for Serbian World (Pobjeda)
Abuse of religious events doesn’t befit serious EU candidates (Pobjeda)

North Macedonia
Census safe in terms of both health and data (Republika)

Albania

President Meta decrees Edi Rama as Prime Minister of Albania (ADN)
Assembly to be gathered today. Rama expected to present the governing program and the new cabinet! The new structures of the Parliament to be approved (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

Petkovic: The unwillingness of the Pristina side to negotiate key issues (RTS)
Schmidt commends continuous support of Serbian President Vucic to sovereignty and territorial integrity of B&H (Tanjug, RTS)
Does Sarajevo have reason to be disappointed with Schmidt (Politika)
MEPs Platform on Election Conditions absolutely unacceptable for SNS, MP of that party says (Tanjug, VIP)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

SDS leader Sarovic thanks President Vucic for wise and persistent policy on maintaining position of RS in accordance with DPA (BN TV)
PDP leader Borenovic says HR Schmidt can be factor that can resolve current situation; PDP remains committed to RSNA conclusions, but common primary goal should be overcoming current situation (BN TV)
Dodik denies claims about meeting with Schmidt in Istocno Sarajevo (RTRS)
SNSD's Mazalica: Schmidt is trying to soften Serb side in order to gain support for his mandate which was not given to him by UN Security Council (Glas Srpske)
‘United Srpska’ leader Stevandic says ruling and opposition parties in RS will have to define their stance on calls of opposition to hold meeting with Schmidt (EuroBlic)
Janjic: It would be inappropriate for Schmidt's mission to discuss ways to solve problem of Dodik in Serbia (Nova BH)
Dodik will have to humbly recognize Schmidt’s legitimacy, Komsic finds himself in role of person responsible for radicalization of political situation in B&H, Bosniak politicians will face their failure because Merkel will not visit B&H (Dnevni avaz)
Komsic: I did not expect Schmidt to make such a rookie mistake at the very beginning (FTV)
HDZ B&H's Covic: Schmidt is not taking anyone's side; Legitimate representation is a precondition for B&H’s survival (O kanal)
SDA’s Izetbegovic comments Schmidt’s statements regarding insufficient representation of Croats (O kanal)

Croatia
28th Anniversary of Grabovica massacre commemorated (Hina)

Montenegro

Picula: It’s worrying that new Govt. isn’t fulfilling what it promised (Nova M)
Whoever threatens the European path of Montenegro does not have the support of URA (RTCG)
Abazovic: It is not impossible that we will have a new prime minister (Vijesti)
Democratic Montenegro: Abazovic stabbed us in the back (CDM)

North Macedonia
Pendarovski: At this moment I do not know if there is a basis for moral and political accountability (Republika)
Hajredini: The result of the expert analysis does not exclude or reduce the moral responsibility of the minister and the director (Republika)
After the catastrophic fire in Tetovo, prosecutor Ruskoska reportedly investigating the crony contract to build the container hospitals (Republika)

Albania

Berisha Expelled from PD Parliamentary Group (Tirana Times)
US Embassy: Basha's decision deserves respect (Radio Tirana)
Berisha: Basha should have considered to give his resignation (ADN)
Sweden: Albania and N. Macedonia met criteria; EU talks must begin (ADN)
German Embassy has revealed details from the visit of Chancellor Angela Merkel on September 14 in Albania (Radio Tirana)