United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 11 August 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Zervakis: Cyprus stands to principled position of non-recognition of so-called Kosovo (Tanjug/Beta/RTS)
SPC: Montenegrin government made a large number of changes in the text of the Basic Agreement (Tanjug/RTV/Politika)
Serbian Interior Ministry: Former RS Army commander is not in Serbia (Beta)
Violence by Valentin Inzko (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Current location of Savcic still unknown; Court of B&H issues arrest warrant (Nova BH)
INTERPOL issues warrant for Savcic’s arrest (O Kanal)
Dodik: I see B&H Court and prosecution as bodies of inquisition (RTRS)
Mayer criticizes Inzko for imposing law banning denial of genocide (ATV)
Head of Legal Department in RS MoI Obradovic sends memo to all units to implement all article of B&H Criminal Code, including Inzko’s amendments (Hayat)
Google and Twitter to remove content denying Srebrenica genocide (Dnevni avaz)
Opposition leaders from RS argue political Sarajevo is trying to break apart Serb unity (Nezavisne)
Izetbegovic: Blockades are response of nationalistic policies to many positive developments to the benefit of B&H (Dnevni avaz)
Nesic: Bakir Izetbegovic pushing B&H into isolation (Srna)
Schmidt speaks to Cormack: USA and OHR committed to B&H (Dnevni avaz)
Despite opposing its work, Russia still financing work of OHR (Nezavisne)
Montenegro

Tensions rising ahead of enthronement of metropolitan bishop in Cetinje (N1)
Census hardly to be this year, the contract with the Serbian Orthodox Church corrected (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia

Osmani: Ohrid Framework Agreement most successful, it’s shown in everyday life (Republika)
Albania

Germany supports Rama-Vucic-Zaev Open Balkans initiative (AND/Express/RFE)
Rama invites states to join Open Balkans after Germany’s confirmation (ADN)
Haradinaj reacts over clashes with Rama (ADN)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 11 August 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: Serbia-US relations on upward trajectory (RTS/Tanjug)
Vucic: Serbs have to take into account the emotions of the Bosniaks in Serbia but the Bosniaks have to do the same because they all live in Serbia (TV Pink)
Godfrey: Belgrade-Pristina dialogue requires compromise by both sides (021.rs/N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

RS opposition criticizes Dodik over participating in session of B&H Presidency, which Dodik denies (FTV)
Dodik’s Cabinet denies claims of attendance at urgent telephone session of B&H Presidency; Dodik says he voted against telephone session and he did not take part in any decision-making (RTRS)
Komsic argues Dodik voted in session against appointment of CBBiH GB (N1)
Dodik explains dilemma re B&H Presidency session saying he rejected request to convene session (RTRS)
Dzaferovic believes Schmidt should react to blockade created on state level (AJB/Anadolu)
Conference ‘Inzko’s Law – End of the RS or the Dissolution of B&H?’ takes place in Belgrade; Dodik says Schmidt will have to do something big to prove that he is what he claims to be (RTRS/ATV)
Komsic comments on Dodik's statements sent from Belgrade (O Kanal)
RS officials, veterans’ associations condemn Court of B&H decision in Savcic case (RTRS)
Covic and Schmidt meet to discuss political situation (N1)
Schmidt meets SDP leader to discuss current political developments in B&H (Glas Srpske)
Montenegro

Krivokapic: The fundamental agreement has been handed over to the Patriarchate, the government is ready to sign it (TV Vijesti)
Krivokapic: Enthronement of Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral Joanikije will be held on 4 September in Cetinje, and that no one can prevent that (CdM)
Serbian Church given 600 churches and monasteries across Montenegro in a day (Dnevne novine)
Vuksic will try to prevent protests in Montenegro (Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia

Bulgaria to hold new elections, dispute with Macedonia on a longer vacation (MIA/BTA)
Albania

Rama responds harshly to allegations of ‘treason’ to Kosovo with Open Balkans (ADN)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 10 August 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic, Botsan-Kharchenko: Level of bilateral cooperation high (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
Vucic to Herzog: Israeli recognition of Kosovo disappointing for Serbia (Tanjug/N1)
Mitsotakis confirms Greece will not change its position regarding Kosovo (RTS)
A return precedent in Osojane (Danas)
Von Cramon expects progress in Belgrade-Pristina dialogue after elections (N1)
Djordjevic visiting B&H (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Washington and Brussels support Open Balkans initiative (Dnevni avaz)
Cvijanovic: RS will have obligation to protect itself in case that arrests due to Inzko’s law begin (RTRS)
Miletic: Ruling parties and opposition in the RS are hypocritical when law banning genocide denial is in question (N1/Dnevni list)
Cubrilovic says Bosniak veto to latest RS parliament laws is expected (ATV)
Gligic discusses issue of vital national interest initiated by Bosniak Caucus in RS Council of Peoples and ban on genocide denial (ATV)
Tegeltija, Lukic slam SDP B&H for asking Dzaferovic and Komsic to file motion with B&H CC to declare Dodik as incompetent (EuroBlic)
B&H Court imposes detention against Savcic (RTRS)
Dodik: Decision to impose detention to Savcic has nothing to do with law, this is political decision (RTRS)
Croatian Ministry of Justice and Public Administration: B&H Prosecutor’s Office requested international legal assistance in accordance with agreement signed by Croatian and B&H governments (BHT1/ATV)
HNS: Request of B&H Prosecutor’s Office is shameful attempt to criminalize Croatian Army and HVO (Oslobodjenje)
Komsic: No legal grounds for Prosecutor’s Office of B&H to launch proceedings against Croatian Generals (O Kanal)
Miletic on launching of criminal procedures against Croatian Generals: Prosecutor’s Office is not truly and territorially competent for this case (Dnevni list)
Srebrenica Mothers criticize B&H Prosecutor’s Office actions vs CRO Generals (Hayat)
Reactions to letter request of B&H to Croatia to take over cases of Croatian general suspected of crimes during operation Bljesak; Sarovic: They are practically freed of any responsibility with this move (N1)
Croatia

Justice Ministry to ‘take into account state interests’ over Bosnia’s request (Hina)
Montenegro

Leposavic approved that SPC dioceses in Montenegro existed since 1220 (Dnevne novine)
Republic of North Macedonia

Zaev: Initiative Open Balkans is expression of strong political will of Serbia, Northern Macedonia and Albania (MIA)
Albania

Wildfire above Thirre-Kalimash tunnel, Kosovo to help Albania (ADN)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 9 August 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Drecun: Difficult challenge for the US, unless it is an agreement (TV Tanjug)
Djuric: Bunker mentality winning in Pristina (Tanjug)
Zaev: Our peoples have the same path (Politika)
Vukanovic: Vucic restraining Dodik at Germany’s order (Danas)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Izetbegovic says HR Schmidt should not meet with RS officials outside institutions (O Kanal)
Dodik says meeting with Schmidt will not be held unless all political parties agree on it (O Kanal)
Sarovic says he wants to believe EU, PIC and Schmidt are willing to work on creation of better atmosphere (N1)
Stevandic says unity of RS parties must not be threatened (N1)
Unity of ruling and opposition parties in RS is limited only to struggle against decision Inzko imposed and it does not include other political issues (Glas Srpske)
Radoncic says Dodik will not intimidate Bosniaks, notes it would have been better had Inzko imposed prohibition of genocide denial sooner (Dnevni avaz)
RS opposition parties reject Dodik’s idea bout concentration government in RS (Oslobodjenje)
Cubrilovic: Bosniak Caucus at RS CoP wants to minimize and put aside whatever RS has done (RTRS)
Zvizdic assumes post of B&H HoR speaker, says HR’s decision was good ground for stopping hate speech (Oslobodjenje)
Participation of B&H AF in NATO peace missions brought into question due to political crisis in B&H? (BHT1)
Egrlic, Cengic, Cenic disagree on whether B&H should join Open Balkans initiative (Oslobodjenje)
Two initiatives for connecting regional market of Balkans currently in focus one being Open Balkans other being Berlin Process continuation (N1)
Prosecutor’s Office of B&H asks for launching of proceedings against Croatian war commanders (RTRS)
Croatia

Croatia receives B&H’s request for transfer of proceedings against army officers (Hina)
Milanovic calls Bosnian Prosecution’s letter of request sabotage (Hina)
Montenegro

BIA approves the turncoats to return to ANB positions (Dnevne novine)
Albania

Minister departs towards Voskopoja as new fire starts in Albania; Harsh punishment for arsonists (ADN)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 6 August 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: We have US support for Open Balkans initiative (Tanjug/RTV)
Stefanovic: Serbia continues to lead a balanced defense policy (RTS)
Mustafa Ceric’s five advises to Christian Schmidt (Politika)
Bilcik: Serbia to stop glorifying war criminals (N1/RFE)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Dodik’s announcement that there might be meeting with Schmidt after all causes reactions of RS opposition (FTV)
Vukanovic says RS opposition should not make any deals with Dodik as his policy is devastating primarily for Serb people in B&H and RS as a whole (FTV)
Borenovic: By attending meeting, opposition did not support Dodik, but right not to accept imposed solutions (Dnevni avaz)
Dodik says he will meet Schmidt only if all Serb parties agree on that (RTRS)
Source says Vucic complimented Sarovic at meeting in Belgrade; Analysts Soja, Topic argue Vucic made influence on Dodik to change stance on holding meetings with Schmidt (EuroBlic)
Komsic: Dodik went to Belgrade to complain to Vucic, but since he did not receive support for his actions, Dodik decided that he would meet with Schmidt (N1)
Komsic and Dzaferovic warn that Dodik’s loss of political compass causes direct damage to state of B&H and its citizens (Hayat)
Kalabukhov says he does not plan to cooperate with Schmidt (Nezavisne)
Bosniak Caucus in RS Council of Peoples raised issue of protecting vital national interest over Law on Non-Application of Decision of High Representative and Amendments to Criminal Code of RS (BHT1)
Prosecutor’s Office of B&H forms 22 cases upon reports for crime of denial of genocide (Nova BH)
Cvijanovic: B&H has no future because there is no dialogue (Nezavisne)
Cabinet of Serb member of B&H Presidency distances itself from Turkovic’s behavior in Tehran (Srna/RTRS)
Croatia

Croatia celebrates Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day, and Croatian Veterans Day (HRT)
PM: We will not allow anyone to question legitimacy of operation Storm (Hina)
Bozinovic: Ustasha salute is banned and sanctioned (Hina)
Plenkovic expects from HR Schmidt to take care of equality of all three constituent peoples in B&H, especially about rights of Croat (Hina)
Montenegro

"No need for the Serbian world" Abazovic says (MINA)
Republic of North Macedonia

EU to send equipment, assistance to help Macedonia fight wildfires; VMRO-DPMNE seeks resignations (Republika)
Albania

Ex-candidate for DP’s chair attacks Basha as US targets Berisha (ADN)