United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 29 July 2021

LOCAL PRESS

If we succeed, from 1 January 2023, no borders for Serbian citizens; Mini Schengen becomes Open Balkans (Tanjug/B92/RTS)
Whoever thinks decisions can be imposed, does no good to anyone (RTS/Tanjug)
Serbia-US friendship & alliance in 140 years of diplomatic relations (FoNet/N1)
Petkovic: We will ask for additional security for Dragic Gasic (RTS/Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

HR explains he waited for final verdicts to Karadzic and Mladic after which he informed PIC about intention to impose the law (O Kanal)
Zvizdic welcomes amendments to Criminal Code: B&H joined group of civilized countries (Oslobodjenje)
Marinkovic-Lepic: Inzko’s decision is not aimed against Serb people (Oslobodjenje)
Serbian parliamentary majority assesses that Inzko's decision raised tensions in B&H, but that RS will have Serbia's support (Glas Srpske)
Prosecutor’s Office of B&H confirms some cases related to Inzko’s decision on amendments to B&H Criminal Code have already been formed (Nova BH)
Dodik confirms he filed report with Prosecutor’s Office of B&H against himself (Nezavisne)
Dodik: RS MoI will be instructed to protect RS citizens from SIPA, OSA and arrests (ATV)
RS parliament to discuss amendments to RS Criminal Code sanctioning persons who show public disrespect for RS, and Law on non-implementation of decision by Inzko (RTRS/ATV)
Dodik proposed formation of RS government of National Unity, but got rejected by opposition (Oslobodjenje/BN TV)
Crnadak: After our appeals Dodik gave up on several radical proposals, such as banning SIPA from working in RS (Dnevni list)
Sarovic says all should jointly participate in protection of RS’ interests (RTRS)
Dodik says over 40,000 RS citizens signed petition against Inzko’s decision (ATV)
Novakovic-Bursac says if Inzko already dared to pass laws, then let him interfere in everything else; Osmanovic says if blockade of institutions by representatives, delegates and ministers from RS continues, that would mean serious violation of Constitution, Dayton Agreement and law (Nezavisne)
Kalabukhov: Russia can in no way be considered threat to B&H, because it is committed to all-round development of equal and mutually beneficial relations with B&H (Glas Srpske)
Croatia

Peljesac Bridge joined together (Hina)
Montenegro

Montenegro needs compromise (Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia

Zaev: Balkans is our common European home (Republika)
MPs to discuss Resolution on red lines in negotiations with Bulgaria (Republika)
Election code changes stuck in parliament committee (Republika)
Albania

Rama meets with Zaev, here is the agenda of the Economic Forum for Regional Cooperation (Radio Tirana)
OSCE-ODIHR final report/ US Embassy: We urge all relevant institutions to review the final report and its recommendations (Radio Tirana)
US Embassy on the side of the Supreme Court: Reduce the backlog of High Court cases, Albanians waiting for justice! We support the Reform (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

Stefanovic: Grateful for Indonesia’s consistent stand on Kosovo and Metohija (Novosti)
Economic cooperation between Serbia, Azerbaijan to be upgraded to higher level (RTS/Tanjug)
Dacic: Inzko’s decision is aimed against interests of Serb people (TV Pink/Tanjug)
Fabrizi on Serbia's path to EU: It takes time (RTS/B92)
Lompar: Government has created monstrous concoction of elitism, primitivism; the national facade serves to abandon national interests step by step (Beta)
It takes three for happiness in B&H (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

B&H Criminal Code amendments published in B&H Official Gazette (Nova BH)
B&H HoR’s session cancelled due to Serb representatives’ boycott of work of state institutions (Nova BH)
OHR comments blockade of B&H institutions (Nova BH)
Komsic: I understand difficult emotions that hit parties from RS because some of their basic ideas are defeated (Hayat)
Dodik will not attend sessions of B&H Presidency (RTRS)
Niksic asks Inzko to suspend salaries for RS representatives who boycott state institutions (Dnevni avaz)
RS parliament set to hold special session (Nova BH/RTRS)
Inzko: RS representatives will start work in B&H institutions soon (AJB)
US Embassy in B&H says US fully supports essential role and mandate of OHR and looks forward to working with new HR Christian Schmidt (FTV)
Croatia

Plenkovic: Croatia will do everything to help B&H (HRT)
New location announced for Operation Storm celebrations (HRT)
Plenkovic: Not all cabinet members will go to Knin this year (Hina)
Montenegro

DPS and SDP: Two extraordinary own goals (CdM)
SDP and URA silent about the Serbian World in Tivat (Gradski portal)
Meeting of ruling majority unlikely to happen until mid-August (Dan)
Republic of North Macedonia

Rift between VMRO and Levica grows wider (Republika)
Zaev denies claims from Sofia that he is violating the rights of ethnic Bulgarians in Macedonia (Republika)
Government meets to prepare the events marking the Ohrid Framework Treaty (Republika)
Meeting of the three Mini Schengen countries in Skopje (Republika)
Albania

Ruci received the Ambassador of Kosovo: Albania is by your side to face today's and future challenges; the EU is the only destination (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 27 July 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: We cannot leave the RS without support (B92/Tanjug)
Mutual support with Azerbaijan for preservation of territorial integrity and sovereignty (RTS)
Potentials for strengthening cooperation with Azerbaijan in numerous areas (RTS)
Dacic ready to work on strengthening parliamentary cooperation with Iran (Beta)
Verbal offense from Racak to Srebrenica (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

RS parties launch boycott of institutions over HR’s decision (RTRS)
RS parties adopt conclusions and platform for joint reactions towards HR’s decision (Glas Srpske)
Two opposing petitions – one on rejection of Inzko’s decision and other calling for Dodik’s arrest – currently being signed in B&H (N1)
OSCE calls for zero tolerance for inflammatory and divisive rhetoric (Fena)
No representative of RS shows up at session, but B&H HoR Commission for Finance and Budget adopts proposal of budget for 2021 (N1)
MPs in B&H HoR from FB&H expect a good part of their colleagues from the RS to come to B&H HoR's session on Tuesday and be constructive (Oslobodjenje)
Izetbegovic: Collective annual leave of B&H institutions commences on 1 August and RS representatives just started with vacation seven days earlier; Serb World idea presents threat for entire region (Hayat)
Komsic, Izetbegovic, Kojovic: RS parties will calm down, Dodik is responsible for Inzko's decision (Oslobodjenje)
Initiative launched in FB&H parliament to start implementing Inzko's decision to ban genocide denial at lower authority levels in FB&H (Nova BH)
UN’s Nderitu welcomes Inzko’s decision on Criminal Code (Oslobodenje)
HNV welcomes decision of Inzko to amend B&H Criminal Code (FTV)
Croat Party of B&H commends Inzko’s decision to amend Criminal Code (Dnevni list)
RS political representatives, legal experts: Outgoing HR Inzko imposes decision that cannot be implemented and lacks legal grounds (RTRS)
RS officials, Kristo criticize Inzko’s latest decision (EuroBlic)
Croatia

SNV leader says ‘Ustasha will not be allowed to enter Srb’ (Hina)
Montenegro

Djukanovic: Serbia trying to prove that Montenegro is Serbian state (Pobjeda/TA3)
Republic of North Macedonia

Dimitrov: Deepening cooperation for a more stable region (MIA)
Radev in Austria: Bulgaria is strongest supporter of EU enlargement (Republika)

LOCAL PRESS

Brnabic: Inzko’s decision further complicates the situation in B&H (Tanjug/RTS/Politika/Novosti)
Vucic: I am not supporter of imposed decisions, we have to build brotherly relations with Bosniaks (TV Pink)
Selakovic favors stability in B&H after law on banning genocide denial (Beta)
Selakovic thanks Azerbaijan on clear position of non-recognition of Kosovo’s independence and support in international organizations (RTS/Tanjug/Beta/Politika)
Vulin: Inzko decided to take revenge on all in B&H and to create tensions and divisions (Beta/RTV)
Jovanovic: Unitarization of B&H is goal (Blic/RTV)
Serbian human rights activists welcome ban on genocide denial imposed in B&H (N1)
Bosniaks call Inzko to suspend Dodik (Politika)
Revenge (Novosti)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Dodik: RS will reject all decisions that were imposed (N1)
Dodik starts petition against Inzko’s decision (ATV)
Dodik and SNSD present video calling for citizens in RS to gather and defend themselves (O Kanal/BN TV)
Dodik: B&H can return to previous situation only in case of withdrawal of HR’s decision (ATV)
Sarovic: I see no future for B&H without urgent abolition of High Representative (Nezavisne)
Judge Blagojevic resigns after Inzko imposed amendments to Criminal Code, stresses OHR cannot impose laws (Dnevni list)
Viskovic: RS institutions will undertake number of moves that will make it clear B&H can no longer function in this way; Cvijanovic: B&H that functions on dialogue is unsuitable for HR (ATV)
Izetbegovic says relativizing truth, attempts to equalize sides in war is preparation for linking rights of Albanians in Kosovo with rights of Serbs in B&H (Hayat)
Head of B&H's Islamic Community welcomes ban on genocide denial (N1)
US Embassy to B&H: Threats related to dissolution of B&H are unacceptable and contrary to DPA and B&H Constitution (O Kanal)
EU: Revisionism and genocide denial are contrary to fundamental European values (Oslobodjenje)
German Embassy to B&H: Denial or even glorification of war crimes and genocide are unacceptable (N1)
NATO HQ in Brussels: Denial of genocide is unacceptable; support to territorial integrity of B&H and urged B&H leaders to refrain from divisive rhetoric (Fena/N1)
Zakharova: We are disturbed with interference of HR in internal issues of B&H as sovereign and independent country (N1)
World media report about Inzko’s decision and remind of genocide committed in Srebrenica (N1)
Schmidt: I am going to B&H with clear expectation to restart development process that stopped (Oslobodjenje/FAZ)
IAWG holds session, discusses changes to Law on Elections proposed by HDZ B&H and DF (BHT1)
Croatia

Grlic Radman and Schallenberg both express support to Inzko’s decision (HRT1)
Serb National Council commemorates Serbs killed by Ustasha in 1941 (Hina)
Montenegro

Krivokapic: I reckon I will be prime minister by 2024 (RTCG/BBC)
Djonovic: “Becic’s resolution” immoral because it brings discord (Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia

State Department warns potential investors in Macedonia about high level corruption (Republika)
Zaev’s government pledges to get serious about fighting corruption after the highly critical State Department report (Republika)
Albania

Charges pressed against 171 policemen (ADN/Abc news)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 23 July 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic on Kosovo, cooperation with Albania and North Macedonia (Beta)
Twenty-two years since the murder of 14 Serb reapers (RTS/RTV/Tanjug)
Serbia, Cyprus for strict respect for international law (Tanjug/RTV)
Joksimovic: Slovenia friend of Western Balkans region (Tanjug)
Lutovac: Citizens have a right to rebel if there are no free elections (Nova/Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

UN SC rejects resolution on closure of OHR proposed by Russia and China (BHT1)
B&H officials presented their expectations from UN SC’s session before session took place on Thursday; Sattler welcomes arrival of Schmidt (Nova BH)
Izetbegovic explains to Chinese Ambassador Ping why OHR is still needed in B&H (Nova BH)
Dodik says he will come to meeting with new HR to tell him that he is irrelevant for RS (FTV)
High Representative in B&H imposes ban on genocide denial (N1)
Inzko explained: Why I decided to use the Bonn powers (OHR Press service)
B&H prosecution announces case against anyone who denies genocide (N1)
Tegeltija: Inzko's decision is a revenge on the new HR (Srna)
Dodik: Inzko’s decision on genocide denial is the last nail in B&H’s coffin; RS has no other option but to start the process of dissolution (N1)
Dodik: I am ready to declare independence next week (Nezavisne)
Izetbegovic: Inzko is leaving B&H with dignity (Fena)
Sarovic: Inzko's decision is an introduction to strengthening the OHR (Nezavisne)
Borenovic: A politically disastrous move by the outgoing High Representative (Srna)
Niksic: Inzko's decision is correct and necessary for reconciliation in B&H (N1)
Politicians in FB&H: A great day for B&H (N1)
US Embassy welcomes HR’s decision: Srebrenica genocide is historical fact (N1)
Weber: I think it's a personal decision of Inzko, it will not yield expected results, a deeply counterproductive move (N1)
HDZ B&H presents its proposal of amendments to Election Law of B&H focusing on election of B&H Presidency members from FB&H and formation of FB&H HoP (Hayat)
Komsic: HDZ B&H’s proposal of Election Law is twilight of democracy, its ultimate goal is to block holding of general elections in 2022 (Hayat)
Mahmutovic: HDZ B&H’s proposal of amendments to Election Law of B&H
tricks key international obligations of B&H to implement ECHR rulings and creates new type of discrimination (FTV)
Other B&H politicians comment on HDZ B&H’s proposal (BHT1)
DF submits its proposal of amendments to Election Law of B&H into procedure defining elimination of all discriminations related to ethnic affiliation, place of residence and value of vote (Hayat)
Sattler: EU will support amendments to Election Law that fully and adequately implement ECHR rulings (Hayat)
OSCE Mission to B&H: Amending Election Law of B&H is necessary in order to ensure integrity of election process and remove previously identified shortcomings (O Kanal)
Dodik: I will advocate implementation of ‘Serb World’ idea, which is very attractive (FTV)
International Independent Commission on Suffering of All Peoples in Srebrenica Area from 1992 to 1995 concludes that there was no genocide in Srebrenica (ATV)
Croatia

NBS objects to Croatia’s intention to put Tesla on Euro coins (Hina)
Montenegro

Pisonero: Professional education system in Montenegro’s interest (RTCG)
Medojevic: Protests should prevent unprecedented betrayal and voter fraud (Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia

North Macedonian, Albanian and Serbian Presidents hold virtual meeting (MIA)
Vucic wants to rename the Mini Schengen initiative (Republika)
Parliament will discuss the “red lines” resolution next week (Republika)
Ruling majority gives up on its attempt to push ahead with the identity cards bill (Republika)
Albania

Rama, Vucic and Zaev meet online, ''This is the new Balkan'' (Radio Tirana)