LOCAL PRESS

If they make a decision on recognizing Kosovo, we will launch a derecognition campaign (Tanjug/B92)
Office: Persecution of Serbs continues (RTS)
Dacic: We are grateful for Italy’s support in EU integration (RTS/RTV/Tanjug)
Attempts of Sarajevo to prevent construction of hydropower plant Buk-Bijela (Politika)
He is “buying” Bosniaks by attacking Serbia (Novosti)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

US Embassy expresses full support to newly appointed HR Schmidt (Nova BH)
Cvijanovic says Russian resolution on OHR’s closure is solution that could save reputation of international community (RTRS)
Borenovic says key goal of everyone is to close down OHR in B&H as soon as possible (BN TV)
Dodik: With his statement Izetbegovic attempts to restore political influence that SDA has lost; Other RS officials condemn Izetbegovic’s statement (RTRS)
Dunovic to Vulin: Leave B&H alone (Dnevni list)
Statements of politicians from region cause new tensions in B&H (EuroBlic)
HDZ B&H presents proposal for changes to B&H Election Law in IAWG (FTV)
Komsic: HDZ B&H proposal is discriminatory (FTV)
Colak: ‘Civic B&H’ as advocated by Bosniak parties is unacceptable (Dnevni list)
Media carry comments to Covic’s announcement of blockade of elections (Oslobodenje)
RTRS investigates why Erdogan lobbies for Kosovo; Dodik: Key to solution on this issue lies in dialogue – not in interference by foreign factors (RTRS)
Golic, Petrovic from Elektroprivreda RS and Serbian Mrdak meet to discuss issues related to construction of hydropower plant Buk Bijela (Nezavisne)
SDA: B&H CC confirmed SDA’s stance regarding concessions for construction on Drina River (Oslobodjenje)
Report of Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Sufferings of All People in Srebrenica Region between 1992 and 1995 published online (ATV)
Croatia

Croatia's Euro coins to feature Nikola Tesla (Hina)
Montenegro

Bratic’s Ministry accuses public of unfair treatment: Dismissed headteachers should seek justice in court (CdM)
Protest: We want neither fascism in Montenegro, nor Serbian World through our children (CdM)
Is wide-eyed Brussels turning a blind eye to unprecedented revanchism in Montenegro? (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Mickoski: The resolution should be accepted by all parties without excuses and conditions, thus we will strengthen the state positions (Republika)
Zaev: I wish Albania good luck on its EU path if Bulgaria’s blockade continues (Republika/DW)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 21 July 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: We will oppose lobbying for recognitions of Kosovo (TV Pink/Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
Vucic: I thought it was impossible to have a worse meeting than the previous one (RTS/Tanjug/TV Pink/B92)
Vucic: Pristina came up with 11 points seeking recognition (RTS)
Petkovic: We remain devoted to dialogue with Pristina (Beta/RTV)
Borrell: Some progress in continued Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (Beta)
Lajcak: Only agreement between Vucic and Kurti to continue dialogue (Beta)
Dacic: Kosovo wants recognition of independence to be formalized (TV Prva/Beta)
Vucic briefs Dacic on Brussels meetings (RTS)
Presidential, legislative elections to be held in April 2022 (Politika/Beta)
Dacic says Vucic will attend inter-party dialogue next week (TV Happy/Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Statements by Vulin spark strong reactions of B&H politicians; Vucic fails to distance himself from Vulin’s statements (O kanal)
B&H politicians strongly condemn statements of Serbian Minister Vulin about creation of “Serb world”; Dzaferovic: Statements on “Serb world” are reminiscent of the 1990s; Izetbegovic: “The Serb world” is another name for Greater Serbia (N1)
Komsic takes over as Chairman of B&H Presidency (Nezavisne)
Ahead 2022 General Elections announcement of candidates for B&H Presidency starts (O Kanal)
EU extends mandate of EUSR in B&H Johann Sattler for two years (Hayat)
EU expects OHR to continue working on meeting of ‘5+2 Agenda’ set as condition for closing down of the OHR in 2008 (Dnevni list/RFE)
Russia requests UN SC to vote on Resolution on OHR in B&H by July 31, 2022 (RTRS)
Tegeltija: B&H ready to be part of Mini Schengen (BHT1)
Kovacevic: We will not give up on Law on CC B&H and replacing foreign judges with domestic experts (Glas Srpske)
B&H CC’s decision on ‘Buk Bijela’ causes reactions; Petkovic: Legitimacy of B&H Concessions Commission questionable; Other reactions (ATV)
Collective funeral for 12 Prijedor victims held at Memorial Center 'Kamicani' in Kozarac; Izetbegovic: There was no unfortunate conflict, but aggression, genocide and ethnic cleansing committed by Serb side; Dzaferovic: Crime in Prijedor has elements of genocide (O Kanal)
Croatia

Grlic Radman for shedding light on fate of missing, killed Bugojno Croats (Hina)
Plenkovic meets with Bosnian Croat leader Dragan Covic (Hina)
Grlic Radman: Croat people in B&H is indigenous people and this will be reflected in new B&H Election Law (HRT1)
Maas, Di Maio send letter to EU HR Borrell underlining importance of EU integration of Western Balkans and implementation of limited constitutional and electoral reform in B&H (Vecernji list)
Montenegro

DPS returns to parliament (CdM)
Democrats don’t want to dismiss Kovacevic, although he denied Srebrenica genocide (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Zaev is on collision course with Ahmeti over the mayoral race in Tetovo (Republika)
Sela’s party is also opposed to postponing the municipal elections (Republika)
Albania

Border Changes? WB would end up in mess (ADN)

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic meets with Lajcak in Brussels (Tanjug/RTV)
Selakovic: Serbia committee to dialogue with Pristina (TV Prva/Beta)
Serbia will not have to give up Kosovo for the sake of joining the EU (APA/Tanjug/B92)
Dacic: No extremely important results will be achieved in Brussels (TV Prva)
Petkovic: Vucic will insist in Brussels on formation of ZSO (Tanjug/RTS)
Stano: 19 July round of dialogue to focus on progress to date (Tanjug)
Dacic: SPS oldest political brand (Beta)
Lazanski: Montenegro refuses Belgrade’s request to allow the use of its ports for weapons donation (TV Prva/Beta)
Neu: Serbs can never be victims (Novosti)
Turks get weapon for Albanians in B&H (Novosti)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

EU officials confirm that Resolution proposed by Russia and China to UN SC will not change agenda of the EU for B&H (FTV)
Russia and China propose that mandate of Schmidt ends in 2022; Izetbegovic: Proposal of Russia and China will not be accepted; Other reactions (Hayat)
Cvijanovic says attempts to appoint new HR are not in line with procedures, she sees Russian-Chinese draft resolution on abolition of HR’s powers as chance (RTRS)
Hartmann: B&H’s road to EU will close OHR; Austria’s interest in B&H and region is strong (Nezavisne)
Tegeltija: There is absolutely insufficient EU interest when it comes to enlargement (RTRS)
Dodik: New US Ambassador needs to respect Dayton Peace Accords (ATV)
B&H CC rejects Dodik’s motion for disputing Law on B&H Flag, partly grants motion of 24 B&H MPs regarding ‘Buk Bijela’ (Nova BH)
Dodik announces lawsuits against judges of B&H CC for violation of B&H Constitution and misuse of office; Other reactions (ATV)
Hadziabdic: B&H CEC prepared document with series of improvements to B&H Election Law (Fena/Dnevni list)
There will be no progress in terms of talks Law on Elections, Constitution of B&H until second half of September at least (Dnevni list)
Komsic: I will put forward my candidacy for B&H Presidency member in the next elections if current situation does not change; Croatian policy towards B&H is senseless (FTV)
Trivic: Cvijanovic defends Dodik’s idea about merging functions of RS President and Serb member of B&H Presidency without supporting arguments (BN TV)
Cvijanovic responds to Trivic’s accusing her of political illiteracy (RTRS)
Govedarica: Idea about merging functions of RS President and Serb member of B&H Presidency perfidiously aims to improve Dodik’s rating (BN TV)
Dodik on Djukanovic’s statements in Slovakia: Djukanovic is personal towards SPC because it is one of the reasons he lost power (ATV)
Croatia

Covic: 2022 elections cannot take place if there were no changes to B&H Election Law (Vecernji list)
Biden on meeting with Merkel: We also talked about importance of further integration of Western Balkans in European institutions (Jutarnji list)
Montenegro

Djukanovic: There are attempts to revive 1990s’ nationalist policies in region, Serb Orthodox Church bears responsibility for genocide in Srebrenica (GLOBSEC)
Korcok: Djukanovic is fighting for Montenegro (CdM)
EC warned: Maritime border dispute between Montenegro and Albania still pending (Dan)
Abazovic-Rama meeting: Let’s not change boundaries, let them be invisible (RTCG)
Abazovic in the parliament of Albania: We want to promote a policy of peace and cooperation in the region (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister)
Abazovic meets with President Meta (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister)
Abazovic meets with opposition leader in Albania: Region needs to change its image (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister)
Albania

Deputy PM of Montenegro on official visit in Albania (ADN)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 16 July 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: Serbia in a complex environment (Beta/RTS)
Vucic briefs Botsan-Kharchenko on Serbia’s stances ahead of Monday’s resumption of discussions in Brussels (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
Pristina’s attempt to appropriate Serbian cultural heritage (Tanjug/RTV)
Serbian authorities, opposition meet without EU mediation (N1)
Djilas: We will not take part in elections if EP proposals cater to Vucic (Nova/Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Softic: There is campaign against OSA (Oslobodjene)
Dodik: Apprehension of Mehmedagic is entertainment of Bosniak political and police circles (Srna/O kanal)
Novakovic Bursac: Mehmedagic’s arrest speaks a lot about state of B&H; Majkic: Statements of senior SDA officials who protect Mehmedagic say enough about situation (Glas Srpske)
Stevandic: SDA is interfering in judicial process, Niksic needs to convene session of Joint Commission on Supervision of Work of OSA (Nezavisne)
Russia, China submit draft resolution to lift High Representative's mandate to UN Security Council; Russian Embassy to B&H: It is being worked on resolution (ATV)
RS officials welcome draft resolution of Russia and China delivered to UN SC (Nezavisne)
Softic: I am optimistic Schmidt will bring certain changes and new turn (Oslobodjenje)
EU Integration (Dnevni list/Glas Srpske)
Croatia

Milanovic attends trilateral meeting with his Austrian and Slovenian counterparts (HRT1)
HNS Main Council: Change Law on Elections in line with principle of status of constituent people of three peoples (Vecernji list)
Montenegro

Welcoming Djukanovic with the highest state honors (CdM)
Krivokapic meets with IPU President Pacheco (Gov. Press service)
Republic of North Macedonia

Pahor: Compromise acceptable for Macedonia and Bulgaria needed (Republika)
Mickoski-Jan Kop: Netherlands supports the need for rule of law reforms (Republika)
Albania

Catching the Big Fish: Low-Grade officials at the MoI responsible for 28 million USD scandal (Tirana Times)
Kim: US assistance is bringing Western Balkans closer to EU (ADN)
DP publishes conclusions on elections (ADN)

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: We are going to Brussels in best faith to discuss and solve concrete problems (Tanjug/RTS)
IPA funds very important for accelerating reforms in Serbia (Tanjug/RTS)
Braathu informed about violation of right to free movement of Serb returnees in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTV)
Molina: Spain not to change stance regarding Kosovo (RTV/Tanjug/Beta)
Tadic and Dacic differ on election process (RTS/Beta)
Inzko under new pressure of Bosniaks (Politika)
Bakir’s plan was ‘seen through’ in Croatia (Novosti)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Trial in ‘Novalic et al.’ case continues before Court of B&H (Nova BH/AJB)
Director of OSA Mehmedagic arrested due to abuse of office, forgery of documentation and money laundering (Hayat/AJB)
Izetbegovic and Dzaferovic on Mehmedagic’s arrest (Haya/AJB)
SNSD: Mehmedagic and OSA have no credibility, least he can do is to withdraw from position (RTRS/AJB)
International, regional media report about Mehmedagic’s arrest, reminding of wide-spread corruption in B&H (Dnevni avaz)
Russia and China submit UN SC with text of resolution which limits competencies of HR Schmidt and demands closing down of OHR by 31 July 2022 (Oslobodenje)
Dodik comments on reactions to Milanovic’s visit to B&H: This shows Bosniak political Sarajevo cannot find joint stance with anyone who does not support their stances on unitary B&H (ATV)
Komsic: Milanovic insulted me and B&H (FTV)
Covic, HNS defend Milanovic and his latest statements (O kanal)
Turkovic and Podzic meet with Stoltenberg; Stoltenberg: NATO remains strong partner to B&H institutions (Hayat)
Croatia

Plenkovic comments on Milanovic’s visit to B&H and issues related to B&H Election Law: B&H is friendly, neighboring country that we help and we will continue to do so (HRT1)
Croatia again stops NATO’s joint statement on B&H because of Dayton (Vecernji list)
Montenegro

Steinmeier to Djukanovic: Rest assured that Germany will continue to be with Montenegro (CdM)
Adzic on Krvokapic’s attempt to deceive the public (Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia

VMRO-DPMNE will not add “North” in the Resolution on the red lines of the Republic of Macedonia! (Republika)
Mucunski: SDSM is not really serious about supporting the VMRO resolution on Macedonia’s relations with Bulgaria (Republika)
Albania

Soreca: Justice institutions should offer the integrity and independence of the system! Rebuilding trust in the judiciary reform EU top priority (Radio Tirana)
Rama: We are making our own reforms, not because someone imposes it on us, but because we have to do it for future generations (Radio Tirana)
Premier criticizes Bulgaria for blocking EU talks for Albania, N. Macedonia (ADN)
Rama, assessed that the EU is not fair to Kosovo, which fulfilled all the conditions, and did not receive visa liberalization (ADN)