LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: The only surprising thing is that Podgorica was more zealous than Pristina (B92/RTS)
Vucic: Century of CPC a century of biggest change in history of mankind (Tanjug/Politika/RTS)
Drecun: Meeting in Brussels preparation for the one that should follow, there is no encouraging news coming from Pristina (RTS)
Petkovic met with Lajcak (RTS/RTV/Tanjug)
US supports implementation of Brussels agreements, including ZSO (Kosovo online/RTV/Tanjug)
Serbian parliament delegation takes part in OSCE PA session (RTV/Tanjug)
Schieb: Berlin Process Summit an important step toward regional common market (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Palmer visits Brcko District at end of his visit to B&H: Future of B&H will depend on dedication of its leaders to fight against corruption (Nova BH)
Palmer voices US’ support to B&H on its Euro-Atlantic path, says it will be up to domestic leaders to reach compromise; Palmer says appointment of Schmidt was successfully completed as far as USA is concerned (Nezavisne/Oslobodjenje)
Trisic Babic: Palmer and Eichhorst understand that main problem of B&H lies in FB&H; Berlin Process Summit was fiasco and there will be no EU enlargement in WB (Glas Srpske)
Izetbegovic on changes to B&H Election Law: I expect international community to act as mediators in order to help and for opposition to respond (N1)
Opposition in RS will not accept Dodik’s initiative to merge functions of RS President and Serb member of B&H Presidency (BN TV)
Dodik says it is interesting that Borenovic and Dzaferovic have the same stance in regard to idea to merge positions of RS President and member of B&H Presidency (ATV)
Cvijanovic: PDP did not understand Dodik’s proposal (RTRS)
Cvijanovic: RS has full capacity for development, Bosniaks spread story that everything is great in FB&H and everything is bad in RS (Srna/RTRS)
Inzko: Glorification of war criminals unacceptable in civilized world; Dzaferovic appeals to Inzko to ban genocide denial; Dodik says no sanctions can make him recognize genocide in Srebrenica (N1)
Merkel: Western Balkans requires a lot of engagement and patience (Dnevni list)
German government proposes idea to appoint special envoy for Western Balkans in charge of implementation of Green Agenda (Nezavisne)
Jansa presents plan of Slovenian six-month presidency of EU (O kanal)
Hungary is in favor of giving status of candidate to B&H, but I am less of an optimist when it comes to adoption of decisions in Brussels (Dnevni list)
B&H will not have its representative at upcoming Dubrovnik Forum (FTV)
Montenegro

Medojevic: New or technical government, in both cases without Krivokapic (Pobjeda)
Quarrels, fights, broken noses… (Pobjeda/Vijesti)
Republic of North Macedonia

Mickoski welcomes government’s decision to support the Resolution: I thank all political parties, both from the opposition and the ruling majority (Republika)
For now, DUI doesn’t accept VMRO-DPMNE’s resolution, AA/A haven’t adopted position yet (Republika)
Mickoski calls on DUI to, for once, support the interests of their Macedonian neighbors (Republika/Vecer)
VMRO-DPMNE to hold meetings with Albanian parties in support of the resolution (Republika)
Albania

Main association of Macedonians in Albania comes out in support of the resolution proposed by VMRO-DPMNE (ADN)
Rama on Albania's election to the UN Security Council: The greatest success in the history of Albanian diplomacy (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

Brnabic: No alternative to dialogue, recognition not discussed (RTS/Tanjug)
Continuation of EU integration along cooperation with countries of region (RTS/Tanjug)
Godfrey: Serbia today doesn’t have a better friend than the US (Beta)
Vucic, Naryshkin discuss security situation (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
Selakovic: Gratitude to African countries for continuous support to Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty (RTS/Tanjug)
Dacic says compromise in dialogue reflects facts on the ground (DW/Beta)
New meeting between Vucic and Kurti depends from technical dialogue (Tanjug/RTV)
Angela Merkel sent a clear message (Tanjug/B92)
Dodik: For us, Schmidt is only a guest (Politika)
Balkans on Biden’s ‘short leash’ (Novosti)
Emanuele Giaufret named new head of EU delegation to Serbia (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Comments on Palmer's arrival in B&H (Hayat)
Palmer and Eichhorst discuss changes to B&H Election Law and B&H Constitution with B&H political leaders (FTV)
Stanivukovic, Karic and Kordic meet Sattler, Palmer, Eichhorst (Dnevni avaz)
Eichhorst: Make the transition from Dayton to Brussels (Dnevni avaz)
Bosniak Vice President of the RS Ramiz Salkic called for the abolition of the RS (ATV)
Schutz: Western Balkans has benefits from the Berlin Process (Dnevni list)
Dodik: German world now sends HR who has not been legitimately appointed, RS will not accept him (RTRS/Nova BH)
Tegeltija attends 2021 Prespa Forum Dialogue International Conference; Tegeltija: Economic cooperation in region is crucial and ‘Mini-Schengen’ is good starting point (RTRS)
Denis Zvizdic resigns from all posts in SDA and leaves SDA, comments (Nova BH)
Decision of Zvizdic to leave SDA causes reactions in political circles (N1)
Srebrenica Municipal Assembly adopts resolution on killing of Serb people in Srebrenica in 20th century (RTRS)
Croatia

Serb National Council unveils memorial to victims of Ustasha WWII crime (Hina)
Edtstadler: EU will not be complete until the Western Balkans has joined (Vecernji list)
Montenegro

Molina: Avoid nationalism and dedicate yourself to negotiations (Pobjeda)
Washington closely monitors Montenegro (CdM)
URA and Democrats at crossroads – Europe or Serbian World (Vikend novine)
Djelosaj: No negotiations while Krivokapic is Prime Minister (Dan)
Republic of North Macedonia

Fouere: EU must urgently change its behavior, enlargement policy does not work (Republika/24 Vesti)
Austria’s Foreign Minister: Bulgaria is isolated in the EU (Republika)
Johannes Hahn: It is in Bulgaria’s interest for Macedonia to join the EU and I think Bulgaria knows that (Republika/24 Vesti)
VMRO-DPMNE proposes to parliament resolution on Macedonian state and national positions (Republika)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 2 July 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: Verdict says it all (Tanjug/B92)
Brnabic receives Patrushev (Tanjug)
Drecun: Attacks on children most dangerous form of violence (RTS)
Bilcik, Fajon to visit Belgrade on 8 July (Tanjug)
With which legitimacy will Schmidt come to B&H? (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Zakharova: Attempts to appoint High Representative without consensus in UN do not correspond to interests of achieving peace and stability in B&H (RTRS)
Spiric: High Representatives acted as big brother of Bosniak political elite, we must turn to each other and talk (Glas Srpske)
Reactions to MICT’s Verdict against Stanisic and Simatovic (Hayat)
Palmer to visit B&H and join talks on electoral reform; Comments (Nova/N1)
Izetbegovic: Policies of EU and US towards B&H are coordinated; Covic and I are currently far from reaching solution for Election Law of B&H (FTV)
IAWG still without work results (EuroBlic)
Palmer at Prespa Forum: Leaders of Western Balkans should complete difficult reforms that lie ahead of them (FTV)
UK and German FMs sign joint declaration which treats global relations and situation in Western Balkans (Oslobodjenje)
Western Balkans economy ministers meet on eve of Berlin Process Summit (Dnevni avaz)
Turkovic meets UN’s DiCarlo, discussing progress B&H made in integration processes (Oslobodjenje)
Viskovic and Macdonald say cooperation of RS institutions and UN is very good (Nezavisne)
Croatia

Croatian President: Serbia to choose between EU and Moscow (Hina)
Covic meets Plenkovic in Split, informs him about activities re changes to Law on Elections (Vecernji list)
Opposition warns aggressor collaborators might gain civilian war victim rights (Hina)
Montenegro

Becic officially invites all parliamentary parties to dialogue on 7 July (Dan)
Republic of North Macedonia

Zaev – Tsipras: Prespa Agreement obligates EU to lift hurdles in EU integration process of Western Balkans (Republika)
Zaev: We are Europe now more than ever (Republika)
Ahmeti – Tsipras: Three years after the Prespa Agreement, we are increasingly seeing the benefits (Republika)
Mogherini: Prespa Agreement an inspiration to settle other open disputes in the region (Republika)
Reeker: US is with Macedonia as an ally and a friend (Republika)
Albania

"We are disappointed" / Palmer criticizes EU for not opening negotiations for Albania and Macedonia: You are hindering our goals in the region (Radio Tirana)
Switzerland supports cooperation among Western Balkans countries (Tirana Times)

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic on embassy move to Jerusalem: Israel has meanwhile recognized Kosovo (Tanjug)
Vucic talked to Merkel; Relations between Serbia and Germany on the rise (B92/Tanjug)
Stanisic, Simatovic each sentenced to 12 years in prison (Tanjug/Reuters/RTS/RTV)
Vulin: Verdict an attempt to try the Serbian state and the Serbian people (TV Pink/RTV)
Dacic: Date of arrival in Serbia of EP mediators (TV Happy/Beta)
Trajkovic: German expert opinion arrives on circumstances surrounding Ivanovic’s murder (Danas/Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Ambassador Nebenzya contest Turkovic’s authorization to address UN SC; Minister Turkovic states no authorization from B&H Presidency is necessary for Foreign Minister to address UN SC; Schmidt’s appointment supported by UN SC members (FTV)
Dodik: UN SC did not appoint new HR because there was no consensus for his appointment within this body (ATV)
Tegeltija, Merkel discuss EU enlargement and B&H’s European path (BHT1)
Komsic writes Rapporteur Rangel regarding Resolution on B&H; Rangel: Resolution on B&H is so balanced that no one can say more attention or more importance was given to one constituent peoples and not to the other two (FTV)
IAWG’s session interrupted due to lack of quorum (BN TV)
Several US and European politicians to visit B&H this weekend to discuss electoral legislation with local politicians (Nezavisne novine)
Stanisic and Simatovic sentenced to 12 years in prison each for war crimes committed in Bosanski Samac (FTV)
Brammertz: Conviction of Stanisic and Simatovic is step forward in ensuring accountability for those most responsible (Nova BH)
MICT Spokesperson Eggleston: Verdict to Stanisic, Simatovic proved existence of JCE (Dnevni avaz)
Defense counsel Jordash says verdict in Stanisic and Simatovic case represents cynical attempt at justifying trial which has been going on for 18 years (Nova BH)
Komsic says verdict in case against Stanisic and Simatovic is verdict against Greater Serbia projects; Dzaferovic: Sentence too mild, verdict is historic (Nova BH)
Salkic: Current leaders in Serbia and the RS are not willing to accept the facts and the court verdicts (Hayat)
Reactions of other B&H politicians, political parties to judgments to Stanisic and Simatovic (Nova BH)
Croatia

Croatian state leadership says verdict in case against Stanisic and Simatovic in no way reflects true nature of policy pursued by those two and Serbian state leadership (HRT1)
Montenegro

Protest over Jovanovic's arrest: Police intervened (Pobjeda)
Ruling majority should clearly present manner and deadlines for reaching agreement (Dnevne novine)
The policy of Montenegro is more relevant than five years ago (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia

Scandalous audio recording of Zacarias’ statement: North Macedonian language was once part of the Bulgarian (Republika/SDK news)
Government: Portuguese diplomat’s statement isn’t consistent with Portugal’s proposal for finding solution (MIA)
Dimitrov says Portuguese diplomat’s statement is “inappropriate and unfortunate” (Republika)
Albania

Why Ambassador Reeker didn’t meet President Meta in visit to Tirana (AND/VoA)
No Meta-Reeker meeting, presidency reveals gathering wasn’t requested (ADN)
Meetings with Rama and Basha / US Embassy: Reeker underscores Biden and Blinken's determination that fighting corruption is crucial (Radio Tirana)
Soreca meeting with the head of JAC: To ensure the full independence of the Constitutional Court! (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 30 June 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: Serbia’s position – Kosovo will never receive UN seat (Euronews Serbia/RTS/Tanjug/RTV)
Vulin blasts Citaku for attempt to steal someone else’s history (Beta)
Dacic: EP has no dilemma about EU enlargement (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Turkovic addresses UN SC, says it is not yet time to close OHR (FTV)
Ruge: Schmidt's appointment is opportunity to solve some things in B&H, but it can also lead to new problems (BN TV)
Palmer and EU representatives to meet with B&H political officials this weekend (N1)
Izetbegovic urges EU leaders to pay special attention to granting EU candidate status to B&H (N1)
Representatives of opposition parties from RS define platform on key program principles of joint action for 2022 general elections (Nova BH)
Vucic decorates Dodik with Medal of Republic of Serbia; Reactions (RTRS/Hayat/Dnevni list)
Grlic Radman: It is important to implement key reforms in B&H before 2022 General Elections (Dnevni list)
Montenegro

Krivokapic: Information about my arrest is absolutely factual (CdM)
Montenegro needs political stability (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia

Mickoski: Macedonia has been stuck in EU waiting room for too long (Republika)
Crvenkovski: Macedonia hasn’t been able to make a step forward on EU path for 12 years (Republika)
Zaev promised EU, and ended up with Mini Schengen; Reaction (Republika)
Albania

Rama, Vucic and Zaev with a joint statement after the Brussels decision on Albania and North Macedonia (Radio Tirana)