LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: I hope no one will play with regional stability (Tanjug)
SPC position well known - we are facing illegal secession of part of territory and there is no way to impose a solution which will imply recognition of an illegal secession (Tanjug/RTV/NSPM/RTS)
Dacic receives Palmer (Tanjug/RTS)
Palmer: US wants Pristina to respect rule of law (Tanjug)
Palmer: US is not side in Kosovo talks but is stakeholder (N1)
Drecun: US and EU positions on Belgrade-Pristina negotiations differ, at least officially (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Inzko sends letter to Guterres: UN Security Council will not be voting on Schmidt (Depo.ba)
Dodik: We will welcome Schmidt as a tourist (Dnevni avaz)
Dodik says RS will write to UN Security Council and EU regarding new HR (ATV)
Dodik: I will support not celebrating of RS Day on 9 January but on 15 February (Sputnik/Klix.ba)
HNS adopts resolution that demands equality for Croats in B&H (BHT1)
Izetbegovic: HNS resolution is way to pressure Bosniaks, SDA (O kanal)
Removal of church from Orlovic’s backyard commences (O kanal)
Komsic, Dzaferovic pay official visit to Montenegro, meet Montenegro officials, send good neighborly messages, regret Dodik did not join them (O kanal)
EU Council confirms to APA existence of non-paper (Oslobodjenje)
Final verdict to Ratko Mladic to be pronounced on Tuesday (Nova BH)
Croatia

Grlic Radman sends letter to EU officials warning them of possible crisis in B&H if elections are held in B&H without electoral reforms (N1)
Plenkovic: Croats as constituent people are of special importance for Croatia (Vecernji list)
Grlic Radman addresses conference on B&H in Split, says Croatia is sincere advocate of Euro-Atlantic path of B&H (Hina)
Montenegro

Government reconstruction or new elections to resolve crisis (RTCG)
Djukanovic on announced vote on Leposavic’s dismissal (CdM)
Djukanovic: Montenegro continues to confirm its commitment to unity of NATO (CdM)
Abazovic: Four-year NATO membership has brought multiple benefits to Montenegro (Gov. Press service)
Krivokapic: Montenegro is a stable, reliable and committed member of the Alliance (Gov. Press service)
Republic of North Macedonia

Zaev announces frequent meetings with Bulgarian officials before June summit (Republika)
Government: No secret negotiations, Macedonia has declared positions loud and clear (MIA)
Albania

Enlargement, positive for peace and prosperity/Sassoli backs Western Balkans EU membership (Radio Tirana/Funke Mediengruppe)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 4 June 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: We are ready to discuss compromise, but never humiliation of Serbia (RTV/RTS/Tanjug)
Dialogue with Pristina to resume between 14 and 17 June (Blic)
Selakovic: Dialogue, compromise only way to reach agreement with Pristina (Tanjug)
Palmer: US sees mutual recognition as the outcome; Agreement between Belgrade and Pristina absolutely possible in 2021 (Blic/B92)
Italy’s significant contribution to security in Kosovo and Metohija (Politika)
Braje: KFOR remains in Kosovo as long as needed (FoNet/N1/RTV)
Balkans again in focus of big powers (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Izetbegovic and Covic agree to try to reach adoption limited changes to Constitution, talks on amending Election Law to continue (Nova BH)
Covic to Sattler: There cannot be postponement of changes to election legislation (FTV)
Dodik: I am very skeptical about possibility of progress regarding changes to B&H election legislation (BHT1)
Novic: IAWG is not independent because it was formed by political parties, unlawfully appointed members of B&H CEC cannot be part of IAWG (Glas Srpske)
Cavara: HR Inzko destroyed democracy in B&H (FTV)
Inzko: PIC’s decision is sufficient for appointment of new HR (Al Jazeera Balkans)
OHR: Serbia can get information on work of OHR from reports submitted to UN Security Council (Glas Srpske)
Dzaferovic: Serbia should support work of OHR (Oslobodjenje)
Dodik: Bonn Powers of HR are distant past; New HR needs to be appointed by UNSC (RTRS)
Kalabukhov: Russia will not support appointment of Schmidt as new HR (RTRS)
Russian Embassy to B&H: Appointment of new HR without approval of UN SC is illegitimate; PIC SB Communiqué is unbalanced and tendentious (BHT1)
Cvijanovic: End of Inzko’s mandate was supposed to mark end of experiment of international community (RTRS)
Komsic and Dzaferovic in official visit to Montenegro (N1)
Croatia

Milanovic: Plenkovic is promoter of right to lie (Hina)
Montenegro

More frequent negative rhetoric of Serbia is not in the spirit of good neighboring relations (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Krivokapic: I would be an unworthy Prime Minister if I had signed Fundamental Agreement in Belgrade in that way (RTCG/Euronews Serbia)
If there is no solution, let the people decide (RTCG)
Collapse on the horizon: Ministries asking MPs to adopt budget asap (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Mickoski: Zaev and Buckovski coordinate secret negotiations for the Declaration adopted by Bulgarian parliament to become part of the EU negotiating framework (Republika)
Osmani: European principles protect us in dispute with Bulgaria (TV 24)

LOCAL PRESS

Brnabic with Palmer: Serbia is devoted to resumption of dialogue with Pristina; Full US support (RTV)
Selakovic with Palmer: Cooperation with US priority, unacceptable avoidance of Pristina to fulfill obligations (RTS)
Dacic meets with Shoygu (Politika/Tanjug)
Serbian Foreign Ministry: Despite Montenegro interfering in Serbia’s internal affairs by recognizing the illegal secession of part of its territory, despite opposition of most of its citizens, Serbia consistently offers a hand of support and friendship to Montenegrin citizens (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
New non-paper: Visegrad Group seeks greater support to Western Balkans (Beta/Klix)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

RS representatives meet with Serbian President Vucic (ATV)
Cvijanovic: RS looks up to Serbia and is grateful for its support (RTRS)
Cubrilovic: Delegation from the RS unanimous at meeting in Belgrade that OHR should end its mandate or at least appoint HR in line with DPA and legal acts (RTRS)
Borenovic: Meeting in Belgrade useful, RS’ position on DPA unquestionable; SDS leader Sarovic: It would be good thing if HR will be submitting reports on work to Serbia (RTRS)
Inzko: Serb politicians have nothing to fear when it comes to new HR, perhaps Dodik fears due to being aware he is violating DPA (N1)
Dzaferovic: Meeting in Belgrade will not have any effect on OHR; Vucic, Dodik comment react to Dzaferovic’s statement (Nova BH)
Salkic: Before he leaves B&H, Inzko should complete his promise and impose a law banning genocide denial (Hayat)
Other reactions to meeting of RS officials in Belgrade (N1)
PIC SB welcomes appointment of Schmidt as new High Representative in B&H; Unequivocal commitment to territorial integrity of B&H reaffirmed (Hayat)
SDA, Our Party, SDP officials welcome appointment of Schmidt as new HR in B&H and conclusions adopted by PIC SB (BHT1)
Delegation of international officials points out need for involving B&H Central Election Commission in work of IAWG (FTV)
Komsic’s advisor responds to Grlic Radman: B&H’s Program of Reforms does not mention representation of peoples, but it speaks about equality for all citizens (Oslobodjenje)
Croatia

European Commission says Croatia is ready to join Schengen Area (HRT)
Montenegro

Nikolic: Krivokapic should initiate a vote of confidence in government (RTCG)
Becic: Krivokapic shouldn’t resign, Democrats support him (CdM)
DF: Without agreement, elections are the only possible solution; Krivokapic proposed to foreign embassy that Spajic be new PM (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Zaev: Country is doing everything to find a solution with Bulgaria (Republika)
Radev: Bulgaria requires guarantees over Macedonia’s EU accession (MIA)
De Sousa: Sofia-Skopje dialogue needed without making a fuss (Republika)
Satisfied with his good policies, Zaev expects his parliamentary majority to enlarge (Republika)
Massive turnout in the local elections, and then there will have to be early parliamentary elections (TV Alfa)
Zaev: Why hold early elections, Mickoski doesn’t even use “N” from North, imagine what will happen to the country (Republika)
Albania

Llalla: US and EU Ambassadors wanted Berisha and Meta arrested (Tirana Times/Syri TV)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 2 June 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: Serbia will request report from HR for the first time (RTV/RTS/B92)
Dacic: Serbia does not accept imposed solutions for Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTV)
Dacic: Serbia, Russia will always support each other (Tanjug/RTS)
Can Christian Schmidt bypass the UN SC? (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Dodik: HR is undesirable figure in the RS (ATV)
Dzaferovic: It would be better if Dodik schedules Presidency session instead of going to Belgrade for consultations (Hayat)
Salkic: Newly appointed HR Schmidt should put end to Serbia’s silent annexation of RS (Hayat)
Nelson discusses appointment of new HR in B&H with Dodik (N1/Nova BH)
Vucic accepts Schmidt, Dodik regime facing capitulation! (Dnevni list)
Political Directors of PIC SB begin two-day online session (O kanal)
Croatia

Croatian Foreign Minister: Western Balkans are ‘strategically important’ to NATO (Hina)
Montenegro

Leaders of parties within the For the Future of Montenegro bloc: We lost our patience after Krivokapic’s latest gesture, now propose agreement with Democrats and URA (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Zaev: Nationalistic policies emerged because Europe has failed (Klan Macedonia TV)
Albania

Soreca: Start of membership talks will accelerate confrontation of justice with organized crime in Albania (Radio Tirana)
Xhacka: Albania committed to Collective Security and NATO 2030 Initiative (ADN)

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: It is not just about Kosovo, their goal is to stop our economy (TV Happy/Tanjug/RTS)
Selakovic: Strong Serbia-China relations reflected in all areas (Beta/Xinhua)
Selakovic: We hope we will continue to enjoy Mexico’s support for inviolability of Serbia’s territorial integrity (Tanjug)
Lavrov: Russia will continue to support Serbia in preserving territorial integrity and sovereignty; we will accept solution for Kosovo that is acceptable for Serbia (NSPM/Beta/Politika)
Patriarch Porfirije to the Ministry of Culture: Postpone the adoption of the Law on Cultural Heritage! (spc.rs)
Gojkovic says draft law changed at church suggestion (N1)
Kostic says Pristina’s letter to UNESCO a provocation (N1)
Meyer: Change of borders in Balkans does not necessarily lead to war (Novosti)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

RS officials to meet with Vucic in Belgrade to hold consultations on issue of appointment of new HR (Srna/ATV)
Mazalica announces no meetings will be held with Schmidt and his decisions will not be respected; Lukic argues only UN SC can appoint High Representative (EuroBlic)
Tegeltija on appointment of Schmidt as new HR: What PIC decides means nothing without confirmation of UN SC (ATV)
IAWG is not likely to be successful in reaching agreement on electoral reform (Nezavisne)
B&H CoM decides conditions for entry of foreign citizens to B&H remain unchanged, no visa liberalizations for citizens of Saudi Arabia, Ireland and Great Britain (BHT1)
Montenegro

An open letter from Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic (PM Press Office)
Knezevic claims that both Abazovic and Becic saw Fundamental Agreement (Pobjeda)
Stoltenberg: Montenegro should show it is a committed NATO member by actions (Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia

Pendarovski: “Decisive Strike 21” exercise strengthens Transatlantic partnership (Republika)
Albania

President's impeachment/parliament expected to vote on 9 June (Radio Tirana)