LOCAL PRESS

Lavrov: We advocate a compromise based on UNSCR 1244 (Beta/Novosti/Politika)
Important information on Kosovo and RS (Novosti/Politika)
Selakovic: Russia’s great role in protecting our national interests (Tanjug)
Lavrov: EU powerless to implement Belgrade-Pristina agreements (FoNet/Beta/Politika/Novosti)
Lavrov to Dacic: Serbia can always count on Russia’s support in the international arena, especially in connection to Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug)
Brnabic expresses gratitude to Italian soldiers within KFOR who protect Visoki Decani (Tanjug)
Vucic with Kosovo Serb representatives: On conclusions within 72 hours (Tanjug/RTV)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Dodik sees Komsic and Dzaferovic’s move as damaging to B&H (Nova BH)
Dzaferovic on refusal to meet Lavrov (FTV)
Komsic: Russia cannot create obstacles on EU or NATO path as main documents were adopted by B&H (Hayat)
Turkovic meets Lavrov in Sarajevo (Hayat)
Lavrov, Vucic: Incident in Sarajevo was influenced by outside forces (BHT1)
Cvijanovic: Absence of B&H Presidency members from official meeting with Lavrov is diplomatic scandal; Cubrilovic: Komsic and Dzaferovic’s move harmed citizens of B&H, especially of FB&H (RTRS)
SDA expresses full support to Komsic and Dzaferovic; Other reactions of FB&H politicians and political parties (N1)
German Ministry of Foreign Affairs surprised by Tuesday’s undiplomatic behavior of two B&H Presidency members, Sefik Dzaferovic and Zeljko Komsic (Srna/RTRS)
Croatia

Plenkovic: It's a mistake to ignore part of Dayton Accords on Equality of Peoples (Hina)
Milanovic and Plenkovic to meet with Sergey Lavrov (HRT)
Montenegro

Krivokapic: Montenegro will be EU’s best ally (RTCG)
Krivokapic: Montenegro has chances to complete technical part of the EU accession process with the govt now in power (CdM)
Krivokapic–Stoltenberg: I regret for NATO flag burning (Pobjeda)
Markovic: Krivokapic publicly confirmed correctness of DPS policy concerning NATO membership (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia

A mine, a bank, a TV station: Zaev promised Borisov free reign to take over Macedonian companies (Republika/TV Alsat)
Albania

Kim and Soreca welcome progress made for establishment of Constitutional Court (Radio Tirana)
US Ambassador hails operation of Kosovo-Albania power transmission line (ADN)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 15 December 2020

LOCAL PRESS

Lavrov reads Putin’s letter, eternal flame lit (B92/Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
Vucic: Many thanks to Russia, this temple is as much yours as it is ours (Tanjug)
Selakovic: With Lavrov about all points of contact of cooperation (RTS)
Can Lavrov alleviate pressures of West on Belgrade (Politika)
Biserko attacks Belgrade, yet praises Albright; Dodik: Political attacks encouraged by Biden’s victory (Novosti/DW)
German, EU Ambassadors want more done on rule of law (FoNet)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Lavrov arrives in B&H for official two-day visit (O kanal/N1)
Covic meets Lavrov, Covic underlines importance of changes to Election Law (Dnevni avaz)
Dzaferovic: We want to preserve the dignity and pride of our homeland (N1)
Komsic: Two examples by which Lavrov showed disrespect for institutions and the state (N1)
Biden says work to promote justice, reconciliation, and functional, multi-ethnic B&H remains incomplete (FTV)
Nelson: Now is time for action and citizens need to say what needs to be done (Oslobodjenje)
EUFOR Commander Trischak says EUFOR is last tool that should be applied in case safe and stable environment in B&H is jeopardized (Oslobodjenje)
Dzaferovic: Denial of Srebrenica genocide must be stopped and peace must be built on truth and justice (Nova BH)
RS politicians do not think there are collocutors in RS who would accept changes to Constitution of B&H, especially if those would be detrimental for RS (EuroBlic)
HNS calls on IC to protect DPA as foundation of peace in B&H amid frequent attempts to undermine it, they argue that critics against Milanovic are unfounded and inappropriate (N1)
Turkovic: My statements were twisted and abused in order to raise tensions (Nezavisne)
Field says inflammatory rhetoric and calls to one-sided changes are regressive and undermine trust (EuroBlic)
Prosecutor’s Office of B&H issues indictment against Mehmedagic and Cikotic (RTRS)
Croatia

President and Prime Minister agree on status of Croats in B&H (HRT)
Montenegro

Palmer to Djukanovic: Identity issues are always dangerous in the Balkans (CdM)
Abazovic: New government has a pro-Western character (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Mickoski announces vote of no confidence in Dimitrov as first step toward bringing down the Zaev government (Republika)
Zaev hopes to placate Bulgaria with a declaration (Republika)
Borisov calls on Macedonia to be reasonable (Republika)
Albania

Kosovo-Albania electricity markets merged (ADN)

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic, Dodik: Friendly conversation in difficult and challenging times (Tanjug/B92)
Cyprus’ position on Kosovo issue clear and unchanged (Tanjug/Politika)
Joksimovic: Serbia shows it is a real European state in 2020 (Beta/FoNet)
Jeremic: What exactly Serbia gets by surrendering the electricity grid (Beta)
Petkovic: Serbia is not handing over anything today in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/Novosti/NSPM)
Botsan-Kharchenko: There will be more pressures (Novosti)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Special ceremony marking 25 years since DPA signing takes place in Sarajevo (BHT1)
Ambassadors Sattler and Nelson write joint column of 25th anniversary of DPA (Dnevni list)
Heads of International Missions to B&H’s joint column: Many citizens of B&H are disappointed with long-lasting lack of progress (Dnevni avaz)
Former US president addresses event marking 25th anniversary of DPA: Dayton is beginning, not end! (Dnevni avaz)
Reeker: Russia is trying to sow political chaos in the Balkans (Dnevni avaz)
Tegeltija claims that his decision to resign is final and he will not change his mind, condemns HJPC for accepting unlawful surveillance (Face TV)
Head of EUD Sattler welcomes Tegeltija’s decision to resign (O kanal)
OHR on Tegeltija’s resignation: This is beginning of much needed changes in judiciary (FTV)
Dodik says Tegeltija did his job well and did not deserve such attack and disqualification (Nova BH)
Foreign Minister Turkovic reflects on recent congressional hearing regarding Balkans policy recommendations for new US administration (Face TV)
Minister Turkovic’s statement comparing Dodik to Hitler sparks reactions (ATV)
Dodik to convene meeting with B&H top officials to discuss statements of B&H FM Turkovic who called for abolition of RS and compared him to Hitler (ATV)
US Embassy on Turkovic’s statements: The only way to secure better future for all B&H citizens is through dialogue and compromise; OHR calls on all parties in B&H to conduct dialogue and reach compromises (ATV)
Covic: Agreement between HDZ B&H and SDA on changes to election law is expected mid-January instead of 17 December; Izetbegovic: It is naive to think HDZ B&H and SDA can solve this alone (BHT1)
B&H officials react to statement of Croatian President Milanovic in regard to B&H’s future (N1)
Lavrov to visit B&H; Dodik says cooperation with Russia will continue (Nova BH)
Croatia

Lavrov’s visit to B&H comes in moment when USA and EU announce corrections of DPA (Jutarnji list)
Milanovic: You cannot change B&H system, B&H framework without will of constituent peoples (HRT1)
Croatia will continue to advocate for the rights of Croats in B&H (HRT)
Montenegro

Government wants to legalize undermining of historical continuity of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church (Pobjeda)
Medojevic kicked Sekulovic out of PzP, as he opposed closer collaboration with Serbian parties (Pobjeda)
Abazovic about Kosovo with an asterisk: I hope that such a mistake won’t repeat (CdM)
Albania

Fifth consecutive day of protests with calls for Rama's resignation (ADN)
British Ambassador Duncan Norman: Let us resolve things peacefully (Radio Tirana)
US Embassy in Tirana: Those seeking to be in power should reject violence (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 11 December 2020

LOCAL PRESS

Brnabic: Coronavirus pandemic has shaken human rights, equalities (Tanjug/Politika)
Dacic: Serbia strongly committed to constant and engaged protection of fundamental human rights (Politika)
Parliament adopts 2021 Budget Law (Tanjug)
Lajcak: Belgrade - Pristina talks to resume in 2021 (FoNet)
Chief of the NATO MLO for cfsp.rs: The public does not see how much NATO and Serbia work together (Council for Strategic Policy)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Plaque in honor of Karadzic removed from Dormitory in Pale after his daughter says it should be removed if it is only there out of spite and not in Karadzic’s honor (RTRS)
Vukanovic: Sonja Karadzic was damaging herself, her family and the opposition, as well as the RS (BN TV)
HJPC President Tegeltija announces he will submit his resignation next week (N1)
HJPC members Simeunovic, Alihodzic reject Tegetlija’s call to resign from posts (FTV/Nova BH)
Comments on Tegeltija’s announcement (Nova BH/FTV/Dnevni avaz)
Croatia

Negotiations about electoral reform to intensify, US and EU want to help (Vecernji list)
Montenegro

DPS: A scorched and bankrupt state can’t be granted loans (CdM)
Radulovic would sacrifice Montenegro’s dignity for good relations with Serbia (CdM)
Ambassadors who are likely to be recalled (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Buckovski delivered a document to Borisov declaring that Macedonia renounces territorial and minority claims against Bulgaria (Republika)
Conditioning a country because of its identity is not in line with European values, Mickoski tells EU Ambassador Geer (Republika)
Oliver Spasovski denies thinking about challenging Zaev (TV21)
Albania

Protests on the murder of 25-year-old Rasha by a police officer/Rama condemns the act; Interior Minister Sander Lleshaj resigns (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: If I sign recognition of Kosovo’s independence, I’d get Nobel Peace Prize (B92/Beta)
Selakovic: Serbia aware of importance, role of press freedom (Tanjug)
Petkovic: Formation of ZSO for a successful resumption of dialogue (Tanjug/RTV)
Schieb: Serbia’s progress in rule of law too modest for opening new chapters (N1/Beta)
Bilcik: Serbia standing still, but EU has to be more active too (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Ambassadors Sattler and Nelson meet with Covic and Izetbegovic to discuss next steps on vital electoral reforms (BHT1)
Recommendations at US House Committee on Foreign Affairs related to B&H spark different reactions in B&H (N1)
International lobbyists recommend Biden’s Administration abolishment of entities; Concept of B&H supported by RS is only legitimate (RTRS)
Vucic: Serbia will sincerely fight for Kosovo and RS and it will not succumb to pressures (BN TV)
International Anti-Corruption Day – 9 December - marked in B&H; IC deems it is problematic that judicial process in B&H is under control of political forces (O kanal)
Tegeltija: I am worried about my physical integrity and integrity of my family; double standards of IC are so obvious I call even call it hypocrisy (ATV)
Cvijanovic: Saying Tegeltija should withdraw without saying Mehmedagic should do same is unprincipled (ATV)
Croatia

Milanovic and Plenkovic agree to have Slovene PM represent Croatia at EU Summit (HRT)
Montenegro

CdM interlocutors about the act of the Ministry of Health: Hypocrisy without limits (CdM)
Picula: The Union is sending a message to the candidate countries (Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia

Zaev lashes out at Bulgaria, and the opposition, after the failure of his crucial EU policy (Republika)
Albanian opposition leaders say only a broad government can take on the dispute with Bulgaria (Republika)
Buckovski silent on Zaharieva’s insults: You’re building the nation and identity on anti-Bulgarian basis (Republika)
Albania

Violence erupts as outrage over young man killed by police (ADN)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Serbia's request was to keep evidence which disappeared; There are witnesses, though. (Sputnik)