United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 18 June 2020

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: Assessments we received from Russia disturbed us (RTS)
Lavrov: We will support a decision that suits Serbia (RTV/Tanjug)
Vucic, Lajcak, Moscow, Washington ... (B92/Tanjug)
Vucic We are not going to Washington with a white flag (Novosti)
Vucic: Parliament to give confirmation of a solution to the Kosovo problem (RTS)
Russia-Serbia partnership does not depend on Belgrade’s dialogue with Brussels – article (TASS/Rossiisakaya Gazeta/Kurir/RTV)
Stoltenberg on Belgrade-Pristina dialogue: Washington meeting first step in the right direction (Tanjug)
Djuric: Hoti is burying dialogue (RTS)
Pre-election silence in Serbia starts at midnight, lasts through Sunday evening (FoNet)
Another 94 cases (B92)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

SDA and HDZ B&H reach agreement on local elections in Mostar after 12 years (Hayat)
US Ambassador Nelson comments on SDA-HDZ B&H talks on elections in Mostar (BHT1)
OSCE B&H about Mostar agreement: Use momentum for overall election reform (Dnevni avaz)
UK Ambassador Field about Mostar agreement: We hope this will serve as basis for solving other issues in election process (Dnevni avaz)
Commissioners Borrell and Varhelyi welcome agreement on Mostar (Dnevni avaz)
Niksic: SDP has no obligation to respect any kind of agreement signed by SDA and HDZ B&H, if that agreement is not in interest of citizens of Mostar and B&H (FTV)
SDP’s Zalihic: SDA fulfilled all wishes of Covic (O kanal)
Komsic about Mostar agreement: SDA and HDZ agreed to try to trick one another (Oslobodjenje)
SBB B&H welcomes agreement on Mostar; Final stance after legal experts analyze it (Dnevni avaz)
Dodik comments Belgrade-Pristina dialogue: Vucic will protect country’s and national interests in the best way possible (ATV)
Migrants open fire at members of RS MoI in Banja Luka’s Klasnice (FTV)
B&H's coronavirus tally increasing, death toll unchanged (N1)
Croatia

President hosts diplomats accredited in Croatia (HRT)
In Croatia 11 new coronavirus cases identified (Hina)
Montenegro

Epilogue of the drama in Budva: Attack on a police officer, broken glass, 23 arrested persons (CDM)
Reinke: All parties to take part in dialogue and avoid violence (CDM)
Coronavirus returns to Montenegro as seven persons test positive (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Hospitals reorganizing capacities to handle surge in Covid-19 patients (MIA)
Albania

Electoral Reform, the commission expects concrete proposals from the opposition (Radio Tirana)
Kosovo-Albania flights restart after long time (ADN)
In Albania 66 new Covid-19 cases (Tirana Times)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Moscow to Firmly Counter Attempts to Review Dayton Accords for Peace in BiH, Lavrov Says (Sputnik)
Fajon and Bilčík: Credible, transparent and peaceful elections in Serbia are crucial on the European integration path (EWB)

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic doesn’t expect spectacular, but rational talks in Washington (Beta/RTV)
Dacic: Still uncertain what the topic would be at the White House meeting (B92)
Stano: Brussels dialogue is the main platform for Serbia and Kosovo (FoNet)
O’Brien: Pleased to host Belgrade and Pristina leaders (RTS)
Dimitrijevic: We are awaiting information for conducting elections in Kosovo and Metohija (Beta/Tanjug)
Varhelyi: ODIHR’s report on elections to be basis for EC annual progress report for Serbia (Beta)
Kesic: Grenell would have not organized a meeting in the White House if he was not confident that some form of agreement could be reached (Sputnik/B92)
Another 96 cases (B92)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

RS officials: RS CoP should be abolished ASAP (RTRS)
SDA: Dodik’s calls for reducing of RS CoP competencies can lead to disturbance of relations established by DPA (Dnevni avaz)
Komsic: No discussion about abolition of RS CoP without abolition of FB&H HoP (Dnevni avaz)
Dodik: Some representatives of IC say that illegal appointment of members of B&H CEC is good solution, this is evidence they support Muslims and SDA (ATV)
Cikotic: I accepted SDA’s nomination for patriotic reasons (Dnevni list)
Tegeltija: B&H urgently needs new Security Minister (Nezavisne)
Komsic says NATO path of B&H was unblocked (EuroBlic)
Ambassador Sattler: Without adopted revised National War Crimes Processing Strategy there will be no financial assistance of EU through IPA funds (BHT1)
B&H sees another spike in new coronavirus infections, no new deaths reported (N1)
Croatia

Tourism Minister Cappelli: Not likely that borders for B&H citizens will be open, without any restrictions, before 1 July (Hina)
Croatia registers 3 more Covid-19 cases (N1)
Montenegro

Djukanovic: SPC is manipulating people and wants to oust government (CDM)
Tensions in Budva: Carevic and Radovic under arrest (RTV Budva)
Montenegro Airlines: We don’t know when we will be allowed to fly to Belgrade again (CDM)
Montenegro is deploying 30 soldiers to NATO (CDM)
Montenegro deserves to be the next EU member state (CDM)
A person from Budva tests positive for coronavirus (CDM)
Police will not safeguard gatherings with more than 200 participants (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia

SEC adopts revised timetable for 15 July elections (MIA)
Spasovski: 15 July a day for decisions and country’s rescue from crisis (MIA)
Mickoski urges for higher turnout (MIA)
We will not form a coalition on the basis of ultimatums, Mickoski tells Ahmeti (Republika)
Polls show VMRO ahead of SDSM-BESA by about 70.000 votes (Republika)
Border crossings to open, measures still in place (MIA)
Today, 193 new cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in North Macedonia, 46 patients have recovered - 9 people have died (Libertas)
Albania

Meta receives outgoing Serbian Ambassador (ADN)
Electoral Reform, parties disagree on CEC (ADN)
Government reinforces three strict rules after infection's escalation (ADN)
In Albania 50 new Covid-19 cases (Tirana Times)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Trump envoy brokers White House meeting for Kosovo and Serbia presidents (The Guardian)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 16 June 2020

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: Recognition of Kosovo will not be a topic in Washington, nor will we allow this (RTS/B92/Tanjug)
Grenell: Representatives of Belgrade and Pristina to meet on 27 June in the White House (RTS)
Putin: Russia support Serbia when it comes to Kosovo and Metohija; it is clear that no decision can be made without the UN SC (RTS/RTV/Tanjug)
Vucic: Brussels agreement did not change constitutional status of part of Serbia (Beta/N1)
Dacic on Grenell’s announcement: The problem is that we don’t trust the Albanians in Pristina (Tanjug/RTS)
Dacic: Serbia to request solution to the Kosovo issue to be verified in broadest international framework, ideally within the United Nations (Novosti)
Dacic, Falconi: Constant improvement of political, economic relations with France (Tanjug)
Processing of all war crimes cases is not suitable for Bosniaks (Politika)
RS will not negotiate again on what has already been agreed upon by (Politika)
Another 59 cases (B92)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

SNSD and HDZ B&H against Cikotic’s appointment to the post of B&H Security Minister (N1)
HDZ B&H insists on amending of Election Law as precondition for formation of new FB&H government (BHT1)
Izetbegovic: In order to reach agreement on local elections in Mostar, it is necessary to solve issue of so called double signature; Comments (BHT1)
SDP, DF and HRS say all parties should be involved in negotiations about elections in Mostar (Dnevni list)
Due to stalemate in public administration reform, Sweden and Denmark decide to withdraw their donations (Nezavisne novine)
SIPA members arrest Topcagic for abuse of office (FTV)
SIPA arrests Councilor in Municipal Council of Novi Grad Sarajevo Hasan Hodzic for taking bribe (FTV)
SIPA arrests man in Sarajevo, suspected of public instigating of terrorist activities and threatening US citizens (Dnevni avaz)
EU borders still closed for citizens of Western Balkan countries (N1)
Tuzla Canton continues to be coronavirus hotspot (FTV)
Inspectors in FB&H intensify controls of catering facilities, supermarkets (O kanal)
B&H reports three new Covid-19 deaths, 45 coronavirus infections (N1)
Croatia

One more coronavirus case confirmed in Croatia, a total of 2,255 so far (Hina)
Montenegro

Djukanovic hands Order of the Montenegrin Flag to senior justice advisor in the US Embassy (CDM)
Pazin: There’s unacceptable concentration of power in courts which reflects in multiple terms of office of presidents (CDM)
Moscow does not believe in Serbian tears (Dnevne novine/Regnum)
Republic of North Macedonia

Political parties agree to hold elections on 15th of July (MIA)
Speaker Xhaferi signs decision scheduling 15 July elections (MIA)
International community welcomes agreement on 15 July elections (MIA)
July 15 elections: Three days for casting votes, 14-hour election day (MIA)
Zaev says health protocols to be coordinated for campaign and Election Day (MIA)
SEC plans election activities, wants protocol for their implementation (MIA)
President Pendarovski declares 8-day state of emergency (MIA)
In North Macedonia 134 new cases of Covid-19, 34 patients recover, 8 die (MIA)
Albania

Cakaj calls Roth: German EC presidency, maximum attention to Western Balkans (Radio Tirana)
EPP calls for inclusion of 15 conditions in resolution (Tirana Times)
In Albania 82 new Covid-19 cases (Tirana Times)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Balkan Foes Head to White House as U.S. Swipes Talks From EU (American Journal of Transportation)
Does he want a statue too? Trump to host ‘Serbia-Kosovo’ summit in Washington on ominous anniversary (RT)
Foreign ministers discuss Belarusian-Serbian cooperation over phone (BelTA)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 15 June 2020

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: I’m afraid there is no solution for Kosovo (B92/Tanjug)
Vucic on Kosovo and Metohija: Serious competition between Washington DC and Brussels (TV Prva/B92)
Dacic: Lack of ideas for compromise regarding Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (TV Pink/Tanjug/RTV)
Botsan-Kharchenko: Issue of Kosovo and Metohija one of key during Lavrov’s visit (RTS)
Jovanovic (Metla 2020): Voting for individuals instead of tickets will vanquish party state (Beta)
Sapic: Judicial independence only if people choose judges and prosecutors (Beta)
OSCE Mission Head: Independent media a challenge for everyone, not just Serbia (FoNet)
Another cases (B92)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

SDA nominates Selmo Cikotic as candidate for post of B&H Minister of Security (BHT1)
Dodik: Appointment of Selmo Cikotic as new Minister of Security of B&H could be accompanied by problems (O kanal)
HNS: Condemnation of Cikotic’s nomination (Dnevni avaz)
SDA: Migrant crisis will be used for special war against B&H, Bosniaks and SDA (Hayat)
Chinese President Jinping thanks Dodik for support (ATV)
'Klub 100-Plus' calls on High Representative to immediately and no later than 11 July impose law banning denial of genocide in B&H (O kanal)
FB&H Ministry of Health Crisis HQ gives permission to TC and SC to declare state of epidemic (Hayat)
SNSD Executive Committee discusses deterioration of epidemiological situation (ATV)
B&H's coronavirus total surpasses 3,000, more than 2,100 recover (N1)
Croatia

Plenkovic says Croatia's relations with B&H are very important to Croatian government (HRT1)
Appointment of three new members of B&H Central Election Commission causes new political crisis in B&H (HRT1)
Police arrest six in connection with crude anti-Serb banner (HRT)
Two newly infected people in Croatia in the last 24 hours, both from Zagreb (N1)
Montenegro

Andrija Mandic quits as MP (CDM)
Gojko Perovic claims: Limitation on public gatherings is a political decision (Dan)
Border with Serbia remains closed until further notice (CDM)
One person in Montenegro tests positive for coronavirus (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Pendarovski: Another state of emergency possible only if parties agree on election date (MIA)
Mickoski: First possible election date is mid-July (MIA)
Zaev: Election date is 5 July in line with Constitution, not a matter of personal wish (MIA)
Osmani urges for consensus on elections at onset of July (MIA)
In North Macedonia 103 new cases of Covid-19, 5 patients die, 13 recover (MIA)
Albania

Kim, Hajdari discuss work on EU conditions (ADN)
Covid-19 cases in Albania hit record high (Tirana Times)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

EC non-papers note pressures on judiciary and media in Serbia and Montenegro (EWB)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 11 June 2020

LOCAL PRESS

Brnabic: We agree – no talks on territories, Kosovo is Serbia (RTV/Tanjug)
Dacic: Gratitude to Kyrgyzstan on principled position regarding Kosovo and Metohija (RTS)
Border with North Macedonia might be opened by end of June (Politika)
Jeremic: Absence of EU observers due to health risks confirms there are no conditions for elections (Beta)
Crown Prince Aleksandar calls citizens to vote (RTV)
RIK announces electoral lists for 21 June parliamentary elections (Tanjug)
Comic on resolving the Kosovo issue (B92)
US State Department notes religion-related incidents in annual report (N1)
Another 71 cases (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

FB&H Civil Protection Crisis HQ convenes to discuss worsening of epidemiological situation (BHT1)
B&H HoR fails to accept initiative for removal of B&H Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Kosarac and B&H Deputy Minister of Civil Affairs Ilic (N1)
B&H Presidency calls on B&H CoM to urgently submit Draft Law on Budget of Institutions and International Obligations of B&H for 2020 (ATV)
EUD hosts meeting of leaders of SDA, HDZ B&H in Sarajevo; Izetbegovic announced they will discuss changes to B&H Election Law; Inzko says that 95 % of the agreement was reached (Hayat)
Izetbegovic says SDA will reveal name of candidate for B&H Minister of Security on Friday, warns of problems in distribution of posts (ATV/RTRS)
Okolic: Ruling of Constitutional Court on military property is “poking RS in the eye” (Glas Srpske)
Dodik hosts meeting with UN Resident Coordinator in B&H Macdonald (RTRS)
Dodik to attend Victory Day Parade in Moscow (ATV)
Coronavirus infections surge in B&H (N1)
Croatia

No new Covid-19 infections in Croatia (Hina)
Montenegro

Each illegal building in Montenegro should be demolished (RTCG)
Montenegrin police warn against gatherings in violation of sanitary measures (RTCG)
Criminal charges against Amfilohije and the Metropolitanate (Ul-info portal)
State Department conveys no clear view on the Law on Freedom of Religion (Dan)
Republic of North Macedonia

Government instructs institutions to resume electoral process (MIA)
SEC awaits gov’t official decree on continuation of election-related activities (MIA)
Shekerinska: Country cannot function without parliament, date for elections not a political wish (MIA)
Ahmeti: It’s time for first Albanian PM (MIA)
Osmani says there is still room for agreement on date for elections, Varhelyi mediation welcome (MIA)
Varhelyi speaks with Zaev and Mickoski over phone (MIA)
One of the worst tolls of the epidemic so far – 5 deaths and 175 newly infected patients in Macedonia (Republika)
Albania

US Secretary of State welcomes Electoral Reform agreement: It will strengthen Albania’s European future (Radio Tirana)
Minister Cakaj on official visit in Presheva Valley (Radio Tirana)
Govt urged to return property to religious groups (ADN)
Third record increase in Albania's Covid-19 Cases (Tirana Times)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

'Lame' Kosovo president boycotts EU talks (EUobserver)