United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 3 June 2020

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic to Chinese President: We support China’s sovereignty, integrity and security (Politika/Beta)
Vucic: Nice they decided on everything, but Serbia will still have a say as well (RTV/Tanjug/B92/RTS)
Brnabic: Pristina to abolish taxes, and then dialogue to resume (RTV/Tanjug)
Odalovic: It seems to me Hoti is readier for compromise (RTS)
Lajcak intends to renew the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina in June (Beta/B92)
According to an Albanian film, Serbs stole Albanian history (RTS)
Another 69 cases, 6,852 recovered (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

SBB B&H leaves ruling coalition at B&H level, to remain part of cantonal authorities (O kanal)
Dodik: Radoncic resigned because of SDA (Oslobodjenje)
Bozinovic: Radoncic and I did more in couple of months than all others in years (Dnevni avaz)
COMEUFOR Trischak sends letter to thank Radoncic for close and friendly cooperation (Dnevni avaz)
Radoncic’s resignation makes complex political situation in B&H even more complex (Dnevni list)
RS parliament rejects Resolution on Respecting Victims of Fascist Regime and Movement in WWII (ATV)
B&H CoM reaches agreement on distribution of IMF funds (ATV)
HDZ B&H says it rejects SDA’s attacks on HDZ B&H, argues pressure on judiciary is unacceptable (Dnevni list)
EUD to B&H: Independence of prosecutors and judges must be ensured (FTV)
US Embassy in B&H: Threats and pressures against police and prosecutors are unacceptable (Vecernji list)
Another 18 coronavirus cases reported in B&H (N1)
Croatia

No new cases of Covid-19 infection in Croatia (N1)
Montenegro

Darmanovic: Serbia’s top state officials seize on every opportunity to fuel tensions in Montenegro (CDM)
Pazin: If there’s honesty and goodwill, we are very close to solution in dialogue between govt and SPC (CDM)
According to Medojevic, Amfilohije used to be a sovereigntist (Dnevne novine)
Montenegro declares the coronavirus pandemic over (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Spasovski: No need for another state of emergency, elections on 5 July (MIA)
Osmani: No alternative to 5 July elections (MIA)
Nikoloski: elections only after the epidemic has been put under control (Republika)
Miloshoski: Now’s not the time to bid with election dates (MIA)
Covid-19: 101 new cases in North Macedonia, 10 patients recover, 4 die (MIA)
Albania

US Ambassador Kim: If consensus is not reached, the parties should not continue with the requests (Radio Tirana)
Albania faces high number of new Covid-19 cases (ADN)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Trump’s Ex-Intelligence Adviser to Stay as Kosovo-Serbia Envoy (Bloomberg)
Rouhani: US cruel sanctions not to disturb Iran-Serbia economic ties (IRNA)
Serbian servicemen to take part in Victory Parade in Moscow on June 24 (TASS)

LOCAL PRESS

Dacic and Godfrey disappointed by Pristina’s measures (Beta/RTS)
Stefanovic, Godfrey discuss election conditions (Beta)
Djuric, Botsan-Kharchenko: Pristina’s behavior requires harsh and resolute reaction of the international community (RTS)
Is the EU offering an agreement on two Germanys? (Novosti)
ODIHIR deploys election assessment mission to Serbia (Beta)
Italy thanks Serbia for generous donation (FoNet/RTV)
Another 24 cases, 6,766 recovered (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Opposition MPs in FB&H parliament submit request for reshuffling of FB&H government (O kanal)
SDP calls for urgent FB&H HoP session and forming of new FB&H government (Dnevni avaz)
FB&H PM Novalic returns to work after being released from custody (O kanal)
Tegeltija: Death threats to Chief Prosecutor are consequence of political labelling (FTV)
B&H's Security Minister Fahrudin Radoncic announces his resignation (N1)
US Embassy in B&H says fight against corruption is of outmost importance (N1)
RS parliament discusses B&H HoR’s resolution on respect for victims of fascist regimes and movements (RTRS)
IC Ambassadors in B&H hosted another meeting on Mostar elections, but no agreement was reached (Dnevni avaz)
Commercial flights in B&H to resume as of Tuesday (FTV)
Another 11 coronavirus cases and three deaths due to Covid-19 in B&H (N1)
Croatia

No new Covid-19 cases in Croatia, 92.5 pct of all patients have recovered (N1)
Montenegro

Brajovic: Opposition demonstrates lack of responsibility by failing to participate in the meeting (RTCG)
Montenegro to declare end to the coronavirus epidemic (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Lockdown possible in some municipalities (MIA)
Xhaferi: State of emergency cannot last indefinitely (MIA/Slobodna TV)
Still early to reopen borders, says Filipche (MIA)
Bulgaria lifts quarantine for arrivals from EU, Serbia and North Macedonia (MIA)
Macedonia daily has more patients than the whole Balkans together, and the government is only talking about elections (Republika)
EU’s Varhelyi: Important to ensure fair and free elections; EC’s enlargement package postponed until autumn (MIA)
Over 60 new COVID-19 cases registered in North Macedonia, one patient dies (MIA)
Albania

Electoral Reform/The ambassadors of US, EU and GB meet with Basha (Radio Tirana)
President pushes for completion of Electoral Reform at earliest (ADN)
Kosovo imposes 22 € disinfection tax on Albanian lorries (Tirana Times)
In Albania 21 new COVID-19 cases (Tirana Times)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Chinese medical experts awarded by Serbia for assistance in fighting COVID-19 (Xinhua)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 1 June 2020

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: There's no doubt - without resolving Kosovo issue, Serbia will not join the EU (TV Pink/Tanjug/B92)
Brnabic: Measures of Pristina have nothing to do with reciprocity (RTS)
Brnabic: Regional tensions caused by inability to keep up with us (Politika/Beta)
Dacic: Dialogue cannot continue unless Pristina reverses decision (RTS)
Borrell: EU for existing borders between Serbia and Kosovo (Beta/RFE)
Vulin: Borrell recalled that dismembering Serbia would cause wars (Beta)
RIK: In Kosovo and Metohija 90 polling stations, 43 abroad (Tanjug/RTS)
Another 18 cases, 6,726 recovered (B92)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Novalic says arrest of Prime Minister is coup d’etat (O kanal/Oslobodjenje)
B&H Court rejects request of B&H Prosecutor’s Office for 30-day detention of Novalic (BHT1)
Izetbegovic says Novalic’s arrest is attack on Bosniaks (O kanal)
Tadic: I do not know how Mr. Izetbegovic came to conclusion that I am working against Bosniaks, this is direct pressure on work of judiciary (FACE TV)
Radoncic says all crimes must be investigated but apprehension in ‘Respirators’ affair cannot mean weakening of Bosniak factors in FB&H government (Hayat)
Komsic says any fight against corruption must be welcomed but political consequences will affect entire country (FTV)
Dodik slams SDA over its reaction to apprehension of Novalic, Solak and Hodzic (BHT1)
Niksic: SDA is inflicting damage to institutions of B&H (Dnevni avaz)
EU Delegation to B&H gathers representatives of European countries and EU member states in Sarajevo (BHT1)
Dodik proposes that entities finance local elections in B&H so that they could be held in October (BHT1)
B&H decides to open its border crossings for Serbian nationals (FTV)
FB&H government abolishes state of natural disaster in FB&H (O kanal)
Another 14 coronavirus cases reported in B&H (N1)
Croatia

Police arrests dozen state officials and business people for corruption (Hina/Jutarni list)
Prime Minister says corruption must end (HRT/Media Servis)
President calls Croatian Statehood Day celebration an election rally (HRT)
Croatia records zero new cases of Covid-19 (Hina)
Montenegro

Montenegro sees no new Covid-19 infections for 27 days in a row (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia

President Pendarovski extends state of emergency for another 14 days (Republika)
Xhaferi: Party leaders to use next 14 days to reach consensus on election (MIA)
Spasovski: Election should be held 5 July (MIA)
Bekteshi: DUI holds position that election date should be set by consensus (MIA)
Mickoski: We are dealing with a second coronavirus wave and a Commission on Infectious Diseases that acts under political dictates (Republika)
SDSM’s Zekiri tests positive for Covid-19 (MIA)
Montenegro puts Macedonia on the coronavirus black list (Republika)
In North Macedonia 89 new Covid-19 cases registered, 7 patients die (MIA)
Albania

Venice Commission sides with President Meta in latest opinion (Tirana Times)
Opposition’s proposals for a caretaker govt unveiled, Rule to be applied until Albania’s EU membership (Radio Tirana)
Electoral reform, parties remain at crossroads (Tirana Times)
Only 6 new coronavirus cases in Albania (Tirana Times)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

PM Borissov Confers with Serbian President Vucic (BTA)
A Republic of Kosovo is not what the Balkans needs (The Jerusalem Post)

LOCAL PRESS

Brnabic: Why do we currently face regional instabilities? (Tanjug/B92)
Vucic: When they can't blame Macron or Kurz - let's step on Vucic (Tanjug/B92)
Brnabic: Perfectly clear message about Serbian citizens being unwanted (TV B92/Beta)
EU sets aside €70m in non-repayable aid to Serbia (RTS/Tanjug/RTV)
Further relaxation of restrictive measures in Serbia and North Macedonia (Tanjug/Beta)
Dacic, Jovanovic say they share strategic goals (N1)
Bilcik: Criticism of Lajcak undermines the EU as an actor (Beta/EWB)
US Ambassador to OSCE: Russian arms and deals with China harm Serbia's EU path (FoNet)
Another 54 cases, 6,524 recovered (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

FB&H Prime Minister Fadil Novalic arrested (Dnevni avaz)
FB&H HoR session interrupted, DF and opposition request resignation of government (N1)
Prosecutors: Respirators procured from China inadequate for Covid-19 treatment (N1)
SDA Secretary General Zukic banned from entering US (FTV)
B&H HoP in session: Izetbegovic and Covic present different stances on distribution of IMF funds (FTV)
Discussion on registering of military property in B&H restarted after statement of B&H Minister Podzic (BHT1)
New attack on the property of Republika Srpska (Glas Srpske)
Tegeltija: B&H opens borders for all neighbors without restrictions; Croatia open its borders for citizens of some countries, but not for B&H (ATV)
Another 22 coronavirus cases reported in B&H, 11 of them in Tesanj (N1)
Croatia

Croatia opens borders to 10 EU countries (HRT)
No new coronavirus cases, disease takes another life (HRT)
Montenegro

The motive of media campaign against Montenegro: When we remove Djukanovic, we can easily handle the rest (Dnevne novine)
Citizens of specific countries to be allowed to enter Montenegro (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia

EC: North Macedonia cannot have caretaker government forever (MIA)
Spasovski: Constitution offers no compromise, election must be held 60 days after parliament’s dissolution (MIA)
Osmani: Differences not insurmountable, 5 July possible compromise on elections (MIA)
Spasovski hopes countries in the region to soon reach agreement on opening of borders (MIA)
Ambassador Byrnes: Flyover saluting North Macedonia’s NATO membership expresses US support (MIA)
Active Covid-19 cases in North Macedonia at 470, most in Skopje (MIA)
Albania

Justice reform must not be derailed, Chair of IMO says (Tirana Times)
Political Council convenes days ahead of deadline (ADN)
Cakaj receives Austrian ministers: Support for Albania in opening negotiations and Security Council (Radio Tirana)
The Air Force is equipped with Black Hawk helicopters funded by the United States (Radio Tirana)
Covid-19 Cases climb to 1099 as Albania reopens (ADN)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

EU, US refuse to take part in Belgrade conference on COVID-19 attended by Russia and China (TASS)

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: No announcements at launching dialogue, no deadlines either (RTV/Tanjug)
Dacic: Kosovo and Metohija issue of highest national interest and biggest political-security challenge (RTS)
Borrell: EU facilitation of Belgrade – Pristina dialogue has no alternative (FoNet)
Russian Ambassador calls for respect of UN SC resolution 1244 on Kosovo (Sputnik/N1)
Another 25 cases, 6,438 recovered (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

OSCE Mission to B&H: Adopt budget of B&H or adopt special decision on financing of the elections (Dnevni list)
Source claims Dodik’s announcement on upcoming cooperation of parties in local elections caused discontent in some municipalities and towns (EuroBlic)
Registration of military property (ATV)
SIPA temporarily seizes mobile phone of FB&H PM Novalic within investigation on affair 'Respirators' (N1)
EU and US Embassy in B&H: IMF funds should be immediately unblocked (N1)
Issue of IMF funds (Hayat/Glas Srpske/BHT1)
B&H's Tesanj cluster grows as authorities record 28 new Covid-19 cases (N1)
Croatia

Plenkovic: No way anyone monitors journalists' correspondence (Hina)
In Croatia, one new case of infection, a total of 2245, one person died (N1)
Montenegro

Prime Minister: Our decision concerning borders is not political, it’s based on epidemic standards (CDM)
Markovic: I didn’t order arrest of Joanikije and other priests (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Mickoski: Parties engage in talks, still no consensus on election date (MIA)
Milevski: LDP backs 5 July as election date (MIA)
Covid-19: 38 new cases in North Macedonia, 16 patients recover, 3 die (MIA)
Albania

DP Leader pledges to conclude electoral reform by 31 May (ADN)
Borchardt urges all parties to find constructive compromises and finalize electoral reform (Radio Tirana)
Electoral reform/Intensive meetings of Ambassador Kim with Speaker Ruci and the Political Council members (Radio Tirana)
Covid-19 cases surge in Tirana (Radio Tirana)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Lukashenko thanks Serbian ambassador for efforts to develop cooperation with Belarus (BelTA)
Montenegro and Serbia set to begin Frontex cooperation amid deepening border row (Emerging Europe)