United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 18 May 2020

LOCAL PRESS

Dacic: Serbia wants dialogue and peace and not hegemony over Montenegro (Tanjug)
Shieb: Change of borders would only open new problems instead of resolving them (Politika)
Joksimovic: Serbia expects to open new negotiation chapters (Tanjug)
Cucic: During the state of emergency there were 9,100 migrants in Serbia, now there are 7,700 (RTS/Beta)
Another 89 cases, recovered 4,799 (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

B&H HoR puts Proposal of Resolution on Respect for the Victims of the Ustasha Regime on agenda but for Tuesday’s discussion (Hayat)
Mass for victims of Bleiburg served in Sarajevo (N1)
Dodik, Cvijanovic condemn serving of mass for Bleiburg victims (RTRS)
Genjac: Problem related to local elections in B&H getting bigger as time and deadlines are passing (N1)
Two protests held in Mostar – citizens request local elections to be finally held in this city (N1)
SDP: SDA and CEC obstruct elections (Dnevni avaz)
Inzko: One party could again block state level, other party is already blocking IMF money (Klix)
Dodik: Radoncic said that B&H Ambassador to Pakistan falsified entry visas for 3,000 Pakistani migrants (ATV)
B&H Covid-19 report (Nezavisne)
Croatia

75th anniversary of Bleiburg tragedy marked in Bleiburg, Zagreb; Grlic Radman says that
Croatia will send protest note to CoE’s Commissioner Mijatovic (HRT)
Croatian parliament dissolved (N1)
Opposition parties gearing up for parliamentary elections (HRT)
SDP leader rejects idea of grand coalition with HDZ (HRT)
Downward trend in coronavirus cases in Croatia continues (HRT)
Montenegro

Serbia priests released from detention (Dan)
Amfilohije asks Markovic to set new date for the meeting: Expert dialogue instead of torture (Dan)
Nikolic: In the absence of vision and idea, opposition is desperate to postpone elections in Montenegro (Dnevne novine)
Republic of North Macedonia

Pendarovski did not comment on the statements from Serbia (Libertas)
Pendarovski declared a new state of emergency lasting 14 days (Libertas)
Decisions to lift restrictive measures based on experts’ opinions, says Spasovski (MIA)
As party leaders meet, VMRO says it will oppose holding elections before it is safe to vote (Republika)
Osmani: DUI in favor of holding elections only if conditions are met (Republika)
There will be no quarantine once the borders open (Republika)
Another 25 cases of Covid-19 in North Macedonia, a total of 1,817 diagnosed, 8 recovered, 3 died (MIA)
Albania

Albanian National Theatre demolished in early morning hours (Tirana Times)
MEPs and German Ambassador condemn demolition of National Theatre (Tirana Times)
Only 2 new cases in 24 hours in Albania (Tirana Times)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

All four planes with Russian troops return from Serbia (TASS)
Montenegro: Coronavirus ban feeds clash between state and Serbian Orthodox Church (DW)

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic and Putin discuss bilateral relations, region, coronavirus epidemic (Beta/RTS)
Freedom House report unfounded and unsubstantiated (Tanjug)
Djuric: Yet another dangerous diversion by Pristina, charging again taxes on goods from Serbia proper (RTS)
Now they have finally confirmed that Kosovo is a NATO project (Tanjug/B92)
Borell: EU shares regional agenda with US (N1)
Europeans against independence of Kosovo (Politika)
Another 64 cases, 4,301 recovered (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Proposal for removal of foreign judges in B&H CC does not receive support (BHT1)
B&H Ministry of Finance and Treasury informs B&H CEC it rejects CEC’s request to finance 2020 local elections from current reserves (FTV)
B&H lifts ban on movement for minors and seniors (N1)
RS government adopts proposal of decision to abolish state of emergency in RS and forwards it to RS parliament (ATV)
B&H confirms 22 new Covid-19 cases and no deaths over the past 24 hours (N1)
Croatia

Plenkovic: Parliamentary elections between 21 June and 12 July (HRT)
Jandrokovic formally proposes dissolution of Croatian Parliament (HRT)
Prime Minister lays wreath and lights candle in Macelj (HRT)
Croatia to open its borders to tourists (HRT)
In Croatia, only 1new case of infection, a total of 2,222; 1 person died (N1)
Montenegro

Markovic: Montenegro is exposed to brutal attack, you don’t have to love Montenegro, but you must respect it (CDM)
Cavor: Threatening stability as part of the opposition’s election campaign (Pobjeda)
26 policemen injured, 32 people detained in Niksic (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia

Constitutional Court lifts movement restriction for senior citizens, teenagers (MIA)
Mickoski: Infectious diseases committee to say if conditions are right for election (MIA/Telma TV)
The state of emergency in North Macedonia to be declared for the third time (Fokus)
In North Macedonia 17 new COVID-19 cases, 16 patients recover, 2 die (MIA)
Gerberich: ‘A mistake’ to ruin negotiations achievement by politicizing history (MIA)
Albania

Steady growth in number of daily cases disturbs Albania (ADN)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Bulgaria and Serbia Partially Opened Border Crossings for their Citizens (Novinite)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 14 May 2020

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: There is not any kind of solution on the table regarding the issue of Kosovo and Metohija (RTS/Tanjug)
Vucic: We do not understand reasons for detaining Bishops (Tanjug/B92)
SPC Holy Synod called upon authorities in Montenegro to stop persecuting the Church (RTS/Tanjug/NSPM)
Ljajic: 18.5 million Euros of goods exported to Kosovo (TV Pink/FoNet)
Pristina bans Serbian doctors and nurses from entering Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug)
Obradovic requests from police to be allowed visits while on hunger strike (Beta/RTV)
Another 79 cases, 4,084 recovered (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

B&H Bishops’ Conference rejects all unjust insinuations regarding Holy Mass for Bleiburg in Sarajevo (FTV)
Covic: Mass is not act of hatred nor extremism (FTV)
Dzaferovic: If one is to pray for anything in Sarajevo, then one will pray for victims of Ustasha regime (O kanal)
Dodik: Holy mass is attempt to rehabilitate Ustasha movement (RTRS)
Sattler: Every religious community has right to organize religious ceremonies, but they have to secure that these are not politically abused (Dnevni avaz)
Doboj registers increase in number of COVID-19 cases; Doboj District Prosecutor’s Office launches investigation (BHT1)
B&H gets loan from World Bank worth 33.1 million Euros for prevention and fight against COVID-19 (O kanal/BHT1)
Riot of large number of migrants in Lipa migrant camp (ATV)
B&H Covid-19 tally over 2,200, 39 new cases reported on Thursday (N1)
Croatia

Grlic Radman sends message of support to Cardinal Puljic (Fenix magazine)
World Jewish Congress condemns plans to hold masses honouring Bleiburg events (N1)
33rd Croatian Contingent leaves for Kosovo (Hina)
EC publishes recommendations for opening borders (Hina)
Croatia has 8 new Covid-19 cases bringing the tally to 2.221 (N1)
Montenegro

Police used tear gas to break up protest in Niksic (Vijesti)
No more COVID-19 patients in Podgorica (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Infectious diseases committee drafts protocol on election process activities (MIA)
Zaev: Election date will be set next week (MIA/TV Telma)
Health Minister: We’ll request extension of state of emergency in North Macedonia (MIA)
In North Macedonia 29 new COVID-19 cases, 6 patients recover (MIA)
Albania

Rama rejects opposition's proposal for transitional gov't (Tirana Times)
Political Council gathers to discuss Electoral Reform (Radio Tirana)
Coronavirus infection in Albania jumps to 18 in the last 24 hrs (Radio Tirana)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Head of Office of Kosovo and Metohija: Serbs and Albanians should decide on Kosovo fate (TASS)

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic and Partiarch Irinej express concern over Bishop's arrest in Montenegro (B92/RTS)
Dacic: Opening borders is not a unilateral decision (RTS)
Entry into Serbia with negative PCR test or self-isolation (Tanjug/RTS/B92)
Martinovic ends hunger strike (Beta)
Obradovic: Police and prosecutors haven’t contacted me yet (Beta/N1)
Another 52 cases, 3,824 recovered (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Dodik: SNSD agrees CoM should approve funds for holding of local elections; Elections should be held (RTRS)
Sarovic expects local elections in B&H to be postponed for November (Glas Srpske)
Izetbegovic: Bosniaks will not make any more concessions in Mostar (N1/Dnevni list)
Kavazovic on announced mass for Bleiburg victims: Organizer of this event is parliament of Croatia (Hayat/VoA)
Radoncic: Huge voice of reason amid political cacophony (Dnevni avaz)
Dodik: Holy mass for Bleiburg in Sarajevo is unacceptable (ATV)
Tourist Organization of Bihac City films video at location of Garavice scaffold that sparks strong reactions in RS (RTRS)
Minister Bevanda meets UN Resident Coordinator in B&H Macdonald (Dnevni list)
Ambassador Nelson interview (EuroBlic)
B&H Covid-19 update: 24 new cases and 2 more deaths (N1)
Croatia

Plenkovic: Electoral Commission responsible for election (Hina)
Bandic says not likely to support dissolution of parliament without Law on Zagreb (Hina)
EU defense ministers discuss impact of COVID-19 (HRT)
Croatia COVID-19 update: 1,834 have recovered from the coronavirus (HRT)
Montenegro

Joanikije and other seven priests ordered to be detained for up to 72 hours (CDM)
Coronavirus recovery rates in Montenegro rising, no new infections reported today (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Zaev: Party leaders discussed several election dates (MIA)
Mickoski: Election date to be set only after infectious diseases committee is consulted (MIA)
No elections without OSCE/ODIHR observation mission, says Sela (MIA)
Kasami: BESA will support every consensual decision regarding election (MIA)
Spasovski: Election deadlines to be reinstated once state of emergency is over (MIA)
President’s Office: Party leaders to meet again next week to discuss further steps (MIA)
Government unveils three-phase plan to ease coronavirus restrictions (MIA)
North Macedonia gets access to EU Solidarity Fund (MIA)
In North Macedonia 20 new COVID-19 cases, 24 patients recover, 3 die (MIA)
Albania

Edi Rama for N1: The best ideas for the future of Europe are in the Balkans (N1)
Albania and Kosovo to unify embassy and consulate offices (Radio Tirana)
Four new cases of COVID-19 in Albania (Radio Tirana)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Russia’s assistance was of great moral importance for Serbia, says politician (TASS)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 12 May 2020

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: I expect more from the Trump administration than from Albright and Engel (Tanjug/Novosti)
Vucic: Nothing will be achieved by violence in Serbian politics (B92/Tanjug)
Botsan-Kharchenko: Final solution for Kosovo and Metohija needs to be approved by UNSC (Politika)
Djuric: Soluiton can be sought with respect of international law (Tanjug/RTV)
US says Moscow welcome to join Kosovo dialogue (Beta/RFE)
Lajcak: Land swap between Serbia, Kosovo not on agenda (APA/RFE/KoSSev/Beta)
Another 67 cases, 3,600 recovered (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Elections to be postponed for 8 November being that funds for preparing and holding of local elections have not been secured (Dnevni avaz)
CEC gives green light for appointment of Lucic for Minister of Human Rights of B&H (Vecernji list)
Lajcak on the phone with Izetbegovic, welcome Presidency of B&H’s initiative regarding acceleration of EU path of B&H (Dnevni list)
Deputy Mayor of Sarajevo and Archbishop Puljic meet to discuss mass for Bleiburg (O kanal)
Dodik: Announcement of mass for Bleiburg victims deeply disturbed public (ATV)
US Embassy on mass for Bleiburg in Sarajevo: We must all focus on true values (N1)
Mesic: No one was killed in Bleiburg (FTV)
SDA asks Cardinal Puljic and Vrhbosna Archdiocese to reassess decision on holding the mass for Bleiburg (BHT1)
Cvitanovic: Attacks on Cardinal Puljic are part of strategy according to which there is no room for Croats in B&H (Vecernji list)
WHO: Epidemiological situation in B&H is satisfactory (Dnevni avaz)
RS Crisis HQ abolishes local and border crossing quarantines (RTRS)
B&H Covid-19 stats: Country's total at 2,158 (N1)
Croatia

Skoro and Croatian Sovereigntists sign coalition agreement (Hina)
Restart Coalition denies negotiations with MOST (TCN)
New COVID-19 measures take effect at Croatian airports (HRT)
Croatia confirms 11 new coronavirus cases (N1)
Montenegro

Danilovic endangers the results of the fight against the coronavirus (RTCG)
Complaints about the police threatening freedom of religion (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia

Measures still in force, elections could be discussed after continual drop in infections: deputy health minister (MIA)
Osmani encourages believers to skip mosques (MIA/TV 24)
One patient dies 10 new cases and five recover from Covid-19 (Republika)
Albania

Electoral Reform to be concluded within May (Radio Tirana)
Albanian gov't working to legalize cultivation of medical cannabis (Tirana Times)
Lowest number of infected in Albania reported for second day in a row (ADN)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Serbia raises €2bn from 7-year Eurobond (bne IntelliNews)