United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 4 May 2020

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: The state of emergency to be lifted on 6 May (TV Pink/B92)
Ghebreyesus praises Serbia's results in fight against COVID-19 (RTS)
Brnabic: State of emergency to be lifted soon while keeping precautionary measures (TV Prva/Tanjug)
Dacic: Agreement on opening border reached with Hungary (TV Prva/Tanjug)
Another 93 cases, 1,574 recovered (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

B&H CEC announces calling of local elections next week and calls on authorities to secure funding for holding of elections (Hayat)
OSCE’s Kavalec: It is too early to decide on postponement of elections (Dnevni avaz)
Deadline set by ECHR to amend Election Law and allow elections in Mostar expires, with no solution in sight (Dnevni list)
Anniversary of exodus of Serbs from Slavonija region marked in Gradiska (ATV)
Anniversary of Operation ‘Bljesak’ marked in Croatia; Milanovic leaves official ceremony because of Ustasha insignia worn by participants (BHT1/O kanal)
Reactions to announced coming of Russian military unit to Mostar (FTV)
Cvijanovic: RS could have been satisfied with epidemiological situation up until several days ago, but some indicators right now are not encouraging (Nezavisne)
Over 14,760 citizens enter B&H as of abolition of mandatory quarantines in FB&H until today (BHT1)
B&H confirms 79 new Covid-19 cases (N1)
Croatia

President: I can understand that it's in govt's interest to hold elections soon (Hina)
Non-emergency medical and personal care services reopen in Croatia (HRT)
In Croatia, 5 new cases of Covid-19, a total of 2101, 1 person has died (N1)
Montenegro

Rakocevic: Parliamentary elections won’t be postponed (Dan)
Second phase of easing of the measures in Montenegro has begun today (CDM)
Institute for Public Health of Montenegro reports 1 new coronavirus case (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Election date once infectious diseases committee approves it, says Filipche (MIA/Telma TV)
Pendarovski says he’ll think twice about extending state of emergency (MIA)
Pendarovski: Bulgaria declaration could be real political hurdle (MIA/Alsat-M)
In North Macedonia 7 new cases of Covid-19 confirmed, 47 patients recovered, 1 person died (Libertas)
Albania

Rama explains the rules for the weeks to come (Radio Tirana)
Albania sees only 8 new Coronavirus cases (ADN)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

China's medical experts honored for Serbia COVID-19 aid (CGTN)

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: We may lift the state of emergency next week, curfew Thursday through Saturday (RTS/B92)
Serbian parliament confirms Decision on Declaring a State of Emergency (RTV/Tanjug)
Brnabic labels opposition MPs as cowards and liars (FoNet)
Gojkovic throws DJB MPs out of Serbian parliament (Beta)
EU High Representative wants Kosovo dialogue resumed soon (N1)
Ban on movement from today at 6pm until Saturday at 5am (Tanjug/RTS/B92/Beta)
Another 285 cases, 1,343 recovered patients (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Viskovic: I am afraid that we are paying the price of events during Easter (Nezavisne)
Tegeltija criticizes FB&H for relaxing measures against spread of coronavirus (EuroBlic)
FB&H and RS do not respond to B&H Presidency’s request for harmonization of protective measures (BHT1)
Irregularities in process of procurement of ventilators in FB&H continue to spark reactions, US Embassy to B&H concerned about corruption in process of public procurement (N1)
EU secures 3.3 billion Euros for Western Balkans (N1)
Sattler meets Covic, discuss mitigation of consequences of pandemic, local elections, Mostar elections, EU integration (Hayat)
Dodik: IMF funds are blocked because Bosniaks are not sticking to the agreement (Vecernji list)
B&H Security Ministry: Entities cannot reach decisions about borders; Minister Radoncic instructed Border Police not to execute orders of RS Crisis HQ (Dnevni avaz)
Nelson: B&H must demonstrate reasonable plan when it comes to EU path (Hayat)
B&H CEC to discuss problems with organizing local elections on Thursday; Radmanovic: CEC members appointed unlawfully (RTRS)
All quarantines in ZDC closed, 200 citizens who returned from abroad test negative for COVID-19 (N1)
Another spike in B&H's Covid-19 cases, four more deaths (N1)
Croatia

Divjak: Only healthy students will be allowed back when elementary schools reopen May 11 (Hina)
In Croatia, 14 new infections, 2.076 in total, 2 more died (N1)
Montenegro

One person from Podgorica tests positive for coronavirus (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia

VMRO says “no” to having “corona elections” while Macedonia has the highest death rate in the Balkans (Republika)
Pisonero: Negotiating framework for North Macedonia expected in June (MIA)
Western Balkans’ leaders meeting: EU reinforces support to address COVID-19 crisis and outlines proposal for post-pandemic recovery (MIA)
President Pendarovski won’t say whether he agrees with his adviser Maleski’s claim that the Macedonian history was falsified (Republika)
In North Macedonia 111 patients have recovered, 23 new cases and 4 more died (Libertas)
Albania

WB: A severe recession is expected in Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro (Radio Tirana)
More Covid-19 infections in Albania (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 29 April 2020

LOCAL PRESS

Brnabic: Parliament session started once all requirements have been met (RTS/Tanjug/RTV)
Djuric: KFOR promised it would not allow extremists to use this situation (TV Pink/Tanjug/Politika)
Godfrey: Serbia’s approach to pandemic provides an opportunity for progress in Belgrade-Pristina relations (N1/Beta)
Mihajlovic: Serbia ready to resume air traffic on 18 May (RTS)
Final decision today: It is possible to shorten the curfew for May Day holidays (TV Pink/B92)
Another 227 cases, 1,292 recovered (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

B&H Presidency gives B&H Council of Ministers 24 hours to harmonize measures in fight against coronavirus pandemic at B&H level (FTV/N1/Vecernji list)
FB&H made a step back (Dnevni avaz)
SIPA, SC Prosecutor’s Office and Public Procurement Agency launch investigation of procurement of ventilators carried out by raspberry production company (N1)
Cavara: SDA wants to dis-empower Croats, some want to use the crisis and make profit out it (Vecernji list)
Tegeltija speaks with Chakrabarti and Lajcak via video link (RTRS)
B&H Presidency members meet with Sattler and Quint Ambassadors, launch initiative for start of reform process and implementation of priorities from EC’s Opinion (FTV)
Elections related stories (Dnevni list/RTRS)
NATO and US Army donate necessary supplies for FB&H and RS MoIs (Dnevni avaz)
RS Crisis HQ approves limited working hours of non-grocery retailers that operate in shopping malls from May 1-11 (RTRS)
Cardinal Puljic: Priests allowed to start serving masses with presence of the faithful (Oslobodjenje)
B&H sees a surge of 92 new Covid-19 cases and 3 deaths (N1)
Croatia

HDZ putting own interests before public health, says opposition MP (Hina)
Unions to stage an online protest rally on May Day (Hina)
In Croatia, 15 new infections, 2.062 in total, 4 more died (N1)
Montenegro

Pompeo to Djukanovic: Montenegro is not just a friend of the US, it’s an important ally (CDM)
Montenegro without new coronavirus cases for three days in a row (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Chulev: People’s health a priority, COVID-19 developments to determine date of elections (MIA)
Mickoski: Election not VMRO-DPMNE’s priority now (MIA)
Filipche: Curve flattened; Measures must be followed for return to normality (MIA)
In North Macedonia 105 people placed in state quarantine at Popova Shapka (MIA)
In North Macedonia 38 patients recovered, 21 new cases confirmed, 2 have died (Libertas)
Albania

Italian authorities seize 1 ton of drugs coming from Albania (ADN)
Thaci's mysterious visit to Albania (ADN)
PM: Return to normality could take 2 years (ADN)
Albania eases restrictions as fear from pandemic fades (ADN)
Albania schools to partially reopen on 18 May (ADN)
In Albania 16 more cases of COVID-19 (Radio Tirana)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Coronavirus response: KFOR carries on with its activities and continues to provide assistance to local communities in Kosovo (NATO)
Trying to weather the storm: Covid-19 and Western Balkans (Anadolu Agency)

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic with Godfrey on pandemic and future cooperation (RTV/Tanjug)
Brnabic: Serbia effective in fighting pandemic (RTS/Tanjug)
Gojkovic: Constitution does not allow elections to be held in autumn (Tv Pink/Tanjug/B92)
EU committed to supporting Western Balkans in fight against COVID-19 (Tanjug)
Vulin: Thaci must explain his participation in organ trafficking (RTS)
Opposition won't participate in session, protest in front of parliament on 30 April (Beta)
Another 222 cases, 1,260 recovered (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Reactions to decision on abolishing quarantines in Federation of B&H (RTRS)
RS Crisis HQ extends all measures introduced to curb spread of coronavirus in RS by 11 May; Viskovic says RS will not completely ban movement during 1 May holidays (ATV)
SDA Collegium welcomes adoption of rebalance FB&H Budget 2020, Corona Law, calls on HoP to adopt it (FTV)
Sattler: I expect local leaders to reach agreement on European path of B&H (Nezavisne/RTRS)
B&H CoM approves temporary opening of international border crossing for passenger air traffic for return of citizens to/from Turkey (ATV)
B&H confirms 20 new Covid-19 cases and two fatalities (N1)
Croatia

Prime Minister: Elections will be held when epidemiological conditions allow (HRT)
Dr. Markotic says Covid-19 measures in Croatia could be in place for up to a year (HRT)
Additional medical supplies arrive from China (HTR)
In Croatia, 8 new infections, 2047 in total, 4 died (N1)
Montenegro

Institute for Public Health plans to widen sampling strategy (CDM)
No new cases of coronavirus in Montenegro (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Pompeo: United States supports North Macedonia during crisis (MIA)
Pendarovski-Pompeo: Efforts in fighting COVID-19 and regional developments with emphasis on the Kosovo issue in the focus of the conversation (MIA)
Borisov demands that joint historic commission urgently resumes its work, decides on all disputed historic figures “one by one” (Republika/Sitel TV)
Speaker Xhaferi says parliament cannot reconvene (TV 21)
Milososki: The parliament lost its mandate when it voted to dissolve (Republika)
DUI’s Grubi wants the Constitutional Court to decide on whether the parliament can re-convene (Republika)
In North Macedonia on 1,2,3 May, curfew will start at 2 pm and will last until 5 am the next day (Libertas)
In North Macedonia 22 new cases of Covid-19, a total of 1,421, 6 dead and 36 cured (Libertas)
Albania

New eased measured for the days to come (Radio Tirana)
In Albania 14 new Coronavirus cases reported (ADN)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Serbs Take to Balconies in Protest Against Curfew (Bloomberg)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 27 April 2020

LOCAL PRESS

Continuation of dialogue with Pristina as soon as conditions are met (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
Dacic, Botsan-Harchenko on cooperation, UN SC session (RTV/Tanjug)
Vucic in Sremska Mitrovica Memorial Park: Genocide was committed against Serbs (B92/Tanjug)
Only B&H, Slovakia and Serbia against separation of Kosovo from EMS (Politika)
Serbia sends assistance to Italy (Tanjug)
DS, NS continue boycott of parliament (FoNet)
Another 233 cases, 1,209 recovered (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Commemoration for victims of Ustasha crimes in Jasenovac and Donja Gradina in WWII takes place in Donja Gradina, Sremska Mitrovica (ATV)
Restrictive measures relaxed in FB&H (FTV)
RS authorities warn decision to abolish curfew and quarantine facilities in FB&H endangers epidemiological situation in RS (RTRS)
Dodik criticizes FB&H authorities’ decision to abolish quarantine at border crossings (O kanal)
Abolition of quarantine in the FB&H is an insane and irresponsible move (Nezavisne)
RS government announces relaxation of measures as of 27 April (BNTV)
EU’s assistance to health sector of RS handed over; Dodik: RS was not forgotten by EU (N1)
Radoncic presents plan to deport migrants, Dzaferovic says migrant crisis should not be resolve by spreading of hatred and labeling of B&H as source of security problems (BHT1)
Embassy of Pakistan to B&H says statement of B&H Minister of Security on illegal migrants from Pakistan is unjustified (N1)
HNS B&H says local elections in B&H should be announced at beginning of May (N1)
Shipment containing eighty ventilators which FB&H government ordered from China arrives in B&H (O kanal)
Maglaj is COVID-19 epicenter in ZDC (BHT1)
In B&H 49 new cases and one fatality, 1,565 in total (N1)
Croatia

First stage of coronavirus exit strategy begins (HRT)
In Croatia, 9 new infections, 2039 in total, 4 died (N1)
Montenegro

Analysis of 97 samples shows all tested negative (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Marichikj: EU unanimously decided to start talks with North Macedonia, Bulgarian document carries no legal weight (MIA)
Pop Arsov: Instead of EU accession, we are pushed to redefine the Macedonian identity (Republika)
Is SDSM preparing for “corona elections” in June? (Republika)
Filipce denies reports that the government is preparing for early elections (Republika)
President Pendarovski plans to host leaders’ meeting in May (MIA)
In North Macedonia 13 new cases of covid-19 have been confirmed, bringing the total number to 1399, 4 people have died while 53 patients have recovered, (Libertas)
Albania

Albanian stores reopen as govt decides to ease restrictions (ADN)
Chinese Ambassador Zhou Ding: Albania is a friendly country for China (Radio Tirana)
Three agreements have been concluded with Kosovo in the framework of foreign policy (Radio Tirana)
Albania returns again to lower daily numbers of Coronavirus Cases (ADN)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Put aside political agendas ‘to save lives’, top UN official in Kosovo urges (UN News)
Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on the UN Mission in Kosovo (U.S. Mission to the United Nations)
Delivering on health, safety and justice in Kosovo (UK Mission to the United Nations)
Statement by Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN (Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations)
Kosovo: The priority must be the normalization of relations between Pristina and Belgrade (Permanent Representation of France to the United Nations Security Council, 24 April 2020)
Chinese envoy calls for resumption of talks for political settlement of Kosovo issue (CGTN)