LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: If anyone thinks it's time to physically take Valac and Gazivode, I ask them not to (B92/Tanjug)
Vucic: EC did not offer financial aid, but favorable loans Serbia does not need (Beta/B92/RTS)
Cadez, Palmer discuss regional economic integration after pandemic (Beta)
Interior Ministry: No migrant has ever been returned to Serbia from Austria (Beta)
Another 162 cases, 1,063 patients recovered (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Solak: Order banning movement was not annulled by B&H CC (Hayat)
FB&H Minister of Health announced the possibility of relaxation of the restrictive measure of prohibition on movement as of the next week (N1)
RS Main Coordination Team proposes easing of certain measures as of 27 April (BHT1)
Dodik: New IMF loan is acceptable because interest rate is 1.05 percent low and grace period is 39 months (RTRS/Sputnik)
Tegeltija informs members of Dutch-Belgium Constituency of WB, IMF that all levels of power reacted with adequate measures to the Coronavirus and that health-epidemiological situation in B&H is under control (RTRS)
HDZ B&H calls on SDA to stop obstructions of IMF funds (FTV)
Izetbegovic: We do not need new problems (Dnevni avaz)
Radoncic: Illegal migrants need to be deported from B&H (FTV)
EU assistance for B&H will amount to 250 million Euros; Serbia excluded from the package (N1)
New Serbian donation to RS delivered to Banja Luka (RTRS)
Assistance from Azerbaijan to arrive today (Dnevni avaz)
In B&H 45 new cases as of this morning, 1,413 in total (N1)
Croatia

Plenkovic announces three stages of reactivation (HRT)
Plenkovic discusses restarting tourism with EU leaders (HRT)
There are 31 newly reported cases of coronavirus in Croatia today, in total 1,981 (N1)
Montenegro

Simovic: We must listen to what professionals say (CDM)
Montenegro to trial coronavirus treatment using blood plasma from recovered patients (CDM)
One more person tests positive for coronavirus (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Spasovski: Weekday curfew and weekend lockdown shortened as of Thursday (MIA)
Spasovski: New measures – path to stabilization and defining circumstances of life (MIA)
Thirty MPs sign SDSM initiative for parliament’s reconvening (MIA)
DUI hasn’t seen SDSM’s initiative, calls for consensus in decision-making (MIA)
Public administration in North Macedonia goes back to working full hours (Republika)
Today 29 recovered and 41 new Covid-19 positive cases in North Macedonia (Libertas)
Albania

Minister reveals plan for loosening pandemic measures (ADN)
Lajcak: Albania is playing an important role in the Western Balkan region (Radio Tirana)
Basha thanked EC for assistance to Albania (Radio Tirana)
Albanian lawmakers approve state of emergency extension (ADN)
Albania hits for second time highest number of daily new cases (ADN)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Jews, Serbs and Roma join WWII concentration camp commemorations in Croatia (AP)
Coronavirus: Hungary-Serbia Re-open 3 Border Crossings for Commuters (Hungary Today)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 22 April 2020

LOCAL PRESS

Drecun: If it were not for Belgrade, Serbs in Kosovo would not be able to survive (RTS)
Joksimovic: Important that we hear clear stand of EU and Lajcak on dialogue principles (Tanjug)
Office for Kosovo and Metohija: Belgrade is not blocking transport of goods (RTS/Tanjug)
Quint ambassadors commend government's response to coronavirus (Tanjug)
Dacic: Powers owe us a report on the virus (Novosti)
Another 224 cases, 1,025 recovered patients (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

The Constitutional Court of B&H ruled that the ban on the movement of persons under the age of 18 and over the age of 65 violates citizens' rights (N1)
B&H CoM fails to adopt decision to draw approved funds from IMF (BHT1)
Dodik: I do not understand why the postponement regarding IMF funds; Croats and Bosniaks now have different interpretations, but everything is clearly stated in Letter of Intent (Dnevni avaz)
Dodik: I agree with Radoncic on migrant crisis; Those who entered B&H illegally should be thrown out of B&H immediately (Dnevni avaz)
Dzaferovic and Plenkovic discuss epidemiologic situation and EU-Western Balkans Summit (FTV)
WHO's Olsavszky: Generally speaking, RS has already achieved certain level of success through flattening curve of number of infected as recommended by WHO (RTRS)
RS Main Coordination Team recommends extending level of population testing (RTRS)
Citizens in quarantines in ZDC interrupt hunger strike (FTV)
First shipment of protective equipment arrives in Brcko from China (Nezavisne novine)
B&H sees 27 new cases, two more fatalities (N1)
Croatia

Another shipment of protective equipment arrives from China (Hina)
In Croatia, there are 1,950 coronavirus patients and a new hotspot has emerged (N1)
Montenegro

Montenegro has the lowest mortality rate of the countries in the region (Dan)
Institute for Public Health confirms one more coronavirus case in Budva (CDM)
Fajon interview: The EU keeps encouraging enlargement process (Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia

SDSM is reportedly trying to reconvene the parliament (Republika/360 Degrees)
No parliament, no elections: Macedonia is in legislative limbo (Republika)
President Pendarovski has phone call with EU’s Lajcak (MIA)
Interior Minister proposes that relaxed curfew also applies on weekends (TV Telma)
Spasovski: Measures not determined by any religious holidays or efforts of individuals (MIA/Slobodna TV)
In North Macedonia 48 patients recovered, 28 new cases of covid-19 confirmed, the total number of diagnosed cases 1259, 1 person died (Libertas)
Albania

Law Commission approves government’s decision to postpone state of emergency (Radio Tirana)
Rama: Albania to slowly ease restriction measures (ADN)
Kosovo gains energy independence (Radio Tirana)
President greets Kosovo's deal for electricity independence (ADN)
EU donated 20 000 test kits for Albania (Radio Tirana)
In Albania 25 new Coronavirus cases reported, Ministry assures situation under control (ADN)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Serbian envoy to Turkey grateful for aid to fight virus (Anadolu Agency)

LOCAL PRESS

Dacic: UN SC on Kosovo and Metohija on 24 April (TV Happy/Tanjug/RTV)
Relaxation of coronavirus restrictive measures (Novosti/RTS/Tanjug)
Borell: EU has to explain its stabilizing role in Western Balkans (N1)
Dacic: Hypocrites lecturing us (Novosti)
Trifunovic: Vucic rushing to hold elections (Danas/Beta)
Kon: End of epidemic at tenth week, seventh week most dangerous (RTS)
Another 260 cases, 977 patients recovered (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Dodik: It depends on epidemiologic situation recorded over next 10 days whether measures in the RS will be more lenient or more rigorous; OHR is representative of colonial authority (RTRS)
HR Inzko: RS representatives first accepted to attend PIC SB but then changed their mind, RS depends on international aid (Dnevni list)
Viskovic: Measures will be relaxed if situation remains under control in RS (ATV)
FB&H: Situation with Coronavirus epidemic under control; Option of easing some measures being considered (FTV)
Around 70 residents of Bjelave quarantine begin hunger strike (BHT1)
Citizens quarantined in motels and hotels in Maglaj, Doboj Jug and Zenica go on hunger strike (FTV)
Residents of Mostar private quarantine complain about conditions (O kanal)
IMF Executive Board approves 330 million Euros loan to B&H (Dnevni avaz)
B&H records another 46 Covid-19 patients and two more fatalities (N1)
Croatia

Ivan Simonovic named UN General Assembly's COVID-19 Coordinator (HRT)
HDZ regains lead in voter support according to latest poll (HRT)
In Croatia, another 27 cases of infection, a total of 1908, another person has died (HRT)
Montenegro

Government response to the Covid-19 outbreak (CDM)
Opening schools and kindergartens in Montenegro isn’t priority (CDM)
New coronavirus case detected in Montenegro, number of recovered patients increasing (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Entry and exit from Tetovo banned as of today (Republika)
Spasovski announces a gradual return to normal in early May (Republika)
Gov’t strengthening soft measures so it doesn’t have to introduce more restrictions (MIA)
Macedonia in chaos, disorder and incompetence backed by corruption (Republika/V Fokusu)
Anti-corruption watchdog warns the government that the state of emergency doesn’t excuse its corrupt actions (Republika)
In North Macedonia 24 recovered, 1 death and 7 new cases (Libertas)
Albania

The government wants to extend the state of emergency until 23 June (Radio Tirana)
The pandemic in Albania has been a mild one (Radio Tirana)
Italian Foreign Minister has welcomed Albania’s gesture to send to Italy 60 nurses to help fight COVID-19 (Radio Tirana)
Coronavirus cases in Albania jump to 609 as death toll stands at 26 (ADN)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Western Balkans: EU funds to benefit people and support reforms (European Parliament)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 20 April 2020

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic announces opening: Stores starting Tuesday, cafes and restaurants in early May (TV Pink/B92)
Vulin: All Serbian soldiers on peacekeeping missions in good health (Beta)
SzS warns of alleged abuse of curfew passes (Beta)
Kon: Serbia to start mitigating measures after Easter (FoNet)
Tiodorovic: Serbia close to gaining full control of COVID-19 spread (TV Prva/Beta)
BETA: No questions for regular press conferences (Beta)
A total of 6,630 cases, 870 recovered (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

B&H CEC adopts initiative for changes to Election Law in order to postpone local elections due to current epidemiological situation (Hayat)
Dzaferovic: EU should have named Dodik as main obstructionist of EU integration (Dnevni avaz)
Dodik says state of emergency in RS will not be easily lifted; behavior of EU deceitful as they failed to timely unblock export of medical material and equipment (RTRS)
Dodik: All we have from EU and NATO is silent occupation for handful of dollars (EuroBlic)
Cvijanovic signs decision by which decree-law on ban on fake news spread was put out of force (BNTV)
Sarovic: It is time to think about the abolition of the state of emergency in the RS (BNTV)
EUD to B&H confirms one of their employees escaped from isolation unit in Sarajevo (FTV)
Ambassador Uebber: Political games need to be kept away from crisis management (Dnevni avaz)
Nitzan: It is now necessary to double and triple the fight against pandemic (Dnevni avaz)
B&H records 21 new cases, the country's tally at 1,309 (N1)
Croatia

Capak: 10 counties asked for abolition of e-passes yesterday and all were approved (HRT)
Croatian and Slovenian Presidents exchange messages of support (HRT)
In Croatia 10 new cases of coronavirus infection confirmed, bringing the tally to 1881 (HRT)
Montenegro

Institute for Public Health of Montenegro confirms three more cases of coronavirus (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Citizens of Kumanovo, Tetovo and Prilep must wear protective masks and gloves as of Wednesday (MIA)
Curfew to be shortened, but it is not known if it will apply for weekends (Republika)
In North Macedonia 18 new cases of Covid-19, 21 patients recovered, 3 people died (Libertas)
Albania

Low-risk businesses will kick off operation after 20 April (Radio Tirana)
In Albania 584 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 26 victims (Tirana Times)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

EU's New Serbia-Kosovo Envoy Dismisses Talk Of U.S. Rivalry (RFE/RL)

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: We are not able to lift the ban on movement during curfew (Tanjug/Beta/RTV/RTS)
Dacic: Serbian-American relations are good foundation for optimistic view of the future (Beta)
Godfrey: We’ll write down new chapter of our friendship (FoNet)
Equipment for two state-of-the-art quid labs arrives from China (Tanjug)
Preventive measures in migrant camps yield results (Tanjug)
Second Serbian media outlet says no more e-mail questions about pandemic (FoNet)
EFJ warns of reporting restrictions during coronavirus pandemic (N1)
In Serbia 5,318 infected, 443 recovered (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

FB&H Crisis HQ says there will be no mass testing (FTV)
RS Crisis HQ extends duration of curfew in RS for upcoming Easter (BHT1)
Dodik thanked Orthodox believers for understanding of curfew during upcoming Easter (ATV)
Radoncic sends letter to embassies, diplomatic offices and honorary consulates in B&H regarding possibility of transportation of foreign citizens to their countries (FTV)
EBRD will assist public and private sector in B&H to overcome this unseen challenge (Dnevni avaz)
Sattler: EU might not be loudest one, but it is most loyal partner (Nezavisne)
US Ambassador Nelson: Virus does not respect neither borders nor ethnicities (O kanal)
First shipment of medical equipment from China arrives in Banja Luka (RTRS)
Malaysia delivers 10 tons of aid to B&H (Dnevni avaz)
Radoncic thanks Saudi Arabia for donation to B&H (Dnevni avaz)
HNS B&H supports postponement of local elections if crisis continues (N1)
OHR and US Embassy asked to comment possibility of merging of elections; OHR: Frequency of election cycles is often used as excuse for inactivity (Oslobodjenje)
Number of persons infected in B&H increased to 1,116 (N1)
Croatia

Croatian MEPs dissatisfied with EU response to crisis at its beginning (Hina)
Croatia reported 50 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, bringing the national total to 1,791 (HRT)
Montenegro

Djukanovic: We are going to come through this crisis (CDM)
Coronavirus measures in Montenegro to be extended until 30 April (CDM)
Begic: It is still too early to talk about lifting measures and restrictions (CDM)
Amfilohije: Oppression of the church continues (Dan)
Institute for Public Health confirms two new coronavirus cases, both from Ulcinj (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia

The state of emergency in North Macedonia extended for the next 30 days (Republika)
Army presence to increase in several cities in North Macedonia, says Defense Minister (MIA)
Stoltenberg: Best way to counter disinformation campaigns is concrete support to allies (MIA)
Chinese Embassy makes donation to North Macedonia amid coronavirus outbreak (MIA)
Michel: EU-Western Balkans Summit to be held via videoconference (MIA)
Spasovski: No relaxation of curfew rules for Easter (Republika)
Top government officials Spasovski, Filipce and Osmani to self-isolate after meeting with the infected Mayor of Kumanovo (Republika)
Palmer: US companies helping coronavirus fight in North Macedonia (MIA)
Macedonia’s coronavirus stimulus package second smallest in Europe (Republika)
Albania

Meeting of the National Security Council held (Radio Tirana)
COVID-19 claims 26th victim in Albania (Tirana Times)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Várhelyi: New methodology has put the enlargement policy back on track (EWB)