United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 11 February 2020
LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: I hope there is a possibility of reaching a compromise solution to the Kosovo problem (Tanjug)
• Di Maio: Greater EU support and mediation was needed in finding a solution to the Kosovo problem (Tanjug/RTS)
• Dacic: Serbia wants to know whether or not there will be EU enlargement (Beta/Tanjug)
• Selakovic: Serbia’s constitutional obligation is to protect Serbs in the diaspora (RTV)
• Serbia's military delegation had to take off uniforms to enter Montenegro (Sputnik/Tanjug/B92)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• RS Ministry of Agriculture: B&H CC reached decision declaring Article 53 of RS Law on Agricultural Land unconstitutional for purely political reasons (O kanal)
• Dodik, other RS politicians strongly oppose ruling of B&H CC (EuroBlic)
• Zaimovic: If HDZ B&H does not change rigid stance regarding Election Law, we will not have Federation of B&H government for long time (Dnevni avaz)
• Varhelyi: Countries of Western Balkans need to be treated as future EU members (Dnevni avaz)
• Covic visits Russia: Dialogue between B&H and Russian Parliament needs to be increased (N1)
• Dzaferovic meets Secretary General of Muslim World League Al-Issa (Hayat)
Montenegro
• Programs of Happy and Pink M TVs limited owing to broadcasting hatred (CDM)
• A Greater Serbian insurgency in Montenegro (RTCG/MINA)
Republic of North Macedonia
• New version of the PPO law put on fast track for adoption with a narrow vote of 63 in favor (Republika)
• Varheyi warns against further delays in EU accession talks with Macedonia and Albania (Republika)
Albania
• President urges Serbia's Albanians to participate in elections (ADN)
• Albania to fully support Kosovo recognition as a state (ADN)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

• U.S. Envoy Urges Kosovo To Drop Tariffs On Serbian Goods 'With No Reciprocity' (RFE/RL)
• Fajon: There is some progress in Serbia, but not the results we want to see (European Western Balkans)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 10 February 2020
LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: I do not believe they will offer anything good to the Serbs (Tanjug/RTS/Beta/B92)
• Brnabic: New methodology for accession negotiations pragmatic (TV Pink/Tanjug)
• Dacic: Serbia will not do everything to join EU (Beta/Novosti/Politika)
• Drecun: Kurti trying to squeeze Thaci out of the dialogue (TV Pink/Tanjug)
• Office for Kosovo and Metohija condemns ban for basketball players from Batocina to cross Jarinje (RTS/Tanjug/Politika)
• Measures taken to improve election conditions (Tanjug)
• EU officials: Citizens to have as wide range of policies as possible in election (Beta)
• Fajon on visit to Serbia: As if there are parallel worlds, institutions, media (FoNet)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• B&H Constitutional Court rules that Article 53 of RS Law on Agricultural Land is unconstitutional (N1/ATV/RTRS)
• B&H HoR fails to support appointment of Spiric as member of Commission for Commission for Appointment and Supervision of work of APIK (FTV)
• Palmer condemns proposal for appointment of SNSD’s Spiric as member of B&H parliament’s Commission for APIK (BHT1)
• Minister Turkovic: United States has not forgotten B&H (Dnevni avaz)
• Cvijanovic on press release of B&H Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding Spiric’s appointment (RTRS)
• SNSD Executive Committee convenes: Bosniaks are blocking appointments of Serbs to posts in B&H institutions (ATV)
• Cvijanovic meets members of US Congress in Washington (ATV)
• Cvijanovic: Interest for B&H in US administration is decreasing (RTRS)
• Dodik: Inviting Trump, Pope Francis for marking of 11 July in Srebrenica is private initiative of Komsic, Dzaferovic (RTRS)
• Covic: B&H and Russia should strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation (Vecernji list)
Croatia
• Swedish media criticize Croatia: Don't let them join Schengen (TCN/Index)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic: This is an attempt to bring Montenegro back to the middle ages (CDM)
• Boskovic: We won’t tolerate an escalation of violence in Montenegro (Pobjeda)
• EU does not provide guidelines on how a country should regulate religious freedoms (CDM)
• Guterres: Montenegro plays an important role in the region (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Zaev: Parliament may postpone dissolution if there is blocking of legal solutions (Republika)
• Nikoloski in US: After change of government, 2020 will not be a lost year for citizens and road to EU integration (Republika)
• No date before elections: New Enlargement Commissioner crushes government hopes of EU talks in March (Republika)
Albania
• Bushati: EU accession, now more demanding (ADN)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

• What Prevents Serbia From Exploring Aftermath of 1999 NATO Bombings? (Sputnik)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 7 February 2020

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Mr. Kurti, things are not so simple (RTS)
• Vucic: Serbia is allowed to choose (Tanjug/B92)
• Varhelyi: Deal with Pristina key for Serbia's EU path (Tanjug)
• Gojkovic discusses new methodology with EU Enlargement Commissioner (Tanjug)
• Free media needed, but take part in Serbia's election, Europeans say (N1)
• DS to decide on Comic’s exclusion from the party (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik and Mandic meet in Banja Luka, Dodik reiterates support to Serbs in Montenegro, Mandic thanks to Dodik for voting against Djukanovic’s visit to B&H (RTRS)
• Colak, RS political parties do not think DF’s proposal of changes to Law on Elections of B&H is acceptable (EuroBlic)
• Picula: EU must establish clear criteria and invariable indicators of progress (Dnevni list)
• Tegeltija comments on new methodology of EU accession negotiations (FTV)
• Opinions on new EU enlargement methodology divided in B&H (N1)
• Inzko meets Reynders to discuss state of affairs in B&H judiciary (Hayat)
• Cvijanovic discusses security challenges with Wilson (ATV)
Croatia
• Plenkovic again invites Pope Francis to visit Croatia (Hina)
Montenegro
• DF rejects Prime Minister’s call for dialogue (Dan)
• Dialogue and consensus necessary (RTCG)
• Kemp: All parties to get involved in the dialogue (RTCG)
• US Embassy: All parties should engage in a constructive dialogue (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• It’s official: Coalition between Alliance and Alternative for April elections (Republika)
Albania
• Von der Leyen: Optimistic for EU new enlargement plan (Radio Tirana)
• Varhelyi: EU should fulfill its commitment to the candidate countries (Radio Tirana)
• Rama meets with Secretary Pompeo (Radio Tirana)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

• Serbian Authorities’ Intervention Ends Migrant Camping at Hungarian Border (Hungary Today)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 6 February 2020
LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic responds to people on Facebook about Kosovo, Montenegro (Beta/N1/Tanjug/B92)
• Joksimovic: We don’t have to continue EU integrations according to new methodology (RTS/Beta)
• Djilas: SzS members to boycott elections at all levels (Beta)
• Putin: Solution for Kosovo based on UN SC Resolution 1244 (Novosti/Politika/Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Commissioner Varhelyi says enlargement to B&H, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Albania remains EU's goal (N1)
• Komsic welcomes adoption of new EU accession methodology (Hayat)
• Experts agree new methodology of EU accession negotiations means there will be no more conditioning by EU member countries (EuroBlic)
• DF submits proposal of amendments to B&H Election Law into parliamentary procedure (BHT1)
• Mikulic: DF’s proposal of amendments to Election Law of B&H would enable compliance with rulings of ECHR and national courts in B&H as well as with opinions of EC and Venice Commission (FTV)
• Other reactions to DF’s proposal of amendments to B&H Election Law (BHT1)
• Cvijanovic meets Palmer to discuss current political and economic situation in RS and B&H (RTRS)
Montenegro
• Markovic calls for dialogue (CDM)
• Opposition agreement required before local elections take place (Dan)
• US supports Montenegro in its fight against misinformation (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Osmani voiced expectation that new methodology for the EU accession negotiations will accelerate pace of the process of negotiations (Republika)
• Mickoski: It is not democratic to forbid people to fight to correct the injustice done with the Prespa Agreement (Republika/TV Telma)
Albania
• Albania and EU plans for reforming the enlargement process (Radio Tirana)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

• Return of the mediators: What is the state of electoral reforms in Serbia? (European Western Balkans)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 5 February 2020
LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic, Godfrey discuss Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Trump's Middle East peace plan (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Dacic thanks Angola for principled support of Serbia’s territorial integrity (Tanjug)
• Djuric: Kurti doesn’t want agreement, but capitulation (Tanjug)
• Vulin: Kurti doesn’t want negotiations (TV Pink/FoNet)
• Stano: EU Special Envoy for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue just one of the ideas on the table (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• NATO: B&H required to complete registration of military property after it has entered MAP (N1)
• B&H HoR: MPs discuss NATO related issues although this item was not included in agenda (BHT1)
• Kovacevic: It was Ivanic who adopted only condition for MAP (Glas Srpske)
• Dodik against visit of Montenegro President Djukanovic to B&H; Reactions (N1)
• Salkic: Dodik can only dream about post of Federation of B&H Vice President (Oslobodjenje)
• EU is committed to deepening its partnership with Western Balkans, and is offering credible accession perspective for region (Nezavisne novine)
• Inter-Religious Council of B&H organizes joint prayer for all victims of war in B&H (O kanal)
• UN Secretary-General coming to 25th anniversary of Srebrenica genocide (N1)
Croatia
• Picula: Summit in May will be 'right opportunity' for EU and Western Balkans (Hina)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic: Serbian Orthodox Church hasn’t been creating Montenegro but has been trying to erase it (RTCG)
• Different views on other matters must not hinder our EU aspirations (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Zaev now says elections will go ahead as planned, but leaves room to change his mind again (Republika)
• No progress in talks aimed at creating a coalition of opposition Albanian parties (Republika)
• Pendarovski in Poland: I expect Spain to ratify Macedonia’s NATO accession protocol next month (Republika)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

• A more credible, dynamic, predictable and political EU accession process - Commission lays out its proposals (European Commission)
• Brussels puts French accent on EU enlargement (Politico)
• Brajovic: We see these political and media pressures as an attempt to threaten our national identity (Balkan Insider)