United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 22 October 2019
LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: No recognition of Kosovo within existing borders (Standard/B92/Tanjug)
• Dacic: Lesotho one of the 15 countries to suspend recognition of so-called Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Kenya supports Serbia’s territorial integrity (Tanjug/RTS)
• Antic: Bulgaria completing pipeline to Serbia (Beta)
• Serbia’s EAEU deal OK until EU accession – Brussels (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik: There must be no introduction of principle that Sarajevo orders what is to be done (Dnevni list/ATV)
• One should not blame Dodik for blockade of formation of authorities (EuroBlic)
• Zvizdic thanks US National Security Council’s Erath for US’ overall support to B&H’s reform efforts (BHT1)
• Hundreds of migrants arrive in Tuzla (Hayat/N1)
Croatia
• Kovac: For progress in relations with Croatia, Serbia needs statesman like Willy Brandt (Hina)
Montenegro
• Enlargement policy will become priority after Brexit (RTCG)
• Kremlin controls the election of opposition leader (Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Zbogar: You delivered everything that was asked of you, unfortunately we again delayed the issue (MIA)
• Message from Berlin: The road to the EU remains open (Nezavisen vesnik)
• Macron to visit Skopje and Tirana next month (Nezavisen vesnik)
• Stoltenberg: I look forward to North Macedonia joining our Alliance (Nezavisen vesnik)
• VMRO DPMNE ahead of SDSM by six percent (Netpres)
Albania
• Rama to hold meetings with leaders of EU countries to understand the further progress of the process (Radio Tirana)
• Merkel: EU has already turned its back on the two countries, failing to keep their promise (Radio Tirana)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

• Macron breaks Balkans promise in quest for EU dominance (EUobserver)
• Final EP Rapporteurs revealed: Bilčik for Serbia, Rangel for Bosnia and Herzegovina (European Western Balkans)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 21 October 2019
LOCAL PRESS

• Alliance, friendship between Serbia, Russia confirmed (Tanjug/Novosti)
• Brnabic thanks Abe on balanced stand in Kosovo case (RTS)
• Vucic: Two infections hit Albanians (TV Prva/B92/Tanjug)
• Dacic, Borisov discuss economic, political topics (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Izetbegovic expects constructive proposal on Election Law of B&H to be presented by HDZ B&H at meeting on 28 October (N1)
• PDP addresses press conference in regard to Dodik’s accusations (BNTV)
• Borenovic: Dodik demonstrates anxiety by attacking opposition leaders (ATV)
• Dodik meets Medvedev (RTRS)
• City of Bihac to cease to provide assistance to Vucjak migrant camp as of Monday (BHT1)
• RS Police Director Culum requests creation of registry of migrants in B&H (ATV)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Zaev: Elections on 12 April, census after that; Spasovski – interim prime minister (Republika)
• Pendarovski: We have state consensus that we continue our path to the EU (Republika)
• Mickoski requested, the other leaders agreed Macedonia to respond to declaration of Bulgarian government (Republika)
• Ahmeti: The most important thing is that the elections are democratic (Republika)
• Gashi: Sun will shine for all citizens, especially for the Albanians (Republika)
Albania
• Rama: EU decision, a clash of great powers (ADN)
• Interior Minister says Albania stands at inappropriate moment in EU's door (ADN)
• Basha: It would be huge lie to say we didn't expect it (ADN)
• Negotiations, Vasili condemns PM for EU's refusal (ADN)
• For the good of the country, Edi Rama must resign (ADN)
• Italian Premier to propose restart of Albania's accession talks soon (ADN)
• CDU/CSU urges Albania - N. Macedonia to continue reforms (ADN)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

• Heads of EU institutions: Not giving a date to Skopje and Tirana is a historic mistake (Agencies)
• McAllister: We have failed our European friends and allies (European Western Balkans)
• Macron’s veto undermines Balkan stability, Greek MEP says (EurActiv/AFP)
• EU running scared from fascism, says Kosovo's likely new PM (The Guardian)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 18 October 2019

LOCAL PRESS

• Belgrade Declaration adopted at 141st IPU Assembly (Tanjug/Politika/RTS/Novosti/RTV)
• Vucic: Not everything is ours, but not everything is theirs, either (TV Pink/Tanjug)
• Mondoloni conveys to Vucic France’s view of enlargement (Beta)
• Kostelancik: US will always stand behind Kosovo’s independence (Tanjug)
• Zakharova: Kosovo is not a state in any sense (Beta)
• Kurti: When and if I assume Prime Minister’s role (NIN/Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik denies claims of Sarovic that SNSD will agree to ANP for NATO accession (RTRS)
• Cvijanovic warns that conditioning with ANP shows true intentions of primarily Bosniak political representatives (RTRS)
• Ljubic: Izetbegovic’s statements cause concern for future of B&H (Dnevni list)
• Dodik accuses Serb ministers of betrayal over adoption of Action Plan for EU (N1)
• Dodik announces special session of RS parliament on RS status within B&H (BHT1)
• Dodik to meet Russian PM Medvedev to discuss economic cooperation and situation in the RS and B&H (ATV)
Montenegro
• All eyes on the opposition as dialogue deadline passed (Dnevne novine)
Republic of North Macedonia
• No agreement in Brussels, no date for Macedonia (Republika)
• Von der Leyen regrets French decision to block Macedonia and Albania from opening EU accession talks (Republika)
• Nikoloski: Zaev needs to resign by Monday (Republika)
Albania
• Haradinaj: Thaci, Vucic and Rama are collaborators (ADN)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

• France eager to prove that it is still committed to the Western Balkans (European Western Balkans)
• EU leaders deadlock over membership talks for North Macedonia, Albania (politico.eu)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Pristina’s actions deteriorating security situation (Tanjug/RTV)
• Brnabic thanks India for firm stance on non-recognition of Kosovo’s unilaterally declared independence (RTS/Tanjug)
• Support of Cuba to territorial integrity of Serbia (Tanjug)
• Dacic: Hypocritical response of the British Embassy (Tanjug)
• Ashton: Belgrade, Pristina were not requested to cross red lines (Tanjug/RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Izetbegovic: ‘Status quo’ will continue in B&H until SNSD decides to accept there is no supremacy of entities over state (TV1)
• SNSD sees Izetbegovic’s statement that only parties that put interests of B&H institutions in first plan can form B&H CoM as blackmail (RTRS)
• OHR calls on political leaders in B&H to intensify political dialogue in order to complete process of formation of authorities at all levels as soon as possible (N1)
• Dodik comments on Kosovo-B&H relations, says he prefers continuation of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina (N1)
• Komsic sends letter to the EU leadership (N1)
Montenegro
• Picula: Montenegro is definitely next EU member (TMN/CDM/Fena/Nova M)
• Orav: Montenegro must improve reform efforts in media freedom, fight against corruption, preventing human trafficking (TMN)
• Russian danger still lurks (Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Zaev-Timmermans: The country’s achievements should be acknowledged with a decision for accession talks (Nezavisen vesnik)
• Milososki: Zaev and Dimitrov need to resign on Friday if we get no EU accession talks date (Republika)
Albania
• France opposes EU membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia (ADN)
• EU talks, Commissioner appeals for caution with Balkans (ADN)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

• Military neutrality does not contradict security cooperation with EU (European Western Balkans)
• Visegrad 4, North Macedonia in last-ditch effort to change French enlargement veto (EuroActiv)
• Merkel: Chances for opening accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania are not good (Deutsche Welle)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 16 October 2019
LOCAL PRESS

• Kosovo withdraws application for Interpol membership (Beta/Politika/Novosti/RTS/RTV)
• Vucic: Small tactical victory in Interpol (Tanjug)
• Withdrawal of “Kosovo’s” application at Interpol victory of international law (RTS/Tanjug)
• Djuric: I congratulate Kosovo Serbs on courage (TV Pink/Tanjug)
• Rebic, Drecun: Intimidation of Serbs following defeat in Interpol (RTS)
• The path to EU membership has many obstacles, but the goal is still valuable (RTS/Tanjug/EWB)
• Vucic asks British Ambassador: On which election did Kurti win and whose flag is it? (B92)
• Gojkovic, Indian parliament speaker: India respects Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty (Tanjug/RTV)
• MacKenzie: Bombardment in 1999 and recognition of Kosovo was craziness (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• SDS and PDP leaders to meet on Wednesday, discuss possible formation of new parliamentary majority at level of B&H (Nezavisne novine)
• SDA and HDZ B&H delegations will meet on 21 October to discuss government formation and amendments to Law on Elections (Oslobodjenje)
Republic of North Macedonia
• EU ministers fail to reach decision on opening accession talks with N. Macedonia and Albania (Nezavisen vesnik)
• Hahn apologizes to the citizens of Macedonia and Albania (Republika/MIA)
• “No” from Brussels takes Zaev to the polls (Nezavisen vesnik)
Albania
• Meta-Conte: Italy one of Albania's main trading partners (ADN)
• Italian PM appeals for unconditional political dialogue (ADN)
• Yes' to Albania's negotiations, Balla thanks Germany (ADN)
• Basha - Glover meeting discussions unveiled (ADN)
• Opposition's MP unveils reasons for Hajdari's removal (ADN)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

• Van Rompuy Interview: No EU member state will block a candidate that is fit to join (European Western Balkans)