LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Good conversation with the Minister of Azerbaijan on further strengthening of relations between the two countries (RTS)
• Vucic: We appreciate that Romania maintains its stance of respecting the territorial integrity of Serbia (RTS)
• PM Brnabic meets with Chinese President, discusses economic cooperation (Beta)
• Simonis: Romania supports Serbia on its path to EU, and regarding Kosovo (Beta)
• New Slovak Government respects territorial integrity of Ukraine, Serbia (Beta)
• Serbian, Yemeni Foreign Ministers support stronger economic ties Serbian (Beta)
• EC notes little or no progress in Serbia report (RFE)
• Demostat: EP prepared to send election observation mission, no inter-party dialogue (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Isak’s Statement on Arrest of Dodik Sparks Reactions in the RS (RTRS)
• Prosecutor’s Office of RS suspends investigation vs. Dodik, Viskovic (Depo.ba)
• B&H Defense Minister Helez meets Defense Minister of the Netherlands Ollongren in Sarajevo; They discuss Euro-Atlantic integration and security situation in the region and the world (Klix.ba)
• FB&H PM Niksic meets French Ambassador Delmas; France supports EU integration of B&H (Dnevni avaz)
Croatia
• Energy tops agenda of PM’s visit to Azerbaijan (HRT)
Montenegro
• Mandic: I don’t work for anyone else’s account, but exclusively for my people (CDM)
• Milatovic: Slovenia’s strong support for acceleration of our country’s EU path, Brdo-Brioni Process summit next year in Montenegro (CDM)
• Markovic: I am thinking about forming a new party (Gradski.me)
North Macedonia
• Mickoski claims DUI 'caught stealing' turns to nationalism, Osmani says DUI 'majority will of Albanians' (MIA)
• Osmani: OSCE Ministerial Council biggest event in country (MIA)
Albania
• Rama pays a working visit to Italy (Radio Tirana)
• "Strong Balkan 23", the Special Forces of the region continue with the joint training in Albania (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 6 November 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• U.S. on Vulin’s resignation: U.S. plays no role in Serbian authorities' personnel decisions (Beta)
• Vucic on Vulin's resignation: There was pressure from the first day (RTS)
• Vucic: A new round of dialogue was supposed to take place on November 6 or 7, Pristina did not accept (RTS)
• Petkovic: Pristina rejected the invitation for a dialogue that was supposed to take place on November 7 (RTS)
• MEP Viola Von Cramon: Vucic discredits the EU but is willing to take its money (N1)
• Petkovic: Medicines have arrived in KiM, they will soon be delivered to hospitals (RTS)
• Kurti announced the deployment of 600 more soldiers and 500 policemen to KiM; Government of Serbia - this announcement represents the most open threat to Serbs (RTS)
• Petkovic: Kurti’s most open threat to date (FoNet)
• Brnabic in Shanghai with the Chinese Prime Minister: The relations between the two countries are the best in history (RTS)
• Israel distances itself from the statement of its ambassador in Croatia: Serbia is our friend (RTS)
• List "Aleksandar Vucic – Serbia must not stop": Kosovo was and will be part of Serbia (B92)
• Pro-Europe opposition parties sign coalition agreement (N1)
• The last “Serbia against violence” protest in this format: Citizens told “Don’t sleep through December 17” (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik: No negotiation on property, the RS is financially stable; Schmidt was not present at UN SC session because representatives of Western countries realized his presence could jeopardize extension of ALTHEA mission (RTRS Radio)
• Komsic: Speech in UN is noted, Security Council members are informed (Fena)
• Komsic and Guterres condemn terror and violence in Middle East (BHT1)
• HR Schmidt fails to attend UN SC session on B&H; Reactions (RTRS)
• Schmidt on his report on B&H presented before UN SC (Face TV)
• HR Schmidt: I am the last High Representative in B&H (Face TV)
• EU Ambassador to UN Skoog addresses UN SC, expresses EU’s support to B&H’s perspective of membership in EU, welcomes renewal of mandate of EUFOR ‘Althea’ mission (Oslobodjenje)
• EUD welcomes renewal of EUFOR mandate, condemns separatist policy of ruling structures in RS (FTV)
Montenegro
• Mandic: I will do everything to ensure that Serbia and Montenegro have the best relations (CDM)
• Milatovic: We can become Switzerland or Singapore, but before that must reach the level of Slovenia (CDM)
• Becic: We are ready to meet opposition’s demands regarding census (Vijesti)
• Mandic: We don’t accept obstructions, census to be held on 30 November, amendments to law to be initiated by Government (CDM)
• How to prepare and align amendments to the Census Law, adopt proposal for the law, hold debate, publish it in the Official Gazette and all that in 25 days (CDM)
North Macedonia
• Escobar: Bulgaria assures us no more conditions for North Macedonia (MIA)

LOCAL PRESS

• Kurti accepted ZSO, Vucic agreed to the agreement, but asks to sign it after the election (Nova)
• Vucic with Botsan-Kharchenko: "I introduced him with difficult situation in Kosovo" (Tanjug)
• The Court of Appeal in Mitrovica freed Nikola Todorovic, who was arrested in Jarinje (RTS)
• Bilcik: Enlargement is a priority, Von der Leyen clearly stated that the EU wants Serbia (RTS)
• Borrell: Well-managed accession process will also strengthen EU (N1)
• Ruling party leader: Djilas’ team will recognize Kosovo as independent (Beta)
• People’s Party: It’s not too late for Serbian right-wing to unite for elections (Beta)
• Dveri: Upcoming election a chance to change policy on Kosovo (Beta)
• Djilas: Vucic’s Returned to SRS (Danas)
• A third of Serbians see US as enemy (FoNet)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• EC President Von der Leyen addresses press conference: We bring right offer for B&H in this moment (Klix.ba)
• Kristo: Von der Leyen recognizes our efforts, region will receive two billion euros of non-returnable funds (Klix.ba)
• Cvijanovic and Becirovic told von der Leyen they expect EU’s decision on opening of accession negotiations (Klix.ba)
• Komsic to attend UN SC’s session set to discuss B&H; Latest information indicate Schmidt will not personally attend UN SC session but his report on B&H will be presented (O kanal)
• RS Government sends report to UN Security Council: It underscores importance of ending the role of “foreign dictator Schmidt (RTRS)
• UN special rapporteurs calls on RS authorities to withdraw RS Draft Law on Special Registry and Publicity of Work of Non-Profit Organizations (BNTV)
Montenegro
• Spajic meets with opposition: Broadest consensus regarding census implementation should be achieved; Zivkovic: If our conditions aren’t met, we’ll boycott it (CDM)
• Milatovic: Spajic’s decision not to hold his parliamentary speech is a matter of personal responsibility, I would like him to have explained in detail the Europe Now 2 program (CDM)
• Nimanbegu: I’m sure that someone outside of Montenegro had a hand in govt. formation (Portal Analitika)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski - Wadephul: Germany reaffirms support to North Macedonia's EU integration (MIA)
• Xhaferi - Ozoguz: Germany strongly supports North Macedonia, primarily on EU path (MIA)
• North Macedonia, US sign memorandum on expert support in development of National Security Strategy (MIA)
• Up to Parliament when to call elections, PM says (MIA)
Albania
• UNSC, Albania appeals for peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic sets early parliamentary elections for December 17 (Tanjug)
• Parliament speaker calls local elections for December 17 (N1)
• Seselj: SRS in coalition with SNS in Belgrade, local elections (Tanjug)
• Vucic: On Serbia's path to the EU, there are two obstacles - Kosovo and Metohija and sanctions against Russia (RTS)
• International law professor: Meaning of ‘de facto’ recognition of Kosovo’s independence not entirely clear (Beta)
• Djukic Dejanovic: Dacic for prime minister (Beta)
• Serbian Movement Dveri: Statehood and patriotic opposition parties to join forces pre or post-election (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• High Rep report to UN lists all Dodik's threats to B&H's stability and more (N1)
• Kristo holds series of meetings with HR Schmidt, EU ambassadors in B&H, ahead of Von der Leyen visit on Wednesday (FTV)
• B&H HoR adopts resolution on need to make decision on opening accession negotiations between B&H and EU (N1)
• Ambassador Murphy: We are determined to protect B&H’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and multiethnic character (Klix.ba)
• Dodik: Murphy today has to write entire sheet of nonsense in order to go to bed satisfied (Klix.ba)
• Kosarac: Murphy’s pamphlet surpasses the boundaries of common sense (RTRS)
• RS Government sends report to UN Security Council: It underscores importance of ending the role of “foreign dictator Schmidt” (RTRS)
• Lawsuits to be filed against Schmidt and certain members of Peace Implementation Council (RTRS)
• RS PM Viskovic confirms that US sanctions brought down websites of RS institutions; US Embassy to B&H: US sanctions carry serious consequences (BNTV)
• RS begins legal process of proving that citizens of RS have malignant diseases caused by NATO bombing; Serb and Italian lawyers say they will prove consequences of NATO bombing of RS (ATV)
Croatia
• Plenkovic and Macron for protection of civilians, with a clear condemnation of Hamas (HRT)
Montenegro
• Montenegro votes in new government (CDM)
• Spajic: We’re putting the census off for Nov 30, there won’t be any new costs (CDM)
• Von der Leyen requests that Montenegro’s officials focus on reforms (CDM)
• Stano: New government and parliament to swiftly demonstrate their capacity and commitment to deliver on reforms (CDM)
• US Embassy: We’re concerned about parties that might hinder Montenegro’s progress, we call on caution (CDM)
• Milatovic’s reaction comes after four days: Bad suggestion of Dodik that I definitely condemn (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Pisonero: European Commission’s top priority is EU enlargement in the Western Balkans (Republika)
Albania
• Spiropali hosts Mayor of Presheva, Arifi: Respect for the rights of the Albanian population in the Presheva Valley (Radio Tiranna)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 27 October 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic from Brussels: Serbia cannot accept the independence of Kosovo (B92/Tanjug/Beta/RTS/RTV)
• Djuric: Support to transformation of "KSF" into army does not help defuse tensions (Tanjug/Novosti)
• Borrell: Vucic, Kurti demanded conditions for new EU proposal (N1)
• Michel: Normalization of Belgrade-Pristina relations essential (FoNet)
• Meloni: We urged Vucic, Kurti to implement agreements (Beta)
• Vucevic: Serbia will never accept UN membership of Kosovo and recognize independence of the southern province (TV Happy)
• KFOR, Serbian Armed Forces delegations hold commander-level meeting (Tanjug)
• ODIHR should observe forthcoming Serbian elections in full capacity (Beta)
• Opposition reaches final agreement on elections (N1)
• NDSS: Right election ticket must be unambiguously in opposition (Beta)
• Milivojevic says current parliament worst ever (Beta)
• Shameful attacks on believers, facilities of Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTV)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• ‘The Troika’, SNSD and HDZ B&H once again fail to agree on Law on Courts in B&H (O Kanal)
• Cvijanovic: RS government must be involved in stages of programming aid through IPA funds (ATV)
• Izetbegovic: ‘The Troika’ has done servile and unprincipled things (FTV)
• People's rally 'We Defend Srpska' held in Doboj; Cvijanovic: We want to convey the message that property belongs to the RS (RTRS)
• ZDC Assembly confirms appointment of new government led by SDA’s Nezir Pivic (BHT1)
Croatia
• Committee asks government for a report on illegal migration (HRT)
Montenegro
• Nedovic: Postponing census for a month quite enough (CdM)
• Spajic submitted to parliament Program and Work Plan of 44th government of Montenegro (CdM)
• Szijjarto: Montenegro needs a stable political system for long-term goals (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Spasovski: Creation of joint policies is just a prerequisite for joint functioning within the EU (MIA)
• Spasovski – Johansson: Only through joint forces can we fight crime on EU soil (MIA)
• Speaker Xhaferi: Parties to agree on election date within deadlines (MIA)
• Kovachevski: Elections announced by parliament speaker in line with deadlines determined by law, mandate of elected officials (MIA)
• Mickoski reiterates call for elections between two major religious holidays next spring (MIA)
• Kovachevski: Decisions on EU to be adopted in parliament now, so we can join EU by 2030 (MIA)
Albania
• Spiropali's meeting in Washington with Escobar: US pledges support for full integration into the EU (Radio Tirana)
• Nikolla met Escobar: Strengthening USA-Albania bilateral partnerships in International Organizations (Radio Tirana)