United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 17 October 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Kosovo Serbs should stand in elections (N1/FoNet/Politika)
• Vucic: Even worst dialogue with Pristina better than having no dialogue (RTS/Tanjug)
• Vucic meets with Xi Jinping: Serbia and China sign four agreements (Tanjug/RTS)
• Basic human rights must be ensured for Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Agreement on mutual recognition of professional qualifications signed at Summit in Tirana (RTS/RTV)
• Brnabic did not refuse to be photographed with other leaders in Tirana (Tanjug/Politka)
• Brnabic denies involvement in drafting media laws (N1)
• Janjic: Vucic is now ready for all concessions to Kurti (Beta)
• CRTA: 41% would vote for Serbia Against Violence coalition, 49% for ruling parties (FoNet)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Court of B&H: Dodik, Lukic state that they do not understand the indictment issued against them; Judge Cosic-Dedovic concludes that they plead not guilty (Factor.ba)
• Dodik addresses media after plea hearing: This is the political process by which they want to settle accounts with the RS and its President (Factor.ba)
• Dodik’s lawyer Bubic: Target in this case are not accused but institutions of the RS (ATV)
• Lukic’s lawyer Pucar after hearing: I have not seen such efficiency in any case before Court of B&H (ATV)
• Cvijanovic: We know what we defend (RTRS)
• Minister Kosarac on start of Dodik trial: It is perhaps finally time to adopt decision on independence of the Republika Srpska (Dnevni avaz)
• Vulic: Trial against Dodik is copy-paste of trial against Trump in America (Klix.ba)
• Viskovic: This is a political process not only against Dodik and Lukic, but against the RS as a whole (RTRS)
• Nesic submits to B&H Prosecutor’s Office related to Schmidt false representation as HR and firearms being illegally brought to B&H, says he expects case against Schmidt to be formed (RTRS)
• Russian Embassy: Schmidt is not legitimate High Representative (RTRS)
• OHR: Unilateral approach to state property issue will not result in solution (Oslobodjenje)
• Viskovic: Secession from B&H is not priority for RS, we demand respecting of Constitution and Dayton Peace Agreement (Nezavisne/RTRS)
Montenegro
• MEPs to discuss the Montenegro census today (CdM)
• Zivkovic: Census aimed at ethnic engineering, BIA controls process, we’ll propose boycott if we don’t get answers by day end (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski: Countries making decisions and implementing reforms to join EU first (MIA)
• Kovachevski: Cooperation with Western Balkans key to accelerated economic growth and Europeanization of region (MIA)
Albania
• The second session of the Berlin Process, the 4 objectives and regional agreements (Radio Tirana)
• Western Balkan leaders in Tirana ink deal to recognize professional qualifications in region (Radio Tirana)
• Rama: Very fruitful discussions with open exchanges (Radio Tirana)
• Rama proposes to EU leaders: One of the WB countries should have observer status (Radio Tirana)
• Ursula Von der Leyen: Membership is a merit-based process (Radio Tirana)
• Scholz: Multiple crises in the region emphasize the urgent need to work more together (Radio Tirana)
• Michel: The EU and the WB should be ready for enlargement by 2030 (Radio Tirana)
• Sanchez: Enlargement is at the top of the EU agenda (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 13 October 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: People in Serbia should be calm, we will try to maintain peace (TV Prva/B92)
• Vucic receives Chinese Ambassador (Tanjug/RTV)
• Momirovic: Blocking CEFTA agreement for political reasons unacceptable (Tanjug/RTV)
• Hill: Serbia must realize Kosovo is an independent state (Beta)
• Hill: Guarantees needed to prevent repeat of Banjska (N1)
• Opposition party: Election commission passes three problematic decisions ahead of election (Beta)
• Elek: International factor to be complicit in looming humanitarian disaster (RTS/Tanjug/RTV)
• Stoltenberg: KFOR reinforced with battalions from Romania, Bulgaria, UK (N1)
• Varhelyi: Leaders of EU confirmed perspective of membership of Western Balkans (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Nesic: Schmidt is not legitimate as HR, he stays in B&H on ground of diplomatic note of Germany and not on ground of UN SC resolution (RTRS)
• German Embassy: Christian Schmidt is High Representative (NAP.ba)
• Becirovic’s Cabinet: Cvijanovic’s request to Nesic abut HR’s security detail was submitted without discussion and consent of B&H Presidency (Klix.ba)
• B&H Ministry of Foreign Affairs: There are no ambiguities with regard to status of HR in B&H (BHT1)
• Sattler: RS leadership made unseen movers toward undermining of constitutional order in B&H (BUKA.com)
• Stoltenberg says in B&H, NATO continues to support EU-led operation Althea, which plays important role in regional stability (N1)
• Ambassador Peleg denies Komsic’s claim said that she is fool and subject of manipulation, she asks Komsic again on which side of history he is (Oslobodjenje)
• HDZ B&H delegates in FB&H condemn Hamas’ attacks on civilians in Israel, Komsic’s statements (Dnevni list)
• Viskovic meets with Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Novak (RTRS)
Montenegro
• Quint embassies still seeking Euro-Atlantic government, they understand concerns about census (CdM)
• Djurovic: MNE lives in phenomenon of delayed accession to EU; Uljarevic: We should think well about what’s holding us back in our own countries (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Pendarovski: Next parliament should decide constitutional changes if no two-third majority by year’s end (Telma TV)
• Pendarovski meets US Senators Shaheen and Welch (MIA)
• Kovachevski meets with US Senators Shaheen and Welch (MIA)
• DUI favors elections in regular slot, says FM (MIA)
• Mickoski calls on Kovachevski to go out at elections and face citizens (MIA)
Albania
• The assembly approves with 101 votes in favor the resolution for Kosovo (Radio Tirana)
• KFOR should take control in the north; Rama clarifies the statement from the assembly floor (Radio Tirana)
• Albanian chief-diplomat: Kosova-Serbia dialogue, the only solution to overcome the situation (Radio Tirana)
• Peleshi at the Ministerial of Defense in Brussels: EU and NATO with clear messages about the situation in Kosova (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Guterres published a report on Kosovo: Main priorities - stability and de-escalation (RTV/Tanjug)
• Vucic: We will see Western envoys' package on 21 October (Tanjug/B92/RTS/RTV/Politika/N1)
• Munsch, Mojsilovic discuss security situation in region, Kosovo and Metohija (Politika/Tanjug)
• Continuity of cooperation, dialogue between Serbia, NATO (Tanjug/RTV)
• Serbia's commitment to peaceful solution to problems in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug)
• Vucevic: Early elections by year’s end (B92)
• Petkovic: Kurti began preparing ground for new terror and persecution of Serb people (Tanjug/RTV)
• Cochard: EU expects Serbia to establish truth about events in Kosovo’s north (Euronews Serbia/Beta)
• Serbian opposition to Borrell: Situation worse, concerned about measures (N1)
• Serb from Priluzje in Kosovo and Metohija released (Tanjug)
• Poll shows half of Serbians think Kosovo is lost; almost 70 percent said they do not support recognition of Kosovo as a condition for EU membership (FoNet)
• Outvoting of Serb member of B&H Presidency Zeljka Cvijanovic will not pass (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Cvijanovic expects RS parliament to support her decision to veto conclusions adopted by B&H Presidency (O Kanal)
• Kosarac: Any transfer of competencies is out of question (RTRS)
• Viskovic: Political Sarajevo has lost all standards of normal behavior (RTRS)
• Covic and Konakovic discuss political dialogue within ruling coalition at level of B&H, reform laws (N1)
• Israeli Ambassador Peleg harshly condemns Komsic’s statement on developments in Israel (Oslobodjenje)
• Komsic answers Ambassador Peleg: It is obvious you neither seen nor heard my statement (Slobodna-bosna.ba)
• ZDC Assembly votes no-confidence in ZDC government (FTV)
• Nesic and Director of UN Office of Counter-Terrorism Gregorian discuss fight against terrorism (Avaz)
• Gregorian and Galic and Goganovic discuss various aspects of counter-terrorist fight, B&H AF (Federalna.ba)
Montenegro
• Spajic after meeting: We have much larger majority than expected, we’re working on agreement (CdM)
• October 2023 and Spajic’s govt gathering winners of 30 August 2020 (CdM)
• Abazovic: I have no objection to possible govt. composition, URA gets Spajic’s invitation (CdM)
Albania
• Minister Hasani meeting with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Perebyinis: Unwavering solidarity for Ukraine (Radio Tirana)
• Nikola meets Ambassador Peleg: Albania supports Israel, against terrorists (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 11 October 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic, Munsch discuss worsening of situation of Kosovo Serbs (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Brnabic says 79 percent of ODIHR recommendations implemented (FoNet/RTS)
• Djilas rebuts Brnabic: Zero ODIHR recommendations implemented (FoNet)
• Excellent job done on preparing media laws (RTV/Tanjug)
• Dacic urges international community to find political solution to situation in Israel (TV Prva/Tanjug)
• Mojsilovic receives China's new Ambassador (Tanjug/RTV)
• Office: Harassment of Serbs only task of so-called Kosovo Police (Tanjug/RTV)
• Hill: We need to know exactly what happened in Kosovo (Tanjug/RTS)
• Stano: Belgrade knows what it is supposed to do (Beta)
• Office for KiM: Another Kosovo Serb arrested (Tanjug/RTV)
• Turkish General Ulutas takes over as KFOR Commander (FoNet)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Court of B&H confirms objections of Dodik’s defense were dismissed, plea hearing scheduled for 16 October (RTRS)
• Cvijanovic says process against Dodik is political persecution (Nezavisne)
• Tadic: Schmidt commits false pretense, RS will demand assistance of German judiciary (RTRS)
• Director Stankovic expects RS parliament will soon discuss Proposal of Law on Immovable Property (RTRS)
• Stevandic: No one will prevent registering of property with RS (RTRS)
• B&H Presidency adopts Proposal Law on Natural Gas Transmission, Regulator and Internal Market in B&H (Hayat)
• Two-day international conference ‘NATO and Security Challenges’ begins in Sarajevo (Hayat)
Croatia
• Osmani from Zagreb requests sanctions for Serbia, Milanovic opposes (Hina/RT)
• MFEA sends note of protest to Montenegro because of the controversial billboards (HRT)
Montenegro
• Negotiations: Democrats to get 4 ministries and 2 DPM positions, ZBCG to head parliament, Bosniaks out of government (RTCG)
• Nikolic: By electing Mandic to the position of President of the Assembly, Montenegro gets an anti-Western and pro-Russian parliamentary majority (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Ahmeti: Elections to be held on regular date, no need for leaders’ meeting (MIA)
• Mickoski: Real poll numbers seen at elections (MIA)
• Grkovska - Perebyinis: North Macedonia and Ukraine share common values, to strengthen cooperation and friendship (MIA)
• Petrovska - Perebyinis: North Macedonia continues its strong support for Ukraine and its sovereignty (MIA)
Albania
• US Embassy: Proud to stand alongside Albania in promoting human dignity and justice across the world (Radio Tirana)
• President Begaj speaks for the RTSH about issues discussed during the meeting with Rama (RTSH/Radio Tirana)
• Manja: Rare unity in the Croatian parliament when talking about the Albanian factor in the region (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Brnabic: Immediate danger of sanctions over events in Benjska averted (TV Happy/Beta)
• Serbia shows dedication to implementation of ODIHR recommendations for improving electoral environment (Politika/Tanjug/RTS)
• Full support of Iraq to preserving sovereignty, territorial integrity of Serbia (Tanjug/RTV)
• Vucic met with the President of the Iraqi parliament: I thanked the Republic of Iraq (Tanjug/RTV/B92)
• Parliaments of Serbia, Iraq sign MoU (Politika/Tanjug)
• Dacic: Issue of forced displacement requires global solution, joint action (Politika/Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Petkovic: Serbia did not take part in recent tragic events in Banjska (Politika/Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Jovanovic in Strasbourg: Kurti’s regime conducting ethnic cleansing campaign in Kosovo (Beta)
• Serbia supports basic principles of UNESCO (Tanjug)
• Support of Serbia to European integration of Ukraine (RTV/Tanjug/Beta)
• Jovanovic: Unified ticket impossible (Nova/Beta)
• Dveri, Oath Keepers negotiation unification with similar organizations (Beta)
• Djukic: No sanctions against Serbia, the West needs Vucic because of Kosovo (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Court of B&H rejects complaints of Dodik’s attorney on confirmed indictment filed against him (Dnevni avaz/FTV)
• Cvijanovic: Dodik is target of political persecution; Judiciary is in function of political calculation (Srna/RTRS)
• B&H Ministry of Security: Checks on status of Schmidt and his security detail are still ongoing (Glas Srpske)
• Islamic Community supports Becirovic and Komsic’s initiative regarding state property (Dnevni avaz/MINA)
• Komsic: Since beginning of his mandate HR Schmidt has been doing everything to strengthen Zagreb’s position in B&H; Schmidt only complicates things in B&H with his behaviour and decisions (Klix.ba/BHRT)
• Dodik, Cvijanovic were only B&H politicians that attended congress of Erdogan’s party in Ankara (N1)
Croatia
• Covic meets Croatian Minister Medved, talk about cooperation, need that B&H opens accession negotiations by end of year (Vecernji list)
Montenegro
• Meeting of PES parliamentary club ended, Spajic: We’re going to form govt; Abazovic still waiting for Spajic’s call (CdM)
• Venice Commission: Government shouldn’t have over 15 ministries (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Xhaferi says would schedule meeting on dates for the presidential and parliamentary elections only if party leaders agreed on it (MIA)
• Marichikj: EU membership through joint efforts by 2030, national development goals implemented as well (MIA)
• Macedonia’s membership in Open Balkans initiative supported by 76 percent of citizens, country’s EU accession by 68.1 percent (Fokus)
Albania
• Ambassador Hoxha to the UN Security council: People who openly ignore the Law on Human Rights have no place in the HRC (Radio Tirana)
• The annual session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Kodheli: The Alliance should continue the policy of open doors (Radio Tirana)
• Manja, meeting with the Croatian counterpart: Close cooperation for the chapters of Justice in the negotiations (Radio Tirana)