United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 2 October 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Good trilateral Serbia-Hungary-UAE meeting, good results (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Vucic: They did everything to destroy Serbia, Serbia will win (B92/Politika/Novosti)
• Vucic: I discussed situation in Kosovo and Metohija with Blinken (Tanjug/RTV/Politika)
• US calls Serbia to withdraw forces from “Kosovo border”, Vucic says not sending army to Kosovo (Beta/FT/RFE)
• Serbia incorporates sacrifice of its innocent victims into foundations of freedom (Tanjug/RTS)
• Vucevic: If Supreme Commander issues order to enter Kosovo,the order will be executed (B92/RTS/RTV/Tanjug)
• This shows Bojan was brutally killed while lying powerless: Petkovic presents evidence about execution of Serb (RTS/Tanjug/RTV)
• Belgrade was unaware of Radoicic's actions – lawyer (Tanjug/RTS/Politika)
• A witness described the killing of a Serb in Banjska (TV Pink)
• The pressure is growing, Albin Kurti's new move: Another Serb arrested (B92/Kosovo Online)
• Kurti's police beat three Serbian youths near Zubin Potok (B92/Kosovo Online)
• Borrell on situation in Kosovo: Serbian military buildup is concerning and needs to stop (N1)
• NATO approves more troops for Kosovo (Beta/RFE)
• Belgrade sees 22nd Serbia Against Violence protest (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik re-elected SNSD President; He mentions ‘peaceful separation’ of B&H again (Dnevni list)
• SDP, Becirovic react to Dodik’s statements: This is tragic delusion (Oslobodjenje)
• Isak comments Dodik’s statement that SNSD will create agreement on peaceful separation of FB&H and RS (O Kanal)
• Tadic: Schmidt is not High Representative, his attempt to impose law on property can only cause RS’s declaration of independence (Glas Srpske)
• OHR working group should forward conclusions regarding state property to B&H parliament (N1)
• Milanovic: B&H can become member of EU tomorrow and 90 percent of problems are solved (Dnevni list)
Montenegro
• Milatovic: New EU enlargement date somewhat discouraging (MINA)
• Djenero: Montenegrin govt without legitimacy shouldn’t carry out the census, it might be dangerous (CdM)
• Zivkovic and Damjanovic meet: It’s possible to postpone census by govt. regulation, continuation of conversation agreed (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Osmani expresses concern over Serbian military build-up near Kosovo (MIA)
• Pendarovski: Presence of 5,000 NATO troops in Kosovo guarantees that crisis won't spill over (MIA)
• Kasami: We won't vote for constitutional changes although we approve of them (RFE/MIA)
Albania
• Unfinished EU: Integration of Western Balkans, a geostrategic imperative (Radio Tirana)
• Berlin Global Dialogue Summit, Rama: The process of introducing the Western Balkans into the EU should speed up (Radio Tirana)
• Rama meeting with the Crown Prince of the United Emirates: Positive progress with the joint projects (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 29 September 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Brnabic: I did not give any dates regarding elections during government session (Tanjug/RTV)
• Situation in Kosovo and Metohija most dangerous to date, Vucic tells Danish FM (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Denmark's support for Serbia's European path, reform processes (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Readiness for further intensification of cooperation between Serbia, Denmark (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Petkovic: We have evidence one of Serb victims in Kosovo was shot and killed in cold blood, while wounded (Tanjug/RTS/RTV/Politika)
• Stano: EU against glorification and mourning of terrorists (RFE/Beta)
• Raska-Prizren Diocese says it doesn’t need Pristina’s help (FoNet/Politika)
• ROSU stormed the north of Kosovo and Metohija; Armored vehicles sent (B92/Radio Kontakt plus/Kosovo Online)
• The Office for Kosovo and Metohija announced: Continuation of terror on the north (B92)
• SPS: Attack in Kosovo shows that repression against Belgrade, Kosovo Serbs must decrease (TV Prva/Beta)
• Jeremic: Rejection of Franco-German plan, return of institutions to Kosovo is national interest (Beta)
• Lazovic says regrets lack of concrete information on attack in Kosovo (Danas/Beta)
• Zelenovic: Protest organizers will run together in elections (N1/TV Nova)
• Source from SNS: Elections at all levels on 17 December (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• RS parliament adopts Draft Law on Special Registry and Publicity of Work of Non-Profit Organizations (FTV)
• Representatives of NGO sector harshly criticize Draft Law on Special Registry and Publicity of the Work of Non-Profit Organizations (N1)
• PIC SB Ambassadors: RS government has been trying since 2013 to introduce law that would place civil society organizations under government’s close scrutiny (Dnevni list)
• EU expresses serious concern about recent legislative initiatives and announcements in RS that run counter to EU path of B&H (FTV)
• US Embassy condemns adoption of law on registry of non-profit organizations (Dnevni avaz)
• Dodik: Murphy should comment on US law on non-governmental organizations, which is more rigid than one proposed in RS (RTRS)
• Dodik: No talks about the property-those who want to impose solutions are descendants of murderers of Serbs (Srna)
• Minister Helez: Relations between B&H and Croatia are on upward trajectory; Orban's regime is similar to that of Dodik and Putin; Kurti played wisely; Serbia supported terrorists, the whole EU turned against what Vucic did (FTV)
Croatia
• Ursula von der Leyen: Croatia is a success story (HRT)
• Grlic Radman: Montenegro admits aggression, Croatia can expect ship’s return (Hina)
Montenegro
• Bogdanovic: Let’s first find majority, then we’ll do the rest (Vijesti)
• Milatovic: New EU enlargement date somewhat discouraging (MINA)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Xhaferi urges solidarity at CoE Conference of speakers of parliaments (MIA)
• Petrovska: Partnership with Vermont not only signed document but constant support (MIA)
Albania
• Rama: Belgrade should have had distanced itself from the criminal group, the EU to condemn the declaration of national mourning in Serbia (Radio Tirana)
• Berlin process/ Conclusions of Finance Ministers Ministerial Meeting of Western Balkans approved (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic to Quint Ambassadors: KFOR should take over from police (N1)
• Pristina used the event in Zvecan as a reason for terror (B92)
• Vucevic: Kurti is sole culprit for the current situation in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/Politika)
• Opposition criticizes authorities over clashes in Kosovo (Beta)
• Hill says steps being considered after Banjska (Beta)
• Stano: EU demands that tensions be eased, dialogue continued, awaiting results of investigation (Beta)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: Kurti wants to capture north of Kosovo with support from West (TASS/Beta)
• US strongly condemns attack on Kosovo police (Beta)
• Tajani: I have spoken with Vucic, Kurti, KFOR presence to be boosted (Tanjug)
• Government declares Day of Mourning over tragic events in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug)
• Three-day mourning due to the tragic events taking place in Kosovo and Metohija (B92)
• International course for UN military observers organised (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• State-level coalition partners meet in Mostar, discuss changes in Law on B&H CC, changes in B&H Election Law related to B&H CEC election, Law on Foreign Affairs of B&H, but reach no concrete agreements (Hayat)
• Dodik comments topics discussed at the meeting of the state level ruling coalition (ATV)
• It is not excluded that coalition partners on B&H level could make step forward according to Dodik’s proposal on declaration of sovereignty of B&H; Dodik: We must agree to eliminate any other decision-making except for domestic institutions (ATV)
• Viskovic says time has come for foreigners to withdraw from B&H and that they cannot impose laws (ATV)
• Stevandic: Draft law on immovable property withdrawn from agenda of RS parliament’s session on Tuesday (ATV)
• Stevandic: Draft law on immovable property withdrawn from agenda of RS parliament’s session on Tuesday (ATV)
Croatia
• PM: B&H and Serbia should harmonize visa regime with EU (HRT)
Montenegro
• Abazovic on Kosovo: This situation can easily spill over into a larger-scale conflict, a continuation of the disastrous Balkan policy (CdM)
• Milatovic: No one can be excluded from the government in advance (Vijesti)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Those who wish unrest in region behind Kosovo incident, says Kovachevski (MIA)
• Knight: Here to ensure stability in Kosovo, promote political solutions (MIA)
Albania
• Ministers Balla and Hasani in Pristina to pay their tributes in honor of the martyr Afrim Bunjaku (Radio Tirana)
• Fell in the line of duty in front of the Serbian forces, tributes are held in Tirana in honor of Kosovan Officer Afrim Bunjaku (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• All approaching roads to Banjska still blocked, security situation still tense (RTS)
• Banjska post office halts operations after being stormed by terrorists (Tanjug)
• Vucic: At least three Serbs were killed, two by snipers. We have footage of incidents (B92)
• Brnabic: International community supported Kurti for the catastrophe in north of Kosovo and Metohija (TV Pink)
• Orlic: Kurti rushed to accuse Serbs for the events in Banjska (TV Prva/Tanjug)
• Djuric: Kurti is responsible for bloodshed in northern Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Drecun: Kurti’s terror against Serbs led to “shooting point” in north Kosovo (RTS)
• Dacic: Kurti enjoys support of aggressors (TV Prva/FoNet)
• Vucic informs Russian Ambassador that Kurti is carrying out brutal ethnic cleansing in Kosovo (RTV/Tanjug)
• Bilateral meetings of Dacic on sidelines of UN General Assembly session (Tanjug)
• Telekom’s appeal to work ban decision in Kosovo accepted (Tanjug)
• Obradovic: Serbia needs a new foreign policy strategy (Beta)
• Belgrade sees 21st Serbia Against Violence protest (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik says he supports Vucic in management of crisis in Kosovo (RTRS)
• Dodik: Vucic’s speech at the UN was dignified (Srna/RTRS)
• Protest rally ‘Border Exists’ held in Lapisnica (RTRS)
• PIC SB Ambassadors issue joint statement, reiterate their firm support to mandate of HR Schmidt and OHR in overseeing civilian implementation of GFAP (AJB)
• Escobar: Schmidt has our full support, as well as full support of EU and PIC (RFE/Dnevni list)
• Russian Embassy: Schmidt is not the High Representative (RTRS)
• Dodik: Not even a self-organized group of ambassadors in Sarajevo can help Schmidt (RTRS)
• Dodik: Lately, a line has been drawn of Schmidt’s support for fascist structure from the World War II (ATV)
Croatia
• Croatian President: Kosovo is a reality and Serbia must accept it (HRT)
• Milanovic: ECHR is trying to force B&H to change its Constitution with its idiotic and dangerous rulings; B&H Constitution will never be changed as long as I am politically alive (Dnevni list)
• Plenkovic against deploying military on Croatia-B&H border (Dnevni list)
Montenegro
• MFA: Montenegro strongly condemns the attack on the Kosovo police, we appeal to the de-escalation of tensions (CdM)
• Milatovic: Montenegro is a candidate for the position of a non-permanent member of the Security Council, we are committed to the goals and principles of the UN (CdM)
• Milatovic-Guterres: the UN is a key ally of Montenegro for the realization of the 2030 Agenda (CdM)
• Lajcak with Milatovic: Use the current momentum for the rapid integration of Montenegro into the EU (CdM)
• Mandic: Milatovic’s address eagerly awaited (Borba/CdM)
• There will be Serbs in new govt, improvement of standards in the spotlight, Petric says (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Grubi and Osmani condemn killing of policeman in Kosovo, appeal for stabilizing the situation (MIA)
• Pendarovski: Skopje-Moscow relations at historic low point (VoA/MIA)
Albania
• The murder of the police officer in the north of Kosova, Begaj: An organized criminal act. Internationals to react against the orchestrators (Radio Tirana)
• Rama repeats the need for an extraordinary peace conference between Kosovo and Serbia, under the guarantee of the EU and the US (Radio Tirana)
• Albania at the UN, Begaj: We led the Council, we asked for the recognition of Kosovo (Albanian RT/Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 21 September 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: We will request urgent UNSC session over situation in Kosovo and Metohija (RTS/Tanjug)
• Vucic: I will speak the facts and the truth before the UN (RTS/B92)
• Vucic informs Sheikh Al Nahyan in detail about violence perpetrated against Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug)
• Continuation of Dacic's diplomatic activity on sidelines of UN General Assembly in New York (Tanjug)
• Brnabic: Kurti acts as if Brussels agreement does not exist (TV Happy/Beta)
• Serbia determined to further improve cooperation with China (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• China's unreserved support for Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity (Tanjug/Politika)
• Petkovic's address after arrests in Kosovo: Kurti started to implement threats (B92)
• One of the Serbs arrested in Kosovo yesterday transferred to hospital in Pristina: He is in serious condition (Tanjug)
• Three months without Serbian press in Kosovo (Beta)
• Protest organizers sign Agreement for Victory (N1)
• Opposition party: Early polls by year’s end essential for Serbia’s survival (TV N1/Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Komsic addresses UN General Assembly session (N1)
• Brkic: Without agreement within B&H Presidency on foreign policy issues, B&H Presidency members only express their personal opinion (Nova BH)
• Konakovic meets representatives of American—Adriatic Charter and Central-European Initiative on the margins of UN GA session, discusses EU integration processes (Oslobodjenje)
• Ambassador Reilly welcomes Schmidt decision on MCSP (Dnevni avaz)
• UN’s Nderitu: Insisting on genocide denial and changing of historic facts is a reason for serious concern (Oslobodjenje)
• US Embassy and EU Delegation urge RS authorities to withdraw Draft Law on Special Register and Publicity of Work of Non-Profit Organizations from legislative procedure (Nezavisne)
Croatia
• Milanovic: The most important issue for Croatia is situation in its neighborhood in Southeast Europe: He expressed support to B&H on its EU path, but also expressed concern over escalation of situation between Serbia and Kosovo (HRT)
• Croatian Foreign Minister asks Italian and Slovenian colleagues to advocate opening of negotiations between B&H and EU (Oslobodjenje)
Montenegro
• Milatovic: Spajic has the greatest responsibility to create the kind of government that citizens expect, which is reformist and pro-European (CdM)
• Spajic: There’s still time to form govt, there’s no pressure from foreign ambassadors, we’re acting frivolously (MINA)
• Abazovic: Montenegro calls for peace and extends a hand to everyone in order to promote universal values and protect human rights and freedoms (CdM)
• Milatovic: Montenegro has made significant progress in achieving the goals of sustainable development, almost a third of the budget has been spent (CdM)
• Escobar: Milatovic agrees with the American position on the government, we are convinced that he understood what we conveyed to him (VoA/CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Pendarovski: UN Security Council needs to be urgently proactive in ending war in Ukraine (MIA)
• Threat of multilateralism becoming victim of Russian aggression, Osmani tells UN Security Council (MIA)
• Kovachevski - Escobar: One more statehood decision to ensure Euro-integration (MIA)
• Escobar: US grateful to North Macedonia for regional and pro-European leadership (MIA/VoA)
Albania
• Edi Rama is chairing the High Level Open Debate at the UNSC, Zelensky and 50 heads of states present (Radio Tirana)
• UNO/ Zelensky: Grateful to Albania for supporting Ukraine (Radio Tirana)
• Begaj meets with Escobar (Radio Tirana)
• Rama bilateral meeting with chancellor Scholz (Radio Tirana)