Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 20 March 2018
LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic to meet Guterres in New York (Blic/Tanjug)
• Brnabic: Either we will be a team or I don’t have to be the prime minister (RTV/Tanjug)
• Office for KiM demands release of Zajic from Klina (Tanjug)
• Dialogue continues in Brussels at expert level (RTS)
• Ilir Bytici talked with War Crime Prosecutor (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Izetbegovic, Covic hold separate meetings with US ambassadors to B&H and Croatia (Oslobodjenje)
• “Offer solution for implementation of decision in ‘Ljubic’ case” (Dnevni avaz)
• HNS session: Most of parties gathered around HNS to jointly participate in upcoming elections (BHT1)
• SDP B&H rejects DF's proposal for unification of Left in B&H (N1)
• Parties of ruling coalition in RS start negotiations on elections (Nezavisne/RTRS)
• Dodik: Certain Serbs in OSA B&H have task to discredit RS (Srna)
• SIPA: We are monitoring activities related to arrival of ‘Night Wolves’ (Oslobodjenje)
• Russian Embassy in B&H surprised to hear that Zaldostanov was presented as threat to B&H's security (TV1)
Croatia
• Croatian President congratulates Putin on election victory (Hina)
• Conflicts within HDZ about Istanbul Convention Ratification continue (Hina)
• Croatian MEP comments on border issue with Slovenia (HRT)
Montenegro
• DPS’s presidential candidate Milo Djukanovic (CDM)
• Blazic withdrew his candidacy and supported Bojanic (CDM)
• Knezevic goes to prison voluntarily (CDM)
fYROM
• Kotzias expected in Skopje on March 22 with 20-page draft-treaty in hand (MIA)
• Zaev: Step closer to name solution with Kotzias' visit and Nimetz's meeting (MIA)
• Zbogar: EU supports negotiations, will not engage directly (MIA)
• Zbogar: We expect the Law on Languages to come into force and the reforms should continue (Meta)
• LP: The Law on Languages is invalid (Meta)
• Independent professionals and experts in anti-corruption, Zaev recommends (MIA)
Albania
• Meta meets former mayor of New York Giuliani (ADN)
• Meta signs authorization for talks on sea border with Greece (ADN)
• Xhafaj meets his German counterpart, assessments on government's reforms (ADN)
• Majority-opposition clash in Inquiry Committee on Tahiri (ADN)
• Albania-Kosovo customs point ready by April (ADN)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

• Moscow warns of negative effects of Skopje’s accession to NATO (TASS)
• Greece Proposes 5 Names for FYROM: Here is the List (Greek Reporter)
• Europol: 800 People From the Western Balkans are in the Ranks of the "Islamic State" (Novinite)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 19 March 2018
LOCAL PRESS

• Compromise for Kosovo or nothing (Novosti/Politika/Beta/RTS/Tanjug)
• Brnabic, Vucic congratulate Putin on victory (RTS/Tanjug/B92)
• Chepurin: Result is a good message for Serbian-Russian friendship (RTS)
• Јаnkovic: Kosovo problem needs to be resolved in a democratic manner (FoNet)
• Jevtic: Formation of ZSO is an issue of political courage and will (RTS)
• Expert level Kosovo dialogue resumes in Brussels (Tanjug)
• GIK established final results; Belgrade mayor by mid-June (RTS/Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Foreign affairs ministers of Western Balkan countries meet in Sarajevo (TV1)
• Minister Crnadak, UK’s Duncan meet in Sarajevo (TV1)
• PM’s of RS and the Federation of B&H met with Duncan and Ferguson (FTV)
• Chairman of Irish Senate O’Donovan: Ireland provides full support to B&H on country’s EU path (FTV)
• B&H Presidency adopts country’s Foreign Policy Strategy 2018-2023 (Nezavisne)
• Dodik rejected the proposal of SDP, SBB and DF, related to introduction of scanners and cameras at polling stations (Oslobodjenje)
• RS should consider reestablishing its army (RTRS)
• US Embassy in B&H responds to Dodik’s statements about B&H AF and parallel between Kosovo and RS (TV1)
• Pacolli: It would be in B&H’s interest to recognize Kosovo (Dnevni avaz)
Croatia
• Serbian Prime Minister: No seats for Croats in parliament (HRT)
• Croats in Vojvodina still insist on guaranteed seat in Serbian parliament (Hina)
• President speaks with German Chancellor Merkel; Merkel welcomed Vucic's recent visit (Hina)
Montenegro
• Vujanovic called for local elections in 12 municipalities (CDM)
• Opposition’s presidential candidate best suits Zeleznjak, DPS says (CDM)
• DEMOS to support Draginja Vuksanovic in presidential elections (CDM)
• Krivokapic thanks McCain and Turner for their support in joining NATO (CDM)
fYROM
• Zaev: Government reshuffle and rising parliamentary majority (MIA)
• Zaev: Ivanov’s decision is a fragrant violation of the Constitution (Meta)
• Gruevski: I had no intention of causing an incident, Xhaferi should apologize to the public (Meta)
• Protest in Skopje against language law (MIA)
• US Embassy: Macedonia parliament to focus on necessary reforms (MIA)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

• Macedonia: Naming a Country Is Harder Than It Looks (The National Interest)

LOCAL PRESS

• RS Constitution anniversary marked in Belgrade (Novosti)
• Idea on division of Kosovo is a delicate topic (Tanjug/RTS)
• Serbia informs Hague court of readiness to take over case (Tanjug)
• Justice Ministry to CoE: We will be in accord with GRECO by October (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Brnabic discusses cooperation of RS and Serbia with Dodik and Cvijanovic (RTRS)
• Dodik: RS wants greater autonomy (Vecernji list)
• Dodik: Majority in RS would vote in favor of merging with Serbia (Srna)
• Borenovic slams Dodik for supporting formation of third entity (BNTV)
• SDS condemns Dodik’s support to third entity in B&H (BNTV)
• Radoncic: At price of general war in whole B&H, there will be no third entity (Dnevni avaz)
• US against Croat entity in Bosnia (Vecernji list/N1)
• DF unanimously adopt decision on coalition of left-wing parties (FTV)
• Nine Bosniak and Croat political parties agree to jointly participate in elections in RS (FTV)
• Russian Embassy to B&H says “campaign launched in Federation of B&H media” on occasion of upcoming motorcycle race in Banja Luka is unfounded (RTRS)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic to run in Montenegrin presidential election (RTCG)
• Blazic like Danilovic: Withdrawing the candidacy under one condition (MINA)
• Markovic to answer MPs’ questions on 21 March (MINA)
• Lavrov: Russia did not try to mount a coup in Montenegro (CDM)
fYROM
• According to the Constitution, Ivanov must sign Languages Law (MIA)
• Zaev: The law is constitutional, let’s reject the policies of divisions, strife and conflict (Meta)
• EC expects language law to be forwarded to Venice Commission (MIA)
• Thimonier: The recommendation for the EU is questionable due to the way the Law on the Use of Languages has been enacted (SDK.mk)
• Macedonia-Serbia Mixed Committee holds 1st session in Belgrade (MIA)
• Macedonia and Kosovo governments to hold joint session (MIA)
Albania
• Rama leaves parliament, Basha demands session interruption (ADN)
• Croatia to support opening of EU accession talks with Albania (ADN)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

• Rajoy raises the absence of a European summit to dodge the leader of Kosovo (Turkey Telegraph)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 15 March 2018
LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Compromise solution for Kosovo and Metohija important for Serbia (RTS)
• Brnabic: Serbia cannot be blackmailed (B92/Tanjug/TV Pink)
• Jankovic to Mitchell: Misconception that Kosovo issue can be resolved under dictatorship (Beta)
• Jovanovic: Compromise solution possible, but government is incompetent (N1)
• Initiators of the Appeal: Agreement with Pristina over EU and not to get rid of the burden (FoNet)
• Russia opposed to creation of army in Kosovo (Beta/RTS/Tanjug)
• GRECO: Serbia has not implemented any of recommendations (Tanjug/B92)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Mektic: RS leaders are fear-mongering and threat security in the RS; fierce reactions (RTRS)
• Haradinaj: Mektic and I share same values (Srna)
• OSCE: Equality of all three constituent peoples and the Others does not mean depriving any ethnic group in B&H of constituent status (Dnevni list)
• Embassies express their deep concern due to inability of B&H authorities to adopt set of amendments to Law on Criminal Procedure and Law on OSA (Klix.ba)
• SNSD, SBB B&H officials comment their new proposals for elections in Mostar (Oslobodjenje)
• There are seven proposals for local elections in Mostar (Dnevni list)
• Covic: There is no Croat issue, there is issue of B&H (Dnevni list)
• Dodik: Croat entity would help strengthen role of Croats and stabilize situation in B&H (Vecernji list)
Croatia
• Croatian FM: Kosovo and Serbia need reach legally-binding agreement (Hina)
• President under fire for controversial WWII remarks in Argentina (Hina)
Montenegro
• Bojanic participated in protests, he’s against NATO and speaks Serbian, Mandic (Pobjeda)
• Becic and Abazovic finally show their true colors, claims Nikolic (CDM)
fYROM
• Tense atmosphere in parliament: Physical altercation prevented between Gruevski and Xhaferi (Meta/MIA)
• President Ivanov once again refuses to sign language law (MIA)
• Albania and Kosovo commend Macedonian parliament for adopting language law (MIA)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

• Serbia eyes chance to sell on Russian gas (Neftegaz.RU)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 14 March 2018

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Serbia prepared to accept compromises but not humiliation (RTS)
• Dacic, Mitchell: US sees Serbia as backbone of stability in Balkans (Beta/RTS)
• Djuric: Vucic’s meeting with Mitchell should contribute to better understanding (RTS)
• Vasic claims his Kosovo proposal has support of official Belgrade (Danas)
• Juncker: No fixed dates for Western Balkans’ EU accession (Tanjug/Beta)
• Vucic’s New “Plan” for Kosovo (VIP commentary)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Covic meets Ambassador Cormack (Oslobodjenje)
• Lajcak comments harmonization of electoral legislation and use of Bonn powers (Nezavisne)
• Mostar City Boards of parliamentary parties discuss solutions for local elections in Mostar in presence of OHR, US and EUD representatives (N1)
• SDP B&H and DF agree framework principles for joint performance in general elections (Hayat)
• NDP is not satisfied with SDS’ and PDP’s choices for candidates for President of RS and Serb member of Presidency of B&H (Glas Srpske)
• Cavara hosts meeting aimed to unblock functioning of Federation of B&H authorities (N1)
• Izetbegovic: Crimes committed by our side were individual incidents, systematically stopped and sanctioned (Faktor.ba, Fena)
• Foreign Policy strategy of B&H 2018-2023 adopted (Oslobodjenje)
Croatia
• Croatia Chief advocate for Macedonia's EU and NATO membership (Hina)
• Opposition supports Prime Minister’s position on Istanbul Convention (Hina)
• PM meets with coalition partners (HRT)
fYROM
• Ivanov meets Pejcinovic Buric (MIA)
• Zaev meets Pejcinovic Buric (MIA)
• State Department official: US supports Macedonia and Greece's efforts to find name resolution (MIA)
• Osmani: Venice Commission to review law on languages (MIA)
Albania
• Xhafaj, unexpected meeting with EU Ambassadors (ADN)
• Basha, closed doors meeting with US Ambassador (ADN)
• Local elections, SMI in the opposition line (ADN)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

• Balkan Voters Cling to Governments They Don’t Love (BIRN)
• The EU as seen from Serbia (European Council on Foreign Relations)