LOCAL PRESS
• Dacic: Belgrade hasn’t joined the Crimea Platform (TV Pink)
• Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija exposed to various types of violence (RTS/RTV/Tanjug/Politika)
• Atic: Deadlines for vacating buildings in Kosovska Mitrovica extended for two weeks (RTS/RTK)
• People’s Party: Vucic should ask Russia, China for veto in UN SC (Danas)
• Djukanovic: Ban all who support “Green-left extremists” from entering Serbia (Beta)
• 1,618 people missing in Kosovo, three cases closed in 2023 (Beta)
• EU concerned over developments in Mitrovica (N1)
• Ambassador Tolkach: Ukraine defending all of Europe from Russia (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Komsic addresses citizens present at celebration of Ukraine's Independence Day: Ukrainians must not lose what they bravely defended in war through compromises in peace (O Kanal/Hayat)
• Becirovic, Komsic meet Prime Minister of Ukraine (Avaz)
• Dodik: The RS remans neutral when conflict in Ukraine is in question (Srna)
• Cvijanovic: B&H was not victim of any aggression, but the ambition of the then Muslim leadership to impose its will on others (RTRS)
• Russian Embassy: Participation in Summit of the Crimea Platform is seen as an openly hostile act (RTRS)
• B&H CoM adopts Proposal Law on Organization of Wine Market in B&H (Avaz)
• Opposition in B&H HoR criticizes recently adopted Law on B&H High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (FTV)
• Opposition from RS pens open letter to Stevandic (BHT1)
• Stevandic replies to letter of RS opposition (RTRS)
• Court of B&H receives revised indictment against Dodik and Lukic (RTRS)
• UK Embassy delegation visits Tuzla Canton (Avaz)
Montenegro
• Milatovic: Responsibility lies with Spajic and parties (Vijesti)
• ZBCG: Serious govt. should be formed, what Spajic is offering now is for Djukanovic get back to political arena (CdM)
• PES caucus to discuss govt. today (CdM)
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs on ban on Marovic: Steps towards return of documents taken, her return to Montenegro enabled the same evening (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Pendarovski – Escobar: Washington expects North Macedonia to continue toward full EU membership (MIA)
• Escobar: US sees natural partners in those committed to European integration, NATO, fight against corruption (MIA)
• Kovachevski: Long debate means this is an important issue, process to be concluded successfully (MIA)
• Kovachevski: Claims of global conspiracy only benefit person who makes them (MIA)
• Osmani: Still no arguments against essence of EU negotiating framework (MIA)
• Mickoski: Leaders’ meeting possible only if it focuses on early parliamentary elections (MIA)
Albania
• Ukraine celebrates Independence Day, President Begaj congratulate his counterpart Zelenskyy (Radio Tirana)
• Nikolla congratulates Stefanchuk: Albania in support of the just struggle of the people of Ukraine (Radio Tirana)
• Minister Xhacka: EU enlargement is not only significant for the Western Balkans but also for more security in the entire Europe (Radio Tirana)
Belgrade Media Report 25 August
Belgrade Media Report 24 August
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: Arrest of Russian President not mentioned in declaration signed in Athens (Beta)
• Brnabic: Serbia respects Ukraine’s integrity and sovereignty (N1/Reuters/RFE)
• Serbia, UK committed to further deepening of cooperation (Tanjug/RTV)
• Further development of political, economic cooperation between Serbia and Russia (Tanjug/RTV)
• Petkovic: Danger of new crisis in the north of Kosovo is lurking from Pristina (Politika/Tanjug)
• Dodik: Vucic did not in Athens support Putin’s arrest (Tanjug)
• Hill: We disagree with Serbia on Vulim, but have kept good relations (VoA/Beta)
• Podolyak says it is not true that Vucic offered weapons to Zelenskyy in exchange for non-recognition of Kosovo (N1)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Komsic and Becirovic pay visit to Ukraine; Zelensky thanks B&H for support to territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine (BHT1/Nova/Hayat)
• Cvijanovic: Becirovic and Komsic present personal stances and not official stances of B&H Presidency during their visit to Ukraine (Srna)
• Dodik: Komsic and Becirovic only conveyed support of majority of Muslims to Zelensky (Srna/ATV)
• B&H Council of Ministers adopts Law on Foreigners, fails to adopt Draft Law on Courts and Draft Law on Organization of Wine Market in B&H (N1)
• Opposition in RS criticizes intentions to form higher court of B&H, which is contained in Draft Law on Courts of B&H (N1)
Montenegro
• Jovana Marovic banned from entering Serbia; her passport not returned yet, she’ll probably spend night at airport (CdM/RFE)
• Milatovic: Marovic arrived in Montenegro, I’m sure she isn’t a threat to security of Serbia (CdM)
• Albanian Alliance to be part of new govt. (CdM)
• ZBCG: Does Milatovic support return of DPS to power; Spajic led false negotiations with us (CdM)
• PES to ZBCG: Milatovic respected Constitution, you didn’t support Spajic as PM-designate (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Pendarovski: Ending war and restoring Ukraine's territorial integrity requires collective commitment (MIA)
• Opposition does not intend to vote for constitutional changes now, nor after elections, believes Marichikj (MIA)
• Spasovski: Talks being held with every MP, country’s isolation unacceptable (MIA)
Albania
• Wisner-Hohmann, close cooperation in support of Albania's EU membership (Radio Tirana)
Belgrade Media Report 23 August
LOCAL PRESS
• We wil request an emergency UN SC session, we are waiting for the best moment (RTS)
• Vucic on declaration: We managed to find the best approach for Serbia (B92)
• Greece confirms it will not change its position on Kosovo (RTS/Tanjug/RTV/Politika)
• Brnabic: Vucic did more than most politicians (N1)
• Dacic: Diplomatic victory scored in Athens (Beta)
• Von Cramon: Vucic pressuring Zelensky on Kosovo (N1)
• Kamberi: Ecology isn’t the biggest problem in three municipalities in Serbia’s south (Beta/Bujanovacke)
• Opposition: Citizens will make the regime repeat Belgrade elections (Beta)
• Klacar: Protests being part of election campaign is natural (Beta)
• What does joint text say (Politika)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• State-level ruling coalition partners meet in Istocno Sarajevo, agree adoption of three reform laws and appointment of B&H Minister of Finance and Treasury (Hayat)
• Bunoza says that adoption of Law on HJPC is beginning of serious judicial reform (Hayat)
• EUD welcomes agreement reached by ruling coalition in Istocno Sarajevo (RTRS)
• Milicevic comments on state-level ruling coalition’s meeting, criticizes Dodik over betraying internal consensus in RS regarding B&H CC and OHR (BNTV)
• Trivic hosts press conference (BNTV)
• Komsic, Becirovic begin their visit to Ukraine (Nova BH)
Montenegro
• Milatovic met Vucic: Greatest part of the Igalo Institute’s debt to be repaid through medical treatment of Serbian citizens (CdM)
• Is Spajic’s govt. coming into sight: Part of minority parties accepts offer (CdM)
• Bosniak Party to join Spajic’s govt. (CdM)
• Gjeloshaj: Albanian Forum to be part of new govt. (CdM)
• Spajic still hasn’t made any official and final offer for us to enter govt, Knezevic claims (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Courage and decisiveness necessary, N. Macedonia must no longer stay in EU’s waiting room, PM tells MIA (MIA)
• Marichikj: Region rapidly integrating into EU, our choice is to be part of enlargement (MIA)
• Kovachevski – Zelenskyy: North Macedonia to aid Ukraine for as long as it is necessary (MIA)
• Von der Leyen: I hope all parties will support constitutional changes to move forward toward EU (MIA)
• Osmani: Enlargement with Western Balkan countries by 2030 - a top security priority for EU (MIA)
• Taravari: Failure to adopt constitutional changes to open Pandora’s box in North Macedonia (MIA)
• Vucic: Serbian officials to be cautious when making statements on North Macedonia (MIA)
Albania
• Informal dinner in Athens, Rama: Conflicting messages were sent, Mitsotakis is the one invited to the October summit in Tirana (Radio Tirana)
• Joint exercise with the US, Peleshi: Further strengthening of our ties (Radio Tirana)
Belgrade Media Report 22 August
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: I didn't agree with WB leaders about more effective application of sanctions against Russia (RTV/Tanjug)
• Vucic with Zelensky: Ukraine remains determined not to recognize Kosovo (N1)
• Vucic meets with Von der Leyen in Athens (Beta)
• Good and open conversation: Vucic after his meeting with Zelensky (RTS)
• International community should react to decisions of illegitimate mayors in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/Novosti)
• Serb List: Kurti’s men again enter building housing Office for Kosovo and Metohija (N1)
• Shedding light on kidnappings, murders of journalists in Kosovo and Metohija (Politika/Tanjug/RTV)
• Vucevic to Osmani: Despite malicious media reporting, Serbia reliable partner to neighbors (Tanjug)
• Opposition supports general elections, differences arrive over Belgrade’s polls (Beta)
• Milivojevic: Opposition to boycott spring vote unless Belgrade elections come first (Beta)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Court of B&H returns indictment of Prosecutor’s Office of B&H against Dodik and Lukic for revision (ATV/FTV/Avaz)
• Chief Prosecutor Kajganic files report against unnamed prosecutors and judges for leaking information (AJB)
• Dodik: Indictment was made in rush (ATV/Nova BH/BHT1)
• Cvijanovic says returning of indictment for altering is just prolongation of case (ATV)
• FB&H officials support revision of indictment against Dodik, Lukic (Nova BH)
• Cvijanovic and Dodik hold press conference, reveal details of visit to Hungary (RTRS)
• Kristo and Mitsotakis about reforms on B&H's path of joining EU (Dnevni list)
• Citizens of Gorazde and Podrinje stage protest in front of B&H Prosecutor’s Office due to indictment that was confirmed against 13 RB&H Army members (Hayat)
• Another femicide committed in Zivinice (BHT1)
• Bijeljina: Woman stabbed by her husband; Husband jumped out of window (BNTV)
• Protests against femicide and domestic violence held in several B&H cities (BHT1)
Montenegro
• Milatovic in Athens: Montenegro ready for EU membership (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Xhaferi dismisses claim he broke Rules of Procedure by adjourning vote on constitutional changes (MIA)
• No support for constitutional changes from VMRO-DPMNE or public, Mickoski tells Drexler (MIA)
• Kovachevski — Von der Leyen: EU supports country's integration (MIA)
• Osmani to Vucevic: Awaiting clarification from Serbia's Defense Minister (MIA)
Albania
• Rama warns of threats to North Macedonia, Montenegro (N1)
• Albania, the first Balkans country in the Multinational Force & Observers mission (Radio Tirana)
Belgrade Media Report 21 August
LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic and Orban meet and agree on a number of bilateral projects that will be implemented in the coming period (RTS)
• Dacic: More pressure on Serbia to impose sanctions against Russia (TV Pink)
• Vucevic: Pressures aimed at imposing sanctions on Russia will be increasingly greater (TV Pink)
• Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija do not want to work against their own people (Tanjug/RTV)
• Serb communities in Kosovo running out of medicines, medical supplies (FoNet/Kosovo Online)
• Serbia Against Violence protesters leave demands in front of Presidency (Beta)
• Veselinovic: Vucic should be replaced by opposition, not US or EU (Danas)
REGIONAL PRESS
Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik, Cvijanovic meet with Hungarian Prime Minister Orban in Budapest (RTRS)
• Dodik, Cvijanovic meet Erdogan; Mutual respect and continuation of agreed projects confirmed (RTRS)
• RS officials hold meeting with President of Azerbaijan in Budapest (RTRS/ATV)
• Zvizdic: Signing of agreement between Hungary and RS would violate B&H’s sovereignty (Avaz)
• Dodik: Issue of property is key issue and it is issue of statehood (ATV)
• Dodik signs Decree on Promulgation of Law on Changes and Amendments to RS Criminal Code criminalizing defamation (ATV)
• Decision in indictment against Dodik and Lukic by 26 August (Nezavisne)
• TI B&H calls for extraordinary professional supervision at Pazaric Institution (O Kanal)
Montenegro
• Milatovic: Any external attempt to meddle in formation of the government of Montenegro is unacceptable (CdM)
• No solution to Savnik election in sight, Mugosa says (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Constitutional changes don’t endanger a single Macedonian identity question, says PM in parliament address (MIA)
• Micevski: No constitutional changes under dictate, early elections must be held (MIA)
• Parliament concludes discussion on need of amending Constitution (MIA)
Albania
• Rama explains Meloni's visit: The focus is on the EU, water supply, energy, railway lines (La Stampa/Radio Tirana)