United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 17 July 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Albin Kurti is not interested in peace or what the US thinks of him (The Pavlovic Today/B92)
• Brnabic: Government's goal to facilitate flow of goods, people for better life for citizens (RTS/Tanjug/Politika)
• Serbia extremely appreciates Venezuela's principled position on Kosovo and Metohija (RTV/Tanjug)
• Serbia, Venezuela sign agreement on abolishment of visas (Tanjug/RTV/RTS/Beta)
• Dacic: Still no evidence against Vulin from US, and I don’t expect it to come (Politika)
• Petkovic meets with Hungarian Ambassador to inform him of the difficult political and security situation in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug)
• Cochard: Serbia, France brotherly peoples, France will accelerate Serbia’s EU accession (Beta)
• Serbia Against Violence protest held in Belgrade (Beta)
• Lajcak: I am working on preparing next meeting between the representatives of Belgrade and Pristina (RTV/Tanjug)
• Djilas: The government is desperately trying to defend Vulin (Nova)
• New tranche of humanitarian aid to Ukraine (Tanjug/RTV)
• Serbia gets new Green-Left party (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Law on Publishing Laws and Other Regulations in the RS will come to force on Monday (AJB)
• Konakovic: Cvijanovic’s one more pointless attack against work I do and against me personally (Dnevni list)
• RS politicians, analysts comment on Konakovic’s move (RTRS)
• B&H CC accepts Knezevic’s request for early retirement (BHT1)
• Dodik: The RS will come out even stronger from the current political crisis in B&H and no one will defeat it (ATV)
• Kovacevic: The RS is not violating DPA; Being against the false HR and unconstitutional CC is not abandoning but defence of Dayton (ATV)
• Konakovic asks Szijjarto to lobby with RS politicians to end crisis in B&H (BHT1)
• Picula: Removal of Dodik should be condition for B&H’s EU integration (Avaz)
• Students and NGOs in Serbia criticize the decision to give scholarships to two Sarajevo students (AJB)
Montenegro
• State Election Commission announced final election results, SDP’s objection dropped as baseless (CdM)
• For the Future of Montenegro: We’re ready for talks with Europe Now (CdM)
• Carapic: Negotiations over new govt next week, we’ll invite For the Future of Montenegro as well (RTCG)
• Vujovic: Constitutional Court can’t reject SDP’s appeal (MINA)
• Jelusic: I’m convinced that URA won’t be part of new govt. (TV Adria)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Open Balkans future is bright, say Kovachevski and Brnabic (MIA)
• No mines if citizens against it, concessions given at time of VMRO-DPMNE's government: PM (MIA)
• Bulgaria has no new conditions for North Macedonia, says country's MFA (MIA)
Albania
• Balluku meets with Escobar in Washington: Ready to help solve the crises in the region (Radio Tirana)
• Balla assumes the position of Interior Minister; Next week to present priorities (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 14 July 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic on Kosovo and Metohija (TV Pink)
• Vucic: Serbia and Venezuela are true friends (RTV/Tanjug)
• Vucic proposes to government to suspend export of Serbian weapons and military equipment over next 30 days (Novosti)
• Dacic: It is our legitimate right and we will insist on Security Council session (TV Pink/FoNet)
• Vucevic: Sanctions against Vulin do not imply his dismissal (RTV/Beta)
• Hill: Sanctions only against Vulin, not against Serbian institutions (Politika/Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Cochard: De-escalation must be implemented as soon as possible (Politika)
• Sarrazin: For international community ZSO formation is key; People in northern Kosovo are suffering (RTS)
• EULEX: Fewer people in front of municipalities in the north, all efforts aimed at de-escalation (Tanjug)
• Petrovic: When I was released from custody, I realized how much public support I have (NIN/Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• B&H CoM session held but appointments of B&H Finance Minister and B&H CoM Deputy Chairman were not discussed (FTV)
• Niksic: Dodik is not above the law and the Constitution of B&H; There is no compromise, no discussion, no agreement at the expense of the state (FTV)
• Becirovic, Murphy talked current situation in B&H; Becirovic pointed out seriousness of the situation in B&H caused by anti-constitutional and anti-Dayton decisions of the RS authorities (FTV)
Montenegro
• Milatovic: I will ask the EC to postpone the report on progress, I am worried about the media reports that the government will be cumbersome (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• EU integration should be matter of national consensus, say Schallenberg, Lipavsky, Wlachovsky (MIA)
• Schallenberg: Without constitutional changes and EU path, N. Macedonia faces danger of being isolated (MIA)
• Osmani: N. Macedonia on crossroads again, holds key to continuation of European path (MIA)
• Pendarovski meets Slavkov trilateral format foreign ministers (MIA)
• Xhaferi meets Schallenberg, Lipavsky, Wlachovsky (MIA)
• Ahmeti meets Austrian, Czech, Slovak foreign ministers (MIA)
• VMRO-DPMNE delegation led by Mickoski meets Schallenberg, Lipavsky, Wlachovsky (MIA)
• Election date only thing we can discuss with government, says opposition leader (MIA)
Albania
• President Begaj received by the President of Slovenia Natasa Pirc Musar (Radio Tirana)
• Begaj: Slovenia, an unwavering supporter of Albania's journey in the integration process (Radio Tirana)
• Belgium supports Albania on the path to EU integration (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 13 July 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic tells Botsan-Kharchenko a special UN Security Council session must be held to inform the entire world of tense situation in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Vucic to Chinese Ambassador: UN SC session on Kosovo necessary (FoNet)
• Vucic: Israeli side, despite recognising unilaterally declared independence of so-called Kosovo, would show understanding for Serbian positions on Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTS/RTV/Politika)
• Brnabic: Serbia wants to further develop economic relations with Israel (RTS/RTV/Tanjug)
• Dacic: Serbia believes that Israeli government's decision to recognise “Kosovo” caused damage to relations between two countries (Politika/RTS/RTV)
• Orlic informed Cohen about the extremely difficult situation in Kosovo and Metohija (RTV/Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Just as we fought for Todosijevic, we will fight for every Serb in Kosovo; a political trial is over (Tanjug/Politika)
• Kosovo Serb Sladjan Trajkovic indicted for war crimes (RTS)
• Von der Leyen: There is clear de-escalation plan for Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Borrell welcomes Kosovo’s commitment to de-escalate (N1)
• Lajcak invites chief negotiators to discussions in Brussels next week (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• EEAS Managing Director Eichhorst visits B&H (O Kanal)
• Dodik addresses press after meeting with Eichhorst (FTV)
• Niksic: Einchhorst managed to calm tensions down and 'cool heads', but not bring positions of party leaders closer with regard to burning issues (Nova BH)
• EP adopts 2022 Commission Report on B&H, calls on B&H to accelerate reforms and fully move toward path of European integration (FTV)
• Dodik on Cvijanovic’s letter to Guterres: It is good that Cvijanovic raised this issue (ATV)
• NATO Summit Communique reiterates support to B&H and its reform processes without prejudice to a final decision on NATO membership (Nezavisne)
• US Embassy issues statement re. visit of State Department’s delegation (Oslobodjenje)
• OHR: Team of experts will work on education of B&H Prosecutors in regards to genocide denial cases (FTV)
• Thirty-one years since killing of 69 Serb civilians on St. Peter’s Day marked, tribute paid to martyrs on St. Peter's Day in Bratunac, Biljaca and Sase (Srna/ATV)
Croatia
• NATO leaders do not provide Ukraine with a clear timeline for membership (HRT)
Montenegro
• Montenegro celebrates its Statehood Day – 13 July (CdM)
• Milatovic: All those sharing EU values should be part of new govt, I fully believe Vuksic (RTCG)
• Milatovic to Michel: Montenegro's number one priority is full membership in the EU (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski at North Atlantic Council meeting: Unequivocal support for Ukraine continues (MIA)
• Osmani – Valtonen: OSCE to continue to provide stability and security in Europe (MIA)
• Osmani meets Gerapetritis in Vilnius, strong Greek support for North Macedonia's EU membership (MIA)
• Kovachevski: Meeting with Mitsotakis confirms excellent bilateral ties (MIA)
• Government to review constitutional changes by end of July (MIA)
Albania
• NATO Summit/ Xhacka: Political and practical support for Ukraine (Radio Tirana)
• Peleshi in Vilnius: Albania committed to increasing defense spending (Radio Tirana)
• Rama meets with Erdogan in Vilnius: Situation in the north of Kosovo in focus (Radio Tirana)
• EP approves the report on Albania/ Santos: We believe that the membership process will be closed by 2030 (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Serbian parliament dismisses Basta, passes decision on creatin investigative committee (Beta)
• US introduces sanctions against Vulin for involvement in narcotics, arms trafficking (Beta)
• Vucic: US introduced sanctions to Vulin because of relationship towards Russia; I expect meeting with Stoltenberg in the following days (RTV/Tanjug)
• PS: New direct attack on Serbia and Serbian institutions (Beta)
• Opposition calls for Vulin dismissal over US sanctions (N1)
• Ex-military security chief says Vulin sanctions are soft warning (N1)
• Petkovic: As long as Vucic is in office Kurti will not be able to expel north Kosovo Serbs (Tanjug/RTV)
• Petkovic with Botsan-Kharchenko on situation in Kosovo and Metohija (RTV/Tanjug)
• Gratitude to Namibia in terms of territorial integrity (Politika/Tanjug/RTV)
• Doyle-Price: Kearnes's statements do not reflect positions of UK gov't , parliament (Politika/Tanjug)
• Serbia’s ASEAN accession request unanimously approved (RTV/Tanjug)
• In Vilnius, there was talk about Serbia: NATO's message concerns Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/B92)
• Kisic thanks Iran for not recognizing Kosovo’s independence (Beta/RTV)
• Kosovo Serb Ivan Todosijevic acquitted of all charges (RTV/Kosovo Online/Tanjug)
• Kosovo agrees to reduce police presence in north, elections after summer (Beta)
• Candles lit for Srebrenica victims at Serbian Presidency (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• EU officials attend commemoration for 28th anniversary of Srebrenica Genocide; Sattler: Srebrenica genocide is one of the worst events in Europe in 20th century; Eichhorst: EU always stands by the victims (BHT1)
• Borrell and Varhelyi issue joint statement commemorating Srebrenica (Oslobodjenje)
• Murphy pays respect to Srebrenica victims; US Embassy: US stand with people of B&H (Dnevni avaz)
• Reilly: World to remember horrible consequences of divisions and hatred (Dnevni avaz)
• Erdogan: Srebrenica must never be forgotten in order to make sure that such bestial acts are never repeated again (N1)
• Gabriel: We pay respect to victims and join voices that instruct us to remember (Dnevni avaz)
• Macdonald: It is important to recognize rulings of international courts of highest level (FTV)
• Acting Director of Official Gazette of RS Lukic confirms that SIPA raided premises of Official Gazette of RS on Tuesday (RTRS)
• Viskovic says pressures of foreigners and political Sarajevo on RS will never stop because their goal is RS’ disappearance (RTRS)
• Novakovic Bursac: RS will not give up on its rights and competencies (Glas Srpska)
• Cvijanovic: I would be grateful to Guterres if he could provide me with the decision of the UN Security Council on the appointment of Schmidt (Srna)
• EP discusses current crisis in B&H at its plenary session, MEPs unanimously call for decisive reaction of international community (N1)
• RS President’s office condemns MEP Strik’s move to call on OHR to set ultimatum to RS President Dodik to withdraw his latest decrees (RTRS)
• Vilnius: NATO member states have agreed to simplify accession process for Ukraine, they stress in joint statement that NATO strongly supports sovereignty and territorial integrity of B&H (RTRS)
• Dodik on sanctions against Vulin: He worked in best interest of his state and Serb people (Srna)
• Plenkovic and Milanovic remembering the victims of Srebrenica (Nova BH)
Montenegro
• Montenegrin officials remembering the victims of Srebrenica (N1)
• NATO Summit in Vilnius; Perovic: Montenegro is dedicated to the implementation of all tasks (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski: NATO Summit – unique opportunity to demonstrate strength and unity over current and future tasks (MIA)
• Petrovska takes part in ministerial meeting at NATO Vilnius summit (MIA)
• Osmani in Vilnius meets with Blinken (MIA)
• Kovachevski meets Biden in Vilnius (MIA)
• Marichikj–Brooks: EU integration to promote lasting peace, prosperity and stability (MIA)
• Pendarovski meets with UN Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism and human rights, Fionnuala Ni Aolain (MIA)
• Xhaferi: Srebrenica can happen again if we don't build democratic societies (MIA)
Albania
• Begaj: NATO summit in Vilnius is a pivotal moment for the security of the Euro-Atlantic region (Radio Tirana)
• Rama: The EU should do more for the financial integration of the Balkans (Radio Tirana)
• Rama with the American senators: Dangerous escalation in the north of Kosovo should be stopped (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 11 July 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• After talks, they reiterated: We do not have the same views on Kosovo (B92)
• Orlic meets with President of Montenegro (RTV/Tanjug)
• British MPs distance themselves from accusations against SPC (N1)
• Dacic receives farewell visit from Norwegian Ambassador (Tanjug/RTV)
• Sandzak Party of Democratic Action wants Serbia parliament to pass resolution on genocide in Srebrenica (Beta)
• Pasalic: Serb protestors, detainees being terrorized in Kosovo (Novosti/Beta)
• House of Jozic family in Veric village near Istok set on fire (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Schmidt announces working on regulations that would allow criminal prosecuting of those who deny genocide (Dnevni avaz)
• Ambassador Murphy sends video message ahead of Srebrenica anniversary: B&H officials have responsibility to acknowledge Srebrenica events (Dnevni avaz)
• Borrell and Varhelyi issue joint statement commemorating Srebrenica genocide anniversary; Reconciliation can only be built upon truth, peace, and upon justice (Dnevni avaz)
• Attorney Jokic says it will be impossible to legally protect people who refuse to implement B&H CC’s decision in RS, notes he will continue to file motions with B&H CC on behalf of his clients (EuroBlic)
• Political experts on what it means that Russia raised issue of B&H CC’s work before UN Security Council (Glas Srpske)
• Djokic in Russia: Russia appreciates the position of the RS and its leadership, and is ready to provide all necessary support (RTRS)
• Cvijanovic meets French Ambassador and Head of OSCE Mission in B&H; She stresses commitment to European path and implementation of 14 priorities from EC Opinion (RTRS)
• Eichhorst in B&H; She meets Konakovic and Izetbegovic (Dnevni avaz)
Montenegro
• Milatovic: Appointment of ambassadors necessary; Vucic: Serbia to decide who it will be in next 10-12 days (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• PM Kovachevski, government delegation at NATO Summit in Vilnius (MIA)
Albania
• Draft law on Lustration to observe EU standards (Radio Tirana)