United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 23 May 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Serbia fully committed to reform process, EU membership (RTS/RTV/Politika/Tanjug)
• Dacic: There was no pronounced pressure on Serbia (RTV/Tanjug)
• Borrell: Either EU or Russia (FoNet)
• Dacic thanks Eswatini for Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty (RTV/Tanjug)
• Lajcak: Discussions to continue again in weeks to come (Tanjug/Politika)
• Support of UNICEF through expert assistance to youth (Tanjug/RTV)
• Giaufret: Cooperation between institutions, civil society key to Serbia EU path (Beta)
• Situation in north Kosovo extremely difficult - former N. Mitrovica mayor (TV Pink)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Konakovic attends FAC meeting and EU Foreign Ministers - Western Balkans Foreign Ministers informal meeting in Brussels (BHT1/RTRS)
• Konakovic speaks to media after FAC session; EU member states are unanimous that EU enlargement should be accelerated and that enlargement to the Western Balkans is one of EU priorities (Oslobodjenje)
• Dodik meets with Patrushev in Moscow (ATV/BHT1)
• Dodik’s interview: I will convey message to Putin that DPA has collapsed so strongly that the big question is whether it exists at all (ATV)
• Varhelyi: Allies of Brussels do not travel to Moscow; Sattler: Dodik’s visit to Russia opens path to isolation of B&H (RTRS/BHRT)
• Viskovic on criticism of Dodik’s visit to Russia: EU, world officials also go to Moscow (Nova BH)
• Helez and Heappey discuss issues important for Euro-Atlantic integration of B&H (FTV)
• B&H Delegation to NATO Parliamentary Assembly attends plenary session of 69th Spring Session of NATO, meets US Congressman Turner (Oslobodjenje)
• US Ambassador addresses IGES Conference; Ambassador underlines that USA firmly stands by B&H on the path to EU and NATO (Oslobodjenje)
Croatia
• FM: It’s crucial for W. Balkans to align with EU foreign and security policy (Hina)
Montenegro
• Biden congratulates Milatovic: Use the moment to implement reforms necessary for EU membership (CdM)
• DIK confirms: 15 lists in election race (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Osmani: Strategic determination needed over accelerated EU integration for region (MIA)
• Osmani – Varhelyi: EU to remain fully committed to faster integration of Western Balkans (MIA)
Albania
• Rama: "Defender 2023" for the second time in Albania, a special privilege for the Albanian Armed Forces (Radio Tirana)
• Begaj: Albania, a stabilizing factor in the Balkans (Radio Tirana)
• Assembly delegation participates in the Spring Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Nothing that happens today is accidental. I won't give you independent Kosovo (B92)
• Vucic: Serbia will always be a sincere friend and a good partner to Montenegro (Beta)
• Vucic congratulates Mitsotakis on election results (Tanjug/RTS)
• Office for KiM: Pensioner arrested at Jarinje crossing released (KoSSev/Beta)
• Citizens of Belgrade march in protest against violence in Serbia on 19 May (Beta)
• Jaksic: US administration issues warning to Vucic over crime (Beta)
• Milanovic: I’d like to cooperate with Milatovic just like I did with Djukanovic (RTCG/Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik: RS’ position that property is regulated by B&H Constitution remains unchanged (ATV)
• Dodik: I am not intimidated by US threats and I will continue to respect Constitution of B&H (BHT1)
• Izetbegovic: Stances of Escobar do not really match truth (O Kanal)
• Dodik: RS resumes to cooperate with Russia because we have right to authentic policy (ATV)
• Viskovic: Dodik does not go to Russia exclusively to see Putin, but also to attend the gathering where there will be over 500 guests from the highest level of the Russian Federation (BN TV)
• RS Representation Office in Moscow expects Dodik’s visit to have political, but also economic significance for the RS as well as for B&H (RTRS)
• Newly elected President of Montenegro Milatovic takes oath; Cvijanovic expects good cooperation with Montenegro and its new government; Becirovic: B&H and Montenegro do not have open issues (ATV)
Montenegro
• Milatovic: It’s a privilege and greatest responsibility to run the country I was born in and that I love endlessly (CdM)
• Many challenges lie ahead for Milatovic (RTCG)
• Djukanovic: There’s no eternal government, only Montenegro is eternal, I will be an honorary president, the real test will follow after the elections (CdM)
• Vucic: I wanted to show respect for Montenegro (Antena M)
• Osmani: It’s important that this day gathered the leaders of the region (CdM)
• Escobar: There’s concern at Russia’s interference in the parliamentary election (MINA)
Republic of North Macedonia
• EP calls for national consensus on EU integration towards goal of meeting criteria for EU membership by 2030 (MIA)
• Aggeler: You either support doing what is necessary to move towards EU or against it (MIA)
• Coalition partners voice support for continuation of EU path, says Kovachevski (MIA)
• Kovachevski rules out resignation (MIA)
• Petrovska-Drexler: Excellent military-political cooperation, strong German support for Euro-integration process (MIA)
Albania
• Escobar: Albania and North Macedonia have made many sacrifices and deserve to advance in the EU membership process (Radio Tirana)
• Begaj: Albania and Montenegro active contributors to peace and security in the region (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 19 May 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Government continues implementing measures to combat violence (Tanjug/RTS/RTV/Politika)
• Brnabic: There will be no caretaker government or violent media shutdowns (Tanjug/RTS)
• Opposition protest as Brnabic speaks (N1)
• Petkovic: Occupation started today, Kurti wished to provoke war (RTV/Tanjug)
• Serb List: We managed to preserve peace by superhuman efforts (N1)
• Boosting regional cooperation in field of defence (Tanjug)
• Chollet: Avoid provocation in northern Kosovo (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• HR Schmidt: State-level law on property must specify what is owned by state and what by entities and Brcko; I agreed with Commissioner Varhelyi that something constructive is happening in B&H (FTV)
• ATV learns who are members of OHR’s team working on state property issue; RS Attorney General's Office: There are no decisions at B&H level when it comes to property (ATV)
• US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hears Special Envoys for Western Balkans, Derek Chollet and Gabriel Escobar; Chollet says we will not allow Dodik to break up B&H (N1)
• Dodik: B&H can survive exactly as it is written in Dayton Agreement and Constitution, and not in way that certain ambassadors interpret it (RTRS)
• According to Cvijanovic’s instructions B&H was neutral regarding register of damage for Ukraine (RTRS)
• Mehmedovic wants establishing of register or war damage caused by Serbia’s and Croatia’s aggression of B&H (Dnevni list)
• NATO views energy as security issue; USA and EU emphasize importance of ‘Southern Interconnection’ for diversification of energy supply in B&H (Nezavisne)
• US State Department’s Report on Religious Freedoms addresses issue of Dodik’s rhetoric and agreement between B&H and IZ B&H (Dnevni avaz)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic: We agreed that there are many challenges; Milatovic: We are political opponents, but we are committed to state position (CdM)
• CEDEM survey: Europe Now supported by 29.1% of citizens, DPS 24.1%, DF 13.2%, Democrats 11.1%, URA 4.4% (CdM)
• Abazovic on CEDEM survey: Commissioned, it has its purpose (CdM)
• Abazovic: Ukrainians make up about 5% of the population in MNE, and in terms of that, we are the first in EU (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski-Aggeler: US support ahead of next steps in Euro-integration process (MIA)
• President Pendarovski meets EC officials Koopman and Matuella (MIA)
• Marichikj meets Koopman and Matuella, agree on importance of continued reforms (MIA)
• Kovachevski meets Koopman and Matuella: Firm support and expectations over N. Macedonia’s next step in EU integrations (MIA)
• Kovachevski – Sarrazin: Strong support from Germany over next steps, N. Macedonia should be part of EU (MIA)
• Marichikj – Sarrazin: Political parties to reach consensus, be proactive so country can make progress toward EU this year (MIA)
• New request for military aid has arrived from Ukraine: Defense Minister (MIA)

LOCAL PRESS

• Tense situation in north of Kosovo and Metohija, they will try to elect fake mayors (RTV/Tanjug)
• Vucic, Serbian Patriarch discuss fateful matters (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Vucic speaks with Chollet (Tanjug/RTS)
• Serbia focused on attracting new investments (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Intensification of political dialogue with Gabon (Tanjug/Politika)
• Improving cooperation with US strategic commitment of Serbia (Tanjug/RTV)
• Djurovic: Serbia forced to consider purpose and modalities of membership in CoE (Beta)
• Molina: Necessity to form ZSO in order to have normalization of relations (RTV/Tanjug)
• Kosovo Serbs set off to Belgrade on foot for Vucic’s counter rally (Tanjug)
• Serbian government says security situation stable (FoNet/N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Participants of EU-B&H High-Level Political Forum adopt set of conclusions (Nezavisne)
• Varhelyi attends High- Level Political Forum in Sarajevo: Conditions for EU accession need to be met; Varhelyi; Our allies do not go to Moscow; Kristo: B&H belongs to the EU family (Hayat)
• Viskovic: I openly told Varhelyi that solutions should be negotiated within B&H and that is why I did not accept the action plan (RTRS)
• Varhelyi meets HR Schmidt; Schmidt: B&H needs to use benefits of EU candidate country status (Nova BH)
• Dodik: Property is red line that the RS will not cross (ATV)
• Dodik and Kalabukhov discuss upcoming energy projects, potential investments from Russia and Dodik’s planned meeting with Putin (ATV)
• B&H supports declaration on recognition of territorial integrity of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova at Council of Europe summit (RTRS)
• Bakir reveals his dangerous Islamist face (Dnevni avaz)
Montenegro
• SEC determined the list of the coalition around DPS, the Democrats and URE, BS and HGI, and returned the list of SDP and "Yes, we can" for revision (CdM)
• Medojevic: The Church must stop interfering in politics, Spajic cleared Milatovic from the list (Gradski.me)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski from Reykjavik: Western Balkans' joining EU is investment in Europe's security (MIA)
• Osmani: OSCE and Council of Europe to safeguard shared values and principles (MIA)
• Pendarovski: If we weren't in NATO and didn't share information in that system, we wouldn't be able to deal with Russian propaganda (MIA)
• Country to be isolated without constitutional changes, says FM Osmani (TV Klan/MIA)
• Miloshoski after meeting Sarrazin: This parliament will not vote for constitutional changes (MIA)
Albania
• Rama asks to the CoE to pave the way for the withdrawal of the infamous report (Radio Tirana)
• Albania-Kosovo increase cooperation between the cabinets of the speakers (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 17 May 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Everything ready for biggest rally ever, SNS to decide whether to join movement (Beta)
• Significant contribution of Serbian Army to UN missions (Beta/Tanjug)
• Drecun: Goal is to force Belgrade to give up from ZSO by destabilizing dialogue (Tanjug/RTV)
• Petkovic: This is last moment to discipline Kurti (Tanjug/RTV)
• Petkovic: Shooting in the direction of the Serbian school in the village of Ugljare - 331st attack on Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija (TV Pink)
• Azerbaijan and Serbia, together in defence of international law (RTV)
• Serbia implements judgments of European Court of Human Rights (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Third expert consultation meeting on state property held; Forestry assets in focus of discussion (Nova BH)
• OHR’s media campaign on state property sparks reactions in the RS; Stevandic: OHR does not respect institutions; Mazalica: Schmidt might be preparing to impose new decisions (RTRS)
• Dodik says US Embassy’s interpretation of B&H Constitution is malicious (Nezavisne)
• Izetbegovic: Dodik and Covic got servile structure (Dnevni list)
• RS and Serbia can build 'New Eastern Interconnection' pipeline without state institutions (Nezavisne)
Montenegro
• Awaiting DIK’s confirmation: 17 parliamentary candidates lists submitted (CdM)
• Varhelyi: Montenegro needs a stable government and parliament capable of progressing in accession negotiations (CdM)
• US Department of State on religious freedom: Incidents across Montenegro prompt worries (CdM/VoA)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Bytyqi with EP delegation: Implementing comprehensive reforms for EU integration (MIA)
• EU-North Macedonia Joint Parliamentary Committee meets in Skopje (MIA)
• Pendarovski meets with Germany's special envoy Sarrazin (MIA)
Albania
• Official/Celibashi: 38% of voters who were on the voter list took part in the election (Radio Tirana)
• SP wins 53 municipalities/ Rama thanks the citizens (Radio Tirana)
• Ruling Socialists score sweeping victory in Albania’s municipal elections (Tirana Times)