United Nations Office in Belgrade Daily Media Highlights Friday 24 March 2023 LOCAL PRESS • Serbia marks 24 years since the beginning of NATO aggression (Tanjug) • Aggression on Serbia ongoing, but by different means – conference (Tanjug/RTV) • Gasic meets with Botsan-Kharchenko (Tanjug/Politika) • US Embassy: Independent judiciary crucial to progress (N1) • Dacic: Open and flagrant meddling in internal affairs of a sovereign country (Politika) • Chollet thanks Vucic for constructive engagement in Ohrid (Tanjug) • Part of opposition in letter to EU: European plan for Kosovo is null and void (Beta/RTV) • EU leaders welcome Belgrade-Pristina agreement (N1) REGIONAL PRESS Bosnia & Herzegovina • RS parliament adopts Draft Amendments to RS Criminal Code which reinstate defamation and insult as criminal offenses (N1) • Representatives of journalist community say that they will take part in upcoming public discussions, but with only one request - to withdraw controversial draft amendments to RS Criminal Code (N1) • Stano: Adoption of Draft Amendments to RS Criminal Code is step in wrong direction (Oslobodjenje) • RS government adopts Draft Law on Special Register and Publicity of Work of Non-profit Organizations (RTRS) • RS government adopts information on termination of cooperation with US and UK diplomats in B&H due to anti-Dayton activities (RTRS) • Dodik confirms termination of contacts with US and UK Embassies in B&H: This is answer to those who are ready to throw depleted uranium (ATV) • US Embassy to B&H: Terminating cooperation with US and UK diplomats is another step on dangerous road Dodik chose (AJB) • UK Embassy to B&H says unpredictable decisions of Dodik harm interests and reputation of RS (Oslobodjenje) • Constitutional Court of B&H rejects motions of Komsic and Dzaferovic regarding Schmidt's changes to B&H Election Law (N1) • Komsic’s Cabinet on B&H CC’s decision: B&H CC has obviously succumbed to pressure of international community (N1) • Dodik: Explanation of B&H CC’s decision which concerns legal violence of false high representative Christian Schmidt reflects B&H more strongly than anything else (RTRS) • Lendo discusses issues in formation of FB&H government, he expects that the FB&H government will be formed during Ramadan: I will not sign any appointment in which I do not participate (FTV) • Cvijanovic meets with President of UN General Assembly, stresses importance of consistent respect for DPA and constitutional position of different authority levels (RTRS) • US Ambassador to Hungary Pressman criticizes Szijjarto’s messages from Sarajevo (Dnevni list) Croatia • MEP: Serbian claims on Croatian cultural heritage are “form of hybrid assault” (Hina) Montenegro • Picula: Vucic is allowed too much room to maneuver in Montenegro (N1) • Zivkovic: DPS files criminal complaint against Adzic, Djukanovic to win convincingly in second round of election (CdM) • Milatovic: On 2 April, Djukanovic won't even get the 120,000 votes, but below 100,000, some of the DPS and SDP voters will also vote for me (CdM) • Abazovic - Lamborn: Montenegro is fully committed to further strengthening relations with the USA (CdM) • Abazovic - Spartz: The expansion of the Montenegrin caucus is the way to closer ties between Montenegro and the USA (CdM) Republic of North Macedonia • No one above UN Charter, responsibility for Ukraine crimes must be borne, say Baerbock and Osmani (MIA) • Kovachevski - Baerbock: New concrete support from Germany for North Macedonia's next step forward in EU integration (MIA) • Baerbock: If you don’t want the youth to move to the EU, then you should bring the EU here (MIA) • Mickoski meets Baerbock: No constitutional amendments under Bulgarian dictate (Telma) • Kovachevski: Not true that MPs of majority won’t vote for constitutional amendments (MIA) • Mickoski: We face pressures for constitutional changes, but we won’t give up (Kanal 5) Albania • British govt press release: Bilateral meeting between Sunak and Rama (Radio Tirana) • The Head of the Assembly of Great Britain welcomes Edi Rama: Joint fight against criminal networks (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS • US Ambassador: Ohrid Agreement Legally Binding Even without Signatures (FoNet) • Lajcak: EU had ambitious plan for Kosovo and Serbia to sign agreement, draft annex (Beta) • Borrell: Ohrid agreement important milestone (N1) • Normalization to red lines (RTS) • Vucic has no legitimacy or mandate to give up part of Serbia’s territory (Beta) • Petkovic: Kurti cannot justify not forming the ZSO (Tanjug) • European leaders will call on Belgrade and Pristina to implement what was agreed in Ohrid without delay (RTS) • French Ambassador warns of consequences if agreement is not implemented (Beta) • Italy satisfied with Vucic’s fight for stability of region (Beta) • Dacic with the head of Italian diplomacy: High level of bilateral relations between the two countries (RTS) • Vucic thanked Major General Lasica for the professional behavior of KFOR (RTS) • Mojsilovic with the commander of KFOR about the security situation in KiM (RTS) REGIONAL PRESS Bosnia & Herzegovina • RSNA discusses Draft Law on amendments to RS Criminal Code that criminalize defamation; Voting expected to take place on Thursday (N1) • German Embassy: Germany concerned about attacks on freedom of expression and media freedom in RS (Nova BH) • B&H CoM Chair Kristo addresses AFET, stresses importance of changes to B&H Election Law (N1) • B&H CoM Chair Kristo discusses cooperation with EC with EC President Von der Leyen, B&H’s Euro-Atlantic path with EU HR Borrell; Kristo meets Metsola as well (BN TV) • NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg presents 2022 Annual Report; B&H aspires to become NATO member (Oslobodjenje) • Izetbegovic: SDA is not blocking processes in the FB&H; Other FB&H politicians speak of process of FB&H Government formation (N1) • Efendic reacts to Izetbegovic’ statement: I do not know why he says SBIH, NES will take SDA side when it comes to formation of authorities in FB&H (FTV) • Dodik: RS is advocating for B&H to return to the framework of the Constitution; Entities have sovereignty, not B&H (ATV) Croatia • FM: Every EU member state must send ammunition to Ukraine (Hina) Montenegro • Garcevic: Double, increasingly strong influence of SPC on MNE politics since 2020 elections (VOA) Republic of North Macedonia • Grubi: Working for all of VMRO-DPMNE to endorse constitutional changes (Telma) • VMRO-DPMNE rejects the offer to be part of the working group on constitutional changes (Libertas) • Osmani: VMRO-DPMNE should think about its political positions, not engage in daily politics (TV21) Albania • Rama: Guterres should explain why he uses the name "Belgrade-Pristina Agreement" (Radio Tirana) • Nikolla: Intense cooperation with the Assembly of Kosovo (Radio Tirana) • The Greek Speaker welcomes Rama: We are interested in Albania's membership in the EU (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade Daily Media Highlights Tuesday 21 March 2023 LOCAL PRESS • Vucic: There is no question of membership in the UN and no recognition (RTS) • Escobar: The agreement in Ohrid is legally binding, even though it has not been signed (RTS) • Borrell: EU membership depends on the implementation of the European proposal (RTS) • Serb List to US Ambassador: ZSO before elections (N1) • Fajon: Kosovo-Serbia deal implementation important, should be assisted (Beta) • Georgian PM tells Serbian speaker his country supports Serbia in dispute over Kosovo (Beta) • Vucic spoke with Orban, meeting in Belgrade soon (RTS) • Brnabic with Roth on bilateral relations (RTS) • Vucic with Tajani, after the meeting of the Forum for Business and Scientific Cooperation between Serbia and Italy (RTS) • Dacic: The conference on Stepinac in Brussels was wrong and provocative (RTS) • The EU refused the participation of the Pristina delegation without a footnote at the donor conference (RTS) • Dacic: Serbia sends 1.5 million euros in aid to Turkey and Syria (RTS) REGIONAL PRESS Bosnia & Herzegovina • Dodik: Becirovic is a Bosniak member of B&H Presidency, he does not have any rights or jurisdiction when it comes to the property of the RS, and therefore his request to Attorney General's Office of B&H is unfounded (ATV) • Cvijanovic on Becirovic’s request to Office of Attorney General of B&H regarding activities related to state property: Becirovic did not file request on behalf of B&H Presidency (BHT1) • B&H Presidency adopts Proposal of Law on Budget of Institutions of B&H and International Obligations of B&H for 2023; Komsic votes against Proposal over salary increase for politicians and lack of funds for AF B&H (BHT1) • SDA: Adoption of 2023 draft budget that does not stipulate funds for equipping B&H AF undermines B&H’s defense capacities, prevents NATO accession (Hayat) • B&H CoM adopts Program of Economic Reforms for the period 2023-2025 (N1) • B&H CoM Chair Kristo discusses B&H’s EU path with European Council President Michel, EU Commissioner Varhelyi, EP President Metsola in Brussels (BHT1) • EC VP Schinas: Status of candidate for B&H is first tangible legal step in the enlargement process (Vecernji list) • B&H Presidency confirms names of new ambassadors (ATV) Croatia • KOS director sentenced to 20 years in absentia for war crimes (HRT) • Doris Pack: Putin wants to restore the Soviet Union (HRT) Montenegro • SEC: Djukanovic won 35.37 percent, Milatovic 28.92 percent (CDM) • Abazovic boasted: Election day like in the countries of Western Europe, ministers contributed to Montenegro getting out of the jaws of the past (CDM) • Uljarevic: Far more uncertain race in the second round, the result of Milatovic will depend on the real support of Becic and Mandic (Gradski portal) North Macedonia • Kovachevski: All parties responsible for constitutional amendments, not only declaratively but concretely (MIA) • Marichikj: EU membership no longer a theoretical chance, but real possibility (Telma TV) • Escobar: Ohrid agreement aimed at regional reconciliation and accelerated EU membership for Western Balkans (MIA) Albania • The Security Council, Albania rejects Russia's request: The case of Donetsk cannot be compared with Kosovo (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS • Vucic: Serbia ready to work on implementation up to its red lines (RTS) • Serbia builds different future in Kosovo and Metohija with responsible, courageous policy (Tanjug/RTS) • Cultural heritage in Kosovo and Metohija jeopardised daily (Tanjug) • Dacic: Security situation in Serbia stable (Tanjug/Politika) • Dacic: Result of presidential elections in Montenegro will depend on Serb votes (TV Pink) • Drecun: Progress made in Ohrid, traps of EU proposal avoided (TV Pink/RTV) • Borrell: Serbia, Kosovo reach agreement on implementing deal (Beta) • Escobar hails agreement between leaders of Serbia, Pristina, says door open to EU integration (Beta) • Hill: Serbia has embraced European future (Tanjug) • Opposition criticizes Vucic after Ohrid talks: Citizens are deceived (N1) REGIONAL PRESS Bosnia & Herzegovina • Dodik: ICC’s arrest warrant for Putin is political and selective decision (Srna/ATV) • Dodik: RS suspending contacts with US and UK Embassies in B&H (RTRS) • Dodik: US and UK want dismantling of RS (ATV) • Cvijanovic: International community as such does not exist anymore, Schmidt was not legitimately appointed, RS will react harshly if law on state property is impose (BHT1) • Nesic, Stevandic support Dodik’s announcement on suspension of contacts with US and UK diplomats (Nova BH) • Kojic: Announcement re termination of contacts with US and UK diplomats is rational measure; Vujicic says UK, US diplomats worked to detriment of RS (RTRS) • Borenovic says Dodik’s announcement that RS will cut off contacts with UK and US embassies in B&H and their diplomats represents classic foiling; Crnadak surprised with decision (BN TV) • UK Embassy: Dodik’s statement is confusing and does not contribute to anything (Nova BH) • US Embassy in B&H reacts to Dodik’s statement on termination of contact of RS with US and UK embassies in B&H (FTV) • Dodik: Issue of B&H Law on Property will never be on agenda; If you do not want to respect the letter of DPA, the RS will leave B&H (RTRS) • EU Delegation to B&H, US Embassy to B&H and OHR condemn Dodik’s threats with secession (Dnevni avaz) • Dodik: RS not to block appointment of B&H ambassadors from Becirovic’s potential list, I hope they will contribute to faster disintegration of B&H (RTRS) • Cvijanovic on foreign policy: If there is no consensus, best solution is neutral position; B&H did not impose sanctions against Russia (BHT1) • B&H Minister of Defense Helez confirms that he has intelligence data predicting political downfall of Dodik; Reaction of Dodik (ATV) • SDA Main Board holds meeting; Izetbegovic: US ambassadors fall for gossip of Sarajevo coffee shops and SDA opposition (O Kanal) • Cvijanovic: Croatia is interested in good neighborly relations; agreement on borders with Croatia will have to be ratified eventually (BHT1) Croatia • Cvijanovic and Milanovic announce that Croatia will finalize access road to connect it with new bridge on Sava River in Gradiska (Vijesti) Montenegro • Djukanovic and Milatovic to run for president on 2 April (CdM) • Bogdanovic: Dynamic activities and complete mobilization of the electorate to follow (CdM) • Besic: Enough of divisions, economy in focus; citizens tired of stories about independence and threatened country (RTCG) • Djukanovic: Early parliamentary election on 11 June (CdM) Republic of North Macedonia • North Macedonia’s President: We support Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (MIA) • Pendarovski: Process of our approaching to the EU taking place at a satisfactory pace at this stage (MIA) • Escobar: In organizing talks, North Macedonia again proved to be reliable partner of US, EU (Nezavisen) Albania • The Kosovo-Serbia agreement in Ohrid/ Begaj: It guarantees the stability of the region (Radio Tirana) • Rama: We hope that the unsigned agreement will become an irreversible reality between Kosovo and Serbia (Radio Tirana) • Integration/ Albania - EU start analytical review for the "green agenda" (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade Daily Media Highlights Friday 17 March 2023 LOCAL PRESS • We still haven’t received the draft of what the EU wants (RTS) • Today marks 19th anniversary of anti-Serb pogrom in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug) • Petkovic: Atmosphere that led to the March pogrom still exists (RTS) • Serbia reliable, responsible collaborator of EU in migration management (Tanjug/RTV) • Vucic meets with Johansson: The safety of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija is a priority (Tanjug/RTS) • Continuation of further harmonisation of Serbia with EU visa policy (Tanjug/RTV) • Serbia wants best possible relations with its neighbours (Tanjug) • Miscevic: Help of Croatia is important for Serbia’s EU integration process (RTV/Tanjug) • Lutovac in Strasbourg: First membership in EU, ten criteria (Beta) • Obradovic calls on Vucic to resign over announced support for Kosovo to join UN (Beta) • Djilas: Consensus needed on Kosovo instead of stories that please people (RTS) • Albanians in Serbia’s south want same rights as Serbs in Kosovo, as well as to unite with Kosovo (Beta) REGIONAL PRESS Bosnia & Herzegovina • Prosecutor’s Office of B&H: There is formed case about all blacklisted persons (O Kanal) • Mehmedagic on US’ sanctions imposed against him: Claims are untrue and groundless (O Kanal) • Ambassador O’Brien: Decisions on blacklisting Mehmedagic, Stankovic and Gacanin are result of long investigation based on analysis of a big number of experts (FTV) • SDA: Aim of false accusations is to forcibly eliminate SDA from authority (Hayat/FTV) • Leaders of ‘Troika’ request reaction of B&H Prosecutor’s Office after US sanctions were introduced (O Kanal) • Covic says sanctions are something that should not be commented ever (Nova BH) • RS politicians react to Izetbegovic’s statement that there could be conflict in B&H (ATV) • HR Schmidt meets FB&H HoP leadership; Discuss authority formation in FB&H (FTV) • Dodik: RS will continue to apply RS law on immovable property despite of decision of B&H CC and sanctions against Stankovic (FTV) • EP Rapporteur Rangel presents his Proposal of EP Resolution on B&H (N1) • B&H CoM adopts draft of Annual Action Plan for Energy Support provided by EU and information on drafting of judicial reform strategy (Nezavisne) • NATO begins with implementation of assistance package for B&H which includes measures to strengthen B&H’s defense and resilience against cyber threats (Nezavisne) Croatia • Dacic: Serbia and Croatia need to stop distancing themselves from each other for cheap political points: Grlic Radman: Croatia and Serbia can and deserve to have better relations (Hina) • Cvijanovic and Milanovic meet in Zagreb, discuss stability in region, B&H’s EU path and status of Croats in B&H (HRT1) • Milanovic and Plenkovic swap insults over a lack of cooperation (HRT1) Montenegro • Djukanovic dissolves parliament (CdM) • Djukanovic: It’s high time we finished this circus of Montenegro’s state policy having no government (CdM) • Djukanovic: I didn’t want to bend my spine in front of anyone because it’s the backbone of Montenegro; Mandic: Vucic doesn’t listen to external orders, least of all from Russia (E TV/Prva TV/CdM) • MCP: Citizens should cast a ballot, no one has the right to refer to support of the Church (CdM) Republic of North Macedonia • Grubi: Not aspiring to be first Albanian PM of North Macedonia (Telma/TV Dukagjini) • Mickoski: Let’s hold early parliamentary elections (Republika) • Borrell: It is the responsibility of all political leaders to work for EU membership (MIA) Albania • Borrell: EU supports the integration of Albania (Radio Tirana) • Varhelyi: 30 million Euros for the economic and investment plan! Albania will be the first to have a liquefied natural gas terminal (Radio Tirana) • National Integration Council/Varhelyi: You have my support (Radio Tirana)