United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 1 February 2023
LOCAL PRESS

• Brnabic: ZSO Statute sole responsibility of Management Team (Tanjug/Politika/RTV)
• Vucic: I will answer everyone at parliament session, although some are coming for self-promotion (RTS)
• Vucevic meets with Hill to discuss cooperation in area of defense (Beta)
• Vucic informs Dodik of situation in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug)
• Greece not changing its position to not recognize so-called Kosovo (Tanjug/RTV)
• Stability, economic development in interest of entire region (RTS/RTV/Tanjug)
• Orlic meets with Schmidt (RTV/Tanjug)
• Jeremic: Those who don’t oppose Franco-German plan are either for Kosovo’s independence of for Vucic (Nova S/Beta)
• British parliament: We do not want a Serbian enclave (Tanjug/B92)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik meets Vucic in Belgrade, discuss Kosovo, joint projects in RS (ATV)
• Cvijanovic kicks off visit to US and will attend National Prayer Breakfast together with Becirovic; Becirovic says alliance between US and B&H must be strengthened (BHT1)
• B&H Presidency members meet with members of US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in Washington (BHT1)
• ‘The Eight’ confirms ZNG is no longer part of coalition at meeting held on Tuesday (O Kanal)
• Miletic: ‘The Eight’ clearly used ZNG, as weakest link, to discipline NES and SB&H (O Kanal)
• Dodik: There is no coalition at level of B&H (Dnevni list)
• Dodik: Schmidt is illegal, fake and has no authority to threaten RS with financial restrictions (ATV)
Croatia
• Milanovic's statements on Ukraine and Kosovo denounced (HRT)
Montenegro
• Bojovic: The deadline for the formation of the 44th government expires on 15 March, the survival of the current government is absurd and unsustainable (CdM)
• Electoral roll is not updated, there are voters with duplicated records (Pobjeda)
• Abazovic: We back Spajic and every other civic-oriented candidate (CdM)
• Novakovic Djurovic: There will be no blockade or EU sanctions, the fact is that we would have stagnation if we do not elect judges (Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Osmani-Borrell: OSCE to contribute to European security through EU support and diplomatic action (MIA)
• Osmani: OSCE, NATO should play their roles in support to Ukraine (MIA)
• Spasovski: N. Macedonia and Bulgaria to do everything to avoid worsening relations (MIA)
• Osmani – Kyuchyuk: It is necessary to restore positive dynamics in Skopje – Sofia relations (MIA)
Albania
• Ambassador Hastad: We are preparing the Western Balkans to become a member of the EU! Albania, progress in the Justice reform (DW/Radio Tirana)
• Peleshi: Civil Defense Structure, already a member of the EU (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Zeman demonstrated how great, courageous people make history (Tanjug/RTS/RTV/Politika)
• Zeman: We have not derecognised Kosovo, but we never sent ambassador to Pristina (Tanjug/RTV/RTS/Politika)
• Drecun: No continuation of dialogue and return of Serbs to Pristina institutions before formation of ZSO (RTS)
• Dacic welcomes Croatian President’s “principled” statement on Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Declaration of Saint Sava for salvation of Kosovo presented in Belgrade (Beta)
• Government submits proposal to parliament for special session on Kosovo (FoNet)
• Bilcik: EU often not treated fairly in Serbian public life (RTV/Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik says Serbs should seek solution to Serb national issue in Balkans again, in same way German people have addressed theirs before (RTRS)
• SDP B&H Extended Collegium concludes that SDP B&H no longer wants ‘For New Generations’ as its coalition partner (BHT1)
• Efendic reacts to SDP’s position on ‘The Eight’ coalition: Very strange and unexpected reaction from that party (O Kanal)
• HR Schmidt addresses UK parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs responding to questions about formation of authorities and European path of B&H (BHT1)
• Novakovic-Bursac: Schmidt’s statements remind me of attempt to revitalize colonial organization (RTRS)
• Picula: Schmidt stands firmly on the ground and he has support of politicians within EU; Klokic: Schmidt is perhaps physically standing on the ground, but legally he is hovering in the air (ATV)
Croatia
• Plenkovic meets with Covic in Zagreb; says after formation of authorities in B&H, key political issues need to be resolved in order to make step forward for all reforms on B&H's European path (AJB)
• Milanovic puts annexation of Crimea in regional context, saying that Kosovo has been taken from Serbia (HRT)
• Opposition parties in Croatia shocked by Milanovic statements; Argue that his statements benefit only Vucic and Dodik (Jutarnji list)
• Russian media, officials welcome Milanovic’s statements (Jutarnji list)
Montenegro
• Dejan Vuksic, a candidate for president of Montenegro, aims to reconcile Montenegrins and Serbs (CdM)
• Abazovic with Reinke: A functional Constitutional Court is the priority of all priorities, there must be no further delay and blocking of Montenegro's European path (CdM)
• Becic: Montenegro has 100% compliance of its foreign policy with EU policy (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Messages before 4 February: Goce Delcev’s commemoration should be peaceful and dignified, Skopje and Sofia to calm down the rhetoric (Republika/VoA/MIA)
• Dimitrov: We have become a Bulgarian province, every morning the government is apologizing to Bulgaria (Telma)
• Bulgarian Ambassador Angelov to return to his diplomatic duties in N. Macedonia (MIA)
Albania
• Santos: Time has come for the reform process to be accelerated (Radio Tirana)
• Integration in the EU, Albania in the meeting of the presidents of COSAC (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Meeting with Zeman historic, special for Serbia (Tanjug)
• Brnabic: Resolution based on perceptions and not on facts (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Bilcik, Nemec discuss stronger role for parliament in Belgrade (N1/Beta)
• Dacic, Grlic Radman: Serbia and Croatia must find ways to cooperate (Beta)
• Dacic: Serbia's position on French-German proposal very clear, responsible (Tanjug/RTS/RTV/Politika)
• Dacic defends Brussels agreement: It was the maximum Belgrade could achieve (Politika/Beta)
• Serbia's strategic commitment to improve cooperation with US (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Djuric: Kurti wants at all costs to avoid discussion on ZSO (Tanjug/RTV)
• Serbian President was told: If you accept, you'll join EU till 2030 (Demostat/Beta)
• Strengthening military cooperation with North Macedonia (Tanjug)
• Mali meets with Damjanovic (Tanjug/Beta)
• Right-wing opposition urges President not to accept EU proposal for Kosovo (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik: Whether they reject or accept Franco-German proposal for Kosovo, Serbs must be united (RTRS)
• Surprise on B&H political scene after the session of the FB&H HoP (BHT1)
• Mijatovic comments fact that SDP did not get any delegates in B&H House of Peoples on Friday (Face TV)
• Izetbegovic: The FB&H government structures cannot be formed without SDA (Hayat)
• Galijasevic says SDA will hold talks on formation of new majority with political parties that respect capacity of SDA (Hayat)
• Mesalic says ‘The Eight’ project is actually yet another unsuccessful project of international community that wanted to create Montenegrin scenario in B&H (Hayat)
• Schmidt seems to be optimistic authorities in FB&H will be formed soon, but current situation is not optimistic (N1)
• Becirovic: Some personnel solutions in B&H CoM could have been better (Hayat)
• French Ambassador ends visit to Banja Luka; Confirms that EU requests from B&H to introduce visas to Russia (O Kanal)
• Russian Embassy to B&H: B&H is one open country that EU is striving to turn into colony (BHT1)
Montenegro
• Djurovic: Position of all EU ministers is that Montenegro is a big disappointment (Pobjeda)
• Damjanovic: Government should be reshuffled; early parliamentary elections not in sight (CdM)
• Vucurovic: Mandic to run for the president of Montenegro (CdM)
• Abazovic: Mandic’s candidacy for the president would increase chances for Djukanovic (CdM)
• Europe Now presidency: Spajic candidate for president (CdM)
• Uljarevic: It’s certain that SPC will be more actively involved in presidential elections (Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Osmani: Many third factors will welcome escalation between Bulgaria and North Macedonia (MIA/RFE)
• Kyuchyuk: There are external factors that don’t want Bulgaria and North Macedonia to have good relations (MIA/BTV)
• A declaration is being drafted in Sofia’s parliament after disruption of relations with Skopje (MIA)
• Spasovski: Ohrid case a scenario and part of hybrid warfare (Utrinski Pechat)
• Pendarovski: We condemned violence in Ohrid, certain entities in Bulgaria used case for political purposes (Telma TV)
Albania
• The leaders of the Western Balkans should work more towards improving the political situations (Radio Tirana/A Plus TV)
• Dhuka: Negotiations, excellent opportunity to transfer EU standards (Radio Tirana)
• Santos: It's high time you sped up reforms (Radio Tirana)
• Spiropali: Albanian government will keep on with the efforts to country’s full EU membership (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 27 January 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Dacic: Turkey supports respect of previous Belgrade-Pristina agreements (Tanjug/Politika)
• Dacic: Serbia-Turkey relations at historical high point (Tanjug/Politika)
• Vucic receives farewell visit from Palestinian Ambassador (RTS/RTV/Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Pristina’s violence against Serbs strongest argument that ZSO is necessary (RTS)
• Cochard: Implement part of the agreement on ZSO, that is in Pristina’s interest too (Tanjug)
• Brnabic postpones meeting with MEPs (N1)
• Nemec: EU-Serbia trust high, as are challenges (Tanjug/RTV)
• Orthodox priest found dead in north Kosovo (KoSSev/N1)
• Demostat: Vucic is not going to sign agreement on dialogue with Pristina (Beta)
• Panel: Franco-German proposal is not a final agreement (Beta)
• Forty-three percent of people support Serbia’s EU membership, 32 percent against (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Newly appointed Ministers Helez, Tegeltija hold first working meetings with Ambassadors Murphy (Dnevni list)
• Ambassador Sattler meets Minister Konakovic and Deputy Brkic (Dnevni avaz)
• Dodik, Toudic talk about formation of authorities in B&H (RTRS)
• HR Schmidt: I reached decision to impose changes to Election Law on my own (N1)
• Chargé d'affaires meets von der Leyen, thanks for support in granting candidate status (Dnevni list)
• EU expects B&H to impose visa regime for citizens of Russia (Nezavisne)
• FB&H HoR adopts FB&H budget for 2023 in amount of BAM 6.7 billion (Dnevni avaz)
Croatia
• Election Law, Croat member of Presidency, House of Peoples and ECHR judgements is the first exam for new authority (Vecernji list)
• Belarus' exiled opposition leader welcomed in Zagreb (HRT1)
Montenegro
• Thimonier: Don’t open topic of elections without operational institutions (RTCG)
• Stano: EU invites political actors to build a consensus on the selection of judges (CdM)
• Matuella: Urgently elect judges of the Constitutional Court and the Judicial Council (CdM/TV E)
• Peach: Ensure a functional Constitutional Court and conditions for presidential and parliamentary elections (CdM)
• Djukanovic-Reinke: Support for the election of judges is unquestionable if the election procedure of the Constitutional Committee is fully respected from the start (CdM)
• Djukanovic-Muller: Early parliamentary elections would contribute to clarifying the situation and obtaining a pro-European government (CdM)
• Novakovic Djurovic with Bilcik and Picula: Use the opportunity, the key to further progress on the EU path is in the hands of Montenegro (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski meets extra-parliamentary coalition partners for talks on support to citizens amid crisis (MIA)
• Mickoski: We are in a cold war with Bulgaria (Sitel)
• Osmani: We must put an end to provocations, no official confirmation over Bulgarian Ambassador’s withdrawal (Telma/RFE)
• MFA: Latest activities from Bulgaria not in accordance with agreed practice to enhance relations (MIA)
• Milkov: Sofia takes measures in Pendikov case, no room for analogies and shared guilt (MIA/BNT)
• Pendarovski responds to Bulgarian FM Milkov comments (MIA/Telma TV)
• EU negotiations to stop without constitutional changes (MIA)
Albania
• President discusses Albania's EU membership with MEP Santos (ADN)
• Peleshi in the USA: Excellent cooperation in the field of defense between Albania and our strategic ally the USA (Radio Tirana)
• Veliaj welcomes the new OSCE ambassador: Presidency of B40, a unique opportunity for Tirana. De Sanctis: Tirana, a very dynamic city (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Dacic urges Turkey to use its leverage on Pristina (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
• Serbian delegation appeals with PACE not to admit Pristina into that body (RTV/RTS/Tanjug)
• Dacic thanks Romania for principled stance on Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTV)
• Orlic receives Palestinian Ambassador in farewell visit (Tanjug/RTV)
• Miscevic: Rule of law, reforms crucial for EU integration (Tanjug/RTV)
• Hill: Serbia pays too high a price for refusing to introduce sanctions against Russia (Beta)
• Djilas calls for publication of EU proposal for Kosovo (TV Nova/N1)
• Opposition preparing unpleasant questions for President at Kosovo session (Tanjug/Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• B&H HoR endorses appointment of B&H CoM led by Chairwoman Kristo (Hayat)
• Ministers in B&H CoM take oath, Kristo announces reforms; Statements of B&H Ministers (BN TV)
• US Embassy congratulates on formation of new B&H CoM (FTV)
• EUD welcomes formation of B&H CoM (FTV)
• Ambassador Reilly welcomes appointment of B&H CoM (Dnevni avaz)
• Kristo meets Murphy, Sattler, Schmidt, discuss formation of CoM, EU integration of B&H (FTV)
• Strik criticizes HR Schmidt’s addressing AFET behind closed doors (N1)
• Dodik: Schmidt not only falsely presents himself as HR but also blatantly lies (RTRS)
• Dodik says there will be no talks on status of RS’ property (Nezavisne)
• Dodik: Remaining neutral regarding Russian-Ukrainian war is the right policy at this moment (Glas Srpske)
• Ambassador Kalabukhov: Russia is guarantor of Dayton agreement, Russia will open consulate in Banja Luka (Glas Srpske)
Montenegro
• Abazovic: Montenegro wholeheartedly supports B&H's European path (CdM)
• Novakovic Djurovic - Varhelyi: Blocking negotiations with Montenegro is not an option, strengthening institutions is a condition for entering the final phase (CdM)
• Fajon: Extraordinary parliamentary elections are the best option two to three months after the completion of the Constitutional Court (TVCG)
• Jokovic calls for agreement: Joint presidential candidate, God’s justice would be if it were Lekic (CdM)
• Kordic: DF’s candidate will be Mandic if DPS’s is Djukanovic (RTCG)
• Abazovic: We can’t get judges from a Kinder Surprise egg (CdM)
• Milicevic conveyed Vucic's message in Berane: We would like to see Montenegro in the Open Balkans (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Spasovski to decide whether to ban Dzhambazki from entering the country on 4 February (Republika)
• I am coming to Skopje for sure, Dzhambazki tells Pendarovski (Republika)
• Milkov: We are withdrawing the ambassador from Skopje for an indefinite period, and we are freezing Macedonia’s EU negotiations (Republika)
• Kyuchyuk: Reimposing veto would be major mistake (BNR)
Albania
• Assembly to cooperate with OSCE presence for the completion of the electoral reform (Radio Tirana)
• Hohmann meets Dumani: EU fully supports an independent and effective SPAK (Radio Tirana)
• Greece supports Albania's European integration process (Radio Tirana)