United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 13 March 2024

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic meets with Roquefeuil (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Brnabic accuses independent media, opposition of attacking SNS activists (Beta)
• Petkovic informs French diplomat of difficult position of Kosovo Serbs (Tanjug/RTV)
• Petkovic: Kurti main threat to regional stability (RTV/Tanjug)
• Spanish Ambassador reiterated support for Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty (Tanjug/RTV)
• Dacic: Everyone should turn to formation of state institutions, let's not waste time (TV Pink)
• Socialists divided on joining Vucic’s new movement (TV Prva/Beta)
• Panel debate on Djindjic: He imbued Serbian society with energy (Beta)
• Escobar: No alternative to Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (FoNet)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Von der Leyen: We recommend European Council to open negotiations with B&H (AJB)
• Kristo says B&H authorities hope for green light from European Council for start of accession negotiations (N1)
• Dodik: Opening of negotiations for EU membership is result of enormous contribution of RS, opening of negotiations is transitional phase (ATV)
• Nesic stresses huge contribution of B&H Security Ministry and team which led to historical decision and progress on EU path (RTRS)
• Viskovic says he sees nothing spectacular in announcement on recommendation to launch accession negotiations with B&H (RTRS)
• Niksic expresses satisfaction following announcement on upcoming recommendation to launch accession negotiations with B&H (Dnevni avaz)
• Murphy criticizes behavior of Dodik and Covic (Hayat)
• Dodik: USA has once again confirmed its determination to tear up European path of B&H, they wish for new focal point (ATV)
• Lavrov congratulates Dodik on his birthday, with message that Serb people continue to carry flag of freedom with dignity thanks to consistent efforts of RS President (RTRS)
Montenegro
• Escobar: We did not see commitment to EU integration through Mandic's actions, we are worried about the announcement of ZBCG's entry into the government (Pobjeda)
• At Spajic’s proposal: Aleksandar Radovic, acting director of Police Directorate (CdM)
• Milatovic: Sending Montenegrin soldiers to Ukraine is not an option (RTCG)
• Milatovic: It was confirmed at the most important addresses in Romania that we have serious potential for intensive economic cooperation (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• US Senate puts forward resolution supporting North Macedonia's EU accession (MIA)
• Escobar: US expects government formed after elections to be committed to NATO, EU integration (MIA)
Albania
• Peleshi: High level of cooperation between the Albanian and American Special Forces (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Brnabic, government members lay wreath at site of assassination of Djindjic (Beta/RTS/RTV/Tanjug)
• Brnabic: Opposition’s demands vicious circle, they want interim government again (TV Happy/Beta/RTS/RTV)
• Dacic: Opposition representatives looking for alibi for certain defeat in elections in advance (Tanjug)
• Popovic: No constitutional obstacles to electing Brnabic parliament speaker (Tanjug/RTV)
• Dacic and Botsan-Kharchenko talk topics of mutual interest for two countries (Tanjug/RTV)
• Stano: Implementation of commitments by Belgrade, Pristina a priority (Tanjug/Beta)
• Improving position of Serbian national minority in Albania (Tanjug/RTV)
• Lucic: As largest company in Kosovo and Metohija, Telekom Srbija a problem for Pristina (TV Prva)
• Postal Savings Bank sets up makeshift branches near administrative crossings between Serbia, Kosovo (Beta)
• Only two days for campaign to remove heads of northern Kosovo municipalities (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Ambassador Murphy emphasizes importance of decision to open accession negotiations with B&H (O Kanal)
• Dodik: Law on Court of B&H has not been harmonized and it will be adopted when solutions that the Serb side agrees with are part of it (RTRS)
• Other RS officials also oppose B&H CoM’s discussion on Law on Court of B&H without RS’ consent (ATV)
• HR Schmidt will give B&H politicians time by Eid to adopt necessary changes to Election Law or he will impose it; Detailed decision ready (Dnevni avaz)
• Russian Embassy on Sweden’s accession to NATO: Reaction of some B&H officials is sad, NATO is not guarantor of security in B&H (Glas Srpske)
• Annual Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community warns that Dodik’s actions might lead to secession of RS and possible violent conflict in B&H (Klix.ba)
Montenegro
• Parliament does not dismiss Andrija Mandic (CdM)
• Mandic: The will of the majority has not changed, we will continue with what we started (MINA)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Pendarovski: We cannot let truth about Holocaust of Macedonian Jews be falsified (MIA)
Albania
• NATO Summit in 2027 in Tirana? Begaj: We are hopeful that all 32 member countries will say "Yes" (Radio Tirana)
• Nikolla receives the US diplomat; US commitment to strengthening Albania's democratic institutions (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 8 March 2024

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Serbia to chair GPAI (Tanjug/RTS)
• Brnabic meets with CDU's Shpan, OSCE PA's Lopatka in Bucharest (Tanjug)
• Strengthening regional cooperation for successful energy transition (Tanjug/RTV)
• Strengthening traffic connections with Bosnia and Herzegovina with help of EU (Tanjug)
• NDSS: All local elections should be held on the same day and no sooner than 2 June (TV Insajder/Beta)
• Djilas: Entire genuine opposition should run in elections in one column (Nova/Beta)
• ProGlas calls for agreement on election conditions (N1)
• CRTA: Public pressure needed for government to carry out ODIHR recommendations (Vreme/Beta)
• Andjelkovic: Opposition would be betraying voters by running in elections under Vucic’s conditions (Beta)
• NALED: Ten recommendations for future Serbian government (Beta)
• Konrad: Problem with abolishment of Dinar must be resolved (Blic)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Niksic, Bradara, Dodik comment on adoption of reform laws (FTV)
• Varhelyi commends B&H CoM for adopting Proposal of Law on Prevention of Conflict of Interest (O Kanal)
• Sattler welcomes adoption of Proposal of Law on Prevention of Conflict of Interest in B&H CoM (Hayat)
• Konakovic meets Varhelyi: ‘3 + 1’ conditions set before B&H by the EU must be implemented (FTV)
• Morris: It is reasonable to expect more American sanctions for those who undermine the peace, stability and territorial integrity of B&H (O Kanal)
• Kristo attends EPP Congress, meets EU officials (Oslobodjenje)
Croatia
• Plenkovic calls for opening of negotiations with B&H at EPP Congress in Bucharest (Vecernji list)
• Plenkovic comments on when the parliamentary elections will be held in Croatia (HRT)
Montenegro
• Protest in Cetinje: Mandic works for another country against his own; "This is not your country, Aleksandar of Serbia. But this is our country, Montenegrin greengrocers" (CdM)
• Verbal conflict between Zivkovic and Nikolic with Mandic, security also responded (CdM)
• Becic: The NATO alliance is richer for a country that is ready to respond to all challenges (CdM)
• The cooperation of the Ministry of Defense with the NATO Agency for Support and Procurement will encourage the strengthening of further modernization of the Army (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Opening rehabilitation centers for wounded Ukrainian soldiers generally acceptable idea, Pendarovski's office says (MIA)
• Osmani: Bulgaria’s MFA summoned Ambassador because of 1999 agreement signed by VMRO-DPMNE (Kanal 5 TV/MIA)
• Gjorgiev: Macedonian-Bulgarian history commission holds regular meetings, no progress so far (MIA)
Albania
• Rama condemns Russia for the missile attack in Odesa: Imprudent and dangerous (Radio Tirana)
• Basha to present the Resolution for the Reconstruction of Ukraine to the UN (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 7 March 2024

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic says Brnabic for parliament speaker (N1)
• Brnabic on new post: I have a lot to learn (N1)
• Romania’s support for Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty (Politika/Tanjug/RTV)
• Brnabic attends EPP congress in Bucharest (Tanjug/RTV)
• Good relations between Serbia, Greece confirmed (Tanjug/RTV)
• Starovic meets with officials of US administration in Washington (Tanjug/RTV)
• Fico: I see no reason for Slovakia to recognise Kosovo, we would return to KFOR (Tanjug)
• Opposition: Belgrade polls on 28 April – unacceptable mockery of democracy (Beta)
• Bundestag MP: Vucic, Brnabic shouldn’t think they can “play tricks” on us again (N1)
• Kosovo Police, Customs Service raid pharmacies in N. Kosovo (KoSSev/N1)
• Explosive device lobbed at Serb-owned hospitality establishment in Kosovo and Metohija (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• B&H CoM unanimously adopts new text of Proposal of Law on Prevention of Conflict of Interest in B&H Institutions, and it will submit it to B&H Parliament in urgent procedure (FTV)
• Becirovic meets Sattler and Ambassadors of EU member states accredited in B&H (Hayat)
• Dodik: RS and FB&H did what was up to us, we expect from the EU much more than one positive report (RTRS)
• Konakovic visits Hungary; Hungary expresses support to EU path of B&H (Nova BH)
• Trial of Dodik and Lukic continues (ATV)
• Peskov: Serbs are our brothers and sisters, heroic people, especially Serbs who live in RS (RTRS)
• HR Schmidt meets PM Plenkovic: Priority is opening of accession talks (Dnevni avaz)
Croatia
• EPP Congress takes places in Bucharest, Plenkovic calls for opening of accession negotiations between B&H and EU (Vecernji list)
• Negotiations to form pre-election coalitions are underway (HRT)
Montenegro
• Montenegro's progress towards the EU was praised (CdM)
• Milatovic travelled to the Vatican: He will meet with the Pope and the State Secretary of the Holy See (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Parliament to discuss Electoral Code amendments at Thursday’s session (MIA)
Albania
• Kucova Airbase, Minister Balluku: If it is deemed reasonable, NATO will decide on the training of Ukrainian soldiers (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 6 March 2024

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucevic: Some current, some new ministers to be in new government (Tanjug)
• Belgium remains committed to supporting Serbia on its path to EU (Tanjug/RTS)
• Bakoyani will not give positive stand on membership of so-called Kosovo into CoE until Pristina doesn’t fulfil three conditions (Tanjug/RTV)
• Dacic says coming vote fresh, not repeat elections (N1/Beta)
• Gratitude to Syria for principled and consistent support for Serbia’s preservation of territorial integrity (RTV)
• Mali: Belgrade city elections are most important so far (TV Prva)
• Lazovic says opposition should run in Belgrade elections in two columns (N1)
• Salaries paid into the account, dinars still missing (RTS)
• E-services for citizens as part of Open Balkans initiative available from 5 March (Tanjug)
• 4,536 refugees, migrants transit Serbia since start of year (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Baerbock meets Konakovic, she calls on B&H leaders to adopt remaining reform laws necessary for B&H’s further progress on this path (O Kanal)
• Konakovic addresses press conference following meeting with Barebock (FTV)
• Becirovic: Baerbock expressed strong support to B&H’s sovereignty and independence, she clearly marked politicians who do not act in line with Dayton Peace Agreement (Dnevni list)
• Schmidt meets Baerbock: It is crucial to adopt package of measures for integrity of election process (FTV/Hayat)
• RS officials: Schmidt has nothing to do with European path of B&H (O Kanal/RTRS)
• Baerbock comments her visits to B&H and Montenegro, reminds EU made promise to six countries in region more than 20 years ago (Klix.ba)
• Dodik: It is good that people come to B&H with some prejudice like this Baerbock comes (RTRS)
• Vulic to Baerbock: RS is factor that wants to fulfill all condition and B&H to become EU member; Kovacevic criticizes Baerbock’s statements (ATV/RTRS)
• Schallenberg: We want EU Council to finally give green light for opening accession talks (Radio Sarajevo)
Croatia
• As date for the elections begins to take shape, parties ramp up their messaging (HRT)
Montenegro
• Ukraine must emerge victorious from the war with Russia (MINA)
• Ivanovic and Rodic: Montenegro and Serbia to strengthen political dialogue based on mutual respect (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Osmani: Electing country’s president in parliament would be an added value (TV Telma)
Albania
• Union of Kosovo-Albania energy markets (Radio Tirana)
• Albania in the weapons industry is welcomed by Kosovo: Important and opportunity for cooperation (ANA/Radio Tirana)