United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 3 August 2022

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Worst case scenario was barely avoided two days ago in Kosovo and Metohija, we were one step away from a catastrophe (RTS)
• Vulin: Peace in B&H is not Izetbegovic’s decision, but it is the decision of Serbia and the RS (Novosti)
• Petkovic: Pristina’s police have hijacked ambulance, driver kidnapped (Tanjug/RTS)
• Petkovic: Driver of the ambulance Spahic released (Tanjug/RTS)
• Botsan-Kharchenko says EU, US are behind Belgrade-Pristina conflict (Beta/ Solovyov Live)
• Serbia cherishes spirit of friendship with North Macedonia (Tanjug/RTS)
• Parliament speaker, seven deputy speakers elected (N1/Beta)
• Traffic at Jarinje, Brnjak and Merdare administrative crossings functioning smoothly (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik criticizes Izetbegovic’s statement about Serbia and Russia (RTRS)
• Novakovic Bursac: Izetbegovic’s inflammatory statements are in function of the desired Unitarian Islamist state (ATV)
• Stevandic: Izetbegovic is man of war who advocates conflicts (RTRS)
• Nesic: Izetbegovic, leave Serbia and Russia alone, deal with Bosniak people (RTRS)
• Vukovic: Izetbegovic is cancer of the Balkans; Other politicians from RS opposition comment on Izetbegovic’s statement (RTRS)
• Russian Embassy: Russia brings peace and even short-sighted politicians should realize that (RTRS)
• US Embassy says it will not take part in new talks on changes to Election Law (Patria/Dnevni list)
• Novakovic Bursac: There is no intention to improve election process but to complicate things and to discipline a certain political corps led by SNSD as well as some Croat parties in the FB&H (ATV)
Montenegro
• Abazovic and Porfirije secretly signed the Agreement between Montenegro and the SPC (CdM)
• DPS to launch motion of no confidence in government today: Agreement with SPC to be suspended immediately after new government election (CdM)
• Kovac: We will not change the Fundamental Agreement, it will be signed in the first half of August (RTCG)
• Bastijancic: Djukanovic made a new decision – elections in 13 municipalities and Podgorica on 23 October (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• North Macedonian state and church delegation visits Prohor Pcinjski monastery (MIA)
Albania
• Tirana praises Pristina ‘maturity’ in latest Serbia ‘provocation’ (Tirana Times)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 2 August 2022

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic receives Botsan-Kharchenko (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Selakovic: Serbia, Cyprus support each other on key issues (Tanjug/Beta/RTS/RTV)
• Petkovic: We were one step from serious conflict (Beta/Politika)
• Jarinje, Brnjak border crossings open, traffic back to normal (N1)
• Stano: EU has invited Belgrade, Pristina to Brussels meeting (Tanjug)
• Kremlin fully supports Belgrade in dispute with Kosovo (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik reacts to developments in Kosovo: We in RS fully and strongly support Serbian leadership in their efforts to deescalate situation (ATV)
• Izetbegovic: We have friends in the east and west and together we will direct HR Schmidt in regards to solutions for B&H Election Law (FTV)
• Becirovic: Covic and HDZ must realize there will never be third entity in B&H (Dnevni list)
• Other FB&H politicians comment on reaching of solution to B&H Election Law (BHT1)
• Cubrilovic: RS parliament paves way for return of RS competences, we demand only what belongs to us (Glas Srpske)
• Bakalar: Technical changes are implementable although it is not wise to change the rules during a match (Dnevni list)
Croatia
• Plenkovic: It seems to me that events in Kosovo were less tense than it seemed (Hina)
• Plenkovic: Croatian government always stands by Croats in B&H, I hope next moves of HR Schmidt will ensure at least minimum equality of Croats after elections (Hina)
Montenegro
• Abazovic rejects all objections to Agreement with SPC (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Mickoski: Because of Pendarovski and Kovacevski, what we had to negotiate with Bulgaria is now on the negotiating table with entire EU (Kanal 5)
Albania
• The tense situation in the north of Kosovo; Rama reacts for the first time (Radio Tirana)
• Sanchez supports the integration of Albania into EU (Radio Tirana)
• President Begaj telephone conversation with Vjosa Osmani: Open issues between Kosovo and Serbia can only be addressed through dialogue (Radio Tirana)
• Xhacka: The government of Kosovo showed maturity, it has the right to exercise its sovereignty in every cm of the territory (Radio Tirana)
• Nikolla reacts to the tensions in the North of Kosovo (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 1 August 2022

LOCAL PRESS

• Due to Pristina’s unilateral moves, situation in Kosovo and Metohija has never been more difficult (Tanjug/RTS)
• Pristina postpones decision; Crossing points closed (Novosti/B92)
• Vucic: I believe situation will be de-escalated (TV Pink/Tanjug)
• Brnabic: Serbia not responsible for crisis in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/Politika)
• Serbian Army denies that it entered Kosovo (Politika)
• Petkovic: Kurti unilaterally decided to set fire to powder keg (RTS)
• Petkovic with Kosovo Serbs: Unacceptable abolishment of IDs, aim expulsion of Serbs (Tanjug/RTV)
• Sanchez said that Spain supports Serbia when it comes to issue of Kosovo (Tanjug/Politika)
• Dacic with Sanchez: Spain always with Serbia (RTS)
• Selakovic: Serbia proud of outstanding relations with China (Politika)
• Serbia gets new parliament (RTS/Tanjug)
• Dacic: SPS will be part of the parliamentary majority (RTS)
• EU Ambassador: Serbia should oppose Russia’s aggression (Blic)
• On why Bosniaks are intimidated by rights of Croats in B&H (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Izetbegovic: Bosniaks have the right to be careful, but also the right to defend themselves (ATV)
• Izetbegovic’s statements receive more criticism, comments by Milanovic, Plenkovic, Vucic (ATV)
• HNS Presidency convenes, calls for OHR’s urgent relocation from Sarajevo to Brussels to protect OHR’s safety and independence (FTV)
• Ljubic speaks about technical changes to B&H Election Law (HRT1)
• Izetbegovic: It is unrealistic to believe leaders will reach agreement on B&H Election Law (FTV)
• Dodik: There was no Bosnia before me, there will not be after too; Schmidt proved his actions are managed by politicians from Sarajevo (Glas Srpske)
• Cubrilovic reacts to Schmidt’s decision: Only binding documents for RS parliament are the ones adopted by RS parliament (FTV)
• NS calls on Prosecutor’s Office of B&H to investigate information about ‘possible unrests in south of the country’ (Dnevni list)
• US Embassy: It is hypocritical for Covic and HNS to criticize inflammatory rhetoric of other political leaders (Dnevni list)
• Dodik: SNSD is forced to participate in general elections (Hayat)
• Sanchez meets with B&H Presidency members within his official visit to B&H (Hayat)
Croatia
• Medved: Croat people in B&H need to be represented in authorities adequately (HRT1)
Montenegro
• Abazovic: I don’t know when the Agreement with the SPC is going to be signed (CdM)
• Djukanovic։ If this kind of Agreement with SPC is signed, government will fall (N1)
• Initiative to overthrow government after signing Agreement with SPC (Pobjeda)
• Abazovic discussed investments in energy and tourism with Saudi Crown Prince (Pobjeda)
• Sanchez: Montenegro is part of Europe; Djukanovic: The only good choice for the Western Balkans is the European perspective (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• National anthem cut short again: The Spanish Prime Minister didn’t hear about the Krusevo Republic, Goce Delcev and Pitu Guli (Republika)
• Kovacevski-Sanchez: Macedonia and Spain are strong allies, decades-long cooperation is deepening (Republika)
Albania
• The integration process towards the EU, the Prime Minister of Spain visits Tirana (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 29 July 2022

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Prime minister-designate to be announced in about 12 days (RTS/Politika/Tanjug)
• China’s position on Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in connection with the issue of so-called Kosovo is consistent (FoNet)
• Serbia and Kingdom of Eswatini signed five agreements on cooperation (Tanjug)
• Office: Anti-Serb campaign in Kosovo and Metohija; Petkovic: Kurti wishes to take off responsibility with lies (RTV/Tanjug)
• Thirty-five opposition MPs to nominate Lutovac for deputy speaker (Beta)
• Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is visiting Serbia starting today (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• B&H CEC thanks Schmidt for imposing technical changes to Election Law (Hayat/Nova BH)
• Izetbegovic: I do not believe political changes to the Election Law can be agreed before the elections (Hayat)
• Turkovic: Technical changes to Election Law were necessary (Dnevni list)
• Russian Embassy: HR Schmidt’s decision on technical amendments to B&H Election Law issued under outside pressure (RTRS)
• Germany Embassy to B&H welcomes decision of HR and condemns rhetoric of leaders of SDA, SNSD (Avaz)
• Milanovic: Schmidt got frightened by the mob that threatened him (BHT1/RTRS)
• Modernization of B&H Armed Forces key (Srna)
Montenegro
• Bogdanovic: DPS-SNP-URA fraud, parliament session convened over Zeta (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Mickoski-Geer meeting: Dignified EU integration with the preservation of the Macedonian identity, language and culture (Republika)
• EU closely monitoring freedom of media in Macedonia’s accession process (MIA)
Albania
• Biden congratulates Albanians on the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (Radio Tirana)
• Bush message for the 100th anniversary of friendship: Proud to be the first American president to visit Albania (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 28 July 2022

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic apologizes to concentration camp survivors (Beta)
• Several agreements on cooperation between Serbia and Gabon signed (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
• Djuric speaks with US Senator Tillis about bilateral cooperation (Tanjug/RTS)
• Dacic meets with Kingdom of Eswatini Foreign Minister (Tanjug)
• Stefanovic and Greek Ambassador discuss crash of Ukrainian airplane (FoNet)
• Lutovac: DS not interested in being part of Vucic’s cabinet (Danas)
• Poll: Majority of Serbian citizens opposes sanctions on Russia and NATO membership (NSPM/Vreme)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• HR Schmidt imposes technical changes to B&H Election Law (O Kanal/FTV)
• Schmidt meets with representatives of political parties in FB&H (N1)
• Croat People’s Assembly: OHR succumbed to warmongering pressure and calls for violence from Bosniak-Muslim champions (Nova BH)
• SDA on HR’s decision (BHT1/N1)
• Dodik: Schmidt does not have the right to enter the building of OHR, let alone intervene in legislature of B&H (RTRS)
• Schmidt imposes only technical changes to B&H Election Law (Nezavisne)
• US Ambassador Murphy: US gives full support to OHR (O Kanal)
• UK Ambassador expresses support to OHR and High Representative (Nova BH)
• Dodik reacts to Izetbegovic’s statement about reviewing of “their” numbers (ATV)
• US Embassy, UK Embassy, OSCE condemn inflammatory rhetoric (Al Jazeera/FTV/Avaz)
Croatia
• Plenkovic: Protests in Sarajevo and insults directed at Schmidt made it difficult to make wider changes to B&H Election Law (HRT1)
Montenegro
• Abazovic: Signing of Fundamental Agreement can be expected in early August (CdM)
• Konjevic: I won’t be part of government unless parliament mandate is shortened and PM resigns (Pobjeda)
• Picula: Abazovic causes another crisis by inviting author of Agreement with SPC to expert team (Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Pendarovski proposes phrasing of referendum question: Do you want to join the EU under these conditions? (Fokus)
• Parliament ratifies NATO accession protocols of Finland and Sweden (Republika)
Albania
• 100 years of diplomatic relations/ Biden: We will support you on your way to the EU! Kim: Proud of our friendship (Radio Tirana)
• 100 years of diplomatic relations/ Rama: Without the USA, Albania would not be in NATO (Radio Tirana)
• Begaj: The USA is the most powerful defender of our independence; This marked the friendship we have today (Radio Tirana)
• Xhacka: Communist regime could not destroy a consolidated relationship (Radio Tirana)