United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 11 April 2022

LOCAL PRESS

• RIK announces revoting in presidential, parliamentary elections (Beta)
• Vucic: Our army is many times stronger (B92)
• Vucic on Serbia's vote in the Human Rights Council: Serbia acts responsibly (B92)
• Brnabic: It is not end of the world if we don’t win Belgrade elections (Beta/FoNet)
• Djuric meets with US President (Beta)
• Serbian, Chinese Foreign Ministers: Both states prepared to strengthen ties (Beta/Politika)
• Minister: Serbia proud of Kosare heroes (Beta)
• BIA reacted: We are not planning anyone's assassination (Tanjug/RTS)
• Stano: Serbia must align with EU sanctions on Russia (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Kurti: The RS has become kind of Russian Kaliningrad in region and it is threat to stability in Western Balkans; Dodik: Kurti should stop destabilizing Kosovo and Balkan region will be peaceful (O Kanal/ATV)
• B&H CEC sends another request for securing funds for holding general elections in B&H (N1)
• Sattler: I cannot single out anyone as champion of European values; Elections will take place (OBN)
• RS parliament to hold special session to discuss B&H Presidency’s decisions adopted without consensus (ATV)
• Radmanovic: Entire political circle in the FB&H is violating the Constitution (Glas Srpske)
• Schmidt says he will react if RS authorities do not annul illegal laws (FTV/Oslobodjenje)
• Zvizdic calls OHR to stop illegal and unconstitutional behavior of RS (Oslobodjenje)
• Schmidt calls on RS authorities to put Law on Immovable Property out of force, Bosniak Caucus in RS CoP announces motion to review constitutionality of Law (BHT1)
• Murphy: Russia does not participate in work of PIC anymore; Russian Embassy: Russia participates in work of PIC (Nova BH)
• Russian Embassy to B&H: Russian response to suspension from UNHRC will follow after thorough analysis (Oslobodjenje)
• Dodik files criminal charges against B&H Foreign Minister and B&H Ambassador to UN after B&H’s vote in favor of Russia’s suspension from UN human Rights Council (Srna/RTRS)
• Escobar: Argument of national interests is used to cover up corruption (N1/BHT1)
• Tegeltija at Delfi Economic Forum: B&H issues need to be solved through internal dialogue (RTRS)
Croatia
• 30th anniversary of formation of HVO marked in Mostar; Croatian President Milanovic attends ceremony (N1)
• War Veterans Ministry and the Social Democratic Party distances itself from envoy's statement (Hina)
Montenegro
• Abazovic: Government adopts package of restrictive measures against Russia (CdM)
• Ambassador Maslennikov: Russia will respond adequately (RTCG)
• Nikolic: Our Western allies now see what changes following 30 August 2020 have caused (CdM)
• It’s harmful to delay minority government formation due to petty party interests (Pobjeda)
• Montenegro can’t count on positive EC report if its institutions are blocked (CdM)
• Lajcak didn’t mention elections to Krivokapic, EU: We don’t want to interpret what others believe we told them (Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Bulgaria and Macedonia hold intensive talks, concrete results expected soon, says Bulgarian Ambassador to Tirana (Republika/MIA)
Albania
• Rama on official visit in Berlin (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Pristina undermines regional stability (FoNet/N1)
• Vucic with Putin: Serbia's threatened with a 'nuclear strike' (RTS)
• Serbia consistently committed to respecting principles of international law (Tanjug)
• Serbia determined to strengthen cooperation with Iran (Tanjug)
• Mihajlovic, South Korean ambassador discuss bilateral economic ties (Tanjug)
• Lajcak writes on experts of Kosovo and Serbia (RTS)
• Djilas: No word from Vucic (N1)
EU-Serbia JCC chiefs concerned over election shortcomings (N1)
• Opposition We Must challenges Belgrade election results (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• B&H supports Russia’s suspension from UNHRC in voting at UNGA session (O Kanal/BHT1/Nova BH)
• Dodik on information that Germany is considering sending military troops to B&H within EUFOR Althea: No foreign armed forces needed in B&H, no RS’ consent for Althea in coming period (ATV)
• EUFOR: EUFOR remains 100% dedicated to European future of all citizens (Dnevni avaz)
• Izetbegovic criticizes latest statements of Escobar: Dayton Agreement is straitjacket (N1)
• Lovrinovic submits proposal law on registration of affiliation to constituent people in personal identification documents (FTV)
• RS officials support Lovrinovic’s initiative (Nezavisne novine)
• US Senate confirms appointment of James O’Brien as Head of Office of Sanctions Coordination at State Department (Oslobodjenje)
• Cvijanovic discusses political and economic situation in RS and B&H with Murphy (ATV)
• IRMCT Chief Prosecutor Brammertz and Turkovic discuss war crimes related issues (BHT1/BNTV/FTV)
• US Ambassador Murphy pays respect to victims at Kazani Memorial (FTV)
Montenegro
• Abazovic: Minority government model on the table, two or three individuals undecisive (CdM)
• Krivokapic: Minority government formation would directly lead Montenegro into unrest and instability (CdM)
• Montenegro declares four Russian diplomats persona non grata (CdM)
• Savovic: Abazovic’s hearing about recording in near future (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Petkov ignored Von der Leyen’s comment about minority rights (Republika)
• Milososki: Majority of citizens want early elections (Republika)
• Ahmeti wants the opposition parties who called for boycott of the census to be held responsible for its failures (Republika)
• “I see Zoran Zaev’s hand in Dimitar Kovacevski’s pale leadership” (Alsat TV)

LOCAL PRESS

• UN important interlocutor, guarantor of implementation of UN SC Resolution 1244 (RTS)
• Selakovic meets with Szijjarto (Politika/Tanjug)
• The RIK announced: Voting to be repeated on 16 April (B92)
• Dacic: SPS to hold discussions only with SNS (Tanjug)
• Djilas says ready to discuss new vote with Vucic (Nova)
• Tepic: Worst political crisis in Belgrade (N1)
• Chaos starts, if Serbia agrees - that equals capitulation (Novosti)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Luhrmann says without reforms B&H cannot be granted EU candidate status; Schulze requests EC to impose sanctions, suspend support for RS (BHT1/Nova BH)
• Komsic deems as strange Escobar's statement that civic concept for B&H can be discussed only after country becomes member of EU (BHT1)
• Vucic discusses cooperation with Dodik, Cvijanovic and Viskovic (BNTV/RTRS)
• Day of City of Sarajevo marked with number of events (BHT1)
Montenegro
• Vujovic: We won’t be part of government at any cost; Ivanovic: Montenegro must be in the first place (Gradski RTV)
• Abazovic to chair cabinet meeting tomorrow: Will Montenegro impose sanctions on Russia? (CdM)
• Vote buying in Ulcinj (CdM)
• Konjevic: Abazovic turns the formation of a new government into circus (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovacevski – Bregu: Regional cooperation is a contribution to stability, development and European perspectives (Republika)
• Maricic-Bregu: Any delay in starting EU accession negotiations with Macedonia and Albania reduces citizens’ confidence (Republika)
• Osmani: At the NATO ministerial meeting we will discuss increasing support for Ukraine (MIA)
• Kovacevski is willing to amend the Constitution and make the Albanian language co-official with the Macedonian (TV21)
• Pendarovski won’t reveal his statement of congratulations to Serbian President Vucic (Republika)
Albania
• Cuci meets his Greek counterpart: Albania and Greece should intensify cooperation (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• SNS has 42.91 pct support with 98.73 pct of votes counted (Tanjug)
• Vucic has 58.54 pct support with 99.01 pct of votes counted (Tanjug)
• Brnabic: Only together can we build more prosperous region (Tanjug)
• Vucic, Putin speak by phone (Tanjug)
• Borrell, Varhelyi call on Serbia to continue work on wide political spectrum dialogue (Beta)
• Xi Jinping congratulated Vucic: Ready for deeper relations with Serbia (Tanjug/B92)
• Mihajlovic: I don't know if I will be in the government, but Dacic won't be prime minister (TV Happy)
• Palestinian Ambassador: Stand on Kosovo remains unchanged (Beta/Kosovo Online)
• Opposition: Vucic will no longer rule Belgrade (N1)
• NADA coalition leader exchanges messages with pro-European opposition to compare data, election results (Beta)
• Ponos quits People’s Party (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Szijjarto opens fair: Brussels needs to get off high horse and end arrogant claims about Balkan (BHT1)
• Covic meets Szijjarto; Szijjarto: Hungary will support Croats’ demand regarding their rights guaranteed by international agreements every time that is initiated in international forums (FTV)
• Plenkovic, Covic discuss issues regarding Election Law in B&H (BHT/Nova)
• Dodik meets Szijjarto in Mostar; Szijjarto says stability in B&H cannot be achieved without peace among constituent peoples (ATV)
• Brnabic meets with Dodik, Tegeltija in Mostar; Dodik discusses projects airport Trebinje and hydroelectric power plant Buk Bijela with Brnabic (ATV)
• Dodik and Plenkovic meet in Mostar; Dodik: Issues of one people with constituent status in B&H are the issue of all peoples (RTRS)
• Mehmedovic on visit of Szijjarto and his meeting with HDZ B&H and SNSD officials: Meeting was convention of politicians who are pro-Russian President Putin (N1)
• Escobar: DPA is roadmap for B&H’s EU path (FTV/Srna)
• Schmidt with Lambrecht: War in Ukraine affects stability of Western Balkans (Dnevni list)
• Schmidt meets Szijjarto; Schmidt on 30 years since the siege of Sarajevo: OHR and EUFOR are guarantee of B&H's security (N1)
• Turkovic sends letter to world officials; Peace and reforms are endangered (Oslobodjenje)
• RS officials react to Turkovic’s letter to international organizations (RTRS)
• Turkovic condemns Zakharova’s statement on genocide in Srebrenica; SBB asks Turkovic to declare all Russian diplomats personas non grata (Hayat)
Croatia
• US envoy: Civic B&H can be discussed only after EU accession; Komsic: Then he should press the EU to accept B&H as a full member right away (N1/Hina)
• Austria’s Foreign Minister calls for stepping up Western Balkans’ EU integration (Hina)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic: Russia’s aggression against Ukraine awakened and strengthened European unity (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovacevski-Donckel: Now is the time Macedonia and Albania to start EU negotiations (Republika)
• Osmani and Bregu voice expectation for sooner approval of Macedonia’s negotiating framework, start of EU talks (Republika)
• State Department prods Macedonia and Bulgaria to sign a new treaty (Republika)
Albania
• Meta reveals details from meeting with Radev (ADN)
• Haradinaj in Tirana, thanks Rama for helping Kosovo during the energy crisis (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

RIK announces preliminary results of parliamentary, presidential elections (Tanjug)
Vucic-led list wins 38.15 pct of votes in Belgrade elections (Tanjug)
Jankovic: It is not over yet in Belgrade (N1)
Int'l observers: Elections passed calmly, irregularities noticed (Tanjug)
ENEMO: Intimidation, vote-buying affect people trust in Serbia election process (Beta/N1)
Protest in front of Serbian central election commission (N1)
Macron, Putin, Zeman, leaders of neighboring states congratulate Vucic on election win (Beta)
Coalition We Must: What matters most is that SNS and SPS together do not have majority in Belgrade (Nova S/Beta)
Vukadinovic: United for the Victory of Serbia, SNS are the biggest election losers (Beta)
Constant progress in overall relations between Serbia, Italy (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Dodik expresses satisfaction over Vucic and Orban’s victory in elections in Serbia and Hungary (ATV)
Other RS officials congratulate Vucic in Serbian presidential elections (BN TV)
Dzaferovic congratulates Vucic on his victory, stresses importance of stable and good relations between B&H and Serbia (N1)
Osmanovic: Serbia does not respect B&H’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence; Other B&H politicians comment on Vucic’s victory (Nova BH)
Covic congratulates Vucic on his victory (O Kanal)
Dzaferovic, Komsic discuss elections reforms in B&H with heads of OSCE missions (FTV)
OSCE delegation meets B&H CEC members to discuss B&H CEC’s activities related to organization of this year’s general elections (Oslobodjenje)
Novic: Members of IAWG from SNSD and ‘United Srpska’ will not attend IAWG session on Tuesday (Glas Srpske)
Dodik holds meeting in Mostar with leadership of SNSD Board Mostar; Dodik: Serbs and Croats must agree about the position of these two peoples in B&H because it is difficult to reach any agreement with Bosniaks (RTRS)
Viskovic: Everything ready for withdrawing consent on agreements on transfer of competences (Dnevni list)
Brammertz pays visit to Srebrenica; says what we see today in Ukraine is very reminiscent of crimes we saw in B&H 30 years ago (Hayat)
Croatia

Plenkovic meets Escobar, discuss electoral reform in B&H (Vecernji list)
Croatian President: I congratulate Vucic and Orban despite democracy flaws (Hina)
Plenkovic congratulates Orban and Vucic on election victories (Hina)
Grlic-Radman: Vucic’s triumph in Serbia expected (Hina)
Milanovic: HVO and Croatian Army have rescued B&H (Nova)
Foreign Ministers of Croatia, Italy and Slovenia condemn Russia’s aggression against Ukraine; Stress importance of accelerating process of six Western Balkans countries joining EU (AJB)
Montenegro

Montenegro officials congratulate Vucic on election victory (CDM)
Abazovic with Ellis: The focus of our activities is the rule of law and the fight against crime (CdM)
Raising Reinke: US is calling on Montenegro to impose sanctions on Russia (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Osmani blames unnamed “people and institutions” in Macedonia of working against his deal with Bulgaria, being in league with Russia (Republika)
Kovacevski says that steps were taken against officials who tried to obstruct his new deal with Bulgaria (Republika)
Albania

Kim: We welcome parliament's support for justice reform (Radio Tirana)
Cuci pays an official visit to Athens (Radio Tirana)