United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 9 February 2024

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic addresses UN Security Council: Widespread attacks directed against Serbs (B92/Tanjug/RTS/RTV/Politika)
• UN SC permanent members call on Pristina to delay decision on Dinar ban (Beta)
• Vucic after UN Security Council session: People must know that we will fight for them (Tanjug/B92/RTS/RTV)
• Brnabic on UNSC session: The world has heard for the first time that what is Kurti doing is crime against humanity (RTS)
• Dacic: Vucic demonstrated statesmanly approach to protecting national interests (RTS/Tanjug)
• Drecun: Resolution 1244 is very much alive (RTS)
• Pisonero: We expect Serbia to implement recommendations from ODIHR report (Tanjug)
• Brnabic: Resolutions come and go (Beta/Tanjug)
• Opposition officials in Strasbourg hail adoption of EP resolution (Beta/N1)
• Aleksic: Accepting mandates does not mean recognition of election results (Insajder/Beta)
• Serb property set on fire in Odanovce village, Office for Kosovo and Metohija: It was most likely arson (RTV/Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Coalition partners at B&H level form working groups to harmonize laws important for EU path, demand EU to give precise date for beginning of EU accession negotiations; Statements of Dodik, Covic, Niksic (FTV)
• B&H Presidency adopts decision to initiate negotiation process between B&H and Frontex; Nesic welcomes this decision (Hayat/Dnevni avaz/FTV)
• Dodik and Eichhorst discuss reforms; Dodik: B&H must get full sovereignty in its acting (ATV)
• Konakovic responds to Dodik: Dodik can block and stop this process on EU path only if interest of Russian people is more important to him than interest of Serb people (Oslobodjenje)
• Becirovic reacts to Dodik’s latest statements: It is impermissible that any politician undermines the role of B&H CC (NAP.ba)
• Dodik: Becirovic is Islamic radical who advocates B&H where Sharia law would apply (RTRS)
• Ambassador Murphy says O’Brien’s criticism of meeting in Laktasi was not ‘slap in face’ of ‘The Troika’, notes it is up to High Representative to decide when and how he will use Bonn powers (Politicki.ba)
• Luhrmann meets Konakovic; Konakovic expresses gratitude to Germany (Oslobodjenje)
• Kristo meets Luhrmann; Kristo: It is extremely important for B&H to receive decision on opening of accession negotiations at upcoming meeting of European Council in March (BHT1)
• Borenovic meets Luhrmann in Sarajevo, he says that ruling coalition at B&H level is not interested in serious reforms on European path and fight against corruption, but only in division of positions (BNTV)
• Cvijanovic sends verbal note to German Embassy regarding organization of meeting with Luhrmann (RTRS)
• Slovenian President Pirc Musar pays visit to B&H: Slovenia supports B&H's path to EU (BHT1)
Montenegro
• Milatovic: Montenegro in the EU is in Austria's national interest (CdM)
• Mandic: One part of the reconstruction of the government as soon as possible - the other after the summer (Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Toshkovski – Wahl: Interior Ministry to ensure fair, democratic elections (MIA)
• Toshkovski – Geer: Cooperation with EU delegation to continue with undiminished intensity (MIA)
Albania
• Rama meets the EIB Vice-President, increase of investments in Albania (Radio Tirana/RTSH)
• President Begaj decrees the dismissal and appointment of 10 ambassadors (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• At 21:00 sharp at the request of Serbia, Vucic speaks at the Security Council session (B92/Tanjug)
• Vucic: Interference in Serbia's internal affairs must be reduced (B92/Tanjug)
• Pistorius after meeting with Vucic: We agreed Serbia will not support secessionist tendencies in B&H (N1)
• Dacic: Non-recognizers of so-called Kosovo want clarification on Chapter 35 (Tanjug/Politika)
• Dacic: Guyana was under tremendous pressure over Serbia's request for UNSC session (Tanjug)
• Dinars sent to Kosovo and Metohija in line with years-long practice – NBS (Tanjug/Politika)
• European Parliament adopts Resolution on Serbian elections (N1)
• Bilcik: Crucial that Serbia bring to justice those responsible for election irregularities (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Eichhorst, Brkic address press conference; Eichhorst: B&H has to seriously take the tasks it has to fulfill to be granted the possibility of opening the accession negotiations (Dnevni avaz)
• EEAS’ Eichhorst chairs meeting of six political directors of Western Balkans and EU (FTV)
• Komsic after meeting with Eichhorst: Foreign policy priority of B&H is clear – full membership in EU (Oslobodjenje)
• FM Konakovic: Meetings with Pistorius and Eichhorst are continuation of diplomatic offensive, some in opposition are prepared to bring down B&H’s EU path (Slobodna Bosna)
• Dodik: EU path is not disputable for RS, but selective implementation of 14 priorities; Dodik: Konakovic overplayed a little (RTRS)
• SDA Caucus: Konakovic is using lies to cover up responsibility of ruling coalition (Slobodna Bosna)
• Covic emphasizes importance of adopting reforms on their path to EU; Covic announces meeting of all partners in authorities (BHT1)
• Dodik: Schmidt can be tourist guide in B&H and nothing more (RTRS)
Montenegro
• Ministers in Rome: Italy strongly supports reform processes in Montenegro (CdM)
• Italian Minister to Milovic: Italy is willing to assist Montenegro in drafting anti-mafia law (CdM)
• Spajic: This govt wishes to transform economy, it is why we need collaboration with strongest French companies (CdM)
• Milatovic: Montenegro can and should be a new member of the EU in 2028 (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Pendarovski: Ethnic Albanian can be president, must be supported by all ethnicities (Euronews Albania)
• President Pendarovski meets with EU Ambassador Geer (MIA)
• McAllister: EU failed to deliver on some promises in enlargement process, North Macedonia an example of this (MIA/Bild)
• Alliance for Albanians proposes replacements for Ministers Mexhiti and Aliu (MIA)
• Marichikj: Outcome regarding AA ministers up to Xhaferi (MIA)
Albania
• Rama meeting with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg (Radio Tirana)
• Cooperation in higher education with Kosovo, Manastirliu: Joint projects in scientific research (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 7 February 2024

LOCAL PRESS

• Dacic: According to information that I have, UNSC session will be open for public (RTS)
• Chinese Ambassador: Kosovo issue should be resolved through dialogue (RTS)
• UNMIK Chief calls for resolving outstanding issues through dialogue (Tanjug)
• Vucic asks what the point of circus with trial of Dodik is, unless it is someone’s intention to continue with punishing of Serb representatives (TV Happy)
• Dacic: We’ll continue to be constructive element of political stability (Beta)
• Stefanovic: We will not nominate candidates for deputy speaker, committee chairs (N1)
• DS: Entering parliament will be considered only after EP resolution (Nova/Beta)
• Kurti continues, a new attack on the Serbs: The first transport of dinars banned (RTV/B92/Kosovo Online)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• German Minister Pistorius meets Helez and his deputies (BHT1)
• Russian Embassy responds to Pistorius’s statements: It is not Russia, but Germany that is exacerbating the internal political crisis in B&H (Depo.ba)
• Pistorius meets with B&H Presidency members, emphasizes Germany’s support to B&H’s EU integration (Klix.ba)
• Pistorius meets with HR Schmidt: Germany remains strong support to B&H and it supports country’s Euro-Atlantic commitments (BHT1)
• Eichhorst meets B&H Presidency members; Eichhorst: Certain EU member states soften critical approach toward B&H (Klix.ba/FTV)
• HR Schmidt addresses key challenges at "Friends of the Western Balkans" meeting in Rome (Dnevni avaz)
• Konakovic attends meeting of foreign ministers in Rome (Oslobodjenje)
Croatia
• FM Grlic Radman reiterates support to opening of accession negotiations with B&H (Dnevni list)
Montenegro
• Ministers in Rome: Italy strongly supports reform processes in Montenegro (CdM)
• Knezevic: I will talk about the reconstruction only with Spajic, others should not try to re-educate us (Adria TV)
• Ivanovic-Tajani: Italy will help Montenegro on its way to becoming the next EU member (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Osmani: Gov't doesn't dismiss ministers, parliament does (MIA)
• Aliu and Mexhiti: We will not resign, AA stands together (MIA)
Albania
• World Security and Defense Fair, Balla in Saudi Arabia (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Serbia submitted an urgent request to the UNSC (RTS)
• Vucic meets with Chinese Ambassador: I delivered letter to President Xi about Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Hybrid war waged against Serbia: Scheme shown (TV Happy/B92)
Dacic: Serbia submits request for emergency session of UN Security Council due to situation in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug)
• Summit of Friends of Western Balkans takes place in Rome; Group say their goal is to keep Western Balkans membership in EU high on agenda (RTS)
• Stano: Lajcak working on dialogue, Pristina should avoid unilateral steps (Tanjug/Beta)
• Serbian parliament holds inaugural session (N1)
• Lazovic: Opposition forced SNS to indefinitely suspend parliament session (N1)
• Displaced Kosovo Serbs block Albanian vehicles from crossing at Merdare (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Trial of Dodik formally begins with reading of indictment (BHT1)
• Cvijanovic: It makes no sense to have trial for non-execution of Schmidt’s decision because –Schmidt is not legitimate HR in B&H (O Kanal)
• Viskovic on Dodik’s trial: I believe that B&H was buried today (O Kanal)
• HNS Main Council says they support southern gas interconnection and point to lack of implementation of Mostar Agreement (BHT1/O Kanal)
• NS Presidency calls for fulfilling conditions for opening of accession negotiations with EU before discussing electoral reform (Dnevni avaz)
• Time is running out for implementation of Laktasi agreement, analysts hold Bosniak politicians responsible for its non-implementation (Nezavisne)
Montenegro
• Milatovic with German Minister Ana Learmann: Germany's unequivocal support for Montenegro's European integration path (CdM)
• Gorcevic and Learmann: Govt aims to obtain closing benchmarks for Chapters 23 and 24 (CdM)
• Macron hosted Spajic: Four pillars of cooperation between Montenegro and France were announced (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Xhaferi: In case of opposing positions AA ministers should institutionally state if they feel they belong in government or not (MIA)
• Xhaferi meets EU member states' ambassadors: Support for commitment to holding democratic elections (MIA)
Albania
• Rama: Kosova should coordinate with allies, but has the right to implement the Constitution (Radio Tirana)
• "Friends of Western Balkans" meeting in Rome/ Hasani: Let's enhance cooperation to expedite the integration of the region (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 5 February 2024

LOCAL PRESS

• Brnabic: Now right time to request urgent UNSC session (TV Pink)
• Petkovic: Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija in a very difficult satiation, we will fight for an urgent session of the SC (RTS)
• Dacic: Kosovo issue of highest national and state interest (Tanjug)
• More concrete cooperation with Gambia in many fields (Tanjug)
• An introduction to a total exodus of the Serbian people? (Tanjug/B92)
• EU concerned over sudden closure of Serbia-run institutions in Kosovo (N1)
• France calls for immediate suspension of decision to ban dinar in Kosovo (N1/Politika)
• Zakharova: By protecting Kosovo, Serbia is protecting the center of Europe from total devastation (Beta/Politika)
• Brussels formally proposes including obligations from Ohrid in accession talks with Serbia (RFE/Beta/Novosti)
• Li Ming: Position of the Chinese side on Kosovo issue is consistent and clear. We firmly support Serbia’s efforts to protect its national sovereignty and territorial integrity (Politika)
• Former diplomat: No one believes Vucic anymore (Beta)
• Displaced Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija announce three-hour blockades (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• O’Brien delivers lecture at Sarajevo University, promising that USA will respond to any unconstitutional actions and will not allow malign actors to divide B&H; Expresses strong support for Schmidt, criticizes Dodik, Izetbegovic and Covic (O Kanal)
• O’Brien: We will respond to anti-Dayton and unconstitutional actions and will not allow malignant actors to divide this country (O Kanal)
• Dodik: Everything that O'Brien said in Sarajevo confirmed his subservience to Bosniaks in B&H and politics advocated by Sarajevo (RTRS)
• Dodik: O'Brien's performance in Sarajevo is demonstration of arrogance and lack of ideas (ATV)
• RS politicians criticize O’Brien’s statements during visit to B&H (ATV)
• Niksic: There is no alternative to put policy of dialogue and agreement; O’Brien’s message demonstrates support to policy we have been advocating (Dnevni avaz)
• Parties of ‘Troika’ believe that highest officials of NATO and US recognized that there are pro-state forces in B&H that very responsibly and in no way populist lead key processes at different authority levels despite so many obstructions (Hayat)
• SDA reacts to O’Brien’s statements, criticizes Troika (FTV)
• Sebija Izetbegovic: Those informing O’Brien should have devised more convincing arguments against me (Dnevni avaz)
• EU approves funds for Western Balkans and its southern neighbors for safety of EU borders and solving of problem of illegal migrations; Minister Nesic says everything can be solved in line with constitutional competencies of B&H and entities (Nezavisne)
Montenegro
• We expect that the US will dedicate special attention to Montenegro, Zivkovic says (VoA/CdM)
• Ivanovic at the State Department: Strong US support for reforms on the European path (CdM)
• If strikes happen, state to face collapse (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Action Plan draft sent to Brussels, roadmaps to be adopted once conditions in place: Deputy PM (MIA)
• Kovachevski: Political parties belong to coalitions sharing same values (MIA)
• Leader wants AA to join opposition of ethnic Albanians, secretary-general says party has decided to run alone (MIA)
• Marichikj says no problems in functioning of caretaker government (MIA)
Albania
• Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Tajani gathers the heads of diplomacy of the Western Balkans in Rome (Radio Tirana)