LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: Climate change emerging as key issue (TV Pink/Tanjug)
Vucic: Local election loss not the only reason for Zaev’s resignation (TV Pink/Beta)
Mr. Zaev won't come to Belgrade (Tanjug/B92)
Brnabic: Serbia preserved economic stability despite challenges; instability caused by provocations by Pristina and attacks on Serbs (RTS/RTV/Tanjug)
Selakovic, Sakellaropoulou: Traditional friendship, excellent cooperation of Greece and Serbia (RTS)
Serbia and Cyprus linked by closeness, solidarity (Tanjug/Politika)
Dacic: Cyprus is Serbia’s best friend in Europe (Beta)
Milivojevic: Opposition should run two presidential candidates (Beta)
B&H leaders negotiate on changes to B&H Election Law (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

People's Movement of Serbs from Kosovo criticize Dodik’s views of Kosovo and claim that RS elites want to sacrifice Kosovo for their own interests (O Kanal)
Leaders of ruling coalition in RS conclude RS will work on return of its competences in three fields (ATV)
Borenovic: RS opposition will not give consent demanded by Dodik and his coalition partners (Nova BH)
OHR: Sovereignty lies with state of B&H and not entities (BHT1)
NATO: We strongly support sovereignty of B&H, leaders should refrain from divisive rhetoric (Dnevni avaz)
Cvijanovic meets Tenney; Cvijanovic: Consistent respect for DPA and Constitution are prerequisites for political stability and efficient functioning of joint institutions (ATV)
Cvijanovic meets Cooper; Cvijanovic: RS is determined to defend DPA and to fully protect its constitutional competencies (RTRS)
UN SC to discuss situation in B&H on Tuesday; Dodik: If final version of Resolution contains OHR and HR in it, then EUFOR mission to B&H will not be extended (N1/RTRS)
Zaev case is lesson both for Balkans and for the EU (Oslobodjenje)
North Macedonia is just ‘the last straw’ of complete collapse of West’s policy in the Balkans (Dnevni list)
Croatia

Croatian Defense Ministry says it prevented international scandal in March regarding participation of Honorary and Protection Battalion at ceremony in B&H (HRT1)
Montenegro

Mandic: Government reshuffle story over, initiative for new government election to be launched (RTCG)
Konjevic: Return mandate to citizens and go for new elections (CdM)
Abazovic: In order to elect new government, the existing one must be overthrown (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Pendarovski not officially informed over Zaev’s resignation, once informed he will present the government mandate (Republika)
Zaev will resign as Prime Minister and SDSM leader, wants to see SDSM remain in power (Republika)
Despite electoral defeat, SDSM and their coalition partners insist that they want to remain in power (Republika)
Albania

Open Balkans, Zaev cancels his participation in Belgrade meeting (ADN)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 1 November 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: Pristina will look for an opportunity of a new provocation; Croatia has been disgraced (B92)
BIRODI: Agreement legitimized the collapse of integrity of elections (Beta/N1)
Djilas: Serbian democracy is dead (Beta)
KFOR: Kosovo security forces must have approval before deploying in northern Kosovo (Beta/Kosovo Online)
Election of Christopher Hill blocked (RTS)
Dodik: I am not breaking apart, but saving Dayton Bosnia (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Politicians react to Vucic’s statement (ATV/EuroBlic)
Palmer and Eichhorst reaffirm support of US and EU to B&H’s sovereignty and territorial integrity (Hayat)
Palmer, Eichhorst meet members of B&H Presidency to discuss political situation in B&H, reform processes and activities on EU path (FTV/Nova BH)
FB&H opposition parties meet Palmer, Eichhorst: We are not optimistic, we do not want to be alibi for ruling structures (FTV)
Palmer, Eichhorst meet Dodik and other members of ruling coalition in RS; Dodik: We are no threat for Election Law, we wait for Bosniaks, Croats (FTV)
Palmer, Eichhorst meets representatives of RS opposition; Borenovic: There is no political will to change Election Law (BN TV)
Escobar's statement that he called on leaders of political parties throughout B&H not to support Dodik's policy on Serb unity continues to provoke reactions (RTRS)
SNSD Main Board adopts “Declaration”: RS has only two options: total disappearance or return of competences (FTV)
SNSD confirms no declaration was adopted at session of SNSD Main Board, but conclusions on future activities (BHT1)
SDA reacts to declaration adopted by SNSD Main Board: It is most serious attack on constitutional-legal order of B&H (BHT1)
Other B&H politicians comment on SNSD’s resolution (Oslobodjene)
US and UK reaction on SNSD’s resolution (BHT/N1)
Dzaferovic calls on Dodik to withdraw from political scene in B&H (O Kanal)
Izetbegovic: Dodik will have to leave in the end because he is persistently doing damage to B&H and the RS (Hayat)
Inzko wrote letter to EU asking for imposing of sanctions against RS politicians on May 17, EU never replied to it (Istraga.ba/Oslobodjenje/EuroBlic)
RS government submits report on situation in B&H with UN SC (RTRS)
Croatia

Croatian President slams Defense Minister as ‘abuser of the military’ (Hina)
PM: By attacking Defense Minister, the President only made his position stronger (Hina)
Montenegro

PM: I’m thinking about forming Christian Democratic Party, I want to reconcile two strong extremisms (RTCG)
PM: Citizens don’t want new elections, all those who want transitional or minority Govt. are direct accomplices of former regime (CdM)
Krivokapic: I won’t sign Fundamental Agreement with SPC during my visit to Belgrade (CdM)
Weber: Political dialogue crucial, govt faces crisis (Pobjeda)
Joseph: I asked Abazovic about threats against Western orientation and the role of SPC (Gradska Televizija)
Republic of North Macedonia

Macedonia: VMRO victory in local elections forces Zoran Zaev to resign (Republika)
Albania

Unification of Kosovo and Albania becomes more likely if the Balkans are not integrated in the EU, Rama says (ADN)
Chinese Foreign Minister visits Tirana (Tirana Times)

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: Sino-Serbian projects worth almost 8 billion Euros (Tanjug/Politika)
Vucic: Pristina’s refusal to deliver on agreements a question for EU (Tanjug/RTS)
Millard: Serbia is key US partner committed to preserving a stable Western Balkans (Tanjug)
Selakovic thanks Slovakia for support to Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty (RTV/Tanjug)
Dacic: Vucic to be SNS-SPS candidate if he runs for president (TV K1/Tanjug/RTS)
Agreement on electoral conditions signed in Serbian parliament (Tanjug/Beta/RTS)
Von Cramon: EC report tends “to give something to Serbia’s President ahead of poll (Beta/N1)
Mihajlovic: Von Cramon lobbying for Kosovo (Beta/N1)
EU decision on opening new clusters with Serbia due by end-November (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Schmidt addresses B&H parliament; Every attempt to destroy progress made in past 26 years will not be accepted (BHT1)
Schmidt meets with Komsic and Dzaferovic, stresses need for all representatives to unconditionally return to B&H institutions and unblock their functionality (Hayat)
Covic: Duty of all is to find political solution instead of threats (O Kanal)
Palmer and Eichhorst meet Izetbegovic and Covic (Nova BH)
Dodik: I do not expect anything from Palmer’s visit (RTRS)
Niksic slams Palmer's statement regarding election of Presidency of B&H members (Dnevni list)
Prodanovic: Erasing ethic prefixes from electoral legislation on B&H House of Peoples is not possible (Glas Srpske)
Izetbegovic meets Kalabukhov: Russia supports continuation of EUFOR mission, but not role of HR (Oslobodjenje)
SNSD Main Board discusses initiative for restoring RS’ competences (ATV)
Dodik: RS will not give up on its competences and its rights defined by B&H Constitution (RTRS)
Hearing on US engagement in Western Balkans held before House Foreign Affairs Committee; Escobar points out that sanctions are ready for those who undermine B&H's territorial integrity (BHT1)
Croatia

Milanovic: Dodik, Izetbegovic and Covic should try to resolve situation at meeting in presence of Vucic, Erdogan and myself (HRT1)
Montenegro

PM: I’m thinking about forming Christian Democratic Party, I want to reconcile two strong extremisms (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia

Government: The messages from Sofia are not friendly (Gov. Press service)
Escobar in Congress: Macedonia and Albania to start negotiations with the EU before the end of the year (MIA)
Albania

Xhacka meets Vukcevic, Serbian Ambassador: Friendly relations between Albania and Serbia, key to the Western Balkans (Radio Tirana)
MEPs call on the EU to speed up the integration of the Western Balkan countries (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 28 October 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Wang Yi: We will continue to strongly support the sovereignty of Serbia (RTS/Tanjug/B92)
Further development of political, economic relations of Serbia and China (Tanjug/RTS)
Selakovic meets Chinese Foreign Miniter (Tanjug)
Drecun: Threat of Valac raid by Pristina real (Tanjug)
Petkovic: Serbia is not carcinogenic, but Pristina’s statements (Tanjug/RTV)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Dodik states he informed Croatian President Milanovic about undermining of RS’ competencies and violation of Constitution by HR in B&H and B&H Constitutional Court (ATV)
Dzaferovic: Serb representatives will certainly return to B&H institutions, Dodik should leave political scene (Hayat)
Covic: Real sources of problems in B&H are ideas of separatism and unitary B&H (HRT)
FB&H HoR adopts conclusions calling on judiciary and HR Schmidt to sanction persons conducting anti-constitutional activities; HDZ B&H representatives abstain from voting (FTV)
Dzaferovic: Palmer’s possible willingness to meet HDZ B&H’s demands in amending B&H Election Law and ignoring amendments regarding HoP unacceptable (Hayat)
RS parliament fails to confirm violation of VNI of RS in relation to conclusions of B&H Presidency (ATV)
Dodik insults RS opposition, accuses PDP of being involved in corruption; Borenovic announces defamation lawsuit (RTRS)
Croatia

Milanovic criticizes EU for prolongations in Croatia's accession to Schengen Area (Hina)
Montenegro

Government officials present model of confiscation of property of illegal origin (Gov. Press service)
Abazovic hosts ECFR representatives: The fight against corruption will also reduce tensions in society (Gov. Press service)
Republic of North Macedonia

The SEC opened the Pandora's box (Nezavisen vesnik)
Albania

SP accepts to establish Special Committee for Electoral Reform (ADN)
EU Delegation launches new campaign on its financial support to Albania (ADN)

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: I am worried over their intention to take Valac (B92/Tanjug/RTS)
Serbia’s ruling coalition continues cooperation (Beta/N1)
Vucic meets Covic, agreement of all three people in B&H is necessary (Tanjug)
Serbia strongly committed to Charter, principles of UN; UNSCR 1244 still remains in force (RTS/RTV/Tanjug)
Selakovic: Partnership cooperation of Serbia with OSCE (Tanjug/RTV)
Selakovic: More than ten states ready to withdraw recognition of Kosovo (Novosti)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Dodik informs Milanovic about causes of political crisis in B&H (RTRS)
Izetbegovic plans meeting with Vucic; Reactions (O Kanal)
Izetbegovic: What Dodik is doing suits HDZ B&H (Dnevni list)
Izetbegovic’s statements about war cause harsh reactions in RS (RTRS)
Cvijanovic: RS opposition should not falsely hide behind RS parliament conclusions (RTRS)
Schmidt to address B&H HoR on Thursday; Stevandic claims Schmidt will address FB&H representatives because decision was made without RS representatives (BHT1)
Zvizdic, Izetbegovic send joint letter to representatives of EU, US institutions, they warn of current situation in B&H and potential escalation of tensions (Hayat)
Cvijanovic criticizes letter that Zvizdic and Izetbegovic sent to hundreds of addresses in EU and US (RTRS)
Russian Ministry calls for constructive dialogue on B&H issues and halt in foreign meddling (AJB)
Croatia

Plenkovic meets with Palmer, says it is important that all three constituent peoples are legitimately represented in highest institutions of B&H (HRT1)
Plenkovic: B&H can function better only if all its peoples are satisfied (Hina)
B&H Ambassador to Croatia Vranjes informs Palmer about current political situation in B&H: RS uses only legal means to fight for its constitutional rights (Vecernji list)
Palmer: I believe it is possible to find way to preserve interests of all three constituent peoples without disturbing political arena (HRT1)
Palmer: We see that 2021 offers opportunity but that window closes quickly (N1)
Montenegro

Krivokapic meets with US Ambassador (Gov. Press service)
Djukanovic: WB needs more decisive protection from malignant influence of third parties (CdM)
Popa: All stakeholders to find consensus and work together on key European reforms (CdM)
Albania

Albania-Kosovo, strengthening cooperation in priority areas (Radio Tirana)
Kim and Soreca meet with Celibashi: Investigate electoral crimes (Radio Tirana)