United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 26 October 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Brnabic: I am committed to constitutional reforms and safety of journalists (RTS)
Vucic, Schmid discuss OSCE involvement in Serbian reforms (Tanjug/Politika)
Vucic, MacLeod discuss strengthening of Serbia-UK relations (Tanjug/RTV)
Giaufret: EC report a sincere and factual assessment of Serbia’s efforts in EU integration (Tanjug/RTS)
Petkovic meets Kharchenko (RTV)
Drecun: Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija want full coordination with Belgrade (RTS)
Djilas: If we decide on boycott, it will be different (Beta)
Property of displaced in Kosovo and Metohija increasingly usurped by Albanians with the help of false contracts (Novosti)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Dodik meets with Dacic in Banja Luka: RS is only self-sustainable entity in B&H (ATV)
Cvijanovic meets Dacic and Pasztor; Cvijanovic: We agree institutional relations of Serbia and RS are at their highest level ever (FTV/ATV)
Opposition parties in RS meet in Banja Luka: They announce new protests, joint candidate at elections in Prijedor, say they will not attend session of HoR on Tuesday (N1)
Citizens gather in front of OHR; Protesters content with meeting in OHR and announce more protest activities in upcoming period (N1/Nova BH)
Magazinovic calls participants of conference in Paris to express support to imposing of sanctions against Dodik (Dnevni list)
Escobar: There will be no war in B&H; US relation with Serbia is neither good nor bad, it is complex (AJB/FTV)
Cvijanovic: RS authorities willing to talk with everyone on current crisis in B&H (AJB)
RS officials: We are ready for talks with EU, US officials but not to detriment of RS (RTRS)
30th anniversary of RS parliament marked with solemn academy in Banja Luka (ATV)
Croatia

Croatian Embassy sharply condemns attacks on Croat symbols in B&H (Hina)
Covic expresses optimism there will be agreement on changes to Law on Elections, says impositions and sanctions would be counterproductive (Vecernji list)
Montenegro

The committee is questioning Abazovic, Katnic, Vuksic (CdM/RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia

Zaev: The government coalition is stable; this is not the time for early parliamentary elections (Nezavisen vesnik/Sitel TV)
Albania

Rama meets the Prime Minister of Bavaria: A determined ally on the European path (Radio Tirana)
Albania-UN renew commitment to work together for sustainable development over next five years (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

Selakovic: All nations must enjoy equal rights and dignity (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
Selakovic: OSCE in Pristina most significant status-neutral international presence implemented in keeping with UNSCR 1244 (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
Vucic: Serbia will not support sanctions against Republika Srpska (Tanjug/RTS/Politika/Novosti)
Continuous communication with EU on further reforms (Tanjug/RTV/RTS/Beta)
Dacic: Everyone mostly happy with document for improving electoral conditions (RTS/Beta/Politika)
Giaufret calls for return to inter-party dialogue (Beta)
Djilas tells MEPs that dialogue on election rules failed (FoNet)
Kosovo’s ‘decisions’ have no legal force (TASS/Tanjug/Politika)
Kosovo team prevented from participating in World Boxing Championship (RTS/EuroNews)
Is there way out of dead-end street in B&H (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Vucic announces meeting with Izetbegovic in upcoming period (O Kanal)
Dodik meets Vucic in Belgrade (N1)
Djokic: Vucic takes care of the RS; Sarovic: All that Vucic said after meeting Dodik are things that SDS is fighting for; Borenovic: Serbia worries about the RS, unlike Dodik (BN TV)
Komsic: Dodik cannot be saved by Vucic, only by adoption of changes to B&H Election Law according to wishes of HDZ B&H (N1)
SDP, Nesic, Salkic comment Vucic-Dodik meeting (Dnevni avaz)
Tabakovic on meeting of Dodik and Vucic: This was just waste of time (Hayat)
RS MoI Holds Tactical Exercise/ Reactions (RTRS/Nova BH/Dnevni avaz)
Schmidt asks to address B&H parliament (Dnevni avaz/N1)
Izetbegovic, Jenca talks about current situation in B&H during meeting in Sarajevo (Hayat)
Niksic calls on Quinta and Russia Ambassadors to motivate Schmidt to prevent violation of DPA (FTV/Dnevni list)
Cavara: Inzko partially responsible for current crisis, I understand RS representatives who want to protect its interests (Nezavisne)
EUD: Eichhorst holds phone conversations with Dodik, Izetbegovic, Covic and Turkovic raising EU’s concerns over political situation in B&H (BHT1)
Patriarch Porfirije pays two-day visit to Banja Luka Eparchy (Nova BH)
Croatia

Plenkovic: Croatia advocates B&H’s integrity, sovereignty and quality functioning (HRT1/AJB)
Biden is sending the mighty five to solve crises of Western Balkans (Jutarnji list)
Montenegro

UN Secretary-General Guterres hosts Abazovic and Radulovic in New York (Gov. Press service)
Maddocks: I advised the government to carry out investigation into Cetinje events (Pobjeda)
Montenegro out of function, state blocked over positions (CdM)
Picula: Montenegro’s place in EU, government missed a year for reforms (Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia

Dimitrov: There is an obligation for Bulgaria not to interfere in the internal Macedonian affairs (Nezavisen vesnik/RFE)
Albania

Peleshi to NATO counterparts: Greater attention to Kosovo (Radio Tirana)
Nikola: Austria, strong support for the opening of negotiations (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 22 October 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Dacic: Greece giving assurances it will not recognize Kosovo (Tanjug)
Petkovic: Bislimi’s statement that it would not form ZSO is height of irresponsibility (Beta/Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
Starovic on resumption of Belgrade-Pristina dialogue: We are approaching the moment of truth (RTS)
Giaufret: EC report on Serbia cautiously optimistic (N1)
Biden is raising Balkans wall for Russia and China (Novosti)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Schmidt claims Dodik’s actions are serious attack on integrity of B&H (AJB/N1)
Dzaferovic: We need to be prepared to defend sovereignty and territorial integrity of B&H by all possible and available means (FTV)
SDA sets deadline to HR to annul RS parliament’s new law by 28 October (N1)
MEPs send letter to Borrell and Schmidt, request reaction against Dodik’s activities; Serbia a common denominator in all the tensions (FTV)
Cerimagic says responsibility of Serbia and Croatia for current crisis and processes in B&H very significant (N1)
RS representatives reacts to letter of MEPs saying that they will not give in to blackmails (RTRS)
Dodik says US Embassy in Sarajevo represents epicenter of instability in B&H (RTRS)
Cubrilovic: RS parliament special session on return of competences to RS will be held at beginning of November (ATV)
Escobar stresses there is no constitutional possibility for RS’ secession (N1)
Nelson: Do not fall for provocations (Oslobodjenje)
Sattler and UN’s Jenca discuss current situation in B&H (Dnevni avaz)
Croatia

Picula: Partnership relation between Washington and Brussels would foremost help B&H get out of crisis (Vecernji list)
Johansson: Borders need protection, but violence is unacceptable (Hina)
Montenegro

President of the UN General Assembly hosts Abazovic and Radulovic in New York (Gov. Press service)
Radulovic: US has sent clear messages of support to Montenegro (Gov. Press service)
Republic of North Macedonia

Zaev: 31 October crucial for me, no one is eternal, but that does not mean new parliamentary elections (Libertas/TV 21)
Mickoski: The new future is within reach, only one more step is needed – 31 October (Republika)
Albania

Kim: Accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia should start without delay (Radio Tirana)
German MPs: We encourage positive decision-making for the integration of Albania (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 21 October 2021

LOCAL PRESS

Serbia and Spain have understanding on international scene (RTS/Tanjug/Politika)
Von Cramon: Kosovo police operation was necessary (N1)
Petkovic: Does Von Cramon truly advocates EU values (Tanjug/RTV)
Djuric: Completely contrary to UN report (Tanjug/RTV)
Borell, Blinken call for "sustained de-escalation" in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
Brnabic: Great importance of Germany’s support to Serbia’s EU path (RTS/Tanjug)
Improving cooperation, exchanging experiences in field of defense with Austria (RTS/Tanjug)
Brnabic: Covid passes as of 23 October in closed areas (Tanjug/RTS)
Belgrade-Pristina working group on registration plates meets in Brussels (Tanjug/RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

RS parliament adopts proposal of Law on Medicines and Medical Devices without presence of opposition representatives (ATV)
RS opposition criticizes Law on Medicines and Medical Devices of RS; Stanic: RS parliament became tool in service of one man (BN TV)
Continuation of attack on B&H (Dnevni avaz)
Schmidt comments on RS parliament’s decision: Entities are obliged to respect B&H Constitution and decisions made by B&H institutions (AJB)
Dodik: RS’ initiatives for restoring competences do not threaten security or stability, adoption of law on medicines in RS is legitimate; Schmidt’s behavior points to lack of seriousness and usurpation, B&H does not have HR (RTRS)
Dodik meets with UN’s Jenca and informs him that situation in B&H has been unstable due to imposed internationals' decisions (Srna)
Blinken, Borrell issue joint statement, express strong support to territorial integrity of B&H (Dnevni avaz)
US Embassy: US ready to use all available sanctions against those who violate DPA (Dnevni avaz/RFE)
Komsic announces criminal report against Seranic; Seranic: Criminal reports have become part of daily politics of B&H and it is up to courts and judiciary to decide (FTV)
Komsic reacts to Kalbukhov’s statement: There will not be any dialogue about B&H AF since they are undisputable category just as other state institutions (Glas Srpske)
Konakovic: Economic sanctions for those who follow Dodik’s game are ready; Osmanovic announced filing of motion before CC of B&H (Nova BH/N1)
HJPC removes Tadic from post of B&H Chief Prosecutor and appoints Kajganic (O Kanal/RTRS/N1)
Montenegro

Pribilovic: Everything we warned about turned out to be true (Dnevne novine)
Djukanovic on EC Report: Depressing picture we urgently need to change (CdM)
MEPs are looking for an investigation, they also mention Djukanovic (RTCG)
Abazovic: Katnic wiretapped earlier, ANB to detect misconduct (RTCG/VoA)
Abazovic and Radulovic pay visit to Atlantic Council (Gov. Press service)
Republic of North Macedonia

Geer: The commission expects the first Intergovernmental Conference by the end of the year (Libertas)
Albania

Albania-Kosovo governments' joint meeting to be held in the last week of November in Durres (Radio Tirana)
Rama: The EC is the fairest and most impartial judge! The guiding document for us! (Radio Tirana)
Soreca: Time for the EU to keep its promise! (Radio Tirana)
Joint statement Blinken-Borrell: Accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia should start without delay (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: We respect Dayton Agreement, but not what is contrary to it (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
Selakovic: Despite pressure, Holy See’s position on Kosovo unchanged (Tanjug/RTS/Politika/RTV)
Brnabic: Serbia’s progress noted in European Commission report (RTS/Tanjug)
Varhelyi: Serbia has fulfilled benchmarks for opening Clusters 3, 4 (Tanjug)
European Commission says Serbia achieved limited progress in key areas (N1)
Bilcik: Western Balkans should focus on reforms (N1)
Petkovic: Belgrade-Pristina working group to meet in Brussels on Thursday (Tanjug/RTV)
Stano: Working group to seek permanent solution for registration plates (Tanjug/RTV)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Interview with Serbian President Vucic (Dnevni avaz)
RS parliament to discuss proposal of law on medicinal products and medical devices which stipulates formation of agency for medicinal products of RS on Wednesday (Nova BH)
Tegeltija: RS does not want war and it will respect territorial integrity of B&H (ATV)
Kalabukhov: DPA does not stipulate formation of B&H AF (RTRS/Izvestiya)
Crnadak requests from RS PM to make public record from Monday’s special session of RS government that was dedicated to preparation of new laws (BN TV)
RS opposition: It is inacceptable that return of RS’ competences comes in violent manner (O Kanal)
Izetbegovic: Dodik’s threats to abolish state institutions will not be implemented (N1)
Komsic, Dzaferovic and UN Assistant SG Jenca discuss current political situation and blockade of B&H institutions (BHT1)
Niksic informs PES and Socialist Interna about current crisis in B&H, accuses SNSD’s actions of threatening to cause new war (Oslobodjenje/Glas Srpske)
Vukanovic urges Vucic to bring Dodik to reason so that he stops with destructive policy (BN TV)
EC adopts 2021 Enlargement Package; B&H fails to achieve progress and even makes regression in certain fields; European Commissioner Varhelyi: B&H needs to make progress in all 14 key priorities from EC’s Opinion (FTV)
MEPs comment situation in B&H during presenting of Enlargement Package; Warn about dangers of Dodik’s behavior (Oslobodjenje)
Appointment of five experienced US diplomats to positions in charge of region means US is returning ‘in grand style’ (EuroBlic)
Croatia

PM welcomes B&H deputy chairman in Zagreb (Hina)
Montenegro

Boskovic: Nothing helps, government has come down, institutions are destroyed, new elections likely to happen (Dnevne novine)
Escobar: Montenegro and United States are not only friends but also allies (Gov. Press office)
Latest EC report on MNE: Composition of Assembly unprecedented (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia

Mickoski calls on opposition to unite to topple the government (Republika)
EU releases report on Macedonia – progress and reforms assessed as moderate (Republika)
Varhelyi: EU has to deliver for Macedonia and Albania by year’s end (MIA)
Albania

Key EU report says opening talks with Albania is overdue, highlights concerns on reforms, elections and freedoms (Tirana Times)