LOCAL PRESS

• Serbia to submit Monday written request for UN SC session (RTS)
• “Kosovo police” raid into Serbian institutions in Metohija, continuation of ethnic cleansing (Office for KiM)
• Vucic meets with EU official, says safety of Serbs in Kosovo a priority (Beta/RTS/RTV)
• Contribution of Defence Ministry, Serbian Army to EU common security and defence policy (Tanjug)
• Mojsilovic to Brieger: Serbia sees KFOR as only legitimate armed formation in its southern province (Tanjug/RTV/ Politika)
• NBS: No agreements with Kosovo Central Bank on Dinar (Danas)
• Six MEPs seek international investigation of Serbia’s elections (Beta/Politika)
• Serbia Against Violence invited to EP session for adoption of resolution on Serbia’s elections (Danas)
• State Department says US deeply disappointed by Kosovo's decision to ban Dinar (Beta)
• Pristina court sentences Serb Dusko Arsic to 13 years (KosovoOnline/Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Komsic and Becirovic meet senior NATO delegation (BHT1)
• Russian Embassy: Becirovic does not like Russian players in B&H, but would like to be American player (ATV)
• NATO delegation meets Kristo, B&H Ministers; Kristo stresses importance of this visit (FTV)
• Geoana meets Konakovic, says secessionist policies and rhetoric of division undermine stability and hinder reforms (FTV)
• US Embassy: Like US, NATO will not allow hard-won peace in B&H to be jeopardized (Vijesti.ba)
Croatia
• Minister: Croatia has sent €181 million worth of military aid to Ukraine (Hina)
Montenegro
• Djelosaj at the Prayer Breakfast: We prayed for peace, especially in Ukraine and Gaza (CdM)
• Escobar to Ivanovic: US support for reforms, we hope that we will soon be your partner in the EU (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Mitreski – Stefanchuk: North Macedonia and Ukraine to continue to cooperate, support each other on EU path (MIA)
• Kovachevski and Taravari discuss policies related to EU membership and US partnership at meeting (MIA)
• Amendments to law on restrictive measures withdrawn from parliamentary procedure due to 'administrative reasons' (MIA)
Albania
• Members of the US Congress: The US should support the Western Balkans in the face of the influence of Russia, China (VoA/Radio Tirana)
• The parliamentary majority welcomes the resumption of the work on the electoral reform (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• No statement from Vucic's meeting with Quint, EU representatives (Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Vucic's meeting with Quint representatives most difficult ever (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Vucevic: Serbia will never recognize Kosovo’s independence (TV Happy/Beta)
• Dacic: Kurti's decision to ban Dinar undermines dialogue (TV Pink)
• Drecun: Kurti will not stop (RTS)
• Raid on Serbian infirmary in Pristina unprecedented act of violence (Office for KiM)
• Vucic informs Russian Ambassador about Pristina’s latest decision (N1)
• US Ambassador says no one asking Serbia to recognize Kosovo (FoNet)
• DS in favor of the opposition accepting seats in the parliament to boycott its work (Nova/Beta)
• Movement Dveri urges all opposition parties to form caretaker government in Belgrade (Beta)
• Unity is crucial for the opposition (Demostat/Beta)
• Jerkovic: I will request an internal monitoring body for Belgrade (TV Pink/Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• B&H HoP rejects to discuss amendments to B&H Election Law in urgent procedure (RTRS)
• SDA: Decisions passed by B&H HoP are result of agreement reached by SNSD and HDZ B&H at meeting in private property in Laktasi (N1)
• B&H HoP adopts amendments to Law on HJPC; Proposal of Law on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing Terrorist Activities was sent for harmonization (N1)
• EUD welcomes adoption of amendments to Law on HJPC and Civil Service Law, regrets failure to adopt Law on Prevention of Money Laundering (BHRT)
• Kristo, Kosarac and Helez discuss EU path of B&H with Sattler (BHT1)
• Brkic meets Varhelyi, Makovec in Brussels, discuss EU path of B&H (Dnevni list)
• Dodik: US Embassy is not authorized to agree solutions on behalf of B&H and its peoples (RTRS)
Croatia
• Government clarifies investigations bill; Journalists remain opposed (HRT)
Montenegro
• Nikolic in Washington: Russian aggression against Ukraine threatens the stability of the Western Balkans, Montenegro knows where the greatest danger is coming from (CdM)
• Sehovic in Washington: Montenegro must resist the malignant Russian influence, preserving the alliance with the USA is a priority (CdM)
• PM Spajic: I want all parliamentary majority representatives in executive power, I am not interested in showing symbols (CdM)
• Seshadri to Spajic: We’re happy about re-directing focus on economy, it’s the only way to move forward (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Grkovska: US partnership key in dealing with malign influences in the Balkans (MIA)
• Xhaferi – Qehaja: North Macedonia and Kosovo working to enhance economic and good-neighborly policies (MIA)
• Mexhiti on Kurti meeting: AA has never hid its meetings, party and Taravari’s sole goal is European Macedonia (MIA)
Albania
• Gjiknuri visit to Washington, meetings with American congressmen (Radio Tirana)
• US Embassy to Tirana on the assembly’s delegation visit to US: Pleasure to see the elected Albanian representatives together (Radio Titana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 31 January 2024

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic held an emergency meeting with ministers due to Kurti's decision to ban Dinar (Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Quint statement different this time (Tanjug/Politika)
• Office for Kosovo and Metohija issues memo on consequences of Pristina's Dinar ban (The Pavlovic Today/Tanjug)
• Lucic: MTS to continue to operate in Kosovo and Metohija (RTS)
• Serbia recognises great importance of consular service (Politika)
• Parliament to hold inaugural session on 6 February (Beta)
• Belgrade City Assembly to meet on 19 February (Danas/Beoinfo/N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Kristo and Hungarian President Novak discuss EU integration, bilateral cooperation (BHT1)
• Hungarian President Novak meets B&H Presidency members (RTRS)
• Szalay-Bobrovniczky meets Helez; Hungary’s support to EU and NATO path of B&H expressed (BHT1)
• B&H HoR adopts amendments to Law on HJPC in urgent procedure, fails to adopt amendments to law on civil service due to lack of entity majority (AJB)
• US Embassy to B&H expresses concern about changes in Rules of Procedure of HJPC adopted on 17 January (BHT1)
• Statement issued by US Embassy in Sarajevo criticizing amendments to HJPC’s rules of procedure causes reactions in RS (RTRS)
• EUD criticizes changes in Rules of Procedure of HJPC adopted on 17 January (Nova BH)
• Dodik: It would be the best if agreement from Laktasi is upheld (RTRS)
• Dodik: The problem is not in Constitution and law, but a motive (RTRS)
• Dodik: Serbian Army is guarantor of peace for Serb people (RTRS)
Montenegro
• Borrell - Spajic: We appreciate the reform efforts and look forward to accelerating the European path of Montenegro (CdM)
• Milatovic: The process of EU integration gained intensified dynamics (CdM)
• Simun-Gerasimenko: The Ukrainian people are grateful to Montenegro for the help and shelter provided (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Pendarovski: VMRO-DPMNE can mislead citizens over framework renegotiation but not foreign officials (Sloboden Pecat/MIA)
• Pendarovski: Impartiality and pledge for full Euro-Atlantic integration - key prerequisites for candidacy (Sloboden Pecat/MIA)
• Xhaferi: Preparation and organization of free, fair and democratic elections - caretaker government's key task (MIA)
• Xhaferi – Geer: Coming elections crucial for country’s European future (MIA)
Albania
• Tirana takes the Presidency of B-40, the largest Network of Balkan cities (Radio Tirana)
• Tirana B40 Summit, President Begaj: Balkans need more cooperation and dialogue among each other (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Brnabic expects nothing positive from European Parliament (Beta)
• Vucevic: Serbia to adequately respond to Turkey's military deal with Pristina (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Lucic: Pristina trying to throw out MTS from the market in Kosovo and Metohija (RTS)
• Vucevic: We are not preparing for wars but we will be ready to defend Serbia (Tanjug/RTS)
• Lajcak: State of play in Belgrade-Pristina dialogue discussed with Vucic (Tanjug/Politika)
• O’Brien welcomes Lajcak’s efforts, says what is expected of Vucic, Kurti (FoNet)
• Stefanovic: Prime Minister’s statement that investigation into election was not requested at EP and CoE is false (Beta)
• Support of international financial institutions of extreme importance (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Representatives of parties that make up parliamentary majority at B&H level hold first meeting regarding amendments to Constitution of B&H (O Kanal)
• SDA officials criticize meeting of representative of ruling B&H coalition (BHT1)
• DF’s Djonlagic, HDZ 1990’s Cvitanovic, PDP leader Borenovic comment on the meting ‘The Troika’ organized (Hayat)
• HR Schmidt welcomes domestic efforts to advance election reform and insists on respect for high international standards (Dnevni avaz)
• Sattler meets members of B&H HoR Commission for Fight against Corruption, calls for adoption of reform laws (Glas Srpske)
• Novalic claims to be a victim of politics and foreigners; US Embassy: Mr. Novalic’s accusations are ridiculous (N1)
Montenegro
• Spajic: In Brussels, they see progress, a new chance for Montenegro (CdM)
• The intergovernmental conference between Montenegro and the EU has been completed: the current dynamic of reforms leads to the European family (CdM)
• Varhelyi: We cannot work for you, but we offer help (RTCG)
• Ivanovic in Washington on security issues, the perspective of the Western Balkans, Ukraine... (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski – Xhaferi: Caretaker gov't to focus on fair, democratic elections, remaining functional, serving citizens (MIA)
• Pendarovski signs bill on Macedonian language into law (MIA)
• Mitreski - Geer: Strong support from EU to complete parliament's activities until elections (MIA)
Albania
• Foreign Minister of Turkey visits Albania, holds meetings with Prime Minister Rama and representatives of businesses (Radio Tirana)
• Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister, Fidan: Trade flow between Turkey and Albania to reach the value of 2 billion dollars within 2024 (Radio Tirana)
• The Constitutional Court gives the green light to Albania's agreement with Italy over immigrants (Radio Tirana)
• Hasani congratulates Xhaferi: Success to the first Albanian Prime Minister in the history of North Macedonia (Radio Tirana)
• DP leader Basha congratulates Xhaferi on his election as the first Albanian Prime Minister in North Macedonia (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 29 January 2024

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic calls EU to stop provocation from Pristina (N1)
• Vucic not interested in EP recommendations, decision on elections (Beta/Politika)
• Brnabic claims Europe disinterested in investigating Serbian elections (TV Happy/Beta)
• Petkovic: Vucic underlined difficult position of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija (RTV/Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Pristina's decision to ban Dinar aimed at ethnic cleansing of Serbs (Tanjug/RTV)
• Serbia committed to cherishing memory of victims of Holocaust (RTS/Tanjug/RTV)
• Excellent cooperation of Serbia, Hungary in field of defence (Tanjug)
• Serbian anti-terrorist police in exercise with US Green Berets (FoNet)
• Protest held in front of constitutional court, RTS in Belgrade (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• International Holocaust Remembrance Day marked in RS; Dodik: Holocaust is one of the darkest and most shameful periods of European history (RTRS)
• Muslim-Jewish peace initiative signed in Srebrenica (Hayat)
• Court of B&H confirms first-instance verdict sentencing Fadil Novalic to four years in prison, Fahrudin Solak to six years in prison and Fikret Hodzic to five years in prison in ‘Respirators’ affair (FTV)
• Izetbegovic comments on second-instance verdict in Novalic case, claims Novalic did not do anything that exceeded powers of PM during pandemic (FTV)
• Court of B&H rejects motion of Dodik’s defense for recusal of seven judges (RTRS/ATV)
• Investigation against Commission for Concessions of B&H launched due to failure to act in line with decision of B&H CC (BHT1)
• Bauer: Dodik did not change his opinion after war and decided to support Russia, he did so before war in Ukraine (ATV)
• Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjarto pays visit to B&H (FTV/BHT1)
Croatia
• Croatia’s FM expresses support for Bosnian Croat leader Dragan Covic after US accused him of obstructing gas connection (Hina)
Montenegro
• Stoltenberg: Montenegro is a valuable member of NATO, Spajic: We are ready to be a stable partner (CdM)
• Bauer: For leaders in the Balkans to be responsible for their countries, it is not enough to "sit back" and wait for the EU and NATO to do something (MINA/Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Parliament elects caretaker government led by Talat Xhaferi with 65 votes in favor (MIA)
• Parliament names deputy ministers in caretaker government (MIA)
• Believe gov’t will remain committed to national priorities and work in citizens’ interest, says outgoing PM (MIA)
• President Pendarovski hosts reception for new gov’t members (MIA)
Albania
• Rama: Ali Ahmeti, historical lesson for all of us and the generations to come (Radio Tirana)
• Begaj congratulates Xhaferi: Albanians, an important factor for the stability and future of North Macedonia (Radio Tirana)
• Nikola congratulates Talat Xhaferi on his position as Prime Minister of North Macedonia (Radio Tirana)