LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Kosovo’s Svecla can only dream of a Serbian embassy in Pristina (Beta)
• Stano: No progress on dialogue means no progress on EU accession (Tanjug/Beta/RTS)
• O’Brien: Finding evidence of what happened in Belgrade election takes time (Beta/Politika)
• NDSS: Putting voter rolls in order, freedom of media minimum conditions for elections (Euronews Srbija/Beta)
• CRTA: Other rights will be jeopardized and undermined if election rigging is allowed (N1)
• CRTA: A narrow majority in Belgrade doesn’t fit the ruling party’s needs (Politika/Beta)
• Giaufret: Progress in Serbia-Kosovo normalization expected this year (Nedeljnik/Beta)
• Petition to dismiss Mitrovica mayor submitted (KoSSev/N1)
• Billboard with photos featuring images of deserving persons removed in Zvecan (RTS)
• Albanian capital pays for gym in southern Serbia (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• ‘The Troika’ schedules meeting on changes to B&H Constitution for Monday; Konakovic: I will talk with Murphy because their opinion is important for us (FTV)
• Dodik comments on Konakovic’s call for another meeting to discuss changes to B&H Constitution: We are not ready to erase ethnic prefixes (N1)
• SDA and DF say they will not take part in Monday’s meeting of parliamentary parties (FTV)
• Covic: Next month or two represent the turning point for the future of B&H (RTV HB)
• Konakovic: I found out that Komsic asked the EU not to open negotiations with B&H; Komsic denies allegations (Klix.ba)
• Dodik: US are most sensitive to election process, yet they want to interfere in our election process (ATV)
• Murphy: Southern Interconnection project is of crucial importance for B&H for many reasons; I will not speculate about sanctions (Oslobodjenje)
• Peach: London condemns threats of secession of RS, RS cannot be an 'independent state' (O Kanal)
• Cvijanovic: EU and UN legal framework does not recognize protectorate that exists in B&H (Srna)
Croatia
• Anusic: The security situation in Southeast Europe is not satisfactory (Hina)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski, Xhaferi highlight importance of commitment to European future (MIA)
• Kovachevski: SDSM will form gov’t with clear European vision, elections are the best poll (TV Kanal 5/MIA)
• Pendarovski visits Macedonian soldiers participating in KFOR mission in Kosovo (MIA)
• Pendarovski meets Kosovo counterpart Osmani-Sadriu in Pristina (MIA)

LOCAL PRESS

• Petkovic: Kosovo Serbs targeted by attacks, attempts to subjugate them (Tanjug/Politika)
• Fila: Belgrade authority will be formed with We – The Voice of the People (Beta)
• EP AFET says elections were not fair (N1)
• Bilcik to AFET: Thourough investigation needed into Serbian elections (N1)
• Schennach: Attacks by top Serbian officials are political game (N1)
• McAllister: Stagnating Western Balkans states not eligible for new EU funds (N1/NSPM)
• US State Department calls on Kosovo to "revisit" decision to suspend Serbian Dinar (The Pavlovic Today/Kosovo Online)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Kristo addresses press conference after meeting EU officials: We have to avoid imposing of Election Law (Klix.ba)
• Von der Leyen: We are witnesses of progress in B&H, but additional results are needed (Klix.ba)
• Rutte: No shortcuts, we have to see results in next six weeks (Klix.ba)
• Plenkovic: Our visit serves as encouragement to B&H to adopt laws and reforms in following weeks in order to give arguments to EC (Klix.ba)
• EU delegation visits B&H Presidency, Plenkovic absent from the meeting (Vijesti.ba/HMS.ba)
• B&H Presidency issues statement after EU delegation visit: EU delegation visit is to encourage everyone in B&H (Oslobodjenje)
• EC President von der Leyen, Dutch PM Rutte and Croatian PM Plenkovic meet High Representative Schmidt in Sarajevo (Oslobodjenje/BHT1)
• HR Schmidt: Dodik will have to sign statement on loyalty to state of B&H (Oslobodjenje/TAZ)
• Dodik: Schmidt embarrassed himself by illegally coming to B&H and falsely presenting himself (ATV)
• Russian Embassy in B&H says Lagumdzija's vote in UN represents harmful move for relations between Russia and B&H (ATV)
Croatia
• Milanovic expresses support to agreement of Covic, Dodik and ‘The Troika’, criticizes statement of US Embassy (HRT)
• Plenkovic’s Cabinet: The PM’s stance to not meet with Komsic is consistent (Hina)
• Plenkovic, Rutte hold meeting in Zagreb: Support to European path of B&H highlighted (HRT)
• Plenkovic with religious leaders: Build trust among Croats, Serbs and Bosniaks in joint homeland through inter-religious dialogue (Vecernji list)
Montenegro
• Krapovic: If there is a need to increase the number of soldiers in Kosovo, it will be on the agenda (MINA)
• Bauer: There is a real danger that Russia will attack a NATO member (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Citizens being put to 'fundamental test' at upcoming elections, says Osmani (MIA)
• Kovachevski: Grubi was specific, pointed to Russia regarding strategic relations, these are facts everyone knows (MIA)
• Would be wrong to be a part of gov’t and not vote for it, says Pendarovski (TV Alsat-M/MIA)
• VMRO-DPMNE to announce names of ministers and deputy ministers in caretaker gov’t on Wednesday evening (MIA)
• Osmani – Borrell: Necessary to maintain credibility of accession process through more integration before membership (MIA)
Albania
• EU-Albania meeting, appreciation on the progress of the integration reforms implementation (Radio Tirana)
• Rama starts a 2-day visit in Madrid, meeting with Prime Minister Sanchez (ART/Radio Tirana)
• Albania and Kosova with a joint training and R&R facilities for the police officers (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 23 January 2024

LOCAL PRESS

• Establishing free labor market in countries of Open Balkans (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
• Vucic: I discussed Pristina's announcement with O'Brien (Tanjug/RTV/Politika)
• Serbia successful example for solving issue of national minorities (Tanjug/Politika/RTS/RTV)
• Taking over the remains of monastery – open repression towards Serbian heritage in Kosovo and Metohija (RTS)
• O'Brien: Kosovo, Serbia should get to work on Ohrid deal implementation (Beta)
• Hill on Euro as Kosovo’s new currency: Avoid unnecessary surprises (Beta/Politika)
• Electoral commission assigns mandates to new Serbian MPs (Tanjug/RTS)
• Veselinovic, Lajcak discuss Serbian election irregularities in Brussels (Beta)
• Enough signatures for removal of mayors in Zvecan and Zubin Potok collected (RTS/Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Covic confirms he sent the proposal of amendments to Election Law of B&H to coalition partners at level of B&H, He proposes changes when election of Croat member of B&H Presidency is in question (O Kanal)
• SDP representatives say they will analyse HDZ B&H’s proposal, but for them priority is implementation of ECHR’s judgments (AJB)
• SDA: Proposal presented by Covic is in favour of SNSD and HDZ B&H that do not want fair and transparent elections (BHT1)
• Three Bosniak delegates in B&H HoP threaten to block everything that was agreed upon at recent meeting of political leaders in Laktasi if it comes to parliamentary procedure (ATV)
• Dodik: Germany, with its unilateral policy and interference in everything that exists in B&H, shows that it is not benevolent towards peoples who live in B&H (Glas Srpske)
• Dodik: RS is going with belief that representatives of ‘The Troika’ will remain dedicated to common goal in connection with which there is consensus of all parties, which is European path (RTRS)
• OHR: B&H authorities must align B&H Election Law with international standards on transparency and integrity of election processes and good practices applied in democratic elections (BHT1)
• Dodik: The OHR has nothing to do with European path of B&H or with European values (Oslobodjenje)
• US Embassy: Change of Election Law only through Constitution (Oslobodjenje)
• Plenkovic meets HDZ B&H delegation and pays visit to Head of IZ B&H, Reis Kavazovic (Klix.ba)
• Western Balkans leaders meet with EU and US officials in Skopje to discuss new EU Growth Plan for Western Balkans, sign joint statement committing to promotion of regional economic integration through common regional market (BHT1)
• B&H joins 47 countries signing the statement: We call on the Russian Federation to stop its war of aggression and withdraw immediately its troops from the territory of Ukraine (Dnevni avaz)
• Dodik and Cvijanovic: Lagumdzija acted without approval of B&H Presidency (Srna/RTRS)
Croatia
• Grlic Radman: It is necessary to closely monitor the situation in Montenegro (HRT)
Montenegro
• Spajic: The growth plan for the Western Balkans is an opportunity for everyone, to start as soon as possible (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski: Growth Plan connects aspirations to reality (MIA)
• Marichikj: Accelerated EU-integration for North Macedonia and Western Balkans through EU’s Growth Plan (MIA)
• O'Brien: Closer to the EU than ever, let's focus on practical work (MIA)
• O’Brien: Citizens will have clear choice between vision that knows how to go to Europe and something else (MIA)
• Open Balkans countries sign protocols on free access to labor markets (MIA)
• Kovachevski says sufficient time to complete formalities for Sunday's caretaker gov't vote (MIA)
Albania
• Rama's message before the Skopje meeting: Let's get as close as possible to the EU (Radio Tirana)
• The New Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, Rama: The only colour is that of the EU flag if we want to achieve this (Radio Tirana)
• Skopje, Rama meets US Assistant State Secretary James O'Brien (Radio Tirana)
• Hasani meets McAllister: Supporting Albania's European future (Radio Tirana)
• Nikolla meets the EU Ambassador: Cooperation in the Assembly facilitates the advancement towards the EU (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 19 January 2024

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: We will use all available means against banning of dinar in Kosovo (Beta/Tanjug)
• Vucic meets with Von der Leyen, other officials in Davos (Beta/Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Petkovic: Pristina using Euro wildly and wants to abolish the Dinar as the only legal currency (RTS)
• Opposition party: Ban of Dinar in Kosovo consequence of Serbian government’s unending concessions to secessionists (Beta)
• SPN files request to annul Belgrade city elections (N1)
• Lavrov: EU rewriting Kosovo-Serbia agreements to deprive Serbs of rights (Beta/TASS)
• Djukic: End of EU’s soft approach to Vucic (Beta)
• Official Gazette issue no.1 with report on elections published, dated 3 January (Insider)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• State-level coalition meets in Laktasi (BNTV)
• Dodik: ‘The Troika’ advocates the US’ and the UK’s interests (RTRS)
• HR Schmidt’s underscores the critical need for B&H leadership to prioritize reforms and move towards Euro-Atlantic integration (Klix.ba)
• Dodik: What Schmidt and UK have to do with B&H’s European path (RTRS/O Kanal)
• Chairwoman Kristo in Davos: B&H expects opening of negotiations for EU membership soon (Dnevni avaz)
• B&H CC holds plenary session without judges from rank of Serb People (Nova BH)
• Meeting of B&H CC without judges from RS represents attack on constitutional order (RTRS)
• Minister Helez files criminal report against Dodik because of marking of unconstitutional 9 January (N1)
• Dodik comments on activities of UK company ‘Adriatic Metals’ in Vares and says that this is how RS property would also be stolen if it were on B&H level (ATV)
• Issue of Southern Interconnection (Klix.ba/Faktor)
Croatia
• Milanovic: No one should be afraid to reveal information about crime in the government (HRT)
Montenegro
• Continuation of Montenegro's support to Ukraine (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Pendarovski: Accelerated EU integration of Western Balkans to positively impact security, political processes and reform agenda (MIA)
Albania
• Hasani in Podgorica: Visible progress in cooperation with Montenegro (Tirana Times)
• CSU strategic forum in Bavaria, Rama: Albania an example of success in the region (Radio Tirana)
• Peleshi: Albania, a reliable NATO member (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 18 January 2024

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Kurti attempting to destroy dialogue, expel Serbs (Tanjug/RTS)
• Lajcak: Pristina’s announced suspension of transactions shouldn’t lead to dangerous situation (Beta/TV Pink/Politika)
• Strengthening cooperation with Sao Tome and Principe in all areas (Tanjug/RTV)
• Trovoada: You can count on us to support and defend your integrity (Tanjug)
• Serbia will not abandon fundamental principles of UN Charter (srbija.gov.rs)
• Drecun: Cessation of payment transactions - the most serious threat to Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTV)
• Brnabic dismisses opposition claims of election fraud (TV Prva/Beta)
• Schieder to Brnabic: Calm down and concentrate on task at hand (N1)
• Hill: US clear about need for ZSO in Kosovo (Kurir/FoNet)
• Tepic: We will invite citizens to more protests (TV N1)
• CRTA: Voters registered in multiple locations simultaneously (Beta)
• Two more houses belonging to Serb returnees robbed in Ljubozda village in Kosovo and Metohija (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• ‘The Troika’ leaders discuss changes to B&H Election Law (BHT1)
• Filipovic: There should be comprehensive approach to changes to Election Law of B&H, HDZ B&H is against OHR’s imposition (Dnevni list)
• Dodik: Constitutional Court of B&H is now officially foreign political organization in which there are no Serbs, and soon it will be without Bosniaks and Croats (RTRS)
• Hearing in case against RS President Dodik postponed again; Defense requests recusal of eight judges, including acting judge Mirsad Strika (RTRS)
• Dodik: Denial of RS is denial of B&H, RS is a state and can function independently (RTRS)
• Blinken sends letter to Konakovic asking him to exert pressure on Covic in order to promptly adopt law on Southern Interconnection (Istraga.ba)
• World Economic Forum participants discuss situation in Middle East (Nova BH/BHT1)
Croatia
• EC preparing reform of EU to enable its smooth functioning upon new enlargement (Hina)
• Plenkovic attends a number of panels at the World Economic Forum in Davos (HRT)
• Defense Ministry to present proposal on some form of mandatory military training (HRT)
Montenegro
• Lajcak to Spajic in Davos: Montenegro has a chance to be a European success story (CdM)
• Lajcak: Support for the government to take advantage of the new moment in EU enlargement, there has not been much progress in the last few years (RTCG)
• Spajic - Kristo: Regional cooperation is important for further European integration (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Osmani: Kurti's attempts to interfere in local politics nothing new, but won't have any impact (MIA)
• Hasani: North Macedonia and Albania share common values and vision (MIA)
• Osmani - Hasani: North Macedonia and Albania ready to open clusters and chapters, no need for delay (MIA)
Albania
• Osmani: The integration of the Western Balkans into the EU is a matter of regional security (Radio Tirana)
• Hasani: Corridor VIII will transform the strategic position of Albania and North Macedonia (Radio Tirana)