United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 17 January 2024

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Pristina’s announced cancellation of Dinar in Kosovo hangs question mark over all processes (TV Pink/Beta)
• Pristina's announcement of suspension of payment transactions calls into question dialogue (TV Prva)
• Brnabic: Political, bilateral ties with Sao Tome and Principe improving steadily (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
• Vucevic: Pristina making survival of Kosovo Serbs impossible (Tanjug/RTV)
• Brnabic accuses Schieder of violating ODIHR observers’ Code of Conduct (N1/Politika)
• Schieder: Bilcik admitted there were election irregularities (N1)
• Next step for ProGlas: Petition to Constitutional Court to annul elections (N1)
• Serbia Against Violence coalition stages protest in downtown Belgrade (Beta)
• Citizens begin collecting signatures calling for sacking of mayor of northern Kosovska Mitrovica (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Norwegian Ambassador in center of scandal; He informed Helez that RS prepares secession and did not promise NATO assistance; Diplomats from other Embassies reacted and begged Helez not to speak about this (Istraga.ba)
• Dodik: If they continue to break up Dayton, they will get an independent RS and disintegrated FB&H (ATV)
• Ljubic, Bunoza claim ruling in Ljubic case was not implemented (HMS.ba)
• Komsic assesses that it is hard to expect change of stances of B&H politicians re B&H Election Law (FTV)
• Salkic: SDA files criminal charges against Dodik and others regarding RS Day celebration (N1)
Croatia
• Croatia, Italy and Slovenia discuss illegal migration (HRT)
Montenegro
• Spajic in Davos: The government is determined to fulfill all requirements as soon as possible in order for Montenegro to become the first next member of the EU (CdM)
• Gorcevic with Gerasimenko: Montenegro strongly supports Ukraine on the way to the EU (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• President Pendarovski meets Latvian counterpart Rinkevics in Davos (MIA)
• Kovachevski: Caretaker gov't procedure by end of next week (MIA)
• Osmani: Government approves amendments to law on restrictive measures to include US and UK blacklists as grounds for sanctions (MIA)
Albania
• Osmani welcomes Hasani: Kosovo and Albania, common goals and harmonized strategies (Radio Tirana)
• Hasani: Albania and Kosovo at the forefront of regional cooperation efforts (Radio Tirana)
• Hasani on the attack in Kosovo: No more armies should be brought to the border of the neighbor (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 16 January 2024

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucevic: SNS happy with election results, parliament inauguration next (Beta/RTS/RTV)
• Starovic: Investment in Serbian army unrelated to US arming Kosovo (Beta/RTV/Tanjug)
• Petkovic receives former judge who investigated Racak case (Tanjug/Politika)
• Acceptance of passports issued by so-called Kosovo is no recognition - Spanish FM (El Periodico de Espana/Tanjug)
• Ivanovic assassination anniversary marked in Mitrovica (N1)
• SPN to hold protest on 16 January, mark anniversary of Ivanovic’s murder (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• UK imposes sanctions against Banja Luka-based marketing agency ‘Mania’ for organizing and promoting event of marking 9 January as RS Day, which led to undermining of B&H Constitution (N1)
• Dodik: If Schmidt passes any decision, then the European path of B&H is stopped, there will not be adoption of laws; RS will continue to demonstrate resistance towards B&H CC (RTRS)
• RS Ministry of Justice: Holding of plenary session of B&H CC without judges from RS in attendance unacceptable (N1)
• Hearing in case against Dodik and Lukic scheduled to take place before Court of B&H on Wednesday; B&H Chief Prosecutor Kajganic rejects defense’s request for disqualification of four prosecutors from this case (ATV)
Montenegro
• Joanikije meets Mandic: Church notices that new parliament convocation makes notable achievements (CdM)
• Radulovic on Mandic’s moves: Flag of Montenegro the only one he can put in his cabinet (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski – Schmid: North Macedonia strongly contributed to OSCE, European security (MIA)
• Bochvarski - Drexler: Bilateral economic cooperation on the rise (MIA)
Albania
• Twenty-five years since the massacre that "awakened" the West to Serbian crimes in Kosovo/ President Begaj reacts (Radio Tirana)
• Peleshi: Kucova Air Base, serving as the only tactical base for strategically important NATO operations in the region (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 15 January 2024
LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Kosovo creating a large and illegal army under US patronage; Hopes new government will be formed by March (Beta/Politika)
• Election Commission announces final results of parliamentary elections (Tanjug)
• Drecun: Arms supplies to Pristina aimed at completing so-called statehood (Tanjug)
• Dacic: SPC must work with the Vatican (TV Pink)
• Ambassador Avramovic: The Vatican’s position on Kosovo and Metohija unchanged (Tanjug/RTS)
• Radosavljevic: West will never admit the truth about Racak (RTS)
• Romano: NATO not involved in Javelin sale (Beta)
• More than a thousand professors and university associates express support for the student protests in Serbia (N1)
• Foreigners see B&H as their colony (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• HR Schmidt, Covic discuss current political developments (Klix.ba)
• Dodik warns that B&H’s path to join EU will be over if changes of Law on Elections are imposed (O Kanal/Nova BH)
• Murphy reminds of consequences of secession, emphasizes that Schmidt is the legitimate HR in B&H (O Kanal)
• Murphy underlines necessity to solve issue of Election Law and noted earlier parties were not were not interested in facing problems of election integrity; If Mr. Dodik thinks he can split this country without consequences, then he is wrong (Hayat)
• Dodik on Murphy’s disputing RS Day: We will never give up on celebration of 9 January as RS Day (ATV)
• Islamic theologian Ceman shocks public in RS by calling for war and slaughter of Serb population; No reaction from FB&H and international community; RS requests B&H Prosecutor’s Office to prosecute Ceman (ATV)
Croatia
• Milanovic: Majority of Serb people support Dodik’s stances on secession (Slobodna Dalmacija)
• Croatian Foreign, Defence ministers: We support Croats, Montenegro’s EU path (Hina)
Montenegro
• Grlic Radman: We care about pro-European Montenegro (RTCG)
• Atlantic alliance: Krapovic continued to relativize malignant influences in Montenegro (MINA)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Spasovski – O'Brien in Washington: Next period crucial for North Macedonia's future direction (MIA)
• Spasovski – McClain in Washington: We cherish excellent cooperation, work on improvements (MIA)
Albania
• Negotiations with the EU/Gjoni: 2024 finds us prepared for opening judicial system and administration chapters (Radio Tirana)
• Albania-EU/ High-level agreement on the transport network in our country ratified (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 12 January 2024

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: US decision to accept Pristina's request to buy missiles greatly disappointing (Tanjug/RTV/Politika)
• Dacic: Serbia is no one's long arm, pursues independent policy (Tanjug/RTV)
• Mojsilovic: KFOR the only legitimate armed formation in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTV)
• Situation in Kosovo and Metohija calm but fragile - KFOR commander (Tanjug)
• Brnabic sees bloody head instead of paint thrown at a billboard (N1)
• Petkovic: Only Kurti violates agreements (Politika)
• NADA proposes opposition action plan to Serbia Against Violence (Nova/FoNet)
• British Embassy: Serbia is not a proxy, though some elements are acting in Russia’s interest (Beta)
• O’Brien: Objections on election irregularities in Serbia should be solved legally (Beta)
• EPP prevents debate on elections in Serbia (Demostat/Beta)
• Andjelkovic: International corruption – one pillar of Vucic’s authority (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik: RS has capacity to defend itself from violence of foreigners (Oslobodjenje)
• Konakovic calls on Dodik to return to initial agreements of the coalition; Konakovic argues that conflict is not possible (N1)
• HR discusses political processes, reforms with representatives of The Troika (FTV)
• Kovacevic: Those who are bothered by 9 January are bothered by the RS and its existence (RTRS)
• RS Minister Klokic sends open letter to Ambassador Murphy: US Embassy press release from 9 January discredits the USA, and it contains a threatening call to B&H judicial bodies and law enforcement bodies to open an investigation against B&H citizens due to participation in celebration of the RS Day (RTRS)
• RS Senator Vulin: US Embassy in B&H is hypocritical and arrogant (ATV)
• O’Brien: Dodik’s talk of secession was explicitly rejected and agreed to as rejected at the original Dayton, it is nonsense and unconstitutional (Oslobodjenje)
• Cvijanovic, Dodik and Viskovic meet with Serbian Defense Minister Vucevic: Preservation of peace and stability are common goals and prerequisite for development and prosperity of Serbia and the RS (ATV/RTRS)
Montenegro
• Spajic on the visit of NSD officials to the RS: The government follows the official policy (RTCG)
• Milatovic with Peach: A stable Western Balkans is a common interest, we appreciate the role of the United Kingdom in that field (CdM)
• Krapovic with Lord Peach: Montenegro is a reliable partner in preserving the security of the Western Balkans (CdM)
• Spajic with Peach: The government has good results, stay the course (CdM)
• Ambassadors of the EU member states: The results of the government are obvious, the holding of the Intergovernmental Conference is possible at the end of January (CdM)
• Prime Minister of Ireland: Montenegro is at the head of the column, our ambition is to be the first next member of the EU (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• MFA proposes updated Law on Restrictive Measures to include US, UK legal acts as basis for sanctions (MIA)
• Spasovski - Paschall: Joint efforts towards a visa-free regime (MIA)
Albania
• Peleshi: We are sending troops to the NATO mission in the Aegean Sea (Radio Tirana)
• Albania-Kosovo Railway, Spiropali: Strategic Project as another step in development for the Northern Capital (Radio Tirana)
• Agreement with UNDP signed, with a focus on strengthening disaster protection capacities (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 11 January 2024

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic meets with US Ambassador: Open discussion about further improvement of Serbian-US relations (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Vucic: Everyone is arming themselves, we are not lagging behind (Tanjug)
• Vucevic: Political pressures on Serbia continue (RTS)
• Serbia Against Violence demands annulment of elections (Beta)
• CRTA on deadlines for contesting election result in Belgrade (Beta/Beoinfo)
• Brnabic: CRTA is Djilas’s political platform (N1)
• Defence to seek throwing out of indictment against Kosovo Serb – lawyer (Tanjug)
• Cvijanovic: RS Day is creating divisions without reasons, many have problem with fact that RS was created in peace (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Incidents reported in B&H in last few days (FTV/Nova/Klix.ba)
• HR Schmidt meets ‘Mothers of Srebrenica and Zepa Enclaves’ discuss tensions raised over unconstitutional celebrations of RS Day, especially safety concerns raised by returnee communities (Klix.ba/FTV)
• Dodik: It is impossible to understand hysteria against Serbs and RS in Muslim part of FB&H (Nezavisne)
• Dodik: By celebrating the RS Day, the RS has sent the message of love, peace and freedom to the whole world (RTRS)
• Prosecutor’s Office of B&H follows events related to RS Day and is set to establish if there are elements of criminal responsibility (BHT1)
• Details of draft election law of RS (EuroBlic)
Montenegro
• Djurickovic: Does Montenegro plan to send an apology to B&H (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• FM meets Saudi speaker, discuss bilateral relations and economic cooperation (MIA)
• President Pendarovski meets Saudi speaker Muhammad Al ash-Sheikh (MIA)
• Speaker Xhaferi meets Saudi counterpart Muhammad Al ash-Sheikh (MIA)
Albania
• President Begaj hosts reception for diplomatic corpse (Radio Tirana)