United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 10 January 2024

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Serbia-Russia relations very good, Serbia is no one's protectorate (RTS/Tanjug)
• Brnabic dismisses claims that number of voters has increased by almost 100,000 since 2020 (Beta)
• European Socialists call on Brnabic to allow investigation of election irregularities (Beta)
• Stano: We expect implementation of Belgrade-Pristina agreements (N1)
• Vucevic accuses independent media of breaking election law (N1)
• Djilas reveals more false residence registration (N1)
• Opposition will not refuse to accept seats in parliament (Nova/Beta)
• Tolkach urges Serbia to condemn Russia attacks during the holiday season (Beta)
• Vulin: Each Serb should get Serbian passport and right to vote no matter where they live (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Seventy-seven echelons participate in RS Day parade; Dodik: We do not need tutors and colonizers because this people never allowed to be enslaved (ATV/RTRS)
• Award ceremony for most deserving individuals and institutions held in Banja Luka on occasion of RS Day; Hungarian PM Orban awarded with highest RS decoration (RTRS)
• Marking of RS Day starts with liturgy led by Patriarch Porfirije (ATV)
• Dodik talks with Porfirije, Orlic, Vucevic and Kalabukhov in Palace of RS (RTRS)
• Dodik: If fake HR dares to pass law on state property, the RS will not hesitate to declare independent status; Something was declared on 9 January, and it cannot be observed on the other date; US Ambassador is not welcome to RS (ATV/RTRS)
• Cvijanovic: 9 January is day of victory, symbol and holiday of freedom (RTRS)
• Viskovic: Freedom is something brought in connection with Serb people (RTRS)
• Konakovic: Reaction to any kind of secessionist decisions would be more determined than ever (Dnevni avaz)
• Zvizdic: Disgracing, anti-civilizational and provocative celebration of the RS Day organized in the RS (Oslobodjenje)
• ‘Our Party’: There is nothing to celebrate today (Dnevni avaz)
• Komsic: Celebrating 9 January means celebrating historical defeat of idea of Greater Serbia (Slobodna Bosna)
• Remembrance Day of victims of genocide marked in Potocari in response to unconstitutional RS Day marking (FTV)
• Council of the Congress of Bosniak Intellectuals request punishment for celebrating Day of RS and all those who participate in it (Hayat)
• US Embassy: We will not hesitate to address anti-Dayton actions (Dnevni avaz)
• Stano on the RS Day: EU always underlines that sovereignty, territorial integrity, constitutional organization and international distinctiveness of B&H must be preserved; All activities against these principles will lead to serious consequences (Slobodna Bosna)
• Ambassador Reilly: Selection of 9 January violates several provisions of Constitution (Oslobodjenje)
• Leaders of FB&H-level ruling coalition hold meeting where they presented their views on amendments to the Election Law of B&H (FTV)
• Komsic: HDZ B&H will wear down Troika and they will accept Covic’s demands regarding Election Law (Slobodna Bosna)
• EU comments on Schmidt's announcement about possible imposition of changes to B&H Election Law (N1)
• Komsic: Schmidt acts as High Representative exclusively for Bosniaks; B&H needs strong pro-Bosnian bloc to protect state interests (Slobodna Bosna)
Montenegro
• Montenegro among the signatories: US and partners condemn transfer of weapons between North Korea and Russia (Vijesti)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Ahmeti: Unlike Rama, Kurti interferes in internal affairs of Albanians in North Macedonia (Top Channel/MIA)
• Parliament to hold sessions leading to election of caretaker government on 22-28 January (MIA)
Albania
• A two-day meeting of the government cabinet (Radio Tirana)
• Pre-accession funds, EU 250 million Euros for national programs in Albania (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 9 January 2024

LOCAL PRESS

• Brnabic wishes happy RS Day (Tanjug/RTV)
• Vucic congratulates Dodik on RS Day (Tanjug/Politika/RTV/RTS)
• Djilas asks Party of Euroepam Socialists to support demands to repeal election results in Serbia (Beta)
• ODIHR spokesperson: Final report on elections expected by end-February (N1)
• Lutovac expecting to take decisive stand on Serbia election irregularities (Beta)
• EU: License plates prove Belgrade-Pristina dialogue possible (Beta)
• Tepic to Stano: Call the situation in Serbia by its proper name (N1)
• Spain to recognize Kosovo passports, not its independence (El Pais/Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Two US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons fly over B&H as part of bilateral air-to-ground training with JTAC from US Army Special Forces and Armed Forces of B&H (Nova BH)
• Helez meets US military attaché Adams, approves fly-over of US planes (Oslobodjenje)
• Officials and analysts comment on two US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons flying over B&H (Nova BH)
• RS leadership lays wreath at memorials in Banja Luka; Dodik: RS is showing its ability to manage and exist in difficult circumstances in which hybrid war is being waged against RS by individual Western countries (RTRS)
• Formal ceremony and reception on occasion of RS Day held in Banja Luka; Dodik: The goal of Serb people is a Serb state in this area and its freedom (RTRS)
• Dress rehearsal for RS Day parade held in Banja Luka (RTRS)
• War victims’ associations demand that 9 January is proclaimed Day of Mourning; They will visit Potocari on Tuesday (NAP.ba)
• OSCE, OHR’s statements on marking of RS Day (BHT1)
• Leaders of parties gathered around SNSD-led ruling coalition in the RS discuss adoption of RS election law; Stevandic: If this law is adopted, then local elections in the RS in 2024 will be held in line with that law (BNTV)
• RS opposition refuses to attend the RS ruling coalition meeting on RS election law (BNTV)
Montenegro
• Perovic: By congratulating RS Day, Mandic violated all the rules of good neighborly relations (Television E/CdM)
• Knezevic and Asanovic near Dodik at the celebration of the Unconstitutional Day of the RS (CdM)
• Delegation of the New Serbian Democracy at the RS Day celebration (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Skopje’s successful OSCE Chairmanship put the city on the world diplomacy radar (Republika)
Albania
• Balluku: We expand the Tirana-Durres axis, we continue the railway network. A NATO naval base in Porto-Romano (Radio Tirana)
• Peleshi: Albania's unwavering dedication to peace and stability in the region and the world (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 5 January 2024

LOCAL PRESS

• Cameron says what happened in Banjska must not happen again (B92)
• Drecun on Cameron's visit: Great Britain's key goal is to help Pristina militarily (RTS)
• Pristina adopted a decision to remove stickers for vehicles with Serbian license plates (RTS)
• DefMin says conscription not preparation for war (Beta)
• Dacic: Opposition's attempt to violently overthrow Gov't lacks sufficient mobilizing energy (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik announces adoption of RS Election Law (O kanal)
• US Embassy to B&H on Dodik’s announcement on adoption of RS Election Law: Any attempt to usurp state competences would be violation of DPA and laws of B&H (N1)
• Kovacevic answers US Embassy: We are not endangering BiH’s rights, but defend rights of the RS (RTRS)
• Kosarac: Adoption of Election Law of RS and formation of Election Commission of RS is clear policy of RS President Dodik and institutions of the RS (Srna)
• PDP’s Borenovic: It is obvious SNSD will be against fair elections and introduction of new technologies into the election process (Dnevni avaz)
• Milicevic: Although SDS opposes imposing of any law, it demands adoption of amendments to B&H Election Law that will stipulate introduction of modern technologies in election process (ATV)
• SDA: Dodik’s announcement is new attack on the constitutional-legal order of B&H (Slobodna Bosna)
• OHR reminds that Schmidt gave deadline of three to four weeks for legislators to vote on amendments to B&H Election Law (O kanal)
• Radmanovic: Completely new B&H Election Law is needed, amendments proposed by SDA are not acceptable (Glas Srpske)
• OSCE Mission to B&H: ‘Day of Republika Srpska’ directly contravenes the constitutions of both B&H and of RS itself (Slobodna Bosnia)
• Kovacevic: OSCE statement on RS Day is completely inaccurate (RTRS)
• Becirovic and Murphy discuss the political situation in B&H; Murphy: USA will not calmly observe anti-Dayton activities of authorities in the RS (Nova BH)
• Petronijevic: Schmidt carries out coup d'état in B&H (ATV)
• EUFOR Commander Major General Laszlo Sticz says EUFOR forces will intervene only if B&H police are not able to secure peace (N1)
• Helez: B&H is most stable country in the Western Balkans; Main focus of B&H Ministry of Defense will be NATO integration of B&H (Hayat)
Croatia
• Russian attacks strengthen Croatia’s support to Ukraine, says Plenkovic (Hina)
Montenegro
• Gjeloshaj: On 19 January 2024, MPs to vote on laws returned by Milatovic, we are to preserve functionality of institutions (CDM)
• Milatovic explains why he refused to sign three laws (CDM)
• PES: By not signing laws, Milatovic protects Abazovic’s EPCG BoD and prevents further reforms (CDM)
North Macedonia
• Marichikj – Aggeler: Partnership with USA to provide support for prosperous, well-governed, stable state (MIA)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 4 January 2024

LOCAL PRESS

• Dacic: "Extremely hypocritical" Cameron's statement on support for Pristina (RTS)
• Vucic and Mitsotakis: There are all conditions for strengthening cooperation between Serbia and Greece (RTS)
• Serbia to improve its grades - will the Hungarian presidency of the EU give it a wind at its back (RTS)
• Serbian Election Commission releases parliamentary election results (Beta)
• Djilas: Election manipulation assumes massive proportions, Western support to Vucic astonishing (Beta)
• Students begin atypical actions after Jan. 10 (Beta)
• Sapic: I will invite councilpersons for talks about Belgrade government (Beta)
• National Gathering coalition ceases to exist (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• RS Ruling Coalition Announces RS Election Law/Changes to B&H Election Law (ATV)
• SNSD coalition partners welcome conclusions made at the meeting with Dodik (ATV)
• Dodik: RSNA will not appoint judges for B&H CC until Court is reformed and mandate of foreign judges is over (ATV)
• Dodik: If someone dares to initiate any process against anyone in the RS due to marking of RS Day, the RS will react through certain set of measures (BNTV)
• Ambassador Kalabukhov: Decisions in B&H should be product of two entities and three constituent peoples (RTRS)
• Kalabukhov, Kosarac meet and conclude that Schmidt does not have legitimacy of the HR; They assess court process against Dodik as absurd (RTRS)
Croatia
• Prime Minister declines to reveal parliamentary election date (HRT)
Montenegro
• Gjeloshaj: EU, NATO and issue of Kosovo’s independence are red lines of my remaining in Govt. (CDM)
North Macedonia
• Kovachevski: No need for secret encounters, no meeting scheduled with Mickoski yet (MIA)
• Mickoski: Ministers in caretaker government to be unveiled after Epiphany (MIA)
Albania
• Minister Peleshi: By the end of this month, the Armed Forces will see the incorporation of two American Black Hawk helicopters (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 3 January 2024

LOCAL PRESS

• Petkovic to Lajcak: A strong protest over Pristina's decision to collect the alleged electricity debt (Tanjug)
• Lajcak: We expect new local elections in the north of KiM to be called without further delay (Politika)
• Lajcak: Ohrid Agreement is legally binding (Beta)
• From 1st of January in central Serbia, movement is allowed for vehicles registered in Kosovo and Metohija (RTS)
• Vucic: Decision on free movement of Kosovo plates prevented ‘big pitfalls and dangers’ (N1)
• Brigadier says NATO, Serbia closer than people think (Demostat)
• Non-partisan ProGlas initiative calls for annulment of elections (Beta)
• Vucic rejects opposition demands for international investigation (Beta)
• Russian FM: The west attempted to orchestrate unlawful seizure of power in Serbia (Beta)
• Vucic revealed when the new government will be formed (B92)
• Herzog, Vucic: Israel and Serbia should continue cooperation (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• RS authorities announce commemoration of January 9; Orban’s arrival announced while Milatovic rejects invitation (Nova BH)
• Kalabukhov: RS has every right to act as if High Representative in B&H does not exist (Nova BH)
• Croatian President Milanovic: B&H is clumsy, sloppy, incompetently managed colony, Schmidt is colonial administrator (O kanal)
• Documents of UNSC confirm Schmidt is not HR; Nobilo: Schmidt will be called to testify in trial of Dodik; Dodik: Schmidt is illegal HR (RTRS)
• Dodik: I will not sacrifice national interest of my people due to threats, pressures of foreigners (AP)
• B&H CC to continue working without single judge from RS, because RS refuses to appoint new judges (BHT1)
• Declassified documents of UK Ministry of Defense shed new light on engagement of UK special forces in Srebrenica in 1995 (Glas Srpske)
Montenegro
• Milatovic: I was invited to marking of RS Day, but I will not go; I am visiting Sarajevo in spring (CDM)
• Census 2023: Preliminary results on 25 January (CDM)
• Ministry of Interior: Temporary protection for nearly 10.000 Ukrainians (RTCG)
North Macedonia
• Kovachevski: Details on caretaker government by January 25 (MIA)
Albania
• Zelensky awards Rama with the Order of Prince "Yaroslav the Wise" (Radio Tirana)
• President Begaj with KFOR Albanian troops: You raise the name of Albania and Albanians wherever you are (Radio Tirana)
• Albania closes the two-year mandate in the UNSC (Radio Tirana)