LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Opposition wants subservient, sycophantic Serbia without national identity (TV Pink/Beta)
• Lajcak on Belgrade-Pristina dialogue: Important decisions need to be made before European elections (Beta)
• Serbia to preside over CEFTA in 2024 (Tanjug)
• Petkovic informs Von Redecker about situation in Kosovo and Metohija and problems faced by Serbs (Tanjug/RTV)
• Hungary-Serbia oil pipeline an important project for our country (RTV/Tanjug/N1)
• Interpol’s warrant for Radoicic requested by UNMIK on Kosovo’s behalf (RFE/Beta)
• Prelevic: Radoicic not Interpol’s main target – he did not organize north Kosovo attack alone (Beta)
• Aleksic says Serbia Against Violence ticket will win in Belgrade (Insajder/Beta)
• Kosovo Serbs submit request to dismiss Mitrovica North mayor (KoSSev/N1)
• Bajatovic receives Order of Russian Federation (NSPM)
• Tomislav Radovanovic named acting head of Serbia's Security Information Agency (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik: Threats from OHR and illegal foreigner will not intimidate anyone; Schmidt will have to explain many things at the Court (RTRS)
• Dodik informs French Special Envoy Troccaz that RS rejects any action of Schmidt as HR (RTRS)
• Dodik on PDP’s proposal of resolution insisting on closing of PIC in B&H: It would be better for them to merge with common sense, if any of it left in this party (ATV)
• Russian Embassy rejects PIC SB messages, reiterates Schmidt is not High Representative (Dnevni Avaz)
• Bubic says Schmidt will be summoned as witness in trial against Dodik; Nobilo noted: We will call HR to the court, if he does not come to court, he will be apprehended (ATV)
• Sattler meets with members of B&H HoR and B&H HoP collegiums (FTV)
• Kristo sends Varhelyi working version of document titled Plan of Reforms for B&H (Dnevni list)
• Eichhorst held secret meeting with Dodik during her most recent visit to B&H (O Kanal)
Montenegro
• Spajic: Varhelyi promises to help prevent Montenegro from being on grey list (CdM)
• Knezevic with the Palestinian Ambassador: DNP condemns the killing of civilians, especially the suffering of thousands of children and women in Gaza (CdM)
• Bozovic and Kaludjerovic: We appeal to Palestine and Israel to reach a solution that will enable lasting peace (CdM)
• BS MPs with Palestinian Ambassador: Support efforts to end mass killing of civilians in Gaza (CdM)
• Jaksic-Stojanovic with Herasymenko: Positive influence on the inclusion of Ukrainian children in the educational system in Montenegro (CdM)
• Mandic-Kurtulmus: Montenegro is like a shining star in the Balkans (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• EU integration critical for North Macedonia to address reforms: US Ambassador (MIA)
• Osmani: Constitutional amendments only way to EU (Kanal 5/MIA)
• Department of State: NATO Ottawa Agreement enters into force for North Macedonia (MIA)
Albania
• Rama: Kosovo would have had better results, had it accepted my proposal for the Association (Radio Tirana)
• Friends of Europe on WB: To integrate the countries of the region as much as possible even before they become EU members (Radio Tirana)
• EU-Western Balkans Conference, Hasani from Brussels: We are ready for the EU, we expect concrete results (Radio Tirana)
• Gonzato: We strongly support Albania's journey towards EU membership (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Ohrid agreement might become part of EU negotiation chapter (Beta/NIN)
• Vucic: We will bring the most powerful foreign universities to Serbia (TV Prva/B92)
• Brnabic: President will resign if Progressives fail to win (TV Happy)
• Good cooperation of Serbia with UN Office on Drugs and Crime (Tanjug)
• Giaufret: Serbian exports to EU have risen by nearly six times since 2009 (Tanjug)
• Opposition convinced of high voter turnout, victory in Belgrade (N1/Beta)
• N1 hosts second election campaign debate (N1)
• Italian battalion joins KFOR mission in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Main hearing before Court of B&H in process against Dodik, Lukic postponed due to request of Dodik's defense to transfer case to Basic Court in Banja Luka (ATV)
• PIC SB session ends; Secessionism and threats to stability and constitutional organization of B&H in focus of the session (Klix.ba)
• HR Schmidt addresses press conference: There is no alternative for the EU; We are ready to protect B&H and its citizens if this turns out to be necessary (O Kanal)
• HR Schmidt: The way in which Dodik communicates indicates that measures against him should not only be verbal, but they should include actions as well (AJB)
• US Embassy, USAID officials visit B&H CEC; Support to strengthening of election process (Dnevni avaz)
Montenegro
• Djeljosaj: Spajic confirmed to me that Montenegro will always support Kosovo, if the opposite happens, we will leave the government (CdM)
• Djeljosaj: Montenegro is a partner and friend of Kosovo (CdM)
• Djeljosaj with the Ambassador of Ukraine: We continue sanctions against Russia and we are ready to provide assistance to Ukraine (CdM)
• Escobar praises Novovic’s efforts in fight against organized crime and high-level corruption (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski: EC confirms solid alignment of national legislation with European law (MIA)
• Kovachevski in Brussels: Progress on EU path contributes to higher economic growth (MIA)
• Baumgartner: EU the path to be taken (MIA)
• Pendarovski: Now not a time to think about elections (MIA)
• Can’t see room for constitutional changes as country headed to caretaker government, says President (MIA)
Albania
• Rome, the Council of Ministers ratifies the Rama-Meloni agreement for immigrants (Radio Tirana)
• Immigrants Agreement with Italy, Balla: A 5-year term protocol, Italy covers all costs. They are not to get out of the accommodation structures (Radio Tirana)
• Baerbock: the Western Balkans in the EU is a geostrategic imperative (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 6 December 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Further advancement of education in Serbia discussed with Wozniak (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Vucic receives President of Italy's Lombardy region (Tanjug/Politika)
• Italy one of Serbia's leading business partners (Tanjug/Politika/RTV)
• Vucic thanks outgoing Slovak Ambassador for respect for Serbia's sovereignty (Tanjug/RTV)
• Brnabic: Keeping Kosovo and Metohija a part of Serbia tops SNS plan (TV K1/Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Kurti not interested in de-escalation in north of Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTS/RTV/Politika)
• Dacic: We remain loyal to the policy we're pursuing with SNS (Alo)
• Hungary's continued support for Serbia's membership in EU (RTV/Tanjug/Politika)
• Hill: Serbian people will decide on Rio Tinto (RTS)
• KFOR Commander: We stand ready to respond to any threat (KoSSev/Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Second EU-B&H High-Level Political Forum held in Brussels: No accession negotiations for B&H before March of 2024 (BHT1)
• RFE has insight in latest draft conclusions on B&H that Ministers of EU Member States should adopt on 12 December (Oslobodjenje)
• Kristo and Varhelyi meet in Brussels; Varhelyi: The EU will be ready to open accession negotiations once all criteria are met, which will be possible in case that B&H remains committed to remaining reforms (ATV)
• Dodik: We from the RS say EU path is not disputable but the Constitution of B&H must be respected (Slobodna Bosnia)
• Emergency telephone session of B&H CoM on Tuesday; Bosniak ministers do not support the text of the agreement with Frontex (O Kanal)
• Cvijanovic meets Special Envoy of France for Western Balkans Troccaz; She points out that internal dialogue is prerequisite for further progress in process of EU integration (BHT1)
• PIC SB begins two-day session in Sarajevo (O Kanal)
• Washington: Borenovic meets former US VP Pence at International Democratic Union Forum, he stresses importance of preservation of Dayton structure of B&H (BNTV)
• Bubic: Dodik will show up at main hearing before Court of B&H on Wednesday (RTRS)
Montenegro
• Mandic: The first steps of the new parliamentary majority seem encouraging (CdM)
• Milatovic met with EU ambassadors: Montenegro made greatest progress in accession negotiations (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski in Brussels to open final screening session (MIA)
• Deputy PM Marichikj in visit to Brussels, bilateral screening set to end (MIA)

LOCAL PRESS

• Baerbock: The countries of the Western Balkans "absolutely and completely" belong to the EU (Tanjug)
• Representatives of the Serbian List with Barbano demand a greater presence of EULEX on the ground (RTS)
• Kosovo Serbs’ request to dismiss mayors refused (N1)
• Serbia Against Violence coalition representatives visit Kosovo (Beta, N1)
• Jovanovic to Kurti: No silence on Kosovo (N1)
• Council of Europe experts criticize Pristina: Council of Europe experts consider the use of police forces in the north of KiM to be excessive (RTS)
• Election commission determines number of voters, election tickets (RTS)
• Opposition officials file charges over SNS call centre (N1)
• EP observer mission, including Bilcik, Von Cramon, to arrive in Serbia on December 14 (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Draft agreement to be discussed in Brussels states that EU is ready to open EU accession negotiations with B&H once necessary degree of compliance with membership criteria is achieved (BNTV)
• EUD/EUSR Spokesperson Koenig explains the process of Second High-Level Political Forum (Oslobodjenje)
• Dodik: We will see in Brussels how serious Europe is towards us (RTRS)
• Kosarac: It is important to repeat there is no High Representative in B&H; All as long as foreigners are imposing solutions, any kind of perspective, including European is questionable for B&H (RTRS)
• Becirovic and French Special Envoy for Western Balkans Troccaz discuss B&H’s path to EU and NATO (FTV)
• Minister Helez and his Deputies meet Austrian delegation led by Minister Tanner; Support to B&H Defense Ministry, B&H AF and EU path of B&H expressed (NAP.ba)
Croatia
• Dodik in interview with HRT1: Trial before Court of B&H is political process, Helez’s claims is lie, there are no camps in RS (HRT)
Montenegro
• Ivanovic with the ambassadors of Kosovo, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Mongolia: The focus is on strengthening bilateral relations and the Government's foreign policy priorities (CDM)
• Milatovic: Fight for a more sustainable future with joint forces (MINA)
North Macedonia
• First round of presidential elections on April 24, parliamentary elections and presidential runoff on May 8 (MIA)
• Mickoski: No conditions for constitutional changes, consensus reached over election date and Electoral Code (MIA)
• Xhaferi welcomes Czech Parliamentary Committee on European Affairs delegation (MIA)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 4 December 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Lajcak on meetings dedicated to the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina (RTS)
• KFOR: We have quadrupled our presence in northern Kosovo after the conflict in Banjska (RTS)
• Pitch: Efforts towards the normalization of relations imply the obligation of Pristina to form the ZSO (RTS)
• Lavrov: No opening of new chapters if Serbia fails to introduce sanctions against Russia (Beta)
• RTS had an insight into the conclusions of the EU summit: Serbia is technically ready to open cluster 3, progress depends on relations with Pristina (RTS)
• Vucic: I do not believe that the Ohrid Agreement will be included in Chapter 35, that would close the door for Serbia (RTS)
• Vucic: Italy takes an objective approach to solving problems in our region; Meloni: Serbia can count on our support (RTS)
• State Department: Serbia has plans to eliminate international terrorism, but has not declared Hezbollah terrorist group (RTS)
• Vucic in Dubai: Serbia to continue to contribute to global fight against climate change (Beta)
• Dodik: I believe that RS will be independent one day; I will appear before the Court of B&H on December 6, when B&H will be on trial, not me (Prva TV)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• US Embassy in B&H reacts to Dodik’s latest statements about secession; Dodik responds (FTV)
• Dodik: B&H is a failed state, multiethnicity cannot exist in the Balkans; US Ambassador in Sarajevo thinks he can do things like Holbrooke, but he cannot (Glas Srpske)
• Latest statements of US Ambassador to B&H who warned Dodik that his statements on secession can cause consequences against him and all citizens of B&H cause negative reactions in RS (RTRS)
• Dodik: RS advocates European path of B&H, but on that path, it cannot allow to give up on itself, its constitutional competencies, property, and to accept being an empty shell (ATV)
• Dodik calls on all Serbs to vote for Vucic and Sapic in the Serbia emergency elections in December (ATV)
• Government of Netherlands publishes EU enlargement report: B&H is not ready for opening of negotiations (FTV)
• Cvijanovic: Citizens of FB&H benefited more from RS’s good relations with Russia than RS citizens (BHT1)
• Minister Helez requests from OSA info on claims on para-jamaats in RS, cells of Al-Qaeda, ISIL in FB&H (O kanal)
• US report on terrorism 2022: B&H stays cooperative in fight against terrorism (FTV)
Croatia
• Croatian PM at COP28: Wealthier countries must do more to fight climate change (Hina)
Montenegro
• Census has started: Enumerators to go house-to-house from 8am to 8pm (CDM)
• Knezevic: I will consult about joining the Government, I am not changing my position on Kosovo (CDM)
North Macedonia
• Lavrov says West not Russia responsible for problems in Balkans (MIA)
• Lavrov: Blinken fled meeting, not me (MIA)
• Carpenter: Russia remains isolated within OSCE, agreement reached over organization’s functionality (MIA)
• Lavrov has a tendency to cast blame on others, says U.S. Ambassador to OSCE (MIA)
• Pendarovski: North Macedonia has big climate goals – 82% net reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 (MIA)
Albania
• The member countries approve the letter for the review of the first group of chapters with Albania (Radio Tirana)
• The European Council issues the statement on the opening of the first chapters of Albania's EU membership talks by mid-December (Radio Tirana)
• Rama hosts the Portuguese counterpart, innovative digital projects (Radio Tirana)
• US State Department evaluates Albania for the fight against terrorism (Radio Tirana)