LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Kurti wants recognition in exchange for allowing Kosovo Serbs to vote (RTS/Tanjug)
• Vucic at COP28 meeting: We'll create new strategy to contribute to fight against climate change (Tanjug)
• Dacic: Position of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija more difficult than ever before (Politika/Tanjug)
• Bilateral meetings of Dacic at OSCE Ministerial Council in Skopje (Tanjug/RTV)
• Lavrov: OSCE currently in a bad state, it was destroyed in 1999 with NATO’s attack on Yugoslavia (Beta/RTS/RTV/Politika)
• Jeremic: Biggest threat of destruction of state is European plan for Kosovo, mining of lithium (TV N1)
• Aleksic: Security services in Serbia persecuting opposition leaders (TV N1)
• Kosovo government postpones license plate deadline (KoSSev/N1)
• Dodik: There are speculations some bans will be issued against me at first trial hearing; Serb national state in Balkans is legitimate goal (NIN)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• 18th anniversary of B&H Armed Forces marked with a series of activities organized by B&H Ministry of Defense (FTV)
• HR Schmidt: B&H Armed Forces are a symbol of success towards prosperous common future (Klix.ba)
• Tadic: Schmidt’s assault against RS has failed, scenario in which RS declares independence is realistic (Glas Srpske)
• Niksic: SDP B&H is ready to join HDZ B&H in story of changes to Election Law of B&H (FTV)
Montenegro
• Ivanovic: Montenegro will continue to consistently defend the fundamental values of the OSCE (CdM)
• Becic with Herasymenko: A new perspective on expansion as a path to joint success (CdM)
• Saranovic - Lajcak: Montenegro is an example of a reliable EU partner in the Western Balkans (CdM)
• Krapovic with Rinot: By modernizing defense capacities, we are strengthening the interoperability and capability of the Army (CdM)
• Vuksanovic - Glavak: togetherness with Croatia is the strength of Croats in Montenegro (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Osmani: We will respond to gravity of momentum and ensure predictable and constructive future for OSCE (MIA)
• Lavrov says OSCE’s prospects unclear, as some officials walk out (MIA)
• Baerbock: Russia must not be allowed to block OSCE’s work (MIA)
• Cameron: UK continues to support Ukraine and OSCE (MIA)
• O’Brien: Special criticism to be reserved for those who attempt to block functioning of OSCE (MIA)
• Dacic: Wisdom and political will essential to tackle OSCE challenges (MIA)
• Kovachevski – O'Brien: North Macedonia at a pivotal moment to ensure European future (MIA)
Albania
• Blinken: NATO is the backbone of security; we do not need the return of conflicts in the Western Balkans (Radio Tirana)
• Minister Hasani participates at 30th OSCE Ministerial Council in Skopje (Radio Tirana)
• Hasani: Albania continues to work hard for a stable and peaceful Western Balkans (Radio Tirana)
• Minister Hasani meets Cameron at the OSCE Ministerial Council in Skopje (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 30 November 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic thanks Azerbaijan for respecting Serbia's territorial integrity (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
• Vucic thanked friendly Kazakhstan for supporting preservation of Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity (RTV/Tanjug)
• Serbia, Kazakhstan deepen cooperation in various fields (Tanjug/Politika)
• Dacic meets with ODIHR Director (Tanjug/RTV)
• Stano: Kosovo Serbs should be allowed to vote in upcoming Serbian elections (Tanjug/Politika)
• Raska-Prizren Diocese: Officials from Podujevo with false priest broke into church (RTS/Politika)
• Andjelkovic: Vucic’s only trump cards are bedroom recordings and spy scandals (Beta)
• Stoltenberg: Both Belgrade and Pristina should contribute to de-escalation (Beta)
• N1 hosts election debate without ruling parties (N1)
• Kosovo’s Special Prosecution indicts Serb for alleged 1999 war crime (Beta)
• Arrested Kosovo Serb released on bail (Tanjug)
• KFOR says its presence highest in a decade (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers ends in Brussels (FTV)
• Zakharova comments Stoltenberg’s visit to Western Balkans: Stop destabilizing region (RTRS)
• Blinken: NATO has key role in helping countries in region to make progress on their path to EU membership and wider European stability (ATV)
• Borrell calls on people in B&H to avoid any kind of behavior that calls for divisions and to join their forces to use advantages of current geopolitical moment (N1)
• Heads of diplomacy of Croatia, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Slovakia and Czech Republic launch initiative for opening of B&H’s accession negotiations with the EU by the end of 2023 (Klix.ba)
• Peach: I call on all authority representatives to continue to maintain a positive momentum for all citizens (Klix.ba)
• Opposition from the RS calls on B&H CoM to comply with conclusion of B&H HoR and submit technical changes to B&H Election Law to parliamentary procedure (BNTV)
• RS CC rejects initiative for evaluating constitutionality of Law on Amendments to Law on Publication of Laws and Other Regulations of RS and Law on Non-Implementation of Decisions of B&H Constitutional Court (ATV)
• Dodik says that RS CC’s decision is confirmation that one worked according to letter of Constitution and law, but also that B&H judiciary tried to invent various things in order to judge him (ATV)
• Dodik criticizes US Special Envoy Escobar, says his actions and statement undermine Dayton Peace Agreement (Dnevni avaz)
Montenegro
• Spajic: Census postponed to 3 December (CdM)
• Brussels: Alliance united in the defense of the security of the Euro-Atlantic area, the Western Balkans in focus, strong support for Ukraine (CdM)
• Ivanovic with Blinken: USA and Montenegro will continue to foster close cooperation (CdM)
• Gorcevic spoke with Bilcik and Lajcak: It is important that Montenegro takes advantage of the current moment and achieves measurable results (CdM)
• Gorcevic with Varhelyi: Montenegro committed to obligations from the negotiation process (CdM)
• Milovic: The signing of the extradition agreement between Montenegro and Kosovo is a key step towards improving mutual cooperation (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Poland joins Baltic states, Ukraine in boycotting OSCE Ministerial Council in Skopje (MIA)
• Borrell: In Skopje Lavrov will hear directly why Russia is being condemned and isolated (MIA)
• Zakharova: Lavrov will hold several bilateral meetings in Skopje (MIA)
• Kovachevski - Borrell: EU membership is our goal and depends on all political stakeholders, no excuses (MIA)
• Blinken commends North Macedonia for exceptional achievement in expanding the OSCE mission despite significant challenges (MIA)
• Dacic: OSCE Ministerial Council to be difficult considering challenges facing international community (MIA)
Albania
• Hasani at the meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers, support for the increased presence in Kosovo (Radio Tirana)
• Balla meets the British Secretary of State, James Cleverly (Radio Tirana)
• Blinken congratulates Albania: USA, proud to work with you (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Only two election options exist – Progressives or a Djilas slate (TV Happy/Beta)
• Dacic: Thirteen percent of Kosovo Serbs left last year (Beta/Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Support of friendly Kazakhstan in preserving Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity (RTV/Tanjug)
• Serbia continues to take measures to combat irregular migrations (Tanjug/RTV)
• Petkovic, Botsan-Kharchenko discuss situation in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/Politika)
• Russian Ambassador discusses Kosovo with government officials (N1)
• Serbia's consistent support for implementation of Agenda 2030, SDGs (Tanjug)
• Hill: We should be patient and support EU in attempt to find compromise (Tanjug/RTS)
• Borrell calls Belgrade, Pristina to show will for agreements (N1)
• Belgrade Prosecutor’s Office launches investigation into forged signatures on ticket support lists (Insajder TV/Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Covic satisfied that meeting of HDZ B&H and ‘The Troika’ took place (AJB)
• Minister Kosarac calls on leaders of ‘The Troika’ to unblock ‘Eastern New Interconnection’ project (RTRS)
• Stevandic accuses ‘The Troika’ of halting European integration process (ATV)
• Viskovic says Serbs, Croats and Bosniaks are hostages of irresponsible individuals, criticizes FB&H for contesting projects in RS (Nezavisne)
• B&H politicians meet international representatives (Dnevni avaz/BHT1)
• Dodik meets with Macdonald; Dodik: RS rejects Christian Schmidt as the HR (RTRS)
• EUFOR: We have not received evidence or information which would confirm presence or activities of any para-military camps on the territory of B&H (Klix.ba)
• Helez, Sarec talk about situation in region, projects and further cooperation (FTV)
• Dodik claims it was clear from very beginning that Russia cannot lose in Ukraine, notes RS’ neutral stance was right (RTRS)
• B&H Directorate of Civil Aviation submits to B&H CoM agreement on air traffic safety between Russian government and B&H CoM (Dnevni list/Raport.ba)
Croatia
• Meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers takes place in Brussels (HRT1)
Montenegro
• Ivanovic: NATO remains committed to the security and stability of the region (CdM)
• Ensure the continuity of successful cooperation in the field of defense (CdM)
• Popovic with Kun: The principle of "one China" was and remains in force (CdM)
• Mandic next to the Kosovo parliament speaker (CdM)
• Spajic: All conditions of the opposition met, the census can start (CdM)
• Opposition demands a delay to census: We must have enough census takers and prepare technical documentation for software first (CdM)
• Remikovic: Extension of census duration likely to happen (TV Vijesti)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Osmani: Accelerating Western Balkan's NATO and EU integration is the only panacea for region’s problems (MIA)
• Ukrainian MFA says Kuleba won’t attend OSCE Ministerial Council in Skopje (MIA)
• Baltic countries to boycott OSCE Ministerial Council in Skopje due to Lavrov’s attendance (MIA)
• Borrell to attend OSCE meeting in Skopje, but won’t hold talks with Lavrov (MIA)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 28 November 2023
LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic on elections in Belgrade: It’s on the edge now, result to depend on right-wing parties (Beta/RTS/Politika)
• KFOR Commander speaks with Serbian Armed Forces chief of general staff (Tanjug/RTV)
• Dacic: OSCE should enable Kosovo Serbs to enjoy their rights (Politika)
• Petkovic: Militarisation of so-called KSF biggest threat to peace in W Balkans (Tanjug/Politika/RTV)
• Petkovic: Ban on Serbs to vote in Kosovo and Metohija does not contribute to calming situation (RTV/Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Kosovo Serb released on bail after six months of incarceration (Tanjug)
• Vukadinovic: Math and analyses say opposition will win in Belgrade (Nova S)
• CoE finds election campaign in Serbia highly polarized, with unprecedented fearmongering (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Helez questioned by Prosecutor’s Office of B&H regarding claims on military camps in the RS (ATV)
• SNSD Caucus and Caucus of Serb parties in B&H HoR launch initiative for the removal of Helez (RTRS)
• Dodik: If Konakovic and Niksic had any shame, they would withdraw Helez themselves (RTRS)
• Cvijanovic: Helez’s allegations about Russian military camps in RS absolute lies (RTRS)
• B&H Presidency appoints Knezevic as Chief of Joint Staff of B&H Armed Forces (RTRS)
• Stoltenberg: Secessionist rhetoric registered in B&H (FTV)
• O’Brien says NATO secures crucial safety framework in Western Balkans so that it can move forward on European path (Oslobodjenje)
Croatia
• Foreign Minister hopes EC will green-light accession talks with B&H (HRT)
Montenegro
• Krapovic: Montenegro strongly condemns Russia's aggression against Ukraine (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Blinken to represent United States at OSCE meeting in Skopje (MIA)
• Lavrov says will attend Skopje OSCE summit if Bulgaria allows overflight (MIA)
Albania
• President Begaj in the Assembly on the 25th anniversary of the Constitution, the Constitution preceded and anticipated the Euro-Atlantic integration process of the country (Radio Tirana)
• Speaker Nikolla, the constitutional changes enabled the reform in Justice (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 24 November 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: West should do more than issue statement on Kurti's vote ban (Tanjug/Politika)
• Vucic meets with Peach to discuss developments in Kosovo and Metohija, region (RTV/Tanjug)
• Full understanding, years-long mutual support between Serbia, Cyprus (RTS/Tanjug/RTV)
• Bilateral relations between Serbia, Cyprus based on firm friendship (Tanjug/RTV)
• Positive development of bilateral cooperation between Serbia and Kingdom of Belgium (Tanjug/RTV)
• Dacic: Zagreb was informed, unwanted diplomat engaged in intelligence activities (FoNet)
• RIK: No conditions for holding of 17 December elections in Kosovo and Metohija (Beta)
• Lutovac: We will give pensioners back everything that Vucic took (Beta)
• Veselinovic says Belgraders decided to change government back in May (Beta)
• Obradovic: Change of government only way to stop trend of national defeats (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Marking of B&H Statehood Day; RS MoI banned gathering (FTV)
• OHR: Collaboration between all B&H institutions is crucial for B&H’s prosperous and united future (Klix.ba)
• Helez: Training camps and para-military formations exist in the RS/Reactions (N1/Nova BH)
• Head of EUD to B&H Sattler visits Banja Luka (BNTV)
• Meeting of Troika and HDZ B&H scheduled for Thursday postponed (Nova BH)
Croatia
• Plenkovic on the expulsion of Croatian diplomat from Belgrade: We reacted immediately (HRT)
Montenegro
• Becic: We are close to unblocking the judiciary (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• No other demands for North Macedonia except those agreed in ‘French proposal’, says Bulgarian PM (MIA)
• Kovachevski meets with Sarrazin and Franges: Responsibility to prevail over partisan interests for North Macedonia’s European future (MIA)
• Kovachevski: Details on elections to be defined at December meeting in parliament (MIA)
Albania
• President Begaj: Diaspora should be given the right to vote and have representation in Albanian politics (Radio Tirana)
• Together, no dream is impossible if we are determined / The strategy for the Diaspora needs to be revised (Radio Tirana)
• Albania has changed, showing the world how a western society is created (Radio Tirana)
• Albania and Kosovo should invest more time for the Presevo Valley, favourable stances are not enough (Radio Tirana)