LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Gratitude to Cyprus for supporting Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty (RTS/Tanjug/RTV/Politika)
• Christodoulides: Cyprus's position on support to Serbia's integrity unchangeable (Tanjug/RTV/Politika/RTS)
• Three cooperation memorandums signed with Cyprus (Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Holding of 17 December elections not possible in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/Politika)
• Petkovic: Important to enable Kosovo Serbs to vote on 17 December (FoNet)
• Continuation of OSCE support for reforms in field of rule of law (Tanjug)
• Serbia Against Violence: 2,200 controllers ready for Belgrade, another 20,000 acors Serbia (Beta)
• Veselinovic on elections: We will guard every ballot (Beta)
• Analysts: Stoltenberg’s visit to Belgrade confirms partnership between Serbia and NATO (N1)
• Court extends pre-trial detention of a war crimes suspect (Beta/Politika/Radio KiM)
• Office for Kosovo and Metohija representatives banned from entering province (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
• Barbano: Some arrests in N. Kosovo were not in line with law (KoSSev/N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik responds to Stoltenberg: There is no secessionist threat in B&H, but there is devastation of constitutional order with goal of forced unitarization (RTRS)
• Dodik meets with representatives of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary (RTRS)
• Viskovic holds meeting with Sattler in Banja Luka; Viskovic: All 14 priorities must be solved in one package (BNTV)
• Sattler meets with Borenovic, Milicevic (Dnevni avaz)
• Kristo informs Commissioner Varhelyi that all leaders of political parties in power at B&H level have expressed their willingness to attend Second EU-B&H High-Level Political Forum in Brussels (FTV)
• Meeting of representatives of B&H HoR and Czech Republic held in Sarajevo (Hayat)
• Head of OSCE Mission to B&H Aggeler calls on B&H authorities to amend Election Law (BNTV)
• Members of B&H CEC and representatives of non-governmental organizations discuss amendments to B&H Election Law (BHT1)

Croatia
• Western Balkan allies gather for informal NATO meeting in Skopje (HRT)
Montenegro
• Resulbegovic elected as seventh Constitutional Court judge (CdM)
• Ibrahimovic: Election of Resulbegovic destroys multi-ethnic harmony and country’s EU path (MINA)
• Fajon: The election of the seventh judge of the Constitutional Court is an important step in the right direction (MINA)
• Varhelyi: Appointments in the Constitutional Court completed with an impressive qualified majority (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Stoltenberg: Important of choosing dialogue and diplomacy over conflict and war in the Western Balkans (MIA)
• Kovachevski: No alternative but to work until full EU integration (MIA)
• Security situation is stable, PM says (MIA)
• Rama: Necessary to increase number of NATO troops in Kosovo (MIA)
• President Pendarovski meets Croatian counterpart Milanovic (MIA)
• Stoltenberg: Corruption is extremely dangerous and it's important to fight it at all levels (MIA)

Albania
• Skopje meeting, Rama proposes a NATO summit with the Western Balkans (Radio Tirana)
• Meeting with Stoltenberg, Rama: To secure the Kosovo-Serbia border, to proceed more quickly with the naval base in Porto Palermo (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 22 November 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Ziadeh: Efforts towards peaceful coexistence (N1)
• Preservation of stability in region of key interest for Serbia (RTS/RTV/Politika)
• Further cooperation with UK in fight against organised crime (RTV)
• Serbia advocates lasting peace in Middle East (Politika/RTV)
• Ambassadors of Arab countries call on Serbia to support request for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza (Politika)
• Croatian FM's claims about reciprocal measures untrue - Serbian MFA (Tanjug/Novosti)
• KSF has no NATO support to arm itself – Stoltenberg (Tanjug)
• Serbia sent a note of protest to Albania (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• 28th anniversary of DPA initialing (Nova BH)
• Russian Embassy to B&H says attempts of western international community to treat DPA as temporary measure that needs to be revised are dangerous for peace and stability in B&H and region (RTRS)
• Serbian Ministers Dacic, Vucevic, Vulin: Serbia will insist on consistent implementation of original Dayton Peace Agreement (Nezavisne)
• Dodik: The DPA is dead and void, today we celebrate the anniversary of the Day of international recognition of the RS; B&H is heading towards dissolution (RTRS)
• Crnadak responds to Dodik’s press conference, emphasizing that Dodik and SNSD are leading the RS and the Serb people into an abyss (BNTV)
• Biden congratulates B&H Statehood Day; He calls for putting duties ahead of divisions and for putting an end the policy of nationalism (Oslobodjenje)
• NATO HQ: Stoltenberg stated that every country is free to choose its own security arrangements (Nezavisne/Istraga.ba)
• Ambassadors of seven EU member states inform Cavara of their countries’ support to opening of accession negotiations with B&H (Dnevni avaz)
Croatia
• Croatian diplomat expelled from Serbia for "espionage"; MFEA: We will respond (HRT)
Montenegro
• Opposition signed the Census Agreement (CdM)
• MPs to discuss today in Cetinje election of seventh Constitutional Court judge (CdM)
• Spajic with Kovacevski: Relations strengthened by alliance in NATO (CdM)
• Stoltenberg congratulated Krapovic on his appointment as Minister of Defense (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Wednesday's summit a recognition of importance and role North Macedonia plays in Alliance, says NATO Secretary General (MIA)
• Pendarovski: Stoltenberg's visit to Western Balkans demonstrates NATO's commitment to region's stability (MIA)
• Petrovska: Given the conduct of Russian foreign policy, I don't see why Lavrov would come to Skopje (MIA)
Albania
• Rama's visit to Skopje: Challenging moment of crisis, pose a potential threat to our region's stability (Radio Tirana)
• The war in Gaza, Rama: I have proposed a multinational coalition, the future without Hamas and Israeli troops (Radio Tirana)
• Beci-Kusari: Joint development projects between Shkodra and Djakovica (Radio Tirana)
• Peleshi: Albanian Air Force opens its doors for Kosovo Security Force pilots (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Only Serbs are under threat in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTS)
• Vucic: It is better to buy time than to give up on what you must not give up on (Politika/Tanjug)
• Serbia continues work on comprehensive reforms in best interest of society, citizens (Tanjug/RTS/Politika)
• Concern over continuation of Israeli-Palestinian armed conflict (Tanjug/RTV)
• Dacic: It is not first time ambassadors in Belgrade and Pristina disagree (Tanjug/Politika/RTV)
• Croatian diplomat declared persona non grata in Serbia (Beta/Novosti)
• First in absentia war crimes trial opens in Kosovo (N1)
• Over 2,000 vehicles in Kosovo switched to Kosovo-issue license plates (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Stoltenberg meets HR Schmidt: Efforts of HR are of vital importance for unity and reconciliation (O Kanal)
• Stoltenberg meets B&H CoM Chairwoman Kristo (BNTV)
• Stoltenberg meets B&H ministers; Helez says Stoltenberg commended B&H’s success related to training of battalion combat group (Dnevni avaz)
• Cvijanovic and Becirovic present opposite stances following meeting with Stoltenberg (FTV)
• Russian Embassy: Something is not right with Stoltenberg’s logic (Nova BH)
• Cvijanovic meets Russian, Greek, Swedish Ambassadors to B&H, points to need to respect Dayton, constitutional competences (RTRS)
• Kristo informs B&H CoM about EC President’s visit to B&H, says B&H could get EUR one billion from Growth Plan (Oslobodjenje)
• B&H HoR discusses in laws concerning B&H judiciary, not a single one adopted (FTV)
Croatia
• MFEA reacted to the expulsion of the Croatian diplomat from Serbia: "It is a step towards the deterioration of relations" (Hina)
Montenegro
• Mandic: Judicial earthquake has occurred; Knezevic: I want to ask one of prosecutors if a case has been opened against Lazovic and Milovic (CdM)
• Becic with Popa: In this game, we are playing for ourselves and our security within the EU (CdM)
• Milatovic with Steinmeier: We are interested in attracting German capital in the so-called greenfield investments (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski: Elections in May, clear coalition agreement with DUI, AA has capacity to be part of European coalition (MIA)
Albania
• Rama speaks for France 24 on the migration agreement with Italy (Radio Tirana)
• President Begaj receives the Ambassador of Qatar: We reaffirmed the close cooperation (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: It is pointless to respond to all lies, removal of tombstone (Tanjug/NSPM/Novosti)
• Statute first step towards formation of Community of Serb Municipalities (Tanjug/Politika)
• Lajcak: Progress on some issues (N1)
• Small wineries drivers of Serbia’s wine industry development (Tanjug/Politika/Novosti)
• Ambassador to UNESCO: Serbila’s election is clear signal to Pristina that is does not support unilateral moves (RTS)
• Drecun: French-German plan introduces de facto recognition of fake state of Kosovo (Tanjug/RTV)
• Belgrade sent protest note to France and Germany; Apologize to the public in Serbia (Danas/FoNet/B92)
• Petkovic: "Nenad Rasic, at his boss' behest, wants to make ZSO pointless in every possible way" (Tanjug/RTV)
• Dveri: Serbia will lose other parts of territory if it gives up on Kosovo (Beta)
• Grbovic: Despite political differences, some form of opposition cooperation possible, especially in Belgrade (Nedeljnik/Beta)
• Blast shakes Mitrovica North (RTS)
• US imposes sanctions on two Serbian politicians (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• OFAC imposes sanctions against RS Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining Petar Djokic, member of SNSD Executive Board Savo Cvijetinovic and long-serving head of RS Representative Office in Moscow Dusko Perovic (N1/ATV/Srna)
• Dodik reacts to US sanctions against RS officials: This is attempt to decapitate the people of the RS (RTRS)
• Crnadak claims that meeting between Dodik and Schmidt took place in Bakinci near Laktasi; Dodik denies and calls Crnadak a liar (Nova BH/ATV)
• Stevandic sends letter to speaker of German parliament Bas, urges her to bring Schmidt back to Germany as soon as possible (RTRS)
• Cvijanovic: RS is ready to defend its property and institutions; Schmidt’s goal is to remove Dodik (RTRS)
• Turkish FM Fidan meets Konakovic: No one benefits from secessionist rhetoric and acting, but it is to the damage of all B&H citizens (Slobodna Bosna)
• Ambassador Sattler: It is realistic to expect that authorities in B&H will meet the necessary conditions by March of next year (Dnevni avaz)
• 105th Rose-Seminar seminar ends in Sarajevo, Ademovic believes B&H will join NATO soon (Oslobodjenje)
Croatia
• Zelenskyy claims after war in Middle East, Russia plans to provoke conflicts in Balkans (AJB)
• Plenkovic, Michel comment on Zelenskyy’s claim that Russia plans war in Balkans (AJB)
• Plenkovic says Croatia is opposed to qualified majority system (HRT)
Montenegro
• Milatovic: Agreement over census good news if it’s true (CdM)
• Zivkovic: All requirements of the opposition accepted, census to take place after their fulfilment (CdM)
• Foreign Affairs Minister of Romania: We cannot afford to leave WB to be led astray by devious and aggressive actors (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Wallander – Petrovska: Not just allies, but friends united in vision for peaceful and stable Europe (MIA)
• Petrovska: US-Adriatic Charter proved successful as cooperation mechanism (MIA)
• US government sanctions individuals and entities connected to Jordan Kamchev's financial network (MIA)
• Western Balkans belong in EU, North Macedonia’s negotiations should begin immediately: Hungarian FM (MIA)
Albania
• Albania will continue to contribute to security and peace in the region (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Belgrade's delegation meets with Lajcak in Brussels (Tanjug)
• Government committed to respecting rights of national minorities (Tanjug/RTV)
• Improvement of cooperation, exchange of experiences with UAE in field of justice (Tanjug)
• Gasic: Kosovo Albanian mafia supplying weapons to people smugglers in northern Serbia (Tanjug/RTV)
• Miscevic: Serbia obliged to align visa regime with Schengen lists (Tanjug/RTV)
• EU Ambassador presents progress report to speaker (N1)
• Serbia elected to the UNESCO Executive Board for the third time in a row (Politika/Kosovo Online)
• Vojvodina assembly dissolved, provincial elections called for 17 December (Tanjug/RTV)
• Dveri: All candidates to answer key questions (Beta/Politika)
• NADA coalition: MPS should be elected directly by voters, not by parties (Beta/Politika)
• Zelenovic calls on citizens to vote for Serbia Against Violence (Danas/Beta)
• French embassy says it will consider returning WW I memorial (KoSSev)
• Poll: SNS’ rating at 39.2, Serbia Against Vioence at 25.8 percent (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• HR Schmidt at Rose-Roth seminar: B&H Constitution does not envisage secession of the entities (Dnevni avaz)
• Schmidt has used opportunity at Rose-Roth Seminar in Sarajevo to again attack RS, RS officials warn Schmidt is one who threatens sovereignty of B&H (RTRS)
• Dodik: RS remains committed to policy of sovereignty and rejects international tutorship, integration of RS and Serbia is legitimate political goal (RTRS)
• MPs of SDP B&H, NIP and Our Party send letter to European countries, EU institutions and USA in response to letter sent by SNSD (Klix.ba)
• SDA MPs send letter to US Congress and European Parliament (Klix.ba)
• OSCE organizes conference dedicated to reform of criminal justice system in B&H (Hayat)
Montenegro
• Konatar: Voting on Constitutional Court judge scheduled for 22 November in Cetinje (MINA)
• Mandic: It was agreed that we will schedule a session in a week to vote on the judge of the Constitutional Court (MINA)
• Milatovic: Montenegro has significant advantages in being first to reach full EU membership (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• President Pendarovski meets with Romanian Foreign Minister Odobescu (MIA)
• Xhaferi – Odobescu: Romania supports North Macedonia’s EU path, important to implement necessary reforms (MIA)
• Marichikj – Odobescu: Romania is a regional partner to North Macedonia on EU path (MIA)
• Osmani remains optimistic over constitutional changes (MIA)
Albania
• Hasani welcomed in Tirana his Romanian counterpart Odobescu (Radio Tirana)
• Government of Albania approves the protocol with Italy on the immigrants (Radio Tirana)
• The Balkans towards the common energy exchange market (Radio Tirana)