United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 12 September 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Brnabic: Kurti doesn't even want to say two words - the Brussels Agreement, peace and stability suit us (RTS)
• Vucic: Elections maybe even before March 2 (Beta)
• Leaders of Brdo-Brijuni process pass declaration on EU accession, climate and youth (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Court of B&H confirms indictment against Dodik, Lukic (N1)
• Reactions to the indictment against Dodik, Lukic (ATV, FTV)
• Schmidt expected to visit Banja Luka and meet with RS Vice Presidents, Secretary General of RS President’s Office prohibits use of official premises for meetings with Schmidt (Dnevni avaz)
• RS Vice President Durakovic confirms Schmidt cancelled the meeting (N1)
• Heads of RSNA Caucuses calls on Schmidt to refrain from all future announced and unannounced provocations that cause political instability in B&H, disrupt its constitutional order and DPA (RTRS)
• German Embassy: Dodik’s statements about Schmidt are unacceptable, Dodik’s secessionist policy has consequences (Dnevni avaz)
Croatia
• Brdo-Brijuni summit takes place; Statements of participants (HRT1)
• Croatian FM Grlic Radman: We expect from political factors to accelerate European path of B&H by end of the year (Vecernji list)
Montenegro
• Milatovic remarks on 2030 as year of EU enlargement: We can be ready to become new EU member much earlier (CDM)
• Abazovic: I’m surprised by Milatovic’s reaction, he knew everything about trip to USA long ago; support for Becic to be discussed after talks (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski-Sarrazin: Constitutional changes - decision to be part of EU (MIA)
• Vucic: We love Macedonian people, we respect North Macedonia and we must protect our friendship (MIA)
• Pendarovski meets Osmani and Begaj at Brdo-Brijuni Process meeting (MIA)
• Pendarovski: No Western Balkans country to join EU if settlement of bilateral issues required first (MIA)
• Brdo-Brijuni Process: Stability and prosperity in region interdependent, regional cooperation based on honest and open dialogue especially important (MIA)
Albania
• President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, participates in the Meeting of Leaders of the Brdo-Brijuni Process (Radio Tirana)
• Begaj meets with representatives of Albanian political parties in North Macedonia (Radio Tirana)
• Albania aims to further align Albanian legislation with that of the EU (Radio Tirana)
United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 12 September 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Brnabic: Kurti doesn't even want to say two words - the Brussels Agreement, peace and stability suit us (RTS)
• Vucic: Elections maybe even before March 2 (Beta)
• Leaders of Brdo-Brijuni process pass declaration on EU accession, climate and youth (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Court of B&H confirms indictment against Dodik, Lukic (N1)
• Reactions to the indictment against Dodik, Lukic (ATV, FTV)
• Schmidt expected to visit Banja Luka and meet with RS Vice Presidents, Secretary General of RS President’s Office prohibits use of official premises for meetings with Schmidt (Dnevni avaz)
• RS Vice President Durakovic confirms Schmidt cancelled the meeting (N1)
• Heads of RSNA Caucuses calls on Schmidt to refrain from all future announced and unannounced provocations that cause political instability in B&H, disrupt its constitutional order and DPA (RTRS)
• German Embassy: Dodik’s statements about Schmidt are unacceptable, Dodik’s secessionist policy has consequences (Dnevni avaz)
Croatia
• Brdo-Brijuni summit takes place; Statements of participants (HRT1)
• Croatian FM Grlic Radman: We expect from political factors to accelerate European path of B&H by end of the year (Vecernji list)
Montenegro
• Milatovic remarks on 2030 as year of EU enlargement: We can be ready to become new EU member much earlier (CDM)
• Abazovic: I’m surprised by Milatovic’s reaction, he knew everything about trip to USA long ago; support for Becic to be discussed after talks (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski-Sarrazin: Constitutional changes - decision to be part of EU (MIA)
• Vucic: We love Macedonian people, we respect North Macedonia and we must protect our friendship (MIA)
• Pendarovski meets Osmani and Begaj at Brdo-Brijuni Process meeting (MIA)
• Pendarovski: No Western Balkans country to join EU if settlement of bilateral issues required first (MIA)
• Brdo-Brijuni Process: Stability and prosperity in region interdependent, regional cooperation based on honest and open dialogue especially important (MIA)
Albania
• President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, participates in the Meeting of Leaders of the Brdo-Brijuni Process (Radio Tirana)
• Begaj meets with representatives of Albanian political parties in North Macedonia (Radio Tirana)
• Albania aims to further align Albanian legislation with that of the EU (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 11 September 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Petkovic: The results of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina are determined by the formation of the ZSO (Tanjug)
• Lajcak: Preparations for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue meeting “in full speed” (Beta)
• Vucic: Decision on elections after dialogue with Pristina, U.N. General Assembly Session (Beta)
• Sociologist: Opposition should run for elections as two separate groups (N1)
• Protest organizers submit request for snap elections (N1)
• Opposition leader: We will focus on forming large bloc for elections (Beta)
• Summit Brdo-Brioni in Skopje; Vucic: Serbia for creating an atmosphere of mutual trust (RTS)
• Vucic: In Skopje there were no big arguments and fights, we left the problems for Thursday in Brussels (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• RS President Milorad Dodik tells HR Schmidt that he is not welcome in the RS, but if he comes, force will not be used against him (RTRS)
• PDP leader Borenovic comment on Dodik’s latest statements (N1)
• RSNA Speaker Stevandic: RS police will have to defend Christian Schmidt from people if he comes to RS (Nova BH)
• Viskovic says Schmidt’s announcement on visit to RS is provocation (ATV)
• Dodik calls on UK officials to return to Dayton Peace Agreement (RTRS)
• HR Schmidt touches upon issue of state property in recent interview, proposes formation of new joint agency for state property as possible solution; Experts comment on this possible solution (Hayat)
• Dodik sends message to ‘The Troika’: Now is the turn for Law on Constitutional Court of B&H and B&H Election Law (N1)
Montenegro
• Both Milatovic and Abazovic going to NY for UN General Assembly session: Delegation larger than ever before (CDM)
• Milatovic: Abazovic’s decision to go to NY makes confusion, it doesn’t contribute to seriousness of diplomatic image of Montenegro (CDM)
• Spajic can’t set up govt from winners of the election, he should reopen negotiations, Mandic claims (TV Pink)
• SNP: We’ve never conditioned our support to govt with 49 signatures of MPs (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• In October it will become clear who is in favor of swift EU membership, says Deputy PM (MIA)
• U.S. State Department: Corruption has potential to undermine N. Macedonia’s strategic ambitions (MIA)
• Macedonians have nothing against Bulgarians but fed up with demands over EU accession, says President (MIA)
Albania
• Wisner meets Peleshi: Strong ties between the US and Albania in the field of defense (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Pristina shows that their power has no limits and that they can do whatever they want (RTS)
• Petkovic: Pristina’s alibi cannot pass any further, Stoltenberg lectured Osmani (RTS)
• Mojsilovic receives Ohio National Guard commander (Tanjug/RTV)
• Dacic: Serbia, US on right track to advance their relationship (Tanjug/Politika)
• Activities on strengthening economic cooperation with Ohio (Tanjug/RTV)
• Great potential for strengthening economic cooperation between Serbia, Ohio (Tanjug)
• Serbia, Ohio sign Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation in economy (Beta)
• Firm friendship between Serbia, Cyprus (Tanjug)
• Orlic: Serbia’s relations with US open fruitful (Beta)
• Deadline given by Pristina to the Serbian institutions to leave the building in North Mitrovica is expiring, employees were still at their workplaces last night (RTS/Tanjug)
• Together Party: Everyone together in elections, we will overcome evil (Vreme/Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik: RS police receives instruction on how to proceed in case of Schmidt (ATV)
• Cvijanovic at forum in Poland on HR: There is foreign bureaucrat imposed by foreigners, who still claims he has right to unilaterally impose laws and remove democratically elected officials (RTRS)
• Viskovic calls on Schmidt to secure the paperwork for working in B&H (RTRS)
• Becirovic on Dodik’s threats against HR Schmidt: PIC should support HR, who should remove Dodik (Dnevni avaz)
• Cvijanovic responds to Becirovic: RS leaders are elected and removed by RS citizens and not by PIC (EuroBlic)
• Salkic invites Schmidt to come to RS and show Dodik whether he can arrest him; Salkic, Hurtic, Ramic call on Schmidt to implement Annex 7 of Dayton Peace Agreement (Hayat)
• US Embassy on Dodik’s threats against HR Schmidt: Dodik’s threat is unconstitutional (Dnevni avaz)
• Sarrazin meets Dodik; Sarrazin: Secessionist policy, attacks on state institutions, on media and civil society, as well as on High Representative, have consequences (RTRS/BHT1)
• Dodik and Sarrazin present opposing views regarding agreements with Kosovo (ATV)
• Sarrazin meets with representatives of the RS opposition (FTV)
• B&H CoM removes from agenda Draft Law on Courts in B&H (BN TV)
• Sattler: B&H was given opportunity to make progress on path to EU, you should use it (Dnevni avaz)
• Schmidt responded to Dodik's threats: I'm going to RS next week, let him prepare for some unpleasant moments (FAZ/N1)
Croatia
• Prime Minister speaks at Three Seas Business Forum (HRT)
Montenegro
• Danilovic: We are looking for a stable government with reconciled representatives of Bosniaks, Serbs and Albanians, a government with 41 deputies is not a success (Adria TV)
• Lakovic: We are entering the final stages of negotiations on a new government (TV Vijesti)
• Knezevic: Spajic does not have the support of four PES MPs, Milatovic wants to leave the party if Milovic becomes Minister of Justice (TV Vijesti)
Republic of North Macedonia
• President Pendarovski signs Criminal Code amendments into force (MIA)
• Kovachevski: We have a unique opportunity for swift EU accession, to unite around common goal (MIA)
• Kovachevski - Geer: Next step toward European goal important for quality of citizens' lives and stability in Europe (MIA)
• Pendarovski meets Ambassador Geer, Deputy Ambassador Nupnau (MIA)
• Pendarovski: Kurti did not take advantage of our hospitality, symbolism around visit was a bigger issue (MIA/Koha)
Albania
• Rama meets Soreca, focusing on the Berlin Process Summit in Tirana and integration of Albania (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Brnabic: Elections better sooner than later (TV Prva/Beta)
• Vucevic meets with Cypriot Ambassador (Tanjug)
• Gasic meets with UK Ambassador (Tanjug/RTV)
• Cvetkovic elected new Serbian Minister of Economy (Tanjug)
• Serb List rejects Pristina’s ultimatum (RTV/Tanjug)
• People’s Party: Why hasn’t Serbia requested special UN Security Council session on position of Serbs in Kosovo (Beta)
• Opposition MPs tried to block parliament session by making noise, but were ignored (Beta)
• N1 source says early parliamentary elections in December (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Court of B&H rejects request for recusal of Judge Cosic Dedovic; Dodik’s lawyer Bubic criticizes decision of Court of B&H (ATV)
• Stevandic’s criticizes decision to reject request for recusal of Judge Cosic Dedovic in case against Dodik (ATV)
• Kovacevic: Decision to reject request for recusal of Judge Cosic Dedovic is direct confirmation that this is political persecution of Dodik and Lukic (ATV)
• Sattler and Mijatovic discuss progress on EU path (BHRT)
• Sattler and Murphy’s letter to FB&H leadership sparks reactions (BHT1)
• Many see intention of Western ambassadors to dictate use of state property (ATV)
• Izetbegovic: Stronger influence of Islamic countries necessary in B&H to make balance (Dnevni avaz/Al Arabiya)
• Dodik criticizes Izetbegovic’s interview for Al Arabiya and accuses SDA of being Islamic radical organization (RTRS)
• Konakovic: Izetbegovic’s anti-American and anti-European agenda is very dangerous (Dnevni avaz)
• Pendes: ECHR’s judgment in ‘Kovacevic’ case is frivolous (Dnevni list)
• Dodik: Without Hungary there would be no sound voice in EU (Glas Srpske/Mandiner)
Montenegro
• Montenegro flag first time in Kosovo government (CdM)
• Abazovic expects a “grand finale” of arrests in Montenegro, he claims there is nothing spectacular in report on Joanikije’s enthronement (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kallas: After NATO, we would also like to welcome North Macedonia in EU (MIA)
• Kovachevski: N. Macedonia and Estonia are NATO allies, European path a common goal and commitment (MIA)
• Aliu: Estonia’s support for North Macedonia’s EU path – important sign of solidarity and cooperation (MIA)
• Osmani: Very soon there will be broader public support for constitutional changes, elections to be regular (MIA)
• Xhaferi: Session on constitutional changes to resume conditions permitting (MIA)
Albania
• Rama announces government reshuffle (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Dacic: Good job done for Serbia in Jakarta (RTS/Tanjug)
• Bilateral meetings of Dacic on sidelines of ASEAN Summit (Tanjug/RTS/RTV/Politika)
• Dacic meets with Indonesian Foreign Minister: Indonesia will not change its position not to recognize unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo, regardless of constant pressure to change this decision (NSPM/Tanjug/RTV)
• Petkovic: Osmani's transparent attempts to portray Serbia as destabilizing factor in Western Balkans (Tanjug/RTV)
• Office for KiM: New raid of Serb buildings, Pristina continues its reign of terror (Beta/Politika)
• Chief of Staff in Ground Safety Zone (N1)
• Serbia’s exports to Kosovo drop by 50 million Euros compared to last year (Beta/Politika)
• Opposition demands immediate parliamentary and Belgrade elections (N1)
• Orlic: We are delighted with opposition’s initiative for elections (N1)
• Dodik, Petkovic claim DPA stipulates there are borders between entities (Novosti)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Michel to Kristo: Status of EU candidate member comes with great expectations (Federalna.ba)
• Murphy, Sattler sent letter to FB&H government leadership last week suggesting steps that should be taken in future (FTV)
• Dodik: Murphy’s letter to Niksic, in which he dictates agenda of government in which Niksic is still prime minister, is caricature of sad B&H reality (RTRS)
• Lagumdzija sends letter to OHR, warns that amendments to Law on HJPC do not reflect necessary reforms (Oslobodjenje)
• Covic, Plenkovic meet in Zagreb on B&H -Croatia bilateral relations, EU path of B&H (FTV)
Croatia
• Montenegro’s President says he wants to accelerate EU accession for his country (HRT/N1)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Bauer: North Macedonia undertaking important steps to implement defense reforms (MIA)
• Pendarovski - Bauer: NATO to resume support for Ukraine for stabilization of Euro-Atlantic area (MIA)
• Osmani meets Admiral Bauer (MIA)
Albania
• Press Conference Begaj-Osmani/Begaj: Albania supports Kosovo's aspirations for Euro-Atlantic integration (Radio Tirana)
• Rama meets Osmani (Radio Tirana)
• Nikolla receives Osmani: Kosovo, Albania's national priority (Radio Tirana)