LOCAL PRESS

• Belgrade's delegation meets with Lajcak in Brussels (Tanjug)
• Vucic receives Surinamese FM (RTV/Tanjug)
• Dacic speaks with FMs of Lebanon, Tunisia and Belarus (Tanjug)
• Brnabic: Both Belgrade and local elections on 2 June (N1)
• Dacic on draft Srebrenica resolution: The strong can do anything - we will fight (RTV/Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Historically unprecedented disgrace for PACE (Tanjug/RTV)
• Popovic: Recommendation to let so-called Kosovo join CoE represents collapse of international law (Tanjug)
• Lutovac on CoE vote: Implementation of what Vucic has accepted (Beta)
• ODIHR: Dialogue on election conditions must continue (N1)
• Pristina claims Belgrade held up Kosovo-registered buses at border (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Representatives of ruling coalition at B&H level hold meeting in Istocno Sarajevo (N1/ATV)
• B&H CEC amends Instruction on Awarding and Cessation of Mandate in line with changes to B&H Election Law imposed by Schmidt (Nezavisne)
• Presentation of draft resolution on genocide committed in Srebrenica in 1995 held in UN building in New York (AJB/BHT1)
• Dodik: Emphasizing story of Srebrenica in UN will not contribute to reconciliation; genocide was not committed in Srebrenica (ATV/FTV)
• Victims’ associations demand investigation against Dodik and Vucic for denial of genocide and their insults (NAP.ba)
• Becirovic: Srebrenica Resolution is important for entire world (Avaz)
• Trial of Dodik and Lukic continues before Court of B&H with testimony of two prosecution witnesses (ATV)
• Members of B&H Delegation Cudic and Magazinovic vote in favor of recommending Kosovo’s membership in CoE (Nezavisne)
• Cavoli: RS attempts to weaken state authorities (FTV/BNTV)
Croatia
• New mandate for HDZ; Election results in Croatia at 99.3% of processed votes (Index.hr)
Montenegro
• PES: Milatovic, as PES member, accused Abazovic’s government of stalling EU integration (CdM)
• Krvavac: Milatovic should leave his personal vanity aside, for the sake of successful EU path (CdM)
• Becic congratulated on arrest, although SDT claims no one was arrested (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Pendarovski: We did not progress to EU because of opposition's obstructions (MIA)
• Pendarovski: No EU progress is possible without changing Constitution (TV Telma)
• Osmani: European Front continues battle to tear down ethnic monopolies' strongholds (MIA)
• Taravari: We'll restore former reputation of Kumanovo, Lipkovo (MIA)
• Dimitrievski: Macedonia deserves people's President to represent, protect them (MIA)
• Siljanovska-Davkova: You deserve to be governed according to your dignity (MIA)
• Marichikj: Macedonia's position on Srebrenica was clearly established by parliamentary declaration in 2010 (TV Kanal 5)
• Condemning any form of genocide is a universal human responsibility, says Foreign Minister (MIA)
Albania
• Begaj hosts the delegation of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly: Albania, a factor of peace and stability (Radio Tirana)
• CoE Monitoring Committee removes the monitoring of Albania, appreciating reforms for independence of judiciary (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 17 April 2024
LOCAL PRESS

• Shameful: PACE adopted the recommendation that so-called Kosovo becomes its member (Novosti/B92)
• Council of Europe's vote: Spaniards with Serbia, Greeks betrayed us (Tanjug)
• Dacic: Today is a day of shame in PACE (Tanjug/Politika)
• Vucic, Mecacci discuss ODIHR recommendations for advancement of electoral process (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
• RIK President Dimitirjevic, ODIHR'S Mecacci agree Comission has already implemented a series of ODIHR recommendations (Beta)
• Brnabic: The best meeting so far; The elections will be held when they are legally due, which is 2 June (B92)
• ODIHR says Serbian election law amendments are not reform (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• 25th International Economy Fair Mostar begins (N1/RTRS/FTV)
• Lajcak-Kristo meeting (NAP.ba)
• Dodik denies genocide again: They constantly lie about 8,000 victims (Avaz/RTRS)
• Vucic: I will always support RS and Dodik; Serbia is in no way responsible for the alleged genocide in Srebrenica (RTRS/N1/ATV/FTV)
• Izetbegovic: Serb leaders are putting mortgage of crimes committed by individuals on shoulders of Serb people (N1)
• Kosarac meets Sattler: Interfering of foreigners is main obstacle on B&H’s EU path (RTRS)
Montenegro
• Montenegrin MPs voted completely different at PACE (CdM)
• Janovic: How much longer do we have to wait for some ministers to show up in parliament? (CdM)
• Popa: Political problems might affect the stability of the government (MINA)
• Katnic and Lazovic ordered detention of up to 30 days (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Pendarovski: We made peace with neighbors, cannot allow previous government to come back (MIA)
• Taravari in Debar: Out with the old, bring in new President, gov't, Constitution, for a country loved by all (MIA)
• Vankovska: Shame that presidential candidates will not commit to public debate (MIA)
• Mickoski in Dojran: Great awakening, citizens united around idea of change (MIA)
• Beyer: Next government expected to adopt constitutional changes by year end (TV Sitel)
Albania
• Rama: Albania is listened to by the leaders of the great powers, we are a point of balance in the region (Radio Tirana)
• Nikolla-Osmani: Albania to persistently lobby until Kosovo achieves official membership in CoE (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Amendments of Serbia, Hungary and Italy rejected: Belgrade files complaint (Tanjug/RTV)
• Serbian delegation voted against draft opinion on membership of so-called Kosovo in Council of Europe (Tanjug/Politika)
• Vucic: It has been established that Serbia is in no way responsible for the genocide (B92)
• Brnabic: Imposing of Srebrenica Resolution is peak of legal violence (TV Happy)
• Dacic: PACE expected to adopt recommendation to admit Kosovo (TV B92)
• Vucic, Lajcak discuss developments in Kosovo and Metohija, position of Serbs (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
• Spain confirms it will vote against membership in CoE of so-called of Kosovo; Hungary will also vote against membership of so-called Kosovo in the CoE (Tanjug/RTV)
• Excellent cooperation between Serbia, ODIHR (Tanjug)
• EU Ambassadors adopted updated text for Chapter 35 with Serbia (Tanjug)
• Odalovic: CoE with Kosovo’s admission would end a dishonorable mission (RTS)
• Brnabic refuses to suspend election proceedings, calls for continued talks (Beta)
• Serbian Foreign Ministry sends note of protest to Croatian Embassy (Politika)
• Zagreb protests attack on Croatians in Serbia, Vucic condemns incident (N1/Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik: After UN Resolution on Srebrenica, there is no reason for RS to remain in B&H (ATV)
• SDA: Dodik's statements are most direct threats to Bosniaks since Karadzic's threats (Hayat)
• Ruling coalition in RS meets, calls for rally in Banja Luka as response to Srebrenica resolution (BHT1)
• RS opposition parties not going to attend the rally (BNTV)
• Srebrenica Assembly sends letter to UN, claim Resolution on Srebrenica will not contribute to inter-ethnic relations in B&H (Dnevni avaz)
• Fitschen about Srebrenica Resolution: Resolution pays respect to victims of genocide (Oslobodjenje)
• Komsic and Cvijanovic meet with Lajcak, participants conclude that authorities in B&H need to intensify political dialogue (BHT1)
• Covic: B&H needs functional parliamentary activity as well as that of B&H CoM; It is necessary not to close doors to EU (FTV)
• Komsic: Dodik’s focus is on state property; Plenkovic is more dangerous than Milanovic (Klix.ba)
Croatia
• Milanovic: Montenegro's performances at NATO forums are pro-Western, I advise them to focus on themselves (Index.hr)
Montenegro
• Nikolic: Why is the minister hiding whether he received a protest note from B&H and why is he relativizing the announced support of Minister Gorcevic to Kosovo for membership in the Council of Europe (CdM)
• Spajic in Brussels: Montenegro can be a successful EU story (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Osmani: North Macedonia is co-sponsor of resolution of UN on Srebrenica genocide (MIA)
• Dacic calls Osmani's statement on Srebrenica genocide resolution 'insolent' (MIA)
• Pendarovski: Mass turnout on 24 April, 8 May; we expect nothing less than two victories (MIA)
• Osmani in Debar: North Macedonia to join EU in five years; no government without vetting (MIA)
• Siljanovska Davkova: We lack constitutional patriotism (MIA)
Albania
• "Albania, Kosova's advocate", Begaj: Full of hope for a successful vote in the Council of Europe (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 15 April 2024

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: World powers will lobby for a resolution on Srebrenica, we will oppose it more strongly than they think (RTS)
• Vucic writes to 14 European leaders on process of admitting Kosovo into CoE (Beta)
• Dacic: Adoption of resolution on Srebrenica in UN would open Pandora's box (Tanjug)
• Serbia stands for de-escalation, compliance with agreements on Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug)
• Brnabic: Belgrade elections will certainly be held on 2 June (TV Happy/Beta)
• Petkovic: Beatings and arrests of Serbs "recommend" so-called Kosovo for CoE membership (Tanjug/RTV)
• Milicevic prohibited from visiting Jasenovac (Tanjug/RTV)
• Harshest protest to Croatia for banning Milicevic from visiting Jasenovac (Tanjug/RTV)
• Cochard: Resolution o genocide in Srebrenica not directed against any country (RTS)
• Opposition proposes electoral activities stop (Beta)
• N1 learns: Serbian govt close to deciding to hold all local elections on 2 June (N1)
• ODIHR Director: Full support of election process in line with international standards (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik: Srebrenica resolution and Kosovo’s attempts to become a member of Council of Europe will mark Serb relations with other nations in region (Srna/RTRS)
• Komsic: There is nothing problematic in text of UN resolution on Srebrenica (Hayat)
• Dodik: The RS knows its path, and will have an answer to behaviour of Bosniak politicians and their Western sponsors (N1)
• Murphy meets Becirovic, warns any attempt by entity to secede will not be tolerated by US (BHT1)
• US Embassy in B&H: Creation of a parallel electoral system in the RS would be unconstitutional and anti-Dayton; USA will not stand by while Dodik implements his secessionist agenda (BNTV)
• OHR’s reacts to RS authorities’ efforts to create parallel election system (Nova BH)
• Political representatives of Bosniaks from region meet in Sarajevo to discuss topic ‘Position and status of Bosniaks in the region’ (N1)
Croatia
• Plenkovic: We will not stop until Croats in B&H are guaranteed legitimate representation in terms of election of Croat member of Presidency (Vecernji list)
• Election officials and volunteers make big push ahead of Election Day (HRT)
• Plenkovic condemns Iranian attack on Israel, Milanovic says he won’t take sides (HRT)
Montenegro
• After meeting in Sarajevo, a joint statement of political representatives of the Bosniaks issued (CdM)
• Atlantic Alliance: Ambassador Maslennikov confirms mechanisms of Russia’s hybrid action in Montenegro (CdM)
• Camouflage nets and stretchers for use in the war in Ukraine can’t be sent through Serbia anymore (RFE/CdM)
• Montenegrin soldiers will train members of the Ukrainian armed forces (RFE/CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Pendarovski vows to remain the same, President of all (MIA)
• Osmani says can complete most important integration processes for country (MIA)
• Vankovska: President of all citizens, no more divisions (MIA)
Albania
• Rama in Paris/ Macron: You have our support to guide you through negotiations swiftly (Radio Tirana)
• Nikolla: Lobbying for Kosova to become an official member of the CoE (Radio Tirana)
• Rama condemns Iran's attack against Israel: Unprecedented, it poses a risk of irreversibly destabilizing the region (Radio Tirana)
• Iran's attack on Israel/ Begaj: Any escalation, danger to peace and security in the Middle East (Radio Tirana)
• Peleshi: Albania, a proud and reliable ally of NATO (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: I am sending a special envoy to UN Assembly; They will never be able to break Serbian people (B92)
• Dacic: All principles on which peace in B&H rests violated by proposing UN resolution (RTS)
• Vucic and Chinese Ambassador discuss challenges at international ahead of Serbia (B92/Tanjug)
• Mali: Vucic sent letters to Scholz, Macron and other EU leaders (B92)
• Serbia, Ghana bound by traditional friendship (Tanjug/Politika)
• Further strengthening of strategic partnership with France (Tanjug/RTV)
• Petkovic with Ziadeh on UNSC session and difficult position of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija (RTS/RTV/Tanjug)
• Djilas accuses Hill of supporting Vucic (N1)
• Hill: Boycotting elections not the right way to solve problems (Beta)
• Opposition movements protests Hill’s attending talks with authorities (Beta)
• CRTA: Unless impunity is stopped, elections cannot be repeated (Beta)
• Grbovic at Bundestag: Government pushing Serbia into deeper crisis (Beta)
• Bundestag MP: Europe must closely monitor Belgrade elections (Beta)
• Roth: I expect swift, full implementation of ODIHR recommendations (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik: If resolution on Srebrenica is adopted, RS will continue independently; Vucic: On the day when you adopt that resolution, you will see how proud we are (N1)
• Becirovic: Vucic is no peacemaker, main problem in B&H is not Dodik but Vucic precisely; Komsic: Vucic is factor of instability in the Balkans (FTV)
• Vucic responds to Becirovic’s accusations: You are nobody and nothing, as you have always been, except for a petty liar and a falsifier (RTRS/Srna)
• Dodik: B&H will not disappear because of Vucic and Dodik, but because of Sarajevo politicians like Becirovic and Komsic (Srna/RTRS)
• Cvijanovic sends another letter to UN: Do not succumb to manipulations of Lagumdzija and Becirovic (RTRS)
• Five members of RS Election Commission submit their resignations (FTV)
• US Embassy in B&H: Creation of a parallel election system is unconstitutional, anti-democratic and anti-Dayton (Nova BH)
• Dodik in Paris: I met with some 30 people, focus of talks was on economy and culture (RTRS)
• French Colonel Hogard: Tensions in B&H caused by EU and NATO’s mistake (RTRS)
Croatia
• Grlic Radman: Croatia showed a "far-reaching vision" by co-founding the Three Seas Initiative (HRT)
Montenegro
• Mandic: The stigma that Serbs must not and cannot be part of the government has been broken (Adria TV)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Pendarovski: Country to leave NATO if Prespa Agreement cancelled (MIA)
• Osmani: Elections a battle of two concepts - European integration versus isolation (MIA)
Albania
• Rama in Paris: Historic moment, strengthens our friendship with France (Radio Tirana)