LOCAL PRESS

• EU leaders demand an urgent de-escalation of the situation in the north of KiM, Borrell warns of the consequences (RTS)
• Dacic: Norway decided to close the embassy in Pristina (RTS)
• The EC withdrew the invitation to Pristina for participation in the Digital Europe program (RTS)
• US Ambassador says relations with Serbia complex (N1)
• Vucic: Serbs in KiM are denied the very rights that are enshrined in the American Declaration of Independence (RTS)
• Kosovo Govt: “Civil Defense,” “Northern Brigade” terrorist organizations (N1, Kossev)
• State Department: Pristina's decision to declare terrorist organizations not made in coordination the US (Tanjug)
• Serb List: Kurti labelled non-existent organizations as terrorist (N1)
• Hovenier: We are surprised and worried about the actions of the government in Pristina (RTS)
• The case of Sladjan Trajkovic before the Supreme Court in Pristina (RTS)
• Vucic, Nehammer and Orban next week in Vienna (RTS)
• Two opposition blocs seek help from international officials in improving electoral conditions in Serbia (Beta)
• Socialist official: Without Socialists, People's movement for the state would be meaningless (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik, Cvijanovic announce dealing with 14 priorities of European Commission at meeting with partners at B&H level (RTRS)
• Helez: There is plan B situation is not solved in line with constitution and laws of this country (N1)
• Okolic, Jovicic strongly criticize Helez’s announcement on ‘plan B’, remind decisions on activities of Armed Forces of B&H must be made with consensus within B&H Presidency (EuroBlic)
• Russian Embassy to B&H criticizes Minister Helez for his statements about adoption of law on non-implementation of B&H CC’s decisions in RS (BHT1)
• Cvijanovic confirms that at one of next sessions of B&H Presidency she will propose two agreements from Berlin Process which are indisputable in order to be adopted, while third agreement on movement with ID cards in region remains under veto (Glas Srpske)
• Bosniak Caucus in RS CoP will launch protection of VNI on Law on Non-Implementation of B&H CC Decisions in RS (O kanal)
• US State Department says Law on Non-Implementation of Decisions of B&H Constitutional Court in RS violates B&H Constitution, and runs counter to Dayton Peace Agreement (Nova BH)
• Dodik: Latest reaction of US State Department presents violation of B&H's sovereignty (RTRS)
• Implementation of NATO support package worth more than EUR 50 million intended to strengthen defense capacities of B&H begins (Nezavisne)
Croatia
• Plenkovic attends summit of the Southeast European Cooperation Process (HRT)
• Plenkovic: Croatia wants peace in Kosovo and elections with the Serbs (Hina)
Montenegro
• Milatovic: Through Parliament consensus to judiciary appointments; Popa: Great progress made, but considerable time lost (CDM)
North Macedonia
• Kovachevski: Bulgaria to demonstrate its commitment to region's EU integration at all political levels (MIA)
• Constitutional amendments vote not to be matter of daily politics, says PM (MIA)
• Kovachevski: No additional conditions in Negotiating Framework (MIA)
• Alliance for Albanians leader expects ‘hot summer’ full of political events (Telma TV)
• Mickoski: Early parliamentary elections only option as of today (Kanal 5)
• Deputy PM Grkovska meets with EU Commissioner Hahn (MIA)
• Grkovska holds meetings at EU Directorate for Neighbourhood and Enlargement (MIA)
• Deputy PM Bytyqi meets with Norwegian MFA’s State Secretary, Eivind Vad Petersson (MIA)
Albania
• Tensions in the north of Kosovo/ EC President: I support Rama's idea for an international conference (Radio Tirana)
• The idea of an international conference for Kosovo and Serbia, Rama: Our region cannot be dragged into a pointless conflict (Radio Tirana)
• Tension in the north of Kosovo/ Lajcak: Rama is playing an active and constructive role in the whole crisis (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 29 June 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• In the north of KiM, calm but tense, Patriarch Porfirije in the Patriarchate of Pec (RTS)
• Vucic: Many difficulties await us in Kosovo (Beta)
• Kosovo Police order Danilo Vucic to remove “offensive” T-shirt (FoNet)
• Office for KiM: West united in condemning Kosovo’s Kurti (Beta)
• Kurti unannounced in North Mitrovica; Serbian List: He failed to provoke the Serbs (RTS)
• The EU demands de-escalation in northern KiM, warns of negative consequences (RTS)
• Charles Michel: The time has come to take steps towards the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina (RTS)
• Scholz: Calm the tensions, hold the elections as soon as possible and implement the agreement on the ZSO (RTS)
• The American administration is worried about the heightened tensions in the north of KiM (RTS)
• Vucic: Freedom is a common name for the People's Movement for the State and the Serbian Progressive Party (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• RSNA adopts law not to apply decisions of B&H CC in territory of RS, Dodik announces possible ban of operating of SIPA and B&H Prosecutor’s Office in RS (BHT1)
• RSNA unanimously supports Cvijanovic’s veto (BHT1)
• B&H Presidency member Komsic slams international community for allowing Dodik to openly attack constitutional order, criticizes relevant local institutions for not reacting (Dnevni avaz)
• Konakovic: RSNA’s Law conveys bad message, but legally means nothing (FTV)
• Zvizdic: Law adopted by RSNA is direct attack on constitutional order of B&H (FTV)
• Troika: Adoption of Law on Non-Implementation of B&H CC Decisions is open attack on constitutional order of B&H (Dnevni avaz)
• SDA: Adoption of Law on Non-Implementation of B&H CC Decisions represents unilateral decision of the RS to terminate the Dayton Peace Agreement (Dnevni avaz)
• US Embassy to B&H reacts to RSNA adopting Law on Non-Implementation of B&H CC Decisions: RSNA carried out reckless attack on Dayton Peace Agreement (Dnevni avaz)
• EU Spokesperson Massrali: Decisions of B&H Constitutional Court must be respected (Federalna.ba)
• OHR: RSNA decisions are illegal; Dodik is first and foremost responsible for this (Nova BH)
• Dodik responds to US Embassy’s criticism: RS did nothing that would violate the Dayton Peace Agreement (Nova BH)
• Cvijanovic: Actions of Constitutional Court of B&H and position of US Embassy in B&H that decisions can be made without Serbs laid bare all secret plans (Nezavisne)
• Viskovic calls position of US Embassy in B&H that it is Serbs' fault that there are no Serb judges in Constitutional Court of B&H as impudent (Nezavisne)
• UK Embassy: RSNA session endorsed an illegal and reckless move which has no legal standing (Nova BH)
• Russian Embassy says decisions of RSNA are logical (Nova BH)
Croatia
• Croatian President: EU decision-making must remain based on unanimity (Hina)
Montenegro
• Milatovic: Region remains committed to cooperation and European future: Pendarovski: EU membership the main requirement for progress (CDM)
• Plenkovic: Croatia expects compensation for inmates, solution to be found for Jadran, the Prevlaka peninsula… (CDM)
• I’m going to visit Belgrade in early July, Milatovic (CDM)
• Constitutional Court strikes down amendments to President Law by unanimous decision (CDM)
North Macedonia
• Pendarovski: Our path to Europe is clear, new Bulgarian demands not allowed (MIA)
• Marichikj: Copenhagen Criteria best way to reform, should remain only condition for EU accession (MIA)
• Gov’t determined to conclude constitutional changes process before second IGC, says PM (MIA)
• Kovachevski: New chapter has begun on country’s EU path, up to us to use this historic opportunity (MIA)
• Scholz: There shouldn’t be any new conditions for N. Macedonia’s EU accession talks (MIA)
• VMRO-DPMNE not accepting constitutional revision under Bulgarian dictate, says vice-president (MIA)
• Pentagon: Rule of law important for North Macedonia's resilience, regional and global security (CDM, VOA)
Albania
• Borrell: Albania is making progress on its journey towards EU integration (Radio Tirana)
• Situation in the North of Kosovo/ Borrell: The parties to approve the roadmap put on the table in Brussels (Radio Tirana)
• Situation in Kosovo should not escalate, Kurti and Vucic mustn’t leave without an agreement (Radio Tirana)
• Rama in Brussels, meeting with the EC President, Ursula Von der Leyen (Radio Tirana)
• Rama at NATO conference talks about Kosovo: Any escalation there can bring a catastrophic end! (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Protest of Serbs in the north of KiM to continue today; No traditional gathering for st Vitus day (RTS)
• Defense Minister: Security situation complex, we will protect Serbs in Kosovo (Novosti)
• Borrell: New measures if the situation does not calm down (RTS)
• Blinken to Vucic: US supports European plan (N1)
• Lajcak: EU’S expectations of Pristina, Belgrade clear (Beta)
• U.S. Senators expressed concern about the worsening situation in the north of KiM (Tanjug)
• UK calls on Kosovo to stabilize situation in the north (FoNet)
• OSCE Chairman welcomes release of Kosovo police officers, calling for implementation of OSCE roadmap (Beta)
• Orban: Decision to release Kosovo police officers clear evidence of strategic cooperation between Serbia and Hungary (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• RSNA will discuss law on non-application of decisions of CC of B&H in urgent procedure on Tuesday; Stevandic: If Proposal Law is adopted under urgent procedures, then will not be able to abolish decisions we adopt in RSNA, especially decisions on property (O kanal)
• Media carry details of proposal of Law on Non-Application of B&H CC's Decisions in RS (Nezavisne)
• RS Government: Law on non-application of B&H CC’s decisions in accordance with RS Constitution and RS legal system (Vecernji list)
• RS President Dodik says legislation can last for a month, a year, or it can be permanent, and it will stay in force until B&H Parliament adopts law on B&H CC (N1)
• Dodik: US attempts to transform political system in B&H, Schmidt has not been appointed by any international institution (ATV)
• Heated debate on agenda of FB&H House of Peoples’ session, FB&H Government requests postponing item on set of laws on energy (BHT1)
Croatia
• EU foreign ministers meet in Luxembourg to discuss the war in Ukraine (HRT)
Montenegro
• DIK: No conditions for announcing final parliamentary elections results (MINA)
• Mugosa explains why the final election results cannot be announced (RTCG)
• In the European Parliament on Montenegro: A stable pro-European government and an EU-oriented majority are necessary (RTCG)
North Macedonia
• SDSM executive board decides to resume dialogue with VMRO-DPMNE over constitutional amendments (MIA)
Grubi - Terlecki: North Macedonia should use momentum for EU membership (MIA)
• Polish support for a quicker EU accession of North Macedonia (MIA)
• Borrell: No obstacles for N. Macedonia’s EU integration, bilateral issues will not be binding (MIA)
Albania
• Rama: Kosovo and Serbia should return to dialogue, they cannot hold in hostage the entire region (Radio Tirana)
• Rama in Brussels, meeting with the President of the European Council, Michel (Radio Tirana)
• Peleshi in Israel, the Memorandum of Understanding in the field of defense and security is signed (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 26 June 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• The court in Kraljevo confirmed the indictment against Kurti's special forces, detention terminated, policemen released (RTS)
• Vucic: Kurti does not want ZSO, he wants war and conflict, I will meet with Serbs from KiM (RTS; Pink TV)
• Director of the Office for KiM Petkovic, addresses the public regarding the latest developments in the north of KiM (Tanjug)
• Mojsilovic urgently: If the army receives orders, it will carry it out fully (B92)
• Borrell: EU will not tolerate alarming situation, escalation in northern Kosovo (AA)
• Lajcak: I had productive talks in Washington about the situation in the north of the KiM (RTV)
• Drecun: The goal of Kurti is that the Serbs do not live in KiM at all (RTS)
• Serbia’s FM: I’m surprised Russia let the paramilitary become this important (FoNet)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• RSNA Collegium session on Monday to determine agenda and date of 8th emergency RSNA session (ATV)
Dodik: RSNA will make decisions on the Constitutional Court of B&H which will be respected (BHT1)
• Crnadak: Main precondition for taking any RSNA law or conclusion seriously, is for past decisions to be implemented first (Nezavisne)
• Cvijanovic says Crnadak is trying to avoid voting in RSNA on B&H CC, veto raised in B&H Presidency (Nezavisne)
• Dodik: Nobody will arrest anyone from RS leadership for defending RS; Kosarac slams Helez (Dnevni avaz)
• OHR: Acts that the RSNA will discuss, but also already adopted laws, are attempts at undermining the integrity of B&H and weakening its institutions (Nezavisne)
• US Ambassador Murphy accuses Covic of blockade of Southern Natural Gas Interconnection, daily wonders if this will accelerate things or maybe new sanctions will be imposed (Dnevni list)
• Dodik supports Putin in his efforts to preserve peace and internal stability in Russia and restore order in military and other force (RTRS)
• Hungarian PM Orban concludes visit to RS; RTRS argues RS-Hungary relations are based on understanding and respect; Unlike majority of EU, Budapest understands situation in Western Balkans (RTRS)
Croatia
• Officials in region concerned about Serbia-Kosovo relations (N1)
• Prime minister on first visit to Serbia (HRT)
Montenegro
• Thimonier: Judiciary appointments a prerequisite for real progress towards the EU (MINA)
• Milatovic to host: Osmani, Dacic, Plenkovic, Varhelyi arrive in Montenegro (CDM)
North Macedonia
• Kyuchyuk: Constitutional amendments in Macedonian parliament in two weeks (MIA)
• Drexler: Corruption and organized crime deserve more attention in coming weeks (MIA)
Albania
• Rama from Brussels: The release of the policemen from Serbia, delayed but good news; Begin de-escalation immediately (Radio Tirana)
• Rama letter Macron and Scholz: Implement the Franco-German plan. Albania is at risk from the Kosovo-Serbia tension (Radio Tirana)
• Prime Minister Rama to meet with the EC President in Brussels (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS
• Another Serb arrested; Office for KiM: Kurti shows that he does not want to ease the tensions (RTS)
• Borrell spoke with Kurti and Vucic in Brussels (RTS, N1)
• Borrell: I told the leaders - de-escalation must happen immediately and unconditionally (Dnevnik)
• Moscow: The West is escalating the situation in KiM, only a responsible approach by Belgrade allows peace to be maintained (RTS)
• Grenell in North Mitrovica: Meeting with representatives of Serbs in KiM (Novosti)
• Economy Minister: I am being dismissed for requesting sanctions against Russia (Danas)
• At the request of Dacic and Markovic, Minister Rade Basta was dismissed (B92)
• Hill: Great to see Serbian and American forces working side by side (FoNet)
• Croatian PM Plenkovic arrived in Belgrade (B92)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Hungarian PM Viktor Orban arrives in two-day visit to B&H; Kristo informs him of current situation in B&H (Nova BH)
• B&H Presidency members thank Orban for support to EU Council’s decision to grant candidate status for B&H (Nezavisne)
• Becirovic told Orban that Dodik is a threat to the peace in the region (Hayat)
• Orban holds meeting with Niksic; Discuss strengthening of economic cooperation (FTV)
• Hungarian delegation led by Orban visits Banja Luka to meet RS officials (BHT, N1)
• Cvijanovic announces veto on regional agreements on free movement after being outvoted in B&H Presidency regarding foreign policy (ATV)
• Dodik: Cvijanovic’s veto is responsible move; Other comments (ATV)
• Dodik: RSNA’s decision on non-publication of HR’s documents shows RS’ determination to defend its rights as well as the unity of authorities and opposition (ATV)
• Dodik: If B&H CC fails to change its latest decision by noon Friday, RSNA session will be scheduled same day to adopt law on termination of validity and publication of the B&H CC’s decision and on protection of persons who may be prosecuted for that (ATV)
• Becirovic asks Schmidt to sanction Dodik for continuous anti-Dayton and anti-constitutional activities (Nova BH)
• Cvijanovic: It is high time for Becirovic to stop endangering BiH and undermining internal dialogue (ATV)
• Dodik: Becirovic should resign for moral and political reasons (Glas Srpske)
• SDA calls out Office of the High Representative over lack of concrete reaction to decisions of RS National Assembly (FTV)
• US Embassy in B&H says that latest statements and actions of RS President Milorad Dodik are hypocritical and contribute to destabilization (N1)
• UK Embassy accuses RS authorities of undermining Dayton Peace Agreement and integrity of B&H (Klix.ba)
• Office of RS President says US Ambassador to B&H Michael Murphy and US Embassy in B&H are undermining B&H and Dayton Agreement (RTRS)
• B&H Presidency member Cvijanovic blocks participation of B&H FS in new NATO mission in Iraq, RS President Dodik says B&H will no longer cooperate with NATO (Oslobodjenje)
Croatia
• Plenkovic to visit Serbia for the first time in his prime ministerial mandate (Hina)
Montenegro
• Stoltenberg: NATO in Kosovo impartial, presence based on UN mandate (N1)
• Milatovic invited Stoltenberg to Montenegro: An opportunity to honor the innocent victims of 1999 (CDM)
• Stoltenberg thanks Djukanovic for his commitment to NATO (CDM)
• Milatovic: We are ready to complete the necessary reforms, we expect progress on the European path (CDM)
• Rising Reinke: Form the government as soon as possible,” For the future of Montenegro” is not our partner (CDM)
North Macedonia
• Not only would I resign, but I would also consider it my greatest defeat, says PM about US blacklist (MIA)
• Osmani: DUI demands comprehensive investigation into US allegations on Merko, his party functions frozen (MIA)
• Aggeler: Institutions to decide if they take action, Merko's name not only one (Telma)
• Osmani: Should launch debate over constitutional changes instead of politicizing them (MIA)
• All responsible for constitutional revision, not giving up on dialogue: Deputy PM (MIA)
• Osmani: Let's not repeat mistakes from 20 years ago - let's enter EU before accession (MIA)
• Aggeler: Country leadership must find way to take right path, US to provide support (MIA)
Albania
• Rama: No room for real progress, unless the three officers are released (Radio Tirana)
• Xhacka, numerous meetings at the Conference on the Recovery of Ukraine in London (Radio Tirana)