LOCAL PRESS

• Continuation of engagement of UNMIK of crucial importance for Serbia (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Brnabic: Necessity of implementing Brussels agreement and obligation to form Community of Serb Municipalities (RTS/RTV/Tanjug)
• EU membership remains Serbia’s strategic commitment (Tanjug)
• Miscevic, EC official discuss accelerating Serbia’s EU admission process (Beta)
• Petkovic: Situation difficult, Bislimi's behaviour was scandalous (Tanjug/RTS/Politika/RTV)
• Lajcak: Meeting discussed agreement implementation (N1)
• Dacic against early election, favor regime-opposition talks (TV B92)
• Ukrainian Embassy: Ukraine does not expect criticism of its path to Europe, but rather of Russian aggression (Beta)
• Custody extended for two months to Trajkovic (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• HR Schmidt: Dodik needs to understand that no one supports playing with future of B&H (Nova BH)
• US Embassy issues statement on state property: Spurious claims from RS prolong resolution of the issue (Dnevni avaz)
• Dodik comments on US Embassy’s statement on property by saying this issue was resolved in Dayton Peace Agreement (BHT1)
• Escobar: Any country that firmly believes that Russia will be its long-term strategic partner is making big mistake and playing the wrong card (ATV)
• Cvijanovic: I am not going to CoE summit because it will again be mockery of international law; B&H, as post-conflict community, should remain neutral on issue of any armed conflict, not siding with any warring party (RTRS)
• Niksic meets Reilly, says FB&H government is ready to tackle difficult issues despite attacks and pressure (Dnevni avaz)
• Konakovic with Neukirch, discuss cooperation between B&H and CoE, B&H’s EU path (Dnevni list)
• Becirovic: I told Milanovic to his face that I expect respect for state of B&H and equal cooperation, that B&H Presidency members, including Komsic, are legal members of B&H Presidency (Nova BH)
Croatia
• Milanovic: B&H must join EU as soon as possible and Croats must achieve their constitutional equality first of all through amendments to B&H Election Law and Constitution (HRT1)
• Justice Minister received in Ukraine (HRT1)
Montenegro
• SNP left by Djurovic, Kovac, Vojinovic, Damjanovic… (CdM)
• Political stage challenged by turbulences: Party splits, sudden changes of policies by officials (CdM)
• In Bar, the unloading of NATO equipment for Defender Europe 23 (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Without constitutional changes, N. Macedonia will join group of countries with no long-term perspective: Gov’t officials (MIA)
• Gov't: Washington sends direct message to opposition to support country's European path, constitutional amendments (MIA)
Albania
• Local elections, SP wins in 52 municipalities, wins Shkoder, while Together We Win coalition takes 7 municipalities! In Tirana, actual Mayor Veliaj (SP) close to victory (Radio Tirana)
• Celbashi: Counting in 34 municipalities ended, turnout 37% (Radio Tirana)
• Glover: The 14 May elections were generally well administered and competitive (Radio Tirana)
• The British Embassy congratulates elected officials who will represent Albanian citizens at the local level (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 15 May 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Dacic with UN Under-Secretary for Peace Operations and UNMIK Head (Serbian Foreign Ministry)
• Vucic: Elections to be held in September at the latest (Tanjug/RTS/RTV/Politika)
• Vucevic: Kurti plans to physically occupy 4 northern municipalities by 28 May, situation is terribly tense (TV Pink)
• Gratitude for continued support of Cyprus to Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity (Tanjug/RTV)
• Dacic expressed regret over Israel's decision to recognise unilaterally declared independence of so-called Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Vucic defends Brnabic: She was only telling the truth about the protests (Nova)
• Dacic on protest: Not a word about the victims, just threats against Vucic (Tanjug)
• Serbia wishes to be part of European family (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Sattler: In week that we celebrate Europe Day we are marking big step that B&H has taken in direction of joining European family; Reform process must take place faster (O Kanal)
• Aggeler: Restoring of defamation into RS Criminal Code presents step back and Mission points out insufficient transparency in legislation process (Nezavisne)
• State property issue: International officials may offer solution, this spark big reactions in B&H (N1)
• Disputes on Open Balkans in focus of public again (BHT1)
Croatia
• Croatia marks anniversary of Bleiburg tragedy (HRT)
Montenegro
• Democratic Front dissolves after 11 years (CdM)
• Mandic, Medojevic, Knezevic confirm DF split: From now on we’ll act independently (CdM)
• Medojevic: DF ceases to exist, we started to bother each other (CdM/Sputnik)
• Rasko Konjevic withdraws from politics (CdM)
• SDP to run in June elections independently (CdM)
• No postponement: Parties still calculating how and with whom they’ll run in elections (RTCG)
• Abazovic: I don’t expect anything from Constitutional Court, very indecisive people, let’s organize elections, even though it’s insane (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• PM: Ruling coalition is stable (MIA)
• Escobar: Not asking opposition to support PM but North Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic path (MIA/VoA)
Albania
• Administrative elections, 144 candidates running for mayors and 23,763 for members of municipal councils (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 11 May 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic thanked Maldives for its stance regarding Serbia's territorial integrity and sovereignty (Tanjug/RTS)
• Vucic: When considering any decision on potential introduction of measures targeting any state, it is governed exclusively by international law (RTS/Tanjug)
• Brnabic: Serbia not a platform for circumventing sanctions against Russia (FoNet)
• EP adopts resolution on Serbia, Kosovo (Beta)
• Bilcik disagrees with blaming solely Belgrade for north Kosovo elections (Beta)
• Vucic thanks Austria for supporting Serbia on EU path (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Serbia committed to improving cooperation with US (Tanjug/RTV)
• Vucevic meets with Spanish Ambassador: Stance on recognition of Kosovo remains unchanged (Tanjug/Politika)
• Comprehensive bilateral relations with Hungary at their highest (RTV/Tanjug)
• Further improvement of overall relations of Serbia, Austria (Tanjug)
• Orlic meets with Sobotka (Tanjug/RTV)
• USAID: Progress in Serbia-Kosovo relations to attract investors (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• HR Schmidt presents report on situation in B&H before UN SC, criticizes Dodik for secessionism and violation of DPA (FTV)
• Schmidt speaks about his report to UN SC, says it is important not to politicize state property issue, hate speech and genocide denial must be prosecuted (AJB)
• Cvijanovic and delegations of Russia and China leave session during Schmidt’s address, Cvijanovic accuses OHR of causing problems in B&H (RTRS)
• Becirovic informs UN that Cvijanovic’s address does not reflect official stance of state of B&H (BHT1)
• UN SC Ambassadors express support to B&H’s sovereignty and territorial integrity (Nova BH)
• Chinese Ambassador to UN says China respects will of people in B&H to choose their future (Nezavisne)
• Nebenzia: OHR should be closed as a matter of urgency because destructive actions and impositions of self-proclaimed high representative only harm B&H (RTRS)
• Kalabukhov: We do not recognize legitimacy of Mister Schmidt (FTV)
• Izetbegovic comments Schmidt’s address before UN SC: What made me happy was softened attitude towards Reis Kavazovic (FTV)
• Vulic: Schmidt’s frustrations growing into pathological hate towards Serbs (RTRS)
Croatia
• Croatia supports plans for securing gas supplies from Azerbaijan (Hina)
Montenegro
• Disinformation and propaganda campaigns are a serious threat to democracy (CdM)
• Djurovic spoke with Fleck in Washington (CdM)
• Dodik attended the religious holiday of the New Serbian Democracy (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Xhaferi meets with delegation from Austrian Parliament’s Group for Cooperation (MIA)
• Closer integration before EU accession for greater credibility of process, FM addresses Irish MPs (MIA)
• Kovachevski – Murphy: N. Macedonia a factor of stability in region, valued US ally and partner (MIA)
• Kovachevski – Dingell: Full support for N. Macedonia’s EU integration process (MIA)
Albania
• CoE, delegation for the observation of local elections in Albania (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: We will organize “the largest gathering ever in Serbia” (Novosti)
• Vucic with Power: Consistent readiness of Serbia for dialogue, but non-acceptance of unilateral decisions (RTV/Tanjug)
• Vucic: Rubin an official Albanian lobbyist (TV Happy)
• Maldivian side confirmed its support for Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity (RTS/Tanjug/RTV)
• Petkovic: Kurti continuing expropriation of Serbian land (RTV/Tanjug)
• Dacic: SPS will respond to the President's call and participate in large people's rally on 26 May (Tanjug)
• Bozic: Next parliamentary and local elections will be held simultaneously (TV Prva)
• Opposition requests parliament session on security situation (FoNet)
• Djedovic, Hristov discuss cooperation on natural gas supplies (Tanjug/RTV)
• Victory Day marked in Belgrade (Beta)
• Pristina court extends house arrest for Serb Dejan Pantic (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• OHR publishes HR Schmidt’s report to UN Secretary General (BHT1)
• Dodik: The biggest security threat in B&H is Christian Schmidt (RTRS)
• Swiss Ambassador Hunn: Switzerland will try to ensure good conditions for a constructive discussion on B&H at UN Security Council (Dnevni list)
• EUD hosts second consultative meeting of experts on issue of state property (N1)
• Dodik: RS authorities are not against southern interconnection as long is it not set as condition for eastern interconnection (O Kanal)
• Nesic on Komsic’s announcement to deprive consent for gas interconnections without state law on gas: This is blackmail and conditioning (O Kanal)
• CoE requests from B&H a statement on adoption of proposal to establish register of material damage caused in conflict in Ukraine; Cvijanovic’s Cabinet is against CoE’s request (Srpska info/RTRS)
• Scholz says EU decided to continue with enlargement that will include Western Balkans countries, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia (Oslobodjenje)
• Lajcak: B&H is complex issue (Dnevni list)
• Ambassador Sattler gives speech on occasion of Europe Day: Elected officials have to demonstrate determination and lead B&H toward EU (Dnevni avaz)
• B&H marks Europe Day as official EU membership candidate for first time in history (Nezavisne)
• Various events and activities in Sarajevo on occasion of marking Europe Day, Victory Day (N1)
• Banja Luka marks Victory over Fascism Day, Dodik, Russian Ambassador to B&H attend ceremony (RTRS)
Croatia
• Plenkovic: Russian aggression threatens the legacy of the European project (HRT)
Montenegro
• Komsic: The Berlin process is the optimal model of progress towards the EU, not the Open Balkans, which is associated with grater-state projects (Gradski.me)
• Djukanovic: I hope that Montenegro, just like Europe, would find strength to foster unity and encourage European values (CdM)
• Abazovic: I am in favor of full demilitarization of the population, I believe that children in Montenegro are safe (Adria TV/CdM)
• Police in the fight against peer-on-peer abuse: Inspectors dressed in civilian clothing visit schools, monitoring of social media accounts intensified… (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski hosts US administration and Congress representatives in N. Macedonia’s Washington Embassy (MIA)
• Kovachevski — Rubin: North Macedonia and US to tackle disinformation together (MIA)
• Geer: With vision, unity and perseverance N. Macedonia will assume its place as EU member state (MIA)
Albania
• Rama congratulations on 9 May: Europe is here (Radio Tirana)
• Begaj: Albania belongs to the EU (Radio Tirana)
• Xhacka: More committed than ever to Albania becoming a member of the EU (Radio Tirana)
• Nikolla: Europe, synonymous with peace and unity (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 9 May 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic on protest: It was all politics, nine thousand protesters tops (TV Happy)
• Brnabic: Horrible threats at protest (N1)
• Petkovic: Pristina refuses to permit search for missing Serbs for years (RTV/Beta)
• Strengthening cooperation with Cyprus in areas of common interest (Tanjug/RTV)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: West shown to have no desire to see Community of Serb Municipalities formed (TV Prva/Beta)
• Citizens at protest in Belgrade demand halt to violence in Serbia (Beta)
• Bunoza presents results of first 100 days of work (Novosti)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• B&H CoM marks first 100 days of its work; Konakovic presents work results of his Ministry: B&H has returned to focus of international political stage (O Kanal)
• Most B&H Ministers satisfied with their work; Opposition and HR Schmidt criticize fact there are no legislative proposals in procedure (BHT1)
• Komsic says he will not vote in favor of Eastern and Southern Interconnections unless the state law on gas is adopted before that; Konakovic comments on Komsic’s statement (Nova BH)
• Becirovic’s Cabinet: Single state law on gas is best framework for implementation of projects in that sector (Hayat)
• UN SC’s session including HR Schmidt’s report expected to take place on 10 May; Comments on HR’s report (Hayat)
• PM Niksic and FB&H government must figure out SDA’s ‘black funds’ and remove managers of public companies controlled by SDA (Dnevni list)
Montenegro
• Ibrahimovic: BS to attend Milatovic’s inauguration, OB doesn’t have our support (Portal Analitika)
• Lajcak: I expect that Montenegro deals less with itself and more with the European agenda (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovacevski meets Blinken: North Macedonia values US as close, reliable partner on path to EU membership (MIA)
• Kovachevski at Atlantic Council: North Macedonia belongs to EU, integration key for better regional competitiveness and economic recovery (MIA)
• Mickoski: No constitutional changes in this parliament and under these conditions (MIA)
• Government plans to send the terrorists who attacked Kumanovo in 2015 to serve their sentences in Kosovo – where they’ll be welcomed as heroes (Republika/RFE)
Albania
• Begaj hosts a delegation from the Council of American Ambassadors (Radio Tirana)
• Collaku with the Council of US Ambassadors guarantees the strategic partnership between Democratic Party and the US (Radio Tirana)