LOCAL PRESS

• Petkovic: Kurti is provoking by ordering that the Assembly of North Mitrovica decide on the opening of the bridge on the Ibar (RTS)
• Vucic: Kurti wants to open a bridge over the Ibar in Kosovska Mitrovica to expel the Serbs (RTS)
• Borrell called a meeting for May 2, Vucic and Kurti confirmed their arrival (B92)
• Vucic: I want good relations with NATO, but we will not cross certain lines (Tanjug)
• Report on the situation in KiM before the United Nations Security Council (RTS, Beta)
• Dacic: We will continue to insist on the ZSO as the first point of implementation of the agreement (RTS)
• Dacic: UN SC members noted Pristina's obligation to form ZSO (Tanjug)
• Chollet after the conversation with Vucic: Urgent formation of ZSO is needed (RTS)
• Serbia again only country in the region not to align with EU Council's measures for Ukraine (Beta)
• SNS Official says Serbia must urgently introduce sanctions against Russia and apply for NATO Membership (Danas)
• The meeting of the head of state with the representatives of the Working Group of the EU Council for Enlargement (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• HR Schmidt imposes decision on formation of FB&H Government (N1)
• US Embassy comment HR Schmidt’s decision: It is regrettable that the High Representative had to intervene to ensure success of such a basic democratic process (Dnevni avaz)
• SDP President Niksic welcomes decision of HR Schmidt (FTV)
• Our Party on HR’s decision: It is good that decision envisages possibility of early elections, which will prevent anyone’s usurpation of power and blockades (FTV)
• SDA criticizes Schmidt’s decision to unblock appointment of FB&H Government (AJB, FTV)
• DF criticizes Schmidt’s decision to unblock appointment of FB&H Government (FTV)
• NES leader Ogresevic condemns changes imposed by HR Schmidt (FTV)
• Session of FB&H HoR scheduled for Friday with appointment of new FB&H Government on agenda (BHT1)
• HDZ B&H, ‘Troika’ agree on new distribution of ministerial positions in FB&H Government, instead of NES, SBIH, HDZ 1990, Isak will join them (BHT1)
• B&H CC harshly condemns decisions adopted by RSNA on Wednesday (FTV)
• Dodik: B&H CC demonstrated it is inquisition court against Serbs (Nova BH)
• Becirovic: B&H CC judge acts within B&H CC in his personal capacity, and not in capacity of representative of entity or of some other subject (O kanal)
• Becirovic meets Sattler and calls on EU to impose sanctions against Dodik over RSNA’s conclusions on protection of property and resignation of RS judge from B&H CC (BHT1)
• US Embassy calls on political leaders to stop with boycotts, blockades, as well as legislative and other activities directed toward undermining of the state (Fena)
Croatia
• Milanovic: Anti-Muslim sentiment is slowing down Albania’s EU accession (HRT)
Montenegro
• Trouble in paradise: Is Europe Now tearing apart? (CDM)
• Europe Now to run in elections by itself, Spajic its list holder (CDM)
• Govt hasn’t invited international organizations and Council of Europe to monitor elections (MINA, Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Session for election of new Judicial Council President postponed to May 2 (Alsat-M)
• Pendarovski: Events at Wednesday’s session don’t befit the Judicial Council (Telma)
• Wave of reactions following Dameva's dismissal (Sitel)
Albania
• Croatian President: Let's help Albania integrate into the EU, otherwise someone else will do it (Radio Tirana)
• Albania will participate in the exercise "Defender Europe 2023" (Radio Tirana)
• Prime Minister Rama travels to Greece today, to take part in the 8th Delphi Economic Forum (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 27 April 2023

LOCAL PRESS
• EP in the report on Serbia: Negotiations can only continue if you comply with the sanctions imposed on Russia (RTS)
• Von Cramon: We seek changes domestically from both Serbia and Kosovo (Beta)
• MEPs praise Kosovo, urge five EU countries to recognize it (Beta)
• DVERI criticizes recognition of Kosovo, sanctions against Russia (Beta)
• Vucic thanked Azerbaijan for voting in the Council of Europe (RTS)
• Workers of "Post of Serbia" detained on the Bistrica bridge (RTS)
• The UN Security Council today on the report on KiM (RTS)
• Dacic with the US ambassador to the UN: We will maintain a constructive attitude in the dialogue on Kosovo and Metohija, but there are red lines (RTS)
• Opposition coalition: Serbia to support RS’s effort to restore Dayton powers (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Izetbegovic and Bradara respectively meet with HR on Wednesday; Izetbegovic: The HR did not hint at what he is planning to do, he just stated that he will wait for Constitutional-Legal Commission of FBiH Parliament to try and solve the situation (BHT1)
• Representatives of HDZ B&H, HDZ 1990 and HNP meet on Wednesday; Collegium of HDZ 1990 holds meeting as well (FTV)
• Details of HR Schmidt’s decisions, Schmidt enacted two decisions, one provisional and one permanent (Dnevni avaz)
• RSNA adopts set of conclusions regarding B&H CC and transfer of competences from B&H to RS’ level; Statements of RSNA representatives (AJB)
• Becirovic: Number of EUFOR soldiers should be increased in B&H; Cvijanovic: Security situation in B&H is not jeopardized, no need for increase of members of EUFOR (FTV, RTRS)
• Cvijanovic and Cuba President on relations between two countries (RTRS)
• Viskovic: Visit to China resulted in many business deals which will be beneficial for RS (Glas Srpske)
Croatia
• Ukrainian wounded arrive in Croatia (Hina)
Montenegro
• EP Report: Russia creates tensions in MNE through pro-Serbian sentiments in country and SPC (CDM)
• Committee to consider initiatives for the evaluation of the constitutionality of the Law on the President (MINA)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Pendarovski - Osmani: Common future in Euro-Atlantic institutions an investment in further stabilization of Western Balkans (MIA)
• Speaker Xhaferi meets Kosovo President Osmani-Sadriu (MIA)
• Osmani Sadriu: No doubts that N. Macedonia will support Kosovo’s NATO and EU integration (MIA)
• Kovachevski – Osmani Sadriu: No open disputes between N. Macedonia and Kosovo, deepening cooperation (MIA)
• Kosatka: EU doors to open if Parliament blockade on constitutional changes removed (MIA)
• Western Balkans ESG Summit in Porto Montenegro (MIA)
Albania
• Rama interview for the RAI "Porta a Porta", Albania, a distinct voice in the region (Radio Tirana)
• Heads of EU missions meeting for elections, Hohmann: Compliance with standards is important (Radio Tirana)
• Nikolla hosted the delegation of the French Senate: Strong support for EU membership (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Guterres submitted a biannual report on KiM (RTS)
• Bilcik says report supports Serbia’s strategic goal (N1)
• Stano: EU has noted Serbia’s vote against Kosovo joining CoE (Beta)
• Brnabic to Stano: Serbia takes note that EU violated Brussels Agreement (Beta)
• Djilas: Had Serbia joined some of the EU’s measures against Russia, Kosovo would not have been a subject in CoE (Beta)
• DVERI Movement leader claims ruling majority leaves option for imposing sanctions against Russia open (Beta)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: Pristina's support for the Council of Europe is Kurti's reward for his anti-Serb policy (Blic)
• US Ambassador to the UN for the rapid implementation of the agreement between Belgrade and Pristina (RTV)
• Lajcak spoke with the MEPs about the Brussels dialogue and the Western Balkans (FoNet)
• Petkovic: Kurti should write announcements on the networks, the draft of the statute of the ZSO, a job for the Management Team (RTS)
• Serbian Government confirms working on new foreign policy strategy (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• SNSD blames PDP for the fact that B&H abstained from voting on Kosovo’s membership in CoE; PDP rejects accusations (RTRS)
• Borenovic discusses issue of B&H’s abstaining from vote on Kosovo’s membership in CoE with Serbian Permanent Representative to CoE Ambassador Djurovic (BN TV)
• RSNA to discuss withdrawal of judge of Constitutional Court of B&H who is from RS and removal of six-month deadline for formation of RS army, judiciary and tax system (ATV)
• Kosarac decides to withdraw representative from his Ministry from Commission on Cooperation with NATO (BHT1)
• Becirovic and Murphy discuss current situation in B&H (FTV)
• NES, SBiH issue joint statement, say there is no parliamentary majority in FB&H for completing formation of authorities; NES, SBiH condemn actions of ‘The Troika’ (O kanal)
• ‘Troika’ responds to NES and SBiH accusations, call on OHR to reach decision (AJB)
• Covic and Schmidt hold meeting in OHR; Media speculate that they talked about issue of majority in FB&H HoR (BHT1)
• HR Schmidt to impose solution for forming of FB&H Government in following days; Schmidt’s solution will probably copy solution from state level; There is solution for bypassing NES and SBiH (Dnevni avaz)
• Lendo tells Schmidt that domestic politicians should agree on authority formation in FB&H (Nova BH)
• Citizens protest outside OHR Tuesday under slogan ‘Why is there embargo on democracy?’ over Dodik’s secessionist announcements and HR Schmidt’s moves and announced invocation of Bonn Powers (Hayat)
Croatia
• Croatia supports Kosovo’s membership of Council of Europe (Hina)
• Croatian, Austrian, Slovenian FMs support EU enlargement to Western Balkans (Hina)
Montenegro
• Lekic: The Government's decision on Kosovo is frivolous and irresponsible, adopted in some para-state and para-diplomatic way (CDM)
• Jokovic: Ministers from the SNP would certainly not vote for the admission of Kosovo to the Council of Europe (CDM)
• EP: Russia is trying to destabilize Montenegro through pro-Serbian feelings and the SPC (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski - Michel: Further strong EU support for North Macedonia on path to European integration (MIA)
• FM Osmani to visit Brussels on Wednesday (MIA)
• Xhaferi – Stefanchuk: Ukraine thanks N. Macedonia for its unconditional support (MIA)
• Petrovska - Tilvar: North Macedonia contributor to regional security and stability, will also be reliable friend in EU (MIA)
• Pendarovski to host Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu (MIA)
Albania
• A Cooperation plan in the field of Defense between Albania and Austria (Radio Tirana)
• Kodheli: Expansion of cooperation with Turkey (Radio Tirana)
• President Begaj starts his state visit to Croatia today (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 25 April 2023

LOCAL PRESS
• Request of the so-called Kosovo for membership in the Council of Europe approved? (B92)
• Dacic: Expected decision of the Council of Europe, a day they will be ashamed of (RTS)
• The session of the Government of Serbia held, Vucic was present (Tanjug)
• Brnabic: The European Union never intended to implement the Brussels Agreement (B92)
• Drecun: Pristina has shown that for it there are no Serbs in the north of Kosovo (RTS)
• Defense Minister: Peace with Albanians a national interest (N1)
• Brnabic spars with Von Cramon (N1)
• Dacic and Hill: Continuation of dialogue the only path to concrete results (Beta)
• Lavrov: Pristina does not represent Serbs in Kosovo, neither Kyiv represents Donbas (Novosti)
• Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs does not accept proposal of resolution on imposing sanctions to Russia (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Parliamentary parties from RS sign joint declaration on protection of property as plan of activity for further action of RS authorities and representatives in B&H institutions (FTV)
• SDS and PDP refuse to sign joint document on RS property; Dodik replies to statements of opposition leaders (N1)
• High Representative denies RS’ claims: State property not settled in Dayton (N1)
• OHR forms group of experts to deal with state property issue (FTV)
• US Embassy reacts to joint document of RS’ parliamentary parties: The RS is an entity in B&H; It does not exist outside of B&H (ATV)
• Dodik reacts to US Embassy’s statement: Whether US interferes or not, we will adopt political decisions (ATV)
• SNSD’s Vulic reacts to US Embassy’s statement: You should not defend Serbs from Dodik; Stop protecting interests of Bosniaks and creating Islamic B&H (Glas Srpske)
• EUD: Dodik continues to make provocative statements that cause divisions and cause additional pain to victims of genocide (FTV)
• Komsic: Dodik should not be underestimated because he is saying what he really believes (O kanal)
• Becirovic: Every activity against independence, sovereignty and integrity of B&H must be prosecuted and sanctioned (ATV)
• SDP B&H leader Niksic: All issues at level of state of B&H should be resolved in institutions at state level (AJB)
• Ogresevic calls on PIC and HR Schmidt to stop Dodik’s attempts to undermine constitutional order (NAP)
• Covic: Similar dangerous statements frequently conveyed from Sarajevo and from Banja Luka (N1)
• SDA Collegium calls on High Representative to react to Dodik’s statements (Hayat)
Croatia
• Croatian President Milanovic says Dodik’s secessionist statements are unrealistic (N1)
Montenegro
• Knezevic: Voting for the admission of Kosovo to the Council of Europe is a national shame, an opportunity to start collecting signatures in churches to withdraw recognition (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Working Group for Constitutional Changes to hold first meeting Wednesday (MIA)
• Gashi: We do not form a coalition with those who are against constitutional changes (TV21)
Albania
• Begaj congratulates and wishes Kosova to be a full member of the Council of Europe as soon as possible (Radio Tirana)
• Begaj: Albania, contributor and exporter of security (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS
• Elections in the north of Kosovo and Metohija were held without the participation of Serbs - the demands remain the same, and the political problems remain unresolved (RTS)
• Petkovic: 1,566 Albanians and 13 Serbs voted, a complete fiasco of the authorities in Pristina (RTS)
• Kosovo elections: What Belgrade and the Serbs say (N1)
• Vucic: We don't really have a dialogue, we get imposed papers that are always in favor of Pristina (RTS)
• EU Spokesman say Kosovo elections not business as usual (N1)
• Lajcak: At the meeting in Brussels, the main topics were the first draft of the ZSO statute and the issue of the missing persons (Tanjug)
• Head of Spanish diplomacy: We do not accept Kosovo passports (Tanjug)
• Djurovic: We will fight until the end so that Pristina's request is not on the agenda of the Council of Europe (RTS)
• Vucic: "When a Serb gets fed up, there is no going back" (B92, Tanjug)
• Vucic: They want a referendum? Let’s have it! (Tanjug)
• EP Report to urge Serbia to award 5th national broadcasting license (N1)
• Vucic draws connection between lack of decision on 5th TV frequency and Kosovo (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik again denies Srebrenica genocide, speaks about merging of RS, Serbia; Vucic: Serbs must be united, to be proud of who they are and to be only Serbs (FTV)
• Member of B&H Presidency Becirovic: Dodik publicly admitted that criminal project ‘Greater Serbia’ is not dead; Becirovic calls on EU, Prosecutor’s Office of B&H to react (Dnevni avaz)
• Konakovic tells Dodik and all those who want conflicts to stop making such statements: Instead of constant polemics with Dodik, I chose the concept of work and concrete activities (O kanal)
• Komsic criticizes statements of both Dodik and Konakovic (FTV)
• SDA’s Osmanovic on Dodik’s statements: Reaction of B&H judiciary and IC is long overdue (Nova BH)
• Political parties from the RS attend meeting in Banja Luka called by RS RSNA to discuss withdrawal of B&H CC judges from the RS; Statements of officials (BHT1)
• Covic: It is completely unnecessary to sign any kind of documents that burden B&H (Nova BH)
• RS President Dodik says issue of property permanently resolved through DPA, Constitution of B&H and will not be discussed at B&H HoR (ATV)
• Helez, Becirovic strongly criticize RS draft statement stipulating establishment of special police unit for control of IEBL; SNSD’s Vulic says Becirovic must accept fact that there will never be ‘Islamic B&H’ (Vecernje Novosti)
• US Ambassador in B&H: Dodik is going down a dangerous path; Dodik: Murphy has no right to comment on constitutional position of the RS or its property (ATV, RTRS)
• Ambassador Murphy calls for ending of blockades in FB&H (Dnevni avaz)
Croatia
• Jasenovac Commemoration marked by unity for first time in years (HRT)
• PM says no NATO consensus on Ukraine membershipyet (HRT)
Montenegro
• Zivkovic: Montenegro won’t be some kind of Belarus but a modern country (CDM)
• Milatovic: It’s better to be part of the Open than the closed Balkans, friendly relations with Vucic (RTCG)
• Spajic meets Escobar in Washington: Joint forces should transform and economically develop Montenegro (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• The working group for constitutional amendments is expected to start work on Wednesday or Thursday (Alsat-M)
• Mickoski: The government, through former VMRO-DPMNE officials, is blackmailing MPs for the constitutional amendments (Sitel)
Albania
• Albania restores the visa regime for Russian citizens (Radio Tirana)
• Contribution and close cooperation with NATO structures (Radio Tirana)
• Italy committed to the integration of the Balkans in the EU; Craxi for RTSH: Albania, leader for peace in the region (Radio Tirana)
• Gjiknuri meets Glover: Discussions on the conduct of the elections (Radio Tirana)