United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 20 April 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: We had a meaningful and open conversation (RTS/RTV/Tanjug/Politika)
• Dacic: So-called Kosovo has almost no chance of joining UNESCO (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
• Dacic: Community first and decisive step for implementation of EU proposal (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Billstrom: All provisions of Ohrid deal must be implemented immediately (Tanjug/Beta)
• Escobar: US will recognize Kosovo election results (Tanjug/N1)
• Russian parliament delegation in Belgrade (FoNet)
• KFOR commander says Belgrade, Pristina to implement agreement (N1/RTV)
• No visa liberalization for Serbian passport holders in Kosovo (N1)
• Norway ready to transfer its experience in energy transition to Serbia (RTV/Tanjug)
• Milatovic: Open Balkans better than closed Balkans (NIN)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• New round of talks on amendments to FB&H Constitution with aim to form FB&H government takes place (BHT1)
• Covic expects formation of FB&H government next week considering Schmidt should make decision which would enable that (RTV Herceg Bosna/O Kanal)
• Izetbegovic believes HR Schmidt will not dare enact a temporary solution that would favor HDZ B&H (Dnveni list)
• Dodik comments formation of FB&H government (O Kanal/ATV)
• Plenkovic expects that formation of FB&H government will be brought to an end (BHRT.ba)
• Becirovic, Komsic, leaders of SDA, SDP, NiP, NES and SB&H sign joint statement about state property (Oslobodjenje)
• Dodik threatens with secession after parties in the FBiH signed joint statement on state property (FTV)
• Cvijanovic, Viskovic, Stevandic condemn joint statement on state property (RTRS)
Montenegro
• Maddocks makes decisions about Milo Bozovic, Knezevic claims (CdM)
• Kovac seeks Lepa Medenica’s dismissal (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Justice Ministry releases names of experts in constitutional changes working group (Sitel/Faktor/Alfa)
• Kovachevski: Opposition to submit its proposals to Constitutional Affairs Commission (MIA)
• Mickoski: Constitutional amendments and coat of arms are different processes, no change to Constitution in this parliament (MIA)
• Interior Minister Spasovski welcomes Frontex police officers (MIA)
Albania
• Begaj at the Marshall Security Studies Center: The region deserves attention, there are spaces that carry potential instability (Radio Tirana)
• Nikolla receives the Chairman of the Italian Foreign and Defense Committee Stefania Gabriella Anastasia Craxi: Albania, leader for cooperation, integration and peace in the region (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: We will not support UN membership for Kosovo (RTS/Tanjug)
• Dacic: Brussels agreement our greatest achievement since 1999 and UNSCR 1244 (TV Prva/RTV/Tanjug)
• Dacic: There is no alternative to political dialogue (Tanjug/RTS/RTV/Politika)
• Membership of “Kosovo” will not be on agenda of Wednesday's meeting of Council of Europe (Tanjug/RTS)
• Djurovic: Quint states pressuring Iceland to put Pristina's CoE bid on agenda (Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Next round of dialogue to address concrete steps to establish ZSO (RTS)
• Odalovic: Ten years of not doing anything – Kurti doesn’t want ZSO, but would like to take everything that suits him (RTS)
• Office: Explosive device thrown at St. Panteleimon Church in Prizren (Tanjug)
• Hill: I too would like to know why ZSO hasn’t been created 10 years after Brussels agreement (Beta)
• EU confirms formation of committee on Monitoring Implementation of Serbia-Kosovo agreement (Beta)
• Ten years pass since signing of First Brussels agreement (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• MPs from FB&H HoR hold meeting in Sarajevo; NiP’s Delic says if HR imposes decisions, those decisions should be in favor of civic commitment and in favor of bringing B&H closer to EU and NATO (Hayat)
• Representatives of NES and SB&H hold consultations regarding formation of authorities in FB&H with OHR’s legal team (Nova BH)
• The Eight’ and HDZ B&H representatives discuss FB&H government formation and functioning at B&H parliament (Nova BH)
• Konakovic: Focus of meeting was on forming of FB&H government (Fena/Dnevni avaz)
• Goganovic: RS’ representatives in B&H MoD and Commission for Cooperation with NATO to suspend cooperation with NATO (O Kanal)
• Helez reacts to Goganovic’s statements: I must react when someone in B&H says they will secede from B&H (O Kanal)
• Fitschen says German government decided to deny loans to RS for four infrastructure projects because it cannot direct German taxpayers' money into entity whose leadership uses secessionist rhetoric and attempts to weaken country as whole (BN TV)
Croatia
• FM: Croatia can help Albania on its EU journey with knowledge and experience (Hina)
• Agriculture Minister to propose emergency measures as crop farmers sound alarm (Hina)
Montenegro
• Rakocevic: We are creating a new personnel offer; Vucurovic: Elections certain, Montenegro is moving forward (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• MFA: 24 hours for VMRO-DPMNE to provide apology to FM Osmani (MIA)
• VMRO-DPMNE: Kovacevski is unable to control Bujar Osmani (Republika)
• Danielsson and Sohlstrom meet Marichikj and Mickoski in Skopje (MIA)
Albania
• Begaj: Croatia, a good example for the integration of Albania in the EU (Radio Tirana)
• Meeting with the Croatian Minister, Xhacka: Croatia concrete technical expertise for the integration of Albania in the EU (Radio Tirana)
• Croatian Foreign Minister: Albania-Croatia airline should be built! Protection of the Adriatic Sea of strategic importance (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Dacic: Serbia appreciates Gabon’s support to territorial integrity and sovereignty (Tanjug/RTS)
• Vucevic, Nyonda discuss potential defence cooperation (RTV/Tanjug)
• Ministry: Dacic off to Strasbourg to try stop Kosovo’s admission to CoE (Beta)
• Petkovic: International community responsible for Kurti’s attempts to enslave northern Kosovo (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Only SDA leader Izetbegovic shows up at meeting organized by FB&H VP Lendo (BHT1)
• Niksic sends letter to Lendo: Only solution to current deadlock would be Lendo’s approving appointment of new FB&H government that has support of parliamentary majority (BHT1)
• Ambassador Murphy: Blockade of formation of authority is not pro-Bosnian behaviour but narrow partisan interests (Dnevni list)
Croatia
• Plenkovic and Covic meet in Zagreb, expect quick formation of FB&H government and new electoral reforms (Vecernji list)
Montenegro
• Babaic: Montenegro should have been part of the EU, not the Open Balkans (CdM)
• Recommendation to Montenegro: Check signatures supporting candidates in more detail, check donations and loans (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Osmani claims that he has the right to use the Albanian language during official meetings (Republika)
• Archbishop Stefan: We celebrate our first Easter as equal among other Orthodox churches (Republika)
Albania
• Meta receives the head of ODIHR observer mission (Radio Tirana)
• Berisha, meeting with Glover: We introduced her with the determination of the DP to advance the electoral process (Radio Tirana)
• Peleshi: Our troops, an important contribution to the KFOR mission (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 13 April 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Provocations are Pristina's sole objective as it wants to get us into war with NATO (B92/Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• US Congressman meets with Brnabic, Dacic in Belgrade (Beta)
• Brnabic thanked Spain for its principled stance of respecting territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia (Tanjug/RTV)
• Further improvement of cooperation between Serbia, Spain (Tanjug/RTV)
• Petkovic with Romanian Envoy about Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (RTV/Tanjug)
• Drecun: Kurti's tactic geared towards attempt of ethnic cleansing of Serbs (Tanjug)
• Vucevic: False allegations of supply of weapons, ammunition to Ukraine (Tanjug)
• Dacic: Serbia does not export weapons to any of the parties to conflict in Ukraine (Tanjug/RTV)
• US Embassy: We have information that Serbia is not selling weapons to Ukraine (RFE/Beta)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: EU mediators in Belgrade-Pristina dialogue dishonest (Politika/RTV)
• Zavetnici demand the UNSC make a statement on the plan for Kosovo (Beta)
• Serbs protest in Kosovo; A petition was launched for the withdrawal of Kosovo police (B92/Kosovo Online)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Another meeting of Bradara, Lendo Stojanovic fails to give results; Lendo promises SDA will offer solution in seven to ten days (FTV)
• Covic: Partners have been chosen long ago, there are no new negotiations about formation of authority (Dnevni list)
• Helez pays visit to Washington, meets McDowell; McDowell: US will support Schmidt in unblocking of formation of FB&H government (FTV)
• B&H FM Konakovic visits Bulgaria, meets Bulgarian officials; FM Mikov: Bulgaria’s first priority regarding B&H is undeniable support on its European path (BHT1)
• NATO HQ in Brussels answers inquiry regarding Dodik’s statements: NATO will stand by B&H (Dnevni avaz)
• Cvijanovic and Kalabukhov discuss current political and economic situation in RS and B&H (RTRS)
• Reactions to information that Plenkovic might be next NATO Secretary General (O Kanal)
Croatia
• Covic: Process of bringing B&H closer to NATO cannot be stopped (Vecernji list)
Montenegro
• Abazovic says Montenegro would not support RS’ secession, notes genocide was committed in Srebrenica (RTCG)
• Advisor to Abazovic: Parliamentary elections on 11 June are inevitable (CdM)
• Milatovic: It is important that the elections be held as soon as possible (MINA)
Republic of North Macedonia
• President Pendarovski voices support for constitutional changes, has reservations over potential agreement between parties (MIA/TV Sitel)
• Pendarovski - Rubin: Strengthening resilience to disinformation aimed at inciting anti-Western sentiment (MIA)
• Osmani - Aliyev: OSCE will support solutions towards improving situation of conflict-affected population (MIA)
• Radev says he has invited Pendarovski to Sofia several times (MIA)
Albania
• Challenges in a polarized Montenegro (ADN)
• Meeting with Escobar, Xhacka: Gratitude for promoting stability and security in the region (Radio Tirana)
• Peleshi: KFOR, special importance for maintaining peace and security in the region (Radio Tirana)
• Albania-Kosovo, free movement of vehicles on both state border areas (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 12 April 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic, Hill discuss situation in Kosovo and Metohija, Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (Tanjug/RTS)
• Brnabic: International community to do its job and ensure human rights in Kosovo and Metohija (RTV/Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Pristina's police have shown they lied about shooting incident (Tanjug/RTV)
• Drecun: In north of Kosovo and Metohija underway a campaign of violence of provisional institutions in Pristina (Tanjug/RTV)
• Dacic: It’s good that Kosovo’s independence is not a dialogue topic (TV Pink/Beta)
• Stano: Ohrid agreement a political commitment of both parties (Tanjug/Politika)
• Vucic, Brnabic, government ministers to meet with political representatives of Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija (TV Prva/Tanjug/Politika)
• NDSS believes military exercise with NATO represents Serbia’s alignment with the West (Tanjug)
• NS claims referendum on EU plan only way to defeat Vucic (N1)
• Conference “Let justice rule the region”, focusing on Chapters 23 and 24, kicks off in Belgrade (Beta)
• Members of Kosovo police who shot Serb man suspended and detained for 48 hours (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik, Cvijanovic: Return our competences or we decide about independence; No consent for NATO membership (RTRS)
• Cvijanovic, Dodik react to Becirovic’s request with Prosecutor’s Office re state property: Prosecutor’s Office of B&H has nothing to do with this issue that is solved long time ago (RTRS)
• US Embassy: United States will not remain idle if Milorad Dodik acts to spark another conflict in B&H (Dnevni list)
• Dodik: Murphy turns US Embassy in Sarajevo into opposition party (Srna/RTRS)
• OHR: Entities do not have right to secession and exist only based on Constitution of B&H (Dnevni avaz)
• EUD: Dodik needs to work on improving of quality of life in the country (Dnevni avaz)
• Borenovic: Borrell confirms B&H has joined sanctions against Russia (BN TV)
• Russian Embassy denies that B&H introduced sanctions against Russia (RTRS)
• Dodik, Cvijanovic deny Borenovic’s claims about joining sanctions against Russia (O Kanal)
• Comor: High Representative is actually sending message to SDP and HDZ that they should not reach an agreement because he will intervene (Dnevni list)
Montenegro
• Abazovic: We’re far from Greek scenario, we’re building EU block together with Democrats (CdM)
• New parliament and new govt can solve institutional agony (RSE/CdM)
• Podgorica Mayor from Europe Now, Podgorica Assembly speaker from DF (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovacevski met with James Rubin to discuss steps to fight Russian misinformation (MIA)
• Petrovska-Rubin: North Macedonia and the US jointly counter disinformation (MIA)
• Rubin: If misinformation is spread, it will be difficult to have a normal political debate on constitutional amendments (MIA)
• Pendarovski: I haven't had a constructive conversation with Radev in last two years (Sitel TV)
Albania
• Begaj meets Escobar, Kosovo, Russian aggression in Ukraine and cyber-attacks were on the table (Radio Tirana)
• May 14 elections/ Escobar meets with Begaj, Rama and Xhacka ODIHR recommendations are in order of the day (Radio Tirana)
• Tirana gathers American ambassadors in the region to reinforce fight against Russian and Chinese disinformation (Radio Tirana)
• Albania-Kosovo/ Kushi: Preservation of the Albanian language in the diaspora and increasing the quality of education (Radio Tirana)