United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 24 March 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Serbia marks 24 years since the beginning of NATO aggression (Tanjug)
• Aggression on Serbia ongoing, but by different means – conference (Tanjug/RTV)
• Gasic meets with Botsan-Kharchenko (Tanjug/Politika)
• US Embassy: Independent judiciary crucial to progress (N1)
• Dacic: Open and flagrant meddling in internal affairs of a sovereign country (Politika)
• Chollet thanks Vucic for constructive engagement in Ohrid (Tanjug)
• Part of opposition in letter to EU: European plan for Kosovo is null and void (Beta/RTV)
• EU leaders welcome Belgrade-Pristina agreement (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• RS parliament adopts Draft Amendments to RS Criminal Code which reinstate defamation and insult as criminal offenses (N1)
• Representatives of journalist community say that they will take part in upcoming public discussions, but with only one request - to withdraw controversial draft amendments to RS Criminal Code (N1)
• Stano: Adoption of Draft Amendments to RS Criminal Code is step in wrong direction (Oslobodjenje)
• RS government adopts Draft Law on Special Register and Publicity of Work of Non-profit Organizations (RTRS)
• RS government adopts information on termination of cooperation with US and UK diplomats in B&H due to anti-Dayton activities (RTRS)
• Dodik confirms termination of contacts with US and UK Embassies in B&H: This is answer to those who are ready to throw depleted uranium (ATV)
• US Embassy to B&H: Terminating cooperation with US and UK diplomats is another step on dangerous road Dodik chose (AJB)
• UK Embassy to B&H says unpredictable decisions of Dodik harm interests and reputation of RS (Oslobodjenje)
• Constitutional Court of B&H rejects motions of Komsic and Dzaferovic regarding Schmidt's changes to B&H Election Law (N1)
• Komsic’s Cabinet on B&H CC’s decision: B&H CC has obviously succumbed to pressure of international community (N1)
• Dodik: Explanation of B&H CC’s decision which concerns legal violence of false high representative Christian Schmidt reflects B&H more strongly than anything else (RTRS)
• Lendo discusses issues in formation of FB&H government, he expects that the FB&H government will be formed during Ramadan: I will not sign any appointment in which I do not participate (FTV)
• Cvijanovic meets with President of UN General Assembly, stresses importance of consistent respect for DPA and constitutional position of different authority levels (RTRS)
• US Ambassador to Hungary Pressman criticizes Szijjarto’s messages from Sarajevo (Dnevni list)
Croatia
• MEP: Serbian claims on Croatian cultural heritage are “form of hybrid assault” (Hina)
Montenegro
• Picula: Vucic is allowed too much room to maneuver in Montenegro (N1)
• Zivkovic: DPS files criminal complaint against Adzic, Djukanovic to win convincingly in second round of election (CdM)
• Milatovic: On 2 April, Djukanovic won't even get the 120,000 votes, but below 100,000, some of the DPS and SDP voters will also vote for me (CdM)
• Abazovic - Lamborn: Montenegro is fully committed to further strengthening relations with the USA (CdM)
• Abazovic - Spartz: The expansion of the Montenegrin caucus is the way to closer ties between Montenegro and the USA (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• No one above UN Charter, responsibility for Ukraine crimes must be borne, say Baerbock and Osmani (MIA)
• Kovachevski - Baerbock: New concrete support from Germany for North Macedonia's next step forward in EU integration (MIA)
• Baerbock: If you don’t want the youth to move to the EU, then you should bring the EU here (MIA)
• Mickoski meets Baerbock: No constitutional amendments under Bulgarian dictate (Telma)
• Kovachevski: Not true that MPs of majority won’t vote for constitutional amendments (MIA)
• Mickoski: We face pressures for constitutional changes, but we won’t give up (Kanal 5)
Albania
• British govt press release: Bilateral meeting between Sunak and Rama (Radio Tirana)
• The Head of the Assembly of Great Britain welcomes Edi Rama: Joint fight against criminal networks (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• US Ambassador: Ohrid Agreement Legally Binding Even without Signatures (FoNet)
• Lajcak: EU had ambitious plan for Kosovo and Serbia to sign agreement, draft annex (Beta)
• Borrell: Ohrid agreement important milestone (N1)
• Normalization to red lines (RTS)
• Vucic has no legitimacy or mandate to give up part of Serbia’s territory (Beta)
• Petkovic: Kurti cannot justify not forming the ZSO (Tanjug)
• European leaders will call on Belgrade and Pristina to implement what was agreed in Ohrid without delay (RTS)
• French Ambassador warns of consequences if agreement is not implemented (Beta)
• Italy satisfied with Vucic’s fight for stability of region (Beta)
• Dacic with the head of Italian diplomacy: High level of bilateral relations between the two countries (RTS)
• Vucic thanked Major General Lasica for the professional behavior of KFOR (RTS)
• Mojsilovic with the commander of KFOR about the security situation in KiM (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• RSNA discusses Draft Law on amendments to RS Criminal Code that criminalize defamation; Voting expected to take place on Thursday (N1)
• German Embassy: Germany concerned about attacks on freedom of expression and media freedom in RS (Nova BH)
• B&H CoM Chair Kristo addresses AFET, stresses importance of changes to B&H Election Law (N1)
• B&H CoM Chair Kristo discusses cooperation with EC with EC President Von der Leyen, B&H’s Euro-Atlantic path with EU HR Borrell; Kristo meets Metsola as well (BN TV)
• NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg presents 2022 Annual Report; B&H aspires to become NATO member (Oslobodjenje)
• Izetbegovic: SDA is not blocking processes in the FB&H; Other FB&H politicians speak of process of FB&H Government formation (N1)
• Efendic reacts to Izetbegovic’ statement: I do not know why he says SBIH, NES will take SDA side when it comes to formation of authorities in FB&H (FTV)
• Dodik: RS is advocating for B&H to return to the framework of the Constitution; Entities have sovereignty, not B&H (ATV)
Croatia
• FM: Every EU member state must send ammunition to Ukraine (Hina)
Montenegro
• Garcevic: Double, increasingly strong influence of SPC on MNE politics since 2020 elections (VOA)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Grubi: Working for all of VMRO-DPMNE to endorse constitutional changes (Telma)
• VMRO-DPMNE rejects the offer to be part of the working group on constitutional changes (Libertas)
• Osmani: VMRO-DPMNE should think about its political positions, not engage in daily politics (TV21)
Albania
• Rama: Guterres should explain why he uses the name "Belgrade-Pristina Agreement" (Radio Tirana)
• Nikolla: Intense cooperation with the Assembly of Kosovo (Radio Tirana)
• The Greek Speaker welcomes Rama: We are interested in Albania's membership in the EU (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 21 March 2023

LOCAL PRESS
• Vucic: There is no question of membership in the UN and no recognition (RTS)
• Escobar: The agreement in Ohrid is legally binding, even though it has not been signed (RTS)
• Borrell: EU membership depends on the implementation of the European proposal (RTS)
• Serb List to US Ambassador: ZSO before elections (N1)
• Fajon: Kosovo-Serbia deal implementation important, should be assisted (Beta)
• Georgian PM tells Serbian speaker his country supports Serbia in dispute over Kosovo (Beta)
• Vucic spoke with Orban, meeting in Belgrade soon (RTS)
• Brnabic with Roth on bilateral relations (RTS)
• Vucic with Tajani, after the meeting of the Forum for Business and Scientific Cooperation between Serbia and Italy (RTS)
• Dacic: The conference on Stepinac in Brussels was wrong and provocative (RTS)
• The EU refused the participation of the Pristina delegation without a footnote at the donor conference (RTS)
• Dacic: Serbia sends 1.5 million euros in aid to Turkey and Syria (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik: Becirovic is a Bosniak member of B&H Presidency, he does not have any rights or jurisdiction when it comes to the property of the RS, and therefore his request to Attorney General's Office of B&H is unfounded (ATV)
• Cvijanovic on Becirovic’s request to Office of Attorney General of B&H regarding activities related to state property: Becirovic did not file request on behalf of B&H Presidency (BHT1)
• B&H Presidency adopts Proposal of Law on Budget of Institutions of B&H and International Obligations of B&H for 2023; Komsic votes against Proposal over salary increase for politicians and lack of funds for AF B&H (BHT1)
• SDA: Adoption of 2023 draft budget that does not stipulate funds for equipping B&H AF undermines B&H’s defense capacities, prevents NATO accession (Hayat)
• B&H CoM adopts Program of Economic Reforms for the period 2023-2025 (N1)
• B&H CoM Chair Kristo discusses B&H’s EU path with European Council President Michel, EU Commissioner Varhelyi, EP President Metsola in Brussels (BHT1)
• EC VP Schinas: Status of candidate for B&H is first tangible legal step in the enlargement process (Vecernji list)
• B&H Presidency confirms names of new ambassadors (ATV)
Croatia
• KOS director sentenced to 20 years in absentia for war crimes (HRT)
• Doris Pack: Putin wants to restore the Soviet Union (HRT)
Montenegro
• SEC: Djukanovic won 35.37 percent, Milatovic 28.92 percent (CDM)
• Abazovic boasted: Election day like in the countries of Western Europe, ministers contributed to Montenegro getting out of the jaws of the past (CDM)
• Uljarevic: Far more uncertain race in the second round, the result of Milatovic will depend on the real support of Becic and Mandic (Gradski portal)
North Macedonia
• Kovachevski: All parties responsible for constitutional amendments, not only declaratively but concretely (MIA)
• Marichikj: EU membership no longer a theoretical chance, but real possibility (Telma TV)
• Escobar: Ohrid agreement aimed at regional reconciliation and accelerated EU membership for Western Balkans (MIA)
Albania
• The Security Council, Albania rejects Russia's request: The case of Donetsk cannot be compared with Kosovo (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Serbia ready to work on implementation up to its red lines (RTS)
• Serbia builds different future in Kosovo and Metohija with responsible, courageous policy (Tanjug/RTS)
• Cultural heritage in Kosovo and Metohija jeopardised daily (Tanjug)
• Dacic: Security situation in Serbia stable (Tanjug/Politika)
• Dacic: Result of presidential elections in Montenegro will depend on Serb votes (TV Pink)
• Drecun: Progress made in Ohrid, traps of EU proposal avoided (TV Pink/RTV)
• Borrell: Serbia, Kosovo reach agreement on implementing deal (Beta)
• Escobar hails agreement between leaders of Serbia, Pristina, says door open to EU integration (Beta)
• Hill: Serbia has embraced European future (Tanjug)
• Opposition criticizes Vucic after Ohrid talks: Citizens are deceived (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik: ICC’s arrest warrant for Putin is political and selective decision (Srna/ATV)
• Dodik: RS suspending contacts with US and UK Embassies in B&H (RTRS)
• Dodik: US and UK want dismantling of RS (ATV)
• Cvijanovic: International community as such does not exist anymore, Schmidt was not legitimately appointed, RS will react harshly if law on state property is impose (BHT1)
• Nesic, Stevandic support Dodik’s announcement on suspension of contacts with US and UK diplomats (Nova BH)
• Kojic: Announcement re termination of contacts with US and UK diplomats is rational measure; Vujicic says UK, US diplomats worked to detriment of RS (RTRS)
• Borenovic says Dodik’s announcement that RS will cut off contacts with UK and US embassies in B&H and their diplomats represents classic foiling; Crnadak surprised with decision (BN TV)
• UK Embassy: Dodik’s statement is confusing and does not contribute to anything (Nova BH)
• US Embassy in B&H reacts to Dodik’s statement on termination of contact of RS with US and UK embassies in B&H (FTV)
• Dodik: Issue of B&H Law on Property will never be on agenda; If you do not want to respect the letter of DPA, the RS will leave B&H (RTRS)
• EU Delegation to B&H, US Embassy to B&H and OHR condemn Dodik’s threats with secession (Dnevni avaz)
• Dodik: RS not to block appointment of B&H ambassadors from Becirovic’s potential list, I hope they will contribute to faster disintegration of B&H (RTRS)
• Cvijanovic on foreign policy: If there is no consensus, best solution is neutral position; B&H did not impose sanctions against Russia (BHT1)
• B&H Minister of Defense Helez confirms that he has intelligence data predicting political downfall of Dodik; Reaction of Dodik (ATV)
• SDA Main Board holds meeting; Izetbegovic: US ambassadors fall for gossip of Sarajevo coffee shops and SDA opposition (O Kanal)
• Cvijanovic: Croatia is interested in good neighborly relations; agreement on borders with Croatia will have to be ratified eventually (BHT1)
Croatia
• Cvijanovic and Milanovic announce that Croatia will finalize access road to connect it with new bridge on Sava River in Gradiska (Vijesti)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic and Milatovic to run for president on 2 April (CdM)
• Bogdanovic: Dynamic activities and complete mobilization of the electorate to follow (CdM)
• Besic: Enough of divisions, economy in focus; citizens tired of stories about independence and threatened country (RTCG)
• Djukanovic: Early parliamentary election on 11 June (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• North Macedonia’s President: We support Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (MIA)
• Pendarovski: Process of our approaching to the EU taking place at a satisfactory pace at this stage (MIA)
• Escobar: In organizing talks, North Macedonia again proved to be reliable partner of US, EU (Nezavisen)
Albania
• The Kosovo-Serbia agreement in Ohrid/ Begaj: It guarantees the stability of the region (Radio Tirana)
• Rama: We hope that the unsigned agreement will become an irreversible reality between Kosovo and Serbia (Radio Tirana)
• Integration/ Albania - EU start analytical review for the "green agenda" (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 17 March 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• We still haven’t received the draft of what the EU wants (RTS)
• Today marks 19th anniversary of anti-Serb pogrom in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Atmosphere that led to the March pogrom still exists (RTS)
• Serbia reliable, responsible collaborator of EU in migration management (Tanjug/RTV)
• Vucic meets with Johansson: The safety of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija is a priority (Tanjug/RTS)
• Continuation of further harmonisation of Serbia with EU visa policy (Tanjug/RTV)
• Serbia wants best possible relations with its neighbours (Tanjug)
• Miscevic: Help of Croatia is important for Serbia’s EU integration process (RTV/Tanjug)
• Lutovac in Strasbourg: First membership in EU, ten criteria (Beta)
• Obradovic calls on Vucic to resign over announced support for Kosovo to join UN (Beta)
• Djilas: Consensus needed on Kosovo instead of stories that please people (RTS)
• Albanians in Serbia’s south want same rights as Serbs in Kosovo, as well as to unite with Kosovo (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Prosecutor’s Office of B&H: There is formed case about all blacklisted persons (O Kanal)
• Mehmedagic on US’ sanctions imposed against him: Claims are untrue and groundless (O Kanal)
• Ambassador O’Brien: Decisions on blacklisting Mehmedagic, Stankovic and Gacanin are result of long investigation based on analysis of a big number of experts (FTV)
• SDA: Aim of false accusations is to forcibly eliminate SDA from authority (Hayat/FTV)
• Leaders of ‘Troika’ request reaction of B&H Prosecutor’s Office after US sanctions were introduced (O Kanal)
• Covic says sanctions are something that should not be commented ever (Nova BH)
• RS politicians react to Izetbegovic’s statement that there could be conflict in B&H (ATV)
• HR Schmidt meets FB&H HoP leadership; Discuss authority formation in FB&H (FTV)
• Dodik: RS will continue to apply RS law on immovable property despite of decision of B&H CC and sanctions against Stankovic (FTV)
• EP Rapporteur Rangel presents his Proposal of EP Resolution on B&H (N1)
• B&H CoM adopts draft of Annual Action Plan for Energy Support provided by EU and information on drafting of judicial reform strategy (Nezavisne)
• NATO begins with implementation of assistance package for B&H which includes measures to strengthen B&H’s defense and resilience against cyber threats (Nezavisne)
Croatia
• Dacic: Serbia and Croatia need to stop distancing themselves from each other for cheap political points: Grlic Radman: Croatia and Serbia can and deserve to have better relations (Hina)
• Cvijanovic and Milanovic meet in Zagreb, discuss stability in region, B&H’s EU path and status of Croats in B&H (HRT1)
• Milanovic and Plenkovic swap insults over a lack of cooperation (HRT1)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic dissolves parliament (CdM)
• Djukanovic: It’s high time we finished this circus of Montenegro’s state policy having no government (CdM)
• Djukanovic: I didn’t want to bend my spine in front of anyone because it’s the backbone of Montenegro; Mandic: Vucic doesn’t listen to external orders, least of all from Russia (E TV/Prva TV/CdM)
• MCP: Citizens should cast a ballot, no one has the right to refer to support of the Church (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Grubi: Not aspiring to be first Albanian PM of North Macedonia (Telma/TV Dukagjini)
• Mickoski: Let’s hold early parliamentary elections (Republika)
• Borrell: It is the responsibility of all political leaders to work for EU membership (MIA)
Albania
• Borrell: EU supports the integration of Albania (Radio Tirana)
• Varhelyi: 30 million Euros for the economic and investment plan! Albania will be the first to have a liquefied natural gas terminal (Radio Tirana)
• National Integration Council/Varhelyi: You have my support (Radio Tirana)