United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 16 March 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Everything signed in Belgrade-Pristina dialogue must be implemented (Euronews/RTS)
• Vucic, Escobar discuss Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (Tanjug/RTS/RTV/Politika)
• Escobar: EU proposal about normalisation, not recognition (Tanjug)
• Brnabic: Importance, significance of full implementation of Brussels agreement (RTS/Tanjug)
• Vucic thanks China for persevering friendship, support to Serbia (Tanjug/RTS/Beta)
• Good cooperation, constant communication between Serbian government, Council of Europe (RTV/Tanjug)
• Serbia highly appreciates role of Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights (RTV/Tanjug)
• Jeremic: Serbia to resist the acceptance of Kosovo as an independent state (Beta)
• Part of opposition calls for protest against French-German agreement on Kosovo (Beta/Politika)
• Lajcak revealed what will be the main topic in Ohrid (Tanjug)
• Borrell: Time for Belgrade, Pristina to demonstrate responsibility (Tanjug)
• Zakharova: I can’t travel to Serbia because of sanctions (Beta)
• Pristina court extends detention for Kosovo Serb (Tanjug/Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• US’ OFAC imposes sanctions against former OSA B&H Director Mehmedagic, RUGIP Director Stankovic and leader of Tito and Dino Cartel Gacanin (N1)
• SDA condemns US’ decision to blacklist Osman Mehmedagic (AJB)
• Vulic reacts to US blacklisting RUGIP Director Stankovic: US can continue with policy of sanctions and plunder, but it will never rob us of property (RTRS)
• Sattler meets Covic in Mostar; Sattler: It is high time to complete formation of authorities in FB&H (BHT1)
• Una-Sana Canton confirms composition of new SDA, NES, DF and the SB&H government (Hayat)
• OHR: Adoption of state law on property is the only way to secure legal security (Fena)
• HR Schmidt with Cavusoglu: Turkey remains reliable partner (Dnevni avaz)
• Lajcak: B&H is not model of functionality of the state (Dnevni list)
• Komsic visits Norway, meets FM Huitfeldt; They discuss EU-NATO integration (Oslobodjenje)
• UN special rapporteurs demand that draft law, which provides for criminalization of defamation, be withdrawn from agenda of RS parliament’s session (BN TV)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic: We need to return to our historical vertical and get a state-responsible government (E TV/CdM)
• Marovic: Djukanovic should dissolve parliament (MINA)
• Gjeloshaj: We believe in political maturity and responsibility of our voters (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Agenda of Kurti – Vucic meeting in Ohrid revealed (MIA)
• Macedonia will have Albanian prime minister, as agreed by Ahmeti and Zaev, said Grubi (Republika)
• President Pendarovski meets UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Republika)
• In response to Pendarovski, Radev said that Macedonian history is falsified (Republika)
Albania
• Nikolla: USA, the greatest defenders of the Albanian nation (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS
• Lajcak: Normalization, not capitulation - the ZSO must follow the model agreed upon 10 years ago (RTS)
• Borrell: Effective cooperation between the EU and the US on the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina (Tanjug)
• Escobar is coming to Belgrade: the USA supports the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina with the help of the EU (RTS)
• Starovic: There is no division of blame into two parts, it is clear who is obstructing the agreement (RTS)
• German Embassy in Serbia confident of agreement between Belgrade, Pristina (Beta)
• Vucic asked the ministers who was in favor of sanctions against Russia, three raised their hands (Nova.rs)
• Dveri leader demands of government to dismiss Economy Minister due to his advocating of imposing sanctions to Russia (Danas)
• Vulin’s party demands Basta’s resignation (Danas)
• Mihajlovic: If there is only one person in the government for sanctions against Russia, then we are in a problem (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• RSNA to discuss changes to RS Criminal Code; Journalists, activists protest against adoption of these changes (AJB)
• Head of EUD Sattler urges RSNA leadership to withdraw proposed changes of RS Criminal Code from parliamentary procedure; EUD representatives hold meetings with representatives of Caucuses before the start of RSNA session on Tuesday (BN TV)
• Head of OSCE Mission Aggeler urges RSNA leadership to withdraw proposed changes of RS Criminal Code from parliamentary procedure (BN TV)
• Dodik: I accept that media community creates Media Act (RTRS)
• EU plans to pass legislation similar to US foreign agents act forcing NGOs to disclose non-EU funding (Glas Srpske)
• FB&H Vice President Stojanovic: HR Schmidt needs to react and make decision that will unblock formation of FB&H authorities, his decision needs to be permanent and not one-off solution (Dnevni avaz)
• FTV investigates if changes at FB&H level are possible in light of agreement on new USC government reached by SDA, DF, NES and SBiH; Comments of officials (FTV)
• Dodik points out that RS will not be in B&H where its property is being stolen; NPS leader Banjac says property belongs exclusively to entities and that it is basis of survival of RS (ATV)
Montenegro
• Political crisis: Macedonian scenario for Montenegro? (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Ahmeti on Vucic-Kurti meeting in Ohrid: Last steps towards reconciliation are being taken, we encourage Kosovo authorities (MIA)
• Kovachevski and Borrell to chair 16th EU-North Macedonia Stabilisation and Association Council (MIA)
• Osmani announced - in a few months there will be an Albanian Prime Minister (Telma TV)
• Lloga calls on political parties to adopt Electoral Code by consensus (MIA)
• North Macedonian Gov't confirms laws on ratification of Berlin Process Agreement (MIA)
Albania
• Borrell visits Tirana this Wednesday (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic to Lajcak: ZSO before normalization (Beta)
• Lajcak: If there is no ZSO, there is no agreement (RTS)
• Lajcak discusses European plan for Kosovo with Serbian opposition (Euronews Serbia)
• Albanian politicians in South of Serbia request meeting with Lajcak (Beta)
• Ursula did not want to answer one question about Serbia (Tanjug)
• Von Cramon hopes Vucic, Kurti will sign agreement (N1)
• Vucevic: Not even the international mediators know what the agreement will look like (RTV)
• Economy Minister wants Government to take an urgent stand on sanctions against Russia (Beta)
• Socialist Movement: We expect Minister Basta to resign (Politika)
• Zakharova: Sanctions against Russia will not stop America's pressure on Serbia (Politika)
• Peskov: Unprecedented pressure is being exerted on Serbia, we highly value Belgrade's position (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Slovenian Prime Minister pays visit to BiH&, meets with Kristo; Golob: We want to be biggest ally of B&H (Nova BH)
• Golob meets B&H Presidency members: Granting EU candidate status to B&H is important cornerstone on country’s EU path (RTRS)
• Slovenian PM Golob: It is necessary for B&H authorities to show readiness and start implementing reform and passing reform laws (BHRT)
• Niksic: In case blockades continue, we expect High Representative to react; NES and SBiH behaviour in USC opens doors toward SDA offers (Dnevni avaz)
• NES to make coalition with SDA and DF in USC (BHT1)
• DF’s Zuhric: We are close to forming authority in USC, we would probably not implement Schmidt’s new decision for FB&H (Dnevni list)
• RS Government tasks all executive branch institutions to consistently implement RSNA’s decisions related to anti-Dayton activities by B&H CC (AJB)
• Germany’s Sarrazin: We want more civic society in B&H, it is all subject to talks; Dodik: Germany is taking side of Muslims in B&H (Dnevni list, O kanal)
Montenegro
• Montenegro Opposition Criticises Ambassador’s Condemnation of ‘Fascist’ Election Violence (BIRN)
• Maddocks: New elections an opportunity to strongly return Montenegro to constitutional foundations (MINA)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Bujar Osmani announces the replacement of Kovacevski with Albanian Prime Minister (TV21)
• Kovachevski-Nephew: Continued U.S. strategic partnership support in building efficient system to counter corruption (MIA)
• Petrovska: Discussions on more specific cooperation with a NATO member-state over hybrid threats (MIA)
Albania
• EU Commission for Foreign Affairs welcomes Albania's steadfast commitment to EU integration (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic today with Lajcak (RTS)
• Lajcak: Belgrade, Pristina accepting a good part of agreement would be a success (Beta)
• Vucic says will go to lake Ohrid on March 18, Community of Serb Municipalities prerequisite (Beta)
• Petkovic: Prishtina is trying to save a member of the so-called KBS who shot Serbian children (RTS)
• SNS Presidency session; Vucic: There will be neither humiliation nor surrender (B92)
• Vucic: Serbia facing more and more pressure (Beta)
• Defense Minister, Church head on need for unity (N1)
• Dveri and celebrities demand session on Kosovo and declarations from SPC and SANU (Danas)
• Djilas believes Serbia would have a better position regarding Kosovo if it had aligned foreign policy with EU (TV Prva)
• PM: Brnabic: Serbia paying price for not imposing sanctions on Russia (Beta, TV Prva)
• Drecun: In Ohrid, there is no chance of reaching an agreement between Belgrade and Pristina (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Stano comments on Belgrade-Pristina relations and implications on other countries of Western Balkans (ATV)
• RS President Dodik informs Russian Ambassador Kalabukhov of attempts of seizing property from RS (RTRS)
• State Department reacts to Dodik’s threats with secession of the RS: USA will not give up on people of B&H (Oslobodjenje)
• Dodik: B&H is not state, nor will it ever be, nor will it ever take control of property belonging to RS; He rejects State Department's assessment that he is trying to undermine B&H CC (RTRS)
• Zakharova: US State Department's approach to sovereignty of Serbia and BiH is reminiscent of split personality (RTRS)
• Kosarac: B&H does not have property; Other RS politicians comment on issue of state property in B&H and RS (ATV)
• Becirovic: Nobody can play with state property of B&H; This is red line for all B&H patriots (Dnevni avaz)
• US Embassy in B&H reacts to announcements of adoption of controversial laws on activities of NGOs and changes to Criminal Code in RS; says move to introduce Russian model of foreign agent legislation is part of alarming pattern (O kanal)
• RS President Dodik calls on US Ambassador Murphy to stop interfering in internal issues (RTRS)
• Dodik: RS remains consistent to regulate its public space; RS will follow European standards in processes of legal regulation (ATV)
• Ambassador Kalabukhov: I think time has come when we do not have to listen to what our enemies say and comment on our policy (RTRS)
• Stano says freedom of speech and freedom of media are one of basic freedoms which belong to principles of EU, and EU holds them very dear (ATV)
• HR meets Tajani and Schallenberg; Complete engagement and dedication to EU integration demanded from B&H politicians (Oslobodjenje)
• B&H FM Konakovic meets with his Italian and Austrian counterparts, Tajani and Schallenberg; Tajani and Schallenberg underline that Italy and Austria support HR Schmidt’s work (O kanal)
• Italian FM Tajani and Austrian FM Schallenberg meet with B&H Presidency members (BHT1)
• Sarrazin: We must strengthen and develop Berlin Process; All reginal initiatives are welcome if they respect EU regulations and include all six Balkan states (Nezavisne)
Croatia
• Croatian party to support incumbent Djukanovic in Montenegro election (Hina)
Montenegro
• Lekic: No majority for govt composition, 3 URA votes missing (RTCG)
• Djukanovic: Dissolution of parliament should be considered in detail, I’ll wait for lawyers’ position (RTCG)
• Djukanovic says not anti-Serb but opposes Greater Serbia policy (RTCG)
• Abazovic: We support Becic, he’s the best candidate for president of Montenegro; Becic: Our disagreement hasn’t lasted for too long (CDM)
• Uljarevic: Decision on Fundamental Agreement will determine the public perception of new judges of the Constitutional Court (CDM)
• CPC organizes meetings with diaspora: 400 guests confirmed their arrival (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Pendarovski: Reconciliation requires apology from Bulgaria for the deportation of the Macedonian Jews (Republika)
Albania
• PM Rama to visit Greece on March 20-21 (Radio Tirana)
• EU membership talks, the examination of the second group of chapters with Albania is wrapped up (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 10 March 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: No capitulation (TV Happy)
• Dacic at Forum in Budapest: Crisis of criteria for joining EU (Beta)
• Vucevic: People's Movement to bring together all those wishing to preserve Serbia (Tanjug)
• Stefanovic: Failure to impose sanctions costing Serbia (Nova S TV/FoNet)
• Dveri: Serbian citizens oppose Franco-German agreement (Beta)
• Dveri Movement, public figures demand parliament session on Kosovo (FoNet)
Prince Filip: German-French plan is offensive to Serbia and unacceptable (NSPM/Tanjug)
• Serb List says will not run in elections in four municipalities in northern Kosovo (Beta)
• Protest held over beating of two Kosovo Serbs (Tanjug)
• EU: Vucic, Kurti confirm attendance for 18 March meeting in Ohrid (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Ruling coalition in RS meets in Banja Luka; Dodik warns RS will leave B&H in case of usurpation of its property (ATV)
• Lendo and Stojanovic discuss formation of FB&H government with Sarazzin (Hayat)
• Sarrazin: It would be good if domestic politicians reach agreement on FB&H Government (N1)
• Bradara, Covic and Niksic agree on need to urgently approach formation of FB&H government (BHT1/Nova BH)
• Bradara is optimistic that FB&H government might be formed within 30-day deadline; Lendo: SDA will not accept Niksic’s candidacy and the fact that they are trying to push SDA out of FB&H government (FTV)
• Zvizdic: SDA does not have the coalition capacity for forming the FB&H government (O Kanal)
• Softic: It would not be good if Schmidt intervenes; He should not make worse what he has already made bad (FTV)
• B&H HoR appoints members of parliamentary commissions and delegations (BHT1)
• Austrian and Italian Foreign Ministers emphasized 2023 must be year of progress for B&H, they announce their visit to B&H on March 10 (Nezavisne)
• Strong reactions to Schmidt’s statement on Srebrenica genocide (FTV)
Croatia
• Milanovic published a letter he sent to Plenkovic (HRT)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic: Montenegro chooses between a European state and a deviant country; Mandic: I am not Djukanovic’s enemy (RTCG/CdM)
• Lekic: I’m not obstacle for Abazovic to form govt, we need to know if there’s majority for it (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Foreign Minister: Western Balkans in EU by 2030 realistic objective (MIA)
• Constitutional amendments to be prepared by an expert working group, the opposition has also been invited (Republika)
Albania
• Budapest Forum, Xhacka: The EU has a more strategic approach to the Western Balkans (Radio Tirana)
• Xhacka: Hungary, a close and trusted partner of Albania (Radio Tirana)
• Kim meets Meta and Alibeaj: Fair and transparent elections (Radio Tirana)