United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 16 February 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: The country is ready (B92)
• Three arrested for calling for violent change of constitutional order – police (Tanjug)
• Vucic: Our state was born here and has never died since (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
• Brnabic: Serbia adopted one of Europe's most liberal constitutions 188 years ago (Tanjug)
• Brnabic, Viskovic attend Statehood Day service at Oplenac (Tanjug/RTV)
• Dacic: Serbia celebrates Statehood Day with pride (Tanjug)
• Biden congratulates Vucic on Statehood Day (Tanjug)
• Vucic speaks with Michel (Tanjug)
• Vucic speaks with Sandu (Tanjug/RTV)
• Serbia rejects insinuations about involvement of its citizens in possible violence in Moldova (Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Pristina’s refusal to establish ZSO creating a frozen conflict (Politika/Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• B&H Presidency members meet with Michel and Borrell in Brussels (BHT1)
• Zvizdic: I informed Guterres that B&H is strongly committed to key foreign policy priorities of B&H - EU and NATO integration (FTV/O Kanal)
• Konakovic pays visit to Turkey, meets with Turkish FM and Cavusoglu (O Kanal)
• Statehood Day of Serbia marked by awards granting ceremonies, Head of RS Representation Office among awarded ones (ATV)
Montenegro
• Abazovic: ANB will carry out additional checks on alleged participation of our nationals in destabilization of Moldova, if necessary (CdM)
• Confusion about Europe Now leaders: DIK to consider Spajic’s candidacy today, MUP checking whether he has Serbian citizenship (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Parliamentary debate over dismissal of Bekim Sali continues (Alsat-M/Sitel/Telma/MRT)
• Representatives of Bulgarian community meet FM Osmani (All media)
Albania
• Defense Minister Peleshi, attends the two-day meeting of the NATO ministerial in Brussels (Radio Tirana)
• 15 years of Independent Kosova/ President Begaj: one nation divided into two states (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Drecun: Serbia's position is clear: There is no dialogue resumption (TV Prva)
• Colomina: NATO expects Serbia to get behind EU plan for Kosovo (Beta)
• Olenik: Russian Ambassador should be exiled from Serbia (N1)
• Security Service Coordination Bureau: Security situation in Serbia stable despite threats (Beta)
• Vucic made a decision to increase the number of special units (B92)
• Putin sent a congratulatory message to Vucic on the occasion of Statehood Day (RTS)
• Lavrov to Dacic: Russia ready for further development of relations with Serbia (Beta)
• Contract signed: €165 million to Serbia. Vucic: "This is great and good news" (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• RSNA Speaker Stevandic meets with Serbian Parliament Speaker Orlic; Orlic: RS can always count on Serbia (RTRS)
• Executive Intelligence Commission of B&H CoM confirms nominations of Dzuvo for OSA B&H Director, Zaric for OSA B&H Deputy Director and incumbent OSA B&H Chief Inspector Bevanda for the same post (N1)
• FB&H HoR to vote on Thursday to appoint FB&H leadership; Lendo denies Konakovic’s statement that he will block process of election of FB&H Prime Minister-Designate (Nova BH)
• SDP’s Cengic: Niksic did not negotiate good enough, new FB&H authority will not be formed soon (Dnevni list)
• B&H Foreign Minister Konakovic, US Secretary of State Blinken speak by phone about important issues related to bilateral cooperation (N1)
• Stoltenberg: NATO ministers to discuss stepping up support for B&H, Georgia and Moldova, which face Russian threats (N1)
• Stevandic and delegation of RSNA to visit Russia on February 20 (Glas Srpske)
• Cvijanovic meets Croatian Ambassador Sabolic: Open issues should be resolved through dialogue (Glas Srpske)
Montenegro
• Vukovic: DPS to announce name of presidential candidate in next 3 days (Antena M)
• Danilovic United Montenegro’s presidential candidate (CDM)
• Europe now: Citizens of Podgorica expressed their support for Spajic with their signatures (CDM)
• At the request of the Government: Extraordinary session of the Assembly on February 28 (CDM)
• Adzic with the Kosovo minister: Good neighborly relations to be further strengthened (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• A lot of “against”, a little “for” ahead of government reshuffle session (Republika)
• Attempt to enlarge the ruling coalition marred by defections, corruption allegations (Republika)
• Kovachevski: Stable parliamentary majority necessary for rapid development and progress (MIA)
• SDSM and DUI lose another coalition partner – Pavle Trajanov withdraws his support, will not vote for the new Government (Republika)
• Parliament session over the new ministers resumes (MIA)
• Parliament ratifies Open Balkan labour market deals (MIA)
• Marichikj: Open Balkan work permits to be abolished (MIA)
Albania
• Rama: Bavaria, the gateway of the Western Balkans to Germany (Radio Tirana)
• Rama signs a series of agreements with the Bavarian counterpart: New cooperation bridges (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 13 February 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Brnabic: The common position of Serbia and the Western partners is that the ZSO must be established (RTS)
• Petkovic: Kurti's thin arguments against ZSO, the commitments undertaken must be respected (Tanjug)
• Vucic: I would not like the elections to be held this year, but I do not exclude that possibility (TV Prva)
• Vucic told Pristina: Congratulations, finally the truth (B92)
• Chollet: Pristina accepted the EU's proposal for the normalization of relations with Belgrade (RTS)
• Talks between Belgrade and Pristina - pressures, uncertainty and incidents (RTS)
• Vucevic: Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija feel uneasy because they don't know what Kurti can come up with (RTS)
• Janjic: Russian Ambassador’s statement on Kosovo hands Serbia the hot potato (FoNet)
• Dacic: How long will Albanian politicians be allowed to falsify history (RTS)
• Petkovic: Kurti criminalizes Serbs in order to find an excuse for an empty coffer (RTS)
• Brnabic: Sanctions against Russia “condition of all conditions” for continuation of European Integrations (RTS)
• Dodik: Community of Serb Municipalities in Kosovo should resemble the RS (Beta)
• Xi Jinping congratulated Vucic on National Day: The friendship between the two countries is getting stronger (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Kovacevic says RS will always support Serbia, including Kosovo issue (Glas Srpske)
• Sattler: New authorities should focus on key priorities and EU path; B&H was granted status of EU candidate because of war in Ukraine (Nezavisne)
• Sattler: We expect B&H to align its foreign policy with EU regarding war in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia (Nezavisne)
• Young diplomats of the EU respond to ‘young diplomats’ of Russia and their spreading of myths and outright falsehoods (Oslobodjenje)
• Minister Helez, Konakovic comment warnings of Ambassador Kalabukhov; Moscow will not be the one deciding about B&H’s NATO path (Oslobodjenje)
• SDA announces it will file motion for assessment of constitutionality of RS Law on Immovable Property with B&H CC; Stevandic, Sulic claim SDA is losing its influence, B&H CC is its final resort (EuroBlic)
• HR Schmidt faces criticisms; numerous former diplomats request his dismissal in letter to German Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee (N1)
• Media investigate what could follow after upcoming confirmation of FB&H Vice Presidents – obstructions and blockade of FB&H, new agreement or possibly reaction of HR? (N1)
• SDA’s Comor and DF’s Mesalic comment on calls from ‘The Eight’ for Schmidt’s intervention in formation of FB&H authorities, say it would be against all postulates of democracy (Hayat)
Croatia
• Croatian PM Plenkovic: Equality of Croats more important to Republic of Croatia than sending of soldiers (Vecernji list)
• MEP Zovko calls for bigger support to Western Balkans (Dnevni list)
Montenegro
• Montenegro politicians should understand gravity of situation and get country out of crisis (Pobjeda)
• Maddocks: We’ll cooperate with any democratically elected govt, but that doesn’t mean we support it (Gradska TV)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Alternativa goes in opposition, will support constitutional changes (MIA)
• Parliament to hold session on Government reshuffle proposal on Monday (MIA)
• Kovachevski expects cabinet proposal to be adopted, Mickoski criticises PM (Kanal 5)
Albania
• Albania-EU, the process of revising the legislation on financial services begins (Radio Tirana)
• Rama meets today with the Prime Minister of Bavaria, Markus Soder (Radio Tirana)
• Electoral promises during the opposition protest (ADN)

LOCAL PRESS

• Brnabic: Government's first 100 days marked by four wholes (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
• Vucic: Community of Municipalities first, then discussions about all else (Tanjug/RTS/Beta)
• Vucic: Agreement reached with Dacic - the state is above other interests (Tanjug/Politika)
• Vucic: We highly appreciate Cuba's support for Serbia's territorial integrity (Tanjug)
• Serbia committed to continuing partnership cooperation with OSCE Mission (Tanjug/RTV)
• Continuation of work with ODIHR on improving electoral conditions in Serbia (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Great importance of status neutrality of OSCE Mission in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTV)
• Jeremic: Accepting Franco-German proposal is suicidal (Beta)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: Final status of Kosovo after end of West-Russia conflict (Beta)
• Serbian parliament adopts set of judiciary laws (Beta)
• EU leaders called Belgrade and Pristina to implement all agreements (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik on HR’s statement for NIN: Schmidt is lying about meeting me (ATV)
• Kovacevic claims nobody from SNSD is contacting Schmidt (EuroBlic)
• Russian Ambassador: The West is waging hybrid war against Russia; OHR needs to be closed down immediately (Glas Srpske)
• RS CC rejects motion of Bosniak Caucus regarding RS Law on Immovable Property (N1)
• B&H CoM adopts decision on appointment of Directors, Deputy Directors and Acting Directors at several B&H agencies and services (Hayat/FTV)
• Borenovic: B&H CoM’s decision to remove Zolak and appoint Grubisa as Acting Director of B&H Medicines Agency is illegal (BN TV/Hayat)
• New B&H OSA Director not appointed at Thursday’s session of B&H CoM; Konakovic: I will not speculate on names of OSA B&H Director candidates (ATV)
• ITA leadership not appointed at B&H CoM’s session; SDP and SNSD both want position of Director of B&H ITA (O Kanal/Nova BH)
• B&H Indirect Taxation Authority holds session on Thursday and appoints Tegeltija for new Chairman (BN TV)
• Dodik: RS cannot be bypassed in its projects because SNSD will prevent all projects in FB&H that require CoM’s approval (Dnevni list)
• Working group of ‘The Eight’ discusses measures to undertake in ministries in future FB&H government (Hayat)
• Covic deems High Representative should not intervene in process of formation of FB&H authorities (Nova BH)
Croatia
• Plenkovic at the EU summit: Union leaders discussed "the most tense situation in the north of Kosovo so far" (Hina)
Montenegro
• Government confirms: Census to be carried out 1-15 November (CdM)
• Census “crosses out” early elections (RTCG)
• Konjevic: There’s still room for opposition parties to cooperate with Europe Now (Vijesti/CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Alliance wants to get in, Alternativa doesn’t want to get out of the government (Republika)
• Alternativa received an indecent offer from Kovacevski to remain in the government (Republika)
• Government reshuffle possible with the entry of Alliance (Republika)
Albania
• President Begaj receives Lord Stuart Peach/ May 14 elections, corruption and organized crime, focus of discussions (Radio Tirana)
• Berisha asks support of all Albania for Saturday's massive protest (ADN)
• Scholz: EU should speed up the integration process of Western Balkans countries (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic, Quint Ambassadors discuss Kosovo and Metohija, dialogue (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Brnabic: I've nothing to add to Vucic's words about SNS-SPS coalition (Tanjug/RTS)
• Dacic: Continuation of SNS-SPS cooperation agreed with Vucic (Tanjug/RTS)
• Djurovic: Pristina's CoE membership bid not discussed on Wednesday (Tanjug)
• Congratulation from French President on Serbia's National Day (B92/Politika)
• Cooperation with ODIHR on improving the electoral process in Serbia (Tanjug/RTV)
• Hill says Serbia should focus on EU, Russia sanctions (N1)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: There will be no conflicts outside of Ukraine’s borders (Beta)
• Djedovic: UNDP significant partner in energy efficiency improvement in Serbia (Beta)
• Borrell: I will ask EU leaders for strong support for proposal on Kosovo (Beta)
• Bilcik: No progress in negotiations until Serbia makes progress (N1)
• HR Schmidt - Politicians from RS secretly contact me (NIN)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• B&H Presidency approves deployment of AF B&H members to Turkey to provide assistance in mitigating consequences of earthquake (BHT1)
• Ademovic: It would be normal if authority in FB&H would be formed in line with will of FB&H citizens and parliamentary majority (Oslobodjenje)
• PIC SB Ambassadors issue joint statement, reaffirm consistent support to HR Schmidt, underline importance of reforms (FTV)
• Dodik meets Kalabukhov and expresses expectation that important strategic projects will be unblocked in near future (RTRS)
• Cvijanovic sends initiative to abolish Public Relations Service of B&H Presidency; Her Advisor Aulic criticizes Becirovic’s behaviour (RTRS)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic: Constitutional Court completion opens up space for decision to shorten parliament mandate and go for early elections (CdM)
• Pisonero: EC concerned about Law on Confiscation of Property (Pobjeda)
• Meeting over: Sovereign bloc probably without a common candidate (CdM)
• Medojevic files 4 criminal charges against Spajic with Novovic: Case made, preliminary proceedings underway (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Taravari: Majority of issues regarding AfA joining government solved, negotiations to conclude (Telma/Alsat-M)
• Kovacevski gave a lowball offer to Gashi, is trying to push his party to leave the coalition (Republika)
• Kovachevski: Talks on enlarging majority focus on country's EU integration (MIA)
• Council of Europe found that Bulgarians are not discriminated in Macedonia (Sloboden Pecat)
Albania
• Xhacka: Agreements for the visa-free travel of Albanian citizens to the People's Republic of China and the United Arab Emirates approved (Radio Tirana)