United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 25 January 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: I will go to parliament, answer all questions (RTS/Tanjug)
• Dacic: Belgrade remains constructive partner in dialogue with Pristina (Tanjug/RTS/RTV/Politika)
• Serbia remains fully committed to reform process (Tanjug/RTV)
• Petkovic: Gervalla statement shows essence of Kurti's militant policy (Tanjug/RTV)
• Borrell to Dacic: EU committed to Serbia’s integration path (N1)
• Orlic: Parliamentary session on Kosovo and Metohija likely within about ten days (Tanjug/Politika/RTV)
• Patriotic Bloc parties to demand parliament’s special session on Kosovo (Beta)
• Lutovac says he won’t attend possible meeting with Vucic on Franco-German proposal (Beta)
• Vucevic visits wounded Delevic: No doubt, it was attempted murder (RTS)
• Hill: Creation of Community of Serb Municipalities is obligation from the Brussel agreement which needs elaboration (Beta)
• Commander says KFOR committed to implementing mandate (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik, Serb Democratic Party back Vucic on Kosovo (Nezavisne)
• Dodik meets delegation of SNSD Main Board from Istocno Sarajevo: All SNSD MPs will support appointment of new convocation of B&H CoM at Wednesday’s session of B&H HoR (BHT1)
• HR Schmidt addresses AFET; MEP Strik says Schmidt does not seem to understand reasons why he was criticized (FTV)
• Escobar: Things did not move from the dead end in B&H after changes to B&H Election Law and general elections (Dnevni list)
• Ambassador Stromquist: Most of 14 priorities can be met very quickly (Dnevni list)
• RS CoP rejects motion for protection of vital national interest on RS law on immovable property launched by Bosniak Caucus (FTV)
• Former FBI agent Charles McGonigal arrested; Indictment mentions two B&H nationals (Nova BH)
Croatia
• Zagreb hosts "Croatia - the 20th member of the Eurozone" conference (HRT1)
Montenegro
• MPs: Don't waste time, extraordinary elections are needed (RTCG)
• German Ambassador: Montenegro has turned from a leader into a problem, fill four seats in the Constitutional Court as soon as possible (CdM)
• Joanikije: Since I became Metropolitan, I have not met with Djukanovic, nor was he interested, nor was I, it's time for him to leave (TV Adria)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Osmani – Geer: Constitutional amendments require sincere political will and pro-EU course from all political factors (MIA)
• Xhaferi: Elections not a solution for problem of majority for constitutional amendments (TV21)
• Taravari: If AfA has guarantee of 80 votes, it can start talks on joining government (Sitel)
• Aggeler: Constitutional amendments should be adopted, MPs to vote for country’s progress (Sitel)
• Larsson Jain: Constitutional amendments decision rests on political leaders, judiciary reforms crucial (Lokalno)
Albania
• Bucci: Albania's idea is to become the Singapore of the Balkans, a small country, but with great potential (Radio Tirana/ANSA)
• Meloni: Expansion towards the Western Balkans should be a priority of the EU! (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Plan for Kosovo and Metohija accepted by all EU members, if we don’t cooperate all EU integration will be ceased, and investments withdrawn (RTS)
• Executive authorities will work in a synchronised, unified manner (Tanjug)
• Dacic: ZSO prerequisite for agreement on Kosovo (TV Happy/Beta)
• Petkovic: Kosovo Serb wounded in shooting by Pristina's special police (Tanjug/Novosti/Politika)
• Kamberi: I asked Escobar for Presevo Valley to be included in dialogue (Tanjug/RTV)
• Borrell: Belgrade, Pristina to show commitment to EU proposal (N1)
• Ambassadors of France and Germany in Serbia: We do not blackmail Serbia (TV Prva/B92)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• SNSD City Board in Istocno Sarajevo opposes Nesic’s nomination for B&H Minister of Security (N1)
• HNS Presidency and HNS Main Board welcome process of appointment of new B&H CoM (Dnevni list)
• Speaker Zvizdic with Dutch Ambassador Waltmans, Belgium’s Sturtewagen: Formation of new B&H CoM will stop policies of divisions, blackmails and blockades (Dnevni list)
• Stojanovic nominated as candidate for position of FB&H Vice-President from among Serb people (O Kanal/FTV)
• B&H Prosecutor’s Office confirms there is open case implicating Lendo in war crimes (Glas Srpske)
• EU foreign ministers discuss Ukraine and situation in countries of Western Balkans in Brussels (FTV)
• Schmidt and Varhleyi discuss how B&H can deliver on next steps of European Commission’s recommendation and 14 key priorities (FTV)
• Cvijanovic in official visit to Hungary; Novak: B&H and Western Balkans’ place is in EU, and Hungary wants to play crucial role in that (RTRS)
• US Ambassador Murphy’s statement sparks reactions (Oslobodjenje/RTRS)
Croatia
• Plenkovic, Escobar call on political parties in B&H to organize government in line with election results as soon as possible (HRT1)
• Plenkovic: We will continue to fight for full equality of Croats (Vecernji list)
Montenegro
• No requests in EU to stop accession negotiations with Montenegro (RSE/CdM)
• Radman: We need EU-oriented Montenegro (Pobjeda)
• Ten reasons why Dritan Abazovic should be the president of Montenegro (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski meets coalition partners to discuss AfA’s entry into the government coalition (Alsat-M)
• Kovachevski calls for public discussion on constitutional amendments, decisions not to be conditioned by petty party interests (Alsat-M)
• Security Council proposes ban on entry of MEP and other Bulgarian politicians (Telma)
• European agenda is our strategic goal, we won’t allow anything to jeopardize it, PM Kovachevski tells Security Council session (Telma)
Albania
• National Security Council meets, Begaj: Cyber-attacks and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine caused problems (Radio Tirana)
• Sweden will provide support to Albania in the negotiation process (Radio Tirana)
• Kramaric: The political situation in the region is more than worrisome (ADN)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: The only thing I can say is that I did my best to protect Serbia (B92)
• Lajcak: Community of municipalities crucial, German-French plan solution (Tanjug)
• Escobar: Kosovo prime minister does not need to accept ZSO, because Kosovo already did (Beta/VoA)
• Brnabic: Nothing regarding Kosovo will be decided without the people (TV Pink/FoNet)
• Dacic: Serbia needs to be united (Tanjug/RTV)
• Vucevic: Vucic was presented with consequences of not accepting agreement (RTS)
• Military cooperation between Serbia, Hungary at an extremely high level (Tanjug/Politika)
• Drecun: Kurit’s anti-Serbia rhetoric incites violence against the Serb people (RTS)
• Djilas: Our policy towards Kosovo is dialogue (TV Prva)
• Opposition reacts to Vucic’s willingness to accept Kosovo agreement concept (N1)
• SPC against independent Kosovo (Tanjug/Novosti)
• Former ambassador: Vucic capitulated, Serbia did not (Beta)
• Office for Kosovo claims Serbian boy allegedly beaten by Albanians (N1)
• Kenya reiterates it will not recognise so-called Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Text of the “European” proposal of “the basic agreement between Kosovo and Serbia” 20.1.2023. (NSPM/Danas)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• B&H CC postpones decision on constitutionality of amendments to FB&H Constitution and B&H Election Law imposed by HR Schmidt on election night (Nova BH)
• Cvijanovic on B&H CC’s ruling declaring term ‘joint institutions’ unconstitutional (N1)
• PDP Main Board adopts conclusion according to which PDP does not recognize results of elections for RS President (N1/BN TV)
• US Ambassador Murphy says he is encouraged with faster formation of authorities in B&H than in past, warns politicians often forget of consequences of their inflammatory rhetoric (EuroBlic)
• SDP B&H’s Helez comments on Izetbegovic’s statement regarding election of Lendo for FB&H Vice-President (Nova BH)
• SDA officials announce protests against formation of authorities without SDA (Dnevni avaz)
Croatia
• Croatian President criticizes EU for attitude towards Hungary, anti-Russian sanctions (Hina)
• Milanovic, Orban meet in Budapest (Hina)
• Peach: Reject destructive nationalism, Russia wants conflict in the Balkans (Vecernji list)
Montenegro
• Escobar: Montenegro close to institutional collapse (VoA/CdM)
• Becic: Democrats to have their own presidential candidate if talks with parties fail (CdM)
• Radunovic: Djukanovic and DPS are weak, we can go into elections independently (MINA/Vijesti)
• Nikolic: DPS to make decision on presidential candidate in next few days (MINA)
• Knezevic supported Vucic: I am convinced that he will not accept the ultimatum for Kosovo to become a member of the UN (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski: Parliamentary majority to be bigger than what it is today (MIA)
• This week is crucial for the entry of the Alliance for Albanians into the government (TV24)
Albania
• Albania's chairmanship of the Berlin Process, Sarrazin: Together, we want to make this a success (Radio Tirana)
• Hohmann: Representatives of all political parties should make EU-related reforms their top priority (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 20 January 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: I am certain Serbia will not join EU soon (RTS/Tanjug/Politika)
• Vucic: Davos - a club of like-minded people (RTS)
• Djuric: Strategic affairs to be discussed with “big five” (Tanjug/RTV)
• Paunovic: Serbia obliged to reject Berlin’s blackmail (Beta)
• Significant support of OSCE Mission to reform processes in Serbia (Tanjug)
• EU membership remains Serbia’s strategic goal (Tanjug)
• Obradovic: EU path clearly conditioned by Kosovo – give up on EU (Beta)
• Orlic informs Slovenian President about current situation in Kosovo and Metohija (RTV/Tanjug)
• Giaufret: Resolve the problems in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (FoNet)
• Stano: Kosovo needs to refrain from action against owners of KM plates (Tanjug)
• KFOR: Situation in Kosovo calm, but fragile and unpredictable (Beta)
• Chollet: ZSO will not be like Republika Srpska (N1)
• Ukrainian Ambassador: We are grateful to Serbs for humanitarian support (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Two-day plenary session of B&H Constitutional Court’s on Komsic and Dzaferovic’s motions starts; DF’s Zuhric: Even if B&H CC accepts motions, this decision will not be applied until after next general elections (N1)
• Kukic: Foreign judges in B&H CC will most likely take HR’s side; Iseric: Source of all problems in B&H is DPA (O Kanal)
• HR Schmidt allegedly pressures judges to dismiss motions (Hayat)
• Several municipalities in FB&H have registered state property as municipal property, including Trnovo, Neum, Grude (AJB)
• B&H CEC concludes that all candidates for B&H CoM passed vetting process; SIPA to complete vetting procedure for seven candidates (RTRS)
• Izetbegovic: FB&H government cannot be formed without SDA; ‘The Eight’ no longer exists (FTV)
• Kristo, regional leaders attend panel discussion within Davos Forum: New B&H CoM will work on improvement of relations in region and intensifying of cooperation with EU (FTV)
• Kristo and Plenkovic discuss improving of relations and B&H's path to EU in Davos (Nova BH)
• Kristo and Vucic discuss B&H-Serbia cooperation on sidelines Davos Forum (Hayat)
• Kristo meets Abazovic, Kovacevic on sidelines of World Economic Forum (Nezavisne)
Croatia
• Plenkovic and Vucic meet: We will make additional efforts to resolve open issues (HRT)
• Milanovic: Ukraine war will be resolved between Moscow and Washington (Hina)
• HNS rejects SDA’s accusations regarding election of FB&H HoP leadership (Vecernji list)
Montenegro
• Vukovic: I’m sure that DPS candidate will be the first man of Montenegro; Knezevic: Our and DPS candidate to run in the second round; Milatovic: Candidate to be either from Europe Now or non-partisan (CdM/TVCG)
• Sehovic: Pro-European parties should have a common presidential candidate; state, not narrow-party interests should prevail (CdM)
• Abazovic & Aliyev: Montenegro interested in bringing natural gas to PoB (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Davos Forum/ Pendarovski: Balkans in danger from Russian influences, NATO and EU should pay attention to the region (MIA)
• Pendarovski met with his friend Alexander Soros in Davos (Libertas)
Albania
• Rama criticizes EU regarding WB integration process (ADN)
• Hohmann: Representatives of all political parties should make EU-related reforms their top priority (Radio Tirana)
• Kim, optimistic about Albania: You are on the right track to travel visa-free to the USA (Radio Tirana)
• Albania's exports record in 2022, 25% increase in agriculture through Open Balkans (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 19 January 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Deal possible soon if Kurti gives up on secessionist intentions (Tanjug)
• Vucic fiercely criticizes EP report (Beta)
• Dacic: EP resolution extremely hypocritical (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Belgrade values Cuba’s support to territorial integrity of Serbia (Tanjug/RTV)
• Serbia, Togo committed to the improvement of overall cooperation (Tanjug/Beta/RTV)
• Dacic meets with Botsan-Kharchenko (Politika/Tanjug/RTV)
• Vehicles with KМ license plates not allowed to pass Jarinje, Brnjak crossings (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Serbia deeply committed to UNESCO goals (Tanjug)
• McAllister: Decision not to impose sanctions on Russia has consequences (N1)
• Nemec: Brussels running out of patience (N1)
• Peach: Neither Serbia nor Kosovo should consider implementation of existing agreements as concessions (Kurir/Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• EP adopts resolution calling for sanctions against Dodik and calling on Western Balkans countries to harmonize their foreign policy with foreign policy of EU (FTV)
• Dodik: Punishing of politically unsuitable countries or individuals is always a sign of impotence and not superiority (FTV)
• Kajganic confirms Prosecutor’s Office has formed case connected to this year’s marking of RS Day (ATV)
• Stevandic: January 9 will be celebrated more grandiosely the more it is disputed; EP’s resolution with request for imposing sanctions onto Dodik is not binding, it is more of recommendation (ATV)
• Becirovic meets Ambassadors of Turkey, Slovenia, Poland and Ukraine in Brussels: B&H continues path to NATO (Dnevni list)
• Swedish Minister for EU Affairs Roswall says Sweden will focus on integration of Western Balkan region (Nezavisne)
• Covic: Everything is going according to plan in terms of formation of new authority by HDZ B&H and ‘The Eight’ (Dnevni list)
• SDP’s Niksic: There is stable majority for formation of Council of Ministers (Dnevni list)
• SDA reacts to appointment of leadership of FB&H House of Peoples; Cengic says OHR should react again when it comes to formation of FB&H authorities (Hayat)
Croatia
• Plenkovic met with Vucic, announced what they discussed (Hina)
• Plenkovic in Davos: World and Croatia have overcome 2022 well (Hina)
• Lavrov’s praise of Milanovic’s remarks sparks controversy in Croatia (HRT)
• Imposition of representatives in authority to others is returning to SDA like boomerang (Vecernji list)
Montenegro
• Ibrahimovic: Pro-European forces should have a common candidate for president (CdM)
• Abazovic: The entire region needs more Euro-optimism (CdM)
• Abazovic with Plenkovic: Croatia's entry into Schengen boosts the European perspective of the Western Balkans (CdM)
• Abazovic with Lajcak: The government has fulfilled its tasks, we expect the parliament to do its part as well (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Russian Embassy in Skopje: Osmani has not mentioned victims of shelling by Ukrainian formations (Sitel)
• Alliance for Albanians may join government, PM says (MIA)
• VMRO-DPMNE’s Stoilkovski: When the alliance promises constitutional changes, without asking the people, that is called lying (Republika)
Albania
• Davos Forum, Rama meets the head of the OECD, Albania's progress was appreciated (Radio Tirana)
• Begaj reception ceremony with representatives of the Diplomatic Corps, Albanians, a factor of peace in the Balkans (Radio Tirana)
• Council of Minister announces decision on Albanian Embassy in Kiev (ADN)