United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 18 January 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic meets with Sanchez in Davos (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Serbia committed to continued improvement of cooperation with UK (Politika/Tanjug)
• Dacic, Peach discuss bilateral ties, Kosovo and Metohija, Ukraine war (Tanjug/RTV)
• Belgrade remains committed to constructive dialogue, compromise on Kosovo issue (RTS/Tanjug/RTV)
• Petkovic with Botsan-Kharchenko about the latest moves by Pristina (RTS)
• Drecun meets with Ukrainian Ambassador to Serbia (Tanjug)
• EP requests suspension of further progress in negotiations with Serbia (N1)
• Wagner founder denies the group’s presence in Serbia (FoNet/Sputnik/VoA)
• Set of judiciary bills for implementation of constitutional changes adopted (RTS/RTV/Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• FB&H HoP holds inaugural session, elects leadership (FTV)
• Zukic: SDA and DF are only ones with capacity to nominate Bosniak candidate for President or Vice President of FB&H (Hayat)
• HR Schmidt meets with newly appointed members of FB&H HoR Collegium, wishes them good luck in swift completion of government formation (FTV)
• B&H CEC: Members of CEC cannot be recalled before their tenure expires (Glas Srpske)
• Becirovic meets with Quint ambassadors to NATO: NATO membership of B&H is interest of B&H citizens (Hayat/FTV)
• Dodik: Becirovic does not have mandate to speak on behalf of majority of B&H because he is only Bosniak member of B&H Presidency (RTRS/FTV)
• Cvijanovic: Becirovic ignores the fact that work of institutions, as well as decisions made by these institutions, do not depend on the will of one politician (RTRS)
• HR’s statement about 9 January sparks reactions in the RS (Glas Srpske/ATV)
• UK to monitor politicians in B&H and consider sanctions; Reactions of RS politicians (ATV)
• European Parliament discusses report mentioning B&H (N1)
Montenegro
• We expect to win in presidential election, says Nikolic (RTCG)
• Bajramspahic: Government triggered the EU’s ultimatum (Pobjeda)
• Sarrazin: I am very worried about the prolongation of the political and constitutional crisis, a serious threat to the accession of Montenegro to the EU (CdM)
• Picula: Abazovic's laconic comments (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Pendarovski warns at Davos forum that Westerns Balkans is vulnerable point of European security (MIA)
• Osmani meets Stefanchuk in Ukraine (Republika)
Albania
• Davos Forum, Rama: Cyber-attacks are worse than pandemics, protection is vital and requires investment (Radio Tirana)
• President Begaj: Britain cannot hide their failure by blaming Albanians (ADN)
• Xhacka, Albania, closer than ever to returning to the European family (Radio Tirana)
• Albania's first group of analytic chapters reviewed by EU (ADN)
• China and Albania sign visa-free travel agreement (ADN)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 17 January 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Constructive role of Belgrade the dialogue with Pristina (RTV)
• Vucic with Peach: Serbia devoted to maintaining peace (Tanjug/RTV)
• Vucic: It was a bigger tactical victory than we presented it (TV Happy/B92)
• Arrest warrants for an alleged crime in Racak continuation of pressure against Serbs (Politika/Tanjug/RTS)
• Traditionally good cooperation between Serbia, Togo (Tanjug/Politika)
• Dussey: Togo's derecogntion of Kosovo definitive (Tanjug/RTS/Politika/RTV)
• Dacic: Abuse of Racak incident continues (Tanjug/Politika)
• Orlic with Togolese Foreign Minister on improving bilateral cooperation (RTV/Tanjug)
• Drafting of ZSO Statute sole responsibility of Management Team (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Dacic unaware of Wagner groups’ ad for Serbian volunteers (Beta)
• Vucevic: Situation in Kosovo major security risk (Beta)
• Fifth anniversary of Oliver Ivanovic murder (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• SC MoI arrests several persons following attack on team from Serbia during sport event in Ilidza (Nova BH)
• International community condemns attack on parents of young futsal players from Serbia (ATV)
• Dacic: Nobody can prohibit Serbia to maintain best possible relations with RS and Serb people (Nezavisne)
• Becirovic meets Stoltenberg in Brussels, says B&H’s NATO path is unstoppable; Stoltenberg calls on B&H political leaders to refrain from rhetoric of division (BHT1)
• Cabinet of Presidency Chairwoman Cvijanovic: Becirovic’s visit to NATO HQ in Brussels not agreed by Presidency (RTRS)
• Dodik: Becirovic’s visit to NATO HQ in Brussels private (RTRS)
• Stevandic reacts to Becirovic’s statement regarding B&H joining NATO (BN TV)
• Norway’s Ambassador to B&H Reinertsen says NATO alliance is strategically important for B&H (FTV)
• Turkey: Turkovic and her Turkish counterpart discuss strengthening of economic relations, joint projects, NATO path of B&H (FTV)
• HDZ B&H Presidency holds session; Covic expresses optimism that everything will go as planned ahead inaugural session of FB&H HoP, announces he will initiate procedure for replacement of B&H CEC members (O Kanal)
• B&H CEC confirms results of election of delegates from RS in B&H HoP (Nova BH)
• Schmidt: HR and EUFOR will guarantee security and health of every individual in B&H (Oslobodjenje)
• UK foreign ministry warns that Dodik aspires to de-facto secession of RS seeking support from Russia, his actions could cause further isolation of RS politicians (FTV)
• Vulic slams MEP Picula over his calls for sanctions against Dodik (Dnevni list)
• Stevandic: Medal for Putin had nothing to do with Ukraine, RS is trying to build communication channels with Europe and USA (Glas Srpske)
Montenegro
• Djurovic calls for presidential elections, scheduled for 19 March (CdM)
• Bogdanovic invites Europe Now to join pre-election coalition (Vijesti/MINA)
• Europe Now on Democrats’ offer: We can discuss presidential candidate once mandate is shortened (CdM)
• Abazovic on coalition with Democrats and Europe Now (CdM/Vijesti)
• Actions of Montenegrin border police officers against Albania nationals under scrutiny (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• North Macedonia takes over presiding of OSCE; Osmani says North Macedonia’s goal is to define strategic concept on Kosovo and B&H in NATO and NATO’s stance on Serbia (MIA)
• Osmani visits Kyiv area: Aggression against Ukrainian people must stop (TV21/MIA)
• Osmani-Zelenskyy: OSCE possesses capacity to aid people through field operations (MIA)
• Osmani – Kuleba: Russia to return to OSCE values; civilian casualties unacceptable (MIA)
Albania
• Integration/EU delegation: Keep up the great work, we support you! (Radio Tirana)
• Nikolla: European Integration and Electoral Reform will be priorities (Radio Tirana)
• Albania hands a note of protest to Ambassador King-Smith over the lynching language of the British Minister (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 16 January 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic with Ziadeh: Important for issue of Kosovo and Metohija to further be examined in the UN SC (RTS)
• Vucic: It is clear Community must be formed, but not based on Pristina's principles (Tanjug/RTS/RTV/Politika)
• Serbian diplomats fully engaged on raising the country's reputation (Tanjug/Politika/RTS/RTV)
• Dacic says Kosovo has support to join CoE but is not meeting requirements (Politika)
• Starovic: Pristina wants to shift focus from its obligations (RTS)
• Office for Kosovo and Metohija: Kurti is the greatest enemy of freedom and human rights in the region (Tanjug/RTV)
• Russian Ambassador: Moscow consistent in its support of Serbia’s sovereignty (N1/Politika)
• EU: Community of Serb Municipalities is an international commitment (Beta)
• Serbia, Hungary, Austria launch joint police operation on Serbia’s North Macedonian border (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Incident at children's tournament in Ilidza: One person from Belgrade stabbed (BHT1)
• Slovenian FM Fajon visits B&H, meets B&H Presidency members (RTRS)
• Fajon, Turkovic discuss bilateral issues, current political situation in B&H, threats to stability of region during meeting in Sarajevo (O Kanal)
• Dodik on statements of Turkovic on celebration of RS Day: She is saying nonsense; her every word deserves a slap in the face; Reactions (RTRS/AJB/Hayat)
• Fajon presented with Gold Medal of Bosniak Institute (FTV)
• Kristo confirms institutions have started process of vetting of candidates for ministerial posts in B&H CoM (BHT1)
• State-level coalition partners agree on distribution of 36 director posts at B&H level (FTV)
• Efendic claims ‘The Eight’ is losing majority in FB&H HoR and have no chances to appoint any of candidates for FB&H President/Vice President (Dnevni list)
• Causevic: ‘The Troika’ handed over to Dodik institutions which acted as obstacle to Dodik’s secessionist aspirations (Dnevni list)
• Picula calls for imposing of political and financial sanctions against Dodik; Reactions (Dnevni avaz)
Croatia
• Milanovic: Serbia's relationship with Russia is legitimate, but... (Hina)
• Milanovic: What should we be, American slaves? (TCN)
• Grlic Radman: Montenegro must not be synonym for crisis (Hina)
Montenegro
• Radulovic: By unblocking the Constitutional Court, system would be ‘restarted’ through snap election (CdM)
• Popa: Process of electing Constitutional Court judges should be completed without delay (CdM)
• Fajon: There is a great threat of freezing the EU negotiations if the sixth attempt to complete the Constitutional Court fails (Pobjeda)
• Abazovic: Expectations are that at the end of January or beginning of February we will have a session where the judges of the Constitutional Court will be voted on (CdM)
• Djukanovic with Fajon: It is necessary to stop the constant slowdowns and delays in the return of Montenegro to the European track (CdM)
• Picula: I believe Montenegrins will preserve their hard-won and restored sovereignty without succumbing to Russian agenda (Pobjeda)
• Political parties having different views on merging elections (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Pendarovski: We need real national consensus and answer from EU over its focus on region after Ukraine war (MIA)
• President of North Macedonia: Time has passed when Albania was seen as an enemy of the Macedonians (MIA)
Albania
• Xhacka, Recak massacre still asks for justice and reconciliation (Radio Tirana)
• Nikolla, the final agreement between Kosova and Serbia, a contribution to the Europeanization of the Western Balkans (Radio Tirana)
• Xhacka slams UK Minister after insulting Albanians (ADN)
• Albania-EU, the process of revising the legislation kicks off on Monday (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 13 January 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: We are grateful to US delegation for insisting on implementation of agreements (RTS/Tanjug)
• Chollet: Dialogue must focus on German-French proposal, Community (Tanjug/Politika/RTS/RTV)
• Chollet: No ultimatums, support for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (Beta/N1)
• Gratitude to the US for its constructive role in preserving peace in region (Politika/Tanjug)
• Intensification of political dialogue of Serbia, US (Tanjug/RTV)
• Dacic: I told Chollet no one in Serbia would accept independence of Kosovo (TV Prva)
• Djuric on Vucic-Chollet meeting: Pristina doesn’t have blank support of Washington (RTS)
• Zakharova to UN: Support Serbia’s request for troops (Beta/RIA Novosti)
• Protest held over request to extend detention for Kosovo Serb (Kosovo Online/Tanjug/RTS/Politika)
• Two young Serb men arrested in Klokot (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• State-level coalition partners unofficially agree on distribution of 36 posts of directors of state agencies and institutions; Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs will each obtain 12 position (FTV)
• Dodik comments on meeting in Istocno Sarajevo: Talks were very easy and we were able to complete the first phase successfully (RTRS)
• Niksic: Future B&H CoM will be incomparably better than existing convocation (FTV)
• SB&H and NES remain part of ‘The Eight’ at FB&H and cantonal levels after leaving state-level coalition (O Kanal)
• Court of B&H dismisses PDP’s appeal related to fifth delegate in B&H HoP from RS (Srna/ATV)
• Stevandic: Publishing of document on Danilo Vucic’s visit proves that RS cannot rely on joint institutions (Glas Srpske)
• Borenovic: Fact that B&H institutions delivered official announcement on visit of Vucic’ son to media is violation of all diplomatic and security rules (BN TV)
• March in Buzim with uniforms and war flags held once again (RTRS)
• Franz and Rangel condemn marking of RS Day, call for sanctions vs. Dodik (Oslobodjenje)
Croatia
• Milanovic on marking of RS Day: Everyone can celebrate what they want; It is stupidity to declare something unconstitutional (Hina)
• Plenkovic and Kallas: We continue to help Ukraine (HRT)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic: In addition to preserving identity of each of our countries, it’s important to work on strengthening European one (CdM)
• Zivkovic: It’s essential that we agree on date of snap elections and resolve Constitutional Court issue (CdM)
• Vuksanovic Stankovic calls on Abazovic: Propose shortening of parliament mandate urgently (CdM)
• Abazovic meets Quint and EU ambassadors: Montenegro has no time to wait, it needs stability (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Ukraine remains OSCE priority, aggression must stop (Libertas)
• Pendarovski: International community’s priority is stability, not integration of region (Libertas)
Albania
• Begaj hosts Ali Ahmeti: Albanians, an important role for the stability of North Macedonia (Radio Tirana)
• 30 years of Albania-Ukraine diplomatic relations / Xhacka: Albania, proud of the support it gives Kiev in the fight for freedom (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 12 January 2023

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: I will receive “big four” by 20 January (Tanjug/RTS/RTV/Politika)
• Dacic: No recognition of Kosovo, position on introduction of snactions unchanged (RTV)
• Brnabic: This is a brutal threat to the safety of President Vucic's son Danilo (Tanjug)
• Dacic, Moroccan Ambassador support stronger bilateral relationship (Beta)
• Serb List: Two faces of Nenad Rasic in the case of attempted murder of Serb youths in Strpce (Tanjug)
• Mihajlovic: Many reasons for Kosovo Serbs to criticize Vucic’s policy (KoSSev/Beta)
• Djedovic: Gas interconnector with Bulgaria must be finished by autumn (Tanjug/Beta/Politika)
• Chollet: Fruitful meetings in Pristina (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• The Eight’ and ‘Movement for the State’ representatives discuss state-level authority formation in Banja Luka (FTV)
• NS’s Arnaut says he personally would not support Hurtic’s appointment because such appointment would provide SNSD and HDZ B&H with blockade mechanisms in B&H CoM (N1)
• PDP: Hurtic is former member of the RB&H Army who wrote anti-Serb pamphlets (Nova BH)
• Kristo confirms she received names of all candidates for ministers and their deputies in new convocation of B&H CoM (FTV)
• Komsic and Niksic exchange strong words in relation to authority formation at level of B&H and concessions to HDZ B&H and SNSD (FTV)
• Inaugural session of FB&H HoR ends with appointment of working bodies (N1)
• SDA to propose Sefik Dzaferovic and Safet Softic as candidates for Bosniak delegates in B&H HoP and Refik Lendo as candidate for FB&H Vice President (Nova BH)
• Dodik: RS is republic that will not give up on its elements and insignia (ATV)
• Dodik: Russia is most honest guarantor of DPA; This was reason to award Putin; Dodik announced that he will offer the medal also to the leaders of other DPA guarantors (ATV)
• Ambassador Kalabukhov: Russia is guarantor of Dayton agreement; We request that RS is not threatened (Dnevni list)
• B&H prosecution to process criminal report against RS officials for celebration of RS Day on 9 January (AJB)
• Another omission by services of B&H which provided certain media in Sarajevo with confidential information regarding Danilo Vucic’s visit to RS; Dodik asks how is it possible that internal letter of Embassy of Serbia in B&H sent to B&H Ministry of Foreign Affairs ended up in media (RTRS)
Montenegro
• Knezevic: US Ambassador asks three parliamentary majority leaders not to be part of Lekic’s government (A Plus TV/CdM)
• US Embassy disappointed: Presence of ministers at RS Day celebration contrary to Montenegro position (VoA/CdM)
• Jokovic: Kovac didn’t receive thanks for his presence in Potocari, we respect wholeness and integrity of B&H, but we certainly respect RS (CdM)
• Ibrahimovic apologizes for attendance of Montenegro ministers to celebration of RS Day (AJB)
• Niksic Mayor Kovacevic: Presence of Montenegrin ministers at RS Day celebration does not require any reaction, it is natural that their stances on civil war in B&H are close to stances of RS (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovacevski – Chollet: Strategic partnership has never been stronger, we will deal with all challenges together (Republika)
• What was in the State Department counsellor’s black folder? (Republika)
• Chollet: North Macedonia – vital partner in Western Balkans (MIA)
• Kovachevski on Tirana meeting: Every conversation aimed at maintaining EU integration course is positive (MIA)
• DUI leader Ahmeti meets Albania’s President Begaj (MIA)
• Ukraine is the top priority of the presidency of North Macedonia with the OSCE (Telma)
• The second man of the Russian Church in a visit to Skopje (MIA)
Albania
• NATO in the Balkans, engagement will continue (ADN/European Western Balkans)