United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 22 December 2022

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic addressed Kosovo Serbs ahead of today’s protest (B92)
• Vucic: Form ZSO first, then we will remove barricades (Beta/Politika)
• Vucic: KFOR fairer than some Western governments, but I expect negative response (Tanjug/Politika)
• Brnabic: Kurti clearly showing his intentions – ethnic cleansing of Serbs (TV Happy)
• Continuation of government's dialogue with civil society organisations (Tanjug/RTS/RTV/Politika)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: Serbia can rely on Russia on Kosovo problem (International Affairs/TASS/RTV/NSPM)
• Kosovo Serbs hold peaceful mass protest at Rudare (Tanjug/RTS)
• Serb, Kosovo NGOs: Constant escalation and de-escalation cycle reflect failure of political imagination (Danas/Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Komsic: I would not like to see the NATO path to be halted, regardless of the fact it was not included in the agreement between ‘The Eight’, HDZ B&H and SNSD (O Kanal)
• RS parliament special session: Proposed new convocation of new RS government gets support (ATV)
• Radoncic: Departing of dynasty Izetbegovic is of historic importance (Dnevni avaz)
• Izetbegovic’s claims that foreigners played great role in elimination of SDA from authorities (BHT/EuroBlic)
Croatia
• Plenkovic: B&H is most important neighbour; Croats are constituent people in B&H (Jutarnji list)
• Croatia’s Janaf state-owned pipeline pens new contract with Serbia’s NIS (Hina)
Montenegro
• Fajon: EU could consider stopping negotiations with Montenegro, situation worrying, high time to react (CdM)
• Muleskovic: With OB, instead of money from EU funds, we’re choosing nothing, and Serbia will additionally “suffocate” our market (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• The government does not plan to hold presidential and parliamentary elections at the same time (Republika)
Albania
• Maritime Border's issue / Xhacka: Compromise for sending to The Hague! Dendias: We support the European perspectives of the Balkans (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic responded to direct threats from Germany (B92)
• Vucic: Aliyev understands Serbia's difficulties regarding territorial integrity (Tanjug)
• Brnabic calls on NGOs to insist on respecting human rights in Kosovo and Metohija: We are on the brink of an armed conflict (RTV/Tanjug)
• Brnabic: Kurti has shown his true face (Tanjug)
• Vucevic: There are red lines - no Storm, no Flash, no March 2004 (RTS)
• An immediate response from KFOR is sought (Tanjug)
• KFOR only legitimate armed formation in Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTV)
• Navarro: Spain will not support so-called Kosovo's EU bid (Tanjug)
• KFOR evaluating request of Serbia to send Serbian army to Kosovo (B92/RTV)
• EULEX says disturbed by presence of armed and masked individuals, groups (Beta)
• Romano takes over as chief of NATO Military Liaison Office in Belgrade (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Komsic requests that Kristo present her exposé in B&H Presidency, says he wants to know what is happening with NATO and are there plans to increase budget, especially for defense sector (N1/Avaz)
• Bradara: Election Law issue will be the first test for coalition between HDZ B&H and ‘The Eight’; Mehmedovic: Covic will probably get everything he wanted through agreement with ‘The Eight’, including changes to Election Law that he wants (Hayat)
• Boskovic: SDA is trying to remain in power by force; Electoral reform is condition for all other reform processes (Oslobodjenje)
• Kosarac with Kalabukhov: EU should insist on abolition of OHR, departure of foreign judges (Glas Srpske)
Croatia
• Milanovic criticizes EU for granting candidate status for Ukraine while B&H had to wait for it (Jutarnji list)
• Milanovic criticizes Borrell over Croatia’s participation in EUFOR Mission (Jutarnji list)
• Plenkovic: Milanovic is leading Croatia into foreign policy isolation (HRT)
Montenegro
• Organizer’s estimate: There were about 20,000 citizens at the protest; This is a fight for Montenegro, there’s no more time to wait (CdM)
• Djukanovic: Support peaceful protest against violation of constitutional order (CdM)
• Party of European Socialists condemns violation of Constitution, backing people in their fight for democracy (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Appellate Court issues explanation as Judicial Council held emergency session (MIA)
Albania
• Albania signs agreement for the purchase of three Turkish "Bayraktar" drones (Radio Tirana/Anadolu/RFE)

LOCAL PRESS

• Venice Commission gave a positive opinion on all judicial laws (RTV/RTS/Tanjug)
• Vucic asks Munsch that NATO protect Kosovo Serbs (Tanjug/RTS)
• Fajon: Respect of Brussels agreement crucial (Tanjug/RTS)
• Greece remains committed to territorial integrity of Serbia (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Czech Republic will not put so-called Kosovo's EU membership request on agenda (Tanjug)
• Petkovic: His only goal is an ethnically clean Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTV/Politika)
• Djuric: Secret indictments against Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija are an unacceptable form of political pressure (Politika)
• Eleventh day at the barricades (B92)
• Germany's message to Serbia (N1/Kosovo Online)
• Moscow's message to Pristina: Your fate will be very different (RT.rs/B92)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Niksic: SDP B&H and parties of 'The Eight' will certainly not betray any interest of state of B&H or citizens of B&H (O Kanal)
• Komsic wants to ask questions regarding NATO integration before voting on appointment of Chairperson of B&H Council of Ministers (Nova BH)
• Finci says he believes HR Schmidt will start working at full speed and will prevent announced blockades in formation of authorities (Dnevni avaz)
• Bradara: Election Law is test of our relations with ‘The Eight’ (Dnevni list)
• Djokic says he hopes projects in RS will be realized after new B&H Council of Ministers is formed (Nova BH)
• Covic writes to Plenkovic, expresses gratitude for contributing to B&H getting status of EU candidate (Dnevni list)
Montenegro
• Knezevic: The government will be formed in January regardless of possible obstructions (Pobjeda)
• Leader of Montenegro’s DF: We’ll form new government (Vijesti)
• Radulovic: International isolation of Montenegro and suspension of projects might happen (Pobjeda)
• Djukanovic: Snap parliamentary elections the only way to get a responsible government (CdM)
• LP calls for mass demonstrations: We do not accept the total isolation of Montenegro from the world (CdM)
Albania
• EU Ambassador appeals to politics: Strong leadership is needed! Come together to join (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 19 December 2022

LOCAL PRESS

• Brnabic: I fear escalation in north Kosovo and Metohija, I am deeply disappointed with the international community (RTS)
• SPS leader: Serbia sees Kosovo the way Catholics see the Vatican (Beta)
• Dacic: Kurti biggest threat to peace (TV Pink)
• Vucevic: Situation in Kosovo and Metohija still very tense (Kurir)
• UNMIK and KFOR to urgently protect Serbs and their property in Kosovo and Metohija (RTV/Tanjug)
• EU calls for urgent de-escalation in Kosovo, dialogue to continue (Beta)
• Protest at Jarinje administrative crossing (Beta)
• KFOR considering request for return of Serbian troops to Kosovo and Metohija (RTS/RTV/Tanjug/Koha)
• Russian Ambassador walks out of SPS Congress over Greek oppositionary’s video message (Beta/Politika)
• Trajkovic released from hospital (N1)
• Day 10 of Serbs barricades in northern Kosovo and Metohija: Primary schools reopen (RTS)
• UN partner of Serbia in achieving overall social development (Tanjug)
• Dodik: We will not give up on territorial merging of Serb people, changing of borders is not closed topic (TV Prva)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik says he supports Serbia's request for return of Serbian forces to Kosovo in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (ATV)
• Dodik: It is easy to reach agreement, when everyone respect constitutional order (Dnevni avaz)
• SDA Main Board: Only those who want to form authority through legal violence, can block authority formation (Oslobodjenje)
• SDA Main Board: SDA will not block process of establishing executive power in FB&H, but SDA will exclusively insist that Constitution, Election Law, procedures and will of voters be respected (BHT1)
• Ambassador Sattler: I believe there will be solution in case of blockade but I do not see any political party willing to block formation of authorities, especially in FB&H where new ruling coalition clearly has majority in both chambers of FB&H parliament (Face TV)
• Ruling coalition holds meeting in Banja Luka; RS President Dodik announces new RS government will be formed at RSNA session scheduled 21 December (ATV)
• Dodik: RS will not support any decision regarding NATO integration; EU membership means loss of sovereignty (Nezavisne)
• Becirovic: NATO, EU are unquestionable foreign-policy partners of B&H (Nova BH)
• EUSR Sattler and Ambassadors of EU member states: Today we celebrate with you, but hard work must begin tomorrow (Glas Srpske)
Croatia
• Croatian PM Plenkovic welcome European Council's decision (HRT)
• Grlic Radman: With candidate status and new authorities, B&H has European perspective (Vecernji list)
• Croatia’s border disputes with neighbours in light of Schengen Entry (TCN)
Montenegro
• Escobar: Don’t try to form a new govt. based on amendments to the Law (MINA)
• Djukanovic: I respect Constitution, I won’t participate in implementation of unconstitutional Law, parliament decides on prime minister-designate (CdM)
• Mandic: Signing of Law opens way for new govt. election (RTCG)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Appellate Court annuls first-instance verdict, orders retrial of mass wiretapping case
• (MIA)
Albania
• Swiss host secret talks between Serbia and Kosovo (ADN)

LOCAL PRESS

• Request for return of Serbian security forces to Kosovo delivered to KFOR (RTS)
• Serbia requests international law to be respected (RTS/B92)
• Vucic: We have taken two steps (B92)
• Brnabic thanks Romania for principled stance on Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug)
• Dacic: Inadmissibility of Kosovo's request for CoE membership (Tanjug/RTV)
• Using great potential for strengthening cooperation with France (Tanjug/RTV)
• Vucevic: Transformation of so-called “Kosovo Security Forces” into so-called “Kosovo Armed Forces” unacceptable (Tanjug/RTV)
• Petkovic: New arrest of Serb policeman continuation of Kurti’s hunt on Serbs (RTV/Tanjug)
• Hill: Serbia has right to address KFOR, ZSO will be created (Tanjug)
• Botsan-Kharchenko: Real triumph of democracy by European standards (Sputnik/NSPM)
• Zakharova: Ambassador has instructions from Moscow regarding Kosovo (Sputnik/FoNet)
REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Leaders of EU countries officially grant B&H status of candidate for membership in EU (N1)
• Borrell: EU candidate status is not destination but only beginning of new chapter; B&H needs to accelerate reform processes in order to improve lives of citizens (Nezavisne)
• B&H politicians comment on EU Candidate Status of B&H (Nova, BHT1, RTRS)
• Representatives of 'The Eight', HDZ B&H and SNSD sign agreement on formation of authorities at B&H level; Covic announces continuation of talks between HDZ B&H, SNSD and 'Eight' regarding distribution of positions in B&H CoM (N1)
• SDA VP Colo: HR asked SDA to withdraw and let old-new forces to form authorities (FTV)
• RS Council of Peoples holds inaugural session (RTRS)
Croatia
• Croatian PM welcomes Kosovo’s EU membership application (Hina)
• EU leaders grant B&H candidate status; Plenkovic spoke to reporters after the decision (HRT)
• HDZ confident Ukraine aid proposal will pass with needed 2/3 majority (HRT)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic meets Peach and Sarrazin: Through elections to nationally responsible govt. that will return Montenegro to EU path (CdM)
• Peach & Sarrazin: Consider what message would be sent if PM and government were elected based on dubious law (CdM)
• Escobar: Montenegro must resolve political impasse (CdM)
• Escobar and Djukanovic worried about state functionality in conditions when Montenegro doesn’t have operational Constitutional Court and government (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Greece is North Macedonia's closest partner in region (MIA)
Albania
• President Begaj welcomes Kosova's application for EU membership: A clear European vocation (Radio Tirana)
• Xhacka: Albania will support and help at every step the process of Kosovo's application for EU membership (Radio Tirana)
• Rama with representatives of diplomatic corps: In spring we are waiting for the Berlin Summit! Tensions in the north, distraction political rhetoric (Radio Tirana)