United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Thursday 15 December 2022

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Conversation with Lajcak, Escobar fair, sincere (Tanjug/Politika)
• Lajcak: Discussion with Vucic open, honest (Tanjug)
• Vucic: Pristina violating Washington deal, Belgrade to respond after government session (Tanjug/RTV/RTV)
• Brnabic: Implementation of agreements signed crucial for continuation of dialogue with Pristina (Tanjug/RTS/RTV/Politika)
• Additional efforts of US in providing support to finding solution for Kosovo and Metohija (RTV/Tanjug)
• Serbia committed to deepening cooperation with Portugal (Tanjug)
• Portugal supports European integration process of Serbia (RTV/Tanjug)
• Dacic: Pristina's EU membership bid a political marketing move (Tanjug)
• Dacic: Escobar's statement not good (Tanjug/RTS)
• Albanians take council seats in Kosovska Mitrovica through legal violence (Tanjug/RTV)
• Escobar optimistic about solution for Kosovo crisis (N1)
• Head of EULEX: We are monitoring the situation, we do not know where Dejan Pantic is (B92/Kosovo Online/Politika)
• Day 6 of barricades in Kosovo and Metohija: Night in the north passed peacefully (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Appellate Division of Court of B&H accepts SNSD’s appeal and annuls B&H CEC's decision on disputed ballot for delegate in B&H HoP (Nova BH)
• Reactions to the decision of the Appellate Division of Court of B&H (RTRS/AJB)
• B&H CEC: There are no any obstacles concerning candidacy of Kristo for B&H CoM Chair (Nova BH)
• Zvizdic: EU candidate status would be sort of responsibility of B&H politicians; Cavara: EU candidate status will open various processes within which B&H will need to be adjusted to EU acquis (Nova BH)
• Dodik: Announced granting of EU candidate status to B&H does not excite me because the West broke numerous promises to B&H so far (ATV)
Croatia
• PMs Plenkovic and Mitsotakis send joint letter, call for granting candidate status to B&H (Vecernji list)
Montenegro
• US Embassy: Montenegro leaders should resist decisions undermining democratic institutions (CdM/VoA)
• Konatar: No need to hurry with decision on Open Balkans membership (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• President Pendarovski speaks to State Department Counselor Chollet (MIA)
• Kovachevski-Chollet: U.S. strong support and strategic partnership continue (MIA)
• Chollet: Discussions with Pendarovski and Kovachevski on NATO, EU, tough stand on Corruption (MIA)
• EU rejects Bulgarian declaration on Macedonia (Republika)
• Bulgarian Church recognized MOC as “Orthodox Church in the Republic of North Macedonia” and HH Stefan as “Archbishop Stefan of Skopje” (MIA)
Albania
• Rama: The integrity of Kosovo is protected by an entire international community (Radio Tirana)
• Rama: High Prosecution Council should not be influenced by anyone (Radio Tirana)
• France supports Albania along the European path (ANA)
• Peleshi visits NATO Supreme Command in Europe: Albania, a reliable ally of the Alliance (Radio Tirana)
• Britain announced the expulsion of thousands of Albanian migrants (Postsen)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Western partners must tell us which documents they want to respect (Tanjug)
• Brnabic pleads to EU to help secure Pantic's release (Tanjug/RTS/RTV/Politika)
• Brnabic appeals to KFOR, EULEX to do their job as Serbs in Kosovo feel unsafe (Beta)
• Brnabic: Escobar too adamantly against valid SC resolutions (Tanjug/RTV)
• Serbia committed to continuing cooperation with UNMIK (Tanjug/RTV)
• Orlic: We can promise we will fight for peace, development (TanjugRTV)
• Odalovic: KFOR’s response may be negative, but Serbia’s request is bringing Resolution 1244 back to life (RTS)
• Petkovic: Delivery of verdict to Ivan Todosijevic was carefully calculated to intimidate Serbs (Tanjug/RTV)
• Serbs have been on the barricades for 5 days now: Night was calm in Kosovo, situation still tense (RTS)
• Continuation of successful cooperation with UNOPS (Tanjug)
• EU Council expects Serbia to align with EU foreign policy (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• EU General Affairs Council approves granting of candidate status for B&H (AJB)
• Sattler on GAC’s decision: Celebration should begin when everything is finished (FTV)
• B&H officials welcome GAC’s decision (Nova/Dnevni avaz/O Kanal)
• Dodik: Komsic’s policy is policy of lies, there is no NATO path of B&H (Glas Srpske)
• Kovacevic: We are satisfied with process of formation of state authorities (Glas Srpske)
• SNSD’s coalition partners support agreement between SNSD, HDZ B&H and ‘The Eight’ (ATV)
• First session of B&H HoR Collegium held (FTV)
• B&H Court finally receives SNSD’s appeal against decision of B&H CEC on election of fourth delegate from RS in B&H HoP (Nezavisne)
• Alkalaj again acts without consent of Presidency in UNSC re report of MICT; Reactions of RS politicians (RTRS)
Croatia
• Croatian PM: 2022 is the year of delivery (Hina)
Montenegro
• Bilcik and Picula disappointed: Results of voting in parliament might push Montenegro into deeper political crisis and constitutional chaos (CdM)
• EU, Western diplomats call for withdrawal of controversial law in Montenegro (CdM)
• Djeljosaj: Current political elites undermined the state of Montenegro (CdM)
• New candidates for Constitutional Court judges by January end at best (RTCG)
• Bastijancic: Djukanovic returned the President Law to parliament as factual error was made (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski: Kosovo events could have negative effects in region, solution lies in Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (Sitel)
• Kovachevski – Wahl: N. Macedonia prepared to preside over OSCE in 2023 (MIA)
• North Macedonia takes over A5 presidency in 2023 (Kanal 5)
• Osmani meets Djukanovic, Abazovic in Podgorica (MIA)
• Council of EU adopts enlargement conclusions, including on North Macedonia (MIA)
Albania
• Illegal immigrants, Albania and UK in a joint Task Force (Radio Tirana)
• Britain increases investments in Albania to stop the flow of illegal immigrants, bilateral agreements and official exchange signed (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Tuesday 13 December 2022

LOCAL PRESS

• Dangerous daily provocations of temporary institutions in Pristina (RTV/Tanjug)
• Dacic: We are trying to get Pristina's EU bid disputed by non-recognisers (Tanjug)
• Vucic: Government decides Thursday on sending request to KFOR for our troops to return to Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)
• Greece, the Vatican not to change position on Kosovo and Metohija (Beta)
• Vucic receives Paglia (Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Detention of former Kosovo policeman Dejan Pantic represents an “attempt to criminalize all Serbs” in Kosovo (Beta)
• Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija are still on the barricades in the north of the province (RTS)
• Armenia is not changing position on Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTV)
• EU Foreign Ministers agree with Borrell proposal (N1)
• Brammertz: Serbian society denying war crimes, glorifying criminals (Beta)
• Kremlin wants guarantees for Serbs, diplomatic solutions (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Delegations of SNSD and HDZ B&H hold meeting at SNSD headquarters in Banja Luka (BHT1)
• HNS Presidency: Urgent formation authorities at all levels is crucial priority (O Kanal)
• SDP B&H calls on DF to support proposal of 'The Eight' for new FB&H Vice-President from rank of Bosniak people, reminding it that SDP B&H supported DF's Dunovic back in 2015 (BHT1)
• Izetbegovic: There cannot be stable parliamentary majority without SDA (Nova BH)
• B&H CEC confirms election results and assignment of mandates for RS CoP (ATV)
• Stevandic meets Powers: RS will have new government as soon as RS CoP is inaugurated (Nezavisne)
• Murphy comments on importance of B&H’s NATO path: US’ support to B&H’s Euro-Atlantic path has never been stronger (Hayat)
• Cvijanovic refuses to approve B&H Ambassador to UN Alkalaj’s address re MICT report (RTRS)
• Cvijanovic: Greece gives great support for granting EU candidate status to B&H (RTRS)
Croatia
• Plenkovic: B&H has full support of Croatia when grating EU candidate status is in question (HRT1)
Montenegro
• Law on President passed again (CdM)
• Zivkovic: Constitutional coup carried out in parliament, everything that happens in following days will be responsibility of parliamentary majority (CdM)
• Nikolic: By supporting coup law, URA definitely choses anti-EU platform (CdM)
• Popa: Amendments to the President Law should be withdrawn (CdM)
• Air Serbia leased half of Air Montenegro’s fleet (Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Pendarovski: North Macedonia supports Belgrade-Pristina dialogue with EU, US mediation (MIA)
• N. Macedonia and Kosovo maintaining intensive bilateral relations without open issues (Telma)
• Selmani: The situation in the north of Kosovo can also be reflected in the region (Alsat M)
• PM Kovachevski says he expects statesmanlike behavior from MPs when deciding on
• constitutional changes (MIA)
• Marichikj: Procedure for constitutional changes to begin once 80 MPs give support (Kanal 5)
Albania
• Nikolla: The Serbian authorities should not escalate the situation (Radio Tirana)
• Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia, agreement on the largest cross-border park in Europe (Radio Tirana)
• Albania and North Macedonia cooperation agreement for infrastructure projects (Radio Tirana)
• Rama: The company that will undertake the construction of Porto Romano port must be from a pro-NATO country (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: The most difficult day (RTS)
• Vucic: We are sending KFOR request to ensure presence of Serbian forces in Kosovo and Metohija (RTS)
• They want UN resolutions to be respected, except when it's about Kosovo (Tanjug)
• Brnabic on Borrell’s statement: Barricades in northern Kosovo and Metohija not only show dissatisfaction and despair of Serbs, but they protect the Brussels agreement that you signed (Tanjug/Politika)
• Brnabic: Kosovo and Metohija the last ghetto on European continent for Serbs and other non-Albanians (RTS/Tanjug/Politika)
• We are ready to send armed forces to Kosovo (TV Pink)
• Dacic: We are bringing things to head on Resolution 1244 (RTS)
• Drecun: Pristina eavesdropping communication, Serbs in northern Kosovo and Metohija to be carefull (RTS)
• Petkovic: Situation brought to boiling, Serbs at barricades sending a cry to international community (RTS)
• Gunfire is heard near Zvecan, detonations in Mitrovica (Novosti)
• US Embassies in Belgrade, Pristina: Dismantle the roadblocks immediately (N1)
• EU will not tolerate attacks (B92)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Delegations of SNSD and The Eight meet in Banja Luka, agree on forming state-level authorities in B&H (O Kanal)
• NS to participate in talks on state-level authority formation but it insists on its own conditions and principles (FTV)
• Izetbegovic: Only solution is SDA-SDP B&H-DF triangle (Hayat)
• SDP’s Niksic: It is time for SDA to accept reality and give up blockades (Dnevni avaz)
• Cudic: SDA needs to admit it was defeated and stop blocking formation of new FB&H authorities (Face TV)
• PIC SB two-day session in Sarajevo ends; HR Schmidt: B&H has historic opportunity to achieve progress on its path towards European integration (Nova BH)
• Russian Embassy: Communiqué of PIC is manipulative (FTV)
• Dodik criticizes PIC: They are main culprit for violation of international agreement (O Kanal)
Croatia
• Commemoration held for 42 Serb civilians killed in east Croatia in 1991 (Hina)
Montenegro
• No agreement reached: DPS won’t vote for any of the judges of the Constitutional Court; DF and Democrats to vote for the President Law (CdM)
• Special prosecutor Sasa Cadjenovic arrested (CdM)
• Abazovic on Open Balkans: That’s the best thing, I don’t know how anyone could be against queuing at borders (Pobjeda)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Bujar Osmani in defense of the Kosovo police (Republika)
• Decision on constitutional amendments will not be easy, but I expect MPs to show statesmanlike behaviour, says Kovacevski (MIA)
• British Ambassador Lawson demands steps to fight corruption in Macedonia, says the problem is “getting worse, not better” (Republika)
Albania
• The situation in Kosovo/Rama condemns attacks on EULEX. The EU should call the dialogue table immediately! (Radio Tirana)
• Situation in the north of Kosovo/Xhacka: We strongly condemn the attacks on EULEX, the barricades of the Serbian groups should be removed immediately (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 9 December 2022

LOCAL PRESS

• Brnabic: Serbia has the right and intention to return our troops to Kosovo and Metohija (RTS/RTV)
• Petkovic: Kurti’s goal is occupation of north Kosovo and Metohija (RTV)
• Petkovic: Synchronized attack on Serbs (TV Pink)
• Pristina's police, customs authorities seize wine from Serb-owned winery (Kosovo Online/Tanjug/Politika/RTS/RTV)
• Simic: We are determined for peace, but everything is boiling here (RTS)
• EU concerned about the security situation in north Kosovo (N1)
• EU: Borrell invites Vucic, Kurti to meet in Brussels (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Thirteenth delegate in Bosniak Caucus of FB&H HoP belongs to SDA after drawing of lots (O Kanal)
• Dodik: Although SDA is only one that can propose candidate for FB&H President of Vice President, their candidate will need to get support of FB&H HoR and the FB&H HoP (ATV)
• FB&H HoP Secretary Hadziavdic: Drawing of lots indicates it will be difficult to form FB&H authorities without SDA (Hayat/BHT1)
• Dodik: 'The Eight’ to meet SNSD representatives on Saturday to discuss ministerial posts in B&H CoM (O Kanal)
• Commission for Preparation of Appointment of B&H CoM holds inaugural session; Kozul: Proposal of Kristo as B&H CoM Chairwoman submitted to B&H Presidency (FTV)
• SNSD, HDZ B&H and ‘The Eight’ say they will form authorities at state level (N1)
• Caucuses in B&H HoR formed (ATV)
• Deadline for filing appeal against B&H CEC's decision that accepted disputed ballot in process of electing delegates to B&H HoP from RS expires (BHT1)
• Peace Implementation Council Steering Board (PIC SB) starts two-day session on situation in B&H (O Kanal)
• Cvijanovic, Kalabukhov discuss situation in B&H, cooperation during meeting in Sarajevo (RTRS)
Croatia
• Croatia to join Schengen on 1 January (HRT)
Montenegro
• Djukanovic: Anti-European forces on the rise again, policy of drawing ethnic borders in the Balkans vampirizing, snap elections urgently needed (CdM)
• Constitutional Court candidates (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovachevski demands a deadline for North Macedonia's admission to the EU (Sitel)
Albania
• Russia expelled from the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Assembly after Albania's insistence in Belgrade (Radio Tirana)