United Nations Office in Belgrade Daily Media Highlights Wednesday 13 March 2024 LOCAL PRESS • Vucic meets with Roquefeuil (Tanjug/RTS/RTV) • Brnabic accuses independent media, opposition of attacking SNS activists (Beta) • Petkovic informs French diplomat of difficult position of Kosovo Serbs (Tanjug/RTV) • Petkovic: Kurti main threat to regional stability (RTV/Tanjug) • Spanish Ambassador reiterated support for Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty (Tanjug/RTV) • Dacic: Everyone should turn to formation of state institutions, let's not waste time (TV Pink) • Socialists divided on joining Vucic’s new movement (TV Prva/Beta) • Panel debate on Djindjic: He imbued Serbian society with energy (Beta) • Escobar: No alternative to Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (FoNet) REGIONAL PRESS Bosnia & Herzegovina • Von der Leyen: We recommend European Council to open negotiations with B&H (AJB) • Kristo says B&H authorities hope for green light from European Council for start of accession negotiations (N1) • Dodik: Opening of negotiations for EU membership is result of enormous contribution of RS, opening of negotiations is transitional phase (ATV) • Nesic stresses huge contribution of B&H Security Ministry and team which led to historical decision and progress on EU path (RTRS) • Viskovic says he sees nothing spectacular in announcement on recommendation to launch accession negotiations with B&H (RTRS) • Niksic expresses satisfaction following announcement on upcoming recommendation to launch accession negotiations with B&H (Dnevni avaz) • Murphy criticizes behavior of Dodik and Covic (Hayat) • Dodik: USA has once again confirmed its determination to tear up European path of B&H, they wish for new focal point (ATV) • Lavrov congratulates Dodik on his birthday, with message that Serb people continue to carry flag of freedom with dignity thanks to consistent efforts of RS President (RTRS) Montenegro • Escobar: We did not see commitment to EU integration through Mandic's actions, we are worried about the announcement of ZBCG's entry into the government (Pobjeda) • At Spajic’s proposal: Aleksandar Radovic, acting director of Police Directorate (CdM) • Milatovic: Sending Montenegrin soldiers to Ukraine is not an option (RTCG) • Milatovic: It was confirmed at the most important addresses in Romania that we have serious potential for intensive economic cooperation (CdM) Republic of North Macedonia • US Senate puts forward resolution supporting North Macedonia's EU accession (MIA) • Escobar: US expects government formed after elections to be committed to NATO, EU integration (MIA) Albania • Peleshi: High level of cooperation between the Albanian and American Special Forces (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS • Brnabic, government members lay wreath at site of assassination of Djindjic (Beta/RTS/RTV/Tanjug) • Brnabic: Opposition’s demands vicious circle, they want interim government again (TV Happy/Beta/RTS/RTV) • Dacic: Opposition representatives looking for alibi for certain defeat in elections in advance (Tanjug) • Popovic: No constitutional obstacles to electing Brnabic parliament speaker (Tanjug/RTV) • Dacic and Botsan-Kharchenko talk topics of mutual interest for two countries (Tanjug/RTV) • Stano: Implementation of commitments by Belgrade, Pristina a priority (Tanjug/Beta) • Improving position of Serbian national minority in Albania (Tanjug/RTV) • Lucic: As largest company in Kosovo and Metohija, Telekom Srbija a problem for Pristina (TV Prva) • Postal Savings Bank sets up makeshift branches near administrative crossings between Serbia, Kosovo (Beta) • Only two days for campaign to remove heads of northern Kosovo municipalities (Beta) REGIONAL PRESS Bosnia & Herzegovina • Ambassador Murphy emphasizes importance of decision to open accession negotiations with B&H (O Kanal) • Dodik: Law on Court of B&H has not been harmonized and it will be adopted when solutions that the Serb side agrees with are part of it (RTRS) • Other RS officials also oppose B&H CoM’s discussion on Law on Court of B&H without RS’ consent (ATV) • HR Schmidt will give B&H politicians time by Eid to adopt necessary changes to Election Law or he will impose it; Detailed decision ready (Dnevni avaz) • Russian Embassy on Sweden’s accession to NATO: Reaction of some B&H officials is sad, NATO is not guarantor of security in B&H (Glas Srpske) • Annual Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community warns that Dodik’s actions might lead to secession of RS and possible violent conflict in B&H (Klix.ba) Montenegro • Parliament does not dismiss Andrija Mandic (CdM) • Mandic: The will of the majority has not changed, we will continue with what we started (MINA) Republic of North Macedonia • Pendarovski: We cannot let truth about Holocaust of Macedonian Jews be falsified (MIA) Albania • NATO Summit in 2027 in Tirana? Begaj: We are hopeful that all 32 member countries will say "Yes" (Radio Tirana) • Nikolla receives the US diplomat; US commitment to strengthening Albania's democratic institutions (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade Daily Media Highlights Friday 8 March 2024 LOCAL PRESS • Vucic: Serbia to chair GPAI (Tanjug/RTS) • Brnabic meets with CDU's Shpan, OSCE PA's Lopatka in Bucharest (Tanjug) • Strengthening regional cooperation for successful energy transition (Tanjug/RTV) • Strengthening traffic connections with Bosnia and Herzegovina with help of EU (Tanjug) • NDSS: All local elections should be held on the same day and no sooner than 2 June (TV Insajder/Beta) • Djilas: Entire genuine opposition should run in elections in one column (Nova/Beta) • ProGlas calls for agreement on election conditions (N1) • CRTA: Public pressure needed for government to carry out ODIHR recommendations (Vreme/Beta) • Andjelkovic: Opposition would be betraying voters by running in elections under Vucic’s conditions (Beta) • NALED: Ten recommendations for future Serbian government (Beta) • Konrad: Problem with abolishment of Dinar must be resolved (Blic) REGIONAL PRESS Bosnia & Herzegovina • Niksic, Bradara, Dodik comment on adoption of reform laws (FTV) • Varhelyi commends B&H CoM for adopting Proposal of Law on Prevention of Conflict of Interest (O Kanal) • Sattler welcomes adoption of Proposal of Law on Prevention of Conflict of Interest in B&H CoM (Hayat) • Konakovic meets Varhelyi: ‘3 + 1’ conditions set before B&H by the EU must be implemented (FTV) • Morris: It is reasonable to expect more American sanctions for those who undermine the peace, stability and territorial integrity of B&H (O Kanal) • Kristo attends EPP Congress, meets EU officials (Oslobodjenje) Croatia • Plenkovic calls for opening of negotiations with B&H at EPP Congress in Bucharest (Vecernji list) • Plenkovic comments on when the parliamentary elections will be held in Croatia (HRT) Montenegro • Protest in Cetinje: Mandic works for another country against his own; "This is not your country, Aleksandar of Serbia. But this is our country, Montenegrin greengrocers" (CdM) • Verbal conflict between Zivkovic and Nikolic with Mandic, security also responded (CdM) • Becic: The NATO alliance is richer for a country that is ready to respond to all challenges (CdM) • The cooperation of the Ministry of Defense with the NATO Agency for Support and Procurement will encourage the strengthening of further modernization of the Army (CdM) Republic of North Macedonia • Opening rehabilitation centers for wounded Ukrainian soldiers generally acceptable idea, Pendarovski's office says (MIA) • Osmani: Bulgaria’s MFA summoned Ambassador because of 1999 agreement signed by VMRO-DPMNE (Kanal 5 TV/MIA) • Gjorgiev: Macedonian-Bulgarian history commission holds regular meetings, no progress so far (MIA) Albania • Rama condemns Russia for the missile attack in Odesa: Imprudent and dangerous (Radio Tirana) • Basha to present the Resolution for the Reconstruction of Ukraine to the UN (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade Daily Media Highlights Thursday 7 March 2024 LOCAL PRESS • Vucic says Brnabic for parliament speaker (N1) • Brnabic on new post: I have a lot to learn (N1) • Romania’s support for Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty (Politika/Tanjug/RTV) • Brnabic attends EPP congress in Bucharest (Tanjug/RTV) • Good relations between Serbia, Greece confirmed (Tanjug/RTV) • Starovic meets with officials of US administration in Washington (Tanjug/RTV) • Fico: I see no reason for Slovakia to recognise Kosovo, we would return to KFOR (Tanjug) • Opposition: Belgrade polls on 28 April – unacceptable mockery of democracy (Beta) • Bundestag MP: Vucic, Brnabic shouldn’t think they can “play tricks” on us again (N1) • Kosovo Police, Customs Service raid pharmacies in N. Kosovo (KoSSev/N1) • Explosive device lobbed at Serb-owned hospitality establishment in Kosovo and Metohija (RTS) REGIONAL PRESS Bosnia & Herzegovina • B&H CoM unanimously adopts new text of Proposal of Law on Prevention of Conflict of Interest in B&H Institutions, and it will submit it to B&H Parliament in urgent procedure (FTV) • Becirovic meets Sattler and Ambassadors of EU member states accredited in B&H (Hayat) • Dodik: RS and FB&H did what was up to us, we expect from the EU much more than one positive report (RTRS) • Konakovic visits Hungary; Hungary expresses support to EU path of B&H (Nova BH) • Trial of Dodik and Lukic continues (ATV) • Peskov: Serbs are our brothers and sisters, heroic people, especially Serbs who live in RS (RTRS) • HR Schmidt meets PM Plenkovic: Priority is opening of accession talks (Dnevni avaz) Croatia • EPP Congress takes places in Bucharest, Plenkovic calls for opening of accession negotiations between B&H and EU (Vecernji list) • Negotiations to form pre-election coalitions are underway (HRT) Montenegro • Montenegro's progress towards the EU was praised (CdM) • Milatovic travelled to the Vatican: He will meet with the Pope and the State Secretary of the Holy See (CdM) Republic of North Macedonia • Parliament to discuss Electoral Code amendments at Thursday’s session (MIA) Albania • Kucova Airbase, Minister Balluku: If it is deemed reasonable, NATO will decide on the training of Ukrainian soldiers (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade Daily Media Highlights Wednesday 6 March 2024 LOCAL PRESS • Vucevic: Some current, some new ministers to be in new government (Tanjug) • Belgium remains committed to supporting Serbia on its path to EU (Tanjug/RTS) • Bakoyani will not give positive stand on membership of so-called Kosovo into CoE until Pristina doesn’t fulfil three conditions (Tanjug/RTV) • Dacic says coming vote fresh, not repeat elections (N1/Beta) • Gratitude to Syria for principled and consistent support for Serbia’s preservation of territorial integrity (RTV) • Mali: Belgrade city elections are most important so far (TV Prva) • Lazovic says opposition should run in Belgrade elections in two columns (N1) • Salaries paid into the account, dinars still missing (RTS) • E-services for citizens as part of Open Balkans initiative available from 5 March (Tanjug) • 4,536 refugees, migrants transit Serbia since start of year (Beta) REGIONAL PRESS Bosnia & Herzegovina • Baerbock meets Konakovic, she calls on B&H leaders to adopt remaining reform laws necessary for B&H’s further progress on this path (O Kanal) • Konakovic addresses press conference following meeting with Barebock (FTV) • Becirovic: Baerbock expressed strong support to B&H’s sovereignty and independence, she clearly marked politicians who do not act in line with Dayton Peace Agreement (Dnevni list) • Schmidt meets Baerbock: It is crucial to adopt package of measures for integrity of election process (FTV/Hayat) • RS officials: Schmidt has nothing to do with European path of B&H (O Kanal/RTRS) • Baerbock comments her visits to B&H and Montenegro, reminds EU made promise to six countries in region more than 20 years ago (Klix.ba) • Dodik: It is good that people come to B&H with some prejudice like this Baerbock comes (RTRS) • Vulic to Baerbock: RS is factor that wants to fulfill all condition and B&H to become EU member; Kovacevic criticizes Baerbock’s statements (ATV/RTRS) • Schallenberg: We want EU Council to finally give green light for opening accession talks (Radio Sarajevo) Croatia • As date for the elections begins to take shape, parties ramp up their messaging (HRT) Montenegro • Ukraine must emerge victorious from the war with Russia (MINA) • Ivanovic and Rodic: Montenegro and Serbia to strengthen political dialogue based on mutual respect (CdM) Republic of North Macedonia • Osmani: Electing country’s president in parliament would be an added value (TV Telma) Albania • Union of Kosovo-Albania energy markets (Radio Tirana) • Albania in the weapons industry is welcomed by Kosovo: Important and opportunity for cooperation (ANA/Radio Tirana)