LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic with Botsan-Kharchenko on progress in Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (RTS)
• Brnabic wraps up visit to Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Brnabic’s visit showed how much our people love Serbia (Tanjug)
• Kamberi seeks more Kosovo presence in Presevo Valley (Beta)
• Kosovo-Serbia land swap would be a fair solution (Beta/Koha)
• Djilas: Important that parliament session on Kosovo produce unity of political options (B92/Beta)
• Aleksic: Albanians in Kosovo and Metohija, together with Serb List, work on evicting Serbs (Nova S)
• Jeremic: If Pristina doesn’t form ZSO by 31 December, Belgrade to abandon negotiations in Brussels (Beta)
• Slovenian Ministry summons Serbian Ambassador over Vucic’s statement (N1)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• RS parliament receives Dodik's request to hold session at which MPs should declare on whether decision to grant agrement to new German Ambassador to B&H is harmful to vital interest of RS (Nova BH)
• Borenovic: Dodik’s policy is crazy and extremely damaging for RS people and economy (BN TV)
• Crnadak: RS parliament’s session will show that Dodik is leading RS into conflict with whole world (O Kanal)
• SNSD condemns PDP’s moves of siding with Western power centers (ATV)
• Stanic says Dodik’s initiative to block granting of agrement to new German Ambassador to B&H is nonsense and yet another pre-election trick (EuroBlic)
• Krivic slams Dodik over his initiative to launch protection of vital national interest regarding appointment of new German Ambassador to B&H (Dnevni avaz)
• Dodik: RS willing to accept constitutional and Dayton B&H, it is ready to leave any other kind of B&H (ATV)
• Cubrilovic: Israeli officials express support to Dodik’s stances (RTRS)
Croatia
• Official campaign for general elections in B&H begins; Election campaign in B&H takes place in atmosphere of political tension and uncertainty as to whether High Representative will impose political changes to B&H Election Law (HRT1)
Montenegro
• Continuation of the negotiations of the old parliamentary majority (MINA)
• Djukanovic: We have to stop awarding those who’re going to betray after elections (Gradska TV)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Mickoski: VMRO-DPMNE to file initiative to collect signatures to call a referendum against the Agreement with Bulgaria (Republika)
• Nikoloski: Early parliamentary elections needed so that the government doesn’t run away from elections (Republika)
• Kovacevski: Goal set to conclude EU negotiations by 2030 (Republika)
• Kovacevski will beg Orban for Russian gas through Vucic?! (Pressing TV)
Albania
• Rama: Peace in region jeopardized by Russian influence (Der Spiegel/ADN)
• New parliamentary session, President Begaj addresses to MPs to focus on political dialogue and reforms that are important for the country (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 5 September 2022

LOCAL PRESS

• Serbian Prime Minister arrives in Kosovo (FoNet/N1/KoSSev)
• Vucic hosted Pahor: Link between energy situation and other problems crucial (B92/Tanjug)
• Series of documents related to cooperation within “Open Balkans” signed (Tanjug/RTS/Politika)
• Relations of Serbia, Turkey at highest level in recent history (Tanjug/RTS/RTV/Politika)
• Mutual support, sincere friendship between Serbia and Hungary (Tanjug/RTV)
• Macron, Scholz: Normalization of Belgrade-Pristina relations essential for Western Balkans (Beta/Politika/Novosti)
• Petkovic: We preserved stability and peace, but difficult battle continues (Politika)
• Jeremic: Parliament should enact a common document of both, opposition and government, regarding Kosovo (TV Prva)
• Vucevic: Composition of new Serbian government by 25 September (TV Prva/Beta)
• Rakic: Our people do not wish to give up on any insignia of state of Serbia (Novosti)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik: We are not prepared to accept anti-Dayton B&H and RS will leave such B&H (RTRS)
• Dodik: RS supports Open Balkans initiative (ATV)
• Dodik say he will discuss with Vucic creation of national identification cards for Serbs living in Diaspora; Cvijanovic: This will be project of national importance (RTRS)
• Dodik votes against all proposals at Presidency’s session that he assesses as detrimental to RS, denies agrement to new German Ambassador (ATV)
• Borenovic criticizes Dodik over failure to confirm agrement to new German Ambassador to B&H (BN TV)
• German Embassy to B&H sends message about respecting status of constituent peoples and entities (RTRS)
• After Dodik’s decision in Presidency, conciliatory messages come from Germany (ATV)
• Komsic: Schmidt is being pushed to impose changes to Election Law for sure but will not make such decision without Germany’s approval (FTV)
• Turkovic: HR Schmidt will not make any decisions that are harmful for B&H and its citizens (Hayat)
Croatia
• Analyst warns of radicalization among Bosnian Muslim leaders ahead of elections (HRT1)
Montenegro
• Agreement of 30 August majority would mean diversion from Euro-Atlantic path into zone of Russian influence (Pobjeda)
• Vucic: Abazovic did much more in 100 days than his predecessors; Abazovic: The Open Balkans is a successful and functional initiative, I would like Montenegro to be part of it (Pobjeda)
• Abazovic with Szijjarto: The main foreign policy goal of Montenegro is full membership in the EU (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovacevski: The region will survive the winter together so that there is no shortage of food and energy (Republika)
Albania
• Open Balkans Summit/Rama: Agreement on food security and energy (Radio Tirana)
• Energy and food security top agenda at Open Balkans summit in Belgrade (Tirana Times)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic: Open Balkan important for region's economic future (Tanjug/RTV)
• Rama: Open Balkans leaders to consider inviting other states to join initiative (RTV/Tanjug)
• Kovacevski: Open Balkans was crucial step at crucial time (RTV/Tanjug)
• Cavusoglu: Balkans must take its destiny into its own hands (RTV/Tanjug)
• Szijjarto: Hungary ready to join Open Balkans cooperation (RTV/Tanjug)
• Dialogue only way to resolve disagreements between Belgrade and Pristina (Tanjug)
• Petkovic: No obligation for KM plates to be changed or re-register (Tanjug/RTV)
• Special Representatives are not important, what is important is to solve problems (Politika/Tanjug)
• Lajcak: A unique chance for normalization (APA/Tanjug/B92)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• PIC ambassadors meet at OHR building (Hayat/O Kanal)
• Covic urges Schmidt not to succumb under pressure and to impose changes to B&H Election Law (Nova BH)
• SB&H files appeal to ECHR against EU, Croatia and HR Schmidt (Hayat)
• Election campaign starts on Friday (Hayat)
• Turkovic meets US’ Turner, Murphy to discuss current political issues in B&H and region (Oslobodjenje)
• Macron is ready to talk about European status of B&H due to fear for stability of Western Balkans (FTV/N1)
• Zvizdic files motion for assessment of constitutionality to Constitutional Court (Oslobodjenje)
Montenegro
• Mandic following the meeting: Parliament majority of 30 August together again (CdM)
• Abazovic to make a declaration in SDT next week (Vijesti)
• Djukanovic: Despite Putin’s desire, Cold-War geopolitical order will not return (Antena M)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Macedonia and Serbia to sign EU integration cooperation memorandum (Republika)
Albania
• Republican Congressman from the USA in Tirana. He meets Rama, the socialists and Tabaku of DP (Radio Tirana)
• Ceremony on unified Primer book/ Kurti: Now more united! Kushi: It will clear the borders between the two countries (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Serbia advocates intensification of Serbian-British cooperation (RTS/Tanjug)
• Stefanovic and Turner on cooperation between the two countries (RTS)
• Selakovic and Peach on bilateral relations, the situation in the region and in Kosovo and Metohija (RTS)
• Hill: The Open Balkans means that borders are used for rapprochement, not for division (RTS)
• Implementation of Belgrade-Pristina agreement on IDs begins (RTS)
• Petkovic to Kurti: We will fight for KM plates as well (Tanjug/RTV/RTS)
• Open Balkans wine fair opens in Belgrade (Tanjug/RTS)
• Kovacevski: “Open Balkans” is a step towards Europeam quality of life (Politika)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Talks on changes of Election Law resume; DF delegation meets with representatives of OHR (O Kanal/Hayat)
• SDA delegation meets with representatives of OHR (Nova BH)
• Turkovic meets Escobar in Bled (Avaz)
• Cvijanovic: Turkovic does not deserve to represent B&H (RTRS)
• Dodik meets Serbs of Romania (RTRS)
Montenegro
• Abazovic: Danijela Djurovic’s dismissal would send a bad message, some politicians want to ruin the country (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Osmani: Conflict in Ukraine priority of OSCE Chairmanship (Republika)
• EU is becoming aware that there will be no constitutional amendments (Republika)
Albania
• Rama: Open Balkans is much more than economics and politics, it is a project of peace and peaceful coexistence (Radio Tirana)
• Recent criminal events, the General Director of the Police, Gladis Nano discharged. Cuci: He did not fulfill the objectives (Radio Tirana)
• The American Embassy reacts after the dismissal of Nano: He was a strong partner (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Vucic with Peach: Determined for intensification of Serbian-British cooperation (RTS)
• Serbia making efforts to reach sustainable deal with Pristina, Vucic tells Turner (RTV/Tanjug)
• Albanians didn't corner us, we didn't even have a corner, but Vucic came and created a corner (TV Pink/Tanjug)
• Petkovic: Pristina is using the fate of the missing for a political showdown with Belgrade (RTS)
• France welcomed the agreement on the freedom of movement of Belgrade and Pristina (Tanjug)
• Lajcak: We have two months to find a solution for the plates (Tanjug)
• Borrell: Prevent Russia's attempt to destabilize the Western Balkan region (Beta)
• KFOR: We are closely monitoring the situation, we are staying in Jarinje and Brnjak (RTS/Kosovo Online)
• Disclaimers on IDs placed at administrative checkpoints in Kosovo and Metohija (RTS)
• Vulin denies preparing extradition of former Ukrainian secret service chief to Russia (Nova/Beta)
• Lavrov dismisses Minister Mihajlovic’s claims about abusing Serbia’s friendship (Beta)
• Mihajlovic: Lavrov making Serbia's position even more difficult (Beta)
• Jovanovic to head parliamentary Defense Committee (Tanjug/RTS)
• Becic to head parliamentary Security Services Control Committee (Tanjug/RTS)
• Slovenia appoints Anzej Franges as Special Representative for Western Balkans (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• HR Schmidt, Escobar participate in panel discussion on Western Balkans within 17th Bled Strategic Forum (N1)
• Turkovic addresses 17th Bled Strategic Forum: Many things are slowing down B&H on European path, such as recent blockade of institutions, pro-Russian influence and fact that country did not receive candidate status (BHT1)
• Turkovic openly advocates civic B&H, accuses Serbia and Croatia of interfering with B&H Election Law at 17th Bled Strategic Forum (RTRS)
• Dodik: I will declare independence if certain constellation of relationships coincides in world, Europe and America (ATV)
• Sarrazin, Peach: B&H in most serious crisis since 1995 (Dnevni list)
• Covic: HR Schmidt will have to impose a decision (Nova BH)
• Komsic: Schmidt is under pressure and he will impose changes to B&H Election Law that benefit HDZ B&H (Hayat)
• Magazinovic: Schmidt should not impose any decisions at this moment (O Kanal)
• Forto and Cudic arrive in official visit to Ukraine as part of ALDE Party delegation (N1)
• Grlic Radman, Plenkovic wants HR Schmidt to use Bonn powers to secure equality of peoples in B&H (Dnevni list)
Croatia
• War Veterans Minister says Serbia not cooperating in search for war missing (Hina)
Montenegro
• DPS: Two years since our country started to collapse, elections to be organized ASAP to change the worst govt ever in Montenegro (CdM)
• Mandic: DF ready to take responsibility for Montenegro and comply with undertaken international obligations (CdM)
• Medojevic: In order to reset the winning majority, it is necessary for Abazovic and Djurovic to resign (CdM)
• Krivokapic: It is naive to expect that only the European Union has a policy of expansion into the Western Balkans (CdM)
• Lajcak: The EU is watching how Montenegro will find the compass lost two years ago; Escobar: There is no alternative to EU integration (CdM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• VMRO-DPMNE confirms that active blockade continues, they will not go to coordination with Xhaferi (MIA)
• Mickoski meets Felix Schreiner, member of the German Bundestag (Republika)
• Szijjarto: Europe will have new strategic problems if it does not integrate the Western Balkan countries (Republika)
Albania
• Rama meets his Slovenian counterpart, Golob (Radio Tirana)