United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Friday 01 July 2022

LOCAL PRESS

• Stano: Pristina has the right to abolish KM plates, but gradually (Tanjug)
• Vulin: President, we should ask Serbians if they want political neutrality (N1)
• Vucic: Berlin and London support terror against Serbs in Kosovo (RTS)
• Lajcak met with representatives of the parliamentary opposition (RTS)
• Porfirije: We reached agreement (B92)
• Montenegro’s PM positively views Open Balkans initiative (Beta)
• Reception at the US Embassy, Hill says: We want to be friends with Serbia (Tanjug)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• SDA announces its leader Izetbegovic will run for member of B&H Presidency in upcoming general elections in B&H (Hayat)
• DNS Presidency determines candidate lists for upcoming general elections in B&H; Nesic: Sarovic stands no chance of defeating Cvijanovic for RS President, I am only one who can do that (FTV)
• NATO decides to provide assistance to B&H through package aimed to enable B&H to strengthen its defense capacities (N1)
• Podzic says NATO has prepared response in case Russia vetoes extension of EUFOR Mission in B&H (FTV)
• Komsic says messages from NATO Summit in Madrid were positive, B&H is transitioning from partner to ally of NATO (Nezavisne)
• Izetbegovic: NATO path is clear (FTV)
• Johnson: UK will send military experts to B&H and NATO mission (BHT1)
• Dzaferovic and Komsic welcome UK’s announcement of deployment of military experts to B&H (N1)
• Dodik: Who consented to this? (RTRS)
• Cvijanovic criticizes UK’s decision to send military experts to B&H (ATV)
Croatia
• Croatian President Milanovic: Further destabilization of B&H will have serious implications on broader region and NATO (HRT1)
• Croatian officials comment on change in Croatian President Milanovic’s rhetoric regarding vetoing Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership until issue of B&H Election Law is resolved (HRT1)
Montenegro
• Abazovic: Signing of Agreement to take place in Montenegro; Porfirije: In principle, agreement reached on Fundamental Agreement (RTCG)
• Protest in Podgorica over the draft version of the Fundamental Agreement with Church (RTCG)
• Krivokapic: We will wait to see what is written in the Fundamental Agreement, then plan further steps (RTCG)
• Djukanovic: Agreement isn’t the most important issue for Montenegro, there’s no need to hurry, let’s lower tensions (CDM)
• Radulovic: Political decisions of allies haven’t been aimed at solving problems in the Balkans for a long time (Pobjeda)
• Djukanovic: Full unity of Alliance demonstrated at Summit (CDM)
• Djukanovic: The war in Ukraine and the coup attempt in Montenegro are from the same political title, we will see the effects of Abazovic's visit to Serbia (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Kovacevski at a meeting with coalition partners on the French proposal (Libertas)
• Pendarovski: The modified French proposal is far better for us than the previous one (Libertas)
Albania
• Rama appeals to the Macedonian parliament to accept the French proposal (Radio Tirana)
• Balla: The first intergovernmental conference will be held next week (Radio Tirana)
• Albania close to negotiations! Borrell: Time to bring the Western Balkans into the Union (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS

• Lajcak: Pristina’s decision changes the topics, we must not allow a crisis (N1)
• Dacic in conversation with Lajcak: The only right way is dialogue and compromise between Belgrade and Pristina (RTS)
• Petkovic with Lajcak: Belgrade is consistently committed to the peaceful resolution of disagreements in the region (RTS)
• Vucic: The goal is a new "Storm". A general attack on northern Kosovo on October 1st (B92)
• French Ambassador: Failure to impose sanctions on Russia affects Serbia’s image in Europe (RTV)
• Vucic: We will have great progress in the future; Abazovic: You are more than welcome in Montenegro (RTS)
• Dacic with Abazovic on the development of bilateral relations (RTS)
• Prime Minister: New government to focus on energy (Beta)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• RS President Cvijanovic: Dzaferovic’s motion regarding RS Law on Medicinal Products and Medical Devices yet another attempt to achieve political goals through B&H CC (RTRS)
• Viskovic: RS Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices already formed (RTRS)
• OHR: RS Law on Medicines and Medical Devices violates B&H Constitution and BiH Law on Medicines and Medical Devices (FTV)
• EP’s Picula says majority of EU members see B&H as insufficiently functional, weak and without capacities to adopt reforms that would turn it into credible candidate (Dnevni avaz)
• HDZ B&H's Kristo is candidate for Croat member of B&H Presidency (O kanal)
• HDZ B&H leader Covic announces new format of talks with Oliver Varhelyi, SDA and SNSD leaders (BHT1)
• Kojovic: Any future ethnic divisions and inventing unsustainable legislative constructions whose goal is to grant constituent status to HDZ B&H instead of Croat people cannot and will not pass (Oslobodjenje)
• NATO Heads of State issue joint Declaration, agree on new measures to help their partners including B&H (Hayat)
• Dzaferovic: NATO's messages about B&H are good, Milanovic's initiative has failed (Nova BH)
Croatia
• Croatian President Milanovic addresses NATO summit in Madrid: B&H is security issue; West has shown ‘middle finger’ to B&H (N1)
• Plenkovic: Milanovic’s ideas presented ahead of NATO summit were completely unacceptable (HRT1)
Montenegro
• Abazovic: DPS and SDP familiar with Fundamental Agreement and they had no objections; meeting with Porfirije today (CDM)
• Bogdanovic: It’s not true that DPS has no objections to agreement with SPC (CDM)
• Vujovic: It’s nasty when PM brutally, without blinking an eye, lies that SDP has no objections to such an agreement with SPC (CDM)
• Djukanovic: Clear message on the importance of the Western Balkans for the EU, support for the region in the fight against malignant influences (CDM)
• Djukanovic with Michel: Montenegro is a reliable partner of the EU and a promoter of European values (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Prime Minister Kovacevski again rejected the French proposal (Libertas)
Albania
• Stalemate between Sofia and Skopje holding hostage Albania, US: Ready to facilitate compromise (Radio Tirana)
• Rama meets Biden: The best words for the role of Albania in the Security Council and NATO (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Wednesday 29 June 2022

LOCAL PRESS
• Lajcak: ZSO to be discussed at the next meetings within the dialogue in Brussels (RTS)
• Rakic with Lajcak: It is the obligation of Pristina to form the ZSO as soon as possible (RTS)
• Abazovic arrived in Belgrade; meets with PM Brnabic (RTS)
• Patriarch Porfirije holds ST. Vitus day liturgy in Gracanica monastery (Beta)
• Vucic says chooses path of wisdom over road of great courage on St. Vitus day (Beta, RTS)
• Hill asks Vucic for Serbia to clearly condemn Russia’s aggression on Ukraine (RTS)
• Giofre: We wish that Serbia demonstrates EU values in these difficult times (VIP)
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REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Law on Medicinal Products and Medical Devices of the RS enters into force (ATV)
• OHR: RS Law on Medicinal Products and Medical Devices is unconstitutional; Its implementation would mean formation of parallel institutions (AJB)
• US Embassy: RS Law on Medicinal Products and Medical Devices usurps competencies of state agency, regulated through state law (AJB)
• Dzaferovic demands B&H CC to assess constitutionality of RS Law on Medicinal Products and Medical Devices (Nova BH)
• Dodik: Dzaferovic can do whatever he wants; We will do our thing (N1)
• B&H Presidency member Dodik reacts to B&H CC’s ruling on transfer of competencies: RS will implement everything planned (O kanal)
• Pandurevic, Nesic: B&H CC is not consistent in its practice (Nezavisne)
• HDZ B&H Presidency discusses candidates for General Elections; Covic announces meeting between EU Commissioner Varhelyi and representatives of three constituent peoples in Brussels (FTV)
• SDA sends letter to EUD Head Sattler, protesting over concept of talks with representatives of constituent peoples (BHT1)
• Komsic: Instead of sanctioning Covic and Dodik, Varhelyi is inviting them to Brussels to listen to their plans about B&H’s dissolution (FTV)
• Picula: EU must help B&H get status of candidate, linking demands of Croats to Dodik’s policy is wrong and can only harm B&H Croats (Nezavisne)
• Mostar City Council does not include SDP B&H’s proposal to change names of five streets named after Ustasha officials, forms interim commission to propose new names (FTV)
Croatia
• Croatia receives massive payment from European Commission (HRT1)
Montenegro
• Montenegro, Serbian Orthodox Church agree on working version of Fundamental Agreement (CDM)
• Krivokapic: Today we see who did not want to sign the Fundamental Agreement (CDM)
• Content of the working version of the Fundamental Agreement between the Government and the Serbian Orthodox Church (CDM)
• Biden to Djukanovic: Montenegro is always on the right path (CDM)
North Macedonia
• The EU in the Balkans has followed the course of historical mobbing (Libertas)
Albania
• Premier goes to Spain to attend NATO's Madrid Summit (ADN)

LOCAL PRESS
• Petkovic: Peacefully mark Vidovdan, Pristina is trying to provoke Serbs (RTS)
• Petkovic: Pristina bans entry to Kosovo and Metohija Ruzic, Kisiceva, Udovicic, Jovanovic (RTS)
• Office for Kosovo and Metohija: One of the returnees from Vitomirica was arrested in Pec (RTS)
• Lajcak to pay a three-day visit to Belgrade from Wednesday (Tanjug)
• Vucic with Hill: An open conversation about the geopolitical situation, but also practical issues (RTS)
• Bilcik: Serbia facing important decisions (FoNet)
• German Ambassador: Serbia should respond with us to Russia’s aggression (FoNet)
• US Ambassador calls Serbia to align with EU policies (Beta)
• Commissioner Varhelyi calls EU to help Serbia align with Union policies (N1)
• Socialist to continue cooperation with Vucic’s SNS (Beta, TV Prva)
• Meeting of a part of opposition held, with notable absences (Nova)
• Dveri Leader: European integration of Serbia have failed, we need new foreign-policy orientation (VIP)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• AFET discusses EU enlargement; EU Commissioner Varhelyi states it is time for B&H to be granted EU candidate status, but it needs to show results (FTV)
• HR/VP Borrell writes blog post commenting EU Summit: We must make effort to reform EU decision-making (Oslobodjenje)
• Participants of Pan-European Congress speak about EU integration of Balkans, status of EU candidate for B&H (Dnevni list)
• NATO summit to kick off in Madrid on Tuesday; Stoltenberg announces adoption of new support packages for NATO partners, including B&H, Moldova and Georgia, as well as Mauritania and Tunisia (BHT1)
• B&H Constitutional Court overturns RSNA conclusions on transfer of competencies (BHT1)
• Dodik: B&H Constitutional Court is institution that tries to meddle in everything (ATV)
• B&H HoR Speaker Zvizdic reacts to B&H CC’s ruling related to transfer of competencies: It is another victory for B&H (Nova BH)
• SDP’s Magazinovic confirms HDZ B&H’s proposal of changes to Law on Elections not on B&H HoR’s agenda (Dnevni list)
• B&H HoR adopts B&H budget amounting to BAM 1.07 billion, SDA discontent with amount of B&H CoM’s budget reserves (FTV)
• Independent Trade Union of Civil Servants and Employees in B&H Institutions protest demanding signing of branch collective agreement, increase of salaries for state-level civil servants and adoption of B&H budget (O kanal)
Croatia
• Milanovic expected to meet Finnish counterpart, Swedish PM during NATO Summit (Hina)
Montenegro
• Abazovic: It’s not my problem if someone wants to overthrow Govt. because of agreement with SPC; I’ll deal exclusively with state issues (CDM)
• Mihailo submitted to Abazovic the request of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church for negotiations on a contract with the state (CDM)
• Djukanovic: Montenegro has no more time to lose (CDM)
• Djukanovic attends NATO Summit in Madrid (CDM)
North Macedonia
• Osmani: Dimitrov signed a protocol in which we accept the Bulgarian point of view towards the Ilinden uprising (Libertas)
• US welcomes France's efforts to lift Bulgarian veto, ready to facilitate compromise (Libertas)
Albania
• Varhelyi: First Intergovernmental Conference with Albania within days (ADN)

United Nations Office in Belgrade

Daily Media Highlights

Monday 27 June 2022

LOCAL PRESS
• Direct conflict? Vucic: We will have a worse world war than it was (B92, Tanjug)
• Vucic: 16 EU members asked that Serbia impose sanctions against Russia at summit (Beta)
• EU conclusions on Western Balkans: EU membership perspective without tangible progress (Beta)
• Democratic party leader: Brussels apparently not insisting on democracy, but alignment with foreign policy (Blic)
• Vucic and Karen Donfried discuss bilateral relations, EU accession (Tanjug)
• Vucic on Serbia's membership in the EU: Everything depends on the geopolitical situation (RTS)
• Lavrov: EU is anti-Russian alliance which forces other countries to join its foreign policy measures, Serbia is protecting its independence by refusing to do so (Vecernje Novosti)
• Thursday’s EU-Western Balkan meeting showed that ‘Open Balkan’ initiative is more stable than EU, it exposed confusion and chaos of EU enlargement policy (Vecernje Novosti)
• Latest rejection of Western Balkans was hard to swallow because gates were open for ‘Eastern partners’ (Politika)
• Mihailo Jovanovic: I was returned from Jarinje without explanation (RTS)
• Lajcak is coming to visit Pristina (RTS)

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Dodik: Some EU leaders observe B&H as a colony and not as a partner (FTV)
• Cvijanovic: EU does not want to see the reality, their decisions are disincentive (ATV)
• Dzaferovic, Komsic comment on B&H not getting status of EU candidate (N1)
• HNS welcomes European Council’s conclusions, Covic blames politicians in Sarajevo (AJB)
• SBB leader Radoncic: European Council decision represents red card for leaders of SNSD, SDA and HDZ, but also yellow card for voters (Dnevni avaz)
• Other reactions to failure to grant EU candidate status to B&H (N1)
• IC Officials on B&H not getting status of EU Candidate (BHT1, N1)
• Picula appointed as new rapporteur for EU's enlargement strategy: It is necessary for EU to help B&H obtain candidate status as soon as possible (FTV)
• B&H HoR set to discuss on Monday changes to Law on Elections; Covic will again lose (Hayat)
Croatia
• Milanovic and Plenkovic enter verbal conflict over failure of EU leaders to give candidate status to B&H (HRT1)
• EU leaders endorse Croatia's entry into Euro Area (Hina)
• Zelenskyy thanks Croatia for helping with its experience in defense of country (Hina)
• The government in Montenegro has been rocking dangerously, everything is revolving around the Serbian Orthodox Church again (Jutarnji list)
Montenegro
• The Fundamental Agreement with the Serbian Orthodox Church shakes the foundations of the Government of Montenegro (RSE)
• Abazovic: The agreement with the Serbian Orthodox Church will be fast, we can make good use of the Open Balkans (Analitika)
• Open Balkan a step backwards, debate needed in Parliament (Pobjeda)
• If the Government decides to take out a mortgage of the ‘Serbian World’, it’ll end up like the one of Krivokapic (Pobjeda)
• Reinke: We back Open Balkans without footnotes, aligned with EU principles (MINA)
• Djelosaj: The Open Balkans put an end to the mutual recognition of Serbia and Kosovo (RTCG)
• Picula is writing recommendations for a new enlargement strategy: The EU to encourage the acceleration of Montenegro's accession process (CDM)
Republic of North Macedonia
• Osmani: French proposal not rejected, only the disputed part about Macedonia (TV21)
Albania
• Rama: EU needs the Balkans as much as Balkans need EU (Radio Tirana)
• President Meta and Speaker Nikolla react on Bulgaria's decision to lift veto on North Macedonia (Radio Tirana)
• PM Rama shares the album with the most important events of the week (Radio Tirana)