LOCAL PRESS • Open Balkans states sign agreements on cooperation (Tanjug/RTS) • Vucic: We are much stronger together (Tanjug/Politika) • Mangue: Serbia important partner to Equatorial Guinea (Tanjug/RTS/RTV) • Varhelyi: Open Balkans could change reality of region (Beta/Politika) • Serbian Foreign Ministry: A series of untruths on Kosovo and Metohija in Schieb’s interview (Politika/Tanjug/RTS/RTV) • 23rd anniversary of the Kumanovo Agreement (RTS) • Arifi: US promises special treatment of Albanian issue in southern Serbia (Bujanovacke/Beta) • Belgrade court confirms indictment against Croatian pilots (N1/Politika) REGIONAL PRESS Bosnia & Herzegovina • PIC SB adopts conclusions: B&H faces unprecedented political crisis that threatens stability and prosperity of B&H as well as Balkans (FTV) • Russian Embassy to B&H: Russia has nothing to do with Communique issued by SB PIC (ATV) • US Embassy to B&H issues statement regarding PIC SB meeting, expresses full support to HR Schmidt (N1) • Crnadak on PIC SB conclusions: RS authorities deceive citizens in regards to transfer of RS competences (BN TV) • B&H Presidency adopts draft budget which provides BAM 12.5 million for elections and funds for increasing salaries of workers in B&H institutions; Dodik proposes Dzaferovic’s removal; Dodik invokes Vital National Interest to reject agreement on trade and cooperation with UK (ATV) • All items proposed by Dodik rejected at B&H Presidency session, including item on B&H Presidency’s position on unconstitutional and illegitimate activities of Christian Schmidt (RTRS) • Russian Embassy to B&H: Schmidt’s decision on financing elections is shameless (O Kanal) • HNS reacts to HR Schmidt’s use of Bonn powers: Foreigners’ imposing of decisions undermines sovereignty rather than contributing to functionality of B&H (FTV) • B&H CEC expresses gratitude to HR Schmidt and disappointment with B&H authorities (Nova BH) • Tegeltija at ‘Open Balkans’ summit in Ohrid: I am certain B&H will become member of ‘Open Balkans’ sooner or later (FTV) Croatia • Grlic Radman: Proposal for declaration on B&H, prepared by representatives of ruling coalition in Germany, does not send good messages and strong Bosniak lobby is visible in it (Hina) • Belgrade court confirms indictments against Croatian pilots (HRT) Montenegro • Vucic to Abazovic: If you want to – join Open Balkan, if you don’t – it’s your own will, no one will force you; Abazovic: Hand outstretched for all initiatives that mean progress (CdM) • Abazovic: Final decision on Open Balkans when we sum up everything (CdM) • Escobar: Open Balkans should remain economic initiative, I want more clarity on how it should work (CdM) • Djukanovic: We’re witnessing start of new geopolitical cycle, no one can say for sure what it will look like (CdM) • Abazovic to officially visit Serbia on 29 June (CdM) Republic of North Macedonia • Kovacevski: Open Balkan is an excellent initiative, but no substitute for EU (Republika) • Macedonia, Serbia, Albania connect toll systems (Republika) • Mickoski after meeting Varhelyi: Macedonia to start EU negotiations as soon as possible (Republika) Albania • Regional leaders gather for Open Balkan summit, with Kosovo absence and Russian meddling looming over meeting (Tirana Times) • EU integration, Rama: The war has made it the most necessary initiative! The problems of the past are solved through rapprochement (Radio Tirana) • Ministerial Dialogue on the food crisis/Xhacka asks countries to put pressure on Russia (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade Daily Media Highlights Wednesday 8 June 2022 LOCAL PRESS • Brnabic: Agriculture, defense key fields of cooperation with Equatorial Guinea (Tanjug/RTS) • Kovacevski: Western Balkan countries depend on each other (Tanjug) • Vucic: Open Balkans an unstoppable initiative (Tanjug/RTS) • Rama: We must speak more openly, rather than be afraid (Tanjug) • Selakovic: For Moscow date unknown, talks with Scholz important (TV Pink) • Botsan-Kharchenko: Moscow not changing position on Kosovo and Metohija (RTV/Politika) • Dacic: EU membership is Serbia’s strategic priority, ‘Open Balkans’ initiative is not replacement for EU integration (Beta) • Conference: EU will lose credibility if it neglects Western Balkans (Beta) • Dacic: Electoral process to end in ten days or in a few weeks (Tanjug) • Agreement on cooperation in road infrastructure in Western Balkans signed (Tanjug/RTS) • Serbian troops deployed in eight peace missions (FoNet) • Scholz’s package 3+1 for Serbia (Novosti) REGIONAL PRESS Bosnia & Herzegovina • Schmidt imposes decision on financing general elections, securing full amount envisaged for B&H CEC and all future financing of elections (O Kanal) • US Embassy welcomes HR’s decision on financing of general elections (Nova BH) • Dodik reacts to Schmidt’s decision: International officials are trying to impose themselves as deciding factor in B&H (O Kanal) • Dzaferovic, Komsic welcome HR’s decision (BHT1) • Lovrinovic: Schmidt’s decision was wrong (N1) • SDA and SBB welcomes HR Schmidt’s decision; Other comments (O Kanal) • Tegeltija says Schmidt’s decision was unnecessary and useless (RTRS) • RS ruling parties’ politicians criticize Schmidt’s decision (Nova BH) • Sarovic, Borenovic claim that RS ruling coalition is the most responsible for the fact Bonn Powers are used again (Nova BH) • RS parliament adopts set of conclusions that postpone implementation of conclusions from December 2021 (Nova BH) • Escobar meets with ‘Troika’ representatives; US Embassy to B&H: Focus on reforms is more important than ever (FTV) • Dodik: PIC is self-organized body that does not base its mandate on DPA or UNSC resolution (RTRS) • Cvijanovic: Austrian non-paper seems like reasonable proposal (Srna/RTRS) • Tegeltija calls on B&H Presidency to make decision on B&H’s accession to ‘Open Balkans’ initiative (RTRS) Croatia • Milanovic, Grlic Radman react to sanctions against Cavara (Jutarnji list) Montenegro • Abazovic: We are not joining the Open Balkans (CdM) • Krivokapic: Lavrov could have come by train (Antena M) • Djukanovic: Lavrov’s attempt noting but politicization and creation of illusion about Russophobic atmosphere in Europe (CdM) • Djukanovic in Istanbul: Stability and multiethnic character greatest values of modern Montenegro (CdM) Republic of North Macedonia • ‘Open Balkans’ Summit takes place in Ohrid (AJB/RFE) Albania • Russian support for ‘Belgrade-led initiative’ is ‘a kiss of death’ for Open Balkans, critics say (Tirana Times) • Varhelyi attends the Open Balkans meeting (Radio Tirana) • Open Balkans in Ohrid/ Agreements to be signed and the USA and EU messages (Radio Tirana) • State Department official: Albania and North Macedonia should join the EU as soon as possible (Radio Tirana/VoA)

LOCAL PRESS • Vucic: Emergency state de facto introduced in Serbia (RTS) • Vucic receives Botsan-Kharchenko after Lavrov visit cancellation (Tanjug/RTS) • Botsan-Kharchenko: Introducing sanctions against Russia to harm Serbia’s economy, social spheres (Beta/Izvestia) • Stefanovic: Serbia refuses to be a pawn (Beta) • State Department: Serbia to focus (VoA/Tanjug/B92) • Stefanovic discusses cooperation in defense sector with French Ambassador (Beta) • Improving cooperation with Turkey in field of defense (Tanjug) • Presevo Valley a matter to be brought before UN (Beta/Bujanovacke/Danas) • Nikolic: Substituting Russian crude oil imports to be no problem (Tanjug) • Air assault against neutral Belgrade (Novosti) REGIONAL PRESS Bosnia & Herzegovina • Ruling majority in RS parliament adopts conclusions opposing introduction of sanctions against Russia, supporting extension of EUFOR's Althea mission in B&H and postponing return of RS competencies from B&H level for six months (BN TV) • Dodik and Kalabukhov address RS parliament special session (ATV) • Leaders of parliamentary political parties address RS parliament special session (ATV) • Opposition in RS wonders if Dodik wants support in RS parliament for potentially imposing sanctions against Russia; Bosniak representatives leave session during Kalabukhov’s address (AJB) • Trivic says she believes RS parliament's special session will produce nothing good for RS (BN TV) • Komsic: B&H will not change its foreign policy priorities because they are now problem for Kalabukhov (Nova BH) • Ambassadors of EU and US call on RS parliament not to support policy of disinformation about Russian invasion of Ukraine (AJB) • Dodik: I will have opportunity to meet Lavrov in the next ten days in St. Petersburg (N1) • US blacklists FB&H President Cavara and RS Health Minister Seranic (FTV) • Seranic: Despite sanctions, I will continue to work in the interest of citizens; Everything I have done in the past four years was in the best interest of the RS citizens (ATV) • Radoncic: US sanctions will have positive consequences (Dnevni avaz) • B&H CoM adopts special decision on lending BAM 9.7 million to CEC for general elections: CEC: BAM 12.5 million required, OHR should pass decision on full amount (Nova BH) • Fajon and Schallenberg discuss Austrian ‘non-paper’ on Western Balkans (AJB) Croatia • Plenkovic: Serbia, as all countries in such circumstances, must be very careful about what side it chooses and supports (Hina) • Agreements for Croatia-Serbia cross-border cooperation granted (Hina) Montenegro • Russian threats to Montenegro over Lavrov: Rogozin threatens with rockets (CdM/RIA Novosti) • The end of the Open Balkans (CdM) Republic of North Macedonia • Macron ready to meet Sofia and Skopje when the time comes (MIA) • Osmani acknowledges that Bulgaria wants their demands to be included in the EU negotiating framework (TV Sitel) • Osmani on Lavrov’s plane ban: It’s not response to the Russian Federation, but to the aggression of the Russian Federation in Ukraine (Republika) • Russia says it will stop the gas supply for Macedonia after the government didn’t allow Lavrov’s plane to fly through the country’s airspace (Republika) Albania • Open Balkans, meeting in Ohrid/Abazovic participates for the first time (Radio Tirana) • Three-year cooperation agreement signed between Albania-Italy/ Minister Franceschini: Italy will strongly support Albania's EU accession (Radio Tirana)

United Nations Office in Belgrade Daily Media Highlights Monday 6 June 2022 LOCAL PRESS • Russian Ambassador informs Vucic of reasons that prevented Lavrov visit (RTS/Tanjug) • Lavrov: Shameful prevention of visit will not destroy relations with Serbia (Tanjug/RTV) • Brnabic: Extremely complicated (TV Pink/Beta) • Zakharova: Serbia's neighbors close communication channel (RIA Novosti/ TV La7/Tanjug) • Drecun: They are introducing us into the role of a hostage (RTS) • Serbia, Greece committed to deepening cooperation (Tanjug) • Autocephaly of Ohrid Archbishopric officially recognized (Beta/Politika/Novosti) • Schieb: Donbas and Kosovo cannot be compared at all (Politika) REGIONAL PRESS Bosnia & Herzegovina • EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs call on political actors in B&H to invest efforts in securing organization of elections in October (FTV) • Dzaferovic: It is time for High Representative to impose law on budget (Hayat) • Reactions to Bundestag’s Resolution on B&H (Oslobodjenje/BHT1/RTRS) • State Department publishes annual report of Office for International Religious Freedom; Report criticizes SDA and its leader Izetbegovic (Dnevni list) • Komsic: Inviting Kalabukhov to special RS parliament’s session is suicidal move of Dodik; Bubonjic: Inviting Russian Ambassador is provoking of West (FTV) • Exclusive interview with Lavrov (RTRS) • Turkovic: In an interview with RTRS, Lavrov presented a series of misinterpretations and incorrect information that could mislead the public (FTV/ATV/Srna) • Orban responds to Dodik’s letter: We will do everything in interest of renewal of Europe based on Christian civilization, sovereign nations; RS can count on friendship and support in years to come (FTV) Croatia • Milanovic, Pahor and Van der Bellen meet in Brijuni; Support to Western Balkans expressed; Pahor proposes EU to give candidate status to B&H without conditions (HRT1) • Finnish EU Minister: We understand the concerns expressed by Croatia (HRT) • Croat wounded in Ukraine; MFA: He will be provided with transport to Croatia (HRT) Montenegro • Bogdanovic: We don’t need way stations to the EU (RTNK) • Djukanovic on the occasion of 5th anniversary as a NATO member: Proud of contribution we’re giving in defense of shared values; DF MP: Montenegro has broken relations with traditional allies (CdM) • Djukanovic: I hope that in 2024 we’ll be able to tell EU – We are ready (CdM) • Due to the aggression on Ukraine, Krivokapic is not going to the reception on the occasion of the Day of Russia (CdM) • Montenegro’s shown it is strong enough to defend its sovereignty (Pobjeda) Republic of North Macedonia • Nikoloski: Early elections do not depend on negotiations, the political crisis is becoming both economic and national (Republika/RFE) • Mickoski after meeting with Gencovska: Bulgaria to lift the veto and stop the conditions towards Macedonia (Republika) • Kovacevski- Heger: EU to start accession talks without delay to ensure stability in the region (Republika) Albania • Former armed forces chief Bajram Begaj to serve as Albania’s seventh president (Tirana Times) • Osmani congratulates the newly elected President Begaj: We will work to deepen the fraternal relations even further (Tirana Times) • US congratulates Bajram Begaj: He contributed to the field of defense! We look forward to working with him (Radio Tirana)

LOCAL PRESS • Vucic: Serbia cannot survive without gas, working on diversification of supplies (Tanjug/RTS/Politika) • Vucic: Situation around Lavrov’s visit to Belgrade getting complicated (TV Pink/Beta) • Vucic, Lajcak discuss Brussels dialogue, situation in region (Tanjug) • Vucic meets with Bilcik (Tanjug) • Vucic receives Dendias (Tanjug/RTS) • Amendments to Public Information and Media Law among priorities (Tanjug) • Serbian Constitutional Court stops Kosovo from joining ACCF (N1) • Albanians demand for repeated voting rejected (Novosti) • Zakharova: Lavrov to visit Serbia on 6-7 June (Tanjug/RIA Novosti) REGIONAL PRESS Bosnia & Herzegovina • Izetbegovic: HDZ B&H’s goal was to obstruct the elections; HDZ B&H and SNSD’s plan is to bring functioning of B&H into question (Nova BH) • Komsic: Holding of general elections should not be called in question, essence in delay in providing funds for elections lies in HDZ B&H’s last attempts to carry out pressure related to Election Law (FTV) • Session of SEECP in Athens; Kristo: Changing Election Law is the biggest challenge for B&H (Glas Srpske) • Bundestag to discuss Resolution on B&H (Oslobodjenje) • Dodik tells members of Bundestag not to interfere in B&H's internal affairs, he harshly criticizes Ahmetovic (ATV) • Cvijanovic accuses Germany of needlessly interfering into B&H’s affairs, not wanting to deal with its situation and problems that exist in Germany (BN TV) • Viskovic: It is illogical for t Bundestag to deal with B&H in the midst of economic crisis that is shaking Germany the most (ATV) Croatia • Croatia prepares for another massive jump in fuel prices (HRT) Montenegro • Lajcak with Djukanovic: We are continuing the conversation about the situation in Montenegro and the Western Balkans (CdM) • State Department: The government has not taken any steps to resolve the SPC and CPC disputes (CdM) • Democrats: Becic has expressed reservations about the foggy Open Balkans regional initiative (CdM) • Osmani: Open Balkans doesn’t respect principle of inclusion (MINA) • Abazovic sends letter of support to Zelenski: We stand firmly with our Ukrainian friends (CdM) Republic of North Macedonia • Kovacevski: Failure to open accession negotiations with the EU will not be a defeat for Macedonia, but a defeat for the EU (TV Kanal 5) • Macedonia – US Strategic Dialogue begins (Republika) • Osmani signs Ottawa Agreement in Washington (Republika) Albania • US: Justice Reform is essential in the field of investments in Albania (Radio Tirana) • UN Security Council debate/ Human rights violations, our priority in the UN Security Council (Radio Tirana) • Xhacka: UN Security Council chaired by the Albanian Presidency, a historic moment for the country (Radio Tirana)