The Media Mirror: what's in today's Russian newspapers?

In this programme, the Kosovo Effect in Europe and its reflection in the East River. And no government change can undo Russian-Italian friendship.

ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA has a report from the Serb Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The republic is not “doing a Kosovo” as the media suggested it would. The reaction there is mild but firm. The Parliament decided that if the international legal system falls apart, the Serb Republic will have to consider the consequences for itself. Russian Ambassador Konstantin Shuvalov comments that it’s hard to play by the rules with someone who’s cheating. But it doesn’t mean all the honest players should start cheating too.

Another report in the same paper, now from Macedonia. The Democratic Party of the Albanians or DPA insisted on an immediate recognition of Kosovo by Macedonia but failed to achieve it and quit Parliament, setting off a political crisis. It is interesting says the paper that the crisis triggered by the DPA directly threatens the Balkan country’s aspirations to NATO membership.

NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA writes that the upcoming election campaign in Serbia combined with the political crisis in Macedonia may ruin the fragile stability in the Balkans.

VREMYA NOVOSTEI says the refusal of major world powers including the U.S., Russia, France and India to accept the UN resolution on Karabakh came as a great surprise to Azerbaijan.

Another article in the same paper confirms that Russia is going to continue its mediator role in the Karabakh issue, in spite of Azerbaijan’s harsh reaction to Russia’s vote against the UN resolution.

NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA reports from Turkey. After the recognition of Kosovo’s independence, Ankara has re-launched its diplomatic campaign for the unification of Cyprus. The paper says the Turkish side will have to offer a compromise solution. Turkey’s EU membership is at stake. In order to achieve it, Turkey has to speed up  reunification and pull out its military from the Turkish part of Cyprus.

ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA has an interview with Ugo Intini, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Italy. He says that in spite of government change in both Russia and Italy, the friendship between the two nations won’t suffer. He adds the Putin-Medvedev tandem will definitely deepen and widen the traditional cooperation.