LOCAL PRESS
Pak: Talks with Pristina to be intensified, Belgrade absolutely devoted to peace (RTS)
On the occasion of the resumption of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue in Brussels, Serbian presidential advisor Stanislava Pak told the morning broadcast of Radio and Television of Serbia (RTS) that she expects the talks aimed at normalization of relations to be intensified and direct contacts to be established with the goal of resolving operative issues. Pak points out that President Nikolic will be taking part in today’s talks in Brussels together with Prime Minister Vucic. “There is no need for inflammatory rhetoric. Serbia doesn’t want clashes and tensions in the region, which President Nikolic also said,” Pak said. Regarding assessments of EU diplomats that the arrival of Belgrade and Pristina delegations at the highest level is a good sign, Pak says that this shows a sign of great responsibility and that everything agreed will be implemented by Belgrade. “We want Pristina to implement agreements as well,” said Pak, noting that agreements had so far been valid only for Belgrade, but not for Pristina, and that it is expected that they also implement the agreed in the following days.
Kocijancic: Confirming engagement of both sides is important (Tanjug)
Top Belgrade and Pristina officials will discuss concrete, significant matters in Brussels on Tuesday as it is important to confirm the engagement and commitments of both parties in the dialogue, says European Commission spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic. Speaking to reporters ahead of a new round of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Kocijancic said Serbian and Kosovo PMs Aleksandar Vucic and Isa Mustafa were expected to attend, as were Serbian and Kosovo Presidents Tomislav Nikolic and Hashim Tachi.
Crnadak, Dacic: Two states to work on remaining open issues (Beta)
The Serbian and Bosnian foreign ministers, Ivica Dacic and Igor Crnadak, said at meeting in Belgrade that relations between the two states were good, and that Serbia and B&H should keep resolving the remaining open issues, with emphasis on defining the inter-state border. Minister Crnadak is visiting Belgrade as the member of a delegation led by Chairman of the B&H Council of Ministers Denis Zvizdic. The Serbian foreign ministry quoted the two foreign ministers as saying that considerable progress had been made in addressing open issues, including the finalization of succession of the former Yugoslavia’s diplomatic and consular property.
Belgrade – Sarajevo highway to be built (RTS)
Serbian Minister Zorana Mihajlovic had talks on Monday with her colleague from the B&H Council of Ministers B&H Ismir Juska on the project of building the highway Belgrade – Sarajevo and the reconstruction of the railway line between the two capitals, they said in the Minister’s cabinet. “Serbia and B&H have agreed that the Belgrade-Sarajevo highway should be built, and in the coming period we will discuss the details of realization, such as the making of a previous feasibility study and the manner of financing,” Mihajlovic said.
Musliu: Presevo with Kosovo (Novosti)
The Chairman of the National Council for Presevo, Medvedja and Bujanovac Jonuz Musliu welcomed the proposal of Kosovo academician Rexhep Cosye, according to whom northern Kosovo should be given in exchange for the Presevo valley. “The international community admits that the most discriminated people in Europe are the Albanians in the Presevo valley, while the Kosovo Serbs have all rights. We have always wanted reciprocity, or for the Albanians to voice their opinion based on referendum. This will be a year of challenges. Presevo should be united forever with the homeland, with Kosovo,” said Musliu.
REGIONAL PRESS
SDP, DF and Civic Alliance file criminal reports against Ivanic, Pendes over celebration of RS Day (TV1)
Leaders of SDP, DF and Civic Alliance (GS), Nermin Niksic, Zeljko Komsic and Reuf Bajrovic respectively, filed a criminal report with the B&H Prosecutor’s Office on behalf of their parties against “persons responsible of abuse of office and dishonest service” with regard to marking of the Republika Srpska (RS) Day on 9 January and use of the Armed Forces of B&H in this context. The criminal report was filed against B&H Presidency member Mladen Ivanic, Minister of Defense of B&H Marina Pendes and her deputies Sead Jusic and Boris Jerinic, as well as against Chief of Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of B&H Anto Jelec, Deputy Chief of Joint Staff for Operations Mirko Tepsic and Deputy Chief of Staff for Resources Senad Masovic. According to the report, they violated the law on defense of B&H, the law on service in B&H AF and other regulations because they ordered, allowed or failed to prevent participation of the Third Infantry RS Regiment of B&H AF in marking of the holiday that was banned by B&H CC.
Cvijanovic fails to show up for interrogation at B&H Prosecutor’s Office (Hayat)
Republika Srpska (RS) Prime Minister Zeljka Cvijanovic failed to show up for interrogation at the B&H Prosecutor’s Office in Sarajevo on Monday, as one of the suspects in the case related to the criminal offense of failure to implement the decision of the Constitutional Court (CC) of B&H. Spokesperson for the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H Boris Grubesic stated that a new invitation for interrogation was sent to Cvijanovic. The RS Government stated that the invitation sent by the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H has not arrived to Cvijanovic’s home or work address. Hayat reminds that Cvijanovic will be interrogated as a suspect because she made possible financing of implementation of the unconstitutional referendum on the RS Day from the RS budget in the amount of BAM 1.7 million. Grubesic confirmed that there have been some problems with delivery of the invitation for interrogation to Cvijanovic. The RS government stated that the public will be informed as soon as Cvijanovic receives the call for interrogation.
New round of talks; Covic meets Radoncic (N1)
A new round of talks between local leaders in B&H has started with a meeting of leader of HDZ B&H Dragan Covic met with leader of SBB B&H Fahrudin Radoncic held in Sarajevo on Monday. According to unofficial information, the meeting was organized at the invitation of Covic, in order to discuss functioning of the Parliament and changes to B&H Election Law. Besides, Covic is expected to meet with leader of SNSD Milorad Dodik and leader of SDA Bakir Izetbegovic. Covic will use the meetings in Sarajevo, Mostar and Banja Luka to launch talks on functionality of the Federation of B&H authorities. B&H Presidency will hold a session too to discuss already scheduled items of the agenda, as well as to discuss numerous events that shook the region in past several weeks, including celebration of Republika Srpska Day, US’ decision to impose sanctions against Dodik and foreign policy plans, especially in the context of relations with USA.
Solutions for Election Law, City of Mostar and ‘Sejdic-Finci’ still on hold (Nezavisne)
Chair of SDA Main Board Halid Genjac stated that SDA expects HDZ B&H to submit direct proposals for the issues which are on hold for some time and which are fairly sensitive for HDZ B&H. Daily reads that speculation that senior officials of two parties will sit down and try to agree changes of B&H Election Law and most notably ‘Sejdic-Finci’ ruling, last for days. Genjac stressed that these issues also include election of delegates for House of Peoples, status of City of Mostar, etc. “There was a meeting between SDA and HDZ delegations about form of an inventory of the issues that we need to discuss, including functioning of parliamentary majorities. However, there were no talks about possible compete solutions and I do not trust there will be in January”, said Genjac. He repeated that SDA expects HDZ to propose solution for the issues that are of special interest for the party. “Our earlier proposals, especially those concerning City of Mostar, have not been accepted, we now expect new proposals from HDZ. However, we will include representatives of all political parties in these talks. Daily reads that there are announcements about possible meetings of HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic with other party leaders and the meetings should focus on changes of Election Law. Allegedly, Covic will first meet SBB B&H leader Fahrudin Radoncic and he will conclude the round by meeting SNSD leader Milorad Dodik. HDZ B&H’s Borjana Kristo stressed that the party is doing everything possible to reach necessary solutions for functioning of the majority and the state. SDS leader Vukota Govedarica confirmed on Monday that he was invited to the meeting of coalition partners and the meeting should take place on Wednesday in B&H Presidency. He also confirmed that the meeting is organized by Chair of B&H Presidency Mladen Ivanic and not Covic.
Resolution against RS is being prepared for EP (RTRS)
RTRS reported that the process of drafting of a new Resolution on B&H for adoption in the European Parliament (EP), which is against Republika Srpska (RS), is in preparation phase. RTRS learns that the EP is expected to discuss the Resolution, proposed by European Parliament’s Rapporteur for B&H Cristian Dan Preda on February 14. Namely, Dan Preda is expected to present a new Report on progress of B&H and the aforementioned Resolution, which praises the EU path and criticizes the RS for marking of the Day of the RS. The Resolution reads that a huge number of decisions of B&H Constitutional Court (CC) are not being implemented, primarily the decision on the Day of the RS, which was later on rejected at a referendum held on September 25, 2016. The reporter noted that the document does not mention over 90 decisions of the CC which the Federation of B&H has not implemented yet. Over 300 amendments to the Resolution have been filed, including the one filed by MP from the Austrian Freedom Party Harald Vilimsky, who defended the right of the RS to the referendum on the Day of the RS. Vilimsky said that the referendum referred to the territory under exclusive jurisdiction of the entities and called on the EP, to acknowledge the will of citizens of the RS, to express their stance on laws and institutions imposed by decisions of High Representative. In a statement given to RTRS, Vilimsky said that the Resolution does not treat the issue of the referendum in the right way. Besides, Vilimsky said that data from the census population 2013 were processed based on the wrong methodology. In a statement given over phone, analyst from Belgrade Dragomir Andjelkovic characterized the Resolution as a propaganda report and not a report that will improve the situation in B&H.
US Senate’s document on Montenegro (CDM)
The inclusion of Montenegro in NATO will not have the effect of increasing the overall percentage share of the United States in the common budgets of NATO. On the other hand, an attack against Montenegro, or its destabilization arising from external subversion, would threaten the stability of Europe and jeopardize United States national security interests, says among other things the Resolution of Ratification of the Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 on the Accession of Montenegro. Montenegro is still awaiting the US Senate to decide on the protocol.
The resolution begins as follows: “The Senate advises and consents to the ratification of the Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 on the Accession of Montenegro, which was opened for signature at Brussels on May 19, 2016.”
In order for the US Senate to approve the protocol ratification the conditions primarily related to funding and costs shall be fulfilled. “Prior to the deposit of the instrument of ratification, the President shall certify to the Senate as follows: the inclusion of Montenegro in NATO will not have the effect of increasing the overall percentage share of the United States in the common budgets of NATO and does not detract from the ability of the United States to meet or to fund its military requirements outside the North Atlantic area,” the document states as the first condition. The second condition is related to the annual report on NATO member defence spending. Not later than December 1 of each year, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report which shall contain the following information: “The amount each NATO member spent on its national defence in each of the previous 5 years. The percentage of GDP for each of the previous 5 years that each NATO member spent on its national defence,” the document says. Also, one of the important conditions for the protocol ratification is declaration to spend a minimum of 2 percent of its GDP on national defence. All the above conditions are fulfilled by Montenegro, which has been confirmed on several occasions. When it comes to the strategic rationale for NATO expansion, the document says that “the United States and its NATO allies face continued threats to their stability and territorial integrity”. “An attack against Montenegro, or its destabilization arising from external subversion, would threaten the stability of Europe and jeopardize United States national security interests. Montenegro, having established a democratic government and having demonstrated a willingness to meet the requirements of membership, including those necessary to contribute to the defence of all NATO members, is in a position to further the principles of the North Atlantic Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area,” the document states. The US Senate’s Foreign Policy Committee unanimously backed ratifying the Montenegro-NATO accession protocol. The full Senate is the next to vote for it. The U.S. Constitution requires a two-thirds vote in the 100-member Senate for approval of new NATO members. If the Senate gives the green light, the protocol shall be approved by the President of the United States. Thus, the United States will become the 23rd out of 28 member states that have ratified the document.
PACE conclusions on early parliamentary elections in Macedonia (MIA)
The 11 December early parliamentary elections were an essential step in resolving two years of deep political crisis. The main political forces agreed to a series of legal and institutional changes to provide a level playing field for these elections, reads the election observation report of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Presenting the report to PACE on Monday, election observation mission head Stefan Schennach, reminded of the circumstances under which the elections in Macedonia were conducted, namely the political crisis, opposition’s boycott of the Parliament, the EU, US mediation, the establishment of the Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPO), the President’s pardon… Schennach however expressed concern as no government had been formed yet in Macedonia after the elections, saying that the Council of Europe should monitor the developments to that effect.
The report points out that underlying issues, such as voter registration and media, are yet to be addressed in a sustainable manner. The campaign was competitive but took place in an environment characterized by public mistrust in institutions and the political establishment, and allegations of voter coercion. The election administration struggled with the preparations for the elections and missed a number of deadlines, but Election Day was generally well administered and proceeded without major incidents. The State Election Commission (SEC) preparations for the elections were hampered by inefficient internal organization, politicized decision making and shortened legal deadlines. SEC activities were not always transparent, as it often held closed sessions and did not always publish its decisions.
In total, 1 784 416 voters were registered. To address long-standing mistrust in the accuracy of voters lists, for the first time the SEC reviewed the voters register by cross-checking several databases and conducting field checks. The SEC registered six political parties and five coalitions for these elections. Registration was generally inclusive, but was negatively affected by a lack of legal clarity on procedures and the rejection of candidate lists of two parties on inconsistent grounds. In line with an enhanced quota for women’s participation, 41% of candidates were women, although they topped only four of the 58 lists. ‘While fundamental freedoms were generally respected and contestants were able to campaign freely, the elections took place in an environment characterized by a lack of public trust in institutions and the political establishment.
The diverse media environment, the report says, is split along political and ethnic lines. While recent amendments prohibited government-financed advertising and coverage of State officials during the campaign, significant media reforms foreseen in the Przino Agreement have yet to be implemented. Topics related to inter-ethnic relations featured prominently in the campaign, including institutional relations between the ethnic Albanian and ethnic Macedonian communities. The Social Democratic Union of Macedonia actively sought votes from the ethnic Albanian community, including by fielding ethnic Albanian candidates. Media reporting of Roma candidates often used stereotypes. It further notifies that the Election Day proceeded in an orderly manner and without major incidents, albeit with some procedural irregularities observed, particularly during the count. Voters participated in large numbers and voting was generally assessed positively by observers.
Nikola Gruevski and Ali Ahmeti to intensify talks on forming new government (Telegraf.mk)
The deadline for forming a government is entering the final week. Prime Minister Designate Nikola Gruevski has until January 29 to confirm that there is a parliamentary majority in the Parliament and thus to be able to form a government. So far Gruevski and Ali Ahmeti, as the leader of the Party of Albanians that won most votes held only one meeting, so the meetings in the coming days are expected to intensify. So far, the two sides do not leak enough information about the negotiations if we know the positions they represent. DUI establishes the platform agreed along with the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama as a basis for a discussion. In it, there are several points that VMRO-DPMNE finds absolutely unacceptable, such as bilingualism and extension of the mandate of the Special Public Prosecutor’s Office. On Sunday, DUI’s spokesman, Bujar Osmani stressed the need to respect the principle of coalition of the parties that won the most votes in both the Macedonian and the Albanian block. “I think what dominates the stage is the respect for signed agreements. Macedonia existed in the past as such only by respecting the international agreements. One is the May agreement of 2007, which states that the winner of the Albanian community selects the partner – the winner of the Macedonian community. Respect for this principle is very important to preserve the importance the Albanian community has and to preserve the logic they elections have for the Albanians”, Osmani said. Gruevski does not intend to accept the DUI conditions, and this was said in an interview with the Kosovo portal “Gazeta Express”. VMRO-DPMNE leader stressed that he would try to form a government with the DUI and they need to respect the agreement that the coalition consist of the winning parties in the Macedonian and Albanian block. “We practiced a post-election coalition with the Albanian party and when we needed it for a majority in parliament and even when it was not needed, or when we ourselves had majority to form a government. It was because we thought that the Albanians in Macedonia are in a significant number and should be represented in a government by the party they gave their confidence to”, Gruevski said in the interview. What no one can predict is what is going to happen, if Gruevski and Ahmeti do not agree to form a government. Experts variously read the Constitution on this issue. Some say that in this case the mandate to form the government should be given to the second party in this case SDSM, others believe that Gruevski should receive an additional ten days to negotiate a coalition. However, the key to the future government is in the President Ivanov, as well as in the Parliament if the MPs decide with 61 votes to dissolve it and thus fulfill the condition for calling snap elections in spring.
INTERNATIONAL PRESS
Russian experts: “Crimea for Kosovo” deal won’t happen (Sputnik, 24 January 2017)
Russia will not recognize Kosovo – Moscow does not and never will barter with Serbia’s territorial integrity, say Russian experts. Sputnik is reporting that this reaction came in the wake of claims made by western analysts that “Russia could recognize Kosovo in order to reach a deal with the US.” Russian experts say that such statements look like an attempt of their Western counterparts to “drive a wedge” between Russia and Serbia. “This looks like an attempt to sow discord, because the scenario of Moscow recognizing Kosovo is not possible, especially while Putin is in power. Even if the United States put forward such a proposal, Russia would reject it and would not enter into this kind of bartering, because we do not need Washington’s support in order for Crimea to be Russian. Crimea returned to the composition of Russia through a referendum, despite the position of the US and the EU. We knew what to expect and what would follow, and we were ready for it,” said Igor Pshenichnikov, advisor to the director of the Russian Institute for Strategic Research. This expert does not rule out the possibility that the United States could make the “Crimea for Kosovo” offer, but is confident that Moscow will not agree to it under any circumstances. “By recognizing Kosovo we would betray our main ally in the Balkans, and also it would be a signal to all those who are separatism-minded in Serbia. In addition, the recognition of Kosovo by Russia would mean a violation of the existing system of international law, it would be an immoral act, and that is why Russia will never go for that,” concluded Pshenichnikov. The reaction of Russian analysts follows the allegations of a British expert on Russia, Mary Dejevsky, that the country would recognize Kosovo “as part of a broader agreement between Washington and Moscow, after Donald Trump took over as president of the United States.” The article was published in the Catholic newspaper The Tablet on January 21, and then cited by Balkan Insight. “While Russian recognition would be hailed as a great breakthrough in Kosovo, it would come as a great shock to Russia’s historic ally, Serbia,” observed the latter publication. The article further said that Dejevsky “regularly meets Kremlin leaders through the Valdai Group” and that she suggested “Moscow could recognize Kosovo as part of a package aimed at closing down various post-Cold War diplomatic issues that have dogged relations between the powers.” Dejevsky, a columnist for the British paper Guardian, wrote that Putin was investing heavily in making a deal with the new US administration work, and was unlikely to let the opportunity slip – “as it would damage his domestic standing.” However, representatives of the Valdai Club who spoke to Sputnik categorically rejected the possibility of this type of deal between Russia and the United States. “I think there are no grounds to launch the issue of recognition of Kosovo. In fact, the problem of Kosovo in the Balkans can in no way be linked to Russian-American relations, and therefore the trade of this kind impossible,” said Andrei Sushentsov, the Club’s program director and a managing partner with the consulting agency Foreign Policy Advisory Group, and added: “In other words, Kosovo is not a topic of discussion between the two countries, and I do not believe that it will be on the agenda. Only in the event of the situation in the Balkans rapidly worsening and a new hotspot appearing which would threaten regional and international security, the question of Kosovo could be launched between the Kremlin and the White House. But currently there are no factors that could change the position of the Kremlin regarding the territorial integrity of Serbia.” He also emphasized that the interests of Serbia and other Russian allies would not be compromised for the sake of improving relations between Russia and the United States. “We should not expect that Russia and the United States will barter in recognizing or not recognizing territories, at least Russia does not use such instruments. Therefore, relations with other countries will not be subject to trade in Moscow’s dialogue with Washington. The interests of Serbia and other Russian allies will not be compromised, even if relations between Russia and the United States start developing,” concluded Sushentsov. Russia stands firmly against recognizing Kosovo, the southern province of its close ally Serbia, that was “separated in 1999 with Western military help, and which declared independence in 2008,” said Sputnik. Most Western countries, starting with the US, have recognized Kosovo “a long time ago” – but Serbia, Russia, China, five EU member states and many other countries have not, most of them Central and South American, Asian, and about half of African countries. The pace of new recognitions has significantly slowed down in recent years, and last year only two countries did this – Suriname and Singapore. A total of about 110 of the 193 UN member states have so far recognized Kosovo, said the Russian agency. It also noted that “last month, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Serbia can fully count on the support of Russia to protect its territorial integrity when it comes to Kosovo.”
Economy Trumps Political Rifts at Bosnia-Serbia Meeting (BIRN, by Danijel Kovacevic, 24 January 2017)
Economic ties proved more important than political differences at Monday’s meeting between Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and the chairman of Bosnia’s Council of Ministers.
A meeting between the Serbian government and Bosnia’s Council of Ministers in Belgrade on Monday offered a glimmer of hope that better cooperation in the region is possible, despite strained political relations and a number of unresolved issues between two countries.
The meeting also sent a strong message to the leader of the Bosnian Serb entity Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, that the secessionist rhetoric that has prevailed in his speeches in recent months will not be supported by Belgrade. Peace and stability, economic cooperation, joint projects and EU integration were the main topics discussed by Aleksandar Vucic, the Serbian prime minister, and Denis Zvizdic, the chairman of Bosnia’s Council of Ministers.
Economy before politics
Both ministers insisted that economic issues were at the forefront, claiming they talked more about the possible highway from Belgrade to Sarajevo than about the attack on Vucic at a memorial for victims of the Srebrenica massacres in the summer of 2015. The attack has been seen as a pressure point in relations between the two countries since the culprits have not yet been brought to justice, and media have seized on claims in recent months that Serbian undercover agents were present at the memorial event. “I really expect that the entire investigation will be finished as soon as possible,” said Zvizdic. Vucic added: “I think the [investigatory] bodies are working. But whether they have worked or not, that will never be an obstacle to the development of good neighbourly relations.” Banja Luka-based economist Damir Miljevic told BIRN that economic cooperation was the most important aspect of the relationship between the two countries. It is particularly important at the moment, said Miljevic, because several difficult political topics had come to light and hindered cooperation. Economic analyst Zoran Pavlovic agreed that economic cooperation could help ameliorate political problems.
“This cooperation could be the locomotive that leads to better overall relations because everybody is tired of political bickering, strife, and political tensions,” Pavlovic told BIRN.
Sanctions against Dodik
An inevitable subject on the agenda was the US Treasury’s imposition of sanctions on Milorad Dodik, the president of Bosnia’s Serb-dominated entity, Republika Srpska, for obstructing the Dayton peace agreement that ended the 1992-95 war by defying the orders of Bosnia’s Constitutional Court. Vucic repeated his position that Serbia would not join the US in sanctioning Dodik, while Zvizdic added that the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the other Bosnian entity, was not happy about Dodik’s addition to a US blacklist. “Ongoing anti-Dayton actions led to this and I expect that this will be a good lesson for all in Bosnia,” Zvizdic said.
Dodik welcomed the talks between Zvizdic and Vucic, but didn’t miss the opportunity to speak negatively about the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina once again. He claimed that this was not a meeting of two governments and two prime ministers. “The Bosnian Council of Ministers is not a government but rather an auxiliary body of the Bosnian presidency, therefore Zvizdic has very limited jurisdiction,” Dodik told Serbian media on Monday. Dodik said Bosnia and Herzegovina was dramatically divided, with no chance of becoming united. “Bosnia is an illusion and I, as a man and as a politician, am not ready to be part of it. In my mind, I have enough knowledge to understand that it is unworkable,” Dodik said.
A strong message
An army platoon, a red carpet and all the members of the Serbian government welcomed the delegation from the Bosnian Council of Ministers at a ceremony in Belgrade. The way in which Serbia greeted the delegation spoke louder and more clearly than any other message from Belgrade, analysts told BIRN. At the same time, it sent a strong message to Dodik, experts said.
“Vucic clearly said that Serbia respects the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but more important is the fact that he, for the first time, emphasized the position of Republika Srpska. He said Republika Srpska is an entity of Bosnia of Herzegovina, and I think this is the first time that Serbian officials have sent such a clear and strong message,” Tanja Topic, a political analyst from Banja Luka, told BIRN. Topic said the situation was not panning out well for the RS leadership, but that they were continuing to use nationalist rhetoric regardless. “My impression is that the RS authorities pinned all their hopes on the new US administration, expecting a miracle or something. They even suggested that RS could be a bridge between Washington and Moscow,” said Topic with irony. The next test for Bosnia-Serbia relations will come in February when Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic is expected to visit Sarajevo. His first attempt to visit the Bosnian capital as president of Serbia, less than two years ago, failed. After the arrest of a high-profile former Bosnian Army commander, Naser Oric, for alleged crimes against Serbs in Srebrenica, the Bosniak member of Bosnia’s tripartite presidency, Bakir Izetbegovic, advised Nikolic to cancel his visit a day before it was scheduled to take place. This time, the invite was issued by Mladen Ivanic, the Serb member of the Bosnian presidency – but Nikolic’s recent trip to Banja Luka on January 9, for the RS ‘statehood day’ holiday that was banned by the country’s Constitutional Court, was met with disapproval by Bosniak political parties in Sarajevo.
