LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: I expect assistance from the EU, US and Russia regarding the Kosovo army (RTS/Tanjug)

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has stated that in talks with Kosovo President Hashim Tachi he hadn’t agreed on the formation of the Kosovo army and underlined that he expects assistance regarding this issue from the EU, US and Russia. Asked about last night’s phone conversation with Tachi, Vucic told a press conference on Mt. Kopaonik that they hadn’t agreed on the key issues, primarily regarding the formation of the Kosovo army, which would represent, he says, a violation of UNSCR 1244, but would also oppose the Kosovo Constitution. Vucic hopes that Tachi is not doing this over some election campaign and votes of citizens. “I don’t understand whether they plan to have internal elections in May, so they are doing this for that purpose, but these are very serious matters in order to play with them. I could have spat today on someone in the region and the people here would be delighted, but my job is to preserve peace and stability,” said Vucic. He says he hopes someone in Kosovo and Pristina is not guided by these principles, since this would not be good.

Speaking about the testing of operative readiness of part of the Serbian Army units that started yesterday, he says this testing is usual and that it is conducted according to plans. “This is completely normal and nothing more than that,” Vucic told a press conference.

Djuric: International community to stop formation of Kosovo army (Tanjug)

Serbia strongly opposes the formation of the so-called Kosovo army on the territory of our southern province and demands the international community to stop this, the Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Djuric said. “We demand from the international community to stop immediately this dangerous escalation of political relations in the southern province,” Djuric told journalists in Belgrade. He added that the formation of any kind of army and military formation in Kosovo and Metohija would represent direct violation of UNSCR 1244 and the Kumanovo Military-Technical agreement, based on which the war in the southern province stopped in 1999. Djuric pointed out that Serb representatives in the institutions in the southern province will neither directly nor indirectly support such an initiative. “The fact is that the greater-Albanian project is the main threat to stability of the region and the creation of some Albanian paramilitary in Kosovo and Metohija would be adding oil on fire and a threat to established peace,” said Djuric. He says that the Kosovo security forces, armed with heavy weapons, could be a threat only to the unarmed Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, which Serbia will never allow. “Provinces are not the place to create armies, including our southern province that has witnessed so much suffering over the past 17 years,” said Djuric.

Drecun: Kosovo army would threaten, not strengthen, security (Tanjug)

The Chairman of the Serbian parliamentary Committee for Kosovo and Metohija Milovan Drecun says that the Kosovo army would certainly be a factor of threatening security of the Serbs, and claims this could reflect very negatively on the resumption of the normalization process of Belgrade-Pristina relations. He thinks that Kosovo President Hashim Tachi, by submitting a draft law on transforming Kosovo security forces into an army, is trying to bypass even the Kosovo Constitution and is avoiding consent of the Serb people, since the Serb representatives are not in the Assembly.

Nishani as factor of (non)peace in southern Serbia (Politika)

When, after seven decades, a head of state officially visits another country for the first time, as Albanian President Bujar Nishani did yesterday, visited Presevo and Bujanovac, at first glance, it seems as a step towards warming relations. However, many reactions and messages, primarily of the Albanians from this part of Serbia, point that such a gesture could only deepen the already tense relations between the two countries. Not a single top representative from Belgrade attended the welcome ceremony of the guest from Tirana. While the President of Albania stated during the visit that his country would continue to build good relations with Belgrade, far from relaxing was the statement of the President of the National Council of Albanians in Serbia Jonuz Musliu, that Nishani was coming in order to “resolve the problem of endangerment of rights” of Albanians in this region, since, he added, this is envisaged by the Constitution of Albania as their home country. Upon arriving to southern Serbia, Nishani announced that “Albanian state institutions are not taking part in any kind of obligations or decisions of another state”. “The Albanian population has its elected political representatives in Bujanovac and Presevo, and they can decide on their own. We find very important all commitments of the local self-administrations in Bujanovac, Presevo and Medvedja to preserve their national identity, while the interest of Albania is to establish further cooperation with Serbia,” said Nishani. Prior to his arrival, the President of the Coordinating Body for southern Serbia Zoran Stankovic tried to calm down tensions, saying that the Albanian President thanked the Serbian authorities for enabling his visit and meetings in Bujanovac and Presevo. “Let everybody interpret the visit as they can, I interpret it as a visit after which bilateral relations between Serbia and Albanian will be raised to a significantly higher level at the mutual satisfaction of citizens living in both states,” Stankovic told Sputnik. However, this mutual satisfaction could be disturbed by the fact that Nishani’s visit is taking place at a moment when Kosovo President Hashim Tachi has been announcing more certain formation of the armed forced of Kosovo, while the situation in Macedonia regarding government formation and the role of the Albanians in it is more uncertain.

The estimates regarding the number of citizens who attended the welcome ceremony for Nishani – from several hundred to several thousand – also vary. After the talks of officials that lasted nearly three hours, i.e. three times longer than initially announced, the Albanian President also visited the village of Veliki Trnovac, which is considered to be a stronghold of terrorists and various criminal activities, where even the police rarely come. Nishani visited there the “Muharem Hadriu” elementary school, where, according to reports of certain Belgrade media, he was greeted with the song, whose refrain says: “Kosovo is Albania”.

Army testing readiness of Rapid Reaction Units (RTS)

The control of operational capabilities of parts of the units of the Rapid Reaction Unit of the Serbian Army has begun at several locations and will end on 9 March, the Defense Ministry announced. The exercise started on Monday evening at the order of Defense Minister Zoran Djordjevic, upon the decision of President Tomislav Nikolic, by launching alerts from the Defense system Operative Centre, reads the statement. These are “emergency, unannounced, field inspection controls of operative abilities of a part of rapid reaction forces,” reads the statement.

Djordjevic meets Russian Defense envoy (Serbian Defense Ministry website)

Serbian Defense Minister Zoran Djordjevic talked with the Russian Defense envoy Colonel Andrey Kindyakov. Minister Djordejvic underlined on that occasion that Serbia was conducting a balanced policy of military neutrality, and that it was committed to developing cooperation with all partners, based on mutual respect. The Minister thanked for the support of the Russia side to our Serbia’s efforts in realizing the main foreign policy priorities of the Republic of Serbia. They noted that the functional and operative capabilities of the Serbian Army have strengthened with the realization of joint activities of bilateral military cooperation over the past period, and that all mutually acceptable forms of cooperation will develop and intensify in the future as well.

Djordjevic meets US Army Commander (FoNet/RTS)

Serbian Defense Minister Zoran Djordjevic met with the Commander of the US Army in Europe, Lieutenant Frederick Hodges who is visiting Serbia. Djordjevic underlined the importance and role of bilateral military cooperation that the Defense Ministry and the Serbian Army have with the US, especially with the members of the US Army command in Europe. He underlined the commitment of the Republic of Serbia to military neutrality and said that the Defense Ministry and the Serbian Army approach from this aspect the implementation of the defense policy when it comes to international military cooperation.

REGIONAL PRESS

B&H HoR’s session held; SNSD boycott HoR’s session, SzP refuses to vote for any item on agenda (TV1)

The House of Representatives (HoR) of the parliament of B&H held a regular session in Sarajevo on Tuesday. However, representatives of the parties gathered around the Alliance for Changes (SzP) coalition refused to vote for any item on the institution’s agenda. All items from the agenda were thus sent to the Collegium of the HoR of the parliament of B&H for subsequent harmonization because none of the proposals had entity majority from Republika Srpska (RS).

At the same time, SNSD MPs failed to attend Tuesday’s session of the HoR due to the fact that their request to postpone a session of this institution scheduled for Tuesday was rejected at Monday’s session of Collegium of the HoR. Ahead of the session, they underlined that democratic conditions for regular work of the HoR of the Parliament of B&H do not exist.

Commenting on the issue, SNSD MP Stasa Kosarac said that the existing crisis is much bigger than the February 16 crisis and reminded that the unconstitutional activities of Bosniak member of the Presidency of B&H and leader of SDA Bakir Izetbegovic regarding the revision of the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) ruling in the case of B&H’s lawsuit against Serbia, blocked the work of the Presidency of B&H.

SDA MP Sadik Ahmetovic criticized the fact that SNSD wants to drag SzP’s MPs into boycott of the state institutions. SDS MP in B&H HoR Borislav Bojic explained that, by refusing to participate in the work of the Parliament of B&H, SNSD is jeopardizing the Dayton Peace Accords (DPA) and the position of Serbs and the RS in the joint institutions. SBB B&H MP in B&H HoR Mirsad Djonlagic emphasized that the Parliament of B&H is a place where discussions are led and solutions are found, for the sake of the citizens. He added that it is not fair to withdraw from the joint institutions, especially for voters, and expressed hope that the situation will stabilize as soon as possible.

SDS’ Bosic: Prevention of collapse of whole system in B&H depends on SzP (BNTV)

Deputy Speaker of B&H House of Representatives (HoR) Mladen Bosic (SDS) stated that prevention of collapse of the whole system in B&H depends on Alliance for Changes (SzP). “We are facing the methods of blocking the institutions through walking out of the sessions of B&H Presidency, first by Bosniak member of B&H Presidency Bakir Izetbegovic and then Croat member of B&H Presidency Dragan Covic. At the same time, we are pressured by Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik’s authorities to block the institutions,” Bosic noted. Bosic added that SNSD MPs in B&H HoR accuse SzP of cooperating with Bosniak parties while some MPs from rank of Bosniak people accuse them of meeting SNSD’s demands. Bosic assessed such situation as “dangerous” because, in his opinion, it can lead all people towards an uncertain future, “particularly bearing in mind the past”. Bosic warned that politicians should not jeopardize the citizens by bringing them into danger of new conflicts. “This is a matter of personal interests of some politicians, who want to increase their rating,” Bosic deems.

SDP’s Mesic: Parliamentary majority at B&H level does not exist (FTV)

Head of SDP Caucus Mirsad Mesic criticized the ruling coalition at the state level, saying that the crisis was caused to keep them in power. According to Mesic, parliamentary majority at B&H level does not exist, because B&H CoM adopts laws unanimously, while B&H parliament rejects them.

Bosniak Caucus in RS CoP vetoes RSNA’s conclusions from special session on revision in case B&H vs. Serbia (Hayat)

The Bosniak Caucus in the Republika Srpska (RS) Council of Peoples (CoP) vetoed on Tuesday the conclusions adopted at the RS Assembly’s special session, which was dedicated to the issue of revision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s ruling in the case B&H vs. Serbia. Specifically, the Bosniak Caucus vetoed the Information on motion for revision in the case B&H vs. Serbia and 12 other conclusions adopted by the RSNA on that occasion. Head of the Bosniak Caucus Mujo Hadziomerovic underlined that this Caucus invoked the motion for protection of Vital National Interest (VNI) due to disagreeing with the content of the conclusions. “Some of them represent a common political pamphlet that is full of unconstitutional terms,” Hadziomerovic added.

Novakovic confirms SzP prepared criminal report against Izetbegovic (Nezavisne)

MP in B&H parliament Momcilo Novakovic (NDP) confirmed that a team of lawyers of the Alliance for Changes (SzP) has completed a criminal report against SDA leader and B&H Presidency member Bakir Izetbegovic because of his non-institutional activities and illicit launching of the revision of B&H’s lawsuit against Serbia. Novakovic added that top officials of the SzP will soon file the report with the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H.

Croatia protests against monument to be raised in Belgrade (Hina)

Croatia strongly protested on Tuesday against a decision by the Serbian government to erect a monument to an officer of the former Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA), Milan Tepic, who is considered to be a hero in Serbia while in Croatia he is considered to be a killer of Croatian defenders at the start of the war for independence in 1991. JNA Major Milan Tepic in September 1991 refused to surrender to Croatian forces and instead blew up an arsenal near the town of Bjelovar, killing himself, eleven Croatian soldiers and an unidentified number of recruits. Last week the Serbian government decided to erect a monument to Tepic in Belgrade on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of his death due to “his fearless feat.” The Croatian foreign ministry on Tuesday expressed a strong protest to Belgrade, the ministry reported. “This act by the Croatian ministry shows that they are absolutely in no state to look in their own yard,” Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said in response to the protest. He assessed Zagreb’s move as “tragicomic” because it showed that in international relations and, in particular in relations with Serbia, Croatia is not looking for things that connect but that divide. “We are prepared to develop cooperation and good neighborly relations, but on the other side there is no condemnation of attempts to rehabilitate the fascist past,” Dacic told a press conference in Belgrade.

Opposition will not recognize Niksic election results (Pobjeda)

Opposition will not recognize Niksic election results because the local elections represent continuing the coup, DF MP and a member of Niksic DF Committee, Milutin Djukanovic, told Pobjeda. Asked why the opposition decided to nominate their representatives in electoral committees knowing that the election results will not be recognized, Djukanovic said that the opposition parties “would not allow DPS to make election fraud”. “Someone would be glad if we left polls unobserved. DPS would like opposition representatives not to be in electoral committees at all, but we do not want to allow that party to commit election fraud. It is obvious that they planned to do that and to increase voter turnout, but we’re going to stop them,” Djukanovic said. According to him, there will be no obstruction coming from the opposition representatives in the polling stations, but they will obey the law. “We will work strictly according to the law and we will not allow DPS to execute the planned fraud,” said Djukanovic. He said he does not expect a high turnout. “Voter turnout in Niksic elections will be much lower than DPS expects,” he said. The opposition will have 67 chairperson seats in the 138 voting committees. The committee chairpersons shall be elected in accordance with the number of seats in the local assembly won in the previous elections. Thus, DPS got 61 chairperson seats in the committees, SDP 14, LP 3, NOVA 17, PzP and DNP 13 each, SNP 10 and Positive Montenegro 7.

Relations between Montenegro and B&H are positive example for the region (RTCG)

The agreement on the state border concluded between Montenegro and B&H indicates that a sensitive issue in the area of the former Yugoslavia can be solved in good neighborly and quality communication, said President Filip Vujanovic. Ending official visit to B&H, he said that the relations between Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the sensitive circumstances in the region, could be a good example. He added that he “carried” a very positive impression of the meeting with members of the Presidency which, he said, were without a doubt committed to European integration and which, in this process, certainly could build a maximum of good relations within B&H – affirming sovereignty of B&H, but also the equal rights of three constitutive nations and equality of the two entities.

President Ivanov calls for broad international condemnation of the Tirana platform (Meta)

The Tirana platform is a document that represents an ultimatum and it has suspended the Agreement from Przino in which the European Union has invested all of its foreign – political credibility, said the letter that was sent by President Gjorgje Ivanov to the members of the European Council, the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, the General Secretary of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, the President of the USA, Donald Trump and the President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. “The Tirana platform became a condition for forming the government of the Republic of Macedonia. The platform is a post-elections document, adopted in another country, in a cabinet of a foreign statesman and with the mediation of a Prime Minister of a foreign country. This platform threatens the sovereignty and the independence of the country, by forcing Republic of Macedonia to a subordinate position or dependency to another country. The realization of the platform denotes changes in the Constitution of Republic of Macedonia with which the Unitarian character of the state will be endangered. This platform from Tirana is additionally destabilizing the inner-political situation and is increasing the inter-ethnic tensions in the Republic of Macedonia,” said Ivanov.

In the letter that was sent before the meeting of the European Council, Ivanov is explaining that he, in accordance with the Constitution, has made a decision not to give a mandate for forming a government to anyone who is negotiating for platforms by other states, that will endanger the state’s unitarity, its sovereignty, and independence. According to Ivanov, the only way out of the crisis is condemnation and rejection of the platform. “I’m asking you to consider the real reality with which we are dealing with and to pledge this damaging platform to be publicly rejected and condemned by the European Union and NATO, including its member countries. Further, I expect that you will condemn the flagrant interference into the Republic of Macedonia’s internal affairs by its neighbors – candidates for a full EU membership,” said Ivanov.

VMRO-DPMNE: SDSM is a party under blackmail, new elections must be held (MIA)

VMRO-DPMNE repeated its position that for the party, the best way out of the political crisis is to hold early general elections, together with the municipal elections scheduled for this Spring. According to Dragan Danev from VMRO-DPMNE, bringing the two election dates together will reduce costs, but, more importantly, would give the voters a chance to have their say on the Tirana platform which several parties that represent ethnic Albanians adopted after the vote in December, and which the SDSM party then accepted. According to him, SDSM has accepted the platform because they lost the elections and their leader Zaev is faced with charges for numerous financial crimes and abuses of office. “SDSM is a blackmailed party and its leadership is drowning in their crimes. VMRO-DPMNE will not allow anybody to trade away the national interests only to avoid criminal responsibility”, Danev added.

SDSM leader Zaev meets with ambassadors (MIA)

SDSM leader Zoran Zaev held on Tuesday a meeting with the ambassadors of Germany, the UK, Sweden and the Netherlands, Christine Althauser, Charles Garrett, Mats Staffansson and Wouter Plomp respectively. It was concluded at the meeting that it was necessary the democratic processes in Macedonia to move forward in order a new, reform-oriented government to be formed, according to the expectations of the citizens, SDSM said in a press release. According to him, fresh elections would only deepen the crisis. In the meeting, all interlocutors said they expected everyone involved would show maturity in order Macedonia and its citizens to get a new government as soon as possible in a peaceful transfer of power, stated the press release.

Hoyt Yee: Government formation without further delay in line with constitution (MIA)

United States Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Hoyt Brian Yee said Tuesday he expected political leaders in Macedonia, including the president, to do what was necessary, forming a government without further delay in line with the constitution.

“The majority in the Macedonian parliament expressed the will to form a government. We hope Macedonia’s president will enable the majority of MPs to form a government as soon as possible. The state needs a government which must pursue reforms”, said Hoyt Yee during a visit to Zagreb. He added that the formation of a government and reforms would help to solve the dispute with Greece about Macedonia’s name, after which Macedonia would be able to join NATO. “Macedonia has a lot of work ahead but it must first form a government. The EU and the US are closely working together for that to happen”, Hoyt said. He stressed the situation in Macedonia was not surprising because there are parties which wish to remain in power and parties which want to come to power. “It is natural and normal that political tensions are very high, the rhetoric is very strong, perhaps it’s not acceptable, but we believe that the people in Macedonia want to join NATO and the EU. For that to happen, there must be a political consensus, a compromise that will enable the formation of a stable government”, Hoyt said. He said the US policy on Southeast Europe, regardless of the change in the White House, was consistent and based on US interests. “I see no attempts to change that. We remain committed to NATO and European security”, he added.

FM Poposki meets MEPs in Brussels (Republika)

Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki held Tuesday several meetings with members of the European Parliament (MEPs) as part of his two-day visit to Brussels, MIA reports from the Belgian capital. FM Poposki met with David McAllister, chair of the EP Foreign Affairs Committee, MEPs Tonino Picula, Elmar Brok, Marijana Petir, and with the Head of the European People’s Party (EPP), Joseph Daul, to discuss Macedonia’s EU integration bid and the political crisis in the country. “The resolution of Macedonia is about to be adopted in the European Parliament. In both cases, concern has been voiced. However, while the Balkan region is facing crisis situations, it’s best the European agenda to be restored there,” Poposki said after the meetings.

Recently, he added, the EU has been focused too much on its internal issues, thus neglecting the need to send a clear message to Western Balkan countries, especially to Macedonia.

“Even though the EU integration process is stalled, it’s important that the process is not completely halted. This message is also important for our citizens, because at the end of the day, we cannot expect others to solve our challenges. We need to find solutions on our own. In the absence of clear European perspectives, issues could only worsen,” noted FM Poposki

Masked men threw Molotov cocktails at the Museum of the Albanian Alphabet in Bitola (Meta)

Four masked men hurled two Molotov cocktails at the Museum of the Albanian Alphabet in Bitola. The incident occurred early this morning, around 4:00 am, confirmed the management at the museum. According to employees at the museum, the perpetrators wanted to burn down the whole building, but failed. The Bitola police department confirmed that the incident has been recorded and an investigation has been opened. The Museum of the Albanian Alphabet was the target of attacks a few months ago , when unknown assailants smashed the windows before last year’s celebration of the Albanian alphabet. So far, police in Bitola have not given a statement or any information regarding the identity of the perpetrators.

President Ivanov condemns Bitola museum incident (MIA)

President Gjorge Ivanov strongly condemns today’s incident in Bitola, in which Molotov cocktails were thrown at the Museum of Albanian Alphabet. The Macedonian President believes the incident is an isolated case and urges the incident not to be taken advantage of for partisan and political goals in order to manipulate the public, his cabinet said Tuesday in a press release.

“In a time when the country is facing pretty serious challenges, all political and social factors are equally responsible in preventing any tension or provocation,” stated the press release. President Ivanov, it added, calls on all individuals to act in a responsible manner and to take into consideration all the possible consequences that might occur from similar incidents. The incident has been already condemned by the Ministry of Culture and the parties VMRO-DPMNE and SDSM.

Albanian MFA: Everyone should remain calm and the anti-Albanian rhetoric must stop (Meta)

“The Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regrets and condemns the attack on the Museum of the Albanian alphabet in Bitola, on this remarkable day for the Albanian language and all Albanians”, said the reaction issued by the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reports a Meta correspondent in Tirana. The Ministry demands that the Macedonian authorities quickly resolve the barbaric act and to punish the people responsible. “The consecutive attacks on the Museum are clear evidence of the need for more effective protection of this common heritage from the competent authorities”, said the press release by the Albanian MFA. The Albanian MFA has called upon all sides to remain calm and to stop the anti-Albanian rhetoric. They also said that they “believe that these attacks are actions of a small group of people driven by extreme nationalist sentiment, fear, lack of information and the harmful rhetoric of recent years.” “We would like to emphasize that the history, traditions, language and culture of the Albanian people are an added value for our neighbors in Macedonia and that their protection indicates high democratic and humanitarian values. Albania and the Albanians have been and will continue to be lasting friends of Macedonia. We believe in coexistence, harmony and cooperation values among our countries and citizens”, added the statement.

INTERNATIONAL PRESS

Roundup: EU summit to focus on economy, security, migration, Western Balkans: Tusk (Xinhua, 8 March 2017) 

BRUSSELS — The leaders from European Union (EU) member states will look at economy, security, migration and the situation in the Western Balkans in their spring summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said on Tuesday. According to leaked council draft conclusions, the bloc will “reiterate its determination to deliver on all the elements of the Malta Declaration.”

The declaration adopted at last month’s informal summit in Malta focused on measures to stem the flow of migration from Libya to Italy. According to Tusk, one of the key summit objectives will be on jobs, growth and competitiveness while the benefits of “widely and fairly” spread economic growth will also be stressed. “The deepening of the Single Market and a robust trade policy are two avenues to help us achieve those goals. At the same time, we also need to avoid the creation of new barriers, both in Europe and on the global stage,” Tusk said.

The draft conclusion called for a speedy implementation of the just-approved EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), stressing trade remained one of the “most powerful” engines for growth. Besides, the president of the European Central Bank is also invited to share with national leaders his observations on the EU and euro area economies.

Given growing concern over recent developments in the Western Balkans, the leaders will discuss the bloc’s engagement in the region. “The EU will remain engaged in the Western Balkans and stand by its commitments,” Tusk said.

Meanwhile, the leaders will also look at how to sustain the momentum of reinforcing Europe’s security and defense, Tusk said. “Europe must do more to protect its citizens and maintain stability in the neighborhood and beyond, including by committing sufficient additional resources,” said the draft document. This has been taken as an indirect reference to U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for all NATO members to pay their “fair share” on the cost of collective defense. The leaders from 27 EU member states will meet again on Friday to prepare for the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, as British Prime Minister Theresa May, who is expected to trigger Article 50 to start Brexit talks later this month, will not attend.

European Commission’s Future of Europe White Paper, unveiled last week by its President Jean-Claude Juncker, will be debated as national leaders need to find a common position for the future direction of the European project ahead of the Rome summit. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have stressed the need to continue focusing on an “ambitious EU” whereas some decried the EU’s current direction and track record. British MEP Syed Kamall, leader of the European Conservatives and Reformists group in the European Parliament, said “Recent referendum results in the UK, Netherlands, Italy, Hungary and Denmark have shown a loss of faith in the EU.” “The main objective must be to reconnect the EU to people and make it worthy of their trust by being more respectful to its member states, focused on where it can add value,” he added.

Top MEP says EU must do more to stop Russia destabilising Balkans (The Guardian, by Jennifer Rankin, 8 March 2017)

The European Union needs to be more visible in the western Balkans to counter Russian attempts to destabilise the region, a leading MEP has said. “Geopolitics has returned to the Balkans,” said David McAllister, a German MEP and chair of the European parliament’s foreign affairs committee. “We are seeing the growing Russian influence, we are seeing growing Turkish influence, the United States is a player, the European Union is a player, so there are different interests at stake,” he said. But it was Russia’s role that he described as negative, citing the Kremlin’s suspected involvement in a failed coup in Montenegro and Moscow’s support for hardline nationalist leaders in the region. Russia was also exerting influence on political debate by organising anti-western, and anti-EU propaganda, McAllister said, especially in Serbian-language media outlets that promoted the Kremlin’s world view, as well as “conspiracy theories and Serbian ultranationalism”. EU leaders will discuss the growing tension in the Balkans at a summit in Brussels on Thursday. According to a draft memo seen by the Guardian, the leaders will renew their promise that the door of membership remains open while stressing the importance of reforms and “good neighbourly relations”. Member states are divided over whether the summit communique should identify the “outside forces” carving out a bigger role in the region. Russia is a particular concern, but officials are also wary of Turkey’s growing role.

“There is third country interference,” one EU diplomat said. EU diplomats are also worried about Balkan citizens heading to Iraq and Syria to fight for Islamic extremist groups. A disproportionately high number of Kosovans, Albanians and Bosnians have been fighting in Middle Eastern war zones, according to the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network.

Balkan countries were given the green light to begin the long road to EU membership in 2003, but progress has been mixed. Croatia joined the EU in 2013, and Montenegro and Serbia have embarked on formal membership talks. Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo and Macedonia are further behind in the process. The EU’s foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, visited the region last week, in an attempt to revive momentum towards EU integration. Speaking after her visit, she laid out her “profound concerns” but also optimism that all countries could eventually join the EU. “The Balkans can easily become one of the chessboards where the big power game can be played,” Mogherini said. Her trip was also aimed at reassuring the region it had not been forgotten. While the EU has been rocked by one existential crisis after another, from Brexit to Greek debt to coping with migrants and refugees, nationalist and inter-ethnic tensions have been bubbling away in the western Balkans. In January, a Serbian train bearing signs reading “Kosovo is Serbian” was sent towards Kosovo, plunging relations between the countries into a crisis. Meanwhile, Macedonia is entrenched in an increasingly bitter political crisis that has pitted neighbours against each other, and Montenegro was shaken by the assassination attempt against its pro-western prime minister last October. The failed coup has been linked to Russian authorities, although Moscow has denied any involvement. Tensions have also flared in Bosnia, where the Bosnian-Serb leader, Milorad Dodik, is accused of flouting the 1995 peace agreement that ended a four-year civil war.

McAllister disputed the view, held by some regional leaders, that the Balkans have been forgotten by Brussels but said it was time for the EU to increase its visibility. A recent poll showed Serbians were more likely to assume Russia was the country’s biggest aid donor, rather than the EU, although the estimated €3bn (£2.6bn) received from Brussels since 2000 far exceeds sums from Moscow.

Citing this poll, McAllister said the EU needed to increase its efforts “to make the European Union and its good work more visible in all the six western Balkan countries”. The MEP was elected to lead the foreign affairs committee in January. In early April, MEPs are to vote on a resolution drafted by McAllister calling on Serbia to align its foreign policy to Europe. McAllister said he regretted that Serbia had not chosen to join in EU sanctions against Russia, although pointed to its support for UN peacekeeping operations. “Serbia will have to fully align its foreign policy with the European Union to become a member,” he said.