LOCAL PRESS
Vucic, Macron discuss cooperation; Macron confirms visit to Serbia (RTS)
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Tuesday to discuss bilateral relations and economic cooperation between the two countries.
During the meeting – which took place aboard a ship that took high-ranking guests from the Elysee Palace to the Seguin Island for the One Planet summit on climate change – Macron informed Vucic he would visit Serbia before the summer of 2018.
The French President will visit Serbia before the summer of next year, Vucic declared following his attendance of the summit in Paris. The press service of the Serbian President has announced that Vucic and Macron talked about investments in Serbia and that Vucic asked Macron for stronger French support on Serbia’s path to the EU.
Vucic also met with other premiers and presidents who took part in the Summit on climate change in Paris, including Croatian PM Andrej Plenkovic, Luxembourg PM Xavier Bettel and Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern. Vucic said no statement will be released regarding his meeting with Plenkovic and added that they agreed on certain topics and didn’t on others.
He said he met with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and announced that he will be visiting Bulgaria next spring. Vucic said that talks and meetings with leaders of African and Asian countries were important as preparation of a large African tour in order to secure deals for Serbian companies. He said he also met with Swiss President Doris Leuthard, as well as Norwegian PM Erna Solberg.
Dacic in Brussels: Unacceptable enlargement strategy “entire region in single package”; continuation of dialogue with Pristina under EU auspices (RTS/Tanjug/Beta/government website)
Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said on Tuesday that Belgrade remains genuinely committed to the process of dialogue on the normalization of relations with Pristina, which has been proven by the implementation of the agreements reached so far. “I wish to underline also what I have been often repeating to our friends across the world. Full membership of the European Union is Serbia’s first strategic foreign policy priority. This reflects the will of the citizens of Serbia and the incumbent Government in Belgrade has opted for it, as well as the ones that preceded it. Therefore, we have a legitimate expectation that the announced Strategy for the successful accession of Serbia and Montenegro to the European Union will clearly recognize Serbia – along with Montenegro – as the leader in the EU accession process and that the perspective of its full membership during the mandate of the next European Commission is a realistic objective. This does not mean, however, that the European path of other membership aspirants from the region should be side tracked. On the contrary, this will encourage all in the Western Balkans to proceed with positive competition in this respect, and with the implementation of their internal transformation, as rapidly and as effectively as possible. I am strongly convinced that we in Belgrade will be pleased with the Strategy, as soon as it is released. Serbia is undergoing a wide range of economic and political reforms aimed at preparing our country for the challenges EU membership brings with it. I would like to assure you that the government to which I belong is working hard to overcome all the challenges down the road. Yesterday’s Intergovernmental Conference surely comes as recognition and the result of these efforts, since Serbia has opened two new chapters. I hope that our accession process will continue successfully under the Bulgarian Presidency, and that a number of new chapters will be opened, accordingly. We are aware of the great many challenges facing the EU, both internally and globally, and for that reason we appreciate even more the decision of our neighbouring Bulgaria to include the European perspective of the Western Balkans among the priorities of its incoming Presidency. We particularly welcome Bulgaria’s intention to host the EU – Western Balkans summit, whose convening I have been personally advocating for a long time.
We sincerely hope that Austria and Romania as future European Council Presidency holders, very close to our region, will deal with the enlargement issue and positively consider the Balkan topic within their programs. We in Serbia are glad that there is a growing awareness among the Member States that the European perspective of the Western Balkans is of crucial importance to the stability of our region and Europe as a whole. We have made great strides to normalize our relations with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro; both the President of the Republic and members of the government understand full well the importance of regional stability to the future of Serbia. You are also aware that Serbia has another strategic political priority – the preservation of territorial integrity and sovereignty which has been challenged following the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo. That is exactly why Serbia’s diplomatic efforts towards preserving territorial integrity form an essential element of our relations with other countries and international factors. Political leaders in Belgrade invested all their political credibility in the process of dialogue on the normalization of relations with Pristina – which in my capacity then as Prime Minister I embarked upon in October 2012. I would like to assure you that Belgrade remains truly committed to this process as has been proven time and again by the implementation of the achieved agreements. However, I have to recall that no progress whatsoever has been made over the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities, although most of the provisions of the Brussels agreement relate to this issue. It is necessary that the other side in the dialogue assumes responsibility and honors its obligations. The efforts have to be shared particularly in view of the fact that it is the only way to ensure normal life for citizens in Kosovo and Metohija and stabilize relations between Serbs and other non-Albanians with the Albanians. I am convinced that the entire Union supports Belgrade in this goal, despite different views of the Member States regarding the status of Kosovo and Metohija. We therefore hope that the dialogue will continue and be successful with full support of the EU and under its auspices, whose facilitating role we fully trust. Only through a committed dialogue will it be possible to resolve all outstanding issues and build a stable region,” Dacic said at the working lunch of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the EU member states and candidate countries for EU membership, organized within the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the EU.
Vulin: Zaev has not kept his word (Tanjug)
Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin says Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev has not kept his word. “As President Aleksandar Vucic announced earlier this month, the Macedonian prime minister has not kept his word. Although he made a public promise to abstain on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija’s membership in UNESCO, and that this would be proof of friendship toward Serbia, Zaev decided to support Pristina,” Vulin said in a statement on Tuesday, and added: “Zaev in this way demonstrated that Vucic knows people and circumstances well, but also what the Macedonian prime minister really thinks about Serbia.” Serbia and its President are friends of Macedonia and its citizens, Vulin said. “Macedonia’s Prime Minister does not know how to respect that,” Vulin concluded.
Djuric: We are ready to give additional political impulse for better economic cooperation (RTS/Tanjug)
The Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Djuric has stated that Serbia had offered cooperation to the authorities in Pristina, especially economic, so he expects a response from the other side. Following the fourth round of the internal dialogue on Kosovo, Djuric says that the thing that could be heard at this gathering was the need for Serbian companies to invest even more in Kosovo and Metohija, which could contribute to strengthening of economic cooperation, but also survival of the Serbs in Kosovo. He notes that business people also support the initiative of President Vucic to completely liberate flow of goods, people and capital not only towards Kosovo and Metohija, but in the entire Balkan peninsula because, as he put it, this is something that can bring benefit not only to Serbia, but also to all participants in the process.
Djuric says that one could conclude from the gathering that it is a bad thing that there is no institution in Pristina that is in charge of the dialogue and resolution of so-called technical issues, which are, as he assesses, essentially deep political issues. “When it comes to economic cooperation, there is no doubt that the economy wants this. There is no doubt that the Chambers are doing a fantastic job, and we from our side, as state institutions, are ready to give additional political impulse for this cooperation to be even better in the future,” concluded Djuric.
MICT to consider prosecution’s appeal in Seselj case (B92/Beta)
The Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals (MICT) will on Wednesday hold a hearing on the prosecution appeal against the verdict in the Seselj trial. The ICTY trial chamber in March 2016 acquitted the leader of the SRS party on all counts of the indictment, which accused him of war crimes committed against non-Serbs in Croatia, Vojvodina, and B&H, Beta reported on Tuesday. The prosecution is asking the MICT to either find Seselj guilty and sentence him to 28 years in prison, or order a retrial. In his response to the filing, Seselj, who represents himself, asked that the prosecution’s appeal be rejected, and the original ruling upheld. He earlier informed the appeals chamber that he does not intend to participate, in any way, in the process before the Hague Tribunal and that he would not return to The Hague voluntarily. In his response Seselj emphasized that he also does not intend to come to The Hague for the reading of the final verdict.
REGIONAL PRESS
Izetbegovic: B&H will never accept that its foreign policy is based on positions of Serbia or Croatia (Klix)
The member of the B&H Presidency Bakir Izetbegovic said that B&H will never accept that its foreign policy is based on positions of Serbia or Croatia. Izetbegovic noted there are no conflicts regarding recognition of Kosovo because the recognition cannot happen until the Presidency of B&H passes one such decision. According to him, B&H will conduct its foreign policy independently, based on B&H’s sovereign interests and rights, whilst neighbors will have to build relations with B&H on basis of respect and reciprocity. Izetbegovic denied reports that he is making a para-military, arguing that Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik “is creating a nucleus of something that could be a para-military”. He argued that Dodik is playing with Serbs’ emotions and is encouraging war and separatist emotions, which is a dangerous and unpredictable game, which causes damage to Serbs in B&H. Talking about the work of the Presidency of B&H, Izetbegovic stressed the Presidency reached almost all foreign policy related decisions through consensus, adding that issues on which there is no agreement are open issues with Serbia and Croatia and issues dealing with the past.
Serbian Ministry of Defense delegation visits B&H (NAP/ Srna)
A delegation of Serbian Ministry of Defense, led by Minister Aleksandar Vulin, pays an official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Ministry of Defense. Vulin was welcomed by B&H Defense Minister Marina Pendes, who said that the plan of activities of the two countries is almost fully accomplished. The two officials concluded that peace and stability are common goals of both countries. Pendes concluded that this visit is very important for the whole region. Vulin also said the peaceful and stable B&H is most important for Serbia. He added that Serbia is absolutely turned towards peace and, as a regional factor, it is a guarantor of peace.
Vulin stated that the decision on NATO accession of B&H needs to be adopted with approval of two entities and three peoples. “Serbia finds acceptable everything that two entities and three peoples in BiH reach agreement on”, said Vulin. He stressed that two years have passed since “an attempted murder” of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Potocari, that nobody was ever sanctioned for this and “everyone act as if this has never happened”. “Not many countries would forgive this. If this happened in Serbian territory, we would do everything to find out the truth, the perpetrators would certainly be located and sanctioned”, said Vulin.
Commenting statements of member of B&H Presidency Bakir Izetbegovic concerning recognition of Kosovo and reactions in Serbia which followed, Vulin said that it is necessary to react to statements which question sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. “It is difficult to me to understand that someone would ask for his country to be recognized in international borders, and deems that my country should be somewhat smaller and organized in different way and that part of its territory should not be in its composition. You have to react when you hear such statement”, said Vulin.
B&H CoM defines draft of basis for negotiations and agreement with Serbia on joint locations on border crossings (BHT1/ATV)
B&H Council of Ministers (CoM) defined on Tuesday a draft of basis for negotiations and signing of an agreement with Serbia on joint locations on border crossings. Among other things, the document stipulates joint border controls of B&H and Serbia at the border crossing Bratunac-Ljubovija and leaves room to set the same kind of joint controls at other border crossings. Technical conditions for realization of the draft are yet to be met. Addressing the media after the CoM’s session, B&H Minister of Security Dragan Mektic explained that the border control of both countries will be located at the same location. According to Mektic, the agreement will represent a general framework agreement i.e. legal basis while the control points will be further agreed on with Serbia.
„Hamdija Abdic et al“ group released pending trial (TV1/FTV)
Cantonal Court in Bihac denied custody motion in „Hamdija Abdic et al“ case, in which suspects are charged with the murder of General of Croat Defense Council (HVO) Vlado Santic in Bihac in 1995. The suspects were released pending trial.
Prosecutor’s Office of B&H protects Atif Dudakovic from liability for war crimes (EuroBlic)
Commenting on the arrest of Hamdija Abdic aka Tigar, suspected of murder of former HVO General Vlado Santic in March 1995, member of the Presidency of the Association of Croat Invalids of Homeland War (HVIDRA) from Mostar Mario Cvitkovic told the daily that this case is still being covered up so that former commander of the 5th Corps of the Army of the Republic of B&H (RB&H Army) Atif Dudakovic can be protected from liability. Cvitkovic argued that the very fact Abdic and another four former members of the RB&H Army were arrested upon an order of the Prosecutor’s Office in Bihac and not upon an order of the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H means that even if they are found guilty their sentences will be by at least 12 years smaller. “Namely, Abdic et al are suspected of the criminal act of civil murder and not war crimes, which is under the jurisdiction of the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H and which is punishable with stricter punishments,” Cvitkovic explained and argued that there are numerous testimonies proving that Dudakovic is actually the main culprit for the murder of Santic and that Abdic was only the executor of Dudakovic’s orders. “Just like in other cases of war crimes committed by Bosniaks, prosecutor’s offices under the control of politicians from Sarajevo punish only small fish while the commanding officers of Bosniak army are untouchable for them,” Cvitanovic said and added that the arrest of executors of crimes without punishing those who ordered them is merely farce.
OSCE project on war crimes cases closed down (FTV)
A closing conference of the War Crimes Capacity Building Project organized by the OSCE Mission to B&H took place in Sarajevo on Tuesday. On this occasion, international officials once again warned that decisions and results of the work of the ICTY, as well as local judicial institutions, must be fully respected. The warning came in light of a series of fierce reactions to the ICTY’s first-instance verdict against Ratko Mladic and final verdict in the case ‘Jadranko Prlic et al.’, particularly the ones coming from Republika Srpska (RS), Croatia and certain politicians in B&H, respectively. They also made it clear that judiciary should be absolutely free from political influence. Head of the OSCE Mission to B&H Bruce Berton said that, unfortunately, politics in this country plays a role where it should not. Representatives of the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H once again underlined that ethnic affiliation of victims, suspects or indictees does not really matter to them, as they are all equally treated in accordance with the law. Also, Acting Chief Prosecutor at the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H Gordana Tadic stressed that the situation at this institution is getting better, unlike what she found while assuming this post 15 months ago. She explained that the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H is now ready and capable to confront the most complex cases of war crimes, which has been proven by recent operations and indictments. In order for the prosecution of war crimes cases to be accelerated by amending the state-level strategy, participants of the conference suggested that the cases should be handed over to judicial institutions at lower levels.
HNS’ and SDA’s proposals of changes and amendments to Law on Elections will fall in Parliament of B&H this week (Vecernji list)
Vecernji list daily reads that destiny of two proposals of changes and amendments to the Law on Elections of B&H will be known in the Parliament of B&H this week. Judging by the current mood, the proposal of changes and amendments prepared by the Croat People’s Assembly (HNS) will not be endorsed by the B&H House of Representatives, whilst the proposal prepared by SDA will not be supported in the B&H House of Peoples (HoP). Daily reminds that the HNS’ proposal has been passed by the B&H HoP, stressing that the SDA’s proposal does not take into account ruling in the motion submitted by Bozo Ljubic (ruling passed by the Constitutional Court of B&H). According to the daily, it is about an attempt to obstruct passing of changes to the Law on Elections, which leads the daily to say that SDA wants to continue with the practice of outvoting and sidelining of Croats.
President under pressure to take away medals from convicted officers (Vecernji list)
There are more and more demands for President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic to take away wartime medals given to officers who have recently been found guilty of war crimes by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague. The President, who is also the supreme commander of the Croatian Armed Forces, commented on the demands on Tuesday. She said that “these people have received medals for defence against the Greater Serbian aggression” and added that she would not take the medals away from them. “Such practice has not been implemented so far, except in the case of verdicts made by Croatian courts,” she said. According to unofficial sources close to the Office of the President, “the presidential practice has not been institutionalized so far in any of the previous cases of final verdicts for the commission of war crimes following the decisions of the Hague Tribunal.”
“The medals of the Republic of Croatia have not been taken away from either General Tihomir Blaskic, Mr. Dario Kordic and others, who have been convicted by the same court, so there is no institute of automatic removal of the medals” said a representative of the Office of the President. The Law on Medals and Recognitions states in article 36 that the President of the Republic shall, upon the proposal of the State Commission for Medals and Recognitions or by his or her own decision, take away medals and recognitions if the person in question acts contrary to the legal order or moral values of the Republic of Croatia.
In earlier years, President Stjepan Mesic took away medals given to generals Mirko Norac, Vladimir Zagorac and Ivan Korade, as well as to war crimes perpetrators Tihomir Oreskovic, Sinisa Rimac, Tomislav Duic, Ante Gudic, Davor Banic, Stjepan Grandic and Andjelko Botic.
His successor, President Ivo Josipovic, took away the official rank of generals Branimir Glavas, Vladimir Zagorac and Mirko Norac, as well as of Major Sinisa Rimac. Josipovic also took away all medals given to former Prime Minister Ivo Sanader.
West, not Russia, is organizing coups (RTCG/CDM)
The trial against the leaders of Democratic Front (DF) for a coup attempt is a Kafkaesque scenario, a delegation from the Russian party Rodina said. The delegation is staying in Podgorica in order to support the leaders of that political alliance, Andrija Mandic and Milan Knezevic. “This judicial process is a pattern of political absurdity and pure liberal provocation,” said Fyodor Biryukov, the chief ideologist of the Rodina party and the chairman of its political council. He denied Russia’s involvement in a coup. “The Russian Federation does not organize state coups, not at all. This is not our method,” Biryukov said, adding that only Western powers are doing such things. He pointed out that the delegation’s visit is solely for the purpose of cooperation. “The visit is exclusively for the purpose of our cooperation. We all comment as observers with a bit of irony. Our interference in the trial can be interpreted only by those who function as science fiction writers,” he said. DNP leader Milan Knezevic said that the arrival of the Russian delegation confirmed the true relationship between DF and Russia. He said that DF and Russia had nothing to do with the unconstitutional activities they are accused of. “This fabricated indictment was an impetus for Montenegro’s membership in NATO and an attempt to present Russia and the Russian people as enemies,” Knezevic said. He emphasized that they were supported by their colleagues from Serbia and announced that some officials from Western Europe would also support DF.
Zaev: Macedonia supports Pristina-Belgrade dialogue (MIA)
Macedonia has been supporting Pristina-Belgrade dialogue and in this respect settling of all issues, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev told reporters Tuesday about whether Skopje would vote for Kosovo’s UNESCO membership. “You know that the matter is postponed. We don’t know when it will be on the agenda again and I hope that meanwhile Kosovo-Serbia relations will be in a process of resolving. Kosovo may rely on Macedonia’s support, but Serbia is also our neighbor, so in favor of the good relations with all our neighbors we hope the open issues will be resolved on a bilateral level while we will support the ongoing processes between the two countries,” Zaev told a joint press conference with Kosovo PM Ramush Haradinaj.
Zaev promotes Macedonia’s stable business climate to Kosovo businessmen (MIA)
Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and his Kosovo counterpart Ramush Haradinaj had a meeting Tuesday in Pristina with Kosovo businessmen, the government said in a press release.
Zaev invited the businessmen to invest in Macedonia, as the country’s open-door policy, advanced regional cooperation and the good relations with the EU, NATO have been yielding results already. There is a growing interest for investing in Macedonia, Zaev said, pointing out that the government has created a stable business climate and sustainable economic model that makes the country an attractive business destination.
Zaev-Veseli: Macedonia, Kosovo strive toward EU and NATO membership (MIA)
As part of his official visit to Kosovo, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev met Tuesday with the Chairman of Kosovo’s Assembly, Kadri Veseli. It is quite important, Zaev said, that this meeting, too, is upholding the open and sincere friendship between the two countries, the government’s press service said. “This visit sends strong and sincere messages to the two countries that we are building societies of equal citizens. We are striving for and creating conditions to meet European standards,” Zaev said in the meeting with Veseli. The Chairman of the Kosovo Assembly noted that the two countries were sharing a joint past. “However, a joint future is ahead of us, as neighbors, as countries of the region and as candidates aspiring to join the EU and NATO.” The interlocutors concluded that a common interest of all countries in the region was stability and security, as well as economic progress as a precondition to fulfill the strategic interests of all Western Balkan countries, i.e. Euro-Atlantic integration. Zaev and Veseli pledged to promote meetings of the countries’ top officials as a practice designed to strengthen and improve relations in many areas, stated the press release.
Zaev: Over 75 percent of our citizens favor Macedonia’s EU and NATO membership (MIA)
The government is creating conditions for national consensus with key decision-makers – the President and the opposition – towards accelerating Macedonia’s NATO integration, said Prime Minister Zoran Zaev on Wednesday. “At the same time, we are committed to finding ways in overcoming the problem that Greece has with the name of our country. We believe this is possible through an inclusive approach at home, accompanied by building a positive atmosphere of good neighborly relations and cooperation with Greece”, Zaev said in an address at an event organized by the Euro-Atlantic Council of Macedonia. Therefore, he added, we rightfully expect that Macedonia is the next Alliance member-state, along with an invitation for the start of EU accession talks in the first half of 2018. “Over 75 percent of our citizens favor Macedonia’s EU and NATO membership. The Government, supported by the citizens and international partners, traces the country’s path to NATO”, said Zaev. According to him, Macedonia would always give a positive contribution in any initiative that results in broader and better regional cooperation.
VMRO-DPMNE MPs refuse to take part in parliament’s activities after arrests (Meta)
VMRO-DPMNE MPs said Tuesday they will not take part in parliamentary bodies and sessions citing lack of adequate conditions following the arrests of six opposition lawmakers. “At the moment SDSM, being a ruling majority, has the obligation to provide all the conditions necessary for proper functioning of parliament. Amid current circumstances, when 12 percent of our parliamentary group, i.e. six MPs, have been put in detention, no adequate conditions are provided enabling is to adequately participate in activities in parliament,” VMRO-DPMNE MP Goran Manojloski told reporters when asked whether opposition deputies would attend the debate on the law on languages. Manojloski also said that MP Krsto Mukoski, who has been incarcerated for a week, is on a hunger strike and his health is deteriorating. “About this and also about several instances of violation of human rights of the people involved in the events of 27 April 2017, we have informed officials of the international community, including OSCE,” he stated. The VMRO-DPMNE MP once again accused SDSM of conducting classic revanchism.
Government mulling prospects for international probe into Diva Naselba case (MIA)
The government is considering prospects for international interpretation or investigation into all circumstances in connection to the Diva Naselba case. “All aspects of the event are the subject of an ongoing analysis. It is a sensitive issue both for Macedonia and Kosovo. The government of Macedonia is looking into prospects for international interpretation of investigation into circumstances in connection to this case,” government spokesman Mile Bosnjakovski told a news conference Wednesday. This analysis, he added, should provide an answer to the question of which institution is going to be in charge of helming the process, and from what angle, no matter the outcome of the analysis. The Diva Naselba settlement in Kumanovo was the place where a shootout broke out between gunmen and Macedonian security forces in May 2015. The two-day gun battle left 18 people dead, including eight police officers. Last month, a Skopje court handed down life sentences to seven of the 37 defendants accused of involvement in the Diva Naselba incident. Several defendants are originally from Kosovo.
Nimetz: The name issue can and should be resolved next year (MIA)
The name issue can and should be resolved next year, UN mediator Matthew Nimetz stated Tuesday in Brussels after Tuesday’s talks with Macedonian and Greek negotiators Vasko Naumovski and Adamantios Vassilakis. “After so many years, no new magical name can appear from nowhere and solve the issue. The solution will be found with political will and good diplomacy,” Nimetz said. According to Nimetz the climate for resolving of name issue has been definitely improved both in Greece and in Macedonia. He said that today’s talks in Brussels are held in a good atmosphere. He announced that the talks will be intensified in the next period with new meetings in New York, in January, February and March. “Certainly, there are difficult issues for both sides, but we will try to resolve them in the next months,” Nimetz said. Nimetz assessed that governments in Athens and Skopje put the resolving of the name issue high on their agendas and intend to continue to work on improvement of mutual relations. Nimetz said that he did not put forward a new proposal at the talks, held following a three-year break.
Baily: Rule of law and the fight against corruption are conditions for a NATO accession (Meta)
The rule of law and the fight against corruption are one of the main conditions for Macedonia to remain a developed and prosperous democracy and a part of the Euro-Atlantic structures, said the US Ambassador Jess Baily. “The existence of corruption lowers the trust of the citizens towards the government, it makes the institutions weak to pressures and is weakening the economy, and in the case of Macedonia it jeopardizes the normal course of the process in joining in the Euro-Atlantic structures,” said the US Ambassador. Baily said that the corruption is present in all societies, but all parts of the society should fight against it. He stressed that what is necessary for the fight against the corruption is a strong will at the political leadership for fighting this phenomenon, strong institutions without political interferences and active civil sector.
Palmer: Washington expects Macedonia to be NATO’s 30th member (MIA)
Montenegro this year became NATO’s 29th member but we will have a nice symmetry if we welcome Macedonia as the 30th member of the Alliance next year, says Matthew Palmer, Director for South Central European Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.
“Potential solution of the name issue will also stimulate regional stability and we salute the renewal of Macedonia-Greece talks”, Palmer told a meeting of the US-Adriatic Charter partnership committee, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday. He congratulated Macedonia on the excellent Charter chairmanship, saying the recent summit in Podgorica sent a message of support to the region’s integration efforts. “The objective to encircle NATO integration does not mean celebration of the chair-country membership, but also any other country meeting criteria”, added Palmer. Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov said Montenegro joined NATO during Macedonia’s chairmanship with the Adriatic Charter. “This is a significant step for the Balkans’ stability, we are grateful for the renewed interest by Washington and Europe, and consider 2018 as a year of new opportunities”, said Dimitrov. He expressed hope that Macedonia would be the next piece in the big picture. Montenegro Foreign Minister Srdjan Darmanovic stressed today’s meeting focused on talks about the region’ stability and security.
“Europe will not be complete and secure without the Balkans. Regional countries have again demonstrated their commitment to contribute to regional and global issues, providing their contribution to NATO initiatives and being part of the solutions”, said Darmanovic.
According to him, reforms have no alternative and represent a guarantee for stability, which was the case with Montenegro. “We are encouraged by the political will and the steps undertaken by the Macedonian government in achieving its NATO membership aspirations. We are prepared to give our full support to Macedonia from the aspect of a NATO member-state”, underlined Darmanovic. Macedonia hands over the US-Adriatic Charter annual chairmanship to Montenegro.
The deadline expired, seven candidates for Provisional Chief Prosecutor (ADN)
The Albanian Parliament will choose between seven candidates for a provisional chief prosecution. After the deadline expired, seven candidates expressed their interest for this post. Those are: Arqile Koca, Ferdinand Elezi, Arta Marku, Artur Selmani, Granit Shahu, Ermira Tafani and Besnik Muci. All the seven candidates will firstly pass on the filter of the Law Parliamentary Committee for the vacancy left by Adriatik Llalla. According to the parliamentary procedure, candidates after submitting to the Law Committee will pass for voting in the parliament.
Chief Prosecutor deadline, Rama’s last appeal to Basha (ADN)
Before the deadline for candidacies presentation for the election of a temporary chief-prosecutor expired on Tuesday at 18:00, Prime Minister Edi Rama renewed his appeal to the opposition’s leader, Lulzim Basha for dialogue that would pave the way to a consensual candidacy. “Time has come to place justice above fear from justice, dialogue above any political instrument and the opening of accession negotiations above everything that divides us,” wrote PM Rama in his message to Basha.
Earlier even the US Ambassador Donald Lu called on majority and opposition to set aside their disagreement and cooperate for this issue resolution. Basha reacted over the Prime Minister Edi Rama appeal for dialogue and underlined that there’s only way to elect a new chief prosecutor that would fight corrupted politicians. “The new chief prosecutor should neither be a corrupted nor an incriminated individual in order to fight the corrupted politicians. This may be guaranteed only by submitting him to the vetting process as requested by the justice reform sanctioned by the constitution. The new chief prosecutor can’t be elected by PM Rama or former Socialist Minister of Interior Sajmir Tahiri but only from the High Council of Prosecution. No justice reform may be implemented outside the constitution. Justice is achieved only through constitution’s implementation not political bargains,” declared Basha. In conclusion he stressed DP’s unwavering supports to the vetting process and the immediate constitution of the High Council of Prosecution that would end a flagrant violation of the constitution.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
Macedonia’s Biggest Problem: It’s Called Macedonia (The National Interest, by Edward P. Joseph, 12 December 2017)
Without a solution to the name dispute, Macedonia will continue to languish in uncertainty—another open territorial question weighing on regional stability.
The “Interim Accord” was supposed to function as a stop-gap solution, halting the Greek blockade on its neighbor and opening diplomatic relations between the two countries, pending a permanent solution. Twenty-two years later and there is still no final agreement on the name—and the failure to close this chapter weighs heavily on the increasingly unstable Balkans. Thanks to rare political dynamics in both Athens and Skopje, there is a fleeting opportunity to resolve the name dispute. But doing so will once again take bold U.S. leadership. Policymakers routinely scoff at the name dispute as a “ridiculous” Balkan squabble. In fact, it’s quite serious. Solely because of its complaint that Macedonia has stolen Greek heritage—the legacy of Alexander the Great—Athens continues to block Macedonia’s membership in NATO and its advancement towards the EU. The vacuum leaves the country—and the region—in limbo. Without a clear pathway to Brussels, Macedonia’s democratic development has stalled, perpetuating anxieties that the country could be divided.
The same syndrome exists in divided Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo, each of which faces structural hurdles to joining NATO or the EU. Irresponsible nationalists in those countries have made strident calls for territorial division, a step that would reopen the conflicts of the 1990s. Exacerbating these trends, Russia and Turkey have begun to actively undermine Western strategy in the region. Once thought to be an inexorable process, the incorporation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Serbia and Macedonia into Euro-Atlantic institutions is now open to question. In other words, “plenty” is the answer to Shakespeare’s eternal question of “what’s in a name?” Without a solution to the name dispute, Macedonia will continue to languish in uncertainty—another open territorial question weighing on regional stability. On the other hand, resolution of the dispute will allow Macedonia to join NATO at once while jumpstarting its EU accession bid. With its identity and borders reaffirmed, talk of minority Albanian secession will cease, muting calls across the border to divide Kosovo and unify with Albania. The entire regional strategy of Western integration will regain credibility, including in Bosnia. And Moscow, which had to swallow the bitter pill of Montenegro’s recent NATO accession, will have to mourn the “loss” of another Orthodox Slav country to the West. Though the name dispute represents relatively low-hanging fruit, success is by no means assured. A bid by President George W. Bush to resolve the matter at the 2008 NATO Summit crumbled in the face of Greek intransigence. Fortunately, the prospects for the Trump administration are much better. For the first time in decades, a Greek government has prioritized good relations with Washington. Facing daunting challenges with Germany and the IMF over debt, and with Turkey over the Agean, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras desperately wants Washington on-side. Unlike his predecessors, the Greek prime minister is determined to clear away outstanding issues with his immediate Balkan neighbors. Tsipras met with President Trump in October, followed the next day by an intensive working meeting with Vice President Pence, Secretary of State Tillerson and other cabinet officials. Significantly, Pence raised the name issue and the sides discussed how to get to a resolution. As for Macedonia, thanks to concerted U.S. intervention, reformist Zoran Zaev took his place last spring as Macedonia’s elected prime minister, ending two years of political crisis. Resolving the name issue is his top priority. In sharp contrast to his predecessor, Nikola Gruevski, who repeatedly provoked Greece, Zaev has set a positive tone with his southern neighbor. Critically, neither he nor Tsipras faces elections until 2019, opening a golden window to finally negotiate a permanent name solution. Nominally, the negotiation process is in the hands of the longtime UN negotiator Matthew Nimetz. In reality, Washington is the key player. Only Washington can concentrate minds—not just in Athens and Skopje, but in Brussels, Berlin and Paris as well. Indeed, to finally resolve the name dispute, EU and U.S. coordination will be critical. While open U.S. pressure on Skopje can help Zaev fend off domestic opposition to a deal, an overt American role in Athens will backfire, forcing Tsipras to drop the matter. Diplomats will improve their chances of resolving the dispute if they grasp its deep origins. Tito’s Yugoslavia was an active belligerent in the bitter Greek Civil War of 1946–1949. The defeat of the Tito-backed Communists saw tens of thousands of ethnic Macedonians (“Slavs,” as the Greeks term them) flee, while a greater number remained behind a closed border in Greece. Fearing an ethno-nationalist revival on its northern border, Greece has, to this day, refused to recognize even the existence of the Macedonian minority in Greece. (Similar anxieties are the reason that Greece continues to insist on calling its native Turks, “Muslims.”) When Yugoslavia collapsed in the early 1990’s, Macedonia emerged as an independent state. Irresponsible figures in Skopje and Athens stoked irredentist claims and exaggerated fears, creating today’s deadlock. The legacy is an emotional issue that burdens relations between two countries that are natural allies and trading partners, not disputants. Still, as the recent clashes over Catalan’s independence bid testify, identity issues can defy logic and pull even peaceable neighbors into conflict anywhere in Europe. Surrounded by a sea of Balkan hyper-nationalities, Macedonians have to fend off charges that they are an “artificial people” who are “really Bulgarians or Serbs.” The truth is that all identities, including the Greek one, are constructed narratives that draw on both history and myth. Macedonians need a name that affirms their rightful identity independent from Bulgarians, Serbs or Slavs in general. The country has already changed its flag and its Constitution in deference to Greek concerns. Despite this, Athens still worries about a name that could resurrect ethnic Macedonian consciousness and claims against its own region of Makedonia, whose citizens also call themselves Macedonian. As politicians, Tsipras and Zaev both worry about being pilloried by the opposition for selling out national patrimony.
At this point in the drama, the difficulty is less about finding a magic formula than summoning the political will to finally accept one of several viable options. With political forces arrayed favorably, the time has come for Washington to work with allies and the UN negotiator to get the disputants to settle on a solution. A firm deadline is essential. The United States should make it clear to all parties that the goal is to see Greece welcome its neighbor, Macedonia—by a mutually agreed name—into the NATO Alliance by the 2018 summit.
Edward P. Joseph is a Lecturer & Senior Fellow at Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies.
