LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: We respect B&H but we want Serbs there to feel safe (Tanjug/Beta/RTS)

Serbia respects Bosnia and Herzegovina’s territorial integrity and the Dayton Accord – the only thing it wants from Bosniaks is that Serbs in Republika Srpska (RS) and across B&H feel safe, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said after meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Bosniak member of the B&H Presidency Bakir Izetbegovic in Istanbul.

Just like Serbia does not want to erode the territorial integrity of B&H, it is asking the Bosniaks to have the same attitude towards the RS, an entity created in B&H by virtue of the Dayton Accord, he said. “What is most important for people is that I am convinced we will succeed in joint efforts to ensure lasting and secure peace both for the people of Serbia, but also for Bosniaks and Croats and for all those who live on the territory of B&H,” underlined Vucic.
“Our agreement is that whatever happens and however it happens – peace and stability must be preserved,” stressed Vucic, adding that this was very important, because everything you achieve can be achieved only if you have peace and security.

New Free Trade Agreement to be signed with Turkey on Tuesday (Beta)

Serbian Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Rasim Ljajic will pay a visit to Ankara, Turkey, on Tuesday, where he and Turkish Minister of Economy Nihat Zeybeki will sign a new free trade agreement between the two countries and an agreement on boosting and protecting investments. The text of the free trade agreement was initialed during an official visit to Serbia by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan back in October last year, and signing of the document creates conditions for ratification in the parliaments of the two countries, and then for the beginning of implementation, Ljajic’s office announced. The new Free Trade Agreement will for the first time allow duty-free exports from Serbia to the Turkish market of defined quotas of beef, crude and refined sunflower oil, sunflower seeds and certain types of bakery products. In addition, it will double the quotas for export of certain frozen fruits and vegetables from Serbia to Turkey.

Vucic, Trajkovic: Kosovo Serbs to be also part of internal dialogue (RTV)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met today with the delegation of the Serb National Forum from Kosovo and Metohija, headed by the President of the Forum Momcilo Trajkovic. Members of the Forum acquainted Vucic with numerous problems faced by the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija and presented proposals for improving their position and resolving life issues. Vucic voiced readiness for accepting part of the presented proposals, while justification and feasibility of the remaining proposed solutions will be considered in the following period. They also concluded that it would be of great importance to hold an internal dialogue on Kosovo and Metohija in which Kosovo Serb representatives would take part. In that sense, they agreed to hold one such round table in mid-March this year.

Brnabic: Serbian Stream to replace South Stream (Tanjug/Blic)

The construction of the Serbian Stream – a gas pipeline from Bulgaria to Serbia that will replace the South Stream – will begin soon, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said on Monday. “We are currently designing Nis – Dimitrovgrad (gas pipeline) and I believe that the construction works on it will start soon,” Brnabic said. She also said that the South Stream company, which was established due to the project of the gas pipeline of the same name, would soon be renamed Serbian Stream. Blic wrote earlier this month that due to new plans, the state-owned Srbijagas natural gas provider would take a 15 million Euros short-term loan, and that this money is intended for additional capital increase, and that Russia’s Gazprom would allocate certain funds for this purpose. Thus, instead of closing the company down, which was established back in 2011 due to the construction of the South Stream, it will be financially strengthened and active again, Blic wrote. All this means that the Serbian Stream company will appear as the main contractor for works on the second route of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline, from where Serbia should be supplied as of 2019, it was also said.

Development of relations with Vatican in all areas (RTS)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic spoke today with Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See Paul Gallagher about bilateral relations and future cooperation. During the talks both sides confirmed the importance of bilateral relations and cooperation, and expressed readiness for their further intensification, through the exchange of visits at high level and the establishment of a mechanism for regular political consultations. Gallagher conveyed the special interest of the Holy See for cooperation with the Republic of Serbia in the field of protection of the Christian heritage in Kosovo and Metohija. Dacic thanked his interlocutor for the principle position of the Holy See regarding the non-recognition of the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo and invited him to visit Serbia, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Dacic: Serbia attaches great importance to remembrance of Holocaust (RTS/Beta)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said in Rome on Monday that Serbia strongly condemns all forms of racism and xenophobia, including anti-Semitism, and that the fight against anti-Semitism requires a comprehensive response. At the International Conference on the Responsibility of States, Institutions and Individuals in the Fight against Anti-Semitism and Crimes of Anti-Semitic Hatred in the OSCE Area held in Rome, Dacic emphasized that the fight against anti-Semitism and crimes of anti-Semitic hatred is of direct relevance to the security and stability of our societies. Fighting all kinds of extremism and intolerance, both nationally and internationally, should start from recalling the past for at least two reasons – this is our legacy for future generations, but also lessons about our experiences and their consequences, he said.
For this reason, as he pointed out, we find it extremely important to further develop international cooperation in the field of education and remembering the Holocaust, so as not to allow the repetition of the past. We must not forget the past. From the past, we must draw lessons for future generations in order to overcome prejudice and avoid mistakes. In particular, we should not lose sight of the fact that in the times of conflict and crisis the most basic human rights are suffering. At the same time, we must strive for greater stability, security and prosperity, both in our societies and in relations among countries, Dacic concluded.

REGIONAL PRESS

Izetbegovic and Vucic meet with Erdogan in Istanbul; Izetbegovic: Results of this meeting could be historic (TV1/N1/Hayat)

Bosniak member of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Presidency Bakir Izetbegovic and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul on Monday. Topics discussed at the meeting were the project of construction of highway Sarajevo-Belgrade and the relations of Bosniaks and Serbs. Addressing media after the meeting, Izetbegovic said that the results of this meeting could be historic. Vucic announced for media that he will do everything to preserve lasting peace and stability in the region, as well as that B&H will never have problems with Serbia in the future. Vucic noted: “The parliament of B&H has passed a decision according to which it the highway Sarajevo-Belgrade would be built via Tuzla, Brcko, and Bijeljina. It leaves 21 kilometers around Kuzmin for us to build it. That is no problem for us. We have immediately agreed to it”. Commenting on relations between Bosniaks and Serbs, the Serbian President stated that he discussed these overall relations with Izetbegovic because Izetbegovic is primarily the Bosniak member of B&H Presidency. He added that relations in B&H and relations between B&H and Serbia were discussed on this occasion.

Erdogan also held an individual meeting with Izetbegovic in Istanbul on Sunday evening. Izetbegovic explained that Erdogan promised to do everything he can to make sure that the project of construction of the highway from Sarajevo to Belgrade is finally implemented. As for relations between B&H and Serbia, particularly between Bosniaks and Serbs, Izetbegovic noted that Vucic promised that Serbia will not do anything that would be detrimental to B&H. “The results of the meeting could be historic. A highway, possibly combined with an expressway, would be constructed in a way that it forms a round route from Sarajevo, Zenica, Tuzla, Brcko and Bijeljina to Belgrade, and then from Pozega and Visegrad back to Sarajevo, so that the ‘circle’ is closed. President Erdogan promised to find a way to make that happen. Also, Vucic said that B&H will never again have any problem with Serbia,” Izetbegovic told reporters.

Vucic stressed that regardless of relations between political leaders of B&H and Serbia, everyone should remain committed to peace and stability in the region. “We discussed the overall relations between Serbs and Bosniaks, relations in B&H and relations between Serbia and B&H. What matters the most is that I am convinced that we will manage by joint efforts to ensure permanent and safe peace for the Serb, Bosniak and Croat people and everyone else who lives in the territory of B&H”, Vucic told reporters. Vucic stressed that the same as Serbia respects territorial integrity of B&H, he expects Bosniaks to respect Serbs, Republika Srpska (RS) and the Dayton Peace Accords (DPA).

Reacting to RS President Milorad Dodik’s criticism of the fact that only Bosniak member of B&H Presidency attended a meeting with Vucic and Erdogan, Izetbegovic reminded that Dodik himself visited Vucic several times in the last month so he wondered on behalf of whom the RS President met with the Serbian President. Izetbegovic deems it is acceptable for members of B&H Presidency to hold individual meetings abroad if that will bring something positive to B&H. “Mr. Chairman of B&H Presidency Dragan Covic will meet alone with Mr. President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker in the coming week, without the two of us (Izetbegovic and Serb member of the Presidency Mladen Ivanic),” Izetbegovic noted.

Chairman of B&H Presidency Dragan Covic said that he does not know on whose behalf Izetbegovic left to attend this meeting. He added that Izetbegovic did not depart to Turkey on behalf of the B&H Presidency. “We discussed this topic at the Presidency and both Serb member of the B&H Presidency Mladen Ivanic and I said that it is an unacceptable option, that Izetbegovic does not have any reason to go there without a joint platform and that it would only cause additional problems,” Covic was quoted as saying. “These talks in Turkey are good thing. Only problem is the fact three members of B&H Presidency do not have a joint stance and they did not discuss issues that could possibly be a part of this meeting’s agenda,” explained Covic, adding that regardless of this it is important to talk and to look for solutions.

Right to vote must be given to every citizen of B&H (Oslobodjenje)

DF leader Zeljko Komsic met with US Ambassador to B&H Maureen Cormack and EU Special Representative to B&H Lars-Gunnar Wigemark on Monday in Sarajevo and discussed the issue of amendments to the Law on Elections of B&H and the upcoming elections in October. Komsic pointed out that any solution not in accordance with the current Federation of B&H Constitution is unacceptable to DF, adding that the new solutions should not lead to new divisions or discrimination of the citizens, but all the court decisions must be respected and properly implemented. “We support the attempts of the international community to find a solution to amend the Law on Elections based on a principle to ensure active and passive voter right to each citizen of this country on all of its territory,” reads the statement issued by DF, adding that the elections must be held in this year, and smaller amendments should ensure fair and democratic elections in the country.

Cardinal Puljic with US Ambassador to B&H about Law on Elections (Dnevni list)

Archbishop of Vrhbosnia cardinal Vinko Puljic met with US Ambassador to B&H Maureen Cormack and three of the Ambassador’s associates on Monday. Ambassador Cormack thanked cardinal Puljic for being able to receive them, whilst Puljic presented to his guests information about status of Catholics-Croats in B&H, especially at the Vrhbosnia diocese. According to the daily, Puljic said conditions should be created so all people are equal and that Croats should be allowed to elect their representatives. He also noted there is a need to carry out changes on political-economic level in order to make sure people stay in B&H.

Presidency of B&H in Brussels – with Juncker and Daul about changes to Law on Elections and situation in B&H (Vecernji list)

Members of the B&H Presidency will be in Brussels on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday where they will meet EC President Jean-Claude Juncker and President of the European People’s Party (EPP) Joseph Daul. According to announcements, topics of the meetings will be situation in B&H, need for reforms and implementation of decisions of the Constitutional Court of B&H and the European Court of Human Rights, with a special focus on changes to the Law on Elections.

Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE) recently adopted the Resolution on B&H, which calls on authorities in B&H to adopt a new Law on Elections six months before the general elections the latest. Presidency Chairman Dragan Covic and Presidency members Bakir Izetbegovic and Mladen Ivanic will have a working dinner with Daul at the EPP HQ. On Thursday morning, Covic will have a separate meeting with Daul, which will be followed by a lunch that is to be attended by Daul and all three members of the Presidency of B&H. Covic is scheduled to meet Juncker on Friday morning. Izetbegovic said in Istanbul on Monday that he fears that “our friends in the EU” underestimate the problem in B&H, namely it would appear they think it could be easily solved. “If it were easy to resolve, it would have been resolved in last 10 years”, said Izetbegovic. Daily further reads that Covic recently said that changes to the Law on Elections are the key task because of which the European road of B&H and the EC’s Questionnaire suffered.

Ambassador Del Vechio says ‘Sejdic-Finci’ cannot be implemented without constitutional changes (Nezavisne novine)

Croatian Ambassador to B&H Ivan Del Vechio said that Croats in B&H were outvoted in the past couple of election cycles in B&H and they were deprived of the right to elect their own representatives in institutions of authorities in B&H. Del Vechio reminded that even the Constitutional Court (CC) of B&H confirmed this was true by adopting a decision on constitutionality of two articles of the Law on Elections of B&H, which define election of delegates in the Federation of B&H House of Peoples (HoP). Del Vechio noted that this, however, is not only a problem for Croats because the situation related to election of Serb delegates in the Federation of B&H HoP is quite similar as well. Commenting on the stance of Croatia on changes to the Law on Elections of B&H, Del Vechio said that Croatia as one of the signatories of the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA) expects B&H Parliament to adopt such changes to the Law on Elections of B&H that would fully implement the decision of B&H CC on election of delegates in Federation of B&H HoP. Asked if he thinks that HDZ B&H’s proposal of changes to the Law on Elections of B&H is in line with the ‘Sejdic-Finci’ ruling, Del Vechio said that HDZ B&H’s proposal does not secure implementation of the ‘Sejdic-Finci’ ruling or other rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) because “it is well known that these rulings of the ECHR cannot be implemented without changing B&H Constitution”. “Croatia is of the view that this important ruling will have to be implemented eventually, having in mind it does not diminish the principle of equal rights of constituent peoples in any way,” Del Vechio added.

Foreign Minister: Serbia has no credibility when it comes to Jasenovac (HRT)

A diplomatic flap has been brewing between Croatia and Serbia over an exhibit at the UN staged by Serbia to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day. Addressing the exhibit over the weekend, Croatia’s Foreign and European Affairs Minister Marija Pejcinovic Buric and Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic accused Serbia of fabricating facts and using the victims of Jasenovac in the service of propaganda. Today, Pejcinovic Buric said that Serbia had little credibility when it comes to the subject of Jasenovac. “In terms of the credibility of the exhibit, it’s enough to say that neither Yad Vashem, the state of Israel, nor the UN were involved. The UN distanced itself from the event. We find it extremely hypocritical that Croatia is being criticized by top officials from Serbia, which recently took steps to rehabilitate some of the worst war criminals of WWII, namely Draza Mihajlovic and Milan Nedic,” Pejcinovic Buric told reporters.

Serbian President Vucic invited to visit Croatia in mid-February (Hina)

Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic has invited Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to visit Croatia in mid-February, her office said in a press release on Tuesday. The time has come for Vucic to visit Croatia, the press release said. “In good faith, as there is a mutual wish to overcome disputes and events which hold us hostage to the past and to ensure progress for our nations and states, I have invited President Aleksandar Vucic to officially visit the Republic of Croatia in mid-February,” Grabar-Kitarovic said. Thereby I wish to turn over a new leaf in our relations, she added.

Croatian police send fines to Slovenian fishermen (HRT)

Police in Istria County have sent the first eleven fines to Slovenian fishermen for illegally crossing into Croatian waters. The tit-for-tat move comes in response to the arrival of more than a dozen fines sent by Slovenia to Croatian fishermen who work in Savudrija Bay.

“Unfortunately, the Slovenia side continues to take unilateral action. They’ve broken our agreement to avoid incidents. The Istria County Police Department responded today by sending 11 fines to legal entities and individuals in Slovenia, in line with legislation regulating security along the border. Croatian institutions will protect, not only the state border, but our citizens as well,” Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic said. He said these were just the first fines and he hoped that more would not be needed. However, he added “Croatia will respond to every unilateral action taken by Slovenia.” Croatia’s Foreign and European Affairs Minister Marija Pejcinovic Buric said Slovenia was raising tensions unnecessarily. “We regret that by sending the fines, the Slovenian side has broken our agreement on avoiding incidents. In the interest of our territory, we are forced to respond in equal measure,” she said. Croatian officials have tried to quell the concerns of the fishermen, assuring them the fines would be taken care of.

Vukovic: No basis to challenge legitimacy of the elections (Pobjeda)

The failure to pass the new law on the election of councilors and MPs will not jeopardize the legitimacy of either presidential or local elections in Montenegro, said Miodrag Vukovic, DPS MP and a member of the Working Group for the Adoption of OSCE Recommendations, who drafted the election bills. At the end of last year, the parliament of Montenegro did not adopt amendments to the Law on the Election of Councilors and MPs, since it did not receive the two-thirds support of MPs. DF representatives left the session ahead of the vote on the law, so the support of the deputies of the ruling coalition was not enough to adopt this act. The parliament passed amendments to the Law on Electronic Media, the Electoral Register and the Financing of Political Entities and Electoral Campaigns, since their adoption did not require votes of the two-third majority. The Working Group adopted 18 OSCE recommendations for improving the electoral process. Her work was largely open to the public. It was done without the participation of the opposition, although its representatives were invited to join the working group. They could do so anytime until all laws were amended. Opposition sees the changes to the law as “cosmetic” ones that would not change anything. According to its representatives, the amendments would only increase the chaos in the electoral legislation. They also say that the elections will not be legitimate due to the non-implementation of the umbrella electoral law. However, OSCE/ODIHR representatives affirmatively evaluated the activities of the Working Group and the laws enacted.

Vukovic pointed out that all elections would be “absolutely legitimate” and that almost 90% of OSCE suggestions are embedded in electoral legislation.

Bugajski: Montenegro needs Djukanovic’s leadership (Pobjeda)

Montenegrin accession to NATO is a big but insufficient step in providing the country’s full security. The Alliance not only needs to help every member country in fighting domestic and foreign subversion but it also must avoid actions undermining national stability. For example, the attempt of certain western embassies in Montenegro to push aside Milo Djukanovic as the most important political figure in Montenegro was a short-sighted strategic mistake, said American analyst from the Washington Centre for European Policy Analysis Janusz Bugajski. Bugajski said that at this point, Montenegro needed proven pro-western leadership. He also said that Kremlin, together with Serbian nationalists, was continuing to undermine the Montenegrin state. The analyst also said that US foreign policy was focused on the Balkans again because of the numerous threats to regional stability. “After years of relative peace and prosperity, a period when a new crisis can burst at any moment has come again. In the past few months, the region witnessed several very serious subversions, including a coup in Montenegro directed by Moscow, the creation of Russian-Serb paramilitary forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the killing of a moderate Serb politician in Kosovo. We do not know whether there is a big strategy behind these three incidents, but it is clear that radical nationalists and Kremlin operatives have a direct benefit from the consequences of instability,” Bugajski says.

Zaev: The referendum about the name is not anything tragic, frightening or impossible (Meta)

After the statement that was given by DUI’s President, Ali Ahmeti, that it is best for the solution of the name dispute that the state leaderships of both Greece and Macedonia will arrive at to be solved as the Agreement with Bulgaria i.e. to be voted at the Parliament and not to call for a referendum, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev stated that SDSM’s stance is that there should be a referendum after all. “I don’t look at this issue as an obstacle. I see it as an additional guarantee for Greece that the solution will be permanent and it will remain forever and ever. It is not that scary or tragic or impossible because the referendums are carried out in accordance with the law and with a speeded procedure” said the Prime Minister. He stated that before the referendum the politicians should state their opinions in order to help the nation to decide. “If we stand in front of all citizens and I’m thinking more of the politicians and we state our opinions and stances, we shall help our nation. We should know that we can solve the problem” said Zaev, who stated that even though the government bears full responsibility, the politicians’ decisions are equally important.

VMRO-DPMNE’s Mickovski meets EC officials Mogherini, Hahn (MIA)

VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickovski met Monday in Brussels with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn, European People’s Party (EPP) Secretary-General Antonio Lopez-Isturiz and Members of European Parliament (MEPs) Andrey Kovatchev and Knut Fleckenstein. The meetings focused on Macedonia’s strategic commitment to EU and NATO accession and VMRO-DPMNE’s efforts in achieving these goals, the party said in a press release. Discussions with MEPs tackled current political developments in Macedonia, while the Lopez-Isturiz meeting referred to VMRO-DPMNE’s integration in EPP. Mickoski met with Hahn, where they discussed the reform processes in the country, which “despite the Government’s promises, there is still no substantial progress” especially in key areas, such as the economy, the judiciary and the rule of law. “We talked about the reforms and the reform processes that should be happening in the Republic of Macedonia, but unfortunately their situation is at a standstill. In one word, we offered all of our human and administrative potential as VMRO-DPMNE, so that we can contribute and give value to what has been said, and that is the possible faster integration of the Republic of Macedonia within the European Union,” said Mickoski after the meeting.

Xhaferi postponed the debate on the Law on Languages, because “there are no technical conditions” (Meta)

Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi postponed the debate on the Law on Languages, which was the eighth item on the agenda of the 32nd session, because, as he says, “there are no technical conditions for a hearing”. “Keeping in mind the formal procedure for processing all the amendments which are 35,569, and they are not finalized. The business translation obligation is not been fulfilled,” said Xhaferi. He ordered the parliamentary service to inform them when there are conditions to discuss this item. At the session there was no quorum for voting regarding the 45 items on the agenda, which include the composition of parliamentary bodies, commissions, delegations, councils and committees. The session will continue today at 12 o’clock.

Zaev meets NALED Serbia director Jovanovic (MIA)

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev met Monday with Violeta Jovanovic, executive director of the National Alliance for Local Economic Development (NALED) Serbia, an informal network for cooperation of regional countries in the field. The meeting focused on NALED’s aspiration to turn into a regional organization founded by governments in the area, encompassing institutions and organizations relevant for the local business environment, the Government said in a press release. The main goal is to establish a Business Friendly Environment in Southeast Europe (BFE – SEE), along with exchange of experiences towards improving the investment climate in municipalities of regional states. “Macedonia is supporting any initiative that contributes to enhancement of regional cooperation, especially along the lines of creating a regional economic zone. It is beneficial for municipalities to connect, cooperate, exchange knowledge and experiences,” said PM Zaev. He stressed the importance of enhancing administrative capacities and local communities in the region through common standards in the fields of digitization, construction, cadaster, something that could facilitate the entry of investments in municipalities within the region, reads the press release.

Rama: Name talks – continuation of Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic integration (ADN)

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has said that the name talks represent a continuation of Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic integration, with Tirana closely following developments. “We are following the positive progress of the dialogue between the two countries and hope talks will be completed through a mutually acceptable solution, thus opening Macedonia’s Euro-Atlantic path,” Rama told meeting of his Socialist Party. Rama expressed regret over President Gjorge Ivanov‘s stance over the language law, hoping it would not block its adoption.

DP, resolution in parliament for Albania’s vote in UN (ADN)

Democratic Party (DP) submits a resolution against Albania’s vote against US in United Nations (UN). The resolution was handed over to the parliament on Monday along with a motion for debate on this issue. According to DP resolution Albania’s vote for the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital should be reviewed one more time through debate in parliament. The document also requires that the parliament should be informed about this issue within a month.

Earlier the opposition declared that government acted without informing the parliament on this issue and excluded the Head of State, Ilir Meta from decision-making process.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Bulgarian, Serbian Ministers Discuss Transport, Infrastructure Projects (BTA, 29 January 2018)

Sofia – Transport, Information Technology and Communications Minister Ivaylo Moskovski, Regional Development and Public Works Minister Nikolai Nankov and Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Zorana Mihajlovic have come to an agreement in the field of water and rail transport, as well as on other important infrastructure projects, they told a news conference here Monday. Moskovski and Nankov underscored that the meeting was provoked by Bulgaria priority during its term of Presidency of the Council of the European Union related to the connection and integration of the Western Balkans. Serbia has approved funding from the European Investment Bank for a railway line to the border with Bulgaria. This project is supported financially by the Serbian side and will probably be implemented at faster rates, Moskovski said. Dwelling on the track between Sofia and Dragoman, the Minister said that the two countries will be connected by rail in the next three years. In spite of some delay in the construction of the 32-km fast track between Sofia and the Serbian border (part of Corridor X), actual works will begin this year, Nankov said. He thanked his Serbian counterpart for the support, thanks to which part of the funding was received along the line of the Connecting Europe Facility. The rest of the project will be covered by own funds and the minister hopes that the Sofia-Nis-Belgrade track will be completed within the next two years and a half. A budget of some 35 million euro has also been secured under the Cross-border Programme for the second programme period. The sides will be able to organize sustainable cross-border projects aimed at municipalities in the two countries and related to the development of tourism, environment and youth policies. “Serbia’s position is EU membership so that the entire region can function and the Western Balkans can be connected at all levels,” Mihajlovic said. She recalled the importance of the transport link between the two countries and underscored that last year Serbia already built some 200 km of the Belgrade-Nis road. Funding for the electrification of the Nis-Dimitrovgrad track has also been provided. Taking a question, the Serbian minister underscored that the upgrade of the Nis-Dimitrovgrad road, as well as the construction of the Nis ring road is the most important project for Serbia and will cost 265 million euro. The natural gas pipeline between Nis and Dimitrovgrad, contracted and funded by European funds, is the other important project. The sides also decided to work for easing border crossings and lifting custom barriers. Roaming prices between Bulgaria and Serbia will also drop drastically within six months, Moskovski added.

Tajani: Montenegro and Serbia can be ready by 2025 (European Western Balkans, by Emina Muminović, 30 January 2018)

The President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani, will pay an official visit to Serbia on Wednesday, 31 of January. During his one-day visit, he will meet with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Maja Gojković, and the Prime Minister, Ana Brnabić. Later he will have a bilateral meeting with the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić. Tajani’s last meeting for the day will be with the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ivica Dačić. The President of the European Parliament will also use this oportunity to meet with the members of the National Convention on the EU – permanent body for thematically structured debate on Serbian accession into the European Union. The European Western Balkans spoke with President Tajani ahead of his visit.

European Western Balkans: Montenegro and Serbia are seen as frontrunners in the Western Balkans when it comes to the EU accession process. Do you believe it is a realistic option for these two countries to enter the EU by 2025, given this is foreseen in the Enlargement Strategy?

Antonio Tajani: The Western Balkans have a clear and credible European perspective and can count on the European Parliament to support them in this process, but the ball is in their court. Significant progress is needed in areas such as rule of law, justice and fundamental rights in both Montenegro and Serbia and I think that both can be ready by 2025 – where there is a will, there is a way.

EWB: Given the fact that the EU has adopted the budget for 2018, could you tell us, did it envisage the resources for implementation of objectives in the Enlargement Strategy?

AT: The European Union is the Western Balkans’ closest partner not just in terms of trade but equally with regards to overall support: funds are available to back up the enlargement process in 2018 and in the years to come.

EWB: In some countries of the Western Balkan region, severe decline in media freedom and democracy, in general, can be noted. Somehow, those countries are advancing on the EU path. There is a term – stabilitocracy, serious backsliding in terms of democracy, while the EU remains silent for the sake of stability. How would you comment on this?

AT: Nothing could be further from the truth as championing fundamental rights is at the very heart of the European project. We foster democracy not only in enlargement countries but also around the world as it underpins peace and security. A prerequisite for candidate country accession is for it to fully respect and adhere to core EU values. It is non-negotiable.

EWB: Macedonia has made a remarkable progress when it comes to the reform process and good neighbourly relations. However, the biggest challenge remains – name dispute with Greece. Do you believe that this would be a good year for solving the dispute and that Macedonia can finally open accession negotiations?

AT: The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has made significant progress and I am optimistic both with regards to the naming dispute and being able to open accession negotiations soon.

EWB: There have been numerous reports noting that Russia is increasing its influence in the Western Balkans and that is the cause of instabilities. When asked who is the biggest donor to their country, most citizens in Serbia and some other countries of the region perceive Russia to be the biggest donor, even though it is the EU. What do you think can be done to counter this effect?

AT: We need to continue to stress that the European Union is the Western Balkans’ region number one trade and investment partner. Our relationship is forging links that will underpin strong, long-lasting political and economic ties for future generations. We need to nurture these bonds and allow the results to speak for themselves, as has already been the case in several areas.