LOCAL PRESS

Vucic thanks Burundi for revoking Kosovo recognition (Tanjug/B92)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with Burundian Foreign Minister Alain Aime Nyamitwe in Belgrade and on that occasion expressed great gratitude for the country’s decision to revoke its recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo, the President’s office said in a statement. Vucic handed to Nyamitwe a letter for Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza, in which he also expressed gratitude for the move, and invited him to visit Serbia, so they could work together on fomenting inter-state relations. Vucic also announced that Serbia would soon open its diplomatic office in Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura. Nyamitwe conveyed President Nkurunziza’s greetings, and stressed that the clear instruction to revoke the recognition of unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo came precisely from the head of state – after all the circumstances had been carefully considered, including relevant international acts, such as UN Security Council Resolution (1244), and the friendly relations between Belgrade and Bujumbura dating back to the former Yugoslavia era. Nyamitwe reiterated Burundi’s support for Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Vucic: I don’t expect good news from the Sofia summit; Dodik: We will follow Belgrade’s policy on Kosovo (RTS/Tanjug)

I am looking forward to every meeting at the Western Balkan Summit in Sofia, but I don’t expect good news for our country, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told a joint press conference with Republika Srpska (RS) President Milorad Dodik in Belgrade. “We are in a big problem. We have made many mistakes…,” said Vucic. Asked about Serbia’s participation in this summit, he said that this is on 17 May and that he had more important meetings before that. He says that the hardest thing for us is that the Albanian side doesn’t have the wish for compromise whatsoever. “None of the moves speak of the fact that they are working on the ZSO and then the question is how long one endures deceit and tricks. We are not that stupid and naïve. I was right when I said seven days ago that they will not do anything seriously. Now they are fighting about ‘gulenists’, some are close to the Turks, some to the Americans until they have the Serbs across the table, when they will immediately unite and have support of both, while we should only look to preserve our state interests,” said Vucic.   Dodik has told a joint press conference with President Vucic that Banja Luka will follow Serbia’s policy regarding Kosovo and that this stand will not change. “We are enduring pressure regarding this issue to change the policy towards Kosovo. This is the key issue for us and we will not do this,” said Dodik. “We are not prepared to give consent for B&H to support the unilaterally declared Kosovo independence. This will not happen and we hope that these stands will be respected,” said Dodik.

Brnabic: Political nonsense for Kosovo to be present as a state at Sofia EU summit (RTS/Tanjug)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic announced that she will support the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija to form the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO) in April if Pristina does not want to do so in the manner agreed in the Brussels agreement. She added that Belgrade will be stronger than ever to insist on the full implementation of the Brussels agreement and the establishment of the ZSO, but not as Pristina thinks, but as it was agreed and signed, saying that this cannot be changed without the consent of both parties. Brnabic also assessed the political nonsense that Kosovo should be present at the European Summit for the Western Balkans in Sofia, announcing that Belgrade, depending on Pristina’s move to establish the ZSO, will decide to participate in that gathering. Bulgaria is our big partner, and the EU is our strategic goal. We want good communication and it is in our country’s interest to be at this summit, she stressed, with the message that Kosovo cannot be present at this gathering as a state, because it is not possible theoretically. The European Commission is status neutral, and Kosovo is not a state, but a province within the Republic of Serbia, and the five strong and important EU members also think, she explained.

Dacic: Serbia to attend Sofia EU summit (Tanjug)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic told journalists after the meeting with the Burundian Foreign Minister that Serbia will attend the Sofia EU summit but will examine the situation so Serbia would not give an alibi to anyone to claim that it has contributed to recognition of Kosovo. “This is a summit that is attended by heads of states and government. At this moment, Serbia will certainly take part in this summit. However, having in mind all these things, we will pay attention and examine the entire situation well so we would not give anyone an alibi to be able to claim tomorrow that we have contributed with our moves to recognition of Kosovo,” said Dacic. He said Bulgaria, as the current holder of the rotating EU presidency, had an idea to organize a summit that would pave the way for further EU enlargement.

Dacic: Belgrade has no hidden agenda (Beta)

Belgrade’s commitment to sincere and constructive dialogue with Pristina, with EU mediation, is not producing the expected results, said Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, adding that authorities in Pristina, with support of some foreign powers, have been prolonging the implementation of their obligations from the Brussels agreement. “I repeat that Serbia has entered the dialogue in Brussels sincerely and without a hidden agenda – while Pristina has been, with well-prepared provocations and obstructions, and the obvious support from some foreign powers, prolonging the execution of its part of the obligations from the Brussels agreement, making the dialogue pointless and directly threatening the stability of the region,” Dacic at the ceremony to open a new border crossing between Serbia and Hungary, attended also by Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. Dacic said that the Serbian authorities expect Hungary to understand the position of Serbia which is based on the preservation of common Christian and European values, said a statement from the Serbian Foreign Ministry cited by Beta. The statement added that Dacic assessed Belgrade’s commitment to sincere and constructive dialogue with the provisional institutions of self-government in Pristina, with the mediation of the EU, was “unfortunately not producing the expected results.” “During the centuries-old presence in this region, where, throughout history, the world’s largest and most powerful powers have often clashed, our two peoples have often been exposed to various pressures. Such pressures exist even today when the Republic of Serbia is making an enormous effort to occupy its deserved place in the community of European nations,” Dacic said.

Bulgaria to respect neutral status of Kosovo (Novosti)

Bulgaria will full respect the neutral status of Kosovo at the EU-Western Balkan Summit in Sofia, Brussels spokesperson of the Bulgarian EU presidency Genoveva Cervenakova told Novosti. “We are very aware of the importance of the issue towards Kosovo by members that did not recognize it, and we are closely working with them on this issue bilaterally and in other ways,” said Cervenakova. She stressed that Bulgaria’s goal is for the summit to be organized for all 28 member states, that they are represented at the highest level, as well as to send a message of unity about EU integration of the Western Balkans, which is one of the priorities of the Bulgarian presidency. Bulgaria is now busy negotiating with Madrid to find an appropriate solution. Slovakia – another EU member that does not recognize unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo – is considering the modalities of it participation. “As things stand at the moment, provided that there is no unfavorable development of the situation, Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini should represent Slovakia at the summit in Sofia. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be represented by State Secretary Ivan Korcok. The modalities of our presence have not yet been considered,” Peter Susko, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of that country, told Novosti.

300,000 votes needed for victory (Novosti)

Strongest political parties in Republika Srpska (RS) calculated that 300,000 votes will be needed to win the position of the RS President or Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Presidency member in the upcoming general elections. The daily reminded that candidate of the Alliance for Changes (SzP) Mladen Ivanic defeated candidate of SNSD-DNS-SP RS coalition Zeljka Cvijanovic in race for B&H Presidency member with 317,000 votes against 310,000 votes four years ago. SNSD candidate Milorad Dodik defeated candidate of the SzP Ognjen Tadic in race for the RS President with 303,000 votes against 296,000 votes. Spokesperson for SNSD Radovan Kovacevic stated that the official bodies of SNSD set the goal to win 370,000 votes for Serb member of B&H Presidency and 360,000 votes for the RS President this year. Apart from this, Kovacevic said, SNSD expects to win 300,000 votes for the RS Assembly. The SzP stated that candidates of the SzP can expect to win only if they win more than 300,000 votes for the RS President and for Serb member of B&H Presidency. PDP leader Branislav Borenovic said that he expects that 315,000 votes will be sufficient for the victory of SzP candidates and he added that the SzP is convinced its candidates will win.

REGIONAL PRESS

Amendments to Election Law of B&H not even close to being adopted (N1)

A month ahead of announcing of the general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), there are no joint meetings of political parties in B&H on changes to B&H Election Law or new solutions for this issue. Participants of the negotiations hold individual meetings with representatives of the international institutions. Solutions offered so far failed, while talks with representatives of the international community (IC) were not helpful and most likely, the OHR will not impose solutions.

Commenting on this issue, SDA MP Safet Softic stressed that all political parties in B&H are currently oriented towards the pre-election campaign and the upcoming elections. Softic added that slight optimism is present, but added that he is not sure that a solution for this issue will be found before calling of the elections.

HDZ B&H MP Barisa Colak stated that progress cannot be achieved if all actors who take part in the decision-making process, primarily in B&H Parliament, do not respect decisions of B&H Constitutional Court (CC) on the status of all constituent peoples in B&H. Representatives of HDZ B&H said on Monday that there is still enough time for implementation of amendments to the Election Law in BiH, although they were not so optimistic.

DF MP Sifet Podzic stated  that he finds behavior of the IC in case of the election legislation concerning, adding that the IC made huge pressure in case of adoption of the law on excise duties.

HDZ 1990 MP Martin Raguz warned that failure to implement decisions of B&H CC on election legislation can result in blockade of institutions. Raguz added that unfortunately, there is no parliamentary majority in B&H for nearly two years, which he assessed as blockade.

B&H will turn 10 years since the European Court for Human Rights in Strasbourg ruled in the favor of the appellants Dervo Sejdic and Jakob Finci against B&H. According to this and other decisions, all those who do not declare themselves as members of one of the constituent peoples in B&H, have the right to be elected to the highest posts in institutions of B&H.

Cavara: IC was late in joining talks on changes to Law on Elections (Slobodna Bosna)

Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina President Marinko Cavara asked when the Federation of B&H authorities will start functioning, since there have been several meetings dedicated to crisis in the Federation of B&H parliament and the Federation of B&H government, replied by saying all the problems are not down to pre-election campaign, arguing that there is no readiness to solve burning issues. “Instead, it would appear there is readiness of certain political parties to resolve issues they are interested in,” added Cavara. Asked who is responsible for the situation, Cavara replied by saying everyone thinks it is the other side that is at fault. “I think that relations between SDA and SBB are at fault, as well as relations within SDA” said Cavara adding he is trying to encourage agreement and talks because there is no other alternative. Asked whether the issue of changes to the Law on Elections of B&H can be resolved since the EU Delegation to B&H and the US Embassy have launched ‘diplomatic offensive’, Cavara said he hopes that the talks can bear fruit, adding that the international community was late in getting involved in solving of the problem, which could cause a serious crisis in terms of formation of the Federation of B&H and B&H authorities. “It is certain that it will be difficult to reach some sort of compromise within this short period of time,” the Federation of B&H President added. Asked to comment on ‘warning’ of US Ambassador Maureen Cormack and Head of the EU Delegation to B&H Lars-Gunnar Wigemark that the parties should first focus on priorities, including the Federation of B&H House of Peoples and local elections in Mostar, and resolve other issues, including election of members of the Presidency of B&H, after the elections, Cavara replied: “It is their position, however it is clear that the decision of the Constitutional Court cannot be implemented without legitimate representation in the three-member Presidency. To put it simply, each constituent people should have its legitimate representatives. Then functioning of all institutions in this country would be easier”.

Saudi Arabia has 245 foundations for radicalization of Muslims in Balkans (Dnevni list)

The European Parliament (EP) has adopted different resolutions and reports on B&H, which warn about polarization of the country and danger of spreading of radicalism. The European service has prepared a briefing for members of the EP, which deals with influence of Arab countries in B&H and warns of change of traditional Islam in the country. According to the document, Saudi Arabia financed construction of hundreds of Wahhabi-style mosques in B&H, most notable the ‘King Fahd’ mosque in Sarajevo. The document also warns it is not only outside appearance that has changed, more importantly what is being preached has changed. The briefing also reads that as many as 245 ‘humanitarian foundations’ are being used by Saudi Arabia to spread conservative Islam in the region.

Croatia working hard to maintain relations with Russia (Vecernji list)

What is the state of relations between Croatia and Russia today? Have they irretrievably broken down, after Croatia expelled a low-ranking diplomat from Zagreb as a sign of solidarity for the attack on a Russian agent and his daughter in Great Britain, for which London claims Russia is to blame, after which Russia responded by expelling one Croatian diplomat, reports Vecernji List.

As before, the relations will depend on mutual interests, strategic and primarily economic. For example, on the very same day Germany decided to expel four Russian diplomats, it also issued a license for the construction of the North Stream 2 gas pipeline, which will bring gas from Russia to Germany and which has faced considerable opposition from the United States and some of the European Union member states, notably Poland. It is difficult to imagine that such a project might now be cancelled from the Russian side due to tensions in the relationship and that any country, including Russia, would be ready to give up on financial and strategic benefits. France has also expelled Russian diplomats, but it has announced that it will not cancel President Emmanuel Macron‘s expected visit to Moscow scheduled for May. This is the context in which Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic’s invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit Croatia should be viewed, bearing in mind that the invitation was first issued last year in Russia. It is not completely clear why many in Croatia see as controversial the government’s decision to expel one Russian diplomat – given that the government has chosen an almost mildest possible measure. It has joined the vast majority of EU member states which have imposed diplomatic measures against Russia, whether by expelling diplomats or recalling their ambassadors to consultations, in line with the decision of the European Council. On the other hand, Croatia is a full member of the European Union, which is based on the principle of solidarity. It is not known whether and to what extent will the diplomatic crisis endanger the cooperation between the two countries which had begun to develop after years of stagnation and complete paralysis. However, one thing is undeniable: Croatia has been working hard to maintain relations with Russia and to find a balance between the two blocks, with the EU and NATO on one side and with Russia on the other.

Croatian MEP warns about Wahhabi presence in B&H (Hina)

Croatian member of the European Parliament Tonino Picula has said that ignoring the presence of Wahhabis and other radical Islamic groups in B&H can only lead to making them stronger and pose a threat first and foremost to Bosniaks. “Minimizing the problem of Wahhabis and other Salafi groups in the country, which have radicalism as the common denominator, can only result in a counter-effect, the strengthening of such groups,” Picula said. He is arriving in B&H today together with an EP delegation. Picula was commenting on a statement by Croatian MEP Marijana Petir about the threat of radical Islamic groups and Saudi Arabia’s influence, after which she received numerous threats. He said the only thing worse than exaggerating the problem was to completely ignore it and that “radical Islamists pose, first and foremost, a threat to the Bosniak people in B&H because they deal the most violently with everyone not practicing the Islam they are imposing by deforming it.” He said Croatia’s concerns were legitimate because it shared a 1,000-kilometre-long border with B&H and because “the issue of Wahhabis and similar radical groups in B&H has been open for too long.”

Radulovic: Possible slowdown towards the EU (RTCG)

The European Movement President Momcilo Radulovic said that it is certain that, because Montenegro does not have the main negotiator, there will be a slowdown in European integration. He said that the future negotiator will need a certain period of time to look into the matter because, as he said, “the best connoisseurs of the matter have no capacities to immediately enter into such a kind of responsibility and work.” “The consequences may be somewhat larger, but also diminished by the strong and dedicated work of the entire team that is being led by the main negotiator. The process runs, although we do not have the main negotiator. Processes do not stop, it’s a team that works, it does not depend on one person. Surely there will be a slowdown, but how much slowed it will be, will depend of the new negotiator, but also of the entire system – it could be several months, and maybe more. It could also happen that the consequences are few, “Radulovic told RTCG. He said he was glad that the teams continued to work at a regular pace. “A certain set of activities is delayed, but it’s about some internal procedures in operation,” Radulovic said. The possible abolition of the Ministry of European Affairs, he said, should not leave any significant consequences, stating that it would not be good to work on the reconstruction of the team.

Government to face no-confidence vote, MPs to vote on reform laws on next week (MIA)

Parliament will hold a session focused on reform-oriented laws on April 10 or April 11, it was concluded Monday at a meeting of parliament speaker Talat Xhaferi with the coordinators of parliamentary groups. No representative of the opposition party VMRO-DPMNE was in attendance. Late on Sunday, opposition leader Hristijan Mickoski announced that VMRO-DPMNE would return to parliament. However, officials of the party’s parliamentary caucus said they would return in parliament after a no-confidence motion against the government was filed.

In the coming days, VMRO-DPMNE is expected to prepare the motion, but it is yet to be determined when it is going to be sent to parliament. A session will be scheduled at least three days after the document’s submission. Sources from VMRO-DPMNE said that it could be expected the session on no-confidence vote to take place after the Easter holidays.

On whether VMRO-DPMNE will take part in the session on reform laws – which are almost all harmonized according to party leader Mickoski – the party said VMRO-DPMNE lawmakers would participate provided that a session on no-confidence motion against the government was held beforehand. It means that if the VMRO-DPMNE caucus filed the motion on the government’s interpellation before Easter, the session would be scheduled on April 10, whereas a session on reform laws would be set the next day, on April 11. The ruling majority has briefed the media that they aimed to pass these laws by April 13, ahead of the release of the EC progress report on Macedonia on April 17.

Zaev says there’s no need for early parliamentary polls (MIA)

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev welcomed Monday the decision of the opposition party VMRO-DPMNE to go back to parliament. According to him, it is a contribution to a functioning democracy in the country. Zaev said that the dialogue with the opposition was moving in the right direction. “Working groups are convening and a majority of the bills have been harmonized with some of them being completely harmonized. It means that it can be expected parliament to pass the laws by April 17, the day when the EC will release the progress reports. The parliament speaker told me he planned on April 10 to schedule a session with the laws on the agenda, which are part of the 3-6-9 Plan, i.e. part of the overall reforms in Macedonia,” noted Zaev.

The opposition party VMRO-DPMNE said it would return to parliament only after a no-confidence motion against the government was filed and discussed prior to a session on the reform-oriented laws. “It is their right to file a no-confidence motion against the government, but at the same time, we must be careful about adopting the laws before the deadline expires. We don’t want to give reasons to any of the EU members for anything because we have aligned the laws. It’s clear there is almost a complete consensus in Parliament over the adoption of the reform-oriented laws,” stressed the premier. Furthermore, Zaev expressed hope that the ruling majority would manage to increase the number of MPs, thus stabilizing the parliamentary majority and the government-run policies in times when ‘the name issue is expected to be solved, a date for start of EU talks to be set, and NATO to extend membership invitation, etc.’

Earlier in the day, Zaev delivered an address at a debate as part of the 1st annual conference of the Ministry of Finance in which he reiterated that the government had no plans for snap parliamentary polls, because the businesses needed stability and all economic trends in the country needed to operate unhindered.

Dimitrov will inform the leadership and political parties separately on name talks (Meta)

There will be no meeting between the leadership regarding the process of the name talks. Foreign minister Nikola Dimitrov will inform representatives from the state leadership and political parties regarding the course of negotiations, at separate meetings. Last week, Dimitrov announced that after the name talks in Vienna, a meeting would be held between the state leadership and leaders of the major political parties. VMRO-DPMNE informed the public that there would be no leadership meeting or any other meeting related to information regarding the course of the talks on the problem that Greece has with the constitutional name of the country.

“The spread of disinformation in public on such a topic is extremely frivolous and it aims to defocus the general public from the real issues at the expense of such meetings,” read the statement by VMRO-DPMNE. Macedonia and Greece have exchanged draft agreements that should be turned into one final agreement by UN mediator Nimetz, which is expected to be within resolutions 817 and 845, of the interim agreement between the two countries.

“The name dispute process is at a delicate stage, and speculation by certain media groups is harmful. I stand by my public statement and I inform the public that I have not made any additional informal statements,” Dimitrov stated, after the Greek Foreign Ministry denied that the Macedonian side agreed to make changes to its Constitution at the meeting in Vienna.

Opposition leader warns protests escalation (ADN)

What already started in Kukes will not end until the removal of this government. This was the strong message of the leader of Democratic Party, Lulzim Basha during the commemoration of the event of 2 April 1991, when remained dead the four democracy martyrs. “I warned from Shkodra the Prime Minister Edi Rama that Albanians will not be silent anymore. Kukesi gave to him a lesson. People cannot accept anymore the taxes of a corrupted government. We will not forget when we will come to power. We will not forgive anyone,” said Basha. Democratic Party is considering drastic measures as a reaction to support all those who protest against the Nation’s Road new tax. At the meeting of DP parliamentary group on Monday evening, the leader Lulzim Basha urged for civil disobedience. “The country is being governed by a gang that robs the Albanians. We urge for uncompromising civil disobedience. Let’s block the streets and not pay the increased taxes, property taxes, Nation’s Road tax, water, and lights. This government is acting like dictators. We are no longer part of this theater. Crime stability in Albania is not accepted,” declared Basha at the end of the meeting. Protests will be called soon, according to opposition, against taxes and the return of the rule of law in Albania.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

‘Win-win’ on the name issue (Ekathimerini, by David L. Phillips, 2 April 2018)

Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) are tantalizingly close to resolving their dispute over the “name issue.” Skopje created conditions conducive to negotiations by eliminating irredentist symbols. Alexander the Great Airport was renamed Skopje Airport and Alexander the Great Highway became the Friendship Highway. In a breakthrough, negotiators agreed to a new compound name with a geographic modifier – Upper Macedonia (“Gorna Makedonija”). Progress has been possible because both countries made a strategic decision to address their differences. A deal on the name and related issues would enable integration of FYROM into Euro-Atlantic institutions. It would also advance Greece’s security and economic interests, while affirming its leadership in NATO and the European Union. Normalization would be an economic windfall for northern Greece. Activities at the port of Thessaloniki would expand, enhancing its role as the portal to the Balkans. Goods from Asia via the Suez Canal would flow to Europe through Corridor 10, which connects Greece with Serbia, Hungary and Central Europe. Increased EU investments in infrastructure mean more jobs and liquidity. One million tourists from Skopje already come to Greece annually for shopping and leisure. This number would expand dramatically, especially when Aegean Airways resumes direct flights from Skopje to Athens. Greece’s goodwill could translate into debt forgiveness and future financing that Greece needs to consolidate its economic recovery. Greece would also derive security benefits. A deal would buttress stability of Greece’s northern neighbor at a time when Turkey’s influence in the Western Balkans is expanding. Turkey recently called for a review of the 1923 Lausanne Treaty and expressed territorial designs on Western Thrace and Greek islets in the Aegean. NATO membership for FYROM would not only enhance its sovereignty. It would make it a stronger security partner, countering Islamist extremism, combating terrorism, while strengthening cooperation on refugee and migrant issues. Negotiations are at a crossroads. A tipping point could be reached if people in FYROM believe the government has made too many concessions and not received enough in return. This could lead to collapse of the government and early elections. In a worst-case scenario, state failure could lead to fragmentation and demands for a greater Albania or a greater Bulgaria. Like all people, citizens of FYROM are proud of their identity. Prime Minister Zoran Zaev agreed to “erga omnes,” which means that the new name would be used in all matters concerning the international community, including the .mk internet code. Greece insists that the same principle apply internally, which would disallow use of the term “Macedonian” to characterize ethnicity or language. Greece also insists on a new constitution that would eliminate all references to the “Republic of Macedonia” or “Macedonia.” Zaev’s government has a slim two-vote majority in the parliament. It is not clear he could pass such a constitutional amendment. Changing the constitution requires a two-thirds vote twice separated by six months. Negotiations are up against the clock. The NATO Summit is scheduled for July 11-12. If Zaev cannot make progress with NATO membership, negotiations could fall apart. Though Greece has a veto over NATO decisions, which are taken by consensus, it should allow FYROM to enter NATO under its new name even if its constitution has not yet been changed. The invitation could include a snapback provision, conditioning membership on constitutional reform within one year. Citizens of FYROM would derive tangible benefits from Euro-Atlantic integration. Concurrent with the NATO decision, the European Council could authorize the start of negotiations for EU membership. Zaev would have popular support for constitutional reform if he realized progress with practical benefit to people’s lives.  This scenario is a win-win for Greece and FYROM. US and European interests would also be served when Athens and Skopje resolve their differences, thereby affirming a shared European future.

David L. Phillips is director of the Program on Peace-building and Rights at Columbia University. He has served as a senior adviser to the US Department of State and the UN Secretariat.