LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: Any conflict would set region back 100 years (Tanjug/B92)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has met in Mostar with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, the country that currently holds EU’s rotating presidency. Addressing a news conference after the meeting, Vucic said that, when it comes to the summit planned for mid-May, a lot of time is ahead of us and a lot of things can happen, and it’s important to do everything possible to preserve peace and stability in the Balkans. Any kind of conflict would set the region back one hundred years, he said, and added: “I tried to convince Borisov that Serbia will do everything in its power to preserve peace and stability, and that we will respond patiently and tolerantly to inflammatory statements, and thus try to solve our problems in the region, because any conflict would set us back one hundred years.” He also thanked Borisov, whose presence in Mostar he considers very important, for the serious way he considers the situation in the region, as the prime minister of a country that holds the EU presidency. According to Vucic, the meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel is of utmost importance for the future of Serbia, adding that citizens should not expect too much, because it is simply unrealistic to expect us to command great powers. “Don’t let people in Serbia expect too much, because if you think that we will change the attitude of America, Germany and other Western powers toward independence of Kosovo and Metohija, that would be lying and deceiving,” Vucic told reporters after the meeting with Borisov. Vucic said that he does not expect individual condemnation from Merkel, nor does she do that. “What I expect and what I hope for is understanding for the position of Serbia, despite the fact that we think differently about the issue of independence of Kosovo and Metohija. But to get more for our people, for that I will fight, and I will do my best,” said Vucic.

Djuric: Thaci threatening with guns (Tanjug/B92)

The Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Djuric said on Monday that Hashim Thaci was making direct threats with guns and weapons” and in that way inviting war, hatred, and conflict. Djuric added that Thaci was no longer hiding the main goal of his past and current political activity – and that is the creation of a so-called Greater Albania. “His destructive activity represents a direct threat to the whole region, but also to Europe,” Djuric said. By speaking about alleged, and in reality non-existent threats coming from Serbs and Serbia, Thaci is the one who is making direct and open threats with guns and weapons and once again inviting war, hatred, and conflict, Djuric said. “Serbia doesn’t want war, we want peace, economic prosperity, free activity and movement of people and economy, while war, the stories of guns as a means of political activity, we leave in the past, where Thaci himself belongs,” Djuric concluded.

Vulin: Serbs not unprotected anymore, pogrom will not repeat (RTS)

The Serbs are not unprotected anymore and the March pogrom will not repeat, Serbian Defense Minister Vulin said in reaction to Hashim Thaci’s statement. Vulin says that Thaci is only threatened with an indictment for war crimes which he has been avoiding for decades, and thus the fear that those who brought him to Kosovo and Metohija with the 1999 aggression will now hand him over to justice. By loudly condemning Thaci’s incitement and threats, the EU and NATO would prevent themselves from once again becoming his hostages and being drawn into the conflicts that Thaci is inviting and looking for. “It is time for the criminal to be silenced,” said Vulin, according to a statement from this cabinet.

Ljajic: CEFTA is in serious crisis (Tanjug)

The CEFTA Free Trade Agreement of the countries of the Western Balkans is in serious crisis, and the idea of economically connecting the region is “without a firm foundation” due to frequent unilateral, provocative decisions made by some governments of the region and the introduction of non-tariff barriers in trade with Serbia. The latest such case is a dispute about flour with Macedonia, and Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Rasim Ljajic told Tanjug that Serbia – if Macedonia did not find a solution for import of Serbian flour by 14 April – would apply “the full set” of countermeasures on the same day. “We have no other mechanism, we have been patient and tolerant enough,” Ljajic said. He assessed that the CEFTA agreement is in serious crisis as well as that Serbia addressed this issue to the authorities in Brussels, but “there is no understanding in the EU” for this case. He also said that Serbia understood that the Macedonian government was under “a terrible pressure from the small mill lobby”, but underlined that the Serbian side would no longer suffer from “such illogical and non-economic behavior”. Progress has been made after Serbia’s recent talks with the Macedonian side about recognizing mutual certificates and working hours of inspections at border crossings, while Serbia also proposed the complete abolition of control stamps that go with every packaging of flour. Ljajic reminded that out of the 13 non-customs barriers that Serbia had had with Bosnia and Herzegovina, nine were removed and that that agreement would expire in two months’ time. When asked by Tanjug whether the idea of ​​economic integration of the region was sustainable, given the many non-customs barriers in place and whether it would be possible to change the way of voting was done in CEFTA, as proposed by Serbia, based on the principle ‘consensus minus one’, Ljajic replied: “CEFTA is in a serious crisis because it is reduced to an ordinary free trade agreement between the countries in the region. Regardless of the fact that CEFTA has accomplished very important trade results in the regional countries, it has reached the stage where it will either regress, or we are going to take a step further in the direction of further economic integration.” “The EU must actively engage in the process of economic integration of the entire region”, says the minister and adds: “We cannot talk about having a common economic space, as long as Kosovo implements excise taxes on import of building blocks, and as long as there is an excise on export of flour from Serbia, while Macedonia is being very creative in imposing various non-customs barriers. This has nothing to do with politics. Some countries fear that this will jeopardize their European integration process, which it absolutely does not,” Ljajic says. He explains that it CEFTA is an economic merger of all regional capacities to create a single market with 20 million people, which, he estimates, is significant for the arrival of large investors in the region. Several regional meetings are being prepared to discuss this issue, both at the Sofia Summit and the Western Balkan Summit in London mid-year.

Djilas’ Alliance for Serbia becomes operational on 9 May (Danas)

The Alliance for Serbia, formed by the former Belgrade Mayor Dragan Djilas in order to assemble all opposition parties together, should become operational on 9 May, Danas reports. This date is stated in the amended cooperation proposal which Djilas sent to coalition partners Vuk Jeremic and Sasa Jankovic, and to which Danas had insight. The proposal has also been sent to Borko Stefanovic’s party Serbian Left and the Sloga trade union led by Zeljko Veselinovic. The new proposal states that the parties will retain their bodies and structures and the right to their own development, but they will act in a synchronized manner and in agreement when it comes to the key policy issues. The Alliance for Serbia should be launched on 9 May, on the Victory Day. This is also the day when the new Belgrade Assembly should hold its first session at which an MP club will be formed, writes Danas.

REGIONAL PRESS

Croat member of B&H Presidency organizes working dinner for officials from B&H and region (TV1)

Mostar is the center of the region on Monday and Tuesday, when the 21st International Fair of Economy ‘Mostar 2018’ will be opened. Croat member of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Presidency and HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic organized a working dinner in Mostar on Monday evening, which will be attended by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and many other officials from B&H and the region. Covic said earlier that he did not invite B&H Presidency Chairman and SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic to the working dinner given that Serb member of B&H Presidency Mladen Ivanic stated earlier that he will not be able to attend the dinner since he will not be in the country, so therefore Covic did not want for the delegation of B&H in Mostar to be incomplete. TV1 learns that it is questionable if Izetbegovic and B&H Council of Ministers (CoM) Chairman Denis Zvizdic will come at the opening of the Mostar fair on Tuesday at all. Earlier on Monday, Covic hosted a meeting with Vucic. Among other issues, they discussed the status of Serbs as constituent peoples in the Federation of B&H cantons with Croat majority. Addressing the joint press conference after the meeting, Covic said that the two officials discussed, among other issues, the cooperation between Serbs and Croats in this region and open issues between B&H and Serbia – including the border issue and infrastructural development. Vucic said that he is always glad to visit Mostar and that he finds important to show the importance of this city. He noted that he expects improvement of relations between Serbs, Croats and Bosniaks in the future, stressing that Serbia will respect B&H and give its best to develop the two countries’ economies in the best possible manner, through peace and good relations. Covic also met with Vujanovic and Borisov in separate meetings. At the press conference after the meeting, Vujanovic said that relations between B&H and Montenegro are excellent and without open issues. He reminded that he discussed with Covic the cooperation in the field of the EU integration, noting that his country is ready to help accelerate the EU path of B&H given that this represents a joint interest of the whole region. Plenkovic, who formally opened the office of Croatian Chamber of Commerce in Mostar on Monday, said that Croatia has shown that it cares for quality organization of relations in B&H. Borissov stated that he is glad that the Serbian President and the Croatian Prime Minister have also arrived in Mostar. Borissov announced that Chairman of B&H Council of Ministers Zvizdic will be in Sofia on Thursday and Friday. “In this year of elections in B&H, we will put effort into supporting unity of the country,” Borissov added.

Dodik and Vucic in Mostar (Srna)

During a visit to the Cathedral Church in Mostar, Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic promised that Serbia and Republika Srpska (RS) will help that the reconstruction of this church be completed by the year 2020. Dodik has said that throughout history, Mostar was an extremely important town for the Serbian culture and education, stressing that Serbs left a significant mark on the religious life and that this is why the reconstruction of the Cathedral Church is important. “I believe that we will manage to do it by the year 2020. We have many promises from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina which have never been fulfilled, but this does not bother us. I would like the Federation of B&H Government to provide greater help to the reconstruction of this church, just like we in RS helped the reconstruction of all religious buildings. But even without it, we do not want to stand still,” Dodik told reporters in Mostar. He stressed that RS is grateful to Serbia for its aid to projects in RS and to Serbs in the Federation of B&H. Vucic has said that Serbia invested 700,000 Euros in the reconstruction of the Cathedral Church in Mostar and that it will invest more so that it could shine in all its glory. “I am certain that the church will be completed by 2020. Serbia has had a budget surplus for the third year in a row which means that we will be able to help our people,” Vucic has said. He stressed that this church is not only a religious institution, but a cultural institution which will mean a lot to the survival of Serbs in Mostar and the Herzegovina, but also to Croats and Bosniaks who will have a multicultural image of their city. “This city equally belongs to Bosniaks, Croats and Serbs, and all who lived here,” Vucic has said. He has said that he will meet with representatives of the Coordination Committee of Serbian Associations and Organizations in Mostar to whom he will offer aid and support.

“We can provide organizational and financial aid. We would like people to stay in their homes, to think about a future of their children. His Eminence the Bishop of Zahumlje-Herzegovina and the Littoral, Grigorije, told me that there were 19 children this morning in the church in Prebilovci. This is what is important to us, to help them stay in their homes,” Vucic has said.

Bishop Grigorije thanked Dodik and Vucic for their visit and aid they provided for the reconstruction of the church. He has said that Mostar is a city of Serbs as well and that no one can uproot them from it. “The greatest aid arrived from Serbia and RS. The other aid was raised by people of good will and we managed to put a roof on the church,” Bishop Grigorije has said.

After touring the Cathedral Church, Dodik, Vucic and Bishop Grigorije spoke in the Serbian Consulate General in Mostar, after which a meeting started with representatives of the Coordination Committee of Serbian Associations and Organizations in Mostar.

Vucic opens Mostar Economic Fair (Fena)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic opened this year’s International Economic Fair in Mostar. “In these five to six days, Mostar became center of not only Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), but of entire region”, said Vucic addressing the opening ceremony. He added that only cooperation can rectify mistakes and nonsense from the past. “We have to find joint interest and realize that we will be well as well is our neighbor. We need such Fairs, because they repeat the lesson about importance of cooperation and exchange. Divided into small states and even smaller markets, we have nothing to hope for in relations with the world”, said Vucic. He stressed that borders in economy present an unnecessary weight, which is why it is necessary to work on establishing of joint, single market in the region. Article reads that partner country of this year’s Fair is Serbia and around 60 Serbian companies will present their products and services and besides economic presentation, this is the first time that partner country will present itself through cultural and entertaining program. Around 20 countries will participate in this year’s market and besides Serbia, the most present countries are China, Hungary and Italy.

Borissov: Non-adopting of changes to B&H Election Law might block B&H permanently (Klix.ba)

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Mostar on Tuesday. Borisov stated that non-adopting of changes to B&H Election Law might block B&H permanently. He added: “Judging by our talks, I believe that three sides in B&H will not reach an agreement on changes to the Election Law” He stressed satisfaction over the fact that Berlin process and Western Balkans are on the agenda of the EU. Borisov also said: “The EU stands for peace and prosperity in the Balkans. I hope that big geo-strategic players want the same.” He concluded: “Considering the current mood, the situation is not optimistic. I would rather say that something bad is ahead of us and the situation was different few months ago. I am pessimistic from time to time and sometimes I am being objected because of this. All of us in Western Balkans must show common sense since the Balkans only will suffer consequences of different behavior. We have experienced this once before. Bulgaria moved backwards due to the war in the Balkans. None county in the Balkans will be spared of a conflict if it takes place. Vucic said: “I have tried to convince Borissov that Serbia will do everything to preserve peace and stability and that we shall react patiently to inflammatory statements and provocations in order to try to find the way to reach a compromise in the region.”

Plenkovic: It depends on political will if it is realistic to amend Election Law in next 20 days (Klix.ba)

Croat member of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Presidency Dragan Covic has met with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic in Mostar on Tuesday. After the meeting Covic stated that he stands for integrity of B&H, a homeland of the Croat people, and he believes that Croats are a factor for B&H’s survival. He also said that the fair in Mostar is another chance to make even better economic connecting of B&H and Croatia. Covic also said: “The Election Law is an inevitable topic. We work on adoption of changes to B&H Election Law, according to the model of election of legitimate representatives of three constituent people at all administrative levels. It depends on the political will if it is realistic to do this in the next 20 days.” Asked why there is no Bosniak member of B&H Presidency Bakir Izetbegovic in Mostar, Covic replied: “We have invited Izetbegovic to the Fair. I estimated that it would be best that I alone attend the last night’s dinner than to have an incomplete B&H Presidency delegation since Mladen Ivanic is outside the country. B&H Council of Ministers Chairman Denis Zvizdic was invited but he cancelled is coming. However, this is a part of the environment which is affected by the election campaign.” Plenkovic stated: “We are here as a neighbor and an ally that wants to help, respecting territorial integrity and constitutional organization of B&H, so that all three peoples can make progress.”  Covic said that by their decision not to come to Mostar, Izetbegovic and Zvizdic have conveyed a message: “I have a feeling that they wanted to convey a clear message to us in this way, as they did last week when after the meeting between SDA, SBB, SDP and DF, as Bosniak parties, they presented a harmonized stance regarding the Election Law, which is, naturally completely unacceptable to us”.

HNS Presidency rejects recent agreement on Election Law of B&H reached between SDA, DF, SDP and SBB B&H (TV1)

The Croat People’s Assembly (HNS) Presidency held a regular session in Mostar on Monday. Participants discussed participation in the upcoming general elections in B&H and legitimate election of Croat representatives to the House of Peoples (HoP) of the Federation of B&H and B&H Presidency. HDZ B&H leader and President of the HNS Presidency Dragan Covic assessed that amendments to the Election Law of B&H that were jointly proposed by SDA, SDP, DF and SBB B&H recently represent a clear plan to divide B&H. “We decisively rejected all approaches that change the Constitution and derogate the position of the Federation of B&H parliament with two Houses and relations with regard to the 2013 population census. The ruling of the Constitutional Court of B&H was mentioned only partially there, so we defined that as clear intention to divide B&H and to turn the Federation of B&H into Bosniak majority,” Covic said at the press conference after the session. He stressed that he is an optimist when it comes to amending of the Election Law of B&H, but he added that realistically there are poor chances to achieve anything. Covic stated that he sees spins from Sarajevo as political spins, noting that the agreement on the Election Law of B&H should be reached jointly. He reminded that currently political parties are grouped into three sides, where Bosniak, Croat and Serb parties have different stances regarding the Election Law of B&H. Covic emphasized that legitimate representation has no alternative and it is logical that the Croat people need to have the possibility to be represented by Croat representative, as well as to have their caucus. He asserted that the HNS will never accept the concept that is being imposed with regard to this, adding that the HNS Presidency expressed unanimous support to fully legitimate representation of constituent peoples at all administrative levels. Covic rejected any kind of approach that would imply changing the Federation of B&H Constitution and undermine the position of two Houses of the Federation of B&H parliament. “I truly believe it is a big shame for B&H. We are thus getting too far away from normal functioning of a normal future European country. However, every participant in the political scene is entitled to their own strategies aimed at collecting the votes they need to be dominant in one entity,” Covic assessed. As for participation of HNS’ parties in the upcoming elections, Covic stressed that nine of 10 parties agreed to joint participation at all levels at which the position of Croat people is endangered. He noted that only HDZ 1990 expressed its readiness to take part in the elections on its own.

SDP B&H’s Masic: Let Covic and HDZ B&H calm down, they represent five per cent of citizens (Dnevni list)

Commenting on the decision of HDZ B&H to reject the proposal on reduction of competences of the Federation of B&H House of Peoples (HoP), SDP’s Damir Masic said that HDZ B&H once again proved that it does not want to solve this issue and that they do not accept any other stances but only advocates its own stance. Masic added that HDZ B&H once again confirmed that it is abusing the decision of the B&H Constitutional Court (CC) by wanting to solve certain matters not because it wants to protect Croat people and its interests but to protect HDZ B&H. “They are trying in every possible way to literally put down on paper that HDZ B&H will participate in each of future authorities, which is absolutely unacceptable”, Masic said and added that it is high time HDZ B&H and its leader Dragan Covic calmed down and realized they are nobody’s protectors but they are a political party just like any other. At the moment, according to Masic, only 5%-10% of citizens support HDZ B&H. Masic concluded by saying that the fact HDZ B&H is trying to represent the entire people serves as a good cover “for everything that is being done behind it”.

Juncker: If we do not calm Balkans down, new war is possible there (Nezavisne)

In an interview for Deutsche Welle, President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker said that bloody conflicts from the early and mid-1990s might happen again if the Western Balkan countries do not become the EU Member States. “People in the EU need to be constantly reminded that the Balkans is basically at our doorstep. If the Balkans is not promised that it will have the possibility to join the EU, conflict might easily happen once again”, Juncker said. Daily reminded that the European Commission has recently created the strategy for the Western Balkans, which has, for the first time, offered a serious and broad approach to Western Balkan countries’ EU integration process.

Plenkovic in Mostar: B&H a top priority for Croatia (HRT)

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic backed the efforts of Croat politicians in B&H to reach an agreement on changes to that country’s electoral law that would give Croats equal representation, underscoring that B&H was a top priority for his government. Plenkovic joined other regional leaders in Mostar on Monday for the 21st International Economic Forum, an event aimed at bolstering regional economic cooperation. Asked about efforts by Bosniak politicians to diminish the role of the upper chamber of parliament – a body based on national representation – Plenkovic told reporters that Croatia expected B&H to abide by constitutional court ruling which struck down parts of the electoral law that had made it possible for Bosniak voters to choose Croat representatives in the upper chamber. “In the political sense, we support good relations between our two countries and equality for Croats as one of the three constituent peoples. We hope a solution will be reached on the electoral law before the elections this fall. Croatia would like to see an agreement and compliance with the Constitutional Court ruling,” Plenkovic said.

During the forum, the Croatian Chamber of Commerce opened an office in Mostar in an effort to strengthen trade. The chamber opened an office in Sarajevo last week. The prime minister said that the new offices, along with new Croatia Airline flights from Zagreb to Mostar, HRT’s bureaus in Sarajevo and Mostar, and new consulates in Livno and Vitez showed B&H was a top priority for Croatia.

First debate on vote of (no) confidence in Zoran Zaev’s government to be held tomorrow (Meta)

Parliament on its website has published the VMRO-DPMNE’s request for a Vote of no confidence in the government, and parliament speaker Talat Xhaferi confirmed that the debate will take place tomorrow. “The only projects implemented by the SDSM and DUI Government in the recent past period has been the politicization of the institutions and their degradation, a captive judiciary, self-indulgence luxuries by government officials with the public’s money and political revenge”, the opposition party said in their request for a Vote of no Confidence in the Government, signed by 41 MPs from VMRO-DPMNE. The document states that the SDSM and DUI in order to maintain the coalition have trampled all over, not only the country’s democracy, but also the Constitution, the laws, and Parliament’s Rules of Procedures. Also they forced their vote on the Law on Languages, and at the same time failed to implement any reform from Plan 3-6-9, which, they say, suffered a complete collapse. Parliament speaker Talat Xhaferi, with SMS messages, texted MPs confirmation that a debate on a vote of no confidence in the government will take place tomorrow. VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski said he expected the parliament to pass a no-confidence motion against the government and to organize early parliamentary elections. “I expect at the end of the day that a Vote of no Confidence will be passed in the Government, and we can see further how we will develop the Republic of Macedonia, and organize early parliamentary elections and everything that goes along with it”, Miskovski said. According to the parliamentary Rules of Procedure, the parliamentary vote of no confidence will be after the expiration of three days from whence the motion was proposed. Required for a vote of No Confidence to succeed is a majority of 61 from the total number of MPs.

Interview: PM Zaev talks reforms, government reshuffle, economy, name talks (MIA)

“I am pleased to see how far we have gone compared to where we were. Once a country in isolation, where citizens lived in fear, a country with political tensions, is now one enjoying friendships with neighbors, higher salaries and freedom to criticize the authorities in order to improve it. This criticism comes from the ambition to assume positions in power but also from the high expectations by the people. I always try to take into account those that are constructive and well-argued, in order to correct policies and conduct” says Prime Minister Zoran Zaev in an interview with MIA. Asked whether the government has targeted the system’s shortcomings, Zaev says institutions and the system are blocked and dysfunctional due to the existing legislation. “This is solved through legislative changes. That is why we dived into the reforms, which are difficult but necessary. The aim is to liberate institutions, so that the system functions as service for citizens,” says Zaev. Regarding the pending government reshuffle, the PM says he has a pretty clear picture of the moves to be taken. “We are in the midst of the final consultations. Dismissals should immediately be followed by new appointments. To me it is quite logical that the ones who can’t deliver results are dismissed or they withdraw by themselves,” adds Zaev. Quizzed if this reshuffle will also refer to the largest coalition partner, considering there are many remarks over their work, whereas people were expecting a fresh set of people, Zaev says DUI offered people who were not part of the previous authorities.

“I do not see the people in the Government as those coming from SDSM, the order of experts, the civil sector or any other party. I see them as people who have to deliver results. As additional criterion is how much their work affects the perception of noticing a difference between the policies of the previous authorities, whether the operations of the institution has changed for the better. The people changed the authorities and it is logical to expect concrete, visible changes in institutions. Next comes the question whether we have realized at least a portion of our promises, the programme that we offered. Public officials must deliver results that improve citizens’ lives. This is our thinking when deciding about the future changes,” stresses Zaev. He notes that new policies of friendship in the region, relaxation of relations and a climate of cooperation have contributed to the current environment. “These are the things that bring life back to Macedonia. Life is the deed that Macedonia will finally take in its possession. I read this somewhere and it seems fitting. We will take the deed when we join NATO and start EU accession talks. Eventually, this means opening of new jobs, means economy,” says Zaev. He confirms the meeting between the Macedonian and Greek foreign ministers after the Easter holidays and hints on a meeting with Greek counterpart Alexis Tsipras. “I believe this process is coming to a point when I am about to meet with Tsipras. This will mean that the progress of talks has reached the level when the countries’ prime ministers take over. If citizens hear that a Zaev-Tsipras meeting is being scheduled, this is a practical confirmation that negotiations are developing in the right direction and a solution is possible. I believe it is possible and it is good for Macedonia that this occurs sooner rather than later, because it will guarantee a date for the start of EU accession talks but also activation of the automatic NATO membership invitation,” says Zaev. According to him, dignity and identity are the red lines in the talks. “The feeling of dignity is always the one that hurts, whether someone will squash us, whether someone is trying to belittle us. We would not be a dignified partner if we are squashed and belittled. I know this very well and that is why I care much about a dignified solution for both sides. I believe that our Greek friends know this too. The same as I consider how PM Tsipras and FM Kotzias will push this in institutions of the system, the parliament, and how they will explain the solution to their citizens. Therefore, I also expect them to consider our positions before the institutions and the people. We are moving forward. Vienna has produced a step forward which I believe will be completed on April 11-12, at the next meeting between the countries’ FMs. A meeting between the prime ministers is possible by the end of April or the beginning of May. However, this depends on both sides. Citizens should know that the issue is very important, but not at any price, as we have already said,” elaborates Zaev. He voices optimism over the name talks, although aware that optimism may lead to big disappointment. “However, whether we are close to the EU and NATO or not, we should work on improvement of institutions and the economy, we should build friendships with all neighbors, since this means trade, economy, jobs, exchange of experiences, knowledge and skills,” stresses Zaev. Regarding the possibility of involving diplomatic bulldozers from the West in the final stage of the name talks, the PM says he expected one when discussing the friendship treaty with Bulgaria. “However, we managed to reach an agreement by ourselves. Our teams found the right wording through their creativity and courage. Today we see that we were right, because neither Macedonia nor Bulgaria lost anything. The best solution is a bilateral solution. In this way we will demonstrate to the EU, the US and the entire world that we have matured and on equal footing with developed democracies across the globe. The solution of this issue is very important, because it opens serious perspectives for both countries, regardless of the political careers of Zaev and Tsipras. Politicians come and go, but securing a good future for your country is something that lasts for centuries,” says Zaev. Pertaining to the NATO accession and a possible special status in the organization until the name issue settlement, the PM says this option is impossible. “There is speculation over our NATO accession under the interim reference fYROM, but I believe this is not possible. Why? Because NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg clearly stated this when he paid a visit to Macedonia earlier in the year. This is a sincere approach, so that everyone knows that we will not get the NATO membership invitation unless we solve the name issue. Of course, associate membership upon the model of Sweden and other countries is possible, the strategic partnership with our friends the United States and Turkey is great, but our aspiration is NATO full-fledged membership. I expect a NATO membership invitation. While our membership is ratified in member-states, we would probably have to use this time to hold a referendum, in case of a name solution. In the case of Montenegro, the ratification process lasted for a year-and-a-half, but this interim period means investments, funds, more money for citizens,” says Zaev. He also speaks about the possibility of early elections in case of NATO membership and launch of EU accession talks. “I am against early elections because a continual cycle of elections represents a problem for the business. It is a problem for the planning of every family. It would be fair for the government to complete its four-year term. This means proper planning for businessmen, predictability for every family. I want to convince myself that we will get the NATO invitation and the start of EU accession talks. If we have elections afterwards we will probably get more than the current 49 MP seats. But this is a bitter-sweet feeling because people will say that Zaev only wants more seats and years to reign. On the other hand, processes and investments will be delayed. We have to complete the reforms and then citizens can make their assessment at regular elections in 2020. They will support us if we did things right, if not, then change is a healthy thing,” says Zaev.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Borissov expresses optimism about Sofia summit on the Balkans, in spite of partial boycott (The Sofia Globe, 10 April 2018)

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borissov has expressed optimism about the May 17 2018 summit on the Western Balkans to be held in Sofia, even though five countries that do not recognise Kosovo as independent are reportedly not coming. Speaking on April 10 after talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Borissov said of the summit: “I hope that we can find a way to resolve these problems, because on May 17 we should go into the council with optimism, with problems resolved. “We, the political elite, are responsible for this. Everything else is selfish, everything else has no significance. Whoever allows that drags down everyone.”

Borissov, who met the Serbian leader in Mostar while attending an international forum on the economic development of the Balkans, issued a call to all the leaders of the Balkans to show reason and to resist the “provocations” that have been arising recently. “In the past few years, we have all been glad to see how the economy and investments went up. There’s one thing I am absolutely convinced of, that the EU wants peace and prosperity in the Balkans,” said Borissov, whose country currently holds the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU. He said he hoped this was true for the “other big players” on the international stage. Borissov said that the “provocations” and conflicts in the region were worrying for everyone. “The mood is not optimistic, it is rather a feeling that something is wrong and a few months ago it was not like that,” Borisov said, referring to the incidents and verbal conficts between Serbia and Kosovo, the lack of agreement on the changes to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s electoral law, the tensions around Cyprus and Greece, and the war in Syria. Borissov said that he welcomed the efforts by Vučić to maintain calm in the process of negotiations with Priština and towards peace. “I sincerely hope that our colleagues in Kosovo will continue in the same spirit,” Borissov said. He said that he would seek talks with Hashim Thaçi, the President of Kosovo. Vučić said that his country favoured peace and stability in the region. Serbia would continue to seek ways of finding a compromise in solving the problems between Belgrade and Priština. Conflicts were not needed in the Balkans, Vučić said. “I will fight for stability, I will not sleep,” he said, adding that he would want the international community to intervene to preserve peace in the region. Borissov said: “I appeal to our brothers, Muslims, Bosnians, Croats, Serbs, the whole region – to show reason because the consequences will only be on the Balkans. We have lived through that. Bulgaria went decades back just because of the war war. We should not be egotistical, think that a conflict will pass any of us by. Something can be ruined in a second, and take 20 years to recover,” noting that Mostar was a “good place to say this”. It was this city in Bosnia and Herzegovina that was a symbol of the war 20 years ago that had stopped the development of the region, Borissov said.