LOCAL PRESS
Vucic: Serbs, it’s time to unite (Alo/Tanjug/B92)
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic says it is time for the Serbs to unite around all important issues and to understand that only together we can fight for our interests. He emphasized that this particularly refers to our interests in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as throughout the region.
“I think it is important that we (respond) to all their calls for conflicts as soon as on Friday, during one of the biggest political gatherings in Serbia in the past 50 years, by calling on people to be united and unify,” Vucic said in an interview for Alo. “After the nonsense and a genuine debacle of the gathering organized by Djilas, Obradovic and Jeremic, who threatened with a violent takeover of power, it is important that to all their calls for conflict we invite people, not political parties, to unity and unification on Friday.” He said that unity is of crucial importance, and that people in Serbia will understand that very well. “This means that we need to unite around all important issues and Serbia’s economic progress, and try to understand that we can only fight for our interests together, especially in Kosovo and Metohija and throughout the region, and that we understand well that messages of conflict and divisions among the Serbs are bad for all those who want to invest in our country,” the President said.
Vucic receives Chepurin to discuss Beijing meeting with Putin (Tanjug/RTS)
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Russian Ambassador to Serbia Aleksandr Chepurin on Tuesday discussed the organization of Vucic’s upcoming meeting with Vladimir Putin in Beijing during the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Vucic said it would be their 16th meeting – and their second this year – and that it would be his pleasure to discuss with the Russian president bilateral ties in all areas, as well as the situation in the region, an official statement said. Vucic reiterated continuing the dialogue with Pristina was impossible until its taxes on Serbian goods were scrapped. Vucic and Chepurin discussed activities aimed at further improvement of bilateral cooperation as well as agreed meetings between Serbian and Russian officials. They also talked about cooperation in the energy sector and plans to build the TurkStream gas pipeline.
Gojkovic holds consultations in Serbian parliament without SzS present (RTS/Beta)
A meeting of Serbian parliament speaker Maja Gojkovic with MP groups was held in the parliament. Besides MPs from the ruling coalition, the meeting was attended by Vjerica Radeta MP from the Serbian Radical Party (SRS) along with Cedomir Jovanovic representing the MP group formed by his Liberal Democrat Party (LDP), the League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina (LSV) and Party of Democratic Action (SDA). MPs from the Alliance for Serbia (SzS) said earlier that they would not attend the meeting, continuing their boycott of parliament. Gojkovic invited representatives of all MP groups to start a dialogue about future activities, including laws on loans in Swiss Francs, a law allowing life in prison for killers of children and pregnant women and a debate on Kosovo. The meeting was attended by representatives of the ruling coalition – the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), United Pensioners’ Party of Serbia (PUPS), United Serbia (JS), Social Democrat Party of Serbia (SDPS), Union of Vojvodina Hungarians (SVM) and Movement of Socialists (PS). Speaking after the meeting, Gojkovic said that it concluded that the rules of procedure need to be changed. She voiced satisfaction with the meeting which she said showed that parliament is the place for a political dialogue between the legally and legitimately elected representatives of the people. Gojkovic said a wide-ranging consensus has to be reached to adopt the changes to the rules and added that she is waiting to receive proposals. She said the door remains open for the opposition MPs who did not attend the meeting. “I will continue to invite them because this is where the dialogue is and where the interests of the people are advocated, not on the streets,” Gojkovic said.
Serbian parliament hosts 15th COSAP (Tanjug)
The Serbian parliament hosted the 15th Conference of the Parliamentary Committees on European Integration/Affairs of the States Participating in the Stabilization and Association Process in South East Europe (COSAP) on Monday, organized by the European Integration Committee. The Conference was opened by deputy speaker Veroljub Arsic on behalf of the host, who said he was very pleased that the Serbian parliament is the organizer of this regional meeting, which is an excellent example of best practice and testament that we can work together. He said that regional cooperation remains Serbia’s foreign policy priority, as does strengthening relations with the neighboring countries. Arsic added that EU enlargement is vital for the countries in the region both in terms of their reform processes and fulfilment of obligations.
“We expect the European Commission’s reports to adequately note the progress of each country,” said Arsic. Speaking of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, the deputy speaker reminded the participants of COSAP of the Brussels agreement and the fact that the Albanian side had met none of its assumed obligations, nor formed the Community of Serb Municipalities, and that it had imposed a customs tax on goods from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. He said he expected the EU as mediator to effect a revocation of the tax and added that Serbia is ready to continue the dialogue. “The parliament is interested in intensifying the exchange of parliamentary practices, especially in the sphere of legislative harmonization,” Arsic concluded.
Assistant Minister of European Integration Ksenija Milenkovic said that meetings such as this one strive to promote parliamentary cooperation in the region and strengthen the role of the European integration committees. “This format provides a good opportunity to exchange experiences relating to European integration, especially legislative harmonization with the EU acquis, which is the most important pre-accession process for our countries,” said Milenkovic.
She reminded the attending of the important role the European integration committees and the national parliaments play at this moment when even the national parliaments of EU member states take active part in European affairs and emphasized how important mutual cooperation is for giving a regional voice to the issue of EU enlargement. Milenkovic added that the EU is about to enter an interesting period due to the elections for the European Parliament, stressing that she expected the enlargement policy to loom large on the list of EU priorities regardless of the outcome of the election and the composition of the new European Commission. “The decisions made in this period are very important and we expect the EU would send a positive message to the region and that the enlargement dynamics would not be jeopardized,” said Milenkovic. Speaking of the importance of regional cooperation, she said that exchange of experiences has proven vital both for the internal reforms and the relations with the EU.
Gabriela Crețu, Chairwoman of the Romanian Senate’s European Affairs Committee and COSAP co-chair, also addressed the participants of the Conference, telling them that her country had great expectations, as well as fears, for its Presidency of the EU Council, and thought about the future of the EU, one with the Western Balkans as an integral part. That is why Romania decided to continue with the previous presidential policy and priorities, she said, adding that the coming summit in May would concentrate on the future of the EU and the enlargement policy as one of the most successful EU policies. She added that the Romanian presidency supports EU enlargement and opined that the EU is still one big society we can all live in together.
Mateja Norcic Stamcar, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, said that the enlargement process and the region remain on the EU agenda, stressing the role of regional cooperation and the important role the parliaments play in the whole accession process. She stressed that the EU is interested in the accession of the Western Balkans, adding that all the partners in the region had progressed, albeit following different dynamics and intensity, with Serbia and Montenegro taking up the lead. “EU enlargement in the Western Balkans is now more important than ever and it is in the EU’s best interest to achieve stability, because when we invest into the stability in the Western Balkans we invest into the stability in the EU itself,” Norcic Stamcar said. She reminded the attending of the criteria and obligations of the accession process and the fact that there are no shortcuts to the EU. Regional cooperation is key for the stabilization and association process, said the Deputy Head of the EU Delegation adding that the region needs to work on promoting good-neighborly relations and all outstanding bilateral issues have to be resolved before the accession. “The EU and all of its member states have urged Kosovo to revoke the customs tax and go back to dialogue because there is no alternative to dialogue,” said Norcic Stamcar. She also spoke about the importance of the Berlin Process, saying that though it is a good example of regional cooperation, it is not a replacement for European integration process. The biggest responsibility for the reforms and meeting of criteria lies with the region and the EU would continue with its political and financial assistance to the Western Balkans. The Conference is attended by over 40 participants from Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Bulgaria and Romania, who will exchange experiences and views on the importance of the interparliamentary and regional cooperation for the acceleration of reforms in the process of accession to the European Union and on the cooperation of parliaments with the civil society in the European Integration process, in two panels moderated by European Integration Committee Chairman Nenad Canak and European Integration Committee Deputy Chairperson Elvira Kovacs.
REGIONAL PRESS
Reactions to Dodik interview for Vecernje Novosti (ATV)
Chairman of the Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Presidency Milorad Dodik gave an interview to the Serbian daily Vecernje Novosti on Monday. Dodik told the daily that B&H is an impossible construction and the concept of B&H is paralysis. He said that B&H is in a constant paralysis and reminded that the B&H Council of Ministers (CoM) was formed four years ago on time, but one year after it was formed the work of the CoM was blocked again. Dodik stressed that the paralysis of authorities affects Republika Srpska (RS) negatively. He added that the RS stabilized its economy, budget and political institutions and showed the capability to exist in impossible conditions. Dodik said that B&H would not last two days without foreigners.
Member of B&H Presidency Sefik Dzaferovic reacted and said that those who have retrograde standpoints may endanger what was created in the Dayton and those are the entities in B&H. Dzaferovic stated: “They should be very careful about their statements and their actions. I refer to retrograde forces. They should contribute to peace and stability, because this is in the interest of all people who live in this country. If they continue (…) they would only call into question the Dayton Peace Agreement and what was created within the DPA and those are the entities”.
Leader of SDA Bakir Izetbegovic also reacted and said that there are no conditions for secession of the RS: legal, historic or moral. Izetbegovic added that there is only a possibility to forcibly try to finish what first RS President Radovan Karadzic and late Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic failed to do a couple of decades ago. Izetbegovic stated: “I would not recommend anyone to enter this process. Undermining of the peace agreement would undermine peace and someone’s dreams on independence would turn into everyone’s horrible nightmare”.
Izetbegovic: Croatia should demonstrate more respect towards B&H (Dnevni list)
SDA President Bakir Izetbegovic said that relations between Croatia and B&H could be better and that Croatia could demonstrate more respect towards B&H and listen to B&H’s voice “for example in the case of the Peljesac Bridge”. “We have nothing against, on the contrary, we would be glad that Croatia connects its territories, we only request and expect that B&H’s right to open sea is not denied, we need to define the border and the approach,” said Izetbegovic. Regarding the issue of disposal of radioactive waste on Trgovska gora near border with B&H, Izetbegovic said there are fears it would contaminate underground waters and destroy agriculture. “Why put such hazardous waste on the border with the neighbor?”, Izetbegovic asked. Regarding the ‘Salafi’ affair, Izetbegovic stated there are people from B&H working in Croatia who said there were attempts to recruit them and who now say they will probably not be able to work in Croatia any more. Izetbegovic also stated that HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic openly told him that Croats do not want to form their own entity.
Dodik warns that there will be paralysis in work of legislative authorities at B&H level if new B&H CoM is not formed (TV1, RTRS)
B&H Presidency Chairman and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik announced that if a new B&H Council of Ministers (CoM) is not formed, there will be paralysis in the work of legislative authorities at the B&H level. “I do not believe in good intentions of Bosniaks that they want to complete the story regarding the formation of the B&H CoM and we discussed what to do in conditions if that does not happen as soon as possible. It should be stated that the EU asked for formation of the authorities in B&H, not only at the B&H level, but also at the level of the Federation of B&H, as a condition to provide an opinion to B&H on candidate status,” Dodik told the media. Spokesperson for SNSD Radovan Kovacevic said that Republika Srpska (RS) is completely stable and is waiting to stop being a hostage of unresolved relations in the Federation of B&H. “It is high time to establish the CoM of B&H,” said Kovacevic. RS President Zeljka Cvijanovic stated that there is no political willingness within SDA and argued that the party acts cowardly, when it comes to formation of authorities with other winners of the elections. Cvijanovic said that the time was wasted for nothing and that authorities at the level of B&H could have been formed in December last year or no later than February this year. According to Cvijanovic, SDA is trying to satisfy party goals first. In her opinion, relations between SDA and some parties like HDZ B&H and DF may be potential problems. RS Prime Minister (PM) Radovan Viskovic said that it is final time to form the B&H CoM in order to establish functional B&H, adding that the current situation goes to detriment of all citizens, especially bearing in mind a huge number of the current issues in the Federation of B&H and in the B&H CoM.
DF says they have nothing against formation of new ministries in CoM (Dnevni list)
DF stated on Monday that they did not request any ministries in the new B&H Council of Ministers as a condition for the start of talks with SDA. DF however stated that they have no objections to formation of new ministries in the Council of Ministers of B&H. In addition to this, daily reads that DF is requesting that the Council of Ministers should be formed in parallel with new Federation of B&H government.
HDZ B&H Ministers in CoM will not attend next B&H CoM’s session in support to SNSD (ATV)
ATV reported that they have unofficial information that B&H Ministers from HDZ B&H in the B&H Council of Ministers (CoM) will not attend the upcoming session of the B&H CoM. It was stated that the Ministers want to support SNSD, because SDA is blocking the formation of B&H authorities. The Ministers gathered in the Croat People’s Assembly (HNS) who are Federation of B&H Ministers also refused to attend the last two sessions of the Federation of B&H Government because the authorities are not formed yet.
US Ambassador: Protests are legitimate, but the dialogue shall be held in the (Pobjeda)
Parliament is the place for debates on the behalf of Montenegrin people. What I’d like to see is a functional dialogue. That means the effort of the elected representatives to hear those who had elected them and use the parliament to tackle all issues, says in the interview for Pobjeda US Ambassador Judy Rising Reinke. She hopes that MPs will take part in the Parliament work because, without them, this institution is weakened. The US see Montenegro as a friend, partner and ally. “This is actually the foundation of my mission here, developing friendly relations with Montenegro, its citizens, civil society and the government. Montenegro’s NATO accession was a very important step and an opportunity for Montenegro to prove its commitment as an ally and as a friend. We reciprocate through different training programs and we’ll keep doing so. Last year only, the USA invested 4 million Euros in different programs aimed at strengthening rule of law, freedom of the media and strengthening social activism,” said Reinke. US investors think Montenegro is safe for investing in. “They know Montenegro is appropriate place for their business and my objective is to do even more in that regard. We have already launched an initiative and my staff is contacting every single state, by phone, literally, and describing Montenegrin market. Commitment and engagement is needed, so that more and more American investors can be familiar with investing opportunities in Montenegro,” says the Ambassador.
The Ambassador also commented on the protests in Montenegro. “The fundamental question here is how Montenegro resolves its problems. Protests are the pillar of democracy. My country has a very active, very alive history of protests and they are part of democratic tradition. I consider that civil society in Montenegro has been using the concept of peaceful protests so far and that is democracy,” says Reinke. The second pillar of democracy – free and fair elections.
“Parties have to take part in the work of institutions, in this case, that’s parliament. I’d say that both things are legitimate: respecting the institution of the parliament and raising the voice of people through protests. Hopefully, protests will remain peaceful and will serve as a platform for expressing different views,” says the US Ambassador.
Montenegro is an oasis of peace thanks to Djukanovic (CDM)
Montenegro represents an oasis of peace and stability in the region of Western Balkans. Everybody should take it as an example. That epithet is to credit of the President Milo Djukanovic, who maintains the reform course of his country firmly, said the Ambassador of Azerbaijan, Eldar Hasaov, at the meeting with President Djukanovic. As communicated from the President’s cabinet, Hasanov is very satisfied with the cooperation between the countries. He pointed out that he would personally engage in deepening that cooperation and extend it to the domain of culture. He will start translating works of Montenegrin authors to the language of Azerbaijan and he will intensify the exchange of students between the two countries. Djukanovic also emphasized friendship between the two countries which led to increased cooperation in all fields, especially in the economy. They agreed on enhancing the connection between the countries via airline. That move is necessary in order to value the potential of tourism exchange that will naturally increase after the Porto Novi project is open. “In addition, they will also establish energy connection at the Adriatic-Ionian corridor that will enable gas import to Montenegro. That will improve conditions of Montenegrin households and entire economy will feel the benefits,” reads the notice.
Presidential election campaign in North Macedonia enters its final week (Nezavisen vesnik)
The presidential election campaign has entered its final week. The campaign will end on 19 April, while the election will take place on 21 April. There are three candidates who are running in the presidential race: Stevo Pendarovski nominated by the SDSM led governing coalition, Gordana Siljanovska nominated by VMRO-DPMNE and Blerim Reka who has the backing of Albanian opposition. The issue of the Prespa Agreement continues to dominate the debate between the three presidential nominees. While VMRO-DPMNE’s candidate, Siljanovska says that she does not accept this agreement and that she will look into any option to revoke it, the other two candidates, Pendarovski and Reka say that they support this agreement, which is the only alternative for the country’s accession in the NATO and EU. State Election Commission has announced that all the final preparations are being made. “We’re making all final preparations and the voting materials will be distributed on 17 April,” said Admir Shabani, State Election Commission official. The number of people who are eligible to vote in the 21 April presidential elections is 1.8 million. If candidates fail to take the more than 50 percent of the votes, then there will be a run-off on 5 May. In order for the voting process to be valid, there needs to be a minimum of 40 percent turnout.
Meta: NATO’s intervention in Kosovo established peace and contributed to stability of region – deep gratitude to US and to all that completed that noble mission (ADN)
In the framework of the 10th anniversary of Albania’s membership in NATO Albanian President Ilir Meta paid a visit this Monday as “Invited Honor” to the NATO Defense College in Rome. During his speech at the College’s Auditor, Meta underlined that Albania’s membership in NATO is an event of historical importance not only for Albania but also for the Western Balkans region. According to him, it is a great responsibility to serve peace, stability and the security for the region, the Mediterranean and beyond. “Albania is a trusted NATO partner and leader in all regional initiatives with a view to enhancing confidence measures among the countries of the region, strengthening cooperation and sharing its membership experience. Albania guarantees the fulfillment of its responsibilities, engagement and dedication and solidarity for the benefit of the collective defense and security of each NATO member and the strategic interests of the Alliance. Albania is ready to take on all the responsibilities it requires, particularly in meeting its irreplaceable role as a region’s stability factor, as an untiring promoter of regional co-operation and integration, as a firm supporter of ‘Open Doors’ NATO and as strategic alliance partners through a coherent and credible foreign policy,” said the President. The Head of the State expressed his deepest gratitude for the cooperation and contribution that the NATO Defense College has given to Albania with the qualification of Albanian experts and with its valuable expertise in defense reform and the Albania’s membership process at NATO. “Albania strongly supports the ‘Open Doors’ policy to expand the Alliance with the other countries of our region. We are convinced that Montenegro’s accession into NATO was a just and necessary action taken to have a regional and geostrategic impact. The Alliance proved its strength, power and determination by successfully challenging serious attempts aimed at forcing this process to fail. We are happy today for the end of the lengthy saga of the dispute between Greece and the Republic of North Macedonia and the signing of the Prespa Agreement, because I am convinced that the membership of our neighboring country in NATO and in the European Union too marks another cornerstone of security and the stability of the Western Balkans. Albania thinks that the acceleration of Kosovo’s steps and those remaining countries of our region towards the NATO and the European Union would serve not only the long-term security and stability of the Balkans, but also the economic cooperation and growth and the increase of foreign investments, mainly from the North Atlantic Alliance and of the European Union member countries. The increasing ambitions and the geo-strategic expansion of third actors, state or non-state actors in the Western Balkans and beyond it, remain a potential and challenging threat and danger for both the Western Balkans and the Alliance per se. Therefore, we deem that the NATO’s role and continuation of its presence in Kosovo and our region, is crucial for the peace and Euro-Atlantic values. On March 24th, 1999, NATO’s intervention in Kosovo marked an extraordinary mission that not only prevented a humanitarian catastrophe and brought to an end the killing and ethnic cleansing of Albanians, but above all, established the peace and contributed to the security and stability of the region. I reiterate my deep gratitude to the United States and to all the member countries that successfully completed that noble mission.” ‘We won the war, but you are the ones who need to gain the peace’ – stated former United States President Clinton during his visit to Kosovo, that took place in November of 1999. Albania, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, is determined not only to preserve this peace, but also to seriously remain committed to the common geostrategic challenges that the Alliance faces in the region and beyond it.”
Dutch MPs propose the suspending of visa-free travel for Albanians in the Schengen Zone (ADN)
A group of four Dutch parliament members has initiated a motion to cancel temporarily visa-free traveling for Albanian nationals in the Schengen Zone. On 11 April, the Dutch parliament debated on this motion, securing the support of the majority. Now the parliament will ask the government of the Netherlands to propose to the European Commission to initiate the “emergency brake” procedure, which enables the suspension of visa-free travel. The motion was filed by MP Madeleine van Toorenburg of the Christian Democrats, Liberal-Conservative Jeroen van Wijngaarden who was a co-author, Jasper van Dijk from the Socialist Party a co-petitions and fellow Nico Drost from the Christian Union, as a move on fight against organized crime. “The room, after hearing the deliberation, noting that there has been a substantial increase in criminal activities by the Albanian Mafia in the Netherlands and these criminal organizations are abusing the possibility of traveling through Europe visa-free and thus further expanding their smuggling network; noting that the suspension of the visa requirement for Albania was subject to various conditions, including the fight against cross-border crime; calls on the government to submit a request to the European Commission to initiate the emergency braking procedure to temporarily suspend Albania’s visa liberalization and to inform the House of progress,” the note on the decision of the parliament reads. Motion submitter and MP Van Toorenburg said to the plenary that there are 6 times more Albanians in the Netherlands than officially registered.
The Emergency Break is a Schengen Visa suspension mechanism regulated through EC Regulation 1289/2013. It permits the suspension the visa exemption for third country nationals in specific occasions considered as “emergency situations”. The suspension can take place with a simple majority of votes by the European Commission. In January 2018, France had also threatened to restore the Schengen Visa regime for Albanians after the country received 7,630 asylum applications from Albanians in 2017.
INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES
Orbán: Stemming Migration along Balkan Route ‘Joint Hungary-Serbia Success’ (Hungary Today, 15 April 2019)
Serbia and Hungary have jointly succeeded in stemming illegal migration across the Balkans, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said after a joint session of the Serbian and Hungarian governments in Szabadka (Subotica), in northern Serbia, on Monday. Orbán told a joint press conference held with his Serbian counterpart that Serbian acceptance of the fence Hungary built along the common border had been a “magnificent gesture”. He added that the border fence also benefitted Serbia because “migrants cannot travel on to Hungary and will, therefore, bypass Serbia”. The “real threat” of migration no longer impinges on the Balkans but emanates from Africa, he said.
Europe’s future would easily be fashioned into its western and central European spheres, depending on the number of Muslim communities in each region. In western Europe, Christian and non-Christian cohabitation has dictated policies for decades while “central Europeans don’t have this problem because we have protected our identity and our ethnic composition”. The problem, he added, was “how we prevent communities to the south and west that we don’t want to see from arriving in Hungary and central Europe.” He noted that Hungary, thanks to its Hungary Helps scheme, was exporting aid to where the problem lies rather than importing problems. “We know the Hungarian public supports this policy, but this support is likely to be further confirmed in the European Parliament elections.” Orbán said Serbia should be allowed to join the European Union as early as possible, adding that the country’s integration was “the next historic task” which would benefit both Serbs and Hungarians and the community itself. “Serbia’s swift accession is in the interest of all EU members.” The Hungarian PM said Europe’s current era would come to an end when “central European countries reach the economic level of the EU’s founders”. “There wouldn’t be any economic growth in Europe if it weren’t for central Europe,” he added. “Enlargement is not only good for new entrants but for countries that are already members.” In connection with the Budapest-Belgrade rail line, Orbán said the current 7-8-hour journey would be reduced to 2-3 hours and plugging gaps in the network would benefit the citizens of both countries. Orbán also said he respected Serbia’s request that Hungary should consider Serbia as a single entity in terms of its national economy and investment support. “Serbia belongs to the Serbs. We’re glad to work together if we know clearly which areas welcome us,” he added. Orbán invited his Serbian counterpart to Hungary for an official visit, during which the next joint government session will be held. Ana Brnabic, Serbia’s prime minister, thanked Orbán and the Hungarian government for backing her country’s efforts towards European integration and for striking a balanced stance in respect of the situation in Kosovo. She also expressed gratitude for the government’s support for Serbia’s minority in Hungary. Brnabic noted that on Monday eleven deals were signed that would soon have an impact on all aspects of politics, the economy and society. She said the joint government sessions were not for show but were held to find specific solutions and to yield tangible results.
Slovenia and Croatia should be setting a better example for the Western Balkans (Emerging Europe, by Iztok Podbregar, 16 April 2019)
Both full members of the EU and NATO, Slovenia and Croatia have throughout their history been very active in cooperating in the fields of economy, logistics, tourism, energy and transport. Over the last 25 years, there have been some outstanding issues from recent history, such as the management of EU critical infrastructure (including the Nuclear power plant at Krško), the foreign currency deposits of companies and individuals in the old state-owned bank Ljubljanska Banka, and the dispute over their land and maritime boundary. To determine the maritime border– an external Schengen frontier – the two countries decided to opt for international arbitration, something which allowed Croatia to join the European Union. However, immediately prior to the publication of the independent tribunal’s decision, audio recordings procured by Croatian intelligence, featuring Slovenian delegates to the tribunal, were made public, compromising the tribunal’s credibility. These recordings have since become the basis for Croatian parliament to declare that it will not be bound by the decisions of the tribunal.
It is both striking and unusual that a democratic member of the EU is rejecting its international obligations on the basis of illegally-gathered intelligence eavesdropping. Questions also arise as to how the recordings were made available to the media. No answer is satisfactory. Since the tribunal’s decision, Slovenia has been striving hard to implement in a transparent manner the course of the boundary between itself and Croatia, both on land and at sea. Recently, a Slovene commercial television station claimed that Croatian intelligence agents are eavesdropping Slovenian media, something which has caused a great deal of nervousness in Slovenian politics. The ambassador of Slovenia to Croatia, Smiljana Knez, was recalled for consultations and the Croatian ambassador to Slovenia, Boris Grigić, was summoned to the Slovenian foreign ministry. Relations between politicians of both countries at a senior level are currently at a low ebb, and there is a lack of willingness to engage in appropriate dialogue. Past experience shows that the various interests and the interweaving of relations, as well as the interests of the citizens of both countries are such that communication between senior politicians of both countries will nevertheless take place. It is our opinion that the pragmatism and maturity of the prime ministers of both countries are at such a level that they will find a suitable way for an appropriate dialogue in favour of the development of regions at both the bilateral and multilateral levels, if not before, then after the European elections. Unfortunately, a very slow resolution of open issues will continue as a result of the trust that has so far been lost. Slovenia and Croatia are clearly not at all aware of their responsibilities as member states of the EU and NATO, nor are they providing a positive example for the faster democratic development of other countries in the Western Balkans.
Polona Sprajc, Ph.D., an associate professor at the Faculty of Organisational Sciences at the University of Maribor, co-wrote this opinion editorial. The views expressed are the authors’ own and do not necessarily reflect Emerging Europe’s editorial policy.
