LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: We are working on new withdrawals of Kosovo recognition (RTS)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that intensive talks are underway “with other countries” about revoking recognition of Kosovo’s independence.

“They (representatives of Pristina) yesterday relieved us of all responsibility, saying that they had come for new recognitions of Kosovo’s independence. Now I say publicly – we are working on new withdrawals of recognition, they are doing their job and we are doing ours, so let’s see who will be more successful” Vucic told RTS. Vucic said that in order to win new recognitions in New York, Kosovo is represented not only by representatives of Pristina, but by Albania and their foreign affairs minister, a Kosovo born politician. “They openly say that this is another country lobbying for them. No problem, we are alone, few want to help us, many keep underestimating us, but our response is effective and responsible” Vucic said. He went on depicting New York as one of the firmest stronghold of Kosovo in every sense, as they have numerous lobbyists and financial experts who have been helping their campaign since 1946.

Vucic said that Serbia is lagging behind by 72 or 73 years and that even when we start serious lobbying, with much more money involved, it will be a drop in the sea compared to how much they have lobbied since 1946.

Vucic says he has spoken with the President of the Congo, who will be visiting Belgrade in a month, adding that it is a country of 90 million people that was close to recognizing Kosovo’s independence, but that Serbia successfully prevented it.

He added that he would also meet with the President of the World Jewish Congress, Ronald Lauder, a very important man of enormous influence, and then meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss preparations for the arrival of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in Belgrade, scheduled for October 20. According to him, the two states are expected to sign numerous agreements on this occasion, but also marking a dignified commemoration of the anniversary of the liberation of Belgrade and Serbia from fascism in World War II.

“We will not allow anyone to strip us of our heroic past for political reasons”.

He added that later he would have dinner under the auspices of the World Economic Forum, when he will be accompanied by Jared Cohen, as well as new national security adviser Robert O`Brien, who succeeded John Bolton. That will be of great importance, Vucic said, adding that he is also expected to have another dinner during the evening, with the outgoing European diplomacy chief Federica Mogherini. “We have lots of work to do, but I surely think that we represent Serbia with dignity”, he said.

Asked what would be the key messages in his address to the UN General Assembly, he said he would come up with an analysis of what is happening in our region, as well as what the region needs – peace and stability and rapid economic development. “I will try to talk about the region I come from. We are too small to be lecturing the world” Vucic said. He added that he would instead talk about “our relations and the need to preserve peace and stability, what Serbia had accomplished so far and what we expect from the world in the future.”

Vucic: Good talks with Lavrov, Russia will be with Serbia (RTS)

Serbian President Alexander Vucic said in New York that he had a good conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and that the Russian minister showed special respect for our country, for which he is grateful. The president said that the Serbian delegation in New York had done a good job as a team and stressed that he had not accidentally said that there would be more countries in the coming period that will change their stance on Kosovo and Metohija.

“Russia will be with Serbia, and these are the words of President Vladimir Putin that Lavrov conveyed to us” Vucic said after the meeting, which was held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. He told reporters that Prime Minister Dimitri Medvedev is expected to arrive to Belgrade on October 19th. “To commemorate the liberation of our capital, which we carried out together with the Red Army. A few days later, on October 25, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic will sign a trade agreement with the Eurasian Union in Moscow. This is important for our country, the economy and agriculture” the president said.

Vucic emphasized that this strengthens the trust between the two countries. He said that he also discussed the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) with the Russian minister.

“I said that for Serbia it is important that the Dayton Agreement is abide. Lavrov also said that the Dayton Agreement is an international law treaty and therefore should be not breached, and that whoever breach it would have to count on the negative consequences” he pointed out.

Vucic said that he had good, honest and friendly talks with Lavrov, and that it was good for Serbia to have a friend and ally in Russia on all important issues for our country.

He said he also discussed when the next meeting at the presidential level might be, and announced that he would inform the public as soon as they agreed.

Dacic: The number of those who recognize Kosovo will continue to fall (RTS)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic says in New York that the number of countries withdrawing or suspending Kosovo’s recognition will increase by year’s end. In other words, Dacic explains, the number of those who recognize Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence falls to less than half of UN members. Dacic told reporters last night that the Serbian delegation had talked to representatives of 53 member states in three days of the UN General Assembly and that in two more days, that number would exceed 100.

“The president discussed strategic matters with certain states, pertaining to the dialogue with Pristina, but there were also many meetings on the topic of the standpoint regarding the status of Kosovo and Metohija. I can openly say, as the president announced, that our citizens can be assured that in the coming period, there will be, and we have agreed on that here, more countries to withdraw or suspend decisions on recognition of Kosovo”, Dacic emphasized.

He said that if there was a vote on Kosovo’s membership in Interpol, it would surely not pass due to the joint efforts by the interior and foreign ministries and the President of the Republic.

“By the end of the year, the number of countries that have recognized Kosovo, which is important for tactical reasons, will fall to less than half of the UN members. With 15 countries, we have acquired almost eight percent of total UN membership already. That’s a great result for a small country like Serbia, because we are not superpower” Dacic said.

Vucic invites Trump to visit Serbia, says U.S. interested in solving Kosovo issue (Pink TV)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated in New York that he had invited U.S. President Donald Trump to visit Serbia. Vucic said his conversation with Trump lasted between half a minute and a minute and a half. “I invited him to visit Serbia. The Serbs like him the most, after the Poles” Vucic told Pink TV. The president said the U.S. was interested in “solving the Kosovo knot” and that it did not want “it to be a frozen conflict for the next ten years.” Vucic, who is visiting New York, where the U.N. General Assembly is holding its annual session, said that “one can talk to Americans in a reasonable and rational way. You can present your solutions and ideas. Regardless of whether they would accept them or not, they want to hear them,” Vucic said. He also stated that “eight percent of the U.N. countries” had withdrawn their recognition of Kosovo or were about to do so.

Vucic with Reeker and Palmer: Serbia ready to return to dialogue after tariffs are abolished (Beta)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met in New York with U.S. State Department officials – Acting Assistant Secretary of State Philip Reeker and the special envoy for the Western Balkans Matthew Palmer, with whom he discussed the removal of obstacles to the continuation of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, the Office of the Serbian President has announced. At the meeting held on the margins of the U.N. General Assembly’s session in the evening on Sept. 24, Vucic said that Serbia is ready to return to the negotiating table after the tariffs imposed on Serbian goods are lifted, as it genuinely favors reaching a substantive and sustainable compromise in the solving of the Kosovo issue, the press release added. “Such a compromise should observe and recognize the interests of the Serbs living there, as well as the preservation of Serbia’s state and national interests” Vucic said. The participants in the meeting concluded that Serbia and the U.S. have intensified political dialogue and economic cooperation. The announcement further read that Vucic and the U.S. officials also talked about the situation in the Western Balkans and agreed that peace and stability are of crucial importance for political and economic progress, as well as the European path for the entire region.

Dacic talks to his peers in New York (Beta)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic had several fringe meetings with his counterparts during the 74th U.N. General Assembly in New York, discussing bilateral relations and major multilateral issues. The Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in the press release that on the first day of the General Debate, on Sept. 24, Minister Dacic met with his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian, Mongolia’s foreign minister, Damdin Tsogtbaatar, Foreign Minister Palamagamba Kabudi of Tanzania, the Namibian foreign minister, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, and Minister Mark Brentey of Saint Kitts and Nevis. The Serbian minister had separate meetings with his Paraguayan peer, Antonio Rivas Palacios, and Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Minister Chingiz Aidarbekov. The ministers agreed that relations between Serbia and their respective countries were excellent, expressing readiness to improve them. Dacic thanked the Paraguayan foreign minister for his country’s support to Serbia in handling the Kosovo issue, and Palacios confirmed that the position of his country in the matter would not change. Dacic and Aidarbekov underlined the great potential of bilateral cooperation in the economy, transport and infrastructure, and the Serbian foreign minister invited his Kyrgyzstani counterpart to visit Serbia soon. Dacic also met with the secretary general of the Association of Caribbean States, June Sommer, and the two officials discussed the development of overall bilateral relations with the region, underlining that Serbia’s relationship with the Caribbean region “is developing in the desired way and to the satisfaction of Serbia and the states of the region.”

REGIONAL PRESS

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Komsic meets Gutteres, says B&H is open to dialogue with its neighbors (Oslobodjenje)

Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Zeljko Komsic met with UN Secretary General Antonio Gutteres on Wednesday in New York, and he stated that B&H is dedicated to good neighborly relations with other countries in the region. He noted that B&H has great understanding with neighbors and it is willing to launch dialogue to discuss all the open issues. Komsic also said that he expects the relationship between Serbia and B&H to improve after the upcoming meeting of the Presidency of B&H with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. Gutteres stated that the EU and NATO should remain open for B&H.

Komsic, expects relations between his country and Croatia to start improving after presidential elections in Croatia set for the end of the year, and he conveyed that assessment to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Komsic’s office said in a statement on Wednesday. According to the statement from his office, Komsic said that in relations with Croatia he expected “the opening of a positive dialogue… after the elections to be held in that country at the end of the year.”

He also said that B&H was ready to solve outstanding issues with Croatia through dialogue, and in that context, he particularly mentioned the implementation of the agreement on succession to the former Yugoslav federation and the sea border.

During his meeting with Guterres, Komsic also commented on the fact that Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic had commented on B&H’s the election law and the fact that it had not been amended despite a Constitutional Court ruling to that effect, suggesting that the Croatian president was again interfering in B&H’s internal matters.

“The Election Law should be changed in many segments but that it was exclusively an internal matter of B&H on which a decision would be made in B&H according to the statement from Komsic’s office.

Serb member of B&H Presidency Dodik: Komsic presented his personal stances in his address before UN GA (TV1)

Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) from rank of Serb people Milorad Dodik commented Chairman of B&H Presidency Zeljko Komsic’s address at the 74th session of the UN General Assembly held on Tuesday. Dodik underlined that Komsic presented his personal stances in his address, adding that Komsic did not get consent of other two members of the Presidency for the stances presented in New York. “He can do nothing, but to babble”, stressed Dodik, adding that Komsic does not have support of people, because he is a fraud, i.e. Komsic was elected the Croat member of the B&H Presidency thanks to votes of Bosniaks.

Dodik also said that “Komsic is a politically premature baby miscarried in the general elections”, noting that he is not the one who causes crisis in B&H and blocks the process of formation of B&H Council of Ministers (CoM). Dodik also reacted to Komsic’s criticism of the neighboring countries by noting that Komsic presented his personal stance. “No one is interfering…Komsic consciously ignored the institution of the B&H Presidency and belittled it” Dodik stated.

Dodik said that he sees Komsic as “a golden lily from (SDA leader Bakir) Izetbegovic‘s lapel who cannot and who dares not to go to municipalities with Croat majority in the Federation of B&H, but he would engage in a showdown with Dodik and Republika Srpska (RS). He concluded that B&H will not move towards membership in NATO, regardless of the fact Komsic is trying to present it as his political goal.

RS President Cvijanovic: Komsic’s attempts are just waste of political time and will not yield results (RTRS)

RS President Zeljka Cvijanovic commented Chairman of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Presidency Zeljko Komsic’s address at the 74th session of the UN General Assembly. She said that she sees Komsic’s role in promoting some kind of concept that cannot succeed. “The concept in which borders are being deleted in terms of not having entities cannot succeed. But, if he wants to spend his political time on imagination, I have nothing against that” Cvijanovic said. Cvijanovic said that Komsic’s attempts are just waste of political time and will not yield results.

Dzaferovic: Although I did not harmonize stances with Komsic, all those observing things in unbiased manner agree with what Komsic said (TV1)

Bosniak member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Sefik Dzaferovic talked about reactions to the address of Chairman of the Presidency Zeljko Komsic at 74th session of the UN General Assembly (UN GA). Asked to comment part of Komsic’s address at the session of the UN GA where he said that some activities of neighboring countries have been producing uneasiness in B&H, Dzaferovic said that although he did not harmonize stances with Komsic, all those observing things in an unbiased manner agree with what Komsic said. Dzaferovic went on to say that B&H’s neighboring countries, primarily Serbia and Croatia are obliged to respect sovereignty and integrity of B&H, because these are signatory countries of the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA), and according the DPA, it is their only obligation. He added that it seems that both of these countries occasionally fail to interpret their roles in the same manner the DPA defines them.

The Bosniak member of the Presidency explained that according to the DPA, obligation of Serbia and Croatia is to abstain from any activities that would undermine sovereignty and integrity of B&H “and this is where their role of signatories of the DPA ends.” He explained that Serbia and Croatia often present themselves as guarantors of the DPA, adding that they are not guarantors. “They are signatories of the DPA because they participated in aggression against B&H. They are signatories along with Republic of B&H” stated the Bosniak member of the Presidency.  Dzaferovic stressed that interfering of neighboring countries in internal issues of B&H are occasionally very intensive.

Reporter reminded that Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic used meetings held on sidelines of the session of the UN GA to present her stances about necessary changes in B&H. Dzaferovic stressed that this is one of examples of how neighboring countries produce uneasiness in B&H. Dzaferovic stressed that he never talked about how Croatia or Serbia should be organized, adding that officials from these countries should also abstain from talking about internal organization of B&H. Dzaferovic underlined that he is aware of feelings that Croat and Serb citizens of B&H have towards Croatia and Serbia, adding that despite of this, citizens of B&H should decide about the future of this country.

Zvizdic reacts to the Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Zorana Mihajlovic statement on Komsic’s address at the UN GA (TV1)

Chair of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Council of Ministers (CoM) Denis Zvizdic commented Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Zorana Mihajlovic’s statement. He stressed that B&H has never been interfering with internal issues of neighboring countries. Zvizdic stated that there is no statement of any official from B&H that can be interpreted as interfering with internal issues of other countries. “We expect the same from our neighbors”,explained Zvizdic. He underlined that he prefers insisting on relations among countries over relations among peoples. Zvizdic reminded that all Western Balkan countries strive for the EU membership which is why respecting all international standards is necessary.

“Dialogue is the only road to seeking or finding the right solutions. Dialogue, compromise and activities for the common good of all citizens. However, everyone must also know that some previous times of tutorship passed and that no one should have some paternalistic relation towards B&H and that this kind of things are unacceptable not just because of international laws, but also because of the fact that sovereignty and integrity belongs to the state of B&H”.

Earlier, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Mihajlovic reacted to this statement and said that Serbia should be concerned with Komsic’s statements. She underlined that those seeking reorganization of B&H without agreement of three peoples and abolition of the RS are the only ones producing uneasiness and destabilization in B&H. Mihajlovic explained that she refers to leader of SDA Bakir Izetbegovic, who presented clearly his intentions in recently adopted SDA’s Program Declaration.

Croatia

Croatian FM Grlic Radman: It is Zeljko Komsic who contributes to destabilization of B&H (Vecernji list)

The Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs got stunned by statement of Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Zeljko Komsic, who said at the UN General Assembly that neighboring countries are destabilizing B&H. Croatian Foreign Minister (FM) Goran Grlic Radman said that Croatia does not recognize itself in the accusations, stressing it is quite the opposite, namely that Croatia will soon take over the EU Council Presidency and that one of Croatia’s Presidency’s priorities will be the EU enlargement, and that Croatia advocates that B&H gets the status of an EU candidate country. “We want functional B&H and its institutions, which will guarantee equality and status of a constituent people for the three peoples” said FM Grlic Radman. “It is Komsic, with his statements and behavior, who contributes to destabilization of BiH and deterioration of relations with the neighbors”, concluded the Croatian FM. Daily went on to say that the opposition in Croatia also negatively reacted to Komsic’s statement. Namely, SDP MP in the Croatian Parliament Josko Klisovic said: I think that Komsic has continued his personal war with HDZ B&H and (HDZ) of Croatia, but now he has decided to involve Croatia as a state into the war, which is a mistake”.

HDZ Croatia’s Stier: Komsic is continuing his war against HDZ in BiH and HDZ in Croatia (N1)

Speech of Chairman of the Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Presidency Zeljko Komsic before the UN General Assembly has provoked a number of reactions. Certain regional, but also B&H politicians, criticized Komsic’s claims that neighboring countries are occasionally causing turmoil in B&H because they are trying to achieve certain political goals. Komsic said that B&H has good and intensive relations with its neighbors and added: “Due to particular policies of our neighbors, we occasionally witness their activities on pursuing their political interests within B&H, which causes turmoil.” Representative of HDZ of Croatia Davor Ivo Stier stressed that unitarism and separatism have been destabilizing B&H for quite some time. “Those are the real problems. As far as Komsic is concerned, his main problem is legitimacy, i.e. the lack of legitimacy. Croatia is not destabilizing B&H. It sees it as its neighboring country, recognizes its sovereignty and territorial integrity. It seems to me that in this case, Komsic is continuing his war against HDZ in B&H and HDZ in Croatia. However, this time around, he got the Croatian state involved which I believe is a big mistake” Stier underlined.

Slovenia: Croatia’s accession to Schengen Area conditional on Rule of Law (Hina)

Slovenian Foreign Minister Miro Cerar said during the UN General Assembly in New York on Wednesday that Slovenia was in favor of expansion of the Schengen area of passport-free travel but only if Croatia respected the rule of law, Slovenian media reported.

In a comment on Croatian media reports that the European Commission would next month confirm that Croatia had met technical conditions for accession to the Schengen area, which outgoing EC President Jean-Claude Juncker had allegedly promised Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Cerar told reporters in New York that Slovenia supported the expansion of the Schengen area in principle but that the rule of law “is one of the key standards that must be respected by countries that are about to join the Schengen area”.

Alluding to an arbitration ruling on the Croatian-Slovenian border dispute, which Croatia does not recognize because of Slovenia’s having compromised the arbitration proceedings, Cerar said that respect for the rule of law also means “respect for and implementation of international agreements and decisions of international courts” the Slovenian media quoted sources at the Slovenian Foreign Ministry as saying.

Montenegro

Donald Trump welcomes Djukanovic at traditional reception (CDM)

Montenegro’s President, Milo Djukanovic, accompanied by his wife Lidija, attended traditional reception organized by US President, Donald Trump. Djukanovic is in his official visit to the USA, where he attended the official opening of the general debate of the 74th General Assembly of the UN in New York. United States Secretary of State, Mr Mike Pompeo, one of Donald Trump’s closest collaborators, will visit Montenegro after he leaves North Macedonia. Pompeo will make official visit to Montenegro on 4 October.

Republic of North Macedonia

Zaev meets Reeker and Palmer on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (Nezavisen vesnik)

North Macedonia is fully focused on getting a date for the start of EU accession negotiations in October and progress in the ratification of the NATO Accession Protocol, the two strategic objectives to which the United States have largely contributed, said Prime Minister Zoran Zaev at a meeting with Philip Reeker, U.S. Assistant Secretary of European and Eurasian Affairs, and Matthew Palmer, the State Department’s Special Envoy for the Western Balkans.

Zaev, accompanied by Foreign Minister Nikola Dimitrov, said these goals also arise from the strategic partnership agreement with the United States, which notes that the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration is a priority in ensuring its stability and security, but also of the region, the Government said in a press release. Reeker and Palmer were interested in current political developments in the country, highlighting U.S. support in the implementation of reforms, especially in the field of rule of law and fight against corruption. These are issues of great importance for the purpose of opening the EU accession negotiations, which is in U.S. interest too, reads the press release.

Mike Pompeo to visit Skopje in October (Nezavisen vesnik)

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will visit North Macedonia in the first half of October as part of a diplomatic tour of the region, according to unofficial sources. Pompeo will be the first US Secretary of State to visit the country since Colin Powell’s visit during the crisis in April 2000. Ahead of the referendum in Skopje, Pentagon chief and Secretary of Defense James Matisse visited the country. The head of the State Department and one of US President Donald Trump’s closest associates should first arrive to Skopje, and then pay an official visit to Montenegro. Pompeo recently appointed Matthew Palmer as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs with responsibility for the Western Balkans.

Greece, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania voice full support for start of EU accession negotiations (Nezavisen vesnik)

Foreign Ministers of Greece, Romania, Croatia and Bulgaria have voiced full support for the start of EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania at a meeting held as part of the UN General Assembly in New York. The FMs of these four Balkan countries, members of the EU, have reviewed the European integration bids of the neighboring candidate countries at the meeting, the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.

“We’re convinced that we’ll be more secure, prosperous and wealthy only if all our neighbors join the EU,” said Bulgarian Foreign Minister Zaharieva. She pointed out that just as Greece had at the time helped Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia in their EU integration process, it was now time that they would do the same for other countries in the region and support them in joining the EU. “Bulgaria signed a Friendship Treaty with the Republic of North Macedonia, and it should be implemented. Albania, on the other hand, needs to improve its legislation and align it with the European legislation. Bulgaria supports the start of EU accession negotiations with the two countries” Zaharieva noted.

Greek FM Dendias said that Greece was coming out of a 10-year long crisis, during which the country had been oriented towards itself but will now re-engage with the Balkans and Europe.

“We support Albania and North Macedonia in their bid to join the EU” Dendias said.

Romania’s FM Msnescu voiced support for Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Croatia to continue coordinating activities focused on the EU enlargement policy.

“We need to support our neighbors and continue with Bulgaria’s engagement in leading the process during its EU presidency. Separation of North Macedonia and Albania’s Euro-integration process would be a big mistake and I believe the time has come for both countries to get a green light,” said Manescu.

Croatian FM Gordan Grlic-Radman also voiced support for start of EU accession talks with Skopje and Tirana, as well as further development of good-neighborly relations in the region.

Albania

Rama from the USA; Trump “Albania is doing pretty good” (Radio Tirana)

Prime Minister Edi Rama gave an interview in the US today. The head of the Albanian government commented the meeting with US President Donald Trump. According to Rama, President Trump said that “Albania is doing pretty good”. Meeting with Trump: We had a brief conversation according to the format and of course it was encouraging because it is a pleasure hearing “Albania is doing well”. Rama also commented on the meeting with Greek counterpart Mitsotakis. Meeting with Mitsotakis: “It was the first meeting, a friendly presentation. It is clear that there is a positive willingness on both sides to move ahead in the process of resolving some of the old and long-running issues and there is a common will”.

Regarding the Regional Schengen Idea: “We agreed with Serbian President Vucic and Prime Minister Zaev to have a meeting for co-operation between the three countries, a meeting marking a step to encourage others to join. The meeting is important if we agree on lifting the boundaries for people, goods, business and investors to invest in our region as we need a wider market” Rama said.

Electoral reform, opposition: Ready to take part in OSCE summoned round table on experts’ level (Radio Tirana)

The Democratic Party along with its allies have accepted the OSCE invitation for the latter’s summoned round table of the electoral reform. Sources from the DP headquarters confirm that the opposition will be represented at the expert level at this round table. This means that party leaders will not be present, but will be represented by Oerd Bylykbashi and Ivi Kaso of the DP, Arjan Madhi of the Republican Party and Muharrem Caka of the SMI.

The decision comes in the wake of the United States’ ultimatum through US special envoy for the Western Balkans, Mathew Palmer, who urged non-parliamentary opposition to sit in dialogue with the government to approve the new electoral reform. The top US official said shortly after Basha’s rejection of the OSCE invitation that the United States does not choose winners and losers in the political game, and therefore called for dialogue that new elections be held on the basis of new electoral reform.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Situation in Balkans won’t improve on its own, US General says (VOA)

The appointment of Matthew Palmer as the US special envoy to the Western Balkans proves how much it is important for the American diplomacy that Kosovo and Serbia reach a long-lasting solution, a retired US Army General Ben Hodges has told the Voice of America (VOA) on Thursday, adding Belgarde and Pristina leaders should have some economic incentives to offer to their peoples “immediately” to persuade them that a solution they will reach is for their benefit. He added that “the things in the Balkans will not get better on its own.”

Hodges, who took part at the annual conference of the Washington-based Centre for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) praised the US efforts to contribute to the solving of not only complicated relations between Kosovo and Serbia, but to the stabilisation of the broader region including Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to the empowering North Macedonia’s path to the European Union.

“Palmer’s appointment is important first of all because it presents how seriously America treats the region. When the US sends it special representative, it’s a message to all sides that we want to help in solving problems,” the General said. According to him, the whole Western Balkans region was significant as “a part of the great powers competition.” “I believe that Moscow is doing everything to keep the region unstable. It is not interested in any stabilization. The US has to engage undoubtedly. The situation won’t improve on its own” Hodges said.

Regarding Kosovo, he said that presidents Aleksandar Vucic and Hashim Thaci should be provided negotiating space without either internal or external pressure.

Commenting on rumors that Washington prepared some economic arrangements for both Serbia and Kosovo, the General said Vucic and Thaci needed a real economic incentive they could offer to their peoples immediately as a proof that a successful outcome of the dispute would lead to a better life and higher living standard. “In the meantime, Vucic’s and Thaci’s failure to reach an agreement so far only empowered anxiety about the diplomatic stagnation, political radicalism and regional instability” the General told VOA.