LOCAL PRESS

Brnabic: Argentina has always protected Serbia’s integrity (RTV/Tanjug)

Argentina is an important country in international relations and a country that has always protected us and the principles of international law and justice, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said in Buenos Aires following the swearing-in ceremony and the transfer of power to the newly elected President of the Republic of Argentina Alberto Fernandez. According to Brnabic, her presence at the inauguration of the new President of Argentina is an indicator of the really close relations between our two countries, as well as our willingness to invest additional energy in the further developing of our relations. Brnabic expressed her great pleasure with the fact that she had delivered the Gold Medal of Merit to Susana Ruiz Cerutti, the former foreign minister, on behalf of President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic, yesterday at the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia. On behalf of the Argentine Republic, Cerutti presented a brilliant defense of the principle of international law before the International Court of Justice in The Hague on the legality of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo and Metohija. Brnabic underlined that Serbia and Argentina are linked by a nine-decade long friendship and that in the future we will continue to strengthen our friendship and that we will try to ensure that Serbia and its citizens never forget what other friendly countries, such as Argentina, do for us.

Serbia, Greece sign declaration on strategic partnership (Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis signed on Wednesday in Athens a joint declaration on establishing a strategic partnership between Serbia and Greece. The declaration includes joint stances on the most important matters, mutual support on the most significant issues for both countries, as well as a series of other, general political stances related to the friendly and strategic relations between the two countries. Opening a session of the bilateral High Council for Cooperation – which preceded the signing of the document – Vucic noted that the declaration was very important and that Greece was only the third European country with which Serbia was signing such a document. Significantly, the declaration encompasses economic cooperation, as well as cooperation in the field of security and science and education, he added. Besides the declaration, a 2020-2022 program of intergovernmental cooperation in education, science and technological development was also signed by Greek FM Nikos Dendias and Serbian Minister of Education, Science and Technological Development Mladen Sarcevic.

Serbia opens new chapter in negotiations with EU (RTS/Tanjug/Beta)

Serbia opened late on Tuesday at the Intergovernmental Conference in Brussels Chapter 4 in the accession negotiations with the EU on freedom of movement of capital. The Serbian delegation to Brussels was led by Minister for European Integration Jadranka Joksimovic, and on behalf of the EU the opening of the chapter was attended by European Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Várhelyi and the Chairperson of the EU Council, Finnish Minister for European Affairs Tytti Tuppurainen. Serbia currently has 18 opened accession chapters, two of which have been provisionally closed. Chapter 4 of the EU membership talks opening this year is the second in a row since Chapter 9 on financial services opened in June. Joksimovic said at a press conference after the opening of the chapter that today is an important day for Serbia’s European path. We have opened 18 chapters in our accession negotiations, 18 out of 35 which means that we have more than half opened, Joksimovic added, emphasizing that this is not a goal in itself, but closing the chapters and achieving the standards that have been promised to citizens and set as a goal. She pointed out that the fact that Serbia passed half of the way in opening chapters has its significance. This certainly shows that Serbia did not get stuck and, despite the atmosphere that has not favored enlargement policy lately, that policy persists. It has its ups and downs, but with this opening of the chapter, we show that enlargement policy is alive, she said. The Minister for European Integration pointed out that this chapter proves that, in addition to successful economic reforms, Serbia has made some progress in the area of the rule of law. I think that based on what we have done in the area of the rule of law, more chapters could have been opened, but we are known as a candidate country that does not complain, which does not seek any concessions, but only a fair approach, and it will stay so in the future, Joksimovic said. EU Council Chairperson who is also Minister for European Affairs of Finland Tytti Tuppurainen said that the opening of a new chapter with Serbia is a positive signal for the entire Western Balkans region. She urged Serbia to continue its reform processes especially in the area of the rule of law and fundamental rights. It is crucial for Serbia to show a stronger political commitment to the reform of the rule of law. Another important issue is the normalization of relations with Kosovo, she said. Tuppurainen stated that the EU will continue to work closely with Serbia to achieve further results on the European path, adding that they bring benefits to both parties in the process.

Joksimovic: Serbia can be ready for EU membership in five years (Tanjug)

Serbian Minister for European Integration Jadranka Joksimovic spoke on Tuesday with the newly appointed European Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Várhelyi about the continuation and credibility of EU enlargement policy and Serbia’s expectations on the European path.

After a meeting at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Joksimovic said that Serbia could be ready for EU membership by the end of Várhelyi’s five-year term. She said that during the talks, the European Commissioner reiterated the expectation that at least one Western Balkan country will be fully prepared for membership by the end of his term. While not underestimating anyone else and wanting the whole region to thrive, I believe that Serbia is the one that can be a country ready for membership by the end of the term of the new Enlargement Commissioner, she underlined. She said that Commissioner Várhelyi is well aware of European politics, the region and has a balanced and sensible attitude towards enlargement and accession policy, noting that he strongly supports enlargement policy and Serbia as a country accessing the Union. Joksimovic recalled that EU membership is primarily a political decision made by all member states, and that Serbia has the important job of continuing reforms and maintaining the European course. She reiterated that Serbia is serious about the accession process and that it is not only talking about reforms but implementing them, which is recognized in Brussels.

Botsan-Kharchenko: There is no constructive condition for continuing Belgrade-Pristina talks (RTV/FoNet)

Russian Ambassador to Serbia Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko has stated at the gathering on Balkan politics in the Russian Federation at the Institute for International Politics and Economy that the Balkans is the most important region for stability in Europe and that the open Kosovo issue represents the biggest obstacle in achieving this goal. The open issue of Kosovo – non-existence of progress in the dialogue and the solution – is one of the most important reasons for instability in the region, he said. “I think there is not one single condition or precondition for a constructive exchange of opinions and continuation of Belgrade-Pristina talks,” he said, recalling that Moscow supports the continuation of the dialogue and thinks that the past format of talks is the best one. He sees as the biggest obstacle and the most important problem for continuing the dialogue the fact that the EU has not managed to implement the reached agreements, which, he says, reduces trust in talks and mediation. “This is obvious. And now, when there are thoughts about continuing, the realization of the agreed is important,” he said, adding he doesn’t have a feeling that the problem will be resolved soon. He assessed that pressure on Pristina is necessary in the sense of improving the situation and the daily life, but this is impossible for the time being, because institutions have not been formed following elections. For that reason, he adds, any story about dialogue has only theoretical sense. According to him, it is important to maintain both military and civil presence in Kosovo and Metohija, and not to allow their abolishment in order for Pristina to satisfy its interests.

Moscow will agree with UN SC discussion of division of Kosovo, if Serbia wants (N1)

Botsan–Kharchenko said on Tuesday that the border change between Belgrade and Pristina was not a taboo in Moscow, N1 reported. “There have been changes of borders in the territory of former Yugoslavia in 1991. And to say today that it may create a precedent… I don’t see why,” the Ambassador said, adding Moscow would accept that the UN Security Council consider the division of Kosovo if Serbia wanted that.  Referring to the recent spy affair in Serbia involving a Russian spy and local army officer, he said: “Spy affair – what was it?.” That was also his answer to N1 question about what the Ambassador replied to President Aleksandar Vucic when he asked him ‘why’ regarding the affair. “I wouldn’t like us to re-open this story which is behind us,” he said. However, Der Spiegel writes about what and how Russian spies do across Europe. The newspaper cites German officials worrying that the assassins who work for Moscow target Kremlin’s opponents who have escaped to Europe.

Back to Belgrade, Botsan–Kharchenko said that there was “no doubt that our relations got another incentive (after Vucic’s recent visit to Russia and meeting with President Vladimir Putin). And we now expect faster development and intensified cooperation in all areas.”

Foggo: Good job of KFOR over the past two decades (RTS)

Commander of NATO’s Allied Joint Force Command in Naples, Admiral James Foggo, has told RTS that KFOR has done a very good job in Kosovo and Metohija over the past two decades. He is on a two-day visit to Serbia at the invitation of the General Chief of Staff, General Milan Mojsilovic. He will be discussing with Serbian official cooperation between Serbia and KFOR, joint activities within the Partnership for Peace Program and in the domain of training. When speaking about the safety of Serbs in northern Kosovo and Metohija in case the Kosovo police tries to take over the north, Foggo says KFOR is third in the chain of reacting after the Kosovo police and the EULEX. However, KFOR has the responsibility for maintaining a safe and security environment under all circumstances according to Resolution 1244. “We marked 20 years of presence in Kosovo this summer. During that period, 213 NATO soldiers had, unfortunately, given their lives for preserving peace,” said Foggo. He notes that, during all the time, KFOR has been maintaining close ties and cooperation with the Army of Serbia regarding this issue. I think it has been good  up until now, assessed Foggo.

Jeremic: Participation in election under present conditions insults intelligence of ordinary people (TV N1/Beta)

The leader of the People’s Party Vuk Jeremic has told TV N1 that to participate in elections under the existing conditions equals insulting the intelligence of ordinary people. He added that a new visit by European parliamentarians, who act as mediators between the government and the opposition, due on 12 December, would not bring relevant changes. Jeremic also said he believes the EU representatives are acting in good will so that the current political crisis in Serbia could be overcome, but that the regime in not ready to make any “substantial” steps that would ensure a fair election. Commenting on some changes adopted to improve the election conditions, Jeremic said they were just “on paper,” and that the situation has turned for the worse over the past several weeks, i.e. since the EU mediation had begun. According to him, all those who would play a role in “the staged circus dubbed spring elections” will actually help offer “legitimacy to this regime that has long ago parted ways with democracy, the rule of law and the fundamental norms of a modern society and civilization.” Jeremic said he has information that Andjelko Vucic, the father of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, ”very frequently visits the Security and Information Agency’s headquarters.” He publicly asked the agency’s director, Branislav Gasic, whether that is true, and “if it is, what is pensioner Andjelko Vucic doing there? According to information received from Bruno Djuran, he is actually issuing orders on who and in what way should be placed under surveillance. These are my assumptions,” Jeremic said.

Asked about an incident that took place on 7 December in front of the Serbian parliament, Jeremic said that this was not “the best example of strategic planning and thinking; it happened, not something worthy of praise.” He added that he didn’t know that this was to happen, but that he is not sure Bosko Obradovic knew that either.

REGIONAL PRESS

EU Council adopts Conclusions on EC’s Opinion on B&H’s EU membership application (FTV)

Council of the European Union adopted on Tuesday Conclusions on European Commission opinion on Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) application for membership in the EU, which among other things reads that B&H failed to sufficiently fulfill the Copenhagen criteria and needs to dedicate considerable efforts to strengthen its institutions in order to guarantee democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for protection of minorities. It was noted in regards the economic criteria, B&H has achieved certain progress, but at the same time, implementation of its obligations also needs to improve. According to the Commission’s Opinion, B&H needs to make sustained efforts, in particular with regard to the implementation of the 14 key priorities focusing on, among other things, the areas of democracy and reforms of public administration. “The Council notes that the opening of accession negotiations will be ultimately considered by the European Council, in line with established practice, at a time when the Commission has assessed that B&H has achieved the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria and has met in particular the key priorities set out in the Commission’s Opinion” the Conclusions read. The Council welcomed the nomination of the Chair of the Council of Ministers of B&H Zoran Tegeltija, and reiterated the EU’s unequivocal commitment to B&H’s EU perspective as a single, united and sovereign country. The EU Council also urged B&H authorities to start addressing the key priorities identified in the EC’s Opinion. According to the decision, B&H achieved a certain degree of macroeconomic stability whereas it is still at an early stage of establishing a functioning market economy and of becoming competitive within the common market.

RS CC to decide on veto of Bosniak Caucus to Information on unconstitutional transformation of Dayton structure of B&H (Oslobodjenje)

The Joint Commission of the Republika Srpska (RS) parliament and the RS Council of Peoples (CoP) convened on Tuesday and failed to harmonize its stances on the issue of the veto of the Bosniak Caucus in the RS CoP regarding Information on unconstitutional transformation of the Dayton structure of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its effects on the position and rights of the RS. This means that the final decision on the issue is going to be passed by the RS Constitutional Court.

Russian Ambassador to Serbia comments military neutrality of Serbia and RS (RTRS)

Ambassador of Russia to Serbia, Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko said that NATO expansion on the Western Balkans under pressure would be harmful regardless of the national affiliation. He emphasized that Serbia and Republika Srpska (RS) have their reasons why they respect the decision on military neutrality. He added that Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) cannot become a member of the Alliance if one of its entities does not support that decision. He concluded that, at this moment, there is no consensus in B&H on this matter, which is why there is no need to make any moves towards the NATO until such an agreement is reached. Botsan-Kharchenko underlined that Russia supports the integrity of B&H, as well as the status of two entities, the RS and the Federation of B&H, within B&H. “We believe that it is too early to talk about reforms or changes to the Dayton Agreement,” he said, reminding that the Dayton Agreement was a result of “difficult compromises”. Furthermore, Russian Ambassador to Serbia underlined that Moscow supports the European path of Western Balkan countries, adding that membership in the EU and NATO are not linked.

HNS’ Ljubic: HNS has made its proposal of changes to Law on Elections, will not make new one (Dnevni list)

Head of the Main Council of the Croat People’s Assembly (HNS) Bozo Ljubic, said that when it comes to formation of the new Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina government, it will require a lot of political responsibility, wisdom and recognition as well as empathy, because one of conditions (for formation of new Government) is changes to the Law on Elections of B&H. According to Ljubic, this requires capability to put oneself in shoes of another, arguing it would be best if the process were to be run simultaneously. He went on to say that the HNS has made proposals (of changes to the Law on Elections) dealing with election of members of the Presidency of B&H, elections in City of Mostar and election of delegates to the (Federation of B&H) House of Peoples, stressing that the essence is in the legitimate representation. Ljubic also noted that he personally and the HNS have understanding for certain concerns of the Bosniak side, arguing that ‘we’ (HNS) will not come up with new proposals (of changes to the Law on Elections).

Komsic and Dzaferovic meet with Afghan President Ghani who commends B&H AF for contribution (FTV)

Chairman of the B&H Presidency Zeljko Komsic and Bosniak member of the Presidency Sefik Dzaferovic paid an official visit to Afghanistan on Tuesday. On this occasion they met with the President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani. The topics of discussion were the current political affairs in B&H. Ghani expressed his gratitude for participation of members of the B&H Armed Forces (B&H AF) in NATO’s Resolute Support Mission and for their contribution to peacebuilding and stabilization of Afghanistan. A meeting was also held with the Deputy of the Resolute Support Mission who commended members of the B&H AF for their contribution to the Mission especially pertaining to their professionalism and dedication.

Those who want negotiations to be ready as Montenegro (Pobjeda)

The Netherlands is not opposed to the enlargement of the European Union (EU), but in order for countries to start negotiations, they must be prepared for it, such as Montenegro, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told the Pobjeda newspaper. On the sidelines of the NATO Summit held in London last Sunday, Mark Rutte said in a statement for the Pobjeda that Albania is currently not ready to open negotiations with Brussels, while Northern Macedonia is close to that goal.

“The Netherlands is not against EU enlargement, but the countries need to be ready like Montenegro was when it started the negotiations. We do not believe that Albania is ready to start talks with the EU at this point, and as far as Northern Macedonia is concerned, it is closer to that goal,” said Rutte in London. He added that some did not want the negotiating processes of Northern Macedonia and Albania with Brussels to be separated. “Others do not want to do so, and that is why at the last European Council session, we have decided not to move forward with the opening of negotiations with these countries,” Rutte said. Asked if the 2025 was a really realistic deadline for the accession of one of the Western Balkan countries to the EU, Rutte replied that accession to the EU by a certain date was not a goal in itself. “I have no idea. And that is not the goal in itself. We have nothing against EU enlargement, but we must make sure that we follow the rules and that everything must be strict and fair. This has always been our position,” Rutte concluded.

Mickoski calls on Zaev to accept the changes VMRO is proposing to the law on languages (Republika)

VMRO-DPMNE President Hristijan Mickoski called on the outgoing Prime Minister Zoran Zaev to accept the findings of the Venice Commission, which identified serious defects in the bilingualism law, which Zaev is using to turn Macedonia into a fully bilingual state, with the Macedonian and Albanian languages in official use. Mickoski said that VMRO-DPMNE found the law to be unconstitutional and initiated a procedure before the Constitutional Court, and is now proposing amendments that can alter it remove its deficiencies. “A year and a half ago VMRO-DPMNE began a procedure to evaluate the constitutionality of the law. Now the Venice Commission confirmed our position that it is unconstitutional. This is a newfound situation and we will propose amendments that will bring the law back in line with the Constitution. We are also reminding the government that one of the key positions in the French non-paper on EU enlargement prepared by President Macron is that EU candidate countries need to follow the recommendations of the European institutions and other relevant factors such as the Venice Commission. Anything less drags us away from the road to Europe,” Mickoski said.

Mickoski accused Zaev of trying to win votes from ethnic Albanians with populist, unprincipled decisions such as this law. “All of his violations are now coming home to roost. Playing the populism card can brings nothing good to our country. We call on Zaev to avoid going into populism again and to make unrealistic nationalist romantic promises. Instead, we call on Zaev to support our amendments for changes to the law on the use of languages which will make it constitutional,” Mickoski added. The main point where the law violates the Macedonian Constitution is the clause making the whole of Macedonia bilingual. According to the Constitution, minority languages can only be used in official capacity in municipalities where the given minority constitutes more than 20 percent of the population.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

Belgrade seeking even closer ties with Athens (ekathimerini, by Vassilis Nedos, 11 December 2019)

In an interview with Kathimerini, Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic has highlighted the need for Athens and Belgrade to further strengthen their economic and political ties and watch each other’s backs on the international stage. “It is of particular importance to promote our commercial transactions but our goal is to also promote our political relations so that we can reinforce each other’s position in the international community,” said Vucic, who arrived in Athens on Monday at the invitation of President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, political party leaders, Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis and Archbishop Ieronymos on Wednesday. The Serbian leader also stressed the importance attached by Belgrade to the Budapest-Piraeus railway link, via Belgrade, Skopje and Thessaloniki, and that he has held talks with Chinese and European officials regarding the project’s completion. He also noted that Belgrade has been pressed by the European Union over its relations with China and Russia, but insisted his country will maintain them. Vucic, who emphasized that EU membership remains Serbia’s strategic goal, also said that Belgrade will do what it can to help the bloc and Athens regarding the migrant/refugee problem.

Pendarovski says he offered Macron troops for Mali and the option to expel future EU members (Sueddeutsche Zeitung, 12 December 2019)

In an interview with the Sueddeutsche Zeitung, President Stevo Pendarovski says that he offered French President Emmanuel Macron the option to expel future EU members if they backslide in their democratic commitments. The proposal is part of Macedonia’s desperate push to have its request to open EU accession talks approved by France, which blocked it in October. President Macron said that France demands significant changes to the EU enlargement methodology as well as to the EU itself, before new countries can open accession talks and join the EU, and refused to declare that Macedonia and Albania have an eventual EU perspective.

More or less everybody in the EU is agreed that we need a better methodology, better candidates and better eventual member states. Why then don’t we expel the new member states when they steer away from democracy, Pendarovski told the German paper, which adds that the EU is currently conducting procedures against Hungary and Poland for violations of the rule of law.

Pendarovski did not name which countries fall below EU standards but said that “there is growth of authoritarianism in Europe, and it is linked with the fact that enlargement criteria were seen as more bureaucratic than objective”. This is not the first time Pendarovski said that he offered Macron the right to expel a future member state like Macedonia from the EU, so long as he approves the opening of accession talks now. What is new in his interview is the announcement that Macedonia is preparing a military contingent for Mali, where France is involved in a difficult operation. Two soldiers were already approved, but given the French opposition to Macedonia’s accession talks, Pendarovski announced that Macedonia will try to placate the French with a larger deployment. France recently lost 13 soldiers in a helicopter crash in Mali.

Nine EU Members release a new proposal for the reform of enlargement process (European Western Balkans, 11 December 2019)

BRUSSELS – Following the French non-paper on the reform of EU enlargement methodology which was released last month, nine EU Member States have drafted their own proposal as a contribution to the debate on how to make the process more efficient. Austria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland and Slovenia have drafted a proposal titled “Elements for enhanced enlargement process and sustained and accelerated integration of the Western Balkans”. The reform of the enlargement process is without prejudice to the decision on opening of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, which should be taken by March 2020, it is stated in the introduction. According to the document, seen by the European Western Balkans, negotiating chapters should be grouped by main areas, for example along the line of eight Stabilisation and Association Agreement sub-committees through their joint opening and closing. “The intergovernmental conferences would become more politically relevant”, the document reads. The main difference to the French proposal, which envisaged seven stages of the negotiating process, is that the groups of chapters should be possible to in parallel and not consecutively. New political incentives, according to the documents, include annual meetings of the European Council with the Western Balkan leaders, increased participation of WB representatives in selective Council meetings, as well as Council Committees and Commission working groups. Enlargement of the Western Balkans should also be discussed in the Conference on the Future of Europe, which is planned for 2020-2022.

The document also proposes “Europe Conferences” throughout the region to promote dialogue and consultation. European Parliament, national parliaments and civil society would all be included in this initiative. Further proposals include better structure for the Chapters 23 and 24 on the rule of law. The document proposes that there should be more prioritization and clear recommendations, including deadlines, and that EU should offer more support in the implementation of the acquis. “All already available instruments of the accession process, including the imbalance clause, should be further explored to strengthen the EU’s leverage”, the document reads. Presentation of the level of implementation of the EU acquis should be done in a more measurable, comparable and communicable manner, and improvements such as scoreboards should be considered, the document states. As for financial incentives, the non-paper emphasises that they should be effective and targeted. Gradual participation in the EU Single Market and the opening of more EU Programmes to the Western Balkans should also be considered. “The beginning of the new EU legislative cycle provides an opportunity for a renewed impetus to the EU integration of the Western Balkans. We thus look forward to the Commission’s proposals to improve the enlargement process”, the Member States say in the introduction. Full EU membership of the regions remains the final aim of the process, and EU doors remain open, the non-paper emphasises.