LOCAL PRESS

Brnabic: We agree – no talks on territories, Kosovo is Serbia (RTV/Tanjug)

We agree fully with the fact that there are no talks on territories and border changes, Kosovo is Serbia, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said on Wednesday on the occasion of the platform for dialogue presented by Avdulah Hoti. “I wish to thank Mr. Hoti for elaborating once again that there is no need to discuss territories. I think we agree with this and about 70 percent of the population, while the majority of UN member states also agrees,” Brnabic told Tanjug, adding that UNSC Resolution 1244 also talks about this. She voiced gratitude with the fact that he admitted and accepted that there are no talks on territories, that the so-called Republic of Kosovo is non-existing and that the territory of the Republic of Serbia is as it was. “I think that if there were talks on border changes it would mean destabilization for the entire region, but also the for the entire world,” said Brnabic. She reminded that 70 percent of the world population, that is 96 UN member states, as well as Resolution 1244, do not recognize the so-called Republic of Kosovo. “I see that Mr. Hoti also accepts this. There are no talks on territories and borders. I thank him for that,” underlined Brnabic.

Dacic: Gratitude to Kyrgyzstan on principled position regarding Kosovo and Metohija (RTS)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic talked on the phone with the Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan Chingiz Aidarbekov. They exchanged experiences between the two countries in the fight against coronavirus, and Dacic sent best wishes to Kyrgyzstan in its efforts to combat the epidemic. Dacic noted that Serbia is committed to further development and improvement of overall cooperation and deepening of traditionally friendly relations with Kyrgyzstan. Dacic expressed gratitude for Kyrgyzstan’s principled position on non-recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo. One of the topics of conversation was the intensification of economic cooperation, and Aidarbekov emphasized the importance of holding the First Economic Forum of the European Union and Central Asia, which should be held in Bishkek this year. Aidarbekov sent an invitation to Dacic to visit Kyrgyzstan as soon as the appropriate conditions are met.

Border with North Macedonia might be opened by end of June (Politika)

Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic met in Nis with Foreign Minister of North Macedonia Nikola Dimitrov in order to examine the possibility of opening border by the end of June. Dacic, as the host of the meeting in Nis, voiced hope that the border between North Macedonia and Serbia will be opened by the end of this month. He recalled that Serbia reached agreements on free passage of borders with Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hungary and Bulgaria, whereas Greece announced that it will open its borders on 15 June. He underlined that Serbia wants to strengthen relations with North Macedonia and that it welcomes the decision of the European Union to open membership negotiations with this country. Dimitrov said that the decision on the border opening will depend on the epidemiological situation in North Macedonia and the entire region. He highlighted excellent cooperation between Serbia and North Macedonia during the coronavirus pandemic, which included sending humanitarian aid, and voiced hope that cooperation will continue even after the coronavirus-related crisis. Dimitrov recalled that Serbia and North Macedonia shared a common past in Yugoslavia and said that he hopes for a common future in the European Union.

Crown Prince Aleksandar calls citizens to vote (RTV)

Crown Prince Aleksandar of Serbia has given a statement where he praises the Serbian democracy and encourages the Serbian people to involve themselves in the upcoming election.

In a statement on Facebook, His Royal Highness writes: “Dear citizens of Serbia, parliamentary and local elections are being held on Sunday, 21 June. The right to vote is a democratic right guaranteed by the Constitution. The more people go to the polls, the more relevant the election result will be. In Serbia, democracy is still young, and this is an opportunity to show everyone that we are a mature and responsible democratic society that cares about its state. Our country needs a strong government in the period ahead because great challenges await us. We will get a strong government only if as many people as possible go to the polls and clearly say what option they support by rounding up the number on the ballots and in no other way.”

Jeremic: Absence of EU observers due to health risks confirms there are no conditions for elections (Beta)

People’s Party leader Vuk Jeremic has said that the health conditions for the June 21 elections absolutely do not exist, which is also confirmed by the European Parliament’s decision not to send its observers because of health concerns. “The European Union, which has been calling on us to go to the polls, now says they won’t be sending observers because of health concerns, which should tell us something. I spoke with key European Parliament representatives in Serbia, Tanja Fajon and Vladimir Bilcik, who told me there will be no observers,” Jeremic said in Subotica, where he was talking with the citizens, according to the People’s Party statement.

“If people from abroad are not coming to Serbia to observe the elections, imagine the health risk to all those going to the polls, passing the entire procedure and then returning home,” Jeremic asked. He talked to residents of Mali Idjos, Backa Topola, Senta and Subotica, calling on them to stay home on 21 June and thus keep their health and dignity.

RIK announces electoral lists for 21 June parliamentary elections (Tanjug)

The Republic Election Commission (RIK) announced on 10 June twenty-one lists of parties and coalitions for the Serbian parliamentary elections slated for Sunday, 21 June. The parties will be arranged on the ballot according to the order in which their electoral lists were confirmed.

The parliamentary, provincial and local elections will be held on 21 June at 8,386 polling stations. A total of 6,583,655 citizens are eligible to vote.

Comic on resolving the Kosovo issue (B92)

One of the conditions for joining the EU is resolving the Kosovo problem. What do you expect from the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina?

– Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina with the support of the European Union is good news that has been undermined. That is good news for the region, for Serbia. We have more good news, that is Goran Rakic and Dalibor Jevtic became ministers in the Kosovo government. I expect an independent agreement on the future of relations between Albanians and Serbs. And I express my disbelief that many people in Serbia think that someone from the EU, someone from United States, someone from Russia knows better than us who live in Belgrade and Pristina what our future should look like. It is a competition for who is dumber, not a search for a solution.

What do you think would be the solution?

– The solution is to agree on the content of what we have already accepted in the dialogue with the EU as support, and that is a legally binding document. An agreement must be made that no one will call a victory and no one will call a defeat, but an agreement on the future. To rule out extreme solutions and to understand that you cannot change geography. You can change the borders of the state, but the people who live there – they lived there and will live there, and you have to find that in a legally binding document that excludes the recognition of independence – because Serbia cannot do that – and includes everything else. If you do not do that, then the children born today will hate each other in the same way in 2040, just as today the children hate each other and have intolerance, and they were born after 1999. We have a problem with the transition of hatred and sabotage of peace projects. If you are just waiting for time to solve the problem, you should not be involved in politics, said Gordana Comic, a candidate on the United Democratic Serbia (UDS) list said, in an interview with B92.net.

US State Department notes religion-related incidents in annual report (N1)

The US State Department 2019 Report on International Religious Freedom, which was presented by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, noted several incidents of violence and intolerance in Serbia. It said that some religious groups, which are not required to register with the government, reported difficulties with property, bank accounts and other business while the Jehovah’s Witnesses reported verbal threats, physical assaults and inadequate response by the police and prosecutors as well as death threats by an off-duty Gendarmerie officer in Belgrade and obstruction by local authorities. “Smaller groups, mainly Protestant churches, said they encountered public distrust and misunderstanding and said members of the public frequently branded their religious groups as “sects,” which has a very strong negative connotation in the Serbian language,” it said and added that anti-Semitic literature was available in some bookstores.  “The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) did not act to resolve contested religious registration claims by different Jewish groups, which Jewish leaders said contributed to an ongoing rift in the community,” the report said. The section of the report on Kosovo said that the Kosovo Protestant Evangelical Church (KPEC) complained that local authorities did not treat religious organizations equally on property issues, including in the granting of building permits and allocation of burial space in public cemeteries. “KPEC and others also stated the Kosovo Islamic Community (BIK) held contracts to run many municipal cemeteries and discriminated against minority religious groups in the allocation of burial plots and provision of services and discrimination against practicing Muslims,” it added. It said that the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) reported violations of its property rights by the government, including refusal to implement a three-year-old court decision to recognize its ownership of land around the Visoki Decani Monastery and. The Kosovo police reported 61 religiously motivated incidents, most targeting religious sites, including cemeteries, in the first nine months of the year, many of them linked to ethnicity as well as religion.

Another 71 cases (RTS)

Until 3pm, there have been another 71 cases, in total 12,102 infected. There has been one more death, in total 252 deaths. There are 488 active cases. There are 14 patients on respirators.

REGIONAL PRESS

FB&H Civil Protection Crisis HQ convenes to discuss worsening of epidemiological situation (BHT1)

A meeting of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H) Civil Protection Crisis HQ, attended by ministers of healthcare and epidemiologists from all ten cantons in the FB&H, was held in Sarajevo on Wednesday. Two cantons in the FB&H have asked for epidemic to be declared in the area of the FB&H with the goal of easier and faster action in the case of occurrence of a large number of infected ones. Member of the FB&H Ministry of Healthcare Crisis HQ Goran Cerkez said that the FB&H is very close to declaring the epidemic given that the world is still faced with the pandemic. “We have requests of two cantons and we expect a third one to make the same request,” Cerkez underlined. Representatives of competent authorities in the FB&H sent a message to the citizens that they need to comply with the measures that are in effect.

B&H HoR fails to accept initiative for removal of B&H Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Kosarac and B&H Deputy Minister of Civil Affairs Ilic (N1)

The B&H House of Representatives (B&H HoR) rejected on Wednesday the initiative for the removal of B&H Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Stasa Kosarac and B&H Deputy Minister of Civil Affairs Sinisa Ilic. Their removal was demanded by the opposition as Kosarac and Ilic both violated the coronavirus restrictive measures by attending large indoor gatherings. N1 learns that SDA abstained from voting on the matter, which was previously announced by party leader Bakir Izetbegovic. He said SDA would not vote against nor in favor of the decision. Thirteen MPs voted in favor of their removal, while 15 were against. SBB B&H and DF also voted against it. SDA MP Semsudin Mehmedovic said that if SNSD was serious about full respect to the rule of law, then B&H CoM Chairman Zoran Tegeltija should have replaced the Minister or Kosarac should have resigned. Addressing the representatives, Minister Kosarac said he does not belong to any ‘jet-set’ and he does not want to be treated any differently than any other person in the country. He said he paid his fine, made a public apology and suffered some political consequences due to his behavior. The opposition, however, said Kosarac should have resigned because of moral reasons. They stated some examples of ministers from other European countries who resigned due to such reasons. Head of SNSD Caucus in the B&H HoR Snjezana Novakovic Bursac told the reporters that SNSD assessed the situation and realized that Kosarac made many successful moves during his mandate in the B&H Council of Ministers (B&H CoM) that it would be a shame to stop that progress. “He still had that dose of our trust for continuation of his future work,” Novakovic Bursac explained. PDP MP Branislav Borenovic said he fears that ‘fake elite’ or ‘arrogant elite’ will finally be “legalized” and all their actions will be allowed, even though in any other normal country of the world such behavior would be strongly condemned. “After this, all things will be allowed”, Borenovic points. SDS MP Dragan Mektic said he personally asked Kosarac to resign as his behavior disturbed the B&H public. “But it is obvious that there is a ‘trading coalition’ between these three parties that I spoke about earlier (SNSD, HDZ B&H, SDA) and that nothing is important anymore accept their agreements on the coalition,” Mektic stated.

B&H Presidency calls on B&H CoM to urgently submit Draft Law on Budget of Institutions and International Obligations of B&H for 2020 (ATV)

At a session held in Sarajevo on Wednesday, the B&H Presidency requested from the B&H Council of Ministers (CoM) to urgently submit a Draft Law on the Budget of the Institutions and International Obligations of B&H for 2020, having in mind that the previous deadline for submission of this document was 31 May. The B&H Presidency also decided to ratify the agreement on cooperation between the B&H CoM and the Serbian government in the project of construction of the highway and expressway Sarajevo – Belgrade – Sarajevo. The agreement between the B&H CoM and the Serbian government on cross-border traffic was accepted as well. The B&H Presidency also accepted the amendments to the agreement between the B&H CoM and the Montenegrin government on border crossings for cross-border traffic, reads a statement issued by the B&H Presidency. Chairman of the B&H Presidency Sefik Dzaferovic said that the B&H CoM did not respect the deadline to submit the draft of the budget for B&H institutions for 2020 by 31 May. The B&H Presidency requested for this process to be speeded up. ˝A conclusion was adopted in which it is requested from the CoM to do this without postponements. As soon as the budget draft arrives in the B&H Presidency, it will be processed in the B&H Presidency and sent into further procedure to the B&H parliament,” said Dzaferovic. He added that this needs to be done as soon as possible.

B&H CoM Chairman Zoran Tegeltija confirmed that the abovementioned Draft Law will be discussed during the next week’s B&H CoM’s session and the Budget will also include funds for organizing the local elections. “I believe that elections must be held this year; this part that is secured by the B&H CoM, will be secured, either through the Budget or through a special decision, for which there is a legal basis,” Tegeltija explains. Members of the B&H Presidency also decided that they will attend the Brdo-Brijuni Process at the end of June and according to Hayat, attendees of the meeting will discuss political, economic and cultural relations.

EUD hosts meeting of leaders of SDA, HDZ B&H in Sarajevo; Izetbegovic announced they will discuss changes to B&H Election Law; Inzko says that 95 % of the agreement was reached (Hayat)

The EU Delegation (EUD) to B&H hosted a meeting between leader of SDA Bakir Izetbegovic and leader of HDZ B&H Dragan Covic in the building of the EUD in Sarajevo on Wednesday afternoon. US Ambassador to B&H Eric Nelson and UK Ambassador to B&H Matthew Field also attended the meeting. Earlier during the day, the leaders announced that they will meet twice; the first time to prepare for Thursday’ session of the B&H House of Peoples, while the second time will be the meeting with representatives of the international community in order to discuss local elections in Mostar and other topics. Before the meeting, Izetbegovic stated that they will discuss changes to the B&H Election Law with special emphasis to holding of the elections in Mostar and adoption of the budget of institutions and international obligations of B&H for 2020. The meeting was called by Head of the EU Delegation to B&H, Ambassador Johann Sattler and attended by High Representative (HR) Valentin Inzko and US Ambassador to B&H Nelson. None of the participants addressed the media, apart from Inzko who briefly stated that 95 per cent of the agreement was reached without specifying the details.

Izetbegovic says SDA will reveal name of candidate for B&H Minister of Security on Friday, warns of problems in distribution of posts (ATV/RTRS)

Addressing a press conference in Sarajevo on Wednesday, SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic stated that the SDA Personnel Commission will hold a session on Friday, when the name of a candidate for the B&H Minister of Security is expected to be revealed. “It has never happened before that the first 20 or 30 posts are distributed by the B&H Council of Ministers (CoM) without prior agreement among the parties – HDZ B&H, SNSD and SDA in this case. Nevertheless, SNSD is persistently trying to carry out the appointments of Serbs in the B&H CoM unilaterally. That is not going to happen. We have to see the whole arrangement, as we always did,” Izetbegovic said. He added that he will request from Speaker of the B&H House of Peoples (HoP) Dragan Covic and Deputy Speaker of the Bi& HoP Nikola Spiric that a list of the most important appointments to some 20 or 30 posts is made. Chairman of the B&H CoM Zoran Tegeltija commented the statement Izetbegovic on “SNSD only wanting to appoint Serbs to official posts in B&H” saying this is completely not true. He said that out of five posts, which were prepared for the coming period, only two will go to Serb candidates. Tegeltija points that it is absurd that two main security agencies in B&H do not have new directors appointed. “SNSD’s stance is that mandates should be given to people, so that we know who is responsible for what. I hope we will reach an agreement on distribution of these political functions by the end of the current month,” Tegeltija was quoted as saying.

Okolic: Ruling of Constitutional Court on military property is “poking RS in the eye” (Glas Srpske)

B&H Deputy Minister of Defense Mirko Okolic commented the ruling of B&H Constitutional Court (B&H CC) according to which the prospective military property located in the RS must be registered as property of B&H. According to Okolic, B&H CC is “poking the RS in the eye”. Commenting the statements of Defense Minister Sifet Podzic who said that military property must be registered as property of B&H and that rulings of B&H CC should not be commented but implemented, Okolic stated that Podzic’s statements to not represent the stances of B&H Ministry of Defense or B&H Presidency. Meanwhile, the Office of Attorney General of the RS told media that the RS has no obligation to respect such decisions. Attorney General of the RS Milomir Govedarica stated that “the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA) is clear, just like the Constitutions of the Federation of B&H and RS, and it stipulates that property belongs to the entities. There is no property of B&H. As in line with that, any decision opposite to the Constitution and laws will not be implemented and cannot be implemented in technical or legal context”. The Office of Attorney General of the RS urged competent institutions to “exercise their legal authority” and to “do everything in their power to prevent illegal registration of military property to B&H”.

Dodik hosts meeting with UN Resident Coordinator in B&H Macdonald (RTRS)

Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik received on Wednesday in Sarajevo to the inaugural visit UN Resident Coordinator in B&H Ingrid Macdonald, to whom he shared his positive experience with all UN organizations that he has cooperated with so far.

Dodik to attend Victory Day Parade in Moscow (ATV)

Milorad Dodik will attend the 2020 Moscow Victory Day Parade on 24 June, at the invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Dodik recently informed Russian Ambassador to B&H Petr Ivantsov that he will attend the event. Ivantsov explained that Putin decided that the event will be organized on 24 June because of the coronavirus pandemic, reminding that this is also a historic date. Before that, the Moscow Victory Day Parade used to be organized on 9 May, Day of Victory over Fascism.

Coronavirus infections surge in B&H (N1)

Healthcare authorities in the FB&H urged the citizens to obey the coronavirus prevention measures that are still in force as the region recorded a surge in the number of new coronavirus infections, 39 over the past 24 hours. Only the capital Sarajevo, located in this part of the country, has seen 16 new coronavirus infections, the largest number of new cases per day since the epidemic outbreak. There is a reason for concern over the increased number of patients infected with the novel coronavirus, member of Health Ministry’s crisis staff in FB&H told N1 on Thursday. “Obviously everyone got way too relaxed,” he said. Asked if this means the authorities will introduce the restriction measures that were recently lifted in the region, following the drop of the number of new infections and abolition of the state of emergency, Cerkez said they would rather intervene more locally to avoid the scenarios the region is experiencing these days. Addressing a daily press conference on Thursday, FB&H Health Minister Vjekoslav Mandic said the situation was under control and that the “epidemic tails” were expected at this point of the epidemic. However, he recalled that the restriction measures such as physical distance and mandatory wearing of face masks in public were still in force.

One of the FB&H’s sub-regions, the northern Tuzla Canton, have launched a procedure to reinstate the epidemic on its territory, following the spike in new Covid-19 cases. The FB&H has recorded the total of 1,227 Covid-19 patients, with 980 who have recovered to date. 40 have died as a result of the coronavirus infection. On the other hand, the RS is seeing a flattening coronavirus infection curve with 18 new cases recorded over the last 24 hours. The region has so far reported 1,585 coronavirus infections with a total of 1,104 who have recovered. The total of 117 Covid-19 patients has died in this part of the country. According to B&H’s Civil Affairs Ministry, 2,832 coronavirus infections have been reported in the country to date. B&H’s Covid-19 death toll stands at 161 and 2,100 patients have recovered to date. The Brcko District has seen 20 confirmed Covid-19 patients, of which 16 recovered and four died.

No new Covid-19 infections in Croatia (Hina)

There have been no new cases of coronavirus in Croatia in the last 24 hours, and a total of 2,249 people have been infected with Covid-19 since the beginning of the epidemic, the Civil Protection Headquarters announced on Thursday. So far, 69,606 people have been tested, of which 257 in the last 24 hours. Seven people are in hospital while there are no patients on the respirators. With two patients who recovered in the last 24 hours the total number of recovered is 2.132. Of these, 828 were discharged from the hospital, and 1,311 recovered at home. A total of 106 people has died so far.

Each illegal building in Montenegro should be demolished (RTCG)

Montenegrin parliament speaker Ivan Brajovic said that the state of Montenegro should demolish each illegal building adding that that is something that should not be discussed at all.

“We are an organized state and there is no need to talk about whether an illegal building is demolished or not, be it a church or something else. This state should demolish every illegal building,” Brajovic said. We remind you that an illegally built structure was demolished at the place Zoganj near Ulcinj today which, as the MORT says, disturbed the ambient whole of the Church of St. Basil of Ostrog from the XVIII century and represented devastation of space.

Montenegrin police warn against gatherings in violation of sanitary measures (RTCG)

The Montenegrin police will not allow public gathering which are in violation of measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Police Authority Director Veselin Veljovic warned on Wednesday following an earlier announcement by the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) that

it would continue protests over the dispute Law on Religious Freedoms. Montenegro-Littoral Bishop Amfilohije said on Monday that processions led by priests would continue as of 14 June. Those gatherings were held every Thursday and Sunday across the country before being discontinued because of the pandemic. Veljovic said on Wednesday that legal measures would be taken against organizers of gatherings that pose a danger to public health. He said that he believes that the organizers of public gatherings are aware that the priority is preserving the health of the population and that gatherings fan tensions and upset the public.

Criminal charges against Amfilohije and the Metropolitanate (Ul-info portal)

The Ulcinj police, in consultation with the local Basic State Prosecutor’s Office, filed criminal charges against the Metropolitanate of Montenegro-Primorje and Metropolitan Amfilohije Radovic. As stated, this was done due to the criminal offense of building a facility without registration and documentation for construction, which was committed by starting the construction of the residence of the monastery of St. Vasilije Ostroski in Darza, near Ulcinj.

State Department conveys no clear view on the Law on Freedom of Religion (Dan)

United States Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, released last night the 2019 International Religious Freedom Report. As far as Montenegro is concerned and provisions of its Law on Freedom of Religion, the report provides no clear view on it; it only cites opposing views in relation to the matter. As report states, Parliament adopted the Law on Freedom of Religion in December last year, replacing the enactment on the status of religious communities from 1977.

The reports stresses that Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) continued to state the laws governing their legal status were inadequate. On 27 December, the parliament passed the Law on the Freedom of Religion and Beliefs and Legal Status of Religious Communities. The SPC strongly criticized the law, which stipulates religious property lacking clear ownership and that falls under the pre-1918 “cultural heritage” of the state may become state property. The SPC said the measures “imply taking and nationalizing religious structures”. “The government answered that the new law defines requirements for the establishment of ownership in accordance with existing administrative and civil procedures” the report states. The report points out that the government and part of religious communities have confirmed individual agreements which remained in force regardless of the new law. The report has pointed at street protests in Podgorica that followed the voting in the parliament, which were mostly peaceful, with exception of some isolated incidents of violence against the police in some of the demonstrations, accompanied by online incitements to violence. The report stresses that other religious groups, including Catholic church and Islamic community have states that church property issues should be regulated by other laws as well. “Specific religious communities have expressed their concern over the law, considering that its provisions are a step towards creation of state religion, stating that the government has strongly favored Montenegrin Orthodox Church,” the Report stated.

Government instructs institutions to resume electoral process (MIA)

The government adopted Wednesday changes to the Decree on issues related to the electoral process, instructing the Ministry of Interior (MoI) to submit to the State Election Commission (SEC) a list of nationals who have applied for a new ID or passport and collected them from the day of the scheduling of the elections until the decree’s entry into force. The MoI is also tasked with submitting a list of persons who will turn 18 years of age up to Election Day, i.e. the 22nd day from the end of the state of emergency, the government said in a press release. SEC and the State Statistical Office are also obliged to resume activities on updating of the Voter List, which were interrupted on 21 March 2020. SEC is tasked with undertaking and implementing all necessary technical and administrative activities for preparation of the remaining election-related actions. Considering the protocols issued by the Commission for Infectious Diseases and upon receiving data from SEC, the Ministry of Health is set to provide protective masks, gloves and other protective equipment for all members of the electoral bodies and disinfectants for each polling station. Minister of Interior Nakje Chulev was the only Government member who voted against the decree, reads the press release.

SEC awaits gov’t official decree on continuation of election-related activities (MIA)

The State Election Commission (SEC) is awaiting the official decree with a force of law on continuation of all election activities and all issues related to the electoral process, which was adopted by the government late Wednesday. SEC president Oliver Derkoski told MIA that he would not like to comment on the decree before he saw it. He and SEC members will make an official statement after seeing the decree’s content. Derkoski expressing his personal views said that the decree could not regulate rules that are already regulated by the Electoral Code. The decree with a force of law, he said, endures as long as the state of emergency lasts. Derkoski reiterated that he will not act unlawfully, emphasizing that he will wait to see the decree. MIA learned that SEC members are waiting to receive the official decree, after it is published in the Official Gazette, and to hold a meeting to agree on further activities of the Commission in accordance with this decree. SEC member Boris Kondarko told MIA that he did not want to speak about the decree, but noted that the SEC is an institution that should implement the law. According to the Rules of Procedure, SEC president convenes the meetings, and he expects SEC members to meet during the day to agree on the next activities according to certain deadlines arising from the decree, which should first be published in the Official Gazette.

Shekerinska: Country cannot function without parliament, date for elections not a political wish (MIA)

The date for the elections is not an issue of political wish or consensus among political parties but one regulated by the Constitution and the laws, said Defense Minister Radmila Shekerinska on Wednesday. She told reporters that the state of emergency cannot be extended indefinitely because the country cannot function without a parliament, whereas a government with full political legitimacy needs to be elected. “A democratic country cannot allow itself to operate for such a long time without a parliament. Therefore, the date for the elections is not an issue of someone’s wishes but whether we want the country to function with full capacity,” said Shekerinska.

Ahmeti: It’s time for first Albanian PM (MIA)

DUI leader Ali Ahmeti on Wednesday urged Albanians in the country and political parties in the Albanian bloc to rally around the idea of ‘first Albanian PM’. “Together we can show the world that our country can truly become a society where anyone can fulfill their dreams and where everyone feels equal, a state where an Albanian, male or female, can become a prime minister and be a dignified leader that guarantees lifelong partnership with the United States and the EU,” Ahmeti said in a video address. This idea is bigger than any party, any individual, according to him. “It is an idea that doesn’t involve only DUI, or myself least of all. I’m here to make sure the process continues, lead the concept and become the bridge and pave the way for the dream to come true. It’s up to you to implement it,” said Ahmeti. The first Albanian prime minister, according to him, will be the prime minister of everyone in the country, championing equality, equal jobs and pay, justice for all, equal society, who will lead North Macedonia toward a better future as NATO and EU member. “This prime minister will mark the start of a new era not only in Albanian history, but also in the history of North Macedonia, and very likely in European history,” the DUI leader stressed. Ahmeti called on all parties of the Albanian bloc and the Albanian citizens to support ‘DUI’s cause which is bigger than us.’ “The 2001 Ohrid Agreement is being implemented. Albanian is an official language, our flag as well. The Prespa Agreement had been signed and the Constitution had been amended. We are a full-fledged NATO member, who will soon start negotiations with the EU. Today more than ever, Albanians are appointed at the helm of many institutions, including the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court, the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Interior, and Albanian is also head of the assembly. But this is not enough, it’s time for the first Albanian PM,” Ahmenti stated.

Osmani says there is still room for agreement on date for elections, Varhelyi mediation welcome (MIA)

Deputy PM for European Affairs Bujar Osmani agreed Thursday with European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi over the need for fair, democratic and inclusive elections, also considering the state of the Covid-19 pandemic, voicing belief that such elections are possible on 5 July. Osmani sees no problem in Varhelyi’s mediation in defining the date for the elections, because the country has become EU’s internal issue after it received a decision for the start of accession negotiations. “On the mediation, I believe we have become EU’s internal issue after the country received a decision for the start of accession negotiations. I do not see the European Commission’s assistance as an issue of external mediation but an internal one, because we are already part of the family. This is how I see the role of Varhelyi, a commissioner of the Union which we gradually become part of. This mediation is welcome and I hope political parties will find the strength to reach consensus. I absolutely agree with his tweet over the need for fair, democratic and inclusive elections, considering the circumstances surrounding the pandemic,” Osmani told reporters. Regarding the government decree related to the resumption of the election-related activities, he says it complemented the one adopted in March, when the election process was interrupted. “It was established back then that the regular election deadlines would be reinstated once the state of emergency ends, i.e. 22 days after its expiry. The decree adopted yesterday only specifies certain aspects such as control of the Voter List and tasks to be carried our by the Ministry of Health in ensuring personal protective means for the State Election Commission. I still hope that the communication among political parties will continue in the coming days, and still believe there is room for a fair and inclusive process on 5 July,” noted Osmani. He said the assessment on a possible extension of the state of emergency would be made on Friday and then presented to President Stevo Pendarovski. On the EU negotiating framework, the Deputy PM said provisions of the new enlargement methodology are currently discussed. “We expect the draft from the European Commission, which is then forwarded to the Council, where representatives of the member-states will state their positions and interests. According to the information we have, discussions are ongoing on the provisions of the new methodology, primarily regarding the majority vote in the suspension of the advancement of the negotiating process,” said Osmani.

Varhelyi speaks with Zaev and Mickoski over phone (MIA)

European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi spoke over the phone on Wednesday evening with the leaders of SDSM Zoran Zaev and VMRO-DPMNE Hristijan Mickoski over the phone on Wednesday evening. Topics related to health, political and economic developments in the country and COVID-19 situation were discussed, Varhelyi said on Twitter. “Spoke to leaders of SDSM Zoran Zaev and VMRO-DPMNE Hristijan Mickoski tonight to stress the importance of free, fair, inclusive elections in North Macedonia, taking into account Covid-19 situation as well as the need to efficiently address economic recovery,” Varhelyi tweeted. Apart from posting a short message on Twitter, Varhelyi did not reveal further details from the talks with Zaev and Mickoski.

One of the worst tolls of the epidemic so far – 5 deaths and 175 newly infected patients in Macedonia (Republika)

The Macedonian Healthcare Ministry reported that Wednesday was one of the worst days in the coronavirus epidemic, with exceptionally high 175 newly diagnosed patients, and five deaths – which is also one of the worst tolls. Thee of the patients who succumbed to Covid-19 are from Skopje. They were a female aged 60 and two men aged 59 and 64, all treated at the “8th of September” hospital in Skopje. A male patient from Gostivar aged 72 also died in the same hospital, while a 72-year-old man from Prilep died in the Infectious Diseases Clinic. This brings the death toll of the epidemic to 169. As for the high infection rate, the 175 new cases were diagnosed out of 971 tests. Again, the capital Skopje has by far the newest cases – 131, with Kumanovo far behind with 24 and other cities in single digits. There are currently 1.687 active Covid-19 cases in Macedonia, including 970 in Skopje, 187 in Stip and 179 in Kumanovo. Skopje’s Cair district remains the main source of new cases and now has 209 active patients, far surpassing all other parts of the city. The tradition of night long extended family feasts in Cair and other majority Muslim municipalities during the month of Ramadan is the main reason driving the current spike in cases. Another metric also revealed the extend of the new wave of the virus – the Ministry published a number of patients who are considered cured during the entire duration of the epidemic, and sometimes even likes to lead the reports with this data point. There were 18 patients added to this list over the past 24 hours, and the total of cured patients stands at 1.687. But for the first time in a month and a half, the number of cured patients is actually lower than the number of currently active cases. The Healthcare Ministry informed that 33 patients were admitted to the two clinics in Skopje in the past 24 hours. The total number of patients that are treated there is now 141. Of them, 10 are on mechanical ventilation and about 40 are considered as difficult cases.

US Secretary of State welcomes Electoral Reform agreement: It will strengthen Albania’s European future (Radio Tirana)

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo welcomed the agreement on Electoral Reform in Albania. Pompeo says the agreement will strengthen Albania’s democracy and European future. But Pompeo is also appealing to the parties to codify the deal, which has so far been a 12-point draft. It should be noted that the agreement was reached after the intervention of the international community, led by the US Embassy, ​​and even negotiations continued at the US residence in Tirana as it must be approved by the Assembly. “Another news from Europe: I also welcome Albania’s cross-party agreement on electoral reform, which will strengthen its democracy and further strengthen Albania’s European future. We encourage all stakeholders to codify this political agreement,” Pompeo said.

Minister Cakaj on official visit in Presheva Valley (Radio Tirana)

The Acting Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Gent Cakaj is conducting an official visit at the Preshevo Valley. He met with the representatives of the parties that participate in the list of United Valley. In a reaction regarding the meetings, Cakaj declared that “together we stressed the importance of preserving the internal unity and the need of working together for the protection and of the rights of Albanian citizens at the Preshevo Valley”. “We will walk and act together for making the best for the Valley and the Albanians in any time and circumstance” concluded his declaration, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Gent Cakaj.

Govt urged to return property to religious groups (ADN)

The US Department of State on Wednesday released its 2019 Report on International Religious Freedom which describes the status of religious freedom in every country. The report on Albania re-emphasized that the constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and religion, stipulates there is no official religion and that the state is neutral in matters of belief, recognizes the equality and independence of religious groups, and prohibits discrimination based on religion. While stating the government has distinct agreements with the Sunni Muslim and Bektashi communities, the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, and the Evangelical Brotherhood of Albania (VUSH), a Protestant umbrella organization, the report noted that the government’s agreement with the VUSH under the law does not specifically designate it to receive such funding, although the law stipulates the government will give financial support to faith communities. The Catholic, Sunni Muslim, Orthodox, and Bektashi communities reported their total government financial support was Lek 109 million (USD 1.01 million), the same level since at least 2015. The Agency for the Legalization, Urbanization, and Integration of Informal Construction (ALUIZNI) reported that through September it legalized 135 religious buildings, including four Catholic churches, 71 mosques, 12 Orthodox churches, and 48 tekkes. The 2016 law that established the Agency for the Treatment of Property (ATP) imposed a three-year deadline for the agency to address claims by all claimants, including religious groups, for properties confiscated during the communist era. As of February, ATP’s jurisdiction in these cases ceased and the law requires the ATP to forward open cases to the court system for judicial review. In this context, the Albanian Islamic Community and the Bektashi community raised concerns about having to start over with their claims in the judicial system. US Embassy officers again urged government officials to accelerate the religious property claims process and return to religious groups buildings and other property confiscated during the communist era. It also recalled that religious leaders issued statements condemning violence and calling for calm and dialogue during antigovernment protests. “The Interreligious Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Albanian Center for the Coordination against Violent Extremism in May to enhance cooperation on preventing violent extremism and monitoring school texts to highlight misleading statements about religion,” it said.

Third record increase in Albania’s Covid-19 Cases (Tirana Times)

Forty-four new coronavirus cases were confirmed in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of infected patients to 1385 in Albania. A total of 22 new cases were identified only in Tirana, marking the highest number of cases since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country for the third consecutive day. So far, tests have been conducted on more than 19,500 people. A total of 52 patients are being treated at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, eight of whom are in intensive care and two are intubated. Furthermore, a 59-year-old man passed away in Lushnja due to the coronavirus. The victim also suffered from several underlying health conditions. However, 1001 patients who tested positive for the coronavirus in Albania have recovered. Currently there are 284 active cases in Albania.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES

‘Lame’ Kosovo president boycotts EU talks (EUobserver, by Ekrem Krasniqi and Andrew Rettman, 11 June 2020)

BRUSSELS, Miroslav Lajčák, the EU’s new envoy on Kosovo-Serbia peace talks, is travelling to Pristina for the first time in his mandate in the next few days. But Kosovo president Hashim Thaçi has refused to meet him in his official capacity. More than that, Thaçi has said he will only do peace talks with the White House instead, abandoning a nine-year legacy of an EU-brokered dialogue, which began in 2011, but stalled in 2018. Thaçi has even declined to take phone calls from Lajčák since the former Slovak foreign minister took up his EU post in April. An US special envoy on Kosovo-Serbia peace talks, Richard Grenell, has also declined to take Lajčák’s calls. “Mr Lajčák made an outreach to both and declared readiness to discuss the issues. Neither of them responded properly. One [Thaçi] makes public remarks, the other one [Grenell] seems to be too busy to find the time,” an EU source said on Wednesday (10 June). Thaçi’s public remarks, on Kosovo TV on Tuesday, were that: “There, where a political process is led by the United States, it will be me. There, where it will be a process [led] by the European Union or Lajčák, then, of course, the government [of Kosovo] is given the opportunity to work for the interests of [the country]”. “I have full confidence that the … very energetic role of ambassador Grenell, will move [things] toward a productive and effective dialogue,” Thaçi also said on Wednesday. Thaçi was boycotting Lajčák, his office told EUobserver, because the EU envoy was too lowly, in protocol terms, compared to EU foreign relations chiefs, who personally chaired Kosovo-Serbia talks in the past. If Grenell, Thaçi, and Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić made a deal in the White House instead of in Brussels, then the EU would have to live with it, Thaçi’s people also said. Grenell sources told EUobserver: “He’s … consistently said that all parties (you mention the EU) are welcome to bring their ideas to the table”. But when asked why Grenell had declined to take Lajčák’s phone calls, Grenell’s people said: “No comment … at this time”. For its part, the EU foreign service rejected Thaçi’s protocol complaint, saying the EU “continues to work through the high representative [for foreign affairs] Josep Borrell” on the dossier. Lajčák’s appointment “reflects the importance member states attach to the dialogue and the confidence of all the EU member states in the person of the new EUSR [EU special representative] Mr Lajčák,” it added.

Torpedo

“The EU-facilitated dialogue is the only way to turn Kosovo’s European future into a reality for its citizens,” the EU foreign service also said. And it was the only UN-mandated peace process on Kosovo and Serbia, a senior EU official recently noted. If those remarks sounded like a torpedo aimed at any rival White House deal, that is because they were.”Kosovo claims to want to join the EU, not the US. How does Thaçi want to join the EU by ignoring it? Because rejecting the main point man of the EU for the region means turning his back to the EU,” an EU source told EUobserver on Wednesday. Thaçi was “just [trying] to attract some attention … and obviously has no other better agenda how to achieve it. It’s very lame and misguided and he [Thaçi] knows it,” the EU source said. Fort his part, Serbia’s Vučić has said he is ready to do business with Lajčák, an EU official added. And Lajčák had the full support of Germany, the principle EU actor in the Western Balkans, they added. Lajčák was “in regular communication with Berlin” and “Germany is very serious about supporting the [EU] dialogue”, the EU official said. But sour grapes aside, that left open the question of what a peace deal might look like.

For Kosovo’s new prime minister, Avduallah Hoti, who (given Thaçi’s boycott) will now be Lajčák’s interlocutor, the peace deal must include mutual recognition of Kosovo and Serbia and Kosovo’s UN membership. It must also exclude territorial swaps. “The first principle is that the territorial integrity of the Republic of Kosovo is non-negotiable,” Hoti said on Wednesday. Germany, and most other EU countries, agree with him on land-swaps.

Pandora’s box

The idea was “dangerous” because it could open a “Pandora’s box” of calls for other border changes in the war-scarred Western Balkans, an EU official recently said. “Many member states … were very clear about refusing this idea. There was not a single member state that would be speaking out in favour of this,” the EU official said, referring to a recent meeting of EU states’ ambassadors in the Political and Security Committee in the EU Council in Brussels. But all that posed other questions, for instance: What will Hoti and the EU do if Grenell, Thaçi, and Vučić opened the Pandora’s box anyway? Thaçi and White House aides have, in the past, spoken of swapping an ethnic Serb enclave in Kosovo (North Mitrovica) for an ethnic Albanian one in Serbia (the Preševo Valley). Thaçi’s office, when pressed on the matter on Wednesday, declined to categorically rule out territorial swaps, in the same terms as Hoti or Germany have done.

Grenell has said it would be OK for the US, of it was OK by Thaçi and Vučić. And when pressed on the issue by EUobserver earlier this week, Grenell’s office also declined to rule it out.

“All I can really tell you is that a land swap has never been part of the SPE’s talks” so far, a state department contact said, referring to Grenell’s formal title of “special presidential representative”.