LOCAL PRESS 

Vucic: Shameful that no one reacted to Pristina’s message (B92/Beta/Tanjug) 

After the annual promotion of a new generation of young officers of the Army of Serbia, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated that the statements of Avdullah Hoti about the fact that Pristina will implement the agreement on the Community of Serb Municipalities only after Serbia recognizes the so-called Kosovo are “stupid”, and noted that Hoti, and maybe someone else, thinks that everyone in Belgrade is an id, so an idea of the type can pass: what happened was, let’s go to some new agreement … As he noticed, the Pristina side thinks that there is some “invisible force” that will put pressure on Belgrade, and that who knows what will happen, so there will be recognition. “Let him forget about it,” he said, adding that Hoti could continue to say that, if it was easier for him and if he thought it would encourage himself and his people, but that it was harmful and bad. He pointed out that it was a “shame” that no one reacted to Pristina’s message that it would form the Community of Serb Municipalities after Serbia recognized Kosovo’s independence and that it had not fulfilled the only obligation from the Brussels Agreement for seven and a half years. Vucic said he expected the official Belgrade and Pristina to begin reestablishing connections these days, which could lead to a “change in people’s consciousness” and “peace in the region.” He said that Serbia was getting ready for 21 September, when the US International Development Finance Corporation was expected to visit Belgrade, and that he would commence talks on financing infrastructure without delay. Vucic promised that a new Serbian government would be set up by the end of the month, within the deadline named in the Constitution. He said that Serbia would protect its military neutral status, “and not only on paper,” adding that the country would protect all of its friendships as well. He said that he listened to Milorad Dodik on all issues and understood what he wanted and expected. The fact that some media attack me for completely contradictory things speaks best and most about us pursuing a good policy for Serbia, said Vucic, when asked to comment that he was accused in an opposition newspaper of overthrowing Milo Djukanovic, and now of overthrowing newly established authorities in Montenegro. “When it was convenient for them to present possible changes in Montenegro to foreigners as horror and black news, then Vučić was to blame for those changes. Today, when it is more certain that a somewhat different government will be formed, they say ”you are to blame for their fall”, Vucic said and asked how it is possible that he worked against Djukanovic for months and years, and now in seven days he is doing something completely different. He says that they make an effort to never read anything, and that he has not seen any attacks on any of the people in Montenegro, but that he has seen people’s questions about the promises they made in the election campaign, which they are now giving up. “But it is the right of the media to do what they want, to one day accuse me of one thing, and tomorrow of another, and that is proof of democracy in Serbia, which I am very proud of,” Vucic concluded.

Vucic to Pompeo: Following ancestors, firm in our pursuit of peace (RTS) 

“Following in the steps of our honored ancestors, Serbia continues the fight against all threats to peace, domestic and abroad. Rest assured, dear friend @SecPompeo, that we remain firm in our pursuit of peace and stability, thus contributing to overall global security,” Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic wrote to Pompeo.

Godfrey: Washington Agreement demonstration of mature statesmanship (Beta) 

US Ambassador to Serbia Anthony Godfrey said that an agreement signed by Serbia and Kosovo in Washington was a demonstration of brave and mature statesmanship, which the entire region could look up to and that it could pave the way to Serbia’s European future.

“The agreement reached in Washington is an optimistic vision of the region’s future and a

compromise. I am convinced that this demonstration of brave and mature statesmanship can serve as an example for the entire region, and open the path to Serbia’s European future,” Godfrey wrote in Serbia on Twitter. He said that the Americans and Serbs were “aware that the peaceful and free expression of conflicting views is a hard-won privilege.” “That kind of freedom doesn’t come spontaneously, but requires brave leadership, interested citizens, a free media and efficient and strong representatives in the parliament,” Godfrey said. Godfrey said Friday that the Serbian government has to make many difficult political decisions and most of the talks will be in Brussels, but that they are trying to focus on concrete things that they can do immediately. He told Radio and Television of Serbia (RTS) that President Donald Trump‘s decision to appoint a special envoy to improve relations between Belgrade and Pristina was a clear signal that the US wants to strengthen the pace at which things are moving forward and focus on the economy and a better life for Serbian residents.

Vucic says Serbia, Israel affirm friendship after talks with Netanyanhu (Beta)  

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was an affirmation of the friendship between the Serb and Israeli peoples and the two countries. “An excellent phone conversation with PM Benjamin Netanyahu. The friendship between the Serb and Jewish peoples, Serbia and Israel, was affirmed. Possibly a visit to Jerusalem and building cooperation at all levels soon,” Vucic posted on Instagram. As part of the normalization of economic ties with Kosovo, undertaken by Vucic in Washington, Serbia pledged to move its Israeli embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem by 1 July 2021. Kosovo signed on for mutual recognition with Israel. However, after the signing of the documents at the White House, Vucic said Serbia had undertaken to move the embassy to Jerusalem in a year if Israel respects Serbia.

Netanyahu to address people in Kosovo on Tuesday via video message (Tanjug/RTS) 

Two weeks after an agreement was signed in Washington, as well as announcements of mutual recognition by Israel and so-called Kosovo, and the opening of the embassy of the temporary Pristina institutions in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will address the people of Kosovo via video message on Tuesday. Netanyahu will address the citizens of Kosovo on Tuesday, 15 September, when Rosh Hashanah is celebrated – the Jewish New Year, Pristina media write, reports Tanjug. As announced, Netanyahu’s video address will be shown during a ceremony marking the Jewish New Year’, organized in one of hotels in Pristina. According to the agenda announced by organizers, in addition to the video message from Netanyahu, there will be the possibility of establishing direct contact with the Israeli prime minister during the ceremony. The president of the temporary institutions in Pristina, Hashim Thaci, the president of the assembly, Vjosa Osmani, and the prime minister, Avdullah Hoti, will be invited to the ceremony. The address of Netanyahu will be attended by the chief rabbi of Albania, Iovl Kaplan, who is the organizer of the event, according to the Pristina media.

Lutovac: Vucic bought time in Washington (Danas) 

Serbian Democratic Party leader Zoran Lutovac described the Washington agreement as unimportant for “peacebuilding and peacekeeping on a global scale, let alone regionally,” adding that the Nobel Peace Prize nomination of the US, Kosovo and Serbian governments, “is neither the first nor the last such absolutely unfounded nomination.” “This agreement cannot, in any way, be treated as historical, except perhaps in terms of its originality, as the history of diplomacy has never seen a document such as this,” he said. “The nomination is also original,” Lutovac added in response to a Swedish MP Magnus Jakobsson’s decision to nominate the US, Kosovo and Serbian governments for the Nobel Peace Prize following the meeting in the White House, “inasmuch the Serbian government has been nominated, along with a president who has no jurisdiction, nor had been authorized to sign any such a deal,” Lutovac told Danas. Lutovac believes that Serbia’s international credibility has been additionally undermined, “despite the feigning willingness to cooperate,” adding that on the home front with this sham Vucic had bought more time for his autocratic regime.

Fabrizi: Dialogue is in full swing, no reason for postponement (Blic) 

As a mediator in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, the EU is ready to continue as fast as the two sides want, EU Ambassador to Serbia Sem Fabrizi said. He added that the EU has made it clear that it sees no reason to prolong things further. Fabrizi emphasized for Blic that there is no reason to talk about timelines or artificial deadlines for dialogue. However, as he said, High Representative Josep Borrell, EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak and EU member states have made it very clear that they see no reason to procrastinate. Asked whether the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina is in full swing, after the third round in Brussels, Fabrizi repeated Borrell’s words that dialogue is never easy and that he can say that the momentum is good. “President Vucic and Prime Minister Hoti made full progress on the issues of missing / displaced persons and economic cooperation, so they could then set those topics aside and focus on arrangements for non-majority communities and resolving mutual financial claims,” Fabrizi said. He said the two new issues were first raised in Brussels on Monday, as part of negotiations on a comprehensive and binding normalization agreement. Fabrizi emphasizes that these issues are very sensitive and that this will be reflected in the negotiations. “We expect the next rounds of talks to be even more difficult,” Fabrizi said, adding that, however, both sides are ready to engage in negotiations, which is positive. He also announced that the annual progress report will be published at the beginning of October and will cover the period from April 2019, when the previous one was published. “The report gives the most important assessment of how Serbia stands in the process of reforms towards European integration, from the economy, the rule of law, through public procurement and innovation, to environmental protection and foreign policy,” Fabrizi said. He emphasized that everyone in Serbia should pay attention to this report, because the accession reforms are being implemented, primarily, in order to improve the lives of citizens. Although Serbia has not opened a single chapter this year, Fabrizi insists the process continues. “The new government in Serbia will have a unique opportunity to give a decisive impetus to the EU’s reform agenda, especially key reforms in the rule of law. That opportunity should be used in full, decisively and without hesitation,” Fabrizi said. He disagrees with the approach that Serbia needs a solution to the Kosovo issue to join the EU, but that such demands are not uncommon. “It is a partial and deliberate interpretation that seeks to see the whole accession process only through the process of normalization of relations with Pristina, while wrongly diminishing the role of the rest of the reforms,” he said. Fabrizi said that most of the work for Serbia is in the area of the rule of law, which is crucial for the content, and that, politically, EU accession should be kept beyond domestic debates.

Djuric to replace Dacic? (Novosti/B92) 

One of the most serious candidates for the future head Serbian diplomacy is the Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Djuric, Novosti writes. As the paper stated, many saw Djuric’s presence in the delegation, led by President Aleksandar Vucic in Washington and Brussels, as a sign that he is being seriously counted on as Ivica Dacic’s successor as Foreign Minister. According to the information of this paper, when it comes to the new government, the chances are growing that it will be a broad coalition of the Serbian Progressive Party with the Socialist Party of Serbia and the Serbian Patriotic Alliance. It would be set for a year and a half, and a broad consensus is expected when it comes to resolving the Kosovo knot, continuing reforms and major economic challenges following the coronavirus pandemic.

REGIONAL PRESS 

Dodik and Vucic discuss DPA, regional issues and future cooperation (RTRS) 

“Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) is trying to eliminate Serbia as the Republika Srpska (RS)’ partner, so that Serbia would not be able to help Serbs in the RS”, stated Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik after his Friday meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade. The two officials talked about full respect to the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA), current regional issues that President Vucic addressed during recent visits to Brussels and Washington, and topics that Dodik touched upon during visit of Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs and US Special Representative for the Western Balkans Matthew Palmer, to B&H. Dodik and Vucic also discussed future investments of Serbia in the RS, and marking of the Day of Serb Unity, Freedom and National Flag, which will be observed in the RS and Serbia on 15 September.  Assessing current situation in the RS and in B&H, Dodik said that there is political and institutional stability in the RS, while on B&H level there is complete inertness and unwillingness for solving problems. He explained that all attempts to deny the RS and Serb people, as well as attacks from the official Sarajevo which are aimed against Serbia, are just “part of an organized plan of Bosniaks for abolition of the RS”.  Sarajevo’s hint to put a genocide lawsuit back on the agenda is part of an effort to keep Serbia on the sidelines, Dodik claims. They want to sue Serbia and exclude it as a guarantor of the Dayton Agreement so that the RS is left alone, so if they are not able to eliminate Serbia by political means, they would not hesitate to use the army and the police, which is illegitimate and not in line with the Dayton Agreement, Dodik stated. “I want to make it clear that any action against the RS, that diminishes its strength, be it political or any other, is unacceptable to us and all we are doing is aimed at preserving the Dayton Agreement in its original form, which we were not able to do this entire time, and which has also been hampered by a significant part of the international community (IC)”, Dodik points. He said that he would not stop talking about how it is unacceptable to solve the identical problem of Kosovo and B&H in different ways. “I believe we should not speak about how it concluded, or how they tried to conclude it, and that we are cramped up here in B&H, while they are splitting Serbia against the will of the Serbian people and Serbia, precisely those who changed the internal and external borders twenty or more years ago”, the B&H Presidency member stressed. Commenting the recent parliamentary elections in Montenegro, Dodik said that the RS and Serbia did not interfere in Montenegro’s elections, adding that he expects the new Montenegrin government to visit Belgrade and Banja Luka first. “We expect the new Montenegrin authorities to reaffirm our earlier request to (Montenegrin President Milo) Djukanovic from 10 to 15 years ago, to establish special ties between the RS and Montenegro, as this is an opportunity provided by the Dayton Accords, and in that respect it would be very visible and clear to resolve these matters in accordance with international agreements”, Dodik said.  Asked to comment initiative of Croat member of the B&H Presidency, Zeljko Komsic, on including discussion on B&H’s recognition of Kosovo to daily agenda of the B&H Presidency session, Dodik said that it was not a bad proposal having in mind the planned procedures, because a formal decision would be made that B&H would not recognize Kosovo.

Dodik: I have informed Vucic about threats from Sarajevo and what Bosniaks have against Washington Agreement (ATV) 

Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik said that he informed Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic during their recent meeting in Belgrade about threats coming from Sarajevo, why the political public in Sarajevo is upset and what Bosniaks have against the Washington Agreement. Dodik added that he also warned Vucic that Sarajevo counts on war option with an aim to discredit Serbia as the guarantor of peace in the region. “Bosniaks have always been the US’ favorites and therefore they now express the feeling of being endangered. When one wonders how come that Albanians have the right to self-determination and Serbs in Republika Srpska (RS) do not have that right when there is almost identical situation in Kosovo and B&H, (SDA leader) Bakir Izetbegovic threatens that nothing will end up easily in B&H and that he will defend B&H with a new war if necessary”, Dodik said. According to Dodik, starting the new war is not possible in a legal way and in order to mobilize B&H Armed Forces (AF) it is necessary to have B&H Presidency’s decision for that. He explained that no decision on mobilization of B&H AF is possible given that he himself is a member of B&H Presidency.  “On the other side, if you thought that you will activate police forces, i.e. the Muslim and Croat forces from the Federation of B&H, then you have the additional problem because police from one entity cannot enter the other entity. Also, I am absolutely sure that Croats from this structure will not be part of the decision”, Dodik stated. He concluded that there are absolutely no legal or legitimate grounds for taking any kind of military action.

Dzaferovic: B&H will join NATO and EU, that is the only future, not additional disintegration (Oslobodjenje) 

Chairman of the B&H Presidency Sefik Dzaferovic asked about messages conveyed during the visit of Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs and US Special Representative for the Western Balkans Matthew Palmer, stated that they held a successful meeting with Palmer, adding that the USA is a strategic partner of B&H and the main international guarantor of integrity and stability of B&H. He noted that Palmer’s visit came right after the meeting between Belgrade and Pristina officials in Washington and continuation of their talks in Brussels, adding that B&H was the first place Palmer visited during the pandemic and he believes that this is no accident. Dzaferovic noted that during the meeting, Palmer conveyed the message that dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo has no ties with any of the countries in the region, B&H included. “We knew this from before, but before the meeting in Washington this issue was politicized, so it is very important that we heard this from representatives of the US administration responsible for Western Balkans” said Dzaferovic. He noted that B&H’s path needs to be marked by reforms which will lead to faster accession to the NATO and EU, strengthening of economy and relaxation of overall relations in B&H. Noting that marking of the Dayton Peace Agreement anniversary should be held under this idea, Dzaferovic noted that citizens need to use elections to differentiate forces which advocated reforms and those who obstructed them. Asked about the NATO path, being that SDA Ministers in B&H Council of Ministers supported the budget which stipulates reduction of the budget for B&H Armed Forces, Dzaferovic underlined that B&H will certainly become an EU and NATO member, adding that the NATO path is preserved in this mandate, despite strong resistance. Dzaferovic noted that B&H submitted NATO with Program of Reforms which is essentially in line with Annual National Plan (ANP) and noted that this annual plan has been implemented to great extent. In this regard, he noted that the budget for B&H AF has not been significantly decreased and it is in line with the overall decreases caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Asked about elections in Montenegro and why most of B&H politicians forgot that Milo Djukanovic is frequently brought in connection with the organized crime, Dzaferovic noted that nobody is forgetting anything, but underlined that under Djukanovic’s leadership Montenegro and Djukanovic personally distanced from the politics from the nineties and turned towards the NATO and EU integration, working on harmonization of ethnic relations. In this regard, he noted that expressing of desire for Montenegro to continue this path does not present interfering into country’s internal affairs, reminding that nobody could remain immune to horrifying messages conveyed towards Bosniaks in Montenegro after the elections. In this regard, Djukanovic noted that future cooperation with Montenegrin authorities depends on the course the new government will take and if they continue the policy of previous authorities there is no reason to change relations. Asked about SDA’s reaction to Milorad Dodik’s stories about secession and Dragan Covic’s stories about Election Law and autonomy, and whether Dodik is saving Aleksandar Vucic with these stories, Dzaferovic stressed that this is more than saving or scoring of political points. “Much more serious issues are in question here and they concern the constant efforts of these forces for additional ethnic and territorial divisions in this country. We must never lose the sight of this and we always need to be ready to adequately respond to this,” said Dzaferovic. He noted that SDA always has and always will stand against this, arguing that B&H’s future is not in additional disintegration, but in reintegration and integration into the EU and NATO.

Krivokapic comments Dodik’s initiative for special relations; New government will have good relations with everyone (Glas Srpske) 

Following the meeting in Belgrade with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Serb member of B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik stated that the RS expects new Montenegrin authorities to reaffirm their request for establishing of special relations between RS and Montenegro, as the Dayton Peace Agreement allows this possibility. List leader of ‘For Future of Montenegro’ and one of candidates for new Prime Minister of Montenegro, Zdravko Krivokapic told daily that it is still early to discuss concrete steps, but he deems that the new Government has to have good relations with everyone. However, he underlined that this concrete agreement is matter of diplomacy and laws and he does not understand this too well and would not like to cause some damage by commenting the issues that he does not understand well. He said that he is aware that it is necessary to respect all relations and establish good neighborly relations with everyone and in this regard, he noted that he does not oppose to any of agreement which contributes to creating of better relations in best interest of all parties.

Ivanic: Izetbegovic’s statement will benefit only him and Dodik to score political points for elections (BN TV) 

Recent announcement of SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic that issue of revision of the ICJ’s ruling concerning B&H’s genocide lawsuit against Serbia will be launched again attracted attention of the public. Former member of B&H Presidency Mladen Ivanic commented this statement. BNTV reminds that in period when Ivanic was member of the Presidency of B&H, Izetbegovic’s attempt to launch process of revision of abovementioned verdict faced failure. Ivanic underlined that this is nothing but game, that is suitable for Izetbegovic and leader of SNSD Milorad Dodik, because it will enable both of them to score some political points in pre-election period.

Croat Caucus in FB&H HoP: Izetbegovic’s statement intentions resemble those of Slobodan Milosevic in his famous “anti-bureaucratic yoghurt revolution” (Dnevni avaz) 

Croat Caucus in the FB&H House of Peoples issued a statement stating that statement of SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic that if he is forced to choose between Zeljko Komsic and equality of Croats, he will choose Komsic, has completely unmasked the intentions of “strongest Bosniak party in B&H”. Statement reads that Izetbegovic and SDA “openly demonstrate dedication towards the politics of dissolution of B&H, as community of three equal peoples”. “We, delegates of HDZ B&H in FB&H HoP want to clearly state that every attempt to abolish the mechanism of legitimate representation of any of the peoples in B&H, presents aggression on B&H. We want to clearly tell Bakir Izetbegovic that neither he nor Zeljko Komsic will be the ones deciding about the destiny of Croat people. Croats will be decided about that”, reads the statement. The Caucus further reads that the announcements that violation of the principle of legitimate representation aims to build “normal state”, are identical to intentions that Slobodan Milosevic tried to carry out at the beginning of the nineties of the past century in his famous “anti-bureaucratic yoghurt revolution”.

Final results of parliamentary elections in Montenegro (CdM) 

The State Election Commission has published the final results of the parliamentary elections in Montenegro. According to the official results, coalition Odlucno za Crnu Goru! DPS- Milo Djukanovic (Resolutely for Montenegro!DPS-Milo Djukanovic) won 30 seats. Za Buducnost Crne Gore coalition (For the Future of Montenegro) won 27 seats. Mir je nasa nacija (Peace is our nation) won 10 seats, while platform Black and white won 4 seats. Social Democrats and Bosniak Party will have 3 MPs each. Socialist Democratic Party will have two MPs. Albanian list and Jednoglasno (Unanimously) coalition will have one MP each.

Milacic: Primary aim of new govt – lifting sanctions on Russia (CdM/Komsomolskaya pravda) 

Lifting sanctions on Russia will be the top priority of the new government in the capital, Podgorica – the Russian daily Komsomolskaya pravda announced following the interview with Marko Milacic, a parliamentary candidate of the coalition ‘For the Future of Montenegro’.

“The opposition bloc that won in Montenegro’s parliamentary elections says: Let’s be friends with Russia! In general, the main task of the new govt is to establish good relations with all players both in the region and worldwide, including, of course, Moscow,” Milacic said. It refers to sanctions on Russia as well, according to him. “Montenegro shouldn’t impose sanctions on other countries either – and I mean primarily on Russia,” said Milacic.

Cungu: Abazovic’s statements are blows below the belt (CdM) 

President of the New Democratic Force Forca Nazif Cungu dismissed allegations of Dritan Abazovic that he and his colleagues from this political subject are collaborators of Montenegrin secret services and that they have been encouraged to attack Abazovic. In an interview with Klan Kosovo, Abazovic attacked him and his collaborators instead of dealing with subjects relevant to Albanian public. “With supreme arrogance, he said that my colleagues and I are collaborators of Montenegrin secret services and that we have been incited to attack Abazovic. I say with full responsibility that his statement is a gross slander, a blow below the belt. He is making up stories in order to present himself as a heroic victim,” Cungu points out. He called on Abazovic to apologize for his inaccurate statements or at least corroborate them. “Otherwise, I have moral, political and civil duty to file a lawsuit. And that will confirm the truth our citizens know very well,” Cungu said.

Husovic: We haven’t received official invitation to approach new govt (Dan) 

A minority government, backed by other pro-European and civil society parties, would secure the necessary pro-European two-thirds majority in the parliament, unblock certain processes and certainly create conditions for a comprehensive social reform, the strengthening of institutions and the rule of law, the leader of the Bosniak Party (BP) Rafet Husovic said in an interview for Dan daily. He also stressed that there was no official invitation for the minority parties to approach the new government except for calls through the media, and added that their proposal to the Democratic Montenegro was realistic, sincere and politically correct. “We had a meeting with representatives of the Democratic Montenegro and shared our opinions on the current political situation. We proposed a minority government comprising members of the Democratic Montenegro and the ‘White on Black’ coalition, with or without minority parties. Our proposal was based on the fact that Democrats and the ‘Black on White’ coalition had clearly noted before the elections that they didn’t want to enter the coalition with the DPS.” Commenting on the election results, Husovic told that he could be only proud, as the Bosniak Party had won 35% more votes compared to the 2016 parliamentary elections. He also noted that he has been satisfied with the status of Bosniak citizens in Montenegro, that they managed to increase their representation in the institutions even though a lot more has to be done to reach proportional representation. Husovic denounced the post-election events, especially regarding offences to Bosniaks in the town of Pljevlja, and in other towns as well.

Dimitrov: Identity issues cannot depend on political declarations (MIA/Sitel TV) 

Deputy PM for European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov believes identity issues such as the language cannot depend on political declarations because they are subject to self-declaration and self-determination, a European value, but also a right protected and established by international law. Deputy PM Dimitrov told Sitel TV that North Macedonia is prepared to work on closing all issues with neighboring Bulgaria while demonstrating mutual respect. “The Friendship Treaty begins with the words ‘stemming from the shared commitment to further developing the good- neighborliness, friendship and cooperation between the two countries’ and this is not possible if we do not accept who we are today,” says Dimitrov. He says historical issues should be reviewed by historians not politics.  “The language is not a subject of political declarations. No one, including my country, can tell me – a Macedonian who speaks the Macedonian language – if I am or am not a Macedonian who speaks the Macedonian language. This is a right of self-declaration and self-determination, a European value, but also a right established by international law,” adds the Deputy PM. According to him, no country has legal grounds to open these issues after the completion of the country’s ID in the United Nations. “I sincerely think this is not consistent with the interests of getting closer and being a friend with someone. This is not consistent with the ideals, values and rights of the EU, in which Bulgaria is a member and to which we aspire,” adds Dimitrov. He says both countries need wisdom and eyes wide open to look into the past and find points of convergence.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES 

U.S. Welcomes Serbia’s Intention to Designate Hizballah as a Terrorist Organization 

(Press statement, Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State, 13 September 2020) 

Serbia’s announcement that it will designate Hizballah as a terrorist organization in its entirety is another significant step limiting this Iranian backed terrorist group’s ability to operate in Europe. This important action was announced as part of the historic commitments President Trump secured on a wide range of economic normalization issues between Serbia and Kosovo, coupled with the steps both nations are taking to help achieve peace in the Middle East. There is no doubt that the dominoes are falling on Hizballah’s European operations, where it has continued to plot terrorist attacks, procure military technology, and raise much needed funding.  Recent actions by Germany and Lithuania against Hizballah follow those taken last year by the United Kingdom and Kosovo.  The United States continues to call on the European Union and European nations to designate or ban Hizballah in its entirety, and recognize the reality that it is a terrorist organization root and branch with no distinction between its so-called “military” and “political” wings.  We urge all countries in Europe and elsewhere to take whatever action they can to prevent Hizballah operatives, recruiters, and financiers from operating on their territories.