LOCAL PRESS 

Odalovic: Mortal remains discovered at Kizevak location near Raska (RTS/Tanjug/KoSSev) 

The Chairperson of the Missing Persons Commission Veljko Odalovic confirmed that the mortal remains of unknown people, presumed to be the bodies of Kosovo Albanians, were discovered near Raska, in Kizevak. Odalovic said that, according to current information, this location might contain 15 to 17 mortal remains, but it could not be stated with certainty that at issue are Kosovo Albanians until there is confirmation of identity. “Remains with parts of clothing were found yesterday. We stopped the work immediately the following procedure to the next court ruling. The War Crimes Prosecution has completed its work and now the judge has to decide on the pace, measures, who will be preset and we expect that decision in a day or two,” Odalovic told KoSSev.

EU expects Belgrade and Pristina not to move embassies to Jerusalem (N1) 

EU High Representative Joseph Borrell said the bloc expected Belgrade and Pristina not to move its Israeli embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The two sides committed to doing in the meeting with the US outgoing President Donald Trump at the White House on 3 September.

Answering an MEP question, Borrell said Serbia and Kosovo were expected to act in line with the EU determination, but also following their European aspirations. He added the EU’s longtime view was that the status of Jerusalem as a future capital of both countries (Israel and Palestine) should be resolved in negotiations with both sides’ wishes fulfilled. “In line with the UN Security Council 478 Resolution for 1980, which called on all members to move the embassies to Tel Aviv, all EU countries’ embassies and EU Delegation in Israel are in Tel Aviv,” Borrell said. He added both Belgrade and Pristina had identified the EU integration as their strategic priority. “EU expects both sides to act in line with that,” he said and reiterated that, within the accession negotiations with the bloc, Serbia committed  itself to gradually adjust local legislation and policy towards the third countries with the EU’s policies and legacy.

EP worried by Serbia’s ruling party dominance during June general elections (N1) 

In a draft annual report about Serbia Vladimir Bilcik, the European Parliament (EP) Rapporteur, called on Belgrade authorities to pursue reforms in the areas of the rule of law, fundamental rights, the functioning of democratic institutions and public administration, and to deliver concrete results to Brussels, adding the EP was concerned over the ruling party’s dominance during Serbia’s last elections in June. Bilcik welcomed the fact that the EU remained Serbia’s strategic goal and was satisfied is pleased with authorities in Belgrade’s efforts to align regulations with EU standards. However, he said the pace of European integration would primarily depend on the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights, adding the normalization of relations with Kosovo was one of the key conditions for that. Bilcik insisted on the importance of the OSCE / ODIHR election report saying, the election process was efficient, but added that he was very concerned about the dominance of the ruling parties, particularly in the media, and called on the authorities to implement the OSCE report’s recommendations before the next election cycle. He also regretted the decision of the majority of the opposition to boycott the last parliamentary elections in Serbia. “I reiterate that the only way to ensure the political representation of their voters is through participation in political and electoral processes,” Bilcik said in the draft report. The draft report will be on the agenda of the EP Foreign Affairs Council in December, while the voting on the report is scheduled for February 2021.

RTS chiefs meet opposition officials (Beta/RTS) 

Officials from three opposition parties met with RTS managers, the Nova Stranka said in a press release on Wednesday. It said that the meeting agreed that the political situation in Serbia with no opposition MPs demands a different approach to reporting. According to the press release, the opposition officials told the RTS management that they have to conduct themselves with professional ethics and respect for the law, primarily the law on public broadcasters. The press release said that the meeting was attended by outgoing RTS CEO Dragan Bujosevic, News Program chief Nenad Lj. Stefanovic and portal editor Zoran Stanojevic while the opposition officials included Nova Stranka leader Aris Movsesijan, Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) leader Milos Jovanovic and Social Democrat Party General Secretary Konstantin Samofalov.

REGIONAL PRESS 

Dodik: I really admit that Mister Radojicic’s defeat took a toll on me (Nova BH)

In an exclusive interview for Nova BH, Serb member of the Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Presidency and SNSD leader, Milorad Dodik spoke about his party’s election loss in Banja Luka, relations within the ruling coalition in the Republika Srpska (RS), possible factions within SNSD and the party’s future activities. Many were surprised to learn that young PDP member, Drasko Stanivukovic, won the election race for next Banja Luka Mayor in the recently held local elections in B&H. He ran against SNSD’s Igor Radojicic. When asked about the threats he made on stopping all RS government investments into Banja Luka, since Stanivukovic won the post, Dodik corrected Nova BH reporter and said he never formed this as a threat. The reporter also said his statements were condemned by many people, which is why it seemed that Dodik dialed his rhetoric down and accepted the results. “I would not say I made threats; but, I believe that I elaborated; I really admit that Mister Radojicic’s defeat took a toll on me; I admit, I am just a man, with all his flaws, and all my virtues, and sometimes certain flaws prevail,” Dodik said, adding that he is not proud of all the statements he made during his political career, but some of his words tend to be twisted by others or perceived in a way that they were not supposed to be perceived. Dodik further explained that his intention was to say that some future investments were planned with Radojicic and they could not know if those projects will be reviewed as priority by the new Mayor. Those projects include a new concert hall, center for modern technologies, as well as three or four bridges that need to be built. “Those investments, we do not know if they will be priority of this new Mayor. That is why I said we will stop with the investments, until we learn what is what,” Dodik points. Commenting speculations on certain factions within SNSD, Dodik used foul language and said: “In some shithole, maybe, I do not know”. As far as I know, there are no factions, he added. The SNSD leader assures that since its beginnings until now, SNSD was always united and it always attracted new members, instead of chasing them away. “We gathered not just people within our party, but also coalition partners, that we had many problems with,” Dodik emphasized. He underlined that SNSD ran a fair and transparent election campaign, which was stopped due to the coronavirus epidemic. If there were some SNSD members or coalition partners that worked against us we will determine that, Dodik promises. He informs that new SNSD structure will be formed in Banja Luka, they will take the coming time to prepare and be ready by next elections. “I call upon all our former members to return to SNSD”, he added. DNS left the ruling coalition in the RS and Dodik was asked if he believes in the remaining coalition members. He said those relations are based on trust and he admits that trust has been shaken by recent events. “And in all this, SNSD was collateral damage,” Dodik says. He believes that the main problem was that SNSD coalition partners fought with SNSD, instead of focusing their energy on beating the opposition. He believes that SNSD has strength and party leadership will visit all municipalities in which they won majority of votes. They will also wait to hear results in the Brcko District as Dodik believes they will win there and that their candidate will be the new Brcko District Mayor. “That means 43 (municipalities) in B&H, with our coalition partners, three of them, the number will be 46, out of 63. Well, everyone can do the math and know what is what”, he noted. Dodik concluded that they might have lost some posts, but they are the absolute winners of local elections in the RS.

Dodik: RS institutions will invest in every part of RS including Banja Luka (RTRS)

President of SNSD Milorad Dodik discussed the previous and ongoing projects realized by the former authorities in Banja Luka and announced on Wednesday that the majority in the Banja Luka City Assembly led by SNSD will continue with a similar pace. He stressed that the goal is for every local community in the RS and not only Banja Luka to be organized and better. Dodik stressed that SNSD won the most posts in local authorities out of all parties in B&H at the last local elections. He added that the RS authorities will continue to invest in Banja Luka and other local communities. “I will ensure that the RS is stronger and more stable in the future and Banja Luka is unavoidable in this feat,” said Dodik. He highlighted that Banja Luka was cleared from organized crime and such groups do not exist in the city anymore. Dodik said that in cooperation with former Mayor of Banja Luka Igor Radojicic they planned to perform new urbanization of Banja Luka in order to make it more European. “We do not know how much this will be a priority of the new mayor and in regards to that I said that we will wait to see how the city will develop politically,” said Dodik. He stressed that SNSD will not give up on Radojicic because he is a serious man with experience. Dodik confirmed that they have removed SPS as coalition partner in the ruling majority. He added that his coalition partners, like ‘United Srpska’, DEMOS and SP, do not want this and he has been given an ultimatum to choose between those parties and SPS.

Stanivukovic: Dodik is afraid of me because he cannot buy me (Dnevni avaz)

The daily also carried an interview with Drasko Stanivukovic who said that SNSD leader Milorad Dodik is afraid of him because Dodik knows that he cannot buy or blackmail him. Stanivukovic also believes that he won because his policy is policy of future, love and tolerance. Asked to comment surprising election results in different parts of B&H where ruling parties lost, Stanivukovic said that citizens are fed up with corrupt and arrogant politicians from the past century. Asked if this could mean a major change in 2022 with general elections, he replied that this could be an indication of future changes and that major changes on political scene are possible in the next two years. Speaking about his plans for future work as Mayor, Stanivukovic said that he plans to establish City Administration consisting of experts who are the best in their field and who will work in an ethical manner, dedicated to the best interests of citizens. “Our goal is free men, and not trapped city in which we have lived for more than a decade”, he underlined. Speaking about Dodik’s very negative reaction to his election, Stanivukovic stated that he has been victim of sanctions and torture by the ruling parties throughout his political career. Therefore, the negative reactions were no surprise. “I am only sorry that someone is capable of occupying an entire people and citizens, and that they want to put us all under sanctions only because someone theirs was not elected. So, democracy must be respected”, said Stanivukovic. Asked to comment photos of him with the flag of Ravna Gora Chetnik Movement which sparked negative reactions of Bosniaks and Croats, Stanivukovic said that one single photo does not capture a person. Asked what Bosniaks and Croats can expect from him, he replied: “What a Bosniak or a Croat can expect in Banja Luka is the same what a Serb can expect, and that is a better life, a job, understanding and freedom of expression of all opinions. I am a man who loves his people, who is a patriot, but also a man who expresses great love for every other human being”.

Newly-elected Bijeljina Mayor Petrovic says he will offer hand and cooperate with everyone in order to build better life for all citizens of Bijeljina (BN TV)

Newly-elected Mayor of Bijeljina Ljubisa Petrovic has announced that he will offer a hand to everyone and that in that spirit and with open cooperation, he will go in the direction of agreement that will serve to build a better life for all citizens of Bijeljina. Addressing a press conference, Petrovic said on Wednesday that as soon as the B&H Central Election Commission (CEC) publishes the official results of the elections, he will roll up his sleeves and start working in the interest of all citizens of Bijeljina. Petrovic thanked the citizens of Bijeljina who went to the polls. “I want to thank the people who supported me and gave their trust and their vote to me. I also thank all those who did not support me because in the future, I will act like I did in the past and responsibly say now and everywhere that I will be mayor of all citizens. I will not deviate from that and I will not create any divisions or differences,” Petrovic underlined. Petrovic congratulated newly-elected councilors in Bijeljina City Assembly, stressing that he will offer them a hand in order to avoid any kind of divisions. “With that same offered hand and open cooperation, I will always go in the direction of agreement that will be built for better life, progress of every citizen in Bijeljina,” Petrovic emphasized. Petrovic said that he decided to run for the sake of the people and that this is exclusively victory of the people, and not Ljubisa Petrovic. Prior to his Wednesday’s press conference, Petrovic met with his defeated opponent Mico Micic. Petrovic said that he wanted to show that he meant what he said when he said that he did not run against anyone and that he can cooperate with everyone for the sake of the interests of citizens of Bijeljina.

B&H CEC updates preliminary election results bringing certain changes to results in some municipalities including Ilijas and Novi Grad Sarajevo (Hayat)

The B&H CEC announced on Wednesday that it processed 98.94 percent of ballots for the election of mayors and municipality heads. Out of the processed ballots, 94.01 percent are valid ballots, while 5.99 percent are invalid ballots. The B&H CEC also stated that 91.99 ballots for the election of municipal and city assemblies in the RS, municipal and city councils in the Federation of B&H (FB&H) and the  Brcko District Assembly have been processed. The CEC updated the preliminary results which brought certain changes in terms of results in some municipalities in Sarajevo Canton (SC). Namely, the situation in Ilijas, in which SDA is in a tight election race with People and Justice (NiP), SDP B&H, Our Party (NS), and Independent B&H List (NBL) has changed to the benefit of SDA’s candidate for the Head of Ilijas Municipality Akif Fazlic. Namely, Fazlic is in the lead with 60 more votes than NiP’s candidate Amar Dovadzija. Commenting on the updated results, Dovadzija warned that the Election HQ of NiP and its partners concluded that there is an attempt to carry out electoral malversations in Ilijas. Namely, Dovadzija said that the Chairperson of the Municipal Election Commission in Ilijas refuses to enter the results from one polling station at which he allegedly won more than 100 votes. In addition, the election results for Novi Grad Sarajevo Municipality shows that SDA’s candidate for Head of the Municipality Semir Efendic is in a convincing lead with 822 votes compared to Adnan Delic, who is the candidate of NiP, SDP B&H, NS, and NBL.

Political subjects in Mostar sign pledge, promise to ensure fair elections in Mostar (Dnevni list)

Political parties, coalitions and independent candidates participating in the 2020 local elections in the City of Mostar scheduled on 20 December 2020 signed the Election Ethics Code (presumably on 18 November), thus promising to ensure a peaceful and fair electoral process. According to the article, the Code was developed by representatives of the Mostar City Election Commissions, civil society organizations and political subjects registered for 2020 local elections in Mostar, with the support of the OSCE Mission to B&H. According to a statement issued by the OSCE Mission to B&H, the political subjects agreed to ensure a peaceful and fair electoral process, which adheres to the basic principles of integrity and fairness, and upholds several key democratic principles, such as respecting the legality of elections, avoiding exerting political pressure on voters, and refraining from using inflammatory rhetoric. “I am happy to see that citizens of Mostar will finally have an opportunity to exercise their democratic right. Local elections are especially important because this level of authority is usually the one that has the most impact on B&H citizens’ daily lives,” said Ambassador Kathleen Kavalec, Head of the OSCE Mission. Ambassador Kavalec added that the OSCE Mission to B&H remains ready to support all reform processes and initiatives aimed at enhancing democracy, but true progress depends on the willingness of politicians to compromise and reach consensus to the benefit of all citizens. “It is up to the signatories to bring the promises in these pledges to life and to stand by the promises they make with them,” said Kavalec.

Dodik: There is still no agreement on manner of marking 25th anniversary of DPA in B&H on 21 November (BHT1)

Addressing media on Wednesday, Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik stated that there is still no agreement on the manner of marking the 25th anniversary of initialing of the Dayton Peace Accords (DPA) in B&H on 21 November. Dodik presented an opinion that the B&H Presidency is not likely to adopt a joint statement on this matter, adding that he will not accept the version of the joint statement that has been proposed as he insists on use of formulations from the DPA in it. “The fact is that the DPA promoted a new political system in B&H and that it established peace. That is something that is fine. RS has always marked that day as a non-working day. Peace needs to be celebrated. That has never been done in the other part”, the Serb member of the Presidency pointed out. The Serb member of the Presidency added that, when it comes to marking of the DPA anniversary, there are attempts “in Sarajevo” to impose “some spectacular story” in which wreaths would be laid “at some places”. He concluded that such manner of marking the DPA anniversary is unacceptable. RTRS reminds that Dodik is taking over post as Chairman of B&H Presidency on 20 November. Dodik explained that he has a proposal for the statement regarding DPA. He announced that there is a possibility that EU High Representative Josep Borrell will visit B&H soon. “We have our political stances. We believe that B&H can only be a highly decentralized country, it can be consisted of two entities, or three in the future and it needs to have peoples with constituent status in its base. Not some stories about abstract citizens who are responsible only to the Bosniaks because they are some alleged majority,” said Dodik. “Sarajevo is trying to impose a spectacular story of us laying the flowers somewhere, which is unacceptable. Sarajevo is telling a false story that they were anti-fascist city in the World War II. Sarajevo was peaceful all the years of the war. Serbs from this City were murdered then, taken to concentration camps and persecuted, while Muslims and Croats lived peacefully”, said Dodik. He repeated that B&H can be only a decentralized country, composed of two entities and has to have constituent peoples in the essence. “Story about abstract citizens, which suits Bosniaks, is out of the question, because they are the alleged majority. They even carried out the population census in order to have pretense of some majority and lied that Serbs murdered 300,000 Bosniaks,” said Dodik. Dodik said that he will soon present the report on Srebrenica and prove that story about the events in this city was a speculation for the needs of then politics.

Zvizdic: SNSD opposes EU HR Borrell addressing Collegium and Heads of Caucuses of both Houses of B&H parliament (Dnevni avaz)

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell is scheduled to visit B&H on Friday. As some media in B&H reported, Borrell will arrive to Sarajevo on Friday and will stay until Saturday. It was planned that he will meet Chair of the Presidency of B&H Sefik Dzaferovic and members of the Presidency of B&H Zeljko Komsic and Milorad Dodik on Saturday. Apart from this, Borrell is also expected to meet Chair of the Council of Ministers (CoM) of B&H Zoran Tegeltija and his deputies Bisera Turkovic and Vjekoslav Bevanda. His arrival was not officially confirmed by the EU Delegation to B&H. According to B&H House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Denis Zvizdic, Borrell was supposed to address members of Collegiums and Heads of Caucuses of both Houses of B&H Parliament. However, according to Zvizdic, SNSD vehemently rejected this idea. Zvizdic claimed in a Twitter post that he and B&H House of Peoples Deputy Speaker Bakir Izetbegovic did their best to reach a consensus and accept the proposed address by Borrell, but SNSD refused it. Zvizdic described SNSD’s stance as an anti-EU act. Borrell is expected to talk about the anniversary of the Dayton Peace Agreement during his visit and is also expected to meet other international and domestic officials.

President Milanovic lays wreath at Ovcara memorial (Hina)

On the occasion of Homeland War Victims Remembrance Day and Vukovar and Skabrnja Victims Remembrance Day, Croatian President Zoran Milanovic on Wednesday paid his respects to the sacrifice of Vukovar by laying a wreath at the Ovcara memorial site. In addition to the President, the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, Admiral Robert Hranj, and presidential envoy Lieutenant-General Marijan Marekovic also laid wreaths. Milanovic did not give a statement to reporters. In Skabrnja, on behalf of the president, his envoy, Dragan Lozancic, took part in the commemorative events.

An estimated 10,000 walk in Vukovar Remembrance Procession (Hina)

An estimated 10,000 participants took part in the Vukovar Remembrance Procession on Wednesday morning, braving the foggy weather and despite epidemiological recommendations that the number of participants should be capped at 500 due to the epidemic of coronavirus.

“Today, walking through the streets of Vukovar, we express gratitude to Croatian defenders and people who suffered during the Homeland War, and we pay respects in the dignified manner how they deserved,” War Veterans’ Minister Tomo Medved said during the commemorative events.

Many participants wrapped themselves in national flags or flags of wartime military units or carried them during the procession. Many had protective masks, however, according to reporters, many were without them and the so-called anti-COVID restriction monitors distributed protective masks and disinfectants to participants on their way from the start of the walk to the memorial cemetery. In Vukovar, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, parliament speaker Gordan Jandrokovic, Deputy Prime Minister Boris Milosevic, and some other officials took part in the procession. Also, the envoy of the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Veran Matic, attended the commemorations. The commemorative events were attended by delegations of the Croatian president, the parliament and the government, and fewer people than in the past years when about 15,000 people swarmed that town in the Dalmatian hinterland to remember the victims and the defenders.

Pupovac pays respects to Skabrnja and Nadin victims in Zagreb (Hina/HRT)

President of the Serb National Council (SNV) and MP Milorad Pupovac on Wednesday morning paid his respects to Skabrnja and Nadin victims by lighting candles in the Serb Orthodox Church of the Holy Transfiguration in Zagreb, noting that this gesture was the first step. SNV president had previously said he might come to the Remembrance Day commemoration in Skabrnja this year, but this morning he said that after a conversation with Skabrnja Mayor and a local priest he had decided to pay his respects in Zagreb. “We believe that that step will also follow and that I will light a candle and lay flowers in the place where the terrible atrocities took place, first in Skabrnja and then in Nadin, to show deep respect to such a large number of people who were killed on this day in 1991,” Pupovac told state television HRT. He said that he thought most people were ready for his visit to Skabrnja, but there were some people in the Croatian public and politics who were constantly instigating hatred and making an enemy out of a friend. He said that that was neither an accurate nor a good picture, adding that it does not affect him personally, but that it is doing harm to this society by maintaining hatred and intolerance and preventing people from making peace with each other. Pupovac said that important gestures had been made in Vukovar, and that a significant step had been made in the relations between us in Croatia and in relations between Croatia and Serbia. On Tuesday, a delegation of the SNV paid respects to the sacrifices made by Vukovar citizens in the 1991-1995 war.

Pendarovski: Bulgaria is acting outside the 2017 treaty, violates common sense and democratic norms (Republika/ORF TV)

In an interview with Austrian ORF TV, Macedonian President Stevo Pendarovski blasted the Bulgarian decision to block Macedonia from opening EU accession talks. Pendarovski insisted that the current Bulgarian demands go against common sense and basic democratic principles.

“When we signed the Friendship treaty with Bulgaria in 2017, it seemed that there is clearly declared will on both parties to implement the treaty. Now, the same political structure which was behind the signing of the treaty is moving outside of its framework and in the opposite direction. There is not a single word anywhere in the treaty, no article, paragraph or preamble, that declares that we need to discuss the ethnic origin of us, the Macedonians. There is not a single letter, word, article… that we must negotiate with the Bulgarian side about the language that I now speak, whether it is Macedonian or not,” Pendarovski said. The President added that it is acceptable that Bulgaria wants to protect the rights of Macedonian citizens who declare to be ethnic Bulgarians, but noted that at the same time it denies the right to Bulgarian citizens to claim they are Macedonians.

Zaev calls Bulgaria’s veto “failure to approve” (Republika)

Bulgaria’s refusal to approve the negotiating framework for Macedonia is the EU’s greatest defeat, but at the same time it was confirmed in a statement by the chairman, the German Minister of State for Europe, Michael Roth, that options are still open until December. We should continue searching for a solution in the spirit of dialogue, and not through conflicts, wrote PM Zoran Zaev on Facebook. “In such situations it is very easy to beat our chests, but our intention is to be rational and move things according to the expectations of our people, and that is to move further towards the EU” he said.

State Department: Skopje and Sofia to resolve the dispute outside accession process (Republika/VOA)

The United States urge Bulgaria and Macedonia to resolve outstanding bilateral disputes outside the accession process to achieve the shared goal – EU membership for Macedonia. “We are clear in our desire to see Macedonia’s candidature enter the negotiating framework by the end of this year” a State Department spokesperson told VOA, welcoming negotiation efforts. The statement said the enlargement process promotes long-term peace, stability and prosperity throughout the region. EU’s decision in March to open accession talks with Macedonia was a positive step, and denied the false narrative that the transatlantic community had neglected the Balkans. Delaying these countries’ accession to the EU risks reviving questions of EU credibility in the region, the State Department spokesperson said, adding that the United States was a strong supporter of Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans.

Bulgaria approves opening of negotiations for Albania, closes the door to North Macedonia (Radio Tirana)

Bulgaria approves opening of negotiations for Albania, closes the door to North Macedonia

Bulgaria has refused to approve the opening of European Union negotiations with North Macedonia, but on the other hand has approved it for Albania. Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zakharieva said Sofia could not currently support the start of negotiations with Skopje, due to the historical differences between North Macedonia and Bulgaria.

“At this stage, Bulgaria cannot support the draft of the negotiating framework with the Republic of North Macedonia and the holding of the first Intergovernmental Conference,” the Minister said after the conclusion of the General Affairs Council. EU countries agreed in March that North Macedonia and Albania could begin negotiations to join the European Union. The official start of these accession negotiations with the two Balkan countries would take place in December.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES 

Serbian President A.Vucic and Gazprom Neft CEO A.Dyukov launched new complex at the NIS refinery (Neftegaz.RU, 19 November 2020) 

Belgrade – A new deep refining complex has been launched at the NIS oil refinery in Pančevo by the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić and Gazprom Neft CEO Alexander Dyukov. The new complex will enable the plant to increase production levels of motor fuels, as well as commence production of petroleum coke in Serbia for the 1st time. The construction of this facility is a key project in the 2nd phase of a major modernisation programme at the NIS refining facilities, total investment in which stands at more than €300 million. “This is an important day for Serbia and our relationship with Russia, as well as a testament to our effective joint work. Today we have received one of the most advanced refineries in the region. The new facility will help increase the refining depth and fuel production, and further strengthen NIS’ market position. Our collaboration does not stop at this as we plan to further develop it in the years to come”, said Aleksandar Vučić. Following the launch of the new complex with its delayed coking technology, the refining depth at the Pančevo refinery will increase to 99.2% – matching the level of the world’s top refineries and significantly surpassing the average refining depth of European plants. The complex will also facilitate an increase in annual production volumes of Euro-5 gasoline and diesel fuels by 2% and 38%, respectively, and of LPG by 7%. With the launch of the new deep refining complex, the Pančevo refinery is now set to terminate production of heavy fuel oil (mazut), reducing its overall environmental impact. The commissioning of this new facility will also see the launch of a new product at the refinery – petroleum coke, a product in high demand among the metallurgy and construction industries, which previously had to be imported into Serbia. Production at the Pančevo refinery will more than cover demand for this product in Serbia, and enable exports to other countries in the Balkan region. «As a result of the successful cooperation between Gazprom Neft and the Serbian government, NIS is now one of the undisputed leaders in the Balkan region’s energy market – accounting for over 13% of the country’s budgetary revenues and providing more than 11,000 jobs», said Alexander Dyukov. NIS is one of the largest vertically integrated energy companies in south-east Europe. Gazprom Neft holds a 56.16 % interest in NIS, with Serbia holding a further 29.87 %. NIS’ Pančevo refinery is one of the most modern plants in South-East Europe, and a key petroleum-products supplier to the Serbian market.