LOCAL PRESS 

Vucic talks EU integrations, region and cooperation with European Ambassadors (Beta/RTS) 

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic talked on Tuesday with the ambassadors of EU member states in Serbia and the Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Sem Fabrizi on accession talks between Serbia and the EU, stability in the region and regional projects, as well as the EU investment plan which was unveiled by the European Commission along with an enlargement package. Vucic confirmed that cooperation with the EU and full membership remained one of Serbia’s key foreign policy priorities, his office has said. He stressed that Serbia is genuinely devoted to further and deeper reforms which it treats with responsibility and seriousness and it will continue to strive to adopt the best practices in association with EU institutions. Fabrizi said that the EU Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans would ensure that it remained Serbia’s strongest partner for economic recovery, and that it would support infrastructure, the Green Agenda and digital transition. “We rejoice in the announced reform of the rule of law, including reforms of the justice system and freedom of the media. It is exactly this that is the basis of speeding up the accession process and we encourage the new government to continue working and realizing things to that end,” Fabrizi stressed.

Roth: Opening of chapters depends on Belgrade, not on Brussels or Berlin (FoNet) 

German Minister for Europe Michael Roth said on Tuesday he shared the disappointment about the European Union opening no negotiating chapter with Serbia this year, but he added it depended on the progress Belgrade made, and not on Brussels or Berlin. Speaking to reporters after the meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers, Roth recalled that a unanimous decision and a proposal of the European Commission were needed to open chapters. “Freedom of the media, stable democracy, regional reconciliation, an independent judiciary are examples of areas where progress is needed,” Roth said. He added that it is not in our hands, but in the hands of the countries that want to join.

Serbia strategic partner of France in Western Balkans (Tanjug) 

Serbian Interior Minister Aleksandar Vulin talked today with French Ambassador to Serbia Jean-Louis Falconi about the continuation of cooperation between the two countries in the fight against terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking and illegal migration. Vulin said that we are ready to cooperate with the Interior Ministry of that country, because only with joint forces and decisive action can we oppose terrorism and contribute to achieving global peace and security. He expressed gratitude to France for the donation of equipment, which will enable the Serbian police to fight drug and arms trade more efficiently, saying that Serbia will continue to support the French-German coordination initiative on the control of small arms and light weapons in the Western Balkans (SALW). Falconi said that Serbia is a strategic partner of France in the Western Balkans, and confirmed the readiness to continue joint trainings and exercises of special units of the Serbian and French police.

Serbia, Russia are developing best political, economic relations (Tanjug/RTV) 

Serbian Minister without portfolio in charge of innovation and technological development Nenad Popovic met on Tuesday in Moscow with Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Co-Chair of the Intergovernmental Committee of Serbia and Russia Yuri Borisov. Popovic, who is also the co-president of the Intergovernmental Committee for Cooperation between Serbia and Russia, pointed out on that occasion that the relations between the two countries are the best in history. “The government of Serbia and the entire Serbian people are grateful to the Russian Federation and President Vladimir Putin for the principled support that Russia provides to Serbia in preserving its territorial integrity and sovereignty on the issue of Kosovo,” Popovic emphasized. He pointed out that the level of trade between the two countries is constantly growing. In 2019, the volume of foreign trade amounted to $3.6 billion, and in the period January-October 2020, the volume of exchange between the two countries amounted to $2.05 billion, said Popovic. He added that in the first ten months of this year, due to the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, there was a drop in trade of 21.4 percent compared to the same period last year, and added that Serbian exports to Russia for that period amounted to $750 million, and imports $ 1.3 billion. Our wish is to increase our exports to Russia to $1.5 billion in the next five years, said Popovic. Popovic expressed satisfaction with the increase in the volume of exchange in the field of agriculture, despite the coronavirus pandemic, and pointed out that in 2019, the exchange of agricultural and food products amounted to $437.6 million, and that in 2020 it will exceed the 2019 level.

Vulin: Only hatred and lies about Serbia from Albright and Engel (Tanjug/RTS) 

Serbian Interior Minister Aleksandar Vulin stated that only prejudices, hatred and lies can be expected from US politicians Madeleine Albright and Eliot Engel when talking about Serbia.

Vulin says that Albright and Engel would force Serbia to quarrel with Russia and China, but also to teach us that we are guilty of them killing us, bombing the Republika Srpska and Serbia, and that for every Serbian death we should be grateful. Vulin stated that Albright and Engel are examining the decisions of a free and sovereign Serbia, but that they have never examined the origin of the money with which, he says, political representatives of drug clans from Kosovo and Metohija showered them. “Serbia chose both Russia and China as friends, and that friendship withstood numerous tests, they never bombed us, nor determined what we can and can’t do, they respected us at least as much as a great power can respect a small country, and sometimes much more. Serbs are too small a nation to lose such great allies,” said Vulin. He believes that if the new administration in the US wants to classify Serbia among its friends, it must know that this does not depend only on Serbia. “The less Madeleine Albright and Eliot Engel, the more opportunities there will be for the future to overcome the past,” said Vulin.

Belgrade is aware of what the Serwer-Albright-Engel trio is trying to do (Tanjug/B92) 

Outgoing Congressman Engel is trying to put the issue of Kosovo and Metohija on the agenda of new Biden administration, former diplomat Zoran Milivojevic said. According to him, this is an attempt to reaffirm the policy of previous democratic administrations in the United States on this issue. Milivojevic told Tanjug on the eve of the session of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives of the US Congress, chaired by Engel, who said at the session that Kosovo is independent and that Serbia will not enter the EU until it recognizes it, that the session is an attempt to reaffirm the politics of the time of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, bearing in mind that the newly elected American President Joseph Biden is already advocating for the continuity of that policy. “They want to do it in a very sensitive moment related to the future of Kosovo and Metohija, when the project has proved unsuccessful for many years, when a court has started working where the KLA and the top of the political elite in Pristina are practically on the agenda, who so far had the support of the American administration, when the EU is not able to conduct this dialogue in a way that would give results…,” explains Milivojevic. He claims that the policy of the future Biden administration should play a key role, and this is now an effort to reiterate that policy, to reaffirm the past positions and to confirm the determination of the American administration for the independence of Kosovo and Metohija. “The goal is to give a certain dynamics and for the issue of Kosovo and Metohija not to be exactly part of the central priorities of the United States, but to be somewhere right after them in the new administration,” Milivojevic estimates. When it comes to the people who spoke at the session, such as Madeleine Albright, Daniel Serwer, he says that it sends a message that it is about representing that energetic policy of the United States and confirming the statehood of Kosovo and Metohija at any cost. “On the other hand, this choice shows in which directions we can expect the future administration to act. In that sense, the conclusions will certainly have a certain weight, especially since it is about democrats and the structure that returns to power, and it is about individual influence on American politics,” Milivojevic explains. When it comes to the presence of Daniel Serwer and Janusz Bugajski at that session, Milivojevic says that they are well-known, active Albanian lobbyists, who send messages in favor of Kosovo’s independence and that Serbia will face such a fact in the coming period and resolve issues in the region in a way that is in line with Western strategic and national interests. “When I say that, I have in mind the Serbian corps, not only Serbia as a state, but also the Republika Srpska and Bosnia-Herzegovina. So that the two remaining issues are resolved in a way that is in line with Western strategic interests during the Biden administration and that the process of including the region in the western sphere of interest is completed, which includes the enlargement of NATO,” claims Milivojevic. Asked whether it is common at this time to convene such a session when a new government has not yet been formed in the United States, Milivojevic answered negatively, but said that the reason lay in the behavior of the outgoing Trump administration, which in some way modified earlier policy and continuity which existed during the time of Clinton, Bush Jr. and Obama, and which also proclaimed the independence of Kosovo. “The administrations before Trump insisted on that and created a strategic environment for what this region should look like. Trump in some way modified it and made some corrections, not in the essential sense to give up the recognition of Kosovo and Metohija, but at the level of real politics and changes at the global level, and in the region, but also the impossibility to confirm Kosovo’s independence at any cost, while ignoring the interest of Serbia,” Milivojevic explains. That is why, he adds, the American Democrats, but above all the Albanian lobby, decided on such an action, using the opportunity to have their people in places that are important for this issue. “To make it known in advance what the position of both the Democrats and the future administration should be, and not to go out of the field of view of the new administration, having in mind the problems in the United States and the needs of the new administration to dedicate itself to that and global relations,” Milivojevic thinks. He reminds that this in a way relies on two documents, which the pre-election team of Biden’s campaign announced during the presidential campaign, and related to Kosovo and Metohija and Bosnia-Herzegovina. “When they wanted to call on their voters and act contrary to the Serbian corps in the United States, which was for Trump, they clearly indicated foreign policy goals and made it known that politics should not change and that the old policy before Trump should be returned and put in the foreground those goals for which the Obama administration and the Democrats once decided in the 1990s,” claims Milivojevic. I think, he says, that this is the reason for holding this session of the Committee, that is, to make it known what the position should be, so as not to give the impression that what the Trump administration tried to impose as solution concept will survive after Trump’s leaving the position of US President. What Trump offered was to give up that firm position of recognizing Kosovo at any cost and to accept new regional relations, new Serbian borders without Kosovo and Metohija and the entry of the entire region into the Western sphere of interest, including NATO enlargement. He says that Belgrade is aware and counts on the fact that there will be a return to the old policy, as well as that the Biden administration will have in mind the earlier policy of the Democrats and the attitudes of that policy, and that Serbia is not surprised. “What is clear is that, first, it is not possible today to impose a solution and implement the policy of the done deal, as the Albanian lobby in the United States wants. The circumstances are different. It is impossible to do that without Serbia. Serbia has no reason to change its principled views on Kosovo and Metohija, based on the principles of international law,” Milivojevic concluded.

Hague Court calls on Serbia again to arrest and extradite Jojic and Radeta (Beta) 

The Hague Mechanism called again on the Serbian authorities to immediately arrest and extradite Serbian Radical Party members Petar Jojic and Vjerica Radeta who are charged with contempt of court. Chinese Judge Liu Daqun has asked that Serbia realize a warrant for the arrest of the accused… to enable their transfer to the Mechanism’s headquarters. The Mechanism is the legal successor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.

The judge said that the key witnesses against Jojic and Radeta had clearly reiterated that they would not testify if the process was handed to Serbia. The Serbian authorities previously informed judge Daqun that Jojic and Radeta were no longer Serbian MPs and reiterated that the Serbian justice system is completely ready to try them.

Djukanovic: No one is ruling over Montenegro and no one has given up on me. I have no contact with Vucic (Beta)

Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic has stated that he has no contact with the Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic, and dismissed the allegations that the European Union, EU, “gave up on him”. In an interview for Beta news agency, Djukanovic has said that Vucic neither contacted him nor required a meeting with him when coming to Podgorica to attend the late Metropolitan Amfilohije’s funeral, and added that he perceives his visit to Montenegro as personal. “Whenever I go on a personal trip to Belgrade, I don’t contact my colleagues from the government of Serbia,” the President says. On Vucic’s statements that “he’s horrified with the anti-Serbian campaign in Montenegro”, President Djukanovic says such claims don’t even deserve his comments. “Have a look at the recaps of the Serbian press, including the reports of analytical centers that dealt with the media scene in the region, and you will see that they registered several tens of thousands of texts with the same, hostile message to Montenegro, with an undisguised need to interfere both in media and internal-political affairs, so in that sense, I think it is pointless to speak about the anti-Serbian campaign in Montenegro.”

No one is ruling over Montenegro

“No one is ruling over Montenegro. Montenegro doesn’t need a boss either from Montenegro or the region. Montenegro is a sovereign state that has secured its sovereignty in a painstaking process of fighting for its identity, which was brutally taken away from it in the processes after World War I.” He has also reiterated that he doesn’t maintain political ties with Vucic.

“It’s an absolute nonsense whoever said it. I don’t have any hidden jobs either in Montenegro or abroad, least of all in Serbia” the President noted. He dismissed the estimations that the international community “gave up on him”. According to him, no one can give up on him as “he cared about his integrity all the time, and independently and responsibly decided on issues concerning Montenegrin interests”. “I can say that in several such situations, when the international community didn’t quite understand my actions, later it turned out that I made the right decision.”

EU doesn’t have detailed insight into the situation in WB

Speaking about the statement of the Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, that Montenegro should have refrained from expelling the Serbian ambassador, Vladimir Bozovic, the President has said that he doesn’t want to analyze it. “I already expect our European partners to have a clear and detailed insight into all issues in our region at any moment. The Western Balkans is part of Europe. The EU is the locomotive of the entire Europe. It’s impossible to comment on the situation in the Western Balkans without a detailed insight into the state of affairs every hour. I am afraid that, at this moment, the EU does not have that insight and does not recognize certain reflections of the processes that are happening within itself, which are manifested these days in the impossibility to adopt the European budget. Well, that must be recognized if the role of a lighthouse is to be played.”

At the beginning, Amfilohije didn’t reject the idea that the church should be called Orthodox only 

Djukanovic has stated that DPS assumes part of the responsibility for the reinforcement of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) in Montenegro, but that it didn’t happen by accident. Djukanovic has said that Serbia has returned to the 90s politics by allegedly “protecting rights of endangered Serbs in the region is actually jeopardizing the sovereignty of neighboring states”, the activity in which SPC plays an important role. Asked if DPS assumes part of the responsibility for the reinforcement of SPC, Djukanovic said it “is impossible to shy away from the responsibility for such a chaos that followed elections”. Djukanovic said he had spoken to Amflohije after the referendum in 2006 about the name of the church in Montenegro. In that context, en Episcopal Council was formed in Montenegro, giving the SPC in Montenegro a form of autonomy. “Right after the restoration of independence, I suggested to Amfilohije that we should consider giving the name to the church in Montenegro, to set it free from national sign of Serbian and Montenegrin divisions”, he said. One such potential evolution required some time, he added. “But the idea wasn’t rejected. It wasn’t dismissed. The communication process was smooth. However, further development of events in Serbia and in the region, led to tight relations primarily due to the restoration of great state ideas,” Djukanovic said. Djukanovic said that he had no doubt that Law on Freedom of Religion would sooner or later become part of the legal movement in Montenegro. He also thinks that the law should have been adopted earlier. “December last year wasn’t optimal time”, he said. Djukanovic said that re-registration of the property in question started before 1990s. “I live for the day when it will finally be established how that happened, who was responsible,” he said. Although he has heard comments that Metropolitan defeated him in the elections, Djukanovic said that “neither Amfilohije nor anybody else defeated him”. “One should not despair, just take a real outlook. Life is full of ups and downs. Failing is not the problem. Not getting up is” Djukanovic said. Why didn’t he attend funeral of Metropolitan Amfilohije, President said he thought it “was appropriate enough to send a telegram to SPC, the clergy and believers”. “I wasn’t prevented, I just thought it would be an appropriate measure,” Djukanovic said.

Voters didn’t punish us for our decisions, but for defects they spotted in our behavior 

In my opinion, on 30 August voters didn’t punish the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) for its decisions, but rather for some defects they spotted in our behavior. Therefore, if this is true, then it’s clear what we should do in the Congress and how we should act in order to regain their trust, Djukanovic, said. According to him, there is neither soft nor hard current in the DPS. “Of course, there are different views, different projections, and different expectations. The fact that we are organizing an extraordinary Congress for the first time in our history shows that we are facing some extraordinary circumstances. I’ve already said at the beginning – we are the winners of the election, but our victory was not enough to stay in power. That’s the reason behind the extraordinary Congress,” Djukanovic noted. We perceive the extraordinary Congress, he says, as the fact that the DPS has lost part of the support it had back in 2016. “And that’s the purpose of the Congress – to help us determine the state of play and apply the best possible practice during its preparation and holding. What is our guiding idea? To rebuild lost trust or at least part of that trust,” he said. However, the DPS is showing that it’s the most serious political entity in Montenegro. “It’s inspiring to us, that’s what we are thinking about individually and generally. And of course, we are aware that different views may appear in perceiving those changes, how deep we should be digging, to whom they refer.” Asked to say whether he still sees some people in the party even though they don’t belong there anymore, Djukanovic noted: “I would rather not speak about anybody specifically, I’ve been thinking calmly about it…” He continued: “I’ve been performing responsible state functions for 30 years. A number of people who are with me as high-ranking DPS officials are holding their posts for 30, and some for 20 years. Do you think that it’s sensational, that it’s unexpected, that it’s incomprehensible for us to think that at some point, this, or some next, or maybe it was better in a previous one, we should open up space for some new people.”

REGIONAL PRESS 

Hearing on future approach to Western Balkans takes place in US House Committee on Foreign Affairs; Albright says main problem in B&H is corruption (O kanal)

A hearing on the future approach to the Western Balkans took place in the United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. (The Balkans: Political Recommendations for the New Administration) The hearing was an opportunity to give recommendations to the future administration of Joe Biden on what attitudes to take towards the region. Experts that addressed the hearing in the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs included former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Professor at the Johns Hopkins University Daniel Serwer and analyst Janusz Bugajski. O Kanal noted that as expected, Albright did not go easy on Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) officials. Pointing out that the main problem in B&H is corruption, Albright stressed that the new US administration needs to focus on the political abuse of citizens by leaders in B&H and put things in their place. Albright also pointed to the need to adopt a new strategy for the Western Balkans which would stress the cooperation between the US and the EU with countries that want to join the bloc, but also regional cooperation in order to help the countries of the Western Balkans. The United States and its allies have done well to engage militarily at any given time to stop killings in Kosovo and B&H, Albright said. Today, the Balkans are peaceful and stable, the countries have not disintegrated. They are working on joining the EU. But we have to help them, she said. “The Biden administration must develop a new regional strategy. Not an individual approach to countries. The first step is close cooperation with the EU. The United States and its allies need to turn to a regional approach, and the country’s economic ties with the EU need to be strengthened,” Albright points. The experts called on the administration of the newly elected President to urgently and actively get involved in creating opportunities for the progress of the Balkan countries. They mentioned the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina as a key issue, but also the necessity of changing the Constitution of B&H. The unanimous decision on a collective Presidency, made and signed in Dayton 25 years ago, ended the war at that time. Today, such a system does not work. Republika Srpska (RS) is blocking any progress. That must stop, said Eliot Engel, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman. “The Biden administration must ask itself whether Dayton is over in B&H, what is next and how will we get there?” Engel said. Serwer noted that the Dayton Agreement is no longer suitable for the international community or the citizens. He called on the US to punish all those who advocate the independence of the RS. “Everything will be easier if Serbia cooperates in the process. (Donald) Trump kept quiet about (Serbian President Aleksandar) Vucic using the media to spread hatred towards Kosovo and parts of B&H. Serbia must give up the on legacy of authority and war,” Serwer concluded. Relations between Serbia and Kosovo, dysfunctionality of B&H and the influence of Russia and China in the region were recognized as key problems the future administration should be focused on. Bugajski said that the US officials must plan, in close cooperation with the EU representatives, a guideline for far-reaching administrative, constitutional and electoral reforms in B&H. He assessed that unless progress happens in the next couple of years, 25 years after the Dayton a new frustrated generation might again reach for weapons as a way out of a blind street. “Unlike in the 1990s, Washington must prevent the outbreak of violence instead of trying to put it under control after it flares up. Status quo between the two entities is not a sustainable long-term solution and could be turned into chaos throughout the region”, Bugajski said. Engel said that B&H became stuck in the situation in which it cannot make progress, noting that the system does not function and prevents B&H to progress, with the RS blocking decisions that are in the country’s interest, to the benefit of its broad autonomy and loosely veiled breakaway agenda concluding that “this has to end”. The participants of the hearing stressed that the DPA is no longer functional and that a revision should be carried out which would entail the Election Law and make sure that the entities and cantons do not block important state decisions and progress on the European path. “Support to civic policy should significantly increase and the rule of law should be strengthened. Economic instruments can also be used to encourage reforms and a central government with more powers by extracting funds from the entities and cantons that are blocking the functioning of the state. Persistent threats to the integrity of B&H limit economic development, promote interethnic strife, encourage radicalism and endanger the survival of the state,” Bugajski said. Serwer said that the DPA, 25 years ago, achieved territorial division and ethnic distribution of power. “That formula no longer makes sense for the international community which is paying many bills of B&H, nor for its citizens who are suffering due to a dysfunctional government,” Serwer said, adding that the EU needs to exert pressure on Europeans to sanction those who advocate independence of the RS and regroup and tighten ranks with the US and focus on the northeastern town of Brcko in order to block secession. “The US should block the arming of police from Russia, as well as political interference from Croatia and Serbia. The US and Europe want a post-Dayton B&H which can qualify for membership in the EU. That B&H will be based not on ethnic division of power, but on the majority of citizens electing their representatives,” Serwer underlined. The influence of Russia, China, Turkey, Hungary, Bulgaria and Croatia as possible sources of issues were highlighted as well. The conclusion was that the Dayton Peace Accords (DPA) stopped the war but it established a system that cannot be sustained and which only serves ethnic communities. During the hearing, it was stated that the RS is waiting for a moment when changes will be initiated to request the secession from B&H, while Croats will request the third entity. It was assessed that European military presence is low and it needs to be increased. Some suggestions say that war could break out in the area of Brcko, while it is highly necessary that the B&H Constitution needs to be changed as well. The abolition of entities was proposed and the necessity of accord between the USA, Germany and UK has been highlighted. The Russian and Chinese influence was discussed a lot during the hearing. The Chinese influence was assessed as more dangerous in the long-term due to the issues Russia is currently facing. Albright expressed concern over the Turkish influence and assessed its leader as a danger to the Balkans and Middle East. The possibility of sanctions being imposed on Serbia for the continuous purchase of Russian weapons was discussed as well. Two politicians from the region that have been singled out during this discussion were Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik and Serbian President Vucic.

Dodik: Series of attacks against RS is being prepared for time when Biden assumes post of US President; Serwer is enemy of RS (ATV)

Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik said on Tuesday that a hurricane of attacks against the RS is being prepared. He explained that the attacks begin in the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) and the case of President of HJPC Milan Tegeltija is not an isolated one. Dodik stressed that there are preparations underway to create an atmosphere when US President-elect Joe Biden and the new US administration are appointed. He said that people are being intimidated by new concepts. The US Congress Committee on Foreign Affairs convened on Tuesday to discuss the Balkans with former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies Daniel Serwer and former Senior Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis Janusz Bugajski. Dodik commented on this meeting, assessing Serwer as ˝a promotor of Muslims, especially the ones here˝ and Bugajski as someone who negated the RS. Dodik described the address of Serwer in front of the Committee as an announcement of a coup d’état and an announcement to the administration of Biden on which stance to take in regards of the Balkans. He assessed that Serwer is as an enemy of the RS. Dodik said that the officials proposed the Committee to commit a coup d’état in B&H which would change the political organization in B&H and that those who oppose this need to be persecuted, eliminated and jailed. “In order for this to happen, they need to take control of the HJPC and then they need to take control of the prosecutions at B&H level. There are even indications that they want to return foreign prosecutors and judges and it is very clear where things are heading to,” said Dodik.

Dodik said that the fight against foreign judges and prosecutors was won and some wish to change this. Dodik said that apparently it is not enough to win in 44 municipalities in the RS and to increase the support one has in the RS, but that one event in Banja Luka is seen as a sign of a general trend. He stressed that this is not true and SNSD received great and significant support, whether one likes this or not. Dodik also said that the RS and Serbia are not the aggressors in B&H. He said that they are not Bosnian Serb and urged people to stop calling them like that. Dodik said that he is offended when he is called a Bosnian Serb. He also repeated that the RS does not have any plan for separation from B&H. “I want you to call me a Serb because I am a Serb and then I will call you Bosniaks because that is how you want it. If it counts for you to have the right to choose which people you belong to and the name of that people and that needs to be respected, then you can respect that for me too. I am not a Bosnian Serb and I will never be a Bosnian Serb,” said Dodik. Dodik said that Serwer will propose the abolition of the Constitution of B&H, which despite all shortcomings secured peace and ethnic balance in B&H, that the creators of the DPA took care of. “Had B&H been able to survive in a form proposed by Serwer, it would have been designed so back in 1995. A civil Constitution, that Serwer speaks about, could be established only with the destruction of peace and destabilization of B&H with unforeseeable consequences,” Dodik comments. He has said that the destruction of B&H is not in the interest of even those who see it the way Serwer sees it. “If he says that no one outside B&H can reform its Constitution, it is not clear whom he sees in B&H who has the capacity to reform the Constitution the way he imagines it. There are no capacities in the RS for such activities regardless of differences between the authorities and the opposition regarding many issues. If Serwer thinks that the RS will silently watch its own abolition then he did not learn well from the past and is not realistically viewing the present time,” Dodik said.

Dodik, Cvijanovic support Tegeltija and warn staff from RS is under attack of political Sarajevo and part of international community (Nova BH)

President of the HJPC Milan Tegeltija met with B&H Presidency Chairman Milorad Dodik (SNSD) and RS President Zeljka Cvijanovic (SNSD) in Banja Luka on Tuesday. They discussed the latest calls for Tegeltija’s resignation, threats sent to the HJPC President via Twitter and his accusations for unlawful audio recording the wiretapping. Tegeltija informed Dodik and Cvijanovic about the situation and developments in the HJPC. Dodik and Cvijanovic expressed support to Tegeltija, stressing that calls for Tegeltija’s resignation represent an attack on staff from the RS by political Sarajevo and part of the international community. Addressing the press conference after the meeting, Dodik said: “What they want is to force Tegeltija out of the HJPC by endangering him in various ways, even by sending him death threats which are not harmless at all.” He assessed that “criticism sustained by Tegeltija represents an orchestrated attack on the position of the RS.” “People in the RS must know that the RS is endangered by attacks coming from a joint campaign of Muslims from Sarajevo, the former US administration and part of the EU administration in B&H that attempts to impose a new concept of organization of B&H as a civic state,” Dodik asserted. Cvijanovic stated that these are not the only complaints coming from people who work under pressure at the level of B&H where there is a continuous chase after staff from the RS. Tegeltija said that conditions for his work in Sarajevo are impossible and such conditions prevent a professional to do his job in honorable and legal manner. He added that as the HJPC President, he is exposed to unlawful intelligence and para-intelligence activities which could even end up with his liquidation. Dodik and Cvijanovic outlined the constant hunt for people from the RS at important posts within the institutions of B&H and the events related to the HJPC are preparation of an attempt to abolish the RS. They announced a meeting with all office holders from the RS to agree on the joint position at the level of B&H. “Messages on murdering me and others are regular. All that tried to work in accordance with the interests of the RS and represent Serbs they face the same problems as Tegeltija,” said Dodik. Tegeltija reiterated his intention to inform the public about his decision on a possible resignation, on Thursday, after last week’s conclusion of the HJPC in which he has been urged to consider resigning. Tegeltija warned that his safety is threatened and that he is afraid that there is even risk of being assassinated in Sarajevo. Cvijanovic pointed out that Serb officials are condemned for their actions by representatives of the IC in B&H, but when it comes to illegal appointment of members to the Central Election Commission (CEC) of B&H, nobody reacts. She underscored that this appointment was implemented illegally and, even though the RS officials pointed to this fact, nobody wanted to investigate and prevent such illegal activities.

In a conclusion of the press conference, Dodik said a session of the RS parliament should be held soon, so that the lawmakers could discuss the current situation in B&H and maybe make proposals on same discussions to be led in the parliaments of Serbia and Croatia, as they are signatories of the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA).

Tegeltija meets Sattler: B&H works dedicatedly on EU integration despite challenges (RTRS)

Chairman of the B&H Council of Ministers (B&H CoM) Zoran Tegeltija talked in Sarajevo on Tuesday with Head of the EU Delegation to B&H, Ambassador Johann Sattler, about current political and economic topics, in the context of overcoming the consequences caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and about continuing the European integration process. Tegeltija pointed out that European integration is a strategic commitment of the B&H CoM and emphasized that by joint action of all levels of authority, in accordance with constitutional competencies and consistent application of the Coordination Mechanism, B&H can continue working on fulfilling the criteria for the EU membership. He informed Ambassador Sattler that the B&H CoM, despite the challenges it faces, is working on the implementation of the agreed measures, emphasizing that the progress made is a clear indicator of commitment to the EU path.

EU Council adopts decision and regulation establishing global human rights sanctions regime (FTV)

The EU Council adopted on Tuesday a decision and a regulation establishing a global human rights sanctions regime. For the first time, the EU is equipping itself with a framework that will allow it to target individuals, entities and bodies – including state and non-state actors – responsible for, involved in or associated with serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide, no matter where they took place. FTV stressed that those better informed with the subject claim that this decision of the EU means that doors of the EU would be closed to Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik if he does not comply with the request of High Representative Valentin Inzko to remove the plaque with the name of war criminal Radovan Karadzic from the Student Dormitory in Pale. Hayat noted that with the abovementioned regulation, the EU addresses serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide. Consequently, perpetrators and their associates can be banned from entering the EU, and their assets in the EU would be frozen. This regulation covers acts such as genocide, crimes against humanity, and other serious human rights violations. Hayat also reported that carried that Dodik could face the EU sanctions if he fails to remove the plaque from the students’ dormitory in Pale.

EC spokesperson Mamer: Accession to EU is not bed of roses, but EU is dedicated to enlargement in Balkans (Nezavisne)

Spokesperson to the European Commission Eric Mamer stated that there will always be obstacles on the path to enlargement, and noted that the accession to the EU is not a bed of roses. However, he added, this does not change the fact that EU enlargement in the Balkans is a priority for the entire Commission and President Ursula Van der Leyen. Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Mamer said that the entire process requires endurance, strength and character. The European Commission reiterated that enlargement in the Balkans is its priority, which is why the EU is cooperating with Balkan countries in several aspects – through assistance in fight against coronavirus, the economic-investment plan for long-term economic recovery of the region and adoption of the new enlargement methodology which has been approved by all member states and which should unblock and accelerate negotiations.

ECHR passes ruling in favor of former FB&H VP Pudaric in case against State of B&H (Nova BH)

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg passed on Tuesday a ruling in favor of former Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H) Vice President and SDP B&H member Svetozar Pudaric (deceased) in the case against the State of B&H, thus confirming discrimination of B&H citizens. Pudaric filed a lawsuit against B&H because as a Serb from the FB&H he was prevented from nomination for the Serb member of B&H Presidency, which was assessed by the ECHR as discrimination. Commenting on the ruling, attorney Nedim Ademovic who was Pudaric’s legal representative before the ECHR said that this is yet another decision of the ECHR confirming that the Constitutional Court (CC) of B&H lacks European standards, adding that B&H is expected to implement this ruling. “The ruling established that it is unconstitutional and inacceptable from the aspect of European standards that an individual cannot run for B&H Presidency just because he comes from the rank of the Serb people and lives on the territory of the FB&H,” Ademovic explained, concluding that ethno-nationalist concept of living in B&H is the only political, legal and factual social obstacle to the development of B&H. Ademovic stated that there is a massive de facto discrimination against Serbs in the FB&H, and Bosniaks and Croats on the territory of RS. “Because maybe not formally legally, but de facto, these peoples are constantly delegated from those territories according to the ethno-national principle, and that will urgently have to be resolved. It is a real cancer, it is a real disease in B&H. Citizens will have to understand that this is absolutely unacceptable from the point of view of the European culture of living,” Ademovic underlined.

B&H CEC orders recounting of votes in individual polling stations throughout B&H (Oslobodjenje)

The Central Election Commission (CEC) of B&H ordered recounting of votes in individual polling stations in several municipalities in B&H, including Cazin, Bihac, Teslic, Novi Grad, Kakanj, Tuzla, Foca, Vares, Lukavac, Novo Sarajevo, Prijedor, Brcko District, Milici and Kalesija. “In Kalesija election unit, recounting of votes for the Head of Municipality will be carried out in all regular polling stations and recounting of votes for the Municipal Council will be carried out in 18 polling stations,” B&H CEC noted. The daily reminded that SDA candidate Zijad Kulanic won the seat of the Head of Municipality of Kalesija with only one vote more than his opponent and current Head of Municipality Sead Dzafic (NBL). Both parties asked for recounting of votes. The daily also learned that some 20 motions were filed with the Appeals Division of the Court of B&H against the decision on determining of the election results and one of those motions was the one filed by HDZ B&H with regard to election of Head of Travnik Municipality. B&H CEC established that Mirsad Peco (SDA), the candidate who died of coronavirus infection on the day of elections, won in the elections which means that the elections will be repeated. It is still unknown when B&H CEC’s inquiries on elections in Srebrenica and Doboj will be completed. Opposition parties in Doboj insist on repeating of elections in this town and DNS’ Slavko Gligoric said that, in case elections are repeated, they will insist on responsibility of those whose behavior resulted in repeating of elections. Member of PDP Main Board Olivera Nedic said that they will insist on establishment of an identification system, as there was a mass abuse and forging of signatures.

Minister says Dayton agreement must be amended (Hina)

Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlic Radman said on Tuesday that the Dayton peace agreement should be amended to ensure equality and a constituent status for all of the country’s three peoples as well as other citizens. “The Dayton agreement has been transformed beyond recognition, we have been warning about it at NATO and EU meetings and now that we are members of those organizations, our voice is heard much better,” Grlic Radman said in a reply to MP Marijana Petir‘s question while submitting a report on the implementation of the Declaration on the status of the Croat people in B&H in 2019. “Croatia cannot interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, but we are following the situation and using EU and NATO mechanisms to point to the existing asymmetries and anomalies,” Grlic Radman told HDZ MP Rade Simicevic who asked what the Croatian government was doing to enable Croats to elect their political representatives the way Serbs and Bosniaks did. “We are listening to what Croats in B&H are saying, if they are dissatisfied, we are conveying their dissatisfaction, that is Croatia’s role as a signatory to the Dayton agreement,” he said, dismissing criticism from opposition Bridge and Sovereigntists MPs that Croatia was not doing enough for Croats in the neighboring country.

Opposition MPs commend President Milanovic’s policy towards B&H (Hina)

During a debate in parliament on the implementation of the Declaration of the Status of Croats in B&H on Tuesday, MP Miro Bulj (Bridge) and MP Ante Prkacin (Homeland Movement) commended President Zoran Milanovic‘s policy towards B&H. MP Bulj claimed that Croats in B&H were “a forgotten people” and called out the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) for its policy towards Croats in B&H, that it had reduced the number of delegates from B&H from six to three and that it has renounced HVO Croat defenders from the Homeland War. President Zoran Milanovic is a greater sovereigntist than you. He had the courage to decorate HVO members, and this act has sent the message that the HVO is part of Croatia’s defense forces, said Bulj. MP Prkacin too commended the president saying that Croatia’s policy towards B&H was superficial, insufficient, often amateurish with one honorable exception. “That is Zoran Milanovic, who knows and can. There are others who know but very few can,” said Prkacin, adding that “a great Bosniak policy” is the main cause for the disorder in B&H. MP Hrvoje Zekanovic (Sovereigntists) said that Croatia’s assistance to Croats in B&H has been brought down to humanitarian aid, education and protocol while the status of Croats in that country has never been worse.

Ruling MPs: Status of Bosnia Croats to be even worse without Zagreb’s help

On the other hand, lawmakers from the ruling majority commended the government’s efforts to protect Croats in B&H, assessing that without Croatia’s help their situation would be far worse.

If there was no help from Croatia the situation would be worse. Help is needed because Croats’ essential human rights are being abused including the right to their own home and their own hometown, MP Marijana Petir (Independent) said underscoring that Croats have to be enabled to return to their homes, to have a television channel in the Croatian language, and to elect their own political representatives. MP Zdravka Busic (HDZ) said that over the past few decades decisions have been made that discriminate against Croats compared to the other two (constituent) peoples even though they too are a constituent people according to Bosnia’s Constitution. That injustice is still ongoing and is best reflected in the imposition of the member to the presidency who, even though formally represents the Croats, was not elected by the will of the Croat people, she said. The ruling majority believes that a lot has been done to implement the declaration on the status of Croats in B&H but still much remains to be done.

EUFOR erects monument to all fallen soldiers, Bosniaks boycott the ceremony (Vecernji list)

Vecernji list daily reports that the EUFOR last week erected a monument/memorial plaque in remembrance of all fallen soldiers of three armed forces in B&H – the Croat Defense Council (HVO), the Army of B&H and the Republika Srpska (RS) Army (VRS) – as well as for members of different peace missions as sign of respect. According to reporter, it was a modest ceremony held in presence of limited number of people, however one could notice that most senior figures of the Armed Forces (AF) of B&H and the Ministry of Defense (MoD) of B&H did not take part. Namely, the ceremony was not attended by Chief of Joint HQ of the AF B&H Lieutenant-General Senad Masovic and Defense Minister of B&H Sifet Podzic. Daily learns that the two officials told the organizers of the ceremony (EUFOR) that they do not want to be together with “the aggressor armies that committed war crimes”. The ceremony was attended, among others, by Croat and Serb Deputy Ministers of Defense Mijo Kresic and Mirko Okolic respectively and outgoing Commander of NATO HQ Sarajevo William J. Edwards. This triggered the daily to say that this behavior speaks of ethnic policies the two officials represent, according to which the HVO and the VRS are aggressors and war criminals. According to reporter, despite the boycott, EUFOR Commander Major-General Reinhard Trischak did not give up on the ceremony. The daily also notes that the EUFOR’s move is a part joint effort on achieving reconciliation among former warring factions, which EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell recently spoke about.

Democrats: PM Krivokapic breaks agreement by nominating Milosevic and Miljanic as secretaries in Ministry of Interior (CdM)

If the media allegations about nominations of Rado Milosevic and Zoran Miljanic as state secretaries in the Ministry of the Interior were true, the principle that PM Zdravko Krivokapic previously agreed on with the blocs making up the ruling majority would be violated, as both are officials of the Black on White block, the Peace is Our Nation caucus has stated. The principle, they say in a statement, was agreed during the negotiation talks and was presented publicly. It was agreed that those positions wouldn’t be taken by party officials.

“Democratic Montenegro, as a party that clearly showed its cooperation abilities during the negotiation talks by refusing to interfere in the Prime Minister’s work, and as a party that respected the methodology of the prime minister-designate, no matter how many times it was changed, would be ready to welcome a new change of principles, which, this time, happens after the formation of the government. However, we require equal approach and equal treatment of all members of the ruling majority,” they explained in a statement. According to them, the bloc ‘Peace is Our Nation’ is the only one without its representatives in the government of Montenegro.

Injac: Montenegro remains reliable NATO ally (CdM)

Montenegro will continue to be a reliable and credible ally of the United States and NATO in contributing to regional and international stability, said the newly-elected Defense Minister Olivera Injac. During the meeting with the U.S. Ambassador, Ms Judy Rising Reinke, Injac pointed out to a quality and substantive bilateral defense cooperation between Montenegro and the US. “Injac has said she expects that the defense cooperation between Montenegro and the US will continue to deepen within bilateral projects during her mandate, with special focus on the modernization of the Montenegrin defense system. Emphasizing the significant commitment of the Army of Montenegro through adequate contribution to the system of collective security, Injac indicated Montenegro’s commitment to the Alliance’s efforts in the field of projecting international stability, as well as further reinforcement of regional security,” it was said after the meeting also attended by the lieutenant colonel, Robert Perry – the US defense envoy. The Minister thanked the U.S. for its support and donations during the coronavirus pandemic. Ambassador Rising Reinke congratulated Minister Injac on her appointment and wished her success in work.

Health Minister Borovinic Bojovic doesn’t recognize independence of Kosovo (CdM)

Minister of Health Jelena Borovinic-Bojovic caused a scandal with the document about new coronavirus measures by marking Kosovo with asterisk, although Montenegro recognized Kosovo as an independent state. In official documents of Montenegro, Kosovo is not marked with asterisk. An asterisk is used under special circumstances if Serbia insists on it during official meetings of heads of countries, attended by a representative of Kosovo. Montenegro recognized independence of Kosovo in 2008. The highest Montenegrin officials have paid an official visit to Kosovo. An asterisk with a footnote is used when the caption does not prejudice Kosovo’s status and is in accordance with the UN Resolution 1244 and the Opinion of the International Court of Justice in The Hague on the Kosovo Independence Declaration. In the official EU documents, such as annual reports on Kosovo or the latest Strategy of the WB enlargement, Kosovo is marked with an asterisk, but in statements made by European officials or in media reporting asterisk is not used.

Socialist MEPs call on Borisov to lift the “disgraceful blockade” of Macedonia (Republika)

The PES group of socialists in the European Parliament called on Bulgaria to lift its veto against Macedonia’s EU accession talks.  Bulgaria’s Boyko Borissov must stop his disgraceful blockage of enlargement process just to save his coalition with hard-line nationalists. Accession negotiations with (North) Macedonia should be started before the end of the year, the group tweeted out after Bulgaria officially vetoed Macedonia’s accession talks. Some in Macedonia are hoping that the March elections in Bulgaria will deliver a socialist led government that will be more open to allow the accession talks to begin. But the Bulgarian Socialist Party, including President Radev who comes from the same party, support the hard-line position toward Macedonia. It’s unclear to what extent the Bulgarian socialist MEPs support the position of their party group.

Reeker says the fact that Macedonia joined NATO membership is a huge step forward (Republika)

During a hearing of the US Helsinki Commission on OSCE, the outgoing Assistant Secretary of State for Europe Philip Reeker praised PM Zoran Zaev’s Prespa treaty and the fact that Macedonia joined NATO. “As far as NATO, I mentioned earlier that last week we also had the NATO ministerial, against virtually. We can celebrate the fact that even in a year of Covid pandemic we were able to bring in North Macedonia as the 30th ally, the 30th member of NATO and that is a huge step forward following on from the historic Prespa agreement which showed not only true and inspired leadership on the part of (North) Macedonia and Greece to resolve long standing issues there but it also showcased the importance of US diplomacy in supporting that effort, said Reeker,” who is a former US Ambassador to Macedonia.

Rejecting EEA membership means rejecting Macedonia’s economic integration into the EU (Republika)

President Stevo Pendarovski said Monday that Macedonia was offered joining the European Economic Area (EEA) but refused because it insists on full-fledged EU membership. The EEA includes countries who have no intention to join the EU, such as Norway and Switzerland, in the same economic regime that the EU has. Some of us in the region – I can only speak for Macedonia – have received offers from very high officials that we join the European Economic Area. I refused the offer immediately, because this type of thinking will be disastrous in the long term, Pendarovski said. Ilija Dimovski from VMRO-DPMNE explained what Macedonia has actually refused: An organization which includes all EU members, plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, and the United Kingdom remains; The same rules apply for the internal market as in the EU; Free movement of people, goods, services and capital as if we were an EU member; We would be equal to all employment rights across Europe as if were an EU member; Businessmen would have the same rights and protection as if we were an EU member; Students would have the right to study throughout Europe, just as if we were an EU member; Startups would be able to use the same programs as if we were an EU member; Scientists and artists would be able to use thousands of programs across EU countries, just as if we were an EU member; Free trade with all EEA member countries; Freedom to live and work in the EU and the EEA, just as if we were an EU member; Much of EU law (in the area of free movement of people, goods, services and capital) would be harmonized. “It is outrageous that President Pendarovski, without a sense of weight, tells us how smoothly such an offer was rejected. Stevo Pendarovski decided that we needed political integration, not just economic, as if the two must depend on each other. this is outrageous!!!,” Dimovski wrote.

EEA – good enough for Norway and Britain, but not for Macedonia? (Republika)

President Pendarovski apparently did not expect that he will create such a stir in the public, when he flippantly revealed that Macedonia was offered membership in the European Economic Area, but that he said no. The position that nothing short of full EU membership will do is officially established, but can beggars be choosers, especially with the multiplying demands from Bulgaria that stand in the way of the preferred option. Zoran Zaev was raked over the coals by the opposition, but also many opinion makers from the left, who pointed out that the EEA offers many of the benefits expected from EU membership – most importantly – the right to work and travel to the EU countries, which is greatly prized by young Macedonians who are giving up on the country. Pendarovski, who once famously said that if he weren’t President, he would also move out of Macedonia, said that top EU officials made the offer to him, but he said no.

The EEA already includes Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein – countries who have given up on the idea of full membership, and on a temporary basis, it is used to govern the British relations to the EU. The arrangement allows for free trade and travel, and alignment in many areas of economy and life, except for the agriculture and fisheries. The four EEA members who are not part of the EU are required to adopt laws that sync with EU regulation, but are also consulted when the EU makes its decisions, so as not to be left fully without a say in the common arrangement. They contribute to the EU funds used to lift up the poorer EU member states, but if Macedonia and other Balkan countries opt for this arrangement, they would easily be the poorest countries around and would likely receive far more than they would nominally contribute.

All this implies that joining the EEA would give Macedonian citizens many benefits, while likely avoid the humiliations associated with the current moribund EU accession process, under which Macedonia was first blackmailed by Greece to give up much of its history, identity and national honor, and now Bulgaria comes for what little is left. VMRO-DPMNE quickly condemned Pendarovski for his position. The opposition party said that joining the EEA would be a major benefit for the country and is not contrary to also joining the European Union. “The leadership can’t make such decisions on its own, without consulting the rest of the country. This is scandalous. Pendarovski and Zaev need to explain why they refused this offer and whose interests it benefits?”, the party asked. Pendarovski’s office replied that all party leaders already consulted on the matter and said they will not accept anything short of full EU membership and no alternatives. But this was before Bulgaria vetoed Macedonia’s EU accession and came out with a long list of historic grievances and demands that Macedonia will be required to meet just for the privilege of opening the process of EU membership. In a response, Pendarovski insisted that Macedonia also needs political alignment with the EU, and not just economic. But this call is currently being drowned out by a loud chorus of citizens who see his action as refusal of something that will make life better for them, whether in Macedonia or in the EU.

Roth: Germany is committed in opening the negotiations with Albania (Radio Tirana)

Germany is committing for the opening of the negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia. This was the declaration of the German minister for Europe, Michael Roth, who said that Germany is making all the efforts for the opening of the negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia. But according to him, some other conditions must be fulfilled. Germany, as the head of the Presidency of the Council of EU, is doing everything in order to achieve a unity for the organization of the intergovernmental conference for the membership of Albania and North Macedonia, declared Roth, who is participating in the preparatory council of the next summit of EU. Roth underlined that every other decision, which doesn’t favor the opening of the negotiations with these countries, will be a grave political error that will affect the stability and security in Western Balkan and thus, the entire Europe.

European MPs call on opening membership talks for Albania and North Macedonia (Radio Tirana)

The head of the parliamentary group of the Socialist Party Taulant Balla welcomed the call of the European MPs from the main political groups, members of the Foreign policy committee, requesting the Council for the approval of the negotiation framework for Albania and North Macedonia in the today’s meeting with the ministers of European matters. Balla said that the European MPs praise that Albania deserves to move forward in its journey towards membership in the EU. In the declaration published in the official page of EP, 24 MPs underlined the efforts and the reforms, especially the justice reform, of the last years. EU Ambassador to Albania Luigi Soreca reacted after the publishing of the letter of the European MPs. “An important declaration from the representatives of the political groups of the European Parliament over the negotiations for Albania and North Macedonia,” underlined Soreca.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SOURCES 

Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on pan-Albanian manifestations in the Balkans (The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, 8 December 2020) 

We have noted the invigorated activities in Tirana, Skopje and Pristina with an obvious emphasis on pan-Albanian ambitions. On November 27, 2020, a memorandum on establishing a joint congress of Albanian-inhabited municipalities, which would cover the territory of Kosovo among others, was signed in Tirana. It is allegedly designed to promote cooperation at the local self-government level under the slogan of implementing the Euro integration agenda. In reality, this is an attempt to gradually create an illegal pan-Albanian space, ignoring in the process the sovereignty and borders of the internationally recognised states. This attempt looks all the more cynical against the backdrop of years long subversion by the Kosovo authorities of their commitments to establish a Kosovo association of Serb municipalities. In turn, the European Union, which acts as a mediator in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, is still unable to compel Kosovars to abide by the agreements reached with Brussels’ participation.  We believe the EU must pursue a well-balanced policy and actively work for the implementation of the negotiated decisions. Conditions for stronger peace and stability can only be created on the basis of UN Security Council Resolution 1244, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all Balkan countries.