LOCAL PRESS 

Vucic discusses Portugal’s priorities as EU Chair with Portuguese Ambassador (RTS/Tanjug/Beta) 

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met on Monday with Portugal’s Ambassador to Serbia Maria Virgínia Mendes Da Silva Pina to discuss with her the priorities of her country’s six-month chairmanship of the Council of the European Union (EU). The presidential Press Office quoted Vucic as saying that Serbia remains committed to its European path and reforms and cooperation with the EU institutions. “Serbia provides full support and contribution to all projects implemented by the EU both in Serbia and in the Western Balkans region,” Vucic said. Vucic expressed hope that during the six months of the Portuguese presidency, the EU will overcome the challenges and achieve its priority goals, including the economic recovery of the EU and getting out of the crisis. “I also hope that Portugal, during its presidency, will put emphasis on the enlargement of the European Union to the Western Balkans,” added Vucic. Discussing the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, the two interlocutors expressed their support for the efforts of Miroslav Lajcak in the negotiation process. Ambassador Mendes da Silva Pina emphasized that the main motto of the Portuguese presidency was “the time for a just, green and digital recovery” and added that her country would make efforts to mark the beginning of a new cycle in Europe in the next six months, given the difficulties and challenges that the-19 pandemic imposed on the EU, Serbia and the whole world. She pointed out the strengthening of the social model as a central topic of the presidency, to encourage citizens’ trust in the EU.

Selakovic: It doesn’t depend on us whether there will be negotiations on Kosovo (TV Pink/Tanjug/RTV) 

Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic stated today that Belgrade is ready at any moment to continue the dialogue on Kosovo and Metohija, which will have concrete results and lead to the implementation of the agreed, but that it is not a party on which it depends whether there will be negotiations or not.Selakovic said that there was political instability in Pristina and that he was not sure that at this moment anyone could say what the plan was for continuing the dialogue on Kosovo and Metohija. He voiced hope that resolving the political situation in Pristina will enable the continuation of an effective dialogue which, he says, will have concrete results, which will be feasible, and in which what has been agreed will be realized. “It is a difficult and complex issue, there are more factors that we cannot influence than we can, but for us as a state it is important that we are in favor of continuing a serious dialogue at all times,” Selakovic told TV Pink.

He added that Serbia is not a party on which it depends whether there will be a dialogue or not, but that he deeply believes that only through dialogue and by peaceful means can painful and big problems, such as the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, be resolved. He reminded that Belgrade fulfilled all obligations from the dialogue agreed under the EU auspices, but that Pristina had not formed the Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO) after more than 2,800 days. Asked whether the Washington agreement will be valid after the arrival of the new administration in the White House, Selakovic said that the United States is a serious country that does not change its political course so easily and that he is of the opinion that there will be no deviations from that agreement.

As he said, so far there has been no signal from the new administration from Washington that hinted at a radical turn on that issue. Selakovic stated that the pandemic disrupted not only the established course of international relations, but also shook the internal political scenes of all countries in the world, but also creations such as the EU. He is convinced that at some point Washington will also deal with our region, because, as he says, there are people in the new administration who dealt with the Balkans 25 years ago. “We will see in the following period how and when something that is important for us will take place, it does not depend on us,” said Selakovic. He emphasized that the complete diplomatic and political infrastructure of our state should try to present its truth, but also to present serious and important arguments about Kosovo and Metohija, which are difficult to refute. “Our arguments are where the Serbs live in Kosovo and Metohija, what are their rights, are they endangered, what guarantees their protection? It is a small segment of what we should do and what we will do and what we will not give up,” Selakovic said.

Possible renewal of Pristina’s request for membership of the false state in UNESCO without great prospects (Novosti) 

Pristina’s plan to resubmit the request for the admission of the false state of Kosovo to UNESCO is doomed in advance, because of all the international organizations whose doors they would like to open, Kosovo Albanians have had the least support in this body of the United Nations for years. In addition, as Novosti learns, they do not look favorably on Pristina’s intentions to apply for membership again, even at the top of UNESCO. Namely, the election of a new general director will follow in this organization, and since the current Head Odra Azul wants to run again, it does not help her to deal with such a sensitive issue in the re-election campaign as the admission of the so-called Kosovo. “Kosovo Albanians chose UNESCO with good reason, counting on the benevolent attitude of the future head of US diplomacy Anthony Blinken who in 2015 was personally involved in Pristina’s campaign for admission to the same organization. If even an unsuccessful attempt to join UNESCO would result in the new US presidential administration effectively deviating from the letter of the Washington agreement, it would open the door for leaders in Pristina for further unilateral action, in line with the eternal aspiration for a binary solution to the Kosovo issue where they will get everything they want, and Serbia will be an absolute loser. Still, given the real interests of the United States, there is belief that the foreign policy of the world’s largest power in the Balkans will be based on the rational understanding that no ‘zero sum outcome’ can bring long-term stability, and that it will give clear signals to Pristina that unilateral action, breach of reached agreements and disruption of peace will not have the support of Washington,” Novosti was told by Nemanja Starovic from the Center for Social Stability. Former Yugoslav foreign minister Vladislav Jovanovic also believes that Pristina, by announcing its application for UNESCO membership, reminds its allies that the goal of completing Kosovo’s independence has not yet been achieved: “This is also a message to the Biden administration that Kosovo Albanians are counting on stronger support from the new political administration in Washington. If Pristina realizes its plan and submits a request for UNESCO, then Belgrade has no obligation to further stop its campaign for withdraw of recognition of Kosovo.”

Norwegian Jan Braathu new OSCE ambassador to Serbia (N1) 

Jan Braathu, a Norwegian, was named a new OSCE ambassador to Serbia on 1 January, replacing an Italian diplomat Andrea Orizio, the organization said on Monday. “Before moving to Belgrade, he served as Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo from 1 October 2016 until 31 December 2020. Previously, he was Norway’s Ambassador to Kosovo and Albania (2011-2016) and Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina (2006-2011). His other assignments include: Deputy Director General and Head of the Division for Western Balkan Affairs (2000-2006), responsible for Norwegian government Western Balkan policy, coordinating the activities of embassies in the region and their assistance programs, in the period totaling approximately euro 100 million annually,” the OSCE said in a statement. It added that from 1998 until 2000, Braathu was attached to the Norwegian Foreign Ministry’s OSCE Chairpersonship-in-Office Section, following Western Balkan issues and representing the 1999 OSCE Chairperson-in-Office at the Rambouillet talks between Belgrade and Pristina prior to the NATO bombing of Serbia for its refusal to sign the agreement offered during the negotiations.

REGIONAL PRESS 

CoM could be removed in B&H House of Representatives, but removal might be blocked in B&H House of Peoples (Dnevni avaz)

The Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) House of Representatives (HoR) should discuss next Monday a proposal of several B&H HoR representatives coming from the Independent Bloc, Our Party and SDP to include the motion on vote of no confidence in the Council of Ministers (CoM) of B&H on the agenda of the session. According to the daily, although it is highly likely that the proposal will be endorsed in the B&H HoR, many believe the proposal will not pass in the B&H House of Peoples (HoP) where SNSD and HDZ B&H each have four delegates (out of five in Serb and Croat caucuses). However, HDZ B&H representative in the B&H HoR Nikola Lovrinovic gave an interesting statement for daily. Namely, he said it is evident that there is no parliamentary majority and that many initiatives have passed “so this one could too”. On the other hand, SNSD delegate in the B&H HoP Lazar Prodanovic said it is highly unlikely the CoM will be removed, stressing it is necessary to make additional steps that will send a clear message to the public that this majority can implement processes and activities. Head of SDP Caucus in the B&H HoR Sasa Magazinovic told the daily that removal of the CoM is possible in the B&H HoR, however it will be difficult to do it in the B&H HoP. He underlined there are many reasons for the removal, such as that representatives have prepared more laws than the CoM. PDP representative Branislav Borenovic said the initiative is logical since this convocation of the CoM has done nothing concrete, stressing that there is no adequate reaction to serious economic and healthcare challenges and that the European path has been stopped. SBB B&H representative Edita Djapo said should the B&H HoR discuss the initiative on vote of confidence, SBB B&H will be in favor (of the removal), believing this is one of worst convocation of the CoM. Djapo stressed that the Coronavirus pandemic and the migrant crisis and the CoM’s response to them are good enough reasons for the removal. B&H HoR member Nenad Stevadic stated that the opposition parties never propose any solutions or concrete measures. B&H HoP member Bakir Izetbegovic stated that he is opposed to removal of B&H CoM at the moment. According to him, the work of B&H CoM should be reexamined in the second half of 2021. B&H HoR member Aida Barucija who is one of the signatories of the initiative for removal of B&H CoM stated that she expects members of the ruling coalition to support the initiative as well, because it is clear that B&H CoM is not functioning. MP Mira Pekic stated that her Caucus (PDP-SDS-DNS) has not yet decided how to vote on January 11. However, she underlined, the Caucus is not satisfied with the work of B&H CoM. B&H CoM Chairman Zoran Tegeltija stated in an interview for Nezavisne novine published on Monday that he has nothing against the Parliament examining the work of B&H CoM.

Colo to launch initiative on preparation of proposal law on state property of B&H; Novakovic-Bursac argues property is ownership of entities (EuroBlic)

Representative in the B&H House of Representatives (HoR) Alma Colo (SDA) launched an initiative for B&H HoR to appoint a temporary inquiry commission that would prepare a proposal of the law on state property of B&H that would define the right to “use and manage” the state property in B&H. The commission is expected to be consisted of a certain number of representatives in B&H HoR, three ministers of the Council of Ministers (CoM) of B&H, three members of the Venice Commission representing B&H and three regular professors of law from faculties of law in Sarajevo, Banja Luka and Mostar. Colo relied on the ruling of the Constitutional Court (CC) of B&H from July 13, 2012 which noted that the state property “is a tool of realization of public authority” and is therefore connected with “territorial integrity and sovereignty of the state”. B&H CC also assessed that “B&H is titular holder of the state property” while the Parliament of B&H has the right to regulate this matter in form of laws. The daily noted that almost everyone in B&H agrees that it would be good to have a law on state property, but Colo’s initiative might fail just because she relied on stances of B&H CC which are mostly unacceptable for Republika Srpska (RS).  Chair of SNSD Caucus in B&H HoR Snjezana Novakovic-Bursac said that the Constitution of B&H is quite clear when it comes to property and added: “There are annexes which explicitly read that property is the ownership of the entities. Therefore, I always welcome the possibility of discussion but some decisions of B&H CC lead us to problems. I think it is not realistic to launch initiatives of such types until we in B&H really accept the real Constitution and real situation”.  The daily reminded that there is the explicit political stance of Banja Luka that B&H does not have any property, but only entities have it. “However, everyone remembers of the famous Banja Luka Agreement of (SNSD leader) Milorad Dodik, (HDZ BiH leader) Dragan Covic and (late SDA leader) Sulejman Tihic from January 2009 which was a continuation of so called ‘Prud process’. Back then, the leaders of SNSD, HDZ B&H and SDA agreed that immovable property needed for the work of the state institutions, including prospective immovable and movable military property, should be registered as the ownership of B&H. The rest of the property, including non-prospective military property, would belong to lower levels of authorities in line with their needs”, the daily noted and reminded that this agreement has never been defined by concrete laws and decisions.

Court of B&H confirms indictment in ‘Respirators’ case (BN TV)

The Court of B&H has confirmed the indictment against Federation of B&H (FB&H) Prime Minister Fadil Novalic and others in the ‘Respirators’ case for conspiracy to commit abuse of office, receiving a reward for trading in influence, money laundering and forgery of documents. Besides Novalic, the indictment also includes suspended Director of the FB&H Civil Protection Administration Fahrudin Solak, company ‘Srebrena malina’ and its owner Fikret Hodzic, as well as FB&H Minister of Finance Jelka Milicevic. According to the indictment, this group of people procured a hundred respirators at increased prices, while the medical devices that were delivered cannot be used for the purpose for which they were procured, i.e. for the purpose of combating coronavirus in the FB&H which resulted in the damage to the FB&H budget. Novalic is charged with conspiring with other suspects to commit abuse of office, trade in influence, money laundering, and forgery of documents, while Milicevic is charged with the lack of commitment in office.

Prodanovic, Borenovic: Migrant crisis is blocking B&H’s path to EU (Glas Srpske)

The daily observes that the migrant crisis has become the hottest topic in B&H, and B&H’s bad management of the migrant crisis is becoming yet another obstacle on B&H’s path to EU. Namely, Head of EU Delegation to B&H Johann Sattler stated recently that the migrant crisis has unveiled all the dysfunctionality of B&H institutions, and warned that the EU will be assessing B&H’s capacity to manage 8,000 or 9,000 migrants, among other issues. Member of B&H parliament’s Joint Commission for EU Integration Lazar Prodanovic told the daily that institutions need to show better functionality in implementation of migration policies, and they need to make sure that their response to the crisis is adequate. Commenting the argument that the citizens are tired of ever-growing number of conditions for B&H’s EU integration, Prodanovic said that citizens are tired of waiting for institutions to provide adequate responses to many issues. He noted that while all parties agree on necessity of EU integration, B&H is making little progress on that path. Prodanovic underlined that the ruling parties need to reach at least a minimum compromise and fulfill at least some of the conditions for progress on path to EU in order to allow B&H to get the status of membership candidate. According to him, B&H would be much more able to deal with different crises if at least some of the priorities defined by EC were fulfilled.  Joint Commission member Borislav Borenovic also agrees that the migrant crisis has exposed all shortcomings of B&H institutions, and that B&H’s EU path is currently blocked. “We received huge money from EU institutions, and nobody knows how it was spent. There is a hypocrisy on both sides here. Politicians are taking money but they do not do anything to fulfill conditions, and the EU keeps giving money although it often criticizes processes within B&H”, said Borenovic. Political analyst Milos Solaja stated that he is not surprised by the fact that management of migrant crisis is being set as a new condition for B&H’s EU integration since the EU demands from its members to improve their human rights and security policies.

International community criticizes B&H for treatment of migrants, but refuses to let any migrants enter European countries (Glas Srpske)

Glas Srpske comments the migrant crisis, reminding of frequent incidents and crimes committed by migrants, which result in the fact that citizens throughout B&H do not want migrants in their local communities. The daily blames Security Minister Selmo Cikotic for this situation, but also emphasizes the hypocrisy and duplicity of the international community. The daily argues that most European countries have sealed their borders, and they absolutely do not allow any migrants to enter their territories, but they accuse B&H of violating the rights of migrants who are stranded here. Daily claims that some foreign reports have even incited mutiny in the ‘Lipa’ camp and wrote posters for protesting migrants. According to the daily, there are more than 15,000 migrants in B&H at the moment, and they embarked on their journey because of false promises and the global project which is being implemented by some power centers. The daily questions the real reasons for the wave of migration, noting that most of them come from Pakistan and Morocco, two countries at peace and with solid living conditions. The daily indicates that the migration route might be used by terrorists as well. “In the end, the question of all questions: If the international community cares so much about these people, why don’t they remove the barriers and allow them to move on towards Germany, Italy, Austria? Why is it that Poland does not want a single migrant? And Hungary of course too. The answer is simple. They are afraid, and that has nothing to do with democracy, rights and freedoms, but with reality. B&H has unfortunately been dragged into the game of the West. And as long as there is Cikotic and different subservient policies, there will be such games,” the daily concludes.

Government declares disaster for quake-hit areas (Hina)

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Monday the government decided to declare a disaster for Sisak-Moslavina County and parts of Zagreb and Karlovac counties after last week’s 6.2 earthquake. Speaking at a cabinet meeting, he said the government also decided to form a crisis management team to be helmed by Deputy PM Tomo Medved. Plenkovic said the government was invoking a state of disaster following information from the interior minister, via the civil protection system, on the extent of the damage and the effects on life. He said the crisis management team would comprise representatives of all departments. The aim, he said, is to “set the foundations not only of crisis management in the days immediately after the earthquake but also in the period which will envisage the organized reconstruction of damaged buildings and houses” in the three counties. “We are confident the new structure will help representatives of regional and local government, the coordination of all services in channeling the support coming from citizens in a quality way.” The cabinet meeting began with a minute’s silence for eight young people killed in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 1 January by exhaust gases from a generator.

Plenkovic recalled that last Monday Sisak-Moslavina County was struck by a magnitude 5 earthquake, which was followed on Tuesday by the 6.2 tremor which killed seven and injured 24 people, of whom 18 are still hospitalized. Four firefighters have been injured and a volunteer has been killed while helping. Plenkovic once again extended his condolences to the families of those killed and noted that the aftershocks were still occurring. “That doesn’t mean we should fear, but we should be alert.” He said the government and all services responded promptly since the first earthquake last Money, adding that 16 of 18 ministers already visited the quake-hit area and that two would do so on Tuesday. The prime minister thanked the police, the army, civil protection, the Red Cross, firefighters and the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service for making maximum efforts to ensure assistance. He also thanked citizens, volunteers and people of good will for showing a big heart and togetherness to help all those whose lives were uprooted by the tremor. “That was unity we can all be proud of.” Plenkovic said structural and construction engineers were on the ground and that some were injured during the second tremor, hoping they are recovering well. He added that their experience was exceptionally important after the Zagreb quake last March. He said many construction and other companies in Croatia sent machinery, water and food to the areas affected. “There isn’t anyone who hasn’t participated in the response called Croatian solidarity,” Plenkovic said, thanking the many countries which extended support on short notice via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, delivering key necessities, including containers and tents. He also thanked EU member states and Croatia’s non-EU neighbors for providing financial assistance as well. Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said the government would make a new request to the EU Solidarity Fund for the reallocation of 100 million euro to help the earthquake-affected areas in Sisak-Moslavina County.

Krivokapic ordered that all ambassadors be returned to Montenegro by 18 January (CdM)

Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic required that all the ambassadors of Montenegro return to the country by 18 January, for consultation, after which he would decide who to extend the office to, and who to recall, CdM has learnt. Some of the ambassadors have returned to Montenegro for holidays and the consultations are being held with the Foreign Minister, Djordje Radulovic and Deputy Prime Minister, Dritan Abazovic. CdM’s source claims that the Prime Minister did not want to attend until all the ambassadors are present.

Djukanovic: I will not issue a decree on the recall of seven ambassadors (CdM)

The President of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic has announced that he will not issue a decree on the recall of seven ambassadors because he believes that the conditions for its adoption have not been met. He requires further explanation from the government as of why the Montenegrin ambassadors are being recalled. The government has previously made proposals for the recall of Darko Pajovic, Ambassador of Montenegro to China, Miodrag Vlahovic from the post of the Ambassador of Montenegro to the Holy See and the Sovereign Order of Malta, Obrad-Miso Stanisic from the post of Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sanja Vlahovic, Ambassador to Italy, Republic of San Marino and the Republic of Malta, Vera Kulis, Ambassador to Germany, Tarzan Milosevic, Ambassador to Serbia and Dusanka Jeknic Ambassador of Montenegro to the United Arab Emirates. Djukanovic reminds that Article 95, paragraph 1, item 6 of the Constitution of Montenegro prescribes that ‘the President of Montenegro appoints and recalls ambassadors and heads of other diplomatic missions of Montenegro abroad, at the proposal of the government and with the opinion of the Parliamentary Committee for International Relations’. According to him, recalls of ambassadors have rarely been made so far (apart from the end or expiry of the office) and it was required to submit a special explanation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to the government’s personnel commission. The explanations need to be made for each ambassador. Especially bearing in mind that the government’s proposals on the recall contain only one sentence: “that the ambassador is recalled from the post of the extraordinary and authorized ambassador of Montenegro”. Such impression of the lack of information and explanation is heightened by the Prime Minister’s and Foreign Minister’s statements that they had decided for the recall because the ambassadors continually acted contrary to the State’s interests. “Such an assessment deserves an explanation. First of all, because of the people in question. Then, and it is not of less importance, because of the receiving countries where they serve as ambassadors. And, not unimportant, because of the President of Montenegro who signed their accreditation letters recommending them to the heads of receiving states,” Djukanovic said. Some other countries have seen changes of some non-career diplomats when the governments changed, but a political explanation would be provided for that. “However, such legitimate political moves of the new government should be taken without slandering people, without undermining their moral and professional integrity,” added Djukanovic. It was common so far that such issues would be discussed between the President of Montenegro, President of the Parliament, Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister. “In the conditions of cohabitation, the readiness and political will of the authorities to cooperate in those areas where we are turned to each other by the Constitution and law is additionally tested. It is a small number of issues, but without cooperation, there can be no successful cohabitation of the authorities. Considering the importance of Montenegro’s foreign policy, the composition of ambassadors, Constitutional function performed by the President of Montenegro in the appointment and recall of ambassadors, especially the Constitution of Montenegro and the Law on Foreign Affairs, I believe that conditions for issuing a decree on recall of ambassadors have not been met,” concluded Djukanovic.

Parliament to re-discuss laws Djukanovic returned for re-examination (CdM)

Montenegrin parliament speaker Aleksa Becic has convened the session of the 27th convocation of the First Extraordinary Session in 2021 for 20 January. At the Fourth Sitting of the Second Ordinary (Autumn) Session in 2020, held on 29 December 2020, adopted were the following laws: Law on Amendments to the Labor Law; Law on Amendments to the Freedom of Religion Law; Law on Amendments to the Law on Civil Servants and State Employees; Law on Amendments to the Law on Health Protection; Law on Amendments to the Law on Credit Institutions; Law on Amendments to the Law on the Recovery of Credit Institutions and the Law on Amendments to the Law on Fiscalization in Trade of Products and Services.

Zaev accepted all Bulgarian historic demands in 2020, but asked for more time, and then reneged on the deal, MEP Dzhambazki says (Republika)

Bulgarian nationalist member of the European Parliament Angel Dzhambazki said that Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev has accepted all Bulgarian demands regarding the history of Macedonia, but only asked for time until after the 2020 general elections to implement them. “Zaev told us, yes, we know it is as you say, but wait until the elections are over, Dzhambazki said, describing a meeting with Zaev during the unveiling of a monument to Bulgarian colonel Konstantin Kavarnaliev, who died fighting the Greek forces near Dojran in 1913, during the Second Balkan War”. Dzhambazki said that this policy pursued by Zaev, to tell people what they want to hear and then renege on it, is bad and will not help Macedonia open EU accession talks. He noted that public opinion in Bulgaria has turned decidedly against allowing Macedonia to open EU accession talks, until Bulgarian demands are met by Zaev.

Parliament approves Ministers Xhacka and Peleshi (Tirana Times)

In an extraordinary session, the Albanian parliament approved with 94 votes in favor Olta Xhacka as the new Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and Niko Peleshi as the new Minister of Defense. The two names were decreed by President Ilir Meta in the last day of 2020, following the resignation of Gent Cakaj as Acting Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, a role he had taken in 2019. Back in 2019, the appointment of Cakaj was rejected by President Meta, a move that forced Prime Minister Edi Rama to take only temporarily the role of Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, to then delegate the portfolio to Cakaj. EU Ambassador Luigi Soreca congratulated both Xhacka and Peleshi for their appointment as ministers, adding that he was “looking forward to continuing working together to help Albania moving fast on its EU accession path.” The Albanian parliament will start its new parliamentary session on 18 January.

President Meta expresses gratitude to US Congressman Engel (Radio Tirana)

Albanian President Ilir Meta has expressed his gratitude to Congressman Eliot Engel, who will leave the congress after 32 years. He praised his contribution to the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law in our country and his contribution to the independence and recognition of Kosovo. of Albania in NATO, for the important role in consolidating democracy and the rule of law in our country, as well as for the generous and invaluable contribution to the freedom, independence and international recognition of Kosovo. Meta states that Engel was an advocate and a strong voice of Albanians in the American Congress. Engel has made tireless efforts to further strengthen the excellent Albanian-American relations and our transatlantic relationship. “All the achievements so far in the Balkans for peace, stability, security, democracy and the rule of law,” stated Meta. “I am convinced that his support and cooperation will continue in the future, in the interest of strengthening Albanian-American relations,” said Meta.