LOCAL PRESS 

Drecun: Military base and exercise threatens security of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija (RTV/Tanjug) 

The Chair of the Serbian parliamentary Committee for Kosovo and Metohija Milovan Drecun stated on Monday that the announced construction of a military base in southern Mitrovica for members of the so-called Kosovo Security Forces (KSF), as well as the military exercise of the US and NATO allies, in which the KBS will take part, can be viewed as a threat to the survival and security of the Serbs in northern Kosovo and Metohija. Drecun explains that Pristina this way wished for the KSF to grow into a classic military organization, so-called Kosovo army, which is contrary to Resolution 1244. “Any increased presence of the KSF, attracting infrastructure, personnel and equipment to the north of Kosovo forces us to be careful and raises suspicion that Pristina is not giving up its intention to put northern Kosovo under full administrative control even with the use of these formations and thus endanger the survival and security of the Serb people in the north,” Drecun told Tanjug. He reminds that the current mandate of the KSF is to act as civil protection and to help in emergency situations, and not, he points out, to be a military organization that is armed, has ammunition and a strong mobile component. He adds that many countries are helping the KSF grow into the so-called Kosovo army, for example, Germany, which handed over its former base in Prizren to the KSF, or Italian KFOR, which renovated the airport in Djakovica and handed it over to the KSF in 2019. Turkey and the US are working on arming and equipping the KSF, Drecun points out. He also sees the upcoming exercise “Defender of Europe 2021” as strengthening the KSF and another step towards their growth into the so-called Kosovo army. In the following period, we will have a complex of military exercises ‘Defender of Europe 2021’ organized by the Army of the European Command of the US Armed Forces, some NATO members and partner countries. NATO does not officially participate in that exercise, the US is the organizer, but NATO provides some tactical units and two NATO commands are taking part in it,” Drecun said.

One of the four phases of that exercise, he adds, should take place on the territory of our southern province, with the participation of 207 members of the so-called KSF, which will practice the tactical action of the troop in attack and defense with the use of live ammunition. He also points out that it is contrary to Resolution 1244 that anyone except KFOR conducts any exercises in Kosovo and Metohija, it is also contrary to the Resolution that any security structures of Albanians grow into an army, be given legitimacy and participate in international US and NATO missions. “We perceive these exercises as a serious threat and pressure on Serbia before continuing talks with Pristina,” Drecun said. When asked what instruments are available to Serbia to fight against the growth of the KSF into so-called Kosovo army, Drecun says that this was the topic of today’s session of the Committee for Kosovo and Metohija. “We discussed with the representatives from the Foreign and Defense Ministries what activities had been undertaken so far to eventually force the organizer to give up performing these exercises in Kosovo and Metohija and to exclude members of the KSF from participating in that exercise,” Drecun said. He points out that at issue are strong diplomatic activities that point to the violation of Resolution 1244 and the militarization of the KSF. Drecun also expects that the issue will be on the agenda at the UN.

Petkovic: Dangerous announcement of construction of KSF base in northern Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/RTV) 

The Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Petar Petkovic assessed on Monday that the announcement of the construction of the largest based of KSF in the north of the province is equally dangerous as the one when the so-called Kosovo army was formed. “We understood the message, our intention and goal of constructing that base is clear, and we just ask them not to threaten the Serbs, because this is 2021. Serbia will protect its people, it does not threaten anyone, it is for peace, for dialogue, whoever does so should take care of what he is doing, because it endangers peace and stability in the Western Balkans,” Petkovic told Tanjug.

Cooperation with National Convention on EU on Sustainable Development (Tanjug) 

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic stated on Monday, participating in the online dialogue with the members of the National Convention on the EU, that the government is in the process of forming an interdepartmental working group to deal with sustainable development. At the online meeting dedicated to sustainable development, Brnabic emphasized that the cooperation of all factors in the society is important for the adoption of a quality strategic document, and accordingly invited the representatives of the Convention to join that working group. She conveyed that the proposal was for the chairman of the interdepartmental working group to be Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic, while the deputy chair would be Slavica Djukic Dejanovic, as the Prime Minister’s advisor on the topic of sustainable development. She sent an invitation to the National Convention on the EU to appoint its representatives in the interdepartmental group, which was accepted by the representatives of this body, in order to start drafting a strategic document or roadmap with the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue. She reminded that the previous government formed an interdepartmental working group in 2016, and that in 2019, Serbia presented a voluntary national report on the fulfilment of the goals of sustainable development at the United Nations. Our goal is to present the voluntary national report in the next cycle in 2022, Brnabic pointed out and assessed that the goals of sustainable development should be adjusted to the needs of society and set priorities. She expressed satisfaction with the fact that the practice of dialogue with the National Convention on the EU has been established, noting that the planning of the third dialogue, which should be held in a month, will begin later today. I hope that this dialogue and the example we give will open many other dialogues in Serbia and bring us to the point where it is not important who thinks politically, but how who works and what the results are, said Brnabic. She conveyed her gratitude to the National Convention on the EU for the great trust and cooperation, emphasizing that, in addition to discussing important topics, it is necessary that we have concrete results after the dialogue. She also expressed satisfaction that after the first dialogue, the representatives of the Convention agreed to join as many as three working groups for drafting three important laws related to the rule of law – on the Protector of Citizens, free access to information of public importance and personal data protection and about electronic communications.

Presevo, no list able to form government on its own (RTS) 

According to the first preliminary results of the Municipal Election Commission in Presevo, none of the seven lists can form the local government on its own, Radio and Television of Serbia (RTS) reports. The coalition of Serb parties For the Future of Presevo will have two deputies in the local assembly. Voter turnout was around 40 percent out of nearly 42 000 registered citizens. The local election commission said that 40 percent of a total of some 42,000 voters cast ballots on Sunday. Election Commission President Kenan Kamberi said that 18,252 people cast votes, adding that more people turned out than in earlier elections.

Milivojevic: Elections without opposition represent defeat for SNS (Beta) 

Political scientist Cvijetin Milivojevic said that no one else could win in the elections carried out by the rules set by Aleksandar Vucic, but his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). “Regardless of the results of the local elections in Kosjeric and Zajecar, the Progressives registered a defeat on 28 March as they tried to hold yet another vote without opposition parties and a level playing field,” Milivojevic told Beta. He also said that the Progressives had organized “undemocratic” local elections in the moment when the European Parliament had passed another “verdict” that there was no political pluralism in Serbia and when the beginning of an inter-party dialogue had been announced. “In such situation it was meaningless to organize any sort of election, unless the goal was to once again let Serbia’s citizens and the international community know that the regime is not interested in the stands of the EU or the requests of the opposition. If the top officials had had any wisdom, the elections in Kosjeric, Zajecar and Presevo would not have been held,” Milivojevic stressed.

REGIONAL PRESS 

Coalition for Free and Fair Elections ‘Pod Lupom’ hosts online conference on 2021 electoral reform; Sattler says country cannot let itself implement next elections under current system (BN TV)

The Coalition for Free and Fair Elections ‘Pod Lupom’ held an online conference on the 2021 electoral reform on Monday. EU Special Representative (EUSR) and Head of the EU Delegation (EUD) to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Johann Sattler who opened the conference said that the reform of electoral system is one of the priorities the European Commission (EC) has set before B&H. He stressed that the need for reforms in B&H becomes more urgent, which is visible every day and citizens can also feel it. “We all know that the ODIHR/GRECO recommendations have been accumulated in the past 15 years and the country really cannot let itself implement next elections under the current system. The electoral and constitutional reforms are also part of 14 recommendations of the EU set in the EC’s Opinion on B&H’s membership application and these reforms are not abstractions but a specific common-sense changes,” Sattler stated. US Ambassador to B&H Eric Nelson and Head of the OSCE Mission to B&H Kathleen Kavalec also participated at the conference. Nelson stated that it is necessary to eliminate discrimination from the electoral process, as well as to implement the election law reform and technical and legal changes to ensure integrity of elections. “This non-election year is an opportunity B&H must not miss and an opportunity to ensure that all citizens have a chance to be elected, vote and have more trust that their votes actually count,” Nelson asserted. Kavalec stressed that the current electoral system makes too much room for mistakes, irregularities and abuses, which results in the public distrust in many elements of the electoral process. “Efficiency of polling stations’ commissions remains the source of many problems, including ballots counting, filling the result tables and trading in posts at polling stations’ commissions. Regulations of campaigns’ financing remain inadequate and the abuse of state resources continues. Accuracy and completeness of the voter register, including for voters who vote via mail, are also the reason for concern. Also, secrecy of the ballot is not guaranteed and the media coverage, including the public broadcasters, is often biased,” Kavalec concluded. Participants of the conference emphasized the need to carry out the reform of the election system in B&H for the sake of making progress on the EU path. Participants pointed out the need to focus on eliminating discrimination and irregularities in the election process. According to the participants, adoption of amendments to the Election Law of B&H is among the priorities of B&H authorities and, despite being challenging, it is not an impossible mission. Participants assessed that it is concerning that only three out of 14 key priorities have been fulfilled so far.

Sattler stated that it is possible to amend the Election Law of B&H. “Those amendments are important for the path of B&H towards the EU. It is absolutely possible to use the remaining nine months of this year for the election reform” Sattler noted. Sattler pointed out that B&H cannot allow itself to enter a new election cycle with the current election system. Speaker of the B&H House of Representatives (HoR) Borjana Kristo (HDZ B&H) underlined that the elections cannot be conducted with disrespect of the legally prescribed procedures. Delegate in the B&H House of Peoples (HoP) Munib Jusufovic (SBB B&H) stressed that, without a two-third majority vote, the Central Election Commission (CEC) will continue to face criticism of being under political control. Still, the NGO Coalition ‘Pod Lupom’ commended the CEC for successfully detecting a large number of misuses during the last local elections. CEC Chairman Zeljko Bakalar welcomed the fact that the CEC’s successful activities are noticeable. Bakalar said focus in changing the Election Law of B&H must be primarily placed on the way that members to the polling station committees are chosen.

Dodik: Proposed change to Election Law contribute to strengthening of RS; Cvijanovic welcomes initiative; Other reactions (RTRS)

Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik stated that if an agreement is reached with political partners, the proposal for changes to the B&H Election Law will become an official one. Namely, Dodik recently announced that they plan to propose changes to the law which will enable the person who is elected as the RS President to automatically assume the post of Serb member of B&H Presidency as well. He stressed that the essence of this proposal is the coordination of structures in B&H and Republika Srpska (RS). Dodik said that such a change would enable the RS President to be competent for the B&H level and to ensure the best possible cooperation between the RS and B&H. He believes that there are many reasons that speak in the favor of this proposal and it is necessary to coordinate things in B&H before it falls apart. RS President Zeljka Cvijanovic said that the proposal can serve as strengthening of the position of the RS and mitigation of ignorant relations towards the RS. She reminded that during her mandate as the RS Prime Minister she witnessed a lack of communication with the B&H level of authorities because Serb representatives from the opposition ignored the RS institutions. Cvijanovic said that this change would enable the existing of one collocutor from the RS on the B&H level. Dodik claims that election legislation falls under the competences of entities and this was forcefully changed by the OSCE during the first elections to the B&H level. He assessed that international interventionism did not give anything to B&H and it is necessary to initiate the peaceful dissolution of B&H and a new agreement without the High Representative. Dodik said that only the RS and the Federation of B&H (FB&H) can discuss changes in the country and no one else. He said that because of international interventionism B&H was led onto the brink of collapse. Dodik believes it is important that the RS parliament adopted the decision that the High Representative needs to be abolished and reminded that the RS parliament launched the initiative for a peaceful dissolution. Dodik also argued that the election legislation falls under jurisdiction of the entities, but the OSCE transferred the election competences to the state without the approval of the entities. Dodik said that the RS is dissatisfied with B&H, and it is waiting for B&H’s peaceful dissolution. He argued that there is no rule of law in B&H because the international community violated it. According to him, the international community violated B&H Constitution and encouraged High Representatives who he described as the greatest criminals. According to Dodik, the existence of B&H is hindering the development of the RS and its freedom. He underlined that the RS has a prepared plan for peaceful dissolution which includes freedom of movement and maybe even some shared functions in the transition period, such as joint monetary policy and foreign affairs. SDS Main Board President Milan Milicevic stated that Dodik’s initiative would require constitutional changes, and not simple amendments to the Election Law, which is why it is not realistic. PDP’s Borislav Borenovic accused Dodik of privatizing all main posts in the RS, and described his initiative as an attempt to legalize this situation. DEMOS’s Spomenka Stevanovic said that Dodik’s initiative requires serious analysis. SP’s Dalibor Stevic also said that the initiative has positive and negative sides, and it deserves to be thoroughly examined.

Zvizdic: Time will tell whether statement of Russian Ambassador can be brought in connection with vaccines (Oslobodjenje)

The daily carried an interview with member of B&H House of Representatives’ Collegium and SDA Vice President Denis Zvizdic. Asked about fulfilling of 14 priorities from EC’s Opinion and whether there is readiness to solve these issues and accelerate the EU path, Zvizdic stressed that there are two political currents in B&H, one which advocates European system of values, while the second one is living in the past “intoxicated by the ideas of anticivilization and historically outdated concepts of hegemony and ethnocentrism”, which promotes fascistic motto of ethnically  “cleansed” territories and these two concepts are in constant fight, but the concept of European future and democratic development and progress of B&H is slowly wining the fight. Asked about recent harsh reactions caused by statement of Russian Embassy to B&H concerning B&H’s membership in NATO, Zvizdic said that time will show whether this statement of the Russian Ambassador can be brought in connection with delivery of vaccines, but it is certain that this represents an inappropriate diplomatic outburst and interfering in internal matters of sovereign country, which independently manages its internal and foreign policy. He reminded that B&H has laws and strategies which define two the most important foreign policy goals of B&H – NATO and EU integration and this is something that Russia has to respect. Zvizdic briefly commented the responsibilities for failure to procure vaccines for B&H and noted that he warned three months ago that COVAX mechanism will not produce expected results and he even proposed two methods of procurement. Zvizdic underlined that ‘Pfizer’ for instance only wants to talk to states, but unfortunately the B&H Council of Ministers never used this option. Asked about possible reshuffling of the B&H Council of Ministers, Zvizdic stressed low percentage of implemented plan, low number of adopted strategies and laws and in the end indolent stance towards healthcare and epidemiological situation in the country, which leads to a conclusion that the CoM will be its own judge in the next couple of months and the outcome will depend on the fact whether the CoM will choose to act or to continue its hibernation.

Dodik criticizes EU due to failure to deliver vaccines through COVAX (Nova BH)

Chairman of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik criticized the European Union due to failure to deliver vaccines against the coronavirus through the COVAX program, which have been paid EUR 6.5 million. “When it comes to the EU, this is a completely unfair story. From the mouth of the President of the European Commission (Ursula Von der Leyen) we hear that Europe cannot give vaccines to smaller countries. Did you hear that the other day? What does this mean? And they have taken our EUR 6.5 million last year, in December last year, and they are now refusing to deliver vaccines to us. Where does such thing exists in the world? Only in the West, is it? Why have you not delivered our vaccines? You gave us the cheaper ones. Of course, when we paid in advance. Now, they would rather we take the money back, so that they could sell the vaccines for a double price. Well, that is that story” Dodik said, visibly angry due to the created situation. Dodik also commented on the process of direct procurement of COVID-19 vaccines in the Federation of B&H (FB&H), saying that the authorities have done nothing and are trying to shift the blame onto him now. He added that they saw that they cannot procure 500,000 doses of vaccines and this is why the RS signed a contract for 1.1 million doses. Dodik said that the vaccines are arriving slowly and until now around 100,000 doses have arrived. He added that Sarajevo is blaming him for the failed contracts with Russia and that the FB&H officials are sick and need a different vaccine to fix their mental capacity. According to Dodik, the FB&H authorities have been refusing to procure Russian vaccines due to political reasons. “Pfizer tricked them, because all big European countries have been collecting these vaccines”, explained the Chair of B&H Presidency. Dodik added that it is humiliating for some in the FB&H that many Bosniaks are going to Belgrade to get vaccinated. “They have been attempting to blame joint institutions for it. The joint level has nothing to do with it”, explained the member of the B&H Presidency. Dodik thanked Serbia for enabling vaccination of B&H citizens.

Vucic: Serbia cannot be successful if people in the region are not vaccinated (Nova BH)

In the past few days, many foreign nationals decided to get vaccinated against coronavirus in Serbia. Amongst them are citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia and citizens of other countries of the former Yugoslavia. President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic commented on Monday the decision to allow all foreign nationals to get vaccinated in Serbia. Vucic emphasized that Serbia decided to allow vaccination of citizens of countries in the region as it is “not a deserted island” and “alone in the world”. “I do not have a problem with that, nor I am interested in gratitude of colleagues or some other important people, I only care that people are satisfied and at least partially protected. When they receive the second dose, they will be much more protected from serious consequences and death. That is what is important for us,” Vucic told a press conference. Vucic stated that Serbia cannot be successful if people in the region are not vaccinated. “I do not know how someone cannot understand that. We are not a deserted island and we do not live alone in this world,” Vucic noted.

Nelson and Inzko warn: There is intention to impose direct political control over ZDC Police (Dnevni avaz)

US Ambassador to B&H Eric Nelson and High Representative Valentin Inzko sent a letter to the Assembly and government of Zenica-Doboj Canton (ZDC) and the ZDC Police Commission. The letter is a reaction to proposed changes to the Law on Internal Affairs and they stated that they address with a request for cooperation in presenting of dedication to the rule of the law and respecting of police independence and integrity of system of professional police work in ZDC. Nelson and Inzko noted that it seems as if the recently proposed amendments to the Law on Internal Affairs are most of all directed towards inappropriate bypassing of current procedures and guidelines in imposing of the direct political control over ZDC police system. “These amendments do not additional improve the professionalism of the police nor strengthen the role of law and police independence,” reads the letter. Nelson and Inzko stressed that guidelines which propose lowering of the necessary rank for the post of police commissioner will damage the career system of the service and command police structure. They added that demanding of shortened procedure and other proposals which directly regard the current police commissioner in ZDC crease convincing perception that proposed amendments present form of political attack on the integrity of police system in ZDC. “We demand that abovementioned amendments to the Law on Internal Affairs of ZDC are withdrawn and in the end redirected towards the working group which would be led by Police Administration and which would consist of experts, including those from our organizations and other authorized representatives,” the letter noted.

Nelson and Inzko noted that important security issues need to be addressed through regular procedure in the Assembly and that continuation of procedure for adoption of these amendments would bring in question dedication of the Assembly and representatives in it towards independence of the police and rule of the law.

On political influence on police in FB&H (Dnevni avaz)

The author comments the letter sent by US Ambassador to B&H Eric Nelson and High Representative Valentin Inzko to the Zenica-Doboj Canton (ZDC) Assembly, government and Police Commissioner. The letter represents Nelson and Inzko’s reaction to the proposed changes to the Law on Internal Affairs. They warned that the proposed changes seem to be directed towards overriding the existing procedures and guidelines, and establishing direct political control over the police system in ZDC. The author argues that ZDC is only one canton in which “selfish policies have the intention to subdue the police and put the entire system under their control”. The author reminds that Inzko and Nelson sent a very similar letter to the Tuzla Canton authorities in 2019 and the police system in Herzegovina-Neretva Canton is completely devastated because SDA and HDZ B&H do not want to give up on political control over the police. At the same time, a survey shows that the trust of citizens in police is diminishing year after year and most citizens cite excessive political influence on police as the main reason for their lack of trust. The author concludes that it is natural for ministers to play a political role, but the problem in B&H is that even the professional core of the police is contaminated by politics.

Leposavic: I won’t resign, I didn’t deny Srebrenica genocide (Government of Montenegro)

Statement by Minister of Justice, Human and Minority Rights Vladimir Leposavic: If there is someone to whom it was not clear for what purpose the former regime asked me whether I acknowledge the crime of genocide in Srebrenica, the evidence can be found in the monstrous and dangerous campaign stating that I relativized, that I allegedly denied the crime of genocide, and even in dangerous hoaxes that I denied that a crime had taken place at all. None of the above is true. What I have said and what I want to repeat, primarily because of the feelings of my fellow citizens, Muslims and Bosniaks, is that neither personally nor as a public official have I denied the crime of genocide in Srebrenica. In response to the MP’s question, I also made it clear that I do not dispute the legal obligation of decisions of international organizations and courts.

The question of personally acknowledging the crime of genocide, despite the fact that I have never denied it, does not deserve to be answered at all. Such issues harass the people who are also victims, and with whom they allegedly want to achieve reconciliation. Every lawyer and somewhat educated man knows that only a perpetrator can admit a crime, especially genocide. Asking any person, including a minister, to admit a crime in which he did not, nor could he participate, is only an evil intention. Responsibility for crimes is always individual. Since it is known that the individual, from whom such recognition is requested, could not have been a participant in the crime, then it is clear that this is intended to collectivize guilt, which is just an occasion for new conflicts and their constant survival, in order to make profit from the same conflicts, as has been done so far. To ask, therefore, every person and public official to confess a crime he has not committed, not allowing him to speak about the sufferings of his or another nation and, in addition, to state that it is not aimed at imposing collective responsibility, is the greatest hypocrisy. It is also the best way to alienate people, who suffer equally, from the chance to reconcile forever. This is a case in which new court proceedings are still pending and can be conducted. Since the epic poetry of 19th-century writers was used as evidence in some of these proceedings, it is understandable that the Minister of Justice in an expert government cannot afford such irresponsibility to give unconditional confessions about the events of these proceedings. Since the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia failed to create conditions for the reconciliation of the people, we are left to find our own way to understanding and full respect. With a genuine desire for reconciliation to happen, I stressed that it cannot be a way of blaming each other and ignoring the suffering of those with whom reconciliation is sought. I expressed this position in good faith, according to my personal conscience and in accordance with my own professional knowledge, precisely because I am the Minister of Justice and Human Rights of all people, not just of one or the other. Distorting my words and manipulating them proves only the intention of those who do it. Some have proven to persistently ignore the right to equality, even for victims, others are trying to hide their criminal past, while others are post-war profiteers. All of them are united by the fact that they did not contribute to the reconciliation of the people. That is why it is clear to everyone today that they are not asking for my resignation because of Montenegrin Bosniaks and Muslims, but because of Montenegrin crime. Therefore, they won’t get it from me. Before assuming the office, I publicly spoke out and defended the rights of all national and religious communities against hate speech and discrimination, which I will continue to do in the future. The new Government of Montenegro, and me as its member, is left to fight for the recovery of the robbed and divided Montenegrin society, which has been brought to the brink of moral stagnation. Thus, after 20 years, the recognition for war crimes is requested from the Minister of Justice by those who, according to their own and others’ confessions, participated in those wars. Although I have stated my views without intending to deny or diminish the scale and consequences of the Srebrenica massacre, I am sorry that I did not do so in a way that did not hurt any of my fellow citizens of the Islamic faith. I will continue to fight for what I believe in – that every life and everyone’s suffering is respected equally, so that no one’s sacrifices would be in vain, but become an eternal memory and warning that no one in this area will be persecuted on religious or national grounds.

Government: We respect the Declaration on Srebrenica, stop politicking and manipulating the victims (Government of Montenegro)

The Government led by Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic respects the continuity of international obligations of Montenegro, as well as the decisions of all international institutions.

Also, the Government respects the Declaration of Acceptance of the Resolution of the European Parliament adopted by the Parliament of Montenegro in 2009, which condemns the crime of genocide in Srebrenica committed in 1995, as well as all other war crimes committed during the conflict in the former Yugoslavia. The Government of Montenegro neither wants nor can change the decisions of international courts, but neither to declare some nations genocidal and others holy, because that is contrary to the principle that every crime is individual, that it has specific perpetrators and, unfortunately, specific victims and that specific individuals always answer for such crimes. The Government led by Prime Minister Krivokapic condemns all crimes committed by anyone and stands in solidarity with the families of all victims of any crime. Prime Minister Krivokapic, together with the Minister of Justice, Mr. Leposavic, and other members of the Government, expressed deep reverence for all victims of the wars in the former Yugoslavia and called for an end to all forms of politicking and manipulating victims. Reconciliation between the people and countries of the region is of the utmost importance for the Government of Montenegro. The current Government of Montenegro was elected after the democratic victory of the citizens of Montenegro and their will for Montenegro to be free and equal, not trapped and private, to be a state governed by the rule of law, not individuals, and to resolutely embark on a path of changes in society in favor of reconciliation and real equality of all people, religions and identities.

EU condemns denial of Srebrenica genocide (RTCG)

The EU rejects and condemns any denial, relativization or misinterpretation of the Srebrenica genocide, European Commission spokeswoman Ana Pisonero said on Minister Vladimir Leposavic‘s comments on Srebrenica. Leposavic said in parliament last week that he did not know whether there was “genocidal intent in 1995 in Srebrenica”, but that he could only believe the verdict of the court in The Hague, which, as he said, lost its legitimacy. He said that he was ready to admit that genocide took place in Srebrenica when it was “unequivocally established”. “Last year we marked the 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, one of the darkest chapters in modern European history. It is high time that all political leaders in the region lead the way in respecting victims and promoting reconciliation,” Pisonero said. The Commission says that the EU is a union of values, with the assessment that the denial of well-documented and established facts about war events, including war crimes, or revisionism contradict the most basic of those values. “Every country aspiring to join the EU is expected to respect and promote the EU’s values ​​of democracy, human rights, tolerance and justice. This includes treating victims of genocide with the utmost respect and dignity,” Pisonero concluded.

German Ambassador: I’m worried about path Montenegro is taking (CdM)

Commenting on the current political situation in Montenegro and the statement of Minister of Justice and Human and Minority Rights Vladimir Leposavic, German Ambassador to Montenegro has pointed out that he is increasingly concerned about the direction which Montenegro is currently taking as a state and society. He says that admitting guilt has never been easy, but that is owed to the victims and the truth. He adds one has to admit the truth to oneself, admit guilt – don’t deny it! When, as he says, he expresses deep concern, he doesn’t do so from a high moral point, but as a representative of his country, which caused the catastrophic World War II and the Holocaust through totalitarianism, nationalism and racial hatred, and which took the greatest moral blame.

Injac: Rise of extremism not good for Montenegro (Dan)

In an interview for Dan, Minister of Defense Olivera Injac has said that the proposal for the appointment of the new Chief of the General Staff of the Army of Montenegro was sent to the members of the Defense and Security Council. Speaking about security risks in Montenegro, Minister Injac points out that the activities of Montenegrin organized criminal groups, and especially their links with local powerful people and high-level corruption, are of serious concern. “The rise of extremism is not a good signal of social polarization in Montenegro, and in the long run it can be a threat to stability, development and prosperity. If extremism is a reflection of the growing dissatisfaction of citizens due to the change of the decade-long government of the DPS and disagreement with the current policy, then it has the potential to subside over time through the stabilization of political, economic and health conditions in the country. However, if extremism is encouraged by deliberate incitement from political and/or criminal circles, the danger is two-fold. Firstly, because it undermines social resilience. Secondly, if it is a form of manipulation of the masses with the aim of inciting political violence, then it represents a direct danger to society.” She also stresses that the cooperation with NATO members in the field of defense has been significantly improved. The Army of Montenegro is working intensively on developing capabilities in accordance with NATO standards, she says. “We have had the support of the Allies since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, and that support is proof that the Alliance remains committed to its core values” Ms Injac says, and points out that the aid was worth around €800,000 in total.

Bishop Bojovic: CPC cherishes no hatred for anyone (CdM)

“In the Montenegrin Orthodox Church (CPC), there is no hatred towards anyone, and especially not towards the Serbian people. The fact that we may sometimes talk about the sins committed by the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) towards us and point out how some alleged SPC “believers” treat Montenegro and the CPC isn’t and can’t be hatred,” says Bishop Boris Bojovic in an interview for CdM. In part, he refers to the divisions in our society. “Whoever finds a ‘cure’ would probably win the Nobel Peace Prize. I think that the path to overcoming divisions is a civil society oriented towards European values and entering the EU as soon as possible. And another very important thing – in order to avoid conflicts, the new government and the Serbian church in Montenegro should stop trying to Serbianize Montenegrins. They must finally understand how important it is to leave Montenegrins alone, and if they don’t stop convincing us that we should get used to the “new” Montenegro, while not being able to enter our churches and monasteries to pray to God, they risk a lot. There has never been more tension in Montenegro,” says Bishop Bojovic. “There is a great absurdity in the statements that the church is supported by “atheists”. The CPC is an essential spiritual need of the Orthodox Montenegrins who renewed it back in 1993, but also the need of the State of Montenegro to organize its Montenegrin church within its borders”, he explains. Bishop Bojovic discusses the issue of the chapel on the Lovcen mountain. “There are no moderate voices on this issue, but they represent the destructive policy of anyone who promotes it. Everything is aimed at the violent Serbization and annulment of Montenegro. The chapel they are talking about is not Njegos’, but the church was built as King Aleksandar Karadjordjevic’s imperial act over Montenegro. If they wanted the actual renovation of Njegos’ chapel, which he dedicated to St. Peter of Cetinje, they wouldn’t have irrevocably knocked it down, since it was damaged in World War I. Nobody can return King Karadjordjevic ‘s chapel to Lovcen!”, he points out.

“I really hope that God will give us more priests who will enlighten people and awaken in them faith and love for everything around us! Freedom and love are of God. Everything that has happened to us and is currently happening to the CPC and most of our clergy, encourages us to work even harder to enlighten and save everyone. We must never forget the good and humane people who are the ornament of the priestly vocation, although there are very few of them”, Bishop Bojovic concludes.

Mickoski got Zaev to postpone his “corona census” for September (Republika)

Hristijan Mickoski and Zoran Zaev, leaders of the two main parties VMRO-DPMNE and SDSM, reached an arrangement to postpone the census for September and to use fingerprint devices to ensure the veracity of the municipal elections in October. With this, Zaev accepted the two key demands that Mickoski put before him. Other issues that were discussed during the meeting of the two party leaders today is the VMRO request that the Macedonian diaspora is allowed to vote outside of the embassies and consulates for general and presidential elections – which should boost its otherwise low turnout. But the main issue was the political crisis caused by Zaev’s insistence that the in-person portion of the census begins next week, despite the exceptionally high infection levels during the current Third Wave of the epidemic. VMRO insisted that the census, which has been postponed since 2011, must not take place in the midst of the epidemic. We reached an agreement that the census is postponed. It will take place in September, likely between the 5th and 30th of September. The application for online registration of the emigrants will remain active until then. The municipal elections will take place in the second half of October, Mickoski said. Extending the period of online registration would allow ethnic Macedonians to reconsider their boycott and register in the census. So far, the Albanian diaspora has been using the controversial idea to register the emigrants in the census to the full extent, while the ethnic Macedonian emigrants – who are dismayed with the Zaev regime, chose to boycott his census. Zaev said that part of the agreement reached today is that VMRO will call on the Macedonian diaspora to register in the census. some security guarantees will be added to ensure the accuracy of the census as well. Zaev said that emigrants who renounced their Macedonian citizenship will not be counted in the census. His First Deputy Prime Minister Artan Grubi recently told the Albanian diaspora in Germany, Austria and other countries that do not allow dual citizenship, that they can register even if they renounced the Macedonian citizenship. Mickoski said that Zaev also accepted a key request from the opposition that fingerprint devices are used in the municipal elections – as the law provides. Zaev was trying to avoid this obligation, apparently hoping that the will be able to repeat the voting irregularities his regime instigated during the 2018 referendum and in the subsequent elections in 2019 and 2020. In all instances, mass ballot stuffing was reported in the ethnic Albanian parts of the country – benefiting Zaev’s candidates and those of his Albanian coalition partners. Another VMRO request that Zaev accepted is that during the October municipal elections the mayors are elected in the first round – if there is sufficient turnout. This would eliminate the need for a second round of the elections and reduce exposure to the coronavirus. Zaev said that he agreed to allow broader access to voting for the diaspora. The ethnic Macedonian diaspora largely supports VMRO, and SDSM has in the past tried to restrict its right to vote. Currently the emigrants can vote only in embassies and consulates, making this almost impossible in large countries like the US, Canada or Australia. Voting through other means, such as online or with mail in ballots, would allow this segment of the diaspora to actually vote in the general and presidential elections. The two leaders also discussed other changes to the electoral model. Zaev wants preferential voting, while VMRO demands the introduction of a first-past-the-post model. Zaev said that this issue will be discussed further. Mickoski also made another announcement – that the opposition will be constructive in parliament. This could mean helping the ruling “majority” gather the 61 votes needed to hold a session of parliament. Zaev has only 62 votes and his coalition is often unable to even convene the parliament.

Xhaferi opposes agreement to postpone census (Republika)

Parliament speaker Talat Xhaferi, from PM Zoran Zaev’s coalition partner DUI, said that he is not certain that the agreement to postpone the census for September will be accepted by the parliament. Albanian parties in Macedonia are angry after Zaev and VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski reached an agreement to postpone the census given the major spike in the coronavirus epidemic. Albanian parties are hopeful that they will use their influence over Zaev to ensure a census that will count Albanian emigrants and dual, triple citizenship holders into the registry of residents and inflate the Albanian share of the population. I oppose postponing the census. We held elections in the midst of the pandemic. It is my opinion that it should not be postponed. Still, there is a procedure and we will see how it goes, Xhaferi said. The Albanian opposition parties also condemned the agreement and accused DUI of failing to advance Albanian national interests.

Albanian opposition leaders denounce decision to postpone the census (Republika)

The Albanian opposition coalition of the Alliance of Albanians and Alternative condemned the meeting between the leaders of VMRO-DPMNE and SDSM Hristijan Mickoski and Zoran Zaev. Zaev and Mickoski made several decisions, mainly agreeing on the VMRO demand to postpone the census for September. But Albanian parties demand the process to continue, aware that with Zaev they will be able to count the sizable Albanian diaspora and add them to the list along with the actual residents. The opposition Albanian parties focused their ire on Zaev’s Albanian coalition partner DUI. DUI pretends to represent the Albanians in the government but underestimated its votes and all Albanians. Zoran Zaev himself said that he merely notified DUI leader Ali Ahmeti over the phone that the census is being postponed. He did not even ask him for his opinion. A party that entered the Government cheating the citizens that it will secure an ethnic Albanian Prime Minister is now harming all Albanians and postponing the census, the coalition said. AA and Alternative also accused Mickoski and Zaev of trying to reduce the number of Albanians as share of the overall population in the census. Zaev said that he will meet with these two parties in the coming days and will discuss their demand for a maximally liberal citizenship law that will allow ethnic Albanians from the region to claim Macedonian citizenship simply by producing witnesses who will declare that they lived in Macedonia prior to 1991.

Electoral College decides: DP with 69 candidates less in April elections (ADN)

The Electoral College has definitely decided to reduce the list of the candidates for members of Parliament of the Democratic Party. During the Monday’s session, this College accepted the requests of the Socialist Party and the Head of the Central Elections Commission (CEC), Ilirjan Celibashi that obliges all parties to have 153 candidates in the upcoming elections of 25 April. Democratic Party deposited a list with 222 candidates. Socialists, who presented a list with 153 candidates said that this decision made possible to all parties to be equal. 69 candidates of the Democratic Party were not allowed to run for MPs in the upcoming parliamentary elections. With the decision of the Electoral College which is final and obligative. Secretary for Electoral Issues of Democratic Party (DP) Ivi Kaso has condemned Monday Electoral College’s decision to exclude 69 candidates of his political entity for MPs as non-pursuant to the Electoral Law of Albania. In Democrat’s opinion, the conclusion to not allow the Opposition to get represented with full lists in the general elections of April 25 is influenced by the ruling majority’s political interests. This decision is not to the service of law and public interest, but the opposition will keep up its fight to win the upcoming parliamentary ballots, as Kaso underlined. “The decision of the Electoral College for the list of MPs is not a decision that respects the electoral law. Stopping of the opposition to be represented in elections with full lists is politically influenced by the political interest of the ruling party. We are sorry for this decision that does not serve the law and the public interest, but we believe that the result at the end of the election process will show that the opposition is the political majority in the country. Despite the fact that the decision of the College is not in accordance with the law, we will respect it and we will continue our battle for the victory of the elections on 25 April, to bring to the Albanians the change they want and deserve”, declared DP’s Secretary for Electoral Issues. Socialist Party (SP) and currently ruling majority in Albania has welcomed Electoral College’s decision to exclude 69 candidates for Members of Parliament from the lists of opposition coalition led by the Democratic Party (DP). This resolution brought the process of running in the 25 April general elections in the “legal regularity” and “equal position” to other political forces, as far as the Representative of the SP in the Central Election Commission (CEC) Eridian Salianji is concerned. “The decision was not a decision by which the DP lost or the SP won, the decision of the Electoral College brought the process to legal regularity, so all are in equal positions for the election process for 25 April 25,” the legal representative told the media.

Kim: Do not sell your right. Do not surrender your power to criminals. Only you have to choose your future (Radio Tirana)

US Ambassador Yuri Kim has appealed to Albanians who will vote in the April 25 elections, saying that they should not sell their vote as it determines your future. Kim writes that they should not vote for criminals as citizens have the power to change and should not leave that power in the hands of the incriminated. “Do not sell your right. Do not surrender your power to criminals. “Only you have to choose your future,” Kim writes on Twitter. This appeal from Ambassador Kim comes after the message delivered by State Election Commissioner, Ilirjan Celibashi. The head of the CEC, Ilirjan Celibashi, posted earlier the link of the portal that citizens can denounce corruption cases. “Citizens! Report and report corrupt cases of vote buying and selling, writes Celibashi.

Kim-Soreca: Cooperation in support of Albania is stronger than ever (Radio Tirana)

US and EU Ambassadors Yuri Kim and Luigi Soreca met a few days before the 25 April election. Both ambassadors pledged cooperation of their respective countries and agreed to provide a stronger support to Albania. In a Facebook post, Kim says many challenges lie ahead such as elections, Justice Reform or EU integration. According to her, one thing is for sure, US-EU cooperation for Albania is stronger than ever. “Many challenges lie ahead – the implementation of Justice Reform, the 4/25 elections, Albania’s EU bid – but one thing is certain: Luigi Soreca and I agree that US-EU cooperation in support of Albania is stronger than never,” writes Kim.