LOCAL PRESS 

Brnabic: Belgrade-Pristina dialogue precondition for regional security (TV Pink/Tanjug/RTV) 

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said on Monday the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue was the most important matter because it guaranteed security to Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, but added that it was also a precondition for security and prosperity across the region. In an appearance on TV Pink, she said it was impossible to hold discussions with the PM of the Pristina provisional institutions Albin Kurti because it looked as though he did not see a point in dialogue. “It is a difficult situation for the entire region and the fact that there have been no new agreements in the region over nearly the past year is an example showing that,” she said.

Brnabic noted that Belgrade was insisting on implementation of the Brussels agreement and that establishment of a Community of Serb Municipalities (ZSO) was the fundamental issue for further dialogue. She said Belgrade was also ready to discuss other issues – missing persons, energy, returnees, problems and a growing number of incidents targeting Serbs. “But the main and the fundamental issue is the ZSO because if you do not want to form the ZSO, you are dodging the implementation of the Brussels Agreement, which is the first agreement on normalization. How do you expect us to discuss any other agreement if we are not going to discuss the first one? I do not believe that is what anyone wants because it means we are going back to 2012,” she said.

Brnabic: Impossible to talk to Kurti (TV Prva//B92/Tanjug/RTS) 

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic told TV Prva on Sunday that the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina has never been more difficult.She pointed out that it was impossible to talk to the Prime Minister of the provisional institutions of Pristina Albin Kurti. Brnabic explained that the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina is extremely difficult because people who are negotiating are not pragmatic and are not interested in regional projects, but only send messages that Serbia should kneel and that it is a matter of days when Serbia will recognize Kosovo’s independence. “They don’t want to talk about anything else. It is an extremely difficult situation, but we have to stay in dialogue,” Brnabic said. The last meeting within the Berlin Process, initiated by German Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2014, was held last week, and Brnabic says that instead of the meeting being the culmination of what has been agreed and done so far, Pristina officials blocked everything, leaving this summit without any agreement. She reminds that during the Berlin process, a lot of things were agreed, namely projects that do not concern politics, but what can be done in parallel to make life better for the citizens. “We were able to celebrate this year as a year of cooperation in the region,” says Brnabic, reminding that regional roaming was agreed within the Berlin Process, as well as many infrastructure projects. “There are things that need to be celebrated, but you have Pristina officials who blocked all the agreements we worked on for more than a year at the summit,” she said. In that sense, she states that the international community had the opportunity to be convinced on several occasions that it was impossible to talk to Albin Kurti, but also to Vjosa Osmani. As she says, at the summit in Tirana, Edi Rama was convinced of how impossible it is to talk to Kurti, and Sebastian Kurz had the opportunity to do so at the summit in Vienna, while during the continuation of the dialogue in Brussels, Josep Borrell and Miroslav Lajcak could see that as well. “I am not overly optimistic because Kosovo is their child and it is difficult for them to turn their heads, but they understand how difficult it is and how constructive Belgrade is,” she said. She states that it is obvious how little room there is left for communication and dialogue, adding that it is not good. “It scares me, but the clearer it is to international factors, the safer Serbs are,” she said, adding that President Vucic informed those who should know – NATO, KFOR, the international community, the Americans about the three red lines that Serbia will not allow them to cross. When asked if she thinks that official Pristina has decided to resolve the Kosovo issue quickly, without an agreement, that is, as it suits them, given the attacks on Dragica Gasic, who returned to Djakovica to live there, but also the 13-year-old Serbian boy who was attacked, Brnabic says that she does not know what they have decided, but that it is obvious that the political representatives in Pristina are ideological fanatics who do not want to talk. However, she hopes, as she says, for the sake of regional cooperation, that it is a matter of time before the Albanians in Kosovo and Metohija will raise their voice demanding to stop with such a policy, because they will not be able to make any progress due to Pristina’s blocking everything.

No place for us in Srebrenica until attack on Vucic is resolved  

Brnabic said that a terrible crime took place in the eastern Bosnian town of Srebrenica in 1995, but that there is no place for Serbian officials at the commemoration for the victims until those who attacked Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic during his 2015 visit are prosecuted.

“Until everyone who attacked Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, then Prime Minister, who went to Srebrenica to express respect for the victims and the Bosniak people, is brought to justice, I do not see that we officials have a place there,” Brnabic told TV Prva.

Bilcik, Dacic: Inter-Party dialogue talks were constructive (N1) 

At a joint press conference after the second part of the negotiations about electoral conditions held under the auspices of members of the European Parliament, Serbian parliament speaker Ivica Dacic said that the talks were constructive and the next meeting will be on 17 or 18 September. “I would like to express my satisfaction with the arrival of EP representatives who are helping the inter-party dialogue. I think that the parliament and the representatives of the EP organized a very important event, a conversation between the ruling parties and the opposition,” Dacic said. The first round of talks served to present views on the expectations from the dialogue. The sides exchanged opinions on media issues, highlighted other topics that should be discussed in further stages of the dialogue and agreed to meet again on 17 and 18 September,” he explained. “The main conclusion of today’s meeting is that, based on everything that has been said, the co-facilitators (representatives of the EP) will propose measures and solutions that should then be considered by all participants,” Dacic said, adding that they should submit their opinions by 1 September. He called on the participants in the dialogue to submit their requests by 1 August, so that they could be included in the proposal of measures and solutions. Asked how the solutions from this dialogue will be combined with the talks that are being held without the mediation of European parliamentarians, Dacic said that the topics in both dialogues are the same. MEPs, who are acting as mediators in the inter-party dialogue, said in Belgrade that the talks between political parties, the government and the opposition in Serbia took place in a good atmosphere and that they were constructive and open.

Fajon: Parallel talks are OK 

MEP Tanja Fajon stated that she does not mind that there are parallel talks between the government and the opposition in Serbia on election conditions. “I do not mind that there is more dialogue if we all have the same intention – to create conditions for fair and democratic elections,” Fajon told the media after the second round of inter-party talks.

Bilcik: If we don’t have a boycott of the elections 

Vladimir Bilcik, a member of the EP from Slovakia, stated that before the beginning of the second phase of the dialogue, that the MEPs had a very constructive and good meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. “There are some other dialogues that are taking place, but what is important is that in the end we aim for the same results, and that is to improve the political conditions, the election campaign and not to have boycotts of elections,” he said. Bilcik recalled that the dialogue on election conditions was conducted a year ago, on the eve of the previous parliamentary elections, with the assessment that it brought progress.

They got 22 years for murdering 3, 267 Serbs (Novosti, by S.Misljenovic) 

In order to maintain the thesis about genocide against Bosniaks in Srebrenica, the judiciary in B&H and The Hague Tribunal for decades ignored the cases of war crimes against Serbs in Srebrenica and Podrinje. According to the information that Novosti received from RS institutions, 3, 267 Serbs were murdered in Srebrenica and Podrinje and judiciary institutions sentenced only three Bosniaks for these crimes, to total sentence of 22 years. Novosti’s collocutors argue that those who are sentenced are mostly soldiers who were rendered symbolic sentences, while Naser Oric “as the lead Srebrenica criminal, got off the hook for his monstrous crimes”. Director of the RS Center for Investigating War, War Crimes and Searching for Missing Persons, Milorad Kojic told Novosti that they are completely discontent with the work of B&H judiciary and The Hague Tribunal and the stance towards Serb sufferings in the region of Srebrenica and Podrinje. “Serb people are very clear that neither domestic nor international judiciary do not want to show that Serbs massively suffered in Podrinje,” said Kojic. He stressed that for decades, judiciary is used for to maintain the false thesis about genocide in Srebrenica against Bosniaks. “Simply, courts do not deal with the period of suffering of Serbs. They take utterly insignificant part and then render a single verdict in order to satisfy the statistics. The RS never disputed that crime happened in Srebrenica, but term genocide is made up and that is not true. At the same time, Bosniaks completely deny the crimes against Serb people. None of them even dares to say that Serbs suffered in Podrinje. There is their vow and all their politicians stick to this,” said Kojic. President of the Organization of Families of Killed and Detained Fighters and Missing Civilians Srebrenica Branimir Kojic, whose father according to Novosti was murdered by “Oric’s criminals in 1992,” told Novosti that Serbs from Srebrenica are best aware of the burden of injustice. He also denied “allegations about genocide”, arguing that more than 70% of Serbs were murdered in period from 1992 to beginning of 1993, which proves the intention to ethnically cleanse Srebrenica of Serbs. The RS authorities, via RS representation offices will submit all relevant addresses with the report of Independent International Commission for Srebrenica, Novosti concluded.

Dveri to Orban: Show that you are Serbia’s sincere friend by withdrawing recognition of Kosovo’s independence (Beta) 

The Dveri movement called on the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for his country to withdraw the recognition of Kosovo’s independence, as this would show that he is a sincere friend of Serbia. In a letter to Orban, Dveri assessed that the withdrawal of recognition for the citizens of Serbia is “a much more important act” than Budapest’s lobbying for Serbia’s EU membership. “In the desire for relations between Serbia and Hungary to really be on the highest level of mutual respect and friendship, as provided for in the Agreement on Eternal Friendship and Peace of 1940, please withdraw the recognition of the false state of Kosovo because it would show recognition of integrity and sovereignty of our country,” the letter said.

Molina: Spain doesn’t recognize Kosovo because it adheres to international law (Novosti) 

Spanish Ambassador to Serbia Raúl Bartolomé Molina said on Monday that his country has not recognized Kosovo as independent because it strictly adheres to international law. He told Novosti that official Madrid’s stand on Kosovo creates problems for Spain in international organizations, adding that the stand is official state policy regardless of who is in power. According to the Ambassador, Spain bases its decision not to recognize Kosovo on the basic tenets of international law such as respect for territorial integrity, a principle which was violated when the authorities in Pristina unilaterally declared independence. Molina said that Madrid has not come under pressure to change its stand. The ambassador said that a possible decision to open Spain’s liaison office in Pristina would be taken with Serbian partners and would not mean that Madrid had changed its position.

REGIONAL PRESS 

Genocide in Srebrenica recognized through Resolutions in countries across the world, Serbia refuses to recognize it as genocide and calls it massacre (FTV)  

FTV analyzed how countries in the region and around the world perceive the events that happened in Srebrenica in July 1995 and which were confirmed in the international court rulings as genocide. Namely, the parliaments in Montenegro and Kosovo recently adopted the Resolutions on condemning genocide in Srebrenica and its denial, while Serbia continues to deny that the Srebrenica genocide happened. Instead, years ago, the Serbian National Assembly adopted a Resolution pertaining to “a massacre in Srebrenica” where it apologized for “not doing more to prevent it”. Serbia thus recognizes that a massacre happened, but it refuses to admit that it was genocide. Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic stated that the danger of new killings does not cease to exist as long as the past killings, including genocide, are being denied. North Macedonia also recognized that genocide in Srebrenica happened, and so do the EU countries in the region, Croatia and Slovenia. Croatian President Zoran Milanovic said: “It happened, and we all know who committed that genocide.” Slovenian President Borut Pahor underlined that “courage is necessary, for a peaceful European future”. In addition, several years ago, the UN Security Council (UN SC) failed to adopt a Resolution on condemning the genocide in Srebrenica, because Russia vetoed the Resolution. Former US president Bill Clinton, who visited Srebrenica on two occasions – in 2003 and in 2015, had commented on the Russian veto of the Resolution in the UN SC by saying that everyone knows that Russia did that to say to Serbs in Republika Srpska (RS) and Serbia that they managed to do something about it. Clinton said he loves Srebrenica and wants no suffering to repeat itself there. One of the past convocations of the Dutch Government even submitted resignations, due to the feeling of responsibility for what happened in Srebrenica. Some of the many other countries that recognized the Srebrenica genocide through official Resolutions are the US, Canada, Iran, and Australia.    

Suljagic: Serbia is a regional representative of genocide denial (Nova BH)  

The commemoration of the 26th anniversary of genocide in Srebrenica began with many activities, including the Peace March, publication of the genocide denial report and the arrival of the victims’ mortal remains. The Director of Srebrenica-Potocari Memorial Center Emir Suljagic gave an interview for Nova BH.  When asked what he would emphasize regarding the publication of the genocide denial report, Suljagic said that it is important to point out that Serbia is a regional representative of genocide denial. Suljagic added that he is primarily talking about the state of Serbia and not just about the Serbian media, society or even a cultural pattern that began establishing itself. Suljagic said he was surprised that a Russian state-owned news agency Sputnik is among serious platforms for genocide denial. Suljagic pointed out that genocide denial would come down to extremist margins if it were not a conscious decision led by the state of Serbia via state-owned media and private media directly connected to the President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic’s regime. When asked how many people are expected to arrive with the Peace March and related races; Suljagic said that he does not know the exact number but there were about 3,000 people registered as participants of the Peace March. Suljagic said that the disinfection stations will be set up by the time of their arrival and that they expect the commemoration to proceed peacefully. Suljagic pointed out that the RS Ministry of Interior (MoI) published fake news about a planned incident during the Peace March, which was confirmed as fake by the international police exchange, according to Suljagic.  

Dzaferovic: Time has come to ban genocide denial; Izetbegovic: Denial of genocide and spiteful policy of regimes in Serbia and the RS have contributed to movement of world against such behavior (O kanal)  

Bosniak member of the B&H Presidency Sefik Dzaferovic addressed the commemoration in Potocari. He said the time has come for genocide denial to be banned. He added that Srebrenica is a place where one cannot easily speak and find words. Dzaferovic said that everything that needs to be said there is told by thousands of white tombstones, green coffins and tears of mothers that lost their children. He said that words cannot explain the horrors of genocide that was committed in Srebrenica. He said in this “valley of sorrow” one feels like he could stay quiet forever. “That silence would be the only valid answer to the amount of suffering, fear and evil that this day reminds us of”, Dzaferovic said. Dzaferovic called on High Representative (HR) Valentin Inzko to impose a law that bans genocide denial. “Mister Inzko, no one can bring these people we are burying today back to life, but the message that their killers are heroes is a terrible message. You can prevent that. I invite you, from this holy place, to do so”, Dzaferovic said. Dzaferovic stated that Inzko’s mandate will expire in some 19 days, adding that there is still enough time for him to impose law banning denial of Srebrenica genocide. Dzaferovic reminded that several days ago Inzko expressed resignation with the fact there is number of murals glorifying war criminals, adding that this woke up hope that Inzko will impose abovementioned law before he leaves B&H. “If he wants to leave B&H with honor, he should pass such law”, explained Dzaferovic. Dzaferovic also stated: “Unfortunately, although many perpetrators of the genocide and the promoters of the policies that led to it, have been convicted, the established truth is still not accepted in the RS and Serbia. Moreover, the phase of denial shifted to the phase of open glorification of genocide and its perpetrators. This is a phenomenon that the whole world will have to deal with. If someone thinks that this is just a problem of B&H, they are grossly mistaken”. Dzaferovic stressed that the search for number of Srebrenica genocide victims, whose mortal remains are buried in secondary and tertiary mass graves is still underway. He called on all those who have information about locations of these mass graves to share this information so that families can bury properly their beloved ones. President of SDA Bakir Izetbegovic said that the denial of genocide and the spiteful policy of the regimes in Serbia and the RS have contributed to the movement of the world against such behavior.   

Inzko: Law on Denial of Genocide needs to be adopted by B&H officials (Nova BH)  

High Representative Valentin Inzko commented on the calls of B&H officials to impose the Law on Denial of Genocide in B&H. He said that B&H needs a law which stops and sanctions the denial of genocide and which will stop the glorification of war criminals as well. Inzko stated that this law needs to be adopted by representatives of the people, because it would reflect the will of B&H citizens. He added that he empathizes with victims and survivors of the genocide and reiterated his dedication for justice and truth. Inzko also said that B&H has utterly changed since 1995, adding that post-war recovery is not only about repairing physical damage, but it is a complex process. “There are those who continue to deny the truth and their denial violates the fundamental principles of justice, and it prevents the whole country from recovering from wounds,” stated Inzko. He emphasized that denial of Srebrenica genocide is heavy burden citizens of B&H should not be carrying. He concluded that B&H needs a law that punishes and bans denial of genocide. Inzko also said that those who deny the Srebrenica genocide are minority, but will not give up regardless of how well documented facts that the genocide was committed in Srebrenica are, due to which adoption of the law is necessary. The reporter comments there were speculations that Inzko may use his powers to impose the law, however after his statement it is doubtful is Inzko will do that. According to Inzko, the denial of genocide is a heavy burden that B&H citizens should not bear. Inzko said that in his country, denying the Holocaust and other Nazi crimes was declared a criminal offense. Inzko said that B&H needs a law that punishes and prevents genocide denial, a law that treats the glorification of war criminals. Inzko added that such a law should be passed by representatives of the peoples because it would reflect the will of B&H citizens.   

Borrell and Varhelyi: We share grief of families of Srebrenica genocide victims and that of genocide survivors (O kanal)  

EU High Representative Josep Borrell and European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Oliver Varhelyi issued a joint statement on Saturday on the eve of marking the 26th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide. The joint statement reads that Borrell and Varhelyi share the grief of families of the genocide victims as well as that of the genocide survivors. “Europe has not forgotten its own responsibility for not being able to prevent the Srebrenica genocide, one of the worst crimes in Europe’s modern history. There is no place in Europe for genocide denial, revisionism and glorification of war criminals, which contradict the most fundamental European values. Attempts to rewrite history are unacceptable”, underlined Borrell and Varhelyi. Borrell and Varhelyi said in a joint statement on Saturday ahead of marking the 26th anniversary of the 1995 genocide in Srebrenica that it is their shared duty to forever remember the genocide in Srebrenica and share the grief of their families and of those who survived, whose lives have been impacted forever. “Europe has also not forgotten its own responsibility for not being able to prevent the Srebrenica genocide, one of the worst crimes in Europe’s modern history”, the two EU officials stressed. They stated that there is no place in Europe for genocide denial, revisionism and glorification of war criminals, which contradict the most fundamental European values. They also said that attempts to rewrite history are unacceptable. “As we commemorate its 26th anniversary, it is our shared duty to forever remember the genocide in Srebrenica”, they said. “We honor their memory, and of all victims and those still missing. We share the grief of their families and of those who survived, whose lives have been impacted forever”, they said. “Europe has also not forgotten its own responsibility for not being able to prevent the Srebrenica genocide, one of the worst crimes in Europe’s modern history” the top EU officials stressed. They explained that the European Union has been “a project aimed at overcoming the tragedies of the past” from its very beginning. “B&H’s future lies in this common project,” reads the statement.   

Michel: We are united in our sorrow, but also hope (Dnevni avaz)  

President of European Council Charles Michel posted on his social networks on occasion of the 26th anniversary of Srebrenica genocide. “We pay our respects to the families and the loved ones of the victims. We are united in our sorrow. But also in our hope – to never see such atrocities in Europe again. That is what our European Union stands for,” posted Michel.  

Sattler: 11 July should be mourning day in entire B&H (Dnevni avaz)  

The Head of EU Delegation to B&H and EU Special Representative Johann Sattler attended the commemoration in Potocari and paid his respect to all victims of genocide in Srebrenica. Sattler noted that 11 July needs to be marked as a mourning day in entire B&H and not as the “day of genocide denial”. He reminded of earlier decisions of the B&H Council of Ministers and the daily reminded that Federation of B&H (FB&H) and Brcko District declared 11 July as mourning day. “This is slap in the face to those who buried their loved ones,” said Sattler.    

Erdogan: Turkey will never forget genocide in Srebrenica (BHT1)  

A number of B&H and international officials addressed directly or via video messages the 11 July commemoration in Potocari on Sunday, which was held on the occasion of marking the 26th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also addressed the commemoration in a video message. He said that Turkey will never forget the genocide in Srebrenica and it should not be allowed that this black stain on European history is put aside in any sense. Erdogan was quoted as saying via video link: “We will not allow this stain of European and world history to be pushed into the background in any way”. Erdogan said via video message that denial and inflammatory rhetoric are insult to surviving victims and called for political officials to stop with such practice. “Justice is moral obligation towards the victims and debt to their families and the survivors,” said Erdogan. Erdogan said that they will never betray the heritage of first President of B&H Alija Izetbegovic and never forget the genocide in Srebrenica. He stressed that they will never allow for the black spot in the history of Europe to be erased or pushed into oblivion. Erdogan said that verdict to Ratko Mladic cannot diminish the pain for families nor it can restore lost lives, but added that such verdicts can have an important role in preventing of new genocide. Erdogan stated that Turkey remains to stand by B&H and Bosniak brothers. “Stability of B&H is very important for the Balkans, but also entire Europe. Without forgetting the past, for the sake of future of our children, from this place I call on politicians to gather around joint human values, standing against discourses which contain hatred, violence and discrimination,” said Erdogan.   

Guterres: Denial of genocide and glorification of war criminals is unacceptable (Dnevni avaz)  

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres posted a statement on social networks, commenting the 26th anniversary of Srebrenica genocide. Guterres posted on his Twitter: “We will never forget the Srebrenica genocide. Denial of genocide and war crimes, or the glorification of war criminals, are all unacceptable. We must work for a peaceful future for all. We owe this to the victims, the survivors and to all”. Meanwhile, United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Alice Nderitu said that Srebrenica events is not something the United Nations could be proud of.  

Kennedy: Srebrenica happened before eyes of many who took vow to protect it, including USA, UK, France as well as UN leadership (Dnevni avaz)  

Addressing the conference on occasion of launching of Leadership Initiative for Srebrenica, President of US Foundation ‘Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights’, Kerry Kennedy stated that the failure of international community to meet the norms that were signed by almost all states after the holocaust, resulted in “catastrophe in Srebrenica” and lack of adequate reactions to consequences of this crime and recognizing of violence and discrimination that Muslims are facing, enabled increase of Islamophobia all over the region. “Massacre in Srebrenica was the most atrocious slaughter that Europe saw since WWII. Complete towns have been torched down and survivors escaped to Srebrenica, which up to 1993 has had more than double number of citizens. ‘You are now under the protection of the UN’, promised French General Phillippe Morillon. He was not the only one who forsake his promises,” said Kennedy. She underlined that the massacre occurred before the eyes of many who took a vow to protect those in Srebrenica, adding that among those who share responsibility for this are the USA, UK and France as well as leadership of the UN, whose negotiations resulted in fall of Srebrenica.  

Blinken: US remains strong partner of B&H on path of its democratic development and full Euro-integration (BHT1)  

A number of B&H and international officials addressed directly or via video messages the 11 July commemoration in Potocari on Sunday, which was held on the occasion of marking the 26th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide. In his message on the occasion of the 26th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the US remains a strong partner of B&H on the path of its democratic development and full Euro-integration. He added that the US will continue to work devotedly on prevention of all future conflicts in this region. Blinken issued a statement on Sunday. “The American people join the people of B&H in solemn remembrance of the over 8,000 victims who were murdered. We stand with the families of those who lost their loved ones and with those who tirelessly seek justice in their names.  The tragic events of the past remind us of the need to work in unity for a better future, one that is inclusive of all citizens in a B&H that is stable and prosperous,s” the statement reads.  

Nelson: What happened in Srebrenica 26 years ago is the fact that must not be forgotten, rejected or minimized (BHT1)  

US Ambassador to B&H Eric Nelson stated in a video message that what happened in Srebrenica 26 years ago is the fact that must not be forgotten, rejected or minimized, adding that denial of the genocide in Srebrenica, war crimes, crimes against humanity and glorification of war criminals is unacceptable. Nelson was quoted as saying via video link: “The glorification of war crimes and war criminals is unacceptable. Such actions insult victims and hurt them and their families, and undermine the mutual trust needed by everyone in B&H to build a stable, peaceful and prosperous future. Those who committed these crimes bear individual responsibility”. Nelson said: “The US calls for political leaders to refrain from opening wounds with inflammatory rhetoric of division and to refrain from using and manipulating war events from the 1990s.”  

Raab: Srebrenica genocide was one of worst crimes in Europe after WW II (Nova BH)  

The UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab stated that genocide in Srebrenica was one of the worst crimes that happened in Europe after the World War II. Raab was quoted as saying: “We mark the 26th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide in B&H. It was one of the greatest crimes on European soil since World War II. The planned operation killed more than 8,000 people – mostly Muslims and men. Over 20,000 women and children were forcibly expelled from their homes, unthinkable, we remember them today”. Organization ‘Remembering Srebrenica’ organized an online event to mark of the day of remembrance for the victims of the Srebrenica Genocide in the UK on Friday. Raab took part in the event and stated on the occasion that the Srebrenica genocide was among the worst war crimes in Europe after the World War II and although it is not possible to change the past, it is necessary to persist in preventing the same from happening in the future.   

Dodik criticizes Raab over statement regarding Srebrenica genocide (Nova BH)  

The Serb member and Chairperson of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik commented the UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab’s statement on Srebrenica genocide. Dodik was quoted as saying: “Some of the greatest crimes that humanity remembers were committed by the empire of which Dominik Raab is today a minister, but empires are not judged and they count on oblivion, moreover, they work diligently on it”. Dodik said that Raab and other world powers do not want to talk about the events in Srebrenica with facts. Dodik said that the UK Secretary and other world officials in power do not want to use facts when addressing the past events in Srebrenica. Dodik was quoted as stating: “That is why they are bombing us again, this time with a lie they wrote for us in the same way they wrote for the millions of innocent people killed across the world in British colonial conquests.” He noted that “the empire for which (Raab) serves as minister (Secretary)” is actually responsible for “some of the biggest crimes in the history of humankind”.  

Dodik: Marking of the events in Srebrenica is being misused in Sarajevo for political confrontations (RTRS/Srna)  

Serb member and Chairman of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik told Srna news agency that it is pure politicking of foreign ambassadors that they only come to commemorate the suffering of Bosniaks on 11 July. He added that marking of the events in Srebrenica is being misused in Sarajevo for confrontations, connected to political platforms of leaders in this city. Dodik emphasized that political skirmishes should be left aside, and families of the killed should be allowed on Sunday to pay respect to the killed Bosniaks in a peaceful manner, as well as people from Republika Srpska (RS) to be allowed to pay their respects to the killed Serbs. In an interview for Srna, Dodik said he respects the pain of all families, including the Bosniak families, and that he is ready to send his condolences to them – so that, without any political skirmishes, they would be able to visit the graves of their family members in peace. Dodik repeated that the Bosniak politics are still not giving up on the false constructions that say only Bosniaks were killed in Srebrenica. Dodik said delegations from the region and foreign ambassadors only come to commemorate the suffering of Bosniaks on July 11, while they do not wish to pay their respects to the Serbs victims. “This did not allow others or us to pay our respects to all the victims in a civilized and decent way, which we should do this time as well, regardless of the mimicry they are trying to make of that event, which, as we could see from the report of the international commission, that ended its work a month ago, that the famous word they use ‘genocide’ cannot be put in front of these events”, Dodik stated. Dodik said that the pure politicking of foreign ambassadors is that they only come to mark 11 July and that they abuse the commemoration of the events in Srebrenica and in Sarajevo for confrontations, regarding their political platform. Dodik was quoted as saying: “We could see from report by an international commission that ended its work a month ago, that the famous word they use genocide` cannot be used for those events”. Dodik pointed out that this should be clear, and that such a qualification should be fully supported by all. He added that the political connotations that were, as Dodik said, undoubtedly set by Bosniak politics, were untrue, that only killings of Bosniaks in Srebrenica should be commemorated, and not equally those of Serbs. Speaking about the visit of Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro Dritan Abazovic to Sarajevo, Dodik said that Abazovic was trying to impose himself, and he was elected with a minimum number of votes in Montenegro.  Asked whether the arbitrariness of B&H Minister of Foreign Affairs Bisera Turkovic and her unilateral moves could be stopped, as well as ignoring of the positions of the B&H Presidency, which is the only one responsible for foreign policy, Dodik said that what is called B&H foreign policy is a failure, and that in this respect there is no agreement because the agreement has been circumvented at every possible step. He stated that Turkovic will continue to behave like that, but that the officials from RS have mechanisms to oppose that and they do that without hesitation. “The ambassadors from the RS no longer have any obligation to follow her instructions, or to do anything based on her orders,” Dodik pointed out.   

Speaking about whether B&H can even think about the EU path when it has a High Representative and whether it can function normally as long as the political processes are managed by High Representatives and not by domestic politicians, Dodik said that according to everything that Europe is, B&H cannot strive to join the EU as long as the Office of the High Representative (OHR) is present in B&H. Dodik said the EU has changed in the past 10 or 15 years. He reminded that Germany was in favor of abolishing the High Representative in 2005, and now it is this country that sends the High Representative to B&H. When asked to clarify the idea of a possible merger of the posts of the RS President and the Serb member of the B&H Presidency, which provoked conflicting reactions, Dodik said that it was not a done deal, but he certainly thought the idea was good. “I hear that some like (SDS leader Mirko) Sarovic say that this is the abolition of the function of the RS President, which is not true. My basic proposal is that the elected President of the RS, in direct elections, also be a member of the Presidency. That is what the proposal is, and what Sarovic and others are saying is their story,” Dodik concluded.   

Abazovic is visiting B&H, meets Turkovic, Dzaferovic and Komsic, confirm good-neighborly relations, express wish for bigger cooperation in all sectors (O kanal)  

Deputy Prime Minister (PM) of Montenegro Dritan Abazovic, who came to an official visit to B&H on Thursday, held a number of meetings with B&H officials in Sarajevo on Friday. First, Abazovic met B&H Minister of Foreign Affairs Bisera Turkovic and then, he met members of the B&H Presidency Sefik Dzaferovic and Zeljko Komsic, while Chairman of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik previously refused to meet Abazovic. Abazovic also met Deputy Speaker of B&H House of Representatives Denis Zvizdic. During the meetings, officials confirmed good-neighborly relations and expressed wish for bigger cooperation in all sectors. According to announcements, strengthening of the path to the EU as well as solving of open issues with neighbors will remain priority in work of both countries. Abazovic said that improvement of relations with B&H remains priority, friendly relations continue while the Montenegro Government still offers a friendly hand to B&H. Abazovic said that his visit to Potocari marking of the 26th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica, has nothing to do with the latest political events that happened in Montenegro. “I have never been in the Montenegrin government. At the moment when I, under the given circumstances, became Deputy Prime Minister, I knew I would come to Potocari as a politician, as a citizen, as an official, so I would not link my arrival to the circumstances and political developments in Montenegro in the past one month, i.e. 45 days,” said Abazovic. Turkovic stated: “The recently adopted resolution on genocide, as well as their arrival, confirms that the Government, the people and the citizens of Montenegro respect and accept the truth and the past, and that on these foundations they turn together with us towards European future”. Following the meeting Turkovic said for the media: “I appreciate that the Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro came for the marking of the 26th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide. It is of great importance that other representatives from Montenegro will be in Srebrenica. President Milo Djukanovic also announced his attendance. Montenegro is truly present in Srebrenica. Recently adopted Resolution on the genocide, as well as their arrival, confirm that their government and the people respect and accept the truth and the past and that they, on those foundations, are turning to the European future together with us.”   

Abazovic, Dzaferovic, and Komsic discussed the foreign policy priorities, including the path towards NATO and the EU. The three officials agreed that these two integration paths represent the most important foreign policy goals of both Montenegro and B&H. Dzaferovic commented on the Resolution on Srebrenica, saying: “The Resolutions, which the Assemblies of Montenegro and Kosovo adopted, are very important. That is the path we should all move along together. Everyone should face the past and move forward.”   

Interview with Abazovic (Nezavisne)  

The daily carried exclusive interview with Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic. Abazovic is paying visit to B&H, where he will also attend the commemoration in Srebrenica and he also attended the Forum of IRI about facing the past, while Abazovic noted that he deems that his main job is exposing of false patriotism which is trying to cover up the crime through manipulation with the past. He underlined that all countries in the region have to focus on their main priorities, such is fight against crime and corruption, adding that those huge patriots are the people who gained huge material wealth in an illegal manner, and he is certain that when people see this the perception about this “patriotism” will blow out. Talking about Montenegrin government, Abazovic said that he is content with what has been done and it is notable that certain changes are on the horizon, but he also stressed that he is convinced that things can be happening faster. Asked if Resolution on Srebrenica was a first true test for the government, Abazovic argues that he regrets the fact that this Resolution caused so much discussion in Montenegro and in the region, adding that this is a second Resolution adopted in Montenegro and it contains clear provisions which regard to war crimes against all the peoples in the region of former Yugoslavia. He argues that nobody should see this Resolution as a hostile, but everyone should turn towards the future. Asked how to make this step forward and how to turn to the future, while respecting the past, Abazovic noted that he is aware that this is difficult, but he believes that entire region is focused on the wrong things, arguing that everyone seem to be focused on nationalism. Abazovic also commented the fight against corruption in Montenegro, arguing that he agrees with the author that thing are moving slower than it was planned, but he also underlined that people have to understand that no government can carry out the arrest and this is the job for prosecutors. He underlined that the government has initiated certain changes in this regard, but stressed that he is not discontent with the job they did in 200 days, reminding that they were commented in the Resolution of the European Parliament and they managed to arrest one of two biggest drug lords in the region. To author’s question, whether European integration in the region are in standstill, Abazovic simply cited the conditions that Montenegro has to fulfill and which concern Article 23 and 24.   

Dodik: Montenegrin delegation attending commemoration is attempt to strengthen position of Montenegro in region; Messages conveyed from Potocari are aimed to intimidate Serb people (ATV)  

Commemoration to Bosniak victims killed 26 years ago was held on Sunday at the Srebrenica-Potocari Memorial Center. ATV reports that the Montenegrin delegation, led by President of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic and Deputy Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic and the delegation from Kosovo also attended the commemoration. The reporter comments that Djukanovic and Abazovic failed to pay respect to thousands of Serb victims on Saturday and it seems that 11 July united the two political opponents. Djukanovic said for the media: “I want to say that I am here today not only to pay respect to numerous victims of the Srebrenica genocide. I have informed about my position on it all the past years. I came here to pay respect to the families of the victims”. Abazovic said for the media: “My message today should be symbolically from Srebrenica today to pay respect to the victims and to bury the hatred, division and conflict, and that peace, love, tolerance and prosperity grow from the fertile soil of B&H start growing and spreading in the region and Europe.” ATV reports that commenting on Montenegrin delegation attending the commemoration and sending messages, Serb member and Chairman of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik said that by doing so, Montenegro is trying to strengthen its position and impose itself as a factor in the region. “It would be decent if they had left the families of Bosniaks who had lost their beloved ones to visit the graves and to join them in prayer. Making policy on the graves can only be done and is done by the Sarajevo politics,” Dodik was quoted as saying. Dodik also said that messages conveyed on Sunday from Potocari are aimed to additionally intimidate Serb people. He added that narrative on genocide in Srebrenica is completely unviable because it is not grounded on facts  

Srebrenica Municipal Assembly holds commemorative session for all war victims from Srebrenica; Bosniak representatives refuse to attend (BHT1)  

Bosniak MPs in the Srebrenica Municipal Assembly did not participate in Saturday’s commemorative session for victims of Srebrenica. This session is organized annually in the Srebrenica Municipal Assembly to honor the victims of the genocide. The Bosniak MPs announced that they will not participate in this session following the decision of the Assembly to adopt a Resolution on the Suffering of Serbs in Srebrenica throughout the 20th century. Speaker of the Srebrenica Assembly Camil Durakovic announced that he will not convene the session following this decision. Bosniak MPs honored the victims of the past war in the Memorial Center Potocari on Saturday. Serb MPs in the Assembly assessed the decision of the Bosniak MPs as an obstacle for cooperation. Deputy speaker of the Assembly Radomir Pavlovic said that they did not deny crimes against other people in their Resolution and they wish to cooperate with other people through joint sessions, programs and other institutions. Head of Srebrenica Mladen Grujicic said that he condemns crimes committed against all people, including Serbs, because it is necessary to recognize that both Serbs and Bosniaks suffered and it is necessary to accept this. He stressed that those who committed crimes need to be held responsible, with evidence and the truth. Bosniak MPs said that the commemorative sessions used to be dignified in the past, but in the past five years they were the place of negation, relativization and insults for victims.   

Durakovic said that they are not negotiating genocide and there are no politics or compromises. He added that genocide is not the political narrative, but a legally defined fact and until the other side recognizes it, there is nothing to be marked together. Durakovic explained that Bosniak representatives boycotted the session after the Serb representatives in the Srebrenica Municipal Assembly self-initiatively passed a resolution on the killing of the Serb people in the region of Srebrenica in the 20th Century on 2 July. “It is hard when they hurt your dignity and they try to offend our victims and fake the truth”, Durakovic stated, adding that this was not a true session that honored all innocent victims killed in the region in Srebrenica during the past war in B&H. He stressed that it is a moral and political responsibility to preserve dignity of the Bosniak victims. Head of the ‘My Address: Srebrenica’ Zulfo Salifovic said that they are aware of all consequences that will follow after this day but they cannot go any lower and allow the insulting of victims of genocide. Salihovic said that the time has come to finally say no to hypocrisy of the Serb representatives in the Srebrenica Municipal Assembly who are not honest in honoring the Srebrenica genocide victims. Durakovic, said that all victims should be respected and that Bosniak representatives sent an ugly message by not coming to the commemorative session because it is uncivilized attitude towards victims. “The Assembly adopted a Resolution on the suffering of Serbs in the 20th century. Bosniaks were not present during the voting. We did not deny crimes against other peoples with this Resolution, and therefore this is our message that we want to work together, to agree, to have common commissions and round tables if it is needed, joint delegations that will visit the sites of killings of both Serbs and Bosniaks. We offer a step forward, a compromise for the future of Srebrenica”. Grujicic stated: “We also have a commission that recently published its research result and which proves that it (Note: Presumably, genocide in Srebrenica) really did not happen. What are we going to do now? One will claim one thing and the other will claim the other thing. What we Serbs are not doing is imposing or conditioning any Bosniak to recognize that Serbs have been killed. It is a moral gesture that every person should make about what they know and what has been proven”.  

Memorial service was held in Bratunac to mark deaths of 3,267 killed Serbs in Bratunac and Srebrenica villages in 1992; Montenegro MP Marko Milacic comments on resolutions on Srebrenica (RTRS)  

Central commemoration for 3,267 Serbs killed in Srebrenica and the surrounding areas during the past war was held on Saturday in Bratunac. The 28th Division of the so-called Army of the Republic of B&H has attacked Serb villages almost every day during the first months of war in this country. Civilians, women, children and old people were killed at their doorsteps and the houses were burnt down. A memorial service was held at the local cemetery in Bratunac and wreaths were laid at the central memorial to the victims. Families and friends of the killed Serbs from Srebrenica, Bratunac and the surrounding areas remembered their loved ones. Brano Vucetic attended the commemoration and said his entire family was killed by Muslim units. “I lost my entire family only because they were Serbs and because they were at their hearths”, Brano says. Brano’s home was burned down and he was taken to a concentration camp. There he was beaten up and maltreated, and he was not provided any medical care. He spent 56 days in the concentration camp and says he still feels the effects of this torture. Slavka Matic says 68 residents of Bjelovac village were killed on July 10, 1992. Her two daughters and husband were killed by Muslim fighters from Srebrenica. What the Muslims from Srebrenica did to Serbs of Podrinje is called a genocide, and it was commenced in the World War II and continued during the defense-patriotic war, emphasize members of the Organization of Killed and Captured Veterans and Missing Civilians of RS. “Killing of Serbs in these areas has all the elements of a genocide. That this is true is confirmed by large attacks on Serbs villages of Podrinje, during big Orthodox holidays”, says Head of the Organization of Killed and Captured Veterans and Missing Civilians of the RS Radojka Filipovic. No one has yet been held accountable for the numerous mass crimes against Serbs committed by Muslim forces from Srebrenica under the command of Naser Oric from 1992 to 1995. Head of the Bratunac Municipality Srdjan Ranikic says that Serb victims are being minimized in every way, and that must not be allowed. Serbs in almost 50 villages, including the town center of Srebrenica, were expelled and these villages were ethnically cleansed, and people were killed only because they bore Serb names. RS Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic emphasized that crimes against Serbs in Podrinje must never be forgotten, and those responsible must be brought to justice. Viskovic pointed out Serbs were killed in Podrinje before the events in Srebrenica, but that the international powers are silent about this, shown by the only verdict of 10 years, for crimes against Serbs in Podrinje. The Russian Ambassador to B&H Igor Kalabukhov came to Bratunac to pay respects to the victims, as well as the Montenegrin MP Marko Milacic, who commented on resolutions on Srebrenica. Milacic said he considers the Resolution on Srebrenica adopted by the Montenegrin Parliament as rewriting of history. Milacic claimed that these resolutions have only one goal which is to discredit and destroy the RS. “The point is not in the denial of genocide, the point is in the denial of the RS” stated Milacic. The President of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic and the Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro Dritan Abazovic attended the commemoration of July 11 in Potocari, which was seen in the RS as a manner of politicking, concluded the reporter.  

Dzaferovic calls on Inzko to impose Law banning genocide denial; Reactions from RS officials (ATV)  

The Bosniak member of the B&H Presidency Sefik Dzaferovic called on the High Representative to B&H Valentin Inzko to impose the Law on banning genocide denial. RS Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic said that Inzko comes from a country that committed genocide in a certain period of time so he can take that law back to his country. According to Viskovic, international powers are trying to hide the truth about the suffering of the Serb people in the middle Podrinje and Birca, so that they can amnesty and justify what they believe happened in July in Srebrenica. That is why the RS government of appointed a special international commission composed of experts whom no one can reproach over incompetence, ignorance and bias, that made an objective report on the events in the past war, added Viskovic. The speaker of the RS parliament Nedeljko Cubrilovic said that the imposition of laws in B&H by Inzko would not contribute to stabilizing political relations. Cubrilovic said that Inzko had enough time in the past ten years to look at the situation from another angle. Cubrilovic said that Inzko should know that the problems in B&H are solved by compromise and decisions that are acceptable to all three parties, and not by leaving one people completely dissatisfied, but believing that you have solved the problem.  

One of discussions about changes to Law on Elections is about lowering the threshold for general elections (Glas Srpske)  

The daily reads that discussions about the future electoral legislation of B&H are being carried out on several fronts, and that latest moves suggest there should not be changes to the issue of election threshold. Namely, daily reminds that in late April of 2016, the B&H House of Representatives (HoR) adopted changes and amendments to the Law on Elections of B&H, which raised the threshold for winning a mandate from five to 10% for the local elections, and to 20% for the general elections. Daily notes the issue was recently raised by the opposition gathered around SDP, requesting that the threshold for the general elections is lowered to 10%. The proposal got negative opinion from the B&H HoR’s Constitutional-Legal Affairs Commission (CLAC), however the B&H HoR rejected the negative opinion and tasked the CLAC to make a new opinion. Head of the SNSD Caucus in the B&H HoR Snjezana Novakovic Bursac stressed for the daily it would be better if this and similar issues were submitted to the Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) for changes to the Law on Elections. She also said that in her opinion, a mandate should belong to political party and that the threshold should not be lowered. B&H HoR representative Sasa Magazinovic (SDP), who is one of proponents of solutions aimed at lowering the threshold, told Glas Srpske he expects that the representatives will get their pull themselves together and realize that what was in force several years ago is not unconstitutional now, and that they will vote in line with their views they share in the hallways with their colleagues, and not in line with the orders of their party bosses.  

SDA, SDP delegations meet to discuss SDP’s proposal for rationalization of FB&H (Dnevni list)  

SDA and SDP delegations held a meeting on Friday, discussing the SDP’s proposal for rationalization of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H). The proposal aims to reduce administration in FB&H authority structure, reducing of public expenditure, strengthening of authority institutions and eliminating of existing inequality between citizens and the peoples through changes of the FB&H Constitution. SDA representatives supported the principles of the proposal and agreed to form expert teams, tasked for drafting of the final proposal, which should be sent to FB&HpParliament.  

Niksic denies HNS accusations: SDP’s proposal is not aimed at abolition of cantons (Dnevni avaz)  

SDP leader Nermin Niksic stated that in last several days he has been holding meetings with parties represented in FB&H parliament, discussing the program of rationalization of the FB&H, wrote by SDP’s Jasmin Imamovic. Commenting the accusations that appeared on Saturday from the Croat People’s Assembly (HNS), which accused SDP of wanting to abolish cantons, Niksic said that nobody spoke about this. “Cantons would remain constituencies and administrative units with decreased administration. All judicial structures would remain as well, being that judiciary is the matter of state level organization and legislation framework,” said Niksic. He elaborated that cantonal parliaments and ministries would be abolished, and citizens of the entire entity would have access to certain benefits such as healthcare, anywhere in the FB&H. Niksic noted that this proposal contributed to decentralization through strengthening of local communities, municipalities and cities, which would have bigger budgets and competencies.  

Milanovic: Croatia, for as long I am the president, will no longer yield to anyone and make concessions concerning rights of Croats in B&H (Vecernji list)  

Vecernji list carried interview with Croatian President Zoran Milanovic on the eve of his visit to B&H. At the beginning of the interview Milanovic stressed that Croatia and B&H are two countries which lived through aggression, devastation and wars in the newer history and he stressed that two countries are tied by same tragedy and hopefully they are heading toward same bright future, in the EU. Milanovic continues and underlined that Croatia and B&H defended together during the imposed war and not only they managed to defend the integrity of the two states, but they secured survival and constituent status of Croat and Bosniak peoples in B&H. In this regard, Milanovic underlined that Dayton Peace Agreement confirmed that Croat people is one of constituent peoples and equal to other two peoples, which is the reason he strongly advocates respecting of DPA. Considering it also contains B&H Constitution which guarantees equality to Croat people. He underlines that Croat may be the smallest people in B&H, but they are not nor they will ever be ethnic minority. Milanovic stressed that through respecting of DPA, B&H can and has to become organized country which will be able to continue its path towards the EU. Asked about US and EU initiative for electoral reform, Milanovic stressed that Croatia is the one who advocates electoral reform and this was one of demands that he asked to be included into the NATO Communiqué. He stressed that this has been done and the electoral reform should enable each of the peoples to elect their own representatives, which is the foundation of every democracy. “I do not see why should anyone, if they want good for B&H, and why if they want democratic B&H, would have anything against right of Croats to elect their own representatives,” said Milanovic. The author noted that Bosniak side is asking for either abolition of ethnically composed House of Peoples, reduction or they threaten with imposing of Croat Caucus following the mode with Zeljko Komsic, to which Milanovic answered with counter-question, arguing that anyone who advocates something like that should wonder why the DPA stipulate three members of B&H Presidency and why the House of Peoples was established. He answers that this is because these institutions need to be composed of legitimate representatives of the three peoples. He underlined that Croatia finds it unacceptable for B&H to be a country where someone would carry out some experiments, especially if they are to detriment of Croat people. Milanovic stressed that Croatia will support and assist EU path of B&H, it will not interfere with B&H’s internal matters, but it will make sure that DPA and constituent status of Croat people are respected. In this regard he conveyed a message to “Brussels and other third-grade bureaucrats, who can barely find B&H on a map, to get their fingers away from B&H”. Reminding of recent events in NATO, Milanovic stressed that Croatian officials presented a united stance and underlined that Croatia, for as long he is the president, will no longer yield to anyone and make concessions concerning rights of Croats in B&H. He further noted that he is not coming to Sarajevo, because he was invited to hold lecture at Mostar University. Author asked Milanovic to comment the fact that entire Bosniak politics is establishing united front towards Croats and whether this reminds him of the events that preceded “death of Yugoslavia”, Milanovic said that it seems to him that Bosniak politics want as much as possible Croats to lose faith in B&H and their future in B&H. Milanovic underlined that the hopes this will not happen and Croats will remain in their country. Asked to comment the fact that he is criticized because he is starting his visit on July 11th – on the date of Srebrenica anniversary, Milanovic underlined that genocide in Srebrenica was the twilight of European civilization and it is unacceptable that tragedy of victims’ families is constantly deepened by attempts to relativize or even deny the genocide. Expressing his deepest condolence and sympathies to families, Milanovic concluded that future and cooperation among the peoples cannot be established without honest stance towards the past.   

Schmidt addresses Dubrovnik Forum: EU membership of B&H should remain in political agenda (Hina)  

Attending the 14th annual international conference ‘Dubrovnik Forum’ on Saturday, newly-appointed High Representative (HR) in B&H Christian Schmidt addressed the panel session on the topic “The International Community and the Western Balkans: How to End the Quarantine?”. On this occasion, Schmidt pointed out that the EU membership of B&H should remain in the political agenda, and that the time has come to return this matter to the political focus in order to be able to see results in the coming years. “When we look at B&H, we see that the internal issue that exists is not between the majority and the minority, but rather that the issue is between the three constituent peoples, and others. When we look at the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA) from today’s perspective, we can see that some of its parts could be worded differently, but the Agreement today is as it is. I am saying to those, who still fantasize how it would be good to change the borders or create new states, that it is over with that,” Schmidt stated. The 14th Dubrovnik forum took place on Saturday and the main topic was the world after the COVID-19 pandemic, the future of the Western Balkans and international initiatives like China+17 and the three-sea initiative. B&H Minister of Foreign Affairs Bisera Turkovic attended the forum, as well as EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and newly appointed High Representative Schmidt. Turkovic participated in the panel that discussed geo-strategy in a post-pandemic world. She stressed that when foreign policy decisions are made, it is necessary to take the region and the world into account. Turkovic added that one needs to be aware that decisions do not affect only them, but other countries as well. Borrell assessed that the EU is finally leaving the tunnel after one and a half years of the pandemic, while the rest of the world is still suffering. He highlighted that it is necessary to donate vaccines to other, poorer countries. Borrell believes that the world as a whole will not overcome the virus until 2023. In the opening speech as the host, Plenkovic reiterated Croatia’s support to all countries in the region on their EU integration path. Still, Plenkovic assessed that there is an issue with equality of constituent peoples in B&H, where he finds that the Croats are inadequately represented in the authorities in B&H. “We hope that the amendments to the Election Law of B&H will ensure equal representation of everyone”, he added. According to the Croatian Prime Minister, B&H is Croatia’s most important neighbor when it comes to history, geography and culture. He concluded that there is a need to adhere to what is defined in the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA). EU Special Envoy for Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue Miroslav Lajcak called on B&H to continue its progress on the EU path, and to implement the reforms as they will be beneficial for B&H and its citizens, and will bring the country closer to the EU.   

Plenkovic: Croatia wants equality for Croats in B&H (N1)  

Croatia wants talk on the reform of electoral legislation in B&H to end in such a way that will ensure that the Croats have legitimate representation and that they are not put in an unfair position by being outvoted, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said after bilateral meetings during the Dubrovnik Forum on Saturday. Plenkovic discussed the situation in B&H with the new High Representative in B&H, Christian Schmidt, EU Special Representative for Serbia-Kosovo Dialogue Miroslav Lajcak, US Envoy for the Western Balkans Matthew Palmer, and Vice-President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Pierre Heilbronn. Plenkovic emphasized that he and Croatian President Zoran Milanovic share the same view regarding the electoral legislation in B&H and the need to ensure that the Croats have legitimate representation. He said this is probably one of the few matters in which they see eye-to-eye. Milanovic arrived in B&H on Sunday and started his two-day visit to the country. Ahead of the visit, he once again shared his firm stance in regards to the Dayton Agreement. He said as long as he is the Croatian President, his country will take care of Croats in B&H and not allow for them to be “part of any experiment” which would be detrimental for the interests of Croats. Plenkovic stated that there is one topic him and President of Croatia Zoran Milanovic agree upon: equality of Croat people in B&H. Plenkovic said that he explained to Schmidt policy of Croatia towards B&H within Berlin Process and towards the EU path of B&H. “We clearly emphasized necessity of equality of Croats. We also wished these talks on reform of electoral legislation that started several days ago should end in way that will enable legitimate representation of Croats in representative bodies and B&H Presidency,” explained Plenkovic.  

European Committee of Regions (CoR) presents recommendations about B&H (Vecernji list)  

Vecernji list reported that European Committee of Regions (CoR) held a session recently and adopted opinion on 2020 enlargement package, which contains clear messages and evaluations about political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), concern about failure to implement judgements of the Constitutional Court of B&H and European Court of Human Rights. The report expresses concern by limited progress B&H achieved in reform progress, especially in terms of constitutional and electoral reform. Article comments that this text proves that constituent status of peoples is high at the list of priorities among EU partners and they are aware that it is necessary to harmonize relations between the three peoples. Author noted that this document is adopted amid the talks on electoral reform, which is taking place in B&H, adding that CoR welcomed holding of elections in Mostar.  

Palmer on engagement of US in Western Balkans; Palmer: It is up to parties in B&H to reach compromise on electoral reform (HRT1)  

HRT1 carries review of Dubrovnik Forum that ended on Saturday. One of key messages conveyed from this forum is need for solidarity and joint acting in elimination of consequences of the pandemic. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell warned that after COVID-19 pandemic ends, the world will be polarized. He stressed importance of positioning of the EU in regards to others centers of power in the world. The reporter noted that situation in the Western Balkans was in focus of the Dubrovnik Forum and participants expressed strong support to the EU perspective of the Western Balkans countries. They underlined that process of the EU enlargement should be legitimate and predictable. New High Representative in B&H Christian Schmidt took part in discussion on this topic. He underlined that there have been many demands to have B&H in focus of discussion concerning the Western Balkans. Schmidt emphasized that it would not be good thing, because it would be indicator of crisis in B&H, adding that the only path towards solution is an open dialogue. In an interview for HRT, US Envoy for the Western Balkans Matthew Palmer talked about situation in the South-East Europe. Asked whether the US is back to the Western Balkans, Palmer said that America never left the Western Balkans, adding that it was partner of the EU in this part of the Europe for three decades and will resume to B&H. Palmer underlined that Biden-Harris Administration has demonstrated renewed commitment to this region. “This is part of the world President Biden knows well. He cares about the Balkans very deeply. I think there is a lot of great things the US and the EU will be able to do in Southern-Eastern Europe in partnership”, explained Palmer. Asked whether one can expect Serbia to recognize Kosovo without any compromise from Pristina, Palmer stated it is good thing two sides reengaged in the dialogue process, adding that the US strongly supports this process. Ascic said that the US has been supporting reform of electoral legislation, but has not been offering any solutions. Palmer explained that is up to parties in B&H to identify tradeoffs and compromises that will be necessary to reach an agreement. “This has attention of senior levels in the US Secretary (Antony) Blinken wrote a letter to B&H Presidency, identifying 2021 which as non-election year in B&H as a critical window of opportunity – one that we are determined to seize”, underlined Palmer. He added that it is important for the US that whatever emerges out of this process – reforms of electoral system to move B&H closer towards the EU “that it addresses rulings of European courts, including in particular Sejdic-Finci” and produces system that is more functional rather than less functional. Palmer concluded that he believes actors in B&H can reach an organic agreement. He also emphasized importance of role of Croatia for processes in the region.   

Djukanovic: We rejoiced too early that retrograde ideas were buried together with Srebrenica misfortune (CdM) 

“It is time to restore retrograde political ideas and ideologies from the early 1990s that led all our peoples to terrible tragedies, culminating in genocide in Srebrenica,” said Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic, after the commemoration at the Potorcari Memorial Center. We all obviously believed too early, the President added, that these ideas were buried with the Srebrenica calamity and the misfortunes in the former Yugoslavia. “Unfortunately, we rejoiced too soon and our struggle for the adoption of civilization values and the implementation of full stability in our region will continue. That is why I would not comment on or attach special importance to those unreasonable, irrational political messages on this tragic occasion,” stressed Djukanovic. The nationalist and fascist policies are unfortunately on the scene again, he added. “If we do not establish a clear political, democratic front in time in relation to these ideas, there is a danger that the mistake will be repeated. Let’s hope not with such terrible consequences which B&H and Srebrenica went through. But I think that events like this are an opportunity to strengthen the front of resistance to these retrograde ideas,” he pointed out. Djukanovic, wrote in the book of condolences that half a century after the Holocaust, European civilization was once again killed in Srebrenica. “I bow to the shadows of the victims of Srebrenica. In Potocari, words are losing their meaning, because here Balkan history has spoken with its most terrible cry. Half a century after the Holocaust, European civilization was once again killed here. All that remains for us is to cherish with immense sadness the memory of the innocent victims of genocide and to regret that we are contemporaries of the greatest crime in Europe after the World War II. This obliges us not to allow the truth about the great Srebrenica suffering to be revised. Peace to their souls. May it will never happen again,” Djukanovic wrote. Djukanovic has said that he has come to Srebrenica to pay homage to the shadows of the victims and in that way contribute to all of us standing together in defense of the values of civilization. “It is always an obligation to pay homage to the victims, and in this time, especially, we must all be responsible for the attempts to revise and relativize the Srebrenica genocide. These events encourage a culture of remembrance, and by visiting I want to contribute to the warning – may this what happened in Srebrenica happen never again anywhere in the world.”

Becic: Criminals are shells filled only with evil, neither God nor Allah is with them (CdM) 

Parliament Speaker Aleksa Becic has spoken via a video link on the 26th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, saying that we must face the dark past in order for our future to be bright.

“On 13 July this year, Montenegro marks not only Statehood Day, but also a significant jubilee – 80 years since the 13 July uprising, the first in enslaved Europe at the time. 13 July is our another word for the fight against evil in people and therefore the memory of all genocides and crimes committed in all areas and at all times. Therefore, after 26 years of this painful and tragic event for all, especially for us in the region, I want as the parliament speaker, but also as a son, brother, cousin, neighbor and always as a man, to send you expressions of deep sympathy in pain and suffering, which must be an unspeakable reminder to all of us in this area that life in peace is priceless,” stated Becic. He recalls that the parliament of Montenegro strongly condemned the Srebrenica genocide as well as those who deny it. “Thus, we have expressed our readiness to condemn all wars in the former Yugoslavia, with deep sympathy for all victims and their families” Becic said. He stated that responsibility could only be individual, and that no nation could be labeled as genocidal or criminal.

Abazovic: We’ll investigate responsibility of our people or politicians in bloody dissolution of Yugoslavia (CdM) 

DPM Dritan Abazovic said in Srebrenica that it was sad that the international community and political elites allowed something like this to happen in the 20th century. “My message is to bury hatred, injustice, discord and division among people in a symbolic way by lowering the coffin” he told media. This year, a large delegation arrived from Montenegro, and DPM Abazovic said that it was a message that Montenegro was a friendly country and that its policy was aimed at peace and dealing with the past.

Rakocevic: Crisis can be solved only by new EU Govt (Dnevne novine) 

“To brag about the results achieved by the government is a continuation of playing with the common sense of the citizens of Montenegro. It is a continuation of the policy of turning lies into truth. That was the main weapon of the new government that helped them gain a position, with the assistance of regional and certain domestic media” DPS MP Nikola Rakocevic has told Dnevne Novine. “The Prime Minister is continuously trying to affirm the foreign policy of previous governments, which should be praised. However, insufficient seriousness and lack of political sobriety cause diplomatic scandals that destroy the image of our country in the European context. The help of all our NATO partners in achieving the full European integration of our society is necessary and welcome, however, it is more important that the Prime Minister first helps himself and his own country, and, consequently, others would help Montenegro as well”, he points out. “He can help simply – to dissolve the government that does not have enough competence and has too many evil intentions in relation to Montenegro. Finally, should we expect anything else from the government, which is mostly supported by anti-European political entities, and which was formed, I remind you, according to the Prime Minister, in a religious institution, specifically in the Serbian Church”, Rakocevic adds. When commenting on the possible unblocking of the judicial system in Montenegro, Rakocevic says that “solutions that require a qualified majority presuppose the necessity of social consensus. Responsible politicians should look forward to opportunities that bring together politically opposed parties. However, political approach is not enough, but a state one is necessary”. “Unfortunately, it seems to me that there is no such wisdom in the political competition of the current Montenegrin opposition, headed by the DPS. Without the strong involvement of European partners, the parliamentary majority will have neither the courage nor the responsibility to create the conditions for a judicial solution to be reached soon. All solutions for unblocking the judicial system can be reached by the autumn, and the opposition is ready for an agreement. The parliamentary majority must show responsibility, and there’s no excuse for giving up,” Rakocevic concludes.

Efendic hosted Abazovic and thanked him for the Resolution on the genocide in Srebrenica (Gov. Press service) 

Acting President of the Party for B&H Semir Efendic hosted Dritan Abazovic, President of the Civil Movement URA and Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro who is paying a several-day visit to B&H. “Dritan and I have known each other since our student days. We stayed in touch even after graduation. Dritan’s desire to change the governing structure in his country, which has been in power for 30 years, seemed unrealistic for a party led by someone from a minority group, but the whole region had the opportunity to see that it succeeded. On this occasion, I would like to thank him for the Resolution adopted by the parliament of Montenegro regarding the genocide in Srebrenica,” said Efendic. Abazovic had previously announced his arrival in Srebrenica on 11 July on the occasion the 26th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide. At the meeting, he pointed out that he was looking forward to every kind of cooperation between the two countries.

Cikotic to Abazovic: Your move is brave and beneficial in the long term (Gov. Press service) 

The decision to adopt the Resolution on the genocide in Srebrenica is a sign of new winds in the region and represents a brave and beneficial move in the long term, said B&H Minister of Security Selmo Cikotic after the meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic.

Abazovic pointed out that the adoption of the Resolution on the genocide in Srebrenica was a moral and civilizational decision. Cikotic stated that the relations between B&H and Montenegro are a paradigm of relations as they should be in the future between all countries of the Western Balkans. He pointed out that Montenegro’s membership in NATO is an important element of regional stability, very important for B&H as well. Abazovic emphasized that Montenegro supports the integrity of B&H and its path towards European integration, offering the assistance in that process.

Abazovic in Potocari (Gov. Press service) 

President of the Association “Mothers of Srebrenica” Munira Subasic hosted Deputy Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic in the premises of the Association in Potocari. President of the Association Munira Subasic expressed her gratitude for the visit and the expression of sympathy to the families of the victims of the genocide in Srebrenica and the support sent to them by the Montenegrin delegation. The government delegation, led by Abazovic, attended commemoration in memory of the victims of the Srebrenica genocide. The Government delegation also included Minister of Foreign Affairs Djordje Radulovic, Minority Adviser to the Prime Minister Maida Gorcevic and Director of the Directorate for Cooperation with Diaspora Seid Hadzic.

VMRO calls on SDSM and DUI to stop with their intrigues and support the joint resolution on Bulgaria (Republika) 

VMRO-DPMNE called on SDSM and DUI to support the joint resolution on the Bulgarian demands. After VMRO proposed the resolution, SDSM initially resisted, then declared its support, but remains evasive when it comes to ratification. DUI, on the other hand, rejected the resolution but its officials are now saying that they support protections for the Macedonian national identity. Bulgaria wants complete revision of the Macedonian history and redefining of the Macedonian national identity and in the meantime continues to veto Macedonia’s EU accession talks. PM Zoran Zaev needs to stop making excuses. SDSM and DUI must support the resolution in parliament, without further intrigue. So far, Zaev has shown us that he is spineless and that Macedonia is threatened, VMRO-DPMNE said in a statement.

The Economist Roundtable in Athens, Rama: We are moving ahead with the reforms and all the steps needed to reach the EU (Radio Tirana) 

Prime Minister Edi Rama took part at the conference of The Economist which took place in Athens. Rama talked about the path towards EU integration underlining that Albania is doing its homework and continues with the reforms because that is what is needed to be done for the future generations. “We must continue further, within the region and strengthen bilateral and regional cooperation as a whole. Something important has happened over the years, a good thing that bears the name of the process of Berlin. We must move forward because we have no other alternatives and we do not want to look for other alternatives,” Rama said. He also said that “we have entered a new year of reconnection and cooperation between our staffs”. “I have met (North Macedonian PM) Zoran Zaev more often recently than some ministers. On the other hand, the same thing with the Serbian counterparts and this is no longer news because it is a new normal. Once upon a time my meeting with Aleksandar Vucic was the biggest news one could imagine for many reasons. 6 or 8 years was the first visit of an Albanian head of state to Belgrade, while now it is normal, this is a good thing, but we must push this process forward, so we as partners in the region, Serbia and North Macedonia, we should promote cooperation and not divide the region, not create something that contradicts the vision of the region but simply lead by good deeds and explain that this is exactly what our citizens need, what we owe to our people, a life without barriers, exactly the four freedoms of Europe implemented within our region that expects to become part of the great European family and these freedoms are already present,” Rama added. “Greece for known reasons has not been present for a period of time, but now that normalcy has returned, economic growth has returned, many dreams and hopes of the Greek people have returned, I hope that Greece will be more present and more active in all the commitments and tasks of the region,” Rama said.