LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: We want the best possible relations with Montenegro (Beta)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday that he wanted the best possible relations with Podgorica but that he would not allow Serbia to be humiliated by anyone. Commenting on a statement by Montenegrin Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic that it depended on Belgrade when he would officially visit Belgrade, Vucic said that Krivokapic had been in Belgrade and other places in Serbia several times but that things are a little different where official meetings are concerned. Vucic said that he would soon have the opportunity to officially meet with the Montenegrin Prime Minister, but added that Podgorica’s decision to expel the Serbian ambassador is only a tiny issue weighing down on relations with Belgrade. “Let’s not talk about the different documents passed by the Montenegrin parliament, proclaiming our people genocidal, that they passed decisions on sending vaccines to the Kosovo army which they know should not exist according to Resolution 1244. We want the best possible relations with Montenegro, we are not asking for anything but we will not allow Serbia to be humiliated by someone,” Vucic said.

EU: No specific meetings in Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, only contacts on different levels (Beta)

Activities within the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue on various levels are in progress although “there have not been any specific meetings so far, there were contacts on different levels,” EU spokesman Peter Stano said on Tuesday. This was Stano’s response to being asked by reporters whether the EU planned to organize any meetings as part of the dialogue at the end of this month or in September. The spokesman stressed that the EU would notify the media “on time” if expert teams or negotiators met or the dialogue was held on the highest level. EU special representative for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Miroslav Lajcak said after the latest meeting between Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Kosovo Premier Albin Kurti in Brussels that “very little progress” had been made and that the only agreement was to continue the dialogue. “The meeting was difficult and showed very different approaches by the two sides toward normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia,” Lajcak said at the time.

Selakovic: Lebanese officials express principled support for Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty (RTV)

Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic handed over on Tuesday in Beirut 20,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus, the first part of the aid of 40,000 vaccines that Serbia donated to Lebanon. On the first day of his official visit to Lebanon, Selakovic also held separate meetings with President of the Lebanese Republic Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Hassan Diab. The donation of Serbia was received by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lebanon Zeyna Akar, who expressed gratitude for the donation, and informed Selakovic about the epidemiological situation in that Middle Eastern country. Selakovic conveyed that at all meetings, Lebanese officials expressed great gratitude to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, the government of Serbia, the Republic of Serbia and its citizens for the selfless help we provided by donating vaccines, but also by the decision to donate 45 tons of food to the Lebanese people. The Minister pointed out that other types of assistance that Serbia could possibly provide to the friendly Lebanon were also discussed at the meetings, as well as various types of improvement of our bilateral cooperation, not only in the field of cooperation between the two foreign ministries, but especially in the field of the economy. We talked about everything that could serve the people of Lebanon and the Republic of Lebanon from Serbian experiences for the purpose of their economic recovery that this country longs for, he said. Selakovic underlined that Lebanese officials were especially interested in the economic successes that Serbia is recording. Selakovic stated that Lebanese officials expressed strong and principled support for Serbia’s positions on the issue of protection of our territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as the continuation of dialogue in the search for a solution for Kosovo and Metohija.

Office for Kosovo and Metohija: They are drawing targets on Serbs with messages from Pristina (RTV/Tanjug)

The attack on a young Serb man in the Bosnjacka mahala, as well as a series of similar incidents to which Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija have been exposed since the beginning of the year, are a reflection of irresponsible messages and actions of politicians from Pristina who encourage intolerance towards our people, the Office for Kosovo and Metohija stated in a release on Tuesday. Strongly condemning last night’s attack, the Office demands that international organizations, which are in the service of preserving peace and security in Kosovo and Metohija, enable a peaceful life for Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija. It is stated that a young man of Serb nationality, D. M. (20) was attacked last night around one hour after midnight in the settlement of Bosnjacka mahala, in the northern part of Kosovska Mitrovica. It is pointed out that the fact that one of the attackers is employed in the so-called Kosovo security forces is especially worrying.

Appointment of Schmidt is illegal and illegitimate (Novosti)

Professor of constitutional law Milan Blagojevic said that, as a consequence of China’s diplomatic note, China will not be able to officially meet with Schmidt “because he is not the High Representative” and also that China will not recognize any document he might impose. Blagojevic added that he believes Russia and China should now issue a diplomatic note saying that they do not recognize the decision of former High Representative Valentin Inzko on prohibition of genocide denial either.

REGIONAL PRESS

B&H Presidency members Komsic and Dzaferovic hold session without Dodik, approve decision to hold ‘Quick Response’ exercise (BHT1/FTV) 

Chairman and Croat member of the Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Presidency Zeljko Komsic and Bosniak member of B&H Presidency Sefik Dzaferovic held an extraordinary session without Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik. Komsic and Dzaferovic adopted the decision to approve holding the military exercise ‘Quick Response 2021’. Secretary General of the Presidency Zoran Djeric explained that Komsic’s cabinet initially prepared a conclusion but members of the Presidency eventually went on to adopt the decision. FTV also reported that the exercise is being held in accordance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace and will take place from 13 September to 3 October in the southern part of B&H.

Dodik’s cabinet: Komsic and Dzaferovic continue to degrade B&H Presidency and turn it into circus (RTRS) 

Dodik’s cabinet stated that this would not be disputable if Komsic and Dzaferovic had not presented to the public how they allegedly adopted a decision approving the exercise, thus violating both the Constitution and the Rules of Procedure of the B&H Presidency. RTRS stressed that Komsic is not giving up on attempts to deceive the public although EUFOR Commander Alexander Platzer informed him in a letter from 12 August that EUFOR will carry out its main annual exercise ‘Quick Response’ in the southern part of B&H from 13 September to 3 October. RTRS noted that despite this, the B&H Presidency presented this as its own decision. RTRS stressed that Komsic also disregarded the fact that such exercises have been taking place for years, as was stated in EUFOR’s letter which also reads that EUFOR wants to inform the entire public and the B&H institutions about it. Referring to the peace agreement, Dodik’s cabinet explained that EUFOR and the NATO HQ in Sarajevo do not need the approval of the Presidency, nor any other B&H institution, for any of their activities. Dodik’s cabinet stressed that EUFOR did not seek approval, but informed the B&H Presidency about its activities. Dodik’s Cabinet stressed that with their illegal and unconstitutional behavior, Komsic and Dzaferovic continue to degrade the B&H Presidency and turn it into a circus. “Komsic, whose mouth is full of B&H, and he is doing everything to degrade and disgrace its institutions, convenes an extraordinary session at which he and Dzaferovic make some decision approving the holding of the exercise ‘EUFOR – Quick Response 2021’. In this way, they only ridicule both B&H and the institution which they are members of, which should be professional and serious,” the cabinet of the Serb member of the B&H Presidency stated. Dodik’s cabinet underlined that session of the B&H Presidency on this topic was completely unnecessary and that adoption of any decision was absolutely irrelevant. The cabinet of the Serb member of the B&H Presidency explained that one could have only taken note of the information from EUFOR at the level of technical bodies of the B&H Presidency. “Therefore, the Presidency cannot make decisions on this issue because it is not required to do so. All decisions concerning the defense can be made only unanimously, so today (Tuesday) they have thus violated the Constitution and the Rules of Procedure,” the cabinet of the Serb member of the B&H Presidency stated, adding that Komsic and Dzaferovic should stop misusing an institution such as the B&H Presidency for their petty frauds and deception of the public in Republika Srpska and Federation of B&H. Dodik’s Advisor Radovan Kovacevic said that consent of the B&H Presidency is not necessary for the exercise of the EUFOR and it is obvious that Komsic got a little bit confused and argued that he wanted to reach a decision that he cannot reach although no one asked him anything about this.

Prosecutor’s Office of B&H confirms that it received criminal report against Dodik (BHT1)

The Prosecutor’s Office of B&H confirmed that it has received a criminal report filed by Head of Jablanica Municipality Damir Sabanovic against Serb member of the Presidency of B&H Milorad Dodik. The Prosecutor’s Office also revealed that the report was assigned to one of prosecutors in the special department for organized and economic crime and corruption. To remind, the report was filed after Dodik did not give his consent for helicopters of the Armed Forces of B&H to be deployed to combat wildfires in Jablanica Municipality.

Sarajevo politicians use wildfires in FB&H to blame RS, Dodik; Kovacevic: This is how they hide their incompetence (ATV)

ATV reported that Sarajevo politicians are using the wildfires raging in the FB&H to blame the RS and Milorad Dodik. According to Advisor of Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik, Radovan Kovacevic, this is how they try to hide their own incompetence. The reporter noted that Chairman of the B&H Presidency Zeljko Komsic and Bosniak member of the B&H Presidency Sefik Dzaferovic are using the wildfires that are raging in the FB&H for the purpose of their policy and they find that Dodik is guilty of problems with extinguishing of the wildfires. According to ATV, Komsic and Dzaferovic do not know what to do, which is why they call on High Representative (HR) Christian Schmidt for help. Kovacevic assessed that obviously, the two members of the B&H Presidency tried to fake a humanitarian disaster with the most possible low-minded goal – to falsely present Serbs and the RS responsible for their own incompetence in the FB&H and to make Dodik take part in the decision-making process and thus ruin unity of Serb parties. Kovacevic added: “I do not know whether calls that they sent to Christian Schmidt are more tragic or ridiculous. This is so serious that the only thing that they can do is to ask him to arrange them some tourist arrangement so that we all get some rest from them.” Kovacevic reminded that the sector of civil protection is under exclusive competence of the entities. The reporter noted that while they blame others and call on Schmidt for help, helicopters of the RS Helicopter Service are extinguishing wildfires in the other entity.

Opposition leaders mostly agree that Dodik should give his consent for deployment of Armed Forces in firefighting operation (Glas Srpske)

The daily asked leaders of the RS opposition parties if Milorad Dodik should participate in a session of B&H Presidency only in order to give his consent for deployment of B&H Armed Forces helicopters in firefighting operations, and whether his participation in such session would violate the agreement of RS political parties not to participate in work of state institutions.

SDS leader Mirko Sarovic stated that in his opinion, Dodik would not violate the agreement of political parties and conclusions of the RS parliament if he decided to give his consent for deployment of the military helicopters. “Every case of our personal participation in work which saves human lives and protects property from natural disasters and other emergencies is not only very humane, but also justified. Such behavior surpasses everything else and it is not in collision with any political decisions,” said Sarovic. DNS leader Nenad Nesic stated that life is bigger than politics, and nature is stronger than humans. He underlined that when lives are at stake and when nature displays its unpredictability, it is necessary to find a way to save lives. “The fact is that the RS parliament conclusions are unambiguous, but there are situations when exceptions can and should be made. Natural disaster is one such case. Helping people who are in trouble is more important than political conflicts. What is happening with the wildfires now shows how much we depend on each other and how pointless it is to trip each other. All of this shows how much changes in the RS and B&H are needed,” said Nesic. PDP leader Branislav Borenovic avoided giving a direct answer. He said that if PDP was in power, it would assess all possible risks, predict all situations that might come up and carefully analyze the next steps. However, he noted, the current government in the RS is failing to do so. “Their solutions mainly serve the purpose of daily petty politics, and what they offered so far has had a direct influence on people’s lives,” said Borenovic. According to Borenovic the SDA-SNSD-HDZ B&H coalition which was capable of reaching an agreement on NATO integration, excise tax, distribution of posts and privileges now needs to find a solution for the situation created by Valentin Inzko’s decision to impose amendments to B&H Criminal Code. They also need to find a solution for the crisis created by extreme drought and wildfires which are endangering people both in the RS and the FB&H. Borenovic also added that the current situation proves that rejoicing of FB&H politicians over Inzko’s decision did not bring anything good.

Cvijanovic: It is obvious that Russia and China tried to bring order into procedures and manner of HR’s appointment in B&H (ATV)

The Chinese Embassy to B&H officially confirmed that they sent a diplomatic note which reads that authorities of this country do not accept the legitimacy of German Christian Schmidt as a new HR in B&H. RS Prime Minister Zeljka Cvijanovic said that it is obvious that Russia and China tried to bring order into procedures and the manner of appointment of the HR in B&H. Cvijanovic stated: “Obviously, this is how they clearly expressed the stance that they want to make appointment of HRs a legitimate and a legal thing, that things happen in line with procedures set and described in the Dayton. Therefore, I am not surprised with the fact that someone wants to bring the thing into the right order and to appoint people in this way in this concrete case, but I am maybe surprised that some are more surprised than me that this happened. If we are someone who is the subject of certain things and we have to adhere to the word of Dayton, then why should not others adhere to it? There are no exceptions there,” Cvijanovic underlined. “The Chinese side consistently respects sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of B&H. We are convinced that the peoples and citizens of B&H have wisdom, ability and right to independently decide which way their country is going, and find a solution to the problems they face,” the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in B&H stated.

SDP to Embassies of Russia and China: Respect the legitimacy of HR (Dnevni list)

Dnevni list reports that following diplomatic notes that embassies of Russia and China have sent to the OHR, SDP has issued a statement in which is calls on representatives of the international community, including the aforementioned embassies, to respect the constitutional order of B&H and provisions of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in B&H. SDP stated, among other issues, that Russia and China are two nations that cooperate with B&H on numerous projects and with which B&H has achieved considerable economic exchange. The party however argues that the cooperation must be based on mutual respect and observing constitutional-legal order of B&H, adding that the diplomatic notes regarding status of the HR in B&H do not contribute to strengthening of mutual relations, on the contrary that challenging the position of the HR could destabilize the political situation in B&H. “That is why we call on embassies of China and Russia to refrain from making statements that are contrary to the international legal order and legal order of our country,” said SDP.

B&H MPs comment Russia, China stances regarding appointment of HR Schmidt (Oslobodjenje)

Oslobodjenje daily reads that diplomatic notes, sent by Russia and China, which read that they do not accept Christian Schmidt as the new High Representative, have caused many reactions and solution for the blockade of state institutions by the RS is still uncertain. SDA’s MP in B&H House of Representatives Alma Colo stated that Schmidt was appointed in line with the UN Resolution 1.031, which stipulates that in line with conclusions of the London Conference, the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) is the one to appoint the HR. She reminded that Russia and China tried to limit the mandate of the HR through the Resolution in the UN Security Council, but this attempt was rejected. Stressing that Schmidt was appointed in line with UN General Assembly documents and Resolutions of the UN Security Council, Colo said: “A new attempt of China and Russia, via diplomatic notes, does not mean much. This is only continuation of RS activities and the mentioned two countries, which support them, to obstruct the role of the HR. He is inevitable, a part of Dayton Agreement and exists in the mentioned resolution, which gives him full capacity in legal competencies which he needs to have to achieve his mandate in civil implementation of DPA.” She noted that all elected officials in B&H took an oath promising to perform their duties and argues that those who do not participate in work of institutions should face the consequences. Colo noted that Prosecutor’s Office of B&H should prosecute those who do not do their job, arguing that currently the Parliament of B&H is on vacation, but after the vacation everyone should return to their job or face consequences. She also believes that the HR should make certain steps in this case, arguing that in line with Annex X, the HR has a possibility and he needs to remove all difficulties in implementation of the DPA. Colo concluded that only the UN SC can interpret whether the appointment of the HR is in line with international documents and in her opinion the UN SC presented their stance when rejected the Resolution proposed by Russia and China: “You know that 5+2 goals and conditions for closing down of the OHR have not been met.” B&H MP in B&H HoR Damir Arnaut (NS) stressed that according to Annex X, the HR is the final authority for interpretation of the DPA: “An accent is not on the cooperation, but respecting of the stances and implementation of OHR decisions. Annex X does not stipulate that new HR needs to be confirmed by UN SC, but that he is appointed in line with competent resolutions. Whoever read them knows that Schmidt’s legitimacy is not questionable. I also hope that Schmidt will not fall for this. Even though only Dodik is disputing his legitimacy, Izetbegovic and Covic, together with Dodik, refuse to implement 14 priorities and thus keep us far away from the EU. The HR’s approach needs to be directed towards all forms of obstructions and against blockades of those who enable blockades by giving HDZ and SNSD four delegates in the House of Peoples.” Arnaut further argues that Russia and China try to undermine West’s interests in this region: “Let us not forget that Turkey is the one buying rocket system from Russia. All three countries are authoritative regimes. It is time for West to say in B&H “you are either with us or against us”. Only then the post-Dayton phase can start.” B&H MP in B&H HoR, Dragan Mektic (SDS) said that it is difficult to stipulate the course of cooperation with the OHR, noting that this depends of current authorities in the RS. He argues that in his opinion it is necessary to “return whole this issue” to the table and discuss it, because the current situation only deepens the crisis. Mektic stressed that decisions which have not been passed through institutions are not good, adding that it is irrelevant who will launch the dialogue.

B&H MP in B&H HoR Dzenan Djonlagic (DF) said that diplomatic notes will mean nothing, stressing that long time ago B&H adopted all necessary laws and determined foreign-policy priorities. The daily noted that they asked B&H Presidency members Sefik Dzaferovic and Zeljko Komsic about course of cooperation with the OHR, considering that Dodik is blocking the work of state institutions and does not recognize HR’s legitimacy, but received no answer. The daily also noted that the OHR did not comment stances of Russia and China, stating that things are more than clear when it comes to the mandate of the HR.

RS CoP fails to harmonize views on invoking of protection of VNI in case of law on non-application of decision of HR and law on amendments to RS Criminal Code (RTRS)

RTRS reports that the RS Council of Peoples (HoP) Tuesday failed to agree on invoking of mechanism of vital national interest by the Bosniak Caucus in the RS CoP because of the decisions of the RS parliament on the early entry into force of the Law on Non-Application of the Decision of the High Representative and the Law on Amendments to the Criminal Code of the RS. Consequently, the Joint Commission of the RS parliament and the RS CoP will decide on the amendments of the Bosniak Caucus. RS parliament deputy speaker Milan Petkovic stressed that there is no reason why the vital national interests of any constituent people in the RS, or ‘The Others’, would be endangered. Petkovic noted that amendments of the Bosniak Caucus are not acceptable to the proponent of the law, i.e. the RS parliament. “Also, their explanation, which emphasizes that this law denies the existence of B&H and Bosniaks who identify with B&H, is not acceptable. On the contrary, with this law, the RS parliament wanted to protect the sovereignty of B&H because it was seriously violated by the imposition of a decision by the High Representative” Petkovic underlined. Petkovic stressed that the Bosniak Caucus only wants to delay the entry into force of the abovementioned laws and to further complicate the situation without any need. After their invoking of mechanism of vital national interest did not receive support, representatives of the Bosniak Caucus in the RS CoP stressed that their next step is the Constitutional Court (CC) of the RS. Head of the Bosniak Caucus in the RS CoP Alija Tabakovic underlined that if the decision of the RS CC turns out to be unacceptable for the Bosniak Caucus, it will ask the B&H CC to review the constitutionality of the two laws adopted by the RS parliament. Head of the Croat Caucus in the RS CoP Nada Tesanovic stressed that the RS CoP failed to reach an agreement because Bosniaks had four amendments to the first law, and seven to the second law. “The amendments were not adopted, so we will hold a joint session of the RS parliament and the CoP on Friday,” Tesanovic said.

HJPC confirms second instance disciplinary commission in procedure against Gordana Tadic did not make decision (RTRS)

The High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) of B&H has confirmed for RTRS that the second instance disciplinary commission in the procedure against Gordana Tadic did not make a decision, which means that Tadic remains at the position of the Chief Prosecutor of the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H. RTRS recalled that at the end of July, the first-instance disciplinary commission made a decision on Tadic’s removal, which will be final only if it is confirmed by the second-instance commission. Former president of the B&H HJPC Milan Tegeltija claims that one wants to save Director of the B&H Intelligence-Security Agency (OSA) Osman Mehmedagic by removing Tadic, adding that the ultimate goal is for SDA to take control over the entire judiciary at the level of B&H. “That is rounding out the entire story called the establishment of SDA dictatorship in the judiciary and that is something that is currently happening”, Tegeltija stressed. RTRS stressed that according to a tried and tested recipe, first the media close to OSA started a story about failures in Tadic’s work and then SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic openly threatened her because she dared to prosecute Bosniak war generals and open the ‘Respirators’ case. According to RTRS, everything culminated when Mehmedagic started coming to the Court and the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H in the capacity of a defendant. “The Prosecutor’s Office, which was led by Gordana Tadic, dealt exclusively with Bosniaks, with a focus on Bosniaks from SDA. That is unacceptable,” Izetbegovic stated earlier. RTRS wondered whether Izetbegovic knows that the decision of the first-instance disciplinary commission will be confirmed, so he is talking about Tadic in the past tense. RTRS also wondered whether this was confirmed to Izetbegovic by Chief Public Prosecutor of the RS Mahmut Svraka, who, according to Dnevni avaz daily, visited SDA premises in Sarajevo. RTRS noted that allegedly Svraka was promised that he will be able to choose a new position for himself if he, as a member of the second-instance disciplinary commission, confirms the measure against Tadic. “I do not see that anyone has denied those articles in the media that talk about the meetings of certain members of the HJPC with the leadership of SDA,” Tegeltija said. RTRS noted that Svraka did not answer its calls and RTRS also failed to get a reaction from the RS Public Prosecutor’s Office. The B&H HJPC stated that the composition of the second-instance disciplinary commission has yet to be determined, although some FB&H media have already announced that, in addition to Svraka, FB&H prosecutor Slavo Lakic and judge of the Supreme Court of the FB&H Mustafa Sabic have been chosen as members of the second-instance disciplinary commission. RTRS concluded that prolonging the selection of members of the second-instance disciplinary commission is confirmation that an underground intelligence-media operation is underway to determine the composition of the second-instance commission over which SDA has influence and which would confirm Tadic’s alleged sins. Unofficially, the second-instance commission will make a decision in Tadic’s case in September. If removed, Tadic will be the fourth B&H Chief Prosecutor who failed to complete their mandate.

Croatian MEP: NATO has to understand its Afghanistan mistakes (Hina) 

NATO will have to swallow a bitter pill and work to understand the mistakes made in Afghanistan, Croatian MEP Tonino Picula said on Tuesday, adding that the priority now has to be easing the suffering of the people in the country after the capital of Kabul fell into Taliban hands without any resistance from Afghan forces. “Twenty years of investing by NATO member states in institution building, in training and equipping Afghan defense forces proved to be totally ineffective in just a few days as the Taliban took over the country. Many will have to answer serious questions as to how and why that happened,” said Picula, who serves as the Socialists and Democrats’ foreign policy coordinator. “As an alliance, we will have to swallow a bitter pill and try to understand all that we did wrong. But today the ones who suffer the most are the people of Afghanistan. They paid the highest price of that failure. Our priority must be to alleviate their suffering, notably by evacuating those in the gravest danger and ensuring relief for all the needy,” Picula said. “It’s especially necessary to watch the behavior of the Taliban, notably in the sphere of women’s rights, the safety of minorities and the fight against international terrorism,” he added. “Afghanistan must not be safe for terrorists and any violation of those rules must lead to sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and the severing of any potential forms of assistance for organizations tied to the authorities.” He added that an urgent meeting of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs and Committee on Development with High Representative Josep Borrell had been requested concerning relief and the evacuation of Afghanistan’s partners.

Krivokapic: I got the information about coup plot (CdM/Nova) 

Relations with Serbia can’t be better unless there’s a will from both sides to improve them, Montenegrin Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic told in an interview for Nova daily. Speaking about the media campaign run against him by the regime in Serbia, Krivokapic said we all know who’s the owner of the media in Serbia and Montenegro, that he chose to be scanned by the public but his family should not be affected by it. The PM touched on the strong reactions following his visit to the Serbian Patriarchate, noting that someone tried to present him as a traitor of Montenegro. Asked to comment on the interpretation of that visit as a coup attempt from Belgrade, Krivokapic told Nova that at first he wasn’t thinking about it like that but later on was worried about the information he’d obtained. On bad relations with Serbia even after the defeat of the Democratic Party of Socialists, DPS, in the parliamentary election, the PM said the reason for it was the misunderstanding and “false information and lies coming from certain circles from Serbia and Montenegro”. He also touched on the media allegations in Serbia regarding he and his family, stating that he and his family don’t like publicity. As for the fact that he can’t come to Belgrade and meet the highest-ranking officials, unlike representatives of the Democratic Front, DF, Krivokapic believes that Serbia should answer that question. “Regardless of someone’s personal beliefs, I’m the prime minister of Montenegro and it’s logical that relations at that level should function. I’m well aware of all the relations and I can’t change them, because it’s up to somebody else to do it. I should be patient and ready to further sacrifice myself, with my government, for the wellbeing of Montenegro and all its citizens”.  On Vucic’s assessment that Serbs in Montenegro have far less rights than Albanians in North Macedonia, Krivokapic simply said he didn’t know what Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic meant. “Never in the history of Montenegro have Serbs had better positions in the institutions of the system than is the case now. And they will have even more.” On relations with the leaders of the DF, Andrija Mandic, Milan Knezevic and Nebojsa Medojevic, and whether everything would have been different if only he had offered them specific positions in executive power, Krivokapic said “it’s an assumption difficult to consider”. Asked about the DPS and whether he believed they’d take over one day again, the Prime Minister said the DPS was a party belonging to history.

Fierce reactions from Montenegro to Drasko Stanivukovic’s statement (N1) 

The entire Montenegrin opposition and part of the ruling parties condemned a statement by Banja Luka Mayor Drasko Stanivukovic, who denied the Montenegrin nation during his stay in Montenegro. At a gathering of like-minded people, Stanivukovic said that he believes that “Montenegrins are a fictional nation” while the video of that statement spread like lightning on the Internet. Commenting on the position of the first man of Banja Luka, the representative of former president Milo Djukanovic‘s opposition Democratic Party of Socialists, Predrag Boskovic, said that it was a “Serbian world” project performed by younger generations who did not remember how the “Greater Serbia” project ended because they were still in diapers. “I am afraid that he will pay dearly for this unlearned lesson,” Boskovic said. SDP’s Ivan Vujovic believes that Montenegro under the new ruling majority, which is close to the Serbian Orthodox Church, “has become a place where the biggest political and cultural sediment in the region is performing orgies” and that “any normal state would show the door” to the mayor of Banja Luka. Aleksandar Damjanovic from the non-governmental organization Montenegrin Cultural Network went a step further and asked the Montenegrin Ministry of the Interior to ban Stanivukovic from entering Montenegro. Not only did the opposition criticize the position of Banja Luka’s first man, but also the ruling Democrats, Montenegrin Parliament Speaker Aleksa Becic and members of the United Reform Action (URA), Deputy Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic. Danilo Sharanovic from the Democrats called Stanivukovic’s statement “shameful”, while Mileta Radovanovic from URA said that all guests were welcome in Montenegro, but that the basic culture is for the guest to respect the host, ie the country in which he came. A statement by the mayor of Banja Luka added fuel to the already flammable atmosphere in Montenegro between residents of the country who feel like ethnic Montenegrins and ethnic Serbs, among whom tensions rose when it was announced that the new head of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro, Joanikije, would be enthroned in the Montenegrin capital Cetinje in early September. Montenegrins consider it an insult and provocation the fact that the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church will be enthroned in the monastery where the relics of St. Peter of Cetinje, a Montenegrin saint from the Petrovic-Njegos dynasty, rest. not in the old capital of Montenegro. Montenegrin prosecutor’s office questioned Montenegrin President Mile Djukanovic’s security adviser and former Montenegrin police chief Veselin Veljovic for calling for resistance, because he called on the Montenegrin police and army to refuse obedience to orders during the inauguration in Cetinje. which are contrary to the Montenegrin Constitution.

Dritan’s “new hope” denies Montenegrins (CdM) 

Do you remember when Deputy Prime Minister and the Leader of the Civic Movement URA, Dritan Abazovic, congratulated Drasko Stanivukovic on winning his term as mayor of Banja Luka. “The wave of changes spreads from Montenegro to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The region deserves more. We all want a new value, new people and a new hope,” Abazovic told back then. And that “new value”, “new hope”, embodied in Stanivukovic, has arrived in Montenegro. According to him, the Montenegrin are a fabricated nation. “A Montenegrin, as a nation, I think it’s all fabricated,” he told at a gathering. DPM Abazovic hasn’t reacted so far so it’s still unclear whether people like Stanivukovic are those who are going to carry out better changes in the Balkans and bring it prosperity, unity and better life.

Nikoloski: This will be the first election in which the government didn’t accept the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations over the Electoral Code (Republika) 

“I would like to dedicate the press conference to the failed attempt to change the Electoral Code, something on which we have invested a lot of effort and energy over a long period of time. We refrain from sharing the views of VMRO-DPMNE because we respected the gentleman agreement that existed between the political parties within the Parliament not to disclose details to the public during the talks,” said VMRO-DPMNE Vice President Aleksandar Nikoloski. But having in mind, he added, that many details were presented to the public and VMRO-DPMNE was practically the only political party that respects this word, we would like to present our positions. We consider it extremely problematic that the local elections in October this year will be the first elections to be held in Macedonia without making changes to the Electoral Code by consensus between all political parties in accordance with the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations, he said. Nikoloski says that it is detrimental to Macedonian democracy and calls into question the credibility of the election process as well as its legality and legitimacy. VMRO-DPMNE had two essential demands in the talks, those demands were to literally implement the OSCE/ODHR recommendations, and the second election of mayors and councilors in the first round because the main manipulations, pressures and undemocratic means occur between the two rounds, he said.

Osmani: Turns out we need a political government in Sofia to negotiate with after all (Republika) 

It became apparent that it will require a political Government in Bulgaria to overcome the differences, said Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani. Osmani previously insisted that even the caretaker government that has ran Bulgaria since April will be able to negotiate an agreement that will have Bulgaria lift its veto over Macedonia’s EU accession talks. But with two inconclusive elections and after the persistent failure of the coalition talks in Bulgaria, no progress has been made for months. Bulgaria will now likely head toward another round of early general elections in October, along with the presidential elections. In the past months we saw that a political government is important to overcome the differences we have, even though I hoped we can do it with the technical Government. We’ve been waiting for this decision for 16 years, Osmani said. Osmani would not specify when will PM Zoran Zaev’s personal envoy Vlado Buckovski go to Sofia, but said that talks with Bulgaria are on-going constantly.

Macedonia and Turkey to sign agreement for military and financial cooperation (Republika) 

Defense Minister Radmila Sekerinska is paying on Tuesday a visit to Turkey, where she is set to meet with the Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar and sign a five-year agreement for military and financial cooperation. According to the Ministry of Defense, the agreement envisages an annual allocation of funds from Turkey to Macedonia, which will be used to strengthen combat capacities, procure artillery equipment and modernize the Army.

Region praises Zaev, Kosovo and Albania’s readiness to accept refugees from Afghanistan (Republika/ANA-MPA/Documento) 

The Greek public is pleasantly surprised that Macedonia is ready to accept refugees from Afghanistan. They also praise the readiness of both Albania and Kosovo. They have already arrived in Albania and Kosovo, and they are expected to arrive in Macedonia any moment now. Unlike our country, Greece, which is also a NATO member, will accept only a few refugees. “Macedonia will accept Afghan civilians”; “Zaev: Macedonia will accept Afghan civilians”; “Macedonia and Albania ready to accept refugees from Afghanistan”; “Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia open the doors for Afghan refugees” are some of the headlines of the Greek media.

Macedonia has expressed readiness to accept the US request to admit Afghan civilians. The Prime Minister of the country Zoran Zaev said that Macedonia informed the United States that it is prepared to help rescue citizens from Afghanistan, writes the Greek news agency ANA-MPA.

Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia, at the request of the United States, have expressed readiness to temporarily accept an indefinite number of Afghan political refugees who fled the country after the Taliban took control of the capital,” the online edition of the Documento newspaper reported.

Rama: An honor and duty for us to host the Afghan refugees, surprised by the rich countries (Tirana Times/The Guardian)

Prime Minister Edi Rama has reiterated his government’s stance to shelter hundreds of Afghans, not only as an obligation by NATO and Albanian allies, but also as a humanitarian mission.

“I’m shocked to see people leave behind looking for another chance to breathe again. We know what it is like to live in a dictatorship and what it means to be a foreigner seeking refuge elsewhere. This is what we are; “It is an honor and a duty for us,” Rama told for The Guardian.

British media say the leaders of Albania and Kosovo said on Sunday that they had accepted a US request to temporarily shelter Afghan political refugees. Their decisions come at a time of concern that NATO members are not responding quickly to the evacuation of Afghans who collaborated with them, who are under threat of the Talibans. The fall of Kabul reopened major divisions in Europe over refugees as EU and member states’ leaders prepare for a new wave of migrants from Afghanistan. Rama said “that he could not understand how rich countries had turned their backs on the Afghans”. “This runs counter to the values ​​we all preach. “Albania cannot solve the problem, but we do not want to be part of the problem either,” said Rama.

It is estimated that over 30,000 Afghans have fled the country every day in the last 10 days, a figure that may have multiplied after the fall of Kabul and the scenes recorded at its airport.