LOCAL PRESS
Vucic convened an emergency session of the Security Council (Novosti)
President Vucic scheduled an emergency session of the National Security Council for Tuesday at 10 am. The main topic of the session will be the events in Kosovo and Metohija, Novosti has learned. As it is stated, the analysis of the latest attacks on Serbs in our southern province will be on the table, as well as the latest decision to remove license plates from Serbian cars by which the government of Albin Kurti brought Kosovo and Metohija to the brink of new conflicts.
Also, the obstruction of Pristina to implement the Brussels and the agreement from 2011 will be discussed, i.e. the implementation of these acts only in the part that suits the Albanians. According to unofficial information, it is expected that the withdrawal of Belgrade and all previous agreements will be considered, because the Pristina side has practically not fulfilled any provision or obligation. Novosti claims that the Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Army, Milan Mojsilovic, as well as the heads of all special units of our armed forces were invited to tomorrow’s session. As a reminder, ROSU units, armed and with armored vehicles, came to the administrative crossings of Jarinje and Brnjak. Meanwhile, a document was released that caused tensions in the southern province. According to media reports, a document signed by the Minister of the Interior of the provisional institutions in Pristina Xhelal Svecla, on the basis of when special ROSU units were deployed at administrative crossings to confiscate license plates with Serbian plates, states that everyone with Serbian plates is obliged to replace them with trial Kosovo plates.
Armored vehicles and ROSU units at Jarinje and Brnjak (TV Prva/B92)
Special units of the Kosovo Police ROSU were deployed on Monday morning at two crossings – Jarinje and Brnjak, TV Prva has learned. This morning, members of the ROSU special unit arrived at two crossings in the north of Kosovo with about 20 vehicles, of which more than 10 were armored. As a reminder, the Kosovo police confirmed on Sunday evening that containers are being placed near the administrative crossing Jarinje. They stated that the goal of that action is to improve the infrastructure, that is, the conditions for the work of police officers. “Given the fact that the police station for border surveillance had only one office in the police station Leposavic, continuous measures are being taken to improve the infrastructure in general – to improve the working conditions of police officers for border surveillance, to perform their duties and responsibilities more efficiently,” Kosovo police told the KoSSev portal. President of Leposavic Municipality Zoran Todic stated for Kosovo online that the citizens of Leposavic, but also of the entire north, are upset because of these events. As he stated, during the day, he received questions from several citizens regarding some containers that members of the Kosovo police set up in the immediate vicinity of the Jarinje administrative crossing. “We have no answers from the Kosovo police about what this is all about, why these moves destabilize the situation only a few days after Miroslav Lajcak’s visit. I call on the citizens to be restrained and not fall prey to provocations, and we will carefully analyze the new situation,” Todic said.
Serbs from Kosovo heading towards the crossings (TV Prva/B92)
Igor Simic from the Serb List says that Serbs are angry because of Pristina’s move to send ROSU units to the administrative crossings of Jarinje and Brnjak. He told the morning program of TV Prva that Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija are deeply upset because Pristina sent over 20 vehicles of special forces units, armed to the teeth. According to him, they are angry and are currently driving towards the administrative crossings of Jarinje and Brnjak. According to the latest information transmitted by Simic, there are currently about 300 Serb vehicles in Jarinje and more than 100 at the Brnjak administrative crossing. “Both traffic lanes are blocked and the traffic is blocked,” he said, adding that urgent consultations of the members of the Serb List were held this morning. “We call on our citizens to be restrained and not to fall prey to provocations, because this is a provocation of Pristina, we assume that Serbs would be restricted in their freedom of movement by confiscating license plates from Serbia,” Simic said. He points out that he appeals for peace, but that there are more and more citizens and that they are angry. “There are already 300 Serb vehicles on Jarinje, and more than 100 on Brnjak,” he added.
Petkovic: Kurti plans to take down Serbian license plates at administrative crossings (Politika/RTS)
The Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Petar Petkovic said on Sunday that, according to the information available to the Office, the Prime Minister of the provisional institutions of Pristina Albin Kurti and the authorities in Pristina plan to start removing Serbian license plates at administrative crossings tomorrow and replace them with so-called temporary Pristina test marks. After members of the Kosovo police set up a dozen containers near the Jarinje administrative checkpoint, Petar Petkovic said that the only goal of “Albin Kurti’s insane actions” was to cause provocations and dangerous destabilization of the situation in Kosovo and Metohija and directly endanger peace and stability. Petkovic stressed that everyone should know that Kurti is a man who wants to cause incidents at any cost, which will create a complete standstill of life in the north of Kosovo and Metohija, which will last until the unjustified attack and oppression of the Serb people is stopped. He assessed that since Kurti’s arrival, the action he plans to carry out tomorrow, which he started today by installing additional infrastructure on Jarinje and other administrative crossings, is the most dangerous provocation and threat to the Serb people in Kosovo and Metohija. “It comes after the shameful verdict against Ivan Todosijevic, and it represents an obvious continuation of the policy of pressure, especially at the moment when a third-instance decision is expected, which will not only apply to Ivan Todosijevic, but to the entire Serb people, which should be clear to everyone,” he said. He pointed out that “Kurti’s wretched plan” speaks of the most brutal violation of the Brussels agreement, which regulates freedom of movement, as well as other agreements reached in Brussels on this occasion. “These repressive measures will especially affect our people in the north of Kosovo and Metohija, which is one of the main goals of Pristina,” Petkovic emphasized. He pointed out that in that way, the life of the Serb people in the province is being called into question, and that is why Serbs will be able to respond to Pristina’s provocations. “The Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija will not allow Kurti to have their rights violated in this way and endanger two most sacred values – the right to freedom of movement and the right to freedom of speech, and that is why we will be persistent in protecting the rights of the Serb people in Kosovo and Metohija,” Petkovic stressed.
Vucic: Erdogan supports Belgrade-Pristina dialogue (Tanjug)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan supports the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and believes that reaching a compromise solution is important, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Saturday after meeting with Erdogan in Istanbul. Asked by reporters if the meeting had addressed the Belgrade-Pristina relations, Vucic said they had talked about that subject, as well as about the entire region. “It is important that the Turkish president supports the dialogue and believes that reaching a compromise solution is important,” Vucic said. When asked what subjects had been discussed the most, Vucic responded that the two countries had many economic topics in common, but that politics and the situation in the region had been discussed as well. “When you speak with someone for over two hours, it is clear that you have covered all the topics. I am satisfied, any conversation with Erdogan is always useful,” Vucic said. Vucic added that they had also discussed matters he was unable to share with the public but were important for Serbia. Turkey is a friend of Serbia and I am confident the relations between the two countries could be even better, Vucic said. He announced Erdogan was expected to make an official visit to Serbia by the end of the year. Good relations between Serbia and Turkey are a condition for maintaining stability in the region, Vucic said.
Vucic from Istanbul: I am not interested in Djukanovic or Milanovic (B92/TV Pink)
Vucic spoke about the attacks from the region, the elections, the opposition, the SNS, as well as the meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdogan while on Istanbul tour. Speaking about the attention Serbia attracted during Angela Merkel‘s visit to Serbia, Vucic said that he did not think that only her visit caused that attention, but he added that Merkel’s visit was very important for us. “It is, I can’t say, the crown of my political career, but it is certainly very important for me to meet Angela Merkel,” said Vucic. “There is always a need to spit on Serbia… Serbia is on the right track, Serbia is progressing and has good results and we don’t have to look back. I don’t have to call Dodik to discuss Milanovic or Djukanovic. I would leave that role to them”, he said regarding the criticism coming from the region. “I have nothing personally against anyone, I am not interested in Djukanovic or Milanovic… I am interested in that anti-Serbian policy. We are not interested in anything which is theirs, we are only interested in the right of Serbs to life and freedom,” he said. “Djukanovic sees the future of his country in the assimilation of everyone, and I see our country where everyone can be on their own. He wants to build his country so that there are no Serbs there, and then he will take away the church. They thought of making a list a special section on nationality, where everyone would probably say that they are Montenegrins, and a special part on ethnic groups, so that they could say that 100 percent is Montenegrin nationality,” said Vucic. The President of Serbia reiterated that he never called on Serbs, as Djukanovic and Milanovic claimed, to “flail some flags”.
About Croatian media writing: “I’m a bigger star than LeBron James”
Vucic said that he did not interfere in the events in Cetinje, and that he was again declared the main culprit for everything that happened. As he explained, he did not hear from Krivokapic or Abazovic. He emphasized that a campaign against him in the Croatian media soon began. “Serbia will continue to deal with its economy, its progress, its growth… Serbia will not respond in a chauvinistic way. We will always lend a hand and build our relations with both Croatia and Montenegro,” Vucic told critics. In a nutshell, given that there were about 50 articles about him in the Croatian media, he said that he became a star overnight. “I became a bigger star than LeBron James,” he said. “I am also guilty of giving Vukan such a name. As Danilo does not remember, maybe it was my attempt to influence the Croatian throne. And they published this in the most serious newspaper. They claim that I gave Vukan such a name because it is the first son of Stefan Nemanja, so I want to create a Greater Serbia – said the president, and added that this is the difference between us and them – because we do not determine what names children will get”, Vucic pointed out. He further stated that he was the main “culprit” in the region. “As far as weapons are concerned, they made a feuilleton about me. My picture, and what Serbia bought and procured. Every part, if necessary, I can send them an invoice, to see what we bought. When I see all these attacks, I remember the words of Bishop Sergije, who told me: ‘As long as they attack you, Serbia is doing fine”.
“Don’t blame us for loving Republika Srpska”
Regarding the statements of Bakir Izetbegovic that Serbia should not send vaccines, he said that he believes that he is wrong and that Serbia wants a friendly relationship with everyone in the region. “When they can’t humiliate you, when they see that aggression against Serbia is difficult or impossible, then that is a problem for them,” he said. “He is talking about the case of Edin Vranje… You know that it was fair, vaccines are needed for people, if we saved the life of one man in Sarajevo, I am happy about that. That is why I appeal to our authorities to get in touch with the Bosnian authorities, to explain once who is working against whom and the like. We desperately need an agreement with Bosniaks”, said Vucic. “The essence is that we do not want to change the borders. We just want to have our own country and have friendly relations in the region. But do not blame us for loving Republika Srpska,” he said.
“Jankovic told the truth”
“I am convinced that Sasa Jankovic told the truth and told exactly what was happening. You know that secret services are working in our country and it is no secret that some countries are not enthusiastic about Serbia’s rapid progress. Why would anyone look forward to faster development of Serbia than Montenegro or Croatia?”, he said.
“They’re trying to get rid of me”
“I do not suffer at all because Serbia has no sea… It is work that makes a difference. If you look at Weber and Calvin, they have always insisted that work makes a difference, so we need even more factories and new plants”, claims Vucic. “The bottom line is that they are trying to get rid of me, not because I am important or beautiful. But because they have realized that the issue of leadership is extremely important, so if you make a mistake on that issue, you will pay dearly for it,” he added. As he added, he bothers others because of setting up high goals. “Five years ago, you had a chase on us because of Savamala and Belgrade Waterfront. Today, you have no one who doesn’t go there. Some brave people are going to work in Pozarevac-Gradiste-Golubac today, some brave people built the Cacak highway…”, Vucic said. He also said that he would submit a report on employees in Vranje. He will go there and talk. When they see that when he gets 70% of the votes from Vranje, they will refute the false news about the situation in that city.
Opposition, elections, media and SNS
“I don’t think that is particularly important, but we are ready to do everything to make others feel better,” Vucic said, considering that the elections are approaching, Djilas is giving up the inter-party dialogue, and he tried to blackmail Brussels. When asked what they want, he says – the government. You could read their ideologue Veselin Simovic, who said that the reason for not going to the polls was the weakness of the opposition, and not the election conditions. Children as young as 10 do not vote in Serbia, so you can deceive them. In 2012, you did not have a newspaper against the government, and today you have many of them who write the biggest rubbish, just to publish something, said Vucic. He said political games were “okay”, but he condemned bad speech against his country. He also made an analysis in the SNS – the most popular among the people are those who have the most negative image. He explains that it is because they are fighting and suffering blows. Tomorrow, the session of the main board of the SNS will be held, and this is the first one at which Vucic will not be present. “I think that the fact that Sasa Jankovic told the truth is very significant for our country. It will be included in textbooks in 20 or 30 years.” “Don’t forget that this is a man who got few votes. He talked about what was really happening. It is not a question of whether my heart will fail on me, he certainly wants it, the only question is when”. He is not afraid of heart failure, let alone the people inside and whether someone will replace him. “The SNS is not a party where most people are in power all the time. We also have people in the SNS who have been here since we were in power, that’s about 30 percent of people”.
More than 10 meetings with Erdogan
“A lot I can see in a few months and a year. I had talks with 14, 15 big Turkish investors yesterday.” “I talked to a young man who married a Serbian woman from Mali Zvornik, opened a company and employed 160 people. And he has plans to employ another 200 to 300 people. Do you know what that means for Mali Zvornik. Or places like Lebane, Krupanj, Leskovac or Zitoradja. You can’t take Bosch and Siemens there, but we have to think about our rural and suburban part. It’s the second salary in a family,” he said. “Turkey is a big regional player, we are much smaller than them in every sense,” he said. Vucic said that he met with Erdogan more than ten times, as well as that he called him every time there was a problem. “I often hear from Erdogan. He is a man who is very caring, and always calls. Both when Vukan was born, and when there were health problems. The Turks take care of that,” Vucic said. He says that there is always only one truth, and that work and results are his main weapon. “What matters is what’s left behind. All people are mortal, except those who leave great deeds behind, and when you dream big dreams, so people remember you in fifty years, that’s a great thing. As we do today. we remember Stefan Nemanja, Karadjordje, Milos, Aleksandar, Mihajlo, Milan, Petar and Aleksandar… I am convinced that someone will remember me in 100 years, and I live for that,” concluded Vucic. Vucic was welcomed at the Istanbul airport with the highest military honors, it was announced on the official Instagram account “Buducnostsrbijeav”.
Vucic ready to accept EP suggestions though it’s difficult for his SNS (TV Pink/Beta/N1)
Only hours after main opposition parties left the dialogue with Serbia’s ruling coalition facilitated by the European Parliament (EP), saying the authorities rejected all suggestions for improving the election conditions, President Aleksandar Vucic said in Istanbul his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) was ready to accept EP suggestions no matter how difficult it is for us. “We had a constructive meeting. I disagree with many assessments, but I’m ready to do everything to make everyone feels good,” he told TV Pink in Turkey. He added the opposition “wants power and to be loved by the people, but it is not so simple”. One of the main EP suggestions related to media was securing its freedom and equal access to all media for the opposition. Vucic claimed that before his SNS came to power in 2012, “there were no daily or weekly that was against the then government, while today’s weeklies and other media publish the worst trash with no purpose but to say something against me”.
Selakovic: Cooperation with India needs to be raised to an even higher level (RTV/Tanjug)
India is Serbia’s traditional friend that supports the territorial integrity of our country, and there is a desire on both sides to intensify relations between Serbia and India and raise them to an even higher level, said Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic on Monday. After the meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of India Subramanyan Jaishankar, Selakovic said that he was the doyen of Indian diplomacy and a great admirer of Serbia and our leadership, who visited Serbia two years ago. He reminded that India is a traditional, good friend of Serbia, a nuclear power, currently a member of the UN Security Council, which in principle supports Serbia and our territorial sovereignty and integrity. He said that an agreement on the continuation of political consultation of the two foreign ministries has been reached, and also on the beginning of consular consultation and the continuation of work of the Mixed Committee for Economic Cooperation. Special focus was placed on intensification of cooperation in the field of the economy. Selakovic also underlined that India is an incredible market to which we can export fruit, agricultural produce and that a lot depends on us now. He said that the improvement of cooperation in the field of tourism was also discussed, noting that there has been four times more Indian tourists in Serbia this year than in 2019, but that these ties must be facilitated by the establishment of direct flights. We should continue to cooperate in all areas, to build our relations and make use of the traditionally good friendship, Selakovic concluded.
Inter-Party dialogue: Improving conditions for political competition in Serbia (Beta)
In the framework of the Inter-Party dialogue, taking place in Belgrade on 17 and 18 September, a working document was agreed by the five co-facilitators of the process, Serbian parliament speaker Ivica Dacic, Members of the European Parliament, Tanja Fajon and Vladimir Bilcik, as well as former Members Eduard Kukan and Knut Fleckenstein. The working document contains 16 concrete and implementable measures. They reflect previous recommendations from the European Parliament, the European Commission, and OSCE/ODIHR, as well as the conclusions drawn from the wide-ranging consultations and discussions held so far in the context of the dialogue process. Among the various agreed improvements are: the establishment of a temporary supervisory body in the field of media monitoring, including opposition representatives; the adoption of a binding rulebook for the national public broadcaster; a temporary change of the standing composition of the Republic Electoral Commission, by adding six additional members from the overall opposition in the country. The co-facilitators of the Inter-Party dialogue underlined that the full and timely implementation of the measures is of the utmost importance and should start without delay. To this end a detailed implementation table was agreed among the co-facilitators. These measures constitute concrete steps towards a more level playing field in Serbian politics, and could increase trust and confidence in the electoral process. Also, the agreement reached among the co-facilitators underpins Serbia’s commitment on its path towards EU Membership.
Most of Serbia’s opposition rejects document on election conditions (N1)
Most of the opposition in Serbia, which participates in the inter-party dialogue with the mediation of MEPs, rejected the document for improving the election conditions. The authorities have previously accepted the formation of a body that will supervise the media, as well as changes in the composition of the Republic Election Commission (RIK) so that representatives of the opposition are included as well. The parties that refused on Friday to take part in the continuation of the inter-party dialogue were joined on Saturday by a part of those who sat down at the negotiating table with representatives of the authorities and the European Parliament, who also rejected the proposal. Nebojsa Zelenovic from the party Together for Serbia stated after the session of the inter-party dialogue on Saturday that the proposal for improving the election conditions does not contain anything that was proposed by the opposition and that the government does not allow fair elections. “None of what the opposition was looking for was found in the document that was discussed,” Zelenovic said. He said that his party did not agree to in any way support the document, because there is nothing in the conclusions that can improve the election conditions.
Insufficient progress to change the decision
The People’s Party deputy leader Miroslav Aleksic stated that the opposition received a document, which is the fruit of an agreement between the government and the MEPs.
“Very little or almost nothing of what we proposed was found in the draft document. We could not accept such a document because it is more cosmetics than essence,” said Aleksic. They suggested, he added, that the dialogue continues.
Obradovic: This is not an agreement with the opposition
“This is not an agreement with the opposition, this is an agreement exclusively between the government and the MEPs,” said Dveri leader Bosko Obradovic. According to him, the paper they received Saturday at the end of the inter-party dialogue is better than the first one. “It has an excellent diagnosis of all the problems that Serbia is facing in the election process, and that is the best proof that we have been right all these years when we said that the elections in Serbia are neither free nor fair. The MEPs confirmed that with this paper. However, they didn’t offer us any guarantees that essentially anything would change in the next six months. The opposition did not get a specific place in the control of the future process, and only in that way can we influence the improvement of the election conditions,” Obradovic noted.
Some parties accept the proposal
The leader of the Social Democratic Party Boris Tadic stated that his party will participate in the work of the assembly and supervisory bodies. Tadic said that the platform that was adopted „does not mean that election conditions are ideal now, adding that the government can violate even the best platform. The co-leader of the Party of Modern Serbia (SMS) Tatjana Macura stated that she would not agree with the part of the opposition that did not agree to the proposed document. “It seems to me that after two and a half years of negotiations with the authorities, concrete steps have been taken,” said Macura, adding that she was sorry to hear that after two days of intensive talks, the participants gave up participating in the RIK or supervisory bodies on which they persistently insisted all the time. Among those who accepted the proposal of the MEPs are the representatives of the League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina (LSV), who said that they supported the proposal, although they were not completely satisfied with its text, but that it was a matter of compromise.
Djilas won’t cooperate with opposition that enters EP proposed bodies (N1)
The leader of the Party of Freedom and Justice (SSP) Dragan Djilas told N1 Sunday there will be no cooperation with the part of the opposition that accepts the participation in the Republic Election Commission (RIK) and the media oversight body, as proposed by MEPs within the dialogue on election conditions in Serbia. He assessed that the European mediators gave another blow to everyone who believes that Serbia has a place in the EU and that it is the best way to live better. “It’s not fair towards the people who’ve been fighting for the EU in Serbia for the past 30 years, who only want the freedom to express their will. [It’s not fair] to make a document containing none of that, in which the proposals are meaningless,” Djilas told N1.
Bilcik: Breakthrough made in government-opposition talks (Beta)
A breakthrough was made in an inter-party dialogue between the Serbian government and part of the Serbian opposition mediated by the European Parliament, one of the mediators Vladimir Bilcik said on 18 September. The EP rapporteur for Serbia said after a two-day second stage of dialogue to improve the election process in Serbia that the co-facilitators, including the European parliamentarians and speaker Ivica Dacic had prepared a document containing “a series of measures to help Serbia improve political conditions for the next elections.” “I believe that this is an encouraging step forward, a good sign and an important signal showing that we can work together to improve conditions for the political game in Serbia. We are prepared to continue our engagement in that respect,” Bilcik said to reporters. Bilcik said that the inter-party dialogue “is an important part of Serbia’s EU path and European perspective,” adding that the document with specific measures was publicly available.
Dzaferovic: There will be no new borders and no new states in Western Balkans (Danas)
Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Presidency member Sefik Dzaferovic stated that there will be no new borders and no new states in the Western Balkans. Asked whether the phrase ‘Serb world’ should be taken seriously, Dzaferovic said that it should be taken seriously. “Of course, because, as it is presented by Serbian officials, it is just another name for Greater Serbia,” Dzaferovic was quoted as saying. “Rhetoric on ethnic redrawing of borders is the rhetoric of past century. The geostrategic configuration of the region has been completed, and there will be no new borders or new countries at the Western Balkans,” stressed Dzaferovic in an interview for Danas. According to Dzaferovic, there can be no alternative to a cooperation in the region that is based on mutual respect. The Bosniak member of the Presidency noted that strategic commitment of the region includes integration into the EU and NATO. Asked whether the term ‘Serb world’ should be taken seriously, he replied that it should.
REGIONAL PRESS
Izetbegovic: Arrest of Vranj is another provocation from Serbian side; Serbia should leave B&H alone (Hayat)
Hayat interviewed leader of SDA Bakir Izetbegovic. Asked to comment on the arrest of former senior official of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H) Police Administration (FUP) Edin Vranj in Serbia, he said that this is another provocation from the Serbian side reminding that some other citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) were also arrested in Serbia in the past years. Izetbegovic said: “I believe that they want to make a balance – bearing in mind that they give shelter to convicted war criminals like the general (of the former RS Army Novak) Djukic who is responsible for youth killed at the Tuzla Gate to distract the attention from this, to equalize responsibility, to relativize what happened in B&H, i.e. the aggression that Serbia committed against B&H.” Asked what kind of message these kinds of Serbian moves send to B&H, Izetbegovic stated that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic sends good messages leaving to Serbian Minister of Interior Aleksandar Vulin and Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik to send the bad ones which are totally contradictory to what Vucic is saying. He said: “However, in the end all that matters are proceedings. These kinds of things could not happen without the will of President Vucic.” He underlined that B&H does not need help from Serbia in terms of economy and all that B&H needs is that Serbia leaves B&H alone as the country devastated by the Serbian aggression and where hundreds of thousands of people were killed. In his opinion, Serbia should leave these provocations and leave those who defended B&H alone and extradite people convicted of the most horrible crimes committed in the past war. He argued: “This is really a strange situation in which the country that committed crimes in B&H is now adjudicating to those who stopped the crimes. It is what it is. We must correct this in a political way. The Prosecutor’s Office (of B&H) should be way more active. We have a protocol signed with Serbia eight years ago and these things would not be happening if we followed the protocol.” He also said that they expect from the B&H Ministry of Justice to be more agile asking them why they remain silent and added that the case of Vranj was closed in B&H two years ago and the ministry could have informed Serbia about this. In his opinion, the situation can change and B&H expects from Serbia to stop meddling in internal issues of B&H.
Dodik: Any possibility of coexistence in current political framework in B&H no longer possible (N1/Srna)
Serb member of the B&H Presidency and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik stated on Saturday (in statement to Srna) that any possibility of coexistence in the current political framework of B&H is no longer possible, because “one people and their political representatives” do not understand that other peoples in B&H do not share their views on past, present, future or on the neighboring countries. Dodik added that they also lack understanding that all peoples have equal right to B&H. Dodik reacted to the statement of SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic, who said that he does not want the vaccines against COVID-19 from Serbia and accused Serbia of persecuting former veterans of the RBiH Army. In his reaction, Dodik noted that Izetbegovic should have provided the vaccines for his people, and he wondered why the SDA leader did not tell Serbia that there is no need for their vaccines in the first place. “Why thousands of people from the FB&H travelled to Serbia to receive the vaccines” Dodik singled out as one of the questions that Izetbegovic should answer. He concluded that Izetbegovic and B&H Minister of Foreign Affairs Bisera Turkovic (SDA) only managed to secure a donation of fruit i.e. dates in the middle of the pandemic, which ended up ridiculed by everyone. Dodik has stated that the representatives from Republika Srpska (RS) will not attend the B&H House of Representatives (HoR) scheduled for Monday. Dodik added that, when decision was made not to attend sessions, Chairperson of the B&H Presidency Zeljko Komsic and Bosniak member of the B&H Presidency Sefik Dzaferovic said it would be counted as annual leaves. “We will see if those are annual leaves. The period of annual leaves has passed, but there is a clear political position. I still think it was a mistake to do that, that (former High Representative in B&H) Valentin Inzko, according to what I have heard from those who are important, who decide on those issues (…) when we sit together and talk about it, I get the impression he received a huge amount of money to do that. And when I sit with the US representatives, not the Ambassador (to B&H Eric Nelson), I did not talk to him, but with some from the US structure, they swear they did not know he would do that. Since they did not know, and he (Inzko) did it, he could have only received the money for that. There is no other explanation,” said Dodik.
Dodik: Serb MPs not to attend B&H HoR’s session on Monday due to boycott in response to Inzko’s decision (O Kanal)
Addressing media on Saturday, SNSD leader and Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik announced that Serb representatives will not take part in the session of the B&H House of Representatives (HoR), scheduled for Monday. Namely, the HoR is expected to discuss the budget of B&H institutions for this year. However, Dodik reminded that the Serb political representatives are still boycotting the decision-making in the B&H institutions, in response to the decision of former High Representative (HR) Valentin Inzko to impose amendments to the Criminal Code of B&H banning genocide denial. “There is a clear political stance. Gentlemen, you should sit down, as we are inviting you to talk, you should change this.” The Serb member of the Presidency warned that there are many speculations in this regard, including actions that are contrary to the law. He said that a persecution of Serbs is underway and that he already faces nine reports for “alleged denial of the crime in Srebrenica”. The reporter reminded that the session of the HoR had previously been scheduled for July 27, but it ended up cancelled due to the boycott in question. Reporter noted that the temporary financing decision expires on September 30, and the payment of salaries to civil servants in the B&H institutions will come in question if the budget is not adopted by then. Reporter also said that Serb political representatives do not recognize Christian Schmidt, Inzko’s successor, as the HR in B&H. Dodik said that one should let the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) abolish the law imposed by Inzko “since PIC gives the right to the High Representative.” “When they abolish it, we will continue to work, until then we will not,” Dodik said. Head of the SNSD Caucus in the B&H HoR Snjezana Novakovic-Bursac said that the question of purpose and need for the B&H Parliament to even exist is being raised. “Because if someone thinks that someone else can and should pass laws on our behalf, then it is a path which we neither want nor intend to participate in because it is totally meaningless and inconsistent with either the Constitution or democratic principles,” Novakovic-Bursac underlined. Head of the Serb Caucus in the B&H HoR Nenad Stevandic said that we want to cooperate and seek solutions, but only using the principles of equality and respect. RS representatives underlined that if the budget is adopted in the B&H HoR, it will not be adopted in the B&H House of Peoples (HoP). Stevandic has called on the representatives from the RS to hold another meeting before the B&H HoR session to confirm the agreement. “We will not allow that the will of the RS parliament, voted by large majority, and the statement we all signed together, representatives of ruling majority and the opposition, is belittled or violated in any way” said Stevandic. “I have calculated nine complaints against me for alleged genocide denial. Two ladies, persons from Tuzla are suing Milorad Dodik. Please, it is a persecution,” said Dodik for the media.
Sarovic: Dodik should stop speaking on behalf of all parliamentary parties in the RS; There is no agreement of parliamentary parties regarding boycott of B&H HoR’s session (Nova BH)
Leader of SDS Mirko Sarovic commented on the upcoming session of B&H House of Representatives (HoR). Sarovic stated that Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik should stop speaking on behalf of all parliamentary parties in Republika Srpska (RS) unless they have reached an unanimous stance on this issue. He stressed that there is no agreement between parliamentary parties regarding the boycott of B&H HoR’s session on Monday. He added that SDS will act in line with its principles in this situation. Sarovic said that he is aware of the situation with budget beneficiaries and therefore a solution needs to be found for civil servants who might remain without salaries if the current blockade of B&H institutions continues. RTRS reports that, commenting on this, SNSD’s Snjezana Novakovic Bursac said that without denying the right of individual political party to decide if they will participate in the work, it is not good they behave differently, because the public expects them to be unified.
Borenovic: We will respect RS parliament’s conclusions; Let SNSD, SDA and HDZ B&H agree on how to get out of this political crisis (BN TV)
Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik stated that the representatives from the ruling party SNSD and their partners will not participate in the session of the B&H House of Representatives (HoR) that is supposed to be held on Monday. The session is supposed to discuss the budget of the B&H institutions. Leader of PDP Branislav Borenovic said that the representatives of the RS opposition parties will also not participate in the session. Borenovic stated: “The conclusions of the parliament are clear and must be respected. We will not participate in making any decisions in the B&H parliament until this issue, imposed by Inzko‘s law, is resolved. This is obligatory for Dodik in the (B&H) Presidency, but also for (the Chairman of the B&H Council of Ministers Zoran) Tegeltija and for the ministers from the SNSD in the (B&H) Council of Ministers, as well as for everyone in both Houses of the B&H Parliament”. Borenovic added: “We call on the ruling coalition of SNSD, SDA, and HDZ (B&H), which easily agrees on the NATO path, on increasing excise duties, privileges, sharing seats and booty, to agree on how to overcome this imposed Inzko’s law. Let them agree on how to get out of this political crisis and chaos that Inzko brought us into and which has been going on for more than two months”. The reporter comments there is no doubt there is no question that this is the issue on which there has been a consensus at the political scene in the RS in the past three months, and there is no division to the ruling majority and the opposition. In a telephone statement for RTRS, representative at the B&H HoR and DNS leader Nenad Nesic said: “It is important to send a message from the B&H Parliament that the unity in regard to Inzko’s imposed law is not violated, and that we do not have any intention to withdraw our request, i.e. to repeal the imposed law”.
Zvizdic: There will be quorum to hold B&H HoR’s session, regardless of attendance or absence of Serb representatives (FTV)
Commenting on the session of the B&H House of Representatives (HoR), speaker of the B&H HoR Denis Zvizdic, who scheduled the session of the HoR for Monday, said he believes there will be quorum to hold the session, regardless of attendance or absence of Serb representatives. Zvizdic warned that “certain politicians” are using blockades and blackmail to ensure a good position for themselves. In a phone statement, SDP B&H’s representative in the B&H HoR Sasa Magazinovic expressed an opinion that the session will be held on Monday, but he reminded that the decision on adoption of the budget needs to be endorsed by the B&H House of Peoples (HoP) as well. SDA leader and Speaker of the B&H HoP Bakir Izetbegovic assessed that blockades of institutions are practice that Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik has already used before. Izetbegovic emphasized the need to calmly approach stabilization of stances, adding: “I have been in touch with some people in SNSD. They also expect for all of this to stop. We have been encouraging them to move in that direction and for things to calm down.” International Secretary of HDZ B&H Josip Brkic noted that there is a need to see how to overcome this crisis and he considers that this should be achieved through respect of everyone’s political stances. Given that holding of the HoR’s session is uncertain due to the Serb political representatives’ boycott, Zvizdic called on these political representatives to take part in the session and to stop with “the unconstitutional, unproductive blockade of the state institutions”.
Schmidt: Bonn powers are still at my disposal; Those who are causing blockades are actually blocking themselves (O Kanal)
O Kanal carried that, in an interview for BN TV broadcast on Saturday evening, High Representative (HR) Christian Schmidt warned the B&H politicians that the Bonn powers are still at his disposal. “Those are tools that are still at my disposal, although I do not plan to use them within this discussion. However, I want to clearly say that these things are not at all a harmless offense. I also believe in the judiciary of this country” the HR pointed out. The HR made it clear that he knows crises in B&H very well and said that he is talking to people. He stressed the need for officials in the authorities to be collocutors in the political sense. Schmidt stated that he is the HR in B&H who is supervising implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA). Schmidt called on the B&H politicians to stick to the facts defined in the DPA. Schmidt specified that the HR is appointed by the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) and he suggested the politicians that they should discuss cooperation rather than his moves. The HR emphasized that he is not here to be liked by anyone, but rather to try to work together with B&H politicians to do something good for sake of all in B&H. Schmidt reminded of the need to reach a solution through dialogue. “I want us to jointly do something for all people in B&H. This means that I suggest everyone to participate in it. Those who are causing blockades are actually blocking themselves,” Schmidt noted.
Schmidt reflects on legality of his mandate, institutional blockade in B&H; he says there is no law treating collective responsibility of nation (BN TV)
BN TV hosted High Representative (HR) Christian Schmidt. Asked if he speaks for BN TV as the High Representative, German diplomat, former German minister or ambassador of the Quint countries, Schmidt said that he is not a person with split personality and therefore he gives an interview as the HR who has a task to control the implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords (DPA). Reporter reminded that his appointment was not confirmed by the UN Security Council (UNSC) as it was the case with the former HRs, asking if such a mandate will be problematic given that Serb member of B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik says that he does not recognize Schmidt as the HR. Schmidt replied by saying that he recommends to everyone to stick to facts only, reminding that according to the DPA – the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) nominates and appoints the HR. He added that therefore the essence is what is important here – not the procedures, as the goal is not to be liked by politicians but to do something for people in B&H – which is challenging. “I want us to do something together for all people in B&H, and this means that I recommend to everyone to take part. Those who do the blockade actually block themselves,” Schmidt stressed. Asked if he feels that former HR Valentin Inzko welcomed him with a put-up job as he imposed the law banning the genocide denial in B&H at the end of his mandate and thus caused the crisis in B&H, Schmidt said that he learned what does the crisis in B&H mean when he first visited Sarajevo in 1992. He stated that even though politicians in B&H have fierce arguing, one must not forget that the fact that war and violence are over represents the biggest success. Schmidt assessed that the principle of individual responsibility – not collective responsibility – applies for this region, because there is no law treating collective responsibility of a nation but the law only refers to actions of individuals or individual responsibility. “We should respect all war victims when visiting their graves and it is very important to see future, which is what France and Germany learned together so I do not see the reason why this would be impossible here” Schmidt emphasized. He noted that he has in mind that conflicts and crimes happened in the past and should never be forgotten, but they should be a basis to establish the cooperation and peaceful future. Schmidt reminded that he had serious and constructive talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on similar topics during their recent meeting in Belgrade. Asked to comment on his recent announcement that he will allegedly use Bonn Powers regarding corruption, Schmidt said that many of his statements are interpreted in a wrong way and this was also the case with his statement regarding the Election Law of B&H. He reminded that he said regarding corruption that the rule of law is important thing that deserves focus, stressing that he is ready to work on establishing the rule of law together with government representatives. According to Schmidt, he did not mention Bonn Powers in this context but everyone knows that this is the tool he has available, although he does not plan to use it in this segment. However, he warned that it should be clearly stressed that such things do not represent some harmless offense, but that he believes in B&H judiciary. Commenting on his possible engagement in the process of electoral reform, Schmidt stated that if voters have no trust in justness of the election process the situation needs to be changed. He said that he advocates for transparency of the election legislation and a package that will make sure that all votes are counted correctly, reminding that there are proposals of the Venice Commission and the Council of Europe in this regard and they are aimed at reaching a solution. He concluded that he observes this process with a great interest. Asked if he held talks with any of the RS politicians since he took office on 1 August, Schmidt said that he had talks and that it is important politically to talk to collocutors who are government officials, announcing that this will certainly be the case. He stressed that he believes that joint work is necessary and it is part of his job, but that he will first observe things after which he expects that “things will get their turn”. Asked if there were any signals from the RS officials indicating that they would accept a meeting with him, Schmidt said that he certainly respects all officials who were elected to their functions, but that he also expects respect for himself and his function. “I suppose that interests of entities are determining. Interests of the Federation of B&H (FB&H) and the RS should be the same, which means that their primary interest should be B&H’s development and its economic development. Past experience shows that talks are necessary in order to reach the development. Given that B&H is a country that needs development, I suppose that we will hold talks” Schmidt stated, refusing to say names of the RS officials who have contacted him for a meeting. He added that it seems that it is a common case in B&H that confidential things often end up in the public. Asked if his recent meetings with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Patriarch Porfirije of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Belgrade had a goal to help establish some sort of cooperation with the RS politicians in order to try to resolve the current blockade in the work of B&H institutions, Schmidt stated that talks with Serbian government officials are on one side and talks with representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church that has competences for the region of B&H on the other, but that he hopes that the spirit of these talks and reconciliation will affect many people. Schmidt was also asked if his recent meetings with Serbian officials and also with Turkey’s officials mean that he asked them for some kind of cooperation and support for his job in B&H, as well as to comment on the idea Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan presented during his recent visit to B&H that a new agreement is needed in B&H in which Serbia, Turkey and Croatia would actively participate along with politicians in B&H. He replied by saying that Turkey is engaged as an actor in the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board (PIC SB) and reminded that Erdogan supported his nomination to the current post right after his phone talk with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He assessed that Croatia, Serbia and Turkey certainly play an important role in all the processes in B&H, but still the EU and international community will continue to play their role that is important and part of the whole story – based on the Dayton Peace Accords (DPA). He noted that B&H’s path leads from Dayton to Brussels after all and he will be very satisfied if Serbia, Turkey and Croatia are willing to support that. Schmidt was asked if he could help with his experience as a German diplomat in a situation where the RS and its citizens care very much about autonomy and independence they gained through the Dayton Peace Accords (DPA) and therefore they are afraid of changes and attempts to be drowned in the so-called centralized B&H, as well as if he could guarantee that his mandate will not pass in attempts to seize competences from the RS. He replied by saying that as a Bavarian he is very well aware that federal regions can be given and guaranteed rights in a federal state, as it is the case in Germany or with B&H and its entities for instance. He stressed that therefore the RS citizens’ fear in this regard is unjustifiable. Schmidt also added that he comes from a region that was annexed to Bavaria by Napoleon and he actually originates from a community of Evangelistic Franks, the people who had nothing to do with Bavarians but they were integrated in this joint region and they do not have any problems in mutual relations today. He explained that this means that he has understanding for specificities of regions that need to be respected. HR Schmidt was asked to comment on his expectations from the upcoming elections in Germany and if the country has a politician who will be as strong and powerful as German Chancellor Angela Merkel given that during his ministerial mandate in Merkel-led government the economic cooperation between Serbia and Germany has registered significant growth, as well as if he could use his experience in this field to help achieve similar progress in economic relations between B&H and Germany. He replied by saying that regardless of who will be new Chancellor of Germany and who will form new government, he will be committed to B&H, but he will also be committed to other countries of the Western Balkans. Schmidt reminded that it is his advantage that he knows all the candidates in the German elections as he spent long time as a member of the German Bundestag and the German Government, noting that they all support his new function and therefore he will surely enjoy their interest for B&H and the region. He emphasized that he will definitely advocate for B&H and the region both in Brussels and Berlin, reminding that six Western Balkan countries are on the joint path to Europe and they need to take this path – not to stay away from Europe. He concluded that the idea on the ‘Open Balkans’ advocated for by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has support of Germany, and therefore recent visit of Merkel to Belgrade and Tirana was an important signal in this regard.
DF to Covic: Issue of legitimate representation of peoples is not mentioned in ECHR judgments (Dnevni list)
DF called on HDZ B&H and Dragan Covic to sit down with the international officials, that Covic often calls on, and go through all judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and establish whether these judgments even contain the mention of legitimate representation of constituent peoples. Answering Covic’s statement that legitimate representation will be secured by end of year, DF stressed that their representatives have studied the ECHR decisions and did not see anywhere the mention of legitimate representation. DF statement reads that what they did find in the ECHR judgments is recommendation to reject the principle of constituent status of people and stressed that these judgments are also basis for the European Commission’s Opinion. Nonetheless, DF called on Covic to prove the existence of the legitimate representation and underline that they are convinced that HDZ and Covic will listen to the advice of High Representative Christian Schmidt who said that solving of all issues requires politicians to stay around the same table, even when it is difficult. DF called on HDZ and Covic to show more courage in facing the truth.
All-Croat candidate against Komsic, the three against Izetbegovic, Stanivukovic against Dodik (Dnevni list)
Croat member of the Presidency of B&H Zeljko Komsic said some ten days ago that he will again run for the same position in case there are general elections in October of 2022. “If the situation stays like this, I will. It is certain I will run” said Komsic. Daily further carries Croat Republican Party (HRS) leader Slaven Raguz, who said “we will, in case there are no changes to the Law on Elections or the boycott, propose a joint candidate for the Croat member of the Presidency of B&H. It is a message that Croats will no longer allow sidelining”. Similarly, HDZ 1990 leader Ilija Cvitanovic said that in case the Law on Elections is not changed, it is realistic that all Croat representatives agree on a joint candidate. He added by saying if Komsic is acceptable to the Croat people and if Croats will elect him, “then there are no problems”. Writing about the situation on the Bosniak political scene, daily reads it would appear the race for the Bosniak member of the Presidency of B&H is down to two or three names. Namely, SDA will undoubtedly nominate Bakir Izetbegovic, the ‘Three’ (SDP, Our Party, NiP) will probably have their own candidate and lastly Haris Silajdzic is again being mentioned as a candidate. Finally, when it comes to the Serb political scene, daily reads that Milorad Dodik is still a big favorite in the race for the Presidency of B&H, with Mayor of Banja Luka Drasko Stanivukovic fancying his chances against Dodik.
US appoints Palmer to oversee electoral reforms in B&H (O Kanal)
The US has appointed former Western Balkans envoy Matthew Palmer to oversee electoral reforms in B&H. Palmer’s appointment was confirmed by Gabriel Escobar, who was appointed US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs at the US Department of State earlier this month. Escobar said electoral reform in B&H is one of the first steps that need to be taken to make the Western Balkans more functional, adding that Palmer’s appointment is an important sign of Washington’s commitment. In last week’s media statement, HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic announced the meetings with high-ranking officials of the US and the EU, focusing on the electoral reform, for the end of September. Covic expressed optimism that compromise to amend the Election Law of B&H will be reached.
RS plans to carry out 2022 elections on its own (Dnevni list)
The daily reads that considering the uncertainty of electoral reform in B&H and unofficial story appeared about possibility for the RS to independently organize elections in 2022 for the RS parliament and RS President. However, daily noted that it seems that this is not a legal option and comments that it is obvious that RS authorities intend to deepen the crisis in B&H. The daily reminded of recent statement of member of RS Election Commission Aleksandar Radeta, who said technically RS can carry out elections on its own and while there are several issues, such is the fact that IDDEEA is the one which provides central voters’ list, it is possible to find solution here. Radeta noted that RS has its own Election Commission and daily comments that this is not the case in the FB&H. However, daily noted that the Law is very clear and the RS has no right to announce elections on its own, because the Central Election Commission of B&H is the one which carries out main preparations for elections, while entity commission has very limited competencies and it can carry out certain activities only if there were transferred to it by the CEC.
Djukanovic: Greater Serbian nationalism wants to take advantage of geopolitical rearrangement (Hina)
During his official visit to Croatia, Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic stated Greater Serbian nationalism wants to take advantage of geopolitical rearrangement in an attempt to renew old, retrograde policies of building greater states in the Western Balkans. Djukanovic said that Montenegro was attacked, because we know that there is no Greater Serbia without Montenegro in its composition.
Djukanovic finished visit to CRO: MNE will continue to develop as democratic, secular and pro-European country (CdM)
Montenegro will continue to develop as a democratic, secular and pro-European country, the President of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic said at the end of his two-day visit to Croatia, hosted by his Croatian counterpart Zoran Milanovic. Milanovic pointed out that Croatia would support Montenegro’s aspirations, as they were important for them as well, having in mind that Montenegro is its neighbor and a partner in NATO Alliance. “The second day of President Djukanovic’s official visit to the Republic of Croatia was an opportunity for additional exchange of opinions and views of the two presidents on Montenegro’s EU membership talks. Mr Milanovic reiterated Croatia’s support for our country’s European path,” Djukanovic’s office stated. The two also discussed the state of play in both Montenegro and the Western Balkans.
Djukanovic: Communication with Vucic impossible, we know Greater Serbia project can’t be implemented without Montenegro (CdM/RTL)
President of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic told RTL that Greater Serbia nationalism wishes to take advantage of the geopolitical reshuffle regardless of the fact that it had already cost the Balkans 150.000 human lives. “As you know, in the last 25 years, since the great political changes and especially since the restoration of independence, Montenegro has worked very hard to strengthen stability, religious and national harmony, and especially pave the way for Euro-Atlantic integration. We’ve become a member of NATO, we opened all negotiation chapters with the EU. We can freely say that we’ve made the greatest progress of all candidates on the path to membership. Croatia backed it, not only us, but everybody in the region. I personally believe that Croatia, as a responsible partner in NATO and our neighbor, wants Montenegro to stay on that path and achieve its goal as soon as possible,” he noted. However, according to him, there has come to destabilization in our country and an attempt to renew the old, retrograde policies of great countries in the Western Balkans. Djukanovic has no doubts about who’s doing it. “There’s no dilemma, the Serbian government is behind it”, Particularly, Aleksandar Vucic. The President reiterates that the Serbian Orthodox Church represents an instrument for the realization of Greater Serbia nationalism. “It’s clearly reflected in the current problems in Montenegro”. As for the Montenegrin government, Djukanovic doesn’t believe they can be in power for three more years. “Therefore, it’s clear that this government has no vision. Their vision is not to make concrete steps in the adoption of the European system of values, Montenegro’s EU membership. They haven’t even managed to attract a single investor in the country, on the contrary, they chased away several important ones. I’m afraid it’s not only about their ignorance. I’m afraid those were the instructions from Belgrade so that Montenegro can be subdued and thus much more easily integrated into the Serbian World,” he assessed. Djukanovic also said he was not in communication with Aleksandar Vucic.
Reconstructed government and Prosecutorial Council possible by 15 October (RTCG)
The resolution of the government crisis in Montenegro could be resolved by 15 October at the latest, if we have a restructured government and an elected Prosecutorial Council, and that the Assembly and the government can start functioning in accordance with the Constitution and the law and without turbulence, said one of the leaders of the Democratic Front (DF) Milan Knezevic. Knezevic said that the DF believes that the 42nd government needs to be strengthened by political figures and representatives of the constituents of the parliamentary majority. “And certainly that the parties that support the government of Zdravko Krivokapic nominate the best people in their party bodies in order to get out of the serious crisis in which the Montenegrin society finds itself and in order for the government to stabilize and finally start dealing with crucial problems burdening Montenegrin society,” said Knezevic as a guest on the morning program of the Television of Montenegro. When asked if he sees himself in the reconstructed government, Knezevic said that a personal solution is not imperative. “But I think that politicians and people who won a significant number of votes in the elections should definitely have their people in the government. Whether it will be party presidents, vice presidents, deputies or some other high-ranking officials, will be decided by party bodies,” Knezevic said. One of the DF leaders said that he expected a positive response from national minorities to their invitation to participate in the reshuffled government. “I believe that minorities should be part of the restructured government, both representatives of Albanian parties and the Bosniak Party. They know my views and the views of the DF. Despite ideological differences we believe that representatives of minority peoples should find a place in that new government, to integrate, to send them a message in this way that Montenegro is their country too and to jointly take responsibility for everything that will happen in the future, and I hope for positive trends” Knezevic said. He added that they considered it necessary to increase the number of departments in the Government, so that certain number of departments would be divided. “It is also necessary to determine which ministers did well and which badly and to choose the best people for those departments by agreement. We must reach a solution that is acceptable to all in talks with the PM and deputy PM,” he said.
Rama third term government sworn in after presenting economy-focused program (Tirana Times)
The third term government led by Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama took office Saturday, following a swearing in ceremony at President Ilir Meta’s office. The government had presented its program to parliament earlier in the week, which was approved at dawn on Friday, after a 20-hour marathon session of parliament. The ruling Socialist Party enjoys a comfortable majority of 74 votes out of 140, coming out of the 25 April elections. The other three votes came from the Social-Democratic Party. The new government program focuses largely on reconstruction and economic recovery following the 2019 earthquake and 2020 pandemic. Prime Minister Rama has promised to erase all traces of the earthquake and vaccinate all Albanians aged 16 and over by next spring. He said the government would provide financial support to revitalize “the most productive sectors of the economy”, in energy, agriculture, tourism, citing a series of construction sites on highways, airports and hydropower plants. The government aims to grow the economy by an average of 4.5 percent a year, as well as reduce public debt to 60 percent by the end of the term, according to its program. Also, the average monthly salary is projected to increase by 25 percent by the end of the four-year period. The salaries of teachers, doctors and nurses are intended to increase by 40 percent, of public administration employees by 30 percent and the average salary in the state administration from $720 a month to $850 a month by the end of the mandate. Prime Minister Rama said that his government will lobby strongly for the rapid recognition of Kosovo by other countries and to help it become a country with full rights in the UN. He stressed that EU integration remains the primary objective of the government, a path where it must move faster, until this process has a date when Albania can be a member of the European Union. The new parliamentary session also marked the opposition’s return to parliament after more than two years of absence. Most opposition MPs resigned their seats in protest in February 2019, leading to an unusual period of one-party rule. Main opposition Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha and his shadow cabinet provided a lengthy opposition view to parliament on the new government program, highlighting what they see as government failures in the past eight years. Basha said the elections were stolen again as part of an “electoral massacre” that destroyed Albanian democracy. He added the Rama government had a black record filled with “lies and propaganda.” Basha cited reports from several international institutions, noting that Albania has the highest poverty in the Balkans, the lowest income level in Europe, a high number of youth emigration, the highest corruption in the Balkans and is a country where money laundering has reached new heights. He stressed that public debt has gone out of control, going from 60 percent to 80 percent, as the country consumes the most expensive oil in Europe and pays to build the most expensive roads “swallowed up by oligarchs and clients of power.” The new cabinet has continuity from the previous one with most ministers holding on to their previous positions. The full list of the new ministers, notable for its highest number of women in Albania’s history, is below. Edi Rama, Prime Minister; Arben Ahmetaj, Deputy Prime Minister; Bledi Cuci, Minister of Interior; Olta Xhacka, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Ogerta Manastirliu, Minister of Health; Delina Ibrahimi, Minister of Finance (newcomer); Niko Peleshi, Minister of Defense; Evis Kushi, Minister of Education; Ulsi Manja, Minister of Justice (newcomer); Belinda Balluku, Minister of Infrastructure; Frida Krifca, Minister of Agriculture (newcomer); Mirela Kumbaro, Minister of Environment and Tourism (newcomer/previous minister); Elva Margariti, Minister of Culture; Elisa Spiropali, Minister for Parliament; Edona Bilalli, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship (newcomer); Bora Muzhaqi, Minister of State for Youth and Children (newly created position); Milva Economi, Minister of State for Standards (newly created position).
“Albania has made progress”, the head of the European Parliament: Reforms will bring rapid membership (Radio Tirana)
The head of the European Parliament Davide Sassoli has predicted that Albania will join the EU sooner in a shorter time than previously thought. “We are aware of the progress made by Albania, by the Albanian government. I must say that here in the European Parliament we are pleased with these achievements. Europe is following you with passion. The results achieved are really encouraging. We bet on your EU membership, even at a faster pace than previously anticipated,” Sassoli said. Sassoli emphasizes the reforms that our country must complete to achieve this major goal. “Obviously we know very well that there is a need for improvements to the objectives to be achieved for some of the reforms that the country needs. However, we have noticed a determined commitment. There is a great desire to join the EU, but work is still needed to meet all the required elements”. The message of the European Parliament speaker comes before the meeting of European Foreign Ministers and the October 6 summit in Slovenia, where ways are expected to be found to unblock the Bulgarian veto, which not only directly holds Skopje as a hostage, but it is also influencing the official start of negotiations with Tirana.
Soreca congratulates Rama: Inter-institutional coordination, key to EU integration (Radio Tirana)
The EU Ambassador in Tirana Luigi Soreca has congratulated through a Facebook post the Prime Minister Edi Rama for the third governing mandate, which officially started today after the swearing in the Presidency. “We congratulate Prime Minister Edi Rama and the Albanian Prime MInister on their taking office. We expect the EU integration and all related reforms, including rule of law to feature high on the government’s agenda. Strong inter-institutional coordination is key for accession,” writes Soreca.
New rules for Serbian vehicles entering Kosovo (ADN)
The government of Kosovo has decided this Monday to establish reciprocity with Serbia in terms of vehicle license plates. The decision was signed today by the Minister of Internal Affairs Xhelal Svecla. According to this decision, all vehicles bearing Serbian license plates and entering Kosovo are obliged to be provided with temporary license plates, which according to this decision are equipped with these license plates at all border crossings in Kosovo. The license plates must be placed in visible places and a fee of 5 euros must be paid for the equipment with these license plates. “It is obligatory to provide temporary license plates for all vehicles that have Serbian license plates and enter the territory of the Republic of Kosovo. Equipping with temporary license plates is done at all border crossing points of the Republic of Kosovo. Drivers of vehicles are obliged to place temporary license plates in visible places, in front of and behind the vehicle. The validity of temporary license plates is 60 days. The tax for temporary license plates from point 1 of this decision is 5 euros. The parties will be provided with a certificate as a replacement for the vehicle registration certificate. The Civil Registration Agency and the Kosovo Police are obliged to implement this decision.”
