LOCAL PRESS

Brnabic: Praise of Venice Commission regarding text of constitutional amendments (Tanjug)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic held an online meeting on Tuesday with representatives of the Venice Commission, at which Serbia received praise for the text of constitutional amendments and encouragement to continue further work on the processes that follow.

President of the Commission Gianni Buquicchio told Brnabic that the opinion of the rapporteurs at the next session of the Commission would be very favorable for Serbia and that he is convinced that it would be adopted as such. Brnabic thanked the Commission for its support to Serbia in finding the best solutions regarding the constitutional amendments since 2018, emphasizing that the process was very transparent and open, thanks, among other things, to public hearings that were organized on several occasions. Thanks to that, she added, today we have the application of the best European practice. According to her, Serbia is completely open to further suggestions regarding ways to make the judiciary and judiciary as efficient as possible. When it comes to the referendum on constitutional changes, Brnabic pointed out that its holding is expected immediately after the adoption of the amendment. Minister of Justice Maja Popovic reminded that the work on constitutional changes is the first activity in the revised Action Plan for negotiations on Chapter 23 – Judiciary and Fundamental Rights in the process of negotiations on Serbia’s EU membership. She pointed out that the goal of the public debates was to hear the opinions of the professional, scientific and wider interested public on the directions of changing the Constitution. She reiterated that Serbia remains open to all comments that would improve the quality of the existing text, because it is mature enough to change the Constitution in the area of ​​justice. Popovic concluded that there is a great awareness that this time the changes must be completed successfully, because that is in the best interest of the citizens of Serbia.

China’s position on Kosovo issue consistent and clear (RTS/Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Chen Bo on Wednesday discussed the situation in northern Kosovo and Metohija. Chen said China’s position on the Kosovo and Metohija issue was clear and consistent. “The Chinese side attaches special attention to the current tense situation in the north of Kosovo and Metohija and believes unilateral action is not in the interest of peace and stability in the region. The international community should treat all sides as equals and double standards are not beneficial to a resolution of problems. The Chinese side respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia regarding Kosovo and Metohija, and understands and supports Serbia’s legitimate demands, including those concerning the protection of the security and legal rights of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, in the hope that all agreements reached to date will be respected strictly,” Chen said. Vucic thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Chinese state and its party for their support regarding Kosovo and Metohija, the press office of the Serbian president said in a statement. “I am extremely proud that overall relations between the Republic of Serbia and the People’s Republic of China are on a historical high at a time when I have the honor and responsibility of being the head of state of the Republic of Serbia. I am particularly pleased to cooperate with you on multi-faceted enhancement of the strategic partnership between our countries. I deeply believe in a bright future of our relations, based on a steely friendship and a strategic partnership and unbreakable ties between our two peoples,” Vucic told Chen. Vucic and Chen noted that joint infrastructure projects were proceeding at the planned pace. At the same time, they assessed plans for a continuation of works on a Belgrade-Budapest high-speed rail line, on a section from Novi Sad to the Hungarian border.

Vucic thanks Russia for support on Kosovo and Metohija issue (Tanjug/RTS)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Wednesday received Russian Ambassador to Serbia Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko, thanking him for Moscow’s support on the Kosovo and Metohija issue. Botsan-Kharchenko reiterated Moscow was watching the situation in the north of Kosovo and Metohija with great concern. He noted that the responsibility for the current crisis was with the provisional Pristina institutions, which he said were violating and failing to implement agreements signed in the past, the presidential press office said in a statement.

Botsan-Kharchenko noted that the Serbian side was acting with the utmost sense of responsibility while Pristina was showing no signs of willingness to seek a compromise solution.

Vucic thanked the Russian Federation for its active support to Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Vucic and Botsan-Kharchenko also discussed Serbian-Russian projects as part of preparations for a new session of an intergovernmental committee on trade, economic and scientific and technical cooperation, as well as for a visit to Serbia by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov. Vucic said he hoped he would again have the honor of speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the coming months.

Serbs rejected the proposal (RTS/B92/Tanjug)

Administrative crossings Brnjak and Jarinje still under blockade due to protests of Serbs dissatisfied with the decision of Pristina concerning license plates. The roads Leposavic – Raska and Ribarici – Zubin potok were blocked for traffic on the tenth day, and the situation at the crossings is calm. The mayors of the Serb municipalities in the north of Kosovo and Metohija rejected the proposal of the KFOR commander that the units of the special Kosovo police be replaced by KFOR soldiers, and that the decision on temporary registrations remain. The KFOR Commander suggested to the mayors of Serb municipalities in northern Kosovo to replace Pristina Special Police Unit at the crossings with Serbia and that Pristina’s decision on temporary license plates for vehicles from Serbia remain in place, but the mayors refused, the Serb List said on Tuesday. “In consultation with our citizens, we unanimously rejected such a proposal. Our people and we, as its representatives, are not ready to agree with Pristina’s intention to put us in the ghetto and abolish the right to freedom of movement, which has been the modern European value for decades and which should also apply to Serbs in this area,” the Serb List said. The statement added that due to Pristina’s unilateral decision, Serbs had been protesting for nine days at the Jarinje and Brnjak crossings and would stay there as long as necessary. They called on Pristina to return the situation to the period before 20 September, to withdraw its armed formations and find an appropriate solution through the dialogue with Belgrade. “Everything else will only heat the already tense situation, which our representatives are keeping under control with great difficulty, while on the other hand, our people are being harassed by individuals from ROSU special forces,” the mayors of Serb municipalities concluded. They reacted with this statement to the statement of the Kosovo Minister of Internal Affairs Xhelal Sfecla, who spoke about the offer of KFOR to withdraw the Special Units, claiming that the offer was accepted by the Kosovo authorities, but that the Serb residents rejected it, and that according to him, this refusal revealed their true purpose, which is Serbia’s main political goal: to block the roads in Jarinje and Brnjak.

Lajcak: Separate meetings with Petkovic and Bislimi in Brussels (N1)

EU envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Miroslav Lajcak said on Wednesday that he had separate meetings with the two sides’ chief negotiators in Brussels. Lajcak’s Twitter post said that he discussed ways to solve the current crisis with Serbia’s Petar Petkovic and Kosovo’s Besnik Beslimi, adding that they will continue the discussions during the day.

Escobar: Find a solution, urgently (RFE/Tanjug/B92)

The US Envoy for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar stated today that the main priority is to reduce tensions in the north of Kosovo. Escobar said that in Brussels after the meeting with the special envoy of the European Union for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, after he conducted separate talks with the heads of the negotiating teams of Belgrade and Pristina, Petar Petkovic and Besnik Bislimi, Radio Free Europe reports. “Tensions are very high at the moment,” Escobar said after the meeting. According to him, a solution must be found for the license plates and it is important that the parties return to dialogue in order to continue the talks and resolve all open issues. Escobar emphasized that he came to Brussels to support the EU’s efforts to find an urgent solution to calm the current tensions in Kosovo.

Russia sends clear message: Exert pressure on Pristina (B92/Tanjug)

Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman Marija Zakharova said that it’s time to put pressure on Pristina to withdraw special police units from the north of Kosovo and Metohija. Zakharova believes that this should be done in order to prevent the escalation of the situation towards open conflict. She pointed out that Russia is worried about the growing tension in Kosovo and Metohija, caused by the irresponsible actions of Pristina. “It is obvious that the events are developing according to the scenario from bad to worse,” Zakharova said in a comment published on the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry. She pointed out that the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities, which was conceived as a way to guarantee respect for the rights and interests of Serbs in the province, remains a “dead letter on paper” due to the sabotage of Pristina. Zakharova estimates that Pristina wants to establish complete control on the territory of the entire province, with the help of the repressive apparatus of the “self-proclaimed state of Kosovo”. She believes that Pristina’s actions do not meet with an appropriate assessment or condemnation in Brussels, which is authorized to help in the search for a solution to the problem between Belgrade and Pristina, as well as in Washington. According to her, NATO forces for Kosovo and the European Union Rule of Law Mission have the necessary mandates to prevent lawlessness, and therefore bear full responsibility for the protection of civilians, ensuring peace and security. Zakharova pointed out that it was time to put energetic pressure on Pristina in order to withdraw special police units from the north of Kosovo and Metohija and to prevent the escalation of the situation towards an open conflict.

Escobar will not attend today’s talks in Brussels; Chizhov warns of risk of conflicts (Politika/Gazeta ekspres/TV Russia 24/Sputnik)

The EU had denied that today’s talks in Brussels will be attended by US deputy assistant Secretary of State Gabriel Escobar. “No, Mr. Escobar will not attend the talks. The dialogue has three participants – Kosovo, Serbia and the EU. All others support the dialogue from the outside,” EU spokesperson Peter Stano told Gazeta ekspres. Russian Permanent Representative at the EU Vladimir Chizhov warned of the risk of conflicts at the administrative line between Serbia proper and Kosovo and Metohija. “The situation there is tense. Indeed, the risk of hostilities is always present there, but currently, it is clearly elevated,” he told TV Russia 24, Sputnik reports. According to him, the situation does not boil down to the specific issue that triggered the escalation – the issue of entry permissions for cars with specific license plates. “The issue is more serious. The issue lies in the obvious unwillingness of Pristina authorities to fulfill the obligations taken by themselves and their predecessors. The EU was a kind of guarantor of this agreement,” he said. According to Chizhov, various attempts were made to resolve the situation, both by the EU and other external participants. “But, so far, nobody was able to change the current, frankly stubborn and not at all flexible position of Pristina,” he concluded, as reported by Politika.

Serbia highly appreciates Guatemala’s consistent stance regarding Kosovo and Metohija and its non-recognition of unilaterally proclaimed independence (RTV/Tanjug)

Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic met today with President of the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala Allan Estuardo Rodriguez and stated that Serbia is committed to strengthening political dialogue and the overall cooperation with this friendly country.

Selakovic said that Serbia and Guatemala, despite a large geographical distance, share the same values and fight for them, and added that it is important that the two states and two peoples, which cherish such a friendship, maintain the same level of bilateral visits. Serbia highly appreciates Guatemala’s consistent stance regarding Kosovo and Metohija and its non-recognition of the unilaterally proclaimed independence of the so-called Kosovo, Selakovic underlined and expressed gratitude to that country for its commitment to respecting international law. Rodriguez underlined that the support of friendly Guatemala on this issue will continue.

Schieb: Western Balkans’ EU integration remain high priority for Berlin (Kurir/Beta)

German Ambassador to Serbia Thomas Schieb has said that the EU accession of the Western Balkan countries will remain “a high priority for Germany” also with the Social Democratic Party as the strongest political force. “During the 16-year chancellorship of Angela Merkel, a broad coalition led by the Christian Democratic Union was in power for 12 years, and over those 12 years, a foreign minister was always from the Social Democratic ranks. Both parties have together set the guidelines for Berlin’s current policy on the Western Balkans. So, if a cabinet led by the Social Democrats is formed, continuity would be secured,” Ambassador Schieb wrote in an editorial published in Kurir. He noted that the formation of a new cabinet would still take time due to “numerous options for potential coalitions.” “Until then, the incumbent federal government will temporarily remain in office, which means that Angela Merkel may surpass her once mentor Helmut Kohl and become a person with the longest chancellorship in Germany,” Ambassador Schieb added.

Fajon: Many similarities between Serbia’s Vucic and Slovenia’s Jansa (N1)

In an interview with N1 Slovenia, Tanja Fajon, an MEP and one of the facilitators in the inter-party dialogue on election conditions between the ruling coalition and opposition in Serbia, said she saw many similarities between its President Aleksandar Vucic and Slovenian head of state Janez Jansa. “I could hardly judge what is worse, but what is certain is that there are a lot of similar elements. If we talk about authoritarianism and what Jansa’s government did regarding pressure on the media, financial exhaustion of the national news agency, attempts to take over public companies, with brutal thefts within those companies. And not only that, but he also denies independent democratic institutions,” Fajon said. Commenting on MEPs role in the dialogue in Serbia, she said they invested a lot of effort to create a healthier atmosphere for more fair and democratic elections. “There would be no MEPs present in Serbia today if relations were good. Today, there is practically no opposition in the parliament,” Fajon added. Asked to comment on some opposition parties that the MEPs sided with Vucic, she said they were not in the role of making decisions. “We brought the positions of the opposition and the government closer, and we wrote down what we succeeded in 16 specific points if the opposition wants to participate. No party has really withdrawn by the end of the negotiations; they participated in the negotiations until the end, I sincerely hope that they will use the opportunity and those new bodies that we will form and cede before the elections in Serbia,” Fajon said. She reiterated that “neither side is satisfied, neither Vucic’s side, nor Dacic’s side, nor the opposition. That speaks to how much we have managed to do. I sincerely hope that the people in Serbia will have the possibility of democratic elections, between all parties that will participate, that they will have the possibility of fair and free elections, and that also applies to the state, because we have clearly written that it must fulfil all recommendations of international institutions.”

Inzko’s laws not valid in territory of RS (Politika) 

The laws adopted by the Republika Srpska (RS) parliament, by which former High Representative Valentin Inzko’s decision on prohibition of genocide denial was proclaimed invalid in the territory of the RS, were sent to RS President Zeljka Cvijanovic for signing. Apart from this, changes to the Criminal Code of the RS, which stipulated punishments for mocking or humiliation of the RS, were sent to Cvijanovic for a signature as well. The daily reminded that the RS parliament adopted these two laws in response to Inzko’s decision on prohibition of genocide denial and it noted that this is only a part of problems which exist in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), knowing that the RS refuses to recognize the appointment of Christian Schmidt as the High Representative, requested revoking of imposed decisions and refuse to participate in adoption of decisions in B&H institutions until this is done and it also disputed the decision of the Constitutional Court of B&H according to which the RS has no right to decide on matters of ownership over forests in its territory so it announced it will withdraw from certain institutions such as Armed Forces of B&H and High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) of B&H. While some analysts said that such move of the RS would represent a step towards independence, others disagreed and warned that it would only result in extremely turbulent political period of time.

REGIONAL PRESS

B&H CoM adopts decision on temporary financing of B&H institutions for 2021 (N1) 

The B&H Council of Ministers (CoM) adopted a decision on temporary financing of B&H institutions and international obligations of B&H for the next three months in the amount of BAM 249 million, at its phone session on Tuesday evening. The decision was adopted unanimously at the proposal of B&H Ministry of Finance and Treasury. The decision will come in effect as of Tuesday and will be applied as of 1 October. N1 commented that B&H CoM’s decision on temporary financing of B&H institutions and international obligations of B&H was not expected given the boycott of work of B&H institutions by the RS representatives and the fact that the public was not informed about the session. B&H CoM Deputy Chairman and B&H Minister of Foreign Affairs Bisera Turkovic wrote on her Twitter profile after the session that this unanimous decision passed by B&H CoM should be stimulation for all politicians to start intensified work, as there are many more decisions that need to be adopted in the interest of B&H citizens. Chairman of the Presidency of B&H Zeljko Komsic reminded that by voting for the decision on temporary financing B&H CoM ministers from the RS actually violated conclusions of the RS parliament that were adopted a couple of months ago.

RS opposition harshly reacts to RS ministers’ participation in work and decision-making in B&H CoM; Sarovic: By casting their votes at B&H CoM’s session, B&H officials from the RS practically recognized Schmidt as HR (BN TV) 

The B&H CoM adopted a decision on temporary financing of B&H institutions, by which ministers from RS violated the conclusion of the RS parliament from 26 July. High Representative Christian Schmidt requested from Chairman of the B&H CoM Zoran Tegeltija (SNSD) to ensure that the CoM’s session is held. The news about this was announced before the RS parliament by RS SDS Caucus’ representative Nebojsa Vukanovic. In his statement during the RS parliament session pertaining to RS ministers’ participation in work and decision-making in the CoM, Vukanovic stated: “Thank God and all glory to Allah (God in Islam), the budget was adopted five minutes ago. I would like to ask for an applause for yet another capitulation of the patriots.” RS PDP’s representative Jelena Trivic stated that the RS parliament’s conclusions have evidently been violated “for the umpteenth time, and that is the issue of all issues”. Trivic wondered why the RS parliament is passing conclusions that are then violated by the ruling parties. RS PDP’s representative Igor Crnadak reacted by comparing the RS ministers in the CoM to workers who go on a false hunger strike carrying sandwiches in their pockets and eating them when no one is watching. Crnadak assessed that SNSD leadership ordered Tegeltija to urgently schedule the session, after the HR sent a letter, as they got frightened of possible removals from posts. President of SDS Mirko Sarovic said that when Schmidt asked the CoM to convene, the ruling coalition should have told the opposition that they plan to violate the RSNA conclusions in order to save their time. He added that by casting their votes at the CoM session, B&H officials from the RS practically recognized Schmidt as the High Representative.

SNSD Executive Committee: B&H CC’s and work of judges at this institution are intolerable; Dodik: Our proposal will be to reject all laws that were adopted beyond DPA and B&H Constitution (RTRS) 

The SNSD Executive Committee concluded on Tuesday that decisions of the B&H CC and work of judges at this institution are intolerable, announcing that criminal reports will be filed against judges who voted for the latest decision of B&H CC on the RS forests. The Committee stated that the RS’ response will be to schedule a special session of the RS parliament at which the RS’ withdrawal from the agreement on B&H Armed Forces, indirect taxes and the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) of B&H will be proposed. Serb member of B&H Presidency and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik stated: “We will certainly consult other political parties, and our proposal will be to reject all laws that were adopted beyond the Dayton Peace Accords and the Constitution of B&H which primarily includes the laws on the Court and the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H, the Intelligence and Security Agency (OSA) of B&H, the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) of B&H and some other adopted laws, as well as to ban the work of their bodies on the territory of the RS and set a deadline of few days to leave the RS. In case that this does not happen, we will be ready to take actions that will ensure this”.

Komsic on Dodik’s threats: RS parliament cannot withdraw anything; Dzaferovic: Competencies of B&H remain permanent (N1) 

Commenting on the statement of Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik according to which the RS has the constitutional right to form its own army, B&H Presidency Chairman Zeljko Komsic stated that this would represent a criminal offense of armed rebellion. He said that the “the RS parliament cannot withdraw anything because all these institutions were formed after majority in B&H parliament, including SNSD, voted for their formation”. Bosniak member of the B&H Presidency Sefik Dzaferovic was quoted as saying: “Once the competencies have been transferred to the state of B&H in accordance with the DPA, the competencies of the state of B&H remain permanent and it is not possible to return them to the entity level. Theoretically, the decision would have to be made by the B&H parliament and both entity parliaments, and that will never happen.” SDA’s Adil Osmanovic said that it is unacceptable that High Representative Christian Schmidt remains silent to Dodik’s secessionist statements. “Why is OHR not reacting? This is unacceptable silence of representatives of the international community. Constitutional-legal order is being attacked, they are threatening with abolition of B&H Armed Forces and HJPC, with formation of entity army, and OHR’s reaction is missing,” said Osmanovic.

Brkic: HR Schmidt will not allow borders of B&H to be redrawn (BHT1) 

Spokesperson for the Office of the High Representative (OHR) Mario Brkic said that under no circumstances will the High Representative to B&H Christian Schmidt allow borders of B&H to be redrawn, whose territorial integrity is guaranteed by the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA). This was a comment on the announcement of the Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik about the independence of the RS and possible moves by the OHR. Brkic stated that Schmidt reminded that entities have their constitutional position within the state of B&H, they have no right to secede and they exist only on the basis of the Constitution of B&H. The statement issued by the OHR reads that the HR will not allow for retailoring of B&H borders to happen under any circumstances, reminding that B&H territorial integrity is guaranteed by the General Framework Agreement for Peace in B&H and the international law. The statement further says that the HR once again confirms undisputable commitment of the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board to preservation of territorial integrity and fundamental structure of the state of B&H as a single sovereign state consisted of two entities.

Sattler: I think it is high time to come back to table and start talks on issues of substantial importance (Hayat) 

Representatives of the international community in B&H made statements about the secessionist threats made by Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik. The EU once again called for dialogue in B&H, and – according to Hayat – emphasized that all stories of withdrawal of competences are out of the question. EU Special Representative (EUSR) and Head of the EU Delegation to B&H Johann Sattler stated: “I think it is high time to come back to the table and start talks on issues of substantial importance. It takes two to tango, and there are multiple parties in this country. I call on them to come back and dedicate to carrying out their tasks.” Sattler told reporters on Tuesday that there will be no discussion regarding the withdrawal from B&H’s judicial institutions or B&H Armed Forces, stressing that it is high time to return to talks on topics of crucial importance. He said that he does not think that any citizen is interested in artificially caused blockades.

US envoy: B&H electoral law issue to be resolved by removing ethnic prefixes (N1) 

The US State Department special envoy on electoral reform in B&H Matthew Palmer said the electoral law issue should be resolved by removing “ethnic prefixes” in the election of members of the country’s Presidency and members of the upper house of the parliament of the Federation of B&H (FB&H). “We would be happy to see some limited targeted changes to the Constitution that would remove ethnic prefixes from the elections for the Presidency and the House of Peoples of the Federation, as well as reform of electoral legislation that would ensure greater transparency and accountability,” Palmer said on Tuesday. He added that the United States would like to see B&H have an electoral system that matches the fundamental compromises that were part of the Dayton Agreement, but also that allows B&H to meet its obligations and responsibilities to the European Union. This includes the settlement of certain judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, including the Sejdic-Finci case. The package that we advocate and that we are working on with politicians to move forward would achieve both: addressing the concerns of the European Court of Human Rights, the Sejdic-Finci case and other judgments of the European Court of Justice, but also promoting functionality and helping Bosnia and Herzegovina to move forward with Europe, Palmer said. He avoided mentioning the ruling by the Constitutional Court of B&H in the Ljubic case, which relates to the manner in which the House of Peoples is filled, on which the Croat HDZ B&H party insists. When asked whether the US position includes the problem of “legitimate representation”, which HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic is talking about, Palmer said he understood it as a request for a person representing the interests of Croats in Dayton structures to be elected by a majority of Croat voters. “We understand these concerns in the context of one country, two entities, and three constituent peoples, and we continue to believe that there is a way to resolve these concerns in accordance with the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights. This process of negotiating constitutional amendments and electoral reforms is part of resolving these concerns and enables B&H to achieve a more functional and European system,” Palmer said. He noted that the responsibility for finding concrete solutions rests with politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina and that the international community, including the US, remains ready to help but will not impose solutions. “It is important that the agreed solutions are defined in such a way that new legal disputes about their content are avoided, which means that any new form of discrimination in the electoral process must be avoided” he added. The idea is to eliminate and reduce the level of discrimination in B&H’s political system to ensure that everyone has the opportunity not only to vote but also to run for any office,” Palmer explained.

Lovrinovic: If there is no legitimate representation, there is no B&H too; Djonlagic: Majority of people in B&H is for civic state (Dnevni list) 

Head of the HDZ B&H Caucus in the B&H House of Representatives (HoR) Nikola Lovrinovic said that Croatian President Zoran Milanovic, “as far as I know, never spoke about anything resembling secession, dissolution, taking away territory”. According to Lovrinovic, all this time Milanovic has been speaking about the political right of the Croat people in B&H to the legitimate representation, which in essence does not burden B&H as an independent and sovereign country. In addition, article also carried Lovrinovic as saying that “one could think about that there is no B&H if there is no legitimate representation with this constitutional solution”. Head of the DF Caucus in the B&H House of Representatives (HoR) Dzenan Djonlagic reacted to statement of Lovrinovic. Djonlagic told Lovrinovic that he is shifting focus from the main issue and the obligation of the parliament of B&H, namely implementation of all judgments of the European Court of Human Rights and removal of all discrimination based on ethnic affiliation and place of residence. Djonlagic further stated he is convinced that vast majority of citizens of B&H are in favor of civic B&H and that, in such organization based on principles and values of the EU, there is place for everyone.

EU can no longer guarantee membership to Western Balkans countries (O Kanal/Reuters) 

Reuters has reported that the EU “fearing a political backlash in member states, can no longer agree to give a guarantee of future membership to the six Balkan countries”, referring to statements by four unnamed diplomats and internal documents. O Kanal reports that, according to Reuters article, and impasse over the text of the declaration to be adopted at the summit of the EU and the Western Balkans leaders, that will be held 6 October, seems as a confirmation of a failed EU strategy to bring Serbia, Kosovo, B&H, Montenegro, Albania and North Macedonia into the bloc, and that “wealthy northern countries such as Denmark, France and the Netherlands fear a repeat of the rushed accession of Romania and Bulgaria in 2007’’. The Reuters article reads: “An impasse over a declaration for a summit of EU and Balkan leaders on 6 October is a low point in the EU’s strategy to bring Serbia, Kosovo, B&H, Montenegro, Albania and North Macedonia into the bloc. It coincides with a flare-up of tension at the Kosovo-Serbia border. At the summit, the EU planned to restate its promise made 18 years ago to give ‘its unequivocal support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans’ according to a draft summit declaration dated 11 September.” According to Reuters, the declaration was discussed in two rounds of talks, however, the agreement was not reached. According to the article, some EU member countries fear the repeating of scenario which followed the accelerated accession of Romania and Bulgaria in 2007, including the poorly managed migration of workers from Eastern Europe.

Plenkovic: All statements that would lead to separatism or secession of one of entities in B&H are not productive or useful (N1) 

Croatian President Andrej Plenkovic commented that all statements that would lead to separatism or secession of one of the entities from B&H are not productive or useful for relations between peoples in B&H. N1 also reported that President of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen will pay a visit to B&H on Thursday and that only part of her visit protocol was made public on Tuesday. She is expected to attend the ceremony of opening of the Svilaj Bridge over the Sava River on the Corridor 5C connecting B&H and Croatia.

Izetbegovic and Milanovic discuss relations between Bosniaks and Croats (Hina) 

Croatian President Zoran Milanovic met with the B&H leader of SDA Bakir Izetbegovic in Zagreb on Tuesday. Milanovic and Izetbegovic discussed relations between Croatia and B&H, primarily the relations between the Bosniak and Croat peoples and the need to improve relations between the two peoples in accordance with the Dayton Peace Agreement.

Varhelyi: The goal is for at least one country in the Western Balkans to join the EU by the end of my term (CdM) 

The President of the parliament of Montenegro Aleksa Becic met with the EU Commissioner of for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi. As the commissioner pointed out, he began his mandate with the strong goal that by the end of the mandate, at least one member of the Western Balkans will bring the process of joining the EU to the finalization phase. Referring to the commitment of European institutions to the enlargement policy, the President of the Montenegrin parliament reminded that Montenegro is the only candidate country that opened all negotiation chapters and temporarily closed three, and said that full EU membership remains a strategic goal of Montenegro and no alternative. As he emphasized, Montenegro is determined to complete the started reform processes. In that context, Becic noted that Montenegro highly values ​​unequivocal support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans, which the EU has once again confirmed in its proposal for a new negotiation methodology,” the parliament’s cabinet said. Expressing the expectation that the new methodology will give additional stimulus to the accession process, Becic pointed out that the decision to adopt the new approach is a political reflection of the readiness to “build the process and work on it” in a more intensive dialogue with the EC and member states. Precisely in the light of the application of the New Methodology for EU Accession, Montenegro, as assessed by the President of the Montenegrin parliament, has two strong arguments for high-level political dialogue: it is the only candidate country that has all chapters open, we consistently and timely harmonize with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, which is a strategic landmark that was not easy for Montenegro in economic terms, but also a clear indicator of geopolitical orientation, including as a full member of NATO. Stating that he is familiar with the political and social developments in Montenegro, the European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Varhelyi said that he supports the efforts of Montenegro in the process of joining the EU. As the commissioner pointed out, he began his mandate with the strong goal that by the end of the mandate, “at least one member of the Western Balkans will bring the process of accession to the EU to the finalization phase.” The interlocutors agreed that it is necessary to continue achieving significant results in all fields, which will ensure Montenegro’s accession to the EU as soon as possible. The meeting was also an opportunity for the President of the Montenegrin parliament to thank for the wholehearted help of the EU of its member states in dealing with the consequences of the corona virus pandemic.

Von der Layen: Believe me, my goal is to start negotiations by the end of the year (Nezavisen vesnik) 

EC President Ursula Von der Leyen said that she fully supports the start of negotiations between Albania and Northern Macedonia with the EU. “I fully, wholeheartedly support the formal opening of accession negotiations, and as soon as possible,” she said. The President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, today after the meeting with the Prime Minister of Northern Macedonia Zoran Zaev said that the goal she is focused on is for Northern Macedonia to start negotiations with the Union by the end of the year. “We love you by our side. The European Commission and I stand by that. You have made great progress and made a courageous decision and I want to congratulate you on that. “I want to be clear that now the EU needs to deliver,” Von der Layen said. She also urged the country’s citizens not to lose faith that the country’s future is in the EU. “I fully, wholeheartedly support the formal opening of accession negotiations, and as soon as possible. I urge you not to lose faith, because you have made good progress here, you have made great progress. “Let’s take another step, work hard until that first intergovernmental conference is held, it will be a new success,” Von der Layen said, adding that that step was the solution to the dispute with Bulgaria. “We are working with both sides, we are also working with Bulgaria to overcome the last obstacle. There are many good ideas to consider, in order to overcome the last hurdle and hold the first intergovernmental conference. Our goal is to start with Northern Macedonia and Albania before the end of the year. There is a lot of work, the process is long, a lot of conversations, because there are many topics that can be resolved with good dialogue. “The overall goal is to start the accession process, which should no longer be hampered by these issues.” She did not even want to comment on the possible separation of Macedonia and Albania in the process. “I think at the moment it is important for us to focus on delivery now. I focus mainly on that and I want the two countries, Northern Macedonia and Albania, to start the accession process. And we really need to deliver now, and when I say now I mean the end of the year, Von der Layen specified. Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said that the country has seriously fulfilled European values, and the EU must find a way to keep its word and continue enlargement with the countries of the Western Balkans. According to him, positive signals have arrived from Bulgaria on the position that we cannot negotiate on identity issues, and thus to unlock the process. “We nurture all European identities here, we want our Macedonian identity with the Macedonian language to be nurtured. As I said, I am glad that we have positive signals in that part. “I have commented on the rest very often, it is a roadmap with which we will improve the cooperation and accelerate it in accordance with the Good Neighbor and Friendship Agreement and the two notes on the short and long name, non-interference in internal affairs, etc.” are based on a Portuguese proposal extended by Slovenia. Asked how he would comment on the position of former President Branko Crvenkovski that the agreement with Bulgaria only brought bad things to the country, Zaev said that Crvenkovski did not want to comment directly, but believed in the saying that an agreement builds a house and that any agreement can bring something good for the country. “I am convinced that dialogue, diplomacy, friendship and mutual understanding are European ways of finding a solution” Zaev told the former SDSM leader. In general, he warned Von der Layen that the enlargement blockade had a negative impact on the entire region and threatened the European Union’s confidence as a credible partner.

Zaev insists that he won’t negotiate on national identity issues with Bulgaria (Republika) 

During his remarks with European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev insisted that while he hopes an agreement will be reached with Bulgaria by the end of the year, it will not interfere with the Macedonian national identity. Bulgaria blocks Macedonia from opening EU accession talks as it wants Zaev to deliver a long list of serious concessions that will undermine the national identity and the history of the Macedonians. “We showed readiness for a constructive process that will resolve the bilateral relations with mutual respect and protection of the national dignity. But the identity issues simply can’t be a matter of negotiations. We are fortunate that there are signals coming from Bulgaria that they understand these matters and that they also follow the European values,” Zaev said. The opposition VMRO-DPMNE party responded with a press statement, warning about Zaev’s long track record of making concessions on key Macedonian national issues. “When Zaev says he guarantees that the identity issues are non-negotiable, you can count that he is already negotiating on them,” VMRO-DPMNE said in its statement.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Varhelyi in Skopje (Nezavisen vesnik) 

EU Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi is scheduled to arrive in Skopje today. Varhelyi is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Zoran Zaev to discuss progress in the European integration process of the Western Balkans. The focus is expected to be overcoming the Bulgarian blockade on the start of Northern Macedonia’s accession talks with the EU. The EC points out that EU Commissioner Varhelyi is in communication with all relevant parties regarding the discussion for the start of negotiations with Northern Macedonia and Albania as soon as possible. Varhelyi was in Bulgaria last week to discuss with President Rumen Radev and Technical Foreign Minister Svetlan Stoev the lifting of the Bulgarian blockade on the start of negotiations between Northern Macedonia and the EU. Varhelyi’s visit to Skopje follows a day after the visit of the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Layen, who also talked about the dispute with Bulgaria and its overcoming during the talks with the authorities in the country. She expressed confidence that it is possible to overcome the blockade from Sofia and hold the first intergovernmental conferences with Northern Macedonia and Albania by the end of the year. The visit of the EC chief and Varhelyi to the region comes a week before the EU-Western Balkans Summit. The EU insists that this summit will not be an “enlargement summit” but an opportunity to discuss EU-region relations.

EC president starts WB reassurance tour in Tirana (Tirana Times) 

European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen is in Albania at the start of a Western Balkans tour, in which she is expected to reassure jaded Albania and North Macedonia that the long-delayed start of accession talks will take place by the end of the year. Both countries have received the green light from the European Council to open membership talks, but the organization of an intergovernmental conference marking the official start of the process has been blocked by one hurdle after another for years, the latest being Bulgaria’s veto on North Macedonia, with Tirana going along for the ride due to its coupling with Skopje. “I fully support the progress of accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia as soon as possible. I am really determined to do it, to have our first Intergovernmental Conference, in order to start accession talks before the end of the year. This is the goal,” Von der Leyen said in Tirana. There is little joy in Tirana, however, with Prime Minister Edi Rama noting that it was hard to show enthusiasm, given that the integration process has had many setbacks along the way, due to the attitudes of some of the member states.  “I have said it before and I repeat it, I do not bet on any date or deadline, I wait with complete calm as the case when it happens, as when it does not happen,” Rama said. “Albania has done its job in relation to the EU. In relation to the future, we have many things to do, and we must move forward.” Following the joint press conference with Prime Minister Rama and a meeting with President Ilir Meta, Von der Leyen attended the inauguration of the new school and kindergarten in Fushe Kruje, which were rebuilt with EU funding after suffering earthquake damage.  The EU4Schools program, being implemented by UNDP, is building and repairing 63 education facilities.  Speaking at the school ceremony, the EC president admitted the EU had “a difficult start” in the vaccination process, but added “we are also ready to overcome it, and the EU team has donated many doses and more will come.” She urged Albanians to get vaccinated as the best way to overcome the pandemic.  “We need to increase the rate of vaccination,” she said, urging faith in science. President von der Leyen’s official visit to Tirana is the first stop of a tour she is undertaking in several Western Balkan countries. Her visit precedes the EU-Western Balkans Summit, which is scheduled to take place on 6 October in Slovenia. After she left Tirana, President von der Leyen traveled to Skopje, where she met with Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, as well as President Stevo Pendarovski. On Wednesday morning, President Von der Leyen will be in Pristina, where she will hold talks with President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti. The president will then travel to Podgorica, where she will be received by President Milo Djukanovic and Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic.  Also, on Wednesday evening, the president of the European Commission will be in Belgrade, where she will meet with President Aleksandar Vucic, and the next morning will hold talks with Prime Minister Ana Brnabic. Her last stop, Thursday night, will be Bosnia and Herzegovina. In Sarajevo, she will meet with members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. As in Albania, in all her visits, she is also visiting projects and works financed with EU funds to highlight the investment of the EU in the region.  The president of the European Commission is the head of the executive branch of the EU and is the highest official representing the EU abroad.

Meeting of the first intergovernmental conference / Rama: It does not depend on us, but on a state that rises in anger! (Radio Tirana) 

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama during the joint conference with the President of the EC Ursula Von der Leyen said that Albania’s membership in the EU no longer depends on them. He added that the decision to convene the first intergovernmental conference is being held hostage by a third country, which is angry with a country that is waiting to join, meaning North Macedonia. Rama underlined that Albania’s task now is to wait calmly and move forward with good deeds. “The President said before and reiterated that she has an objective that before the end of the year, the first intergovernmental conference will finally be held where Albania will formally start membership negotiations. As for me, I have said it before and I repeat it, I do not bet on any date, on any deadline. We are lucky to be in the center of Europe. It is a blessing for our children growing up in the middle of this continent and a wall separates us from the best space that is the EU. This is our destiny, our blessing and we will continue to use the knowledge of the EU, its experience, the support of the EU, through the process. The European Commission thinks that Albania has done its duty in relation to the EU, in relation to itself and the future, we have many things to do and we should not lose patience and hope, but we must move forward,” said Rama.