LOCAL PRESS

Open Balkans leaders call EU to speed up integration (N1)

The political leaders of Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia on Thursday called the European Union to look into ways to speed up the integration of the Western Balkans. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and North Macedonia’s Deputy Prime Minister Nikola Dimitrov said in a joint statement that the EU has confirmed its support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans at the 6 October summit in Slovenia and that the region reiterated its commitment to European values and democratic principles, democratic rule, basic rights and rule of law. They added that the EU’s questionable capacity to integrate new members and internal debate are obstructing the region’s progress towards the EU. “The EU is developing new, far-reaching strategies while the region is desperately trying to implement existing strategies. We remain committed to achieving EU standards even though are path to the EU has gone off track,” the statement said adding that they can’t allow the negative spiral to jeopardize the future and prosperity of the region. “The EU is moving forward while the region remains stuck in EU dilemmas,” it said. The statement added that the region should be included in developing EU trade and tax policies and that possible exemptions from trade policies could be looked into. “We could look into participation in Schengen and gradual integration into the single EU market,” it said. It added that the three leaders confirmed their determination to deepen economic cooperation within the Open Balkans initiative. “We approved a detailed plan to implement measures to ease trade and called the Western Balkan Regional Chamber of Commerce to monitor its implementation and we also decided to form an inter-ministerial council to work with the chambers of commerce. “The Western Balkans are ready to move forward quickly. We should move forward and the EU should move towards the Western Balkans. Staying in neutral is not an option,” the statement said and called all the countries of the region to join the Open Balkans initiative.

Rama: Open Balkans to produce concrete results at Tirana meeting (Tanjug)

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Thursday in Belgrade the next meeting of the Open Balkans initiative, to be held in Tirana in December, would transform all agreements into concrete results. After a meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and North Macedonian Deputy PM Nikola Dimitrov, Rama said the initiative focused on businesspeople, farmers, distributors, workers, students, scholars and concrete beneficiaries. All of them have suffered at borders in some ways, which ranged from delays to various checks, controls and similar things, Rama told a joint press conference at the Palace of Serbia. He said the initiative was essentially aimed at enabling the economies and the markets of the three countries to grow together, rather than remain small individually, and at attracting more FDI to the region. Citing Serbia as an example, he said it had made a major step forward when it comes to attracting FDI. Responding to questions from reporters, he said the Open Balkans was a unit for stepped-up implementation of Berlin Process projects and noted that it was not closed to others in the region – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Kosovo. “This is no conspiracy, this is not just our vision – it is a cry of our economies, our students and people who want to move. Are we stupid enough to allow the tourism potential of the region to be pushed aside? We will do everything for our economies,” he said.

Dimitrov: Regional cooperation wise, European choice (Tanjug)

North Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister Nikola Dimitrov said on Thursday in Belgrade regional cooperation was the right, wise and European choice and that lifting barriers to trade would be hugely beneficial to citizens of the region. At a press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Albanian PM Edi Rama, Dimitrov said his country attached significance to the Open Balkans regional initiative and that this was demonstrated by his coming to Belgrade despite the quite complex political situation in North Macedonia. “This initiative is really important so we cannot afford to be absent from a meeting of the three countries,” he added. A vision where borders are less significant, or even completely insignificant, is the only sustainable, long-term vision for a stable and winning Balkans, he said. “It is a vision for development of the Balkans… It is a great step forward to achieving a European vision of a border-free Balkans,” he said. He said the initiative was aimed at building solidarity by establishing a regional single market with free movement of goods, people, capital and services. “Lifting barriers to trade and making the region much more attractive to foreign investment would be very beneficial,” he said. Responding to questions from reporters, he said he saw no risk of North Macedonia leaving the Open Balkans initiative even in case of a change of government in the country.

Vucic: Pristina will try to take over power substation in northern Kosovo (Beta/Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Friday he expected Pristina authorities to try to take over the Valac power substation soon, under the pretext of charging for electricity in northern Kosovo. “I said that Albanians can try to take over the Valac power substation, after 6 November,” he said. “When will it happen – they are the ones who choose the moment. I am certainly asking them not to do that,” he said. He says that he is convinced that if there are such incidents because to energy, they will certainly happen in order to achieve some other goals.

Vucic added Pristina would choose the moment, but that he begged the authorities not to do that.

He did not mention his sources for the overtaking and why Pristina would choose 6 November for the alleged operation.

Drecun: Possible attempt by Pristina to take over transmission substations in northern Kosovo and Metohija (RTS)

Unilateral actions of Pristina are not excluded in the coming period, especially when it comes to Pristina’s attempt to take over the transmission network in the north of Kosovo and Metohija, the Chair of the Serbian parliamentary Committee for Kosovo and Metohija Milovan Drecun told the morning press review of Radio and Television of Serbia (RTS). The position of the US and the EU when it comes to the implementation of the Brussels agreement is very important, because they can influence Pristina very much so, said Drecun. That influence exists and it is very important that they said that they have to implement the part of the agreement that concerns the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities. “Kurti is not only opposing that, but is also undertaking other unilateral actions that further undermine what has been achieved,” says Drecun. When it comes to the energy situation, Drecun says that it is complicated, which is why it is not excluded that Pristina will try to take over two transmission stations in the north of Kosovo, and those are two substations – Valac and Gazivode. “The transmission network in the north is managed by Serbian Power Industry (EPS), and Pristina wants to take over the transmission network as well as billing. And that would again be a unilateral action. The Brussels agreement does not define the field of energy, but two agreements enabled the establishment of two companies  EPS Trgovina and Elektro Sever. Instead of respecting the agreement and enabling the work of these two companies, they are making agreements with Albanian companies on taking over that market. Since they cannot legally take over the supply in the north, it is not excluded that Pristina will take unilateral steps,” Drecun said. “It is a question of life and survival. They know that the Serbs will oppose, and they do not take such unilateral actions without special units, and when you engage special forces violence is inevitable,” he says. Drecun does not expect the dialogue to continue before the end of the second round of local elections and the final results, while it if still unknown when the second round of elections will be held. Speaking about the Open Balkans, Drecun says that it is no longer just an initiative, but a process that should realize political agreements and the meeting held in Belgrade should contribute to that. “I don’t know why we would justify to anyone and why anyone would mind if this region develops. This is not a backup plan for EU membership, but it is in the spirit of EU integration,” Drecun believes.

Robles: Spain’s position on non-recognition of so-called Kosovo remains unchanged (RTS/Politika)

Serbian Defense Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic talked on Thursday in Madrid to the Defense Minister of the Kingdom of Spain Margarita Robles about enhancing defense cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the military industry segment. After the meeting of ministers, a letter of intent was signed declaring the commitment of the Serbian Defense Ministry to procure military transport aircraft and the commitment of the Ministry of Defense of the Kingdom of Spain to provide support and assistance during the procurement. Stefanovic noted the exceptionally close and friendly relations between the two countries’ armed forces and ministries. “The Serbian people deeply appreciate the friendship with the Spanish people, and I would like to express our gratitude to Spain for its position of principle regarding the issue of non-recognition of the so-called Kosovo. I would also like to emphasize that the Republic of Serbia strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Spain,” said Stefanovic, thanking Spain for providing strong support to Serbia on its path to European integration. He expressed satisfaction with the achieved level of defense cooperation, crowned by joint participation in multinational operations, particularly in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). He expressed his determination to continue activities in the field of military cooperation and the development of cooperation in the field of military industry. He also stressed the importance of continuing military-economic and military-technical cooperation activities, starting from outlining further forms of cooperation between the two countries’ research and development institutions and defense industries. Speaking about the importance of mutual support in protecting sovereignty and abiding by the principles of international law, Robles said that Spain’s position on the non-recognition of the so-called Kosovo remains unchanged and that this country continues to strongly support Serbia’s demands for preserving sovereignty and territorial integrity. She agreed with Stefanovic that there is still room for further improvement of defense cooperation, especially in the field of defense industry, and pointed out that Spain is also determined to continue joint participation in multinational operations and intensify military to military cooperation. Robles also said that Spain considers Serbia a key country in the Western Balkans and that it will continue to strongly support our country on its path to the EU. A letter of intent was signed declaring the commitment of the Serbian Defense Ministry to procure military transport aircraft and the commitment of the Defense Ministry of Spain to provide support and assistance during the procurement. This document will secure the continuation of activities in the field of military-economic and military-technical cooperation, including the planned procurement of equipment for the needs of the Serbian Armed Forces.

Stefanovic presents military memorial medal to General Martinez-Faler (Tanjug)

Serbian Defense Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic, who is on an official visit to the Kingdom of Spain, presented a military memorial medal for his contribution to the defense system of the Republic of Serbia to Brigadier General Jose Luis Sanchez Martinez-Faler. The medal was awarded to General Martinez-Faler in recognition of his wholehearted assistance in maintaining the level of operational capabilities of the Serbian Army contingent, at the time when he was the commander of the East Sector of the UN peacekeeping operation in the Republic of Lebanon UNIFIL. According to him, General Martinez-Faller thus made a significant contribution to the international promotion of the Serbian Army and raising the reputation of our country. General Martinez-Faller pointed out that it was very easy to cooperate with 142 soldiers, who made up the Serbian contingent, because they are top professionals, very disciplined, trained and motivated.

EU: Pristina must fulfill agreement in dialogue with Belgrade (Beta)

The stance of the European Union on the agreements reached in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue is very clear, which is that the agreements have to be honored and every effort must be made for them to be implemented, the spokesman of the European Commission Peter Stano stated in Brussels on Thursday. This was Stano’s reply to a question from Beta about the EU’s view of the repeated statement of Kosovo Premier Albin Kurti – that the Community of Serb Municipalities, stipulated in the Brussels agreement, was unacceptable for his government because that would mean, as he said, the establishing of something similar to Republika Srpska in Kosovo. Kurti told the BBC that he would not allow “a repeat of Bosnia in Kosovo”. “If they want to make Kosovo into Bosnia, I will not allow it… people voted for me to prevent Bosnia in Kosovo,” he said. European diplomatic sources in Brussels have told Beta that, although no new meetings between Belgrade and Pristina’s leaders were directly in sight, the EU and the US continued their joint efforts to still secure the two sides’ return to dialogue. US Envoy Gabriel Escobar, who had announced that he would visit the Western Balkans in the coming days, has said that the US fully supports the EU in the dialogue for the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina.

Serbian opposition leaders meet Escobar in Washington (N1)

Serbian opposition Party of Freedom and Justice (SSP) leader Dragan Djilas discussed the development of democracy in Serbia with the US President’s Special envoy for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar at the State Department on Thursday. The SSP said in a press release that Djilas, Escobar and party deputy leader Borko Stefanovic also discussed the fight against crime and corruption and economic cooperation across the region. It said that they are on a several days visit to the US which will include meetings with a number of administration official about the situation in Serbia and the Western Balkans.

REGIONAL PRESS

Stano: It is not up to EU to comment decisions of UN SC (Oslobodjenje) 

Commenting the session of the UN Security Council and adoption of the Resolution on Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), spokesperson of the European Commission Peter Stano stated that it is not up to the EU to comment the decisions of the UN Security Council or the events there. “For us, it is important for B&H to overcome the current crisis as soon as possible. We want to see continuation of the dialogue between the leaders, in order to improve the political situation in B&H, so that institutions would fully function again and redirect the work towards the reforms,” said Stano.

EUD welcomes extension of EUFOR mandate, reiterates its full support to High Representative (Dnevni list) 

The EU Delegation (EUD) to B&H commented on the session of the UN SC and its decision to extend the mandate to EUFOR by saying that extension of the mandate is important from aspect of security of the state, stressing that the stability and security of B&H is condition for the progress towards the EU. “We welcome extending of the executive mandate of the operation Althea in accordance with the UN SC Resolution. EUFOR continues to be an important element in strengthening security and stability in B&H, which are basic pre-requisites for progress on the reform path to the EU. Through EUFOR, the EU remains committed to providing support to B&H in preserving of safe and stable environment. The EU reiterates its full support to the High Representative, his mandate and powers. We are looking forward to continuation of good cooperation with the OHR regarding the remaining conditions from agenda 5+2. The EU will continue to provide support to the country in meeting of 14 crucial priorities from the EC’s Opinion on B&H’s demand for membership in the EU,” reads the EUD statement.

Sattler: EU strongly supports Schmidt and OHR in B&H, as well as his mandate (BN TV) 

The Head of the EU Delegation Johann Sattler said that unilateral activities are never a good idea or an approach in any kind of democratic society especially not in B&H. He added that a true discussion for finding solutions is necessary, adding that it is time to return to institutions and legislative bodies. Sattler hopes the B&H CoM session is one of signs of complete return to B&H institutions. Sattler was quoted as saying: “It is true that he did not have the opportunity to personally present his view, but I hope he will soon have the opportunity. One-sided action never seems like a good idea in any democratic society and especially in B&H”. Sattler said: “The EU strongly supports HR Christian Schmidt and the OHR in B&H, as well as his mandate, having in mind the importance of his tasks.”

Kalabukhov: UN SC session represents victory of international law (RTRS) 

In an interview for RTRS, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to B&H Igor Kalabukhov stated that result of Wednesday session of the UN SC represents victory of the international law, logic and common sense. Ambassador Kalabukhov also stated that 26 years after peace process commenced in B&H, it will be soon time for local actors to claim complete responsibility, even one that will make presence of international military presence in B&H unnecessary. He explained that this would create conditions for normal development of B&H.

Dodik: It is clear Schmidt does not have mandate (RTRS) 

RTRS noted that many Serb experts believe that the resolution adopted by the UN SC on Wednesday that does not mention a High Representative represents big diplomatic victory of Russia. It was underlined that it is also victory of the RS. RTRS comments that member of B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik is not rejoicing, adding that he is content with the fact the UN SC understood B&H cannot make progress with the High Representative. According to Dodik, the RS’ insisting on the Constitution of B&H represents extension of life of B&H. Dodik assessed that abovementioned session of the UN SC demonstrated that there is no High Representative in B&H, adding that it happened thanks to stances of Russia and China – two out of five permanent members of the UN SC. Dodik underlined that it should be clear to everyone that the High Representative does not have a mandate in B&H, adding that same applies to the Office of High Representative (OHR). He went on to saying that this is how the RS interprets a message conveyed by the UN SC. “I believe that big players agreed about a method to eliminate the High Representative and the OHR and that it has happened,” said Dodik, adding that it is not clear only to those in Sarajevo. Dodik also believes that the report Christian Schmidt submitted with the UN SC was written by Bosniaks. Dodik underlined that this report is a pamphlet written by members of Alija Izetbegovic’s wartime intelligence service – AID. He explained that Schmidt’s report does not mention the Intelligence-Security Agency of B&H (OSA) and man who is still at helm of this agency despite of all affairs he has been linked with. The member of B&H Presidency underlined that B&H OSA occupied even those close to Schmidt. According to Dodik, Schmidt’s closest associate who is a Muslim is talking in Sarajevo that she does not feel safe in Banja Luka. He added that Schmidt is a victim of this weird system in B&H. Dodik wondered whether Schmidt can be recognized in B&H if he is not recognized by the UN SC Resolution. Dodik said that he is surprised that a man with rich political experience allowed this to happen to him. The member of B&H Presidency underlined that Schmidt should be looking for an exit strategy, adding that otherwise he will commit violation of international law. “The RS will find mechanisms to file a lawsuit against him in his country for false presence and violation of the international law,” explained Dodik. He also stated that the RS is not intending to destabilize B&H or to lead any war. Dodik added that it will fight to be a part of a constitutional and not unitary B&H. He stated that the RS will use a number of measures in this fight that will be discussed next week. Dodik emphasized that the RS will attempt to adopt important laws, adding that the RS has already prepared a law that refers to rejection of blockade of military and other property imposed by former High Representative Paddy Ashdown. “We had adopted this law earlier and it was annulled by Inzko. However, there is no High Representative anymore and we will adopt it” concluded the member of B&H Presidency.  Dodik announced that more details about the RS next steps will be published on 9 November during the next session of leaders of parties forming the ruling majority in the RS.

Turkovic: It is essential that Schmidt’s report was delivered to all UN SC members and that it reached those it needed to reach; Dodik is irrelevant in context of geopolitical developments (Hayat) 

B&H Minister of Foreign Affairs Bisera Turkovic asked to comment on the resolution adopted by the UN SC which extended EUFOR’s mandate in B&H, considering that, in return, the High Representative to B&H Christian Schmidt was not allowed to address the UNSC, claimed that this was not surprising and that it was known that the resolution will not mention the OHR and Bonn Powers. Turkovic pointed out that EUFOR’s Althea mission was extended and that its 700 soldiers are to remain in B&H, with the possibility of increasing that number of soldiers. Turkovic added that it is essential that Schmidt’s report was delivered to all UNSC members and that it reached those it needed to reach. When asked why is EUFOR needed in B&H, Turkovic said that it is needed for additional security and to guarantee that there will be no occupation of strategically important parts of B&H. Turkovic was asked whether it is clear now that the behavior of the Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik is supported by Russia and China, to which Turkovic replied that Dodik has support but she would not attach too much importance to it. Turkovic said she thinks Dodik is irrelevant in the context of geopolitical developments and that he is one small executor. According to Turkovic, if there are certain interests, they would be solved at some other level. Turkovic added that she believes that B&H is not a crucial interest for Russia and China. When asked how worrying should it be for B&H that Schmidt was not allowed to address the UN SC as the High Representative, Turkovic said that this is worrying. Turkovic stated: “We need to observe what is happening, to hope for the best, but at the same time be prepared for the worst. We are going through a difficult period in which the muscles are shown (to see) who is actually on the territory that is safer. Is it those who want to destabilize B&H or those who are there to defend B&H, because they see it as their only homeland.” Turkovic was asked to comment on the fact that the OHR did not make any significant moves in the last ten years, except for the law imposed by Valentin Inzko. Turkovic pointed out: “The OHR is a complicated machinery that seeks consent of all those in the Peace Implementation Council (PIC). It is not to be expected that the imposition or making decisions is simple. If that were so, then the recommendation of the Commission from 2008, which condemns any kind of genocide and was supposed to be embedded in the Criminal Codes of all the member countries, and those with aspirations to become members, so B&H had that obligation from 2008 to embed this directive which was imposed by Inzko. So that is nothing special about him now, which came so suddenly, but simply the fulfillment of our obligations, which we, given the circumstances, did not have enough strength to do ourselves.” Turkovic added that it is not easy to impose a law and use Bonn Powers, which is the reason why so much time has passed in which Bonn Powers were not used. According to Turkovic, easier methods are always resorted to, in the hope that such methods will be better. Turkovic stated that the burden of building a country is certainly on the people in B&H. Considering that it took a long time for Inzko to react, Zukic asked whether B&H will have to wait for a long time for a reaction from Schmidt and the international community when the safety and security of B&H is undermined. “If there is such a tendency as before, from blocking the work of institutions to giving ideas about secessionist movements within the country, I think that the reaction will come much faster, even faster than we hope,” said Turkovic. Turkovic added that she believes that the most important thing for them is to join forces and take their destiny into their own hands. Turkovic said that a country is not built over night and that it takes a lot of work. When asked whether she thinks the scenario from 1992 can be repeated in B&H, Turkovic said that it will certainly not be repeated because geopolitical conditions are different at the moment. Turkovic pointed out the need for proactive actions in B&H, that those in B&H cannot be just observers and expect the international community to solve all their problems. When asked about B&H’s relationship with Russia and China, Turkovic stated Russia and China do not deny the territorial integrity and sovereignty of B&H. Turkovic added that B&H has correct relationships with Russia and China and will strive to develop those relationships further. When it comes to messages from the EU Council and their effect, Turkovic said that the messages themselves do not have so much effect as being blacklisted, which is the motivation to please the international community. Turkovic pointed out that, when it comes to the priorities set for B&H, that they could be fulfilled in three months if there was political will for that. Turkovic explained that problems are created because of regulations are harmonized and if the judiciary functions, there are a lot of people who will be held responsible for what they are doing. When asked to comment on trust in the EU and the US, and whether the EU can guarantee safety to B&H, Turkovic said that those in B&H need to ensure peace and prosperity for themselves and not look to others to do it for them. Turkovic added that she is pleased with the coordination between the US and the EU. “The EU has excellent representatives. There is a commission here, there is an ambassador who is really trying to make B&H functional, to speed up the candidate status in the shortest possible time. It is a big thing that we do not have people who oppose our success, but people who push us (forward), who really want B&H to take fast steps forward,” stated Turkovic.

Cvijanovic held talks with Escobar and Palmer (Srna) 

RS President Zeljka Cvijanovic has pointed at the meeting with US Special Representative for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar in Washington to the need for a balanced approach to B&H and the interests of all three constituent peoples, stressing it is the only way to ensure a stable and prosperous future. At the meeting with Escobar, she voiced support for the Open Balkans initiative, as well as stronger economic cooperation between the countries of the region. The meeting participants exchanged opinions on the current political and economic situation in RS and B&H, as well as the possibilities of strengthening cooperation, the Office of RS President announced. During the meeting, the US Envoy for electoral reforms in B&H Matthew Palmer discussed the reforms of the electoral legislation in B&H, while the president of RS reiterated RS’s positions on this issue, emphasizing the need to ensure legitimate representation of all constituent peoples and pointing to the need of reaching the agreement between the partners in the Federation of B&H.

Dodik expressed regret for B&H not being a part of the Open Balkans initiative (Srna) 

Milorad Dodik expressed regret for B&H not being a part of the Open Balkans initiative and pointed out that the process was blocked from Sarajevo because Muslims thought it was a hoax.

“The RS has been stopped in that, because some morbid thoughts in Sarajevo prevent joining that initiative only because they suspect some scams and frauds,” Dodik told reporters in Banja Luka. He pointed out that he personally advocated for at the Presidency’s session and that the proposal for B&H to join it was adopted, but afterwards general blockade of the initiative took place. “I remember that session, when we said that we were joining the initiative, which meant that it should have been operationally feasible so far, while we are far from that, because these partners, Muslims in Sarajevo, believe it is a hoax and that it represents another attack on them and their rights, which is not true,” Dodik said. He mentioned that those blockades are not noticed, but only those when RS does not want or will not do something. “If only we were a part of the initiative, but I am sure that one day we will be,” said Dodik

RS disagrees with removing prefix “Serb” from Constitution (Srna) 

Milorad Dodik has stated that the RS is going to participate in the electoral reform in B&H, but pointed out that it is no longer ready to remove the prefix “Serb” from the Constitution of B&H. Dodik said that a consensus deleting the national prefix from the B&H Constitution had previously been reached, but everything that has happened in the meantime has convinced RS that it should not give up the prefix “Serb”. “At the moment they are ready to let RS vote and the Serb people elect their representative, we will harmonize it. Nothing else is possible,” Dodik pointed out at a press conference in Banja luka. He stated that RS would support the agreement between Muslims and Croats. “The moment they say they have reached an agreement, would be the moment we are ready to enter the parliament and vote for the agreement,” Dodik said. Dodik says RS will take place in the election reform, but not within the already formed commissions. The US representative for electoral reform Matthew Palmer previously announced that he would insist on removing the national prefix in the election of B&H Presidency members and the deputies of the House of Peoples of the B&H Federation parliament.

Milanovic says all criticism against Dodik are lies; It is questionable what kind of mandate Schmidt actually has (HRT) 

Commenting on the latest session of the UN SC on B&H, Croatian President Zoran Milanovic stated on Thursday that all criticism against Serb member of B&H Presidency and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik are lies. He noted that Dodik is sometimes uncontrolled and problematic, but he is the least problematic in B&H – especially from the perspective of Croats in B&H. According to Milanovic, it is very easy to reach an agreement with Dodik – not an agreement on B&H’s division but on its organization. Milanovic concluded that the situation in B&H is not on the verge of conflict because “they have no bread to eat and they can only use chestnuts as weapon”. Milanovic also said: “I do not know Mr. Schmidt. He was a German official, although not the highest-ranking one. I respect him, but it is questionable what his mandate is, and what he can do with such childish threats. Dodik represents Serb people in B&H. You will not remove him with such statements, there is no chance for that. Just like with HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic until he is what he is.”

Milanovic calls for trilateral mediation in B&H (HRT) 

The Croatian President has openly questioned just how much legitimacy the High Representative in B&H Christian Schmidt actually has, noting that trying to remove any one of the three ethnic leaders in B&H is a fool’s errand. On Thursday Croatian President Zoran Milanovic reiterated his earlier call for a trilateral mediation of the crisis in B&H, of which the mediators would be comprised of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and himself as the Croatian representative. He added that it is vital that these three sides participated in talks on the future of B&H: “As some kind of guarantors, I would be happy to see, even president Vucic, sure we’ll have some disagreements, but let’s see what we can to do ensure that B&H remains unified. Erdogan as well, whose country is not in the European Union, and has a different political regime, one that is not democratic like ours. But that is their right. I accept and respect that. Only in that kind of ambient can we find a satisfactory solution. So that each of the three ethnic sides has someone they believe in on their side, and that on the other side there is someone they do not distrust outright.”

Krivokapic meets with the Chairman of the EP’s Delegation to the EU-Montenegro SAPC (Gov.Press service) 

Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapic met with the European Parliament’s Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilization and Association Parliamentary Committee (SAPC), headed by Chairman of the Delegation Vladimir Bilcik. Prime Minister Krivokapic said that Montenegro unreservedly remains committed to the European path, with the intention of being the next full-fledged member of the European Union. He reaffirmed the Government’s readiness to more decisively and committedly promote and implement European practices and values in Montenegrin institutions and in society in general. Krivokapic pointed out that the Government, taking into account the latest EC Report, has already prepared an initial action plan, so that the next Report would be incomparably better. In the context of regional cooperation, PM Krivokapic described the visit to Serbia as extremely successful. He pointed out that both sides were focused on economic issues, as well as issues in the field of infrastructure projects, education, culture and digital transformation. Chairman of the Delegation Vladimir Bilcik said that he came with a clear message that the European Parliament is ready to support all steps of Montenegro that are directed towards its European goal. One of the reasons for our visit is to support Montenegro’s European path, especially when it comes to domestic reforms and inclusive political dialogue in Montenegro, Bilcik said. Bilcik stressed that the Government of Montenegro can count on the support and assistance of EU institutions in solving all potential problems during the accession path.

Without dialogue there is no Europe for Montenegro (CdM) 

There is no Europe for Montenegro if there is no dialogue and compromise, said the chairman of the Delegation of the European Parliament for cooperation with Montenegro Vladimir Bilcik at the session of the Assembly of Citizens. The Assembly of Citizens is organized by the Montenegrin Assembly in cooperation with the European Parliament (EP). The topic is corruption in the healthcare and public sector. Bilcik said that Montenegro is now facing existential times. “It faces how difficult it is to find a balance between a healthy political conflict and a much-needed compromise. I know that conflict management is a huge challenge. We are all proud of our ideas and do not want to give them up. That is why we are dealing with politics,” he said. However, there is a way to defend our ideas without imposing them on others, and that is dialogue. “I think that dialogue is the key cure for many political diseases in Montenegro today. That’s not just my opinion. That is a fact and the figures in the assembly show that,” Bilcik pointed out. He asked his colleagues in the Montenegrin parliament to come to an agreement.

Ahmeti determined to have an Albanian appointed Prime Minister at the end of the government’s term, is still trying to change Zaev’s mind about resigning (Sloboden Pecat) 

DUI party leader Ali Ahmeti told Sloboden Pecat that he expects PM Zoran Zaev to keep his word and ensure that an ethnic Albanian candidate is made Prime Minister for the last 100 days of the government. Zaev intends to resign in the coming days after losing the local elections, and this has derailed his unwritten agreement with Ahmeti, which was a key promise of Ahmeti’s 2020 electoral campaign. Agreement are not made to be canceled upon momentary wishes. We did not speak about our agreement and it was not disputed. We are now talking about how to overcome this emotional decision by Zoran Zaev and together come to sustainable solutions, Ahmeti said. While announcing that he will resign as Prime Minister and SDSM party leader, Zaev said that he wants his coalition with DUI and a dozen smaller parties to endure, under a new Prime Minister.

Zaev consulted with the coalition partners, today to hold coordination meeting in SDSM (Fokus.mk) 

Prime Minister and SDSM leader, Zoran Zaev, who announced his resignation as Prime Minister and party leader after the defeat in the local elections, today continued intensive consultations with coalition partners in the government, aimed at electing a new Prime Minister, which entails the election of a full new government, writes the Fokus.mk news portal. According to unofficial information of Fokus, Zaev held a meeting with the leader of the second largest ruling partner – Ali Ahmeti, who once again told him that his decision to step down is wrong, pointing out that he should reconsider and possibly revoke this decision. According to senior party sources, they did not talk about a specific name or names that would succeed Zaev’s place in the SDSM party, but Ahmeti and other “smaller” government partners, pointed out that if the decision of the current prime minister is final, his heir to be someone “from inside”. Namely, Zaev initially tested the mood of the partners whether they would accept the new prime minister to be an outsider – an expert with beyond party potential, however, his partners thought that the best solution would be a current member of the government, who would additionally have weight and authority in SDSM to be able to take responsibility and implement decisions. After such intra-governmental and inter-coalition talks, Zaev should hold a coordination with the party leadership of SDSM today, where, as Fokus has learned, it is possible to discuss the profile of the new prime minister, and a discussion on specific names.

Three names enter the final selection to replace Zaev (Alfa) 

Bojan Maricic, Sanja Lukarevska or Ljupco Nikolovski will be the prime minister-designate for the new government, Alfa has learned from its sources in SDSM. The three have the support of various sides in the party to win the title of new prime minister. The Deputy Prime Minister for Fighting Corruption is considered a favorite of the Prime Minister’s party wing. Sanja Lukarevska, on the other hand, has the support of the Skopje wing, while Maricic is the favorite of the party members who come from the non-governmental sector. The Minister of Justice has recently become the face of the party. After Filipce and Spasovski almost disappeared from the public, as Zaev’s closest associates, Maricic became the most present in the media. However, it is problematic for him that in his sector, the results are not the best. Macedonia has catastrophic numbers in the judiciary, accusations of political prisoners, and there are the cases of Raskovski and Kiceec. In particular, they have raised a lot of dust in the public lately, but according to Maricic, they have not affected the citizens’ trust in the judiciary. Everyone who is deprived of his liberty in prison or in detention has certain rights and obligations. These rights are reviewed and decided by the courts, for us the most important thing is to maintain public safety, the judiciary to function according to law. Each of us, we all want those cases to be within the law, that is the most important thing for us, says Maricic. Ljupco Nikolovski cannot boast of great success in his work either. Nikolovski said he has a right to a vacation when he justified himself when in the middle of a pandemic and thousands of deaths he went on vacation to Dubai. Also, Macedonia is near the bottom of all rankings in the fight against corruption, and he has scandals behind him. His boast on Facebook that he had seized butter was publicly ridiculed. Although she was initially mentioned as the favorite, Lukarevska is now given the least chance, but it still exist. According to the information, she, although Zaev’s party deputy, has the least support from the party leader, because she is part of the Skopje wing, where SDSM experienced a real debacle in the local elections.

Macedonia is a great example of EU’s unfulfilled promises, say Vucic, Rama and Dimitrov in a joint statement (Republika) 

As our path to the EU derails, we remain committed to meeting EU standards. We cannot allow this negative spiral to jeopardize the very foundations of the future and prosperity of the region. The European Union is moving forward, while the region is stuck in the dilemmas of the EU itself, are some of the messages Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs Nikola Dimitrov send in a joint statement issued after the meeting within the “Open Balkans” initiative. Macedonia is a great example of EU’s unfulfilled promises. Its government has sought to meet Brussels’ demands, only to find itself isolated and left to bear the consequences of EU decisions. This weakened perspective of European integration threatens to leave us disintegrated more than ever. The feeling is common throughout the region, they said. In the statement, they said the delay in the EU perspective had cost the region too much political thought, adding that while the Union was developing new far-reaching strategies, the region was desperately trying to implement the existing one. As Vucic, Rama and Dimitrov say, as our path to the EU derails, we remain committed to meeting EU standards. We cannot allow this negative spiral to jeopardize the very foundations of the future and prosperity of the region. The European Union is moving forward, while the region is mired in the dilemmas of the EU itself. The European Union should and must explore all paths for faster integration of the Western Balkans ahead of accession, along with its commitment to gradual inclusion, as defined in the new methodology, reads the statement.

Open Balkans leaders push forward on agreements, urge rest of region to join (Tirana Times)

Leaders of Albania, Serbia and North Macedonia said at a summit in the Serbian capital Thursday that the Open Balkan Initiative would move forward steadily over the next two years, leading to freer movement of people and goods among the three countries.  They also urged the three Western Balkan states that have not joined the initiative: Kosovo, Montenegro and B&H to become members of the initiative. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Serb President Aleksandar Vucic also said relations between Kosovo and Serbia would be resolved in EU-mediated talks, but that this should not be an obstacle to Kosovo’s inclusion in the Open Balkans Initiative. North Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister Nikola Dimitrov attended the summit to represent his country after Prime Minister Zoran Zaev resigned earlier in the week following his party’s local elections loss. The three leaders agreed to set up an agreement implementation council and that the next meeting is to be held in Tirana after Christmas, where the signing of the agreement on work permits in the three member countries of the initiative is expected. In October 2019, Rama, Vucic and Zaev launched the initiative then labeled as the Balkan mini-Schengen, rebranding it as Open Balkans at a meeting in Skopje in June 2021. The ultimate goal of the initiative is to establish free movement of people, goods and services among the member countries — the same way things work inside the European Union. However, the initiative has faced resistance and criticism, with some critics likening Open Balkans to the former Yugoslavia, which would provide an unfair advantage to Serbia, which is by far the largest economy in the initiative. Moreover, Serbia refuses to accept Kosovo’s independence and there have been increasing tensions between the two countries in recent months. Also, increasing ethnic tensions in B&H and Montenegro have left both countries leery of Serb influence. The Kosovo government also says the initiative cannot replace the European integration processes, where it says the focus should be instead. The Serbian president said the initiative is open to all and the doors are open to Prishtina, Podgorica and Sarajevo. “We will resolve our relations with Prishtina through dialogue, as we have different positions, but the Open Balkans is something else” Vucic said. “Anyone who is interested is welcome.” Albania’s prime minister echoed that sentiment. “The issue of disagreement has its own dialogue, it has its own way. But one thing you should know, if all six countries participate, then for both Kosovo and Bosnia the atmosphere will be much better to address other issues as well,” Rama said. Rama added: “Neither Albania, nor Serbia, nor North Macedonia, which have decided to move faster, will wait for everyone else to be convinced. I have heard the reasons why others are skeptical, or rejecting, of the Open Balkans. I have heard the reasons of Montenegro, I have heard the reasons of Bosnia, I have listened very carefully to the reasons of Kosovo, and I am very sorry, but I consider them reasons of being unreasonable.” Meanwhile, the Open Balkans Initiative appears to be gaining the support of Western diplomats. In a recent hearing in the US Congress, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Southern and Central Europe Gabriel Escobar said that the United States supports all initiatives that bring countries closer economically. “The leaders of the three countries (Albania, Serbia and Northern Macedonia) that have launched the Open Balkan initiative have assured us that it is open to all six countries of the Western Balkans, and we trust them. In fact, there can be no success without the other three countries” he said. He added that this initiative is similar to what under the Berlin Process is known as the common regional market, and such a market would be very attractive to American companies. The three member states of the initiative, as well as the other three that have rejected it so far, hope to join the European Union but are at different stages of the process. Montenegro and Serbia have already opened membership negotiations, while Albania and North Macedonia are awaiting their opening, but are currently hostage to disagreements between North Macedonia and Bulgaria. Kosovo is the laggard in the integration process and the only country in the region whose citizens cannot travel without visas in the Schengen area.

Rama in Belgrade: The heavy burden of bureaucracy at the border must end up (Radio Tirana)

Prime Minister Edi Rama said from Belgrade that the heavy burden of bureaucracy at the border must end up. “I am very pleased that we are focused on the core of this initiative, how to expand our economies and markets. They are small markets in themselves, but with each other they turn into an important market not only for our actors, but also for foreign direct investments,” said Rama at the conference on the Open Balkans. He added that the focus of the initiative is on people and creating a wider space in terms of markets. “I am very glad that today we were given the opportunity to face businesses from our countries and they demanded that everything we sign be translated into a tangible reality for them, at the border, where the problems begin,” Rama said. He stated that they have met with the Atlantic Council, who came specially from Washington, regarding a study that will be presented in Tirana. “We have agreed on a common position addressed to the EU, understanding the situation very well with the absurd quotation for North Macedonia and Albania, but underlining that we have no hesitation. “We are convinced that the EU, while immersed in dilemmas, can consider coming closer to the region,” Rama said in Belgrade.

Rama: Kosovo should be part of Open Balkans (Radio Tirana)

Prime Minister Edi Rama has reiterated the need to include all Balkan countries in the Open Balkans initiative, especially Kosovo. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said that relations between Albania and Kosovo do not depend on the attitudes of the two governments regarding the initiative. “Serbia has lost the war, while Kosovo must win the peace,” Rama said, adding that they could not be imposed on anyone. Asked if he would try to persuade Kosovo to become part of the Open Balkans, Rama said he did not have a branch of the Socialist Party there. “The sincerity of all the statements of all leaders and politicians is proven in the field. The President of Serbia openly stated that he welcomes Kosovo in the same way as 2 other countries. This statement is tested only if Kosovo joins this initiative. This initiative was a necessity long before it was launched,” said Rama. He reiterated that the Berlin process was destined to turn into a process of summits and declarations without implementing it. It has the vision and framework that is 100% like that of the Open Balkans. But it is not a process run in Berlin and Brussels. “The Open Balkans is the unit that is set up in every country, in every institution when a foreign-funded project is implemented. So, it is simply the Berlin Process that is undertaken by us to make what is said in the statements a reality,” said Rama. The head of the Albanian government has underlined the agreement that Serbia should apologize to the Albanians, but this apology, according to him, comes to an end and cannot come at the beginning, citing the case of Germany and France.