LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: Open Balkans not about Greater Serbia or Greater Albania (Tanjug/RTS)

We have created the best initiative, one that will change the face of the Balkans and bring many good things to the citizens, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday after an Open Balkans summit in Tirana with the PMs of Albania and North Macedonia, Edi Rama and Zoran Zaev. For the participating countries, it is important to continue to work on all issues, including on abolishing fees, to perhaps form a customs union one day and erase borders between the three countries and attract more investors together, Vucic told a press conference. He said that, upon arriving in Tirana on Monday, he had seen that Rama was being criticized over the Open Balkans as an initiative purportedly aimed at creating a Greater Serbia. “I get told every day it is an initiative for creating a Greater Albania. This is not about a Greater Serbia or a Greater Albania, but about not getting lost in disputes between the past and the present and about not losing our future in the process. This is about being able to arrange our future together in an incomparably better way,” Vucic noted. The initiative is about how our agricultural and industrial producers but, above all, all citizens of all three countries, can do better in the future and how we can have more tourists, Vucic said.

Open Balkans no substitute for EU, say leaders of member countries

The Open Balkans is no substitute for European integration but an initiative that helps to accelerate the progress of the region’s countries on the European path, Vucic, Rama and Zaev said in Tirana on Tuesday. Addressing a press conference after the Open Balkans summit, the three leaders said representatives of other European countries – Italy, Greece and Hungary – would be invited to one of the future summits of the initiative. Asked whether the different pace of the three countries’ progress in European integration could affect initiatives such as the Open Balkans, Vucic said Serbia was giving 100 percent support to the European integration of Albania and North Macedonia and had been backing the two neighbors strongly on that path since the Sofia EU-Western Balkans summit. Zaev said the Open Balkans was no substitute for EU membership but a natural reaction to the EU’s incompetence and inability to face challenges. He said that, in fact, the Open Balkans meant a Europeanisation of the region. Rama dismissed suggestions that the Open Balkan was an alternative to European integration, or a return to the past and a rebirth of Yugoslavia. He said the next summit of the initiative, to be held in six months, would have to address the issue of fees but that the one after that should also be attended by representatives of Italy, Greece and Hungary, for a start.

Vucic: Speaking only about the past is not good (B92)

One of the Klan Kosova journalists asked Vucic if he would apologize for the war crimes against Albanians in Kosovo. “First of all, I believe that talking only about the past is not good and that whenever I come to Kosovo the Klan Kosova asks me about war crimes. They were committed on both sides, and there is no doubt about that. I have always been against war criminals and I think we shouldn’t speak of only one nation, you are trying to impose that only one party is to blame, and that is not the case. We have a different opinion about the future of Kosovo, you believe that it is an independent state, we do not. However, we can find a solution with good intentions,” Vucic said. He stated that provocations would not contribute to anything and told the journalist of the Klan Kosovo “to focus more on the future and not on the past”. Speaking about the possible entry of the so-called Kosovo in the Open Balkans, Vucic pointed out that North Macedonia and Albania have a different view of Kosovo in relation to Serbia. We have a different view on the issue of Kosovo… But that is not a reason not to talk and for someone not to be part of the Open Balkans Initiative… Was it easier for Albanians and Serbs not to have such lines and for people to pass freely. I think it would be easier. We are ready to discuss all these economic issues, I have no problem with that. I extend an invitation to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro… There is no need to ask anyone at any time…,” said Vucic and pointed out that resolves the issue of the status of Kosovo and Metohija in a dialogue under the auspices of Brussels. Vucic pointed out that he was against burning flags and stated that the task was to build bridges of cooperation, i.e. that people would be happy, because they would live better. “One must show seriousness, not succumb to daily politics. Our job is to lead countries by preserving peace, accelerating economic development and getting to know each other. I have met many wonderful people, people must see that we can live together. We don’t have to love each other, but we have to respect each other. Edi is doing this for Albania, I’m working for Serbia,” he explained in an interview with the media. Vucic commented on the allegations that, according to the research of Dragan Djilas, the opposition has more than 50 percent support before the elections. “We don’t have research, experts do research, and when Djilas does it, it’s… The best research ever and it’s called elections. We will fight because the former regime would be very bad for Serbia,” Vucic said. He also answered the question whether Bulgaria has the support of other EU countries for its blockade. “For me, the matter is completely clear, North Macedonia must open accession negotiations, it took a long time. That is a clear position. People in North Macedonia must have a European future,” Vucic explained.

We have always offered support

Serbia supports the European integration of North Macedonia and Albania, and we have always supported this process, Vucic pointed out and stated that Serbia is committed to the Open Balkans Initiative. “We will always be on the side of North Macedonia and Albania when it comes to opening chapters for European integration. These are some people from the EU, because you have met all the conditions. The Open Balkans is a vision of our Balkans that we should not be ashamed of. We are proud of it. I am glad that we will make a better standard of living for all people,” Vucic explained.

Relations between Serbia, China exceptional (Beta/Politika)

Relations between Serbia and China are exceptional, and all large-scale projects are progressing, while there is great potential for cooperating in the area of agriculture, the President of the National Council for Coordinating Cooperation with Russia and China Tomislav Nikolic and Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Chen Bo agreed during a meeting. Nikolic voiced his satisfaction with China’s economic progress this year again, despite the huge challenges that it faces especially with regard to the epidemiological situation and political boycott by some states of the Winter Olympics which will be held in Beijing, the Council said in a statement. Chen Bo stressed that the current epidemiological situation in China was very stable and that a zero tolerance policy was still being implemented. She added that efforts were being made to help Serbia raise the amount of products that it exports to China. “I expect that next year we will embark on new projects and successfully realize existing ones,” she stressed.

Serbia establishes diplomatic relations with East Timor, Solomon Islands (RTS)

The Serbian Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday that Serbia established diplomatic relations with the Democratic Republic of East Timor and the Solomon Islands, and joint statements were signed in New York by the Serbian Ambassador to the UN Nemanja Stevanovic and representatives of those states at the United Nations. The statement on diplomatic relations between Serbia and East Timor was signed by Nemanja Stevanovic and his colleague Carlito Nunez. Stevanovic and Chargé d’Affaires Noel Martin Matea, on behalf of the government of Serbia and the government of the Solomon Islands, signed a joint statement on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Drecun: Pristina’s continuous action of intimidation (Tanjug/RTV)

The Chair of the Serbian parliamentary Committee for Kosovo and Metohija Milovan Drecun assessed that Tuesday’s action in Strpce is an integral part of Pristina’s continuous action, which aims to intimidate Serbs. “By using special units with long pipes, even when it is not necessary, because many jobs can be done by ordinary police, and not by specialists who intimidate people, Pristina discourages Serbs from staying in Kosovo and Metohija,” Drecun told Tanjug. Drecun says that everything seems to be done systematically. They are causing severe destabilization with unilateral actions, and lately it has become more frequent in Serb regions south of the Ibar, Drecun says. “Politicians who want stabilization, improvement of relations between national groups, to provide them with guarantees, to encourage them to stay, do not do that. Such politicians also count on the sensitivity of actions, but Albin Kurti, however, does not belong to that type of politician, he wants to destabilize the entire Serb people,” Drecun stated. Kurti, as he adds, is carrying out “crazy actions”, sending special units with phantoms and automatic rifles to celebrations and baptisms, allegedly due to the control of covid measures. Drecun emphasizes that all this should discourage Serbs, encourage them to leave with their families, and prevent displaced persons from returning. Asked if it was a coincidence that the arrest in Strpce was taking place in parallel with the Open Balkans gathering in Tirana, Drecun said he did not know, but “that it may have been planned”. “The Open Balkans is a new model turned towards cooperation and the future instead of conflict, and here in Kosovo and Metohija, actions such as the one by Albin Kurti and his politicians offer only the opposite – destabilization,” Drecun said, adding that perhaps this could be a response to the stands he advocates and that is that the false state of Kosovo should not join the initiative. “Why would we wait to enter the EU, and then carry out the same integration processes, can’t we do that now, waiting for a chance in the EU,” Drecun asked, emphasizing that Kurti does not want to attend anywhere where Kosovo does not appear as a state, although they are thinking about projects offered within the Open Balkans, such as the construction of the railway from Durres and Shkodra to Pristina and everything that should be a further exit to the Balkans and Central Europe, which is an integral part of the Washington agreement. Asked if he was surprised that Self-Determination did not take part in the protests and incidents that accompanied the gathering in Tirana, he said he did not know whether Kurti’s party supporters had contributed or not. Maybe only Ramush Haradinaj and Sali Berisha, who are old comrades-in-arms, did that, Drecun stated and added that he saw one flag of self-proclaimed Kosovo in front of the stage. “Berisha, when he was at the helm of Albania, was even publicly accused by the Italian foreign minister of arming the KLA. There was a main terrorist base on his house in the north, they arming there and transferring to Kosovo,” Drecun said.

Andjelkovic: Open Balkans is better for Serbia than EU integration (Tanjug/B92/RTV)

For Serbia, the Open Balkans initiative is a better solution than European integration, as it wouldn’t have to give up ties with Russia and China, political analyst Dragomir Andjelkovic said on Wednesday. He says that the accession of Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the “Kosovo entity” is crucial for the future of this project. Andjelkovic told Tanjug that the Open Balkans, as a forced solution due to the halt in European integration, gives our country the opportunity to connect with the region, cooperate to the maximum with the EU, but also keep its strategic economic and geopolitical partners from the east. “The key is whether the countries from the region will join. If Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the entity of Kosovo join, I think the matter is complete and will come to life. If they do not join, that is a partial solution,” he said. Andjelkovic explains that Western countries, although they cannot directly join the Open Balkans, cannot only compensate for EU integration through this initiative, but, he adds, make a step forward in foreign policy. “EU members cannot be integrally connected, they can have special arrangements and be additional bridges with the EU, just as such arrangements can be built with non-European countries from Turkey to China, of course, and above all, with Russia,” says Andjelkovic. He claims that the Balkan countries will achieve better interstate relations through economic integration, which, as he says, is evidenced by the conciliatory messages of the leaders of Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia from the summit in Tirana. “We can have economic benefits, but also social and national ones. Within this initiative, all Serbs can connect, all Albanians, all Muslims… in short, to realize our national aspirations in a rational way, and to prosper,” Andjelkovic concluded.

Dacic: SNS and SPS to have joint presidential candidate; Referendum has nothing to do with Kosovo (TV Prva/Beta/Politika)

Serbian parliament speaker and the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) leader Ivica Dacic said on Tuesday that his party and the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) would have a joint candidate in the next presidential election, while it would not have to be the case for parliamentary and local elections. “If I was to run for president, it would cause divisions among the electorate and it would contribute to destabilization and send out a wrong message, which is why it is unnecessary,” Dacic told TV Prva. He stressed that the Socialists would continue cooperating with the Progressives also after the next elections. “There is no love in politics, it is only about how much you are needed by someone and you are needed as much as you are strong,” Dacic specified. Dacic called on Serbian citizens to vote in the referendum in January and back the Constitutional amendment, explaining that the potential change had been precisely explained. “The amendment to the Constitution refers only to a part about the judiciary – it has nothing to do with Kosovo, which is contained in the preamble and it would require many changes. Here it is clear what will be changed – judges and prosecutors will no longer be elected by the parliament, but by independent bodies as it is believed that it would be a step forward in the rule of law,” Dacic explained.

REGIONAL PRESS

Report of Sattler sent to Brussels which reads that Varhelyi and Dodik agreed about holding of RS parliament session; Varhelyi blames Inzko of crisis in B&H and not Dodik (Istraga.ba/N1) 

Portal Istraga.ba published the report of EU Special Representative (EUSR) and Head of the EU Delegation (EUD) to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Johann Sattler on the recent visit of European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Oliver Varhelyi to B&H. Namely, the visit took place on 24-25 November, and the published document caused a series of reactions in B&H. According to the published document, Commissioner Varhelyi accuses former High Representative (HR) Valentin Inzko of being responsible for the crisis in B&H, namely due to his adoption of a decision to impose amendments to the Criminal Code of B&H on banning genocide denial. The document also shows that, in his conversations with Serb member of the B&H Presidency and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik, Varhelyi did not dispute activities on transfer of competences from the state to the entity level. The European Commission (EC) did not deny the authenticity of the document in which Sattler describes Varhelyi’s conversations with Dodik and in which they discussed the specials session of the Republika Srpska (RS) parliament focusing on the competences. On that occasion, the Commissioner clarified that the session will take place, but that a six-month moratorium on adoption of laws on unilateral withdrawal from state institutions would be announced. Sattler’s report, as Istraga.ba carried, reads that this was the deal, while RS’ representatives would be found responsible for acting contrary to that. The report, which was prepared shortly after Varhelyi’s visit, reads that the RS parliament’s session would take place on 10 December, although the information about the date of the session was published about 10 days later. The document also reads that it is necessary to reach an agreement on resolving the issue of the state property and on adopting the amendments to Inzko’s law in the B&H parliament, along with the agreement on the electoral reform. One of the more difficult issues, which were emphasized, was willingness of RS representatives to recognize the HR in B&H. While he labelled Inzko as the responsible person for the crisis and “for de-legitimization of the OHR,” Varhelyi assessed that none of this is HR Christian Schmidt’s fault. EC spokesperson Peter Stano confirmed that such reports are part of the everyday diplomatic work and that the EU stance on the matter of the RS parliament’s session is clear. Stano specified that the RS parliament’s conclusions represent “steps of escalation and deadlock”, while abolition of state institutions would put the EU path of B&H on hold. Stano also stated that the stance of the EU regarding the session of the RS parliament held on 10 December was more clearly presented in statements of the Commissioner Varhelyi during his visit to B&H; Varhelyi said that blockade of state institutions would lead B&H further from harmonization with the EU Acquis and it would put the road to the EU on hold. Stano told N1 that the undeniable stance of the EU is that the decisions of the RS parliament are a step towards escalation and a dead end. He said that the EU is unambiguously dedicated to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of B&H and any other statements are not credible. Stano added that he cannot comment on internal documents and there was no reaction from the office of the EU Delegation to B&H. Stano rejected on Tuesday the information on the alleged agreement between Varhelyi and the RS authorities, reiterating the EU’s stance according to which the RS parliament’s conclusions represent a step towards escalation of tensions and a blind street. Representatives of the EUD to B&H made no comment on the issue on Tuesday.

Mehmedovic: EU agreed on coup d’état through their Commissioner (N1) 

MP of SDA in the B&H parliament Semsudin Mehmedovic commented on the claims of certain media that Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik and European Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi discussed an agreement regarding the special session of the RS parliament. Mehmedovic said that the activities of Varhelyi represent a ‘Brussels coup d’état’ and he called on the B&H Prosecutor’s Office to launch an investigation against the EU officials and parties in B&H to end all negotiations with the EU. He said that the EU agreed on a coup d’état through their Commissioner. Mehmedovic called on political parties to declare Sattler and Varhelyi as persona non grata and to suspend the work of the EU Delegation to B&H until the investigation is over. He stressed that EU officials need to be removed from their posts for undermining the constitutional organization of B&H. Vice President of SDA Adil Osmanovic said that it is clear that Varhelyi is in close relations to the leadership of SNSD and his activities are not good for the EU or B&H. SDP stated that any concessions to Dodik mean endangering of the constitutional organization of B&H. They stressed that it is unimaginable that such things are done by those who advocate sovereignty and territorial integrity of B&H. SDP asked whether the international community is giving hidden support for the secessionist intentions of the RS. SDP B&H, SDA and DF have called on the EC to urgently explain this document. SDP B&H also noted that “in case this turns to be true, this move may represent a dangerous precedent in participation of the European Commission in past talks on changes to the Law on Elections of B&H. It is incomprehensible that something like this was done by people who claim to support integrity and sovereignty of B&H. Does this document mean that a part of the international community gave a hidden support to secessionist intentions of Dodik and RS leadership?”.

RS officials: Claims about any agreement with Varhelyi false and represent dangerous implications (RTRS) 

RS President Zeljka Cvijanovic commented on the claims of certain media that Milorad Dodik and Oliver Varhelyi discussed an agreement. She assessed this as a special war and said the claims are a dangerous implication. Cvijanovic added that the politicians from Sarajevo always choose this method, alongside threats with the B&H judiciary and the call for the increase of the presence of military. She assessed that it is unrealistic for any European official to come to the RS and discuss when the RS parliament will convene. Cvijanovic said that everyone is being dragged into this political dirt and it is a campaign directed against Hungary because of their realistic and objective stance on the crisis in B&H. RS Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic said: “As far as the special session and that story that something was agreed are concerned, I do not know where this kind of insinuation comes from now… I was at that meeting. Absolutely, and after all, Mr. Sattler was at that meeting. There were twenty of us there and I do not know how he is the only one who heard that kind of story, while the rest of us did not. Therefore, I absolutely do not know what he means by that, except that they are probably bothered by the fact that the state of Hungary, the President and all people representing the Hungarian state basically give support to the RS in terms of that we are right.” SNSD Spokesperson and Advisor to the Serb member of the B&H Presidency Radovan Kovacevic denied that Dodik made any deals with Varhelyi. Kovacevic noted that this information represents “completely false formulation”. Kovacevic specified that Varhelyi was only informed about the plans regarding the session.

Sarovic, Nesic interrogated in Prosecutor’s Office of B&H about special session (O Kanal) 

The B&H Prosecutor’s Office continued on Tuesday interrogation of leaders of the opposition from the RS within the investigation on the attack on the constitutional order of B&H related to the latest special session of the RS parliament about return of competences to the RS. This time, leader of SDS Mirko Sarovic and leader of DNS Nenad Nesic were interrogated as witnesses. Both Sarovic and Nesic said that there was no violation of the Constitution of B&H at the latest special session of the RS parliament and both of them supported return of competences from the state to the entities, but not in SNSD’s way. The reporter noted that both Sarovic and Nesic as well as their colleagues from other opposition parties do not see what is the point of the investigation. Sarovic underlined that he does not find return of competences to the RS disputable. Nesic confirmed that he sees nothing bad in return of competences to the RS, adding that he supports strengthening of institutions of the RS but not via SNSD pre-election tricks. Nesic argued that only four competences were transferred from the RS to the state level in line with laws while all other transfers were carried out via force, via High Representatives and via adoption of laws in the parliament of B&H but without the consent of entity parliaments and agreements of governments. Nesic concluded that thus, the laws, i.e. competences are illegal. According to announcements, leader of PDP Branislav Borenovic is expected to be interrogated on Wednesday, while RS Minister of Interior Dragan Lukac (SNSD) is expected to be interrogated next week. RS Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic (SNSD) and speaker of the RS parliament Nedeljko Cubrilovic (DEMOS) stated that they still did not receive a summon for interrogation. Viskovic said that he will respond to the summon once he gets it and argued that he did nothing outside the framework of the Constitutions of the RS and B&H and the Dayton framework. Cubrilovic stated that the RS parliament did not exceed the constitutional framework and its competences anyway.

SIPA members visited parties of ruling majority in RS, asking them for certain documents regarding return of competences from B&H to RS (BN TV) 

The B&H Prosecutor’s Office, members of the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) of B&H have visited the parties of the ruling majority in the RS, asking them for certain documents regarding the return of competences from B&H to the RS. According to the information obtained by BN TV, the members of SIPA visited the premises of certain parties, while they sent letters to other parties asking them to prepare certain party documents. The parliamentary majority in the RS includes Milorad Dodik‘s SNSD, Nenad Stevandic‘s ‘United Srpska’, Nedeljko Cubrilovic‘s DEMOS, Dragan Cavic‘s NDP, Petar Djokic‘s SP and Darko Banjac‘s NPS.

FB&H HoR adopts Resolution condemning attacks on constitutional- legal order of B&H (Dnevni avaz) 

Upon the proposal of SDA Caucus, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H) House of Representatives adopted the Resolution on Tuesday night, which reads that the FB&H HoR condemns the attacks on constitutional- legal order of B&H. SDA as a proponent, stated that this Resolution is a reaction to RS parliament’s conclusions, which attack the constitutional- legal order by instructing the transfer of state competencies to the entity. HDZ- HNS Caucus did not vote for the Resolution, explaining that not all parties participated in preparation of this document, arguing that this Resolution surpasses the constitutional framework of the FB&H. HDZ Caucus also objected the fact that their proposal was not included into the agenda of the session and therefore they proposed the conclusions which did not get the majority vote of the MPs and one of the conclusions calls all political subjects to respect judgements of Constitutional  Court of B&H and ECHR, as well as continuation of the talks on electoral reform.

HDZ B&H-HNS Caucus in FB&H HoR proposes Resolution on protection of constitutions of B&H and FB&H, Bosniak representatives reject it (Dnevni list) 

The HDZ (B&H)-HNS Caucus in the FB&H House of Representatives (HoR) submitted on Tuesday a document titled ‘Resolution on Protection of Constitution of B&H, Constitution of FB&H, international agreements and accompanying annexes and implementation of judgments of Constitutional Court (CC) of B&H and European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)’. The HDZ B&H -HNS Caucus requested that the agenda of the session is amended i.e. that the agenda includes the aforementioned document. Proponent of the document argued that B&H and the FB&H are entering the process of destabilization and that the issue of reform to the electoral legislation and resolving of the biggest post-Dayton political crisis is being obstructed from different sides. The proponent further noted it their duty to protect the constitutional order and institutions of FB&H, and that the need for dialogue and assuming political responsibility are two key solutions that could truly overcome the challenges. According to the Resolution, the FB&H HoR would call on all political stakeholders to respect the Constitution of B&H, the Constitution of FB&H, judgments of the B&H CC and the ECHR. It also reads that the rhetoric of threats, fear and conflicts is unacceptable, also condemning all unitary and separatist policies that dissolve the Dayton agreement.

Turkovic meets Lavrov: Turkovic warns that conclusions on return of RS competences could endanger peace and stability of B&H (FTV) 

B&H Minister of Foreign Affairs Bisera Turkovic met Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov in Sochi on Tuesday. The two officials discussed issues related to bilateral cooperation and the current political situation in B&H. According to FTV, Turkovic and Lavrov agreed on all issues regarding the integrity of B&H, but not about the issue of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) as Moscow supports its closure. Speaking about this issue at a press conference following the meeting, Lavrov stated that current High Representative (HR) Christian Schmidt is not legitimate as there was no consensus of the three peoples and the UN Security Council failed to confirm his appointment. Lavrov stated that peoples in B&H and not the HR should implement conditions for closure of the OHR, adding that Russia will support this scenario as well as everything that contributes to stabilization. Addressing the press conference following the meeting, Turkovic said that Russia advocates closure of the OHR so that B&H can take over all state obligations and follow the example of all normal countries. Turkovic also said: “However, we believe that the presence of the OHR is necessary until B&H becomes functional. I am sure that we will find a solution that will satisfy these two positions.” The reporter argued that the meeting comes at the important time for B&H and for the entire region. Turkovic said that she informed Lavrov about their view of the situation and emphasized that all citizens of B&H are more and more concerned and worried especially after the latest adoption of conclusions in the RS parliament. She added that implementation of the conclusions can seriously jeopardize peace and stability of B&H but also the region and all progress that everyone jointly created in the past 26 years. Turkovic assessed that all issues and problems must be solved within institutions of the state and not via unilateral moves. Lavrov stated that they are “convinced that B&H is a sustainable country and it should be in line with the Dayton Agreement”. Lavrov underlined the need to respect basic principles of the Dayton Agreement and that is primarily independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of B&H, equality of the three constituent peoples and the wide area of the two entities. Turkovic and Lavrov also discussed the economic cooperation between the two countries and opening the office of the Russian Embassy in Banja Luka. Lavrov told the joint press conference after the meeting that B&H is a sustainable country and that attempts from outside to conduct processes within the country are intolerable. He stressed that Russia supports the closure of the OHR and that B&H still has a foreign protectorate in a form of the OHR. Turkovic concluded that it is important that Russia strongly supports the DPA and resects sovereignty and territorial integrity of B&H, which was confirmed at the meeting in Sochi as well. The two officials concluded that the cooperation between B&H and Russia is at the satisfactory level. Turkovic reiterated that the OHR’s presence in B&H is necessary given that the current issues are unfortunately not being resolved within the B&H institutions, but through unilateral announcements and moves. “I am certain that the Russian Federation, like all our other partners and friends, will respect the will of the citizens, democratic institutions and the future which we choose through those institutions,” Turkovic emphasized. Lavrov also stated that Russia is always ready to offer protection to constructive dialogue in the Western Balkans and in B&H. The meeting took place to mark 25 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between B&H and Russia.

Orban: Serbian nation key to the Balkans, no stable Bosnia without Bosnian Serbs (N1)

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Obran held a press conference on Tuesday, spoke about various topics covering economy, pandemic, migrations and EU energy crisis. He also touched upon the situation in B&H. Orban, who announced a visit to Sarajevo for January 25 at invitation of the Chairman of B&H ‘s Council of Ministers Zoran Tegeltija visited B&H earlier this year but met only Milorad Dodik, the Serb member of B&H ‘s tripartite Presidency. Answering to the question about his “close ties” with Dodik, Orban said that Hungary’s southern border is 70-80 kilometers away from the Bosnian border and that when Yugoslav war arrived “tens of thousands came through”. “If a conflict develops there, it will also appear in Hungary the next morning,” he stressed, adding that the Serbian nation is crucial in the Balkans. “The Balkans cannot be stabilized without the Serbs, without B&H, and B&H cannot be stabilized without the Bosnian Serbs. The key to the Balkans is the Serbian nation,” Orban underlined, according to the official report from the press conference. The four-hour conference, which the PM Cabinet’s international spokesman Zoltan Kovacs called a “marathon press conference,” also discussed the EU enlargement and Orban noted that “the stars are not aligned well” but also that they never were when it comes to the enlargement. “The challenge with B&H is how to integrate a country with 2 million Muslims” Orban emphasized and concluded: “In any case, we will still be a gateway even if the western Member States of the EU do not yet want to include the countries of the Western Balkans.”

NS proposes banning Orban’s arrival to Sarajevo, calling Orban a racist (Oslobodjenje) 

‘Our Party’ (NS) issued a press statement which reads that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban proved that he is nothing but a racist, as he wondered how the EU thinks to integrate two million Muslims, referring to B&H’s accession to the EU. “We still have hope that the EU can speak in a single voice, to benefit the entire B&H and its uniqueness, but the time is running out. This that happens now in B&H is what awaits the entire EU. Fight for B&H is fight for idea of the EU. Naturally, wanting to be a good example how Orban and people like him should be treated, we propose banning his arrival to Sarajevo on 25 January 2022,” reads the statement.

Covic and Grlic Radman: Urgently change Law on Elections (Vecernji list) 

HDZ B&H President Dragan Covic met with Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman. The two officials agreed that the reform to the Law on Elections of B&H is important in order to protect the right to legitimate representation of constituent peoples and equality of all citizens of B&H.

Milanovic: Montenegrin identity ineradicable; Montenegro is eternal (CdM) 

Montenegrin identity is ineradicable, said Croatian President Zoran Milanovic at a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Croatian National Union of Montenegrins.

“That identity, with which I have nothing to do, although my surname is found in many Montenegrin tribes, is something so special, special, unique and ineradicable, that the delicate state in which your country is in, simply in no way in my opinion, does not endanger the survival of one idea and one path, which is inevitably unstoppably European. The European Union is currently ignoring you. We have experience. We had knowledge and luck. Happiness is an essential factor of success. You will have the support of Croatia to continue this process as soon as possible, because your country has achieved great success,” stated Milanovic. He points out that Montenegro has a place in the EU. “Montenegro is in NATO and it is good that it is in NATO. These days that is being devalued and compromised. I know very well what it is about and what I am talking about. I want for such a delicate situation not to endanger the stability of Montenegro,” said Milanovic. “Preserve your culture and identity. She is European. She is also Eastern Christian. It is Orthodox because without that, the Mountain Wreath does not exist. It is a body without heads. It is secular and modern,” states Milanovic. “Fight, in the sense of that – Fight does not beat light weapons, but beats the heart of the hero. Or, as Njegos wrote, the dead head does not rise from the grave or over the light of Jefferdar, let your head be on your shoulders, you will get another rifle, and in the hands of Mandusic Vuk, every rifle will be deadly! May Montenegro be eternal,” said Milanovic.

Today is the last working day of Zaev as Prime Minister (Republika) 

Prime Minister Zoran Zaev should have his last working day today. After the New Year’s address of President Pendarovski, he should hand down his resignation he announced several times after the defeat in the local elections. His last visit was to Albania yesterday at the Open Balkans initiative. He said that it is not easy in the Balkans and in the EU, but that other countries should join. “We had measurable success. I congratulate you all for being part of this process. We made a great job. It’s not easy right now in the EU or in the Balkans, but we did it. This is an authentic initiative to which we invite all the countries from the region. The Open Balkans unites us and for me it is a proof of great friendship. The Balkans are open for the good of all people,” Zaev said.

Varhelyi says he understands Zaev’s frustration, speaks proudly of Serbia and Montenegro’s success (Republika) 

The region wants to be one. Open Balkans is the best message that the region can deliver. It not only promotes but creates regional cooperation. Your regional cooperation is good both for the EU and the Western Balkans, said European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi in his online remarks at the initiative’s meeting in Tirana on Tuesday. He stressed that only through a common market can the Balkans have a third of GDP growth. Infrastructure connection will have no point if trucks and vehicles stop at every border, there is no point in creating an investment climate if diplomas are not recognized, there is no point in an investment climate if there is no free movement of goods, services, capital, Varhelyi said.

Regarding EU enlargement, he said there had been progress with Serbia-Montenegro in this regard this year, expressing regret that the first intergovernmental conferences with Macedonia and Albania had not been opened. I understand the frustration of Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, but do not forget that we have made progress in the enlargement process this year. We opened chapters with Serbia, and the second intergovernmental conference with the new methodology was held with Montenegro. But I do not hide the fact, as well as my regret for the fact that we still do not have the first intergovernmental conferences with Macedonia and Albania, we need to achieve that quickly, the first signal we need to see is a clear perspective from the EU for that to happened, and that was included in the conclusions of the Council of the EU. I think it should be taken very seriously, and now is the time to make it a reality and have all the agreements on the table for that to happen, Varhelyi told an Open Balkans meeting.

Mickoski: Our offer to name an ethnic Albanian as Prime Minister revealed the dishonesty of SDSM and DUI (Republika) 

VMRO-DPMNE President Hristijan Mickoski said that the refusal of DUI and SDSM to accept appointing an ethnic Albanian as Prime Minister laid bare how these two parties are abusing inter-ethnic divisions to stay in power. Mickoski made a public offer that the leader of the Alternative party Afrim Gashi is made interim Prime Minister and help the country prepare for early elections, but this was rejected as SDSM and DUI are trying to cling on to power with Gashi’s votes in parliament. Our idea with this was to show the calculations that drive this group of politicians who are on their way out of the political scene. And to finally close this chapter of nationalism and divisions. As VMRO-DPMNE, we wanted to show that we are entering a new era where the people will be judged based on their competence and not on their national, religious or political affiliation. With one sentence we drew out the entire dishonesty of these politicians, Mickoski said. DUI insist that they will have the first ethnic Albanian Prime Minister of Macedonia, appointed with SDSM’s help, but not now. DUI want this to be done at the end of their joint term in power with SDSM.

Stalled EU progress looms large over Open Balkans meeting in Tirana (Tirana Times) 

The leaders of Albania, Serbia and North Macedonia have signed five agreements related to the free movement of workers and goods, food safety and agriculture at the latest Open Balkans initiative meeting held in Tirana. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev said they were pressing forward with regional integration, which they added would benefit from the three other countries of the region joining the initiative. Kosovo, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina have refused to join the initiative so far, expressing concern over potential Serbian dominance of the initiative, preferring all-inclusive EU-backed processes instead. EU Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi attended the meeting virtually, saying the initiative has to be understood through the importance of regional integration, which can then accelerate economic integration with the EU.

“This initiative shows that the region is ready for integration and is doing so. Any regional cooperation is welcome for the benefit of the Balkans and the EU,” Varhelyi said. “I invite the three other partners to join this initiative, which increases employment, the economy and well-being.”

Stalled EU bids loom large 

North Macedonia Prime Minister Zoran Zaev expressed concern about the lack of EU progress for the region. He also added that his country would stick to the initiative, although Zaev admitted this was his last meeting. Zaev resigned his position earlier this year, partly in protest of EU’s failure to open membership negotiations with North Macedonia. Varhelyi acknowledged the stalled EU integration process — a result, he said, of some EU countries having national elections. But he added that initiatives like Open Balkans could make up for some of the work spelled out in EU’s Berlin Process. Albania and North Macedonia have fulfilled all conditions to start negotiations, but have been blocked endlessly over bilateral issues with EU member states.

Serbia, on the other hand, just opened a new chapter in its membership negotiations, but faces major hurdles over its positions in Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina, which are incompatible with EU membership. “I do not hide my regret that we have not yet held the first intergovernmental conference with Albania and Northern Macedonia. The time has come for this to happen and to bring all the agreements to the table,” said Commissioner Varhejli.

Agreements aim to make thin borders 

Agreements signed on Tuesday deal with making it easier to cross borders, recognizing university diplomas and paperwork reduction that makes trade and movement of workers easier. In his remarks, Albanian Prime Minister Rama reiterated the call for the other three countries in this “fully inclusive initiative.” He added the agreements signed will lead to a region that enjoys within it the four freedoms of EU citizens that govern the movement of goods, persons, services and capital. “The Open Balkans is more of an aspiration than an initiative. Every agreement here brings our countries closer to the EU, so the other countries of the Western Balkans must join us,” Rama said. Serbian President Vucic said that this initiative will set a different tone for the future. “This is an initiative that will prepare the future of our children, to connect our citizens with each other, those who until yesterday thought more about the past than about the future,” Vucic said. He also stressed that this is a comprehensive process and other countries are welcome. “If they want to, they are welcome, but we do not have to apologize to them because they do not want to. They need to explain to their citizens why they are not here. When they see the benefits, they will come,” Vucic said. Proponents of the initiative say a full implementation of a regional market can increase GDPs by 30 percent in each participating country. Opponents say Serbia’s larger economy will ultimately dominate and hurt the smaller countries, while piecemeal regional integration can never replace EU integration, which has stalled for years.

Rama: The next meeting of the Open Balkans will be held in Skopje (Radio Tirana) 

The next meeting of the Open Balkans will be held in Skopje. The news was given by the Prime Minister Edi Rama, who also set some points that need to be achieved until the next meeting. “Firstly, I wish the representatives of universities in the field of agriculture, come and join us at the end of February, when we have the next meeting, to sign an agreement between them, which will include cooperation at the level of their programs and their activities and also to have a cooperation to extend and communicate with the EU academic network. Secondly, I would very much like the two ministers who spoke, as well as the North Macedonian side, to make sure that by the end of February we have more good news to give to the people regarding the border. We need to make sure that everyone who takes the road from one place to another has the same simple road, that is, to travel as they could from one point to another within a place. So, no tariff and non-tariff barriers. We’ve learned that by working out what you can do if you really focus for two days, you may not even do it for two years. So, let’s do it,” Rama said.

EC supports the Open Balkans/Rama: The initiative pushes forward what has not been realized in the Berlin process (Radio Tirana) 

Prime Minister Edi Rama has stated that the Open Balkans takes forward all the issues that were discussed in the Berlin Process. In this way he said that the “Open Balkans” is a unit for the implementation of the Berlin Process. He also quoted EU Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi as saying that the EC supports the Open Balkans. “The agreements signed today are a tangible proof of a very simple fact that the Open Balkans is an initiative that pushes forward what has been discussed, widely discussed in the Berlin Process, what has been discussed at the summits of this process and has never been realized. The Open Balkans is an implementation unit of the Berlin Process and a realization unit of the regional common market. That is why we have joined this initiative. That is why we have announced a comprehensive initiative since day one. That is why we do not hesitate to join the other three parties in the region. Today, I also believe, it was clear, said directly by the European Commissioner for Enlargement that the EC fully supports the Open Balkans and invites the other 3 countries to join. If you noticed, the Commissioner regretfully underlined the failure of the common market as a process that was built based on consensus. We want to walk as fast as possible and we are aware that this walk as fast as possible can only be realized if we take our own destiny here in our region. The initiative is taking shape in impact on the lives and work of citizens and therefore support for the initiative either from the US administration or from the commission and a number of EU countries is coming and will not continue to grow consequently, the initiative is very clear. To make our region a space where the four freedoms of the EU, the freedom of movement of people, goods, capital and services, function for the citizens,” said Rama.

Varhelyi: Continue to promote Open Balkans (Radio Tirana) 

EU Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi, who attended the ‘Open Balkans’ summit online, supported the initiative by inviting three other countries in the region to join. “I am from Hungary and this gives me a closer level of understanding of how we can help the Balkans. To be honest I have been positively inclined towards this proposal. You continue to promote this initiative because the region wants to be a whole in terms of economy and society. The region wants to be together, as if we are in the EU,” said Varhelyi. “I admire both the fact and how much you feel about this initiative,” he added. “It was an initiative coming from the Balkans. It is not the EU that came up with this initiative, but it came from you, the three actors I see around the table, and you kept pushing forward even when we failed to attract the participation of all the partners. because you understood the importance of the regional market and how it can accelerate economic integration,” said Varhelyi.

The agreement for the joint Albania-Kosovo primer signed (Radio Tirana) 

Ministers Kushi and Nagavci signed the agreement for the joint Albania-Kosovo primer.

“It is not the first time we work with so much love for joint projects. Even at the joint meeting of governments in Elbasan we signed an agreement that was very necessary for years now to facilitate procedures and shorten the deadlines for recognition of diplomas, qualifications and scientific degrees of Albanian youth, students or scholars from both our countries. Also, in November we promoted together a work of several months for the book of Albanian language and culture for the diaspora that will also serve as an existing basis and experience so that the new primer that we will sign will be a quality primer and with standard. I want to thank the technical working group of both our ministries who have worked day and night, especially during the last week, to finalize this agreement that we signed today. I also want to thank from the bottom of my heart Minister Nagavci who has shown a maximum will from the first moment, not only for this agreement, but also for many other agreements that we already have, but that we will bring even more forward. It is our common responsibility to guarantee an open, transparent and fair competition, so that the Albanian children will have a unique common primer next year 2022-2023 as a gift for the 110th anniversary of independence. There is no better than a nation, a language, a primer,” the Minister of Education Kushi said.