LOCAL PRESS

Brnabic: Never closer to EU, never further from agreement with Pristina (RTS)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic spoke about Serbia’s European path for the morning news of Radio and Television of Serbia (RTS), confirming that the impression is correct that Serbia has never been closer to the EU. “Brussels could never say that not enough has been done or in its progress report it could not refer to reports, unfortunately of some media in Serbia, which always sent false information, half-information or misinformation about what we did,” she said, underlining that last report was extremely positive. She says that the positive attitude of the EU was “knocked” with the referendum, because Serbia has shown that, for the first time, the judiciary will be independent. Commenting on the fact that we are never further from the agreement with Pristina, she stated that it was a topic in Brussels. “We mostly talked about how much elementary human rights were denied to Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, which was most obvious on 16 January, when they were practically banned from participating in the referendum and voting, which is a terrible thing and a terrible precedent, which must not repeat,” she said. That this will not happen again with the elections in April, Brnabic, she says, received assurances only that the EU will do everything it can. “That is not enough for me, to be frank. That must not be allowed, they must not allow for Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija to be deprived of their rights, elementary rights, human rights to participate in the elections that the Republic of Serbia will slate,” Brnabic said, noting the “hypocrisy of Albin Kurti” who went to vote in Albania. She points out that our EU integrations are linked to the success of the dialogue with Pristina, but that this does not prevent us from going further and opening clusters. “What I said – you can’t link this if Pristina doesn’t want dialogue, as it doesn’t want … They should make Pristina sit at the table, really want dialogue and agree to compromise,” Brnabic said. Asked how much the situation in Ukraine affects Serbia, she said that the relationship between Russia and Ukraine is the number one topic in the world, and that if the situation becomes more complicated, it could affect us primarily in the field of energy security, prices of energy but also food supply. Brnabic said that the security threat to President Vucic still had not been eliminated, adding, we believe we will, but we have to work around the clock to prevent the assassination. “Unfortunately, right now, all those who for Europol has proofs of being involved in planning the assassination of Vucic are still inaccessible to our security services. They are beyond our reach. Two are Montenegrin nationals, some are EU citizens and some people from states outside the bloc,” Brnabic told RTS. She said she was sure that Radoje Zvicer, the main man behind the assassination plan, according to Belgrade, had a political boss. “I’m certain, but wouldn’t elaborate. He could not be so powerful and one of the world’s most notorious criminals if he did not have such support,” Brnabic said.

Von der Leyen: Good meeting with Brnabic (Tanjug)

After Tuesday’s conversation with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the meeting had been good and that they had agreed on work for the future under a 30 billion Euro investment plan for the Western Balkans. “We discussed Serbia’s EU path, continued progress on the rule of law and engagement in the dialogue with Pristina. We will also work for the future with quality projects under the 30 billion Euro Investment Plan for the Western Balkans,” von der Leyen said in a Twitter post after the meeting, held at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels. Speaking to Serbian reporters late on Tuesday, Brnabic said her one-day visit to Brussels had been successful and added that her meetings with EU officials demonstrated the EU’s commitment to Serbia.

Vucic, Botsan-Kharchenko discuss bilateral, global affairs (RTS/RTV/Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday received Russian Ambassador to Serbia Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko to discuss subjects related to bilateral relations as well as current regional and global affairs. Vucic and Botsan-Kharchenko noted that their countries were ready for closer cooperation on a range of matters and said they were pleased with a constant strengthening of economic cooperation. They discussed future exchanges of official visits, the presidential press service said in a statement. They discussed the situation in the east of Europe and Botsan-Kharchenko briefed Vucic on Russia’s discussions with the US and NATO. Vucic pointed to issues related to the situation in Kosovo and Metohija, the statement also said.

Stefanovic: Serbia has significant role to play in stability of region (RTV/Tanjug)

Serbian Defense Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic met on Wednesday in the parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with Chairman of the Defense Committee Ellwood Tobias and Chairman of the Parliamentary Group for Serbia Andrew Bridgen. Stefanovic assessed that such talks represent not only an opportunity to exchange opinions on current topics in a constructive dialogue, but also certainly contribute to mutual understanding and further development of cooperation between the two countries, for which there are significant potentials. He expressed satisfaction with the current military-military cooperation, emphasizing the joint trainings of members of the two armies, which contribute to strengthening the operational capabilities of the Serbian Army, and joint participation in UN and EU missions. He pointed out that Serbia is a military-neutral country, whose main foreign policy goal is EU membership. Stefanovic stated that our country is committed to preserving regional stability and economic development, which is unequivocally shown by the initiative of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic Open Balkans, aimed at achieving a better standard of living for all citizens and building partnerships and cooperation in the Western Balkans. Tobias assessed that the bilateral relations between the two countries are good, especially in the field of defense, but that there is room for their further improvement. The UK officials also assessed at a separate meeting that Serbia has a significant role in the stability of our region and that economic cooperation is the area in which there is the most room for improving relations between the United Kingdom and Serbia. Bridgen pointed out that the United Kingdom is committed to the development of cooperation with Serbia, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defense.

Serbia, UK sign readmission agreement (RTS)

Serbian Interior Minister Aleksandar Vulin signed in London on Wednesday with Home Secretary of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) Priti Patel the Agreement on readmission of persons who illegally reside in the two countries. Vulin, who is on an official visit to the UK, underlined that Serbia will not be a parking for migrants and that he supports the right of every state to decide on its migration policy and protect its territories and its way of life. Vulin and Patel highlighted the excellent cooperation between the two states in the field of fight against all forms of crime, especially of organized crime and terrorism. He underlined that Serbia is a reliable international partner in the fight against organized crime, which it proved through its participation in various successful international operations. The two officials also examined modalities for improvement of cooperation in the field of internal affairs, first and foremost in the fight against organized crime and corruption, through various forms of operational cooperation and the exchange of experiences of police members of the two countries.

Petkovic acquainted Dmohovski with Pristina’s announcement that it will ban Serbs to vote in elections (RTV/Tanjug)

The Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Petar Petkovic talked on Wednesday with the Special Envoy of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Artur Dmohovski about the endangered human and civil rights of the Serb people in our southern province. Petkovic especially referred to the latest events, when Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija were prevented from voting in the referendum on changing the Serbian Constitution, which, as he said, is additional pressure and a kind of political violence, in addition to daily attacks and provocations that have been going on for months. He pointed out that ethnically motivated incidents directed against Serbs, their property and the property of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and Metohija are almost on a daily basis and that 136 incidents have been recorded since the beginning of last year to date. He informed his interlocutor about the announcements of Pristina politicians that Serbs will be banned from voting in Kosovo and Metohija in the future, which also refers to the elections on 3 April, which, he says, will have far-reaching and unforeseeable consequences for the normalization of relations and will annul the progress made through the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. Petkovic said that the Serb people want to vote in the upcoming elections and that they must be enabled in the same way as it has been done so far, and that Pristina’s destructive behavior must not be an obstacle for Serbs to exercise their civil and democratic rights. He reminded that the Serb people, with the support of the OSCE, have so far been able to vote in the elections called by the Republic of Serbia and that he expects the OSCE Mission, with the entrusted mandate, to organize voting in Kosovo and Metohija on 3 April in accordance with current practices.

Drecun presents report to Committee for Kosovo and Metohija (Tanjug/FoNet)

At the session held on Thursday, the Serbian parliamentary Committee for Kosovo and Metohija considered the Activity Report of the Working Group for the collection of facts and evidence for the investigation of crimes committed against Serbs and other national communities in Kosovo and Metohija. The Chairman of the Committee for Kosovo and Metohija and the Working Group for the collection of facts and evidence for the investigation of crimes committed against Serbs and other national communities in Kosovo and Metohija Milovan Drecun thanked the Working Group for its tireless efforts and work invested in compiling a single database to help reveal the whole truth of the crimes committed by KLA on the territory of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija in the period from 1998 to 2000 and provide plenty evidence for further investigations and processing of the perpetrators and those responsible for the crimes of the terrorist KLA. Drecun went on to present the Working Group’s Activity Report which states that over 2,500 civilians had disappeared or were killed in the period from 1998 to 2000 and about 250,000 Serbs and non-Albanians were forced to leave their centuries-old hearths and the territory of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija, and as these are serious and extremely brutal crimes, the criminals responsible need to be prosecuted to give justice to the victims and punish the perpetrators of the crimes and those who ordered them. The documentation collected and consolidated so far by the Working Group is extensive – over 7,000 documents for 3,540 events in seven operational zones. All the documentation the Working Group managed to compile into a single database is kept on specially secured premises outside the parliament. To successfully complete its set goal, the Working Group’s cooperation with representatives of the War Crimes Prosecutor’s Office, Ministry of the Interior, i.e. the War Crimes Investigation Service, Office for Kosovo and Metohija and the Commission for Missing Persons of the government of Serbia was invaluable. It is very important to point out that professional assistance was unreservedly provided by representatives of state bodies, organizations and bodies that have the necessary knowledge and documentation, with the exceptional contribution of the Security Information Agency, Military Security Agency and Military Intelligence Agency. The War Crimes Investigation Service and the Commission for Missing Persons have also affixed their own database. The Working Group believes that a special state body should be formed to continue to collect information, evidence and facts about crimes committed in Kosovo and Metohija since the beginning of KLA terrorist actions, in the form of a documentation center, which may be attached to one of the state bodies or set-up independently. One task mentioned in the Working Group’s Report is produce publications on the crimes of the terrorist KLA and ethnic cleansing carried out by KLA and continued by the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government in Pristina. The President of the Commission for Missing Persons of the government of the Republic of Serbia Veljko Odalovic then had a presentation of closed cases and documents on crimes committed in Kosovo and Metohija, in the possession of the government of the Republic of Serbia. The Committee unanimously adopted the Working Group’s Report.

Dacic: SNS, SPS to meet by end of week to discuss elections (Tanjug)

The Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) – the main parties of Serbia’s ruling coalition – will hold a meeting by the end of the week to decide on whether to run together in the upcoming parliamentary elections, the SPS leader Ivica Dacic told Tanjug on Wednesday. However, the Nova.rs portal has reported the SNS Presidency had decided on Monday that the Progressives should run without the SPS in the upcoming parliamentary elections and local elections in Belgrade. The report said the decision had been made after the latest opinion polls showed that the two parties could count on more votes if they ran on their own.

Sapic confirms he will run for Belgrade mayor (Tanjug)

Deputy president of the SNS Head Committee Aleksandar Sapic, who is also the head of the New Belgrade municipality, on Wednesday confirmed he would lead the SNS electoral list for Belgrade and run for mayor in the 3 April elections. Speaking to Tanjug, Sapic said the SNS Head Committee would meet on 11 February to adopt the electoral lists for the local and national elections and that the elections would be called on 14 or 15 February. Sapic, whose first mayoral candidacy was in 2018, said it would be an honor for him to run for mayor again.

Abazovic in Belgrade (N1)

Montenegro’s deputy Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic has come to Belgrade to meet with the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Porfirije, N1 has learned. Montenegrin media said that he flew to Belgrade on a commercial flight, traveling with an official of his URA Civil Movement. He is said to be on a private visit to the Serbian capital.

REGIONAL PRESS

Schmidt briefs members of Committee on EU Affairs of German Bundestag on current situation in B&H (BN TV) 

High Representative (HR) Christian Schmidt Wednesday briefed members of the Committee on European Union Affairs of the German Bundestag on the current situation in B&H. Following the discussion in Berlin, the HR and the Chairman of the Committee, Anton Hofreiter, issued the following statement: “The situation in B&H is worrying because the blockade of the institutions and the political unwillingness to cooperate constructively is drastically worsening the life of the people in B&H and robbing the country of prospects. One thing must be clear to all those involved on the ground: if nothing moves on, the international community and the High Representative will continue to act. We agree that the conditionality of financial resources must become the rule in the future. The tactics of some politicians on the ground of just keeping quiet and hoping that we will lose interest will not work. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and, in consultation with the international community, will discuss whether and what steps might be necessary. All parliamentary groups in the Bundestag agree on this.” Hayat stressed that the fact that the newly appointed Committee on European Union Affairs of the German Bundestag invited Schmidt to attend one of its first sessions and asked him for a report on the situation in B&H shows just how much the new German authorities are determined to politically intervene in B&H.

Dzaferovic and Dodik welcome UK parliament Foreign Affairs Committee; Current political and economic situation in B&H discussed (RTRS) 

Bosniak member of the B&H Presidency Sefik Dzaferovic and Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik welcomed the members of the UK parliament Committee for Foreign Affairs. The members of the UK Committee arrived in B&H for an official visit. The officials discussed the current political and economic situation in B&H, as well as bilateral relations between B&H and the UK. They also discussed the foreign policy of the UK with a special focus on B&H.

Dodik: RS will propose law which will stop misuses of Inzko Law; This law is condition to return to B&H institutions (ATV) 

Addressing media in Sarajevo on Wednesday following the RS ruling majority leaders’ meeting with US Special Envoy for Electoral Reform in B&H Matthew Palmer and European External Action Service (EEAS) Managing Director for Europe Angelina Eichhorst, Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik announced that the RS will propose a special law banning use of the term genocidal to refer to any collectively in B&H. Dodik announced this law as a solution that would prevent misuse of amendments of the law imposed by High Representative (HR) Valentin Inzko. Dodik reiterated that Inzko’s law remains unacceptable to the RS, and he referred to the proposal of this specific law as an offered hand for disputing Inzko’s law and for voting a new one to protect all peoples in B&H. The Presidency member specified that the special law regulating this area should stipulate a prison sentence of five years for those who call a collectively genocidal. “The RS will propose a special law to seek defining of prison sentences for those who call a certain collectively – B&H, the RS, the Federation of B&H, Brcko District, or cantons – or institutional entities genocidal. This also applies to calling certain groups, including ethnic groups, genocidal,” the Presidency member added. President of PDP Branislav Borenovic said that he expects the imposed law to be solved through internal agreement in the B&H Parliament. He assessed this as a challenge for the RS and they need to respect the decisions of the RS parliament. Dodik assessed that it is clear that they wish to talk to all political actors in B&H and reminded that they invited leaders of HDZ B&H and SDA to address the RS parliament as well. He stressed that he is ready to talk to anyone at any time. DNS leader Nenad Nesic stressed he was surprised that Dodik said there is a possibility of returning to the B&H institutions, and he added that it is left to see in what manner that might happen. SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic commented that Dodik and the people around him are seeking a way to return to B&H institutions. Izetbegovic said that this is good and they support it. He added that they never called the RS nor a whole people, like the Serbs, genocidal.

Izetbegovic rejects Cubrilovic’s proposal for him to address RS parliament at its next session (Hayat) 

SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic has rejected the proposal of the RS parliament speaker Nedeljko Cubrilovic for him to address the RS parliament at its next session. Izetbegovic underlined that finding the most acceptable solutions for the state of B&H is a matter of state, not entity institutions. “All that is needed is that no one questions the Constitution of B&H, the verdicts of the Constitutional Court of B&H and the European Court of Human Rights, the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA), the position of High Representative, the European Convention on Human Rights, and not to discriminate against each other on ethnic or any other grounds. I suggest that at the next session, you repeal the unconstitutional Law on Medicines and Medical Devices of the RS and the conclusions that violate the DPA and undermine the constitutional order of B&H” Izetbegovic was quoted as saying. Izetbegovic thanked Cubrilovic for the invitation and said that the political and economic situation in B&H was discussed in the B&H parliament already. Izetbegovic said that SDA has several experienced MPs which can give a constructive contribution to the solution of the situation B&H is currently in. He said that SDA wishes to see the end of the crisis as soon as possible and they believe that this can be achieved by not questioning basic categories of B&H, like the constitution, verdicts of the B&H Constitutional Court and institutions of B&H. Izetbegovic called on the RSNA to withdraw its disputable conclusions and added that SDA will be represented at the session by its MPs.

Palmer and Eichhorst meet members of Collegium of both Houses of B&H parliament (Hayat/Nova BH) 

New round of negotiations on changes to the B&H Election Law kicked off in Sarajevo on Wednesday. Angelina Eichhorst and Matthew Palmer have arrived in B&H to mediate in the negotiations whose second half will take place in Neum. Eichhorst and Palmer met with members of the Collegium of both Houses of the B&H Parliament in Sarajevo on Wednesday morning. Members of the B&H parliament informed Eichhorst and Palmer that the executive and legislative authorities at the B&H level are not functioning. Eichhorst and Palmer stated that it is necessary to have strong and functional institutions. Palmer underlined that the electoral reform is key to strengthening the institutional framework of B&H. “It really is something that is a very complicated process and it is up to political leaders. They have to work on reaching a compromise in order to agree on a package that should receive 50 percent of the support regarding the Election Law and two thirds of the support related to limited constitutional reforms. The process is hard, but it can be achieved,” Palmer underlined. Palmer emphasized that it is important for the Federation of B&H (FB&H) to be in balance with the RS which, according to him, will make possible a functional Dayton system. “What is important for functional institutions and functional democracy is to reduce political tensions. This in itself is not a solution, but it will help a lot to work on it. We have also been engaged to resolve this political crisis that B&H must emerge from and an agreement on electoral reform will certainly contribute to that,” Palmer said. Eichhorst pointed out that the existing crisis in B&H is not acceptable to citizens, adding that it should be equally unacceptable to the representatives of the ruling parties and the opposition, as well as to the EU partners. Eichhorst called for urgent unblocking of the B&H authorities so that one could set out to address substantive issues concerning citizens. Palmer and Eichhorst stressed that the EU and the US support peaceful, prosperous and territorially integral B&H, noting that political crises and blockades are unacceptable. Palmer and Eichhorst stated that they came to B&H to help B&H politicians with the electoral reform, noting that they are waiting for everyone in B&H to make an effort about that and not wait for ready-made solutions. Palmer and Eichhorst underlined that the goal is to eliminate discrimination in the Election Law and make the electoral process fair. “We are here to support talks that would go in the direction of coming up with solutions and agreements in terms of changing the Constitution and the Election Law, changing all those discriminatory provisions contained in the Election Law, provisions that will improve the integrity of the overall electoral process. The trust in the electoral process has been seriously undermined due to certain credible allegations of electoral frauds and of course, the citizens want to have institutions and processes they can trust. With this, one would, of course, make a significant credible step forward on the European path, in bringing this country closer to the EU,” Eichhorst underlined. Palmer stressed: “In order for B&H to exit the current political crisis, strong, functional institutions are most important, to ensure integrity of the electoral process, that every vote is heard and that every vote is counted. Secondly, it is very important for all citizens of B&H to have an opportunity to run in an equal match. This fully supports B&H’s prospects in regard to the EU and it is fully in accordance with the framework of the DPA and that is that B&H is comprised of three constituent peoples, two entities and the Brcko District. Thirdly, it is important that the institutions of the FB&H are strong and functional, for it (the FB&H) to be in balance with the RS which will then make possible a functional Dayton system. All of this is possible to achieve, but it is not easy to achieve. There is very little time left to secure an agreement.” As a host of the aforementioned meeting, leader of HDZ B&H Dragan Covic addressed media and according to Nova BH, he only reiterated his previous stances. In this regard, he mentioned securing legitimate representation of the constituent peoples and along with that, making limited changes to the Constitution of B&H, to secure integrity of the election process. “Ensure the integrity of the electoral process which would mean solutions to technical problems in order to avoid misunderstandings in the electoral process, i.e. to ensure that every vote of any B&H citizen is adequately recognized. And, ultimately, to ensure the functioning of the FB&H,” Covic emphasized. Covic said that the constituent status of peoples in B&H is very important for the Croats and they will not give up on their stance regarding legitimate representation. Covic stated: “This is one of the priorities for everything we dream of on our Euro-Atlantic path. We stopped talking about it a long time ago. I am sure that if we made an agreement on the Election Law, relations would be much more relaxed when it comes to the political crisis, and then we can rightly ask for what interests us, our candidate status when it comes to the EU and many other issues.” Covic hopes that they all have enough political will for reaching a solution. Covic said the US and the EU partners clearly emphasized that they are only here to help and facilitate the talks, but that solution to this problem must be adopted by the politicians in B&H.

Palmer and Eichhorst hold meetings with representatives of ruling and opposition parties in B&H (BN TV) 

Matthew Palmer and Angelina Eichhorst held meetings with the representatives of the ruling and opposition parties in B&H in the building of the EU Delegation (EUD) to B&H in Sarajevo on Wednesday afternoon. Main topics of the meetings included election of B&H Presidency members and delegates to the FB&H House of Peoples (HoP). Representatives of the RS opposition parties stated that if no agreement can be reached on issues that require changes to the Constitution, one should initiate the so-called technical changes to the B&H Election Law which would ensure fair elections, i.e. respect for the electoral will of the citizens. SDS leader Mirko Sarovic said we got a set of provisions of law that would change. Sarovic stressed that this document is related to the transparency of the electoral process and provisions that will improve the electoral process. “These are issues related to polling stations, counting of votes and other improvements. The most important are the few provisions related to the election of members of the Presidency of B&H, and we were primarily interested in the solution we advocated some time ago, which is the election of a member of the Presidency of B&H from the RS without an ethnic prefix, but as far as we know the same applies to the FB&H. This would implement the Sejdic-Finci judgement and that, in my opinion, is the most important thing,” Sarovic stressed. PDP leader Branislav Borenovic said “we felt a kind of optimism, as if an agreement has been primarily made within the FB&H in regard to the political dimension of the Election Law which mostly concerns relations within the FB&H”. “As far as we are concerned, we are most interested in technical changes so that we have fair and honest elections. There will be elections on 2 October and citizens should be convinced that their vote will really count and that it will not be part of any election manipulation,” Borenovic pointed out. SNSD leader Milorad Dodik said that SNSD believes that it is necessary to enable everyone to take part in the elections. “I believe that the solution which has been distributed recently is related to electing a representative of the Croat people and ‘The Others’ and a representative of the Bosniak people and ‘The Others’ in the FB&H, and a representative of the Serb people and ‘The Others’ in the RS. Therefore, everyone is included. Perhaps it is a bit of a rumbustious formulation, but it enables everyone with the right to vote to basically run in the elections and be elected, and that is the essence. If they are going towards that solution, we will support it,” Dodik underlined. “As far as we are concerned, we said a few things. Constituent status of peoples has to be visible and distributed throughout the political decision-making system in B&H. Only that kind of reform can be supported by us. No imposition of solutions by anyone. If it is imposed, we are against, we will not accept it, we will reject it and we enter a new sphere. We clearly told them that today (Wednesday),” Dodik underlined. Hayat stressed that one of the most significant things that happened Wednesday was the proposal presented to the opposition in the RS. Hayat learned that a document with the proposal to abolish ethnic prefixes for the election of the B&H Presidency members was offered to the representatives of the opposition parties in the RS. Hayat stressed that this is a brilliant solution offered to the political representatives in B&H by the international mediators because it would automatically solve three judgements of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), including Sejdic-Finci, Pilav and Pudaric verdict.

Palmer, Eichhorst meet Izetbegovic, Covic, Dzaferovic (BHT1) 

Matthew Palmer and Angelina Eichhorst held a meeting at the EU Delegation building in Sarajevo with leaders of SDA and HDZ B&H, Bakir Izetbegovic and Dragan Covic respectively. Izetbegovic assessed that the way out of the current situation would be in “willingness of HDZ B&H and Croat People’s Assembly (HNS) to realize they do not have the right to a 100-percent veto and blockades in the FB&H, and they are currently blocking the FB&H”. Izetbegovic also said that it seems to him that they are spinning old stories and that there are no new details, but he hopes that the meetings in Neum could bring a solution. He said that there was no paper presented to him and the only way to reach a solution is for the HDZ B&H to partially give up its demands and stop blocking FB&H. No one from HDZ B&H wanted to comment on the meeting.

US Embassy: It is necessary to discuss electoral reform, as well as integrity and functionality of state institutions (Dnevni avaz) 

US Embassy to B&H briefly commented the new round of talks on electoral and constitutional reform on Twitter. The Embassy stated that Matthew Palmer and Angelina Eichhorst met with members of the Joint Collegium of B&H Parliament, civil society and academic leaders, as well as representatives of political parties, to discuss electoral reforms and how to ensure the integrity and functionality of B&H institutions. The Embassy also stated that return to decision-making and consensus-building in B&H institutions is vital to stability and economic recovery.

DF, SDP DF refuse to participate in negotiations on changes to Election Law, Our Party will participate only if their proposal is on agenda (O Kanal/Dnevni avaz) 

DF issued a statement in which they said that DF refuses to participate in negotiations on changes to B&H Election Law outside of institutions during, as they said, the Serb member of B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik’s coup d’état. SDP confirmed that they will not participate in negotiations, while Our Party (NS) stated they will participate but only if their proposal is on the agenda. B&H Presidency member and DF leader Zeljko Komsic warned that SNSD leader Milorad Dodik is diverting the focus of attention to the issue of electoral reform in line with wishes of HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic, while at the same time he is continuing with his secessionist activities. He reminded that DF proposed talks based on the April package of reforms, whereby the functions of the Houses of Peoples would be reduced to protection of clearly defined vital national interests, and with indirect election of B&H Presidency members in B&H parliament.

Vukadin, Cvitanovic, Karamatic: Croats should insist not to erase ethnic prefix in negotiations on changes to B&H Election Law (Nezavisne) 

Leader of the Croat National Advancement (HNP) Ivan Vukadin, leader of HDZ 1990 Ilija Cvitanovic and leader of HSS Mario Karamatic commented on issues to which Croat representatives should insist during negotiations on changes to the B&H Election Law. In their opinion, Croats should insist on election of a legal member of the B&H Presidency, houses of peoples without revised competences and without erasing ethnic prefixes. Leader of the Croat Republican Party Slaven Raguz said that there could be no agreement on the B&H Election Law without stronger engagement and concrete pressure of the international community. The daily noted that at the same time, he called for formation of a Croat entity in B&H. Raguz said: “We have all instruments in our hands and we can solve the Croat issue.”

Milanovic: Survival, constituent status and well-being of Croats in B&H is Croatia’s strategic interest (HRT1) 

Croatian President Zoran Milanovic commented on continuation of negotiations on changes to the B&H Election Law. He said that previous practice that members of other peoples elect representatives of the Croat people in authorities is unacceptable and illegitimate. He called on government to jointly use all political and diplomatic mechanisms at disposal in offering decisive support to Croats in B&H. He said: “The right to the democratic decision-making process is exercised only via legitimate political representation that must be based on democratic election of those who are represented and whose interested are advocated. Without clear constitutional and legal guarantees, including the guarantee that they will be legitimately represented in the Federation of B&H House of Peoples, Croats in B&H would be permanently exposed to election manipulations, reduced to ethnic minority and forced to leave B&H. Croatia cannot and will not allow this. B&H without Croats cannot exist.”

Martinovic: FB&H would be entity of majority people if there were no constitutional protection instruments (Vecernji list) 

FB&H House of Peoples (HoP) speaker Tomislav Martinovic asked what he expects from the talks on the electoral reform in B&H to which he replied by saying it would be reasonable to expect that the talks end successfully and that to him, it is the creators of the Dayton and the Washington agreement who are most important i.e. the US administration. Asked why the (FB&H) HoP is important, Martinovic says the representatives in the FB&H House of Representatives are elected in line with the ‘one man – one vote’ principle, which reflect the Bosniaks’ domination in the FB&H, whilst the HoP delegates are elected indirectly and which creates an ambiance of balance so nobody feels outvoted. He added by saying that Petrictch’s (constitutional) amendments resulted in a fact that, for example, the FB&H President can be elected with one third of votes, which has led the FB&H into the current situation. Asked if it is acceptable to talk about reducing the role of the HoP, Martinovic said if the HoP were to be weakened, the FB&H would turn into a pale copy of the RS, and the FB&H would soon become the entity of the majority people. Asked what is the alternative to the Croats, Martinovic said ‘we’ clearly stress that centralization advocated by the Bosniak parties is a wrong path for B&H. “That is why those who constructed the Washington and the Dayton agreement are important,” added Martinovic.

Ukraine summons Croatian Ambassador over Milanovic’s statements (Hina) 

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry summoned Croatian Ambassador Anica Djamic following Croatian President Zoran Milanovic‘s statement on Tuesday that ‘Ukraine does not belong in NATO’ as well as other remarks. Milanovic said that Croatia would not have a military presence in Ukraine in the event of a Russian invasion and that the tensions on the Ukraine-Russia border were a consequence of US domestic policy. In a statement released on Tuesday evening, the Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs said Milanovic’s comments on Ukraine not belonging in NATO and the inappropriateness of assisting the country during the Russian aggression caused deep disappointment. “Zoran Milanovic’s statements retransmit Russian propaganda narratives, do not correspond to Croatia’s consistent official position in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, harm bilateral relations and undermine unity within the EU and NATO in the face of current security threats in Europe. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine demands a public refutation of these insulting statements by the President of Croatia, as well as non-repetition in the future.” The ministry finds that Milanovic expressed “contempt and ingratitude” for the assistance Ukraine provided during Croatia’s struggle for independence. “At the same time, we are confident that this ingratitude is his personal trait and that it does not extend to the Croatian people, with whom we are linked by friendship and mutual respect,” the Ministry said.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic reacted to the growing international incident caused by saying he “was not surprised at all.” “This isn’t the first time our ambassadors have been summoned to the ministries of foreign affairs of various countries after a statement made by President Milanovic which has an international element. Statements on Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, statements on Serbia, Hungary, and Austria, and now these statements on Ukraine. He’s actually being consistent in his efforts to undermine our good international relations with such important countries,” said Plenkovic.

PM: Croatia continues to foster friendly ties with Ukraine, normal ties with Russia (Hina) 

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Wednesday that the Croatian government continues fostering friendly relations and partnership with Ukraine and normal relations with Russia.

“Croatia’s basic position is respect for the territorial integrity of Ukraine,” Plenkovic said in reference to the Ukraine crisis. Following all our experience, we give priority to diplomacy and peaceful conflict resolution, de-escalation, and cooperation with our partners within the European Union and NATO, the PM said. The four-way Normandy format peace talks are taking place today in Paris. The entire international community, from the USA to NATO and the European Union, and all the leaders, want peace. No one wants conflicts, the premier told a news conference. Last December, Plenkovic paid a visit to Ukraine and offered Kiev Croatia’s experience of peaceful reintegration of occupied areas, and Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman visited Russia last week. Plenkovic said that his cabinet’s policy is to continue fostering friendly relations and partnerships with Ukraine and to develop normal relations with Russia. “Croatia’s role is constructive, it wants to share its experience that can prevent further conflicts, lessen the tension and share experience, which from our point of view, should lead to solutions.” Milanovic said, among other things, that there would be no Croatian soldiers in Ukraine in the event of Russia’s invasion and that the events in Ukraine of 2014, known as the Revolution of Dignity, were a military coup, that Europe had not done enough to assist Kiev, and that the tensions on the Ukraine-Russia border were a consequence of the US home policy. In a statement on Tuesday evening, the Ukrainian authorities said Milanovic’s statements in 2014 insulted the feelings of Ukrainians and foreign nationals who gave their lives for a European future. Plenkovic described Milanovic’s statement as “surreal in every aspect” and recalled that this was not the first time that Croatian ambassadors were being summoned over Milanovic’s comments. Plenkovic recalled Milanovic’s statements on Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and his statements on Hungary and Austria. This seems to be a consistent track record of upgrading good bilateral relations with a number of countries important for Croatia, the PM said ironically. Plenkovic told the press that he had talked with the Ukrainian Ambassador in Zagreb and that logically, the Ambassador was disappointed by Milanovic’s statement.

Adzic: We must not be prisoners of fear of the return of the DPS (RTCG) 

The vice president of GP URA Filip Adzic says that we must not be prisoners of fear of the return of DPS because, as he says, they cannot and will not be part of the government in which URA participates at any cost. “The European government will be deprived of those who are in any way connected with the infamous events of the 1990s and the looting of our country, but also those who propagate radical ideas and attitudes and share anti-European and anti-civilization values,” Adzic said in a press release. According to him, the civic movement URA is a group of people with a vision and clearly set priorities for the creation of a civil, European and ecological Montenegro. “In order to achieve that, we had to remove those we consider to be the main cause of today’s divisions, instability, poor living standards, pronounced crime and many other problems we face. On 30 August 2020, we achieved that and once and for all interrupted the policy of one-mindedness, privatization of the state, fraternal and godfather’s economy,” stated Adzic. He also states that we face numerous challenges, but key on the list of priorities are joining the EU, an even stronger fight against organized crime and corruption, as well as the financial and economic stability of the state and citizens.

Minority government as a transitional solution (RTCG) 

While the ruling parties are negotiating a solution to the political crisis, the opposition says that this government has completed its mission. They believe that a minority government could be a good transitional solution, but they have not yet revealed whether it will be a part of it. The DPS did not want to appear in front of the TVCG cameras, but they said earlier that they will be the strongest party in the next 14 months, which will decide in power. The SDP says that the government managed to paralyze the integration process and bring the country into a deep crisis in a year and a half of mandate. They see elections or a minority government as a way out of that crisis, but they do not reveal whether they would be a part of it. “It is difficult to talk about a minority government because it is neither a good nor a bad solution a priori. We need to see how the initiators imagine that government, what that government would do, what its structure would look like, who would support it and most importantly what are its goals,” said Bojan Zekovic of the SDP. The Social Democrats say that the current situation is the best indicator of bad relations within the ruling majority. They also do not reveal their position on possible participation in the minority government. “This is a story that is yet to come. Our first goal is to overthrow this government, and after we overthrow it, then we will decide on everything that awaits us,” says Nikola Zirojevic from the SD. The Bosniak Party will also vote for the removal of the government. When asked whether they will raise his hand for the removal of the Deputy Prime Minister and the President of the parliament, they answer: “These two initiatives are not so relevant for us since the process of voting no confidence in the Government has been launched. Then it is pointless to discuss the dismissal of the Deputy Prime Minister and the appointment of a new one the day before the dismissal, because it is obvious that the vote of no confidence will be voted,” Damir Gutic from BS.

Spajic: Fundamental Agreement the best possible at the moment (RTCG) 

The draft Fundamental Agreement adopted by the government is the best possible at the moment, said the Minister of Finance and Social Welfare Milojko Spajic. “We think it is a technical matter. There have been a lot of negotiations on both sides, and I think that this agreement is the best possible at the moment and that it will be to everyone’s success,” Spajic said.

Abazovic’s desperate attempt to involve the SPC in the policy of overthrowing the Montenegrin government (RTCG) 

The departure of Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic to Belgrade, where he is supposed to meet privately with SOC Patriarch Porfiri, is a desperate attempt to involve the SPC in the policy of overthrowing the Montenegrin government, according to the Law of Montenegro. According to Marko Milacic‘s party, Abazovic went “in the middle of the political crisis in Montenegro, which he provoked together with the DPS by signing an initiative to remove the government whose deputy prime minister he is” no less than in Belgrade. “In other words, Abazovic did not go to talk about official topics as Deputy Prime Minister. He will not mention the Fundamental Agreement or the status of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro, nor the political situation and position of the SNP memorandum, nor the minority government despised by the people on August 30, he says that he is there to deal with the personal spiritual, cultural and intellectual, all in all, private needs of Dritan Abazovic,” they said from Prava. They believe that Abazovic, as they say, “made an illegal escape to Serbia, without the approval of the Prime Minister, to which he is obliged as a member of the government, in a desperate attempt to convince the majority of 30 August of what SNP failed to convince the members of the main board”. “That the DPS has nothing to do with the minority government that will be voted by that party and that sending the ruling majority MPs to the opposition is not a betrayal of the electoral will created at the end of the mass Church-People’s Litigation. This fugitive vice president did not appear at the session of the government adopted information on the need to conclude the Fundamental Agreement, where ministers close to him abstained.”

They believe that Abazovic, as they say, “is a representative of the current that ultimately fought for the postponement and relocation of Metropolitan Joanikije’s enthronement in Cetinje, will get the same cold shower and the same answer that Mr. Jokovic received when he tragicomically called on the Church to seduce the SNP Main Board.” “In any case, if Vice President Abazovic did not go to Belgrade for spiritual needs, he will be obliged to explain every word and every step of his journey and the desperate attempt to involve the SPC in the policy of overthrowing the Montenegrin government,” says Prava Crna Gora.

Xhaferi is buying time before putting VMRO proposal for changes in the electoral code to a vote (Republika) 

Parliament speaker Talat Xhaferi is procrastinating on the proposal from VMRO-DPMNE for quick changes to the electoral code that would reduce the deadline needed to hold early elections to just 45 days. VMRO is proposing that the rule mandating that a technical Government is put in place for 100 days before the elections is scrapped, and wants it put to a vote as soon as possible. But Xhaferi said that he first needs to have the bill translated into Albanian, and also, have it sent to the State Electoral Commission to get its expert opinion. At the moment, the conditions to put it to a vote have not been met, Xhaferi told the press.

Kaevski: We will overcome all open issues with Bulgaria in the next six months (Republika) 

In the next 6 months, we will overcome all open issues with Bulgaria, while preserving the red lines and dignity, SDSM MP Darko Kaevski said. What happened last week in Skopje and Sofia is a step towards unblocking and I believe that with such an honest, honest, open and public approach to resolving all open issues in the dispute with Bulgaria, we can reach a solution that will unblock the process of Macedonia’s negotiations with the EU. These are the main principles and ideals that this government stands for. I am really optimistic because what happened last week and the whole past period brought positive signals and showed that Macedonia is on the right track and will be an EU member soon, said Kaevski.

Albania-Kosovo agreements, draft laws on customs facilities approved (Radio Tirana) 

The Minister of Economy and Finance Delina Ibrahimaj after the government meeting this Wednesday, announced that the draft law on ratification of the agreements between the Council of Ministers of Kosovo and Albania has been approved. This agreement discussed at the joint meeting of the two governments concerns the implementation of the facilitation of customs procedures, as well as the control of entry and exit of goods. Among other things, Ibrahimaj said that the draft law provides for the opening of the Kosovo customs point in the port of Durres. “We approved today the draft law on ratification of the agreement between the Council of Ministers of Kosovo and Albania regarding the implementation of the facilitation of mutual procedures in customs procedures, as well as the control of entry and exit of goods. Today this agreement goes to parliament and will facilitate bilateral relations and trade between our two countries, recognizing all licenses and customs agencies located at the border. Both countries will recognize controls of only one country by reducing the time of customs control. The agreement envisages the opening of the Kosovo customs point, in the port of Durres and all the facilities that this point will bring and will recognize some protocols which will pave the way for others’,” said Minister Ibrahimaj.