LOCAL PRESS

Vucic with Escobar, Lajcak: Pristina refuses to fulfill the agreed (Tanjug/RTS/Politika)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with US Deputy Assistant State Secretary Gabriel Escobar and the EU special envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and other Western Balkan regional issues Miroslav Lajcak in Belgrade late on Wednesday. At separate meetings with Escobar and Lajcak, Vucic discussed further steps in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue while, at a trilateral meeting, the three officials touched upon crucial topics of significance for a sustainable future and stability of the region as well as for economic progress of Serbia and the Western Balkans, an official statement said. Vucic thanked Escobar and Lajcak for their personal advocacy of a continuation of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, noting that Serbia respected their efforts aimed at stabilization in the region and that, through their pragmatism and commitment, both officials were greatly contributing to ensuring an atmosphere of neutrality in the dialogue process itself. Vucic underlined that Serbia, as a serious and dependable partner in all valid and signed agreements, was acting responsibly and fulfilling its commitments but that this was met with continued attempts by the Pristina authorities to avoid fulfilling their commitments through unilateral provocations and unrealistic expectations from facilitators, which he said was a major obstruction to further dialogue. Escobar and Lajcak noted that they were supporting a continuation of constructive dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, as well as EU integration of the Western Balkans, and added that it was crucial that both sides met all commitments from the dialogue. Lajcak particularly noted that the EU and the US were cooperating closely and sharing the same vision when it comes to the dialogue process and an EU future of the entire region, and added that their efforts were aimed at reaching a comprehensive agreement and at implementation of all agreements signed to date. Once again thanking the two officials for their commitment, Vucic said he was confident it was only through additional efforts invested in a responsible manner by both sides in the dialogue that a compromise solution and common ground could be found in the interest of both Serbs and Albanians, as well as in the interest of an European future of Serbia and the entire region.

Selakovic: Serbia committed to resolving outstanding issues diplomatically (RTS/Tanjug)

Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic held a trilateral meeting today with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Gabriel Escobar and EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak. Selakovic said that Serbia is firmly on the path to European integration and that it is fully committed to the reform process and the improvement of all segments of our society, expressing hope that such a commitment will be valued by opening negotiating clusters. He also pointed out Serbia’s sincere commitment to regional cooperation, preservation of stability and diplomatic solution of outstanding issues, emphasizing that peace and stability are the highest interest of our country and a condition for the continuation of its progress. The interlocutors discussed regional issues, with Selakovic emphasizing that Serbia is consistent in not interfering in the internal affairs of neighboring countries and firm in the position that all disagreements need to be resolved through democratic political dialogue. He told his interlocutors that we are ready to continue the dialogue with Pristina and are open to reaching a compromise agreement that will be mutually acceptable. Selakovic reminded that Belgrade has fulfilled almost all obligations from the dialogue, while Pristina, even almost nine years after reaching the Brussels agreement, has not fulfilled its main part, which is the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities. He expressed his gratitude to his interlocutors for their personal engagement in that process, but also warned of the danger of Pristina’s constant efforts to make dialogue meaningless and destabilize the region with unilateral moves. He especially referred to the issue of organizing the upcoming elections in Serbia on the territory of Kosovo and Metohija, emphasizing the importance of the priority solution of that issue.

Dacic, Escobar: Relations between US and Serbia following an upward trend (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)

Serbian parliament speaker Ivica Dacic met on Wednesday with US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State and Special Envoy for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar. Dacic and Escobar agreed that relations between the US and Serbia have been following an upward trend and there is mutual readiness to deepen them. Escobar stressed that the US strongly supports Serbia’s European integration process, as well as that of the entire region, and expected progress in the coming period. Dacic and Escobar discussed the upcoming elections in Serbia, to be held on 3 April. Dacic pointed out that Serbia is actively working to improve its electoral process by implementing agreements reached in the inter-party dialogue. Escobar expressed confidence that the upcoming elections would be held in a fair and democratic atmosphere and that all the political parties would take part in them. He emphasized the importance of the role Dacic played in the inter-party dialogue. Responding to Escobar’s questions, Dacic informed him about the judiciary reforms which necessitated constitutional amendment and explained that the decision to change the Constitution, confirmed in the referendum held on 16 January, would be confirmed by the parliament next week. Escobar praised the progress achieved in the judiciary reform processes and the successfully conducted referendum to confirm the constitutional amendment.

Dacic: EU, US to use their authority to influence Pristina authorities (Tanjug)

Serbian parliament speaker Ivica Dacic met with the EU Special Envoy for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue Miroslav Lajcak and Gabriel Escobar on Thursday to discuss the upcoming Serbian elections. Dacic said he was confident the elections would also be held in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija and asked the EU and the US to use their authority to influence the Pristina authorities to make that possible, said a statement from Dacic’s office. Dacic said Serbia was pushing for a compromise solution to the Kosovo and Metohija issue and that dialogue was the only path to that. We have always been ready for dialogue, he said. Lajcak said his and Escobar’s joint trips to Pristina and Belgrade were aimed at demonstrating to the entire region that the EU and the US shared the same vision for the Balkans – EU membership. He stressed that dialogue was the only process for normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo and noted that space for intensifying the dialogue would be opened up after the Serbian elections. According to the statement, Escobar said the US wanted to send a clear message that the EU was where it saw the future of the entire region. “The EU-facilitated dialogue is the only mechanism the US supports in the resolution of open issues,” Escobar was quoted as saying, and noted that the US was ready to provide the necessary assistance and support. Speaking about the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities, Lajcak and Escobar said that, in all their discussions in Pristina, they had sent a clear message that the Community must be formed and all agreements from the dialogue must be implemented. Lajcak noted that the EU position was that the elections must be held in Kosovo as well and that this had been discussed during the visit to Pristina.

Stano: Legally binding agreement on normalization goal of dialogue (Tanjug)

EU spokesperson Peter Stano was on Wednesday unwilling to give a direct answer to a Tanjug question whether the EU was pushing for mutual recognition as the outcome of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. Earlier in the day, an official of Kosovo’s opposition DPK party said that, during closed-door meetings in Pristina that were also attended by US special envoy Gabriel Escobar, the EU special envoy for the dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, had said the EU was advocating a mutual recognition between Serbia and Kosovo. Stano said the ultimate objective of the dialogue was the signing of a legally binding agreement on normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo. When asked about the official position of the EU and its foreign policy and security chief Josep Borrell – the main facilitator in the dialogue – on acceptable modalities for an agreement on normalization, Stano said Brussels did not comment on speculations or alleged leaks to media from internal conversations. He said the mandate of Lajcak and the EU was to facilitate the reaching of a legally binding agreement on normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo.

Brnabic: Serbia’s goal to open Cluster 3 during French EU presidency (Tanjug/RTS/Beta)

At Wednesday’s meeting with French Ambassador to Serbia Pierre Cochard, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic noted that Serbia’s goal was to open Cluster 3 in its EU accession talks during the French presidency of the Council of the EU, which began on 1 January 2022.

Brnabic and Cochard discussed the priorities of the French EU presidency, the strengthening of democratic institutions and rule of law, Serbia’s influence on regional stability, the prospects of the Western Balkans, as well as Serbia-France bilateral relations, the Serbian government said in a statement. She said Serbia was committed to further judicial reforms and implementation of the results of a referendum on constitutional amendments, as well as to general rule of law and improvement of election conditions, media freedoms and the safety of journalists. Speaking about economic and business ties, Brnabic noted that she was pleased to say France was a major political and economic partner of Serbia and a top ten investor in the Serbian economy, which has managed to attract around 80 percent of French investments in the entire region. Serbia is also committed to development of security and stability in the Western Balkans, which is in its interest, too, Brnabic noted. Cochard said he was confident the two countries would achieve further results in economic and political cooperation. He said France planned to hold a conference on the Western Balkans during its EU presidency to back the deepening of specific cooperation projects, in particular those aimed at maintaining regional cooperation and stability.

Cooperation with Russia on projects in several areas (Tanjug/RTS)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic talked on Wednesday with Ambassador of the Russian Federation Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko about the relations between the two countries, cooperation on joint projects, but also current topics. Brnabic expressed gratitude for the opportunity for Serbia to participate in the International Export Forum at the end of last year, as well as for the opportunity to meet with Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin. The Ambassador of Russia praised the very successful visit of Prime Minister Brnabic to Moscow and Serbia’s participation in the International Export Forum, as a way of encouraging cooperation between businessmen of the two countries. The two officials also discussed the implementation  of digital connection projects, exchange of ideas, experiences and strategies within high-tech components, traffic infrastructure and medicine. Brnabic pointed out that she expects further intensification of economic cooperation, but also the visit of officials from the two countries, while she expressed confidence that the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mishustin will visit Serbia soon.

Foreign Ministry: Serbia not part of Russia-Ukraine conflict (RTV/Tanjug/Beta/VoA)

The Serbian Foreign Ministry made an announcement for the first time since the start of the current crisis in Ukraine, stating that Serbia advocated a peaceful solution to the situation, and that escalating the conflict between Russia and Ukraine would negatively affect the foreign policy of Belgrade, the Voice of America (VoA) reported on Wednesday. “The potential escalation of a conflict between Moscow and Kiev would negatively affect Serbia’s foreign policy, since they are two friendly and brotherly Slavic nations,” the Foreign Ministry stated in a written response to VoA. Serbia is in no way part of the political or any other conflict between Russia and Ukraine. “We are not and we will not be a part of the problem, and we are ready to be a part of the solution that would envisage reducing tensions,” reads the statement of the Ministry. Tensions must be reduced and diplomacy must be given a chance. “We believe intensive diplomatic activity will yield results, that tensions will be reduced and that a broader escalation of the conflict will be avoided,” the Ministry declared.

Ponos: Take your destiny into own hands (Vreme/Beta)

Retired lieutenant colonel general Zdravko Ponos, 59, the presidential candidate of the main opposition parties and movements, said that it was time for people in Serbia to take their destiny into their own hands. In an interview with Vreme weekly’s Thursday edition, he said that should be done in the elections. “I’ll tell them (the people) – you owe nothing to the state; it owes you. Don’t let anyone take anything from you, claiming they have the right,” Ponos told the weekly. He added that “no one has right to take your youth from you, your house or land for lithium; no one has right to take your future away,” he said. Ponos added the citizens owned the state, not that “the corrupt and private state” owned them. “I think that one of the biggest problems Serbia has is that we are a divided society. That is their (the current regime’s) greatest sin.” He then said that President Aleksandar Vucic‘s first job was “the propaganda minister. “He was fascinated with Max Weber at 45, and with a riffle at 50, while he read the Constitution only for an exam,” Ponos said, alluding on Vucic’s quotations of Weber, frequent talks about weapons and his law studies. The general said he became familiar with a riffle at 15 and that in military schools he attended, the subjects included telecommunication, civil-military relations, but Weber as well. “I had the Constitution at hand when I was the Army chief-of-staff. When I become the president, I won’t read it for the first time,” Ponos told Vreme. He added that “when the people wake up on 4 April, the authorities will be changed. People will go to work as usual but won’t have to tell anyone who they have voted for and won’t be harassed about it”.

Environmentalists: Protests in Serbia until dissolution of parliament (Beta/N1)

The Kreni-Promeni (Go–Change) Initiative said on Wednesday that a 20-year moratorium on lithium and boron mining in Serbia was not enough and that the environmentalist organizations and people from the potential mining excavation areas wanted a permanent ban across the country. “Joint protests are agreed. They will be radicalized until the parliament is dissolved (and April elections called). We demand that the last joint request is adopted – a permanent ban on both exploration and exploitation of boron and lithium in the whole of Serbia,“ the initiative statement said, after a meeting with members of Serbia’s Association of Environmentalist Organizations (SEOS). It added that the 20-year moratorium caused concern and insecurity, that people would move from the potential mining area and that other investors would avoid those places. The protests’ organizers’ said they would detail the radicalization plan at the joint rally outside the Presidency building in Belgrade on Thursday. “We ask the authorities to respect the arguments of leading Serbia’s scientists, who point out that the excavation of boron and lithium is environmentally unsustainable, as well as to obey the people’s will. If the government drove Rio Tinto out of Serbia, the same laws and treatment should apply to other companies across the country,” the statement added.

REGIONAL PRESS

Dodik: We will not return to B&H parliament, RS parliament determined that reasons for boycott are not gone (RTRS) 

Serb member of the Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Presidency Milorad Dodik, asked about the significance of the special session of the Republika Srpska (RS) parliament on Tuesday, said that the session was significant and he can assess this from his post. He added that certain people did not pay attention to the conclusions of the RS parliament and used the session to focus on other things for their own goals. Dodik stated that the RS parliament  determined that the reasons which led to the boycott of the B&H institutions are not gone and they concluded that the RS officials can participate in the work as long as they respect the stances of the RSNA. He explained that the B&H parliament will report to the RS parliament, the Council of Ministers (CoM) will report to the RS government and he will report to the RS President as member of the B&H Presidency. Dodik said that this way it will be determined what is in the best interest of the RS.  He said that the B&H House of representatives (B&H HoR) will discuss three development projects that the RS will withdraw funds from and RS representatives in the B&H HoR will decide on this on Thursday. Dodik said that the key moment is the proposal of the law which will ban the assessment of people or entities as genocidal. He said that the opposition criticized the ruling authorities when they respect conclusions of the RS parliament, saying that they are lazy, but at the same time when a dialogue is initiated they are called traitors. Dodik believes that the opposition does not know what to do and what they want, since their only policy is to oppose him. He said that the hate of the opposition towards Dodik is bigger than their love for the RS.

President of SDS Mirko Sarovic and President of PDP Branislav Borenovic regarding the session on Tuesday said that the session served the authorities to clean themselves from the existing policies implemented in the past months. Sarovic said that it was also used to open the door towards the return into the B&H institutions. Borenovic said that Dodik and SNSD legalized the changes imposed by former High Representative Valentin Inzko at the session. He said that Sarajevo is once again a desirable place to Dodik and he plans to return to B&H institutions. Dodik commented on this, saying that the decisions made were decisions of the RS parliament and no one legalized the law imposed by Inzko. He stressed that the main goal of the opposition is to lie and spread false truth. Dodik said that in 2021, the opposition was instructed by US Special Representative for Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar to undermine Serb unity in the RS. He stressed that they are defining the interests of the RS and they will do everything necessary for the RS. He assured that there will be no return to the B&H institutions and they will only do what is necessary for the interests of the RS. Dodik reiterated that the people need to know that Escobar said openly that the opposition leader will work on breaking apart the unity in the RS. He stressed that it is normal for the RS parliament to discuss the political and economic situation in B&H every six months.  Asked about the reactions to the speech of President of HDZ B&H Dragan Covic, Dodik said that Covic is a rational and realistic politician who said his stances clearly. He thanked Covic for attending the session, saying that Covic is an equal friend to Serbs and Muslims who adequately represents his own interests. Dodik stressed that the RS was under duress and attack of many sides and the international community for a long time and it stood on its own. He stressed that he respects Muslims and Bosniaks in B&H, but he does not respect their policies and their Muslim and Bosniak nationalism. Dodik assessed that they follow the goal of every nationalist policy to have their own state and this is what they are doing in B&H. He said that their idea is for other people in B&H to be an ethnic minority.

RS opposition say Tuesday’s special session was mere farce and deception (BN TV) 

RS representatives of the opposition have stated that Tuesday’s special session of the RS parliament was a only farce and deception. Representatives of the opposition stressed that the ruling parties in the RS used the RS parliament’s special session to absolve themselves of responsibility and return to the B&H joint institutions, noting that thus the previous decisions of the RS parliament have been belittled because SNSD is returning to the B&H institutions. Representatives of the opposition in the RS stressed that conclusions adopted at Tuesday’s session of the RS parliament have nothing to do with the topic of the session, and that the special session itself was a public performance based on a rehearsed scenario. Representatives of the opposition claim that with this, SNSD also accepted the imposed Inzko’s law. SDS leader Mirko Sarovic stressed “at the end of the conclusion, they say clearly and coldly that they are returning to the institutions of B&H”. “Inzko’s decision remains, it remains, it is not changed, but some phantom law which should sanction those who abuse the story of genocide is put in procedure. That law is basically nothing,” Sarovic underlined. PDP leader Branislav Borenovic said that he has a feeling that the first to congratulate SNSD leader and Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik on Tuesday was former high representative Valentin Inzko himself “because he supported his imposed law.” “It took them a long time. Six months were needed for Dodik to turn his tail and it is clear that convert Milorad Dodik is ready to even change his religion for his personal gain and a handful of damn power” Borenovic emphasized. Borenovic stressed that he believes that Dodik’s accusations that someone from the opposition asked Special US Envoy for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar to impose sanctions on Dodik are incorrect. Borenovic emphasized that the opposition representatives had only one contact with Escobar which was an official meeting. “We had one official meeting and it was held here in Banja Luka. It is true that Mr. Escobar said then that he has known Dodik very well for 20 years and that he knows him from the period when he asked to ban the Serbian Radical Party, to ban (Nikola) Poplasen from being the RS president, when all decisions of the High Representatives in B&H, and especially those which removed the officials of the RS, suit him,” Borenovic underlined. Representatives of the opposition stressed that they left the special session of the RS parliament before the vote because RS MP Nebojsa Vukanovic was kicked out of the session. “They did not allow him to participate, to speak. He had an excellent speech, like he always has, and that is the exclusive reason for our abstinence and absence from voting. Otherwise, with an appetite, we would have rejected everything they proposed because everything they proposed was a big nothing,” Sarovic pointed out. “We did not want to participate in the farce and we were not present during the voting for conclusions prepared in advance, outside the RS parliament,” Sarovic was quoted as saying.

Ivanic claims only purpose of RS parliament session was to justify return to B&H institutions (Dnevni avaz) 

In an interview to the daily, Honorary President of PDP Mladen Ivanic said that the special session of the RS parliament represents a defeat of Milorad Dodik and everything that he has been doing lately, although he is trying to present it in a different way. Ivanic added: “It is obvious he will return to the institutions with tail between his legs. It has been a long time since I witnessed more meaningless session than the one held on Tuesday and it is obvious the only meaning of it was to find a way for Dodik to return.” Ivanic argued that nobody will be taking Dodik seriously after this and he reminded that Dodik had been announcing adoption of unconstitutional decisions in past as well but gave up those intentions as well. Ivanic assessed that Dodik is unfit for challenges he created for himself.  With regard to reactions to invitations to SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic and HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic to attend the session as well as the speech of Covic before the RS parliament, Ivanic said that the session obviously served only Dodik “who won over Mr. Covic to ask him to return to the institutions after Vucic did the same. He wanted to have as many people as possible to justify his return to B&H institutions”. Finally, Ivanic assessed that the current leaders can only bring stagnation and occasional crises but they cannot make any essential steps forward: “Therefore, we still have not hit the bottom, we will sink even more.” Ivanic said that he does not expect the current generation of middle aged and elderly politicians to produce any results as none of them is willing to make any compromise.

Izetbegovic: Someone can stop Dodik, one cannot possibly allow Dodik to win in all of this (Hayat) 

SDA leader and member of the Collegium of the B&H House of Peoples (HoP) Bakir Izetbegovic, asked to comment on the fact that Milorad Dodik announced that he will continue with the blockades and formation of para-state institutions and whether someone can stop Dodik, said that of course someone can stop him, stressing that one cannot possibly allow Dodik to win in all of this. “The only question is how he will be stopped. There is the international community whose obligation this is, there is the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H whose obligation this is, there is the Constitutional Court (CC) whose obligation is to work on our motions. It is obviously an attack on the constitutional and legal order of B&H. There is us, the patriots of this country, organized and united. Therefore, the only question is when and how,” Izetbegovic pointed out.

Asked how dangerous is to postpone sanctions and wait for the crisis to escalate, Izetbegovic stressed that the international community is negotiating with Dodik, stressing that this is being done through people close to Dodik, such as Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. “They are trying to alleviate that through Orban so that he gives up on certain things, and you see that he is already slowing down a bit in some things. They do not want to impose sanctions and punish because that will affect the people. This will not affect only one man, it cannot be solved like that. They (sanctions) have been hinted, they are being prepared, other countries are joining the US and it is quite certain that there will be sanctions, painful sanctions which will stop him,” Izetbegovic said. Asked what sanctions would hurt Dodik the most, Izetbegovic said that those are economic, financial sanctions. “To create problems for companies operating in RS which are close to him” Izetbegovic stressed. He pointed out that the RS is currently in a significantly worse position than the Federation of B&H (FB&H) in many respects, stressing that monthly incomes in the RS are 20 percent lower than in the FB&H and that the debt of the RS is much higher than the debt of the FB&H. “I believe that people who make decisions there are thinking about that and we see that they are already slowing down, stopping certain processes,” Izetbegovic underlined. Asked which countries he expects to join the US sanctions and who else in B&H could be sanctioned, Izetbegovic stated: “We already see that Germany is joining, the UK, Italy, Scandinavian countries will definitely join, probably the entire EU in certain things. We will see what it will be, but it has to be very concrete and very painful,” Izetbegovic emphasized. Asked why the EU is delaying sanctions, Izetbegovic said that perhaps countries like Hungary and perhaps Slovenia are hampering that. Asked to comment on Dodik’s idea for the RS parliament to decide on the agenda of sessions of the B&H parliament and what he wants to achieve with that, Izetbegovic reminded that he and HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic were invited to come to the RS parliament. “Covic went and I did not. Furthermore, Novalic was invited to sit down with his colleague Viskovic to discuss state problems, and now we have that the RS parliament will review the agenda of a state institution. What is the goal? The goal is to prove that B&H is composed of two entities and that the state cannot function without the entities and that the state is not really needed… They want to strengthen the position of the entities and make the existence of the state meaningless or to minimize it,” Izetbegovic emphasized. Izetbegovic stressed that the RS will not be able to get the agenda from the institutions and that the entity will not order the state of B&H what to do and create agendas. “They are trying to prove that the state is unnecessary, dysfunctional, that nothing is going our way, that there are only problems, and they are causing those problems and that dysfunction. But, we are all, so to speak, in one boat. If they stop it, we will all stop. If they start drilling it, sinking it, they are in it as well. They will not leave it, that is what I can guarantee them for sure. They will not leave it, they will not split it in half,” Izetbegovic underlined. Asked to comment on Dragan Covic’s address in the RS parliament where he told the MPs that they should guard the RS, Izetbeogivc said that if he was a Croat from the RS or B&H in general, he would feel hurt, appalled and betrayed given that Croats experienced great hardships in that part of B&H during the war. “For example, in Banja Luka, all were in fact expelled, they went through concentration camps and so on, but what especially intrigues me as a Bosnian and Bosniak politician in this sensitive moment of negotiations is that with that statement, Dragan Covic rapidly reduces the chances of achieving something in negotiations that are still alive. He quite consciously irritates, provokes the Bosniak corps, and narrows the space for Bosniak representatives to compromise when it comes to, for example, meeting, helping Croat representatives get what they want when it comes to the position of a member of the Presidency. It really appals me and I do not really know if his goal is to resolve that issue.”

Covic sends letter to Palmer, Eichhorst stressing readiness to complete electoral reform process in B&H (AJB) 

HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic sent a letter to international mediators in the talks on electoral reform Matthew Palmer and Angelina Eichhorst on Wednesday. Among other things, Covic stated in the letter that formal and legal conditions for holding the General Elections in October 2022 have not been created yet. “The fact is that the sovereign rights and constituent status of Croats have been grossly violated in the last two decades, both in terms of reflecting the constituent status of Croats in all joint institutions and the legitimate election of their representatives. Recent talks and persistent undermining of our unequivocal commitment to finding a solution have proved that the co-signatory of the Mostar Agreement, along with other Bosniak political representatives, is committed to continuing gross violations of international agreements and the sovereign right of Croats as an equal constituent people in B&H. If it continues, such a gross violation of the rights of a constituent people and international law will have far-reaching consequences for Croat-Bosniak relations,” wrote Covic. Covic said that the co-signers of the Mostar Agreement violated the agreements reached in Neum, knowing that the negotiations were supposed to end with the adoption of these changes in the B&H parliament by the end of 2021. Covic said that they were afraid of such a scenario, because it deepens the crisis and political mistrust in B&H.

Dodik: Announcement of UK on military engagement in B&H is unacceptable (ATV) 

Milorad Dodik stated on Wednesday that the announcement of the UK Embassy in B&H that their country could increase its military presence in B&H is not acceptable and will certainly not receive the support of the Presidency of B&H. “I believe that the existing contingent of soldiers in the Althea mission is quite sufficient and that B&H does not have challenges that would require additional forces,” Dodik emphasized. Dodik underlined that none of the legitimate representatives of the peacekeeping mission in B&H spoke about the need to expand the mission, or about endangering stability in B&H, and that he did not see a reason why “the British” would come here.

Milanovic: What is happening in B&H is not good, Croats in B&H need support and solidarity of Croatia (Hina) 

Croatian President Zoran Milanovic stated that what is happening in B&H is not good and it is not leading to anything good. He underlined that the Croat people in B&H needs support and solidarity of Croatia. “We have been listening for years others’ criticism, ultimatums and wishes, and we have been doing our work patiently and obediently. And now, we are completely aware of who we are, and we have the right to set our demands and express our opinions in a civilized manner,” said Milanovic. He added that during a crisis, it is necessary to be responsible and slowly move towards a solution.

Becic: Vote of confidence in the government will be discussed for four hours, Abazovic for an hour less if there is a quorum (CdM) 

At the meeting of the Collegium of the parliament speaker, the manner of work at the upcoming sessions, which were convened for Thursday, Friday and Monday, was agreed upon, said Montenegrin parliament speaker Aleksa Becic. It was agreed that if there is a quorum and if the proposed agenda is voted on, the duration of the debate is: 3 hours for the first extraordinary session (proposal to remove Dritan Abazovic), three hours for the second extraordinary session (shortening the mandate of parliament), four hours for the first item of the third extraordinary session (proposal for a vote of no confidence in the government), an hour for the second item of the third extraordinary session (draft law on local self-government) and two hours for the fourth extraordinary session (proposal for dismissal of the parliament speaker),” Becic wrote. As he stated, the Assembly continues to work exclusively according to the Constitution and the Rules of Procedure, as it did in the previous year and a half. “I will not allow anyone to abuse the Rules of Procedure, nor will anyone be allowed to obstruct the work of the parliament,” Becic added. He calls on all political actors and citizens for peace, tolerance, mutual respect and esteem. Let us always keep in mind the words of Marko Miljanov that it is heroism to defend oneself from another, and courage to defend another from oneself,” Becic wrote.

SPC bishops: Preserve people’s will expressed at elections, let parliamentary majority agree (CdM) 

Two days before the vote on shortening the Parliament mandate and confidence in the government of Montenegro, the bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro have said that they are convinced that the people’s will expressed in the 2020 elections should be preserved and respected. They add they do not see a solution to the existing social problems in the return of the former government, not even through support for a minority government. They suggest that the parliamentary majority should reach an agreement. “We are obliged to remind our pious people that the struggle for freedom of religion is not over yet and that the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro has been suffering disgusting slanders and injustices from the former regime for decades, whose political representatives spread hatred and intolerance against our Church,” they point out.

Kovacevski: As allies we are strong, determined and united in our response (MIA) 

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Macedonian Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski discussed the situation on the Russian-Ukrainian border. The Alliance is ready to send additional troops to south-eastern Europe, MIA reports from Brussels. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine was one of the main topics discussed by Prime Minister Kovacevski and NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg. This is the largest Russian deployment since the Cold War, Stoltenberg told a joint news conference with Macedonian Prime Minister Kovacevski. In this context, the Secretary-General said that the North Atlantic Alliance “continues to demand de-escalation” from Russia and warned that any “additional Russian aggression will have serious consequences and a heavy price.” At the same time, Stoltenberg said that NATO wants to engage in dialogue with Russia, after the Alliance sent a series of proposals to calm tensions to the Russian authorities. “But NATO will not compromise on its fundamental principles: the right of every nation to choose its own path and NATO’s ability to protect and defend its allies,” he said. Yesterday, the United States sent military reinforcements to Eastern Europe – Germany, Poland and Romania – as a sign of readiness to respond to Russian action in Ukraine. Stoltenberg welcomed the US decision, calling it a “strong signal of US commitment”. “We are also considering deploying additional NATO battlegroups to the south-eastern part of the Alliance,” he said. Kovacevski expressed support for the work of the Alliance in relation to Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing that it was NATO’s open-door policy that enabled Macedonia to become a member. We support NATO’s proposal for thematic meetings with Russia on the state of European security relations with a focus on Ukraine and transparency, risk reduction and arms control. We fully support Ukraine’s sovereignty and its territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, Kovacevski said. According to the Prime Minister of Macedonia, “NATO is a collective defense alliance that brings Europe and North America closer in this crisis.” As allies we are strong, determined and united in our response. North Macedonia remains fully committed to the founding agreement of Washington as well as to the fundamental values and principles of the Alliance, added the Prime Minister.

Nikoloski: Government avoiding our electoral change proposals because it is afraid of early elections (TV21) 

The opposition is giving up on the guarantee mechanism of a technical, Przino government, because we believe that 100 days is too long to organize elections, it slows many processes down, said VMRO-DPMNE Vice President Aleksandar Nikoloski. The party is proposing that the broad Government rule, introduced on SDSM request in 2015, is scrapped to allow for faster early elections, in a period of 45 to 60 days. We see that SDSM is trying to avoid this solution because they are afraid of early elections. The polls show that the support for VMRO-DPMNE is rapidly growing and at the coming elections, which I’m sure will be early elections, we will have high turnout and a clear breakdown in favor of the opposition, Nikoloski said during his TV21 interview.

Sela in Pristina: Ahmeti responsible for situation of Albanians in Macedonia (Republika) 

The leader of the Alliance for Albanians (AA) Ziadin Sela blamed the leader of the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) Ali Ahmeti for, as he said, the poor condition of the Albanians from Macedonia. Asked by reporters in Pristina about the election of the new Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski as head of government in Skopje, Sela said the Macedonian prime ministers’ approach to Albanians depended on Ali Ahmeti’s approach as a partner in the ruling coalition. He has just been elected prime minister, have no dilemma: The approach of the prime ministers, whoever he is, depends on the approach of Mr. Ahmeti. When his approach is bad, it is bad for the Albanians. Ahmeti’s approach was bad and because of that the Albanians suffered a lot of consequences, he said.

The decision is approved: Joint border point between Albania and Kosovo (Radio Tirana) 

The agreement between Albania and Kosovo for opening the joint border crossing point Shishtavec-Kurshevc was approved yesterday. The approved agreement was on the facilitation of procedures and conditions for obtaining a temporary residence permit between Albania and Kosovo. Decisions / Pursuant to Article 100 of the Constitution and Article 19 of Law no. 43/2016, “On international agreements in the Republic of Albania”, on the proposal of the Minister of Interior, the Council of Ministers decided the approval of the amending agreement between the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania and the government of the Republic of Kosovo, for the opening of the joint border crossing point Shishtavec (Kukes) – Kursheve (Dragash), according to the text attached to this decision. This decision enters into force after its publication in the Official Gazette. Pursuant to Article 100 of the Constitution and Article 19, of Law no. 43/2016, “On international agreements in the Republic of Albania”, on the proposal of the Minister of Interior, the Council of Ministers decided the approval of the agreement between the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania and the government of the Republic of Kosovo, for the facilitation of the procedures and conditions for obtaining a temporary residence permit, according to the text attached to this decision. This decision enters into force after its publication in the Official Gazette.