LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: Emergency state de facto introduced in Serbia (RTS)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told RTS on Monday evening that he was not surprised by the cancellation of Sergei Lavrov’s visit, recalling that he had previously said there would be complications. Vucic said that for a long, long time, he had not seen such an overall atmosphere created in Europe and the world around the arrival of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, an organized attack on a small country, like ours. “You cannot understand how many countless conversations there have been, in which Serbia was asked to cancel its hospitality to the minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia,” said Vucic and reminded that a few days ago he said that he expected complications knowing what this was all about. “Apart from the fact that there have skepticism on the part of the public here, they do not want to hear anything I say, they turn everything around and say that Moscow confirmed it. It’s one thing to confirm, and another to implement it,” Vucic added. He said that dissatisfaction and disagreement with the attempt to ban conversation must be expressed. “When we talk about that, it’s not a question of gaining or losing political points. In the previous 24 hours, we never received more media from the surroundings and the whole of Europe coming to take pictures of Vucic and Lavrov. What have we done wrong? We simply did not agree to always be part of the pack,” said Vucic. “That hysteria in the previous 24 hours, and I kept silent, showed that they see they can’t do anything to Russia, so, let’s take it out on Serbia,” said Vucic and added that he does not mean Americans but some others – “starting with one Karl Bildt to Croatia”. “If I wanted to act like them, I would say I’m sorry for them, but I don’t want to. I am not in the least fascinated by their threats. I would prefer someone talking with somebody,” said Vucic. Stating that Serbia condemned the Russian military action, Vucic also mentioned that Russia is a great friend of Serbia. “It is not normal to expel Tchaikovsky from schools, theaters and operas, what will children learn if not Dostoevsky? Imagine condemning Dostoevsky, like, ‘the evil Russians’. What will you read if not that? Has that hysteria gone that far? Tell me, who is bigger than Dostoevsky in the whole world? What does it mean to abolish culture in the world?” Vucic said that he wanted to ask Lavrov when we could get a (better) firefighting helicopter. “But I can’t ask. Let me ask you something – how is Vucic a villain? Is that what you want to tell NATO members? They have 20 times more flights. It seems that this is all you can do to little Serbia,” the president stated. He wondered how some EU leaders were allowed to go to Vladimir Putin, and asked if they would expel Turkey from NATO, since Lavrov is going there tomorrow (Tuesday). The president said that Serbia will maintain its policy of independent decision-making, but must hurry on its European path because that is the best for Serbia.

Vucic announces significant changes in Serbian, but also in Belgrade government

While on RTS, Vucic stressed that he expects the next government to lead to a strong acceleration in European processes, but to make independent decisions, not to give up on its policy after the first phone call. “Do you know how many politicians I know who, they get a call from the third secretary, the fourth secretary from some embassy immediately get scared,” said Vucic. Asked if he knew who would be in the government, he said that he is talking to his associates about it. “I’m talking to associates. There will certainly be significant changes from the city, which will be seen soon, to the government of Serbia,” said Vucic.

We’re not begging anyone, Open Balkans benefits everyone

Vucic will be at the Ohrid Summit on Tuesday and Wednesday, as part of the Open Balkans initiative, which he reiterates has brought significant benefits to all three participating countries, and is open to everyone, but added that he does not want to beg anyone to join. Tuesday’s dinner in Ohrid will be attended by Montenegrin Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic and Bosnia and Herzegovina Council of Ministers Chairman Zoran Tegeltija, and asked if that means the initiative is becoming appealing to others, Vucic said he did not now, and that he is “sick of pleading”. “Abazovic and Tegeltija will come as observers. I’m sick of pleading, begging, we have Open Balkan, Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania are there, whoever wants to join, will, and those who don’t, I have no intention of begging them,” said Vucic. According to him, the three countries are already implementing everything related to work permits, and it remains for one of these three countries to complete the legislative initiative, so that the idea can be implemented.

About Olaf Scholz’s visit

Vucic recalled that Germany is the most important partner and the biggest investor in Serbia. “Scholz was fair, they said from his cabinet that even if Lavrov came, Chancellor Scholz would definitely come, I thank him for that, Serbia knows how to appreciate that,” said Vucic. Vucic added that he will “of course come with messages that are difficult, that people will not like.” “When someone wants to hear your argument about Kosovo and Metohija, it means a lot. Territorial integrity cannot apply to Ukraine and not to Serbia. The most important thing is to look to preserve our country and live normally. I thank the people who understand that,” said Vucic. Vucic said that Serbia had to make haste on its European path because that was in its best interest, but that it was the only country that would not advance in June. Vucic told RTS that he was mulling whether to attend the upcoming EU-West Balkan summit, scheduled for June 23. “We’ll be the only ones that won’t advance at all in June,” Vucic said, adding that Serbia must not give up on account of that, and that “a lot” could be gained in December. Vucic said he was not surprised that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s planned visit to Serbia would not happen, adding that “our refusal to be part of the pack is causing headaches.” The Serbian President said that the country had natural gas stores for over 100 days — an entire winter, and that a co-funding deal would be signed with Hungary.

Vucic receives Botsan-Kharchenko after Lavrov visit cancellation (Tanjug/RTS)

At a meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Monday, Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko said Moscow’s top diplomat Sergey Lavrov had been prevented from visiting Belgrade after a Russian government plane had been denied overflight permits for the route to the Serbian capital. Botsan-Kharchenko presented to Vucic documents substantiating this. Botsan-Kharchenko thanked the Serbian authorities for their assistance in preparations for the visit, the press office of the Serbian President said in a statement. Vucic expressed his dissatisfaction over the circumstances that prevented Lavrov’s visit from taking place. He said that, in spite of everything, Serbia would maintain its independence in political decision-making and continue on its European path while cherishing its traditionally friendly relations and partnerships with countries on all continents and maintaining its military neutrality. Vucic and Botsan-Kharchenko said Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic was expected to meet with Lavrov soon. Vucic said he hoped a time of peace and cooperation would return soon and that dialogue would also become the only means of communication in the modern world. The parties discussed numerous topics concerning Serbia-Russia bilateral relations and noted a necessity of detailed discussions at all levels.

Botsan-Kharchenko: Introducing sanctions against Russia to harm Serbia’s economy, social spheres (Beta/Izvestia)

Listing the reasons he believed Belgrade was refusing to join international sanctions against Russia for, the Russian Ambassador to Serbia Aleksandr Botsan-Kharchenko said that among them were President Aleksandar Vucic’s official position, the impression he created based on personal contacts with the president and the opinion of the absolute majority of Serbian citizens.

When asked about the payment system Russia was using for transactions with Serbia, the ambassador said that Serbia was a friendly country, and that the payment methods remained unchanged. “At the same time, a shift to payments in national currencies has been accepted as an objective in Russian trade, and it will be handled gradually,” the Russian diplomat said in an interview with the Russian daily newspaper Izvestia. Botsan-Kharchenko said that Serbia’s EU candidate status “is absolutely no hindrance to bilateral ties,” if Belgrade continued to pursue the policy it carried out currently.

Stefanovic: Serbia refuses to be a pawn (Beta)

Today Serbia is protecting its right to decide on its own path, to independently make decisions that are solely in the interest of its people and to refuse to be a pawn in clashes between the interests of others, Serbian Defense Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic said Monday in a written statement. Serbia has nothing to do with the 100-day conflict in Ukraine and it has taken a very clear stand on the issue, said Stefanovic. He said that Serbia and President Vucic have been under propaganda fire for the same period of time from the opposition and from the region. Serbia is under fire from everyone who does not like it as an independent and free country, everyone trying to realize their own interests, the Minister added.

State Department: Serbia to focus (VoA/Tanjug/B92)

The reaction of the State Department arrived on the decision of the states from the region not to allow Lavrov to fly over their airspace. The State Department said on the occasion of the decision of Montenegro, Bulgaria and North Macedonia not to allow the overflight of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s plane on the way to Belgrade, that they, as sovereign states, “made sovereign decisions on airspace, reflecting Europe’s determination to hold Russia “accountable” for the attack on Ukraine. State Department spokesman Ned Price said at a press conference that the United States called on “Serbia to focus on its goal of membership in the European Union, including aligning its foreign and security policy with the rest of Europe,” the Voice of America reported. “We constantly call on Serbia to take steps to advance on the European road, including diversifying energy sources, reducing energy dependence on the Russian Federation and aligning foreign and security policy with the European Union. We continue to want to be Serbia’s partner and help it efforts to strengthen energy security in the long run,” Price said. Asked by Voice of America how the United States and NATO would protect Montenegro, North Macedonia and Bulgaria, which closed the airspace for the plane that Lavrov was supposed to travel to Serbia from, according to the US media, “Russian threats”, Price answered that “all three countries are members of NATO, and the commitment to Article 5 in relation to all three is binding”. He reminded that yesterday marked the fifth anniversary of Montenegro’s membership in NATO, and the second anniversary of North Macedonia’s membership in March.

Stefanovic discusses cooperation in defense sector with French Ambassador (Beta)

Serbian Minister of Defense Nebojsa Stefanovic met on 6 June the French Ambassador to Serbia Pierre Cochard, to discuss closer bilateral ties in the defense sector, including a visit by Serbia’s delegation to Paris and participation in the Eurosatory, the international defense and security exhibition. Minister Stefanovic, also a deputy prime minister, described bilateral cooperation as dynamic and substantial, especially in the economic and technical military segments. Ambassador Cochard said that France believed Serbia was among its important partners, especially in military-economic operations, expecting the bilateral relationship to be developed further. The French diplomat reiterated his country’s support to Serbia’s EU accession, which he said was part of the agenda under which France presided over the Council of the European Union.

Improving cooperation with Turkey in field of defense (Tanjug)

Serbian Defense Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic met on Monday with Turkish Ambassador to Serbia Hami Aksoy, with whom he spoke about the continuation of cooperation in the field of defense. Stefanovic voiced expectation that cooperation will be improved to mutual interest, especially in the field of military economic and military technical cooperation. Ambassador Aksoy thanked on the opportunity for talks about the improvement of cooperation and confirmed commitment of the Turkish side to its intensification, pointing out that the overall bilateral relations between the two states are good, which represents a basis for the further development of cooperation in the field of defense, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defense.

Presevo Valley a matter to be brought before UN (Beta/Bujanovacke/Danas)

Southern Serbia’s Albanian-majority Presevo Valley is a matter to be discussed by the United Nations – it’s a conclusion shared after a meeting in New York between Albanian political representatives of Bujanovac, Presevo and Medvedja and Albania’s Ambassador to the United Nations Ferit Hoxha. Travelling to New York were Mayor of Bujanovac Nagip Arifi, the Party of Democratic Action leader Saip Kamberi, the party’s senior official Ardita Sinani and the president of the Democratic Party of Albanians Ragmi Mustafa, the Bujanovacke portal reported. Last week Albania took over the UN Security Council’s rotating Presidency for one month. “The Presevo Valley matter will be brought before the United Nations. Involving the region in the most comprehensive international organization is extremely important for unveiling the genuine situation and status of the Albanians living in the Valley,” said Sinani, a former mayor of Presevo.

Nikolic: Substituting Russian crude oil imports to be no problem (Tanjug)

Editor-in-Chief of the Biznis and Ekonometar economic magazines Radojka Nikolic said on Monday Serbia should suffer no major problems as a result of the sixth package of EU sanctions on Russia, and expects the oil company NIS to substitute its crude oil imports from Russia with oil from other sources. In a statement to Tanjug, Nikolic said crude oil-related measures from the package must be implemented by the end of the year. “The sixth package should pose no major problem to Serbia. The Russian oil coming through the JANAF pipeline accounts for 16-20 pct of our imports, and the bulk of the crude oil imported by NIS is from Iraq and Kazakhstan. The percentage of Russian oil, which makes up barely one fifth of the total, can be substituted with oil from other sources,” she said. Companies that engage in procurement and marketing of crude oil are certainly already working on this since the sixth package was not unexpected at all, Nikolic said.

Air assault against neutral Belgrade (Novosti, by S.S. Rovcanin Tomkovic, M. Stanojkovic)

Due to the decision of Montenegro, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to close their airspace and thus prevent the visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to Belgrade, Serbia found itself in the center of the standoff between Russia and the West, Novosti writes. This situation also demonstrated that Serbia is an island surrounded by the Euro-Atlantic ocean, and led to the question how Russia would be able to help Serbia if necessary, if it could not find a way to get its high-ranking official to Belgrade. Also, one has to wonder if the West has attacked the sovereign right of Serbia to remain neutral and maintain good relations with the East. Former foreign minister of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Zivadin Jovanovic stated that such restrictions imposed on diplomats were not seen even during the height of the Cold War. He underlined that diplomacy should be allowed under all circumstances because it means seeking solutions to disputes. He noted that this is why diplomats enjoy immunity and have freedom of movement. According to him, it is unacceptable that third sides interfere in diplomatic relations of two sovereign states, especially if one of the states is Serbia which is known as a factor of stability, peace and security. Retired diplomat Vladislav Jovanovic stated that this situation marks the downfall of the Enlighted Europe. He underlined that it is not acceptable to prevent a small and neutral country such as Serbia from maintaining its diplomatic relations with other countries. According to him, the West is going against the basic principles of democracy. However, he added, Serbia should not be afraid of such threats.

REGIONAL PRESS

Ruling majority in RS parliament adopts conclusions opposing introduction of sanctions against Russia, supporting extension of EUFOR’s Althea mission in B&H and postponing return of RS competencies from B&H level for six months (BN TV) 

The ruling majority in the RS parliament adopted on late Monday evening conclusions opposing the introduction of sanctions against Russia, supporting the extension of EUFOR’s Althea mission in B&H and postponing the return of the competencies of the RS from the B&H level for six months. A majority of opposition lawmakers did not attend the vote on these conclusions and they previously stated that the RS should take care of Serb interests, and not be guided by the populist policy of B&H Presidency member Milorad Dodik at whose request Monday’s special session of the RS parliament was convened.  Conclusions adopted by the RS parliament state that the RS remains committed to preserving peace in B&H and the region and supports B&H’s inclusion in the Open Balkans initiative. Furthermore, the conclusions adopted by the RS parliament state that the RS is committed to respecting, adhering to and implementing the Dayton Agreement as well as to the integration of B&H and the RS into the EU. In its conclusions, the RS parliament concluded that the Presidency of B&H has not made a decision on imposing sanctions on the Russian Federation. “The conduct of B&H foreign policy is the responsibility of the Presidency of B&H and only decisions made by consensus and in a constitutional manner in the Presidency of B&H can be considered the official position of B&H on foreign policy issues,” conclusions adopted by the RS parliament state. The RS parliament called on the representatives of the RS in the joint institutions of B&H to vote against the imposition of sanctions on the Russian Federation and to advocate a neutral position of B&H and the RS in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. In its conclusions, the RS parliament stated that it believes that the Althea mission is needed in order to preserve peace and stability.

Dodik and Kalabukhov address RS parliament special session (ATV) 

A special session of the RS parliament to discuss “Information on the International, Political and Security Situation; RS’ Place and Role” was underway at the time of reporting. ATV reports that Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik addressed the session and said the session is important so that developing a strategy on foreign policy position of the RS can be initiated in the future, underlining that the RS has the right to pursue its foreign policy and that the RS will not support sanctions potentially imposed on Russia due to which it would lose its ally, its historic and current friend. ATV reports that Russian Ambassador to B&H Igor Kalabukhov also addressed the session, who said that despite insinuations on “B&H allegedly joining the new EU’s anti-Russia sanctions, we cannot consider activities by individual B&H diplomats a reflection of a consolidated position of B&H”. Kalabukhov underlined that any documents against legally elected politicians and democratically formed institutions in B&H and entities cannot be considered legal. ATV reminds that Dodik earlier said that other ambassadors refused to attend the session if Kalabukhov is present. The reporter notes that the most prominent message conveyed during the session is that B&H has not joined sanctions against Russia, thanks to the RS; this is stated in the Information document which representatives at the RS parliament will vote on at the end of the session. The reporter goes on to say it is not surprising the focus of the session was Russia-Ukraine conflict and the RS’ position on that, bearing in mind the speculations in B&H in the past days related to whether B&H joined sanctions against Russia, noting that Kalabukhov perhaps gave the most concrete answer to that who reiterated B&H is not a hostile country for Russia and that the cooperation between two countries is best described by practical examples, like extension of contract between the ‘BH Gas’ and the ‘Gazprom’ under existing conditions. Dodik reiterated Russia is one of the guarantors of the Dayton Peace Accords (DPA) and due to that, it would not be good for the RS, both politically and economically, to join the sanctions, and the RS remains neutral, as well as B&H, because decision on sanctions cannot and has not been adopted without consensus of all three peoples in B&H. Addressing the session, Dodik said: “I will only say that my desire is to affirm this parliament as the final place of the decision-making process in relation to (B&H) Presidency and determining foreign policy. Whilst in the field of defense, it is clear that without consensus of all (B&H) Presidency members there is no determined decision, in relation to foreign policy, this body, the RS parliament, is the ultimate decision maker if the vital national interest protection mechanism is activated”. Referring to sanctions against Russia, Dodik said: “I oppose sanctions against the Russian Federation, but am for this RS parliament to, transparently pose a question, Mr. Speaker, that states – are you for imposing sanctions on the Russian Federation and joining the EU’s sanctions? – so that you vote and say if you support it or not, and not to reduce it to discussion on visual or rhetorical importance of that issue. At the end of this session, that will be one of requests, i.e. that the RS parliament expresses opinion on that. I am certain that majority of you will vote against any sanctions against the Russian Federation.” Addressing the session, Kalabukhov said: “We respect, I repeat, we respect B&H’s sovereign right to achieve its foreign policy priorities by respecting relevant legal system. However, we also have the right to emphasize potential problems in case of B&H’s hypothetical accession to political, and military and political alliances that implement hostile, and primarily aggressive line towards the Russian Federation.” Kalabukhov also said Russia advocates closing of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) in B&H “as soon as possible, especially because in the conditions of resignation of the last High Representative Valentin Inzko and absence of his successor, functions of this structure are incomprehensible”. Dodik said that they would lose an honest partner and a friend in Russia, if they had introduced sanctions. He raised the question about what would they gain from the West in case they introduced sanctions. Dodik stated during RS  parliament session: “Will we get a more favorable political status for the RS? Or will we get some economic and other social benefits? If we do not, will we be denied certain support programs that we have had so far through the EU or some similar things? We need to think about everything here and decide. We cannot accept to be part of the sanctions and lose one ally, a friend in history and the present, such as the Russian Federation. If it is our sin, I appreciate that we would lose more if we lost that partnership and that friendship than we would gain by flattering the collective West”. Dodik also said that securing enough food and energy is one of the priorities for the RS. He pointed out that they want ‘Open Balkan’ initiative and regional stability and peace. Dodik pointed out that Russia did not ask the RS to do anything at this time. “It did not ask for solidarity, support or anything. We think that this behavior was correct, unlike the pressures we have daily in that area,” said Dodik. Dodik pointed out that, in this sensitive moment, it is necessary to lower tensions, which is why RS parliament conclusions on returning competencies were not yet realized. He believes that this would endanger the position of the RS at the moment but he said they did not give up on those conclusions. Dodik stressed that B&H’s foreign policy is a failure, reminding that he pressed charged against B&H Foreign Minister Bisera Turkovic (SDA), several diplomats and B&H Ambassador to the UN Sven Alkalaj for acting contrary to decisions of B&H Presidency. “Selfish wish to implement their political agenda in B&H, primarily through intrusive promotion of Euro-Atlantic integration, has brought the West to a fatal course towards erosion of the Dayton Peace Accords (DPA). This is reflected in unbalanced relation to political parties in B&H”, Kalabukhov underlined. He said that there is a situation in which the RS’ wish to defend its Dayton status within B&H is declared anti-Dayton, which is absurd. He reminded that there are deep problems in the Federation of B&H (FB&H) where practice to violate the Croats’ rights to legitimate representation in government institutions is encouraged. Dodik also spoke harshly about the British and mentioned them in a negative context. He said that Serbs suffered consequences due to Western policy. Dodik stated during RSNA session: “That pressure culminates these days in demands for support for all kinds of sanctions imposed by the collective West. But we appreciate, I think one of our conclusions should be that there is a global disruption at the global level. That this is a conflict between what is called liberalism and what is called sovereignty. Today I do not understand international law. They say that international law and the territorial integrity of Ukraine should be protected. OK, what about the territorial integrity of Serbia? What about the territorial integrity of Kosovo within Serbia? What about that? Let us not deal with those issues. Will you explain to us whether the violation of the Dayton Agreement is the implementation of international law? When you bombed us, gentlemen, did you do so in accordance with the decisions of international law? No”. Kalabukhov stated during RSNA session: “The entire collective West and the propaganda machine at its disposal are hypocritically and shamelessly distorting the goals of Russia’s special operation in Ukraine…” Both Dodik and Kalabukhov used the term ‘Russian special operation’ while addressing the RSNA, while Western ambassadors used the term ‘brutal Russian invasion of Ukraine’, which is very significant, noted the reporter. Kalabukhov also said that a decentralized structure of B&H guarantees coexistence of peoples in B&H and he finds that interference from abroad and international pressures, particularly in regard to Euro-Atlantic integration, is a devastating policy and could lead to “erosion of the DPA”. Kalabukhov warned the international actors in B&H that their foreign policy interference in B&H could have far-reaching, dangerous consequences. The Russian Ambassador stated: “Unfortunately, we need to establish that the role of part of the international community, which has irresponsibly chosen its path of undermining progress in post-conflict stabilizing efforts, is destructive. The selfish desire to implement their political agenda in B&H, primarily through intrusive promotion of Euro-Atlantic integration has led the West to a devastating course towards erosion of the DPA.”

Leaders of parliamentary political parties address RS parliament special session (ATV) 

Leaders of the parliamentary political parties addressed the special session of the RS parliament organized on Monday. The reporter notes it is interesting that opposition political party leaders again failed to express clear position in regard to imposing sanctions against Russia, and goes on to say that they used their ten minutes to “more-or-less lecture” Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik. SDS leader Mirko Sarovic even said that, in his view, once again there will be no Serb unity and that the RS parliament should not even adopt the conclusions. ATV reports the message conveyed by the ruling coalition political parties is that neither the RS nor B&H should impose sanctions on Russia for any reason, including economic, political or moral. Addressing the session, NDP leader Dragan Cavic said every opportunity is used to try to reorganize B&H in accordance with political interests and goals of political groups. “Due to that, the furious harangue, primarily by Bosniak leaders, has been put into context of Ukrainian crisis, and presenting alleged image that the attack on Ukraine, or the war in Ukraine, or whatever you call it, is actually an introduction to attack on B&H, whilst it is actually a gross abuse by Bosniaks to again get allies to destroy the Dayton (Peace Accords)”. SP leader Petar Djokic said: “At the moment, we cannot support in this initiative that B&H joins the bloc of countries that imposed sanctions on Russia”. The leader of United Srpska Nenad Stevandic believes that the RS is neutral regarding Ukrainian crisis and that it should remain so. He said that flattering the West, as the political Sarajevo does, is not good. He says it would be important for them to send a message that they want cooperation within B&H, equidistance in foreign policy, that decisions are made according to Dayton principles, and that they do not want to make a choice and provoke conflicts.

Opposition in RS wonders if Dodik wants support in RS parliament for potentially imposing sanctions against Russia; Bosniak representatives leave session during Kalabukhov’s address (AJB) 

During the RS parliament session, the opposition, including the two biggest opposition political parties PDP and SDS, asked why Russian Ambassador to B&H Igor Kalabukhov was the only one to attend the session, why other ambassadors were not invited, primarily Serbian Ambassador to B&H Aleksandar Djordjevic, deeming Djordjevic’s presence during the discussion important. B&H Presidency member Milorad Dodik said if any of the ambassadors asked to attend the session, they would be allowed, however, they were not interested in that and Kalabukhov was the only one to express interest to attend the RS parliament special session. The opposition also stated the session is unnecessary, they are not sure why it was convened, and asked if the potential reason is that Dodik wants to get the support in the RS parliament for potentially imposing sanctions against Russia. Some of representatives also reminded that the deadline for the RS government to refer laws on the RS army, indirect taxation authority and other entity institutions was 10 June, that was announced by Dodik; since that was not the case, the opposition representatives are of view discussion on the said topic, that, according to opposition, is not under the RS parliament’s competency, is “drawing attention from earlier RS parliament’s conclusions not being implemented”. Addressing the session, PDP leader Branislav Borenovic said: “Whatever we say, whatever we adopt, whatever material we receive, whatever political statement we make, there will be only one image from this session, i.e. the Serb member of the (B&H) Presidency, together with his political party and probably with broader coalition, has determined his side in the war in Ukraine”. Bosniak representatives left the session during Kalabukhov’s address, and said that the RS parliament went beyond it competencies with the special session. Commenting on this, representative of the Coalition ‘Together for B&H’ at the RS parliament Senad Bratic said for the media, it is because “hospitality on behalf of B&H has been abused, and that no ambassador, including the Ambassador of the Russian Federation, has the right to call into question B&H’s NATO path and its path towards the European Union, because that is the state institutions’ decision”. Addressing the session, SDS leader Mirko Sarovic stated that this is Dodik’s dangerous game and that he plays games with the RS as a whole, stressing that the Bosniak political circles have outsmarted Dodik regarding sanctions against Russia. He stressed that Dodik should have scheduled B&H Presidency’s session with this item on the agenda. Sarovic also stated: “I think you made a mistake and you should have scheduled a session of the Presidency and put this issue of sanctions against Russia on the agenda at all costs, not in the way you explained to us, but a direct question about sanctions. Today, either the other two members of the Presidency would outvote you and we would discuss the Vital National Interest (VNI) here, or a decision would be made not to impose sanctions on Russia. Due to the fact that there is no position on whether B&H has imposed sanctions or not, the representatives of other peoples, the Bosniak people, used the opportunity and applied the wrong practice of so-called joining the EU sanctions.” Dodik reminded that he was obstructed by other two members of B&H Presidency whenever he suggested something constructive. While Sarovic, as he claims, is in doubt about B&H’s sanctions against Russia, Borenovic has no dilemma that Dodik sided with Russia at the session, added the reporter. Borenovic stated during the session: “Whatever we say, whatever we adopt, whatever materials we receive, whatever each of us says politically here, only one image leaves this session today. The Serb member of the Presidency with his political party, and likely a broad coalition, has determined his side on the war in Ukraine.” Dodik commented that by listening to Borenovic, it would seem that one can maintain neutrality only by introducing sanctions to Russia. Dodik claimed that neutrality is maintained by the fact the one did not introduce sanctions against anyone and did not join anyone. Borenovic deemed as unbelievable the fact that key people who lead the RS allowed themselves to invite one ambassador to the RSNA’s session and not invite any other ambassador of the countries present in B&H, especially the Ambassador of Serbia. “Today’s picture, thanks to Dodik and the authorities led by SNSD, is no longer neutral in this conflict. The key question is whether he is giving up strategic things, that is EU membership. Our interest is not to side with anyone in this war. Why call for conflict, why lead us into poverty, into isolation,” Borenovic was quoted as saying.

Trivic says she believes RS parliament’s special session will produce nothing good for RS (BN TV) 

RS PDP MP Jelena Trivic who spoke of Monday’s special session of the RS parliament and the messages that were heard at the session. Trivic said that she very openly and clearly said that “we cannot help Russia with this session, but we can harm ourselves”. “Regardless of the fact that we privately have the right to be brotherly people with the Russians, Russophile, but as politicians, we cannot be neither Europhiles, Germanophiles, nor Amerophiles or Russophiles, but Serbophiles. We cannot be either pro-Western or pro-Russian politicians, but pro-Serb politicians and look at what is the Serb national interest for the 21st century. The Serb national interest for the 21st century has to be a century of peace and prosperity and in that regard, the whole ambience of the RS parliament was not designed to send a message of neutrality here. That is written in the document that was sent to us, but when you look at the image that will be sent from here, when you look at the statements and everything else, this is siding after all which is not good for the RS if we said that politically, we are on the path to the EU, while we are military neutral,” Trivic pointed out. Trivic stressed that she asked in the RS parliament why the MPs are not discussing topics that are essential to the lives of citizens of the RS. “The role of the RS in these geopolitical global trends is minor. We cannot help anyone – except pray to God that this conflict will end as soon as possible because it is also a conflict between two brotherly peoples – and we can harm ourselves a lot and that was my key message,” Trivic underlined. She stressed that her key message was that the special session of the RS parliament will produce nothing good for the RS.

Komsic: B&H will not change its foreign policy priorities because they are now problem for Kalabukhov (Nova BH) 

Croat member of the B&H Presidency Zeljko Komsic reacted to the speech that Russian Ambassador to B&H Igor Kalabukhov delivered before the RS parliament in Banja Luka on Monday. Komsic said that B&H will not change its foreign policy priorities, which are NATO and the EU. In terms of change of foreign policy priorities, Komsic was quoted as saying: “When Kalabukhov’s ‘legitimate representatives’ i.e. HDZ B&H sit in the place of deciding on foreign policy priorities, then that may happen. Until then, it certainly will not happen.” Komsic stated that B&H has determined its foreign policy priorities long ago through the adopted laws and will not change them because they are now a problem for Ambassador Kalabukhov. “Instead of threats, it would be more useful for him to declare himself the head of the HDZ B&H election headquarters,” Komsic was quoted as saying.

Ambassadors of EU and US call on RS parliament not to support policy of disinformation about Russian invasion of Ukraine (AJB) 

The EU and the US Ambassadors have issued a joint statement ahead the RS parliament special session organized on Monday, underlining that the representatives at the RS parliament have the power to defend civilizational values by “refusing Russia’s cynical disinformation” and take side of thousands of Ukrainians who are target of attacks. The Ambassadors claimed Russia is interfering with internal affairs of B&H by inciting divisions and threatening with serious consequences if B&H choses to use its sovereign rights. “You will probably hear that ‘the West’ is trying to deprive peoples in B&H of their identity. Nothing is further from the truth. As guarantors of the Dayton Peace Accord (DPA), B&H’s partners from the EU and the US work to ensure that all citizens of B&H can exercise their cultural and ethnic rights in full equality. Effective protection of these rights is at the core of Euro-Atlantic integration. Citizens of B&H – Serbs, Croats, Bosniaks, and all others – know that this is the path to a better future for their children here, right here, in their own country. We protect rights, we do not trample on them like Russia has done to its own citizens and is doing now to the citizens of Ukraine”, reads the statement by the EU and the US Ambassadors in Sarajevo. In a joint statement, Ambassadors of the EU and the US to B&H, among other things, stated: “This country applied for EU membership on its own accord.  Yes, the process of Euro-Atlantic integration that B&H has chosen comes with the need for reforms.  This is not interference.  Interference is what Russia is doing in B&H:  stoking division in this country and threatening dire consequences if BiH chooses to exercise its sovereign rights.” EU and US Ambassadors also warned that Russian Ambassador to B&H Igor Kalabukhov, whose address before the RS parliament representatives was announced, could attempt to present untrue information that the West is trying to deprive peoples of B&H of their identity. “Moscow’s manipulation does not have the power to weaken our support or destroy the resolve of B&H citizens fighting for a brighter future within the Euro-Atlantic community of nations”, concluded the statement. The joint statement also reads that representatives in the RS parliament are likely to hear disinformation about Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine and that Russia is protecting people from Nazism. “These are outrageous lies. Moscow seeks to exploit the cultural and religious bonds that Russia shares with the Serb people to divert attention from its crimes in Ukraine. The representatives in the RS parliament have the power to stand up for civilizational values by rejecting Russia’s cynical disinformation and take the side of thousands of Ukrainians who are being targeted, kidnapped, raped, tortured, and killed in Russia’s war”, the statement reads.

Dodik: I will have opportunity to meet Lavrov in the next ten days in St. Petersburg (N1) 

Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov wanted to talk about B&H as well, during his cancelled visit to Belgrade. He claimed that Brussels prevented him from doing that. Lavrov could have a chance to do so in Russia, where he is supposed to meet with the Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik. The presenter raised the question of whether this will result in new internal turmoil in B&H. B&H borders are also closed for Lavrov. The B&H state bodies have been warned, if faced with his arrival, to prevent him from entering B&H. This also applies to Russian President Vladimir Putin and more than 1,000 other Russian citizens. This is why Dodik filed criminal charges against the B&H Minister of Foreign Affairs Bisera Turkovic and other ambassadors that joined sanctions. It seems nothing will stop Dodik from meeting Russian officials, commented the reporter. Dodik stated for media that he would use a regular airline from Istanbul to arrive if he was in Lavrov’s place. He added that Russia is a great country and that is why they cannot use the same things as them, who are small as Dodik said. He said he is sorry about this and that it would have been interesting if they could have talked. Dodik added that he will have an opportunity to meet Lavrov in the next ten days in St. Petersburg because he will attend the Economic Forum under the auspices of Putin. Dodik added that they are still working on who else important will they meet.

US blacklists FB&H President Cavara and RS Health Minister Seranic (FTV) 

The US has imposed sanctions against Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H) President Marinko Cavara (HDZ B&H) and RS Minister of Health and Social Protection Alen Seranic (SNSD) because they have threatened stability of the region by undermining the Dayton Peace Accords (DPA) and democratic processes or institutions. Cavara was blacklisted because he has blocked functionality of the FB&H as he is responsible for the failure to appoint judges to the Constitutional Court (CC) of the FB&H. The US Department of the Treasury stated that since 2019, Cavara has refused to nominate judges from lists of candidates provided by the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) of B&H to fill vacancies on the Court. “By refusing to proceed with these nominations, Cavara has blocked the function of the Court’s Vital National Interest (VNI) panel, a body of a certain number and composition of the FB&H Constitutional Court judges created by 2002 amendments to the FB&H Constitution by the High Representative. Through his inaction, Cavara has held hostage the function of the VNI panel to further his and his party’s political interests”, the US Department of the Treasury’s decision reads. Cavara was additionally designated for being responsible for or complicit in, or for having directly or indirectly engaged in, actions or policies that undermine democratic processes or institutions in the Western Balkans, the decision further reads. Seranic was blacklisted for his support to the RS’ secessionist efforts. The decision reads that Seranic furthered the secessionist efforts of the RS for leading the implementation of the RS Law on Medicines and Medicinal Products, which his Ministry submitted to the RS parliament for consideration. “This law, which has yet to take effect, would establish a new medicines agency solely within the RS, and would thus disrupt the authority of the state-level Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices. Seranic has publicly admitted that this law mirrors the functions of the state-level medicines agency, except that the agency it creates transfers authority from the state-level agency to a regulatory authority for medicines and medical products within the RS. Because a state-level institution exists and serves the RS and FB&H, the establishment of this new entity-level agency obstructs or threatens the implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords”, the US Department of the Treasury’s decision stresses. Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson stated that Cavara and Seranic have each sought to pursue ethno-nationalist and political agendas at the expense of the democratic institutions and citizens of B&H. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that destabilizing activities undermine B&H’s chosen future within the Euro-Atlantic community and prevent the country and its citizens from realizing their full potential. He concluded that B&H is facing the most serious crisis since 1995.

Seranic: Despite sanctions, I will continue to work in the interest of citizens; Everything I have done in the past four years was in the best interest of the RS citizens (ATV) 

The US has imposed sanctions against FB&H President Marinko Cavara (HDZ B&H) and RS Minister of Health and Social Protection Alen Seranic (SNSD). Commenting on the sanctions, Seranic, who was informed about them during the RS parliament special session, said for the media that despite sanctions, he will continue to work in the interest of citizens, noting everything he has done in the past four years was in the best interest of the RS citizens. “Alen Seranic’s role is to work on improving health care, equipping healthcare institutions, creating new hospitals, introducing new treatments, diagnostics, improving social welfare, social allowances. I have worked on this in the past four years, and I remain committed to that. As a long-term civil servant in the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Alen Seranic knows well the Law on the (B&H) Council of Ministers, the B&H Constitution, the RS Constitution, and he knows what competencies the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has,” said Seranic.

Radoncic: US sanctions will have positive consequences (Dnevni avaz) 

SBB B&H leader Fahrudin Radoncic wrote a post on his Facebook, commenting the US sanctions against Marinko Cavara and Alen Seranic, stating that US imposed special sanctions and conveyed a message to all those who blocked implementation of 2018 election results, because new FB&H leadership and government were never appointed. Radoncic stressed that those who possible prepared to use the same scenario after 2022 elections, will clearly understand the message. “Black list, I am sure, will discourage actors of blockades for election of the president and vice presidents of the FB&H, Prime Ministers and FB&H government, judges of Constitutional Court of FB&H. This is a very encouraging decision with far-reaching positive consequences,” wrote Radoncic.

B&H CoM adopts special decision on lending BAM 9.7 million to CEC for general elections: CEC: BAM 12.5 million required, OHR should pass decision on full amount (Nova BH) 

At a session held on Monday, the Council of Ministers (CoM) of B&H adopted the draft budget (of B&H) for 2022, as well as a special decision providing funds for the general elections in B&H scheduled for October 2. Namely, the CoM adopted a special decision lending the Central Election Commission (CEC) of B&H BAM 9.7 million for implementation of the elections, using funds of the B&H Communications Regulatory Agency (RAK) from the revenues from GSM licenses. This amount is BAM 2.8 million less than the CEC requested for the elections. The legal deadline for securing funds for the elections expired on May 19, and the CEC sent several appeals since then. According to the CEC estimates, BAM 12.5 million is needed in order to hold the elections as planned. The CEC issued a statement, which reads that the CoM’s decision does not enable holding of general elections on October 2. The CEC underlined that the Office of the High Representative (OHR) should pass a decision that covers the full amount required for the elections. According to the CEC, at the moment the holding of general elections is in question. B&H Minister of Finance and Treasury Vjekoslav Bevanda, who proposed the decision that was adopted on Monday, said that all requests that came from the CEC according to the procedure have been granted. Bevanda stressed that the disputable BAM 2.8 million were requested additionally, only several days ago, so they could not be included in the decision that has just been passed. Elaborating on the reasons why the CoM did not grant the CEC’s request for BAM 2.8 million more for the elections, Bevanda noted that these funds would be used for increase of fees paid to members of the polling station committees, while BAM 800,000 were requested without a specified purpose “and only increase of prices of material was cited”. He added: “Any budget beneficiary could in that way do the same – request the funds without submitting the analytics.”  ATV reports that the 2022 Draft B&H Budget amounts to BAM 1.073 billion, out of which indirect tax revenue amounts to BAM 865.5 million. Addressing the media, Bevanda expressed hope that “this is adopted as soon as possible, so that we no longer go to the level of interim financing. None of the decisions on use of funds cannot be issued by Bevanda and the (B&H) Ministry of Finance (and Treasury) individually. It is adopted by the (CoM for every expenditure”. Bevanda reminded that all the expectations from him in the past period to do something were wrong, noting “Bevanda is not the individual that has the authorization to do that”. Bevanda said the funds will be returned to the RAK once the B&H Budget is adopted, noting that financing is legal because the source of funds is defined, and that the CEC will receive originally requested amount. According to the B&H CEC, the amount (BAM 9.7 million) is insufficient due to which the elections are brought into question. “Today’s decision by the B&H CoM does not enable holding General Elections in B&H on October 2 this year. Now, only a special decision by the Office of the High Representative (OHR) in B&H for the full amount requested by the B&H CEC with all economic codes enables the B&H CEC to implement General Elections in B&H on October 2 2022”, reads the statement by the B&H CEC on its Twitter account. It has been confirmed for Al Jazeera Balkans by the Office of the B&H Presidency Chairperson Sefik Dzaferovic that the B&H Presidency will discuss the budget in two days. If adopted, the proposal B&H Budget will be referred to the B&H Parliament where it must be adopted by the B&H House of Representatives (HoR) and the B&H House of Peoples (HoP). Member of the B&H House of Representatives (HoR) Jasmin Emric said that this was the worst term in 10 years, and that nothing concerning the CoM B&H had been implemented and that there was no progress towards the European path. CEC member Zeljko Bakalar said that payments for polling station committees have not been changed for many years and that the prices in B&H have increased since then. Bakalar said that people no longer agree to work as members of polling station committees and members of election administration for payments that are miserable.

Fajon and Schallenberg discuss Austrian ‘non-paper’ on Western Balkans (AJB) 

Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon met on Monday with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg in Ljubljana, where they discussed the Austrian ‘non-paper’ on the Western Balkans. Al Jazeera Balkans (AJB) reports that, on the occasion, Fajon said Slovenia supports Austria’s initiative for new approach to the Western Balkans countries to ensure gradual integration in the EU. Referring to ‘non-paper’, Schallenberg said the EU is losing influence in the Western Balkans countries who were given the European perspective 19 years ago, “but now there is not progress’’, and warned that Ukraine and Moldova cannot have primacy over the Western Balkans in the EU accession process. Addressing the media after the meeting, Schallenberg said: “How come the highways are built by foreign powers with foreign money in the countries that will be connected via those roads with the EU countries? Why would not the Western Balkans be a part of trans-European networks? Why would it not be a part of energy policy in terms that the responsible ones participate in meetings in Brussels, at least in the phase of shaping policies? And then, we can have formal discussion in the format 27 Member States. I believe that earlier way of thinking will not help us. We should decide whether we will transfer our model of life, or we will face different models of life from the surrounding, that we will not like.” Fajon said: “I have read the Austrian ‘non-paper’ on the Western Balkans. It is a good document and we will continue discussion on it.”

Plenkovic: Serbia, as all countries in such circumstances, must be very careful about what side it chooses and supports (Hina) 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to Serbia has been cancelled, after Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Montenegro did not allow overflight for Lavrov’s plane. The reporter notes that the ban on overflight has sparked reactions in the whole region, and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said that is not Croatia’s issue, but could not refrain from criticizing Serbia. Addressing the media, Plenkovic said: “Look, it has nothing to do with us. It is the issue between Serbia and Russia. Serbia, as all countries in such circumstances, must be very careful about what side it chooses and supports. If it has ambition to go towards the EU, its position must be known. This is not the time to sit on two chairs.”

Agreements for Croatia-Serbia cross-border cooperation granted (Hina) 

Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds Natasa Tramisak presented the first grant agreements within the Croatia-Serbia cross border cooperation program for 2022, with a total value of HRK 3 million. “For the first time, we are implementing a program to strengthen Croats abroad, in this case, cross-border cooperation between Croatia and Serbia and have secured HRK 3 million from the state budget for 20 various projects for that,” Minister Tramisak said. She added that 65 projects applied worth more than HRK 10 million. Tramisak recalled that during the pre-accession period and especially since it joined the EU, Croatia has implemented various European territorial cooperation programs with neighboring countries. “In the new period 2021 – 2027, we will have Croatia – Serbia cross-border programs with more than €42 million available,” she underscored. Tramisak said that the condition for cross-border cooperation requires at least one partner each from Croatia and Serbia.

Zigmanov: Three key steps by Croatia towards Croats in Vojvodina 

President of the Democratic Alliance of Croats in Vojvodina and Member of Serbian Parliament, Tomislav Zigmanov underscored that in the past few years three key steps were made in relations between Croatia towards Croats in Vojvodina. Zigmanov noted that about 80% of Croats in Serbia live in Vojvodina in fact, adding that the first step was political support for Croats followed by more interest by the media in Croatia regarding how Croats in Vojvodina live. The second step was when material and financial resources were increased, Zigmanov said, adding that two-thirds of that was earmarked for cultural institutions. The third key step was cross-border cooperation between Croatia and Serbia which will be a great help to Croats in Serbia, who are the poorest Croats in the world.

Russian threats to Montenegro over Lavrov: Rogozin threatens with rockets (CdM/RIA Novosti) 

The news that Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Romania and Montenegro have banned flight of a plane of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who was supposed to arrive on a two-day visit to Belgrade, has stirred up Moscow. Russia could recall the ambassadors of Montenegro, North Macedonia and Bulgaria due to the situation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, says Russian diplomat Sergei Ordzhonikidze. “I think the reaction should be the sharpest, because they prevented a high-ranking official of our state from performing his diplomatic duty. This is a political step of anti-Russian orientation,” he has told RIA Novosti. The director of the state space agency Roscosmos, Dmitry Rogozin, was especially angry, expressing his anger and rage towards these countries via Twitter and sending a message with one word – “Sarmat”. “Sarmat” is also known as “Satan 2”.

The end of the Open Balkans (CdM, by Ljubomir Filipovic) 

Six months ago, when the whole story about Montenegro’s potential entry into the Open Balkans began, I suggested that we engage in dialogue and, if necessary, take a seat at the table and see if we can make something good for ourselves. It quickly became clear that there was no dialogue, and that this was a dictate that had to be fulfilled. A dictation that was read in Belgrade and Tirana. The main and fundamental problem of the Open Balkans is trust. When Colin Powell was asked what is most important for successful leadership – he said that it is trust, and that during the first military training in Fort Benning, he learned it from the sergeant who drilled him, who once told him that he would know he was successful the leader when the soldiers accompany him on the most dangerous tasks – out of pure curiosity. Who will follow Serbia anywhere with this kind of leadership? The problem of the current Serbian government is that it does not know where it will go, whether to the East or to the West. Unlike them, Montenegro has been paving its way for a long time. Confidence problems do not stop here. Montenegro, Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina still remember the conflicts and interference of Serbia in their internal political circumstances, and it is no wonder that they are hesitant. Northern Macedonia and Albania do not have the experience of coexistence and war with Serbia, so it is possible to understand them to some extent that they easily accepted membership in the initiative. Within Montenegro, there is another dimension of mistrust – the internal one, which concerns who the promoters of this initiative are. First are Dritan Abazovic and Tycoon Minister Goran Djurovic, who use the subject to further antagonize their political opponents – by calling Open Balkans critics irrational and unconvincing, without ever entering into meaningful dialogue with critics. Instead of ensuring inclusiveness from the position of Prime Minister and former Deputy Prime Minister in the discussions on this initiative, which he allegedly cared about, Abazovic did everything to further drive people away from it. Thus, in the promotion of the Open Balkans in the country, he remained lonely with Vucic’s Montenegrin loyalists – the pro-Russian DF and SNP. Such a team of promoters in Montenegro could not sell Coca-Cola, and not a controversial initiative such as the Open Balkans. This manner of humiliating opponents and the inability to form broad coalitions is a limiting factor for Abazovic, who cannot shift 6-7% of support, and with whom no serious story can be promoted in Montenegro and the Balkans. Sergei Lavrov did not manage to come to Serbia with his plane, and instead of asking Serbia to send a plane for him and for the visit to take place, he decided to make a performance out of everything. First, Rogozin threatened with missiles, and then Lavrov sent a missile to the Open Balkans. By supporting it the day before the Ohrid Summit. He thus gave weapons to all sceptics to further lose confidence that the Open Balkans can bring anything good to Montenegro and the region. Whether Lavrov wanted to harm Serbia or America, or both, remains to be seen. These days, all kinds of constructions are being heard about the Open Balkans and the intentions behind regional cooperation. That it is a Serbian-Russian conspiracy, that it is a way for the Americans to weaken Europe and so on. However, the conditional support of the Americans for the Open Balkans should be interpreted as something most natural that could be expected from the United States. American life philosophy is focused on problem solving. We have a clear problem with integrations and none of us will state that. The EU wants us, but the key EU member states do not want us, and French President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz and others openly tell us that: the EU will not expand until it reforms itself from within. That is why the Americans in the Open Balkans saw a rational way to overcome the problem until the EU agrees with itself on what it wants. The problem is that the United States has forgotten that rational drugs have a limited effect in the irrational Balkans. However, this irrationality should not be sought where it was detected by the tycoon minister Djurovic – in the fears of Montenegrins, Kosovars and Bosnians and Herzegovinians. Irrationality is in the intentions of Serbia, which its government reaffirms every day. EU officials should be trusted to want to expand, but I do not believe that the heads of the member states support that, in the first line Macron. Montenegro can try to catch the last train and trade with the EU to accept it as a member, as the cheapest way to extend the dream of enlargement. If Montenegro, for example, enters the EU fulfilling the minimum criteria in the next few years, then that would give the EU room for maneuver to wait another ten years to start accepting others from the region. And that would not cost them dearly – because what is 600,000 people in a sea of ​​450 million – nothing. Lavrov thinks that with his rocket he created a problem in the Balkans, that he strengthened the differences and created the potential for chaos, but I honestly think that he helped us clear the fog, and see what the alternatives are and how we can speed up the path to the EU. The most attractive is the one presented the other day by Gerald Knaus from the European Stability Initiative, in which he proposed liberalizing the region’s entry into the common market, which would eventually require a minimum number of conditions, with special emphasis on the rule of law. If I understood correctly, at the same time, this would continue the path of countries to full membership without hindrance. Thus, two flies would be killed with one blow, firstly, the need for regional networking and experiments would cease, and secondly, integrations would be significantly accelerated. The initiative has not yet been tested among EU members, but according to the statements of the leaders of the member states, it seems to me that Knaus is on the trail of something that could be the way to resolving the Balkan knot.

Macron ready to meet Sofia and Skopje when the time comes (MIA) 

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke over the phone Monday with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski, expressing readiness to welcome the authorities of Bulgaria and Macedonia in Paris “when the time comes” in order to conclude a bilateral agreement that would ensure the opening of Skopje’s EU accession negotiations, MIA reports from Paris. During the talks, the French President expressed his full support for an agreement between the two countries, which will contribute to good neighborly relations and consolidate Macedonia’s European perspective, as well as respect for the fundamental rights of citizens who claim to belong to other communities or minorities.

Osmani acknowledges that Bulgaria wants their demands to be included in the EU negotiating framework (TV Sitel) 

Two days of intense talks and negotiations, when we first united the expert teams together with the political level of cooperation, without too much optimism, because it is too early to say, because there are many unresolved issues and dilemmas. It was one of the best meetings they have had so far in a constructive atmosphere. This meeting encouraged both sides to try to make the most of these days to find a sustainable solution. This is the assessment of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani regarding the working visit of his Bulgarian counterpart Teodora Gencovska to our country over the weekend. He believes that if there is enough will, there is enough opportunity and space to find a solution, but he says he cannot predict the outcome. Foreign Minister Osmani confirmed tonight, among other things, in an interview with TV Sitel that there is no concrete French proposal, but said that there is a great commitment from the French presidency and personal interest from the President of France Emmanuel Macron. As Osmani said, France in this period is trying to test the mood of all member states, while having a clear position in the process. However, he stressed, we do not leave anything to chance and inform the French presidency every day about the views, the risks, the variants, the opportunities. There is still no proposal from the French presidency that gives any guidance on whether something can be in the area of human rights, as a condition in the negotiating framework. We do all we can on our part, but it does not depend only on us, says Osmani. According to him, it is true that Bulgaria demands that all issues be put as some conditions in the negotiation process, while our position is that the Agreement is bilateral and should be resolved that way, and the European process should not be a platform for resolving bilateral issues.

Osmani on Lavrov’s plane ban: It’s not response to the Russian Federation, but to the aggression of the Russian Federation in Ukraine (Republika) 

Regarding the decision of our country, as one of the three countries that did not allow the overflight of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s plane, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani stressed that it is not a response to the Russian Federation, but to the aggression of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, i.e. the policies of the Russian Federation with the war in Ukraine. He stressed that Macedonia is one of the many countries that have adopted a general ban on closing the airspace for overflight of airlines owned by the Russian Federation. In response to the Russian aggression in Ukraine, we considered that this request of the Embassy of the Russian Federation to use the country’s airspace for this special flight fits into that general ban and our position towards the Russian Federation regarding the aggression in Ukraine, Osmani said.

Russia says it will stop the gas supply for Macedonia after the government didn’t allow Lavrov’s plane to fly through the country’s airspace (Republika) 

The supply of Russian energy should be stopped for Macedonia, Montenegro and Bulgaria, which had refused to allow Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s plane to fly through their airspace to reach Serbia, according to Vladimir Dzhabarov, First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs. Montenegro, Bulgaria and Macedonia yesterday banned the flight of Russian government planes over their airspace ahead of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s announced visit to Serbia. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed that the countries bordering Serbia have closed their airspace to Sergey Lavrov’s aircraft, stressing that Moscow was the one not building a new “iron curtain”, but that Europe was fencing Russia.

Open Balkans, meeting in Ohrid/Abazovic participates for the first time (Radio Tirana) 

Three years after its creation, Montenegro will join the Open Balkans initiative. Montenegrin Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic will sit down for the first time at Wednesday’s meeting in Ohrid, North Macedonia, with Prime Minister Edi Rama, Macedonian counterpart Dimitar Kovacevski and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. Unlike the opposite stance of Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic, the head of Podgorica’s government changes course and becomes part of the Open Balkans, bringing the number of participating countries to four. Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina remain reluctant. Prime Minister Albin Kurti once again responded negatively to the invitation, this time from his Macedonian counterpart. In his letter, he reiterates that Kosovo is committed to the Berlin Process and not to initiatives that reflect the interests of the east, Russia and China. On Wednesday, 8 June in Ohrid, in addition to discussions, several agreements will be signed, where the most important and promised at the last meeting in Tirana, was the removal of tariff barriers for some of the export and import products between the three countries. An agreement is also expected with the focus on tourism, on the adaptation of legislation for tour operators in order to attract as many tourists to the Western Balkans. It remains to be seen whether Montenegro will be part of these agreements, and in particular what Dritan Abazovic’s position will be after the roundtable discussion between Rama, Kovacevski and Vucic. The meeting of the four leaders leads to the official visit of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to some of the countries of the Western Balkans, namely Serbia, Kosovo and North Macedonia.

Three-year cooperation agreement signed between Albania-Italy/ Minister Franceschini: Italy will strongly support Albania’s EU accession (Radio Tirana) 

Italian Minister of Culture Dario Franceschini signed at the Palace of Brigades a three-year cooperation agreement with Minister Elva Margariti, which consists of mutual exchange and promotion in culture, education and sports. Franceschini stressed the support that Italy will continue to give to Albania in the opening of negotiations and its accession to the EU. “It is no coincidence that we are in this building sometimes called the Royal Palace, and sometimes the Palace of the Brigades. A building commissioned by King Zog and realized by an Italian architect. The agreement that will be signed today in this building will not be just an umbrella,” says Margariti. The agreement enables cultural exchange of specialists as well as mutual promotion, in relation to archaeology, libraries, theatres, etc. “The cooperation agreement we sign today strengthens bilateral relations, in an investment that will include not only traditional sectors, where cooperation is already strong, but will also continue in archeology, museums, trafficking in cultural assets. The agreement measures these, it measures the future, the mutual recognition between the new generation,” says Franceschini. While Franceschini, also focused on the support that Italy gives to our country in the process of opening negotiations for Albania’s accession to the European Union. “So, this will be a great investment for the future, creating ties that will be strengthened even more with time, which should lead as soon as possible, Albania’s accession to the European Union, something which Italy supports with conviction, and will continue to support it even more than we have done over the years, hoping it will be accepted as soon as possible. “Although the set times are imposed by the procedures, but it is a future that will come naturally and will further strengthen the connection between the two countries”, says the Italian Minister of Culture. In terms of education, the agreement focuses, among other things, on promoting the respective languages ​​and cultures. Exchange of delegations and experts, twinning of institutions, as well as scholarships for students and scholars. The Italian Minister of Culture Dario Franceschini was received this morning at the Palace of Brigades, in the framework of the Italian Week and the signing of the agreement on cultural cooperation as well as in the field of education and sports for the years 2022-2025.