LOCAL PRESS
The delegations of Belgrade and Pristina in Brussels agreed on guidelines for the implementation of the energy agreement (RTS)
The European Union’s special envoy for dialogue, Miroslav Lajcak, said that the delegations of Belgrade and Pristina in Brussels had adopted a roadmap for the implementation of the energy agreement adopted in 2013. Miroslav Lajcak assessed on Twitter that a “big step forward” had been achieved. “I am very pleased to announce that Kosovo and Serbia have just adopted the Roadmap for the implementation of energy agreements within the framework of the EU-sponsored dialogue,” Lajcak said.
The director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, Petar Petkovic, met with Lajcak shortly after 10 am in Brussels. Earlier, Lajcak held a bilateral meeting with Pristina’s chief negotiator Besnik Bislimi in the European External Action Service building. Bisljimi announced on Twitter that the Roadmap for the implementation of the energy agreement, which was adopted today in Brussels, will enable the invoicing of electricity in four municipalities in the north of Kosovo and Metohija.
European Union spokesman Petar Stano announced on Monday that the energy agreement would be discussed at the meeting.
License to operate Elektrosever, electricity billing in four municipalities
The Energy Regulatory Office (ERO) will issue a license to Elektrosever, a subsidiary of Elektroprivreda Srbije, for electricity supply, according to the Roadmap for implementing energy agreements to overcome the crisis and problems in the energy sector adopted by the Belgrade and Pristina delegations in Brussels. This is a roadmap for the implementation of the energy agreement adopted in 2013.
What does the 2013 document envisage?
The adopted document envisages that the ERO will ensure compliance with the conditions set by the supply license, and in accordance with the legal and regulatory framework of the so-called Kosovo. As stated, in order to overcome the crisis and problems in the energy sector, taking into account the agreement on energy of September 8, 2013 and the conclusions of the EU mediation on the implementation of that agreement of August 25, 2015, the parties agreed on the following roadmap:
The Energy Regulatory Office (ERO) will issue a supply license for Elektrosever.
It will also ensure compliance with the conditions set by the supply license, in line with Pristina’s legal and regulatory framework.
Within seven days of the issuance of the license, Elektrosever will provide the Kosovo Electricity Distribution Company of Kosovo (KEDS) and the Kosovo Electricity Distribution, Transmission and Market Operator (KOSTT) with the fastest possible data on consumers through the EU.
Within 10 days of issuing the procurement license, Elektrosever will sign the necessary technical agreements with KOSTT and KEDS to operate in the Kosovo energy market.
These are the Framework Agreements on Acceptance of Electricity Market Rules with KOSTT, the Balance Obligation Agreement with KOSTT and the Commercial Agreement with KEDS for Provision of Distribution Services – Billing, Charging, Maintenance and Physical Connection with New Consumers in Four Serb-majority Municipalities in Northern Kosovo.
Within 15 days of signing the necessary agreements with KOSTT, Elektrosever will receive an Energy Identification Code (EIC) to carry out the activities provided for in the license.
Also, in accordance with Article 14 of the Energy Agreement from 2015, within 30 days of obtaining the procurement license, KEDS and KOSTT (if necessary, with the mediation of the EU), will have access to the Valac substation, as well as other transmission and distribution infrastructure.
Within 45 days from the issuance of the procurement license, KOSTT and KEDS, in consultation with Elektrosever, will submit to ERO an investment plan and necessary maintenance costs and network losses based on a thorough insight into the existing infrastructure.
As stated, within 21 days after the submission of the investment plan and costs, the ERO will approve in principle those costs and losses.
In case of non-compliance with the provisions of these agreed conclusions, after 100 days from the issuance of the procurement license, ERO may decide to suspend and / or revoke the license granted to Elektrosever, with prior consultation of the parties, with EU mediation, for a maximum of 15 days.
The EU will provide the opinion of experts if requested by at least one party.
The successful implementation of the agreed roadmap does not prejudge the parties’ obligation to fully implement the 2013 and 2015 energy agreements.
Vucic and Borrell on progress in the Brussels dialogue (RTS)
The President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, spoke by telephone with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell. High Representative Josep Borrell expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina at the meeting of chief negotiators and EU special envoy Miroslav Lajcak, who adopted a Roadmap for the implementation of the energy agreement, the Serbian president’s office said. During the talks, President Aleksandar Vucic said that Serbia is committed to dialogue as the only way to resolve open issues and reach a sustainable agreement for the benefit of everyday life of Serbs and Albanians, as well as peace and stability in the region.
Ahead of the upcoming EU-Western Balkans Summit in Brussels, Vucic also informed High Representative Borrell that he had talked with the Prime Ministers of Albania and Northern Macedonia, Edi Rama and Dimitar Kovacevski, this morning as well as the agreement reached that, after consultations with governments and advisory teams, a joint decision on possible participation in the gathering will be announced tomorrow at noon.
Vucic talked with Rama and Kovacevski, tomorrow at noon the decision on participation in the summit in Brussels (RTS)
The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, announced on Instagram that the decision on the participation of the representatives of Serbia, Albania and Northern Macedonia in the EU-Western Balkans summit in Brussels will be announced tomorrow at noon.
Aleksandar Vucic announced on his Instagram profile @buducnostsrbijeav that this morning he spoke via video link with the Albanian and Macedonian Prime Ministers, Edi Rama and Dimitar Kovacevski, about the upcoming EU-Western Balkans summit in Brussels. “We agreed that, after consultations with our governments and advisers, we will announce the decision tomorrow at noon on whether we will attend this gathering,” said Vucic.
He pointed out that during the talks they exchanged opinions on the future steps of the “Open Balkans” initiative – a wine fair, which will bring together the best winemakers from the region, as well as the next meeting to discuss numerous issues of interest to citizens. “Together, we are fighting for a clear perspective of the Western Balkans, even stronger cooperation and better connections,” said Vucic.
“Ahead of the upcoming EU-Western Balkans summit, today we held an extraordinary meeting on the Open Balkans together with my colleagues Aleksandar Vucic and Edi Rama. We discussed the national positions of each country, regional perspectives and the dynamics of the European integration process. After additional internal consultations tomorrow morning, we will make a final decision on our participation in the EU-Western Balkans Summit in Brussels. We are discussing several topics important for the region and launched an initiative for the Agency for Attracting Investment in the Open Balkans, which will enable further economic development. The topic was the upcoming Food, Wine and Tourism Fair to be held in Belgrade, as well as several other topics that emerged from the last Open Balkans summit in Ohrid”, North Macedonian Prime Minister Dimitar Kovacevski wrote on Facebook.
Dacic: It seems to suit everyone that Kosovo is not on the agenda (RTS)
The President of the Assembly of Serbia, Ivica Dacic, assessed that, regardless of the fact that a lot has been said about the candidacy of the so-called Kosovo for membership in the Council of Europe, it seems that it suited everyone at this moment not to be on the agenda right away, and added that something more will probably be known about it in the fall.
After the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, in which he participated as the head of the delegation of the Serbian Parliament, Dacic told reporters in Strasbourg that the issue of “Kosovo and their candidacy for membership in the Council of Europe” has not yet entered the procedure.
“It seems that it suited everyone at this moment not to be on the agenda right now, so that topic has not yet come to the session of the Committee of Ministers. Before the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe starts the procedure, the Committee of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the member states of the Council of Europe should raise the issue”, explained Dacic.
According to him, in the meantime, it was heard that the so-called Kosovo is looking for a singular special guest status or something that would prepare them and give them the opportunity to be part of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. But that initiative did not happen, so in any case they have the right to participate as guest observers in some working bodies, but for now there is no change in their status. When that will happen, we will probably know more about it in the fall,” says Dacic.
Referring to the immediate reason for his participation in the third regular session and the 17th session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, where the Report of the Parliamentary Assembly observation mission on the elections in Serbia on April 3 was presented, Dacic said that there were always certain political groups with objections. However, he notes that it is of great importance that the head of the mission of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the author of the Report, Aleksandar Pocej, said that their conclusion was that the elections were conducted in a democratic atmosphere.
Direct message from Europe: Serbia must decide (Tanjug)
Serbia must decide whose side it wants to be on, said the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen. “We want Serbia with us, but for that we need clear evidence that the country shares our values, such as the rule of law and democracy, and that it rejects the Russian invasion,” Von der Leyen said in an interview with the Austrian daily Wiener Zeitung. She underlined that the foreign policy commitment of the candidates is very important. “Of course, we expect everyone to pull the same side of the rope,” the EC president underlined.
Asked how much the Western Balkans is connected with the status of Ukraine, and what can be offered to those countries, she pointed out that almost all the countries of the Western Balkans are on the European path further than Ukraine. “I hope that we will find a solution, that we will finally be able to fulfil our promise and start accession negotiations.” Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), for example, can enter accession negotiations immediately when it meets 14 main points. “There has been a lot of progress and that should be acknowledged,” she said.
Asked how long it will take for Ukraine to become a member of the EU, Von der Leyen pointed out that the accession process is linked to progress. “It is in the hands of the candidates how fast they are moving in the process,” she said, noting that Slovakia and Turkey were granted candidate status in 1999, that Slovakia had done everything possible to implement the necessary reforms, and became a member five years later and Turkey is further away from membership today than it has ever been.
Von der Leyen said that she got the impression that the Ukrainian authorities are highly motivated and the citizens are united around the desire to join the EU. “They want to implement the necessary reforms as soon as possible. President Volodymyr Zelensky told me that they would do it even if there was no talk of membership, because it is good for the country and democracy. That is one of the reasons why we recommended the Council of the EU to grant candidate status,” the President of the EC pointed out. Noting that many are of the opinion that the EU cannot overcome the admission of such a large, poor country without reforms, she said that the Union must define what preconditions it wants to create for potential new rounds of enlargement, adding that there is, for example, unanimity. Asked what if the governments do not agree on the candidate status for Ukraine, Von der Leyen expressed confidence that there will be positive decisions.
Asked about the Austrian proposal for the reform of the accession process, she reminded that the process was reformed only two years ago. “Our proposal was accepted by the parliament and the Council. That process has been modernized and strengthened. “Now we have the opportunity to progress faster through the unification of procedures, or vice versa, if we recognize a setback, to request processing,” she said.
Asked how far the EU is from the seventh package of sanctions against Russia, Von der Leyen pointed out that the Union was extremely united and successful around the first six packages, which cost Europe something too, but cost Russia more. “For example, the financial sector. Russia’s central bank must pay dearly to maintain the stability of the ruble. In the economy, we have learned a lot in export control. Missing parts are becoming a problem in all areas, Russian planes cannot land almost anywhere outside the country, because certificates are missing. Parts are also missing in the railway traffic, components are missing in the automotive industry. “Now we have to see that there are no holes,” she explained. When it comes to energy, she said that the EU has plans for emergency situations for the winter, on which it has been working since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. “Currently, our gas storage is filled to 43 percent, and we want it to be 80 percent by winter,” she explained. She pointed out that the goal is to end the dependence on Russian gas, which is part of the agreement with US President Joe Biden, but also the agreement with Israel, Egypt, Norway and Azerbaijan.
When asked whether the gas embargo is on the table as a further sanction against Russia, Von der Leyen avoided a direct answer. “We are on our way to becoming independent of Russia. Total gas consumption in the EU fell by nine percent in the first quarter. People understand how important it is and how much it is related to high prices. “Russian deliveries are 30 percent reduced,” the EC president said.
Vulin: Serbia decides on its own, despite pressure (FoNet)
Internal Affairs Minister Aleksandar Vulin said on Tuesday that Serbia is on its own side despite having been subjected to blackmail and ultimatums in the past. “Leave the Serbs to decide on their own and don’t threaten them with force, you might get a response you won’t like,” Vulin a written statement quoted him as saying. He said that Serbia is on the better side of history “which is something that (European Commission President Ursula) Von Der Leyen’s people and most of the peoples making up the European Union, can’t brag about”. According to Vulin, Serbia is headed by “the last free statesman in Europe Aleksandar Vucic who consistently shows respect for international law which is why we can’t understand that Ukraine’s territorial integrity is sacred and Serbia’s is not”. Vulin said that the claims of dictatorship and lack of rule of law would have been forgotten by now if Vucic had agreed to impose sanctions on Russia and recognize Kosovo.
Aleksandar Sapic elected mayor of Belgrade: “I want the champion city” (N1)
Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) official Aleksandar Sapic was elected Mayor of Belgrade on Monday with a tight majority. Sapic won the votes of 57 of the 110 Belgrade City Assembly members. The SNS and its ally the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) have 56 seats on the Assembly. Sapic and his deputy Vesna Vidovic (SNS) also won the vote of an Assembly member from the Movement to Renew the Kingdom of Serbia who was expelled from that party. The Assembly also elected members of the City Council. Sapic said in a speech after his election that he wants Belgrade to be a healthier, more humane and functional champion city. “Along with my gratitude I want to symbolically set an agenda with just one Item – an item that has to be above us all and which we should never forget. That item is Belgrade. That is something we will live with, agreeing or not agreeing but that is the thing which brings together all the similarities and differences among us,” he said.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Slovenia officially submits request to EU Council to grant unconditional EU candidate status to B&H (FTV)
Slovenia has officially submitted a request to the Council of the European Union (EU Council) to grant an unconditional EU candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H).
Addressing the media (The statement given ahead the meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers), Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said: “We need to do everything so that the enlargement process is a credible policy. All efforts by the EU are directed towards the start of accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, visa liberalization with Kosovo, and candidate status for B&H. With that, we will give additional encouragement to the process of enlargement to the Western Balkans”. Fajon also stated that granting B&H candidate status would send a clear political signal that the Western Balkans is the focus of the EU. Fajon stated that it is necessary to pay attention to fragile area of the Western Balkans in order to stabilize the situation in the region.
The reporter notes that Slovenian President Borut Pahor’s proposal related to B&H includes a number of conditions, i.e. accession negotiations can start only when B&H adopts laws from the political agreement achieved by B&H parliamentary political parties in Brussels – the Law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJCP), the Law on Conflict of Interests and the Law on Public Procurement. Adoption of the said laws will open B&H’s European path that implies opening negotiation Chapter 23 on justice and fundamental rights, and Chapter 24 – Justice, Freedom and Security.
Austria joined Slovenia’s request that is also supported by many other officials. Addressing the media, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said: “We have the responsibility not only towards our partners in Ukraine and Moldova, but also towards B&H, Serbia and the Western Balkans countries”. Schallenberg stated that he has a responsibility towards the countries of the Western Balkans and believes that one should not give the impression that there is a “two-tier society”. Schallenberg stated he is aware that the Russian influence is present in the entire region and that Europe should equally be careful about the East and the South-East and that some countries in the South-East wait for the status of the EU candidate or membership in the EU for a long period of time. According to the reporter, he primarily referred to the Albania and the North Macedonia. He also mentioned B&H and said that B&H should be given the status of the candidate precisely because of the Russian influence and because of Republika Srpska and in order to “avoid a new Donbas”.
Hungarian President Katalin Novak said: “I had a meeting with Slovenian President Borut Pahor. Both of us strongly support the enlargement of the EU. We also agreed that the path to Europe needs to be opened to B&H as well”. The reports that, in the light of support from Germany, Hungary, Croatia, Austria and Poland, BiH can hope for positive outcome of the Summit of the EU leaders, scheduled for June 23-24, when Slovenia’s request will be discussed.
The proposal for granting B&H candidate status was supported by Polish President Andrzej Duda, as well as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated that she passionately supports the Western Balkans and that this is the moment when the Western Balkans would receive a clear signal through the opening of accession negotiations with Albania and Northern Macedonia.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell said on Monday that Ukraine may enter the negotiation process for the EU membership very soon along with Moldova and Georgia. The reporter noted that while the EU is considering to grant the status of the EU candidate to Ukraine, officials from Croatia and B&H said that it would be pointless to grant this to those who did not meet any conditions, while B&H is being ignored.
Slovenian President Pahor: I concluded several Presidents of EU member states about initiative for awarding status of EU candidate to B&H without conditions (Dnevni avaz)
In a statement to daily, Slovenian President Borut Pahor commented the initiative for awarding of EU candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) without conditions, stating that he first presented this initiative during the Munich Security Conference on February 22. Daily reminded that a couple of days ago, Pahor sent a letter to President of the European Council, Charles Michel urging him to accelerate the EU enlargement process in the Western Balkans. “Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Polish President Andrzej Duda advocated the same idea, but in this case enlargement to Ukraine and on February 28 he launched the initiative of nine heads of EU states”, Pahor told daily. He explained that he then told Duda and others that he will formally submit initiative for awarding status of EU candidate without any conditions.
“I have consulted several Presidents about this, and those are German President Frank- Walter Steinmeier, Italian Sergio Mattarella, Polish Andrzej Duda, President of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen and Croatian President Zoran Milanovic”, said Pahor.
Daily noted that in his letter to Michel, Pahor stated that B&H in the most obvious way, is facing negative consequences of slow EU enlargement process and change of European perspective. “These circumstances lead to increase of nationalistic tendencies and change of borders, which leads to further instability, which endangers security not only of B&H and its immediate neighbours, but of the EU as well. I deem it is important to award status of EU candidate to B&H without conditions. Naturally, B&H should meet the conditions, but I deem that the order should be different, it is necessary to first award it status of candidate and then for B&H to meet the conditions”, said Pahor.
European Council President Michel announces meeting with Western Balkans leaders: We must re-energize enlargement process and advance integration of our Western Balkan partners (FTV)
In his invitation letter to the members of the European Council ahead the meeting June 23-24, President of the European Council Charles Michel wrote “We must re-energize the enlargement process and advance the integration of our Western Balkan partners’’, announcing the meeting with the Western Balkans leaders for Thursday morning, before the European Council’s formal meeting. FTV reports that in his letter, Michel reminded that the war returned to Europe, requiring “unprecedented action, projecting the EU’s geopolitical clout’’, and reiterated support to the Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans countries. “So, we will re-energize the enlargement process and advance the integration of our Western Balkan partners. The Western Balkans are important to the EU, and the EU is important to the Western Balkans”, said Michel in a video message.
Sattler: B&H has perspective, however, the important thing is to see action from your side because European perspective is two-sided road (N1)
Slovenia has officially submitted a request to the Council of the European Union (EU Council) to grant an unconditional EU candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). N1 noted that the majority of assessments of the Slovenian proposal are very positive. Asked to comment on this issue, Head of the EU Delegation to B&H and the EU Special Representative in B&H Johann Sattler told media during his visit to Banja Luka on Monday that B&H is certainly not forgotten. Sattler added: “You have perspective. However, the important thing is to see action from your side because the European perspective is a two-sided road. Yes, there are things that the EU must do on its side – to make an offer – but on the other hand, B&H needs to meet a lot of obligations. I am not content about this. We did not see much progress in the past years.”
Dodik: What Ukraine did and B&H did not to get the status of the EU candidate? (N1)
N1 reminded that Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon presented during a meeting of the European Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Luxembourg on Monday a Slovenian proposal that calls for immediately granting the status of the EU candidate to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). Commenting on this issue, member of the B&H Presidency and leader of SNSD Milorad Dodik reacted by asking what Ukraine did and B&H did not to get the status of the EU candidate. Dodik added that although this is very bad to say; if Ukraine got the right to the status of the EU candidate due to victims, then B&H enjoys this right for already 20 years since the end of the war in B&H because of a way bigger number of victims. Dodik asked whether there is some conditioning for Ukraine adding that “they find us here less worthy and they condition us.” He added: “This is about giving it (the status of the EU candidate) the way they gave it to Ukraine. We will only understand this and nothing else.”
Dodik also said that it is unacceptable that the EU does not mention the only topic about which there is consensus in B&H and that is the road to the EU while on the other hand, we observe speeding up this process for Ukraine that was not even in the process of the EU enlargement. He said: “I would be thankful to European representatives to give the status of the candidate to B&H tomorrow. This would be a new pace that we could move on, this would be a new reality, this would give a new chance to B&H. If they pull us out at this moment, they would contribute to further destabilization of B&H and we – who work here – would ask what is the point of this issue at all.” Dodik also said that if there is biding with the number of dead as a ticket for the status of the candidate, more people died in B&H, adding that this was an extremely disgusting argument. Dodik said that B&H meets the conditions for granting the candidate status, especially the one related to security.
Representatives of Greens from European Parliament and Bundestag meet with RSNA representatives and opposition leaders in RS; MEP Strik says there are currently many obstacles on B&H’s European path (Nova BH)
A delegation of the Greens from the European Parliament and Bundestag paid a visit to Banja Luka on Monday. Representatives of the Greens from the European Parliament and Bundestag held meetings with the representatives of the Republika Srpska (RS) National Assembly (RSNA) and opposition leaders in the RS.
RSNA Deputy Speaker Denis Sulic stated that the visit of the delegation of the Greens from the European Parliament and Bundestag means that the RSNA is an inevitable factor in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Tineke Strik said “it is important to us for B&H to get European perspective, for the people to believe in B&H’s future in the EU.” “There are currently many obstacles on that path. We want those obstacles to be overcome. However, in the past year, there were many problems, many crises, institutions at the B&H level did not function,” Strik underlined. DNS leader Nenad Nesic said that DNS expressed its commitment to the European path of the RS, “as well as B&H.” “We once again confirmed that DNS on that path does not want and has no intention of losing any competence of the RS, any institution, but also that we are strongly committed to pull the RS and B&H towards the EU,” Nesic underlined.
Among other things, the guests from the EU stated that B&H should focus to fulfilment of conditions important for progress towards the EU membership. They also underlined that B&H is expected to harmonize its stances on war in Ukraine with stances of the EU. “We need your support in regards to condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine as well as in combat against autocrats and combat for independent judiciary and free media”, said Strik. She also stated that the RS National Assembly (RSNA) adopted some decisions and laws to transfer competences from state of B&H to level of the RS. Strik went on to saying that it is interest of B&H citizens to have its political elites working on economic development and not on policies forcing citizens to leave B&H. “These are issues that should be given significance, and not nationalistic policies that have no future in the EU”, explained MEP Strik. Leader of SDS Mirko Sarovic emphasized that their key internal and foreign policy priorities are economy, development and stability of BiH, the DPA, regional cooperation and the EU membership. “In this regard we have been promoting need to get status of the EU candidate country as soon as possible”, underlined Sarovic.
Addressing the press conference after the meeting, PDP leader Branislav Borenovic said: “I have clearly conveyed the stances today that, for us, the Dayton Framework is the only framework within which we should move on the European path of the RS and B&H, that the European path is a strategic goal of this country, together with other Western Balkans countries”.
RS officials meet Sattler and discusses EU integration of B&H (RTRS)
Republika Srpska (RS) President Zeljka Cvijanovic met Head of the EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) and the EU Special Representative in B&H Johann Sattler in Banja Luka on Monday. During the meeting, Cvijanovic underlined the need for a pragmatic approach towards B&H when it comes to meeting the conditions on its European path. The officials also discussed the process of the European integration and dynamics of realization of the key priorities from the European Commission (EC)’s Opinion as well as perspective of obtaining the status of the EU candidate for the EU membership. Cvijanovic emphasized that the RS is committed to the process of the European integration in line with rules and principles of the mechanism of coordination and to full respect for its constitutional position as well as the Dayton structure of B&H.
Sattler also met RS Prime Minister (PM) Radovan Viskovic in Banja Luka on Monday. Sattler discussed the European integration with Viskovic and the two officials exchanged views about several laws related to the EU path with special emphasis to proposal of a new public procurement law of B&H that is currently in the parliamentary procedure. Viskovic and Sattler expressed mutual commitment to the European path of B&H, and that Viskovic thanked Sattler on his selfless support to the European path of B&H. Viskovic also said the RS is dedicated to the process of European integration via meeting conditions for getting the status of EU candidate.
RSNA does not endorse B&H Presidency member Dodik’s veto on Trade and Cooperation Agreement between B&H and UK; Dodik: I will again invoke VNI when Agreement with the UK is on the B&H Presidency’s agenda (O kanal)
At its special session held on Monday, the Republika Srpska (RS) National Assembly (RSNA) did not endorse Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Presidency member Milorad Dodik’s veto on the decision on the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between B&H and the UK. The reporter comments that, although expected, the decision angered Dodik, who said that the representatives voted against the RS, not for the agreement.
O Kanal reports that out of 62 representatives at the session, 51 voted in favour of the veto, none of representatives voted against it, and 11 representatives abstained. Addressing the present, Dodik underscored a number of issues in the agreement that, according to Dodik, damage the RS’ vital national interest (VNI). “Problem with provisions of this Agreement is that they do not clearly define what institutions compose that body. While representatives of relevant RS, i.e. the entity, institutions actively participate in the bodies for the implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA), representation of relevant RS bodies is not envisaged for the bodies of this agreement with the UK, that was another reason for me to invoke vital national interest and request support of the RSNA”, said Dodik.
O Kanal reports that, after the session, Dodik said he will again invoke vital national interest when the agreement with the UK is on the B&H Presidency’s agenda. “The Assembly can react as it seems adequate (…) I did my part. If I had not invoked vital national interest, there would be an attack here today, i.e. how I missed the opportunity to do it, etc. I do not want to give any qualifications about them, but it is unreal to me that those from the opposition are willing to sacrifice interests of the RS in such insignificant way’’, said Dodik for the media.
According to Dodik, members of the B&H Presidency Sefik Dzaferovic and Zeljko Komsic voted for the agreement that does not acknowledge existence and stances of the RS. Dodik also said that a delegation for negotiations, that should be led before signing of the agreement, does not include anyone from the RS. Besides, Dodik argued that it is disputable that the agreement was supposed to be signed in Bosnian language and the self-declared Kosovo was mentioned as a republic which he characterized as some sort of a recognition of Kosovo’s independence. Dodik claims that the agreement would cause direct damage to the B&H agriculture, customs and tax. Dodik stressed that from the aspect of his responsibility at the post of Serb member of B&H Presidency he reacted in line the Constitution of B&H and launched the mechanism of protection of the vital national interest of the RS when he realized that the RS’ stance is being ignored in preparations for the agreement drafting. He said that those who tried to present this issue as the protection of his own vital interest instead of protection of the vital national interest of the RS are wrong.
Dodik stressed that none of the RS representatives will participate in negotiations on the agreement with the UK but the delegation of B&H for negotiations includes 23 members from nine institutions at the level of B&H and B&H Directorate for European Integration, which is also one of the reasons why he launched the mechanism of protection of the vital national interest of the RS. Dodik stated that the UK’s foreign policy has never been in favour of the RS, reminding that the UK has proposed the resolution on Srebrenica genocide in the UN Security Council (UNSC). Dodik argued that the opposition led by SDS and PDP voted against the RS by voting for the agreement with the UK and in his opinion, this shows that they are obedient towards the UK Embassy to B&H because the agreement violates the Dayton.
RS ruling parties and opposition present opposing stances on Dodik’s veto on Trade and Cooperation Agreement between B&H and UK (RTRS)
At its special session held on Monday, the Republika Srpska (RS) National Assembly (RSNA) did not endorse Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Presidency member Milorad Dodik’s veto on the decision on the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between B&H and the UK.
RTRS reported that the ruling coalition in the RSNA argued that the proposal of the agreement on partnership, trade and cooperation of B&H and the UK is connected with diplomatic influence of the UK in B&H and it is detrimental to the RS due to political and technical reasons. According to the ruling coalition in the RSNA, this was enough to support the veto of Dodik. Representatives of the ruling coalition in the RSNA argued that if the opposition also supported the veto, the RS would say “No” to outvoting and disrespect for its stances in the B&H Presidency. According to the ruling coalition, the agreement is detrimental for the economy of the RS and for the economy of the Federation of B&H (FB&H) and the technical part of this document disrespect interests of the Serb people through the language, mentioning Kosovo republic and representatives of the RS are not involved in its implementation.
SNSD representative at the RSNA Srdjan Mazalica said that everything connected to this agreement is tied with the diplomatic influence of the UK and the Northern Ireland in B&H as they directly incite the Bosniak policy that confronts to the Serb national interests. The reporter noted that the opposition MPs have different stances and they argued that the agreement is similar to the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA). PDP MP Igor Crnadak said that nothing in the agreement is dangerous for the RS as it does not jeopardize the RS in any way.
Competent ministries in the RS Government also gave negative opinion on the agreement, warning that such kind of agreement would cause direct and indirect damage in the field of agriculture because the import of foreign products would be uncontrolled. SDS leader Mirko Sarovic stated that launching the issue of the agreement with the UK in the RSNA is more a demonstration of something that is not so related to economic logic, adding that even if there are things set on a wrong basis the agreement is yet to be negotiated as the process of negotiations is still not over. DNS leader Nenad Nesic assessed that Dodik’s veto on the issue of trade relations with the UK makes no sense and DNS is against it because the RS has to build economic ties with all countries in the world. Representatives of the ‘Zajedno za B&H’ coalition in the RSNA also voted against Dodik’s veto on B&H’s agreement with the UK.
UN’s DiCarlo meets Dzaferovic, Komsic in separate meetings (N1)
UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo visited Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) and held separate meetings with members of the B&H Presidency on Monday. Among other things, the officials discussed the current political situation in B&H. During the meetings, DiCarlo underlined that she supports the Euro-Atlantic integration of B&H and the EU path of B&H. The Cabinet of the Chairman of the B&H Presidency Sefik Dzaferovic said that DiCarlo was interested in issues related to attacks on state institutions, crises, blockades and holding of the elections. The Cabinet of the member of the B&H Presidency Zeljko Komsic stated that the status of the EU candidate would encourage citizens and many political actors for more efficient implementation of reform. Komsic’s Cabinet also said that she expressed strong support to sovereignty and territorial integrity of B&H and other countries of the Western Balkans and support to B&H on the road of European and Euro-Atlantic integration.
UN’s DiCarlo meets Dodik (ATV)
Serb member of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Presidency and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik met with UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo, in Sarajevo on Monday. Dodik said after the meeting that DiCarlo expresses interest in the political situation in B&H, especially in terms of the upcoming October general elections. He added that the meeting was an opportunity to evoke some issues from the past when DiCarlo was active in B&H on behalf of the US government, reminding that the police reform was in focus back then. “The police reform was not implemented the way they planned, which means that we should keep the stance regarding our interests and that we need to respect our values and competences in Republika Srpska – otherwise we will lose our interests”, Dodik concluded.
Novakovic-Bursac: Support of Turkish FM to the initiative for holding the meeting of leaders of Turkey, Serbia, Croatia and B&H gives hope that this idea will be implemented (Glas Srpske)
Head of the SNSD Caucus in the Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) House of Representatives Snjezana Novakovic-Bursac stated that the support of Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusolgu to the initiative for holding the meeting of leaders of Turkey, Serbia, Croatia and B&H gives hope that this idea will be implemented especially having in mind that it was disputed by representatives of the political Sarajevo. “The idea on the multilateral meeting, that apart from representatives of constituent peoples would also be attended by officials of Serbia, Croatia and Turkey at the highest level, emerged over a year ago in a wish to look for the solutions to accumulated political problems through a dialogue and with assistance of well-intentioned mediation”, said Novakovic-Bursac.
Croatia
Milanovic: It will be very difficult, almost impossible to explain how it is that Ukraine and Moldova can be candidates and B&H cannot (HRT1)
Finish Prime Minister Sanna Marin will pay an official visit to Croatia on Tuesday. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and Croatian President Zoran Milanovic will meet with Marin. Ahead of his meeting with the Finish Prime Minister, journalists asked Milanovic whether he still believes that Croatia should condition Finland’s accession to NATO with support for Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H)’s candidate status on the path to the EU. “I am in favour of signalling to the whole of B&H, not just Croats in B&H, that they are welcome. Because it will be very difficult, almost impossible to explain how it is that Ukraine and Moldova can be candidates in the difficult situation they are in, much harder than B&H, and B&H cannot. Stories that the (European) Commission proposed something – they are good for nothing. Someone always winks at the Commission. The Commission is not autonomous in such matters,” Milanovic pointed out. Milanovic said for the media: “In my view, Croatia cannot allow B&H to be left out of that round – as a candidate. If we do not grant them the candidate status, then we practically do not perceive them as a country. B&H is now a country without weapons, without war, without territorial disputes, anything serious. If they are omitted now, it would resemble sadism’’.
Covic: B&H could make step forward and obtain EU candidate status if meets basic conditions regarding changes to Election Law and few other criteria that are in front of it (HRT1)
Guest of HRT1 central news was HDZ Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) leader and President of the Croat People’s Assembly (HNS) Dragan Covic. Asked whether it is realistic to expect the B&H House of Representatives (HoR) to adopt the Amendments to the B&H Election Law proposed by HDZ B&H which were recently adopted by the B&H House of Peoples (HoP), Covic said “we wanted to show very clearly our position after the failed negotiation process on changes to the Election Law, that there are two peoples who in essence want to change the election legislation to create order in the functioning of B&H institutions, especially after the election cycle in early October this year.” “On the other hand, we wanted to show another dimension, when one people puts the issue of another constituent people as a vital interest, just to see those relations, this was practiced by SDA and the Bosniak people when they invoked the vital interest,” Covic stressed, reminding that the Constitutional Court (CC) of B&H ruled that HDZ B&H’s proposal of amendments to the B&H Election Law is not detrimental to the vital national interests of Bosniaks. Covic stressed that the B&H HoR should discuss this proposal in the next ten days and that he hopes that there are many of those who want to make a small step forward in B&H. However, he stressed that the possibility of the Election Law story ending in the HoR is very small.
Commenting the Brussels meeting, which he did not attend and at which representatives of B&H political parties agreed on a document, Covic said “the wish was, first of all, for President of the European Council Charles Michel, following the agreement with Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenkovic, to make such a step forward in Brussels, to bring us together, but primarily to resolve the issue of Election Law ambiguities so that election results could be implemented after the elections.” “Unfortunately, format of the meeting was designed as it was, even the content and topics that were covered,” Covic stressed, adding that the format of the meeting prevented HDZ B&H representatives from their participation to the end. Covic emphasized that the conclusion that was made at the Brussels meeting, “which in the end was not signed by anyone”, went towards directing B&H towards the European perspective, stabilizing political relations and removing any animosity in B&H’s political life today. He pointed out that when HDZ B&H was asked by Michel’s office to support such a statement, HDZ B&H representatives said that they will support it under the condition that the preamble mentions the Brussels agreement that was signed some nine years ago which precisely says that one people will not elect representatives to another people.
Asked what will happen after the October elections in B&H in the context of formation of the authorities, Covic said that HNS and HDZ B&H are trying to get someone from the American or European administration to help through the actions of those who have authority and can change the laws in the time ahead to eliminate the dilemmas surrounding the implementation of the B&H CC’s decision related to legitimate representation in the HoP. “If that does not happen, I am afraid we will have a lot of problems after the elections, we will have a hard time implementing the election results. The political crisis we have today, I think it could escalate, we will need a lot of effort to prevent that from happening,” Covic pointed out.
Asked whether B&H, as it is, can think about moving closer to the EU given all the controversies that exist in it, Covic said that these days, there have been initiatives both from Slovenia and other countries to grant B&H EU candidate status without delay. “I think that is good, but there are two big problems. One is the pronounced unitarism that often borders on the irrationality of chauvinism, I would even say pronounced ultranationalism of Bosniaks. On the other hand, we have separatism, and what we are trying to do, which has made an absolute division, i.e., complete dysfunction, inefficiency (of B&H and its institutions) … On the other hand, let us not underestimate the role of international institutions, the OHR, the Peace Implementation Council (PIC). How can you go towards the EU and have a protector who can pass laws, change constitutions, remove people. There is a lot to reconcile,” Covic said, adding that despite all of this, he believes that B&H could make a step forward and obtain EU candidate status if it meets the basic conditions regarding changes to the Election Law and a few other criteria that are in front of it.
Covic has said he has engaged with the US and European administrations to exert pressure on High Representative (HR) in B&H Christian Schmidt to amend the B&H Election Law, otherwise, he expects escalation of political crisis in B&H.
Montenegro
Montenegro has fully complied with EU policy, including sanctions on Russia (RTCG)
As far as the Western Balkans are concerned, the European Union has continued to have a strong focus on advancing the region’s European integration as a geopolitical priority. This is stated in the report of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Josep Borrell, entitled “CFSP Report – Our Priorities in 2022.”
North Macedonia
French proposal: Macedonian language became “Macedonian language number 2”; Mickoski: French proposal doesn’t mention start of negotiations (Republika)
The BGNES news agency published the full text of the French proposal for resolving the Bulgarian-Macedonian dispute. It accepted all Bulgarian demands, and what the government in Skopje wanted to present as a success in the field of language is a complete disaster. The Macedonian language in the French proposal is named as “Macedonian language number 2”, whatever that means.
VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski said that the latest proposal from France does not promise the start of negotiations, it is just a photo session in Brussels. Nowhere is it said to start negotiations, but additional constitutional changes that should include the Bulgarian demands.
There is no chance as long as I am president, if I am president to allow them to be included and the constitution to undergo changes with this negotiating framework. In this context, the second thing to say is that the Good Neighborly Agreement becomes part of the negotiation process along with a protocol that no one alive knows. If we do not change the textbooks tomorrow, then they will say that they are violating the Agreement and that is the protocol to veto. The main player is the President of Bulgaria, Trifonov is a political player. Radev is the main creator of politics and inviolable and now we compare him with a showman. If he says that proposal is good, why does no one talk about the German proposal during the time of Merkel’s government, from their presidency, where did it disappear? Let’s talk about the Portuguese proposal, which our government accepted, did not they say we accept it. Let’s talk about everything that used to be. Why that was not good for Radev, and suddenly this is a good proposal, the best. Now we as serious people need to think about what we do and where we go? And should we think at all and waste time or should we reject it immediately. Because every day tactics of the Government means that this proposal is the next negotiating position and we go up as far as the Bulgarian demands are concerned. This in no way shows responsibility by the Government, which is silent, said Mickoski.
Osmani: If we go beyond the Declaration, we will ask for support in Parliament (Telma)
For me, the most important thing is to first determine whether there is political will before we approach the specific issues, solutions and documents. So far, we do not see political will in Sofia. As soon as we see a signal that there is political will, then we will enter into those talks in terms of concrete proposals, said Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani in an interview with Telma, talking about resolving open issues with Bulgaria.
In the interview, Osmani said that the Portuguese proposal is the basis for resolving the language dispute with Bulgaria, and regarding bilateral issues, he stressed that a separate chapter would not be allowed, while historical issues indicated that they would not be a criterion for moving the process forward.
In terms of language, we have said that the Portuguese proposal is the basis for a solution, also in terms of bilateral issues, neither a separate chapter nor historical issues will be allowed to be “benchmarks”, or preconditions for moving forward in the process, emphasized Osmani.
Asked whether the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will ask the Parliament to decide whether to continue the process further, Osmani said that a Declaration was passed that outlines the framework of the Macedonian position. I believe the Parliament passed a declaration that outlines the framework of our position, if we go beyond that framework, of course we would ask for support in Parliament. As long as we think we are within the declaration, we think we have a mandate to continue talking, Osmani said.
Pendarovski-Marin: Macedonia a champion of NATO’s open-door policy (Republika)
President Stevo Pendarovski met Monday with Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin, discussing bilateral relations, Macedonia’s prospects for the start of the EU accession negotiations, current political and economic developments in Europe, and Finland’s NATO membership application. At the meeting, Pendarovski welcomed the tendency to improve political relations with Finland and thanked them for their consistent and continuous support of Macedonia’s European integration and EU enlargement policy, as a process of strategic importance for the region. In that regard, opinions were exchanged on the forthcoming EU Council and the blockade from Bulgaria, with the President emphasizing that the enlargement process should not be held hostage to the internal political situations of the Union member states.
In the direction of stability and security on the European continent, President Pendarovski welcomed Finland’s application for NATO membership. We are a strong supporter of NATO’s open-door policy and unconditionally support Finland’s membership in the Alliance, which will strengthen security not only in northern Europe but in NATO as a whole, the statement said. The meeting also discussed ways to expand bilateral co-operation with Finland and address the geopolitical challenges posed by the Ukraine crisis.
Mickoski: Protest summer in coming period, and new steps from fall (TV 24)
We continue with our activism, within Parliament, institutions and through the streets, you will see us through the cities and neighbourhoods, said the leader of VMRO-DPMNE Hristijan Mickoski in an interview with TV 24. Mickoski emphasized that in the coming period there will be a protest summer as he announced during the protest on Saturday, ie as he said “you will see us more often on the streets, in front of institutions and neighbourhoods where we believe that we should express the revolt together with the citizens.”
In the period that follows, we will have a protest summer. That protest summer and this active blockade in Parliament will last as long as they are operational, normally within Parliament. Then in the fall we have planned a new set of steps, so it will be dynamic and we said that the responsibility for all this lies with the government and Kovacevski, because from the very beginning we try to impose a pace of cooperation, conversation, help. That frustration lasts from the local elections, after the debacle and the defeat of SDSM, says Mickoski.
Albania
Rama: Unified ABC book in every country where there are Albanians! Kurti: Intensive cooperation between the two countries (Radio Tirana)
The 8th joint meeting of the two governments Albania-Kosovo is being held in Pristina. Prime Minister Albin Kurti stated that within 6 months, 12 agreements have been implemented and another agreement will enter into force soon. As regards the agreements that will be signed in this 8th meeting between the two governments, Kurti stressed out that their goal is to facilitate the lives of citizens. “We are always one, now moving from one meeting to another, we seem to turn optimism into enthusiasm. This meeting comes 6 months after the last meeting, where 13 agreements were signed. I am pleased to announce that all agreements have been implemented, except one which is expected to enter into force very soon. The agreements that will be signed today are aimed at facilitating the lives of citizens. It is a feature of these meetings to speak the language of the results, our expectations are realistic. We are left with the determination of the speeds of realization, and we believe that after 6 months we will have the next results “, said Kurti.
The project for the Albanian encyclopaedia was the keynote address of Prime Minister Edi Rama at the meeting of the two governments. The head of the Albanian government said that the unified ABC book will be in every country where there are Albanians, while he added that he will be in contact with the Prime Ministers of Montenegro and Serbia for this primer book to be in these two countries as well.
Rama further focused on the project for the Port of Durres, which according to him is of strategic importance as it has an integrated Durres-Pristina railway.
“Today I am very glad that we came together with representatives of the prestigious company to present the study of the port of Durres, which actually extends from Durres to Pristina with the host port in Durres, and the dry port of Pristina, which is a project of strategic importance that has the Durres-Pristina railway integrated within it. “We believe that by jointly pushing this large project of the Dry Port of Pristina and Durres integrated with the railway, for which we have started contacts with NATO, we are in a different situation for the next 10 years”, said Rama.
The Prime Minister also focused on investments, where he announced that there are over 1000 Kosovar businesses in Albania. He added that investments have increased from 9 million euros in 2017, to 139 million euros in 2021. “The second thing I want to bring to your attention is that today in Albania there are over 1000 registered businesses from Kosovo. 1081 are 100% owned by Kosovo. Kosovo investments in Albania in 2017, 9 million euros. In 2021, 139 million euros. It is a very significant figure, the last one I want to bring to your attention is the investment flow in the highest historical value has been 16 million Euros of 2018. While we are at 41 million Euros in 2021. An extremely important indicator. We have the opportunity to intensify and increase the volume of mutual investments. I want to remind the interior ministers that we have a protocol signed in April”, said Prime Minister Rama.
Rama: Getting closer to strategic partnership between Albania and Kosovo (Radio Tirana)
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama said on June 20 that each meeting with Kosovo officials brought them closer to the ultimate goal of establishing a strategic partnership between the two countries, arranged in Prizren, in 2014. “We have agreed to hold a joint assembly of the two republics on the 110thanniversary of Albanian independence,” Rama said at a joint news conference with his Kosovo counterpart, Albin Kurti, following a joint session of the Albanian and Kosovo governments. Kurti said that 19 agreements were signed on June 20, in the areas of education, healthcare, security and other sectors. At the joint session of the two cabinets, Premier Kurti said that Kosovo and Albania shared a goal to join the European Union, and that “cooperation between the two countries in peace must revive the same kind of enthusiasm as the one prevailing during the war for the liberation of Kosovo.”
PM Rama in Kosovo: “Open Balkan” neither unites nor divides us (Radio Tirana)
The “Open Balkans” regional initiative neither unites nor divides Albania from Kosovo. At the joint press conference, Albanian President Edi Rama and his Kosovo counterpart, Albin Kurti announced that such meetings between them are fraternal and that they do not need mediators. Rama said that regarding this initiative the two have different views, but these do not prevent the countries to strengthen relations and increase cooperation.
“It does not unite us, but it does not divide us either. We have different views, but these do not prevent us from continuing to move forward in bilateral relations, just as I emphasize that my message to the government, I lead is that everything we live in the Open Balkans must live with Kosovo. Economic operators, giving to all companies that contribute to the trade volume between the 2 countries and have no high risk, which means they are not suspected of illegal activities, of an authorization to have a corridor without any control at customs, this we have it in the Open Balkans and we want to live this with Kosovo as well “, said Rama.
Rama also spoke about the abolition of customs tariffs for Kosovo that will bring benefits to Kosovo companies and this is a good sign as one party should benefit until the moment is reached for everyone to benefit.
“Today in the Open Balkans, we want to do the same with Kosovo. We will do this in both directions without any discussion, for customs tariffs Kosovo has requested time for economic study, we will open the border for Kosovo businesses without customs tariffs. Do not ask governments when we talk about entrepreneurship, Albanian entrepreneurs in Albania Kosovo, are entrepreneurs of Albania and everyone, it is important that Albania is ready to accept and create conditions. I am very happy for every foreign investment that comes to Albania, but we need our champions who do business in Albania, Kosovo, etc. and representing the power of Albanian entrepreneurs. What you saw with the port of Durres and Pristina because it is an extended port, is the final solution of this story, related to the need to have autonomy so as not to be hit financially by synergy. I did not have it in any context other than the fact that the Kosovo side has asked for time. We do not need to study, so we will do it on our own and Kosovo companies will benefit. “Everyone will not benefit at the same time, there is no problem, to benefit a part”, said Rama.
The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Kurti said that the possibility of removing customs tariffs is being studied, but in the meantime said that the 19 agreements reached today at the government meeting are much more than the agreements reached in the Open Balkans.
“First of all, we must emphasize that we reached protocol agreements and memoranda 19 today and this is to be welcomed. Our bilateral relations are excellent and fraternal and the brothers have no mediators between each other. These are agreements to strengthen our two states. On the issue of the Open Balkans is of another dimension, I have nothing new to say. 19 agreements today are much more than agreements made in another regional initiative. “The news today is the advancement of our commonalities and the divisions that are known”, said Kurti.
Rama: Whoever pushes Kosovo to war, pushes Albania as well (Radio Tirana)
Prime Minister Edi Rama took part in the promotion of the book of the Kosovar politician Enver Hoxhaj highlighting that whoever pushes Kosovo to war, pushes Albania as well. He said that the goal should be to keep the war away from the region, because Kosovo has suffered a lot and not the war instigator, the costs of which will not be paid by them. Rama added that the region has no benefit from the radicalization of Serbia, which is caught between two fires, the West and Russian pressure. “When I talk about areas of influence, I do not believe that it will turn the Balkans into authoritarian republics. The aim is not to strike at liberal democracies in the Balkans, but I think our position, both that of Albania and Kosovo, is correct. But it is worth reflecting on, and in the end, there is a part that is very valuable to us that in addition to the war in Ukraine, Russia seeks to shift to the Balkans the second wave of clashes with the West to destabilize the region and between the backyard and the EU. This would be an intense phase of hybrid warfare. As long as the war in Ukraine lasts, Albania and Kosovo will be targets of the Russian hybrid war.
Edi Rama: We are preparing a resolution, I am personally going to Strasbourg (Albanian post)
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has stated that Albania will address the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. On the occasion of “the unfoundedness of Dick Marty‘s report”, he accused Russia of having an influence on the “story of the Yellow House and organ trafficking”, reports the Albanian Post. “We are preparing a resolution for the Albanian parliament and I will personally go to Strasbourg, I hope in September, to address the Council of Europe because of a fact that is becoming increasingly worrying and is unfounded, Dick Marty’s report,” Rama said at the joint press conference with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti. Rama says Dick Marty’s report is not well-intentioned towards Kosovo and the Albanians. “We have the right to believe that there are no benevolent hands here towards Kosovo and the Albanians, those who published this report,” the Albanian prime minister said.
Rama blamed Russian influence for “the story of the Yellow House and the organ trade”. “Given that the accusation of organ trafficking is repeated under Russian influence, as well as the fact that the indictment against Thaci, Veselji, Krasniqi and Selimi does not contain a single fact regarding Dick Marty and his report was the reason why everything is taken to the Special Court,” Rama added. According to him, we need to open our ears and listen to that, because the Special Court in The Hague is designed to respond to Dick Marty’s accusations.
