LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: Peace and stability in Western Balkans a priority (FoNet)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau emphasized the necessity of preserving peace and stability in the Western Balkans, which Vucic said was one of Serbia’s foreign policy priorities, FoNet reported. Zbigniew Rau is visiting the Western Balkans this week. Vucic and Rau discussed bilateral relations, the situation in the region and Serbia’s European integration, a press release from the President’s office said. Vucic said relations between Serbia and Poland are traditionally friendly, adding that economic cooperation between the two countries should be intensified. He said Serbia highly values the excellent cooperation with OSCE as a place for dialogue on pressing European security issues and thanked Poland for its support to both Serbia and the Western Balkans in the field of European integration. Rau welcomed Serbia’s role in OSCE which strongly contributes to multilateralism and stressed the importance of the reforms Serbia is implementing on its European path.

Mutual support of Serbia, Republika Srpska in terms of market supply (Tanjug/RTS)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic spoke on Monday at a working lunch with Prime Minister of Republika Srpska (RS) Radovan Viskovic about topics related to energy, supplying the market with food products, and specific joint projects with the RS. Brnabic pointed out that energy supply is an issue of special interest, both for Serbia and for the region, and assessed that it is necessary to achieve a common, regional approach in order to ensure the necessary energy for the upcoming winter. She stated that the Open Balkans initiative is a good platform for solving this issue in the interest of the entire region. Viskovic pointed out that RS is trying to secure all the necessary resources needed for the winter in light of the current situation on the world market. Brnabic said that at the moment several vital projects are underway, on which Serbia and RS are working together, the most important of which are in the field of energy and infrastructure. The officials reached an agreement on further coordination in implementing these projects and mutual support in the matter of supplying the market with necessary products essential for citizens.

Embassy of Serbia in Ghana opens to promote bilateral relations (Tanjug/Politika)

Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic opened the Embassy of Serbia in Ghana Friday in Accra, and on that occasion said that it will contribute to the development of bilateral relations between the two countries in the future on the political, economic and any other plan. Selakovic particularly expressed satisfaction with the fact that this is the first embassy of our country that was opened on the territory of the African continent after more than four decades. Ghana is not only a traditional friend with whom we established diplomatic relations back in 1959, but it is a great friend today, because it is a country that withdrew its recognition of the so-called the independence of Kosovo and the countries with which we have excellent cooperation in international forums, the minister pointed out. He stated that Serbia and Ghana have serious plans for cooperation in the future, especially in the fields of agriculture, defense, digitalization, artificial intelligence, and education. Selakovic pointed out that his visit to Ghana began with a meeting with President of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who attended the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Non-Aligned Movement in Belgrade last year. The Minister reminded that the President of Ghana was awarded by the President of Serbia with an Order on a ribbon for his contribution to the development of bilateral relations between the two countries and for his personal merits in withdrawing the recognition of independence of the so-called Kosovo. According to him, at the meeting with the President of Ghana, an agreement was reached on the opening of the Embassy of that country in Belgrade, for which the government of Serbia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide selfless assistance.

Decades of sincere friendship between Serbia, Ghana (Tanjug)

Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic met on Friday in Accra with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of Ghana Shirley Botchway. Selakovic noted with satisfaction that there are no outstanding issues in our bilateral relations, but, as he emphasized, they are characterized by decades of friendship, respect and full mutual understanding on the most important issues. According to him, the political relations of the two countries are not only based on a long tradition, which goes back to the founding of the Non-Aligned Movement, but also on the fact that we are loyal to the same values ​​in international relations. In this sense, Selakovic thanked for the support that Ghana provides to Serbia regarding Kosovo and Metohija. The Minister pointed out that our willingness to improve bilateral relations was also confirmed by the decision to reopen the Embassy of Serbia in Accra after 21 years, and expressed the hope that Ghana will soon restore the work of its embassy in Belgrade. Selakovic noted that the intensification of bilateral contacts at all levels provides the possibility of cooperation in numerous areas, and according to the minister, in particular, we should work on improving economic cooperation, pointing to the potential in agriculture, construction, water management, IT and other areas. Selakovic and Botchway signed the Agreement on the abolition of visas for diplomatic and official passports, and later today they will jointly attend the official opening of the Serbian Embassy in Accra, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Selakovic: Serbia preserves its policy despite great pressures (RTS)

Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic said on Sunday that since the war broke out in Ukraine, Serbia has managed to protect its policy, but that “the pressures to which it is exposed are incredible”. “We have adopted a view supporting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine as an internationally recognized state and a member of the United Nations, and on the other hand we have condemned an armed approach in searching for solutions. We have affirmed dialogue and talks and have been appealing for them constantly,” Selakovic told RTS. The Minister said that it was not a problem for Serbia to stay on the European path, and that by all means it would maintain its pro-reform course for the state and society. “There is no doubt that we are on a pro-European path, but we are also protecting our friendships, state and national interests,” Selakovic said. According to him, Serbia’s de-recognition policy on Kosovo is alive and well. “It is Pristina that has violated agreements, and it is Pristina that made the unilateral decision to launch the mechanism for joining the Council of Europe. We are not sitting around idly,” Selakovic said.

Gojkovic: Pristina trying to falsify history (Tanjug/RTV)

Serbian Minister of Culture and Information Maja Gojkovic said on Monday that Pristina has a new strategic goal in the last year, which is an attack on the Serbian cultural heritage in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija. “They are trying to falsify history and national identity. Only a malicious person or a politician can raise his hand and vote for the membership of the authorities in Pristina in UNESCO, in addition to so much pogrom and the destruction of our sanctuaries,” Gojkovic told Tanjug. Gojkovic characterized Pristina’s request to hand over numerous neolithic artifacts, excavated in the province, as the latest cases and attempts “to falsify history and artificially create an identity”. “We are very strict here. The cooperation of the Ministry of Culture with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Institute for the Protection of Monuments, with our Ambassador to UNESCO is good. With the countries with which we have bilateral agreements, the discussions are always on this topic. We cannot allow someone to steal territory, it also steals our cultural heritage,” said Gojkovic. She added that Serbian monuments in the province are taken care of by the Office for Kosovo and Metohija and the Republic Institute for the Protection of Monuments, which, she says, are really present, and deal with conservation and restoration.

Lajcak: Several agreements to be considered between Pristina and Belgrade (Beta)

EU special envoy for dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina Miroslav Lajcak said that three or four agreements are ready for the two sides to consider and that he expects them to be finalized soon. Speaking at the 15th Dubrovnik Forum, he praised Serbia and Kosovo for the monthly meetings between their negotiators. Lajcak also said the dialogue process between Belgrade and Pristina is the most strategic process in the region. He stressed that the EU must finish the unfinished business when it comes to the integration of the Western Balkans and that two urgent issues are the start of negotiations for the admission of Albania and North Macedonia to the EU, as well as the visa liberalization for Kosovo. Lajcak said that it was time for the EU to restore the credibility of the enlargement process, and that its partners were doing a very good job in carrying out reforms. He added that the EU must wrap up the unfinished job of the Western Balkans’ EU accession.

Drecun: What is he basing his optimism on (RTS)

It is not clear on what basis the EU special representative for the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue is basing his optimism that the two sides could finalize three or four agreements soon, Milovan Drecun, the Chair of the Serbian parliamentary Committee for Kosovo and Metohija in the outgoing parliamentary makeup, said on Monday. Drecun tols Radio and Television of Serbia (RTS) that the latest series of unilateral moves by Pristina “definitely called the dialogue into question”. Lajcak often makes optimistic statements about the fact that some kind of agreement will be reached between Belgrade and Pristina and that the entire process of normalization will be completed by a certain deadline, but, as he says, none of this will come true in the end, according to Drecun, for whose assessment of the state of affairs between Belgrade and Pristina is believed to reflect the views of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. “Except that progress has been made in the agreed road map for the implementation of the energy part of the Brussels agreement. I don’t know what is basing his optimism on,” he said. “In my opinion, it is very uncertain whether there will even be a resumption of the dialogue within these planned deadlines,” he also said. “I understand that he is in a hurry, that the leading Western countries are in a hurry to finish the process of talks, i.e. the normalization of relations, at this stage, in order to immediately move on to the next stage, which is the so-called mutual recognition – which is unacceptable for us,” Drecun said.

Petkovic: Pristina does not want dialogue (RTV/Tanjug)

The Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Petar Petkovic pointed out that Pristina does not want dialogue and that the Prime Minister of the provisional institutions of Pristina Albin Kurti wishes for tensions on the ground. Petkovic pointed, regarding the statement of the head of the parliamentary group of the Self-Determination movement Mimoza Kusari-Ljilja, that it is impossible to talk in Kosovo and Metohija about any compromise or giving anything to Serbia, indicated that her statement means that Pristina does not want dialogue. “When Mimoza Kusari says that a compromise with Belgrade is impossible, it means that Pristina does no want dialogue! The only alternative to dialogue and compromise is tension on the ground, that’s what Albin Kurti wishes for,” wrote Petkovic on Twitter. He stressed that Belgrade will preserve peace and stability, despite Pristina’s militant dreams.

Lajcak: Use of Bonn powers is ridiculous 27 years after the war (Nedeljnik) 

EU Special Representative for Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina Miroslav Lajcak told Serbia-based weekly Nedeljnik that use of Bonn powers is a ridiculous thing. He stated that international community has to insist on dialogue between domestic actors and not come out with additional “solutions from the laboratory”. “If they think that someone is to lobby via the IC the solution against the will of other two peoples or at least one of the partners, that cannot be a good thing. Twenty-seven years after the war we are asking from the High Representative to bring a decision about the budget via Bonn powers … this is ridiculous. We need to be aware, the bigger the extent of Bonn powers, the less there is the state of B&H,” said Lajcak. Lajcak also said that there are many who are concerned about the situation in B&H but a few of those who know how to respond or think they know since this is a complicated topic. He added. “We represent interests of one, other, third constituent people and this is a big mistake since our stance should be that they must sit, talk and reach agreements.”

US Embassy: Vulin’s statement on unification of all Serbs contrary to Serbia’s EU path (Beta/Politika)

The US Embassy in Serbia said on Monday that a statement by Interior Minister Aleksandar Vulin on the unification of all Serbs in one state was not in line with the Dayton Accords or with Serbia’s European aspirations. “The Dayton peace agreement preserves peace and stability. All the governments and all the presidents of Serbia have supported it so far. The interior minister’s comments on the unification of all Serbs in one state are not in line with the Dayton Accords and contradict Serbia’s integration into European structures,” the Embassy posted on Twitter. Vulin recently told Politika that “the only way for the Balkans to remain stable is for the Serbs to live in one state”. “All the conflicts in the Balkans begin with discrimination against Serbs,” said the Minister, adding “where the Serbs’ rights are respected, there is no problem with the Serbian world”. Vulin commented on the statement of the US Embassy to Serbia, which claimed that his statements are not in line with the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA), and he said that he is very much encouraged with the stance of the US Embassy to Serbia that the DPA is a precondition for the existence of B&H. “This, beyond any doubt, means that the respected US Embassy will actively advocate for Bakir Izetbegovic’s SDA to remove the abolition of the RS from its program goals, as well as that the respected embassy will do everything in its power to make sure all competencies that were taken away from the RS to be restored to it so that those can be implemented in line with the DPA in future,” Vulin said. Vulin added that he cannot understand why Serbs could be united in the EU but not in a single state and he added: “But I do know that I have a dream about uniting of Serbs, just like all of my ancestors had, and I know that the natural process of uniting of Serbs has been underway for centuries and it will be completed eventually in a peaceful manner, without violence and conflicts.”

US urges Serbia again to resolve Bytyqi brothers case (Beta)

The US Embassy in Belgrade again urged the Serbian authorities on 8 July to bring to justice those responsible for killing the Bytyqi brothers, as well as those who covered up the murders. In a statement issued on the 23rd anniversary of the murder of American citizens Ylli, Agron, and Mehmet Bytyqi, the US Embassy stated that “another year has gone by, and the Serbian justice system still has not held anyone accountable for this horrendous war crime”. “We will not forget this crime and once again call on Serbia to hold to account those who committed and covered up these murders,” the Embassy said in the statement. The failure to resolve the murder on 8 July 1999, has strained Serbian-American relations for years. In October 2019, the US House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution requesting that Serbia resolve the case. Ylli, Agron, and Mehmet Bytyqi who fought for the Kosovo Liberation Army during the war in Kosovo, were arrested in June 1999 and sentenced to 15 days in prison each for, as the authorities in Serbia argued at the time, crossing into the country illegally. According to an indictment issued by the Serbian War Crimes Prosecutor’s Office, they were taken out of a prison in Prokuplje through the back entrance, and transported to a Serbian Special Anti-Terrorist Unit (SAJ) base in Petrovo Selo, where they were shot in the back of the head two days later.

Visoki Decani: Pristina is cheating with the story of the protection of monasteries (B92/Tanjug)

Pristina’s interim institutions mislead the public with the story of full legal protection that the Visoki Decani monastery supposedly enjoys. This was announced on the Twitter account of this Serbian monastery. “The Kosovo institutions claim that the Visoki Decani monastery enjoys full legal protection and demand an apology from the Europa Nostra organization. They forget that for six years the decision of the Constitutional Court on the monastery’s land has been ignored and that the signed agreement on the detour around the protection zone of the monastery has been rejected,” according to the Visoki Decani. They point out that instead of showing inclusiveness, responsibility and readiness for true respect for the rule of law and the sanctuaries of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the ministers of the so-called Kosovo chose a “confrontational approach that fundamentally harms all citizens of Kosovo” and all its communities. “A wasted opportunity. It’s sad,” representatives of the monastery Visoki Decani pointed out.

Forum: Srebrenica genocide has been denied in various forms for 27 years (Beta)

For 27 years now, the Srebrenica genocide has been denied in various forms, from denial that there was any crime at all, through denial of the number of the murdered and their civilian status, to denial of the fact that genocide verdicts even exist, said participants in a forum titled “Acknowledging genocide and officially marking 11 July as a pledge for peace” in Belgrade. Humanitarian Law Center’s Isidora Stakic said at the gathering that mentioning “more horrific and bigger crimes committed against Serbs” was another form of denial. “People who deny genocide have come up with the idea that acknowledging genocide would mean that Serbs are a genocidal people, even though only individuals and institutions have been accused of the crime,” she said. Sofija Todorovic of the Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR) said that there was no will in the expert community to define Srebrenica as an example of something that must never happen again. “The genocide in Srebrenica has been ascertained and explained, but in political life in Serbia there is complete silence on that subject or extreme rhetoric on others, with the expectation for all to cooperate with Serbia,” said Todorovic. Zoran Vuletic of the Civic Democratic Forum said that, although verdicts on genocide had been made by the Hague tribunal “based on thousands of pages of evidence,” this was denied in Serbia. Lawyer Sead Spahovic recalled that a total of seven people had been convicted of genocide in five cases and that in those cases genocide had been judicially ascertained, with different culprits.

RIK approves new MPs (Beta/Politika)

The Republic Election Commission (RIK) passed on 11 July a decision to approve terms in office to new MPs, confirming that a coalition rallied around the Serbian Progressive Party will hold 120 seats in the 250-seat legislature, having won a majority in the new National Assembly of Serbia. The RIK has confirmed 38 terms in office for the coalition United for the Victory of Serbia, 31 for the parties rallied around the Socialist Party of Serbia, 15 for the NADA coalition and 13 seats for the We Must coalition. The Patriotic Bloc will have 10 seats in the parliament, and as many go to the Oath Keepers. The Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians will hold five seats in the Serbian legislature, the Justice and Reconciliation Party will have three, Together for Vojvodina and the Party of Democratic Action of Sandzak two each, and the Albanians of the Valley are given one term in office in the new parliament.

Open Balkans Initiative is getting more and more support in B&H, Montenegro, and Kosovo (Politika) 

Politika comments that whether because of increasingly difficult economic situation in the world or because of the fact that “warmongering, retrograde rhetoric of Pristina, as well as parts of elites in certain neighboring countries, directed against Serbia, is losing support”, Open Balkans initiative is gaining more and more support among the citizens in the region. According to the International Republican Institute (IRI) 42% of Kosovo citizens, 66% of Montenegro citizens and 68% of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) citizens support the initiative, even though these countries have not joined the initiative. Author comments that fiercest war against Open Balkans is led in Pristina, where almost all of their politicians are against the Initiative. However, situation in Montenegro and B&H is not as homogenous, noting that while President Milo Djukanovic and Chairman of B&H Presidency Sefik Dzaferovic give more importance to Berlin Process, the fact is that Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic and Chairman of Council of Ministers Zoran Tegeltija attended the ‘open Balkans’ Summit in June. Director of International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) Zijad Becirovic stated that the Open Balkans Initiative was created because of realistic need of citizens to improve economic and other issues in the Balkans, adding that it is important for B&H, Montenegro and Kosovo to join, adding that if huge cooperation potential is not used by countries of the region, someone else will use them. Underlining the economic benefits of the Initiative, Becirovic stressed that perhaps the most important thing is for the countries of the region to have single voice toward the EU, like is the case with Visegrad Group. Becirovic underlined that none of the countries in the world were able to develop without establishing of harmonic relations with the neighbors and stressed that citizens of the Western Balkans came to realize this, the business community most of all, because they want to improve their lives and regional cooperation. Commenting the IRI data, Director of Centre for Social Stability Ognjen Karanovic underlined that the Initiative has strong support of both parties in the USA and the State Department is aware that Open Balkans besides economic, presents a huge security and geopolitical fact in the Balkans. Becirovic stressed that there are hints of political changes in B&H, which could become reality with 2022 general elections, noting that this would result in change in stance toward the Initiative, because it is in B&H’s interest to economically improve lives of their citizens. He noted that support in Montenegro comes with information that this country could benefits the most from the Initiative. Becirovic stressed that the most important thing is that citizens understand the necessity to join the Initiative and together with the business community, they should exert pressure on political elites to join the Open Balkans Initiative.

REGIONAL PRESS

International conference ‘Heroines of Srebrenica’ organized (FTV) 

Witnesses of genocide, fighters for justice, symbols of courage and perseverance are the mothers of Srebrenica. Without their 27-year struggle, there would be no truth today, no search, no memory. They, looking death in the eye, decided to fight for their lives. A life in which genocide will never happen again to anyone. On Sunday, these same mothers, as well as all the other women who provide them with unconditional support, were part of an international conference that bears the symbolic name – ‘Heroine Srebrenice’ (Heroines of Srebrenica). The surviving victims only became aware of what happened in Srebrenica in the first years after the war and genocide. They witnessed what they could not prove, the brutal killings of sons, husbands, brothers, fathers. And the bodies, or their remains, from mostly secondary and tertiary mass graves, were missing for years, and some are still missing today. A group of Srebrenica women united them in this tragedy. United to continue living, dedicated to finding evidence that their loved ones were people with names and surnames. “Women should be a little more important in the world and women’s voices should be heard a little more. We need to vote only women for women in order to somehow show the whole world that the biggest burden of our lives, and especially of the mothers of Srebrenica, were borne by women”, emphasizes President of the Association ‘Mothers of Srebrenica and Zepa Enclaves’ Munira Subasic. Director-General of the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) Kathryne Bomberger said the ICMP was able to identify 7,000 out of 8,000 missing persons from Srebrenica, and all with the help of mothers from Srebrenica and the region. “This is a fact that has been confirmed by international and domestic courts, and I think that all this says the most important thing – please, stop denying the genocide”, Bomberger underlined. And genocide is denied, and that within the country, by certain domestic politicians who were never ready to call the events of July 1995 by the only true name – genocide. Although it is now legally punishable to deny genocide, there is no indictment or sanction. “About two weeks ago, I was in RS, where the usual atmosphere reigned, as if nothing had happened. That worried me a lot, because if they do not recognize it, then how to start the process of reconciliation”, stresses Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Tineke Strik. This is exactly the next goal of the mothers of Srebrenica, that all those who deny the genocide are punished. Those who attended the conference on Sunday are convinced that the mothers will succeed in this. They are also responsible for bringing the perpetrators of genocide to justice. “The United Nations says thank you. Thank you to the mothers of Srebrenica. Thank you for the courage they have. Thank you for not giving up, for making efforts for the sake of the people who were killed during the genocide in Srebrenica”, pointed out United Nations Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide Alice Wairimu Nderitu. Wairimu Nderitu, who also attended the conference, stressed the importance of Srebrenica mothers in the process of raising new generations without hatred and wish for revenge after the 1995 Srebrenica genocide.

Bosniak councilors boycott commemorative session of Srebrenica Municipal Assembly, stressing that people who deny genocide are behind invitation to attend session (N1) 

A commemorative session of the Srebrenica Municipal Assembly dedicated to all innocently killed victims of the past war in Srebrenica Municipality was held on Sunday. Bosniak representatives in the Srebrenica Municipal Assembly, except for President of the Srebrenica Municipal Assembly Salko Tursunovic, boycotted the session the same as the last year. Tursunovic said that he does not see the reason why the Bosniak representatives would boycott the session, stressing that it is very important to honor all the innocent victims that were killed in the past war in Srebrenica. Bosniak representatives explained that they decided to boycott the commemorative session due to the fact that (Head of Srebrenica Municipality Mladen) Grujicic himself and Deputy President of the Srebrenica Municipal Assembly Milos Milovanovic deny the genocide in Srebrenica and do not respect the rulings of the international court in The Hague. Head of Srebrenica Municipality Mladen Grujicic stated that the session commemorates all the victims killed in the area of Srebrenica in the past war in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), adding that the representatives who decided to boycott the session do not respect neither the Bosniak victims nor the Serb victims. Commenting on the accusations that he denies the genocide in Srebrenica, Grujicic stressed that the international community imposes solutions in Srebrenica, warning that the international community is the main factor of destabilization of B&H as a whole. He avoided concrete answer despite the fact that reporters insisted on the question regarding the genocide denial. Commenting on the reasons for the decision of the Bosniak representatives to boycott the commemorative session, President of the SDA Municipal Board in Srebrenica Alija Tabakovic told reporters that the genocide denial and its glorification is still present in Srebrenica. He stressed that the amendments to the Criminal Code of B&H imposed by former HR Valentin Inzko have yielded results, but the genocide denial is still present in everyday life of Srebrenica citizens and therefore it is pointless to hold commemorative sessions for the victims of the past war. “Since 2005, it has been tradition to hold a commemorative session of the Srebrenica Municipal Assembly on 10 July where we together pay tribute to all innocent victims,” Tursunovic said. Grujicic wondered why something that was agreed through consensus is being boycotted. “What is the reason? Are there reasons? Someone needs to explain that. If that happens, let that go to the honor of those people who show that they do not even respect their own victims, let alone other people’s,” Grujicic said. “It is a basic, human, civilizational issue that these crimes should be acknowledged and only when you have acknowledged them, then you can commemorate and remember and pay tribute to those victims in a dignified way. In this way, you are toying with the victims. You are paying tribute to them and at the same time, you are denying those crimes,” Tabakovic said.

Izetbegovic: An individual is responsible for every atrocity; There were too many of these individuals (O Kanal) 

Several thousand people, including B&H and foreign officials attended funeral of 50 Srebrenica genocide victims organized on the occasion of 27 years since Srebrenica genocide. B&H and foreign officials addressed participants of the commemoration that was held before the funeral. Leader of SDA Bakir Izetbegovic stated that political and religious leaders form opinion of one people and they are accountable for emotion within that people. “Unfortunately, majority of Serb people in B&H have been turned against their country and against people they live with. This is accountability of institutions and education system, as well as of leaders of Serb people. An individual is responsible for every atrocity. There were too many of these individuals”, emphasized Izetbegovic. Izetbegovic addressed media and among other things, talked about effects of amendments imposed to the Criminal Code of B&H by former High Representative Valentin Inzko that ban denial of genocide and glorification of war criminals. Izetbegovic said that there has been progress in regards to reduction of transparent denial of genocide. He added that other signs of progress are removal of plaque with name of Radovan Karadzic from student dormitory in Pale and removal of illegally built Orthodox church in backyard of Fata Orlovic in Konjevic Polje. Izetbegovic underlined that more should be done so that genocide is not denied anymore, adding that it will be good for country that is home to three ethnic groups and Others.

Dzaferovic: 11 July is saddest day in year (O Kanal) 

B&H and foreign officials addressed participants of the commemoration in Srebrenica that was held before the funeral on Monday. Among other things, they talked about anti-civilized denial of the genocide, primarily in RS and in Serbia. During his address, Chair of B&H Presidency Sefik Dzaferovic said that 11 July is saddest day in a year. Dzaferovic said two words are the most important on 11 July. “One word is the truth and the other word is justice. We will continue to fight for truth and justice. All those who in any way participated in the Srebrenica genocide must be brought to justice”, said Dzaferovic for the media. Dzaferovic emphasized the need to help returnees and the youth in Srebrenica and said that the Srebrenica genocide was not committed by the Serb people or by a rouge military unit but by institutional structure of the RS with assistance from Serbia. Dzaferovic also said “we will continue to fight for the truth and justice.” “All those who in any way participated in the execution of genocide in Srebrenica must be brought to justice and we will not stop until we reach that goal,” Dzaferovic pointed out. Dzaferovic stressed that full year since former High Representative Valentin Inzko imposed law banning denial of genocide will be marked soon. He thanked to Inzko and underlined that denial of the genocide has been significantly less present in public after abovementioned law was imposed. Dzaferovic underlined that denial of crime is not evidence of incapability to learn and accept the truth, adding that denial and covering up of crime represent continuation of it. Dzaferovic called on the High Representative Christian Shcmidt to follow the example of his predecessor Paddy Ashdown whose imposed decision enabled opening of Memorial Center Potocari and to impose a decision, which will award ‘Culture Home’ and Kravica Cooperate Building to the state, with a goal to form the memorial centers. Dzaferovic noted that hundreds of mothers died before they found their loved ones, which speaks about monstrosity of the crime. “Mass executions, committed in July 1995 were not result of any spontaneous and uncontrolled hatred. On the contrary, genocide in Srebrenica was knowingly and consciously planed crime, politically motivated”, said Dzaferovic.

Zvizdic: It is necessary to accept historic truth about all war crimes (O kanal) 

Deputy speaker of B&H House of Representatives (HoR) Denis Zvizdic said that it is necessary to accept historic truth about all war crimes, to work on reaching of justice and to process planners, organizers and perpetrators as well as those denying genocide. Zvizdic emphasized that all of this along with catharsis within people on behalf of whom these atrocities were committed are preconditions to talk about process of cooperation and reconciliation in B&H and the region.

Covic: I stand with all those who lost their beloved ones (Nova BH) 

President of the Croat People’s Assembly (HNS) and HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic Monday on his Twitter profile recalled his speech in Srebrenica in 2015. “Srebrenica 2015, where I asked, as I continued to, for all of us in B&H to work on regaining mutual trust and building reconciliation and our future together. As well as then, I stand today with all those who lost their beloved ones,” Covic wrote on Twitter.

Ambassador Sattler: We must never forget Srebrenica victims (Dnevni avaz) 

Head of the EU Delegation to B&H Johann Sattler attended the commemoration and collective burial in Srebrenica, marking the 27th anniversary of genocide. “Today (Monday) I paid respect to the victims of Srebrenica genocide. We must never forget them. By remembering, we protect their memory against those who try to deny or distort the historical and judicial record and support the quest for justice”, Sattler wrote on his Twitter.

Blinken pays respect to Srebrenica genocide victims: US stands in steadfast partnership and friendship with B&H (AJB) 

On the occasion of the 27th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote on his Twitter account: “27 years later, we commemorate the victims of the Srebrenica genocide. The US stands in steadfast partnership and friendship with B&H to achieve our shared goal of a democratic, inclusive, and prosperous future for all citizens.” The US State Department’s statement reads that the US will never forget Srebrenica and that Americans join B&H citizens in grief and respecting victims. It also reads that the US is deeply committed to supporting leaders at all levels in B&H who are willing to take meaningful steps towards reconciliation in the pursuit of a better future for all B&H citizens.

HR Schmidt: Srebrenica is synonym for genocide (Dnevni avaz) 

High Representative Christian Schmidt addressed the commemoration on occasion of 27th anniversary of Srebrenica genocide and said that every time he comes to Potocari, he feels the burden of fatal aggression. “However, I also feel the burden of failure of the international community to protect those who were exposed to the threat of being murdered. Nothing that I can say here today, will alleviate the pain of those who lost their husbands, fathers, sons, brothers and everything else. However, we can show respect to those who will be buried here today. That is our holy duty. What we all can do beside this, is to help in preventing of such pain again”, said Schmidt. HR stated that anyone who tries to deny the events in Srebrenica and deny that genocide was committed, lives cocooned in knowingly chosen ignorance. “Today, we remember those who lost their lives in Srebrenica, the city whose name became synonym for genocide. I accept the suggestion of the Deputy Head of Municipality that we need to work now to assist the future generation for this to become city of hope. We have to agree that behavior of all those who glorify war criminals, presents the insult for all the grieving and endangers efforts toward better future”, said Schmidt. He added that lessons from Srebrenica must never be forgotten. “Every attempt to justify the slaughter of innocently murdered victims, attempt to change the hands of time, universal moral compass, getting used to aggressive forms of violence, can never be justified. Politics of hatred and fear bring nothing, except of suffering and misfortune”, said Schmidt. Schmidt said that the focus of the international community must be on the future. Schmidt underlined that the international community is here to help and to see an open way for all people in B&H to live peaceful life. Schmidt stressed that the international community has to stay united and be clear about what it wants and how it can contribute. Schmidt added that “today is a day of mourning and a day of commemoration but it is also a day of hope”. “This is a big challenge where we make it clear to future generations that peace and coexistence are the key to survival,” Schmidt underlined. Schmidt emphasized that the “lessons we learned in Srebrenica must never be forgotten”. “We all need to commit together to a future where future generations can enjoy this country and take matters of reconciliation into their own hands”, Schmidt emphasized.

Borrell, Varhelyi issue joint statement on occasion of Srebrenica genocide anniversary: There is no place in Europe for genocide denial, revisionism, and glorification of war criminals (Dnevni avaz) 

High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi issued a joint statement on occasion of 27th anniversary of Srebrenica genocide. Daily carried entire statement: “We honor for the 27th year the memory of all victims and of all those still missing of the genocide of Srebrenica. We stand together, in grief, with their relatives and friends who survived the genocide. However, still today we cannot take peace for granted. Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine has brought back a brutal war to our continent. The mass killings and war crimes we see in Ukraine bring back vivid memories of those witnessed in the war in the Western Balkans in the 1990s. It is more than ever our duty to remember the genocide of Srebrenica, as part of our common European history. As we see the security and stability of Europe and the international rules-based order profoundly shaken, we are reminded of the need to stand up to defend peace, human dignity and universal values. Europe has not forgotten what happened in Srebrenica and our own responsibility for not being able to prevent and to stop the genocide. In Srebrenica, Europe failed and we are faced with our shame. In these dangerous times, we wish to see B&H progress on reconciliation, overcoming the legacies of the past, and decisively advance on its EU integration path. Political leaders must turn words into deeds: They need to choose the truth, justice and cooperation over fear and hate to overcome the tragic legacies of the past and build a brighter and prosperous future for the next generations. There is no place in Europe for genocide denial, revisionism, and glorification of war criminals. All citizens of B&H deserve a society where pluralism, justice and human dignity prevail. The European Union was built as a common peace project and B&H’s future lies within the European Union. This will however require all the country’s leaders working to put peace, reconciliation, mutual understanding and dialogue at the top of their agenda, and engage on the EU reform agenda.”

Fiala states Srebrenica genocide is considered one of biggest war crimes in Europe since World War II (BHT1) 

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala has written on his Twitter account that in July 1995, during the war in B&H, there was a mass killing of captured civilians that resulted in Srebrenica genocide. “This event is considered one of the biggest war crimes in Europe since World War II. But it turns out that even today Europe is not safe”, wrote Fiala on his Twitter account referring to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Strengthening European security is one of the primary tasks of the Czech presidency of the European Union, and that should be the goal of all of us.”

Ollongren underlines that international community and Dutch government failed in 1995 when it comes to Srebrenica, and she offered apology to all victims, mothers and survivors (Nova BH) 

Addressing the commemoration in Potocari held on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, Dutch Minister of Defense Kajsa Ollongren said that Srebrenica is a deep wound that forever connected B&H and the Netherlands “and that experience gave us a common voice that must be heard in Europe”. “We cannot remove that suffering, but what we can do is look history straight in the eye. There is only one culprit for the terrible genocide and it is the Bosnian Serb army. Thanks to the court in The Hague, most of those responsible for these crimes have been prosecuted. However, the international community failed to provide adequate protection to the people of Srebrenica. As part of that community, the government of the Netherlands shares responsibility for that failure. For this, we offer you our deepest apologies,” Ollongren said. Ollongren once again underlined the defeat of the international community. The Netherlands, she added, participated in the effort to protect the population with the best of intentions. “Despite those best intentions, Srebrenica was mercilessly overrun. Even then, our soldiers continued to do what they could,” she said.

Linde: We must take joint action to ensure that genocides and other mass crimes never happen anywhere again (N1) 

“Today, we honor the memory of the victims of the genocide in Srebrenica in 1995 and express our solidarity with the survivors and their families. We must take joint action to ensure that genocides and other mass crimes never happen anywhere again”, Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ann Linde wrote on Twitter.

Erdogan: Securing the future of B&H as the strong and prosperous country, within its territorial integrity, is our debt toward Shaheeds (Dnevni avaz) 

Numan Kurtumlus, Vice President of AKT and envoy of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the commemoration in Potocari and conveyed a message of President Erdogan. At the beginning of his address, Erdogan paid respect to B&H citizens and congratulated Eid al-Adha to Muslims. “On the 27th anniversary of genocide in Srebrenica, the black stain in European history, where human dignity was destroyed, in our hearts we feel once again the pain of our Bosniak brothers”, reads Erdogan’s message. Paying respect to Shaheeds, Erdogan noted that 27 years later the paid is still fresh and underlined that there are still those who are searching for their loved ones. “It is shameful for the mankind that those who have had the role in genocide, instead of sincerely face this, are racing in removing responsibility from themselves”, said Erdogan. He underlined that they reject with sorrow humiliating of genocide, ignoring of sufferings of “our Bosnian brothers, insulting of memories of our Shaheeds”. “Securing the future of B&H as the strong and prosperous country, within its territorial integrity, is our debt toward Shaheeds whom we lost in Srebrenica and other parts of B&H. With such dedication, Turkey offers all the support, security and welfare to B&H future, there is no doubt that new generations are guarantee of peace and prosperity of B&H. B&H youth with their hard work and success, as well as their determination to build future without forgetting the past, present the source of hope for their country”, Erdogan stated. Turkish President further underlined that Turkey will continue to contribute to educational, as well as other, infrastructures.

UN’s Nderitu warns that denial of genocide and holocaust is only preparation for future genocides and holocausts (Hayat) 

United Nations (UN) Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide to UN Secretary-General Alice Nderitu warned that denial of genocide and holocaust is only preparation for future genocides and holocausts. “Accountability for the crime that were committed is necessary, not only for the sake of serving justice for victims, not only for the sake of building trust of the public in the institutions of authority, but also in order to prevent future crimes”, Nderitu underscored. Nderitu said that it is extremely important to deal with genocide denial and hate speech, and that this is imperative for advancing efforts towards reconciliation in the country. “My mandate was created due to the failure of the international community and member states, the whole world in fact, to prevent and react to the genocide that was committed first against the Tutsi people in Rwanda in 1994, and then against the Bosniaks in Srebrenica in 1995”, said Nderitu at the commemoration. “We will continue to support the construction and expansion of initiatives and processes of reconciliation between different ethnic and religious groups and to fight against the rhetoric of division”, she added.

Rau on Srebrenica genocide: Crimes like this one must not go unpunished (N1) 

Speaking about Srebrenica genocide, OSCE Chairman-in-Office Zbigniew Rau said crimes like this one must not go unpunished. “The OSCE does not accept the denial of war crimes and the glorification of war criminals. Such crimes must be condemned and punished”, Rau underlined.

Dzaferovic, Murphy honor victims of Srebrenica genocide: Murphy: Facts must be accepted and that is that genocide was committed (FTV) 

Many officials came to the Potocari Memorial Center on Sunday and paid their respects to the Srebrenica genocide victims. Among them was Chairman of the Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) Presidency Sefik Dzaferovic. He did not make any statements for the media. Dzaferovic, very discreetly, went into the battery factory, said his prayers for the 50 victims that will be laid to rest this year, and then left the premises. He did not wish for cameras to be present at this moment, and he only wanted to share this moment with a few members of the Organizing Committee for the commemoration of the 27th anniversary of genocide in Srebrenica. After that, Dzaferovic came to the memorial for Srebrenica victims, laid flowers and said his prayers for all the innocent victims of genocide. US Ambassador to B&H Michael Murphy said “the facts must be accepted, and that is that genocide was committed”. Ambassador Murphy also went into the battery factory and, in his own way, honored the victims. Before that, Murphy joined the ‘Peace March’. He said it was his great honor and a very positive experience to join the march participants, and speak to the people that survived the Srebrenica genocide. He is in awe of the Srebrenica mothers and the surviving victims as they were able to overcome all the horrors they went through and turn it into something more positive – building peace, not seeking vengeance, and spreading love. Murphy said this is something that B&H needs. He called on all people to accept that genocide was committed in Srebrenica as this was proven through many cases, judgements and pieces of evidence. Two international courts proved this through their final judgements, Murphy underlined. “I also believe young generations must be taught the truth”, the Ambassador added. Murphy told reporters in Potocari that the US representatives arrived in Srebrenica to pay respect to the victims and to show their commitment to people from Srebrenica and those who have survived the genocide, as well as commitment to building better and more prosperous future in B&H. He added that all people in B&H, particularly political leaders, have obligation to accept and confirm that the genocide in Srebrenica happened Murphy pointed out that this is his first participation in the ‘Peace March’ and it is honor for him. He expressed deep respect for the path that Srebrenica people went through. “This is a way for me to honor the victims of genocide, and to also honor the participants of the ‘Peace March’. To turn towards hope and tolerance, which B&H needs to have in order to step into the future – which all want, and deserve”, Ambassador Murphy said.

HR Schmidt announcing engagement in relation to history textbooks in B&H sparks strong reactions in RS (RTRS) 

Christian Schmidt attended Monday’s commemoration of the 27th anniversary of the suffering of Bosniaks in Srebrenica in July 1995. In a television program, he said that it is problematic that children in RS and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H) have different curricula and programs in history, and that the citizens of B&H, when it comes to this issue, can expect his involvement in the coming period. To Schmidt’s obvious intention to edit the contents of history textbooks, there is an express reaction from the RS that says an attempt to rewrite historical facts, either from near or distant history will not pass. The message from the RS also reminds that education is under the competence of the entities and will remain so. “I openly say, I believe it is very problematic that Serb children in the RS, that children in the FB&H – depending on them being Croats or Bosniaks – that they have different curricula and programs in history. Due to that, there will be here, in the next period, my strong engagement, and the people can expect that”, Schmidt told reporters. Schmidt’s attitude is not surprising, because upon his arrival in B&H he represented interests that are identical to those of Bosniaks. “In the RS, we have about 22 schools where the national group of subjects is taught for Bosniak students, and in the FB&H there is not a single school where the national group of subjects is taught for Serb children, although there are up to 200 of them in some schools. Double standards are visible here, as has been shown for many years”, stresses RS Education Minister Natalija Trivic. Director of the RS Pedagogical Institute, Predrag Damjanovic, says that Schmidt should be aware that it is impossible to change the content of history textbooks and rewrite historical facts. “It seems to me that he also misused today’s event to make a statement that suits those who listen to it”, Damjanovic concluded. Representatives of the RS Center for Research on War, War Crimes and Searching for the Missing Persons say that before any qualifications, Schmidt and others who interpret history should first look at the facts. “The tourist (Referring to Schmidt), given that he has the time, should read the report of the independent commission that investigated the suffering of all peoples in the Srebrenica area, but he should also read the report of the commission that dealt with the suffering of Serbs in Sarajevo, and then he should try and understand the real state of things that happened in the 1990s, and not falsely imposed stereotypes that want to be imposed on all peoples in B&H. We will not allow that”, emphasizes Center’s Director Milorad Kojic. Imposing a curriculum and trying to create one nation and destroy another is nothing new in the Balkans, especially when it comes to the activities of representatives of the Western countries. Adviser to the Serb member of the B&H Presidency Radovan Kovacevic recalls that the Austro-Hungarian administrator Benjamin von Kallay also “broke his teeth”, trying to create a “Bosnian nation” and a “Bosnian language”. “I can only say that Christian Schmidt and all those who deal with such artificial and false projects will also break their teeth. Let those from the RS, that support such Schmidt, who want our children to learn that they are the descendants of war criminals, who want the Serbs to have no rights and that there is no RS, and who sit down and agree with him, to really think about what they are doing”, Kovacevic underscored. DNS leader Nenad Nesic also reacted to this. He told Schmidt that history textbooks everywhere in Europe are written by historians, not by “politicians with the powers of colonial administrators”. SNSD representative in the B&H House of Representatives (B&H HoR) Sanja Vulic stated that Schmidt, a “German guest worker working temporarily in B&H, got carried away and thought that he is the one who should and can judge the Serbs, because, in his opinion, they are guilty of loving their own and respecting others”. “With the arrival of Nazis and the enslavement of the Serbs in 1941, the systemic transformation of education was implemented, violent imposition of Ustasha and fascist topics – which were incorporated into the educational system with the goal of spreading the Nazi poison and justifying a monstrous ideology and unprecedented crimes. Today, after 70 years, Schmidt is trying to do the same”, Vulic was quoted as saying. ATV also reported that the opposition in the RS has not reacted to Schmidt’s statement, and SDS leader Mirko Sarovic, PDP leader Branislav Borenovic and PDP Vice President Jelena Trivic failed to respond to ATV’s inquiry on the issue. DNS leader Nesic was the only one from the opposition to condemn Schmidt’s announcement. In a telephone statement for ATV, Nesic said: “I would like to convey a message to Mr. Schmidt that the education is under entity’s competence. When I was in school, different OHR commissions evaluated and approved curricula. Curricula, to my knowledge, were approved by both (Carlos) Westendorp and (Paddy) Ashdown, and now this is disputable for Schmidt. He probably also does not like the part about WWII’’. ATV reports that RS officials also reminded Schmidt he does not have the right to interfere with anything “let alone with curricula’’, given that he was not appointed by the United Nations Security Council (UN SC), after Russia and China voted against that. Head of SNSD Caucus in the B&H House of Representatives (HoR) Snjezana Novakovic-Bursac said that Schmidt’s announcements are an attempt at rewriting historical facts. Novakovic-Bursac reminded that children in B&H have different textbooks for almost all subjects because education is the responsibility of the RS, that is, the cantons in the FB&H. “Such statements, even though they come from a diplomat without effective powers, deserve due attention because we are witnessing systematic attempts to rewrite historical facts that should serve for political and legal adjustments to the detriment of the RS,” Novakovic-Bursac underlined. Novakovic-Bursac pointed out that bearing in mind that in the FB&H, “especially in the Bosniak-Muslim community”, there is no readiness to recognize on a social, scientific and political basis the real nature of the war and the existence of victims on all sides, including the Serb ones, and that one is insisting in the F&iH on the matrix that the autochthonous, constitutive peoples were the aggressors, it is logical that the contents of the history textbooks are different and that there is no way to harmonize them without accepting the elementary truth. Serb member of the B&H Presidency Milorad Dodik said that Christian Schmidt will not write history for children in the RS, nor will Serb children learn anything that has not passed the inspection of the education authorities of the RS. Dodik noted that the last time the Germans wrote history in the Balkans, which directly affected the Serbs, more than a million Serbs died. “Therefore, I would not recommend Schmidt to play with the history of B&H. If history is the teacher of life, it would be better if Schmidt studied the history of 80 years ago, in order to understand the history of 27 years ago. And when he understands it, he should keep it to himself”, Dodik wrote on his Twitter account.

Bundestag adopts resolution on B&H and allows deploying of German soldiers to EUFOR (Oslobodjenje) 

On Friday Bundestag adopted decision allowing deploying of German soldiers who will participate in EUFOR Mission, as well as Resolution on B&H, expressing support to B&H. Resolution reads that the Government should continue to energetically advocate EU sanctions against persons, institutions and companies which violate sovereignty, territorial integrity, constitutional order and international legal subjectivity of B&H. Further on, the Resolution stated that reforms have been blocked by decades and now, certain political leaders relay on separatism, hatred and speech of hate in order to divert public attention from the standstill. It is stated that activities of Milorad Dodik and Dragan Covic aim to destroy B&H as a state, which is unacceptable and demands determined and firm resistance from the EU and calls leaders in Serbia and Croatia to distance themselves from such politics. Former High Representative Christian Schwarz- Schilling said: “Being that during my time as member of Bundestag, I fought for such resolutions on B&H, I am aware how big is the role of such document on new perspective and constructive politics of B&H on the path to the EU.” Daily noted that domestic reactions to the Resolution as expected and Dodik assessed it to be unnecessary and “food for Muslim nationalists, who under the pretense of democracy are asking for abolition of rights of peoples, on which B&H relays”. Croat People’s Assembly (HNS) stood to Covic’s defence, stating that the Resolution is invitation for undermining of Dayton Agreement. SPD’s MP in Bundestag Adis Ahmetovic said that B&H is part of Europe and has to be awarded status of EU candidate, fast. “This is why we will support holding of elections, intentions of Christian Schmidt and all pro-European parties on the path toward achieving of democratic state. Concept of constituent peoples has failed, but we have democratic principle which has to be established at all levels”, said Ahmetovic. Serb member of the Presidency of B&H Milorad Dodik wrote on Twitter that “someone is obviously counting on collective memory of people and on bad memories of the time when Germans were sending their army here”. Dodik wrote on the Twitter that if Germans destroyed the great Yugoslavia, why should not they return to the Balkans and put an end to the small Yugoslavia. Dodik added that Germany conditioning to sign the agreement on the EU 1992 resulted with recognition of Slovenia and Croatia. He said: “This meant downfall of Yugoslavia. As of this date until today, they have been on the side of Muslims in B&H. If they ruined the big Yugoslavia, why should not they put end to the small one, with their return to the Balkans?” SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic stated for BHT1 on Friday that he is grateful to God that the Bundestag has matured and realistically viewed the situation in B&H, adding that Germany is just one in a series of the countries that do this. Izetbegovic noted that the situation is still approached carefully but sooner or later one will have to oppose certain factors in B&H. He notes that for Russian President Vladimir Putin B&H is still in some “soft zone” and for this reason Izetbegovic hopes that B&H will get the status of the EU candidate this year. He concluded that Europe has definitely become serious but liberal regimes are vulnerable in his opinion. He added that there is a liberal regime in B&H, sometimes too liberal, especially in the FB&H and Sarajevo. He judged as a good move the meeting of three leaders of political parties with EU Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi in Brussels a few days ago.  He added: “Everything depends on how big authority Oliver Varhelyi has. He tried to influence HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik with regard to implementation of priorities of the EU so that B&H can get the status of the EU candidate.” As for the fact that Dodik and Covic did not put forward their candidacy for the post in the B&H Presidency in the upcoming elections, Izetbegovic said that he can only speculate that someone advised them not to do this and he added: “I believe that someone told them not to run for this post.” B&H Presidency member Zeljko Komsic has welcomed the adoption of resolution titled ‘Support to B&H on the way to a better future’ in the German Parliament. “I welcome the adoption of the Resolution in the Bundestag by the traffic light coalition, which supports B&H, and I thank all the MPs, especially Adis Ahmetovic and Boris Mijatovic, who took an extraordinary stand for its adoption,” Komsic was quoted as saying. Reacting to the adoption of the resolution on B&H in Bundestag, B&H Presidency Chairman Sefik Dzaferovic said that it is of essential importance that SNSD leader Milorad Dodik and HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic were listed by name as key culprits for blockades and negative processes in B&H and their policy was identified as a threat to peace in Southeast Europe. Dzaferovic pointed out that it is of crucial importance that the resolution detects the connection of the neighboring states of Serbia and Croatia with ethnic-separatist policies in B&H.

Plenkovic: Srebrenica genocide was defeat of humanity (HRT1) 

Numerous officials across the world paid respect to the victims on the 27th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide on Monday, mostly by issuing public statements or posting on social media. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic posted on his Twitter account that the Srebrenica genocide was a defeat of humanity and sent his condolences to the families of the victims. The Croatian Parliament observed a moment of silence on Monday, expressing profound sympathy with victims of genocide and their closest families and relatives.

Parliament expresses deep sympathy with victims of genocide in Srebrenica (HRT) 

The last working week before the two-month summer break has begun in Croatian Parliament. The spring session ends on Friday with a vote on, among other things, no confidence in Minister Gordan Grlic Radman. Today, on the 27th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica, Croatian Parliament observed a minute’s silence to express deep sympathy with the victims of that genocide and their relatives. “Rest in the peace of God,” said Deputy Parliament Speaker Zeljko Reiner, recalling that in 2009 the Parliament declared July 11 as the Day of Remembrance of the Genocide in Srebrenica. “The genocide in Srebrenica brought to light all the recklessness and brutality of its perpetrators, just as it exposed all the incompetence of previous international politics and the reluctance to react to the Serb-Chetnik aggression in the area of South-Eastern Europe and the conscious closing of eyes, i.e. turning away from the crime which happened first in Croatia, and then in B&H,” pointed out Reiner.

15th Dubrovnik Forum opened; Lajcak says Brussels has to complete unfinished job re European integration of region (HRT/Vecernji list) 

The Russian aggression against Ukraine, which profoundly changed the world in just a few months, is the main topic of the 15th International Dubrovnik Forum. About 40 ministers and other government officials, mainly from southern, southeaster and central European countries, representatives of several European institutions and international organizations, as well as the business sector, are participating in the conference. The invasion of Ukraine has disastrous consequences for the whole of Europe and the world, disrupting the existing balance, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said at the opening of the Dubrovnik Forum. He reminded that three decades ago, Croatia also encountered the same rhetoric and the negation of national identity. The Russian attack on Ukraine shook the international order, and the blockade of the export of Ukrainian grains caused a food crisis on the world market. Plenkovic predicts that the lack of food in Africa could lead to the destabilization of weak states, cause conflicts and start a new wave of migration towards the European Union. Addressing the forum, EU Special Representative for the Western Balkans Miroslav Lajcak said that Brussels has to complete the unfinished job regarding the European integration of the region. He stressed that the conflict in Ukraine has changed everything and turned the EU enlargement into a political issue again. He assessed that dysfunctionality of B&H represents a huge problem in the region and that more of internal dialogue is necessary. “Let’s stop dreaming that Bonn Powers can replace the lack of political willingness seen in legitimate political partners. The leaders were elected to engage – not to lobby abroad for their visions to be imposed by ignoring partners’ visions”, Lajcak stated. The officials from Germany and the UK who participated at the forum stated that the fact that political leaders in B&H lack the willingness to make progress regarding the necessary reforms is what represents a problem. German State Minister for Europe Anna Luhrmann said that there is concern over the latest decisions of the RS parliament leading towards higher level of autonomy of the RS. She stressed that no one should doubt that Germany will continue to support sovereignty and territorial integrity of B&H, announcing that Germany has decided to take part in the EUFOR Mission in B&H again. UK Special Envoy for the Western Balkans Stuart Peach stated that there is continuous concern over the risk of the RS’ secession from B&H, stressing that this risk is realistic and any form of secession needs to be rejected as that would create a new opportunity for Russia. He accused Russia of trying to undermine the EU and NATO through its influence in the Western Balkan region and in B&H, noting that Germany and the UK therefore represent an unavoidable security factor in the region. Peach said that the UK government will continue to support the presence of the international military forces in the region, especially in B&H and Kosovo. Deputy Foreign Minister of B&H Josip Brkic took part in the Dubrovnik Forum and that he participated in a forum tiled ‘Decision time in Europe’s ‘Soft underbelly’…and beyond’, which exchanged opinions about possible consequences of the Russian aggression of Ukraine on countries in south-east Europe and the importance of the EU enlargement. In his address Brkic commended the fact that EU leaders granted the status of EU candidate to Ukraine and Moldova, at the same time conveyed B&H’s disappointment there was no such decision for B&H at the European Council, arguing it was a political decision because of which citizens of B&H suffer consequences. According to Brkic, failure to grant the status to B&H opens possibility for other sides to have stronger influence, which in turn strengthens centralist and separatist ideologies in B&H. Brkic reiterated that for B&H, there is no sustainable alternative but EU and NATO integration.

Covic’s interview: FB&H cannot survive as functional part of B&H without strong trust between Croats and Bosniaks (Vecernji list) 

Vecernji list carries an interview with HDZ B&H leader Dragan Covic. As for the fact that he is not a candidate for any post in the upcoming general elections, Covic said: “I am convinced that this is a good move which will deny many, first of all those from the political Sarajevo and some people from the international community who used to say that the politics, also in my concrete case, is conducted for personal reasons only. No, the crucial mission is to serve your people and the best message will be sent in this way – we work together and invest all our energy for a big Croat family at the political scene. “He added that this will additionally strengthen the HNS. As for the candidacy of Borjana Kristo for the post of a Croat member of the B&H Presidency, Covic said that he is pleased and honored that they could put forward the candidacy of such a person as Kristo is. He praised her qualities as a person and politician, who has experience and knowledge which she will use to the benefit of her people and B&H. As for claims that he is interested in the post of the B&H Council of Ministers’ Chairman, Covic said that these are spins and imputations that come from some people from political Sarajevo, who have lost elements for the political trade in the campaign. Covic believes that international representatives fully understand consequences of the situation where Bosniaks keep electing a Croat member of the B&H Presidency. He added: “What they can do that this does not happen again is another issue… I recommend to international community representatives to see what we have been dealing with during the last few years and how we came to the position that we totally lag behind on the EU path. And there is special responsibility and obligation of those who have powers as protectors in B&H over the OHR. This power implies responsibility for the decisions that they can or should pass,” Covic believes that the High Representative will have to react when changes to the B&H Election Law in regards to decision of the Constitutional Court of B&H are in question. Covic explained that when he says this he primarily refers to the CC’s decision regarding the legitimate representation of Croats. He concluded that the B&H Election Law must be changed. Covic argues that it is high time to make a step to truly return trust between Croats and Bosnaiaks.  He added that politicians should make the first step in terms of improving of this too important relation between Croats and Bosniaks in the FB&H, which cannot survive as functional part of B&H without strong trust between these two peoples. He underlined enormous contribution of the Croatian authority when resolving the Croats issue is in question and he thanked leading Croatian politicians for this this. As for the talks with EU Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi in Brussels this week, Covic said that the talks were bilateral since under pressure of the political Sarajevo, SDA leader Bakir Izetbegovic avoided a joint talk. Covic added that basically he talked with Varhelyi about the attempt to create an ambient, even while the pre-election campaign is underway and especially after the elections, to be able to implement election results and to respect the decision of courts which refer to the election legislation. Covic also said: “We have defined this issue as a priority number one and if this is finished successfully, we should immediately open the issue of adoption of three laws important for the candidacy status of B&H by the end of the year.” As for the stance of the EU and USA toward B&H, Covic said that these stances keep changing, adjusting adding that we are not in their focus quite often. He also said: “The wish to help B&H was too often beyond the frameworks which are in accordance with Constitution, B&H laws, because what happens in B&H can barely be seen in any other UN member country. This is the situation in which someone comes from abroad and tells you how to change laws in B&H, remove people… Such a standard should not be an example of the democratic nature of the processes in B&H. I believe that we should change this simultaneously with our candidacy status for the EU. We shall have to free from that assistance and thank to these friends. They should not be passing decisions instead of us, but they should bring the biggest achievements of the EU to B&H and apply them here.” Covic also believes that only whose who win trust of voters in the elections should take over full responsibility for the future of B&H,  since everything else takes us to a wrong direction. Covic expressed gratitude to MEP Tonino Picula saying that he is one of those who are well familiar with the situation in B&H. He agrees with Picula that too big importance should not be given to IC representatives when the future of B&H is in question. Covic added: “They should help, but we should resolve our problems ourselves.” Asked if Russia, China and Turkey use the lack of EU’s resoluteness when the EU integration of Western Balkan countries is in question, Covic said: “Everything that is not done now in regard to the plan of our joining the EU and NATO leave room to some other forces within this space to build their interests. Naturally we should cooperate with them but our place is in the EU.” Asked if there will be consensus within B&H with regard to joining the NATO, Covic said that many things were learned from the cooperation with NATO and he is convinced that even among those who used to say that thy want to preserve military neutrality there are a lot of motives to realize all advantages of connecting to the NATO. He also stressed importance of NAATO in the context of the situation in Ukraine.

Montenegrin government adopts Fundamental Agreement with Serbian Orthodox Church (CdM) 

On 8 July, after a four-hour-long debate, the Montenegrin government adopted the draft version of a fundamental agreement with the Serbian Orthodox Church in spite of opposition from a large portion of the public and announcements by the ruling pro-Montenegrin Social Democratic Party that it would withdraw support from the government and trigger an early election. Montenegrin Prime Minister Dritan Abazovic declared the item adopted even though it did not have the support of a qualified majority. “As for the qualified majority, I agree and have no issue with repeating the same thing in an electronic or regular session,” Abazovic said. Thirteen ministers voted in favor, five abstained and two did not attend the session, which was open to the public. Montenegrin Defense Minister Rasko Konjevic, a member of the Social Democratic Party, told onlookers while leaving the government headquarters that the “fundamental agreement” had not been adopted because there was no qualified majority and that there would have to be another vote at the next session. The Democratic Party of Socialists said in a press release after the session that if Prime Minister Abazovic believed that the decision had been made to adopt the draft contract with the Serbian Orthodox Church, the government no longer had the party’s support.

Djukanovic: Government fall could slow down path to EU, but we can’t tolerate its work that ignores national interests (CdM) 

“The fall of the current government could slow down Montenegro’s path to the EU, but we cannot tolerate its work that ignores the national interests of Montenegro. We will talk to other parliamentary entities and come to a possible solution,” says the President of the country Milo Djukanovic. “When the previous government lost confidence in parliament as the President of the state, I presented the idea that we should hold early parliamentary elections. The majority of the parliamentary parties were skeptical of that idea and started looking for other solutions, first of all arranging a new government. I said that this idea seemed acceptable to me on the condition that we could agree that the government should commit to unblocking the negotiation process with the EU as an absolute priority,” Djukanovic has told reporters in Cetinje after a meeting with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev. When discussing the recently signed Fundamental Agreement with the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC), Djukanovic has said that “the government decided to sign that arrangement. In addition, our assessment is that certain solutions in that Agreement are in contradiction with historical facts, the constitutional legal system of Montenegro, in contradiction with the vital state interests of Montenegro. These are the reasons that made us decide to deny support to such a government,” Djukanovic has pointed out. “We greatly appreciate Bulgaria’s support in carrying out our European aspirations. Bulgaria has shared with us the problems faced in recent years in the conditions of various crises,” says Djukanovic after talking to Radev, who is visiting Montenegro.

DPS Presidency decides: We deny support to Abazovic’s government, we’re committed to processes that lead Montenegro to EU membership (CdM) 

At Sunday’s session, the Presidency of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) has decided to withhold support from the government headed by Dritan Abazovic, CdM learns. The DPS Presidency has opted for this move after the government adopted the draft Fundamental Agreement between Montenegro and the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) on Friday. The DPS has announced that at the session, “regret was expressed due to the change in the political course of the government of Montenegro”, as well as that the government abandoned the priority task of fulfilling obligations from the European integration agenda. With such a change of priorities by the government, the opportunity to ensure the strengthening of the consensus of civil, pro-European politics has been missed, and instead, the old divisions in Montenegro have been strengthened in a completely unnecessary and self-destructive way, which has seriously jeopardized the suddenly presented chance that our Montenegro, as a country that already has long been at the forefront of the negotiation process with the EU, in due course also becomes its first next member, DPS says.

Abazovic: I welcome DPS decision, we’ll see what position of majority of MPs will be (CdM) 

“I welcome the decision of the DPS Presidency,” PM Dritan Abazovic has said after the DPS Presidency’s decision to deny support to the government. We will see, Abazovic points out, what the attitude of the majority of MPs will be. “It is also responsible and in a manner of a stateman that when you are unable to help the state, at least not to make it harder for it. We will see what the attitude of the majority of MPs will be. Montenegro must move on – crime, corruption and nationalism are not the options. The European future will win,” Abazovic has tweeted.

Djukanovic: Policies of denying crimes and refusing to recognize genocide in Srebrenica have never stopped in these areas (RTCG) 

On the occasion of the 27th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica, Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic Monday wrote on Twitter that “the policies of denying crimes and refusing to recognize the genocide in Srebrenica have never stopped in these areas”. “Mute before the truth that genocide happened before our eyes and that we were powerless to prevent it,” Djukanovic stated on Twitter. Djukanovic emphasized the need to use the lessons learnt in order to prevent killing, caused by differences and hatred, from happening in the past. “We are speechless facing the truth that genocide happened in front of our eyes and that we were powerless to prevent it. We are humble before the victims and their families and friends, with whom we share the pain even today, 27 years after the Srebrenica massacre,” says Djukanovic. “We are worried to learn that the policies of denying crimes and refusing to recognize the genocide in Srebrenica have never stopped in these areas. We are determined that, based on the lessons learned from the past, we will never again allow suffering due to diversity and hatred,” Djukanovic has tweeted.

Montenegrin Metropolitan Mihailo: Serb people are not genocidal, but their leaders are (N1) 

Metropolitan Mihailo with representatives of the Montenegrin Orthodox Church paid homage to the victims of the genocide in Srebrenica on Monday. He said from the Memorial Center in Potocari that “B&H will be united” and that “Montenegro will be free”. Speaking about the role and responsibility of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the wars in the Balkans, he pointed out that believers in Christianity, as well as in Islam, must be, above all, humans. “In this church, not to mention which one, there is no religion – it is just a showdown and bloodshed,” said Metropolitan Mihailo and added that the role of Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU), the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Writers’ Association of Serbia in the wars in the former Yugoslavia is well known. “Today we have the same. The Serb people are not genocidal, but their leaders are”, concluded Montenegrin Metropolitan Mihailo. Metropolitan Mihajlo condemned part of Orthodox Church for everything that happened in Srebrenica in July 1995. He underlined that there is no religion within one Orthodox Church in the region, adding that everything they are interested in are reckoning and spilling of blood.

Eighth day of protests against French proposal (Republika) 

Protests against the French proposal have been taking place for the eighth day under the slogan “Ultimatum, no, thank you”. The protest started in front of the government building, then proceeded to the Ministry of Justice and it ended in front of the parliament. With the message “No one has defeated the people”, the demonstrators told the government that they will be in front of the government building every day at 7 pm and will not allow Bulgarianization. VMRO-DPMNE leader, Hristijan Mickoski, who was not at the head of the protest procession today, called for massiveness in a video message this morning. Protests are held every day with the exception of Saturday, when they were not held due to the Muslim holiday of Qurban Bayram, and on Friday, when dissatisfaction was expressed through blockades in Skopje and on the main roads Stip – Veles, Strumica – Radovis and Pletvar – Prilep.

VMRO-DPMNE to participate in coordination meeting in parliament: The only request is to return the French proposal to the government (Republika) 

I want to announce as the coordinator of the parliamentary group of VMRO-DPMNE and the coalition “For the Renewal of Macedonia” that we will attend today’s coordination called by parliament speaker Talat Xhaferi with one single goal, and that is to repeat the views and demands of our parliamentary group, said Nikola Micevski. Although we sent a letter to Talat Xhaferi, about which we also informed the public, we have not yet received any response to our requests, and that is why today I will communicate the same requests to Xhaferi personally. As we said before, we demand that the information sent by the government be returned as incomplete material and that the dignity of the parliament not be violated with such a document. The sheet of paper that the government calls Information on the contents of the Proposal for the negotiating framework for negotiations between Macedonia and the EU is an utter disrespect to us MPs. It is not possible to discuss the most important work in the country in the next ten years with one sheet of paper. It is a classic degradation of the integrity and intellect of any MP, he said. In addition, he said that the parliamentary group requests that the Macedonian-Bulgarian protocol be submitted urgently, which is the most important document in this process and which is the key document on which the rules of the game between the two countries will be agreed upon in the coming period.

Pendarovski: Let’s accept the proposal (TV21) 

Let’s stay pro-forma on the European rails, with this proposal. There will be a screening for a year and a half, so when the Constitution comes, there will be elections, whoever wins will push forward and see if they will “chase” two thirds or go to other organizations and continents, president Stevo Pendarovski said for TV21. According to him, this European Union is not the same one they were interested in in the 90s.

Srebrenica Massacre/ Meta: Condemning genocide denial efforts, road to regional cooperation (Radio Tirana) 

On the 27th anniversary of Srebrenica massacre, President Ilir Meta said that condemning any attempt to deny this genocide is the only way to strengthen regional cooperation. With a post on Facebook, Meta writes that the spirit of hatred and division should no longer find a place in our societies. “With deep sorrow, today we honor the memory of the innocent victims of Srebrenica, the biggest massacre after the Second World War, which happened 27 years ago, in the heart of Europe. Condemning any attempt to deny this genocide, the perpetrators and inspirers of this massacre is the only way that guarantees the strengthening of regional cooperation, ethnic and religious coexistence, consolidates peace, stability and security in the region, to move forward towards a common future in the European Union. The spirit of hatred, division and the glorification of war criminals should no longer find a place in our societies, but should receive a well-deserved punishment in order not to allow such massacres to be repeated in the future!”, writes Meta. This July 11 marks 27 years since the Srebrenica massacre, where on the same day in 1995, Serbian forces killed more than eight thousand Muslim men and boys, marking the worst massacre on Europe since World War II.

The New European Political Community, Albania and the Netherlands with a joint proposal (Radio Tirana) 

The New European Political Community, Albania and the Netherlands with a joint proposal

On 4 July, Prime Minister Edi Rama paid a visit to The Hague, where he held a series of meetings, including with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. The head of the government has informed that in the meeting with Rutte they agreed that Albania and the Netherlands will prepare a joint proposal on how the idea of ​​the New European Political Community should be implemented. Rama emphasized that the teams of Albania and the Netherlands are ready to promote a constructive debate for Europe at the great Summit which will be held in Prague in October, where they will also put forward the proposal for the new European Political Community. “The visit to The Hague was an extraordinary news for Albania’s morale and perspective. Albania together with the Netherlands will prepare a proposal of their own on how the idea of ​​the President of France for the new European Political Community should be articulated in the field of real European life. This is a new idea to generate a new European energy and power without replacing or bypassing the enlargement process of the European Union. While the idea of ​​the Albanian-Dutch proposal came to life precisely during the visit to The Hague, where, appreciating the work and achievements of Albania and appreciating our critical contribution to the European Council table, Prime Minister Mark Rutte asked me to write together as two friendly countries one at the roots of the European Union, the other not yet in the European Union, a common point of view on how the idea of ​​the new European political community should be implemented. We will work with Prime Minister Rutte and our teams to encourage a constructive and productive debate about the Europe of all Europeans, at the Great Summit on this topic, in Prague, next October, where we will present our proposal”, Rama declared.

Dutch Prime Minister: If North Macedonia does not accept the French proposal, Albania should continue its journey alone (Radio Tirana) 

“If North Macedonia does not accept the French proposal, Albania will continue the path of European integration alone. I think it’s right, but I hope it won’t be necessary.” This is what Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte declared after the meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in the Netherlands. Dutch media write that Rutte expressed optimism that North Macedonia will accept the proposal and there will be no need for the decoupling of the two countries on their way to the EU. “During the EU-Western Balkans summit in Brussels, the European Union confirmed its commitment. Regarding Edi Rama’s remark afterwards, I think he was right – the meeting was not a success”, he said. According to the Dutch Prime Minister, the countries of the Western Balkans, including Albania, are working hard to join the EU. “The problem here is North Macedonia and, thanks to the efforts of France, there is a new moment in the membership process that also affects Albania, so the two countries, at least politically, are connected. We support the French proposal, as it offers solutions to all remaining concerns,” Rutte emphasized. Also, he pointed out that the EU supports North Macedonia in its next steps if it accepts the French proposal. According to him, setting the date for the first intergovernmental meeting will be a reward for the Albanian government of Edi Rama and for the reforms carried out by him. For his part, Edi Rama appreciated the commitment of the Netherlands and thanked Mark Rutte for promoting the EU membership process. Both prime ministers supported the idea of ​​creating a new political community, and Rutte even spoke of an Albanian-Dutch initiative to lead the process.