LOCAL PRESS

Vucic: Decision on Russian oil imports postponed until 1 December (Tanjug/RTS)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic confirmed on Thursday an EU decision on a ban on Russian crude oil imports to the Western Balkans had been postponed until 1 December. “The decision has been postponed until 1 December – the day until which the old decision that is not affected by the derogative norm is to remain in effect. It also applied to countries in our region, so unless there is a change of the decision, the old one will remain in place, and we will have no right to import Russian oil,” Vucic told reporters in Prague, where he is attending a European Political Community summit. “Of course, we can import (Iraqi) oil from Kirkuk, but at this time, it is not just about paying 20 pct more,” Vucic said, adding that Serbia would be able to handle the price increase, but that the essence was something else. Noting that crude oil prices would see an enormous rise, he added that “Ukraine used to be a huge electricity exporter thanks to its nuclear power plants, and Zelenskyy says they will not be able to export energy”. “It will all end up hitting the European single market, creating countless problems for all us, so I now ask you: how will we survive if we in Europe are going to obstruct each other for bilateral reasons, because a man named Vucic wanted to lay a wreath in Jasenovac (a WWII death camp run by Croats),” Vucic explained, referring to Croatia’s decision to halt crude oil exports to Serbia via the JANAF oil pipeline, built by the former Yugoslavia.

Vucic from Prague: Are you punishing Russia or Serbia? (B92)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is participating in the Summit in Prague. Today he had a series of meetings with numerous leaders. “A lot of good things were heard there, which way Europe will go. The construction of connecting transmission systems, new interconnectors, gas pipelines, oil pipelines, so that energy from all over the world can be used. On Saturday, we will talk more about new investments. I thanked Europeans for support for the construction of the interconnector with Bulgaria,” said Vucic. “Yesterday, at that meeting, when everything should have passed, on the initiative of Croatia, and supported by two countries, one Baltic and one not far from the Baltic countries, the derogation of the norm for the Western Balkans was removed from the agenda. The Croatian Prime Minister came out with the thesis that it is not fair that Serbia has a lower oil price. And I guess it is fair that some European countries have it. So wait, are you punishing Russia or Serbia?” Vucic asked. Vucic thanked Bulgarian President Radev and Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis, who pointed out that what was proposed was not fair. “I have to say that at the second panel I received information that Orban and Rama also expressed their dissatisfaction. It’s not bad that the decision has been postponed for the time being. We are a smaller consumer than Hungary, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria, so it would probably be a problem now, and these consume more Russian oil, so they don’t bother. There was no other intention there but to spite Serbia,” he says. “No one criticized us today, none of the official speakers,” added Vucic. President of Serbia then spoke about sanctions against Russia, which Serbia did not introduce. “I understand the position of the European Union. They are in a big conflict with the Russian Federation, but they forgot about our situation in 1999. The majority does not understand that situation and that is why it is not so easy.” Vucic also referred to this new political community proposed by Emmanuel Macron. “We gathered to show that we belong to Europe. It is very useful for us, an ideal opportunity to have good meetings, to find out some things. I saw what many people are starting to do in their countries regarding the energy crisis. This means a lot to us, when and how the European path will continue or slow down after that,” concluded Vucic. After his address, Vucic also had a chance to meet with Charles Michel, President of the European Council.

Vucic meets with Macron, Scholz in Prague (Tanjug/Politika)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday in Prague, which is hosting a summit on an initiative to establish a European Political Community. “As always, wherever in the world we meet, a cordial meeting with my friend Emmanuel Macron ahead of the opening of the Prague summit. We agreed to meet again to discuss the most important issues of significance for the future of not only our country and the region, but also in light of the global crisis we are all facing,” Vucic wrote in a post on his buducnostsrbijeav Instagram profile. “A brief meeting with the German chancellor at the opening of the Prague summit, at which we will discuss some of today’s most significant topics that are a burden to the whole world,” Vucic also posted after the meeting with Scholz. “I reiterated that, from Serbia, Germany can always expect serious participation and partnership in all projects that are in the national interest of our country,” he added.

Vucic, Zeman discuss global challenges, energy situation (Tanjug/Politika)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke with Czech President Milos Zeman at the European Political Community summit in Prague on Thursday. “With my dear and esteemed friend Zeman, I exchanged views on today’s geopolitical challenges, in particular in light of the current energy situation, as well as many other aspects. As always, I listened to the wise assessments of an experienced statesman and someone who sincerely respects our country,” Vucic wrote in a post on the buducnostsrbijeav Instagram account. Vucic added that they had also discussed bilateral and economic ties between Serbia and the Czech Republic, as well as Zeman’s upcoming visit to Serbia.

Serious economic consequences of ban on import of Russian oil (TV Prva)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic stated today that it is encouraging that the EU decided to postpone its decision on banning the import of Russian oil for the countries of the Western Balkans, including Serbia, until 1 December and underlined that until then difficult talks will be conducted. In a guest appearance on TV Prva, Brnabic said that Croatia, with its request that Serbia be included in the eight package of sanctions against Russia, which entails the import of Russian oil and from which some EU member states are exempted, has openly shown that it is a hostile country towards Serbia. She underlined that if these sanctions are imposed, that will have serious consequences on our economy, and that the decision not to exempt Serbia is a political decision by the EU and is meaningless. She underlined that Serbia has one month and a half more to try to avoid being included in these sanctions and added that she hopes that the EU will not ban import of any oil into Serbia because of the majority Russian ownership of the Serbian Oil Industry NIS. Brnabic said that NIS currently has no problems with the suppliers from the EU, but that it is being discussed with Gazprom Neft about Serbia taking over the company in order to avoid such scenarios. According to her, it was expected and agreed that Serbia be exempted from the eight package of sanctions, but it turned out differently. However, she voiced the hope that the EU will understand that it would be unfair not to exempt us, especially since Serbia is in a specific situation. She said that JANAF is the only pipeline through which we are getting oil and for which we are paying between €45 million and €48 million every year and added that 70 percent of JANAF’s capacity is intended for Serbia, but Croatia is abusing it for political purposes. Commenting on the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia to Belgrade, Brnabic said that Serbia can rely on that country and that a responsible policy of our country creates partnerships that we have never had and thus we are positioning ourselves strategically in a smart way. She also pointed to quality partnerships with Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates and China and added that we maintain traditionally developed relations with the EU. When it comes to the United States of America, our bilateral relations are the best in 30 years, despite disagreements regarding Kosovo and Metohija.

Selakovic: Not exempting Serbia from EU sanctions – alarming and hostile (Beta)

Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic said on Thursday that it was “alarming and hostile that, on Croatia’s initiative, Serbia had not been exempt” from the European Union’s sanctions on imports of Russian oil via the JANAF oil pipeline, and that this was an example of using energy sources for political purposes. Selakovic met in Belgrade with the foreign ministers of Hungary and Austria, Peter Szijjarto and Alexander Schallenberg, and discussed energy security. He also informed them about Serbia’s efforts in diversifying its energy sources, the Foreign Ministry has stated. According to Selakovic, Serbia will significantly harmonize its visa policy with that of the EU by the end of the year, in order not to be used as an entrance point for illegal migration, and additional measures are already being considered for the prevention of entry of persons from third countries, from which risk of illegal migration is high, the statement reads.

Von Cramon says EU can’t tolerate Serbia’s behavior, Selakovic responds (Nova/N1)

Viola von Cramon MEP told Nova.rs on Thursday that the EU can no longer tolerate official Belgrade’s behavior in terms of the sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, drawing a fierce reaction from Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic. Von Cramon is a member of the European Parliament Delegation to the EU-Serbia Stabilization and Association Parliamentary Committee. She said that Belgrade’s failure to align with EU sanctions policy and the deepening of its relations with Russia was what caused the EU to take its latest decision. She said that Serbia’s attitude towards Russia during the brutal aggression on Ukraine is viewed as an open, unnecessary provocation by Belgrade. According to her, the policy of sitting on two chairs is practically at an end and Serbia could be the collateral damage of its own position. She said she expects Serbia to align with the EU. Von Cramon’s words drew a fierce reaction from Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic who said her words showed the senselessness of the policy of pressure and punishment of Serbia. Selakovic said in a written statement that the words collateral damage used by Von Cramon’s political fathers for Serbian civilians killed in the NATO air campaign against Serbia “have reared their heads in the European political vocabulary again”. He said that state neutrality was respected even in WW 2 with no pressure exerted on the countries that chose not to be involved in the conflict “and Von Cramon’s state respected the neutrality of Sweden, Spain and Switzerland… with some exceptions because the military of the country Von Cramon comes from bombed Belgrade after its residents dared express their freedom-loving and anti-fascist views,” he said. “Serbia is neutral and freedom-loving and is proud of it but Von Cramon is not neutral when she lobbies for Albanian separatists in Kosovo or when she deliberately uses cynical and provocative language to insult the citizens of this country and advocate sanctions on Serbia,” the statement said.

EC Vice-President visits Asylum Centre in Obrenovac (Tanjug)

Vice-President of the European Commission (EC) Margaritis Schinas visited the Asylum Centre in Obrenovac, together with Serbian Commissioner for Refugees and Migration Natasa Stanisavljevic, as part of his announced visit to Serbia. The Vice-President of the European Commission came accompanied by the representatives of the EU Delegation in Serbia, headed by Ambassador Emanuele Giaufret and President of the City Municipality of Obrenovac Milos Stanojevic. After talking with the migrants who live in this center, Schinas expressed his satisfaction with the conditions he encountered, especially when it comes to infrastructure. He said that he will speak tomorrow with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Prime Minister Ana Brnabic about how the EU can additionally help Serbia in solving issues related to migrants. The Asylum Centre in Obrenovac was partially reconstructed with the funds of the EU from 2019 to 2020, through a project worth €3.2 million. There are currently 785 migrants in this facility, most of them from Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Stano: Energy road map running late (KoSSev/Beta)

Implementation of the energy agreement between Kosovo and Serbia is delayed due to technical aspects, said EU spokesperson Peter Stano, adding that the EU has asked Belgrade and Pristina to deal with this matter without any further delay, KoSSev reported. There are certain technical characteristics at stake, Stano said in a written reply to Albanian Post when asked about the delay in the implementation of the agreement on energy in the north of Kosovo, the so-called Roadmap that was agreed upon this summer. Stano said the EU is working with all involved parties to find ways to overcome the current delay in implementation and that the EU offers instruction on responding to open issues. He said the EU is facilitating the dialogue between the parties, but that the final responsibility for the successful implementation of energy agreements and roadmap rests with the two parties. Stano stressed that the EU is carefully monitoring both parties’ activities in connection with the energy roadmap in the capacity of mediator and guarantor of the agreement on dialogue. “The Operator of the System, Transmission and Electricity Market of Kosovo, the Kosovo Electricity Distribution Company, and Elektrosever are in regular communication. They also regularly report to the EU and the US,” said Stano. In June 2022 Belgrade and Pristina adopted a road map to implement the energy agreement reached as part of their dialogue in 2013.

Milivojevic: Vucic not strong enough to topple Dodik (Beta)

Politologist Cvijetin Milivojevic said on Thursday that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic did not possess the power to topple Milorad Dodik, and that Belgrade’s goal in the elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina was to passivize the leading politician in Republika Srpska (RS). Milivojevic told Beta that relations between the authorities in Serbia and RS had not been good for a while now. In his words, Vucic has promised the US to passivize Dodik in return for a lax approach to Serbia’s not imposing sanctions against Russia. “Vucic’s goal was to pull a chair from under Dodik, but election results have proved this impossible in this moment. In agreement with the US, Vucic has attempted to prevent Dodik from becoming the president of RS, so that Jelena Trivic of the opposition Party of Democratic Progress could become the entity’s leader, and also to make Dodik have to ask the opposition for help in forming the government. However, Dodik and his party have won persuasively at all levels, despite obstructions from Belgrade,” Milivojevic said. “The extent of President Vucic’s fury over the immense support Dodik and his Alliance of Independent Social Democrats got in the elections is also measured in the fact that none of the Serbian state officials have congratulated them. Even the regime’s media, which have praised him to the skies until only yesterday, now consider Dodik a forbidden word. Moreover, the right-wing opposition have also not dared congratulate Dodik on winning the election,” stated the politologist.

REGIONAL PRESS

B&H CEC updates results of elections; No significant changes recorded in the race for the B&H Presidency, B&H parliament and entity parliaments (O Kanal/ATV/N1)

The Central Election Commission (CEC) of B&H updated on Thursday results of the general elections held in B&H. According to O Kanal, there were no changes when it comes to the Presidency of B&H and SDP B&H’s Denis Becirovic, DF’s Zeljko Komsic and SNSD’s Zeljka Cvijanovic are still leading. When it comes to the parliament of B&H and based on 94.13 percent of polling stations, SDA won the most votes, then come HDZ B&H and their partners, SDP B&H, DF, the NiP, NS and NES B&H. SNSD won the most votes for seats in the RS parliament, and then come SDS and PDP. As for the Sarajevo Canton (SC), the NIP took the lead over SDA. SNSD candidate for the RS President Milorad Dodik, is in the lead with 287,662 votes, or 48.18 percent, followed by PDP candidate Jelena Trivic, who received 259,326 votes, or 43.42 percent – these are preliminary and incomplete results the CEC of B&H published on Thursday based on 97.28 percent of processed polling stations. According to CEC data, 2.72 percent of polling stations are yet to be processed. Of the counted ballots for the post of the RS President, 94.44 percent are valid, and 5.56 percent are invalid, the CEC published on its website. The B&H CEC processed results of elections for the RS parliament from almost 95.6 percent of polling stations. According to published results, SNSD resumes to lead with 35.24 percent of won votes. Second ranked is SDS with 15.19 percent of all votes, while PDP is third one with 10.4 percent of all votes. SNSD has convincing lead in race for B&H House of Representatives (HoR). Namely, SNSD won 42.04 percent of all votes. It is followed by SDS (18.37 percent of votes), PDP (11.99), For Justice and Order (5.34 percent), DEMOS (5.05) and United Srpska (4.03). These results are grounded on processed 95.67 percent of polling stations. According to B&H CEC’s preliminary results of General Elections 2022 published by the B&H CEC on Thursday, no significant changes were recorded in the race for the B&H Presidency, B&H parliament and entity parliaments. Around 95 percent ballots have been processed for majority of cantons. In Una-Sana Canton (USC) SDA is a leading party, but it has only one percent more votes than NES. They are followed by SDP, Pomak, DF, NiP, Laburisti, SB&H and Our Party. HDZ B&H achieved convincing victory in Posavina Canton with more than 53 percent of won votes. SDA, HDZ 1990, SDP, PDA and HRS will also be parliamentary parties in this canton. SDA won some 30 percent of all votes in Tuzla Canton (TC). SDP won some 18.3 percent of votes. They are followed by, DF, PDA, SB&H, SDB&H, Our Party and NiP. Around 87 percent of votes have been processed in Zenica-Doboj Canton (ZDC). SDA also won most votes (29.4 percent), while SDP is second ranked (13.3). They are followed by BH Initiative-Fuad Kasumovic, DF, NiP, HDZ B&H, NES, SBB and Our Party. All ballots in Bosnia-Podrinje Canton (BPC) have been processed. Parliamentary parties in this canton will be SDA, NiP, Novi pocetak, SDP, SB&H, NPI, NES, Independent civic list, BNS, BHD, LS B&H, DF and SBB B&H. SDA and HDZ B&H won most votes in Central Bosnia Canton (CBC). SDP, NiP, DF and HDZ 1990 also won mandates. HDZ B&H achieved convincing victory in Herzegovina-Neretva Canton. Second ranked is SDA. HDZ B&H and SDP will also have their representatives in HNC Assembly, as well as HRS, DF and NiP. Most ballots have been counted in West Herzegovina Canton. HDZ B&H won more than 63 percent of all votes in this canton, while HDZ 1990, HRS, HSP B&H, HSP Dr Ante Starcevic and HSP – HB and B&H will also be parliamentary parties. SDA and NiP won almost equal number of votes in Sarajevo Canton (SC). SDP is third ranked and is followed by SB&H, Our Party, For new generations, NES and DF. HNP won most votes in Canton 10, while HDZ B&H is second ranked. Members of Canton 10 Assembly will also be representatives of HDZ 1990, Croat Independent List, SNSD, Serb Unity, HRS and SDA.

Leaders of opposition in RS organize protests in Banja Luka due to election theft (BNTV)

A large protest was held in Banja Luka on Thursday. It was organized by the RS opposition due to election theft in the RS, noted the presenter. A large number of people gathered in the park ‘Mladen Stojanovic’ and started a protest walk along the main street towards the Krajina Square, where they were addressed by representatives of the RS opposition. BNTV carried footage of the protest and citizens listening to a message which reads: “The most important thing is to send a big message and a strong image from a free Banja Luka, from a free RS, that we are a real people, that we are together and that we will win. And that we will defend the RS from election theft, and that job will be very complex. It may take time, but we will succeed.” BNTV carried footage of the protest walk while protesters were shouting the name of the PDP candidate for the RS President Jelena Trivic in the general elections held on2  October. Citizens were also shouting slogans in which they are presumably referring to SNSD’s candidate for the RS President Milorad Dodik, shouting that he is a thief and that he should leave. PDP leader Branislav Borenovic stated at the protest that the people in the police, who are monitoring everything, said that there were more than 30,000 people at the protest. It is more than enough, said Borenovic. Borenovic and the protesters shouted that Trivic is the new RS President. Borenovic also said that this shows that they are determined and that there can be no giving up on the intention to verify everything and that there is no breaking the election will of the citizens. SDS Vice President Milan Radovic said that they were there for Trivic because someone wrote a zero for votes in her favor. Radovic said they came to defend votes and the will of the people in the RS. Radovic added that they carried out a protest walk and that it could not be banned because no one can stop the people and the fight for justice. Mayor of Bijeljina Ljubisa Petrovic said they should defeat “bandits and thieves” for Trivic. Petrovic thanked the people who gathered in Banja Luka and that they proved once more that nothing is stronger than the will of the people. Petrovic said that Trivic is the winner of the elections for the RS President and that they will prove that, together with the people. Petrovic called on all students, pensioners, employed and unemployed people, all demobilized soldiers and war invalids and family members of fallen soldiers to join them so that people can win. Election observer from Doboj Njegos Cvijanovic also addressed the citizens at the protest. He said they suffered a lot of pressure but they did not give up and they will not give up. The President of the SDS Main Committee Milan Milicevic stated that the RS authorities have been stealing elections for many years and created a corrupt government based on election theft. Banja Luka Mayor Drasko Stanivukovic said Banja Luka was a host of all free people and people who want the truth. Nebojsa Vukanovic thanked those in Banja Luka for every vote they gave to Vukanovic’s List for Justice and Order and to Trivic. Vukanovic said he will never betray or disappoint them. Vukanovic commented that this will be a long struggle, but every citizen of the RS will be free. Trivic addressed the citizens and said that she is not the one from whom something was stolen, but the people of the RS. She said she will never recognize the election theft, especially not the theft of the people’s will. Trivic thanked the people who came to the protest because they are defending, as Trivic said, the constitutional order of the RS. During the protest, Trivic also sent a message to the RS authorities by saying that she will not get tired. She said she does not have the right to be tired and to give up, and that she will not withdraw. The B&H CEC said it would review all complaints and reports after the final results are published. The CEC admits that there were a number of irregularities at polling stations across B&H, and those irregularities will be reviewed in detail.

Dodik: SNSD-SPRS-United Srpska-DEMOS-NPS-NDP coalition in the RS will remain united at the level of B&H (BHT1/N1)

SNSD leader Milorad Dodik stated on Wednesday that the SNSD-SPRS-United Srpska-DEMOS-NPS-NDP coalition in the RS will remain united at the level of B&H as a side in the government formation negotiations with Muslims and Croats in B&H. “We are ready to open possibility of talks with other parties outside the coalition for their possible participation in the structures, but all members of the coalition need to agree on that first”, Dodik stressed. Dodik believes that his party will remain part of ruling majority at state level. He explained that there is agreement with HDZ B&H that it will not cooperate with parties that are opposition in the RS. SNSD and HDZ B&H, said Dodik, will be looking for a partner most suitable to their interests. Dodik is also certain that along with HDZ B&H, they will be deciding about distribution of positions in the future convocation of the B&H Council of Ministers (CoM). Reporter noted that if Troika forms coalition with SDA and opposition parties in the RS, Dodik’s plan could collapse. Reporter noted that many parties already stated who will definitely not be their partner.

Cvitanovic: Party achieves good results, imposed changes to Election Law will give chance to move things from deadlines, no coalition with Komsic and DF (FTV)

Leader of HDZ 1990 Ilija Cvitanovic said on Thursday that this party has achieved the biggest growth at the general elections of all Croat parties. Cvitanovic added that thus, HDZ 1990 will be a parliamentary party at all levels of power. According to Cvitanovic, the party will remain part of the “national political circle” and they will even more fiercely advocate Croat “togetherness and the position of the HNS” in which HDZ 1990 will have a more significant influence. He welcomed the decisions that High Representative Christian Schmidt imposed and he emphasized that this party will not cooperate only with DF and its leader Zeljko Komsic. Commenting on possible problems with a new convocation of the B&H Council of Ministers, he stated that “everything that will not be good for B&H is possible”. Cvitanovic stated that once he sees a new convocation of the B&H Presidency and one hand that will in his opinion, work against Croats, he argued that “all obstructions aimed to diminish our political influence are possible but they will not succeed.” Cvitanovic also said: “Unfortunately, we again have two Bosniak members of the Presidency and a Serb member of the Presidency. This is what is making me really sad.”

SDA, HDZ B&H, SDP B&H win majority in FB&H HoR, things will be far more interesting and far more complicated in FB&H HoP due to imposed changes of HR (O Kanal)

O Kanal reported that SDA, HDZ B&H and SDP B&H won the majority of seats in the FB&H House of Representatives (HoR) while things will be far more interesting and far more complicated in the FB&H House of Peoples (HoP) due to imposed changes of High Representative (HR) Christian Schmidt. Namely, Schmidt increased the number of delegates in the HoP to 80, i.e. in the caucuses of the constituent peoples from 17 to 23 and in the Caucus of the Others from seven to 11. This is the first time that Others from other Cantons can be represented in the FB&H HoP. Asked to comment on this issue, SDP B&H’s Aner Zuljevic said that most likely, delegates will be chosen from lists for cantonal assemblies adding that we will see how this will look like in the upcoming period. In his opinion, work of the HoP will be even more turbulent than before due to the imposed changes of the HR. In this regard, O Kanal asked how the Serb Caucus and the Caucus of the Others in the FB&H HoP will be filled bearing in mind that their convocation was never fully filled. SNSD’s Goran Broceta stated that results of the elections carried out so far indicate that there will be not enough Serbs. Broceta stated: “I would like to see that Serbs who represent the people in the HoP are legitimate representatives of Serbs, i.e. that they declared as Serbs at least in the two last election cycles and not Serbs who ended on lists of other parties or who changed their ethnicity overnight.” When it comes to the FB&H HoR, SDA is expected to get 26 seats, HDZ B&H 16 and SDP B&IH 14 seats. No one knows how Schmidt’s law will be implemented and thus, everyone is suspicious and formation of authorities in the FB&H will be a special test bearing in mind that the FB&H HoP constantly stays unfilled and bearing in mind that the FB&H government is still in the technical mandate.

First summit of European Political Community to discuss common challenges opens in Prague, war in Ukraine is central topic (Hayat/N1)

The EU Member States and their neighbors met in Prague on Thursday. Bosniak member and Chairperson of the B&H Presidency Sefik Dzaferovic was also there. They discussed common problems related to security and energy as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This is the first and symbolic summit of the new political platform of the club of 44 European countries, but without Russia. Those who support the gathering in Prague described it as a great display of solidarity of the continent of Europe, which is facing several crises, noted the presenter. The Prague gathering is the inaugural summit of the European Political Community, a format designed by French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron said they send a message of European unity to all Europeans, regardless of whether they are members of the EU or not. Macron was quoted as saying: “It is about building strategic closeness. The goal is to share the same understanding of the situation affecting our Europe”. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz noted that the summit is good for peace and security order, for economic development and prosperity, and it is good that the EU can improve relations with its neighbors. He said it is good to see that they all support Ukraine in different ways. High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell believes that this summit is a way to find new order without Russia. The attendance of UK Prime Minister Liz Truss gave hope to some regarding improvement of relations between the UK and EU after Brexit. Before addressing the European Political Community, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the General Assembly of the Organization of American States to provide greater support to Ukraine in the fight against the Russian invasion. Two people died in missile attacks on Thursday in the city of Zaporizhzhia in the south of Ukraine. Russia and Belarus have not been invited to the summit. Borrell said that they are looking for new order that would not include Putin’s Russia. Ahead of this summit, Dzaferovic met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as well as with President Macron. Dzaferovic also took part in roundtable on peace and stability and President Zelenskyy addressed this roundtable. Following the summit, Dzaferovic said that EPC stated that it is important that B&H’s stances on Ukraine have been confirmed at the Summit and that they are harmonized with EU security and foreign policy. He said that he underlined importance of European and Euro-Atlantic perspective of the country and during the bilateral meetings he expressed concerns because of ethnic divisions and tensions created by imposing of the Election Law.

Djukanovic: Montenegro will continue to play an important role as a promoter of European values in the Western Balkans (CdM)

“This is a new political platform for communication and cooperation. The first meeting showed that there was no need to worry about the launch of this political initiative”, said the President of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic, after the first meeting of the European Political Community held in Prague. He said that Montenegro would continue to play an important role as a mediator of European values in the Western Balkans. “It’s not about an alternative to EU membership, but about a broader framework that includes the Western Balkans in discussions about solving current problems. Logically, the topics of the meeting were related to security and energy stability of all European countries. The most current topic was the Russian aggression against Ukraine. At the meeting, the determination of all European countries to provide full assistance to Ukraine was repeated”, said Djukanovic. “Let me point out that, unfortunately, the value system has been devastated by the Russian hybrid action, and that the Western Balkans is in a worse condition compared to the period of a few years ago. Regardless of the political crisis in Montenegro, we have a firm determination to stabilize the political situation, to get a government that will lead Montenegro on the path of European prosperity. And that Montenegro will continue to play an important role as a transmitter of European values ​​in the Western Balkans”, he concluded. At the end of the meeting of the European political community in Prague, Djukanovic was at a joint dinner of the leaders of European countries, where the evaluations from the round tables were summarized. The key topics were European security and energy, economy and climate.

Heated cabinet meeting discussion (CdM)

At the cabinet meeting, there was a heated discussion between the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ranko Krivokapic, and the Prime Minister in the technical mandate Dritan Abazovic. When Krivokapic said that Abazovic imposed the Fundamental Agreement on this government as a historical topic even though the EU warned about it, which led to the collapse of the government, Abazovic reacted. As the discussion progressed, Krivokapic said that it was Abazovic who “humiliated Montenegrins” by signing the Fundamental Agreement in the presence of 30 priests and 4 members of the government, while none of them were Montenegrins. Abazovic told Krivokapic that he “cannot turn the cabinet meeting into a nationalist gathering”.

“You are the one who is the most dangerous nationalist in this country and region”, Krivokapic told Abazovic.

Abazovic on ANB’s work: Session possible soon, these things shouldn’t be discussed publicly; Konjevic: Congratulations to ANB, serious activities carried out (CdM)

Minister of Health Dragoslav Scekic, expressing his support for the Prime Minister regarding the suppression of cigarette smuggling, asked at the cabinet meeting what the role of the “National Security Agency (ANB) is in all this”. Prime Minister in technical mandate Dritan Abazovic announced that there would be a session soon, while Defense Minister Rasko Konjevic praised the work of ANB and pointed out that “it carried out serious activities”. “There is a lot of infection within many state bodies from the previous regime. Some things we can recognize, some we can’t. In any case, don’t think that when we have the right information, we won’t propose the right measures”, said Abazovic. As for the ANB, Abazovic said that he thought that there would be a session or collegium soon. “These are not things that should be said publicly, but I think the ministers should know them”, Abazovic said.

Konjevic: While Abazovic was sending messages that cigarette smuggling was clinically dead, Milosevic apparently didn’t hear him (RTCG/Pobjeda)

While Prime Minister in technical mandate Dritan Abazovic was sending messages that cigarette smuggling was clinically dead, he was apparently not heard by the head of the Revenue and Customs Administration Rade Milosevic, who is his party friend and prominent official”, said Minister of Defense in technical mandate Rasko Konjevic in the Arguments show on the national broadcaster RTCG. Commenting on Abazovic’s accusations that he is one of the political patrons of cigarette smuggling, Konjevic repeated that he said that the Prime Minister in his technical mandate had contact with registered members of an organized group, as did Milosevic.

Kovachevski in Prague: Solidarity and cooperation necessary to overcome energy crisis (MIA)

Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski is taking part at a leaders’ roundtable dedicated to energy and economy, in the framework of the inaugural meeting of the European Political Community in Prague on Thursday. Roundtable discussions focus on the serious disruptions on the energy markets as a result of the Russian military aggression in Ukraine, and the need for cooperation and solidarity across Europe, so that countries secure energy resources through various supply sources, the government said in a press release. PM Kovachevski stressed North Macedonia’s positions and current developments, as well as expectations and the necessity for cooperation to overcome the energy crisis. EU leaders highlighted that the region of the Western Balkans is one of the most affected areas because electricity production is based on lignite from outdated coal-fueled thermal plants, which are inefficient in the given context. In addition, economic situation in the countries and the reduced global economic growth was also discussed. Meeting participants concluded there is a need for new mechanisms and urgent assistance to ensure long-term investments that lead to growth, especially for financing of green and digital transition, reads the press release.

Kovachevski-Nehammer: Austria strongly supports EU accession of North Macedonia and region (MIA)

Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski met with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer at the sidelines of the European Political Community meeting in Prague, discussing regional perspectives and North Macedonia’s Euro-integration process, but also challenges imposed by the global energy crisis and opportunities for their overcoming. PM Kovachevski said North Macedonia is fully prepared for the coming screening process and expects the country to join the EU by 2030, the government said in a press release. Kovachevski and Nehammer agreed that countries share excellent bilateral relations and cooperation, discussing opportunities for their further enhancement. Kovachevski also thanked Austria for the unconditional support from a technical and financial standpoint, reads the press release. Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski also met with Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the sidelines of the European Political Community meeting in Prague, reaffirming the importance of cooperation in the energy sector and joint projects over the construction of the LNG terminal in Alexandroupolis and gas networking between the two countries. Kovachevski had meetings with Croatian PM Andrej Plenkovic and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

JPC debate marked by provocations from Bulgarian MEPs (Sitel/Telma/Kanal 5)

The debate in the frames of the EU-North Macedonia Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Thursday, instead of focusing on good-neighborly relations, reforms, and regional cooperation amidst a crisis, saw provocations from Bulgarian MEPs over history. Despite the reaction from the other MEPs, they continued to make accusations about the historical literature, but also over the conduct of the supporters of North Macedonia’s national football team at last week’s match. “I am saying something very important and I am asking for you to listen to me. I am saying something important,” Bulgarian MEP Aleksandar Yordanov noted. In response, Dutch MEP Thijs Reuten said he’d been listening for many minutes. “But if I want to know about literature, I go to the university,” he stated. Yordanov described good neighborliness as a two-way process, stressing that the Council of the EU had presented a stand which clearly said Skopje should primarily change its Constitution, while the real membership negotiations started after that. North Macedonia’s MPs too, reacted to the Bulgarian MEPs. “You can never tell me and my fellow citizens that they speak the wrong language. I am Macedonian, I speak Macedonian, and that is my identity,” NSDP’s Sonja Mirakovska pointed out.

MFA calling for responsible behavior after announced opening of a new Bulgarian association (All media)

After the announced opening of the new Bulgarian citizens’ association in Ohrid, as well as public calls for protests against it, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urging all citizens, political and non-political groups to act in a responsible and composed manner, respecting the right of all citizens, regardless of their ethnicity, to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed freedom of association and expression. “North Macedonia, as a democratic country in which the freedoms and rights of citizens are elevated to the level of a fundamental value of the Constitution and statehood, will continue to respect the rights of all citizens and communities to express, nurture and develop their ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious identity, as well as the freedom of belief, conscience, thought and public expression of opinion,” said the MFA. The Ministry asks all stakeholders to refrain from attempts to abuse their rights and freedoms, and to especially avoid provoking and denying the rights and freedoms of others. Political party Levica has called for a protest against Friday’s opening of Ohrid-based culture club named after Bulgarian Tsar Boris III. Registration of Bulgarian associations named after controversial historical figures has caused tensions in the country over the past year, which culminated with the arson of the Vancho Mihajlov Cultural Center in Bitola.

Rexhepi: I’m going to join DUI parliamentary group (Alsat M)

In an interview for the TV debate show “Road To” on Alsat M TV, Kastriot Rexhepi, former member of the Besa party and now acting as an independent MP, announced that he will join the parliamentary group of DUI. “My friend Izet Mexhiti from DUI had asked me to join the DUI parliamentary group and I said yes,” says Rexhepi to the offer coming from Mexhiti who is a member of the so-called fiery group in DUI. After the finishing of the formalities, such as informing the President of the parliament and the President of the party, I will be part of DUI, said Rexhepi. He however did not reveal whether he will support DUI policies in general or those of the fiery group. As it was presented in the previous days, DUI will hold the Central Assembly on 15 October, which will be focusing on the political situation but also electing a new presidency.

Rama from Prague: Energy Ministers of Balkan countries will be part of the EU meeting on the energy crisis (Radio Tirana)

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced that the Balkan countries will participate in the EU meeting to tackle the energy crisis the countries of the Union are facing. From Prague, where the meeting of the European Political Community was held, Rama said that at his request, addressed to the President of the EC, the Energy ministers of the Balkans countries will be present at the EU meeting that is expected to be held soon. “This is a process, fear has been a very decisive force throughout the history of efforts to build a European political community, just as it has been an inhibiting force for the EU itself. In a situation like this, Europe is at a point where in order to create the future it must foresee it. The good news is that with my request addressed to the President of the Commission, it has been accepted to invite our energy ministers to the meeting that will take place in Prague to address the energy issue as a European issue and not as an EU issue. The main focus at the round table where I was a part was precisely the energy crisis,” said Rama. According to Rama, we are already in an era of danger and this has brought the countries closer together due to the inflation caused by the Russian occupation of Ukraine.

“The European community is a community of countries that come together for issues that are increasingly common. The climate crisis, the energy crisis, and the democratic crisis cannot be divided into parts. We are in a new danger age. We are out of the safe age. This age of danger has brought us all together and urged to come closer due to the inflation of war. Albania has a different weight and a different voice”, said the head of the government.

Meeting of the European Political Community/Rama: I hope we build something for our people! (Radio Tirana)

The inaugural meeting of the European Political Community is being held in Prague. Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke before the European Political Community Meeting. “It’s not a new idea, it’s an old idea. The meeting will continue and I hope we build something for our people. This idea was reborn after there was a crisis, I hope there won’t be another crisis to have another meeting,” said Rama. The head of the government told the media present there that it is necessary for the European states to be together. “Of course, it is not a new idea, it is a very old idea, but it came up in times of crisis and I hope that there is no need for a another crisis to hold such a meeting. But from this meeting we will move forward and continue to build something very important for the great community of European states and people. Albania is part of a region that is the Western Balkans, surrounded by European states, and for us it is essential that as we are not the EU, but E and U, we are with you,” Rama told reporters. The purpose of the new forum is to improve cooperation between European countries beyond the borders of the European Union, such as Great Britain, Turkey, the countries of the Western Balkans and the Caucasus region.