LOCAL PRESS

Brnabic: We continue the EU path, but also unselective respect of international law (RTS)

Prime minister designate Ana Brnabic emphasized that regardless of the problems, Serbia continues its European path. “The EU can be criticized for a lot of things, but it is one of the most successful projects of humanity,” she pointed out, adding that Serbia has 65 percent of its trade with EU countries. She stressed that Serbia’s European future depends mostly on whether Serbia will impose sanctions on Russia and on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija. She spoke about bilateral relations with many countries of the world and important visits that took place in the previous period and that contributed to the strengthening of friendly relations. “The government will work towards Serbia’s entry into the EU, but we demand that everyone respects our territorial integrity and that the principles of international law are respected indiscriminately. We remain a country that has an unshakable position on these issues. In 1999, Serbia was bombed and aggression was committed against it, over a country that has not set foot on the territory of another country,” Brnabic emphasized. As she said, Resolution 1244 was brutally violated in 2008.

Government’s priorities

Brnabic said that the priority of the new government will be judicial reform and an uncompromising fight against organized crime. Brnabic says that the next government will have much bigger challenges than we could have imagined. According to her, after the pandemic, we thought that better days were coming, but there a war occurred on the European continent. “The only foreign policy topic is Ukraine. The world is sliding into the third world war. It seems to me that emotions have overcome reason. In this kind of world, Serbia must position itself and preserve stability. That is the main task,” said Brnabic and added that just as the past government dealt with health care, now we have to deal with energy.

Before any agreements, Brussels agreement must be fully implemented

Brnabic said that the government’s red lines are quite clear and that the sanctities are the interest of the Republic of Serbia and full independence in deciding on all issues of internal and external policy in accordance with national interests and the principles of international law, as well as the preservation of the vital interests and security of the Serb people on Kosovo and Metohija. “We will invest maximum efforts to preserve peace. We will do our best to continue building a better connected, economically open, stable and prosperous region. We will continue to work on the Open Balkans initiative and I hope that Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina will soon join us. I repeat once again that this initiative is also open to Pristina, because it will ensure a dialogue on the most important topics for the quality of life of all people in this region, and thus for the safety of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija,” said Brnabic. She stated that Belgrade remains committed to the dialogue with Pristina, but that before any agreements, completely naturally and logically, the Brussels agreement must be fully implemented. “We, therefore, with every right, expect the EU, as a signatory of the Brussels agreement, and Pristina, without further delay, because almost 10 years have passed, to ensure the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities, with all the powers from the Brussels agreement,” said Brnabic. She pointed out that in the last two years, eight more countries handed over to Serbia the withdrawal of recognition of Pristina’s unilateral declaration of independence. “We will nurture special ties with the Republika Srpska, respecting the Dayton Agreement, of which we are a guarantor, and insisting on better relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, which we show by building the highway between Belgrade and Sarajevo,” she said. Brnabic stated that during the previous mandate, the government helped establish the “Point of Return” organization, which is in contact with people who are thinking of returning to Serbia from abroad.

Vucic: Serbia will be with Kosovo Serbs (Tanjug/RTS)

Serbia will be with Kosovo Serbs, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday ahead of the expiry of Pristina’s 31 October deadline for replacement of Serbian vehicle license plates in Kosovo and Metohija. Vucic was responding to a question whether Pristina would start seizing vehicles from Serbs who refused to comply. He said no reaction should be expected from the international community as all Quint states would say they were against the move and had requested a postponement of the deadline but that Kurti disagreed. “Difficult times are ahead for our people, and it would be insane for me to make any predictions now. We will be with the Kosovo Serbs, who have demonstrated they do not want to listen to Kurti or anyone else, but only to themselves and their own conscience, and want their rights respected,” Vucic told reporters in Vlasotince, southern Serbia. Vucic noted that just two people in the north of Kosovo had re-registered their vehicles whereas Pristina had expected the number to reach 7,000.

Excellent business, economic cooperation with Germany (Tanjug/RTS/Beta/Politika)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic met on Monday with German Minister of State for Europe and Climate Anna Luhrmann to discuss bilateral relations, continuation of Serbia’s EU integration, the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, as well as energy cooperation. Brnabic informed her interlocutor about the plans of her new cabinet, stressing that commitment to full membership in the EU remains a priority. She stated that economic cooperation with Germany is excellent and that German companies employ 78,000 people in Serbia, which we greatly appreciate. According to her, the challenges facing Serbia, as well as other European countries, when it comes to energy, require a new approach to the problem, which implies large investments in the development of energy infrastructure, especially in new sources of green energy. Brnabic stated that mutual cooperation in this matter will be important. Speaking about the continuation of the dialogue with Pristina, Brnabic pointed out once again that Belgrade has done everything stipulated by the Brussels agreement and that she expects Pristina to form the Community of Serb Municipalities. Luhrmann agreed with the Prime Minister that Serbian-German cooperation has room for development, especially emphasizing the importance of continued cooperation within the Berlin process, which is important for the future of all people living in this area, especially young people. At the same time, the Minister expressed her gratitude for the steps taken in the matter of harmonization with the EU visa policy, and at the same time emphasized the importance of greater harmonization of Serbia with the common foreign and security policy of the EU.

Joksimovic, Luhrmann discuss European integration (Tanjug)

Serbian Minister for EU Integration Jadranka Joksimovic met with German Minister of State for Europe and Climate Anna Luhrmann on Monday to discuss Serbia’s EU accession, as well as other affairs of significance for the European perspective of Serbia and the Western Balkans. According to a statement released by the Ministry of EU Integration, Joksimovic underscored that EU membership was a vital interest of Serbia. She said the pursuance of that interest was also accompanied by internal reform processes, as indicated by the fact Serbia was the only country to date that had embraced a new EU enlargement methodology and also achieved measurable results under the revised methodology. “For Serbia, it is important that it is already networked into the most significant EU policies to a significant extent as that is what our economic progress also depends on, but it is also important for us primarily for the sake of political and energy stability in these globally difficult times,” Joksimovic said, thanking Germany for providing strategic support to Serbia on that path. Joksimovic said the European Commission’s fair assessment of Serbia’s progress in almost all areas was also important for the country, and noted that the result had been achieved despite the difficult geopolitical circumstances both Serbia and the EU were operating in due to the war in Ukraine. Luhrmann noted that she expected Serbia to advance further its approximation in all areas significant for alignment with EU policies and standards, above all, with the EU common security policy and in the dialogue with Pristina, and that the German government provided principled support for all activities leading to a strengthening of peace and stability in the region.

Osmani: Mass registration means political, institutional empowerment of Albanians (Beta)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said in a Monday meeting with the representatives of ethnic Albanians from Presevo, Medvedja and Bujanovac that mass registration of the residents of those municipalities in the ongoing population census in Serbia meant their political and institutional empowerment. According to a press release from Osmani’s office, she urged ethnic Albanians from the Presevo Valley to a massive response in the October census in Serbia. According to Osmani, the most massive possible participation in the census is a measure against “the chauvinist policy of Serbia”, which “is trying to execute ethnic cleansing with administrative measures”. Osmani called for ethnic Albanian unity on priority issues facing ethnic Albanians in order to remove the obstacles she said Serbia is placing in the census registration process.

REGIONAL PRESS

HR Schmidt addresses press conference before protest of citizens in Sarajevo: B&H parliament must finally adopt Law on State Property (FTV)

Ahead of the protests in Sarajevo, High Representative Christian Schmidt addressed the public, talking about several topics. In his address, the High Representative stated that numerous changes are needed both in Republika Srpska (RS) and in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FB&H), but also at the state level when it comes to Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H)’s path to the EU. Schmidt pointed out that one of the key things is to solve the issue of state property. Schmidt added that he is disappointed with the fact that domestic politicians did not sit down to discuss and adopt the Law on State Property. However, the High Representative promised the citizens of B&H that he will sit down with the B&H politicians to come up with the right and sustainable solution for the issue of state property. Schmidt also spoke about the changes to the B&H Election Law which he imposed on the election night, emphasizing that he was forced to impose them and that he only wanted to unblock the FB&H. “I have realized one of the options according to which people are not distinguished by which ethnic group or nationality they belong to, but they are enabled to take a legal initiative in order to bring such an issue to the parliament. This was followed by rational comments that went along the lines of saying – yes, you did it for the FB&H, but what about the entity of the RS and the state. And I certainly admit, we have to do something about it, but at this moment I was looking at the issue of the functionality of the FB&H itself,” Schmidt underlined. Schmidt was quoted as saying: “In this understanding, there should be no threats or insults directed at any of the CEC members. I encourage the work of prosecutors’ offices and judges in their efforts to bring to justice and to investigate the cases of those who have committed certain irregularities. The job of political parties is not only to criticize the CEC. They have the right to hear their actual results. The most important job is actually providing support in the rapid formation of the government based on the actual election results”. Schmidt gave an explanation about changes to B&H Election Law. He believes that he brought B&H closer to European and democratic processes with his decision. During his press conference, Schmidt was quoted as saying: “European standards must become normal in B&H and human and civil rights must be guaranteed for all citizens. I am sending a message to everyone in this country. This is discrimination directed against individuals. It is not about the ethnic structure. This is about discrimination in which we cannot make a distinction and say that someone is Bosniak, Serb, Croat or Others. All citizens of B&H deserve that we oppose all such types of discrimination. All citizens have the same rights. I am here to tell them what to do with these decisions. Ultimately, it is necessary to take care of the exercise of all human rights in a group of cases such as the decisions of Sejdic-Finci and others. I took care of the functionality of the FB&H.”

Citizens protest in front of OHR building in Sarajevo to express their dissatisfaction with imposed amendments to B&H Election Law and FB&H Constitution; They demand withdrawal of HR’s decision or his removal (O Kanal/N1/Nova BH)

Citizens’ protest was held in front of the OHR building in Sarajevo on Monday afternoon. Participants of the protests, which were organized by an informal group of citizens, expressed their dissatisfaction with the amendments to the B&H Election Law and the Constitution of the FB&H which were imposed by HR Christian Schmidt on the election night. Protesters demanded withdrawal of the imposed amendments to the B&H Election Law and the Constitution of the FB&H or Schmidt’s removal. Protesters asked if these imposed decisions are good, then why the High Representative did not pass them a year before the elections and not on the very election night. Certain protesters also said that there are people to defend B&H and that they are ready to stand up for it, as well as that they will not allow a repeat of 1992. Representative of the ‘Anti-Dayton Movement’ Nihad Alickovic said that one is primarily asking for the withdrawal of the High Representative’s decision or his removal.  Azra Zornic, appellant in ‘Zornic vs B&H’ case processed by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), sent a message to Schmidt. “Or withdraw what was imposed or leave B&H. It is obvious that the wrong man is in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Zornic underlined. Estimates say several thousands of people came to the protest, while one of the organizers told N1 that around 5,000 people were present, Nova BH reported live in front of the building of the Office of the High Representative that over 1,000 people joined the protest. Many people lost their trust in the High Representative, saying he brought B&H back to the past and further emphasized the discrimination in the country. “He cannot receive such a large salary, and to work against the citizens of B&H. They should send us someone more capable and skillful, and then that person would lead the OHR”, Zornic emphasized. Alickovic said if Schmidt does not withdraw his decisions, they will address the international community, the European Parliament, the OSCE, Brussels, Strasbourg, and every relevant address that can help the citizens of B&H. Alickovic said they will ask all these people to remove Schmidt from his post. BHT1 reports that majority of citizens who participated in the protest are of view HR Schmidt’s decision favors one political party in B&H, furthers discrimination of citizens, that rulings of the ECHR have not been implemented and that amendments to the B&H Election Law are implemented only in the FB&H, not in Republika Srpska, and carries statements of citizens, all of whom underscored they seek equal rights for all citizens of B&H.

Dzaferovic: Protests in front of OHR are justified (Oslobodjenje)

Commenting the protests that were held in front of the OHR, Chairman of B&H Presidency Sefik Dzaferovic stated on Monday night that protests in front of the OHR are justified, as well is the discontent of citizens with the changes of FB&H Constitution and B&H Election Law, imposed by High Representative Christian Schmidt. “The fact is that he is the first High Representative who has regular mass protests of citizens and the lowest in history support of Peace Implementation Council (PIC) should make him to think about things well instead of unfortunately escaping from the reality with statements which are borderline arrogant and some even cross the line,” said Dzaferovic.

Recounting of ballots for RS President resumes (RTRS)

After missing the deadline for publishing election results for the level of the RS President and Vice-Presidents, the B&H CEC is expected to complete the recount and publish the results by Thursday, 27 October. RTRS learned that recount of votes from Bileca was underway on Monday evening at the Main Counting Center in Zetra hall. At this moment, it is difficult to predict if the CEC will be able to complete everything by Thursday. The B&H CEC said on Monday that 1.621 polling stations from the RS were processed so far. A total of 2.239 polling stations must be processed. However, RTRS learned that the counting is done really swiftly, and the counters already processed around 1.800 polling stations. On Monday, recount of votes for Srbac, Sipovo, Lopare, Cajnice and Milici was completed. Some irregularities were determined, but they are so insignificant, RTRS reporter said, that they could not affect the previously presented results. Vlasenica, Srebrenica, Sekovici, Bratunac votes were recounted on Sunday.

Pelosi: Parliamentary Summit in Zagreb is “timely and important” (Hina)

The United States and its allies will again demonstrate their solidarity with Ukraine at this week’s First Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimea Platform in Croatia, a key American ally, regional leader and NATO partner, the Office of Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House of Representatives of the US Congress, said in a press release. Pelosi will be the highest US official to visit Croatia since 2015 when Joe Biden visited the country while he was serving as Vice President. “It is my privilege to join our European allies and other partners from around the globe in Croatia to deliver an unmistakable statement of our solidarity with the Ukrainian people,” Pelosi said, announcing further support to Kyiv. “Croatia is a key American ally, regional leader and NATO partner – and our engagements in Zagreb will deepen the bonds between our nations,” she added. The Crimea Platform coordinates the international response to the Russian annexation of Crimea and other security challenges. Its inaugural summit was held in Kyiv in 2021, and another one took place in a virtual format in August this year. Both were held at the level of heads of state or government. The summit in Zagreb will establish the parliamentary dimension of the Crimea Platform. “This week, America joins our democratic partners to reaffirm our pledge to stand with the Ukrainian people in their fight for freedom and to hold Russia accountable – until victory is won,” Pelosi said. “Working with historic speed, strength and unity, the United States and our allies have imposed devastating consequences on Russia and delivered game-changing aid to Ukraine,” she added. Pelosi saluted “Croatian speaker Gordan Jandrokovic, Ukrainian speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, as well as Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, for convening leaders of legislatures from the world’s democracies for this timely and important Summit.” Forty-two delegations from 32 countries will arrive in Zagreb for the Parliamentary Summit. Five countries — Belgium, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Poland and Romania — will be represented by the speakers of both chambers of parliament. Eleven countries have confirmed their participation by video message, including France, Hungary, Japan and Canada. Also attending will be representatives of the European Parliament, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Parliamentary Assembly of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The summit starts on Tuesday morning with opening remarks by Speaker of the Croatian parliament Gordan Jandrokovic and his Ukrainian counterpart, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk. Those gathered will then be addressed by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who will speak via video link. The summit is expected to end with a joint statement, and Jandrokovic and Stefanchuk are scheduled to hold a joint press conference.

Stefanchuk: Military training is extremely valuable aid for Ukraine (HRT)

The Chairman of the Ukrainian parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk expressed his gratitude to Croatia and other countries that have agreed in principle to train Ukrainian fighters on their territory. Stefanchuk appeared in an interview on national broadcaster HRT’s evening news. He said that this is very valuable assistance for Ukraine, which has been trying to fight off Russia’s invasion since February. “Ukraine needs doesn’t just need weapons, it needs Ukrainian soldiers to be able to use this technology effectively and professionally. That is why I will be extremely grateful to Croatia and all other countries that help. This is our joint contribution to the fight against the barbarians,” he said. “We expect that the people who will come to the summit will discuss international security using the example of Crimea. I hope that we will find a way to restore order in Crimea,” said Stefanchuk. The speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi will also be at the summit. Stefanchuk said that he invited Pelosi to the meeting while he was in Berlin at the G7 summit and that she immediately agreed. He added that the two will certainly also meet separately. Regarding Russia’s war in Ukraine, Stefanchuk said that Russia is unable to gain an advantage on the battlefield and is starting to commit acts of terrorism against the Ukrainian civilians. “We must respond appropriately to such terrorist activities by the Russian Federation, and this is exactly what we will talk about at the Crimea Platform,” he said.

President calls on USA and Russia to end proxy war in Ukraine (HRT)

President Zoran Milanovic, the Commander-in-Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces, said he would not be attending any of the events in Zagreb related to the Crimea Platform. Commenting on Tuesday’s first parliamentary summit meeting of the International Crimea Platform in Zagreb, Milanovic said that he could see “a lot of cynicism and dishonesty towards the Ukrainian people and regarding the war in general” and that he did not want to contribute to it. “Eventually, the Americans and the Russians will have to sit at the negotiating table as they are waging a proxy war at the expense of Ukraine. But nobody dares to say that. I don’t know why nobody says this out in the open, but it’s true,” said the President. Milanovic then clarified that it was a parliamentary initiative and that as the head of state, his presence was not necessary. “As long as Croatia hasn’t been attacked and isn’t at war, I won’t participate.” President Milanovic then reiterated his opposition to the training of Ukrainian troops in Croatia. “Combat training – for anybody who has any understanding of law and neutrality – actually means taking sides in that war and de facto taking part in it.”

Day after elections: What did voters say (CdM)

Local elections have ended. Some voters are celebrating, some are being dissatisfied. Some are waving the tricolor. Some have liberated something again, while those declaring themselves Europeans were celebrating with the sound of the ‘Veseli se Srpski Rode’ song. URA is not important for anyone anymore. The Europe Now Movement is now announcing the increase in salaries, and we just hope we won’t be obliged to pay for things in instalments. The DPS faced the defeat, they don’t hope for the coalition. One of the moments which best reflects the elections, particularly the Podgorica ones, is the statement of the ‘Europe Now’ Movement candidate, Jakov Milatovic, who said they were going to “invite URA”, meaning on the forthcoming talks over the formation of the local government. They’re going to call URA, but they can form power without it. The election results have shown that the DPS both individually and along with its traditional partners, is the strongest party or bloc, but that’s all. It remains without a broader coalition capacity. Beside that, it records drop in all municipalities, while the results in Podgorica showed that – it will either have to make some fundamental changes in their politics or their rating is going to fall massively.

DPS: Parliamentary elections imminent, parliamentary majority in significant decline (CdM)

The preliminary results, which are an expression of the will of almost half of the electorate, show that the opposition parties and those outside the Parliament have won the majority of votes. This clearly indicates the disputed legitimacy of the 2020 majority and the need to organize state elections as soon as possible, in order to stop the politically monstrous situation, in which a party with a few percent and its leader abuse institutions and power, DPS has announced. “DPS alone or its with coalition partners is the only political entity that has councilors in all 14 municipalities. In most municipalities, we are the political entity with the largest number of votes. In Podgorica, although we do not have an absolute majority, the number of councilors of the list led by Ivan Vukovic is almost double that of the next list, in Bijelo Polje we won power, in Bar as well, in Plav our list won an absolute majority, in Tivat we are the party that convincingly has the most councilors, in Danilovgrad we are the strongest political party, in Kolasin we have won the most votes, in Zabljak we have the most councilors”, DPS points out.

In all municipalities, they add, where they have won power or have the largest number of councilors, they call on all political subjects who do not build their program on hatred, but on the development of Montenegro, its European perspective and strengthening of civil society, to form post-election coalitions. The pronounced drop in voter turnout, they say, can be interpreted as voter disappointment that occurred after 2020, when instead of the announced “liberation” they got instability, huge debts, unemployment growth, economic decline, and the ruination of healthcare.

Besic: DPS didn’t understand message from 2020, Europe Now and DF have most reason to be satisfied (RTCG)

Political analyst Milos Besic has told TVCG that it is certain that DPS and its coalition partners have no reason to celebrate, but also that Democratic Montenegro must change its communication strategy. According to him, the Europe Now Movement (ES) and the Democratic Front (DF) have the most reasons for satisfaction. “Since 2020, at the level of Montenegro, DPS is heading towards a very clear erosion. It is obvious that they did not understand the message from 2020. Instead of experiencing the loss of power as a kind of message, they continued to tighten things and these are the results of that tightening. It is clear that such a story of division and aggravation does not contribute to any welfare, but strengthens the other side. If they continue at the same pace, and if they continue with the same strategy, this erosion will continue”, Besic has stated. According to him, the Europe Now movement has the most reason to be satisfied.

Besa, as well as Alliance for Albanians, conditions support for including of Bulgarians into

the Constitution (Sitel)

After the Alliance for Albanians (AA), the second opposition party from the Albanian bloc, Besa, came out with a condition for supporting the constitutional amendments that would include

Bulgarians and other peoples in the Preamble of the Constitution. The condition is to replace the term “20 percent” with “Albanian language”. “It is one of the conditions that when the constitutional changes are opened, we will come up with specific demands. The main demand will be this,” said Arafat Shabani from Besa at a press conference. He said that he expects a much more rational approach from the Macedonian side regarding this issue, given that awareness has increased, and Macedonians understand this problem best. Acting with a similar position three days ago, AA President Arben Taravari also said that he thinks that all Macedonian parties are ready for such changes.

EU needs clear plan and strategy for enlargement, says Marichikj in Salzburg (MIA)

Deputy PM for European Affairs Bojan Marichikj told Monday’s panel discussion “Will Europe survive its Crises?” within the 18th Salzburg Europe Summit that only united, with clear plan and strategy, the EU will succeed in overcoming the challenges it is currently facing. “The new reality that we and the EU are living in, requires concrete steps and decisions that will make us more united and take us forward. Only with the right decisions and a clear strategic plan for enlargement will the European Union overcome the current challenges,” Marichikj said. At the panel, a debate was opened on the credibility of the EU and its influence in the Western Balkan countries, particularly in recent years, as a consequence of the passivity of the enlargement policy, to which Marichikj said that the trust of the citizens in the Union is the most important and work must be done to restore it, stressing that polls speak of a drop in support for North Macedonia’s EU membership and there is disbelief that the country will become a member at any moment, the Secretariat for European Affairs said in a press release. Federal Minister for the EU and Constitution of Austria Karoline Edtstadler said enlargement is not a matter of speed, but of the credibility of the EU, adding that for a long time the policy of enlargement has been kept aside, and stressing that Austria remains a supporter of the integration of the Western Balkan countries in the EU. Federal Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer said the step taken by North Macedonia and the start of negotiations with the Union is highly respected and welcomed. “We are the bridge with the Western Balkans, and we need to commit to it even more intensively. There must be progress in the countries of the region. It will be a long process, but we have to prove to them that we are interested in them,” Nehammer said. Marichikj also spoke about the importance of NATO membership, which is confirmed in these times of war on the soil of Europe and when countries like Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden are waiting to become part of the largest military alliance. “We made great sacrifice for the NATO membership and reaffirmed our sincere intention and commitment in fulfilling the strategic goals of the country. We have shown that we are also a credible partner of the EU with hundred percent alignment with the EU’s foreign policy. Now we also expect the EU to be the first in to give support in dealing with the crises,” said Marichikj. Marichikj pointed out that the only option for the country is the Union, which still remains the best peace, political and economic project for the entire continent. “We have no better option. It is still a peace project, otherwise we would not be asking today the question whether Ukraine should be part of the European Union. The Western Balkans was also a  turbulent region. But joining the EU will seal the topic of our prosperity, security and stability,” the Deputy PM added. Marichikj addressed the panel alongside Vice-President of the European Parliament Nicola Beer, Secretary General of the Austrian Foreign Ministry Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, Vice President of the European Investment Bank EIB Lilyana Pavlova, and State Secretary for European Affairs and International Law of the Republic of Slovenia Marko Stucin. On the sidelines of the summit, Marichikj met with EU Commissioner for Budget and Administration Johannes Hahn, Secretary General of the Austrian Foreign Ministry Launsky-Tieffenthal, and Director of EU Funds Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia, Aleksandar Simurdic. The 18. Salzburg Europe Summit taking place Oct. 23-25, 2022, is held under the auspices of President of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen and Federal Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer. This year the summit is held under the theme Europe and Peace, Visions for Europe: Expectations and Reality.

Spasovski meets Czech counterpart Rakusan in Prague (MIA)

Minister of Interior Oliver Spasovski, who is set to participate in the Prague Process Ministerial Conference in the Czech Republic, met Monday with his Czech counterpart and First Deputy PM Vit Rakusan. This meeting between the interior ministers of the two countries reaffirms commitment to sincere mutual cooperation and selfless support, which is at the highest level, the Ministry of Interior said in a press release. Minister Spasovski thanked Minister Rakusan for the Czech support to the Ministry of Interior, through donations for the improvement of police capacities and increasing efficiency, as well as in dealing with illegal migration on the southern border, through the constant dispatch of Czech police officers, which started at the height of the migrant crisis, and which contributes to the preservation of EU borders and the safety of European citizens. The two agreed that the Czech and Macedonian police are handling illegal migration very well, which is of particular importance, considering that dealing with migration on the southern border of the Republic of North Macedonia essentially means securing the borders of the EU. Minister Spasovski invited Minister Rakusan to participate in the Ministerial Conference within the Czech EU Presidency in joint organization and support of the International Organization for Migration on the topic “Sustainable management of migration in the Western Balkans”, which will be held in Skopje mid-November. Spasovski also invited Rakusan for an official meeting at North Macedonia’s Ministry of Interior. Minister Rakusan extended gratitude and accepted the invitation, expressing confidence that the intensive cooperation between the two ministries will continue in the future, and adding that meeting such as the one in Prague and the upcoming one in Skopje are an excellent opportunity to open new chapters through concrete proposals to further promote it.

Xhaferi – Adamova: Czech Republic is a strong supporter of North Macedonia’s European

Integration (MIA)

The Czech Republic is a strong supporter of the EU integration of North Macedonia, not only in words but also in deeds, Speaker of the Czech Chamber of Deputies Marketa Pekarova Adamova told Monday’s meeting with parliament speaker Talat Xhaferi. Xhaferi stressed the excellent and intense cooperation between the two countries at all levels and expressed his gratitude for the overall help and support in the context of the country’s Euro-Atlantic integrations. “I’m convinced that your support and friendly cooperation towards our country will continue with the same intensity,” Xhaferi said, as cited in a press release after the meeting. Xhaferi also welcomed the setting up of the Czech Parliamentary Group for cooperation with North Macedonia’s parliament and expressed his personal belief that parliamentary cooperation will continue to develop further with increased dynamics.  Speaker of the Czech Chamber of Deputies Marketa Pekarova Adamova pointed out that the Czech Republic is a strong supporter of the country’s EU integration, not only in words but also in deeds, highlighting the excellent parliamentary cooperation and voicing readiness to continue deepening mutual cooperation in all areas. “We are aware that your path to the EU is difficult, but at the same time we are proud and support your optimism and willingness to succeed on this path,” stressed Adamova. Also, on behalf of her country, she thanked Xhaferi for the participation in the joint military assistance to Ukraine, as allies in NATO. Interlocutors agreed that intensive political cooperation will further continue in the coming period, reads the press release.

Albania-USA dialogue for strategic partnership begins, present and Blinken: For the first time in a comprehensive format (Radio Tirana)

This Tuesday, the strategic partnership dialogue between Albania and the USA will take place in Washington DC, for the first time in an expanded format, with representatives from 8 line ministries and structures. The Albanian delegation is led by the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Olta Xhacka, and the American one by the Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, Karen Donfried. The American Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, will join part of the discussions of this Dialogue. In the composition of the Albanian delegation for the first time there are representatives at a high level from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, Ministry of Finance and Economy, Ministry of Justice, etc. and for the American side from Department of State, Department of Defense, trade, etc. The US Department of State will be represented by Assistant Secretary of State Donfried, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Escobar, Deputy Secretary of Defense, etc. The dialogue aims to deepen and expand the strategic partnership between Albania and the USA and strengthen cooperation in areas of geostrategic importance such as: security, cyber protection, cooperation within the Security Council, energy, transport, climate, digital transformation, etc. The exchange of opinions and positions on common challenges in the field of security as a result of developments in the international arena will also be touched upon during the dialogue. The strategic partnership dialogue comes on the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Albania and the USA.

EU-Western Balkan summit/Rama: It affirms Albania as a respected voice, dignified member of international community (Radio Tirana)

The next EU-Western Balkan summit will be held in Tirana on December 6. After the news given by the President of the Council of Europe, Charles Michel, Prime Minister Edi Rama also reacted, declaring that this is a historic event. Rama writes on the Facebook social network that no one would have imagined a few years ago that EU leaders would one day come to Tirana and hold the EU-Western Balkan summit. According to Rama, the organization of the summit of the leaders of the European Union and the Western Balkans is the most beautiful fruit of the effort to affirm Albania as a respected voice and dignified member of the international community. “The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, has made public the decision for the organization of the EU-Western Balkans Summit on 6 December, in Tirana. I don’t believe that anyone could have imagined until a few years ago that all EU leaders would come down to Tirana, for a job that has always been done in Brussels. But today Tirana is no longer what it was until a few years ago, it is the capital of a country respected in international politics, as well as a new European city, attractive for its impressive development. This is an absolutely historic event for the history of Albania’s international relations. For Tirana, this is the biggest international event in its history. For 2022, which is coming to an end, this event is the icing on the cake after the beautiful climax of the UEFA Conference League Final at the home of the Black and Reds. While for me and the Albanian government, the organization in Tirana of a summit of the leaders of the European Union & the Western Balkans is EU-Western Balkan summit”, writes Rama.

Ambassador Hohmann: EU expects Albania to redouble efforts to address key reforms (Radio Tirana)

The Ambassador of the EU in Tirana Christiane Hohmann, during her speech at the opening ceremony of the seventh edition of the European Integration School, stated that Albania has made progress in the reform agenda related to the country’s integration into the EU. Hohmann stated that it is very important to understand that the country’s EU membership process is more than just a technical process. “The European Integration School comes at the right moment. You have succeeded in this process. It could not have come at a better moment than this, because not only did we start negotiations in July, but 10 days ago I had the opportunity to present this year’s report for Albania not only in the EC. It is not just a process between the commission and the government. This week’s program is very intense. It is a great opportunity to interact. You know that with the negotiations we have started the legislative analysis process. This is the first stage and you will see these individual stages of the process,” said Hohmann. EU Delegation Ambassador stressed out that the EU accession process is much more than a technical process, in which experts sit around the table in Brussels and simply deal with legislation. She assessed it as a process where the whole society should be involved. “Everyone should understand what is happening. Because not only in Albania we have over 90% of support for Albania’s EU membership and this is unique in the region. It is a great asset for the country. But also the fact that we need to see what more needs to be done with the reforms and that is why the annual report for Albania is so important. Because the advantages, the progress that has been made, must be seen. Everyone can see what happened by reading it, it’s 120 pages of document, but we have an executive summary that gives the main points, divided into chapters. When you enter the various functions are interesting things. What we see in the report is the review of the reform agenda, the progress of Albania, the advantages compared to other countries, where more work needs to be done. Albania has continued to focus on the reform agenda in the EU. Those tasks that have been formulated in the report should be undertaken with responsibility regarding the whole process”, said the Ambassador. Further, she also focused on the areas in which Albania still has a lot of work to do, one of which is freedom of speech. Hohmann emphasized that the EU expects Albania to redouble efforts to address key reforms and complete the country’s political and economic transformation. “There are also some areas where there has been little or no progress. One area that has been clearly stated is freedom of speech. Let me mention the expectations that exist. The best protection of journalists is expected. To ensure the independence of the media regulator, to strengthen the independence of the public broadcaster, as well as financial stability in the sector. There are clear expectations. There is no room for interpretation here as the spaces have been made clear. But in this next phase that we are in, with the negotiation process, the EU expects Albania to redouble its efforts to tackle all these key reforms, to complete the country’s political and economic transformation. But also to bring important actors from the civil society into the limelight. From this point of view, the School of European Integration, this school once a year is to increase awareness, to deepen knowledge”, the ambassador was quoted as saying.

President Begaj, local elections on 14 May 2023 (Radio Tirana)

President Bajram Begaj has decreed 14 May as the date for the local elections of 2023 in Albania. The decree says that Begaj considers it a moment to demonstrate commitment, institutional cooperation and political maturity. Furthermore, Begaj has urged the political parties to go to the elections with mutual respect for opponents and citizens. The President assesses the period until the elections as very important for the successful completion of this democratic opportunity for the institutions, political parties and the entire Albanian society, while stressing that it is time to show commitment, institutional cooperation, political maturity and civic responsibility. President Begaj urges all parties to get to this date with humility and respect for citizens and political opponents. The Head of State calls on voters not to neglect proper information on political alternatives as a civic duty and also to exercise the right to vote, unaffected by interests, which violate the vote and free will. President of Republic calls on the political parties to go towards the May the 14th elections with serious and competitive alternatives, while underscoring duties of the Electoral Reform Commission to speed up the work and address in proper time all the issues arising from the recommendations of the OSCE/ODIHR report.