LOCAL PRESS

Serbia’s commitment to improvement of individual, collective rights of national minorities (Tanjug)

Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic spoke on Thursday with OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Kairat Abdrahmanov about continuous progress in exercising the rights of national minorities in our country and the development of cooperation with that international organisation. Brnabic emphasised Serbia’s commitment to the improvement of individual and collective rights of national minorities and stated that the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina is an outstanding example, noting that a large number of national and ethnic communities live in its territory. She thanked the High Commissioner for the support that the OSCE has been providing to Serbia for years in improving education in the languages ​​of national minorities. According to her, the composition of her new cabinet also speaks of the importance that Serbia attaches to the participation of national minorities in the performance of high state functions. Abdrahmanov welcomed Belgrade’s efforts to establish a strong legislative framework in the area of ​​protecting the rights of national minorities and pointed out that Serbia is a good example for the entire region in this field. Abdrahmanov congratulated Prime Minister Brnabic on the re-election and appointment of new ministers and added that he is carefully following the preparations for the election of members of the national councils of national minorities, as well as that the OSCE considers Serbia one of the most reliable partners.

Vucic with Bauer: Important to avoid further escalation in Kosovo and Metohija (RTV/Tanjug)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic received NATO Military Committee Chair Adm Rob Bauer on Friday to discuss cooperation with NATO as part of Serbia’s policy of military neutrality. Vucic noted that maintaining regular dialogue between Serbian representatives and officials of the alliance’s political and military structures was very important and contributed to strengthening of mutual trust, the Presidential press office said in a statement. Vucic and Bauer discussed advancement of Serbia-NATO cooperation at various levels. Vucic said KFOR troops had an important role in maintaining peace and stability, as well as in protection for Serbs and other non-Albanian communities in Kosovo and Metohija, and both parties agreed that further escalation must be averted. Bauer noted that NATO valued Serbia as a partner and respected its military neutrality.

Mojsilovic meets with Bauer (Tanjug/RTS)

Serbian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff Gen Milan Mojsilovic met on Thursday in Belgrade with NATO Military Committee Chair Adm Rob Bauer, who is on an official visit to Serbia. Mojsilovic and Bauer discussed the current security situation in the region and worldwide and overall mutual ties, with emphasis on the cooperation between the Serbian Armed Forces and KFOR. Bauer, who is on his first visit to Belgrade, said Serbia, as the regional leader, was an important partner to NATO, especially when it comes to security, and added that the Western military alliance remained open to any level of cooperation Serbia opted for. He thanked Mojsilovic for the close and professional cooperation between the Serbian Armed Forces and KFOR on maintaining peace and security in Kosovo and Metohija. Speaking about the situation in Kosovo and Metohija, Mojsilovic said that, in line with UN SC Resolution 1244 and all signed agreements, Serbia saw KFOR as the only legitimate security actor in the province and expected the mission to ensure security to citizens and protect the Serbian national, cultural, historical and religious heritage there. He noted that support for the development of a so-called Kosovo Security Force, provided by some NATO member states – in particular states contributing troops to KFOR – was not in line with the signed international agreements and was not helping to calm tensions and maintain peace in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija. The Serbian Armed Forces-NATO cooperation, underway with full respect of Serbia’s policy of military neutrality, is helping to build peace and stability in the region, Mojsilovic and Bauer said, concluding that cooperation mechanisms established as part of the Partnership for Peace programme ensured further development of mutual ties.

Vucic congratulates Dodik on his election as Republika Srpska President (N1)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic sent a congratulatory message to Milorad Dodik on his election as President of Republika Srpska, said Vucic’s office. “I am convinced that you will work persistently and with strong will to bring progress to Republika Srpska, and prosperity to all its citizens. I am also convinced that, with your political experience, you will responsibly deal with the various challenges of today, while at the same time preserving peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” the President’s office quoted him as saying.

“You can always count on Serbia’s sincere friendship, as well as on our selfless support and cooperation in fostering political, cultural, economic and spiritual ties,” said Vucic.

Drecun on plates: The problem is in the Quint states (RTS)

Milovan Drecun, the Chair of the parliamentary Committee for Kosovo and Metohija, said as a guest on the press review of Radio and Television of Serbia (RTS) that the stoning of buses is one of a series of 160 incidents in Kosovo and Metohija since the beginning of the year, which shows a high degree of tension between Serbs and Albanians, especially on the territory of Kosovska Mitrovica, which is the result , as he says, of Pristina’s aggressive policies. “Unfortunately, this will not be the last incident, the number of incidents directed against the Serb people is constantly increasing. The international community does not seem to see it. We have not heard from EU or US officials to condemn the incidents,” said Drecun. Speaking about the re-registration of vehicles, Drecun says that Pristina always wants to create incident situations and create problems. “Pristina wants to implement something that is not part of the agreement. If you want to solve the problem, you have to talk. Pristina will not talk to the elected representatives of the Serbian people. It is Pristina’s planned policy to cause incidents,” says Drecun. He explains that Pristina does not want these plates, because, as he says, they are not a symbol of the “fake state of Kosovo”. “The plates of so-called Kosovo Pristina would accept, but this is unacceptable for the Serbs. The agreement is for the Serbs to decide for status-neutral plates, these are KS plates, these are plates introduced by UNMIK, symbolically if there are no KS plates, there is no UNMIK. RKS plates are not status neutral, they were created after the unilateral declaration of independence and the Serbs will not accept that,” said Drecun, adding that the agreement was explicit that they could to choose the plates, and when the five-year period expires, to sit down at the table and ask for a solution. Drecun said that instead, Pristina cancels KS plates a year before the deadline and won’t talk. “Pristina’s game, but the problem is in the West, especially in the countries of the Quint, if they really want to solve this problem, then they have the wrong approach. They have to tell Pristina that if they want to solve the problem, they have to talk to Belgrade,” said Drecun. “We see that Pristina is preparing to prevent possible protests by the Serbs because they have deployed their forces on key roads in the north of Kosovo. This means that they want to prevent any protests,” he noted. He says that it has been made clear that the Serb people will not to accept the re-registration of the vehicle, that they will peacefully oppose such a decision. When it comes to the French-German plan for Kosovo, Drecun says he has not seen that plan, but that it is the Quint plan, which boils down to the principle of two Germanys, but the whole plan should be examined and an answer given. “No matter how bad the plan is, it must be discussed. You have to show that you are constructive. There are some constants, namely that we will not recognize a fake state and we will not agree with its membership in the UN,” said Drecun.

Giaufret: More than ever, enlargement policy is investment into peace, security, prosperity (Beta)

The Head of the EU Delegation in Serbia Emanuele Giaufret stated on Thrusday that unity was the only solution to the current security crisis, and that the EU enlargement process was, now more than ever, a geopolitical investment. “Countries of the (Western Balkan) region should use this opportunity and make progress towards EU membership,” Giaufret said at the Belgrade Security Conference, stressing that reforms were crucial in that process. Giaufret said that the visit of the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen to the region this week was a clear indicator of the EU’s commitment to the advancing of the enlargement process and to it offering concrete responses to the people’s problems. While declaring that “the attack of Russian President Vladimir Putin on Ukraine is an attack on democratic principles and on the entire rules-based international order”, Giaufret said that the war had made Europe more united and more decisive in defending the European system of values and democracy. “In this context, the enlargement policy is, now more than ever before, a strategic investment into lasting peace, prosperity, safety, security on our continent,” stated Giaufret.

Stano: Steps leading to escalation must be prevented (Tanjug/RTS/RTV)

EU spokesperson Peter Stano said on Thursday European institutions were working on the ground in an attempt to find a solution to the vehicle licence plate issue in Kosovo, and noted that the EU was working with its partners very intensively to avert an “unnecessary and counterproductive escalation”. At a press briefing, he said steps leading to escalation must be prevented and added that both sides needed to make the required progress in the dialogue on normalisation of Belgrade-Pristina relations. He said the EU was working on preventing “any new flareup of violence”. He said any escalation was contrary to the interests of the people of both Serbia and Kosovo as getting closer to the EU was their priority. Stano also said the new Serbian government was expected to work “seriously and sincerely” on delivering on the necessary tasks for progress in the EU accession process, including alignment with the EU’s foreign policy and sanctions on Russia.

Government adopts resolutions necessary for functioning of Brnabic’s office (Tanjug/Beta)

The government of the Republic of Serbia held on Thursday its first regular session in the new mandate and adopted the resolutions necessary for the functioning of Prime Minister Ana Brnabic’s office. At the session, Novak Nedic, who held this position in the previous mandate, was re-appointed as the Secretary General of the government. Regular meetings of the government of Serbia will continue to be held every Thursday at 1:00 pm, as prescribed by the Rules of Procedure of the government. The Prime Minister once again congratulated the ministers on their election and wished them successful work, pointing out that they have a challenging time and extensive work ahead of them.

REGIONAL PRESS

B&H CEC publishes election results for RS President and VPs (FTV)

At its session held on Thursday, the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) adopted a report of the Main Counting Center confirming that SNSD leader Milorad Dodik is a new Republika Srpska (RS) President and Camil Durakovic and Davor Pranjic are new RS Vice Presidents from the rank of Bosniak and Croat people respectively. FTV carries a video footage from the B&H CEC session, in which B&H CEC member Irena Hadziabdic said the control ballot count established “the will of voters’ for the level of the RS President and Vice President. Out control ballot count should have once and for all end the story whether everything is vote rigging and whether the will of voters was truly translated into votes. No matter how many times we recount the ballots, we will face the same situation. Even if we were to annul elections, the same could happen”. B&H CEC member Vlado Rogic said: “We have neither the time nor the funds. Therefore, I am certain that the overall manifestation of will with our decision will be translated into mandates”. B&H CEC member Zeljko Bakalar said: “Polling station committees delegated by politics have created a chaos regarding packing and created enormous job for the B&H CEC, the Main Counting Center and our warehouse. That is the cause of waiting so long for the election results”. B&H CEC member Vanja Bjelica-Prutina voted against the decision on establishing and publishing election results, saying there is no doubt that Dodik is the RS President, but noting that controllers at 253 polling stations said there could be changes in regard to election results for the RS Vice President. “I am of view that after so much effort, so many accusations we were subjected to and tiredness in the Main Counting Center and everything we were exposed to, the least we could have done today is to have a quality report. By accepting this, we support unlawful activities of polling station committees’’, said Bjelica-Prutina during the session.

Dodik: We must all gather around the RS and its values (ATV)

After the CEC B&H confirmed that he won the election for the RS President, SNSD leader Milorad Dodik held a press conference on Thursday in Istocno Sarajevo. He said it does not matter who voted for who, but the only thing that matters is RS’ progress and better lives for all its people. We must unite, and we must turn towards the future, Dodik stressed. He said: “we must all gather around the RS and its values”, putting differences aside, and working for the greater good of all people in the RS. Dodik congratulated the RS citizens on democratic elections, thanking all those that went to the polling stations to vote for him, but also for other candidates. Due to global politics, and many crises in the world, Dodik believes that the people in RS must stand united, now more than ever. “It is very important for all Serbs, especially in the RS, to be united”, Dodik pointed out. Dodik said people in the RS showed that this is a “society with high standards” and one that has many values that are “typical for a responsible nation”. Dodik expressed satisfaction over the ended “election saga” and the recount of votes, and said he hopes things will now move forward and the RS will be able to work on matters that are important. “I believe we must gather around the RS, its values; we will be faced with very difficult, challenging times – not here, but on a global scale, and on the regional scale, and in the EU. And that will, inevitably, reflect on the possibilities in the RS as well”, Dodik assessed. He emphasized that his primary goal and interest will be the RS. He said he is glad he received the support of RS citizens, and he will work to fulfill their expectations. Dodik also said he is glad that they were responsible during election night, and that they waited to reveal election results. I am very glad that we were right, and in regards to that, I am very proud of my associates that did not succumb to euphoria and many other things, like others did, Dodik stated. Speaking about Tuesday’s gathering in Banja Luka, Dodik said he is glad that the people presented their will at this event and supported the ruling authorities in their future work. I received encouragement, I received new energy and new strength after that gathering, and I want to place the people of RS as my highest priority, Dodik said. In conclusion of his statement, Dodik said he will try to be a president for all people in the RS, and that he will work on helping everyone. He called on all political subjects to keep the stability and peace. He said they should all cooperate, and try and understand each other, as only through understanding can one make great things. “We should work on going through these difficult times together; working in peace and stability, the level of stability that will be possible, and in that way, we will contribute to stabilization of our lives, our economy, our RS”, Dodik concluded.

Cvijanovic: Will of people clear even on 2 October, we are moving towards rapid formation of RS institutions (RTRS)

Outgoing RS President and newly-elected Serb member of the B&H Presidency Zeljka Cvijanovic stated that the will of the people was clear even on October 2 and added: “We are moving towards the rapid formation of the institutions of the RS.” Cvijanovic stressed: “We will quickly form the authorities in order to preserve peace, stability and continue the activities that the citizens expect from us.” Cvijanovic said that the CEC is “the most ordinary circus” and that this shame should be urgently corrected and a credible institution established. “After following the session of the CEC and in addition to everything I have said so far about them, I will now add the following – the CEC is the most ordinary circus”, wrote Cvijanovic on Instagram. According to her, they do not even know the constitutional categories, so they inform that there is what everyone knows that it does not exist, the Presidency of the RS in which, after some sort of control counting, a Serb, Croat and Bosniak member has been elected, instead of a president and two vice presidents. “What can we say about the wrong indication, and then there was also the correction of the names of the candidates who were elected as vice presidents”, added Cvijanovic. DEMOS leader Nedeljko Cubrilovic said that the latest decision on the results for the RS President is CEC’s attempt to get out of the illegalities this institution has been involved in. Cubrilovic stated: “The CEC could do nothing but state the factual situation when it comes to the elections, which we did not doubt for a single moment.” United Srpska leader Nenad Stevandic assessed that the CEC has confirmed the will of the people of the RS. “The CEC first forced us to unite and show that the RS is determined, and then we forced the CEC to recognize the will of the people”, Stevandic pointed out. He said that caution is needed towards the CEC in the next few days as well “because they are not to be trusted.” NDP leader Dragan Cavic noted that all the political projections and attempts to eliminate Milorad Dodik as candidate for the RS President apparently did not have even a minimal basis in the counted votes and the CEC did the only thing it could. SNSD Secretary-General Luka Petrovic pointed out that Dodik’s election victory was clear, but the opposition members did not want to accept the will of the citizens of RS.

PDP’s Trivic says she does not accept election result which is accurate sum of incorrect data (BN TV)

Reacting to the announcement of the B&H CEC that SNSD candidate Milorad Dodik won the most votes in the race for the President of the RS, candidate of the opposition for the President of the RS Jelena Trivic (PDP) stated that she does not accept the election result “which is an accurate sum of incorrect data”. “I will not congratulate Milorad Dodik because he did not win the elections, but came to victory by stealing, as his actions and attacks in the days behind us showed. It is obvious that the CEC succumbed to the pressures that came from the regime, but very possibly to some other pressures that will be known very soon, just like everything is known in B&H in advance, and trampled the electoral will of the people, which unfortunately destroyed another institution that was supposed to serve the people above all. All the actors of this process are aware of the fact that the elections were stolen, but with their actions they are slowly absolving themselves of responsibility and legalizing election theft and corruption, with the explanation that with this kind of Election Law, the system of appointment of polling station committees and city or municipal election commissions, it is not possible to have fair and honest elections,” Trivic was quoted as saying.

Sarovic says B&H CEC missed historic opportunity to deal fatal blow to electoral corruption (BN TV)

The leaders of the leading opposition parties in RS have announced that they will appeal against the decision of the B&H CEC to determine and publish the results of elections for the President of the RS. SDS leader Mirko Sarovic said that he does not think Milorad Dodik won the elections for the RS President. “It is premature to say that. Anyway, these are preliminary results. There is a period ahead in which the possibility opens up and which we will use in relation to appeals. What about the 60 bags, was it just established that they are missing, or should that be the subject of an investigation. In my opinion, it was not ripe for making this decision today (Thursday). I think that the CEC today missed a historic opportunity to deal a fatal blow to electoral corruption, it should have been completely cut off on this. I do not accept that Dodik won and that he won fairly. If it happens, when it happens, these are victories based on fraud, corruption, theft and crime. If elections are won on the basis of fraud, crime and corruption, and society does not sanction it, the authorities will be the same for the next four years, we cannot expect anything better. I think that now we should take advantage of this moment after the CEC’s decision and start a further fight. I think that nothing can be achieved without a fight and nothing can be achieved by silence. I think one should raise one’s voice and demand justice. We should not give up, and in the few days we have at our disposal we will ask the CEC to accept our objections and appeals, and there will be many of them,” Sarovic underlined, adding that “someone who we know cheated and stole cannot be the President of the RS”. PDP leader Branislav Borenovic pointed out that it is incredible that the B&H CEC made a decision to determine and announce the results of the election for the RS President at the same session where it found enormous election irregularities and manipulations. “In any case, we will not give up. We will appeal against the decision of the CEC and use all legal and democratic methods to challenge something that in our opinion is truly devastating for this country because if this state of affairs, this model of behavior, this kind of action remains, then it is really democratic darkness here, then the institutions failed completely and election corruption has been legalized,” Borenovic emphasized.

Komsic: Dodik’s victory expected given the election results of SNSD at all levels and Cvijanovic’s results in presidential race (FTV)

Guest was B&H Presidency member and DF leader Zeljko Komsic. Commenting on SNSD leader Milorad Dodik’s victory in election for the RS President, Komsic said it was expected, given the election results of SNSD at all levels and Zeljka Cvijanovic’s results in presidential race. Asked if there is difference between the opposition and the ruling coalition in the RS in terms of their position on B&H, Komsic said there is no significant difference, noting that “political goals of both political groups in the RS are the same”, and added he does not see significant difference in their political ideas and positions “expect that the opposition is less aggressive in presenting their main political goals”. Asked to comment on Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic being restrained and if speculations that he supports PDP Vice President Jelena Trivic, Komsic said his personal impression is that “Dodik irritates Vucic for one reason, i.e. he becoming a measure of Serbdom in Serbia thus indirectly threatening Vucic’s position of a leader of – as they like to call it – the Serb World”. He went on to say that another reason for this is the fact that Dodik is increasingly aggressive in terms of pro-Russia policy, thus posing a burden to Belgrade that is still trying to balance between Russia and Europe, however, Vucic is a seasoned and wise politician to openly presents his positions.

US Embassy to B&H reacts to Dodik’s secessionist speech: Any action taken toward dissolution of B&H would violate Dayton and carry grave consequences (O Kanal)

O Kanal carries that the US Embassy to B&H has reacted to SNSD leader Milorad Dodik’s secessionist speech at the rally held in Banja Luka on Tuesday, stating, among others, that the US respects the right to peaceful gathering and protest, however there is no justification for responding to standard election integrity and accountability measures with the dangerous rhetoric about secession. “Neither the Dayton, nor the B&H Constitution, offers any entity the right to secede. Any action taken toward the dissolution of B&H would violate the Dayton and carry grave consequences’’, it was written on the US Embassy to B&H’s official Twitter account. RTRS noted that the US Embassy stated that the US is committed to the principles of DPA that B&H is a democratic, multiethnic, sovereign and independent state with indisputable territorial integrity. SNSD leader Milorad Dodik repeated his stance after the US Embassy in B&H reacted to his speech at the rally. Dodik announced on Twitter that the people of the RS showed that they do not want an anti-Dayton and anti-constitutional B&H. Dodik was quoted as saying: “If they do not return the Constitution of B&H, as agreed in the Dayton Agreement, the RS will surely leave and we will take our 49 percent of B&H with us”. In a post on his official Instagram account, Dodik wrote that the RS does not plan to remain captive in a non-Dayton B&H, if those who – since the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement (DPA) – have grossly violated it or allowed it to happen, do not allow B&H to return to its framework. Dodik pointed out that he was sorry that the US Embassy to B&H “again began to interpret the DPA and the Constitution of B&H in a way known only to them”. Dodik’s post reads: “In the preamble of the Constitution of B&H, it is written that we passed the Constitution of B&H guided by the UN Charter and inspired, among other things, by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, documents that clearly stipulate the right of peoples to self-determination.”

HR Schmidt submits semi-annual report on B&H to the United Nations Security Council: I prevented over-representation of constituent peoples in FB&H HoP (Oslobodjenje/Istraga.ba)

High Representative Christian Schmidt submitted his semi-annual report on B&H to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The Report, published by Istraga.ba portal, reads that Schmidt stated that this is his third regular report for the UN. “Reporting period was dominated by the General Elections, held on 2 October 2022. Political parties and competent institutions focused on preparation of the election process, unfortunately partially bringing in question blocking of financing of the elections, as well as registration of political parties, candidates and pre-election campaign,” Schmidt said. “My activities were dual: first, to guarantee B&H citizens that they can use their right to elect their representatives and second, to secure that will of the voters is implemented after the elections. I have imposed Amendments to Election Law on July 27 so it would be more in line with the international standards and good practices. My intervention was driven by necessity to prevent election thefts and to improve transparency and it much relied on legislation which is already in B&H Parliament. I gave instruments to the B&H CEC, which it can use to sanction violation of behavior during the election campaign,” Schmidt wrote. HR further stated that 90 parties, 38 coalitions and 17 independent candidates participated in General Elections and the turnout was at 50%. He added that in the RS, SNSD created an atmosphere where those criticizing the authority and the opposition were labeled as traitors and foreign agents, while the campaign in Federation of B&H (FB&H) was rather quiet, “even though polarization between Bosniaks and Croats increased”. In the sixth item, Schmidt wrote about new-old members of B&H Presidency and his decision to impose amendments to FB&H Constitution and Election Law. “Many observers deem that the biggest surprise in elections is defeat of Bakir Izetbegovic, leader of dominantly Bosniak party SDA. On 2 October I have imposed amendments to Constitution of FB&H and Election Law of B&H. This so called ‘functionality package’ contains a set of measures that enable the rapid establishment of legislative, executive and judicial bodies after elections. I increased the FB&H House of Peoples in order to enable distribution of delegates which serves as correction factor to having representatives of the constituent peoples be over-represented, but also, to allow for the first time, that ‘Others’ from all cantons are represented in House of Peoples,” noted Schmidt. He noted that RS authorities tried to undermine institutions, adding that this was followed by secessionist rhetoric from smaller B&H entity. “Member of B&H Presidency and SNSD leader, Milorad Dodik continued to question basics of the Dayton Peace Agreement,” noted Schmidt. The daily noted that MP in Bundestag Adis Ahmetovic commented Schmidt’s work: “Schmidt did not introduce everything that Croatia asked for. It is not right to compare Schmidt with someone from 1939 in Germany, he is not Hitler-follower, and he is not a Nazi, this needs to stop. This is Dodik’s and SNSD’s language. It is not right for part of Bosniaks to use this same language.” German Ambassador to B&H Thomas Fitschen stated that Germany and B&H have very good and close relations. He briefly commented the current political situation in B&H and decisions imposed by the High Representative Christian Schmidt regarding changes to Election Law of B&H and FB&H Constitution. “The High Representative reached these decisions in sense of them to contribute the political process so it would be unblocked here, in the country. I sincerely hope he will succeed in this because this country needs progress, reforms in order to move toward better future,” said Fitschen.

Government approves entry of US aircraft carrier (HRT)

At its session, the government gave approval for the American aircraft carrier USS “George H. W. Bush” to sail into the internal sea waters of Croatia and stay in the port of Split in November. “It is a routine visit by a ship that is part of the US Navy. In accordance with the Maritime Code, this approval is within the jurisdiction of the government,” said Minister of Defense Mario Banozic, explaining the decision. The provisions of the Maritime Code stipulate, namely, that foreign nuclear warships and foreign warships with nuclear weapons can be authorized to enter Croatian internal sea waters and stay in Croatian ports, and this approval is given by the government of the Republic of Croatia with the prior opinion of the state administration body responsible for nuclear safety, the ministry responsible for defense affairs and the ministry responsible for maritime affairs. The government also sent the final proposal for amendments to the Act on the Education Agency to parliament for a second reading, which will be harmonized with other laws, including the Act on the Croatian Qualifications Framework, in the part regarding conditions for the election of the Agency’s director. The conditions are thus prescribed that the candidate must have completed at least a graduate university study or an integrated undergraduate and graduate university study and have at least ten years of work experience in education or scientific activity in the field of education. At the end of the session, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, on behalf of the government, congratulated the leader of the Vojvodina Croats, Tomislav Zigmanov, who will lead the human and minority rights department in the new Serbian government.

Government: Approved conclusion of agreement with Slovenia on natural gas solidarity (HRT)

On Thursday, the government approved the start of the procedure for concluding an intergovernmental agreement with Slovenia on solidarity measures to protect the security of gas supply, and for the next 30 days, it maintained reduced excise duties on diesel and gasoline. As Minister of the Economy Davor Filipovic explained, the EU’s Council of Energy Ministers decided this week to start the joint procurement of natural gas at the level of the entire EU, which should contribute to lower energy prices, and a conclusion was reached regarding the creation of a new index according to which natural gas prices would be determined and the establishment of price corridors, i.e. the lowest and highest natural gas prices. According to Filipovic, the council placed special emphasis on the solidarity of the member countries in the supply of natural gas, and today’s government decision to initiate the conclusion of an agreement with Slovenia should be viewed in this context. Namely, Filipovic explained, on the basis of the European regulation on measures to protect the security of natural gas supply, each member state is obliged to sign an agreement on solidarity measures to protect the security of natural gas supply with neighboring countries and countries that may have an impact on the security of natural gas supply in that country. Accordingly, according to the government decision, Croatia will initiate the procedure for concluding an agreement between the Croatian and Slovenian governments on solidarity measures to protect the natural gas supply. This agreement regulates the legal, technical and financial elements in the event of the activation of solidarity measures between Croatia and Slovenia. The European regulation stipulates, among other things, that a member state of the European Union that is directly connected to a member state that has requested solidarity, to the greatest extent possible and without creating unsafe situations, takes the necessary measures with the aim of ensuring the supply of natural gas to customers who are not customers protected by the solidarity mechanism. This is achieved by the state from which the solidarity mechanism has been requested reducing or suspending the natural gas supply to customers who are not protected by the solidarity mechanism on its territory to the necessary extent and until the natural gas supply to customers protected by the solidarity mechanism in the member state that requested solidarity is met. A Member State of the European Union that has requested solidarity shall ensure that the relevant quantity of natural gas is actually delivered to customers protected by the solidarity mechanism on its territory.

Lower excise duties on fuel extended

The government amended the Regulation on the amount of excise duty on energy products and electricity, whereby for a period of 30 days, starting on 31 October, it maintained reduced excise duties on gasoline and diesel. This year, since March, due to the increase in energy prices, the government has already changed the regulation seven times. Considering the fact that the reduced excise duty amounts prescribed by the currently valid regulation are in effect until October 30, and the circumstances that have influenced the increase in the price of energy products still exist, the Government, with today’s decision, has maintained the reduced excise duty rates for the most sold energy products, i.e. for unleaded motor gasoline and for diesel fuel. Thus, the amount of excise duty is further harmonized with the minimum prescribed EU directive.

Djukanovic: Russia tries to regain Cold War geopolitical rules through history revisionꓼ we must punish aggressors (Portal Analitika)

“We are witnessing an obvious value evasion of societies in the Western Balkans and the shaken faith in the reality of the foreseeable European perspective. On the one hand, it is a consequence of absences of more proactive EU enlargement policy, and of the aggressive use of that space, on the other hand”, said the President of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic, answering media questions after today’s meeting in Poland. “I think it is something that obliges us all together to try to prevent future removal of the Western Balkans from the Euro-Atlantic highway. We have no dilemma – Russia is in effort to regain the rules of the Cold War geopolitics through the revision of history. It wants to take for itself the right to decide on behalf of other countries about their future. It tried to do this in the name of Montenegro, the most drastic attempt was in 2016, and those efforts are still lastingꓼ and its attempt to disable Ukraine to choose its way into the future is what we have been witnessing since 24 February”, Djukanovic said. He added that Europe was on the historical exam. “This generation of statesmen in Europe, liked it or not, is at the historical exam. The aggressor has to be stopped and then punished – politically and legally. That penalty must follow everyone who performs aggression and kills people. If we don’t do that, we will open the door to future aggressors. There is no other option”, Djukanovic pointed out.

Djukanovic: The right we sought for ourselves also applies to others; EU and NATO should be more active in our region (Gradski portal)

The relations between Montenegro and Poland are relations of partnership and friendship that go back to the time when Montenegro was a monarchy, said the President of Montenegro Milo Djukanovic after the meeting with the President of Poland Andrzej Duda. The main topic of the second meeting at the highest level between the presidents of the two countries during a period of less than a year was Russia’s aggression against Ukraine with security implications for Europe. According to President Djukanovic, Poland is at the epicenter of efforts that make Ukraine persist in defending its independence and territorial integrity. The reflection of that crisis on the Western Balkans is very visible and harmful, he said. “We see that the Western Balkans is in a worse condition than it was a few years ago. The public of our region is shaken with regard to the reality of the foreseeable European perspective due to the absence of EU policy on the one hand and the Russian destructive policy on the other”, said Djukanovic. Russia wants to seize the right to make decisions on behalf of other countries, he stressed. “It tried to do it on behalf of Montenegro, especially in 2016… and now it continues. Europe is now on the test. Either we will stop the aggressor or after that we will punish the aggressor politically and legally”, he said. The Western Balkans should not be left to the influence of anti-European policies because this is the devastation of Europe, not only the Western Balkans, he pointed out. “The right that we sought for ourselves, we mean for all other countries – to restore independence and choose our own path to the future, which is European and Euro-Atlantic. That’s why the EU, as well as NATO, should be more active in our region”, Djukanovic was clear. Poland supports Montenegro’s entry into the EU and the open-door policy, Duda said at the press conference. He added that he had also discussed military and energy security with President Djukanovic.

Abazovic and Adzic to head Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense (CdM)

The Prime Minister in technical mandate Dritan Abazovic has made decisions on appointing the heads of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Minister of the Interior Filip Adzic has been selected for the head of the Ministry of Defense, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be managed by Abazovic. We remind you that last week, the Parliament dismissed the Ministers of Defense and Internal Affairs from the SDP ranks, Rasko Konjevic and Ranko Krivokapic, at the request of Abazovic, even though the government lost the support of the parliament in August.

Mickoski: Not voting for constitutional changes under current conditions (MIA)

VMRO-DPMNE will not support constitutional changes in Parliament unless the European Union guarantees that the country will become its member without Bulgaria making new demands during the negotiations, according to the party’s leader Hristijan Mickoski. “If they think the VMRO-DPMNE parliamentary group will support these constitutional amendments under these conditions and these circumstances, then I’m publicly saying: It won’t happen,” Mickoski said. Reiterating his party’s position on changing the Constitution so the Bulgarian community is mentioned together with the others already listed there — as required by the bilateral protocol North Macedonia signed with Bulgaria so EU membership talks could start, Mickoski said: “Our position is clear. We will not support constitutional amendments under these conditions.”He said this in response to a reporter asking him to comment on European Commission President  Ursula Von der Leyen’s saying in Skopje on Wednesday that she expected a majority of MPs to vote for the constitutional changes. Earlier, Mickoski had said VMRO-DPMNE would support the amendments only if it received guarantees from the EU that the country would join the Union without Bulgaria imposing new vetoes during the accession process. Regarding the EU’s assistance for the country announced by the EC President, Mickoski said any help was welcome, especially if it included grants for constructing the railway to Bulgaria and financial support for Corridors 8 and 10a as well as energy projects such the Chebren hydropower plant. Commenting on the significance of Wednesday’s signing of the Frontex Agreement in the Macedonian language, Mickoski said Macedonian had long been recognized by the United Nations and codified according to all linguistic and scientific norms so it was a non-issue. He added that the agreement was just one of hundreds of agreements the country had already signed with international institutions, including the EU, in Macedonian.

Taravari believes early elections might happen if constitutional changes are not voted (TV Kanal 5/Vecher)

Gostivar Mayor and acting president of the Alliance of Albanians Arben Taravari said that if the constitutional amendments are not approved, early parliamentary elections will be inevitable. In an interview on TV Kanal 5, Taravari said that he hopes this parliamentary composition will pass the constitutional amendments and that their request to remove the wording “another language spoken by 20 percent of the population” from the Constitution will be accepted. “I believe this issue has already been resolved and that there is a good mood among both Macedonian and Albanian parties. I believe there is a consensus on that. It is not dignified for any language to stand 20 percent,” said Taravari.

Xhaferi: Von der Leyen visit confirms legitimacy of our commitment to EU membership (Sloboden pecat)

The visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to the country is an exceptional sign of unity and support from the European Union, confirming the legitimacy of our strategic commitment to full-fledged membership in the European Union, says Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi. Speaker Xhaferi attended late Wednesday the dinner hosted by President Stevo Pendarovski in honor of EC President von der Leyen, also attended by EU Ambassador David Geer. Xhaferi saluted Von der Leyen’s visit to the Western Balkans amid a period of energy crisis, saying her arrival represents an added support of the EU to the Republic of North Macedonia and the region, the Parliament said in a press release. It adds that the visit is an exceptional sign of unity and support from the European Union, confirming the legitimacy of North Macedonia’s strategic commitment to full-fledged EU membership. The signing of the Frontex agreement in Macedonian language reaffirms what the Speaker told the EC President at a recent meeting, that “the Macedonian language will be registered without any footnotes and time will tell that the right decision was made”.

Kovachevski – Peach: North Macedonia contributes to regional, European stability (MIA)

Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski alongside Defense Minister Slavjanka Petrovska met with Sir Stuart Peach, the UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, who was accompanied by British Ambassador to the country Matthew Lawson. Talks focused on current issues in regional and global context, towards stability and peace in Europe and the world, the government said in a press release. “Participants in the meeting welcomed the decisions of the government that enabled start of negotiations and progress in the European integration process as a strategic goal of North Macedonia, and of importance for the stability and security of both the region and the EU. Interlocutors stressed the need for focus of all political entities in the country on policies of solutions, instead of policies of blockades and producing misunderstandings, particularly given the current global security and political context,” reads the press release. In addition, interlocutors said the positioning of North Macedonia’s foreign policy, in line with the policies of the countries of Europe, in relation to the situation in Ukraine and the contribution of our country, through the policies of friendship and dialogue, to the regional stability, was significant. “Participants in the meeting extended congratulations on the Frontex agreement signed in Skopje on Wednesday, in Macedonian language, thus reaffirming the recognition and respect for the Macedonian language and Macedonian identity by the EU,” the press release adds. Kovachevski extended gratitude for all the support from the United Kingdom, which is extremely important in the democratic, integration, reform and all other processes, and important for the citizens of the country. The United Kingdom, the press release notes, is a great strategic partner and friend of North Macedonia, and cooperation continues to be promoted in that direction. Talks also tackled challenges energy, as an effect of the war in Ukraine, discussing possible sustainable solutions in this area, both in the country and in Europe.

Osmani – Peach: Cooperation and strong support from the UK to continue (MIA)

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani met Thursday with the United Kingdom’s Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, Sir Stuart Peach, who is on a two-day working visit to North Macedonia. In a press release, the MFA said that Osmani welcomed Peach’s intense engagement in the Western Balkan region, which is a confirmation of the United Kingdom’s continued commitment to the region. The Minister introduced the Special Envoy to the EU accession negotiations process, and the opening of the screening process, stating that it will contribute to further progress in the country’s EU integration, through the implementation of the EU reforms. At the meeting, Osmani and Peach also touched upon the successful cooperation between the two countries in other areas of mutual interest. The United Kingdom remains North Macedonia’s second largest trade partner, and one of the largest direct foreign investors in the country. “The Special Envoy assured the minister that the United Kingdom will continue to support North Macedonia’s European integration and the process of maintaining security and stability in the entire Western Balkan region, with the goal of overcoming all risks and consequences of the war in Ukraine. He welcomed North Macedonia’s role and firm commitment to safeguarding global peace and security as a NATO ally,” said the MFA in the press release.

Stano: Member states to decide on next steps in EU process with North Macedonia (MIA)

European Commission spokesperson Peter Stano told Thursday’s press briefing that member states will decide on the next steps in the EU process with North Macedonia, MIA’s Brussels correspondent reports. The spokesperson mentioned European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen’s statement on Wednesday that North Macedonia deserves to move forward and make progress as quickly as possible. However, he added, member states are to decide on the next step. North Macedonia got conditional opening of the negotiation chapters and the first intergovernmental conference, the condition being change to the Constitution and inclusion of the Bulgarians in it. Meanwhile, the country got a “political” intergovernmental conference, and it needs to complete the screening process before opening the chapters and clusters of the negotiation process. As regards the Frontex agreement signed yesterday in Skopje, the EU Commission’s spokesperson on home affairs Anitta Hipper said Thursday that it will allow teams of the EU agency to be deployed, whose purpose is to monitor the Union’s external borders. Deploying Frontex to the Macedonian borders will enable the EU to cooperate with the Macedonian police in border management, deal with registration, border checks, joint operations to fight smuggling and organized crime, and exchange information with North Macedonia. Both parties should develop an operational plan specific to North Macedonia, which will respond to the needs of the country and the EU.

Rama press conference with Ursula Von der Leyen/ Tirana-Rinas-Durres railway will be ready in 2024 (Radio Tirana)

Prime Minister Edi Rama, in the joint statement with the President of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen, praised her for the help given to Albania, as she announced that the Tirana-Durres railway will be ready in the spring of 2024. “We are aware that thanks to you personally, we had even greater support than we would have had after the catastrophic earthquake a few years ago, we are aware that even in this situation, again thanks to the approach of the Commission towards the Western Balkans and yours personally, again we are not alone. So I want to thank the president for this stop in Tirana, we were together to see the works of the new railway finally in this case not because of the bureaucracy of the Commission, but of the European Bank for Construction and Development, the project has started later than the forecast, in the spring of 2024 we will have the railway axis, Tirana-Durres, Tirana-Rinas-Durres and vice versa”, said Rama.

The opening of negotiations with the EU, the EC President from Tirana: This is your success! You are strengthening the rule of law (Radio Tirana)

“Albania is moving determinedly on its path of progress towards the EU. The last enlargement report has shown all the progress, you are strengthening the rule of law with important reforms.” That is the statement issued by the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen in a press conference with the Albanian Prime Minister. According to the president, the opening of Albania’s membership negotiations is the result of the country’s several years of reforms. “This is your success, the result of many years of great effort, the result of years of patience. You have maintained a very strong focus on your European integration process, and this has led to negotiations. You have shown your commitment to EU values,” said the EC President.

Blinken meets Xhacka: We discussed cyber protection; We will stand by you (Radio Tirana)

The American Secretary of State Antony Blinken reacted through a post on Twitter, after the meeting he had with the Albanian delegation led by chief diplomat Olta Xhacka. While saying that the successful US-Albania strategic dialogue was celebrated, Secretary Blinken adds that the diplomats of the two countries discussed common priorities in democratic reform, defense, including cyber defense, climate change and trade. At the end of the post, Blinken says that the US stands side by side with Albania, which he calls a longtime ally. “Good to see my friend Olta Xhacka and celebrate a successful US-Albania Strategic Dialogue. We discussed shared priorities in democratic reform, defense, including cyber defense, climate change, and trade. The United States stands side by side with Albania, a longstanding Ally,” writes Blinken. In the meeting at the Department of State, both parties reconfirmed the strategic partnership and commitment to continue cooperation of mutual interest in areas such as: defense, cyber security, energy, transport or trade.

Berisha-Meta meeting: Opposition’s pre-electoral agreement to be signed tomorrow (ADN)

The Democratic Party (DP) and Freedom Party (FP) Chairs, Sali Berisha and Ilir Meta, met on Wednesday morning to discuss the opposition’s strategy for the local government elections, print and electronic media report. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Meta said that the pre-electoral agreement between the two political forces would be signed today, and that he had proposed “a super-politician” to Berisha as a candidate for Head of the Tirana Municipal Council. “And Berisha accepted my proposal with pleasure,” he added. In a press conference held in the early afternoon, on Wednesday, the FP Chair explained the modalities and dynamics of the DP-FP electoral co-operation. According to Meta, the FP officials would participate in the primaries organized by the DP to select the mayoral candidates, even though the FP’s major electoral goal were the municipal councils and their heads. According to Meta, in those municipalities where a DP official is elected as mayoral candidate the FP would automatically get the head of the municipal council. In addition, he said to have told Berisha that all candidates should run in a positive and co-operative way in the primaries, as every candidate who tries to damage another one should be automatically excluded from the electoral race. According to Meta, this is necessary in view of the fact that the opposition is facing the regime led by Edi Rama, whose specialty are what he said were the unprincipled efforts to control and divide the opposition.